"It is with feelings of pain and regret I beg to call your attention, and the attention of the members of the Mansion House Committee, to the deplorable condition of about 200 families in the parish. They are in great distress—the most of them in absolute want. They have nothing now to live on, I might say, but Indian meal, and not enough of that same; some of them without a drop of milk, without fuel, and all without credit, having their clothes pawned and their children half naked. We were hoping day after day that the Government would come to our aid, but, unfortunately, it was hoping against hope. I trust, therefore, that you and the members of the Committee will kindly consider the sad state to which those poor creatures are reduced, and send me, for their relief, as much as you can, and as soon as you can.