The New York herald., 1851-09-25
The Father Mathew Testimonial.

1ne mathew TesumOnlals
LETTER OF TIE HON HENRY CLAY TO HENRY GRIN
NELL, ESQ.
ASHLAND, May %, ISL
My DEAR SIR;-I have enjoyed the high satisfac-
tion OF meeting with Father Mathew and entertain
ing him ut r- house. On his return TO the city Of
New York from the prosecution Of his noble works
OF humanity and benevoenee, in the valley Of the
Mississippi, he did me the honor to call to soc me.
During his sojourn in the United States, be has
been again stricken with ralysis which, although
IT has not affected the expression Of his bland and
benign countenance, nor materially impaired his
altisulAtiou, disqualifes him from making those
great exertions 10 which be accustomed in
earlier life and in robust heslth. Nevertheless, his
lsbors, with but little relaxation and repose, have
been uuremitting, and been attended with the
encouraging success. Upon descending the Missis
sippi be administered in Of the towns situated
on its banks, The pledge TO seven hundred persons.
He aseeoded It, after an interval Of some months,
and stopping at the same town. he had the gratii.
cation to and that among the converts there were
but three instances Of relapse
lhave had IN opportuni Of obtaining accurate in
formation fem An authentic source (not from him
self his extreme deicscy would restrain him from
making such comm anca tion) to the condition of
the pecuniary affairs Of this good man. /, has
iai.h During his long aud brilliant career in
fpslaA d. among tue millions Of persons, the victims
Of nse, aperance, in danger Of beco ming addicted
40 IL, TO HON he gave the pledge, he often met Ia
want To 40, % ofthcse he supp led, from his own
purse rnone, "a aHori them immediate relief,
which, though an I'll "a particular cases, In the
aggregate amounted =" = considerable sum. To
the necessity Of borrowing argely from hs friends,
rhicn he dad under fuii conV. cton tnat ne would
be able TO reimburse thcro ffS~ resources which
ns nso so.'re sonhdsn's :. =. e5asss. ~. recsis,
,.si nv nea NJ zen aunt, Who had issa~~"
~ "a AUD provision for him. Her will - Jast
"a actually prepared, is now in existence .
--srt day assigned fer its execution and before
ID arrived che died suddenly with the gout, and was
found dead in her bed.
The consequence IL tha. this grea: benefactor Of
mankind, this true friend II the poor, is LEFT in q
state Of great pecuniary embarrassment; threat
ened By creditors en- his return to Ireland, and ex
Of disease and infrmity, to that pinching want,
which, In better days. and in prosperous times
he so generously relieved in others.
The British government granted him pension
OF three hundred pounds sterling. But he has not
received enc cent of II, having scrupulousy dedi
Gated the whole Of il to the payment Of his debts.
To enable him to defrsy unavoidable expenses,
during his prescot tour in the United S.ates, he
Vas supplied With ,he requisite means By the libe
rany OF public spiriied gentleman in Liverpool.
Ihn most excellent and extraordinary man is |
about TO depart from among IA, AFTER having, II |
s to be hoped, with tbs aid Of Providence, re- |
deemed near half million Of inhabitants Of /
these states from enc Of the ost debasing Of all
pernicious habits shall he return witb0u. any
substantial Manifestation Of the prblic gratitude
towards aim shall even no effort be made to
put him at ease, and TO smooth and 50 ten the |
pillow Of his declining yearsi think an not
deceived as 10 the generous hearts Of my country
men, nor to the warm Irish hearts Of his, IN !
believing that, IL his ,tua condition were gene
rally known, thoussnds would readily, snd With
the greatest slscrity. rush to bis relief llis
fame and O Just appreciation Of bis signal merits
are secure, and will be transmitted 10 the adni-
ration q the remotest postsrity. He viii be
regarded as one OF the wonders Of this re-
mafksble age. But what will that pOsterity
think Of the present generation, If he be permitted
TO pine sud languish in poverty, and want, and suf
terirg, during the remnant Il life which has been
-orn out by an exclusive devotion TO It's service
And such glorious service Wha. reproaches
val not be made for culpable insensibility TO the
ssiue OF the greatest moral reform ever achieved
py Ote man shall not se. In the United states,
endesvot 2ot to merit any part Of them
moving weu your public spirit. and your gene. |
rous in pulses, Iny obest ia addressing you Il %
certain " something cannot be dore FOR Father |
mstnev, worthy Of bin. snd worthy Of US, before I
he leaves our shores On all occasions Of munif. /
ccpce We naturally turn attention 10 our great
cities. and 10 yours az the fret Of them We ought
to do s0methiEg-we car do something in the ia.e.
rior. am ready. from my limited means {, con.
tribute my mite But IL is in the Large cities
where concert and cooperation are 20 easy TO be /
brought about. that most be effected.
II has occurred b. me that fey liberal and en- \
lighter ed gsptlemen n your city, favorable 20 The
object might have an inform u meeting 70 consut |
together: that they might organize committee Of
subscription and collection. correspond with other
places. and thus accomplish the desired end The
pleasure Of making the req site contr bullion sho1d
be difused among as Usny as may DO eohyen'en.