The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-04 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4, 1847.

execution against the person of the tenant, as the shortest
and easiest method of compelling a surrender of the land.
I acknowledge to the utmost extent the difficulty in which
the landlords are placed. Their lands are peopled with
peasant cultivators, who have been, up to this moment,
abandoned by these landlords to the rnereii s of bailiffs and
other rent-exactors, who, enjoying but a precarious tenure
of the land, have been exposed, upon accomplishing the
slightest improvement in their fermi, or exhibiting the lean
symptom of accumulating capital, to be pounced upon by the
landlord and his harpies, for an increase of rent, an extrava-
gant bribe, or rent and bribe together, and who have there-
fore. been reduced to the necessity of saving themselves from
plunder by keeping themselves naked and poor. While the
potato lasted this tenantry crave them in the shape of rent,
oats, pigs, cattle, everything the land produced, save only
the potato on which they lived. The potato being gone,
the peasant cultivator can now hardly produce from his few
acres food for himself, much lees a surplus for his landlord.
Of coarse such a tenantry will infallibly he evicted.
The Priv-street curate of the adjoining parish, assured I
me that in his parish deashs caused by want of food
were row of eveesdey occurrence. One day, as I was
standing near my door, a wretchcd•looking man, whom
I took to be a stranger, came up to ate, soliciting
relief. Overpowered with the multitude of each ap-
plications, I was turning away from him. Ile seized me by
the caller of my coat' Look at me,' said he, and he glared
into my face with a look that I cannot describe, except by
calling it wolfish, ' You cannot know me, I am so wasted
and changed; I am so-and-so,' mentioning his mane; ' I am
mad with hunger—l must have something to eat, or I will
drop dead here at your door.' I was more shrieked," said
my friend, by this case than by any other I have lately
met—not by anything strange in it, fur it is now a 00121M011
one, but that I had known the men, and my not recognising
him at first, and the manner in which he addressed me
made the incident strike me. The sequel of that incident
you see here (the dying wife). I gave the man some food,
part of which lie eat ravenously, and the remainder he
carried away home with him. I have since learned that in
the comae of that evening he begged through the n 2ighbour-
hood until he got about two quarts of meal, which he left
with his wife. Ile then went away, and has not been
heard of since. During several days the door of
his cabin was observed to be cloned. Fur a time
it was supposed that he and his wife had both gone
away to beg; hut, at the erd of about a week, the
neighbours apprehending something might be wrong, forced
open the door, a hen the wife was found on her bed helplcwi
from exhaustion, an.l already speechless. There was no
food in the cabin, save that a mere dust of the meal begged
by the husband, end left with her by him, still remained in a
wooden vessel. She is now beyond help. The husband has
never been heard of since he left thin. It is presumed that
he has fallen and died somewhere by the roadside! The
daughter has come here from r poor service to wait upen
her dying mother. In the present dearth of provisions eve 7
farmer is discharging hies reams, men and women ; and this
RH will find it impossible to get another service. In the
midst of the general destitution that prevails she is
probably destined to follow the fate of the father
and mother—to die for want of food ; and such, I fear,
will Alertly be the fate of many, many like her."
As you pass along the roads you see numbers upon numbers
whose waited appearance shows that starvation is hunting
them to the grave, and double so they will, in the present
state of the country, to the grave they must be hunted down
at length ; but, as I have said, there is every chance that
dysentery, or some other disease, will be ei at tl.e last to
claim the death. For instance, the turnips that have been
grown for cattle, are now being sold to the poor; and an
enormous price they fetch—one and sixpence and two shil-
lings a hundred—about the same price that in ordiaary
years used to be paid for potatoes! The poor boil these
turnips, shake over them a little dust of their precious meal
(which they buy by retail at the rate of one pound eight
shillings a hundred), and lire, while they can live, upon
that. These people die of dysentery. In so many ways
may people die from want of food, and yet 'hale death by
starvation!

triets whjej, may stand in need of assistance, should be ad.
ministered Le- a committee in Dublin. To each of these
committees it ,zsight be desirable that government should
add two or three members. That the Dublin commit ttv
should receive applicatu.n from the relief committees, giving
immediate notice by ads :•rti.::•••ent in the public papers what
particulars must be inserted therein, to citable them to judge
of the case, insisting specially on a copy of the local tub-
scription list. That the London committee should also
advertise the conditions on which alone they will make any
grants, viz..-1. That no assistance shall be given to any
able bodied labourer having employment, whose family
does not exceed six in number, except in CAWS of sick-
ness. 2. That no assistance shall be given unless
some member of the relief committee is willing or
able to certify that the case is one of real distress.
3. That in all cases where it is practicable the relief given
should be in the shape of providing the means of earning a
livelihood; such as grants of spinning-wht els to women, of
small quantities of flax or wool to be spun for sale, of >ern
for knitting, of tools far pursuing any trade, repair of looms,
&c. 4. That • register should be kept, showing the circum-
stances of each case. and the name of the committeeman who
certifies to it. 5. These registers to be framed and
supplied by the London committee, and to be always
open to the inspection of the local government officers.
6. That any person receiving relief from this fund
shall be struck off the list if found to have refused work
when offered employment. It will of course be for the con.
sideration of the London committee whether any other
restrictions are expedient; but the above appear to he
essential. Should the funds he sufficient, many works of the
highest national importance might be promoted whilst
affording relief. For instance, the small farmers, those
under 10 acres, are very frequently as much distressed as
the cottiers, and have no means of procuring seed. Small
grants of flux-seed, where the land is suited for it, will
be of moat essential metrics in such cases, supplying them
with a crop which will give them the means of purchasing
food in the ensuing season. These grants should be condi-
tional on the parties having properly tilled their land in the
mean time. Again, improved looms might be introduced
into the country, which would give employment to the
spinners as well as the weavers, which, if let at a moderate
price, might enable the weavers, or other small cap!tali'ts,
to become possessed of them as an investment. Material
assistance tuizlit also occasionally ho afforded by small grants
for the repair of fishing beats and tackle, which would have
the invaluable advantage of tending to increase the stock of
food. The urgency of the time will not admit here of a
fsll discussion of the various raodes of relief which would
have to be considered in committee. The object of the
present statement is simply to lay down the general princi-
ples which it is proposed to keep in view: —l. To provide
relief for those cures which the government plan is not cal-
culated to reach, and which local funds ore inadequate is
meet. 2. To place the administration of the fund under such
restriction as may secure its proper expenditure, and conduce,
if possible, to permament improvement.
S. E. Sraiwo Rice.

I MPROTED FISHBRIEL—Sir,—I have received the circular
of the Irish Fishing Company, and b-g to offer a faw hints
for which your Dublin correspondent seems to inquire. I
by no means expect improved fisheries to turn up a sudden
mine of wealth; on the other hand, I think it will require
great caution to adapt outlay to the circum.tances of lecali-
ties and the facilities of finding markets. Still, at this time
of threatened destitution, every practical means of finding
employment for the poor should be tried, and the speculation
of unproved fisheries may be found, not only in Ireland, but
in other places on sur shores, profitable both to specu-
lators and the public. While the comparatively unimportant
„art of angling in fresh waters has been csrried to perfection
marine fishing Kill remains in a rude state, as any good
angler may be assured by an excursion in a fishing-smack.
Men of small capital employ, of course, bad, insecure vessels,
and inferior tackle, and are generallywanting in that know-
ledge which would insure the greatest average of success.
The first improvemsnt to be sagested is in the fishing-
vessels. Another, and a very important im2rovement,
would be the employment of steam-tugs to take out the bait
required for deep-sea fishing, and to tow the fishing-vessels,
so as to render them secure from the weather, which is often
snore dangerous to them than to vessels far out. Thirdly,
improved lines, hooks, &e. for deep-sea fishing are worthy of
notice ; for, though fish may be taken with almost anything
like • bait, yet I am sure that by improved means a dozen
fish may often be taken instead of one. I may also suggest
the use of " cross-fi-hing :" but, to conclude for the present,
I would repeat my belief that the industry of our fishermen,
if brought under the direction of 'expectable capital and in-
telligence, may be made more profitable to all parties. If
you think these hints worthy of your notice, I shall be glad
to 'afford more practical partscalars.—Ate OLD FUMED-
/lAN.

SIR G. GREY'S REPLY TO THE DEPUTATION
ON BEHALF OF THE SK I BBEREEN UNION.
Whitehall, Dec. 9.
Gentlemen,—l have given a careful and attentive con-
sideratinn To the statement which, on behalf of the poor
law union of Skibbereen, you placed in my hinds, and to
the request which you have addressed to her Majesty's go-
vernment that a Queen's letter may be issued, for the pur-
pose of making a collection throughout Eneland, for the re-
lief of distress in Ireland. The painful details which are
annexed to your written statement, and the information
you have communicated to me in; personal interviews,
afford sufficient proof, if indeed such were wanting, of the
distress in your district, and it is impossi'ele not to feel
deep sympathy for the sufferings which you describe.
I have reason to believe, that you entertain ne doubt of the
desire of the government to adopt all practicable measures
for the mitigation of the distress unhappily so prevalent in
Ireland. It is therefore unnecessary that I should here
enumerate the measures which have been taken by the go-
vernment with this object, or that I should advert in detail to
the extent of relief works, now carried on under the superin-
tendence of the government, by which about 300,000 men
are at pre eat ^mployed. I am, however, desirous of stating
diatincily the conviction of the government, that they
cannot, by any measures within their power, meet all
the cases of severe privation and distrge which are to be
found under existing circumstances in Ireland. Much must
remain to be done by individual owners of property and by
private charity. ller Majes4's Government at the same
time feel, that a Queen's letter is not at the present moment
the moat appropriate mode of raising funds for the relief of ,
these eases of distress. A Queen's letter is usually
issued for the purpose of making a collection in aid of ,
fends already raised by public subscription. I should there-
fore venture to suggest, that instead of looking to this in the
first instance, means should be taken for raising among
the wealthier classes in Ireland, as well as in England,
contributions for the relief of extreme cases of want and
destitution, not capable of being met by the existing poor-
law, or by the works in progress, or to be hereafter sanc-
tioned; and I entertain no doubt, that if due precautions
were taken for securing the proper application of such con-
tributions to the relief of urgent and severe distress, through
the local agency which can alone be competent to this duty,
liberal aid would be afforded by private benevolence in
this country. In suggesting contributions in Leland, I
do not overlook the fact, that much is being already done
there by individual charity, and that presentments for
public works will impose • heavy burden on the estates
of the landed proprietors. But it must also be borne in
mind, that the maintenance of the destitute is in Eng-
land charged by law on the land nod ether fixed
property of the country and that in Scotland, where in ex-
tensive districts the failure of the potato crop has been as
complete, and the consequent pressure on the people so great
as in Ireland, the landed proprietors are at the present mo-
ment making pest sacrifices and exertions for the relief and
support of their people. There are also parts of Ireland, in
which the pressure is much less severe than in others, and
there is much property on which the burden of the present-
ments for the relief of distress has fallen lightly, if at all.
I will only add, that with reference to some of the
particulars contained in your statement inquiries have been
instituted and directions given, which, I trust, will have the
effect of mitigating the severity of the suffering in your
neighbourhood.—l am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
G. GREY. _ _ .

SCOTLAND.

Tun Mennen eon ANERDEEN, Mr. Bannerman, is, it is
Stated, about to receive an appointment of a permanent
nature from the government of Lord John Russell. This
will, of course, vacate his seat for Aberdeen, which he has
held since the ping of the reform bill.
GLASOOW TOWN COUNCIL.-81:NDAT TRAINS —At a
meeting of the Glasgow Town Council, held on Thursday
last, the Lord Provost in the chair, Mr. Bankier, introduced
the following resolutions in reference to the Sunday trains :
—"I. That the running of railway passenger-trains with
the mails, on the morr.ing and evening of the Sabbath day,
between Glasgow and Edinburgh, as has been practised for
four years past. is absolutely necessary, there being no other
mode of travelling or conveyance between the two cities. 2.
That the resolution recently adopted and acted upon by the
directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company,
to stop these trains, is a breach of faith with the state, and
of course with the country ; inasmuch as the allegation in
the preamble of their act is not implemented, and that it
ought to be rescinded, and that the morning and eveaing
passenger-trains on Sunday ought to be immediately re-el.•
tablished. 3. That these resolutions be intimated to the
directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Company.
Mr. Brown seconded the resolutions. Mr. Leedhetter moved
the previous question, seconded by Mr. Brodie. A very
long debate followed, which terminated In the resolutions
being carried against the previous question by 24 to 17.
The Lord Provost, and most of the magistrates, voted with
the majority for the running of the trains.
SUNDAY fILLINS IN SCOTLAND.--Sir,—ln perusing pour
paper of 29th irst. I find, under the heading Scotland, notice taken
of the opinions mieweated bythe town councila, who had discussed the
condon of the directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway is
Mopping passenger trains en Sunday, where it is stated th.,t "all the
town councils in the neighbourhood of the line—Eshnhurgh, Leith,
Falkirk. Slicing, Linlithgow, Quomaterry, Omar, Dunfermline—
have now condemn, d the conduct of the director., who have obtained
countenance from no responsible and representative public body, en.
ceps at such places w Inverness cat Rotheaaw." Thu statement of
the facts of the crone I beg to correct a, regards the town munch of
Dander (the third town in Scotland as reguda population), who five
weeks ago, after discussang the question, decided In favour of the con-
duct of the directors, by a majority of nine to four, as you will find by
one of the Dundee newspaper. I send you by this post. Moreover,
your Informer was wrong in stating that •• •tr. the town councils in
the neighbourhood of the line had condemned the conduct of the
directors;" for the town council of Glasgow, at one terminus of the
line (and the largest city In Scotland), has sot condemned their con-
duct. I must demand the correction of the erroneous notice I have
called your attention to, by inserting this letter, or the substance of
it, in your widely circulated paper.—A Sessramas.
[Since our correspondent wrote, the town council of Glas-
gow !ace condemned the conduct of the directors. With
regard to the town council of Dendee, we may be allowed
to observe, that the other town councils named represent
communities which have a direct and immediate interest in
To the Rev, C. Caulfeild and the Rey. R. Townsend, the accommodation of the railway, while the Dundee folks

are not likely to use it much.]

In consequence of the foregoing reply, given by the Right
Hon. Sir George Grey, to the statement laid before him by
us, we beg to all public attention to the following paper :
A.B. TowNsawo,
Vicar of Abbey Strewry, and Acting Chaplain of the
Skibbereen Union Workhouse.
CHAS. CAULTIBILD, Rector of Creagh,
Deputation on behalf of the Skibbereen Union.

The state of distress in Ireland is beyond description. A
great many individuals have already died from want of
food, as shown by the verdicts of numerous inquests, which
yet only give an idea of the state of the country, as many
perish daily from starvation, concerning whom nothing is
known except to those in their immediate neighbourhood ;
this is especially the case in places remote and difficult of
access. The distress, comparatively speaking, is confined in
its great severity to the district along the era-coast, though
the whole country has sustained a lets equivalent at a low
valuation to twelve millions sterling worth of food, mono,-
log that even one-third has been in some degree hitherto
available. The great facility of procuring manure along the
coast—sea-weed and sand—induces the small farmer, the
labourer and fisherman, to break up all land po.oible
for tillage, and all these depend chiefly on the potato
for food. In the southern district along the whole coast,
its almost total failure has platted the population (far more
dense along the sea shore than elsewhere) in a state of very
Great misery. The majority of the population are now ex-
isting (and have been for some time) on one meal per day, of
a most inferior description of food. Thousands must have
but for the exertions that have been made.
perished
large private subscriptions which have been raised
in the distressed districts, in some instances in
creased by government grants, are strictly and neces-
sarily limited as to the means of employing them.
It I evident that if these sums were employed for the pur-
-1 chase of provisions to be sold below prime cost, not only
would the greatest encouragement be given for the extrava-
ftlt consumption of the already shoat supplies, which the
• h price tends to hinder, but also assistance would be given
indiscriminately to all buyers, whether they require it or
not. It is thought, therefore, that the government have
exercised a wise discretion is laying down es • general
role, that the ordinary funds of relief ecseasaittees are
not to be employed in reducing the price of provisions.
Notwithstanding the enormous sums which have been
voted at the presentment sessions, and chiwrd upon
the land (in one barony money wages we at this moment
being paid to the amount of twice the rental of the land,
and this is not a singular instance), there are several dame*
of cases which either receive inadequate assistance from the
public works, or none at all. In many instances, large as
the votes are, they am found practically insufficient to afford
employment to more than one is a family. Now, st the
present pries of provisions, this system leaves • family of
seven, eight, or more, in a state constantly bordering on
starvation ; and their weakened constitutions give way im-
mediately before the least cold or attack of illness. Again,
the eases of widows who have no eon able to work, of the
aged, of the disabled, and of those actually in sickness,
are so numerous that local effort has in vain struggled to
keep pace with the increasing claims on its 'insistence.—
It is proposed, that the control over the funds to be sub-
scribed, should be vested in a committee of the subscribers sit-
ting is London, and meeting by adjournment as often as they
may think necessary ; and that this committee should be
charged with the duty of laying down the general rules and
regulations under which issues of money 'hall be made • and
that the actual distribution of the funds to the several dis-

m•y,
and Ira, that melt measures will be immediately arls,'l.l
may, M their wisdom, were calculated to avert tho evits attention. 0.
• scarcity of food. _ . .

Txe~BOLTON RAILWAY.—It has been already noticed in
this paper that owing to the recent accidents on this line •
memorial was forwarded from Bolton to the Board of Trade,
calling for an investigation into the state of the line. In com-
pliance with the prayer of the memorialists, Captain Cod-
dington arrived at Bolton on Friday, on this minion. It
was shown that the lessees of the line, the Leeds Company,
had already put down six miles of new rails out of the tun u
stated in this paper of Thursday, and were proceeding with
the other four miles to put that portion of the line in like
repair, a course which Captain Coddington appeared to think
evinced a proper desire onthe part of the lessees to secure the
public against future accident, but he is said to have recom-
mend. d that, until the four miles not yet laid with new rails,
are completed, trains on that part of the line should travel at
a reduced speed. His attention was called to the state of the
bridges by which the turnpike-roads are carried over the
line. These bridges are flat ones, supported by pillars be-
tween the lines of rills, and are so dangerous that passengers
leaning incautiously out of the carriage-wiu.:ows might
suffer injury from them. One of the Bolton Company's
servants was once killed in that way. Captain Coililington
suggested the con-tructi in of bet'er bridges, and that an
arrangement should be effected, with the aid of the county
magistracy, for diverting the roads whilst the new bri ges
are built

ROBBERY AND SUICIDG—An inquest was held at Man-
chester, on Saturday, on the body of James Billington,
c eshier to Moves. Futhergill and Co., grocer,, Shudehill,
who had committed suicide under the following circum-
stances:—On New-year's-eve, he had gone into the company
of women of bad character with i7i , the property of ha
employers, upon him, and was robbed of it. He afterwards
told a policeman of the robbery, and said if he did nut re-
cover the money he would put an end to his life. The
policemin went with him in starch of the thieves, but not
finding them, left Billington to pursue his way home. The
ni 'et morning his body was found in the Rochdale Canal.
There were no marks of violence upon it, and the jury were
of opinion he had destroyed himself under the temporary
excitement produced upon his mind. He has left a wile and
six children.

CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE,—The good effects of the Saul-
tory Bill are already visible. The steamer* on this river, in-
stead of vomiting forth, as heretofore, huge columns of black
smoke, have been compelled to bring the aid of science to
assist them is its consumption, and while the atm-sphere on
the river and about the pier-heads is much purer, the un-
sightly nuisance, which reflected such odium on this com-
munity, has diiappeared.— Liverpool Chronicle.
STEAM-BOAT COLLISIoN.-04 Thursday morning, about
9 o'clock, the royal mail steamer Urgent came into collision
near the Formby light ship, with the tine iron steam-boat
Tynwald. The Urgent, Capt. Simmons, was on her way
from Liverpo I to Dublin with the early morning mail, and
the Tynwald was entering the Mersey from Belfast. The Tyr.-
weld left Belfast on Wednesday evening, and parted with
the pilot about a quarter to seven o'clock. The weather
was very thick, and had been so for some time previously,
several vessel, having got aground in their attempt
to leave the Loch. She had on board sixty pas-
sengers and a very valuable cargo of linens, the
vessel and its freight being valued afloat at about 190,000/.
The weather continual thick throughout the passage, the
Calf lights being seen with very great difficulty. The vessel,
however, kept her course, and made the Bell buoy at half-
past eight o'clock. The weather was still very thick, and
from half-past five o'clock the engines had been going slowly.
At five minutes to nine o'clock the Formby light ship was
made, and the steamer hail only passed her a few
lengths when a vessel wax reported on the larboard bow.
Captain Gill, who was on the gangway, immediately
called oat " Hard a-port," and gave t.irections to stop the en-
gines, both of which orders were immediately obeyed. A
steamer was then observed coming up with great speed in
the direction of the Tynwald, and in an Instant orders
were given to back the engines of the Tynwald. Several
turns backwards hail been given to the engines, when the
approaching steamer struck her with great force on the ler-
board paddle-box. The vessel proved to be H.M.S. Urgent,
which, as before stated, was on her wsy to Dublin, with the
morning mail. Of course, the effect of the blow was
tremendous, and the scene amongst the passengers, before
they were satisfied of the extent of the iujury, was
one which can scarcely be described. Captain Gill
begged that Captain Simmons would remain by the Tyn-
wald, to see if she was able to reach the port. To this Captain
Simmons at once assented, and after bacMng off, lowered his
boat, and sent it to the Tynwald to ascertain whether she
was totally disabled or not. It was soon found that although
the larboard paddle had been disabled, the starboard engine
could be worked, and by this means the vessel would be
enabled to reach the dock. This being the state of things,
the Urgent took all the passengers from the Tynwald, and
proceeded to Liverpool, dropping anchor in the Sloyne. The
Tynwald came up with one engine, remained is the river all
day, and docked in the Clarence basin at night, about eleven
o'clock. We (Linerpool Mercury) understand that &stools as
those on board the Urgent discovered the vessel they were ap-
proaching was a steamer, the engine was stopped, but the way
of the vessel was se gnat that a collision was inevitable. From
what took place after the accident, there is little doubt the
Tynwald was supposed to be the Formby light-ship, which
was close at hand ; that the helm of the Urgent was, upon
that supposition, first placed to starboard, and not ported till
too late to allow the vessel to paw clear. The fog wee so dense
that a vessel could be seen only about six lengths off, and for
this reason the engines of the Tynwald were slowed, whereas,
from all we tan learn, the Urgent was going nearly at full
speed. The Urgent is a wooden vessel, and the Tynwald,
as already mentioned, an iron one. The effect of the col-
lision upon the Urgent was to carry away her cutwater, bow-
sprit, and figure head. Her planks were started also, but we
believe no person on board of her was injured. The damage
done to the Tynwald was much mere serious. Her larboard
paddle, paddle-box, paddle beam, and all the wing belting
were smashed to atems ; the houses on deck partially broken
up, and the fragmentsof wood strewedaboutin all directions.
So great was the force with which the srsarla came into con-
tact, that although the Tynwald had back way upon her.
the wheel was forced rapidly round, knocking down one of
the men who was at it. The other seaman at the helm was
John Anderson ; he miscarried round the wheel, and forcibly
jammed between the spoke handles and the deck.. So firmly
was he fixed, that it required the united efforts of two men
afterwards to release the poor fellow from his position, the
blood at the time gushing from both his ears. He reached
Liverpool, where, we believe, he lies in a dangerous state.