The national Republican., 1867-04-18
Starvation I'm south Carolina.

While the South Carolina papers them
selves are comparatively reticent upon the
actually suffering condition Of the people
in the interior Of that State, the following
letter from Colonel John b. Scott, who
was selected by General L. X. Scott to
distribute the supplies sent by the South.
ern Famine Relief Committee, Of New
York, in Lexington district, will touch a
chord in the hearts Of the humane wher-
ever the description is read. The state
ments may be received as Trustworthy
The letter is under date Of Saluda Factory,
Lexington district, April 8: l have re-
ceived your note OF the 29th ult., stating
that your commission hoped to send other
shipments soon, and that you would be
glad to know from me the present state of
destitution in my district, and how far the
corn already received will supply it. Be-
fore endeavoring to reply to your inquiries,
permit me, in behalf OF the destitute wild
ows and orphans Of this district, to thank
you for what you have already done.
Your noble charity has brought comfort
and comparative happiness to many desc
lated homes.
The corn have received Il commenced
issuing last week. cannot last more than
two weeks longer, even with the very
greatest care exercised in the distribution.
So desirous am l that it should only reach
the cases Of real and aggravated want that
l refuse many applications that are I'M
doubtedly really meritorious, and which
would, in your land ofplenty, be considered
imperative.
I have issued this morning to about
eighty families, comprising, perhaps, four
hundred persons. Tomorrow / shall issue,
probably, to nearly as many more. This
shows destitution Of the most appalling
character. Some Of these poor creatures
have come twenty miles, and have been
two days dragging themselves to where
they might receive the benefits of your
bounty. Many, however, live in my i'm
mediate neighborhood.
Our stricken people are struggling faith
fully to ensure future subsistence In
stances have come to my knowledge OF
farmers who, having lost their horses and
mules, and being unable to buy or hire
others, are actually trying to break up
their old fields with hoes, in their desperate
efforts to raise scanty support for their
families during the coming winter.
Two cases Of. actual starvation have
come under my personal observation. /
was informed Of the serious illness of an
aged widow and two daughters, and upon
visiting them, found the mother and one
OF the daughters in the so-,ries Of death,
and was crediblv '- "a hat for some
time their snso.anoa i hod been the
..se thrown into the streets and roads'
Il encouraged the second daughter Dy
promising assistance, and she recoVeeu,
and was supported by me till prorcurea
her employment. God only knows now
many similar cases may be searched out
in our famished land.
have before me o letter from WIDOW
lady, recently in afluence, and whose lam,
| lily name has been associated with one OF
the very highest positions in our country,
in which she makes application for loan
to enable her to open thread and needle
store in which to employ her daughters.
She writes II have one small loaf of
bread in my house upon which my entire
family must dine. We have nothing for
supper, and our Heavenly Father only
knows where we will procure our breakfast
tomorrow" have been shown letter
from O lady, also reduced from wealth to
abject poverty, asking If there is any corn
for distribution to one OF her class, and
stating that since the war she and her
daughter barely supported themselves by
taking in needle-work; but that now, SO
great is the destitution around them, she
can procure no employment Of any kind,
! and that she is compelled, most reluc'
: family, to seek relief from public charity,
The great want will be experienced
within the next two or three months. The
wheat crop when husbanded, will relieve
many, but large number must continue
' to suffer till corn, which is the staple, il
! gathered. Any further assistance you may
( afford our people will be gratefully &C
knowledged' and remembered.