The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-06 00:00:00

CASE OF DISTRESS.

We extract the 'following sad tale of misfortune from the
Leeds Intelligeneer :—Tite attention of our Scotch neighbours is
just now called to the state of destitution to which the sisters of
Cot. Hamilton, who tell at the head of the Scots Greys at the
battle of Waterloo, are reduced. Their brother left for them
ample property, but the management of it got into the hands
of one Swann, a writer- to the signet, who embezzled and mis-
applied the money, and then became bankrupt, leaving nothing
for the creditors. " Mr. Dreghorn, the Collector of the. Poor
Rates for the Parish of Govan, (says the Glasgow Courier,)
has applied, on their behalf, to the Duke of Wellington. The
Duke, upon whom applications of this kind must be very nu-
merous, has transmitted £5 for their use; but when we add
that Governmeut can do nothing—when we state that these un-
fortunate ladies (by no fault el their own,) arc reduced to the
lowest pitch of distress—when we say that the horrors of their
situation have deprived one of them of her reason—and that
both of them are literally without food or raiment, we trust we
have said enough to induce the humane and the rich to contri-
bute to their relief. It will afford us much gratification to be
the medium of communication between any benevolent person
and these ladies: but the direct method is to apply to Mr.
Dreghorn himself, whq is thoroughly conversant with their un-
happy history." We subjoin the Duke of Wellington's kind;
discriminating, and truly business-like letter:—
" London, Nov. 28, 1836.

"Ste,—l have had the honour of receiving your letter of the
18th instant; regarding the sisters of the late Colonel Hamilton,
of the Scots Greys. If I had this single case to deal with, or a
hundred, or even hundreds, I should be under no difficulty: but
as soon as the war was over, nothing would avail the officers of
the army, their relatives, and relicts, but exorbitant profits and
interest. Instead of placing their money in security, and being
satisfied with small but secure interest for the same, they en-
trusted it to gamblers and speculators, whether in the profes-
sion of the law or otherwise, in order to acquire more than
could fairly be made by money; and the tale which you relate
of the Misses Hamilton is that, not of hundreds, but to my cer-
tain knowledge, of thousands. All these,naturally come to me
from all parts of the world. I have at this moment applications
before me from Canada and the East Indies, as well as from
different parts of Europe; and 1 need not add; that relicts of
officers of the army are not the only sufferers. The Govern-
ment will do nothing; and I must confess that I cannot see on
what ground a grant of money can be justified, founded upon
losses of fortune occasioned by imprudent and . unreasonable
speculations. No private funds can provide for such demands.
1 make this statement iu answer to your letter, as I wish to
show you that the case is not singular; at the same time I send
'you the enclosed, requesting you to add it to any subscription
which may have beenk made for the service of these ladies.

" I have the honour to be,
" Your most obedient servant,
" WELLINGTON:

" David Dreghorn, Esq.,
Govan Parish Poor Hate Office, Glasgow "

. .
ROCHDALE CHURCH STEPS.—These steps are 121 in num-
ber, and lead from the top of Packer-street to the church-yard,
It is reported, with some show of truth, that Sir Ashton Lever
who was a reckless horseman, once rode down them at a
gallop—a daring act, but certainly consistent with hischaracter
Mr. Charles Hill, late of the Red Lion Inn, Rochdale, the'
most adventurous rider of the Rochdale Hunt, once called at
the Flying Horse, at the bottom of this pass, from whence he
rode up the steps to Manchester, and down tho same evening
on his return. It is not known that this feat has been perform-
ed by any person save Sir Ashton and Mr. Hill.