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Letters of Richard Francis Blennerhassett

Richard Francis Blennerhassett wrote letters to Dublin Castle in 1813-1817 that survive in the British Library.
He was second son of Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet. He made a good marriage, but he seemed to struggle to find his place in life.
The eccentric letters give some clues as to why he was called "Dicky the Goose".
The letters survive in:

• Correspondence of Robert Peel. [BL] Add MS 40181-40617. (Robert Peel was Chief Secretary for Ireland 1812-1818.)
• Letters are bound in volumes (with volume numbers). Each volume is given a Ms number, which is the BL reference (not the volume number).
• The Peel papers have letters to and from Richard Francis Blennerhassett of Tralee in 1813-1817.
• Also correspondence with William Gregory, Under-Secretary for Ireland 1812-1831.
• See catalogue.

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Summary

1813

• Richard Francis Blennerhassett wrote on 13 Oct 1813 from Tralee to Dublin Castle, seeking a position as Surveyor in the Excise Department. He names people who will support his application, including "Sir Rowland Blennerhassett (my father)".

1814

• He writes on 19 Jan 1814 from Tralee to Dublin Castle, seeking appointment as port surveyor to Tralee and Blennerville.
• He writes on 1 Mar 1814 from Tralee to Dublin Castle. He notes that Dublin Castle replied on 9 Feb and could not offer him a position. He says he intends to resign as a Magistrate.
• Accused of offering a bribe: William Gregory, Under-Secretary for Ireland, wrote an angry letter to him (at Tralee) on 6 June 1814. Gregory says he is replying to "your very improper letter of the 16th of May", looking for a post as surveyor on the Customs House Quay, and a further letter from Blennerhassett on 24 May. Gregory says Blennerhassett seems to have offered a bribe. He threatens Blennerhassett with a criminal prosecution. As Blennerhassett is a Magistrate of Co.Kerry, Gregory says he will be removed from that position.
• He writes on 21 Sept 1814 from Tralee to Dublin Castle. He is seemingly unabashed by the angry response in June 1814. He asks for a favour for George Washington Busteed of Tralee, a somewhat distant cousin of his through Mason.

1815

• He writes on 17 Oct 1815 from Tralee to Dublin Castle. He says there is agitation against tithes. And from Tralee on 24 Oct.

1817

• Letter of 19 Feb 1817 from Tralee.
• Letter of 2 May 1817 from "Blennerville Town". He offers help with a "Revenue Establishment" on the Valentia River (i.e. at Caherciveen). He lays out a proposal with costs.
• Letter of 15 May 1817 from Westwood Lodge, Caherciveen. He gives unwanted advice on how to organise the customs service for Kerry, including Tarbert, Tralee, Blennerville and Waterville.
• Letter of 24 May 1817 from Blennerville. More unwanted advice.
• William Gregory writes letter of 31 May 1817 to Robert Peel, Chief Secretary for Ireland. He shows him the recent letters from Blennerhassett. He refers to the letter of 6 June 1814, and says Dublin Castle should ignore Blennerhassett's correspondence.
• Letter of 29 June 1817 from Westwood Lodge. More unwanted advice.
• Letter of 5 Aug 1817 from Blennerville. A long rambling letter in praise of Robert Peel. His point is unclear. He does come across as an eccentric, which his nickname "Dicky the Goose" may allude to.
• Letter of 25 Sept 1817 from Blennerville. He mentions his father Sir Rowland and says he has been granted a commission as Second Lieutenant "in his Corp of Yeomanry". It is unclear what this refers to. His father was Colonel of a regiment of the Kerry Volunteers, but that was in an earlier period. Richard also in the letter invites Robert Peel to visit Kerry.
• Letter of 6 Oct 1817 from Blennerville.
• Letter of 16 Oct 1817 from Blennerville. He seeks a job in the customs service. He names his father as his guarantor.

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All images

Images used with the kind permission of the British Library.

• Add MS 40231. Vol. LI.
  • Folio 54. Letter of 13 Oct 1813 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and back.

• Add MS 40233. Vol. LIII.
  • Folio 119. Letter of 19 Jan 1814 from Blennerhassett to Peel.

• Add MS 40235. Vol. LV.
  • Folio 5. Letter of 1 Mar 1814 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and back.

• Add MS 40198. Vol. XVIII.
  • Folio 324. Letter of 6 June 1814 from Gregory to Blennerhassett. See p.1 and p.2.

• Add MS 40239. Vol. LIX.
  • Folio 58. Letter of 21 Sept 1814 from Blennerhassett to Dublin Castle. See p.1 and back.

• Add MS 40248. Vol. LXVIII.
  • Folio 65. Letter of 17 Oct 1815 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and p.3 and p.4.
  • Folio 168. Letter of 24 Oct 1815 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and back.

• Add MS 40263. Vol. LXXXIII.
  • Folio 106. Letter of 19 Feb 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and back.

• Add MS 40204. Vol. XXIV.
  • Folio 195. Letter of 2 May 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and p.3.
  • Folio 197. Letter of 15 May 1817 from Blennerhassett to Dublin Castle. See p.1 and p.2 and p.3.
  • Folio 201. Letter of 24 May 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2.
  • Folio 193. Letter of 31 May 1817 from Gregory to Peel. See p.1 and p.2.

• Add MS 40267. Vol. LXXXVII.
  • Folio 207. Letter of 29 June 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and back.

• Add MS 40269. Vol. LXXXIX.
  • Folio 40. Letter of 5 Aug 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and p.3 and p.4 and back.

• Add MS 40270. Vol. XC.
  • Folio 199. Letter of 25 Sept 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and back.
  • Folio 321. Letter of 6 Oct 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and back.
  • Folio 426. Letter of 16 Oct 1817 from Blennerhassett to Peel. See p.1 and p.2 and back.

William Gregory, Under-Secretary for Ireland, accuses Blennerhassett of attempted bribery and says he will be dismissed as a Magistrate.
From letter on 6 June 1814. "you may be assured that your corrupt attempt will preclude you from holding any office under the Government."
See full size.
Image used with the kind permission of the British Library.