The Lord Lieutenant issued a proclamation against those food and labour riots, calling on magistrates and others to assist in protecting “the lawful trade in the articles of food.”  He also announced that the Government works would be stopped, wherever those employed on them manifested a disposition, “by violence, to obtain a higher rate of wages,” or to resist the arrangements made by the officers of the Board of Works.  His Excellency added, that he desired in an especial manner to thank the ministers of religion, of all persuasions, for their useful and exemplary conduct on the trying occasion of those riots.

The want of conveniently situated mill-power, to grind the Indian and other corn purchased by the Government, caused them for some time great anxiety.  It was of the utmost importance to have the means of grinding corn as near as possible to their depots.  Economy, convenience, regularity, despatch, would be secured by it.  In reply to inquiries on the subject, it was found that the quantity of corn required for current demands could not be ground within reach of those depots at all.  At Broadhaven and Blacksod Bay, on the western coast, both in the midst of a famished population, there was no available mill-power whatever.  Even where mills existed, a new difficulty arose.  The policy of the Government was to encourage, as much as possible, private enterprise in supplying food for the people; and this private enterprise had the mills, in many places, pre-engaged.  For instance, such was the case at the important stations of Westport and Limerick.  Sir Randolph Routh, pressed by this difficulty, wrote to the Treasury, to say he could not altogether forego the Government claim to have, at least, some corn ground at Westport.  As to the mill-power at Limerick, it was so uncertain, so dependant on the weather, and so very much required there by the merchants, that he would make no demand upon it.  Mr. Lister, however, the official at Westport, dissuaded him from grinding any corn even there.  Quoting from a recent Treasury Minute, the passage about not opening the depots, while food could be obtained by the people from private dealers, at reasonable prices, he continues:  “To delay resorting to this alternative, and in order to stimulate exertion, it is, I beg to repeat, absolutely essential that the trade should have the full and exclusive benefit of all the mill-power in its own locality."[168] In a Treasury Minute of September the 8th, the head of the Commissariat is informed that, considering the limited 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.