at the deputation was
"most formally" received. The Lord Mayor read to His Excellency the
resolutions drawn up by the committee by which the deputation was
appointed. They stated--(1), That famine and pestilence were immediately
imminent, unless the Government took prompt measures against them; (2),
That this could be best done by employing the people in works of
national utility; (3), That the ports ought to be closed against the
exportation of corn; (4), That public granaries ought to be established
in various parts of the country, the corn to be sold to the people at
moderate prices; and (5), That the use of grain for distillation ought
to be stopped.

The Lord Lieutenant read the following reply:--

"My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen,--It can scarcely be necessary for me
to assure you that the state of the potato crop has for some time
occupied, and still occupies, the most anxious attention of the
Government.

"Scientific men have been sent over from England to co-operate with
those of this country, in endeavouring to investigate the nature of
the disease, and, if possible, to devise means to arrest its
progress. They have not yet terminated their enquiries; but two
reports have already been received from them, which have been
communicated to the public.

"The Government is also furnished with constant reports from the
stipendiary magistrates and inspectors of constabulary, who are
charged to watch the state of the potato disease, and the progress
of the harvest. These vary from day to day, and are often
contradictory; it will, therefore, be impossible to form an
accurate opinion on the whole extent of the evil till the digging
of the potatoes shall be further advanced. To decide, under such
circumstances, upon the most proper measures to be adopted, would
be premature; particularly as there is reason to hope that, though
the evil exists to a very great extent in some localities, in
others it has but partially manifested itself.

"There is no immediate pressure in the market. I will, however,
lose no time in submitting your suggestions to the consideration of
the Cabinet. The greater part of them can only be enforced by
legislative enactment, and all require to be maturely weighed
before they can be adopted. It must be clear to you, that in a case
of such great national importance,