The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-05-23
UNITED STATES Smr JAMESTOWN,

Port Praya, Cape Verde, March s, 1886.
have spoken in former letters of the star
wing condition Of these islanders. The search
ty Of rain and consequent shortneSs Of The crops
for the last three years, have produced famine,
of which FIVE 10 six thousand out of the popu-
aiion of one hundred and twenty thousand
have already died. OF the twelve thirteea
islands the famine has thus far been confined
chiefly TO San Antonio, ST. Nicholas, St. VIM
cent, and SAL Three thousand persons have
come from the neighboring islands 10 this tSt
Jago,) which is the most productive. The Gov
ernor, most excellent and energetic man, Is
doing everything in his power for the mlsera-
be people He sends small vessels, as he can
raise The means to do SO, 10 the coast OF Africa
for grain, which he distributes with the srlcirsl
economy to the destitute. He has vISlIe, ouI
ship several times, and as he speaks French eXt
tremely well, it has fallen 10 my lol 10 be- lnter4
prefer. He came to-day, in company with the
Bishop, TO thank the Commodore for his kind
ness IN having gone, ten days ago, 10 the island
of Bravo 10 bring the Bishop, whose Presence
here as President Of the Council he strongly
desired, in order to aIay discomfort, and to sat
isfy the people with the measures that he has
been obliged 10 pursue in the present emergency.
He tells me that whatever money hr can collect
he sends to the coast Of Africa and elsewhere
for grain, which he distributes in such way as
to avoid monopoly. IL has nearly exhausted
his resources. He thinks he will be able 10
keep starvation IN check until July, after which,
unless prov isious are, sent from Europe and A
merica, twenty thousand persons, AT the least
calculation, will Starv. to death between then
aud December: and the crop in December will
depend upon the rain in the meantime. The
islanders, he SAYS, who have been looking to
him for bread, do not know, as he does, the ter
rible calamity that awaits them. In 1882,
thirty or forty vessels came from the United
States with provisions. With half that amount
now the Governor could, he says, prevent all
starvation
He has made full statement Of The subject
10 his own government, and will draw up an
other which the Commodore VIII forward 10 the
government at Washington. Moreover, on our
suggestion, The Bishop will address conmnnl-
cation TO Archbishop Hughes, as also TO the
ArchbiShops in London and Paris.
So distressing is the coudiian OF these poor
people, as pictured to me- to-day BY The Cover
nor. that under the it.eIings that his narrative
has awakened devote my letter TO this subject.
II is not probable that the communications Of
the Governor and Bishop will be- ready for the
Zruo on Moday morning. They may not,
therefore, reach the United States until weeks
after this does: otherwise ! should not care 10
anticipate them. These islands can be OF little
If any advantage to Portugal. There are MOI e
people here than can live, or than do 1--we on
the produce of the soil. They had, Therefore,
better abandon some, if not all, shipping the
inhabitants TO Brazil. Even in this island, the
largest and best, the water has almost gwen
out so that, should the drought continue, our
squadron will not be able to water here. Where
provisions and money were sent years ago from
the United States to MADEIRA the donors com
planned, and Justly. Of the disposition made OF
them by the authorities. A similar mlSappro-
priaton of charity would BE- avoided IN the
present instance by making MIR. Morse. oul
Council here, the conSignee to receive the pro
visions, which would thus be sure 10 reach Their
proper destination, as they would then be turned
over to the Governor, who would direct and ST.
pervise the distribution, as hr now does that Gl
all the provisions that he imports. The reven-
ues of the islands he devotes 10 the purchase oil
lprovisions, instead of sending them to the hone
government. His own salary ($3,0G0) he has
not touched during the two and halt years oil
his govrrnorship, though he is, as Mr. Morse
tells US, very poor, dressing very plainly ara
living with great frugality. The crumbs that
fall from the wealthy tables of Philadelphia aud
New York would more than faiten these l2O,-
600 islanders.