The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-19
THE BOARD OF COUNCILMEN.

This Board met last night A large number OF reports
and resolutions OF particular interest 10 the public
presented and acted upon Among the most promi
nent of the resolutions calling for appropra
tion OF for the support Of tho families Of those in
the volunteer service After considerable discussion
It was laid over ordered be made the special bust
ness for next Thursday evening.
A resolution endorsing the action OF Commodore
Wilkes in arrestng the rebel Commissioners Sdel and
Mason also rendering the Commodore and Lieut. Fairfax
the hospitalities Of the city, adopted
A short communication received from the Comp
sroer setting forth the balance in the treasury No
vember 9 TO be the sum OF 81 ,S2S 1914 81.
Another communication was likewise received from the
officer Civ ing statement OF the appropriations up
70 November l, 1851.
The following message was received from the Mayor,
MAYORS OFFICE, New YORK, Nov. Z, 1861.
10 HoSoRAmE COMMON COUNCIL
GEsTIEMEN-I transmit herewith to your honorable
body communication from Acting Brigader General
Neagher and Colonies Nugent and Baker of the Irish
Brigade calling the attention Of the city authorities the
distressed condition Of many OF the families Of volunteers
during the period between their enlistment and arrival
the seat Of and urging modification OF the ordinance
making provision for the relief Of the families of voun
soldiers this In all respects coincide
with the views expressed by those distinguished officers
of the Irish Brigade and consider the modification sug
Resed calculated to the efficiency Of troops
no less than the of their helpless wives and fam
lies therefore recommend that the ordinance in aues
zion may be modified in such manner will TO the
families in destitute crcums ances, of volunteers
date assistance soon they mustered into the
service Of the United States.
FERNANDO WOOD, Mayor
HEADQUARTERS OF THE IRISH BRIGADE,
New YORK, Nov. 7, 1861.
% THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CRY o. EEw YORK.
GENTIEMEN-We have the honor 10 submit your con-
sderaon subject Of great public interest earnestly
20 entreat your speedest and cndest action in
TO II.
The relief fund established under the Corporation ordl
Of April last administered the poorer fami
Mes of the soldiers volunteering for tho defence of the
national government and Union Immediately on the
departure Of those soldiers for the seat of The
advantages TO the parties requiring such relief and
10 the military strength of the government, arising
from that humane and patriotic appropriation Of the
Corporation, and its prompt well prudent distrbu-
sion very great The soldiers proceeded to the
Of with aacrty and high spirit, feeling satisfied that
those who depended them for support would not suffer
IN their absence The families themselves were thereby
u great measure reconced 10 the temporary separation
from them OF their natural benefactors protectors
The Corporation of New York indeed deserves well of
all the loyal citizens OF America for the promptude and
munifcence with which 1t acted the moment the Prei.
dent Of the United States appealed to the patriotism Of
tho nation; and we, the undersigned take this oppor-
nifty Of gratefully acknowledging the service that was
rendered 70 many poor Irish family through its broad
forethought and hberaity.
But the ordinances which applicable 10 the cond
tson Of affairs in April May and June last aud through
che operation Of which much good done map
pcabe the present, being in fact TO grievous extent
frutless and imperative In those months regiments
despatched 70 the seat Of within fortyeight or
at most within sixty seventy hours after their
ing orders had been issued No interval therefore, sum
6entlg long produce any serious OF noonye-
nience distress TO the families OF the soldiers occurred
between the mastering the soldiers into the service
Abe government and the fruiton by their families of the
relief in question The and the other instant
nsous almost.
Now, however, tho case is entirely different Resi-
ments have to be raised, organized drilled and
equipped Between the time Of his being mustered into
the service OF the government and his departure for the
seat OF war tive three months may intervene before
the poor soldiers family derives the least benefit from
the fund TO which we have reference. The disadvan
tges, the hardshps IN fact and mischief which arise
from TINS circumstance, can readily DO conceived The
fay deprived OF the help and presence Of its head and
arm, falls into misery, utter poverty and ruin When
therelief comes at LAST II but TO mitigate little
the core damage which might have been alto~etber
averted had itcome afew weeks sooner
Nor does the evil rest here Discomfort Ia oeoera,cd
throughout the community by such instances and
and that too In quarters from which the government
Obtsans ts readest strongest and bodest arms Dscon
cent seizes the camp when such and instances
spoken o. an many brave, cheerful and enhusias,c
heart droops and chafee with the recollection of home
tthe heplessness Of which there is none 10 succor T
word the Withholding from his family OF the relief
vded by the Corr oratoA in April last until the soldier
departs for tho seat Of war produces not alone much
cause.
We therefore, the undersigned respectfully and earnest
Nv entreat the Mayor al Council Of the city OF New York
that taking these repr senatons into the kndcst and
fullest consideration thew will endeavor have the or
dnances referred to so ded as 10 enable the families
Of the soldiers volunteering for the national army pro
relief from the fund estA bshed by said ordinances
vice Of the government and proceeding TO camp, where
that may be-the families for whom the undersigned
now plead being just much deprived OF the sup.
port and comfort Of their husbands and other rea-
tves, when the latter are In camp AZ Fort Schuyler
Or even at the Battery, though they were thou,