48 



Staples removed from the magistracy. The facts stated in this case should 

 be made the subject of distinct affidavit; and, from what I have known of 

 the removal of other gentlemen from the commission of the peace, upon 

 grounds which do not appear to me to have been in any respect so strong 

 as those which exist in the present case, I think the Chancellor and govern- 

 ment will think it right to accede to the application. 



" EDWARD LITTON." 

 " London, January 31, 1840." 



" Copy of a Letter of Lord Donegal. 



" ' Ormeau, July 2, 1836. 



" ' I authorize Mr. Lithgow to receive for my use four of the finest salmon 

 each week during the season, from the salmon fishery at Culmore. 



" ' These four fish being in lieu of my right to twenty-four salmon weekly, 

 during the season. This compromise on my part depends upon the salmon 

 sent being the very finest taken. 



"'DONEGAL.' 

 " To A. Buist, Esq. 



"'Manager of the Fisheries.' 



" Mr. Staples is at present in France ; but the same practices still con- 

 tinue from and upon his lands under the protection of his son. In the case 

 of Lord Donegal, referred to in Mr. Litton's opinion, his Lordship, it will 

 be seen, seeks to set up a right of open fishing, but it must be remembered 

 that this is at the Society's expense. His Lordship has undisputed right 

 of fishing at Strabraggy and Buncrana in Lough Swilly, but we never 

 heard of his granting free fishing to the poor at any of these places ; and it 

 is a matter of regret to us that we do not find his Lordship's name as a 

 contributor to either school, charity or dispensary ; the rents and profits 

 being all paid into the hands of trustees for the benefit of those who have 

 claims on bis estates. In the Barony of Innishowen (where the claim is 

 made) he is only known to the people as receiving the name of his title 

 from their county ; whilst the fishing of this part of the coast has been let by 

 the Society from their first letting of the fisheries in 1609. With this state 

 of things, your Deputation were greatly surprised at finding a hand-bill 

 distributed throughout these districts, and of which a copy, signed and 

 dated by Lord Donegal himself, was placed in their hands. This bill is as 

 follows : 



" < NOTICE. 



" * I do request that the tenantry on my estate will support my fishermen 

 on the Foyle against the encroachments attempted to be made by persons 

 claiming a right to my fishery ; and I cannot think it possible (as I have 

 heard) that any accommodation can have been given to persons opposed to 

 me and to my rights. 



" ' DONEGAL.' 

 " ' Dated this \Qtli day of August, 1840.' 



