Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-04
FATHER MATHEW.
same time.

FATHER MATHEW.
A number of the leading citizens Of the city of
New York (among whom are A. c. Kingsland,
J. G King, M. H. Grinnell, James Harper, Richard
Emmett E. X. Collins, and Hamilton Fish) have
issued an appeal to the people Of the United States
in behalf of Father Mathew, the Apostle of Tem-
perance, with view to relieve him from the pecu-
mary embarrassments which his benevolent efforts
during the famine year in Ireland brought upon
him. In their address they introduce the follow
ing letter from Henry Clay, who, it appears, first
suggested the movement:
Letter Of Hon. Henry Clay to Henry GrinneA, Esq.
AsHLAsD, 2Sra Mar, 1851.
Mr. DEAR Sra have enjoyed the high satisfaction of
meeting with Father Mathew and entertaining him my
house On his the city Of New York from the pro-
cuton Of bis noble works of humanity and benevoence in
the valley Of the mississippi he did the honor call and
SEQ me- During his sojourn 10 the United States be has
been again stricken with paralysis which, although il has
not affected the expression Of his bland aud benign coun-
tenance materially impaired his articulation disquaes
hm from making those great e1erions to which he
customed 10 earlier life and robust health Nevertheless
bis abors with but little relaxation and repose been un
reming and been attended with the encouraging sue
cess Upon descending the mississippi be sdmnstered in
one OF the towns situated its banks, the pledge
hundred PERSONS He ascended Il, ae interval Of
months and stopping at the town, he had the graca
ton to find that among the converts there but three in
stances Of relapse. tta
have had opportunity Of obtaining accurate informa-
ton from authentic (not from himself his extreme
delicscy would restrain him from mak9g such communica
on) to the condition of the pecunary affairs Of this good
man. has deeply interested me- and excited my
sympathies During his long and brilliant ia Ireland
among the millions Of persons, the victims Of niempeance
or in danger of becoming addicted it, whom he gave the
pledge he often met in the poorer classes persons In great
indeence and want TO Of these be supplied from his
-
though small in particular cases. in the aggregate amounted
to considerable To aid him in these audable char-
ties he under the necessity of borrowing largely from his
friends which he did under full conviction that would be
able TO reimburse them from which he had entire
confidence in counting upon receiving from rich maiden aunt
who had promised to make ample provision for him. Her
will to that effect actually prepared in exstence
short day assigned for its execution, and before arrived
she died suddenly with the gou and found dead her
bed.
The consequence is that this great benector Of anknd
this true friend Of the poor left in Of great pecuniary
threatened by creditors his to
land, and exposed himself in old age and under the nHu
Of disease and n6rmiy, to that pnchng which,
in better days, and in prosperous times, be gener-
ousy relieved in Others
The British Government granted him pension of three
hundred pounds sterling But he has received one cent
it, having scrupulous dedicated the whole Of il to the pay
ment of his debts To enable him deay unavoidable ex-
penses during bis present tour in the United States he was
supplied with the requisite by the iberay Of public
L
This most excellent and extraordinary man is about to de-
part from among us after having, tis TO be hoped with the
aid of Providence, redeemed half million Of the inhabi-
ans Of these States from of the most debasng of all per
nicions habits Shall he return without any substantial
es,ation Of the public gratitude toward him Shall no
effort be made to put him ease and smooth and soften
the pillow OF his declining years think deceived
as to the generous hearts Of my countymen, the
Irish hearts Of his in believing that if his actual con-
don were generally known, thousands would readily and
with the greatest alacy, rush to his relief His and
just appreciation of his signal merits secure and will be-
transmitted to the admiration Of the posteriy He
will be regarded Of the wonders Of this age
But what will that posey think of the present
be be permitted TO pine and snguh poverty and want and
during the .snasD heh has bssn
pable insensbliy the value Of the greatest raos
ever achieved by man Shall nos in the United
States endeavor not to merit any part Of them Z
Knowing we'll your public spirit and your generous i'm
thing cannot be done for Father Mathew worthy Of him, and
worthy of us before he leaves shores On all occasions
of municence naturally turn attention to our great
Cities and yours the first of them We ought to do
something do something, in the interior am ready
from my limited means, to contribute my mile But il is in
the large Cities where and cooperation easily
to be brough. about, that most can be effected.
1t has occurred to that few liberal and enlightened
gentlemen in your city favorable to the object might have an
informal meeag consult togetherthat they might orga
nize committee Of subscription and collection corresponds
with other places and thus accomplish the desired end The
pleasure of making the requisite contributions should be dif
fused among many may be convenient and practicable,
without allowing that pleasure to be monopoizsd by only
few. t.
Will you my dear sir these suggestions in your
fertile mind and if you approve their object give to it your
powerful aid !
/ am, faithfully, your friend and obedent servant.
HESRr GRISHELL, Esq H. CLAY