outside the Workhouse, upon which they
retired. It was reported that an attack had been made upon Lord Stuart
de Decies, on occasion of his attending the special sessions at
Clashmore, during which it was said that several persons cried out,
"Knock him down;" but his Lordship, in a letter to the newspapers, gave
a complete contradiction to this report. A deputation from the
magistrates of Clonakilty, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Townsend, the
rector, and John O'Hea, Esq., waited on the Lord Lieutenant on the 5th
of October. They stated they were deputed by the clergy of all
denominations, the magistrates, the gentry, and the people of the
district, to lay before Government the utter desolation caused by the
destruction of the potato crop; the poor having been for some time past
living on cabbage leaves and food of that description. They pressed upon
his Excellency the urgent necessity which existed for sending an
immediate supply of provisions into the locality. The magistrates, they
stated, had directed them to say that they would not be responsible for
the peace of the district, if such a supply as would check the
exorbitant price of meal were not sent forthwith. At Youghal two ships
laden with corn for exportation were stopped by the people, and for some
time prevented from sailing. Large numbers assembled at Macroom, with
the apparent intention of making an attack upon property; but, through
the advice and judicious conduct of Sir David Roche, they dispersed.
Horses engaged in carrying corn to the coast for exportation were
sometimes shot. In a few places, especially in Connaught, convoys of
meal and flour were seized and carried off.

The troops and police had a hard time of it. Detachments of either, or
both, had to be despatched to those places in which disturbances had
occurred, or were apprehended. Numerous arrests were made in every
instance.

A very alarming symptom in those assemblages was that they occurred
almost simultaneously, many of them even on the same day, although there
is no trace of this being the result of previous organization. At the
moment, the whole framework of society in Ireland was shaken and
disjointed, and, in fact, on the point of falling into utter confusion;
yet there were no manifestations of reckless wickedness--the demands of
the people did not go beyond the cry for food and employment, at fair
wages.

The Lord Lieutenant issued a proclamation against those food and labour
riot