Arthur stared at the senior clerk in silence.The man had spoken out of turn and had offered opinions on affairs well outside the realms of his particular duties. Yet there was an earnestness about him and Arthur resolved to hear him out.
‘It seems to me that you do not approve of political patronage.’
‘I have no quarrel with it in principle, sir. I know only too well that it is the grease that makes the political axle turn. My concern is with practice, and it is my belief that the situation in Ireland must be handled with extreme circumspection at present.’
‘Really?’ Arthur could readily guess the man’s concerns, but wished to hear them all the same, if only to better gauge Stoper’s capability and breadth of mind. ‘Why do you say that?’
Stoper folded his hands together as he began to explain. ‘Sir, before I continue you should know that I am in my thirtieth year of service at Dublin Castle. I have seen viceroys come and go and most have been good men and well intentioned to those they govern. Some, alas, have not and have tended to think ill of most Irishmen, and all Catholics.You were born here, sir.You know as well as any man the harsh conditions the poorest of this island have to endure. So you might understand the forces that compelled them to rebel back in ninety-eight.’
‘I understand them well enough,’Arthur replied evenly.‘But I do not condone rebellion. Nor treachery. The rebels got what they deserved.’
‘I suppose so, sir. I understand that you were not here at the time. In which case you might not know the full details of the revolt, and its aftermath.’
‘I was told that the rebels were treated harshly enough.’
‘Harshly?’ Stoper replied bitterly. ‘A fine euphemism, if I may say so, sir. The truth of it is that the British army, the militia and the loyalist mobs committed all manner of atrocities. Thousands of prisoners were massacred, hundreds of wounded burned alive in their beds.Then there was the rape and murder of women as well as the cold-blooded cutting down of hundreds of women and children after the battle at Vinegar Hill.’
‘I’ve heard all this,’ Arthur cut in. ‘I have also heard of the atrocities carried out by the rebels.’
‘That’s right, sir. There were some reprisals.’ Stoper nodded and continued carefully.‘It would be surprising if there were not. However, the numbers of casualties suffered by each side speak for themselves. The suppression of the rebels was out of all proportion to the harm they did. And even those of us here in the castle who were loyal servants of the crown were moved by the suffering of the rebels.There are some who still question the treatment of the common people and wonder if it is fair to discriminate against the majority of those living in Ireland solely on the basis of their religion. It is no wonder that the rebellion took over a year to quell. Still less that there was another uprising here on the very streets of Dublin four years ago, after the Act of Union.The reasons for abolishing the Irish Parliament were clear for all to see. A crude attempt to remove any prospect of independence. The members of Parliament were promised Catholic relief measures in exchange for supporting the abolition. Now that his majesty has quashed any prospect of such measures the people feel that they were cheated, sir.’
Arthur stared at the senior clerk for a moment before replying in a low tone. ‘I’d be careful what you say, Stoper. It strikes me that your words could be construed as lacking in loyalty to the Crown.’
‘I know that, sir. But it is my intention to retire within the year, and such a prospect tends to loosen the shackles that bind a man’s tongue.’
‘That may be so, but I would urge you to be careful of speaking too freely on such matters again.You sound like a Catholic.’
‘I am no Catholic, sir. I am an Anglican.Yet I am also an Irishman, and I have compassion for the people of my country, no matter what their religion may be.’
‘Religion be damned. There is no such thing as an Irishman any more, Stoper. We are all subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland now.’ Even as he spoke Arthur could not help wincing at the clumsiness of the official title.
Stoper shrugged.‘Very well, sir. I just thought it would be best if you were aware of the situation you, and his grace, are inheriting.’
‘Well, I thank you for your briefing. I can assure you that it is my intention to carry out my duties for the good of all Ireland’s people. But I will not brook any disloyalty, especially not from those who work directly for the government. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Admirably, sir.’
‘Very well then, we’ll speak no more of this, Stoper.’ Arthur eased himself back in his chair with a deep sigh.‘And now, I’m afraid we must deal with the first item of business. Namely answering all this correspondence.’
He reached for his letter opener. Slitting the first missive open he unfolded it and quickly read through the contents. Lady Ellesmere humbly requested that her sister’s daughter’s husband be found a minor office at the castle in order that he might earn an income to befit his newly married status.Young Henry was a gracious young man and not without some ability and charm. Arthur put the letter to one side and opened the next as Stoper sat and waited patiently.This time it was from a former army officer whose leg had been crushed under a supply wagon, who as a consequence had been discharged from his regiment. Knowing that the new Chief Secretary was a soldier, this former comrade in arms wondered if Arthur might be prevailed upon to find a position for a brother officer down on his luck.
Arthur looked at the pile of letters. ‘All these arrived today?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘And am I likely to receive more in the days to come?’
‘I’m afraid these are only the first of many, sir.’
Arthur glared at the pile with undisguised malevolence. ‘Is there any procedure for dealing with such correspondence?’
Stoper coughed. ‘If you refer it to me I can prioritise these for you, sir.’
‘On what basis?’ Arthur asked as he reached for the next letter.
‘Political expediency, sir. The letters will be arranged according to the rank of the sender. Those from titled persons I will place on your desk and those from commoners I will answer on your behalf, declining their services in suitably apologetic tones.’
Arthur looked at his chief clerk for a moment. ‘Can’t say I care for such a system’
‘It worked well enough for your predecessors, sir.’
‘Oh, very well then.’ Arthur opened the next letter and felt his heart sink as he recognised the handwriting. It was from his mother, Lady Mornington, in London. She began by congratulating him on his new position before moving swiftly on to make the first of her recommendations on behalf of those who were deserving of Arthur’s patronage. Arthur read to the bottom of the page, and then leafed through the other sheets.