The Clare Journal of Thurs 8 Jan 1863 reported on the meeting of the board of Guardians of Ennis Union, which had been held the previous day. The Board took the routine statement on the state of the house and then moved to the subject of emigration from the workhouse:
The Clare Journal, Thur 8 Jan 1863:
Ennis Board of Guardians. The usual weekly meeting of this body was held in the Board-room of the workhouse yesterday, at one o’clock, p.m. – Major MacDonnell in the chair. The other members present were – Michael Kerin, John McMahon, John Cullinan, Major Studdert, Thomas Keane, J.P.; Patrick Daly, William Halpin, Daniel O’Keeffe, and Hugh O’Loughlin, J.P.
State of the House. Remaining in the house on Saturday, January 3, 479; admitted, 0; born, 0; died, 0; discharged, 0; Healthy and infirm, 253; Fever hospital, 9; infirmary, 217. Total, 479. General average cost, 2s 2d.
Emigration. The Very Rev. Dean Kenny, appeared before the Board to ascertain whether the Guardians were disposed to collect any funds to assist a young woman named Ellen Ryder, who is an inmate of the house, to emigrate. Dean Kenny produced two letters, one from the young woman’s sister in America, and the other from her mother in reference to the case, and from the statements contained in them it appeared that the young woman in America was willing to send 20 dollars to Ennis to enable Ellen Ryder to emigrate to her, and that she had actually taken steps to have the money sent, but was informed in America that she would have to pay 30 dollars for the 20 before she could effect her object. Ellen Ryder herself has been about twelve months an inmate of the Ennis work-house.
After considering all the circumstances of the case, the guardians agreed to advance £4 to enable the girl to go to her sister, provided her friends made up the remainder, which would be about £3.
The Clerk then read the following letter [from the] Government Emigration Board, 8 Park-street, Westminster, 3rd January, 1863. “Sir – I have to acknowledge your letter of the 31st ultimo, requesting to be informed whether the Government would grant assistance to emigrate 25 young women from Ennis Union. In reply, I am to explain that the funds, at the disposal of this Board, for assisting persons wishing to emigrate are supplied, not by the Home Government, but by such of the Colonies as wish to import particular descriptions of labour. The only Colony which, at present, has remitted funds to us, with a request to select emigrants for free passage is Victoria, and the Colonial Authorities have specified the class of females to be assisted. We are soliciting of this Colony trained indoor domestic servants, of good character, who have lived out in respectable families for wages. Inmates of workhouses and prisons, in habitual receipt of parish relief, we are not authorized to send out. We regret, therefore, that it is not in our power to assist the young women in question. With regard to the desire of the Board of Guardians to be informed what Colony the Commissioners recommend, I am to state that it is difficult to offer advice to intending settlers as to the choice of a Colony, as so much depends upon opportunities which are constantly varying, and also the energy and previous habits of the individuals concerned. Canada, however, is the Colony reached at the least cost of time and money, and offers a large and promising a field for industry as any of our Colonies. The cost of steerage passage to Quebec, including provisions during the voyage, would probably be about £5, but on this point, should the Guardians be able to provide the necessary protection during the voyage – which would be a difficulty in the case – the Emigration officer at Queenstown or at Liverpool would, on your applying to him, furnish you with the exact rates of passage, and afford you any assistance in securing passages in a suitable vessel. The homes and addresses of these officers are noted in the margin. But there will be no sailing vessels before March next, as the navigation of the St. Lawrence is closed during the winter. It is, moreover, a bad time of the year for emigrants to arrive in the Colony much before May, as they might find difficulty in obtaining situations. It would be advisable, I may add, if the Guardians came to the conclusion of sending out the young women in question to Canada, that they should communicate the intended arrivals of the emigrants to the Emigration agent at Quebec, A. C. Buchanan, Esq., who would do all in his power to assist them in obtaining employment, and would forward them to the most suitable localities, if the Guardians remit to him, as is frequently done in like cases, any sum they may think proper for paying the inland travelling expenses. I enclose, in case it may be of service to emigrants, two small pamphlets, relating to Canada.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, S. Walcott.”
The Chairman then proposed that the best thanks of the Board be given to the Emigration Commissioners for the very satisfactory communication which had been received from them. The motion was unanimously agreed to.
The Chairman called the attention of the Board to the fact that he had seen it stated in a Dublin newspaper that there were funds in the hands of the Mansion House Committee, to the amount of £2,500, which had been sent from Victoria for distribution in the destitute districts of the South and West of Ireland. Those who sent the money were of the opinion that, if the distress did not amount to actual famine, the money should be expended in assisting poor persons to emigrate to Victoria. It was now a question, whether the Board should not make application to the Mansion House Committee, for the purpose of seeing if any of the funds in hands could be given to the Board to assist inmates of the Workhouse to emigrate.
Mr. Kerin thought that there was no harm in making the application, but it was not probable the committee would give any of the money for the purpose.
Mr. Keane observed that there was a great deal of distress in the County Clare at the present time.
After some further conversation, the Clerk was instructed to write to the Mansion House Committee on the subject.
The Clare Journal, Thur 29 Jan 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract taken from report on the meeting of the board held on the previous day:
The Dublin Relief Committee [The Mansion House Committee]. The Clerk read a letter for the Relief of Distress, in reply to a communication forwarded by the Board, asking for a portion of money sent from Australia, to assist the poor of the South and West of Ireland to emigrate to that colony. The letter contained an extract from the minutes of the Central Committee [of the Mansion House Committee], informing the Board that the Committee had reserved for another Winter the funds in question, rather than to expend them at present on emigration.
Emigration. Mr. Kerin observed he saw placards distributed through the town of Ennis in reference to emigration to Queensland.
Mr. Greene believed that the best place to select for emigrants was Canada.
Mr. Kerin said he would rather go to Queensland.
Mr. Greene replied that the Emigration Commissioners would not take paupers from the workhouse as emigrants to Queensland. Besides the voyage was a long one and the terms were higher than those for Canada. He had been making inquiries on the subject of Canadian emigration, and he had learned from a friend who was in Canada that as soon as a ship arrived at the port from Limerick with emigrants, the people found employment of some kind immediately, but he observed that no emigrant need go there without at least a pound or thirty shillings in his or her pocket. The season was now advancing, and if anything could be done by the Board to promote emigration it should be done at once. In his opinion the Clerk should be instructed to write to the emigration agents to ascertain the terms upon which emigrants would be received to Canada, and that in the meantime the master and matron of the workhouse should be directed to prepare an estimate of the probable cost of an outfit to the paupers.
Major Studdert considered it would be better to select Queensland than Canada.
Mr. Greene – But they will not take paupers to Queensland. Your were officially informed to that effect some weeks ago.
The Chairman – They will not take any person to Queensland who is in receipt of parish relief.
Major Studdert suggested that if the paupers could be sent on the terms of paying the reduced sale of passage money it would be well. The cost of each in that case would be about £4.
Mr. Greene replied it would require to have persons in Australia to advance the requisite sum of money there, in order to get the paupers received as emigrants, and how was the Board to do that?
Mr. Kerin said it was announced in the hand-bills circulated through the town that the cost of passage money was £8 for males, and £4 for females.
Major Studdert said they would be required to pay £4, if the emigrants would be taken on such terms.
The Chairman – Let the Clerk write to ascertain whether the paupers would be taken if the Board consented to pay £4 for each one. I am at present emigrating 30 families off my estate to Queensland.
The Clerk was then directed to write for the necessary information.
The Clare Journal, Thur 12 Feb 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract taken from report on the meeting of the board held on the previous day:
Emigration. Several letters were received by the Clerk from emigration agents, in reference to the cost of sending out emigrants. One from Mr. Thomas Gibson, of Kilrush, proposed that the writer was willing to send out adults from the workhouse, free from Ennis to New York, for £4 10s per head, and to Quebec for £5, including bed and bedding. Another from Messrs. Sabel and Searle, of Liverpool, stating that - “ We are prepared to take any number of healthy girls from your union, and land them at Quebec, on the following terms, viz: - By the Culloden sailing ship from Liverpool, about April 5th to 10th, including fare from Dublin to Liverpool, per steamer, and outfit for bedding and utensils for £4 13s per adult. By steamer direct from Cork, 8th to 11th April, at £5 13s, including bedding and utensils, your Board of Guardians paying their fare by rail to Cork.”
The Clare Journal, Thur 26 Feb 1863: Ennis Board of Guardians. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. Several letters were read from emigration agents in reply to communications from the Board, in reference to the terms upon which pauper inmates of the house could be sent to the colonies.
From one dated July 5, Francis-street, Kilrush, we take the following extract:
“We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter of yesterday’s date, and, in reply, beg to state the government of Queensland are taking out single domestic servants at £4 each, but the number to be taken by each ship in this way is small and uncertain. Dr. Quinn, the Bishop of Brisbane, is taking both males and females out at £7 10s. His brother, the Very Rev. Dr. Quinn, who conducts the Irish portion of the business, is at present engaged in making arrangements for conducting the emigration movement on a large scale. If he should succeed to his satisfaction we shall have great pleasure in communicating with you on the subject, as we are his sole agents in Clare. We also act as agents on the government plan. If the latter plan should be preferred, and that our agency shall be employed in the case named by you, certificates of age and character should by supplied to us, and we would get down forms to be filled up.” The question of emigration having been considered it was moved by Mr. Greene and seconded by Mr. Kerin: “That it is the opinion of this Board that it would be in the interest of the Union to emigrate to Canada, 25 girls who have been from time to time in the house for the past few years, and that the Clerk be directed to advertise for tenders for emigrating the above number to Quebec, free from Ennis, including provisions, furniture, bedding and all the necessary utensils connected with same. The agent of the party tendering will have to take charge of the emigrants from Ennis, and see them on board ship. Tenders will be received this day week.”
The Clerk was directed to write to the Waterford Union, to ascertain what steps the guardians there have taken in reference to emigration.
The Clare Journal, Thur 5 Mar 1863, published an advertisement, placed by the Ennis Board of Guardians, seeking tenders for taking charge of emigrating 25 girls (inmates of the workhouse) to Canada:
Ennis Union. Emigration from the Workhouse. The Board of Guardians having decided on sending out as Emigrants to Canada, 25 young girls, will on Wednesday, the 18th of March next, receive Tenders for Emigrating them to Quebec from Ennis, including travelling expenses to the port of embarkation, supplying them with Provisions, Furniture, Bedding, and all necessary utensils for the voyage, At – per Head. The parties tendering, or their agents, will be required to take charge of the emigrants from Ennis to the place of embarkation and seen them safe on board.
Tenders to be sent through post, and marked “Tender for Emigration,” in sufficient time to be received on the morning of the above-named day.
(By order) John Cotter, Clerk of the Union, Board-room, 25th February, 1863.
The Clare Journal, Thur 19 Mar 1863, published this advertisement, placed by the Board of Guardians, Ennis Union:
Ennis Union. Emigration Outfit. The Board of Guardians will, on Wednesday, the 1st of April next, will receive tenders for supplying them with the undermentioned articles for the girls they are sending out as emigrants.
220 yards of winsey,
90 yards of print wrappers,
25 tweed cloaks,
25 straw bonnets plainly trimmed,
25 pairs of strong boots,
50 pairs of worsted or cotton stockings,
50 towels,
25 pocket handkerchiefs,
25 neck handkerchiefs,
6 boxes,
Tenders to be sent in this fortnight, through post with samples of each article advertised for. By Order, John Cotter, Clerk of Union. Board-room, March 18th, 1863.
The Clare Journal, Thurs 26 Mar 1863:
Ennis Union: A letter was read from the commissioners in reference to the subject of the proposed emigration of the girls to Canada. The Clerk was directed to fill up the forms with the necessary particulars inserted therein.
The Board arranged and had 25 young girls selected on the approval of the medical officer, for emigration to Canada, and Mr. Gibson, of Kilrush, was declared the contractor, at £5 18s per adult, by steamer from Ennis to Quebec, including beds, bedding, and cooking utensils and plenty of cooked provision, and to see them embarked under his own inspection.
The Clare Journal, Thur 16 Apr 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. The master directed attention to the fact that outfits of the females who are to be emigrated at the expense of the Union were received, and were ready for inspection by the Board. Some of the members of the Board examined the different articles, which consisted of cloaks, bonnets, and shawls and pronounced them very suitable for the purpose and in accordance with the contract. It was stated by the Master that the matron had also minutely examined the articles and approved of them.
The Clare Journal, Thurs 21 May 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
Emigration. The Chairman siad that a letter had been received from Mr. Gibson, the emigration agent, stating that he would be prepared to take charge of the pauper emigrants at Limerick, and see them put on board ship at Cork on the 23rd inst., directing that the Board should pay for their board and lodgings after they left Ennis. Having read the terms of the original contract, the Chairman observed that Mr. Gibson’s proposition now was inconsistent with that contract. In a letter from him, under date of the 31st March, Mr. Gibson undertook to pay all the extra expense to be incurred, in consequence of his own inability to fulfill the contract; and he (the Chairman) must say that the last proposal was at variance with that contract.
Mr. Studdert said there was no doubt that Mr. Gibson’s proposition was a great humbug for he wanted the Board to pay what he was himself bound to pay.
Dr. Evans – he has not kept faith with the Board.
Mr. Studdert – His not keeping faith with the Board in the first instance might not have been under his control, but here is a case under his own control and he wants to make us pay the extra expense.
Dr. Evans said that he would move the resolution that the contractor be required to fulfill his contract.
Mr. Studdert – According to the original tender he is bound to pay the expense of the girls from Ennis.
The Chairman read the terms of the contract confirming Mr. Studdert’s statement.
After some conversation, Dr. Evans moved a resolution to the effect that all extra expense attending the emigration of the girls, to be incurred by the non-fulfillment of Mr. Gibson’s contract, be deducted from his account against the Board.
Mr. Studdert seconded the resolution which was adopted.
It was then agreed to place the emigrants in the charge of Mrs. Foy, the very efficient matron of the workhouse, and Mrs. Foy was directed to accompany them to Cork to see them on board ship. Miss Macnamara, the schoolmistress, was directed to accompany Mrs. Foy the length of Limerick, or to Cork if deemed necessary. According to the terms of Mr. Gibson’s letter, the writer of it was to be waiting in Limerick for the arrival of the girls.
The admission of paupers was then proceeded with after which the Board adjourned
The Clare Journal, Thur 28 May 1863: Ennis Union. Extract re Emigration taken from report on the meeting of the Board of Guardians held on the previous day:
The Pauper Emigrants. Mrs Foy, the matron, communicated to the Board the circumstances accompanying the departure of the pauper emigrants under her charge, from the time they left Ennis, until they arrived at Cork, the port of embarkation. Mr. Gibson, the emigration agent, she said was waiting in Limerick to receive the emigrants, and she stated that the conduct of Mr. Gibson to them was exceedingly kind and humane. She herself saw them on board ship, and found that they were provided by Mr. Gibson with every requisite.
The Chairman said the Board was very happy to hear such a satisfactory account of the emigrants. A notice of motion was given by the chairman for rescinding the resolution adopted at the previous meeting, for deducting from Mr. Gibson’s account, the extra expense to which the Board had been put, in consequence of the delay in sending away the emigrants.
Major MacDonnell, the vice-chairman, having arrived, Mr. Green vacated the chair in his favour.
Mr. Cotter applied on behalf of a party for some pecuniary assistance to enable the person to emigrate, but the circumstances of the case were such as would not justify the Board in complying with the application.
Mr. Greene said he had a better case than Mr. Cotter’s, to bring under their notice. It was a case of a girl named Bridget Lyons, who had been five years an inmate of the house, and whose mother had just sent for her from America, paying her passage from Liverpool, together with £1 to help to pay the other necessary expenses to be incurred by the little girl. It would require an additional sum of £2 10s to procure the outfit, and he had now to ask the Board to give their consent to the granting of the money.
The Board approved of the application, and voted £2 10s subject to the approval of the Commissioners.
Sheila