mited mill-power in the neighbourhood
of Westport, and how important it was that private merchants, who had
ordered consignments of Indian corn to that port, should have ready
means of grinding it, "My Lords" express their opinion, that the
supplies intended for the Government depot at Westport should, if
possible, consist only of meal; and they promise to give directions
that not only that depot, but all the Government depots in Ireland,
should, as far as practicable, be replenished with that article.

Mr. Lister, in the letter just cited, encloses to Sir R. Routh, in a
tabular form, an account of the mill-power in Westport, Newport, and
along the coast of Mayo and Connemara. He informs his Chief that there
were, in the extent of country named, ten ordinary mills and twenty
"gig" mills in all, capable of grinding one hundred and seventy tons of
oatmeal per day. Five of those mills were fit to grind Indian corn, and
wheat could be ground at all, except the gig mills. The mill-power of
Galway and its vicinity, taking in Loughrea, Gort, Cong, and Tuam, was
not so considerable. In that extent there were thirteen mills, capable
of grinding about five hundred and twenty tons a-week; but some of these
were not available for Government business. All could grind Indian corn.
They were entirely dependant on the water-supply: when it failed, which
generally happened about the end of September, they had to cease
working.[169] Foreseeing the great difficulty of being able to command
sufficient mill-power near those places in which their depots were, the
Treasury ordered a return of the mill-power at the chief government
victualling establishments on the English coast, as there would be no
difficulty in sending meal to Ireland from those places. It was found
that the combined available mill-power of Deptford, Portsmouth, and
Plymouth could turn out no more than two hundred and fifty quarters
a-day.[170] However, it was put in requisition as soon as possible. In
addition, Indian corn was ground at the King's mills, Rotherhithe, and
by some private mills engaged for the purpose. There were one thousand
tons of barley ground in Essex, and some even in the Channel Islands.
The mill-power at Deptford was, meantime, increased by an additional
engine. If anyone be curious enough to enquire, how the numberless sacks
necessary to carry all this meal and corn to Ireland were supplied, the
answer is--the Ordnance Department undertook that servi