Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-04-22


The following letter from Maria Edgeworth
has just been received by an intimate acquaint.
ance and correspondent -
EDGEwoRTHsrowN, March II, 1s47.
To the Ladies Of America more particularly,
To the ladies' of New York:
Dear, kind and charitable ladies,-You are,
as | am informed, well disposed to contribute
to the relief Of the distressed Irish but before
you yield to your feelings of pity, and pour
forth your bounty, you wish to have credible
assurance that the accounts which you have
seen in the public papers of these distre sses
are true representations, and not exaggerated
pictures.
l am encouraged by some Of my many ex-
celent friends in your country to hope that
you will not consider my addressing you at
this moment as obtrusive. | am encouraged
to hope that you will believe in the truth OF
the assurance give you that the accounts you
see in the public papers, one Of which | send
with this letter, are not exaggerated. From
my long residence in Ireland, during and
since the lifetime Of my father, r. L. Edge
worth, and from my connections in Ireland,
you may infer that have means Of informa-
ton, and, from my public character, so far as
you can see it in my writings, or gather it from
private friends who have visited this country,
| trust you will believe that am incapable of
exaggeratine for any purpose-especially not
for the purpose of working upon your feelings
i assure you that, durisg my sixty six years
residence in Ireland, never knew Of distress
equal to the present. Twill not give you an y
private instances might touch you dee p-
| ly, but none can or ought TO strike you and
influence your feelings and your actions so
4 ,,h ...r.
facts of greatest magnitude, and awful conse-
quence. Famine, disease, deaths innumerable,
are in all parts Of this kingdom-putrafection
and pestilence in some-and if the people are
not Immediately relieved by supplies Of food,
and enabled by supplies Of seed to SOW the
land, the famine diseases deaths ard pestlence
must be still more dreadful next year.
At this moment vast quantity of the land
in Ireland lies untitled for want both ofmen 10
till and Of seed to SOW it,
The men who have been employed in pub
lie works, now when almost too late thew are
turned back to till the ground, as tenants or as
laborers for themselves or others, have merely
and hardly been supported by their wages at
the public works, and cannot now, without
wages or with lowered wages, feed themselves
or work to prepare crop for next season.
II Food-actual foods wanted but seed is
more wanted-most ,oanted-oats and barley.
Supply might come from America Of barely in
time for sowing Indian corn for food may
be had tor money-money will relieve all our
wants for the present but without seed on,
future Is hopeless.
will not add more 10 this plain sentiment
OF factsj but trust entirely, my dear ladies', tc
your good hearts and good Understandings.
II i sign a name which has been Transmitted
to me unsullied by falsehood.
MARIA EDGEwoRTH.
Il All the country and city newspapers are re
spectfully and earnestly requested to copy th,
above communication from Miss Edgeworth u
the ladies ofAmerica,-tN. Y. Com. Advr..