Star.
London, England, 1822-05-07 00:00:00

FAMINE IN CLARE.

Government, we understand, have sent down queries to the
country, regarding the state of distress, the numbers of the des-
titute, the sums subscribed by the Gentry, the sums sought for
by loan from the Treasury, as well as with regard to the security,
and the probable time of repayment. This intelligence we com-
municate with great satisfaction.—ifisk Paper.
ENNIS, APRIL 28.

Since our last publication, we have received statements, de-
seribing the deplorable distress to which the peasantry of the
country are reduced, that, were we not convinced of their cor-
rectness by the respectability of the persons from whom they
have emanated, we could not have thought that it was so severe
or so general. We have been also favoured with a perusal of
some of the Committee Reports from different parts of the coun-
try, that are to be sent to Major Warburton, to be laid before
Government. Taken together, they furnish a detail of a most
heart-rending description. There are at this moment many
labourers and tradesmen in this town and suburbs unemployed.
There are, to our knowledge, many of them who bad not a fort-
night's work for the last three months, and whose distress is
almost incredible; but it is not in the streets they are to be seen
—they are to he found in their miserable hovels, alone and de-
jected, bowed down with the most aggravated wretchedness,
without a single ray of hope to cheer the gloom which surrounds
them. We do not exaggerate when we assert that, in many in-
stances, the other members of the family are dragging their
frames from door to door, soliciting relief from their more
wealthy neighbours. At home they cannot remain—want com-
pels them abroad to seek for subsistence. We cannot heighten
the colouring of the pictures of distress which are hourly exhi-
bited, or that come under our own observation. If we look to
the state of the peasantry, the distress is equally appalling. We
shall bud them not only without present subsistence, but with-
out seed fur the ground. It is not hundreds but thousands that
are so circumstanced, and is it to be supposed that this immense
mass will be quiet if subsistence be not given them?
The following are extracts from Reports furnished by the
Clergy and Gentry of the respective Baronies and Patishes:
Barony of Inchiquin-3009 individuals totally destitute of
provisions, and without the means of purchasirg. This number
will be increased to 5000 in another month, with not the most
remote prospect of repaying anything given by way of loan.
Barony of Bunratty, Parish of Pheuah-555 persons requir-
ing immediate assistance. Several families living on one scanty
meal in the day for the last month ; many of their families in a
state of starvation; seven members of one family confined by
typhus fever, withotit any means of support.
Parishes of Bunratty and Dromfine-667 inhabitants destitute
of subsistence, or the Means of procuring food ; of whom one-
half will be able to repay in hat vest.
l'arishes of Kilfintinan and Killeely-1247 in absolute want of
food at present, one-half of whom Would be able to repay a loan.
Parish of Finloe--contains 817 persons 696 of whom are in
absolute want of food ; and if not supplied, either gratuitously
or by labour, they must starve.
Parish of Kilnasula— 600 have applied for immediate assist-
ance, two-thirds of whom are paupers, the remaining third able
to purchase at reduced prices, and repay in harvest.
Barony of Clondralaw-13,000 in actual want of food and
seed potatoes. •
Parishes of Kilmaley, Kikonry, and Clonlahon-1500 requir-,
ing assistance • one-third in absolute want of food at present ;
one-third of the whole able to repay something.
Union of Qain-3600 individuals at present in want of food;
one-third only able to repay in harvest.
Half Barony of Tulla-7552 in absolute want of provisions,
and have no means of purchasing; of whom 3213 would be able
to repay something.
Barony of Ibrickane-5000 without any means whatever of
purchasing food; this number will be considerably increased.
Baronies of Cotcomroe and Burren-10,040 ; this nlimber
must increase as the season advances.
Clareabbey-1179 inhabitants have applied to the Committee
for assistance, many of whom are reduced to one meal a day fur
a considerable time. Op the Church-door of this parish. the
following Notice was found the Sunday previous to Easter. We
give it verbatim, and without any alteration in' rthography, as
we consider it, from Its simplicity, a most powerful and pathetic
appeal to humanity:
" Good charitable Quality."
" The poor Inhabitants of Clare is actily starving living on
one meal in the Day and that tame a ball meal, we arc itt hopes
ye will doe something for us out of hand, we will aetily die with
hunger If ye I)ont luck to us out of hand as them that has a
little family must itoh before The die with hunger before their
face, As the are half Dead before."
In addition to the extracts above given, we have heard seve-•
rat testances of wretched families driven to the necessity of kiit-
ing their only cow far food, from the cries of their starving clads
di en, and having no other mins of appeasing their hunger. The
typhus fever, which is generally the companion of famine, has
Made it. appearance in several parts of the country.