The National Register.
London, England, 1822-05-06 00:00:00

No. 1,368.—V0L. XV.]

STATE OF IRELAND.

KERRY.-WANT OF FOOD.

TRALEC, APRIL understand a memorial
lies been forwarded by the magistrates at the present
General Sessions, to his Excellency the Lord Lieu-
tenant, praying his Excellency would be pleased
to direct such prompt measures should be taken,
by the encouragement of the importation of pota-
toes into this part of the country, as may avert
a famine in the ensuing summer, and afford a suf-
ficiency of seed potatoes for the ensuing year.
It is supposed that no more than one fourth of
the usual quantity of the ground has been sown in
this county, the great scarcity of potatoes having
obliged the poor landholders to consume what was
necessary for seed. The large quantity of oats in
the country has as yet prevented the actual starva-
tion amongst the peasantry in general. The scarcity
of hay has produced a great mortality among the
cattle. We have heard of one gentleman who has
suffered a loss of 32 cows within a short time back.
We regret to state, that fever cases are very fre-
quent in this town at present.
GALWAY, APRIL 27.—The distress of the poor
increases daily, new groupes of beggars are con-
stantly to be seen arriving from the country, prin-
cipally from the westward. No spot upon the face
of the habitable globe presents such a scene of mi-
sery, want, and wretchedness, as this town does at
present. Many are now affected with that kind of
fever which is ever attendant upon a want of food,
and each day records some death after a very short
illness.—A town meeting is called for Monday, the
6th of May.
CASTLEDAR, APRIL 25.—The committee for ma-
naging the fund for the relief of the poor of this
town have come to a resolution to distribute bread,
for a month at least, which they are to purchase at
three-half-pence, and to sell at one-half-penny per
lb. We are glad to hear that application has been
made to the Lord Lieutenant, by the Rev. Secre-
taries of our fund, in behalf of the poor of this
town.

Aram 28.—The price of potatoes this day was
eight pence per stone. The situation of tke poor is
really deplorable. There are many bad cases of
fever, too, in the Fever Hospital.
APRIL 26.—Our hearts bleed within
us at the terrific aspect before us of a scarcity. Po-
tatoes are at present almost at a famine price, six-
pence a stone in our present distressed and impo-
verished state. is equal to Is. 6d. a few years since.
—lt is a well-known fact, that the neighbouring
counties are in a moat deplorable state, tar. far
worse than our own.

APRIL 2.9.—1 t has been intimated to us, that the
Directors of the Chamber of Commerce are disposed
to give 1,0001. towards forming a fund for the relief
of the poor of this city, provided a similar sum is
contributed by the public for the same purpose.—
Prompt and effectual means must be immediately
taken to procure a suitable supply of food for the
people, or the consequences may be calamitous,
1 he Mayor of Limerick has, in consequence of a
requisition presented to him, called a meeting of the
inhabitants for Tuesday, the :10th, for the purpose
of taking measures for the relief of the poor, in
consequence of the high price of potatoes.
Notwithstanding all the protestations made by
Robt. Cussen after his conviction, for breaking into
Mr. Shelton's house, and all the awful imprecations
made use of by him, of his being totally ignorant
of; or having knowledge or participation in the out-
rage, it will surprise our readers to learn, that on
the 30th ult. he was fully identified as being the
principal concerned in attacking the Police of
Churchtown, county of Cork, when several of them
were killed, and the barrack, with horses, Ste. to.
tally consumed,—Cussen remains under sentence of
death, and to u gentleman who visited his cell on
Wednesday, he said, " that he did not care a pinch
of snuff as to the difference of his being hanged or
transported."