suant to public advertisement, on Monday, the 9th September, 1811. CHARLES WHITTINGTON, esq. in the chair. The following Resolutions were unanimously agreed to: Resolved, That it is the undoubted, and unalienable right of the Subjects of these Realms to Petition the Legislature for redress of grievances; and that, assembled here to-day for the sole purpose of exercising such right, we feel ourselves protected by the Laws of the Land. Resolved, That, deeply impressed with a sense of our degraded situation, and beholding ourselves excluded from a full participation of the benefits of that constitution, which we so eminently contribute to support and defend, we deem it adviseable to Petition Parliament, Session after Session, until our Grievances shall be completely redressed. Resolved, That the following Gentlemen possessing the confidence of the Catholics of this County, are requested to prepare Petitions to both Houses of Parliament on our behalf, to be presented early in the next Sessions, praying a total Repeal of the Penal Laws affecting our Body, and for this purpose they are instructed to confer with the General Committee of the Catholics of Ireland, viz. of Charles Whittington, of the City of Armagh,-John Byrne, of the City of Dublin, -Edward O'Callaghan, of ditto-Hugh O'Callaghan, of Culloville-James Tagart, of Tandragee-Dennis Caulfield, Newry, Michael O'Callaghan, of Clonalig-Richard Whittington, of the City of Armagh Charles Jennings, of Newry and Patrick John Dwyer, of the City of Dublin, Esqrs. Resolved, That the thanks of this Meeting are due, and are hereby given to the Earl of FINGALL, and the General Committee of the Catholics of Ireland, for their manly and constitutional conduct on the 31st of July, last, in defence of our dearest Right as injured men, the right to petition for redress. Resolved, That we cannot sufficiently express our warm feelings of gratitude and obligation to our liberal and enlightened Protestant Fellow-Countrymen, who, in and out of Parliament, have aided our efforts for Emancipation. Resolved, That we entertain a high sense of the liberal conduct of our countrymen who, differing from us in religious opinions, have honored this meeting by their presence. CHARLES WHITTINGTON, Chairman. Mr. Whittington having left the Chair, and Hugh O'Callaghan, of Culloville, Esqr. being called thereto, the Thanks of the Meeting were voted to Mr. Whittington, for his proper conduct in the Chair. HUGH O'CALLAGHAN ́ COUNTY OF DOWN CATHOLIC MEETING. The Roman Catholic Clergy, Gentlemen and Freeholders af the County of Dorun, convened by Public Aavertisement, at the Sessions-house, in the town of Newry, 9th Sept. 1811, Do declare, That they deeply lament the necessity, imposed upon them by those peculiar legal disabilities, disabilities which. equally injure and dishonour them, of acting as a body separate or distinct from the mass of their countrymen, with whom it is their ultimate ambition to be blended in feelings of common interest, as they already are in exertions for the preservation of the State and the defence of that Constitution, the franchises of which they aspire to par take in, and whose wholesome regimen is violated by their exclusion. Not to them can be attributed the agita. tion created throughout the land, by the procrastination of their relief; for they would deserve to suffer, in perpetuity, the privations of which they complain, if they tions to Parliament. In these legal and did not reiterate their respectful solicitaconstitutional appeals, they will persevere, un til a deserved success shall place them in possession of those rights, to which, with every other description of their countrymen, they have an equal claim. They regret the attempt which has been made, founded on the doubtful constructhe exercise of the right of Petition in the tion of an ambiguous Statute, to impede subjects of this Realm. To the known while they sought the repeal of those they laws of the land they would conform, even deemed unjust, because they recognise the authority of the supreme power of the State, and the pursuit of any factious purpose is not their object. In their present act, they trust, they do not violate law, while they exercise the privilege of legitimate complaint, deprived of which, even the semblance of liberty would not remain to them. They determine, in common with their suffering brethren of Ireland, to Peliament, for a total repeal of all those penal tition the Legislature in the ensuing Parand restrictive Statutes, which exclusively affect them; and for the purpose of pre paring such Petition, and promoting the success of its prayer, in co-operation with the general committee of the Catholics of Ireland, they request the exertions of James Reilly and Mark Devlin, of Newry, esqrs. Patrick O'Hanlon, of Narrow-water, esq. Wm. Todd Jones, of Rosstrevor, esq. John White, of Loughbrickland, esq. Rowland Savage, of Parson-hall, esq. Roger Magennis, of Ballely, esq. Messrs. Andrew Jennings, James Bowden, Arthur Fegan, and John O'Hagan, of Newry. All illustrious in the Empire, for talent or for virtue, advocate their Cause-It is their boast to rank among the natives of their county, the Marquis of Downshire, and the Earl of Moira, to whom with Mr. Grattan, the Earl of Donoughmore, and the many other Patrons of their Cause, they feel the most profound gratitude; to the Earl of Fingall, to the Noblemen and Gentlemen who composed the late general Committee of the Catholics of Ireland, and to all the other distinguished promoters of their Claims, of their own Community, they offer the tribute of their thanks, as they do to Edward Southwell Ruthven, esq. and the other Protestant Gentlemen who honoured them this day with their presence and concurrence. ROWLAND SAVAGE. Mr. Devlin read the following letter from Archibald Hamilton Rowan, Esqr. SIR, Killileagh, Sept. 7th 1811. Having ever entertained the opinion that one law should bind Protestant and Catholic, I am extremely concerned that indis pensible business prevents my attending the proposed Meeting of the Catholics of the County of Down, for the purpose of petitioning the Legislature for a total repeal of the Penal and Restrictive Statutes affecting their Body; but as a Protestant proprietor and resident of this County, I feel it a duty incumbent on me to beg leave to assure them through you, of my entire concurrence in, and approbation of those legal and constitutional measures, as they appear to me, by which they are attempting to procure a restoration of their just rights. I have the honor to be your obedient Servant, ARCHIBALD HAMILTON ROWAN. An extract from a letter written by Eldred Pottinger, Esq. and addressed to Mark Devlin, Esq. requesting him to communicate his [Mr. Pottinger's] sentiments to the County Down Meeting. The assembly had adjourned before the letter reached Mr. Devlin. "The lively interest I feel for my Catholic fellow-subjects, in their constitutional pursuit of their just rights, arises not only from a sympathy for their unmerited sufferings, but from a conviction that their emancipation would be a most signal blessing to this country, and the empire at large. I regret much, and disapprove, that such an act as the Convention Bill, should, at this time, and for such a purpose, be attempted to be enforced; a bill, under the present construction put on it, expressly against the Bill of Rights-a bill, carried at an unfortunate and misguided period, by perhaps the worst administra tion any country ever saw. I request you will assure the Catholics of your meeting, that both as a free-holder of the County of Down, and in every other situation I claim-to being put on an equal footing shall firmly and steadily support their with their Protestant fellow-subjects.” COUNTY DUBLIN CATHOLIC MEETING. At a numerous and respectable meeting of the Chair. Resolved, That conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, and of the legality of our conduct, founded on the imprescriptible right of all British subjects to petition the Legislature for the redress of Grievances, we, the Roman Catholics of the County of Dublin, see with the deepest regret the attempts made to obstruct the exercise of those rights by an injurious and oppressive misapplication of the provisions of a Statute, thereby throwing upon us a suspicion galling to our feelings repugnant to our principles, and inconsistent with the loyalty of our views. That by assembling in a peaceable and constitutional manner with the solemn and specific intention of preparing petitions to Parliament for the removal of those laws which still deprive the Roman Catholics of this Kingdom of an unqualified participation in the privileges, benefits, and imamunities conferred by the Constitution on our Protestant Countrymen, we do not act, nor mean to act in contradiction to that Constitution, which we are determined to uphold and to defend at the expence of our lives, as the sacred sanctuary of civil and rational liberty. That in using all legal means to obtain the abrogation of Laws incompatible with the prosperity of the British Empire, we seek not to disturb, but to consolidate its tranquility by extinguishing jealousies and discontents too long fomented by opprobrious distinctions, and thus to establish on an immutable basis, a spirit of concord and unanimity amongst our FellowSubjects. That we feel the more stimulated in our constitutional efforts, by the approbation of so large a portion of our Protestant Brethren, who have honored our Meetings with their presence, graced our Assemblies with their eloquence, and supported our proceedings with their wisdom. That unalterably attached to our rights, and to the exercise of them, by preferring our claims to the Legislature for the attainment of the full enjoyment of the privileges of the Constitution, and without even swerving from our submission to the laws of the realm, we concur in the opinion expressed at Catholic Meetings in various parts of Ireland, that petittions be presented to parliament early in the ensuing Session, for the repeal of all the restrictive statutes that still affect our body. That placing our confidence in the following Noblemen and Gentlemen, viz. Right Hon. Lord Viscount Gormanstown, Right Hon. Lord Viscount Netterville; Right Hon. Lord Trimbleston; Hon. Thomas Barnewall; Christopher Taylor, of Swords, Esqr. Patrick Thunder, of Balaly, Esqr. Patrick Smyth, of Snugboro' Esq.; Thos. Plunket, of Portmarnock, Esq.; Wm. Gerald Bagot, of Castle Bagot, Esqr. Henry John Segrave, of Cabrah, Esq. James John Bagot, of Belcamp Esq. Patrick Henry Cruise, of Belgard, Esq. John Rorke, of Finstown, Esqr. Ambrose Moore, of Johnville, Esq. Andrew Rorke, of Tyrrellstown, Esq. David Hinchy, of Rockville, Esq. Mark Byrne, of Fitzwilliam-street, and Edward Butler, of Roebuck, Esq. We request them to communicate and advise with such other persons as may be or have been selected throughout Ire land, for the single, definite, and strictly legal purpose of preparing and present ing a petition, or petitions of the Roman, Catholics to the Imperial Parliament, for the repeal of all such laws as still interfere with their full and free enjoyments of all the privileges of the British contitution. BILIMT MAS, NO. XXXVIIN Resolved, That our warmest Thank are due, and are hereby given, to the unwearied advocate of his country's cause, the pride of Ireland, the Ornament of the Senate HENRY GRATTAN. Resolved, That our warmest Thanks are due, and hereby given, to our early, our tried, and constant Friend, the Earl of Donoughmore, to the Rt. Rev. Henry Lord Bishop of Norwich, and to all those patriotic Noblemen who have supported our claims in the upper house of Parliament. 1 Resolved, That our thanks are due, and hereby given, to our representatives, Hans Hamilton, and Rich. Wogan Talbot, Esqrs. who are deserving of our esteem and confidence, and to all those members of the commons House of Parliament, who have vindicated our rights. Resolved, that we entertain the warm. est feelings of gratitude and obligation to the Right Hon George Ponsorby, and our enlightened Protestant fellow-subjects, who, in and out of parliament, have aided our efforts for emancipation. The subsequent resolutions being severally moved, were also unanimously adopted. Resolved, that the thanks of the Catholics of the County of Dublin, are due, and hereby given to the Earl of Fingal, and the Gentlemen assembled on the 31st July last, for their manly and constitutional conduct on that day, and for their uniform zealous, and effectual services in promoting the interest of the Catholics of Ireland. Resolved, that the late Catholic Committee are deserving of our distinguished thanks, for the firmness with which they met and repelled the multiplied attacks excited against them, and for the perseverance with which they proceeded, amidst accumulating difficulties, to the accomplishment of the object committed to their charge. Resolved, that our unfeigned thanks are duc, and hereby given to Sir James Riddall, and to the gentlemen composing the Grand jury of the County Dublin, on the 17th instant, for their patriotic and liberal declaration in our favor, and for their co-operation in the defence of our rights, and the furtherance of our emancipation. Resolved, that, agreeing with George Lidwell, of Dromard, Esq. in the impolicy as well as in the illegality of the late proceedings of the Irish Government, we hereby return to that Gentlemen our $ warmest acknowledgements for the efforts he has made to vindicate our motives and our acts, and for the successful example he has set to his liberal and enlightened fellow-countrymen, who have come forward in all parts of Ireland, to assert the rights of the subject, and preserve the harmony and union of Irishmen. Resolved, that the above Resolution be communicated to George Lidwell, Esq. by the secretary of the meeting. Resolved, that we return Our most sincere acknowledgements to Sir Neale O'Donel, Bart.; to George Barnes, Esq. to Thos. Findlay, Esq.; and to Benjamin Wills, Esq. for their liberality, and for their eloquent arguments in our support this day. Resolved that our best thanks be re turned to the High Sheriff, John Campbell, Esq. and to Mr. Serjeant Moore, chairman of the County of Dublin, for their politeness, in having granted the court house to accomodate this meeting. THOS. BARNEWALL, Chairman. The Hon. Thomas Barnewall having left the Chair, and Randall M'Donnell, Esq. being called thereto, it was Resolved, That the distinguished thanks of this meeting be returned to the Hon. Thos. Barnewail, for his highly dignified and polite conduct in the chair, and for his very eloquent and luminous speech at the opening of this meeting. (Signed) R. M'DONNELL, JAS. JOHN BAGOT, Sec. PUBLIC OCCURRENCES. NEGRO NAVIGATORS. THE following is an extract of a letter from Liverpool : "There is at present here a singular phe nomenon. The brig Traveller is just arrived from Sierra Leona, and is owned and commanded by Paul Cuffee, the son of Cuffee,' a Negro slave imported into America. Her mate, and all her crew, are Negroes, or the immediate descend ants of Negroes. Captain Cuffee is about 56 years of age; has a wife (a Negress) and six children, living at New Bedford, Massachusetts, of which state he is a ci tizen, "When Captain Cuffee's father (who had acquired his freedom) died, he left a family almost unprovided for; but the son laboured hard to support his mother, his brethren, and his sisters. He bega trade in a small boat; and, after a-while, almost by himself, built a larger vessel, in which he worked some years with as siduity. Having providentially met with a person capable and willing to impart some knowledge of navigation, his ideas were enlarged, and with his prospects he enlarged his efforts to succeed. Happily for him, and his family, his mind received religious instruction from the society of Friends (Quakers), and he attached himself to that respectable body, adopted their dress and language, and is now a very respectable member of that community. "When Clarkson's History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade fell into his hands, it awakened all the powers of his mind to a consideration of his origin, and the duties he owed to his people; and coupled with the sense of duty which his religious information had given him, he longed to impart to the Nego-race the blessings which British christian benevo lence had been roused to confer on Afri ca. This became the ruling desire of his mind. The directors of the British African Institution, having heard of this singular event, and that Captain Cuffee (his Negro, and therefore his favourite name) was about to sail with his Negro crew, (no longer a term of reproach), applied to this Govern ment for a licence for his coming to Eng land, hoping much from his co-operation and instrumentality. The zeal Capt. Cuffee felt for the African cause, determined his noble mind to forego all prospects of mercantile profit, and even the natural desire to return to his wife and children; and he came directly to England, bringing with him a native of Sierra Leone, whose father (a negro) is of considerable property, and in a large way of business. The Captain brought him from Sierra Leona, at the express wish of the colonist, to learn navigation; and it is but justice to the diligence and intellect of this young man to say, that, in the short voyage to England, he has learned most surprisingly fast, and shows that intellect is by no means controlled by the colour of the skin, and that the blacks are worthy of being the brethren of the fortunately more cultivated whites. "Captain Cuffee is of a very pleasing countenance, and his physiognomy truly interesting; he is both tall and stout, speaks English well, dresses in the Quaker style, in a drab-coloured suit, and wears a large flapped white hat. "It is supposed that the Traveller will return to Sierra Leone. We hear that the Captain is going to London, to confer on his favourite topic with the Directors of the African Institution." A Letter from Liverpool to a person in Lisburn, gives the following additional account : "We have a very interesting man with : us, of the name of Paul Cuffee, a man of colour-all his crew are men of colour. He commands a small vessel which has ar: rived direct from Sierra Leona-where he again proposes to return, chiefly with the benevolent view of ameliorating the situation of the Africans. "Paul Cuffee is a very sensible, modest man, serious with great liberality and delicacy of feeling. He completely silences all assertions against the inequality of capacity arising from the different colour of skin; it appeared before almost too absurd to believe that any one could seriously think so." Interesting Memoirs of Paul Cuffee, authenticated by the Delaware Society, for abolishing of Slavery, will be given as an article of biography, in our next number. STEALING FROM BLEACH-GREENS. Some circumstances which accompanied the conviction of Sarah Allen, at the late Assizes at Downpatrick, for stealing from the bleach-green of James Coulter, of Carnmeen, near Newry, are deserving of attention, and prove, in an early instance the benefit of the change of law, and the laying aside of the punishment of death. The morning after the robbery, rewards of £50 for prosecuting the thief or thieves to conviction, or £20 for private information, were offered.-Two days afterwards, a man who had been watching cars, at a carman's inn, informed, that at three o'clock in the morning after the rob bery, Sarah Allen and A. Callaghan, who was since taken, and escaped from the jait of Downpatrick, both of whom he, knew, passed near him carrying large bundles. Another person also informed, that he saw them offer half-bleached linen for sale in Tandragee, considerably under the value. On examination, it was found they had sold 33 yards, worth 3. per yard, at 8d. per yard. The thieves were apprehended two days after, when they acknowledged having committed the rob bery, and to whom they sold they remainder of the linens, which were afterwards recovered. On the trial, James Coulter proved the robbery of his bleach-green on the 16th of June, and that he believed the linens then in Court were those which had been stolen, and which he found in the house of John Foster of Tandragee. Foster swore they were linens he bought from Callaghan and the prisoner. The watchman at the carman's inn proved as to their passing him with large parcels, the woman carrying hers under her cloak. The charge of the Judge was very strong: he informed the Jury that the extent of the punishment was transportation, an altera tion in the law, which he hoped would have a good effect. The Jury, without leaving the box, found the prisoner guilty. The reward of £20 was paid to the two persons who gave the private information. Had this woman been tried under the old law, there is room to apprehend, that from a principle of compassion operating on the prosecutor, the Judge and the Jury, the termination of the business might have been different, and the ends of public justice less substantially answered. It is a good beginning to the operation of the new law, and encourages the hope that great benefit may be effected by substituting certainty in the place of severity of punishment. At the last Assizes held for the County of Armagh, James Anderson, William Anderson, John Anderson, John Lindsay, and Alexander Thompson, were severally tried for one of these daring and unprovoked outrages, occasioned by the destructive spirit, of party, that hath heretofore, often disgraced this County-it appeared that in August 1810, there was a dance in the barn of one M'Gleenan of Tullygarron, within two miles of Armagh, which chiefly consisted of Roman Catholics; that the prisoners, being members of yeomanry corps, after having returned from an inspection, went in their uniform and side arms, to the barn, where the unoffending Catholics were dancing, and after putting out the candles-stabbed, beat, and abused every of them that did not make their escape-they then fled from justice for nearly a year, bidding defiance to the laws--but |