Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-20
TORC E ) II Err:
MEETING for the Relief of the Kansas suf-


Daniel Foster, the agent of the Kansas relief
committee, and to adopt measures with refer
ence to the relief Of the suffering and destitute
in that territory. MIR. Foster said he appear
ed, at the request OF the relief committee, to
state facts in reference to the calamity visited
upon the people OF Kansas at this time. Kan
sas, he said, although but five years old as
territory, numbered in June last lO9, 600 inhab.
itants of these, $4,000 were in an absolutely
destitute and starving condition, without food
to eat, or clothing for their backs, or shoes for
their feet, during the present winter. vi the
$500 inhabitants of Nemala county, i'll which
he resided and which lie mentioned as fair
illustration OF the condition of the forty other
counties, 1900 were wholly dependent upon
others for the means TO live the present winter
and for seed to put into the ground the coming
spring. The crops of all kinds, with the ex
ception of partial crop of corn, had failed en-
tirely, in consequence of the extraordinary and
unparalleled nine months drought The COM
mittee thought at least Sl50,000 would be re-
quired to materially relieve the sufferers.
In his own opinion 100000 would be neces'
sary. The west will furnish 500, 900 bushels
of grain, rs 900 bushels having already been
sent from OHIO, Illinois, and Iowa. But
large amount of money would be necessary to
be raised to pay for the freight, involving
heavy sum. New England would have to be
depended upon to raise one-haIf OF the total
amount to be raised, in money and provisions
In New York, an efficient committee, with
VIM Cullen Bryant at the head, was ener.
getically at work for the cause. The Boston
committee comprised such persons as Gov.
Andrew, Judges Putnam and Russell, DR..
Howe, and Others of like integrity. Their
appeal to the clergymen of Massachusetts, for
relief is being widespread, through the press
and by circular. Generous donations, in
response to their appeal, had already come in
to then treasurer, DR.. Webb, and he trusted
thousands more would do likewise, imme-
diateIy Mr.. Foster closed by fervent ap.
peal to the citizens Of Worcester to come
forward and do their share in this charitable
work.
Hon. George f. IIoar moved the appoint
ment of committee of three to solicit and
have charge of contributions from the citizens
of Worcester in aid of the people of Kansas.
Deacon Ichabod Washburn, Air. Hoar and
Samuel A. Knox we're chosen to constitute
that committee.
Hon. Henry Chaplin advocated raising i'm
mediately the contributions proposed, and said
he would make a report concerning the money
contributed in aid of Kansas few years
since, trusting that the statement would not
lessen the present subscription. Mr. Chapins
report was as follows -
In the year 1856 the subscribers and Mr..
Philip L. Moen, vino is now absent from the
city, were appointed to perform certain duties
in reference to certain funds contributed for
the cause of those who were suffering, or liable
to suffer, in Kansas.
They were constituted not only city com
mttee but a county committee, and their
duties upon each committee were separate
and distinct from those upon the other com
mittee.
The funds which were placed in the hands
of the city committee were LETT to their sole
management and discretion, with two or three
exceptions, where the instructions of the
tributors were implicitly obeyed. The duties
imposed upon themwer neither to be sought
nor dc clined by men who felt that they had
duty to perform. There has passed through
the hands of the chairman CT the city com.
mittee the sum OF eleven thousand and eighty
four dollars and twenty -four cents, every dol
lar of which has been appropriated by the
committee with entire unanimity. Their
duties were of delicate and responsible
character, but the committee have been
SO fortunate as to have no differences in
opinion upon the subject They have also
the firm conviction that their efforts have
been attended with beneficial results, that
the funds were not contributed in vain,
and that they have been paid out in accord
ance with the wishes OF the contributors.
When persons were encouraged TO settle in
Kansas it was understood that some portion
OF the funds contributed should be retained, to
be appropriated IN cases of distress or necessi.
ty. The committee have furnished sums
of money at different times, for the purposes
intended, and when the present suffering
in Kansas became known, they decided
at once that this was the proper
time for the balance of the funds
to be appropriated They have accordingly
paid over the balance of S942 OF, to be expend-
ed in such things and for such purposes the
contingency seems 10 demand, it being under.
stood that our funds shall be more especially
applied to our own emigrants (it any who.
may stand in need of the same. The follow
ing is a copy OF the receipt, signed by one Of
the truest friends OF freedom, a gentleman who
at one time contributed the sum OF $1,000 from
his own private funds to aid the cause i'll Kan.
sas -
"BosroN, Dec. 49, 1860.
Received OF Henry Chapin, chairman of
2 Worcester city committee on Kansas, the sum
OF nine hundred and forty-two dollars and seven
cents, in full for the balance in the hands of
said committee, contributed for the cause of
Kansas, to be applied nearly as possible in
accordance with the intentions OF the contribu.
tors.
GEORGE L. STEARNs,
Treasurer of the Massachusetts, State Kansas
Committee"
1t only remains to be added that of this
amount the sum of Sl68 Al was interest which
had accumulated upon the funds deposited in
the savings banks, making up the interest to
the third Wednesday of January next
The funds which were placed in charge of
the county committee were held most of the time
by Mr. Hammond their treasurer. These
funds were drawn from his control and paid
over to the state committee in accordance
with the original understanding. The con-
tingency contemplated not having arisen ear
lier, the money has been deposited and upon
interest. All the money drawn from Mr. Ham
mond, with interest TO the third Wednesday of
January, has been paid over upon the receipt,
of which the following is a copy, it having
been written upon the second page of the book
containing the form OF subscriptions =
BosToN, Dec. 10, 1860.
Received Of Henry Chaplin. chairman of
Worcester county committee the sum of
twelve hundred and fifty six dollars and thir-
ty three cents in accordance with the terms Of
the page preceding this.
GEORGE J.. STEARNs,