A vindication of Mr. Adair, the spirited Donegal landlord, has
now been published. It appears that when he made known his determi- nation to eject the whole of the Derryveagh tenantry for assumed complicity in Riband outrages, the rector of the parish and the Roman Catholic _priest united in putting in an appeal for mercy, and Mr. Adair seized the opportunity to explain his motives. The ex- planation is very instructive. He says: "That this course involves very large pecuniary loss, some personal risk, and great popular odium, you must be as well aware as I am. All my personal interests all my feelings, are against it. You will, however, recollect that a previous proprietor of my estate, Mr. Marshall, was murdered ; that on these lands I was myself attacked by a large armed party, most of whom I recognized as inhabitants ; that about the same spot my manager, Mr. Murray, was murdered; that while I was a guest in the house of one of you, investigating this murder, the offices were maliciously burnt down (for which outrage you, gentlemen, offered a reward); that two or more of the coroner's jury in Mr. Murray's case, who found a verdict of Wilful Murder,' were attacked; that large num- bers of my sheep have been from time to time made away with; that my dogs have been on two occasions poisoned; and that a system of intimidation, with threats of murder, has been carried on towards my self and my servants. In not one single instance were the perpetra- tors brought to justice. Ion are also aware that in the management
of my Donegal property hitherto there has not been one single evic- tion among a very numerous tenantry, nor an acre of mountain commonage taken from the people. Considering, then, that almost all the crimes above enumerated were in some way connected with that part of the property called Derryveagh, that the perpetrators of many of them must have been known to the people of that district, and that no information or assistance has ever been given for their discovery, it seemed clearly my duty to take the strongest measures in my power to put an end to a state of things which made it
im- possible for myself or my servants to live without arms in our hands —a state of things almost incredible in any European country. I therefore decided on applying one of the oldest principles of English law, now recognized in the -Malicious Injury Act, and, as far as in my power lay, to make the people of the district responsible for the crimes committed. With the deepest regret for what I considered a necessity, I determined to evict the inhabitants of this part of the property. Some of known good character I will not disturb ; to such as brought me good characters from you, gentlemen, I offered moun- tain holdings with leases elsewhere. Such, gentlemen, are my reasons and my acts ; I deplore the necessity, but I believe I am right. I purchased this property four years ago, enchanted by the surpassing beauty of the scenery. My strongest desire was to open up these remote districts, and to elevate and improve the condition of the people. I cannot suffer myself to be intimidated or diverted from this by the infernal combination called the Riband Society, which has so fatally spread itself over the country?'
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