[41] All the letters and proceedings of these officers showed that their predominant feeling was an anxious desire to fulfil the benevolent mission on which they had been sent. One observed that he could bear anything but the “careless misery of the children;” another that his heart was broken by the sobs of the women returning to their homes with a smaller quantity of food than was sufficient for the support of their families. [42] The Four Commissions employed on these operations were composed as follows:-- The Board of Works. Lieut.-Col. H. D. Jones, R.E., Chairman. Richard Griffith, Esq., Deputy Chairman. Commissioners: John Radcliff, Esq. Wm. Thos. Mulvany, Esq. Captain Larcom, R.E. The First Relief Commission, appointed by Sir Robert Peel’s Government Rt. Hon. E. Lucas, Chairman (afterwards retired). Com.-Gen. Sir R. I. Routh (afterwards Chairman). Colonel D. Mc Gregor. Lieut.-Col. H. D. Jones, R.E. Sir James Dombrain. Professor Sir Robert Kane. E. T. B. Twisleton, Esq. Theobald Mc Kenna, Esq. The Second Relief Commission, appointed by Lord John Russell’s Government. Major-Gen. Sir J. F. Burgoyne, K.C.B., Chairman. T. N. Redington, Esq. E. T. B. Twisleton, Esq. Com.-Gen. Sir R. I. Routh. Lieut.-Col. H. D. Jones, R.E. Colonel D. Mc Gregor. The Poor Law Commissioners in Ireland. E. T. B. Twisleton, Esq. Rt. Hon. Sir W. M. Somerville, Bart. T. N. Redington, Esq. Sir Randolph Routh was in charge of the Commissariat from the commencement to the end of the measures of relief. It is due to Mr. Redington to state that his intimate acquaintance with Ireland, and excellent judgment, were a never-failing ground of reliance in the most difficult emergencies. [43] One of the principal causes of the expense incurred, was the necessity of finding work for every person in the neighbourhood of his own home, which added greatly to the number of the works, and to the proportion of them left unfinished. [44] The first instalments due under the 9 & 10 Vic. c. 1 and 2 have been already paid. [45] Viz., 25,000ℓ., being the aggregate of the two half-yearly instalments under the 9 & 10 Vic. c. 1; and 291,000ℓ., the same under the 9 & 10 Vic. c. 107 --------- Total 316,000ℓ. --------- [46] The proportions in which the expenditure was made a local or general charge in the following unions, were-- Loan to Grant in be aid of repaid. rates. { Ballina £13,716 £43,610 { Ballinrobe 12,183 27,997 County of Mayo { Castlebar 7,282 19,813 { Swineford 6,620 31,797 { Westport 5,624 37,993