The Portland daily press., 1866-07-11

The inhabitants of Portland smtten by
more terrible disaster than has ever fallen mp
on any American town, of like population,
are constrained to appeal to their country
them in this great calamity. .l
The undersigned are subcommittee, ap-
pointed by a representative committee from
all the religious Societies in the place, to so
licit and receive contributions for the relief of
our sufferers.
81 We would fain have waited day or two,
till we could present more formal and definite
statements of our losses and our wants-but,
already, we are cb e ered by many generous
gifts from abroad, anticipating our appeal, and
earnest inquiries come to us from our sister
cities and towns, in this State and beyond, to
know what we want, and what they can do
to help us. e0 -ecf1hA iaoA % 81 T
We hasten to answer, respectfully but inn
ploringly, that we need contributions OF
money, in large amount, and as soon as may
be. E@ ~ -4l4 2 a At9nA G29h'g assJ
Many thousands of our people are home
less The first necessities OF food and tenn
porary shelter were supplied by the activity
of our own citizens, and the prompt kindness
of the neighboring towns, greatly aided by
the use OF quartermaster's stores, under the
immediate and generous sanction of the Sec
retary of War. But every hour is revealing
thousand distressing wants, which can only
be supplied by the judicious application Of
cash resources, in large aggregate amount.
Thousanl Is OF the sufferers have not a
change of clothing, nor bed, nor a blanket
Never was confagration so completely de-
structive. Great numbers of families have
nothing left. Large, quantities of household
goods, and other property, were removed
again and again, to places of supposed safety,
but devoured by the flames at last.
Our hearts bleed tor the aged men and
women, for the many hundreds of little child
rem, and for the helpless sick, who had to pass
through the horrors of that dreadful night,
and now have no homes. a5 +ls1 lR
We cannot exaggerate this calamity. Sym
pathizing friends, Tho have come in from
other places, declare that all rumors OF the
disaster were far short of the frightful reality.
A space of more than one hundred and
fifty acres in the very heart of our city, but
yesterday covered with beautiful dwellings,
with warehouses, stores, manufactures and a
large number of public edifices, is now des-
solate and appalling waste. This coaflagra-
ton ragged more than twelve hours without
any check, aud stopped only when it reached
the vacant lands outside of the city. Mole
than six miles of streets, but yesterday closely
lined on both sides with buildings, and
thronged by busy and hsppy people, now
scarcely afford fvot-paths through the univer-
sal ruin We attempt to find where the
homes of our friends were standing three
days ago, and we lose ourselves in wilder
ness, without one familiar object for guide.
To relieve the innumerable distresses of our
homeless townsmen, to sustain our laboring
men and women while they are waiting en-
ployment, to prevent as tar as possible, the
separation of families, to cheer the hearts of
hundreds of mothers who, at this moment
can do nothing but hover over their groups of
little children, tt assist those who will soon
erect humble dwellings ON the sites of their
lost homes, and to give courage and hope to
all of us, who are to bear the burden of re-
storing these wastes, we need all such pecuni-
ary contributions, 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
disposition to take care OF themselves, that,
with friendly help for a time, they viii soon
rise above this calamity; but the great num-
Der of cases to be relieved demands large con-
tributitions.
Counrymen ! Friends! Christians We
know that you win help Us. We rely on the
impulses oi your patriotics brother shooA - on
the mercies Of your Christian sympathy
Humbly and thankfully we acknowledge that
we are still under the favor OF Almighty God,
and we are sure that He will dispose your
hearts TO work with Him for our relief.
Contributors are earnestly assured that all
pOoSlUIc CtIC VIII Oc bahCu III 1uC utSbiiUutlOIl
Of the bounty we may receive. All disburse
ments will be under the advice of responsi-
bic general committee, representing all classes,
and watching over all suffering interests
Every effort will be used to administer the
supplies simply in proportion to the necessi-
ties. G0Esas 1ael 9t .rEas
Mr.. Spring, one of tho members of the sub
committee, will act as Treasurer of money do
nations
If any persons or communities are disposed,
in addition to pecuniary gifts, to contribute
also breadstuffs, cured meats, shoes, cloth, or
building materials, they are requested to give
notice OF the same to Mr.. HENRY Fox, Chair
man of the Executive Committee of Relief,
who will advise as to forwarding. u
Editors of newspapers are respectfully re-
quested to publish this appeal.
p. BARNES,
is3i taisao 'uoR DTS JACOB MCCLELLAN,
1900 81 q SAMUEL +. SPRING.
PORTLAND, July Z, 1868. m l5 as8fJ
Cry OF PORTLAND, Mayors Office.
/ earnestly commend the object of the fore
going appeal to the friendly consideration of
all benevolent persons. ei
gH AUGUSTUS f. STEVENS, Mayor.