The Sun.
London, England, 1840-12-14 00:00:00

INUNDATIONS IN FRANCE.

The Minister of Agriculture and Commerce has for.
warded the folio sling circular to the Prefects of France :
" PARIS, DEC. 8, 1840.

" SlR,—Hitherto no general instructions have been
given with rest ect to the distribution of the extraordinary
funds of relief which the recent and almost unexampled
inundations have rende, ed necessary. I have already pro-
vided in my correspondence with you for such cases as
were of immediate urgc.ncy in this deplorable calamity,
either by the prompt emission of ordinances of deputa-
tion, or by authorizing (this being a case of force mujeure)
the setting aside of ordinary formalities, which might in
any way have impeded the'prompt distribution of relief.
" I am ever disposed to afford you every facility in at-
taibing with promptitude and certainty the end proposed
by his Majesty's Government, and hasten, by opening an
extraordinary credit of 5,000,000, to the assistance of the
populations whose sufferings and whose misery have every-
where excited the liveliest sympathy; notwithstanding I
deem it necessary, now that the ravages have ceased, and
that the local administration can examine and determine
their extent and importance, to enter into some explana-
tions that the first operations may in some sort be regu
lated, and a proper direction given to the remainder.

•" EVALUATION OF LOSSES

" The Acts relating to the evaluation of losses and the
distribution of relief, founded on the Consular Edict of
the 11th of May, 1800 (24, Floreal year 8), have laid
down the method of proceeding. I had to call your atten-
tion to them in 1839, in my circular of the sth of August,
No. 17 ; I now refer you to them, allowing you every
latitude in composing the best Local Commitees which
are to be intrusted with the evaluation of losses and the es-
timation of damages.

" FORMATION AND TRANSMISSION OF STATEMENTS.
" The, recapitulative statements of these loss-:s arc to be
transmitted with the utmost despatch, taking care, Ist, to
furor separate statements of those losses to which have been
applied the ordinary fund; Irorn the special per centagc.
2. To deduct on the one hand the amount of such losses as
have been guaranteed by any insurance ; and. on the other
hand, the amount of losses suffered by landlords, com-
mercial men, or private individuals, whose fortunes and
cireunis-ances will allow them to dispense with assistance.
It should be kept in mind test these funds are destined
for the suffering and unfortunate classes who Lave been
deprived of their means of liv:hbood, and whose dive!liogs
have either been destroyed or impaired.
The funds, in certain cases, and in strict conformity
with the forms of practice laid down in nay circular el tile
sth of August, 1839, to which I refer you, can also be
applied to vi,rks of utility to the commune. I cannot
urge you tol strongly not to devote them to this purpose
until you are assured that the unfortunate p..rsons who
have Buff. red from the effects of the inAatioils hive been
properly relieved. You will have to furnish ree with a re-
port of the propositions made with regard to this excep-
tional application of the funds, and in which the condAions
expressed in thy circular arc rigorously to be observed.

" MODE OF PAYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.
" From the commencement I have telt with you. Sir, the
absolute necessity. in circumstances of such gravity, of sim-
plifying the formalities prescribed in the valuation of losses
and the justification of pay meats. I have come to an under-
standing- on the subject with my colleague, the Minister of
Finances, who hastened to comply, as far as regarded
him, with the measures I hod propw.ed to insure a prompt
distribution of the funds. In pursuance of thec m: satires, you
are authorised to issue to %%oat number and amount :nay be
deemed fit, orders for payment in the name of the Pre-
sident of the Committee acting under your authority,
and with your consent. These orders shall be payable
immediately without further condition than that of fur-
nishing the disbursing agent in the course of the month
when the funds are delivered with a document from
each commune, signed by two responsible parsons, certi.
tying that to their certain knowledge funds to the
amount specified have been distributed among the soli r-
ing claimants. These certificats are to be collected by
you, revised for approbation, and remitted to the disburs-
ing agent.
" Instructions have in consequence been forwarded by
the Minister of Finance to the disbursing agent of your
department; you will provide for their execution when
expedient, and 20 divide the sums in the orders for pay-
ment, that it will always be possible to present the dis-
bursing agent with the certificates of distribution within a
period of thirty days at the utmost.
" FUNDS ARINING FROM DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.

" Donations have already been received, and subscrip-
tions set on foot in several localities. Some of the pro-
ceeds of these spontaneous acts of munificence and
humanity, have been placed at my disposal, to effect its
appropriate distribution among the departments v,hich
have suffered from the inundations: but to the application
of the greater portion of these proceeds I have teen a
stranger. Ido not, for an instant, doubt that the funds in
Question have had the destination assigned to them by the
subscribers; but it is indispensable that I should be in-
formed of the importance and source of these fund. You
will oblige, Sir, by making mention of them in the state-
ments of loss yen will have to forward, devoting a special
article to this object, containing a summary of the dona-
tions, subscriptions, votes, offerings, &c. ; in a word, all
funds other than those of the public treasury, which may
have been distributed for relief in your department.
"COLLECTIONS, PLANS, AND DOCUMENTS OF ADMINISTRA.