PREFACE. THE following pages contain a narrative of the measures adopted by the Relief Committee of the Society of Friends, for the mitigation of the distress arising from the failure of the potato crop in 1846 and 1847. As merely an incidental allusion is made to the important exertions of other similar bodies, or to the operations of the Government, this narrative cannot pretend to the character of a history of that eventful period; but when taken in connection with the information contained in the various reports and letters given in the Appendix, it may furnish a few authentic materials for the future historian. The attention of the Committee, whilst they were engaged in the duty of endeavouring to relieve the distress of their fellow-countrymen, was much drawn to the consideration of the economic causes which appear to them to have interfered with the prosperity of the country, and they have deemed it right to offer some observations and suggestions respecting them. Although some of the operations undertaken by them were not attended with the hoped-for success, it was nevertheless incumbent on them to endeavour to rescue the famishing from death. It is not for man to command success; but it is his Christian duty, under circumstances of doubt and difficulty such as those presented by the recent famine, to labour from day to day, acting for the best according to his judgment, and willing to leave the event to Him who sees the end from the beginning, and who alone can bless the work. The faithful record of these transactions should not deter any, under similar circumstances, from endeavouring to perform their duty, but it may in some degree serve as a beacon to direct their steps. Poverty of peasantry improperly attributed to the potato Different practice in England and Ireland as to the erection of farm Note. On the alterations recommended by the Commissioners Restrictions on the importation of corn Results of these restrictions Increased cost of importing food caused by great advance of freights Indian corn imported by Government, in 1845 First appearance of the potato blight in 1845 Total destruction of the crop in 1846 Subscriptions in aid of the subsequent distress Formation of Central Relief Committee on the 13th of Eleventh- Formation of Relief Committee of the Society of Friends in London Important results of his investigations Visit of William Bennett of London Visits of Edmund Richards and George Hancock in the "Albert" Two visits to Connaught by James H. Tuke of York ... ... Note.-Summary of subscriptions to central and local associations Estimate of remittances from Irish emigrants in America Contributions placed in the hands of the Committee Munificent bounty of the inhabitants of the United States Great public meeting at Washington, on the 9th of Second-month, 1847 49 General manifestation of sympathy throughout the United States Total amount of American donations, in food and money, consigned Arrangements for obtaining the co-operation of suitable local agents The system of small grants adopted ... ... ... ... ... Further increase of destitution, and means adopted for relieving it Shipment of food to some of the western ports considered Resolution to ship rice and other articles of food heretofore not much The use of two steamers granted by Government in Second-month, 1847 58 Rapid progress of the effects of the famine Temporary Relief Act (10 Vict. chap. 7,) passed Its object, and the arrangements for working it Discontinuance of the public works in Third-month, 1847 Increased number of applications for relief Influence of the discontinuance of the public works on the proceed- ... Proposition to afford relief to the electoral division relief committees |