Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-04-07
From the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate.
RELIEF FOR IRELAND.

y RELIEF FOR IRELAND. +.
The following letter, from distinguish
ed citizen Of Philadelphia, which imParts
much important and interesting information
In relation to relief for Ireland, has been
handed US for publication by the Chairman
Of the Irish Relief Committee of this city.
We commepd it to careful attention:
=, III PHILADELpHIA, March 6, 1s47.
MY DEAR Sin: l have received your
letter Of the I'd instant. asking several
questions in relation to the mode of trans
mit,ing relief to the poor of Ireland, and
as similar inquiries have been made by 9TH
e.s, am induced to write such reply as
may remove doubts oon the part of benev-
olent persons. who are inclined to aid the
cause in which we are engaged.
=. 1t may be reasonable that those who
contribute money or provisions for the poor
Of Ireland, should desire to know how their
bounty is to be distributed, it may not be
sufficient to say that those who elsewhere
contribute hundreds of dollars may safely
contide in the prudence and anxiety Of
those who have contributed thousands
Therefore, beg to give brief and simple
explanation. 49,. ...a.
One of the earliest movements made in
Ireland for the relief of the poor there,
was that of the Society Of Friends. They
appointed a central committee to sit in Dub
lin, and sub committees Ill oil the chef
towns throughout Ireland. Instead Of re-.
lying on hearsay or the representations of
others, they sent members of their own
society TO the localities where famine or
pestilence prevailed. Besides these meas
ures in their own country, they appealed
to members of the Society of Friends here
to assist them in their benevolent purposes;
and one of the earliest movements made
in this city for the poor Of Ireland, was
that of the Friends, in their usual way,
efficiently and unostentatiously. Subse-
quently another class Of Friends have fol-
lowed the good example and probably from
twelve TO fifteen thousand dollars have been
by both, transmitted to the Central Com
mittee in Dublin.
Another movement was at an early day
made by few indiyiduals here, chiefly l.
rish by birth or descent. They collected
about twenty-eight hundred dollars, and
then the question arose, how they should
dispose Of it, After inquiry and consider
alton. it was unanimously determined 10
remit the money through members Of the
Society Of Friends here, 10 the Central
Committee Of the Society in Dublin. and
it was so sent. Some ofthe considerations
which led TO this decision, were these:
the probity and benevolence Of members
of the Society Of Friends are known to all.
They have participated in the present de-
plorable condition of Ireland they pay
their full share Of the taxes collected for
the support Of the poor at large, and yet
they resort to the public fund. Of all per-
sons, therefore, it was believed that men,
bers of the Society of Friends would be
the most prudent and impartial distributors
OF relief Men of all creeds and opinions
united on this point The spectacle was
beautiful one. Catholics, Protestants, Meth
odis,s, &C., the disabled seaman, and the
day laborer, the teachers and scholars in
the same trustworthy hands-a lesson de-
serving Of the serious attention Of all those
in Ireland, who profess to be Christians
Subsequently the course thus pursued by a
few in this city, am happy to be able to
say, has been adopted generally here, and
also in Baltimore. .
The most general movement for reliev-
ing the poor of Ireland, was made here on
the 18th ult., in accordance with a recon-
mendation made on the 10th, by a meeting
at Washington, "that contributions in mon.
ey and provisions should be collected in all
the cities, towns, and villages throughout
the Union" AS yet the committees appoin-
ted on that occasion, have confined their
attention to making collections of money
and breadstuffs-to purchasing beans, peas
&C., and to procuring, if possible, public
vessel to convey cargo from this port to
Ireland. 1t is very doubtful, think wheth-
er We shall be favored with public ship;
but you and your friends may be assured
that cargo will be soon sent from
this pert in merchantmen. The bill of
lading for such cargo will be transmitted
to the Central Committee Of the Society
of Friends in Dublin in time 10 enable them
to direct the vessel conveying it to the
port or ports nearest 10 the scenes Of dlsas-
ter. ."." ~. '.
We have authentic Information, that the
British Government will pay the freight of
all provisions sent as donations from the
people af the UnIted States to those of Ire
land. By this operation we shall save
over 60 cents per bushel, and ~ per bar
rel; and consequently, bread stuffs,and not
money, should be sent. No toll is to be
charged on donations sent on our public
canal or roads; and the private owners Of
as that from Lancaster to Harris
burgh, also allow donations to pass toll free.
From the western counties OF Pennsylvania
and indeed, from many parts of our east.
ern states, we confidently expect soon to
receive liberal contributions, as our canals
are probably now nayigable.
A material consideration for our western
friends is. what would be the best contribu-
tlon? If the the mill power of Ireland is
sufficient to grind even the greater part Of
A. G-.- .lct .x,: ,.b1 bo cant tb