The Sun.
London, England, 1824-12-25 00:00:00

[TII E TIMES.]

The hatchings of the Cabinet on the affairs of
Ireland, which we hinted at not manys days ago,
have even thus early burst into life. O'Connel

has been arrested, and held to bail, for " sedi-
tious words !" as the Dublin newspapers of
Tuesday and Wednesday last informs us. And

what are the seditious words ?—that 46 If the
44 Irish should ever (which he trusted would not
46 happen), but if the Irish should ever be
44 driven mad by persecution,—why then he
44 hoped that some new Bolivar might be found,
" and that the spirit of the Greeks and of
44 the South Americans might animate the
" people of Ireland." And this is sedition ?
for this hypothetical effusion, and extempore
speaker in a public assembly under what is called
a free constitution, is to be a►tacked by the King's
Attorney-General, and prosecuted as if his de-
signs were to overthrow the State. We have read
the imputed words thrice over : we see nothing
in their fair meaning which an honest man may
not adopt to the letter. If O'Connell be seditious
for expressing his hope that should Ireland be
driven mud ky persecution, she may find a pa-
triot to deliver her, then are we his fellows in se-
dition ; for we have the same specific hope for Ire-
land, IF she be persecuted, for England, iv she be
oppressed—for all mankind, in every region of
the world, and in every age, to the remotest

posterity. It is the native prayer of all English-
men, that oppression, where it does exist, may
be opposed and punished. So far as politics
went, it was the religion of our forefathers.
What is Bolivar but the Washington of the
nineteenth century ? What was William
in principle, but the Bolivar of the seventeenth
Resistance to lawless power was the characteris•
tic glory of them all. bo the Law Officers of
the Crown in Ireland dream of getting any but
an Orange jury to convict a British subject for
words like those ascribed to Mr. O'Connell?

Mr. Plunkett, indeed, knows of what materials
such juries are composed, and so far his confi-
dence may not have been rashly placed in them.
But, good Ileaven ? will he descend so low as
to make the authors of his own wrongs his

instruments of vengeance against others ? The
words reported are, as we have said, what no
virtuous and intepigent Jury can convict upon
—they are such As no man ho has read the
history of the British Constitution, or 'v ho is
animated by its spirit or principles, need dis-
avow ; and yet, strange to say, they are de-
clared by Mr. O'Connell to ,have been a gross
misrepresentation of his language, and he has ac-
cordingly instituted a prosecution az:dust the
Editor of the Paper in which thenvere, we
believe, exclusively reported. However, let
U 5 grant the illegality of these expressions--
that a Jury should be found to bring in
a verdict of guilty—and that some Lord
Norbury should, in the excess of his mach-
fulness over the public safety, sentence Mr.
O'Connell to the almost inconceivable rigour for
such an offence, of 21 hours' imprisonment, and
a fine of 40s. We ask any person in his right
senses—even granting the law to be with the At-
torney-General—what is the policy of a prosecu-
tion like this ? O'Connell, a chief of the rabble
—a politician distrusted by nine-tenths of the
Catholic Gentry for his shallowness and indis-
cretion—a man losing ground from day to day
in the opinion of every one capable of forming
an opinion,--who must have talked and tumbled
himself into utter insignificance at last,—this very
common personage is lifted bodily, by the act of
the Government itself, which ought to have
looked on and laughed at him, into a hero and a
martyr! Do they want to deaden his already
half paralyzed activity ? This gratuitous and
egregious prosecution will quicken every pulse
within him, and add another age to O'Connell's
exertions as a demagogue. Is it thus the Go.
vernment seek to seduce the lower orders from
this scarecrow—to relax their admiration of him
—to leave him no remnant of moral or political
power ? 0f course, if Mr, O'Connell so employs
his opportunity, he may defend himself in a man-
ner which wiiuld effect some public good.
lie may explain his own politics (if he have
any settled politics)—he may defend and
justify the Association, stating what is the real
object of its leaders (provided they have any
definitive objects)—he may
minds of the People ofEngland,and undo part of the
pro-
dwced. But thus tranquillize the
mischief which his previous intemperance has
those enjoyments of self-love which a fresh display
this is 'hardly to be expected from
one who must, by acting a sober part, forego all
violence maadn
y umster to an appetite
of tawdry v• . •
insatiable of vulgar adoration. The sum is 7
that the Government, by this sort of peevish
revived an hundred chances of evil
swighoicuhr,Wlfaerse
in hourly progress towards extinc-
tion. It lmaa recrowned a falling Monarch—it
has
to the honour of martyrdom, with-
out on him the slightest of its pains• The
measure is at once harsh, imbecile, and
raised
inflictinghim
only not
odious because ridicnious. If this be the com-
mencement of a system of energy-...a specimen of
the spirit which presided over the fate Ministerial
incuhations—if this be the first chick that breaks
the egg-shell, what, in the name, of wonder, will
be the rest of the brood ?

MELAND.--(POPERY.)

( From the Dublin Evening Post of Tuesday.)
ARREST OF Al R. O'CONNELL.

The town has been thrown into tT state of agi-
tation, on learning, this morning, the circumstances detailed in
the following paragraphs. We do think, for our own part, that
much greater stress has been laid on this circumstance than it
merits. It appears that certain words are imputed to Mr.
O'Connell, as having been uttered by that Gentleman in the
Catholic Association. We believe that all the public Journals
have given different versions of these words—and we doubt
whether any of the reports are accurate. At all events, the
speech of Mr. O'Connell must, we certainly should think, be
taken as a whole—and really it would be very difficult for the
informer in this case, whoever he may be, to prove that Mr.
O'Connell's speech was seditious. The truth is, that if he had
even shewed a disposition of the kind imputed to him,.he would
not find an auditory to listen to him. Whatever may be said
of the Association, it must be allowed it has been hitherto con-
ducted with matchless prudence, and it would be injustice to
Mr. O'Connell to deny that he has not been, on all occasions,
the advocate of this cautious policy, as well indeed as of the
Government of Lord Wellesley. Those persons, at all events,
we are quite certain, will be disappointed who augur, from
this circumstance, any change in the principles or firmness,
justice, and moderation, which have, heretofore, distinguished
the Government of the Lord Lieutenant.

At about half-past five o'clock yesterday evening, as Mr.
O'Connell had just returned from the Committee of the Catholic
Association, where a great deal of business had been transacted,
Alderman burley and Mr. Farrell, the constable of police, were
ushered into his study. After the usual salutation, the Alder-
man said, that he came in his official capacity, to save Mr.
O'Connell die trouble of attending at the Police Office, to enter
into a recognizance to appear at the next Sessions, which lie
-was directed by the Attorney-General to call on Mr. O'Connell
to enter into.

Mr. O'CoNItELL—Upon what charge, Mr. Alderman ?
Alderman DARLEY—Upon a charge of having spoken sedi-
tious words at the last meeting of the Catholic Association.
Mr. O'CcnorELL—What words am I charged with having
spoken ?
Alderman DAnLEY—I am not at liberty to inform you ; you
must apply to the Attorney. General.
Mr. O'CONNELL—CaII I even know the name of the
informer ?

Alderman DARLEY—i am not at liberty to tell you ; you
must apply to a higher quarter; I come merely to inform you,
that legal documents have been laid before me, that entitle me
to require from you a recognizance to appear at the next Ses-
sions. I wish to give you the least possible trouble. I have
come to your own house for that purpose, and I will take your
own recognizance without requiring any person to join you.
Mr. O'CoxN ELL—Then, Mr. Alderman, I submit at once.
I will enter into the recognizance as I am not to know for what ;
and I am bound to say, that you have done your part with
perfect politeness and civility.
The Alderman then produced a recognizance, conditioned
to appear at the ensuing Quarter-Sessions, to commence the 2d
Or 3,1 of January, we do not know which. This recognizance
Mr. O'Connell executed, but said, " Why, Mr. Alderman,
this directly interferes with my intended journey to England ;
could you not take it, as there are as yet no bills found, for the
Sessions after next, or for the Term."
Alderman Dit aLE Ir .4 have no discretion upon that subject;
upon that, also, you must apply to the Attorney-General.
.Mr. O'CONNELL--(Smiling), there is one thing you'll ad-
mit, Mr. Alderman, that the Attorney-General will have no
difficulty in getting a Grand Jury to- find any bills he pleases
against me.
The Alderman made no reply ; but he and Mr. O'Connell
shook bands and parted.

HEAD OFFICE.—This day several 'of the Reporters for
the Morning Papers received notices to attend at the Police-
office, Palace-street, to give testimony as to the words used by
Mr. O'Connell at the late meeting of the Association.
Mr. Vousden, Reporter for the Morising Post, was called in
and questioned by Alderman Darley, as to whether he was pre-
sent at the Meeting in question ?—Mr. Vousden admitted that
he was present. The Alderman then questioned him as to the
precise words made use of on that day in reference to Bolivar
and South America. 'Mr. Vouiden replied, that he had not
his notes by him; that he had no accurate recollection on the
subject; and that, even if he had, he did not thing that the
Press was the medium through which the business of a common
informer was to be transacted.
Mr. Vousden was then asked if Mr. Charles O'Flaherty was
present ? Mr. Vousden replied, that he was. The Magistrate
then asked, if he was present at the period Mr. O'Connell spoke
of Bolivar ? Mr. Vousden replied, that be did not know ; that
Mr. O'Flaherty was quite competent to answer for himself, and
that he supposed he would, in courtesy to the Magistrates, at-
tend on the letter which the Magistrates addressed to him.
Mr. Vousden then withdrew-
Mr..Y. H. Leech, Mr. llaydn, and his Reporter, Mr. Byrne,
011hirc.
eStroince,tahnedr. another Gentleman of the Bar, then entered the
The Magistrate asked Mr. Brie if he were summoned ? To
which Mr. Brie replied in the negative.
Alderman Dan Y —This is a private information, and it
is requested that every one not summoned may withdraw.
Mr. Haydn was asked if he were summoned, or the Gentle-
men who accompanied him ? Mr. Haydn replied in the nega-
tive, and that one of the Gentlemen was a Barrister, who at-
tended on his behalf, and the other his reporter. Mr. Haydn
further remarked that he came .there to protest against his re-
porter giving any information whatever on the subject, or in
any manner being accessary to the purpose of the Attorney-
General. Mr. Haydn, his reporter, and the Barrister (whose
name we did not learn) then withdrew.
Mr. J. N. Leech, reporter to the Freeman's Journal, and
Mr. Elrington, reporter to Saunders's News Letter,
if h remained
in the room.—Mr. Leech was asked by . Graves e at-
tended the Meeting of the Association on Saturday last? Mr.
Leech replied in the negative.
Alderman PARLEY —The Meeting on Thursday, we mean.
Mr. Leech—Yes, l attended the Meeting on Thursday.
Alderman DAR LEY.—DO you recollect reporting the speech
of Mr. O'Connell ?
Mr. Leech—Mr. O'Connell made several speechei.
Alderman DA It LEY—The speech about South America anti
Bolivar I allude to.
Mr. Leeth—That speech did not appear in the Freeman's
Journal.
Alderman DA IILE Y—That is not the question I asked you.
What I desire to know is, Alid you take notes of that part of
the speech respecting_South America ?
Mr. Leech—l really cannot sav whether I did or not, with.
out referring to my note-book, which I have not got about me.
Alderman DAItLEY.—I see the gentlemen of the press have
no disposition to give us any information on this suhject, and,
if we should think it necessary to examine them more fully, we
shall resort to the usual legal method. Turning to Mr. Elring-
ton, die Magistrate then said, "Mr. Elrington, it is not neces.
sary to examine you in this stage of the business."
Mr. Charles O'Flaherty, Reporter for the Morning Post,
was questioned as to the report that appeared in that paper—lie
said the words as reported in that paper were substantively cor-
rect—the words having been repeated to him, he replied, they
were the same as reported in the Morning Post (one of the
Magistrates took down the words alluded to) and that he was
the person who reported the proceedings.
Air. P. D. Hardy, of the Irish Times, and Mr. Elrington, of
Saunders's News Letter, were subsequently examined, but the
result of their testimony has not transpired.

( From the Morning Register of Tneploe.)
SECOND EDITION.—Mr. O'CONNhI,I4.
The seditious" words imputed to Mr. O'Connell appeared
in Saanders's News Letter. They are foul misrepresentations
of the real expressions used by he Learned Gentleman, and
we are this instant informed that he has caused a writ to be
served on the Editor of the Paper.

(Front the Morning Register of Wednesday.)
THE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.
•
We have just learned, that summonses have been issued by.
the Magistrates of the Head Police-Oilice, and served upon the
reporters of several of the Morning'Papers; requiring .them to
appear at twelve o'clock this day,.to be examined " touching
the proceedings of the Catholic Association," on the 16th of
December inst. The summonses further require, that the re-
porters shall bring with them their notes of the several speeches
made at the Association on that day.
It is a curious circumstance that summonses have been is-
sued and served on the several Reporters of all the:Morning
Papers of Dublin except one. And what paper is that ? Why,
the 'paper, that has been distinguished above all others for
giving the most laborious and ample proceedings of the Asso-
c.iation, the Morning Register, and which has actually four
Reporters in attendance on the memorable 16th of December.
_ _ _

•
(From the Dublin Freeman's
'CONNEL Journal
of IVednesday.)
MR. OL.
Mr. O'Connell was held to bail on Monday evening, to an.
swer a charge of having uttered seditious expressions at tile
Catholic Association. The prosecution is instituted by the
Attorney-General, and the Chief Magistrate of Police, Alder.
man parley, was the person to whoin the duty of placing Mr.
O'Connell under recognizences was confided. Nobody could
have discharged it in a more correct or gentlemanlike manner.
The particulars are given elsewhere.
It is understood that this prnceeding has taken place in con-
sequence of a particular allusion to Bolivar, said to have been

made by Mr. O'Connell, at the meeting of the Association on
Thursday last. The reports of the speech in which the allusion
was contained are at variance with each other, and the accuracy
of the whole has been questioned. That upon which the pro-
secution is said to hinge (namely, Saunders's Report) has been
in an-especial manner impugned. It is possible, theretbre, that
the exact words of Mr. O'Connell have not been given to the
public at all. When we recollect the disadvantages under
which reports are taken at crowded public meetings—the haste
with which they are afterwards transcribed for the printers of a
Morning Newspaper—and the very different bearing which
changes, apparently every minute, in the form of expression,
will give to the sentiments of an orator, this conjecture does
not seem at all unreasonable or unlikely.
But even if the accuracy of the report, which is said to be re-
ied upon, were proved (notes of admiration and all, for &wide, s
introduced no less than seven of those expressive marks) we con-
fess we should be at a loss to discover the sedition, taking
ithe
report as a whole—the only fair and legal way of taking t—
with its numerous saving clauses. It is right, however, we
should add, that the Morning Reg,ister declares this report to
be "a foul misrepresentation:'
The occurrence has created a great sensation in town--and one
which will be felt all over the country, to its remotest extrem
ties. Yet it is not an event to which we attach much
ance. Who that knows Mr. O'Connell can for a moment sup-
pose that he could intend to utter seditious language--and por-
t-
is is there a better judge of' what is, and what is not, a violation,
of law ? import-

THE MISSION TO ENGLAND.
The Deputation to England from the Irish Catholic Associa-
tion have received a very pressing letter from the Secretaries of
the Preston Catholic Association, inviting them to visit that
town, which contains 11,000 Catholics in a population of 30,000
persons.—(Dublin Freeman's Joni an!.)
ROBBERY OF ARMS—QUEEN'S COUNTY.
On Friday night last, seven or eight men armed, with their
faces blackened, broke into the house of Mr. Robert Burnett, of
Fisherstown, by the rear, and forced the servants into the front
parlour, where Air. and Airs. Burnett were, in which they shut
them all up, and proceeded up stairs to his bed-cilain tier, where
they took one rnusipet, two eases of pistols, two swords, and a
powder-horn ; and after searching another room, where
departed
without offering any violence—demanding or taking off any
other article whatsoever. It is much to be regretted that such
an outrage should commence in this hitherto peaceable county.
—(Freeman': Journal.)
CATHOLIC RENT.
The rent, it is now universally admitted, by the enemies,
as well as the friends of that measure, is likely to prove amost
powerful instrument in effecting the legitimate objects of
the Association. The greatest attention is therefore given to its
extension. The Finance Committee sits daily for this pur-
pose, at Coyne's, in Capel-street, and Mr. O'Connell, amidst
his multifarious pursuits, devotes two hours every day to the
details of this measure. It is his opinion, and that of the is
Committee, that one-fifth of Ireland is not yet put in a
course of contribution. The collection for the month of No-
vember, exceeded 3,0001., which is at the rate of 36,0001. a
year. A cotemporary in this city? some time since, cor.tem-
plated this amount of contribution with excessive alarm—
an alarm re-echoed by the Courier; but viewing with satisfac-
tion the legal and constitutional objects, to which the rent is
intended to be applicable, we have the gratification to stt"
consider it highly probable its annual amount will reach
150,0001. a-year.—( Cork Southern Reporter.)
-

RUBBERY OF TUE STIRLING BANK.—Saturd4y
night last the Stirling coach was robbed of a bane.
bug, containing money to a considerable amout.
—The robbery must have been effected voth
great dexterity, us the bag was deposited
the box immediately under the feet of shit
guard, who is never at any time above a minute
or two absent from it. The police are on
the alert in various directions, in search of the
thieves. The following account of the appre-
hension of the robbers is from a private letter,
dated York, Dec. 21 :—" A few minutes 'before
we left Newcastle, say two o'clock, a chaise and
four arrived from the south. From its speed se-
veral people flocked round, and 1 recognized
in the inside a friend, Mr. E., of the 1304
of Scotland, in Edinburgh. My imagination
was immediately exerted, and I had only time
to put a few queries, of which the first was,
" Where did you get him ? He informed me at
bed.: At t2otw noliloe'scloncokrthwardof Yo
yesterday, the robbers
in liis
had the honest audacity, to the utter astonishment
of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, to pay Smith,
the stabler, 401. for the gig they had destroyed
on Saturday. There is no doubt now this
‘v as to
save pursuit of the principal, who had quietly, as
he thought, dropt Thirsk, probably to proceed
across to Liverpool, or some other port. The
Bank of Scotland have lost 2,5001. by
stolen

no) es."
On Thursday afternoon, Fore-street, Lime-
house, and indeed the whole neighbourhood, was
completely inundated by the sudden rising of the
spring-tides. The water at one time was four
feet deep in the streets, and the cellars of the
houses were completely deluged ; much damage
was done, but we are happy to say that no lives
were lost.

Ships at Market.
58 Newcastle
11} Sunderland

Price.
29s Od to Siis !)4.1
29s 6d to 40i J

i