IMMIGRATION OF IRISH PAUPERS
LORD BROUGHAM presented a petition
from the parishes of St. Andrew, Holborn,
and St. George the Martyr, on the subject
of the immigration of pauper Irish. The
petitioners compared the amount of the
rates to which they had been subjected
before the 1st of December last, with those
levied subsequently, showing an enormous
increase. They added that nine out of ten
of the poor relieved were from the sister
kingdom, and that those paupers were
brought over by a sort of contract, entered
into in seaport towns by people who were
very naturally anxious to get rid of the
grievance themselves. He (Lord Brougham)
would add that he had that morning
received a letter from Liverpool, stating that
the influx of Irish paupers was still
increasing, and that the number arrived on
Sunday last was 3,714, and next day the
number which arrived was 2,486, making a
total of 6,200 in two days. When he had
first addressed their Lordships upon the
subject, the complaint was that the influx
amounted to 800 or 900 daily, but it was
now 3,000 a day. He thought that some
permanent measure on this subject would
best be discussed after the cessation of the
pressure. Temporary grievances should
be met by temporary expedients, and they
ought not to discuss permanent measures
under the pressure of present
circumstances.
