The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-15 00:00:00

THE CHURCH.

(From the Dublin Evening Mail of Wednesday.)

We extract from the columns of the Derry journal

(a Whig paper), in which they have appeared exclu-
sively, the following documents—the one a letter from
Lord Wellesley, addressed to his Grace the Primate—
the other a reply from Lord Duncannon to his Excel-
lency the Lord Lieutenant.
Not being aware of the specific representation made
by the Archbishops and Bishops, or with what view
that representation was submitted to the government,
we are unable to offer any comment upon the comes•
pondence

" Phoenix Park, Nov. 4, 1834.
" MY LORD PRIMATE,—Your Grace may be assured
hat I have received the representation of the Archbishops
and Bishops transmitted by your Grace with every sen-
timent of respect, which so high an authority demands
from me.

" His Majesty's government has not been insensible to
the difficulties and embarrassments in which the Clergy of
Ireland must be involved at this period of time, unless some
arrangement had previously been made by law, for the final
settlement- of the question of tithe. Accordingly, after
having proceeded for the immediate relief of the Clergy by
a temporary loan of one million sterling, a Bill was intro-
duced into Parliament under the direction of Government,
for the permanent relief of that body ; by which, in the
first place, such of the Clergy as had availed themselves of
the temporary loan of one million sterling, were absolved
altogether from their debt to the Crown, accruing on the
Ist of November, 1834.
" The payment of the first instalment was charged on the
landowners, but was postponed by that Bill until the Ist of
November, 1835.
" The unappropriated surplus of the sum of one million,
which was calculated to amount to 300,000/., was rendered
applicable to the payment of arrears of tithe or composition
still due to the Clergy for the years 1831, 2, and 3, and
such of the Clergy as might take relief from this source,
were to be, in the same manner, absolved from re-payment
to the Crown, and the debt was to be charged on the own-
ers of the first estates of inheritance in the land.
" The Crown was then charged with the collection,both
of rent charges and instalments, and ample security was
given to the Clergy throughout Ireland for receiving 77/.,
10 per cent. on the amount of the composition due to each.
" Your Grace will observe that, under this plan, an ar-
rangemept was contemplated for the final settlement of the
loan of a million advanced to the Clergy, without any fur-
ther pressure for re-payment. Thus his Majesty's Govern-
ment has manifested the most sincere desire, not may to re-
lieve the Clergy of Ireland from all immediate distress, but
to provide effectually for the interests of that body, by an
equitable and permanent arrangement.
" The failure of this arrangement for the present has
produced all the difficulties which were foreseen, and which
have been most deeply lamented by his Majesty's Govern-
ment, more especially because these embarrassments are
now beyond the reach of any immediate remedy.
" The Act of 3 and 4 Wm. IV. cap. 100, is imperative
with respect to the repayment of the instalment due on the
Ist November, 1.834, nor is it in the power of the officers
of the Crown (without the authority of a new law) to re-
lieve the parties'affected by the law now in force. The
time and mode of requiring this repayment, has been the
subject of communication between this Government and
the Government in England, and. I will direct the Chief
Secretary in a few days to communicate to your Grace the
instructions which have been received from the Treasury on
those points.
" Your Grace cannot doubt that I will submit the repre-
sentation of the Archbishops and Bishops to his Majesty's
Government without delay. lam persuaded that the samo
anxious solicitude for the relief of the clergy of Ireland
which I have expressed, will prevail in the King's Councils
in England ; but I am grieved to add sny apprehension that
no effectual remedy can, at the present moment, be pro-
vided for this evil. I earnestly, trust, however, that on the
meeting of Parliament, all parties will unite in a calm, dis-
pasionate, and steady endeavour to effect the final settle-
ment of a question, every branch of which is now so clearly
traced, that no reasonable obstacle can arise to obstruct a
fair and impartial discussion, and a just and equitable de-
cision of all its details. Until such a decision shall be
established by law, no peace, nor order, nor prosperity can
be expected in Ireland ; and, above all, no effectual pro-
tection can be given to the permanent security, dignity,
and happiness of the clergy. It is no less a high obliga-
tion of duty towards my Sovereign and my country, than a
sincere and deeply rooted sense of affection and grateful
attachment, which renders me desirous of promoting the
true interests and welfare of the clergy. This principle
has been, and ever will be, the fixed rule of my conduct by
which all the measures of my Government must be con-
stantly guided ; and it is my earnest request to your Grace,
that you will be pleased to communicate this declaration to
the Archbishops and Bishops who have signed the repre-
sentation presented to me by your Grace.
" I have the honour to be, &c.,
" WELLESLEY."

"Whitehall, November 3, 1834.

" MY LORD—I have had the honour to receive a letter
from the Chief Secretary for Ireland, by your Excellency's
directions, conveying to me the resolutions of the Prelates of
Ireland, and I can only observe, that, howevei• anxious his
Majesty's Government may be for the best interests of the
Church, and however deeply they may feel for the distresses
and embarrassment of a portion of the clergy, they cannot
reproach themselves, if the expectations ;wader which tha
Prelates state the loan to have been accepted, have not
been realized—his Majesty's Government having in the
last session unsuccessfully proposed to Parliament, a Biil
which, in their opinion, tended to the restoration of order
and obedience to the laws, which would have made an
equitable arrangement for the composition of tithes, and
have relieved the clergy from the repayment of the loan. I
can only refer your Excellency to the Provisions of the Act
j of Parliament (3 and 4 Wm. IV. cap. 100, sec. 19,) which

rendered the demand of re-payment, on the part of the
Treasury, imperative.--I am, with great truth and respect,
my Lord, your Excellency's most obedient servant,
( Signed) " DUNCANNON.
" His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, K.G., &c. &c."