How the decision will be received in Ireland a few days will shew us; we expect the Leaders will do what they have long been doing-more harm than good to the cause; but we rest on the sound discretion of the Clergy of that island, as an antidote for the intemperance of men, who appear to be more influenced by their passions than by common sense. That the Catholic Clergy of Ireland possess a perfect knowledge of the British Constitution and the value of the elective franchise, the following account of their conduct at the Waterford election, given by Mr. Villiers Stuart on Monday, in contrast to the vituperations and calumnies of Mr. Under-Secretary Dawson, bears. incontrovertible testimony. MR. DAWSON. A new body had lately sprung up in the political concerns of the country. The Roman Catholic Clergy, who had hitherto confined themselves to the spiritual interests of their flocks, had lately in terfered in political matters, and wielded a despotic authority over the country. A body of men, unknown to the Constitution-not recognized by the laws of the land, and educated and brought up in hostility to the Protestant Establishment had now got the whole of the political power of Ireland into their hands; and it was hardly possible to calculate how much the natural bond between landlord and tenant had been weakened by this mischievous influence. The natural connexion between landlord and tenant had lately been almost destroyed by the interference of the Catholic Clergy; and was it to be supposed that persons who possessed, and properly possessed, this great influence, should resign it to those to whom it did not properly belong? The Irish landlords had give their possessions to the tenants in a great measure for their own (the landlord's) benefit. (Cheers.) The Irish tenants, it were to be recollected, were not like the English tenants. A great portion of the Irish leases were conferred in such a manner as to make them freeholds, and the tenants were, in some measure, for a certain season, considered as MR. STUART, The Hon. Member (Mr. Dawson) had made exaggerated statements, however, as to the extent and manner in which the Priests exercised their influence; indeed, that man knew but little of the Irish people who thought that it required the exercise of any influ ence to induce them to act as men sensible of their wrongs, and desirous of having them redressed. They were alive-deeply and sensitively alive-to the injuries under which they suffered. In reference to the conduct of the Priesthood at the county of Waterford Election, he would state to the House what occurred. For some months previous to the Election, instructions were given by the Clergy to the Freeholders, as to the manner in which they were to discharge their duties at the Election. They were told that they were to be guided in giving their votes by the dictates of their conscience; that they were to vote for the person best quali fied to represent their feelings and their interests; and that, in short, they were to vote consistently with a faithful observance of the oaths prescribed for them to be taken. This was the whole of the conduct observed by the Catholic Clergythis the head and front of their offending. As to the charges adduced by the Honourable Member against individual Clergymen, he could only say, that he totally disbelieved them. There was a re trustees for the landlords.-(Loud cries of hear, hear.) If there were any who thought this too great a power in the hands of the landfords, could they believe that it could be less dangerous by being transferred to the Priests? (Hear, hear.) Such a power was surely better lodged in the hands of those who were legitimately entitled to it-(Hear.) But, dismissing for the moment political considerations, he requested the House to consider what had been the effect of all this upon the unfortunate tenants themselves. Whole families had been deprived of their possessions, and left to wander in the highways over the country; and whose fault was this? The landlords had been abused and characterized as hard-hearted tyrants but the blame did not rest with them. It was impossible to conceive any charge more unfounded. It was true, that where the Priests had interfered, they had in most instances been followed by the Catholic population, in oppositon to the landlords. But these Priests had resorted to the most unfair practices, and to the most gross deceptions. They threatened their flocks with eternal punishment if they did not vote for those who were friendly to the Catholic Clainis, and said, that the vengeance of the Church would descend on them; that they would be refused the benefits of absolution, of the sacraments, and even of extreme unction. By this means, the great political power of the Roman Catholic Clergy had been raised, and had been employed, not for enlightening their flocks and promoting the interests of liberty and free inquiry, as they vainly pretended, but for the pur poses of deception and delusion. Let them not, therefore, profane the name of liberty by saying that their power was employed for the purpose of promoting liberality and union, when it was really used to root out whatever was liberal' and conciliatory." medy open to the Hon. Member against the offending parties; if charges of improper conduct could be proved against them, they might be called to the bar of that House, and, if found guilty, punished for a breach of the privileges of the House; and he, for one, would not complain of any award the House might come to upon that subject. And he would take the liberty of stating, that in a conversation which he had with the Bishop of Waterford, that Prelate expressed himself anxious that an opportunity should be afforded him and his Clergy of clearing themselves of the aspersions which, through the Press and various other channels, had been wantonly circulated of them.- (Hear, hear.) With respect to the conduct of the fortyshilling freeholders, he was himself favourable to the fair influence of the landlords over their tenantry, though he was not an advocate for an absolute control. It was because he was an advocate for such a legitimate influence, that he supported the present measure, which would establish that congeniality of feeling between them that was created by an identity of interests. He wished to see a tenantry grateful for the kindnesses of a protecting landlord; but there were limits to gratitude, as to generosity, and other virtues. A nation could not be generous with her honour, a woman with her virtue, or a freeholder with his franchise.-(Cheers.) He would ask, would not a freeholder be unworthy of the exercise of that franchise which the Constitution gave him, who would vote for a Candidate who, even by his own avowal, was ready to brand him as a traitor to his King, a perjurer to his Country, and an idolator to his God.-(Cheers.) We have not room for further observations now, but we shall have occasion to revert to the question in our future num bers. In the mean time we trust the Catholics will see the necessity of directing their efforts to a manly and constitutional struggle for the restoration of equal rights under the British constitution to every native subject of whatever creed he may profess. We had written thus far, when we received the advertisement at foot for insertion. So then the Emancipationists are not in the least degree disheartened, but are determined to try their luck again in the same lottery. What infatuation! Well, God help them, we say, and send them a good deliverance !!! There has been no news of importance this week, either from Ireland or Portugal, or the Continent. In our report of the meeting of the Spitalfields Catholic Schools, we omitted to state, that a vote of thanks was passed to the Rev. Mr. Spooner for his attendance that evening. The Annual Sermon for the support of the Stratford Chapel will be preached on Sunday, the 18th instant, (being the first after St. Patrick,) by the Rev. Mr. FOLEY. CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY. A PUBLIC MEETING will be held at the TWELVE BELLS, ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH YARD, SOUTHWARK, on SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 18th, at SEVEN O'CLOCK precisely, in order to establish a CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY, on similar principles to the one at NEWCASTLE. COUNSELLOR FRENCH, DR. ROLPH and Mr. ANDREWS will be present. BRITISH CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION. Ar a Meeting of the General Committee of the British Catholic Association, held at the Association Rooms, No. 1, Thorney-street, Bloomsbury, on Thursday, March 8, 1827-His Grace the DUKE of NORFOLK, E. M. in the Chair, It was moved by the Hon. EDWARD PETRE, Seconded by Mr. RossoN, and resolved unanimously, That we are in no degree disheartened by our late defeat, if a minority of four in a division of 548 can be fairly so designated; that while we acknowledge with gratitude the support which our rightful claims have received for many years from the Cominons' House of Parliament, we owe it to ourselves, to the memory of our forefathers, to our posterity, and to all who value the rights of Englishwen, or who, like ourselves, are subjected by law to penalties or privations for religious opinions, never to desist from the prosecution of our claims to all the benefits of the Constitution, till success shall have crowned our efforts. EDWARD BLOUNT, Secretary, A GENERAL MEETING of BRITISH CATHOLICS will be held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, on Monday the 19th inst. at twelve o'clock, DIED. On the 3d inst. at Costessey, the Rev. Mr. Strongitharm, late the respected and venerated Pastor of St John's Catholic Chapel at Norwich. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. COUPE's Letter we are obliged to defer; as we are also many articles for want of room. Markets. CORN EXCHANGE, MONDAY, March. 5, 1827. We had a very short supply of Wheat from Kent, Essex, and Suffolk fresh in for this morning's market, when a few samples of fine quality were taken off at an early hour, at an advance of 2s. to 3s. per quarter from our currency of Monday lust; but no alteration taking place in the price of Flour, the trade closed heavily, and the Morning's prices were barely supported. Barley continues at our last quotations. Beans of both sorts, und Gray Peas, are particularly dull sale at an abatement of about Is. per quarter on the former, and full 2s. per quarter on the latter. Outs are, taken off very slowly, and in some instances at rather low prices. In White Peas, or other articles, no material alteration. Our Cattle supply this day consisted of 2,071 Beasts, 17,560 Sheep, 102 Calves, and 120 Pigs. Beef upon the whole was 2d. per stone dearer, the best young Scots being 4s. 8d. to 5s. 2d. per stone. Prime large Oxen 4s. 2d. to 4s. 10d. per stone, and inferior and second rate Cattle, 3s. 2d. to 3s. 10d. per stone. Mutton was in good demand, and may be quoted about 4d. per stone advance, prime South-down Wethers being 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per stone. Coarse-wooled Sheep of prime quality, 3s. 10d. to 4s. 4d, and the inferior 3s. 5d. to 3s. 10d. per stone. In Veal there is no variiation of any moment. Prime small Calves are quoted at 3s. 2d. to 3s. 8d. and larger and coarser Calves 4s. to 4s. 10d. per stone. In Pork, likewise, there is nothing to notice of much importance. Neat Dairy-fed Porkers fetched 4s. 10d. to 5s. 2d. per stone, and large Hogs 3s. 8d. to 4s. 2d. per stone. Suckling Calves bear the quotation 12s. to 15s, each; and quarterold store Pigs 10s. to 15s. each. Printed by W. E. Andrews, 3, Chapterhouse-court, St. Paul's, London. FRIENDS AND FELLOW-SLAVES,Allow me again to offer a few remarks to your notice on the present state of our affairs, and to explain a few facts connected with your interests of no small moment. You have seen the dismissal of your claims by the House of Commons treated with a vindictiveness and asperity, on the part of the Ascendency party, more heated and intolerant than on any former occasion, and confirmatory of the opinions which I have always expressed as to the result of your exertions to obtain Emancipation alone. The Leaders of the Catholics, as they are called in Dublin, fancied that by sending forward a multitude of petitions from the provinces, cities, towns, villages, and parishes, in Ireland, such a display of numbers would add weight and importance to the prayer of the Catholics, and influence the Houses of Parliament to grant a favourable issue. I, on the contrary, keeping in view the construction of the system, said, that all the efforts making would be in vain, so long as the Catholics confined their petitions to asking emancipation for themselves only; and we have now seen, that the numberless petitions from the Catholics have been met by a greater quantity of counter-petitions than were ever before presented against them, while their prayer has failed even in that House, which before had repeatedly decided in their favour. Surely, such a result-such an unsuccessful issue, is sufficient to convince even the most infatuated in our body that a change of operations is absolutely necessary to insure a final triumph to the cause. A meeting of British Catholics, I see is advertised for Monday next, to take" into consideration the present state of their affairs;" this meeting has been called by the General Committee of the |