The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-07 00:00:00

America and the Lancashire Distress.

The following letter has been received at Man-
chester :

"New York, Dec. 16, 1862.
Gentlemen,—At a meeting of the citizens of
New York, held in this month, a committee was
' appointed and denominated the ' International
I Relief Committee,' for the purpose of collecting
supplies of food and forwarding them to Liverpool,
to be used for the relief of the suffering operatives
of Lancashire and other parts of Great Britain.
Copies of the appeal of that committee to the Ame-
rican people are herewith submitted for your
perusal. In it you will find pointed out with suffi-
cient clearness the objects of the movement, and the
spirit in which they are sought to be accomplished.
Botb, we trust, will receive your ready approval.
"The contributions thus to be obtained are to be
shipped freight free to the consignment of Messrs.
Daniel James, of the firm of Phelps, James, and
Co.; Stephen B. Guion, of the firm of Guion and
Co. ; Benjamin F. Babcock, of the firm of Ben-
jamin F. Babcock and Co., Liverpool. These gen-
tlemen are constituted a committee to receive the
shipments ; to procure, if possible, exemption from
all the expenses of importation, and to deliver them
to a committee of distribution well acquainted with
the districts where the food is to be consumed, and
with the wants of the poor operatives, and be able
to direct the supplies to those accessible points
where they will accomplish the most good.
"We are advised by some of your numerous per-
sonal friends here that you not only possess those
qualifications, but also that we shall find in you
earnest advocates of the cause in which we are en-
gaged and willing co-operators therein. We there-
fore have chosen you as a committee of distribution,
and solicit your acceptance of the office and assump•
tion of its duties. You also have authority in your
discretion to add to your number.
" In the famine which desolated Ireland during
the year 1847 the people of the United States con-
tributed largely to the relief of the sufferers, On
that occasion the British Government bore all the
expense of introducing the contributions into the
country, and the food was given to the consumers
without pecuniary loss or diminution.

" The vessels also which were laden with these
supplies and carried them freight free were exempted
from port charges and expenses of every kind. We
are informed the total amount thus added to that
relief fund exceeded £40,000. This precedent, it is
to be hoped, her Majesty's Ministers will now deem
it expedient and just to follow.

" We solicit the exertion of your influence in aid
of the committee in Liverpool in their efforts to
secure exemption from import duties, dock and town
dues, railway freight, and all other charges on ves-
sets and cargo. We have taken Ihe liberty to assure
them that you would render them all the service in
your power with the Government, local authorities,
railway companies, and any other body or individual
having the control of inland transportation.
"The ship George Greswold is receiving cargo
here as fast as circumstances will permit, and will
sail as soon as she can be filled with
contributions
to the Relief Fund. The ship Hope, partly freighted
with contributions by the committee of the Produce
Exchange of this city, is about sailing for Liverpool.
This committee acts in harmony and concert with
the in ternatiml Relief committee. The objects of