Page:Irish Emigration and The Tenure of Land in Ireland.djvu/89

be directly affected by the tyranny and injustice of the landed proprietor—it must necessarily follow

 "Have you had oceasion to remove many tenants?—Yes, when I first came; from one property.

"What class were they?—The very small pauperized class of tenantry living near the bog, in the county of Limerick. They were removed, and the land set in large holdings.

"What system did you pursue in removing these people?—I distrained them. They were very badly off, and in a miserable state; their mode of living was by stealing turf and selling it in Tipperary. They nominally had paid rent for the land, but they were greatly in arrear, and I gave them money to emigrate, and they went to America without any trouble. From about eighty acres of land there were 290 men, women, and children sent away.


"Were those proceedings carried on without any disturbance?—Yes, it excited no ill-will.
"Have the tenants you put in the farms continued there till this time?—Yes, they are there now.

"Can you recollect the largest size of the holdings of any of those you removed?—I should think in one case as far as eight or nine acres; no holding was over ten, and many of them two, or three, or one."—Dig. Dev. Com. p. 467.

William Hamilton, Esq., Land Agent.

"When landlords have removed excessive population, they have generally offered the alternative of emigration on very favourable terms. This has been sometimes accepted, but more generally refused. Compensation is then given, either by money or free occupation for a certain time, or both, the tenant carrying away crops, materials of houses, &c. Where the arrangements are made with firmness, but at the same time judiciously and humanely, the majority of the persons affected acquiesce in their necessity, and are often benefited by them." Dig. Dev. Com. p. 467.

Rev. Robert Sargeant, Land Agent.

"Was it usual in general to make an allowance to assist