ABSTRACT
Emigration – We cheerfully publish the following, forwarded to us by our valued Correspondent at Belmullet:- 2
“On the morning of the 16th instant the small steamer, Unity, from Sligo, arrived here to convey the Erris emigrants, bound for America, to join the passengers at Sligo. On the Quay it was really frightful to hear, and see, those creatures bewailing their hard fate in being obliged to leave their native land, and to separate from all they held dear on earth, their friends and relatives – the husband and his wife – the father from his children – the son from his mother – brothers from sisters, and daughters from mothers. I had conversed with many of them whom I thought were in comfortable circumstances, but alas! Their tale was truly doleful and lamentable, stating that they were in daily expectation of relief or employment from the Government, since their stock of potatoes had perished by the frightful disease, but they at length fully understood the procrastination of their Rulers – now that they were going to give them coercion as a substitute for food or employment, and knowing that would be swallowed up by the next course to save themselves and families from utter ruin. They were all Repealers and, the tears of sorrow which they shed on the shore of their dear loved land home I shall never forget, as the Belmullet Temperance Band played for them the National airs of their country. Previous to their embarkation they were several times heard to exclaim “that the land of liberty might afford them an opportunity of 26remembering the land of Coercion.” The poor fellows boasted “that they were free, as they owe no debt.” As for rent, of course, the Landlord’s Agents were more assiduous this season than any other, by being before hand, in order to secure themselves, whatever might become of the people’s food. 3 I do believe that there are not ten pounds due for rent in all Erris this day. My ears thrill with the frightful cries of separating friends while I write. I could give particulars more calamitous of the creatures who are not so fortunate as to commend the means of taking them to America and whose last meal of potatoes and last penny are exhausted.”
