The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-28 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Mancri 20.—A meeting of the Precursor
Society was held this day in the Corn Exchange Rooms,
Counsellor GUTIIRIE in the Chair. The Secretary read
the minutes of the last meeting and several communi-
cations. A number of members were admitted, amongst
whom was the Right Rev. Dr. Murdock, Glasgow.
Mr. O'CONNELL then rose, and having read a letter
from the Rev. Horace Cholmondeley, Tunbridge Well's,
requesting to be proposed a member of the Precursor
Society, proceeded to say it had been his fortune to
rise with feelings of anxiety and solicitude during the
struggle for emancipation, but he never felt more soli-
citude than at present. The battle for freedom was
was again to be fought in Ireland, and the question was.
whether the management of Ireland was to be left to
the friends of peace and justice, or to be committed to
persons who from their intense bigotry were incapable
of governing the country in a statesmanlike manner. As
there was an union between the two countries, the people
of both countries should be placed on an equality,
but such was not the case. He then alluded to the
amount of debt. due by the two countries at the Union,
that of England being 427,000,0001., while that of Ire-
land was but 24,000,0001. Ireland had been sadiled
with an equal portion of the combined amount ; "rat the
Irish would never pay it except justice was done to the
country.—(Cheers.) When he (Mr. O'Connell) brought
forward his motion in the House of Commons for an
equalization of rights, lie was opposed by the Conserva-
tives, and, alas the day ! by Lord Morpeth and the
Government. He was also opposed by the Earl of Sur-
rey, Lord Fitzallan, and Howard of Carlisle--persons
who would never have had seats in the House of Com-
mons, or been even Magistrates, were it not for the ex-
ertions of Irishmen in procuring emancipation. The re-
sult was that he was defeated. He did not mean to at-
tach blame to the English people, for they were not
properly represented ; nothing could be more apparent
than that, from the division on the Corn-law question.
He (Mr. O'Connell) on that occasion voted according
to his conscience, for he was anxious that the people
should have cheap bread. He was sure those laws were,
injurious to Ireland. He had looked into the subject
in all its details ; the way to serve the country was
by extending raanufnctures, and that never would be
done while the Corn-laws were in existence. He had
spoken of the English representatives ; it was his opinion
that the English people would never be properly or
' fairly represented until they got Vote by Ballot ; he
would aid them to obtain that to the utmost extent
of his power. The Chartists, he was happy to sat.
were gone ; the effort made by them might be useful
were it not for the frantic conduct of some of the
leaders. It was said in England, " Don't promote
Precursor ;" but be (Mr. O'Connell) would be glad
to know what could be alleged against the Precursors.,
The truth was, the Society had done a good deal of
good, particularly in protecting the Elective Fran'
chise. Before the passing of the Reform Bill the House
of Lords might be said to govern the country, but he
regretted to say that no other beneficial measures of
Reform had followed. The Government of Earl Grey'
instead of introducing other measures of Reform, se,t,
on foot a prosecution in Ireland. The Reform/31''
tended to diminish the power of the House of Peers.
and if the Ministry had had energy enough to aye'
themselves of it, they would have been victorious ; bet'
unfortunately, they did not do so. The Learned Gen'
t
tleman next adverted to the late debate in the House 0)
Peers, and animadverted in strong language on the COT_
duct of Lord Brougham. However (he said) the battl
between the two Houses was shortly to be fought, If
he came to know what part Ireland would take in it.
they succeeded they would seek another collision that
would render the success complete. He came to rally
the Irish people. He would desire that on next Sueee4,
week there should be simultaneous meetings in every
part of Ireland to address the Queen and petition
,hey
House of Commons.—(Tremendous cheering.) I'4oo
should use every exertion to keep the Orange fee
out of power. He therefore called on everyAyis,ll'-the
that was not looking fora place or a pension, to join of
Precursor Society. He did not want the other classtdd
gentlemen to join them. On Sunday week they should
have meetings in every parish in Dublin ; and he ethe
take care to attend them all. In agitation he hativey
faculty of a bird, in being in two places at once• thel
should also address the Queen, and tell her thetl. the
were as loyal subjects as any in the empire ; and; bould
i,
Government meant to strengthen the throne, sddress
have Ireland at their side. He should read ae
aews-
the people, which he would have published in the
papers, and circulated, and he would call upon
o° here
pie to petition the House of Commons to save
an then
from the Orange faction. The Learned Gentlterreferred
read the address, and moved that it should *,
to a committee for consideration. • con-
Mr. SIIEA LALOR rose to second them to 111311°1,1
#,,
ceiving the address one eminently calculated,intention
the present Ministry ; but it was also his argil.
give notice of two motions which, unless_
etre4ebreed t
OtlOnt
ment should be used to change his mind, b
,udedaring
The first Wils in effect' • ted the
necessary to carry.
PPe'n
that the Ministry had in many things disa,ica wore
.r
expectations of the people in the position ti in their
upon upon many questions—for instance,
for the ego. e
opposition to Mr. O'Connell's motion for he
tion of the franchise in the two countries.

edged necessary, in order to lot the Cabinet know that
while they would be undoubtedly sustained in the
struggle. it would be absolutely necessary that
they should in many respects improve their policy, if
eY looked to a continuance of Irish support.—
heers.) His second motion would be declaratory of
the identity of the principles of the Precursor Society
withthose upon which the Ministry assumed office.
.!Iti he was ready to prove, after a laborious es.atnina-
lion of the speeches of ;le leading members of the Go-
vernment'at the time. [The Learned . Gentleman bad
not coneltided when the Reporter left the meeting.]

4°NEY MARKET and CITY NE WS.

eRRONICLE.—The principal feature in the Mo-
ttieY Market to-day is a considerable further decline in
t," Price of Exchequer Bills. The closing price yester-
uaY was 53 55 prem., and at one moment to-day they
w,ere done as low as 42 prem. A rally afterwards took"
Tace, and at the close of the Market they were quoted at
8, O. We believe the amount of bills thrown on the
larket was not large, but amongst the sellers was
tbhe Government Broker, who was considered to
a„ operating for the Bank of England ; and
t
,u's appearing at a time when the market was pa!-
-en'd ularlY heavy, and money much wanted, was the main
ause of the unusually large fall. The English Stock
d 4.1. coasol Market has scarcely changed since yFster-
ti4,}_, hut the slight alteration that has occurred is for
in' worse. Money was in demand, and the difference
Price between Consols for Money and for the Ac-
count more marked than of late.
an, he Alarket for Spanish Securities was firmer to-day,
underwent some improvement.
a In
,ithe Share Market the principal Railways occupy
elt°°' deal of attention, and continue to be the
with
source of business, both speculative and bona fide;
(1,(.11 few exceptions they have undergone a further
dicane.
The sales to-day and for the last few
a Ys have not been extensive ; but the selling orders
aZiaing' Principally from Lancashire is a feature worth
t , and one, at first view, calculated to create dis•
•:-4`• We believe, however, the real cause of these sales
ip"a`'t?e not at all affecting the solidity of Railway Corn-
the Onerally, but arises from an apprehension that
lie ''Vislature will not sanction the application to Par-
:lletnect for more capital on behalf of two or three of
lleelt Companies, and that they will not allow the
Pass in their present form, but will impose the
more
0 raising
.nf the required money in a way that will draw
th'' avily on the pockets of the present shareholders
etr/1,7e Plan projected by the Directors of those con-
10,T.he quotations at the close of business were as 101-
to iosst irrningliain Old, 65 to 67 prem. ; the New, 19
South PI em.
; and Great Western, 41 to 5i prem.
I<le,r°l-'ton left off at 41i to 42A- prem. ; Leeds and
1470-est."r, 13 to 15 prem. ; Birmingham and Derby,
to 2i2 tbs. ; Brighton, 71 to 71 dis. ; B.t ack wall, 2i
d; and Gosport Junction, 2to prem.
P
en-taid-eR4141) —ln the Foreign House this has been
lerillt• re" as settling day, rather by necessity than. pre-f
t‘e.ki°tl, as Good Friday would prevent the passing o
of, °m 3 On the last day ; but nothing has occured worthy
to s ttletit- There has been considerable indisposition
ejo2,e,ettlate for the New Account, but tile market has
*‘,ltvithout much alteration.
YeP;l '.---Exehequer bills were sold as low as 425.
Yestalt.,"l°day, the quotation being about 10s. lower than
14 the ssaY• The holders took alarm at the appearance
tasti Inarket of the broker usually employed by the
hein nidia Directors, the impression of many persons
more tl at the sales would have been carried to a much
the ;con siderable extent than they really were, and that
cericeau'VunY might be operating on the circulation in
rery with the Bank of England, a circumstance not
the di "'IY, especially just on the eve of the payment of
w
very fey lends. The sum realised amounted only to a
the thousands, so that, before the close of business,
ceapo tation recovered its previous elevation, or
).

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN.
On EASTER MONDAY, Arm..
Will be performed the New Play, in Five Acts, called
RICHELIEU, OR THE CONSPIRACY,
Written by Sir E. Lytton Bulwer, Bart.
The Characters by
Mr. Elton, Mr. Diddear, Mr. Macready, Mr. Warde, Mr. An-
derson, Mr. Vining. Mr. Roberts, Mr. Phelps, Mr. G. Ben-
nett, Mr. Howe, hiss E. Phillips, Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Yar-
nold, Mr. W. It. Payne, Mr. C. J. Smith, Mr. Bender,
Mr. Paulo, Mr. Gough, Mr. Thorne, Mr. Brady, Mr. Bur-
det, Mr. Smith, Mr. Kirke, Mr. Hollingsworth, Mr. Wal-
dron, Mr. Ayliffe, Mr. Andrews, Mr. T. Matthews, Miss
Helen Faucit, Miss Charles, Mesdames Reed, Corder, Lee,
Valancluke, Mathews, Mew, cud Morgan.
After which will be revived the Grand Dramatic Romance, of
LODOISKA.
The Box Office will be open this day, March 28, and Sa
turday, where Tickets and Places may be had of Mr. Notter
from Ten tili Four.