The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-06 00:00:00

THE IRISH MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

___ •
OF SUN.

Mr. Monsell presents his compliments to the Editor
of The Sun, and would feel obliged by his giving insertion
to the following correspondence, which explains the
reasons that have induced Messrs. Keogh, Sadleir, and
himself to withdraw the resignations which they for-
warded to Lord Aberdeen on Thursday, the 2d of June.
25, Chapel-street, Grosvenor-square, June 5.

COPY OF LETTER OF MR. MONSELL TO LORD ABERDEEN.
25, Chapel-street, Grosvenor-square, June, 2, 185
My Lord, - -I was not present in the House of Com-
mons on Tuesday night, and only learned from the news-
papers what had passed in the debate.
It appears that, in the course of a discussion upon the
ecclesiastical revenues of Ireland, Lord John Russell,
who is the organ of the Government in the House of
Commons, spoke of the Roman Catholic Church in a
manner which could not fail to be most offensive to the
members of that communion. His lordship described,
not individual members of the Roman Catholic Church,
but that Church itself "under the direction of its head,"
as hostile to free institutions and disloyal to civil govern-
ments, and therefore the qualification which his lordship
added to his censure could not apply to any who, like
myself, are in deep and thorough unity of sentiment and
spirit with that Church and its head.
No other Minister expressed dissent from the opinions
of his lordship ; they have therefore gone forth as the
opinions of the Government ; and of a Government
publicly professing such opinions I cannot with honour
remain a member.
Of the votes given upon the question before the House
I do not complain ; but sentiments so thoroughiy hostile
to the civil equality of the communion to which I belong
I cannot pass by.
Acknowledging. therefore, as I am on many accounts
bound to do, the great and consistent liberality of your
lordship, and of many members of your Government,
and the great personal kindness which I have received
at your hands and at theirs, I beg respectfully to tender
my resignation of the office which your lordship has
hitherto thought me worthy to fill.—l am, my lord, your
obliged and faithful servant,
To the Earl Of Aberdeen. WILLIAM MONSELL.

LORD ABERDEEN TO MR. MONSELL,

Downing-street, June 3, 1853.

My dear Sir,—lt is with much concern that T have
received your letter, in which you tender your resigna-
tion in consequence of the proceedings which took place
in the House of Commons on Tuesday last.
I have to inform you that, while the vote on that oc-
casion had the sanction of the Government, the reasons
for that vote given by Lord John Russell, and the senti-
ments of which you complain, are not shared by me nor
by many of my colleagues. I wish this to be distinctly
understood, as I might otherwise be justly charged with
a departure from those feelings which, both in and out
of office, I have held and still hold with regard to the
Roman Catholic body, and the open avowal of which
had appeared to several Roman Catholic gentlemen to
justify them in accepting office under the Government.
Words spoken in the heat of debate are liable to be
misapprehended, and Lord John Russell desires me to
say he did not impute want of loyalty to the Roman
Catholics, and that he expressly said that political and
social equality ought to be maintained.
I have made a similar communication to Mr. Keogh
and Mr. Sadleir ; and after this explanation I confidently
trust that you will not persevere in an intention which
would be to me the cause of sincere regret.
I have the honour to be, my dear sir,
Very truly yours,
W. Monsell, Esq. ABERDEEN.