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 service, and supplied as many sacks as were required, at 1s. 7-3/4d. each.

The Treasury also put themselves in communication with the authorities in Malta, relative to its mill-power, and the facilities that might exist there for purchasing grain in quantity.  The Comptroller of the Victualling Department informed them, that he had twenty pair of stones worked by mules, and twelve pair by steam, and that many private mills could be engaged for hire.  All the mills, however, which were worked by mules were required for the fleet, and could not be employed for any other purpose.  Referring to the enquiry as to the purchase of grain, he reports that large quantities of wheat were generally kept on sale at Malta.  As to quality, he says, Odessa wheat is hard and good, but can only be ground by “lava stones;” Egyptian inferior, the biscuit made from it not being liked; oats were to be had in abundance; barley scarcer, but both of good quality.  Mr. Trevelyan, on the part of the Treasury, writes back in these terms to Deputy Commissary-General Ibbotson:  “It is my wish that a considerable quantity of grain should be purchased at once, consisting altogether of Indian corn, if it is to be procured, or, if not, partly of Indian corn, and partly of barley, oats, and wheat of an inferior, but wholesome quality."[171]