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Public Works Loans Act 1817
(57 Geo 3 c.124, 11th July 1817)

An Act to amend an Act made in the present session of Parliament, for authorizing the Issue of Exchequer Bills, and the Advance of Money for carrying on Public Works and Fisheries, and Employment of the Poor.
[11th July 1817]

Note: This Act of 16 clauses allows for Commissioners for poor relief in Ireland to be appointed. Only the final clause below relates to postal matters (free franking for letters addressed to the Secretary to the Commissioners). As such, it seemed best to simply quote this and the preamble.

'WHEREAS by an Act made in this present session of Parliament, intituled An Act to authorise the Issue of Exchequer Bills, and the Advance of Money out of the Consolidated Fund, to a limited Amount, for the carrying on of Public Works and Fisheries in the United Kingdom, and Employment of the Poor in Great Britain, in manner therein mentioned, it is among other things enacted, that at any time after the passing of the said Act, by or out of such Monies as shall at any time or times remain in the Receipt of the Exchequer of Ireland, or out of the growing Produce of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, arising in Ireland (after paying or reserving sufficient to pay all such Sum and Sums of Money as have been directed by any former Act or Acts of Parliament to be paid in Ireland out of the said Consolidated Fund), there shall and may be issued, by Order of the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being, from time to time, in manner and under the Regulations in the said Act mentioned and contained, any Sum or Sums of Money not exceeding in the Whole the Sum of Two hundred and fifty thousand Pounds, to be applied to the Purposes of the said Act in manner and under the Regulations therein mentioned: And Whereas the present Distressed state of the Poor in some Parts of Ireland may require more speedy Relief than could be afforded under the Regulations of the said recited Act;' Be it therefore enacted by The King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That after the passing of this Act it shall and may be lawful for the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being, and he and they is and are hereby authorized, to nominate and appoint so many and such Persons as he or they shall think fit, not exceeding seven in Number, to be special Commissioners for the Purpose of receiving Applications for Relief in Cases of extreme Necessity; and upon the Report and Recommendation of such Commissioners or any Three of them, it shall be lawful for the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being to direct that any Part or Portion of the said Sum of Two hundred and fifty thousand Pounds shall be paid and advanced in Aid of any private or local Contribution or Subscription for the Relief and Employment of the Poor in any Part or Parts of Ireland, to any Person or Persons whatever, and at any such time or times, and in any such manner and proportion, and under any such Regulations and Directions as shall be suggested and recommended by such Commissioners, and as shall be approved of and authorized by the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the time being; any thing in the said recited Act of this session of Parliament to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.

...

XVI. 'And Whereas it is expedient that all Letters and Packets addressed to the Secretary to the said Commissioners should pass free of the Duty of Postage;' Be it therefore enacted, That all Letters and Packets addressed to the Secretary of the said Commissioners at their Office shall pass free of the Duty of Postage.