Hence the humane primate was obliged to write: 'The humour of going to America still continues, and the scarcity of provisions certainly makes many quit us.

There are now seven ships at Belfast that are carrying off 1,000 passengers thither, and if we knew how to stop them, as most of them can neither get victuals nor work at home, it would be cruel to do it.' The Presbyterian clergy suffered greatly from the impoverishment of their people.

Several of them who had been receiving a stipend of 50 l.

a year, had their incomes reduced to less than 15 l.

In their distress they appealed to the primate, and, staunch churchman as he was, they found in him a kind and earnest advocate.