"I am informed that it has been publicly asserted in America that this Committee is influenced in the distribution of its funds by other motives than the desire to relieve distress, and that it is desirable we should have the express approval of the Catholic Hierarchy of our proceedings. In Ireland such statements would not be made, for everyone would know them to be without foundation, but when made elsewhere it becomes necessary that they should be formally corrected. Your Lordship is aware that every Catholic, as well as every Protestant, Bishop in Ireland is a member of this Committee. Our proceedings are public, and we have already had on our books nearly 500 Local Committees to which we have granted relief. Of these, I need hardly say, the Catholic Priests are in all instances members, and in nearly every instance the Protestant Clergymen are associated with them. Our rules require that, when practicable, the clergy of all denominations shall be represented, but we do not delay sending relief in any case that appears urgent. We have already distributed over £12,000 without any complaint in Ireland as to our bona fides or impartiality. I enclose your Lordship a printed list of the members of our Committee, our Rules and our Query Sheet. As the statements that are being made would be calculated to stop the flow of subscriptions to our fund, and discredit our exertions if these statements obtained credence, I have now, in the cause of honesty and of justice, and in that of the famine-stricken people of this country, in whoso service the Committee is working, to ask you to state, by return of post, whether, in your Lordship's opinion, this Committee is worthy or not of public confidence.