The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-03-17 00:00:00

THE DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH'S

FUND.

The Duchess of Marlborough has sent to The Times
the following letters for publication
"To his Grace the Duke of Bedford, K,G.

"My Lord Duke,—Your Grace may, perhaps, be
aware that a sum amounting to about £3,600 remains
over from the fund which was contributed for the
relief of distress in Ireland in 18.79-80.

"It was decided by those who assisted me in the
management and distribution of that fund, and I
agreed to the decision, that this
that
could be
devoted to no better purpose than that of aiding erni•
gration from the poorest districts on the west coast of
Ireland.

" The disturbed state of the country during 1880.81
delayed the execution of this project, and the money
has been lying idle in the Bank of Ireland, but the
subject has not been out of my. mind, and my atten-
tion has been drawn to the emigration which ba3 been
conducted by the committee. ot which your Grace is
president, from resources which are known as "Mr.
'fuke's fund." I have had the advantage of seeing the
recent report of that committee, together with the
reports of Father Nugent and Mr. Tuke, as to tee
condition of the emigrants assisted by the committee
last year.

"These reports have impressed me very favourably
with respect to the work which the committee is
doing. and I also approve what appears to be the
guiding rule laid down by them—viz., the emigrating
of entire families.
"I am given to understand that the committee
contemplate this year assisting some 3,000 or 4,000
persons to emigrate from the district of Conemara,
using the funds at their disposal to supplement the
Government grant of £5 a head, so as to prevent
the emigrant from being in an entirely destitute
condition on his arrival in America, Canada, or else-
where.

"Under these circumstances, I beg to offer to the
committee over which your Grace presides the
remaining available funds which were ,intrusted to me
by British charity and generosity for the relief of
distress in Ireland,

"Judging from the composition of the committee,
containing, as it does, so mAny names of wide philan-
thropic experience, and from the work which the com-
mittee bas already effected, I ant confident that in
thus disposing of the money I shall be acting in
accordance with the wishes of the original donors, I
shall be relieving myself in the most satisfactory
manner possible of no inconsiderable responsibility,
and I shall be effecting more permanent good among
the population of the west coast of Ireland than by
any other disposal I can make of the remains of that
magnificent fund with which I was so proud to be
associated.

"I beg to remain, my Lord Duke, yours faithfully,
"F. A. MARLBOROUGH."

"Eaton-square, March 9.

" Madam,—l have had the honour to lay your
Grace's letter before the Irish Emigration Committee,
and I am directed to express the most grateful thanks
of the committee for your Grace's generous gift to Mr.
Tnke's fund.

"The committee deeply appreciate the moral
suppDrt given to their endeavour by your Grace's
approval, and gratefully acknowledge the services
received by Ireland in her distress, at your Grace's
hands, during the Viceroyalty of the Duke of
Marlborough.
"I have the honour to be, Madam, your Grace's
obedient, humble serv.nt, ''BEDFORD."

Tuesday.(l3th) being the anniverry of the death
of the Emperor -Alexander 11. of itim.sia a requiem
was celebrated in the Rus,ian Chapel, Welheck-
street, London. The personhel of the :11thJian
Embassy, the Russian Consul-General, and other
Russian subjects attended the service,