He refers to Belgium and Holland, and says it is
desirable to know, without loss of time, what has been done by our
Continental neighbours in similar circumstances. Indian corn might, of
course, he says, be obtained on cheap terms, "_if the people would eat
it_," but unfortunately it is an acquired taste. He thinks the summoning
of Parliament in November a better course than the opening of the ports
by an Order in Council.[74] On receipt of the above Sir Robert again
wrote to the Home Secretary: "My letter on the awful question of the
potato crop will have crossed yours to me. Interference with the due
course of the law respecting the supply of food is so momentous and so
lasting in its consequences, that we must not act without the most
accurate information. I fear the worst. I have written to the Duke
also."
It was about this time that the Premier appointed Drs. Lindley and
Playfair to come to Ireland for the purpose of investigating the causes
of the blight, and if possible to apply remedies. He summoned the latter
to Drayton Manor before leaving, and both were struck by the very short
time in which the blight rendered the potato worthless for food. Sir
Robert says to Sir James Graham on the 18th of October: "We have
examined here various potatoes that have been affected; and witnessing
the rapidity of decay, and the necessity of immediate action, I have
not hesitated to interrupt Playfair's present occupation, and to direct
his attention to this still more pressing matter.
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