Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-10-03
Father Mathew.

This great "Apostle of Temperance who
has during the past two years labored so as
slduousv and etlcctually throughout this coun-
try and the Canadas to stay the torrent OF In
temperance which was rushing upon us, Is
now in New York City, where he IS about to
embark for Ireland, the scene Of his earlier
labors in the noble cause he has cspouscd.-
We deeply regret to learn that his labors here
have cost him his fortune, his health, his vigor
to which it is feared must soon be added his
life. a large number of eminent and beneyo-
lent citizens Of New York have issued an APP
peal in his behalf, which we doubt not will
result in the restoration Of his fortune, at least,
Following the appeal, we find the subioincd
letter from I!EvRr CLAY, alike creditablc to,
and Characteristic of, his head and heart,
ASHLAND, Wednesday, May p, lS5l,
My DEAR SIR: have enjoyed the high
satisfaction of meeting with Father Matthew,
and entertaining him mt my house. On his
return to the City Of Newly orl from the pros
ecution of his noble works of humanity and
benevulencc. in the valley Of the Mississippi,
he did INC the honor to call to see me. During
his soiourn in the United States, he has been
ngain stricken with paralysis, which, although
II hn4 not affected the expression Of his bland
and benign coun enlncc, nor materially i'm
paircd his articulation. dl>qual,ties HIM for
making those great cXertlons, to which he was
accustomed in earlier life and IN robust health.
Nevertheless his abors, with but little reluXa-
tlon and reposc. have been unremlttng, and
been attended with the most encouraging sue
cess. Upon descending the Mississippi. he adj
Ininsterei in one Of the towns situated ON It's
banks. the pledge to seven hundred pcrsons.-
lie assembled it, after an interval of some
months, and stopping at the same town, he had
the qualification to find that among the con
vert5 there we're but three instances OF relapse
have had an opportunity Of obtaining ac-
Curate information from an authentic source
(nnt from himself; his extreme del cacy would
refrain him fron making such comnunca-
tom as 20 the condition Of the pecuniary at-
fairs of this rood man. 1t has deeply interest
ed me. and excited my warlncst sympathles go
During his long and brilliant career in ireland
among the millions of persons, the victims OF
lntcupcrancc, or IN danger Of becoming addict
ed to It. to whom he gave the pledge he Otter
met in the poorer classes persons IN great IN
docuce and want. TO some Of these Ac sup
plrd from his own pure, money To aior.
them immediate rcli"t, which. though small II
particular cases, IN the aggregate amount am
to a considerable sum- 70 and INN III these
laudable charities, he was under the necessity
Of borrowing largely from ms friends, which
he did under full conviction that he would be
able to reimburse them from resources whlcl
he had entire confidence in counting upon re
crlyiur, from rich maiden aunt who haC
promised to make an ample provision for hun
Her will to that effect was actually prepared
u u1w ia existence; Il short day was uS.Iguo'
for is execution, and before it arrived she die;
suddenly with the govt, and was found dead Il
her bed.
The consequence is that this great bcnetac
tor of mankind THIS true friend Of the poor, il
left IN a state Of great pecuniary cmAarrass
mont; Threatened by creditors on his return 4
Ireland and exposed himself in old age, am
under the influence Of disease and mhuai,y, t.
that plnchln@ want, which, in better days, AN
in more prosperous times, he so generously re
ilcyed in others
The BRUSH Government granted him pen
sion Of three hundred pounds sterling. Bat h
has not received one cent of it, having Bcrupu
lousy dedicutcd the whole of it to the plyner
of his debts To enable him to defray unayoiI
able expenses, during his present tour in the |
States, he was supplied with the requisite mean
by the Aocralty Of IL public spirited gauticlna
IN laso....
1usu...' .@cel'en' and extraordinary ma
ig about 10 depart from among us, after hlyine
d. H. to be hoped. with the AID Of , royidcncC
ralcomai near half million Of inhnbiant. G.
these States from ono of the most .basing C.
oh pcrnc.ous habits. Shall he return withou
tAy substantial manifestation Of the publl
gratitude towards him; Shall even no ciiot
t' pe'o - rut ban ~ caac aud to smooth an