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AGGREGATE MEETING

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At an Aggregate Meeting of the Catholics of Ireland, held in Dublin, at the Chapel in Clarendon-street, turday the 11th of June, 1814,—the Hon. Martin French in the Chair.

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Resolved-That Mr. Hay be requested to continue to act as Secretary to the Catholics of Ireland.

* Resolved-That the Catholic Board appointed for the purpose of preparing our Petitions to Parliament, and in the formation of which the principle of Representation was studiously guarded against, and has been repeatedly disclaimed, was instituted with the direct intention to avoid giving just offence, or to fall within the prohibition of peualties of any known Law of the Laud, even in the most rigorous interpretation of such Law.

Resolved That the Catholic Board was not elected, or in any manner constituted or appointed to represent the people of this Realm, or any number or description of the people; neither did it, nor does it, assume or exercise any right or authority of Representing the people, or any description of the people.

Resolved-That, we therefore, utterly deny that the Catholic Board was an unlawful Assembly, either within the Provisions of the Convention Act, or otherwise, and especially as the Convention Act contains a saving pro>vision in the words following:

"Provided also, that nothing herein contained shall "be construed in any manner to prevent or impede the undoubted right of his Majesty's Subjects of this Realm, to petition his Majesty, or both Houses, or either House of Parliament, for redress of any public or private grievance."

Resolved-That in the acts of the Catholic Board we recognize unwearied diligence, distinguished talent, and inviolate fidelity, in the performance of its arduous duties.

ihe Catholic people have found in it, a pure and legitimate organ of their opinions and feelings. Their rights have heen advocated, and their wrongs proclaimed with #al and eloqueut earnestness.

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The results have proved eminently beneficial;-for whilst the friends of religous freedom have augmented in numbers, and triumphed in argument-the votaries of intolerance have been humbled, abashed, and nearly si lenced.

General calumnies against our moral principles have been exploded, and our opponents are now compelled to resort to the despicable substitute of personal defamation.

Much has been done by the Catholic Board towards cheering and cementing the Catholic People-guiding them by Constitutional Principles-protecting them, in many instances, from local oppression-checking Ministerial delinquency in others-warning them seasonably against the snares of insiduous foes--and, with a presiding spirit of benevolent Patriotism, the wants of the na tive Artisan and neglected Manufacturer have been affectionately consulted, and their interests cherished with parental solicitude.

The very existence of such a Board has frustrated the intrigues and crushed the profane speculations of such as would traffic upon a venal misrepresentation of Catholic sentiments.

Its candour and publicity have baffled all unworthy attempts upon our Honour and Interests-Ample freedom of discussion has proved our most effectual ally-eliciting the talents-upholding the virtues, and advancing the fame of our Country. Finally, the great cause of our rightful Petitions has been judiciously placed upon the basis of universal good-THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF ALL MANKIND.

Resolved That for these and many other valuable services rendered to Ireland and to Religious Freedom, we sincerely thank the Members of the Catholic Board, and recommended them to the respect and gratitude of their Country.

Resolved-That his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant having thought proper to forbid the meetings of said Board at the moment when the discussion of our claims in Parliament is immediately to be expected, and when of course important and most necessary communications

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with our noble and honorable advocates in both Houses, may, from day to day, be indispensibly called for; such a prohibition is, by its nature and unavoidable conse quences (whatever be the motives that have dictated it) calculated to obstruct and embarrass in various ways the success of our humble application to the Legislature, and to surround it with difficulties not warranted by any circumstance that we can discover, and altogether adverse to the spirit of the British Constitution-difficul ties which seem too likely to render the right and act of Petitioning, for a Session inefficient, and of consequence and in effect, nugatory and of no value.

Resolved-That we are solemnly and deeply impressed with the conviction, that measures should be forthwith taken, for causing our several Petitions to be proceeded on, so as to ensure that enquiry and effectual discussion in the present Session, which the honor and interests of the Catholic Body imperiously requires.

Resolved-That solemnly protesting against the unrelenting system of intolerance, which the Catholics of Ireand appear to be doomed in this enlighted age to endure, we are yet stedfastly determined to persevere in claiming our Emancipation; and by our constancy in this just pursuit, and by availing ourselves of all warrantable means for this purpose, to prove ourselves worthy of those equal rights and liberties which we demand, and can ne ver consent to forego.

Resolved-That a subscription be immediately opened for defraying the expences attending our Petitions, and that Daniel O'Connell, Esq. be requested to collect the

same.

Resolved-That the most cordial and grateful thanks of the Catholics of Ireland are pre-eminently due and hereby given to that incorruptible Patriot, the Right Honorable John Philpot Curran, who has this day hono ed our Meeting by his presence, and with whose uniforms exertions in the cause of Religious freedom, we have ever seen connected the fairest and proudest recollection of Catholics and Irishmen.

Resolved-That this Meeting do adjourn to the 24th of June instant, there to take into consideration the form

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of a Petition to Parliament, praying that the Catholics of Ireland may, during any further continuance of the Penal and disabling Laws, obtain the benefit of that principle of the Constitution, which gives to Aliens a Jury of onehalf Foreigners.

MARTIN FRENCH, Chairman..
EDWARD HAY, Secretary.

DANIEL O'CONNELL, Esq. in the Chair.

Resolved-That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Honorable Martin French, for his most proper and dignified conduet in the Chair.

DANIEL O'CONNELL, Chairman.

A Conference was held at Castletown, on the 23d of May, by the Catholic Clergymen of the District of Navan, in the Diocese of Meath, at which the following re solutions were adopted :

Having discussed a Rescript, or Document, signed Quarantotti, and addressed by the Right Rev. Dr. Poyn ter, to the Catholic Bishops of Ireland, we are unanimously of opinion.

That to have called for such a Document, or to main tain it as obligatory, in defiance of the Resolution of the Irish Bishops to hold no correspondence with Rome, whilst his Holiness remained under the power of the French Emperor, betrays such a spirit of intrigue, and unfair dealing, as will, if not timely repressed, lead to Schism, and to the subversion of Religion.

That the Catholic Church of Ireland, having ever preserved her Hierarchy cannot relinquish those rights and Liberties, which every other Church, similarly constituted, enjoys; and that, consequently, this document, were it even signed by his Holiness, would be of no force or va lue in this country, unless approved and received by our Bishops.

That no consideration whatsoever can induce our Bishops to accept or approve any Rescript of Document, which would give, directly, to the members of another Communion, any power in the Government of our Church;

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because

Because it would be contrary to the uniform practice of the Church through all ages—would give general scandal, and effectually separate the Flock from the Pastor; and, espe-" cially, because such a transaction, productive of so many evils to Religion, would, of course, be null and void, both in the sight of GoD and Man.

We, therefore, entreat our venerable Bishops, and the other Catholic Prelates of Ireland, to protest against this Document, and the Principles it contains. The present crisis demands, in our humble opinion, a strong, prompt, and final decision. To the Government we would say:-We give you the strongest Security which men of principle can give-we swear to be faithful to the King and to the Constitution; to quiet your fears of Foreign Influence, we are ready to adopt the plan of Domestic Nomination, either by Chapters, or by the Clergy collectively. But no Power on Earth can ever prevait on us to give, what you demand as the condition of Emancipation a share in the Government of our Church.We will not betray our duty-we will not barter our Religion for what this world can give.

| John Halpin, P. P.
James O'Brien, P. P.
J O'Rafferty, Curate, Navan
Robt. Logan ditto, ditto.
James Gaughran, Curate of
Slane.

Michael O'Hanlon, P. P. &
Pres. of Conference.
Jas. Bermingham, P. P.
Patrick M Dermott, P. P.
Laurence Chevers, P. P.
Pat. O'Halligan, P. P.
James O'Reilly, P. P.
Mathew Kelsh, P. P.
Castletown, May 23, 1804.

John Burke, Curate, King's •Court. Mar, Shercock

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"I saw a sacrilegious and ambitious gang offering your eternal interests at the shrine of power, and impudently pretending they had your sanction for the sacrifice. I consulted your feelings; I found them honest, warm, indignant. Under every disadvantage which earth or hell could suggest, I established another rallying point for your fidelity to God and beleagured Church; thousands of you confided your dearest interests to my care; my

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