The National Register.
London, England, 1822-11-11 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGI ST E

armor op 4.0011E.8.

ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST vas LATE
BISHOP OF CLOGRER.

MPTIOFOLITAN COURT OF ARMAGH, 00TORIA 3L.
The Office of his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Pri-
mate and Metropolitan of all Ireland, at the promotion of
Thomas Tilly, the Proctor of said Oflice, against the Hon.
and Right Rev. Percey Jocelyn, Lord Bishop of Clogher,
and tee of the Suffragan Bishops of the Metropolitan Church
of Armagh.
Thiamine of office was this day called in for bearing in the
presence of his Grace the Lord Primate, and for of his Suf-
fragan Bishops, viz. the Lords Bishops of Kilmer*, Derry,
Dromore, sad Repko., and of the Right Hon. Doctor Rattliff,
his Graces Vicar General, and of other distinguished and re-
spectable personages. The Bishop of Clogher having bees
thrice called in open Court did not appear ; sod in pain of his
contemacey and contempt the case was prop eded in to an
bearing, and its final determination.
Sir Henry Meredith, the leading Advocate for the office,
stated the case. He lamented to hid from the rules hereto-
fore, and on this day pronounced in the cause, that the Right
Rev. Prelate has sot appeared in this Coen in person or by his
Proctors.
(Thetearned Advocate, after several preliminary ob
lions, proceeded to remark cm the evidence.)
On that evldedce he would make this ob lion; it fully
evinced the existence of those evil habits and propensities is
that unhappy man, with which be then stood charged, and which
formed the foundation of that sentence which was to be pro-
nounced against him in this cause. That evidence also proved
the fatal and depraved purposes for which he associated himself
with a private soldier, wholly beneath him in rank and station,
as the unworthy and *kits* partner of his depravity and guilt.
The place chosen by him for that hue purpose was also unfit-
ted to him as a Prelate of the Church, and a man of his high
rank and station. It was a common ale house, situate in St.
Albates-plaee, in the city of Westminster, and county of Mid-
dlesex, in England. In his career of vice lie was fortunately,
nay, be would add, he was providentially arrested, before he
bad perpetrated the last foal act or crime which he himself de-
signed, and by which, if committed, his life would have been
forfeited to the offended laws and plaice of his country ; the
many witnesses to his disgrace and degradation too plainly
'hewed and convinced bin of their full knowledre of his base
sets and purpose. He then became dejected and desponding,
and in terms of agony and despair, he called upon that great
God, in whose presume he bad so lately and grievously of-
fended for his protection and deliveran. e ; his prayer was gra-
ciously heard—his life was spared to him, no doubt for wise
and merciful purposes. He survived the horrors of that night,
and he is now enabled by sincere, sorrow and regret, to look
for that remission of sins, and forgiveness from his God, which
be could hardly bare looked for, if his life had been forfeited
to the law, or be bad on that night fallen a victim to the jest
indignation of the many who witnessed his depraved and vi-
cious conduit, and were with diflico ty restrained from ending
his existence. He was arrested by the watchmen and others,
and in a situation disgraceful and degrading to him, was made
a prisoner, in order that he should be removed to the watch-
house of the district, in which he bad committed his many act.
of indecency and crime. He eadeavonred, but in vain, to dis-
suade the persists in charge of him from their purpose. On
his removal, and close to the public house in which he had
been detected and arrested, he was seen and recognised by a
respectable gentleman of Ireland, who, from a previous know-
ledge of his dress. person, and appearance, has been examined
too, and proved his identity. 'He bad upon him at the time his
usual and proper habit and dress, as a Bishop, or Dignitary
of the Church. There was so disguise or conceahnent upon
his person or appearance. That circumstance had created an
early suspicion and observance of him and of his actions on
that night, and has contributed, with many other circumstances
. .

provecrinthis Cathie, to the establishment of his identity, which
from his conduct iii the cause, and other circumstances, might
have been difficult of attainment and of proof. As he was ad-
vanced in custody to the watch-house, and was surrounded and
insulted by many persons who pressed upon him, and in a situ-
. ation degrading to himself and his high office, he approached
to and passed the gates of Carlton Palace.
Upon his arrival at the watcb•bouse, the Bishop and his as
*elate were brought together into the presence of the constable
of the watch-house—a-Mr. Latchford, a principal witness ex-
amined in this case. The Bishop had then and again to meet
end see those persons who he knew could and did depose against
him ; in his present* and bearing, and of his associate, the full
particulars of their crime were disclosed and detailed ; be did
not, and could not deny their truth ; his name and address were
asked of him by Latchford ; he positively declined sod refused
to give them. That refusal, under its circumstances, was na-
toral , the constable, however, hnd a duly to perform, and after
that refusal, and in order to obtain some lamination as to that
person who was thus heavily accused, and yet appeared to be
and was, in the habit of a dignified clergyman, be thought it
nee sssss yto examine the Bishop's rersnn. He then approached
to him, and even at th►t moment the Bishop bore upon his per-
son strong evidence of, and by his nets and expressions ■t the
moment fully admitted his guilt : during that search the Bishop
• was observed by Latchford to take from his pocket a paper
writing, to tear it with violence, and hastily throw the pieces or
• fragments of it when torn into the fire place of the room in
which he then stood. This circumstance attracted the atteu-
lion of Latchford ; he did not then observe upon it ; he knew
that there was no lire in the grate, nor any other paper in it.—
The Bishop was shortly afterwards removed from the room,
and to a cell, or pia e of solitary coufinemeut within the watch-
house.—Shortly after his removal lie was heard by Latchford
to cry with a loud voice, and to ask hint " could he not get
bail r' ■nd no reply being given, he asked for pen, ink, and
paper, in order that he might write a note or letter. The pen,
ink, and paper were furnished to him by the directions of Latch-
ford, and with a view that he should be thereby enabled to
obtain some knowledge of the Bishop's name and address,
which were still unknown to him. The note was written by the
Bishop, and by hisdesire was dedivered to Latchford, in order
that it should be sent to the person and place to whom and
where it was directed ; Latchford retained the note. It was
not biz business to admit the Bishop to bail ; be could not do
so. The Bishop, in an anxious and importunate manner, re-
quested and urged Latchford to send the note as directed•—
Latchford informed him be did nut, and could not good it.—
The note has been exhibited *Limy persona now resident in
Ireland, who have been 'for many years ,acquainted with the
Bishop and his hand writing. They have been examined in this
cause, sad they have all agreed in their evidence of this note
being in the hand-writing of the Bishop, and that the initial•
" P.C." subscribed to it denotes his Christian nuns sad title
mf honour.—The awe is in the following words :