[283]
Within the decade of years comprised between 1831 and 1841, emigration
was at its minimum in 1838, the number that left our shores in that year
being only 14,700; it rose to its maximum in 1841, namely, 71,392. It
rose still higher in 1842, the emigrants of that year being set down at
89,686. The year 1843 was named by O'Connell the Repeal year; the people
were filled with the hope of soon seeing a parliament in College Green,
and to this fact may probably, be attributed the great falling off in
emigration; the number for that year being only 37,509. It increased in
1844 to 54,289; and in 1845--the eve of the Famine, to 74,969 persons.
In the year 1846, as might be expected, emigration from Ireland reached
a height which it had never attained before in a single year; the
number, as estimated by the Emigration Commissioners, being 105,955.
Besides which between the 13th of January and the 1st of November,
278,005 immigrants arrived at Liverpool from Ireland; but the Irish
labourers who, at that time, annually visited England, and who were
variously estimated at from 10,000 to 30,000, are included in the
number. For the protection of the emigrants, additional agents were
appointed by the Government at Liverpool and some Irish ports; and the
annual vote in aid of colonial funds, for the relief of sick and
destitute emigrants from the United Kingdom, was increased from L1,000
to L10,000.
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