Riots at Kilkeel 1814

with an enclosed extract of a report from Alexander Stewart, esq., respecting certain outrages committed lately in Kilkeel.
You express the surprise of the Lord Lieutenant that no communication had been made by me to Government on this subject. I should not, most certainly, have neglected so important a part of my duty had it been in my power to describe or explain the circumstances that occurred there; but 1 can assure you, for the information of his Excellency, that I was totally ignorant of the affair, except from what appeared in the public prints; not a line was written by any person in Mourne, and even yesterday I received a letter dated 4th instant from Lieutenant-Colonel Mathews, captain of the 2 Mourne infantry and magistrate of the county, residing within a mile and half of Kilkeel, in which letter there is no mention nor allusion whatever to the riotous proceedings in Kilkeel. A short time prior to that I was there, and heard nothing more than the prevalence of party spirit that still subsisted.
I understand that the neighbouring magistrates have had several meetings on this business, that they have taken much pains to investigate it, and have taken many examinations against the rioters; and also, that the result would (by them) be reported Government. With regard to the order for me to proceed forthwith to Kilkeel to investigate in what degree the yeomanry had been concerned in this shameftul conduct, I think it proper to represent for the consideration of his Excellency that I had previously made arrangements with about 20 companies for inspection this week; it was to commence on Wednesday the 9th; on the 12th or 13th was to return here; immediately after which I would proceed to Kilkeel to fulfil the orders of his Excellency. If it be, however, his pleasure to authorize me to omit that part of my duty for the more speedy performance of another, I am ready to implicitly obey. You will do me a great favour to answer this by return of post, which I will receive on Tuesday the 8th, when I shall know how to act, and have time to dispatch the necessary notices to such persons at Kilkeel as may best enable me to execute my orders.