Item 3 - Framed Letter of Father Mathew

4 pp; 32 cm x 27.5 cm; Manuscript

Framed letter of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC, Cork, to Ms [recipient not given] referring to the shortage of food in the city. The letter reads ‘It would afford me pleasure to forward a supply of food but I deeply regret to say that my stock of Indian meal is exhausted. I soon disposed of the three hundred barrels I had for the relief of the destitute. Almost the entire support of the poor strangers who crowd our city is thrown upon me. Eighteen hundred weight of Indian meal is daily cooked in my boilers. Next week, I must have double the quantity as the other public kitchens will be closed’.

The frame is very worn with partial flaking of the covering. The inner mat and board is darkened with foxing evident. Very careful manual handling is required.