. LlMERICK,

_13th August 1877_.

To my Tenants on Kilballyowen and Herbertstown Estate, Co.
Limerick.

MY FRIENDS,--Pending the evictions by the Sheriff on my estate,
caused by your refusal to pay judicial rents on offers of liberal
abatements, I desire to remind you of the following facts:--

I am a resident landlord; my ancestors have dwelt amongst you for
over 400 years; every tenant is personally known to me, and the
most friendly relations have always existed between us.

I am not aware of there ever having been an eviction by the Sheriff
on my estate.

Farming myself over 400 acres, and my late agent (Mr. Shine), a
tenant farmer living within four miles of my property, I have every
opportunity of realising and knowing your wants.

On the passing of the Land Act of 1881, I desired you to have any
benefit it could afford you, and as you nearly all held under
lease--which precluded you from going into court--I intimated to
you my wish, and offered you to allow your lands to be valued at my
expense, or to let you go into court and get your rents fixed by
the sub-commissioners.

You elected to have a valuation made, and Mr. Edmond Moroney was
agreed on as a land-valuer, possessing the confidence of tenants
and landlord.

I may mention, up to then I had not known Mr. Moroney personally.

In 1883 Mr. Moroney valued your holdings, and, as a result, his
valuation was accepted (except in three or four cases), and
judicial agreements signed by you, at rents ascertained by Mr.
Moroney's valuation.

The late Patrick Hogan objected to Mr. Moroney's valuation of his
farm, and went into court, and had his rent fixed by the County
Court Judge.

Thomas Moroney would not allow Mr. Edmond Moroney to value his
holding, nor would he go into court, his reason no doubt being he
should disclose the receipts of the amount of the tolls of the
fairs.

The rents were subsequently paid on Mr. Moroney's valuation with
punctuality.

In 1885, recognising the fall in prices of stock and produce, and
at the request of my late agent, Mr. Shine, I directed him to allow
you 15 per cent. on all judicial rents, or rents abated on Mr.
Moroney's valuation, and 25 per cent. on all other rents, when you
paid punctually and with thanks.

In October last, when calling