The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-12 00:00:00

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATIOX

DUBLIN, SUNDAT, JAY. 9.
Yesterday the fullest and most respectable 31 eetirg of the Ca.
tholic Association which has been held since its formatien, •wk
place at the Large Rooms of the Association. The late 'norm.
tion of 31r. O'Connell naturally excited a mote than ordinary degree
of interest. . .

At the usual hour of meeting (three o'clock) the rooms were
crowded ; there were between six and seven hundred members p►e.
tent. Many strangers also attended, among whom we noticed se.
veral persons connected with the Castle, and holding high official
situations under Government.

The lion. PIERCZ Itrxr.rn WAS caled to the Chair.
On Mr. O'Connell's entrance, he was receit cd with a bust of
applause from the meeting.
It was announced, that 5401 3s. Sid. had been received during
the last week, on account of the Rent.
Mr. O'Cox NELL gave notice of a motion respecting the objects
of the Association. llis wish was, to rescue the Association horn
the calumnies that had been heaped upon it. He referred to the
statement of 31r. M1)onnell, in the London Papers, respecting the
conversation which that gentleman had with the Rev. Hugh
11• Neil, in which that Rev. Oentlemar—having been pressed by
Mr. M`Donnell to state upon what authority he had asserted that
"Pastorini's Prophecies" had been circulated by the Irish Priests--
was unable to give ano other account of the book, than that he had
received four copies of it from his uncle, the Archbishop of Dublin.
The Learned Gentleman dwelt forcibly upon the heinousness 0•
uttering so gross and unfounded a calumny. 31r. O'Connell then
referred to a circumstance which occurred on Christmas morning,
at Powerscourt, in the ecunty Wicklow. The people, as they
were going to Masa, long before daylight. heard a volley of shot
fired over their beads, and many of them were naturally very mud
frightened. Mr. O'Connell considered this circumstance well worthy
theattention of the meeting. He also stated, that several political set.
mons *ere preached onChristmas-day and the day atter, by Ih.3lagee
and several of his relatives. He expressed regret that the King's
troops should be employed in the mean and unbecoming occupation
of spies. He said that the Association had been the mesas of es.
tablishing the tranquillity of the country. Ireland, within his me.
mory, had never been so peaceable as she was now, and this happy
state of things was to be attributed to the exertions of the Assoc'.
Lion. Mr. O'Connell next noticed the various attempts which were
made to misrepresent the motives and objects of the Association.
Hs particularly alluded to a petition which had been recently
agreed on at a meeting of the rector and vestry of Bristol, In which
the conduct and intentions of the Association were in the grossest
manner misstated. He proceeded to say, that the following letter
had been prepared to be addressed to the Courier newspaper, lie
(Mr. O'Connell, would give them an opportunity of establishing
the truth (if they could) of genie charges against 3laynooth College.
It had been invariably his practice in his profession to waive all
prosecution for libel, when the truth of the charges could be esta.
blished, and discountenance and oppose that iniquitous doctrine,
" that the greater the truth the greater the libel." Mr. O'Connell,
after a few 'orifice observatious on the expediency of wiping of the
calumnies of the Courier on the Catholic priesthood, read -the
lowing letter, which had been forwarded to the proprietors of the
Courier :

" January 6, 1 us.
" GENTLE at Es—T am directed to inform you, that a proiec.
tion is intended to be instituted against you for the many sidestate.
»tents respecting the Catholic Clergy and Laity of Ireland, and
especially respecting the Royal College of Maynootli, contained in
your Paper of the 16th of December.
" Thls prosecution will, however, be abandoned, if you deem it
right to give up the author of the publication in question, who, in
that case, will be the only person proceeded against.
" I am also directed to inform you, that whether you decline to
give up the author or not, the attorney for the prosecution will en.
ter into a written consent that the defendant, or defendants, in the
prosecution, shall be at liberty to give in (vide; co, it he or they an,
the truth of the matters stated in the publication, so that if the
publication can be proved to be true there shall be an acquittal.
" I am further directed to state, that if you are unable to dis.
close the name of the author, and will, in that case, candidly ad.
mit that you have been misinformed with respect to the College of
' 3laynooth, and now recognise the error, the prosecution will rot be
proceeded on.
" The object of this prosecution is solely to bring to the test the
allegation contained In the publication of the 16th of December_
that you were ready to give dates and names, and to prove the truth
of those assertions, which we deem calumnious.
" I have the honour to be, 6e. &c.
" E. DWYER."
Mr. Fare was opposed to this prosecution. The Association
had received great benefit from the Press generally, and he dere-
, eated the prosecution of any part of it. The charge was a ca.
loamy ; the Association declared it to be such ; it dehed the Con.
rice to the proof ; and that, he thought, was all that was necessary
' to be done in the business.
3lr. Sum f. being loudly called for by the Meeting, came for-
ward, and was cheered on his appearance. He said the prosecu-
tion of Mr. O'Connell, and the issue of the legal enterprise in
which the provincial Government of Ireland had so fantastically
adventured, called for an intimation of our sentiments. I rise to
propose a series of Resolutions, which I have drawn up with a view
to suggest the feelings of the Irish people, rather than give them
their full expression. I move the following Resolution :
" Resolved, That the prosecution of Mr. O'Connell has excited
the amazement of the English public, and is calculated to awaken
a stronger feeling than one of mere astonishment in the people of
Ireland." (Hear.)
Yes, air, England was amazed, and Ireland was more than assn.
r.ished. If there is ground to congratulate Mr. O'( onnell upon his
triumph, there is ground to congratulate Mr. Plunkett upon his
defeat. His victory would have been disastrous to his country and
to himself. The blood of every honest man would have boiled in
his veins at the successor this deplorable experiment. As it is, a feel-
ing of regret is intermingled with the sen inventor natioral displessuta
11 e lament that Mr. Plunkett should have given to his enemies an
election to make either a martyr of .Me. O'Connell, or a victim of
himself. ll'e survey this abortive proceeding, with all its train of
miserable results, "more in sorrow than in anger." 11'e do rot
forget the ties of political cordiality which united 3lr. Plunkett and
the Roman Catholic body. We reel as if we had snatched a poig.
turd from the grasp of an antagonist, and beholding in his face the
lineaments of in early friend, instead of turning hack the dagger
upon his bosom, exclaim, in the accents of mingled reproach and
sorrow, "Is i: thus that you requite us !" God forbid that
we should indulge in the language of contumelious triumph
at the failure of a measure, which carries with it its oan
retribution. The a capon which was pointed at us with so deadly a
level has burst in .Mr. Plunkett's hands. (Loud cheers.) I hope it has
not shaner,:d them. It is enough for us that he should have missed
his aim. We cannot fail to remember that there is in the detesta-
tion of our inveterate opponents (we must not suffer ourselves to be
deluded by them) a kind of redeeming virtue, and instead of co.
operating in their designs, we abstain front the manifestation of
any indignant feeling, and all indulgence in any ungenerous
vaunt. kor the sake of the country, and of the distinguished in-
dividual who is identified with its interests, and holds so high and
so permanent a place in its regard, we rejoice at the failure of this
preposterrus prosecution. But we are not drunk with an absurd
and delirious joy. In these political Saturnalia we do not forget
the ignominy of our condition. We remember that there is no
substmtial ground of exultation. It is but an ephemeral advan-
tage: we are still the underlings of Orange tlwnination ; our pe-
nalties and our disqualifications are still upon us ; and in lifting
up our arms, we feel the heaviness of the fetters, which we cannot
long sustain in the attitude of triumph ; they draw us down
again, and weigh us to the earth. (Cheers.) But we owe it at the
name time to sound principle and to the abstract dignity of truth to
record our condemnation of this marvellous paoceeding. Gracious
God ! what motive could hare prompted an undertaking so extra.
'agent ! IVhen Mr. Plunkett read the words attributed to Mr.
O'Connell, did he ask himself, " What is the provocation given
to this man ? Who is he, and what am I?" I know no: whe-
ther he administered that personal interrogatory to himself; but
this I know, that if he did, this should have been the reply—" I
have raised myself from a comparatively humble station, by the
power of my own talents, to the first eminence in the state; filmy pro-
fession I am without an equal; in Parliament I once had no snre-
rior: I hare obtained great wealth, greet fame, great dignity, and
great patronage—when I was out of office I brindled the popular
passions--I enlisted them upon my side—l was fierce, virulent, and
vituperative—the Minister turned pale before met at last I have
won the object of mu Ide—l am Auorney.General of Ire:aid: if I
had been a Ronten Catholic, instead of an enfranchised Presbyte-
rian, what should I have been ?" (Loud and repeated cheers.) 1
can tell him he would have pined under the sense of degradation—
lie would have felt like a man with huge limbs where he
could rot stand erect--he would have felt Lis faculties " ciir
bed and cabined in," and how would he have borne his
humiliation ? Look at him and say how would that
lofty forehead have borne the brand of Popery ? how would
that high demeanour have borne the stoop of the slave ?
Would he have been tame, and abject, and servile, and syco-
phantic, a.ih moderate? No; lie would have beets the chiet
demagogue, the most angry, tumultuous, and virulent tribune of
the people; he would have superadded the hottest gall of his own
venire to the bitterness of political resentment—he would have
given utterance to ardent feelings in burning words—ire wank!.
in all the foam of passion. have gnawed the chain from which
he would have found it impossible to break. And is this the man
who prosecutes for words? If (to nee a vulgar phrase) the
tables were turned: If Mr. O'Connell were Attorney-Gereral
and Mr. Plunkett the great leader of the people--if "Antony wer,:
Brutus and Rrutua Antony," how would the public mind have
been influenced ! what exciting matter would bare been flung
among the people! what torrents of Lava would have been
poured out ! The stones of Rome would rise and mutir.y."
11"ould to Heaven that not only Mr. Plunkett, but every
other Protestant who deplores our imprudence in the spin.
of a tastiduous patronage, would adopt the simple test ot
nature, and make our case his own and he would confess the.
if similarly situated, he would give vent to his emotions in phrase
as vehement and exasperated, and participate In the feelings of that
great and disfranchised isommunity to which It vowel be -his mis-
fortune to belong. There is not a man of ordinary candour who
will not rather intimate his wonder at the moderation, than his
surprise at the imputed violence of Mr. O'Connell. With fortune.
rank, and abilities of the first class, lie is shut out from honours
accessible to men whom the law has placed before him, and whom
nature had cast at an infinite distance behind him. If he were to
adopt, or, if his country were, at his suggestion, to assume the
tone which is prescribed to us, the people of England would not
believe that we laboured under any very substantial grievances
" I do not believe you" (said a celebrated advocate of antiquity tc a
citizen who stated to him a resent* enormous wrong)" I don't believe
you." " Not believe me !" "No." "What, not believe me ! I tell

R:•...

ti..st try antagonist met me in the public way, seized me by
-,,t•. lung ate to the earth, and"—" Hold," exclaimed De-.
your eye is on fire—your lip begins to quiver—your
tipshed with passipn—your hand is clenched—l believe
,u nos when you first addressed me you were too calm." Six
,Ines of—what shall I say P not citizens, but men who have
on spolisted of the rights and privileges of British citizenship ;
, wbo are thrown into the mire, cast into utter degradation and
ornc—upon whom scorn is vented and contumely disgorged ; we,
..e the victims of legislative plunder, who have been robbed
e than Punic perfidy, of privileges which our ancestors
at Limerick with their blood ; which were secured by
of treaties, and consecrated with all the solemnities of a
compact;oral shall we speak like men that had sustained
wig? We are upon our knees, but even in kneeling, even
.sointile of genuflexion, some dignity may be maintained.
we ask for the rights of freemen in the language of slaves ?
common feeling, common Irmour forbid it. May
principle—may that God G do not take his name in
A Power that entloised us with high feeling, and filled
man with honourable emotion—who made the love of
inctive wish and an unquenchable desire—may the
.2thoe of our being, the Creator of the human heat—nay
,rbid it ! (Loud and continued chem.)
SAKIL concluded by moving the following Resolutions
.calved, That the recent prosecution of Mr. O'Connell has
• amazement of the whole English public, and is calm-
to awaken a stronger feeling than one of mare astonishment in
vie of IrelLnd.

ll'esolsal, That while we deeply participate in the natural
'is produced by a proceeding, which we Refrain from charac-
in the terms which it deserves', we shall give expression to
'tient than regret, that the Irish Government should
as °erosion of triumph to their antagonists, by the
:inn of a measure tending to alienate the good wishes, to
e the confidence, and to exasperate the passions of the people.
Resolved, That we associated for the exclusive purpose of
gr, by legal and constitutional, and by no other means, the
Mon of the Roman Catholics of Great I' 'tarn and Ireland,
pursuit of that just and honourable object, so far from
• to excite, we have used, and shall continue to an-
OUT endeavours to allay the ferment of the public
to ..vpress upon the people the necessity of yielding
pt obedience to the constituted authorities, to abstain from all
rombinatinns, and to seek rebel by a calm and reiterated ap-
to the wisdom and justice of the Legislature.
loved by Mr. Finn, seconded by L. Clinch, Esq.—
Resolved, That the Catholic Association has been greatly
setal in producing the restoration of tranquillity, and that
TOllllt of their proceedings is to be mainly attributed to
• Mr. Russell, of Sword's Ilouse, seconded by NI.
.s, That an address be presented to Mr. O'Connell,
of our deep reliance on his zeal, patriotism, and in.
of the value which we attach to his great public ser-
f of our conviction that his conduct has been uniformly
ssfully directed, not only by an earnest anxiety for the
but an honest solicitude for the peace and tranquillity
ttions were unanimously curial.
'Mr. O'Covvt tt. then presented himself to the meeting. On
- to address it he was received with a similar burst of sec:snot-
•. which followed the announcement of the preceding re.
He spoke nearly to the following effect :—lt is impos-
me to be silent on the present occasion. It is utterly im-
.'"F me to be so from the matter which the last resolutions
the manner in which they have been received ;
placed in this predicament, that there are many
ought to say ; yet the sensations which 1 at this
_. are of that description, they oblige me to declare that
no faculty to give utterance to them. (Hear, hear.) With
moat to the late prosecution, I beg that this alone may be be-
eved, that whatever may be the fate of this prosecution, I only n-
eeded and contemplated it as far as it might be useful to the people
f Ireland. (Applause.) This too I am anxious to add, that if
eejury had succeeded in branding sedition on my brow, I would
eadily undergo the horrible infliction to which such a charge would
object me, and would freely have forgiven those who had been
he authors and instruments of so disastrous a result. I now
Italy can easily forgive them, cheered as I am by the kindness
.1 my Catholic brethren, and sustained too by the justice of
ny Protestant countrymen. (Cheers.) I stand here now acquitted
sad discharged of what I have a right to call a ridiculous prosecu.
ion : and standing in that situation, I have but one apology to
• apology for yielding to a course of proceeding,
c man, and knowing something of the law, I
al one. Before a person can be arrested for
cords, it is necessary that a seditious intent be
therefore necessary that some person should be
miscreant enough to swear to a seditious
I should have called for such a deposition
myself to such an arrest. This prosecution,
think to have been so such aimed at me
Association ; and I admit (1 hope I may
- or self-flattery,) that if any illegal act
• Association—if there had been any in-
r statute ; if, in short, anything had
not to have been done, I claim it as aright,
be made I should be the victim. (Cheers).
merit, but I do in fairness ask, that the
ling (if we are to suffers should be mine.
c prosecution has further suggested two re_
the first, one of a painful and bitter nature :
on evinces an active and vigilant disposition
nines to proceed against the Association. It
that there is not some generous sympathy
' am sorry that the injustice which is heaped
we are afflicted, does not excite a feeling of
I am sorry that the recollection did not
whatever success may attend a Catholic
he must still continue in the outward
profession, labouring without honour--seeing his
• invariably advanced before him, however he may happen
exceed them in professional success. But however I may regret
prosecution for these considerations, yet there is another re-
on that induces me to be glad of it. I am glad of it because
furnishes proof of this--that Government hat watched us, and
have it on their own confession, that they could not find any
Mg illegal in us. (Applause.) This, then, is a triumph of which the
ssociation may well be proud. We stand here fearless of the charge
haring violated any existing law. Let it be shown to us that we
ve done so, and the whole Association shall disperse as quietly as
ind victual. But we hare not done so: and their is.capabdity
detection is a proof of our exemption from the charge. I
ve lately beard of a distinction—a very silly one—namely, that
thatch die Association is not Illegal, yet that it is unconstitu-
al. Now any violation of the Constitution is also a violation of
e common law ; for whatever offence is committed against the
,rcatttution can be prosecuted at common law. The constitution
sieges the statute. The constitution is as the mother, and
tt law as the offspring, and that which is a transgression
rairist the former is necessarily a transgression against the latter.
'hat Statutes have been passed which are against the spirit
I the Constitution, cannot be denied, but that did not affect the
'position that whatever was legal was also necessarily constitu-
snal. How then can we be accused of violating the Constitution,
f we do not violate the law which emanates from the Constitution ?
The distinction is a silly one, and should not have been made.
gat:" I say, the triumph is the triumph of the Association, and
not mire. It shows that it cannot be assailed, or that if assailed,
t cost wailed unjustly. (Hear, hear.) We violate no law ; we
ire therefore fear"ess. It has been said that we are to go before
Parliament next Session, and that some measure is to be adopted
our suppression. But by what law can they do so ? Would
hey prevent us from meeting here ? If they do so, we can build
mother brick habitation. Do they object to our name ? Can we
sot then change it to the name of Board or Committee—or if they
Haste, a Directory'? (Laughter.) Will they prevent us front
natal( and discussing lucre ? They cannot prevent us, at least,
OM dining together. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) The Catholic
%ssociation is the creature of Catholic disabilities; and so long as
hese disabilities exist, so long shall there continue, either this
"gun, or some similar organ, to convey the expression of complaint
o the Legislature, and to enable us to arrive at our rights and
thanes by every legitimate and constitutional means. I defy our
"semis' to point out any organ more calculated, legally formed and
ormituted, to effect our object, or an association calculated to be
rare generall useful and beneficial to the country. (Applause.)
laving said so much of the Association, allow me to say a word of
',Pelf. Oh, that Government would brut be wise ; that it would
et avail themselves of this opportunity; that from their high
nee* they would remind the Catholics of the occasion—for real
cession now presents itself—that they would say to the Ca-
:lA.:co—" See, a Protestant Jury says to you, we will do you ju-
t." (Applause.) Let, then, Catholic and Protestant meet and
teLtace ; let this be the commencement of a new era ; let all that
as occurred before the 20th of December be forgotten ; and let this
Ihe the first date of a rivalry who shall act most kindly and
511 r'warda each other. (Hear, hear.) As to myself, I deny
it sedition can he fairly imputed to me. This leads me to a pro.
tatinn of my principles—principles which ought to be well known,
ter cinch, from recent circumstanced, I am desirous to repeat. My
Hutment to reform, to radical reform, I expressed as unhesitat-
•zly Pending the prosecution as I ever did before, or as now,
a moment of aucates. But these opinions I expressed ate
n intliridual, and did not plelge the Association to them
ant atti.ched to British connection as useful to England as to Ire-
'ad—as useful to Ireland an to England. But my attachment is
o a oarection under such an arrangement as would give them
riltha, and make them fellow-participators in the enjoyment
''rats liberty; I am not attached to such a connexion as
I—lats bemoan the Russian despot and his visuals, or to that ar.
"gement which would only create a nation of masters on one side
ntl 'ration of slaves on the other (Cheers). I would readily
ettander the last drop ofblood that throbs about my heart to render
he tdanection solid—ridding it of three ingredients which art (al-
ai:am! to corrode —btightening it up anew for purposes of utility,
tnd swezping array from it the rust and mildew of prejudice and
'ort,t) (Morn cheering). In the first place. I am attached to
iai,erei.gary monarchy, as a wholesome security for public property,
sublu Peace, and individual happiness'. For the King, who now
the throne. I entertain an affectionate attachment—he was
be
~.hr`t Mor.arch who ever visited Ireland for the purpose
""ifiting it. I saw his eye glisten with affection towards
• people—l saw him confiding in their unarmed attendance,
thhcut officers or guards, and treating us with confidence and
`lndacvt, as if we had known him, and he had known us, from
Ift'iillhorol. It is therefore that I say from my heart, May
his him ! Nor Is it for this alone, but because I have also
Meisel. that when unencumbered by party connection or servile
'slataete of fact 'n, he has had an opportunity of acting by him-

self, and on his own suggestion, he has acted conformably to the
dignity of his station, to the feelings of humanity, and the dictates
of Christianity. As an instance and specimen of this, take a pas-
sage from a late proclamation to the Hanoverian& It is to the fol-
lowing effect The difference of the Christian religious com-
munities cannot lead to any difference in the enjoyment of civil
and political rights, in the couirrios composing the Germanic Con-
fedetation."—l could wish that the Germanic Confederation would
extend to this country. (A Laugh.)--" We are induced to issue
the following declaration and ordinance :—The several profes-
sors of the Christian faith enjoy a .perfect equality of civil
and political rights in the kingdom, vd, in conformity with
the said Article, the notion of e inant and a merely
tolerated church is entirely abolished." I I could wish we
were Hanoverian& Here is an act worthy of a Monarch_a man—
and am I to be branded with sedition who pay this tribute of grate-
ful admiration to the noble mind of my beloved Sovereign—who,
when left to the play of his own generous feelings, puts forth a pro-
clamation with such aunt iment as this ? For this noble declaration,
again I say (said Pile. O'Connell emphatically), my beloved Sove-
reign. may God bless you! (Loud ch,era.) You, Sir, would
consider toleration in religion to be an insult—you would regard the
Irian who would say that lie would tolerate you in your belief, u •
tyrant and a persecutor, and you concur with me in feeling that no
man has a right to interpose his authority between man's conscience
and his God. (Applause.) I am not desirous of saying much
of the wisdom of the hereditary Peerage, but I am not insensible
of the advantages when ancient ramily unites with virtue.
It constitutes the grace of human life, and renders high life
doubly useful, by the splendor of its example, and by the effect
of its wide-spreading influence. It is that grace and link of society
which makes liberty valuable, and which gives security to the con-
n rction between the King and the people. The next part of the
Constitution to which my attachment is strong and ardent, is the
representation of the people ; on that subject my opinion is,
that every man who is affected by the law has a right to a vote in
the appointment of thane who are to take • part in the enactment
of the law. This was established on a recurrence to the first prin.
ciples of the Constitution. Not to act upon it was only to con.
tinue a system which deluded by words, but which was not
conformable to the real and substantial principles of the Constitu-
tion. This opinion has not, however, influenced my conduct in
the Association, further than I have thought political regeneration
could tot be effected while sectarian dissensions distracted the land.
It is not my wish to pull down the dominant party from any station
of emolutnent they may occupy but I am anxious that the coun-
try should not be tom by dissensions; that there should he no
longer a faction on one side, and the people on the other ; but that
the faction should mix with the people, and swell the current of
national prosperity—contributing utility to this country, and aug.
menting the strength of the United Empire. With these prin.
ciples it is not natural to suppose I should join in any idle specula-
tion, or cherish any seditious sentiments. I am not now young
enough (were I even inclined) to lend ntrielf to any idle project. Be•
sides, I have attained the object of my legitimate ambition. As my
friend 1l r. Shell has said, I have given seven hostages to my coun-
try. My children have grown into manhood about site; my profession
i
yields me more wealth than I could have expected from t ; I have
a property, which I may say, without my profession, would hare
left me independent. So situated, I should be the most absurd and
drivelling dotard in the world, to entertain any other sentiments
or principles than those which I am convinced are best calculated
to lead to the establishment of tranquillity and peace—to promote
a re-union of sentiment, to seecommerce and inanufactures advance,
and flourish, so as to see this beautiful country, fro.n being a part
of the weakness. become a portion of the strength and greatness of
this empire. (Much applause.) It is our duty, as it is our in-
terest, to seek relief only through legitimate and constitutional
means. It would he madness—the very excess of insanity, to pre-
sonic to beard the English nation—to contrast ourselves with Eng-
land in all its pomp of strength—to put in competition for a into.
ment, our bareheaded peasantry with her organized armies, and,
if necessary, with the united armies of Europe. But although this
were not, as it is, our interest and advantage, yet we should, as
our ancestors before us, from a sense of duty, submit to a code
which, although we disliked it, yet we would endure, rather than
shed one drop of blood to embitter and disturb the happiness which
is invariably to be found in the peace and tranquillity of a nation.
Such is the spirit in which the Association was formed, and such
in thespirit in which it has acted. We have done nothing that the
law considers wrong, and we defy any human being to find any
part of our conduct which has not been directed, and directed suc-
cessfully, to promote the peace of the country, to lay before the
Legislature our complaints respectfully, but firmly, and to
continue and persevere, until we shall have obtained these
legitimate objects of legal and just demand. (Applause.) It was
but lately that I saw two resolutions adopted at a public meet.
ing, at which Mr. Cropper took an active part. He first de-
clared that the peasantry wanted food, fire, and clothing; and
the second declared that the habitations of the Irish peasantry
were unfit for human beings to lire in. Now, one would natu-
rally think that this came from some demagogue, who wished
to iiflame the passions of the people, to stimulate them to dis-
turbance, and to induce them to turn out, by awakening them
to a tense of their wretchedness. But I find it is signed by
Drury Jones, Lord Mayor. What. then, would the Legislature
say that a country capable of yielding food, and firing, and
clothing, and every other article necessary for human sustenance,
should be in so wretched a state as to fail in the supply of
them, and should be without habitations tit for human crea-
tures to live in ? (Hear, hear.) iVe shall go before Parliament—
we shall lay before them the causes of this misery, and we shall
enJeavour to have it investigated and redressed. IVe shall
1 say to the Legislature, " You have failed in converting um,
will you thee exterminate us? and if you do not exterminate
us, will you stifle our speech ? Are you determined that we shall
feel the lash, and. not dare to cry ? (Cheers.) Are the chains to
manacle our limbs, and are we to be prohibited from making the
declaration that they are not silken ? (Loud cheers.) Ilas the iron
1 so entered our souli, that with a prostitution of language we are to
utter the accents of content ? or rather will you not render us this
act of justice that we aakat your hands, and in return we tender you
the splendid offering of a " holy alliance" in our affectionate
loyalty, our gratitude, and fraternal attachment; a bond of union
which no casualty can shake—which the power of no nation, nor
even the combined power of civilized Europe, can ever weaken or
disturb.

(Ale. O'Connell sat down amid the loud cheering of the meeting,
which continued for several minutes.)
Mr. CONWAY, after the resolutions had passed, moved that Mr.
Shell be requested to prepare the address to be presented to 31r.
O'Connell. This was duly seconded, and Mr. Shell consented to
undertake the writing of the address.
The Report of the Finance Committee was here read. The
gross amount (inclusive of the subscriptions of new members, &c.)
of the receipts of the Catholic Rent, was 7761.175. W. The an-
nouncement was received with the very general applause of the
meeting. S 1 letters connected with local distinctions and with
the collection of the Rent, were then read ; after which John
O'Connell, Esq. of Grena, was called to the Chair. The custom.
ary vote of thanks was passed to the Hon. Pierce Butler, after
which the meeting broke up at half-past seven o'clock.

THE BRITISH PRESS.

BLOOMSBURY-SQUARE BIBLE SOCIETY.

A meeting of this Institution was held yesterday evening at the
Bedford Tavern, Bloomsbury.
The President, the Rev. T. WEwsr En, expressed his renewed
pleasure at seeing those amend him engaged in the important
business which occupied the attention of the Meeting ; and as he
knew their time admitted as little delay as possible, he would pro.
ceed at once to the rending of the Report. Pleasant as the duty
was which he was about to perform, it was accompanied with some
painful recollections, when they considered they were deprived of
the company of some of the most zealous of their associates ; but
though they regretted the family losses which broke in upon their
agreeable reflections, they would, perhaps, attain this good, that
by thinking on the renewing uncertainty of life, and the certainty
of their approaching deaths, they would be excited, each in
his own rank, to promote, by every possible means, the cir-
culation of the AVord of God, who may, in his own inscrutable
decrees, cause them to appear shortly before Him. These
reflections would, he th ight, impel them to perform their
duties, that they may be grown in meekness. He would not in.
(Use longer in any general remarks, but would call their attention
to the report of the period which had elapsed since the time of the
last Meeting. The Reverend Chairman read the Report, which
stated in Substance that the Committee of the Bloomsbury-square
Bible Association did not wish to appear sooner before that as-
sembly, as they were not disposed to interfere with other Associa-
tions, and because they found it extremely difficult to obtain a
place in their own immediate vicinity adapted to 1 general meeting.
The Report also complained of a want of collectors. This was a
serious disadvantage. Collectors would do much, as was proved
by one gentleman who canvassed the poor of his own immediate
neighbourhood, and procured twenty subscribers. Those who
were not themselves able to come forward as subscribers, should
not hence conclude that they May not be of service in the im-
portant cause. Mr. Payne, of Holborn, though not a collector,
provided a box in his own house for the subscriptions of his
family, by which the fond% of the Association were consider.
ably aided. If this example were followed, a great addition
might be made to the funds and usefulness of the Institution.
Their sutcess was small, when compared with that effected
in the country and other parts of the metropolis; and the
Committee deem it their duty to call in the most earnest manner
upon the ladies and gentlemen to consider if they were doing all
that could, or may be reasonably expected from them. During the
interval, the Committee have been sedulously employed in the
performance of the duties submitted to them ; they have often had
occasion to lament the scanty success with which their labours have
been attended, and anxiously looked in various directions for in.
eneasing assistance and support in the erase and service in which
they are engaged. Since the last anniversary, the Committee re-
ceived in donations, subscriptions, and collecions.lll3l. 17s- 241-. of
which 651. were paid for honks ; 401. were placed at the disposal
of the Bloomsbury Auxiliary Society ; 01. were called for to
defray other expenses. They have distributed 165 Bibles and
Testaments, at cost price, gratuitously, or at reduced prices, under
circumstances fully justifying such reduction. and have in various
instances supplied sick and other persons with the loan of the sacred
volume. The present number of collectors is, Gentlemen 6;
Ladies 8; the number of subscribers is uncertain, :bout 136; of
whom 43 belong to the Ladies; free Subscribers $10; Subscribers
for books M. A similar report was read from the Ladies' Com-
mittee.

Prarttoax moved, that the Report be approved of. if he
were to speak of the blessings conferred by the United British and
Foreign Bible Association, he would not know where to begin or
where to end. In considering the matter merely as a citizen of the
world, he could not avoid admitting the good done, under the
blessing of God, to society by this Institution, in a season of
calamity and distress, when war, anarchy, and rebellion walked
hand in hand with rapid strides. It was at this period the British
and Foreign Bible Society found its angel existence. Mankind
were greatly indebted to this Institution for the effect it had in
causing the decrease of ungrallines., and of causing the increase of
true religion. The Bible alone pointed out the paths of righteous-
ness, and therefore its circulation should be advocated. This was
essentially necessary to the interest of the country ; and they who
contributed to this object were patriots in the proper sense of the
word. If this were the case—if he considered the Bible in this
point of view, as a citizen of the world, how much more was it
his duty to consider it as a citizen of the world to come. From the
short experience he had, he would put this in competition with
other books, not alone because it contained a government given by
God, but because he found in it a never-failing source of consola-
tion and hope. It advised him to seek that face from which he
turned, and repair to that house from which he lied. 11hen they
considered the Bible to be a source of every consolation, they
should deeni it an imperative duty to give to others that which they
themselves gratefully received, and upon which they set so high a
value. With these impressions he would move, that the Report
be approved of.
Mr. PAYNE. in seconding the motion, said, he must remember
that lie was connected with the institution. lie ..vas a member of
it. He well recollected that he had made applications with the
predecessor of the present Chairman. He was, many years since,
the assistant of Dr. Adam Clark. and had with him explored the
residences of the wretched inhabitants of the district, from most of
whom he met with a civil reseption ; and though it was not uni.
venially encouraging, it was not such as to cause actual discourage.
menu. Dr. Clark was himself an Irishman, and knew well how to
gain access to his poor countrymen. He received much pleasure in
exploring these districts with the late Chairman. The Irish re-
quired management when you wanted to enlighten them; when
their prejudices were gotten over, they were a kind people ; they
were grateful, and the labours of Committee would not be in
vain. The Collectors should go to St. Giles's; there was no danger
there. The Irish would be grateful when they were ap2roached in
a proper manner; when their prejudices were gotten over, they
would take the Bible as the guide of their faith, when they knew
its value.—Carried unanimously.
Mr. SYMONS moved, that in consequence of the peculiar cir-
cumstances of the western part of the district, it is highly expedient
that an increased number of collectors should be procured, who
should pay special attention to that part. lie was of opinion that
verbal instruction should be given with the Testaments and Bibles.
He raid a compliment to the Chairman. and hoped he would be
supported by the meeting whilst lie tilled the chair.
I he motion was seconded by Mr. BROOKS, and carried una-
nimoualr.
Mr. CONOLLY (an Irish Gentleman) moved, that the spirit of
attention excited in Ireland and other parts concerning the Holy
Scriptures, calls upon the friends and supporters of Bible Societies
for confining! and increasing exertions.
. .

Seconded by Alr. Pis HOIN, and carried unanimously.
An Irish Protestant Gentleman bore testimony to the good effects
of the late Bible discussions in Ireland, and moved, " That the
meeting desire thankfully to acknowledge the services of the Tres.
surer, Secretaries, Committees, and Collectors, both ladies and
gentlemen, and earnestly request the continuance of their services
during the following year.
This motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting ad-
journed.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
FROM LLOYD'S LIST.

FALMOUTH, JAN. 9.—Arrived the Hem. Prawina. from Jersey,
and some coasters from round the land. Sailed the Marchioness of
Queemberry packet, for the Alediterranean.
PLYMOUTH, JAM. 9.—OfF the port, the Royal Charlotte, Hay,
from Shields. for Opotto and the John and Elizabeth, fro.n Lon-
don, for St. 3lichaers. Sailed the Thomas, Hobbs, for the Medi-
terranean. _ _ _

COWES, JAN. Io.—The Maria, Simons, from Ilamburgh to
Bahia, out 73 days, put in here this day. with het rudder da.
maged.
DEAL, JAN. 10.—Arrived the Bellona, Marshall. from Saint
John's, New Brunswick; Fanny Voese, Lester, from Oporto.
GaavEsEwn, Jai!. 10.—Arrived the Zephyr, Humbert. from
Gottenburgh ; Waterfonl, Hodges, from Dublin; Robert and
Mary, Fox, from Ostend ; and the Trois Amis. Schut, from Ant.
werp. Sailed the Charles, Agau, for Rouen ; Friensehap, I
for ditto ; Crawford, Thomas, for Bilhoa ; Edgar. Campbell, for
Jamaica ; Margaret, Christie, for Ilamburgh ; and the Catherine ,
Fligg, for Gibraltar.
SCAREOROUGII, JAN. s.—The Charles,' Walker, of this portt
lying at her winter moorings, took fire in the cabin. but was go
afloat and scuttled near the pier, and has received much damage.
LIVERPOOL, AIONDAT EVENING. JAN. 10.—Arrived the
Shamrock, from Belfast; and the Brilliant, from Glasgow.—
Wind W.N.W.
BRISTOL. JAN. 10.—Arrived, the Amity, Johnson, from Prince
Edward's Island ; Esther, Forster. from St. Michael's ; Hampton,
Picket, front Virginia ; Europe, Rutherford, from Trieste; Eliza,
Hudson, from St. Petersburgh.—Ssiled, the Lucy Ann, Edgehill,
for Jamaico ; Charles, Fox, for Nevis and St. Kitt's . • Eleanor,
Payton, for Demerara ; Britannia, Cumming, for Bilbori.
Bart MOUT IT, JAN. B.—The passengers who were rescued from
the Diamond were taken from the wreck by six men belonging to
this place.
Et.sizrEv ft, Drc. 21—The Schloss Zu Riga, Poulson, from
Riga to Spain, and the Margaret, Ferguson, of Dundee, from lie.
bail, have put into Copenhagen, the former leaky, and will have
to discharge and repair; the latter with loss of anchors and cables.
AVIII3Y. DEC. ll—The hemp and flax, and about 100 casks of
tallow, part of the cargo of the Nicholas and Jane, Laing, from
St. Petersburgh to London, stranded on this island, are landed,
and the remainder is expected to be got off. The hemp and flax
is so much damaged that it will be sold next week,
DOTTENIII:RGH, Nov. 21—The Camilla. Hanson, bound to
France, was driven on shore near the Castle 18th inst. : cargo dis.
charging ; it is feared the vessel cannot be got off: The Zephyr,
Rainbett, bound to London, has got aground near the Klipps,
The Venus, Lindberg, of this port. was driven from her anchors in
the Castle Roads, and on shore on the Strand ; cargo discharging ;
it is expected she will be got oft The Carl XIV. Janssen, of
this port, was driven on shore in Flemish Roads, but brought
up without further damage. The Bergetha, Gran, from New-
castle, was driven from her mooring* in the harbour, and is now
lying high and dry near the Tar Wharf. The following vessels
are on shore near Varia, viz.-3linerva,,bundstrom ; Anna Juliana,
Knack; Elizabeth Maria, Sonutag ; Enigheten, Braun • the
t'liriatiatia, Swenson, after cutting from her anchors and cables in
Elsineur Roads, was driven on shore near Ni'arburg ; cargo dis-
charging; stores saved, but it is feared the vessel will fie lost.
llELatw Gross, Nov. I.l.—The Catarina Ilenrica, All wardt, of
and for Rostock from St. Peterstrurgh, was driven on shore 29th
ult. near here, abandoned by the sew, but has been got off and
brought into this port.
The President Matson, has ',Tired at St. Michael's.

SLAVF: TRADE.
The following extracts arc taken from the Sierra Lame
Royal liozette, of the 20th of November, 1824:
We regret never having before inspected the numerous slave
ships which have arrived were, in order to ascertain whether they
answered the description set forth in their papers. The fallowing
particulars relative to three vessels taken by our squadron for being
engaged in this horrible commerce, and lately brought into our
harbour for adjudication in the British and Portuguese Court •`
:Biked Commission, will, we feel assured, astonish even our read-
ers, who have unhappily had too many opportunitiesof witnessing
the misery. which this traffic imposes upon its defenceless and un-
fortunate victims.
_.

THE DIANA.—This vessel is stated, in the Royal passport, to
be 120 tons burthen ; and permitted, by this passport, in accord-
ance with the Alvaro of his bloat Faithful Majesty, under date
of the 24th of November, 1813, to carry 300 slaves, being at the
rate of five to every two tons. On being inspected. she is found
to aJtnerwure onty 66 tons 52-94 fourths English measurement,
and, therefore, authorised to take at the rate of tire to each ton—
The surface of the men's alave.room is only 480 feet, and two feet
seven inches in height ; and that of the women, Itl3 feet surface.
and three feet eleven inches high ; yet, on board this vessel, there
were actually shipped, at Badagry, for the paasnge to the Bra-
zils, 136 human victims, besides her crew, 18 in number.
THE Two azaztztaz FRIENDI.—This vessel is also stated,
by a like docubtent, to be 146 tons, and, being similarly licensed,
might carry 383 slaves. On inspection she is found to be only
95 tons, 54.94 toOrths, and, consequently, in like manner, autho-
rised to carry at the rate of four to each ton. The surface of the
platform for the men is 813 feet, and the height two fen siz inches;
that of the women, 148 feet eight inches surface, and three feet ten
inches in height. On board this vessel there wet; actually shipped
at Badagry, for passage to the Brazils, 260 unfortunate Africans,
besides her crew, IR in number.
Tier: A v zo.—This vessel is, by a similar document, asserted
to be 231 tuna, and by her licence might carry 303 slaves. On ex-
amining her, it is ascertained that she is only 183 tons 28-94
fourths, and, therefore, might wiry at the rate or more than five
to a ton. The surface of the tnen*s room is 861 feet, height of
ditto three feet two inches; that. td' the women is 215 feet stir.
face, and the same height as the men's. tour hundred and sixty-
tive wretched beings were mewed on board this vessel, at the
same port, for passage to the Brazils, besides her crew, thirty-three
in number.

We have here 328 tons of shipping, licensed to carry 1,215, and
actually conveying from the coast 801 slaves, being (in these three
vessels) at the rate of eleven to every four tons, besides the men
navigating them, and the water and provisions necessary for so
great a number of people for the voyage, together with their boats
and ship's stores. As the men and women thus embarked were
712 in number, and supposing the children, both boys and girls, to
be either always kept on deck, or confined to the long-boat (as is
the practice), still only a little more than 34 square feet was al-
lowed for each adult African thus shipped—a space whiCh, we
should suppose, no human being could long exist in ; and, indeed,
the number of deaths, and the emaciated state of the survivors, too
fully proved this to be the case! From the crowded state of these
vessels, we do not hesitate to say, that it would be impolislble to
cram the number on board which the Authorities of the Brazils (by
sanctioning these false descriptions of the vesseli) give the masters
permission to take; it is, therefore, to a certain extent, useless,
although proving to the world that this Government, not content
with allowing their subjects to carry on the odious traffic, sanction
such means of doing sou aggravate the misery of the unfortunate
victims thus forced away front theg families and country. We
shall make no further remarks on this painful subject, satisfied
that such cruel deception as is clearly shown to be sanctioned by
this Power, which is thus adding further horrors to the already
detestable Slave Trade, will sot be overlooked by our Govertiateat,'
who are, no doubt, in possession of the facts from our gallant Corn.
medore and his Officers.
The French Slave Trade has lately most considerably inergaped
in the rivers Bonny and Old Calabar. Several new vessels
have arrived, and many, laden with full cargoes of human vic-
tims, have left under the white flag, and manned by French.
men, although the capital embarked is ostensibly Spanish. In
order that our readers may judge of the barbarity and want
of feeling evinced by these subjects of an enlightened nation,
which publicly disavows such horrible and infamous conduct, we
desire to make known, that Le Louis, commanded by one Oiseau,
on completing her cargo of slaves in the Old Calabar, a few
weeks since, without the slightest spark of humanity in him,
thrust the whole of these unfortunate beings between decks (a
height of only three feet), and closed the hatches for the night !
When morning made its appearance, fifty of the poor sufferers
had paid the debt of nature, owing to the confined, dis-
eased, and putrid atmosphere they were condemned to re-
spire. The wretch coolly ordered the bodies of these miserable
victims of his total want of human feeling to be thrown into
the river, and immediately proceeded on shore to complete his
execrable cargo by fresh purchases of his fellow-creatures. To de-
tail all the information we have received relative to the enor-
mities committed by these dealers in human flesh, who feel they
are protected by the nation they claim and the flag they hoist,
would horrify any but slave-dealers, who seem naturally callous to
every feeling which ennobles mankind: suffice it to say, they
are heart-rending, and would disgrace the must unenlightened
savage.

.o ore the victuna or
di worse than Punii
?chased at Llrnericl
firth of treaties, am
t national coinpact
yong ? IVe are
the sttitude of genti
all we ask for the ri
mon sense, commc
en generous principl
rit,msy that Power i
e breast of nun with
fan instinctive
Author of our be
,al forbid it ! (Loud
Mn. Sit CIL o include
I. Regaled, That tl
"ted the amazement
el to awaken ',neon'
e people of Ireland.
2. Resolved, That s
..dctions produced by a
!sing in the terms wl
other sentiment that
,re afforded an Oita
loptinr. of • measun
,ake the confidence, ar
3. Resolved, That v
Arming. by legal anC
,nancipstiou of the Ro
nd that in pursuit of
desvouring to excite
toy. our best endear
-sling, to impress ti;
prompt obedience to tl
Ilegal combinations, at
eat to the wisdom and
Moved by Mr. Finn.
4. Resolved. That
mental in pmdue
issalutsry result of d
Ir. O'Connell.
Moved by Mr. Ri
taunton, Esq.—
I. Resolved, That
, sire of our deed
egrity; of the value
and of our cony
nd successfully direct,
dom, but an hones
the country.
These Resolutions s
Mr. O'ColverAt. tl
ing to address it he w
on to that which folio,
ution. He spoke no
ble for me to be silent
ossible for me to be so
main, and from the n
I feel myself placed
iings which I ought tt
:meet feel are of that
have no faculty to gii

ffe-, and that is an-apolo
hich, u a public mar
new to be an illegal ooh
tiering seditious words,
won!, and it was theref
unit, some informer, r
tention on my part. I
I subjected myse
own, I do not think
at the Catholic Asa
so without sanity of
d been done in the
gement of law or
done which ought ni
st were the sacrifice to I
do not claim it as a
set portion of the sufferi
car, hear.) The late'
ons to my mind; th
is that this prosecution
look nut for opportunit
certainly unpleasant th
towards us. I a
us, and by which w
different natu-e ; I
fare itself, that wh
his profession, he
ks of his profession,