Done at the Federal Palace of the Carracas, signed with our hands, and sealed with the Great Seal of the Provincial Confederation, and countersigned by the Secretary to the Congress assembled, on the 5th day of July, in the year 1811, and in the first of our independence. weighs 1 dwt. 2 gr. less than a shilling and a six pence, and the silver is also 24d an ounce worse. Any person who buys an ounce of stapdard gold, and pays for it in coin, will receive ten-pence in change for four gui neas and two seven shilling pieces. A Bank of England note for one pound Here follows the Signatures of thirty- purports to be the representation of 5 eight Representatives. JOSE MARIA RAMIREZ. A true copy. (L.S.) FRANCIS IZNARDI, Sec. DECREE OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE. dwts. 3 grs. of standard gold; but at the present nominal price, it will purchase not quite 4 dwts. 4 grs.; its deficit is 23 grains, and its consequent depreciation three shillings and seven pence. Fedral Palace of Carracas, July 8, 1811. Christoval De Menoza,President pro tem. Miguel Jose Sanz, Secretary of State. Yours, &c. B. S. COUNTY CARLOW MEETING. OCTOBER, 3, 1811. Resolved, That we the Roman Catholics of the Town and County of Carlow, have beheld with the deepest concern the attempt which has been made to obstruct our Body in the legal and constitutional exer cise of the irrefragable right of all British Jost Tomas Salmana, Sec. Foreign Affairs. subjects to Petition the Legislature; an at Comparison of the relative value of British Coin. Communicated in a letter to the Editors of the Repertory of Arts, Manufactures, and Agriculture. THE following curious facts, occasioned by the present state of British currency, deserve to be recorded; and may be of use to the philosopher who shall consult your pages at some distant period. A Guinea made of standard gold, weight 5 d. 9 grs, passes by law for only........ The same, three grains lighter, is worth, as bullion,.......... £. 3. d. tempt not more unjust in casting upon us a suspicion equally odious and repugnant to our principles, than calculated, in its tendency, to encroach upon the privileges of his Majesty's Subjects of every denomi nation. That, whilst we behold with awe, the impending destinies of the nations of Europe, almost universally prostrate to the power of a relentless and mighty tyrant, we view with poignant regret any measure tending to divide the Population, and weaken the resources of our native land; but turning our eyes to an enlightened, a benificent and constitutional Prince, whom Providence seems to have reserved for us in this hour of peril, we look with unshaken confidence to the exertion of his wisdom, his justice, and his magnanimity, to avert those evils which might be inflicted upon us by the machinations of domestic enemies, or the assault of foreign foes; and we call upon all our fellow subjects of every sect and persuasion, to join cor6 dially with us in our earnest efforts to uphold the dignity of the throne, the lawful rights of the people and the integrity and satery of the British empire. 6 A crown piece, made of sterling 0 5 A half crown piece of sterling 3 That in seeking, by the means which the Constitution prescribes, a Repeal of those Laws which still remain in force, to the prejudice, in all the situations of life, of the Roman Catholic, and which, in their effect, are scarcely less injurious to every description of persons in Ireland, by creating an unnatural division of interests, an injurious distinction of parties, and thus obstructing the prosperity of the country, we do not act, nor mean to act, in contradiction to the laws of the land, but to discharge a sacred duty, by endeavouring, as. far as in us lies, to procure the extinction of a Code, the cause of jealousies and discontents, incompatible with the welfare of the State. That, by assembling, as we do this day, in a constitutional and strictly legal manner, for the sole and specific purpose of petitioning the legislature for a redress of grievances, we give the strongest and most incontestible proof of our steady attachment to the British Constitution, which we venerate, and will defend at the expense of our lives, as the sacred sanctuary of civil and rational liberty, and we offer the surest guarantee of our unfeigned anxiety to consolidate the strength, and promote the glory of the British empire. That, as it is the warmest wish of our hearts to heal those wounds which the peace of society has so often received, by the cruel and impolitic fomentation of discord, we declare it to be no more our duty than it is our inclination, to promote, by every means in our power, a spirit of concord and unanimity amongst our brethren of all religious persuasions; strongly impressed with the justness of this feeling, we are determined never to relinquish the pursuit, (by every means the Constitution and the Law allow) of our claims to the free and unqualified admission to all the benefits and advantages of the British Constitution, as an object, the attainment of which is not more desirable to ourselves, than it would prove conducive to the general prosperity of all our fellow-subjects; and we hail, with heart-felt gratitude, the generous support, and warm approbation which our constitutional efforts have universally received from our Protestant brethren, as the surest omen of civil concord and happiness in this country. That, intent upon the attainment of our right to a free and full participation of all the benefits and advantages enjoyed by others his Majesty's subjects, which we shall ever persevere in seeking by those means the Constitution points out, and without 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 Petitions be presented to the Legislature early in the ensuing sessions for a Repeal of all the restrictive Statutes which still affect our Body. That we place our Confidence in the following Noblemen and Gentlemen to prepare our Petitions, viz.-The Earl of Kenmare; Viscount Castlerosse; the Hon. Thomas Browne: Wm. Gerald Bagot, Castle Bagot; John James Bagot, Belcamp; Walter Blackney, Ballyellen; Wm. Finn, Barrister at Law; Timothy Gorman, Busherstown; Dennis Hanlon, Ballycormick ; Anthony Kehoe, Castleroe; John Ferrall, Conlaw; John Nowlan, Ballyloo; Sylvester Coghlan, Rathrush; James Brennan, Kilcarrig; John O'Brien, Larah; Thomas Kinsella, Rathrush; Dan. Kelly, Knoekeen, Esqrs.; and we request them to communicate and advise with such other persons as may be or have been selected throughout Ireland, for the single, definite, and strictly legal purpose of preparing petitions to the Imperial Parliament, for a Repeal of all such laws as still prevent our free and fall enjoyment of all the privileges and advantages of the British Constitution. The following resolutions prefaced by a very eloquent and elegant speech proposed by Counsellor Finn, seconded by Daniel Kelly, of Knockeen, esq. were also unanimously adopted: That, perceiving with sentiments of deep regret, the incredible pains which have been taken by calumniating our characters, and by endeavouring to excite suspicion and distrust as to our motives, to poison the Protestant mind of the country against us, we deem it our duty to declare, that there is no class or description of his Majesty's subjects towards whom we entertain any hostile feeling, firmly convinced that all the misfortunes of Ireland have been owing to the dissentions of her Children. The object, dearest to our hearts, is national concord.-That the great and leading doctrines of the religion which we profess, inculcate as moral and indispensable duties, steady loyalty, genuine patriotism, pure and unbounded benevolence; nor can we discover in the Sacred Scriptures (referred to as the common foundation of the faith of all sects of Christians) any justification of persecution or privation, on the ground of difference in religious opinions-That if, instead of being surrounded as we are by our liberal and enlightened Protestant countrymen, the most inveterate of our enemies should appear amongst us, and utter one word of kindness, advance one step towards con ciliation, or even cast a momentary glance of pity upon the unmerited state of degradation to which we have been reduced in our native land, we should feel ourselves bound to obey the awful call of one common country, and one common God, and contribute our best efforts to soften down mutual asperities, conciliate mutual differences, and to extinguish dis union. That our warmest thanks are due, and are hereby given to those liberal and enlightened Protestant gentlemen of this, and of the adjoining counties:-Benedict Hamilton, esq., lord of the Manor of Carlow; Philip Newton, Thomas Butler, George Latouche, Henry Tighe, John Steuart, Wm. Cooper, Henry Bunbury, Edward Eustace, Robert Baily, Thomas Gurly, Edward Butler, esqrs.; Rev Wm. Sutton, Rev. James Magrath, John A. Hill, Edward Box, Wm. Humfrey, John Alexander, Henry Macartney, James Thomas, John Whelan, Humirey Hobart, esqrs.; Doctors Prossor, Maharg, and Myddleton; Surgeon Byrn, &c. &c. for having attended our meeting this day, and liberally and generously supported our resolutions, and the object of the meeting. That our most cordial thanks are due, and are hereby given to Colonel Latouche, and Walter Bagenal, esq. our patriotic representatives in parliament, for their uniform and steady support of our claims, and of every measure calculated to advance the interests of Ireland, and of the empire. That the Right Hon. Henry Grattan, our old, our tried, our invaluable friend, the Father of the Catholic cause, be requested to accept the tribute of our thanks and gratitude. That our most distinguished thanks are due, and are hereby given to the Earl of Donoughmore, for the unabated zeal and splendid eloquence with which he has on all occasions advocated our claims. count Clifden, for the zeal and ability with which he presented our petition, and for his unwearied exertions in his country's cause. That our thanks are due, and are hereby given to the High Sheriff, Wm. Knott, esq. for the polite and gracious manner with which he has accommodated us, with the Court-house for this meeting. (Signed) WM. GERALD BACOT. Wm. Gerald Bagot, esq having retired from the Chair, and Benedict Hamilton, esq. being called thereto, it was unanimously Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting are hereby given to William Gerald Bagot, for his dignified and proper conduct in the chair, and for the eloquent and peculiarly appropriate address with which he opened the proceedings of the day, and also for his services on a former occasion, when intrusted with the care of our petition to Parliament. (Signed) BENEDICT HAMILTON. PATRICK FINN, Secretary. Letters were read, from the Chair, from the county members, Colonel Latouche and Walter Bagenal, esqrs. expres sing their ardent zeal to further the Catholic claims, and their anxiety to have their names set down as persons who had they been in Ireland, would have attended the meeting. At a meeting of the Catholics of the Ce. Antrim, hld in Belfast, on the 10th of October, 1811, pursuant to public notice, EDMUND M'GILDOWNEY, ESQ. in the Chair, The following Resolutions were unanimously agreed to. Resolved, That it is the undoubted right of all his Majesty's subjects to assemble in a legal and constitutional manner, for the purpose of petitioning the Throne, or either or both houses of Parliament, for a redress of grievances. Resolved, That the Catholics of the County of Antrim have this day assembied for the sole purpose of petitioning the Legislature for a repeal of all the penal statutes by which they are oppressed, and for soliciting an equal participation of all the rights and privileges emanating from the British Constitution; they bear That our most cordial thanks are eminently due, and are hereby given to the Earl of Fingall, and the General Committee of the Catholics of Ireland, for the wisdom, moderation, and manliness evinced by them on the 31st of July, in defence of the subject's undoubted right to petition, and for the important services rendered by them to our body on all oc-ng their proportion of the burdens im casions. That our most cordial thanks are eminently due, and are hereby given to Vis posed for its support, and of the dangers necessary to be undergone for its defence, and yet by those statutes incapacitated from holding many offices which are the just incitements of honourable and legitimate ambition; thus establishing an invidious and degrading distinction between us and the rest of our fellow subjects. Resolved, That we determine, in common with our Catholic brethren throughout the kingdom, to petition the Imperial Parliament early in the ensuing session for the repeal of such laws as still exclude us from the full enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the British Constitution; and that the following Gentlemen, viz.-Edmund M'Gildowney, James M'Guckin, Philip McKeever, George Finniston, Alexander M'Donnell, Hugh Magill, William Hendren, Michael Black, John O'Hara, and Wm. Havern, possessing our contidence, be requested to prepare a petition on our behalf, and that they be at liberty to consult with the General Committee in Dublin, and such other persons as are legally au thorised to assemble, for the purpose of preparing such Petition or Petitions. Resolved, That in thus claiming these rights and privileges as Irish subjects, and petitioning the Legislature for a removal of the disabilities under which we labour, we discharge a duty which we owe to ourselves, our fellow-subjects, and posterity, and essentially serve the British Empire, by promoting the discussion of a question, which we entertain the most sanguine expectations will be decided in a manner that will permanently esta blish an unanimity of sentiment and feeling so necessary in time of common danger to secure Great Britain and Ireland, against the attack of every enemy, foreign or domestic. Resolved, That our grateful thanks are due, and hereby given to Earl Fingall, and the General Committee of the Catholics of Ireland, for their zealous and indefatigable labour in the Catholic cause. Resolved, That the sincere and grateful thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby given, to the Right Hon. the Earl of Donoughmore, the Right Hon. Henry Grattan, and the rest of our worthy and liberal Protestant advocates in and out of Parliament, for their honest zeal, and manly and eloquent exertions in behalf of Catholic emancipation. Resolved, That the grateful thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby given, to the most noble the Marquis of Donegall, for his kind condescension and goodness, in giving the use of the Exchange Rooms for holding this meeting. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting are justly due, and are hereby given, to James Craig, esq. Member of Parliament, and to the Reverend Gentlemen, and other numerous and highly respectable characters of every religious persuasion, who have honoured our meeting this day with their countenance and support. PUBLIC OCCURRENCES. CO. ANTRIM CATHOLIC MEETING. On Thursday the Catholics of the County of Antrim met in Belfast, in the Exchange, according to Public Notice; but the pressure of persons requiring admittance was so great, that it was found necessary to adjourn the Assembly to the New Chapel. Edmund M'Gildowney, Esq. of Ballycastle, was unanimously called to the Chair. James M'Guckin, Esq. rose and said... Mr. Chairman, the Catholics of this County having assembled here this day, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament, for the removal of those disabilities under which they labour, I rise to move certain resolutions, which I shall submit to the consideration of this assembly before I sit down. I cannot help wishing, that this task had been placed in the hands of a person more competent to its performance. With respect to the purpose of this meeting, I am sure there cannot be a difference of opinion among any of my Catholic brethren who are present; no Catholic who hears me but must sincerely desire that he should be capable of enjoying every privilege afforded by the British Constitution and form of Government under which he lives, particularly when he recollects, that the foundation of that very constitution was laid at a time when the inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland both professed our religion. With respect to your protection in presiding over this assembly, I must observe to you, that the right of petitioning is part of the common and statute law of this country, and the last clause of that very act of Parliament which was passed in the year 1793, commonly called the Convention Act, declares that it was not the intention of the legis lature to interfere with the right of petitioning; and I here hold in my hand an extract of that clause, which I shall beg the privilege of reading.-(read the clause) This being likely to be under discussion before another and more proper tribunal, I will not make any further observations upon it, other than to state to you, Sir, that we do not meet here to-day under the pretext, but for the real and honest purpose of voting a Petition to Parliament, for a re peal of those restrictive laws now in force against us. And if there be any person here present who has in secret any sinister case or factious motive, let the consciousness of that motive induce him to leave this assembly, and take no part in the proceedings of this day.—(loud applauses)-Aud why do I say this? It is because the preamble of the act which I have just mentioned appears pointed against assemblies held under the pretext of preparing petitions for redress of grievances, when in reality for different purposes. It may be justly asked what those grievances are? wherefore, Sir, I shall take the liberty of mentioning to you the situations which Catholics are deprived of holding, and the disabilities under which they labour, and I shall therefore trespass in enumerating the different offices. After having done so, I shall make a very short observation or two on the consequences of those disabilities. I speak not from idle thought, but from authority, which cannot be contradicted. A Catholic cannot be a Member of Parliament, a Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy, or other Chief Governor, Lord Chamberlain, or Keeper or Commissioner of the Great Seal, Lord High Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chief Justice of the King's Bench or Common Pleas, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Justice of the Courts of King's Bench or Common Pleas, or Baron of the Exchequer, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, Master or Keeper of the Rolls, Secretary of State, Keeper of the Privy Seal, Vice Treasurer, or Deputy Vice Treasurer, Teller and Cashier of the Exchequer, or Auditor General, Lieutenant or Governor or Custos Rotulorum of Counties, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors of this Kingdom, Member of the Privy Council, Prime Sergeant [when I say Prime Serjeant, I mean a certan Law Officer], Attorney General, Solicitor General, Second and Third Serjeant at Law, a King's Counsel, Master in Chancery, Lieut. General of his Majesty's Ordnance, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces, Generals on the Staff, Sheriff or Sub-Sheriff-nor can a Catholic hold any office contrary to the rules, orders, and di rections made and established by the Lord Lieutenant and Council, in pursuance of an act passed in the 17th and 18th years of King Charles the Second, &c. &c. &c. The lower orders of the people are not autho rised to keep arms, ammunition, &c. with. out having certain properties, and registering the same. [On this I would remark, that the lower class are not entitled to keep arms or ammunition without certain quali fications, but their indigence, which is so well known, virtually deprives them of the right to have arms and ammunition, inas much as they are not able to qualify. ]-All objects of honourable ambition, the pride of man are totally cut off from every man amongst us, who by birth, property, and education is in the rank of a gentleman. The Members of the Legal and Military Professions are deprived of the most power ful inducements to acquire character and eminence by their being excluded from that rank and situation which are the rewards of professional merit, and their la bours are bounded by the mean and sordid object of gain alone. The general effect of all those exclusions and incapacities on the whole of our Body, from the highest to the lowest, is to produce the consciousness of our being a degraded class in our native country, and to excite a sore and vered feeling, equally injurious to our own happiness, and that of our fellow-subjects. I cannot help, before I sit down, to express the pleasure I feel in seeing our meeting at tended by so numerous and respectable a body of our Frotestant brethren, who, I hope, are come to cherish us by their presence, and to encourage us in our legal progress to constitutional freedom; their concurrence I seek, and I am satisfied, when I do so, speak the sentiment of every Catholic present; and I trust that the time is arrived when religious distinc tions will no longer exist in Ireland, and that the only contention amongst the inhabitants of this land, will be who will best discharge their duty to their King and Country, and by their active exertion sccure the common safety against all foreign or domestic enemies. Mr. M'Guckin then proposed the Resolutions. On the Resolutions being put from the Chair, Mark Devlin, esq. addressed the Chairman-Sir, On a subject that has undergone so much discussion by men of the first talent, rank and character, that this or any other country can boast of, it would be presumption in me to attempt throwing new light. But finding that a certain pub. |