334 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. 



IX. Because, referring to evidence given on this subject 

 before Committees of the House of Commons, it appears, 

 that in the administration of such voluntary funds, mana- 

 gers have been charged with partiality in the selection of 

 objects of relief, private feuds and jealousies have taken 

 place, and subscriptions have gradually, but very sensibly, 

 decreased in amount. 



X. Because, while the history of Ireland affords so 

 many proofs of the failure of every scheme depending on 

 the voluntary contributions of individuals, whether set on 

 foot for the purposes of colonization, instruction or charity, 

 though recommended by associations of great landed pro- 

 prietors, and aided by whatever assistance could be de- 

 rived from strong religious and political feeling, we can- 

 not flatter ourselves that, in the absence of such powerful 

 allies, the simple dictates of benevolence can reasonably 

 be relied on to secure the fulfilment of so important a 

 duty as the support of the helpless indigent of a whole 

 nation. 



XI. Because no system of relief dependent on volun- 

 tary contributions could create a reasonable hope of suc- 

 cess, without some plan or modification of the system of 

 settlement; and we confess we cannot contemplate any 

 modification of that system which could possibly lead to 

 the curtailment of the privilege of free migration hitherto 

 enjoyed by the Irish poor, a privilege which the evidence 

 of a former Report proves to have afforded not only a 

 means of support to the industrious labourer, but the only 

 hope of existence to a class too numerous and too vir- 

 tuous not to be objects of the deepest interest to every 

 benevolent mind. 



XII. Because, considering that the principle adopted 

 in England, and recommended for the regulation and 



