Litta, as individuals indeed, but not officially. You know what value to set upon this very equivocal species of exculpation. They have been much assisted in thus officiouslyvolunteering against their religion and country, by the Rev. Mr. M'Pherson and the Rev. Mr Taylorone the agent, the other the gentleman usher of the anti-Irish faction, who have pushed them into notice, and thrown every door open to their misrepresentations.

last, and they are, perhaps, of more importance than either the rank or talents of the actors would induce you to think probable, or even possible. The actors are young Wise, late of Waterford, and a Mr. Ball, who is called a counsellor, and perhaps is one. The arrival of these two has given a lift to the drooping spirits of the vetoists here. Consalvi, who found that they had signed the vetoistical petition, resolved to employ them for his purposes. They certainly had letters of introduction to him from Cox Hippisley, and I believe from lord Castlereagh, but this latter I have not as yet fully ascertained. Be that as it may-Consalvi took care to have them introduced to the pope, to cardinal Litta, and to several other important persons, as well in official as in private stations, and these youths have repeated to every one of them a lesson which they have got by heart, to this effect-that all the property, education, and respectability of the catholics of Ireland are favourable to the veto-that the clergy were also secretly inclined to that measure; but were over-binet; he is attended by professor ruled by the common mob, and terrified into an opposition inconsistent with their own judgment.

To these misrepresentations, these two gay young gentlemen have added every delusive argument and calumny, calculated to remove the fears of the holy see, and to induce Rome to grant the veto to government. In a word, they have endeavoured in every way to fulfil the wishes of their unworthy prompters, and to counteract the wishes of Ireland.

Ball left this ten days ago, and is the bearer of instructions (written or verbal I know not) from Consalvi to the vetoists. He said that he was to return hither soon; Wise remains as permanent correspondent. Ball had a long communication with Consalvi on the morning of his departure; this young man has been also telling about the city that his holiness received me very badly, and turned me out of his presence !!! What poetry will he not tell in Ireland, as his invention is so powerful even here, where the contrary is so notorious? I have questioned master Wise on the above facts, who, after much humming and hawing,and having admitted that he and Mr. Ball did make the aforesaid representations to the pope, Consalvi and

Every thing tells me the faction in and out of the house expects to pass the veto, or worse-i. e. Hippisley's plan, this session. Young Grattan writes from the north of Italy, that his father expects, this year, to succeed at length in the great object of his wishes. The British Consul here receives frequent letters, urging him to work the point in the cause of Rome. The baron of Ompteda is to arrive in a few weeks as Hanoverian ambassador, a thing hitherto unknown. He left Hanover in December; under this name he is to transact the business of the British ca

Leist, a deep learned politican, but a sworn enemy to the catholic religion. On his arrival Consalvi (this I have from the best authority) expects to settle every thing as the British government wishes. It is true that cardinal Litta now abhors the veto more, if possible, than any catholic in Ireland, and the pope is resolved to take no step without his advice; yet, you may judge of the activity of Consalvi's intrigues, when you see that he has converted the miserable farce of those silly boys, Wise and Ball, into all the importance of a regular diplomatic mission.

Every means have also been taken to corrupt, mislead, and impress on the members of both houses that have been here this winter, that both Rome aud Ireland will submit to the veto. Messrs. Mac Pherson and Taylor employ themselves in proselyting the anti-vetoistical members.

An Irish member, one of our most distinguished friends, in confidence told me some months ago, that there were no less than five secret agents here from government, and the vetoists very active against us; from what I knew and have since discovered I can name them, viz. Mac Pherson, Taylor, Dennis, the Consul, Ball and Wise. You see the

by Pius the seventh as his ambassador | account of his Austrian support and extraordinary to congratulate the crown- connexions. ed heads assembled at Paris, and demand the restoration of the papal domi nions. When on the point of proceed. ing to London, on the same embassy to the Prince Regent, he was superseded by cardinal Consalvi, who would not let slip that opportunity of forming his acquaintance with the court at Carlton-house-an acquaintance which threatens to prove so fatal to Ireland.

Returning to Parma, count M'Auley Ceruti continued to govern the duchy until it was made over at the congress of Vienna, to the duchess Maria Louisa, whose prime minister he then became, and now occupies the post of high chancellor, with talent and reputation, adding one more luminary to the galaxy of the transplanted Irishmen, who, in every age, have been the admiration of Europe.

The above sketch is matter for your speech at the Aggregate-such, then, are the two persons I demand for my co adjutors, that they may act with efficacy against the calumniating and powerful vetoists here, and give to your deputation that dignity and force which a coarse friar's habit and so humble a person as your poor friend have almost, in vain, endeavoured to sustain for it. Let the catholics of Ireland seize this lucky coincidence, for if such two men are not instantly appointed (and their appointment brings no additional expence or inconvenience) the cause, I repeat it, is lost.

Tell me, my dear Macdonnell, have these saucy seceders candidly recanted before their return to the association ? The mock mission of these too young Trimblestonians, proves to me that the faction not daring to send forward another public petition, hope, by private management, to paralize the association, and betray Ireland into a mortal lethar gy-while they are mixing the poison for her both here and at home; rouse the nation then in time, to urge the vetoists in the house from passing restric tions. Prepare the clergy for persecution, in case the veto should be passed; and, above all, get done what I for the last time require in this letter, if you wish to prevent the holy see from sanctioning both the veto and the persecu tion, and save me the grief of publishing to Ireland the shameful desertion of the leaders of the association in not rousing the entire people to every kind of resistance that the law permits.

The younger M'Auley, who is here in question, and who bears the title of count, also accompanied his brother as secretary of legation to Paris, afterwards visited his native land, where he remained for some time, and being called to the ecclesiastical state, resolved to dedicate himself to the toils of the Irish mission. With this view he returned to the continent to pursue his studies, and is now at Rome on an im- | portant affair committed to his charge by the Austrian government, upon the conclusion of which, he intends to prosecute his studies here. He will soon receive priesthood, and although he has been much pressed to accept of the prelate's cloak, which, from his high connection would be soon laid aside for the cardinal's hat, he, by rejecting the Make every prudent and necessary offer, has shewn that he prefers the hum- use of the letter: publish it if you choose, ble station of an Irish curate or parish with names, &c. &c. At all events, pubpriest to the proudest honors of the ro- lish what I have said above of Taylor man court. This worthy Irishman has and Mr. M'Pherson tampering with the offered me his valuable services in the anti-vetoists members of parliament; an cause he has already spoken strongly, ear witness of the first veracity is ready and at length to the pope against the to prove that these two old traitors some veto; it was he who introduced Drom-weeks back, in his presence, endeagoole to Litta, as he will to the pope in a day or two; he gets audience of his holiness, with whom he has been long personally acquainted and familiar, just as cardinals and ambassadors do, when he pleases and without giving previous notice; he is quite independent of Consalvi's intrigues, who fears him on

voured to pervert to vetoism that zealous and distinguished friend of his country, General Mathew, urging with all the anxiety of demons, every false account and delusive argument—but in vain.

To the resolutions I have above suggested, it would be very wise to add

felt that the means resorted to at Rome should be disavowed. There are excellent reasons given why Mr. Hayes should have a colleague or two, and he thought Dr. Dromgoole a very proper one; he is known to be very sincere, and although a clamour was raised against him in this country and in England, he considered him a very proper person to transact their business at Rome.

Make the intriguers who sanctioned the mission of Ball and Wise smart in Mr. O'Gorman, the gentleman the Chronicle. Should Ball produce any who headed the party in the late cadocument from Rome, you may, with tholic board against the learned and truth and justice cry it down-for it is patriotic doctor, objected to his bebut the act of Consalvi alone. How-ingassociated with Mr. Hayes. He ever, I think, that wily minister has given him only verbal directions to the vetoists to persevere-promising them the pope's support, or at least silence. Poor Ball's head was almost turned with vanity, and he boasted every where of his being entrusted with confidential communications from the court of Rome:

thought it would be quite sufficient for their purpose that their secretary, Mr. Hay, should write to Mr. Hayes, informing him, that their determination upon the subject of the veto was fixed and unalterable.

After agreeing to adjourn the aggregate meeting until Thursday, to give time for further consideration, the committee separated.

depend on it, that with all this folly, there is very considerable danger. Prepare the public through your paper instantly for passing the resolutions I mention; if you do not, I shall make The next day the committee asuse of The Dublin Evening Post, and sembled, when the chairman informIreland is much changed, or it will joined the members that he had received me in all I have proposed.

Rouse the second order of the clergy to send from each diocese a short latin

remonstrauce in concurrence with the prelates against the veto, and for domestic nomination. Mention the robbery of the Roman post receiver in your paper, and warn all those with whom I corresponded, or who expected letters from me, to inform me of those they have received, that I may judge which of my letters have been stopped.

Let me hear from you fully, and beg of Mr. Hay to send me the official communications of all resolutions relative to my mission. I am, dear Macdonnell, your's, &c. RICHARD HAYES.

Mr. O'Connell having concluded the letter, he observed, it was evident there were intriguing means going forward in Rome to barter away their religion. Was it not a frightful thing to hear such means resort ed to? Could any man be silent on hearing such facts stated? He

answers from Mr. Grattan, and Sir H. Parnell, which he would lay before them. The letters were then read, but in laying them before our readers, we think it right to preface them with the letters addressed to those gentlemen by the chairman. "Dublin, 4, Capel-street, Feb. 26, 1817, "SIR,-Deeply impressed with the benefit which any cause must derive from the weight of your character and talents, we the general committee of the roman catholics of Ireland, respectfully request that you will support our petition to that branch of the legislature of which you are a member.

"It prays for a repeal of the penal statutes which aggrieve us, and expresses our readiness to renounce the

fear of our protestant countrymen, however, unfounded, respecting foreign influence, by any mode of domestic nomination which the proper authority of our church can carry into effect.-It also states our unalterable opinion, that

"Emo Park, March 3, 1817. "SIR, I received, late yesterday evening, the letter of the general committee of the roman catholics of Ireland signed by you, as their chairman.

"I beg you will acquaint the committee, that the doubts I have felt of the expediency of persevering in my intention to submit a motion to the house of commons, upon the general merits of the petition, arose from my seeing an Opportunity present itself of having the question brought forward in the manner that would best conciliate the feelings of the house of commons, and thereby best secure a favourable decision upon it.