From William Ginty   (August 1843)

Very dear X¹

I am just after setting my signet² on the suggested letter.³ It is a ‘feeler’⁴ with a vengeance! I highly approve of the scheme of this matter – it is a noble undertaking. ‘Be ye strong therefore and let not your hands be weak for your work shall be rewarded’.⁵ Yes rewarded. Reform of some kind must follow. I will now proceed to lay a few hints before you. ‘Weigh and consider’ and excuse the impertinence of a warm friend and enthusiastic admirer. Fancy me along-side on the sofa making the following propositions with all the gravity of a Fergus O’Connor.⁶

1^st That the spirit of it be mild, emphatical, and decisive.

2^nd That it embraces the perfections of the survey as well as the imperfections, giving an epitome of its general use and practical purposes so as to render some information to the public on this hitherto mysterious business – thereby creating an interest in their minds which will enlist their sympathies in our behalf.

3^rd That it be printed in close type on light paper so as to remove any pecuniary inconvenience as to postage.

4^th That the expenses be borne by a few trustworthy enthusiasts

5^th That ‘X’ bills ‘Y’⁷ with his share of the expenses when ascertained.

6^th That a copy be sent to every D.O.,⁸ on the Survey, a copy to the Master General,⁹ a copy to the Premier¹⁰ and a copy to the illustrious Daniel O’Connell!!! (this may seem flighty and groundless, but I do think and urge this. Harm it cannot do. Good it may do, and it will undoubtedly kick up a shindy)¹¹

7^th That some of the principal newspaper Editors – radical and conservative – in England and Ireland be sent copies, so as to ensure editorial pieces which is most important.

8^th That it pays a tribute to the memory of Captain Fenwick¹² – his baseness in opening and reading private letters to civilians¹³ from others who had obtained situations on the Tithe Survey,¹⁴ and then in the excellency of his despotism – discharging them for attempting to release themselves from misery.¹⁵

9^th The recommendation farce¹⁶ – the ‘Forms’ the 2 months suspense and the inevitable 2 pence.

10 That the pay of the Ordinance survey men be contrasted with that of the Dock labourers in Liverpool – 3 shillings – An immense number have made a ‘strike’ lately for 3-6¹⁷

11 Captain Tucker’s excellent and judicious proceedings with regard to a petition sent to him by a number of Surveyors in this division¹⁸ for to increase their pay shortly after coming to England which was to send away the journals¹⁹ of 3 or 4 of the most inefficient in the party (who did not sign) and to obtain for them from 6d to 8d a day each out of pure derision to the petitioners. The few that were recommended, fortunately for themselves, were not at hand when the petition was got up, to sign it.

12 Lt. Hamley’s late ungentlemanly and inhuman conduct in refusing a character²⁰ to a civilian who asked him for one – he being about obtaining a situation – after he had discharged him for over-sleeping (*) three! mornings in the month – his only crime – for which he in months previously checked his pay to an amount equivalent to nearly the treble of the time he was absent – Left with a few pence to take him to his friends and home but for the benevolence of a few comrades! (A moral character!)

The base and atrocious inhumanity of disallowing a sapper sent from here to Windsor²¹ to take his wife she being afflicted and perfectly blind and left to take care of a large family of helpless children, when other men could be sent in his stead (*)

The case of Ingram²² having to obtain relief from the relieving officer at Skipton²³ to take his family to their native country (a labourer?) and a subscription from the office men also.

The farce of the medical attendance – none being given beyond a dose of salts, unless the patient goes into the military hospital and pays 10d a day while there, and no pay allowed him while sick and while well not as much as will keep him in good health! A pretty institution for men in a strange country! and men carrying on the greatest scientific undertaking that ever honoured a nation!

The office pay here stands thus:– about 24 on 2 shillings 12 from 2s2d to 2s and 4d, 12 from 2/6 to 2/8 and a few more at 3 shillings and 3/6 and one at 5 and another at 5/3 – about 60 altogether. About 1 out of 8 of the strongest in the party exceed 2s. There are about 120 civilians in the division (one the most useless in the lot has 11 or 12 shillings a day)

I must conclude now in a hurry. I would not be surprised if you called me an ass for some of the remarks but they came into my head they got into pen. I will be able to say something more to the purpose in the course of the week. No hurry I should say there is an affair pending here at present which I guess and hope will be as disgraceful as possible. I am not acquainted with any of the persons you allude to. Make a good job, I am certain you can if you like.

Yours &c. | Y²⁴

(*) See 12^th--- one whole chapter or section is to be devoted to the grievances of the R.S. & M.²⁵

RI MS JT 1/11/3604

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