Item 16 - Letter from Lord John Russell, Prime Minister, to George Charles, 3rd Earl

4pp

Letter from [the Prime Minister, Lord John {Russell], Tan-y-Barlech, [Wales], to George Charles, 3rd Earl, stating that he has received his letter of 23rd conveying the observations of the Board of Guardians and that they do not appear to have listened to his remarks in his previous letter. He points out that even if money was squandered and relief given to those not entitled to it, no one can deny that of 'the hundreds of thousands who received wages in money, or relief in food, the greater part were victims of the great calamity which at that time afficted Ireland'. Despite bad management and the inability of the Board of Works to cope with such a vast system of relief, he contends that at least £4m must have been used for the right purposes and this is what Ireland is being asked to repay. He concludes by asking the Earl 'yourself a member of the legislature, to withdraw your plea of setting yourself above the Law and to substitute for it, those considerations to which the Treasury can properly listen'.