The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-05 00:00:00

MR. O'CONNELL.

Mr. O'Connell has address^d the following letter to the
Editor of the Morning Register :
Illeirion-squsre, March SI, 1825,
wean Sly Sig.—After what occurred in the House of Comutons
on Monday last, I hare no diflicaty in requesihig you to 'lint my
roach dreg of the intended Emancipation Bill.* lam sincerely
thankful to that excellent gentleman. Sir Francis Burdett, for lug
coni!uct on that nccasion ; and I ant the more indebted to him for
it, because i: was d'ne without any kind of interposition of mire.
I had made up my mind to submit to the imputation east upon me
by Mr. Tierney, however liathseme I felt that imputation to be;
but I was ready to sacrifice my best feelings rather than, by any
explanation, to risk the disturbing in any way, me my account, the
present pleasing prospect of efectuating a hearty recuncitiatien he.
tween all the people of Ireland, by communicating to all equal
rights to, and an equal interest in, the Constitution. I should have
consoled myself, as 1 have often done before, by the consciousness
of not deserving the censure.
There are, however, some other points on which I deem it a duty
to set myself right with the people. of Ireland, not on my own ac-
count, but for their sake. It is my intention to lay before them
the real state of thy Catholic Question. I intend, for this purpose,
to publish two or three letters on that subject during the ensuing
week. To make these letters useful, it seems to me necessary that
I should free myself from any personal impeachment; and I did
purpose to mix my own vindication from certain charges lately
uried against me with the discussion of that great question: but,
on second theughts, I prefer giving my vindication in this shape,
and in this letter, earlier titan mingle se unworthy a person as my.
self with the discussion of that important measure. which, I trust,
is about to confer harmony and peace and mutual charity on all
classes in Ireland.

This vindication is perhaps necessary. I have, I understand,
beenpreached at by one of the mutt eloquent living men, the Rev.
Mr. Keogh; I have certainly been directly Merged with folly or
dishonesty, or rather with both, by one of the hsinestest Irishmen
that ever lived, George Faroe. As to the undergrowl of Jack Law-
lees, If it were alone, I should disregard it altogether; but even his
strange and almost fantastic mistakes, in mere MOW of fact, at-
quirt. some importance from aasoriatior.
My wish is that the Irish public should be apprised of the fol-
lowing matter respecting myself:—
First—That the abstracts from my evidence before the Committee
of the House of Commons, oublished in your PiPer, as well as in
the other Dublin Journals. from the Evening Mail, are garbled
and excessively incorrect. The conductors of that ertorigabk Print
really have obtained a very great, but a very andessisable, triumph,
in thus causing all the advere Newspapers to pander to the bad
passions of those miserable ouegades.
Secondly—That it is quite untrue that I ever, directly or indi-
rectly. made any compact with any person or persona whatsoever,
on the subject of the provision for the Cathotie clergy, or the alte-
ration of the elective franchise. Indeed, the retracts from my evi-
dence, however unfavourable to me in other respects, acquit me of
this letter charge; and whilst I avow that I deem the accompany-
ing Ernaticpatton with a provision for the Catholic. clergy a just
and proper measure, I freely forgive Mr. Lawless for haying ac-
cuse.' me of having made such compacts.
Thirdly—With respect to Mr. Lawless's share in the delegation.
He bas published the opinion given by Lord Killeen on the sub-
ject. He husfiirgutten to state that Lord Killeen said that was
merely his indiridstal opinion; he has also forgotten to stair, that,
at the same meeting, Mr. O'Gorman. the then Secretary to the Ca-
tholics of Ireland, was called on, in the performance of his duty, to
decide the qiiestion, anti that he, in Mr. Lawless's presence, de-
cided Phut Arr. Lawless was not a ntemPr of the Delegation. I
will not dwell longer on this matter; it afflicts me to speak of it at
all, lest it should injure a person to whom I would be unaffectedly
anxious to render a service, if in my power.
Fourthly—With respect to the Rev. Mr. Keogh and George En-
sor, individually, I have only to say, that I entertain great and un-
feigned personal respect for the former, recognising him as &clergy-
man gifted with more vigour of native inborn eloquence than any
other person I ever heard in the pulpit. As to Geotge Envoi%
will Mil take the liberty of calling him my friend, because I know
hell; a sincere friend of Ireland, and 1 can glad heel), to forgive
the injustice he has done nie.
Fitthly—lt is quite true that Emancipation would, probably, I
think I may say certainly, give me a*. silk gown;" but it is still
more certain, tint it would not give it to me as a political favour,
or as any compromise of political principle. The ease of are etni-
nem English Senator is, perhaps, the only one in which any Chan-
cellor has braved public opinion, by withholding from successful
exertion at the bar its ordinary advantage. The same sentiment
might also include so humble an individual as myself ; but, if it
did net. I should receive the silk gown." just as it was refused
by Mr. Holmes—that is, with undoubted courtesy, but with perfect
independence.
Sixthly—As to the ulterior eivantages, which it has been more
than insinuated that I sou looking to, my answer ia. I think, !
triumphant. It consists in this simple statement. that before the
Committee of the House of Commons, I obtruded tpy strong opi-
nions in favour of Parliamentary Reform, and before that of the
Lords. I stated, on my oath, my conviction that universal assfrage
would cure all the evils of the forty-shilling system, its cruel and
unfair control, its briberies, and its perjuries. I must say, I tape-
rieneed on that subject great kindness from Lord Harrowby. He
give me an easy opportunity of explaining away that sentiment, by
suggesting, in the shape of e question, that my preference of awl-
• st.giogir was only eomparative, that is, as being better than
the Irish trot shilling system, but not as being in itself desirable.
I egnld not, however, accept the compromise, although I was and
an grateful fur its being offered. I answered distinctly that my
opinion was fixed, that universal suffrage was, under proper regu-
lations, the cure of all the evils In the representative system, and in I
itself a real good.
Does any man imagine that these radical sentimeets, thus re-
corded for ever against me, are the sentiments of a place-hunter?
It is quite true, that I tack care to put three sentiments forward as
my individual opinivas, and that I carefully avoided involving the
Catholic body in them • but haring thus, is I may venture to call
it, chivalrously closed ate door upon myself against any species of
promotion—having thus consoled myself with the feeling, that I
was thus, for ever, barring any prospect of that advancement which
further success in my pro: lemon, if I could attain it, might, after
Emancipation, have opened for me,—ant 1 to blame, if I did feel
some sickness of the heart at finding myself publicly impeached of
having mixed my own with the public concerns?
But that feeling is over. I submit to the charge, if further via-
dication is necessary. He it so.
Let it, however, be recollected, that although my vanity may
make me diem myself of importance, the sentence of strict math
would deprive tile of any qualities which could render me of any
value to any party.
Lit it also be recollected, that it is improbable, nay impossible,
that I should be selected for any promotion by an Administration
with Mr. Peel at the head of the Home Department, whilst he (and I
do nor blame him for it) deemed it a strong objection to the Emelt.
cipation Bill that the rengh draft of it should be sketched by me.
Let it also be recollected, that if Mr. Peel thus fairly and
openly (as became hint) stated his objection, I was also thrown
overboard—civilly to he sure, Cut nut the less distinctly—by Mr.
Tierney. the lender of the Cppositiun. After this, may I venture
to ask, with which of the political parties is it that I have acted
dishonestly ? 1 leave it to toy friend, George Ersor, to answer
the queoion.
I hope the length of this letter, and the uninteresting nature of
its contents, win deter the English newspapers from copying it;
and disiosted as I fed at being the subject of so many of my own
words, still cannot dismiss the topic, without, for the last line,
averting, that I have made a greater pecuniary sacrifice to the
Cat holic Cause titan any other individual. Let the tact be known.
During the same apace of last year, for which, in the present year,
short at that space was, I remained i.t London. i see, by my fee_
lame, that I received in ley profession one thousand and forty-one
guineas. 1 care rut for my expenses -I care not fur the losses, in
next Term., consequent upon lteinr, left out of all the causes tried
in this interval. I thank God that I have made 1 HAT &tent-
rtcr., and now 1 will old, diet having thus distinctly boasted of
it. I IILIV•• repaid utysaf, and that the public are no longer my
debtors.

I cannot close this lett...r without adverting to two oilier topics.
The one relates to the Aldermen of the city of Dublin—the other
to an individual of that Board. I have been charged with accus-
ing the entire of that body with insolvency and tuoral turpitude.
I beg leave must emphatically to deny the charge. I never said
any words re.embling those imputed to me of the Aldermen of
Dublin. I certainly did speak in terms which IwW not now, and
I hope I may never have occasion to repeat, of a class of Moons
out of whom the Illagistracy, tart the Aldermrn, of Dublin were
f..mierly selected. But there are amongst the Aldermen of Dublin
several gent!eruzn of independent and large fortunes. arid many
individual: of the greatest public as well as private integrity. I
therefore utterly deny that I ever traduced them as a body, is any
terms which' ought to give the sound pan of them any spedes of
offence.

The individual I allude to is Alderman lif.Kenny. Having
introduced his name in my evidence before the Coninairee of the
Commons, I deem it right to say, that I did not mean to insinuate
that he evlw sought for, or even that he woald accept, any office
in the Dublin police. I intended merely to convey tile idea that
his undoubted liberality had not been cherished by the higher
persons In Ireland, as it to be--and that whilst attentions,
such as be might well receive, anti horst:tom such as he deserved, 1,
were showered on others, he was passed by in silence and oblivion.
Let me now add, that there does not live any man to whom 1
should be more ur.iviffing to give pain than Alderman M•Kenny.
I feel the deepest debt of gratitude to hint for his public conduct.
The Catholics and Prote:tants of Ireland ouidit to be equally in.
debted to hint—he rendered the most essential service to us--he is
an ornament and an honour it the Protestant party. There was a
force of intellect about the composition otitis replies to the various
addresses prorate -I to hint, on the must interesting of all subjects
while lie was Lord Mayor, which demonstrated his fitness fur the
highest offices within the reatli of his ambition—and I pay him
spontaneoutly this tribute, lest it should be possible that I may
have incautioasly hurt :he feelings of that most excellent man and
most respected eitivn.
I conclude thi: epistle wish the promise that the people of Ire-
land shall have frmii me • faithful and distinct view of the pre-
sent tame of their affain. It is my only cortsaltition to know, that
although my cout.tryinen rosy easily be served with more talent by
others, they cannot have enlisted in their cause a more Lastfected
anxiety to serve them faithfully anti honestly than mine.
I am always. my dear ti'r,
Your very faithful and obedient servant.
DANIEL O'CONNELL.
• We regret that we are ot•liged to defer the publication of this
document anti! Mondsy.—.ll:7 clay Register.

THE BRITISH PRESS.

THAMES QUAY.
TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

Stec,—l have seen in the Times of Wednesday last a report Of a
Meting at the Crown and Anchor, the result of previous notice
and much preparation, and therefiire it may be supposed to give
the sum and subetance, and the very essence, of the objections to
the measure against which its object Is to petition.
It professed to be a Meeting "of persons whose premises are
likely to be affected by the proposed Quay I have waited several
days, in hope* of fitting the resolutions embodying the objections
to this project, but they have not appeared in print, and I have
been unable to procure a sight of them;' but u I End in the report
of the proceeilings Qt' the Meeting statements calculated to mislead
the public mind, I trust you will be kind enough to give insertion
to a few observer:or& offered not for the sake of contradicting and
refuting the orators of dist assembly, but for the purpose of putting
the public in possession of the truth.
Ist. The Chairman complains " of a clause in the Bill, declar-
ing that no compensation is to be given except whartingers."
There is no such clause in the Bill.
The Chairman admits. " that the Quay would no doubt tend
very much to ornament the metropolis, but does not see any balance
of public utility ores private injury," de. de. de.
Now the public utility is clear and obvious, and of universal
operation; while the private injury, if not wholly imaginary, is at
the utmost limited to a few individuals.
That the proposed Quay will beiktit the navigation of the river
has been admitted by :nose authorities hest qualified to judge, and
who are its acknowledged aid legitimate gstardiany
That it will unite the two extremities of the metropolis by a
rapid end delightful communiaition, and 'lead " Mr. Peel's great
title of human existence" by an easy and uninterrupted course
from Charing-cross to Sr. Paul's, is equally obvious; and when
the new street leading from Bridge-street through' Fleet-marke4
shall be completed. the traveller entering from the North-road will
find an easy rind agreeable communimtion along the bank of the
river to Charing-ctuss and Westminster.
As a promenade sod a place of healthful ret nation to the great
luau of the citizens of London, this Quay would be of Mutat-
table value; and most sincerely do I wish that it were possible to
permit the people at laraaseeenjoe she beat& and pleasure it will
afford, without being subject to the payment of toll.
But, unfortunately, tolls are to form a part of the fund which is
to pay interest on the capital to be expended. However. I do
think it would be well worthy the consideration of the Govern-
ment, whether some plan might not be adopted, by which the
public at large should enjoy thee benefit, without being subject to
that specks of payment, which, however small in amount, is
always obnoxious.
It is said, " that the streets leading from the Strand to the river
will be convened into blind alleys," by what Mr. Peel calls a
monstrous mediae ! And Sir Fraacis Ommanney declares, that
he shall not be able to fulfil his pious intention of " dying in peace
in his present habitation, which will he shut out from light and air
by a brick wall close to his drawing.room window."
Never was exaggeration more extravagant, or objection less
founded in fact, than the former; and as to the lattet, even if it were
true, I cannot well imagine any objection less weighty as a coon.
terpoise to the interests of the great masa of inhabitants of the file-
trupolis, and the feelings of the nation at large.
Let any person who walks along Piccadilly look up Air.strcet,
leading to the Quadrant in I: gent-street, and he will perceive en
entablature of great beauty supported en columns: now let hint
imagine that entablature transferred to the bottom of Arundel-street,
and standing at a distance of not leis than fifty or sixty feet from
the houses at the end of that street, and he will then have a pretty
fair and accurate idea of the nature of that obstruction, which is
described as calculated to convert the streets into blind alleys, and,
by excluding light and air, to ruin all the property in the neigh.
bourhood.

I have selected Arundel-street as the most difficult case along the
whole bank of the River; but it should be recollected, that as the
spa of the arch will considerably exceed the breadth of the street,
the view of the water will be less interrupted in this case, than the
view of Regent-street, through Air-street, where the entablature is
supported by columns.
The brick wall thirty feet high will be found only in the imagi-
nations of Mr. Peel and Sir Francis Onamanney, while in real truth
not one drop of water which can now be seen will be hid from the
inquiring eye of the passenger along the Strand. The effect of the
entablature crossing the bottom of Arundel-street will be to cover
some part of the bank on the Surrey side of the River; and if by
any arrangement between the landlord, the Government, and the
City of London, the space between the ends of Norfolk, Surrey, and
Arundel streets, and the Proposed Quay, was judiciously disposed
of, it might afibrd space for the erection of houses of great archi-
tectural beauty and of considerable value, or might form mercantile
wharfs of great profit, or be converted into a terrace walk four or five
hundred feet in length, varying from 36 to 76 feet in breadth,
which, if extended under the arches that support the Quay, would
give fifty Met more of covered walk, leading under the arches them-
selves. In every case care must be taken to preserve the waterrnen's
stairs and the larding places, and a variety of other useful and
agreeable accommodation may be combined with such an arrange.
meat.

It was stated at the Meeting " that great men shifted this nui-
sauce off their own shoulders to the ruin of lesser individuals !"
Now this position is fallacious in every point: the tide of business
sets in at Chalieg-cross towards the City. and although theme who
thought more of beauty of effect than of profit wished in the first
instance to carry the Quay up to Westminster-bridge, yet this
would be as obvioualy obj.ctionable with a view to the current of
the River as it would be impracticable with a view to profit. But
reflection and consideration lead me to think that if it was possible
it would be very far from desirable.
A line of wall and ballustrade, to correspond with the general
style of the Quay, and placed in front of the existing garden walls,
will please and satisfy the eye looking from Westminster-bridge
and from the River; and if we can imagine the want side of Bridge-
street pulled down, opening to our admiration Westminster Hall
and II esuninster Abbey,l together with some improvements content.
plated in Parliament-street, and of no very difficult attainment, then
I will venture to :Arm that, in Europe or the whole world, no street
will be found equal in grandeur and beauty to the approach over
Westminster-bridge, and by Whitehall to Charing-cross.
Let are be permitted, by way of digression, to express a hope that
the ballustrade of Westminster-bridge may be lowered, so as to
enable the foot passengers to look over it as at Waterlou-bridge,
instead of peeping through it as they are now obliged to do.
Mr. Twining thinks the " structure will be gigantic and the in-
jury likely to be gigantic also; that a vast quantity of property
must be deteriorated and destroyed, and litany individuals put to
inconvenience." 1 can only state my belief that property upon or
near the river will be benefited, and that even the shopkeeper' in
the Strand will be agreeably surprised to find that they will be
robbed only of those passengers oho are in a hurry to get from
point to point, and that they will not lose one of those individuals
whose lounging curiosity leads them into temptation by peeping
into shop windows. However, the truth is, that although this
reasoning may apply to Monmouth-street or Cranbourn-alley, yet
no respectable shopkeeper relics upon this sort of customer, and a
less crowded street will be infinitely more favourable to business.
But after all, these questions of compensation and injury are not
subject,. of national importance, but are topics for the Committee on
the Bill, and it is a little too much to expect that a national work of
great beauty, great magnificence, great general utility, contributing
to the health and convenience of an immense majority of this
populnes and rapidly-inercesing metropolis, should be arrested in its
progress, because Sir Francis Onomanney wishes to end his days
with his view just as it now exists, and because the good feelings
of Mr. Twining make him unwilling to interfere with property,
which, as he mays, has been sanctified (perhaps) in families, and
handed down trout generation to generation.
I can understand and respect these aristocratic feelings as much
as any mesa; but I ask the intelligent, liberal, end enlightened
Citizens of London, wheiher such notions, however respectable
and honourable, should he permitted to impede important and ne-
cessary public improvements ?
I am told Mr. Twining is a sensible liberal man, and as likely as
any one to prefer public good to private interest; but in the present
instance, I will venture to assert that the increased facility of ap.
proach whicli the proposed Quay would give to that part of the
town, would bring many an additional customer to his shop, with-
' out doir.g the slightest injury to his poorer neighbours.
Sir Francis Ommanney is reported to have said, "the Templars,
for the accommodation they had afforded Col. Trench in forward.
ing his plan, were to be favoured with a beautiful light iron arch in
front of their gardens ; but lie, and other individuals in Norfolk-
. street, Surreydoreen, hc. he. (as lying more westerly, he supposed)
were to be shut up with a brick wall. Now, if the worthy knight
had read the prospectus or recollected the statements that were
made to him, or the drawings which he saw, he would have been
aware—First, that the Terrace in tlont of the Teinple-garderis is to
be supported, not upon our miraculous arch of 704) feet span, but
upon 4 rows of columns in the manner already alluded to, with
reference to Air-street, Piccadilly ; though in a character of archi-
tecture grander and more magnificent. Secondly, that the arches
which lie imagined the Templars are labe jin.nurrd with, are,
in fact, those which are intended to embellish the end of his street,
at a distance of 70 feet from his windows; and thirdly, that a
brick wall of :kJ feet high will not be found any where, as a part of
the project in question.
I believe I bin quite accurate in triy view of the actual pmeeedinga
of this inapurlant Meeting; fur I have not only read attentively the
report in the Times, but hare compared it with the statement of an
individual present during the whale of the proceedings; and I shall
now only add, that it gives me sincere pleasure to find this great
project in a fair way to ultimate and speedy accomplid.ment.
It appears that some didicultiea of form hating induced the
Committee of 3lonagenteat to ponpone the further progress of the
Bill till the next Session of Parliament, they thought it right to
give the earliest notice of this determination, hr onler to save trouble
and expense to those individuals who are opposed to the measure.
This was fair and candid; and for one, I rejoice at this delay ; be-
cause it will give time for reason, and good sente, aad good taste
to operate; and when the Bill is again introduced on the first day
of the next Session of Parliament, I am sanguine enough to hope
that its opponents will be reduced merely to those who, however
tonal they may be benefited, will still cowhide to clamour in the
hope of establishing a claim for compensation.
I have the honour te be. he.

A LOVER OF 131PROVIHIENT.

Tuesday next is the day appointed for the final exami-
nation of Mr. Edward Prodders, bankrupt, at the Guild-
hall, Ludlow ; much interest is excited, and it is very con-
fidently expected there will be a haadsoinc dividend.—
Ile-,ford I:lependent.

:~:~,- .

_~ y

ST. ✓A3fFS"S PARK.

It is amusing to cut back our mind to former times,
and to compare the present condition of London with what
it was even within the comparative short period of one
hundred and twenty or thirty years. Who that now
saunters leisurely along the Mall of fit. James's-park, would
&emu that it was so recently within the rigorous operation
of the taufrre !MIL'S, and which extended with equal strict-
ness to the distance of lea miles of Whitehall, within
which limits any one would now find it difficult to fire a
gun without breaking a shop window. The following
advertisement, however. appeared in the London Gazette
of the 30th October, ISSU

" Whereas his Majesty hath empowered John and Thomas
WEBB, gentlemen. keepers of the tool in St. James's Park, as
also keepers of the gime within ten miles of the Court of White-
hall, and the precincts thereof ; and information beinggiven, that
notwithstanding his 3lviesty's commands, several persons do mo-
lest and kill his 31ajesty's ducks and game within the said limits ;
it is therefore his latesty's especial command. that oone presume
to keep a fowling-Mice, gun, setting dog, greyhound, or other dog,
net, tunnel, trammel, or other unlawful engine, wherewith so de-
stroy or kill, or any ways disturb the acme, contrary to the law
and statute in that case made and provided, other than such as shall
be by law qualified.
" And 11/;lOeVeT shod' give information to John Webb, living in
St. Janiea's Park. shall have a gratuity for every gun, net, dog, ur
any engine, that shall be seized and taken trotn any such offender.
Norrigdatax."