’Notwithstanding this notice, the people came in on Monday in immense numbers; and at about 11 o’clock in the forenoon, the upper part of the street opposite to Shirley House, where we were residing, was filled with dense masses of men.  I then thought it my duty to go out, and repeat to them in my capacity as agent, the determination at which their landlord had arrived.  I did so in the mildest terms.  I told them I had been able to go over only a part of the estate; but that from what I had seen, I was of opinion that a better system of farming and of general management of their land, was in my judgment much more required than a reduction of the rent.  That I knew Mr. Shirley had the kindest feeling towards them, and that I was myself quite prepared and willing to render them any assistance—­to go to every man’s farm, if possible, and to assist them by my counsel and advice.  But that as Mr. Shirley had come to a determination to make no present reduction in his rental, I did expect that all who were able to pay their rents would come in and do so; that the utmost leniency would be extended towards those who could not pay; but that my duty was plain, and if those who really were able to pay, refused to come forward and do so, that I had no alternative left but to take advantage of the power which the law afforded for the recovery of the rent—­and this I was fully prepared and determined to do, if driven to that unpleasant necessity.  I also made some further observations, of less importance; but my manner towards them was quiet and calm, and I expressed myself most anxious to do everything in my power to promote their welfare and comfort.

’I then attempted to return to the house, across the street; but the mob closed in upon me, and prevented my doing so, and with much violence dragged me up into the town, where I was repeatedly struck and kicked, and nearly strangled, and my coat torn to pieces.

’The mob continued thus to ill-treat me for about a mile along the road to Lough Fea, Mr. Shirley’s residence, repeatedly kicking me, especially when I showed symptoms of exhaustion, and pressing their hands violently upon my throat, till I was almost overcome by fatigue, heat and pain.

’All this appeared to be done for the purpose of forcing me to promise to induce Mr. Shirley to lower the rents to 10 s. per acre (upwards of fifty per cent.).  This I refused to do.  They then brought me on to Lough Fea, where they thought Mr. Shirley was; and upon not finding him, they appeared much exasperated.  Mr. Shirley’s architect then appeared, and by promising to speak to Mr. Shirley in their favour, and by requesting them to send a deputation, instead of coming in a manner like the present, he induced them to desist from further injury to me.

  ’Believe me, dear Sir, very truly yours,
  ’(Signed) ’WILLIAM STEUART TRENCH.

  ’Carrickmacross, April 8, 1844.

’What has been the general demeanour of the people towards you since that time?—­Though they resisted my measures for the recovery of the rent, to myself they have been perfectly civil; nor have I received any personal insult or unpleasantness, arising from the above cause since that period.