December 11, 1851

. . . According to the report of Mr. Simon, one death out of every two occurring within the limits of this city is preventable, and may, therefore, be remotely ascribed to me negligence of those in whose hands the practical remedy is acknowledged to lie. We cannot pretend, however, to the discernment of those Irish judges who swore the crime of willful murder against first Lord John Russell in respect of certain labourers perishing for want of food in Galway, and we will at once admit therefore that the extraordinary mortality of the city is not directly chargeable to Mr. Deputy Peacock and his colleagues. . . .

However, we are not obliged to make the City Commissioners the scapegoats of national sin, though from what transpired at the meeting it must be perfectly clear that henceforth the responsibility in these matters is lodged absolutely on their heads. Mr. Simon informs us that powers have no been delegated to the authorities whom he was addressing, superior to any which have been heretofore entrusted to corporations or councils. . .