Letter from Thomas [?Lavell], County Galway, requesting that government aid to depart for Australia be given to Bridget Jennings of Kilmaine, County Mayo

Letter from Thomas [?Lavell], Cloghan, near Tuam, County Galway, to Lieutenant Colonel Meyrick Shawe, private secretary to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting that government aid be given Bridget Jennings and family of Kilmaine, County Mayo, to assist with departure for Australia, 18 June 1825. Encloses petition of Jennings, Kilmaine, to Wellesley, seeking extension of government assistance for herself and 6 children in order to sail for New South Wales, Australia. States it was to this location that her husband, John Jennings, was earlier transported for crimes in connection with Ribbonism in 1822. She complains of being without food and recites the case of the wife of Murty Farraher as a recent precedent for extension of government assistance to a convict’s wife. Petition certified below by Reverend George Low, Church of Ireland curate of Kilmaine, and Reverend John Burke, Roman Catholic parish priest of parish, and 2 others, 21 June 1825. Also encloses letter from John Jennings, Port Macquarie Setttlement, New South Wales, to Christopher Bowen, Milford, County Galway, making an appeal for his wife and family to come and join him in Australia. Observes his master has promised him a farm of 10 acres, in addition to what might be forthcoming from government. Describes his new home in a ‘good contry [sic]’ and comments on the food, wildlife and weather; asks his wife to take with her bedding, the ‘old shilling’ and some personal effects, 29 August 1824. 3 items; 8pp