The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-07
From the n. Y. Herald.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM WASH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE CATHO-
LICS-OUR MEXICAN RELATIONS

HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM WASH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE CATHO-
LICS-OUR MEXICAN RELATIONS.
We promised yesterday, to make some inter.
esting disclosures regarding certain negotiations
that have been Tor some time pending between
Bishop Hughes and the Cabinet at Washinotop.
| We now hasten to lay them before our readers
promising thattheY come from an authentic source
and that they may he relied upon with confidence.
| Shortly before the meeting of The Catholic
| Council at Baltimore, in May last, report was
prevalent that Gen. Taylor had constrained the
Catholic soldiers in the army, (eleven hundred
! in number. of force Of fifteen hundred, y 10 a,
| tend the instructions Of Presbyterian minister
! This report became the subject of comment and
discussions among the Bishops at the Council j.
and it was proposed, we believe, by Bishop
! Hughes, that a deputaon Of the body should
wait upon The President in relation To ii and at
The same time to propose to him to send out Bishop
! Hughes himself with a suite of clergy of the
second order, 10 treat with the Mexicans In due
time, after the adjournment of the council, the
| depu,ation waited upon the President at Wash
| lngton, and The proposal was made in form The
| President was struck with The idea and calIino
his Cabinet together, laid before them the promo
sal of The Bishops. The demand of the latter
was, that Bishop Hughes should be sent ont, with
full powers, in the light of plenipotenary. Ia
tTeat Of the matters in dispute between our gov
eminent and that Of Mexico That he and his
suite should be despatched TO Vera Cruz. in
a United States frigate, and should have such
further conduct 10 the capital as compsred with
the Office of a Minister Penipotentiary The
object which the Bishop proposed TO effect was to
dlssIpate the prejudlces Of the Mexican peonle
towards the United States, aud to disabuse the
minds of the clergy, and through them, of the
people, of the error which the military despots of
Mexico have taken pains to disseminate, tina, the
Americans should they be allowed to gain the
slightest foothold on Mexican soil, would burn
their churches and oveTturn the Catholic religion
The Bishop further hoped through mis- influence
as Catholic Bishop, and his high office as Min
lister Plen potentiary of the United States, To
effect renewal of peaceful relations between the
two countries on terms honorable To both
This proposition was entertained and discussed
at a Cabinet Council, and i, received The appro
val of nearly all present. we believe EXCEPT Mr.
Polk. He too was favorably inclined towards il
but was fearful that such an arrangement would
give rise to anti Catholic prejudice throughout
the country, that might possibly result in scenes
Of boodshed, like the Philadelphia riots--a con
sequence which he was DESTROYS 10 avoid Be-
sides, the members of the Cabinet, although in
favor OF The plan were not altogether clear about
despatching the Bishop in fTigate, and with the
pomp he desired. The proposition was there
fore, declined for a time.
The bishops, who were at this time stayino. if
we mistake not, in Georgetown College, there
upon held another consultations the result or
of which was, that they again waited on the
President and offered 20 send five ciapains ia the
army--iwo from Georgetown College, two from
an establishment of Jesuits at ST. Louis, and the
fifth to be chosen by these four The Cabinet
was again consulted, and an immediate assen,
given. The President, in his reply 10 the Bish
fps, stated that there is no law Of Congress au-
thorizlng The employment of cha plains for the
army, but that he would take the responsibility
on himself.
The following stipulations were then stated by
the Bishop. as the sine qua non of the mission Of
the Jesuiis -
LIST. That they should be respected as clergy
men in the army.
3D. That they should have free communication
and intercourse with the Catholic soldiers, while
not employed on military or camp duty.
Sd. That the Protestant soldiers shall be a1lo,v.
ed TO converse and have nnrsstrained intercourse
with the priests, whenever the soldiers choose.
9Th. That The priests shall hare liberty 10
pisit me .ue1'cGn camp, army. and people, al
any ana oil lines, except on The cue Of an en-.
gGgement, Uhcn their leaving The ,4hericnu
camp might be .fraught pnh danger TO Them
setOes, or lead 10 any breach Of military discip-
line.
5th.
These stipulations were accepted by the Presi.
dent, and the arrangement was at once consun.
mated. In accordance with this arrangement.
two Of the JesUits, the Rev. MesGrs McEiroy and
Ray, have proceeded IN ,i9ii ne army .asi