Star.
London, England, 1830-01-05 00:00:00

I was one of the thirteen members of the Finance Committee
who voted against that claim—my motives were these
ist. The claim was not brought before us until after we bad
soled away all the money in our treasury—that alone appears a
pretty conclusive reason against agreeing to the claim. Meanly
result of agreeing to it would be to displace or abate just debts and
claims, which had been already recognised and approved of by
the Committee.
94. It seemed to me, and to others, that the only motive Mr.
Francis Wyse could have in bringing forward Wedelns was tan-
sies an old exploded and refuted calumny. I, of course, endroly
acquit Mr. fibril of any participation in that mode*. He knight
forward the motioo,,as It appeared to me, reluctantly, and Uno-
pened b y his ties of kindred to Mr. Francis Wyse. No man is
more ready than I am to admit and declare that Mr. Shell is Inca-
pable of sullying that high station in public opinion to which he
has attained by his unrivalled genius and long-tried patriodun.,
3d.: The claim had no merits. The costs claimed were trek fo-
cused in defending the Catholic Association, or in supporting
the Catholic cause, or in any controversy with the orange radios,
or in the *Menton of any popular right :whatsoever. The shim
had not one particle of intrinsic merit to sustain it.
4th. On the contrary—the claim was surrounded with the Most
palpable demerits. The costs were incurred in defending OM
actions for defamation. or rather libel, brought against Mr. Fran-
cis Wyse, for imputing to three magistrates corrupt and profilist*
conduct.
sth. The charges thus made were totally unfounded in !fact.
Had they been true, Mr. Wyse might have pleaded the truth In bar
of the actions, which were civil actions and not criminal isro-
secutions, and if his charges were true, be would have foes
eatitled to a verdict and costs from his adversaries. ; It
'seemed to me that the funds of the Assoeledes meld have 4sees
misapplied it allocated to pay the cats ettbitedlog an tstsjstsf and
untrue charge.
6th. There was a verdict against Mr. Reads Wyse an Mao if
these actions, for £5OO damages. These damages were geseipsdp
forgives, and the other actions given up, upon the terms di ids
paying the costs merely. lie boasted before us that he bed
never retracted the charges. Thus he came before us on the one
band unable to assert the truth of his serious accusations a Inst
the plaintiffs, end on the other determined not to atone for his
error by the poor grace of retractatloo. He did, in good truth, ap-
pear to me toise a man making a claim without merit.
7th. It we had acceded to his claim, we would thereby have
become parties to, or at least have sanctioned, his slanders.—
' ref my 'past, I would not consent to be placed in that credi-
t; and I am humbly of opinion, that if the Finance
#* 'tee bad adopted his claim, they would have deserved
:no small share of reproach, and entailed deep discredit on the
Catholic body.
oth. Hot this is not all. The demerits of this claim were
still more apparent. All these cuts were wantonly and UMW
*sally 'bsevrred after the claimant had rejected the most can-
-110 Wats of sebitradon ; offers which it seems to m• to have
111111ilttle lees than insanity in him, circumstanced as he was,
• reilift• .
: I& The bets respecting the arbitration were these. There
was a Mr. Vitibellry,. at whose itiatanCe, or for whom benelitthe
iiiiistrafthviere• accused by diet:l.llmm of acting corruptly: He
metinieliesi Ter. Shell to propose to refer the satire nutter to
Ile. Shall, the near eels** of Mr. Wyse, and to me. Mr. Wyse
• now uys that he rejected • that offer from a want of conadenee
.IN is.. Let him have tie full beneSt of that sentiment,
darie
siepeciallY se I Watiti. not possibly hale attended to the arbi-
credits.. '
-' 116th. Thirkoffee being rejected, Mr. Fitsbenry came forward at
'tlisotiting of 'Keyes committee of the.. Catholic Assoclation.,—
riPere were about thirty:umbers present, or perhaps forty ; amongst
olthent Mr. Francis. Wyse. ' Mr. Fitsbenry addressed the committee
se some length." Hreetittilalned bitterly of the calumnies con-
tibid ill' Ille-Wilieslettar. He spidseleelingly.ofisis estimate of
'. , idlibmeme; sod then offend to leave the entire matter
ltiht4Mt . WO% itailitlitfts or team one, two, or three at
slum. Ibis male feasonable offer Mr. My" melt rejected.
11th. Mr. Fitsbenry then pressed Mr. Wyse yaiceept the übi.
nation. He said that be was' not Scquaintedyttb toe of the gen.
'iliiik•ii istektbtAit teal Wieritbe Mattes to awy of them. At this

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