direct such order, but, on the contrary, we hold that it would be sinful in us to pay any respect or obedience thereto.

"7th. We farther declare, that we do not believe, that any sin whatsoever committed by us can be forgiven at the mere will of any pope, or of any priest, or of any person or persons whatsoever, but that sincere sorrow for past sins, a firm and sincere resolution, as far as may be in our power, to restore our neighbour's property or character, if we have trespassed on, or unjustly injured either; a firm and sincere resolution to avoid future guilt, and to atone to God, are prerious and indispensible requisites to establish a well founded expectation of forgiveness; and that any person who receives absolution without these previous requisites, so far from obtaining thereby any remission of his sins, incurs the additional guilt of violating a sacrament.

"8th. We do hereby solemnly disclaim, and for ever renounce all interests in and title to all forfeited lands, resulting from any rights or supposed rights of our ancestors, or any claim, title, or interest therein; nor do we admit any title as a foundation of right, which is not established and acknowledged by the laws of the realm, as they now stand. We desire further, that whenever the patriotism, liberality and justice of our countrymen, shall restore to us a participation in the elective franchise, no catholic shall be permitted to vote at any election for members to serve in

parliament, until he shall previously take an oath to defend to the utmost of his power, the arrangement of property in this country, as established by the different acts of attainder and settlement.

"9th. It has been objected to us that we wish to subvert the present church establishment, for the purpose of substituting a catholic establishment in its stead: now we do hereby disclaim, disavow, and solemnly abjure any such intention, and further, if we shall be admitted into any share of the constitution, by being restored to the right of elective franchise, we are ready, in the most solemn manner to declare, that we will not exercise that privilege to disturb, and weaken the establishment of the protestant religion, or protestant government in this country.

66

Signed by order and on behalf of the
general committee of the catholics of
Ireland.

EDWARD BYRNE, Chairman,
RICH. MCCORMICK, Secretary.

It was justly anticipated by the catholics, that these unequivocal declarations upon most, if not all, the great points of alarm among the credulous, and of charge among the factious, would much facilitate the accomplishment of their wishes. They had so much to obtain however, and what they had to obtain was c "<uch magnitude, that no relaxation in their efforts could safely be admitted. It was indispensi

bly necessary that their own zeal and activity should at least be equal to that displayed by their opponents, and therefore, in addition to these declarations, they thought it wise and prudent to adopt a plan which should satisfy the nation that they spoke the language and sentiments, not of a part but of the whole catholic population. To accomplish this necessary purpose, it was evident no better plan could be imagined than one of delegation, and the committee, therefore, devised and circulated the following mode of nominating this delegation, which was forwarded, with a circular letter, to the different counties.

"It will be of great importance, in the present state of our affairs, that the delegates be chosen in such a manner, as to make it appear evident, that the nomination of such delegates is authorised by all the people. But, as it might be imprudent to call a meeting of all the catholics, of a county, for the purpose of proceeding to such an election, it is therefore suggested, that one or two of the most respectable persons in eachparish be appointed electors, at a meeting to be held at such private house in the parish, as inay be most convenient to the inhabitants. These several electors, so appointed, may meet at any central place, for the purpose of choosing from one to four, (as it may appear most expedient to them,) of their own residents, as delegates to the general committee; no one to be eligible, who shall not solemnly promise to attend his duty in

Dublin, when required to do so by order of the committee, or at least who shall not pledge himself to attend in his turn. It is also suggested, that, in addition to the resident delegates, each county do appoint at the same time, as associate delegates for such county, or two (as it may ap pear best to the electors) resident inhabitants of Dublin, whose business it shall be to keep up a regular, correspondence with colleagues in the country, and to inform the county through them, of all the proceedings in the general committee at such times as the county delegates shall be absent. It is to be understood, that attendance on the part of the county delegates, will not be required, except on important occasions, In this, however, they are to study their own convenience; if they all come often, we are persuaded the committee will derive satisfaction and profit from their presence and advice.

"As soon as the delegates of your county shall have appointed delegates, it will be necessary to call their attention to the first great business which shall probably engage the general committee. viz. An humble application to our gra cious sovereign, submitting to him our loyalty and attachment, our obedience to the laws, a true statement of our situation and of the laws which operate against us: and humbly beseeching that we may be restored to the elective franchise, and an equal participation in the benefits of the trial by jury. We have the first authority

for asserting that this application will have infinite weight with our gracious sovereign, and with parliament, if our friends are qualified to declare that it is the universal wish of every catholic in the nation. To enable, therefore, your delegates and the general committee, to succeed in your behalf it will be necessary that the meetings enter into resolutions in any words they chuse to the following effect:

"At a meeting of the catholics of the county'

been this day chosen by the catholics of this county as their delegates to the general committee.

Resolved. That it is our instruction to our said delegates, to support in said committee, as the voice of all the catholics of this county, that an humble representation be made to our gracious sovereign, and to parliament, of the many severe laws which oppress his majesty's faithful subjects; the catholics of Ireland, although no cause founded in wisdom, or policy, is assigned for their continuance; imploring it as essential to our protection, and to secure an impartial distribution of justice in our favour, that we be restored to the elective franchise, and an equal participation in the benefits of the trial by jury.