July 8th, 1846 The supplies of Indian corn are beginning to run low. As July is expected to be the month of most distress, the government purchases a further supply.
An additional 3,000 tons, believed to be inferior to the American corn, is bought from Mediterranean countries. Trevelyan warns Routh the government will not purchase a third quantity.
Even though the Relief Commission recommends that the food depots should remain open until September 1st, the new Whig government decides to close them on August 15th leaving Ireland to the mercy of market forces.
Trevelyan believes "the only way to prevent the people from becoming habitually dependent on government is to bring the operations to a close. The uncertainty about the new crop only makes it more necessary.
"Whatever may be done hereafter, these things should be stopped now, or you run the risk of paralysing all private enterprise and having this country on you for an indefinite number of years. The Chancellor of the Exchequer supports this strongly."
In the meantime, the Relief Commission continues to top up local funds. For instance, when Maj Denis Mahon informs Dublin Castle that Stroke st own relief committee has collected £85-£20 contributed by himself Routh recommends a grant of £60.
In the barony of Carra, Co Mayo, 226 families out of 900 are in want.
The Rev William McCelland, secretary of the Tisrara and Dysart relief committee, says something must be done or the people of this part of Co Roscommon will starve. He complains about lack of cooperation from the landlords and the Catholic clergy.
Some landlords are extremely reluctant to assist. Mr McClelland has addressed a third letter to each of them.
"Should my third appeal prove ineffectual, I shall by the beginning of next week report the names of such as I find it impossible to move in this charitable business.
There I only £15 in the local relief Mr McClelland concludes. Had the priest of Dysart announced from the altar that subscriptions would be received by a person I had nominated as my treasurer hard by the chapel, the £15 would now be £30. But neither priest nor people in Dysart have co-operated with me and they are likely to suffer for, it." No? is the hunger confined to the west. Father John Aylward writes from near Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, that 3,000 are destitute in Fassadinin.
"Many families without an inch of land, without work, without food and at this moment staggering through the streets with hunger. As we have no gentry in this very poor district, I hope the government will take into their humane, consideration the very sad condition of my poor people.
"This parish abounds with the meanest and most filthy cabins in any part of Ireland beds without covering and the backs of the poor people almost as bare.