The Sun.
London, England, 1820-06-09 00:00:00

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AGGREGATE CATHOLIC MEETING.

(From the Hibernian Journal of the Ist inst.)
Thursday ',sift, an Aggregate Meeting of the
Roma%
Catholics of Ireland was held at the Me-
tropolitan Charl, in Liffey-street, for the avowed
purpose of, petitioning Parliament for a repeal of
the remaining restrictions affecting that body.
At two o'clock the Chapel was crowded almost
to suffocation ; and shortly after Sir EDWARD BEL-
E.Sw wag called to the Chair.
Mr. O'GoRMAN apolo4ized for the absence of
Lord Fingal, who was detained in Wales in con-
scgtiNice of en accident which betel his son-in-
The CHAIRMAN then rated the object of the
Netting, and req,kested that every gentlernin who
should he inclined to deliver his sentimeots woold
be heard wi!ts impartiality, and entreated of the
speakers 1.• coo-Ili:a themselves solely to the Ties-
tion before them, atid tp,t by iiilrtyducitig extra-
peons matter, ititte the cause of Catholic EIII4H-

cipation.
Mr. O'Goustssr Announced to the Meeting that
he had received a letter from Lord Ir'ingal, swing
had presented the Addiess of :he Catholics
to Ireland to his Majesty, wio was pleased to
receive the saint in the most gracious manner ;
upon w hich a vote of thanks was pissed to his
Lordship, for 1114 constant exertions in the cause
ot Catholic freedom ; and a siniilnr vote of thanks
was returned to Mr. O'Gorman, for o,e efficient
!inte=r in which he discharged the duties of Se-
cret,' y to the Cusliolits of lieland'.
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL then proposed the fol-
lowing fiesolotion :
" .1 hat it is the undoubted right, as it is the
first duty of rnan to worship his God, according
to the dictates of his conscience."
Mr. ENRAS NI. DONNELL seconded this resolu-
tion. He had been asked since he came to the
mreting if there was not a petition already in ex-
istence, and toonerously signed? to which he
should aoswer in the affitmative; but the petitiou
alluded to had been ptepared for a former Parlia-
ment, and to a different Executive Authority.
The petition, which would now be read to the
Pteetiog, was intended to be presented to a new
"Parliament, and to a new King, end was there-
fore rendered necessary at the present period.
He could not but augur the best consequences
from the early predilection of his Majesty to-
wroth Leland, and it was impossible that the
pupil of the great Fox, the fellow-student
of Grey, with Moira for his monitor, and
Sio•ridan for his friend, could be (Abet wise than
favourably dispos-d towards the Catholics of Ire-
land. Alt er emone rating the many virtues which
adorned the character of 'he late Doke of Kent,
end tidying a high compliment to the Duke of
Sussex, for his sentiments on the Catholic Claims.,
which he had an opportunity of learoing from the
lips of the Royal Duke himself, Mr. M'Donnell
%veto on to thew that the cause of Catholic freedom
bad gained ground from a continued discussion in
Parliatuettt ; that the prejudices of the Protestants
in both countries were nearly removed ; that the
great families in England and behold were become
converts to the peaceable demeanour of the Catbo-
bet= ; that Catholic States on the Continent had
emancipated their Protestant Subjects, and conclud-
ed by expressing his conviction that the day was,
not tar distant when all their hopes would be
•realised 8 complete emancipation of the Irish
Erman Catholics.
The resolution having been put and carried, Mr.
NltmoLas MAHoS rose for the purpose annoying
the second resolution. He eulogised the conduct'
of Lord Fingal, and contended that the Catholics
of Ireland deserved far better treatment than the
contintiance of those fetters which bound anti
gall,d them. He trusted that an end would be
put to all those distinctions which rendered the
Catholics a separate body, and that the. State
would shortly have the benefit of their undivided

energies.
" That the political conduct of the Catholics of
Ireland has been uniformly loyal and peaceable,
and has repeate,lly obtained the approving testi-
mony of the three estates of
.Putlnsolent." '
The next Resolution was moved by Mr. RAN'.
DALL 'Dos NELL., who animmiverted with much
acrimony on the Corporation of Dublin for.anti-
cipating the Catholic Petiti,:n by their systematic
oppost ion. They may be called the Corporation
of Dublin, which was a high.sounding name else-
u here, but who were they ;+ Men of no weight,
of no con•equence, and whose proceedings were
the suhject of mirth and laughter. He merely
noticed their interference, to join in the ridicule
which they had brought upon themselves.
The Resolution which was as follows, was
then put and carried
" That the Catholics of Ireland contribute
their full proportion to the support of this realm,
and in return for such services are well entitled
to claim equal rights with mhers of his Majesty's

subjects.
This Resolution having been carried, Mr. Cop- ,
riNG,I.7,R proposed the next in rotation. In doing
so, Mr. Coppinger said that he could not help ani-
madverting upon that bondage which still oppressed
and degraded t lie Catholics of Ireland. It was in vain
to eery that they Were' a degraded race, as they
may be fairly called aliens in their native land. it
was in vain for their enemies to assert that the Ca-
tholics of Ireland- had a right to be contented
vii,h the concessions granted them in 1793; they
were not, and they ought not to he contented
with such trifling favours—favours he could. not
call them, but joit tights. He denied the exist-
ew.e of that freedom, which was alleged to be
the boast of Englishmen, while himself and
countrymen were deprived of the privileges
which belonged to their birth-right. When he
looked around the Continent of Europe, and
saw in every direction Catholic Monarchs
granting freedom and political- privileges to their
la I otestilot subjecis-..-when be saw Prottstaut Hun-
gary, Catholic Bavaria, and last of all, Catho-
lic Spain granting freedom to all classes, how
could be concede the palm of liberality to Eng-
land! 1 Ages of exclusion and persecution had
the"ltish Catholics suffered, unmeritedlii and he
tear tree to confess, that from the view he bad
.toltrir of the foeseat prospect of affairs, he had
now to expect from the generosity or the
justice of .4.13 c Atitisla Legislature. whci, its rc

fleeted on the manner in which Their last .Peti- 71
tion bad been treated by Parliament, who
re-
jected it with contumely, withont deeming it
even worthy of going into a Committee on its
merits, be confessed he had nothing to hope
from the result of their present application. When
he reflected, too, on the manner in which their
venerated Catholic Prelates had been insulted in
the House of Lords, orlon whom a foul libel was
pronounced by a person who had been raised to
the highest dignity of the Peerage by the flow 'of
Caiholic blood, he was still more inclined to ex-
pect a further contiouance of their ilegradation-;
he meant the Doke of Wellington..--(Lood and
continued hisses and disapprobation.)—He should
• speak his mind, although he regretted that the
greatest military hero of the day should be found
the object of censure. This person had said like-
wise that the Irish nation was a conquered coup-
try. This modem advocate of itvolerance--•his
modern champion of Orangeisim--
Sir EDWARD BELLE.W here tose, in the midst of
great tumult and uproar, and as soon as he could
command a (tearing, observer!, that he had an ar-
duous duty to perform. He declarer! the Gentle-
man to he out of order, and begged of him to
confine his °hies vations to the object for which
they had assembled ; a contrary coarse would only
injure their cause. He could not see what the
conduct of the Duke of Wellington had to do
with the subject before them.
Mr. COPPINGER continued. He 11110111 d bow to
the Chair, but lie nevertheless thought it tight to
hold up the political conduct of the Duke of Wel-
ling, on the detestation of the Catholics of Ire-
lam'. The English Ministry were blind to the
interests of the Empire by the system of exclusion
in which they persevered respecting the Catholics;
and much as had been said to the contrary, he could
not give the manufacturer of that abhorred mea-
sure, the Union (Lord Castlereagh) the smallest
credit for liberality. He who could he found ca-
pable of battering his country's freedom did not
deserve the slightest respect from any portion of
his countrymen, and those who act with him in
the Ministry, could not, he feared, be relied on.
He had heard it said that the opinions of our pre-
sent Sovereign were inimical to Catholic Ematici-
pat ion ; he could not, however, credit the asser-
tion. as the whole tenor of his life, while Prince
of Wales, was at variance with such a supposition.
The divisions which unfortunately existed for the
last few years amongst the Catholic Body were
indeed a smalls of great mortification, and the
fatal resolutions of 1812, might have a bad effect
on the mind of George the Fourth.
The CHAIRMAN here again interfered, and re-
quested that no extraneous topics should be intro-
duced. He was sorry to interrupt the Gentleman
so often, but he felt it his duty to remind him that

he was not strictly in order.
Mr. COPPINGER resumed, by declaring that as
be bad met with such frequent interruptions, be
should not trouble the meeting much longer. He
then took a view of the conduct of the Catholics
for the last 2.5 years, contending that their
loyalty, their bravery, and their nunn:ical strength
entitled then► to the full benefits et the Con•
stitution. He trusted, notwithstanding, that
whatever advantages they may acquire or possess,
they would never desert their prelateS, or barter
the religion of their forefathers, by subscribing
to any oaths at variance with their religious tenets.
It was indeed unnecessary, as the cause of six-
millions of men would ultimately triumph in spite
of every obstacle. After some further remarks,
this Gentleman concluded a speech of consider-
able warmth, of which the totegoing can only
convey an abstract merely of its substance, by
moving the following Resolution, which was se-
conded and passed :
" That there does not now exist any pretence
to justify, or t ten to palliate the con!inuance of
that Penal Code, which exclndes.us On account of
our religion, from the.participation of the Consti-
tution. The false and indignant imputations
which iuterested bigotry excited against us are
exposed and dikredited. The services we have
rendered to the State are known and acknow-
ledged. The great body of our, Proiestant knew.
subjects (to whom
.we owe and offer our most de-
voted gratitude) are favourable to our just claims,
and the hostility that is opposed to us rests upon
the unsocial intolerance of that unmitigated in•
fluence which was generated, and is still.tostered,
by the Penal Code•"
Mr.Tasvee, in a few words, by way of preface,
moved the following :--
" That we deem it a duty, at the commence-
tnent of a new Reign and a new Parliament, hum-
bly, but earnestly to seek relief from the oppres-
sive proviiion of that code ; and to solicit the
Legislature, as well in respect to the character of
this Empire among foreign States, as in justice to
so. numerous and so injured a body of faithful
subjects., to repeal those enactments which directly
tend to excite internal dissections, and to endanger
the security of the State, whilst they infringe pri-
vate rights, and degrade the national reputation."
Mr. O'CortNet.t., in seconding the Resolution,
was fearful that the opinion entertained by many
persons of this being the last. time of the Catho-
lics having an occasion to petition was chimerical
and unfounded. His own opinion was, that there
was little probability of the honest demands of
five-sixths,.nay, he would say nine-tenths of the
people of Ireland, being attended to with ;.effect
by the English Ministry ; but, at the same time,
he was not averse to the experiment of trying an-
other Petition, and, in the event of its failure, he
should never, as an individual, again come for-
ward to petition ; and he would advise the Ca-
tl►olic population of Ireland never more to
petition, unless some unhooked fur. event,
some unforeseen revutsion,_ rendered it absolutely
necessary. lie bail not the honour of that
personal knowledge of the two Royal Dukes
boas led of by his friend Mr.-E. M.‘Donnell; he
kt►egt no Duke but an Itish Duke, and that was
the Duke of Leinster ; but he fully concurred in
every thing that had been said in their eulogy, and
be regretted that the Catholic Aristocracy of Ire-
land bad not before now assembled to address the
widow ,of that Royal Duke who had been all his
life so friendly to their claims (Kent.) It had been
said that the Irish Catholics were relieved front
many disabilities during the late reign; and with
this assertion he entirely concurred. At the com-
mencer:teat of the reign of George the Third

the Catholics of Ireland groaned in liontlite;e, from
which they were afterwards no doubt relieved, but
under what civutnstances ? He contended that
the Catholics should thank Oreir own weight and
importance for any relief they got, and not from
any favourable disposition on the part of England,
to whom they were not indebted for a single favour.
Fen' I'6 years after the late King's accession they
pined in their sufferings, until at length in the year
1776, at the period of the American rebellion, as
it was edited, the first act was passed in their
favour. In 1778 when America was about to
establish her independence, when France was
leagued with her against Eogland, and Spain on
the eve of declaring war, another act was passed in
favour of the Irish Catholics ; they were then al-
lowed to take long leases, and to acquire property.
In 178; the third Act was passed as a bribe to the
Catholics to remain quiet, at a period when Ireland
was defenceless, and the Dutch and French fleets
rode triumphant in the British Channel ;• and
in
1793 the last Act was passed in their favour, by
which they got the right of franc;hi.e. Even this
latter was forced front the English Government,
by the effects of the French Revolution, and the
impression made on the public mind by the victories
of Durnoriez, who a short time previous had gained
the celebrated battle of Jemappe. All these cir-
ctonstences clearly she wed that the Irish Catho-
lics were more indebted to adventitious circum-
stances for the little they now enjoy, than to any
sense of justice on the part of the British Go-
vernment. Since 1793 what has been the sate
of the Catholics ? Year after year have they be-
sought their rulers to extend to them their just
privileges, and though they have constantly ex-
perienced nothing but mortifications and denials,
yet have t key remained loyal and peaceable. He
expected no better result front the present peti-
tion, nor would their hopes be realised until a
proper change was effected. In the event of their
petition being rejected in the present Session
of Parliament, the Catholics sho,ild be fit in,
and add their strength to the swelling chorus of
Reform, (or while the House of Commons re-
mained coostituted as it was at present, while the
Boroughmoneering Faction carried with it an un-
bounded sway, there was little to expect on the
scot eof liberality or justice. Taking these broad
views of the subject, it gave hitt, hut little unea-
siness what the poor, the pi!ittil Corporation of
Dublin could do ; their efforts were ridiculous,
even aided by the foolish writings of Sir Harcourt
Lees, who was himself a Priest and a Baronet.—
He had done him (Mr. O'Connell) the honour to
address to bin four letters, but if it was any satis-
faction to the Rev. Baronet, he could assure him.
that he had never read one of them. His friend
(Mr. Randall M'Donnell) had spoken truly of
this pitiful Corporation, for he was convinced
that he (Mr. M'Donnell) paid more into the Trea-
sury than the whole aggregate who formed their
Commons House. He would not follow the ex-
ample of his friend Mr. Coppinger, in speaking of
the Duke of Wellington, lest he should be checked
by the Chairman ; but he was not surprised at the
warm feelings of his young friend, deprived as he
bad been of 15001. per annum of his hereditary
property, of which his aucestors had been de-
spoiled. He knew that hishnsen and Irish Ca-
tholics had made the Duke of Wellington what
be now is, and a very bad return he made them for

doing so.
The CHAIRMAN requested Mr. O'Connell not
to fall into the same line of argument adopted by
Mr. Coppinger, aj his duty to the meeting with
respect to both was alike, and of course equal
impartiality should guide his conduct.
O'Corftsista. expressed his determination
to be guided by the decision of the Chairman.
He attributed the hostility with which the claims
of the Roman Catholics of Ireland had been
treated to a system which originated with Pitt,
and which still contioues to • afflict the country in
the persons of his disciples and advocates.—This
country bad suffered, severely suffered, by a system
of misrule, which at one time shook the Empire to,
its centre, and he trusted that any events which
could renew the disasters that formetly convulsed
the country would be carefully guarded against,
He should recommend putience to the Catholics,
in the event of another disappointment to • their
just claims, a virtue for which they had. been
long. remarkable. They-should be firm too, for
in the. end their • cause must surmount every diffi-
cully---they bad the ranks of reform open to them,
and by a-perseverance in so good a cause, with
the - additional importance which their great
weight and.. influence would add to it, the result
must be. glorious. Mr O'Connell here took a
view of the different • states on the Codtinent
which: have extended privileges to persons of all
religions ; he . instanced the Pope, who lately
.established. a Calvinist Church at Rome, and
the amity which subsisted between the British
King and the Sovereign Pontiff, whose picture
was expressly .painted for his Majesty. He re-
marked upon the late failures in Cot k, and the
general distress which-pervaded the country, the
strength of :which he contended would be con-
solidated by admitting - the Catholics to a full
participation of the benefits of the Constitution.
Ile commented upon the good con:luct of the
Catholics :during the last ye;tr, when the sister
Country was convulsed, and observed it was
fortunate, that even so humble an individual
as himself, had not offered an opinion on what
was there going on. Mr. O'Connell adduced se-
veral other arguments in favour of Catholic Eman-
cipation, and concluded a long speech, of which
we do not pretend to give more than a meagre
outline, by seconding the Resolution proposed by
Mr. Taaffe, nbicb having been put, was carried
unanimously.
The last Resolution was moved by Mr. Esmond,
brother of Sir Thomas Esmond, Bart. and se-
conded by Mr. Coppinger, seta. Its import was

" That we do petition Parliament to be ad 7
mitled to the full enjoyment of the Constittitioo,
and that the Earl of Donoughmore be retviested
to present our Petition to the House of Lords,
and that the Right Honourable Henry Grattan be
requested to present our Petition to the Honee of
Commons."

'rile Petition to both houses of Parliament was
then read by the Secretary, Air. O'Ciottntt4. It is

•
of Wrnsiclet\able length, aild.Mr.otOttieti
it as his production.
On the motion of Colonel it *as agreht
that the Petition now read should stand Its ihri
Petition of the Catholics Of Ireland--that it
referred to a Committee tnr revision, and after,.
wards transmitted as speedily as possible tO Ist
liament.
Mr. Joi; LAWLEISS thetamoved, Oat a C°ll/41
mittee, consistiug of the tcblowing perstins,
—Sir Edward Bellew, Messrs.. Randal i1I'Doli!
nell, Daniel O'Connell, John O'Connell, Iglch°‘
las Mahon, C. Donelan, N. P. O'Gornoll,
M'Cabe, John Lawless, Eneas Nl'Donorl, C°P;
pinger, and Garret Ddion, shmild be appou'le,i
to prepare an Address to the King, with (''';:;
to nominate a Deputatioti to present it to lila
jests in person;--which, on bring seconded 01
Mc; O'Connell, was carried.
Mr. Dlt.t.ors moved the thanks of the Nleerl
to the Pro(eslant Dissenters of Cockermou'h, I°l
their liberality, which was carried. It
couched as frallays
l•lint the cordial thanks of the CalhOliCgef
Ireland are doe, and hereby given to tit;
tant Dissenters of Cockermouth, for the I. it
sand enlightened sentiments expressed in tlici
Petition to Parliament on our bets alt.''
The Rev. Mr. L'ESTRANGR said, some I), r 4-10
io the gallery bad do eateued to write an antisVel
letter to Dr. Troy, for having given the L''° ht
for the use of that Meeting. lie Itieretore thooghl
it necessary that the subjoined Reactional sioo/1.
be unanimously passed ':—
" 'fbat the cot dial thanks of the Catholics
Ireland be presented to his Grace the Mnst
Dr. Troy, for his very kind concession of 111
Chapel for the use of this Met tiog," • .„11)
Mr. O'CoNNeLL sec,ntled this Resoltill'
which was passed by acclamation:
The following Resolution was also passed
td
"'That the thanks of the Catholics of l!'-'140;
are due, and hereby returned to N P. 01.30r10,1
Esq. for his faithful told honourable discl'ilJ
of the duties of his office as Secretasy.
:60
that be be, and is hereby requested to coots
the same."
Mr. O'GoRMAN wi•bed to say a few wort,-
parting. He did not despond so much as hisll
hied friends, on the subject of their claims
shorty conceded ;• he looked at the bright ailtept
; the picture. Since he came to the meeting
had received a communication which he w 44110
at liberty to disclose, but which induced o'lo
conclude that the Royal ear was not tinfavolirjoe
disposed towards the Catholics: he would goligis
titer and say, that, if they waited for six Wecoli
he haul no doubt that Catholic Emancipation 55')

---
be granted...--(Loud laughing ) 1111
Mr. O'CoN NE LL hoped the prophecy woolcvol
fulfilled, but be very much &wined the predicll
of the prophet.
Mr. RANDALL NP DONNELL SVB3 then Calle
the Chair, and the thaaits of the Catholictilio'
Ireland voted to Sir Bd‘vard Bellew, for hit pi
nified and proper conduct as Chairman
which the Meeting biohe up.