um on the subject, and put it in circulation, especially amongst
the Relief Committees. How far the recommendation was acted on does not
appear.[173]

FOOTNOTES:

[159] A deputation from the island of Achill had an interview with Sir
R. Routh, at his office, on Saturday night, October the 10th. The
deputation stated the peculiar circumstances of Achill--the total
destruction of the potato crop there, and the absence of grain crops in
any quantity, owing to the exposed position of the island. The principal
object of the deputation was to procure a supply of food from the
Government Stores, for which the inhabitants were ready to pay. Sir R.
Routh replied, that no supply of food of any consequence could be
expected before the latter end of November, and that even then it was
not his intention to recommend to the Government to sell the food at a
price lower than that demanded by the merchants, as it was essential to
the success of commerce that the mercantile interests should not be
interfered with. Rev. Mr. Monahan, one of the deputation, remarked that
the Government acted differently last year, and sold cheap for the
purpose of bringing down the markets. Sir R. Routh admitted the fact,
but regretted it, as it gave bad habits to the people, and led them to
expect the adoption of a similar course now, whereas the Government was
determined not to interfere with the merchants, but to act more in
accordance with the enlightened principles of political economy. Rev.
Mr. Monahan said he could not understand why the Government was to be
fettered by notions of political economy at such a crisis as this. Sir
R. Routh remarked that nothing was more essential to the welfare of a
country than strict adherence to free trade, and begged to assure the
rev. gentleman that, if he had read carefully and studied Burke, his
illustrious countryman, he would agree with him, Sir R. Routh.

This interview called forth much sarcastic commentary from the press.
"And so," writes the _Nation_, "there is a military gentleman in Dublin,
having the control of all public relief operations throughout the
country, whose answer to all deputations--whose sole fixed idea--whose
Bible and Articles-of-War--appears to be the 'strict rules' and 'the
enlightened principles of political economy.' People come to him from
the extreme west, and tell him there is in their parish neither potatoes
nor corn--that they have neither stores at home, nor trade from other