The national Republican., 1866-07-27


o. Box as7. West Troy NY osis-dviy
As- Appeal from Portiaud.-Ths inhabit.
ants Of Portland, smitten by terrible disaster
than has ever fallen upon any Amsrcan town Of like
population constrained to sppssl to their country.
men whom God hath prospsred TO help them In this
great calamity.
The undersigned are q sui. com mittee appointed by
representative committee from all the rs sasus sscie-
ties In the place, to solicit and receive eonribuons for
the relief Of our sufferers. =
wewould fain have waited day or wo tiii We could
present formal and definite Of our
and our wants, but already chssred by many
generous gifts from abroad our appeal and
earnest Inquiries to from sister cities and
towns, In this State and beyond, to know what want
and what boy can do to help Us.
We hasten to answer, respectfully but imploringiy
that we need contributions Of money, in large amount
and may be.
Many thousands Of people are homeless The arst
necessities Of food and temporary shelter were supplied
By the scvity Of our citizens and the prompt kind
ness Of the neghboring towns greatly aided BY the use
Of quarermasters tores under the and gem
erous sanction Of the Secretary Of War Bat every hour
Is revealing thousand distressing wants. which can
only bs supplied by the judieious application Of cash
resources In large aggregate amount.
Thousands Of the sufferers have not change Of cloth
ing, nor bed, . blanket Never was eonnagrston
so eomplstsy destructive Great numbers Of families
have nothing lsr. Large quantities Of household goods
and ether property were removed again and again to
places Of supposed safety but dsvourd BY the James at
last
Our hearts bleed for the aged men and women for tbs
many hundreds Of little children and for the helpless
sick, who had to through the hoors Of that dread
ful night and now have no homes.
We cannot exaggerate this calamity. sympsthiring
friends, who have come In from other places declare
that all rumors Of the disaster far short Of the
frightful reality. "
space Of more than one hundred aud any acres, In
the very heart Of our city, but yesterday covered with
beautiful dwellings, with warehouses; stores maunfac
tories, aud large number Of publie ediaees, s now
desolats and appalling waste. This connagraton ragged
more than twelve hours without any check and stopped
only when reached the vacant lands outside Of tho
city. More than six miles Of streets, but yesterday
closely lined both sides with buidings and ved
BY busy aud happy people, now scarcely AFFORD foot.
paths through the universal ruin We attempt TO nnd
where the homes Of friends were standing three
days ago. and We lose ourselves In wilderness with.
out one familiar object for guide
To relieve the innumerabls distress Of homeless
townsmsn, to sustain our laboring men and women
while they are waiting employment to prevent as far
As possible the separation Of families cheer the hearts
OF hundreds Of mothers who, at this moment can do
nothing but hover over their groups Of little children
to assist those who will humble dwellings on
the sites Of their lost homes and to give courage and
ing those wastes we need all such peeunary eontrbu
ons as the charity and good Judgment Of those who see
this appeal may prompt them to give.
Such Is the activity Of our people, and their DISPOSE
ton TO take Of themselves that with friendly help
for time, they will rise above this calamity; but
the great number Of cases to bs relieved demands large
contributions.
'Countrymeni Friends Chrisuansl We know that
you will help We rely the impulses Of your pa.
triotio brotherhood-on the mereies OF your Christian
sympathy. Humbly and thankfully we acknowledge
that we are still under the favor Of Almighty aod and
we are sure that He will dispose your hearts to wsrk
with Him for our relief
Contributors are earnestly assured that all possible
care will be taken In the distribution Of the bounty we
may receive. All disbursements will be under the I'D
Vice OF responsible general committee, representing
all classes and watching all suffering nterests
Every effort will be used 10 administer the supplies sim
ply In proportion to the necessities.
Mr.. Spring, Of the members Of the sub commits
tee will act as treasurer Of money donations.
II any persons communities disposed, In addj-
on to pecuniary gifts, to contribute also brsadstus
cured meats Shoes cloth, building materials they Are
requested to give notice Of the same 10 Mr. HENRY
FOX, chairman Of the Executive Committee Of Relief
who viii advise as to forwarding.
Editors Of newspapers arc rsspeotally requested 10
publish this appeal. p. BARNks,
JACOB NoCLELLAN,
po ,. ,sss SAMUEL T. SPRING,
MAYoR's oyyIcI, Juiy T. isee
sarnsstly eotmsnd the object Of tbs forsgoipF In.
peal W ths friendly soAsdsiston Of all bsnsyolsnt
persons. - wv AUGUSTUS Il GrIViHG
iyAH Mayer