The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-10-22


A petition from that Delegation. was presen'
ed to the Throne, graciousiy received, Ind for
lowed by his mAjesty's Recommendation 10 Par
Lament. at the commencement of the ensuing
session, which obtained for the Catholics the (
isctive franchise, and such other privileges as
they now enjoy
TO this period (the commencement of the
year 1889 il is manifest that Catholic Goa.
nittee and Catholic Deleg alton were known to.
and approved OF by, the Legislature. The jour
rails OF Parliament will make it evident, that, to
the very passing OF the Convention Act. the psin-
c'ples, conduct, and pesceable demeanor of tie
Catholics, were subject OF repeated panegyric
With the confidential servants OF the crown, and
often contrasted With those If other bodies, then
giving much uneasiness TO government. MIR.
Perry, now Lord Limerick (good snthority for
any admission favorable to Cslholicsl WAS lavish
in his praise of the Catholic Committee, assign
ing its good conduct as his chief motive for sup
porting the Bill OF 1898.
Delegations of another nature, about this
time, were formed by volunteer corps, almost
entirely Professionals, to celebrate the retreat of
the Duke Of Bruns wick, and the success OF the
French arms. The society Of United Irshmcn
also recOmme nded National Congress at Ath-
lone, 10 consider of redress Of grievances to be
holden during the summer. II was TO prevent
this meeting al -Athlone, the Convention Act
was |, AIMED, sud had no relation 10 the Catholic
Comm ttee, whose lsbours had been Just sue.
cessiuhy closed by the aitsinment of macy ad-
santsgrs. We have abundance OF proof oil tins,
IN The conduct ut the Lord Lieutenari's secrcta-
ry OF that period (now Lnrd Luckingh an niire)
and oil the then Attorney Gs neral Tile late Lord
k,lwardea) while the Bill " SIS In IT'S passage
through the House oi Commons. The Secreta.
ry declared, that knowledge that wrts had is
sud to collect Congress, to meet at Atblone,
alone decided government in the inticduc ion OF
lI..f LII
had no other object than TO put down that pro-
jected assembly: nor had lis n. .icstys MINIS
tiers any intention OF interfering with any of the
constitutional righ,s of the people, or aluding to
any other Delegation whatsoever. The auorn,
general repeatedly asserted that the Convention
Act had no retrospect to the Catholic Commit
tee, but was directed solely against the propus-
ed meeting at ,Athlone and he said the Bill did
not 60 against all deputation--,f any part Of it
had such tendency, he would instantly correct
II; 1t went only against assemblies purporting
to be general representation Of the people, not
against representations for any pre- conceived
OBJECT. He followed those assertions, by ex
punging the words Conventions and o.he- un!ayp-
ful Assemblies, from me preamble Of the oil,
aod by cxpunging from the first clause, the
words, md other pub!ic concernn,ents, and also,
to present the like miScni1 in future. BY the
words removed from the preamble, re snnihilat.
ed all idea Of any retrospect to the Catholic
committeeman by the words omitted in the
llrst clause, he preciudcd tue application of the
Convention Act to any meeting, but such as that
projected for Athione. How provdential was
his for the intended victims ~ the present sa-
,rihce! During this discussion, the Catholic
committee was sitting in Dublin, snG from that
period has continued to act for that body, from
lime ume. until this year. Previous t. the
Convent on B II his majesty received Petition
from The committee By delegation, since it be
came the law of the land he graciousIy did the
same IN the year 1895, when the Catholics were
not so much in favour, from the regret taey ma
infested on the REGAL of Lord FitEwiliam How
often since have each of the prime ministers of
England conferred with the Catholic Delegates,
relstlve 10 The presenting petitions to ut
prepared by Their committee
With the imPre knowledge Of those
facts must make on the mind, will any oonscien.
tsous mag 1Istrate abandon his own judgment to
the orders OF aprivy council even &c he should
be so disposed, ought lie not fist TO examine
now much ut the talent low much Of the natl
onaity, or how 'nuel, of the landed property O.
Ireland those members composing that cou,ic.!
may possess and u, instead OF these quai.fi
tons, he will find number OF Offices, MANY
Pensions, much OF that old age tina, approaches
10 debility, avowed bigotry, and certain piisn-
cy OF principle only to be acquired by long ha-
bit Of supporting all ADMINISTRATIONS, mus he
not pause before he commences >,arfarc on
HIS Catholic neignbors; because, having grey
ances peculiar to mis- own body, which NJ size
rift will cali Catholic Freeholders only 10 cousi.
der, he takes that mode Of conterrin1. on, which
he has been permitted to Us freely since he got
any share in the constitution,
have already extended my observations 70
too great a length l should ask your forgive
ness, IS my motive is in some respect personat
have been accused of rashness it is natural
for me to endeayor TO prove l have taken some
pains net TO be uniformed, even if / am in err
Iof
l. beg your acceptance of my thanks for the
kind manner you have conveyed the resolution
of the Catholics of Limerick TO me, to whom I
feel very great obligations.
have the honor to be, Sir,
Your very much Obliged md obed't serv't.
GEORGE LIDWELL.
John Hop!ey, i'm Esq. Chairman ofthe
Limeriek Catholic Meeting
We have received the Dublin papers of Wed
,esdsy last, one of which states, that Mr. Lid
well Das been divested o. the Commission of tue
Peace. He may, however, console himself for
his loss. in the increase OF true popularity
which bis able defence of the Catholic cause,
give this day, emInenuy deserves To ,nis
excellent article, and the plain, unv,rnished stc-
y OF tie priests, lately returned from Frsncc
whose character and motives nave been so gross
y misFeprescnted, we request the attention of
,ur readers GIobe
Lord Fingall has determined TO call meet
ng of the Catholics of the c,unty OF Meath, in
urtherance Of their just cSuse.
NEw York. Oct 70