The Sun.
London, England, 1822-06-21 00:00:00

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

The Committee at the City of London Ta-
vern, who have so long and so laudably been
employed in the humane and noble work of re-
lieving the distresses of the famishing peasantry
of Ireland, have just published the following
most creditable and interesting Report :
" City of London Tavern, June 20, 1822•

" The Committ6 appointed by the Public Meeting sudden-
ly assembled on the first intimation of the great and accumula7
ting distress of the Peasantry of Ireland, have now been inac-
tivity about six weeks. Not a day has passed but something
has been done:towards fulfilling the duties which the Commit'
tee has undertaken.

" The distress which induced the convening of the first Ge-
neral Meeting was such as to convince it that the most psomPt,
and decisive measures were imperiously required; and the ac-
counts then made known of the distress prevailing amongst the
Peasantry of Ireland have been more than amply confirmed'
by immediate correspondence with gentlemen resident in places
surrounded by the most fearful poverty and privation.,

" The benevolence of all classes of the United Kingdom has
placed a considerable sum at tha disposal of the Committee,
and the greatest diligence and attention have been used to dis-
tribute with the utmost advantage the means with which the
Committee has been intrusted ; and with thankfulness they
acknowledge the liberality of the Public in pouring in the funds
which have been received. These they regard as a sacred
trust, one of such importance that their anxiety has become
increasingly painful, so high does the excitement rise correctly
to acquit themselves of the task they have undertaken.
" It is well known that potatoes constitute the chief OP'
port of the peasantry of Ireland. The Committee, .therefore,
have promptly dispatched potatoes in large quantities, for
seed, for the next year's food. The sum of 61,3001. being about
two-thirds of 92,3631. 1133. Id., the whole amount of contribu-
tions received, has been sent in upwards of 330 remittances, t 9
different districts of Ireland, in which distress is most preva-
lent. To enable the Ministers of Religion to exercise that
beneficence which so becomes the religion they profess, es
further sum of 3,4001. has been placed at the disposal of the
Bishops, both Protestant and Catholic—and in all places to
which assistance has been sent to prevent absolute starvation,
the Protestant Clergy and the Catholic Priest have united with
the resident Gentlemen to form Local Committees. But tlic
months of July and August will, they doubt not, present seal-
mulated horrors, and call for very large additional supplies'''.
- 4‘ The months of July and August may be said to assail the
Committee with fearful apprehension ;—willingly would thel
make reserve for these months, which will, it is expected, re-
sound with appalling cries from the dying peasantry of Ire-
land. This, however, in theipresent state of the funds, is im
possible, for the pressing solicitations still received by every
post claim instant attention and daily remittances.
" On the other hand the Committee feels that it may CO°.
dently rely on the results which will inevitably be produced by
the King's Letter,' graciously issued to the Clergy of arett
Britain, to urge them to plead with, and to collect from, the'
respective Congregations,, donations to their fellow-subjects m
the most abject state of poverty and distress. The Com-
mittee look up to Him, in whose hands are the hearts of all
men, that he will be pleased to incline them to assist the needy
in their extremity. They cannot doubt the exertions which will
be made when the sufferings of Ireland shall be more known ;
fully known they can scarcely be. The Committee have W,'
confidence in the success of this plea, when urged by the 11:
nisters of Religion of whatever denomination ; and they 1e,5;
with confidence, on the repetition of that generosity anion
heretofore rescued a considerable part of the German populanue
from the ruinous effects of desolating war.
" In this view they present to the Public some extracts °f
letters addressed to the Committee from persons of re9ect.s:,
bility, and which are but specimens of a multitude which
Committee are daily receiving.
[Here follow extracts of the heart-rendingcommunicatict
the Committee have received, and to which immediate atte'
tion has been paid by them, from the several places and persons.l
The Report concludes thus :
" Having thus extracted from the correspondence e
ena
of the relations with which the Committee are daily oppres‘_save
and which they have to compare, and between which they
also to decide for the equitable distribution of the relief w'!1,„„)
they have (they wish they could say the unmixed gratificativii
to divide among the miserable, they are compelled strenuon_so
to urge upon the Ministers of Religion—upon all congregat,l_cose
assembled for the worship of the Most High Gon—upon to
fa,
whom HE has blessed with the means—that they be libetbe.
prompt, solicitous with others, now, while yet life exists, to the
stow that which in a short time it-will be too late to give for
rescue of the unhappy sufferers from death
"Some benevolent Ladies of Distinction have formed a plane
for supplying the peasantry of Ireland with articles of CloteT7!,
and for co-operating with and exciting similar benevolent at
tions in that country. Such is their deplorable condition, '1;/,-
the Committee have reason to believe numbers of those ,z
fortunate creatures have been obliged to sell their c10t11,7
to provide food, and that they will be destitute of necee3
clothing in the ensuing winter. This mode of relief has cop-
suggested to the Committee, and they very earnestly rTies of
mend it to the consideration and good feelings of the Lads
the United Kingdom. dons'
" Other Ladies have become the receivers of the smallen-
Lions of the circle in which they reside, and by attention trce fa.
courage the humble, yet warm, benevolence of the iii.c.„ictird
voured, though still humble, classes of society—always o'o of
to do good according to their ability—have been the luct.ols
'collecting sums which in the aggregate have aided the riat;
of the Committee, and gratified it with the means of reu'; tbe
more decisive benefit to the sadly suffering Peasantry 0
Sister Kingdom."