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It is said in reply-The Roman Catholics are dangerousthey may be so they may be dangerous from their numbers, and still more dangerous from the unbounded views they have been encouraged to entertain.-But I will venture to assert (without fear of contradiction) that upon those very grounds, these terrible proceedings are not more contrary to humanity, than they are to sound policy.

It is to be lamented, that no civil magistrate happened to be present with the military detachment on the night of the 21st inst. but I trust the suddenness of the occasion, the unexpected and instantaneous aggression on the part of the delinquents, will be universally admitted as a full vindication of the conduct of the officer and the party under his command.

Gentlemen-I have the honor to hold a situation in this county, which calls upon me to deliver my sentiments, and I do so without fear, and without disguise.

I am as true a Protestant as any gentleman in this room, or in this kingdom. I inherit a property which my family derived under a Protestant title, and with the blessing God, I will maintain that title to the utmost of my power. I will never consent to make a sacrifice of Protestant ascendency to Catholic claims, with whatever menaces they may be urged; or however speciously or insidiously supported.

Conscious of my sincerity in this public declaration, which I do not make unadvisedly, but as the result of mature deliberation, I defy the paltry insinuations that malice or party spirit may suggest.

I know my own heart, and I should despise myself, if under any intimidation, I should close my eyes against such scenes as present themselves on every side, or shut my ears against the complaints of a persecuted people.

I should be guilty of an unpardonable injustice to the feelings of gentlemen here present, were I to say more on this subject. I have now acquitted myself to my conscience and my country, and take the liberty of proposing the following resolutions:

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1st. That it appears to this meeting, that the county of Armagh is, at this moment, in a state of uncommon disorder. That the Roman Catholic inhabitants are grievously oppressed, by lawless persons unknown, who attack and plunder their houses by night, and threaten them with instant destruction, unless they immediately abandon their lands and habitations.

2d. That a committee of magistrates be appointed, to sit on Thursdays and Saturdays, in the Chapter-Room, in the town of Armagh, to receive information respecting all persons of whatever description, who disturb the peace of this county.

3d. That the instructions of the whole body of the magistracy to their committee shall be, to use every legal means within their power, to stop the progress of the persecution now carrying on by an ungovernable mob against the Roman Catholic inhabitants of this county.

4th. That said committee, or any three of them, be im-. powered to expend any sum or sums of money for information, or secret service, out of the fund subscribed by the gentlemen of this county.

5th. That a meeting of the whole body of the magistracy be held every second Monday, at the house of Mr. Charles M'Reynolds, in the town of Armagh, to hear the reports of the committee, and to give such further instructions as the exigency of the times may require.

6th. That offenders of every description, in the present disturbances, shall be prosecuted, out of the fund subscribed by the gentlemen of this county, and to carry this resolution into effect; be it also resolved, That Mr. Arthur Irwin, be appointed law-agent to the magistrates.

The above resolutions having been read, were unanimously agreed to, and the committee nominated.

Lord Gosford having left the chair, and the Right Hon. Sir Capel Molyneux be requested to take it,

Resolved, That the unanimous thanks of this meeting be presented to Lord Viscount Gosford, for his proper conduct

in convening the magistrates of the county, and his impar

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ROBERT STUART, at the general election in 1790, set himself up for representative of the county of Down, against what was called the Lordly Interest: and, in order to ingratiate himself with the popular party, took the following oath or test upon the Hustings, as a solemn compact between him and his constituents, namely

"That he would regularly attend his duty in parliament, and be governed by the instructions of his constituents.

"That he would, in and out of the house, with all his ability and influence, promote the success of

"A bill for amending the representation of the people.

"A bill for preventing pensioners from sitting in parliament, or such placemen as cannot sit in the British House of Commons.

"A bill for limiting the number of placemen and pensioners, and the amount of pension.

"A bill for preventing revenue officers from voting at elections.

“A bill for rendering the servants of the crown of Ireland responsible for the expenditures of the public money.

"A bill to protect the personal safety of the subject against arbitrary and excessive bail, and against the stretching the power of attachment beyond the limits of the constitution.”

REMARK.

Compare that test with the test of the United Irishmen, and there is not so much difference that the taker of the one should be exalted on a gallows, and the other to a peerage. The only difference is this-He that continued true to his test, was hanged; and he that was foresworn, hanged him.

Now, if ever there was a proof of the lamentable effects of a colonial government, it is this-that the most perfidious should always be selected for favor and power: as if it was a principle of government, not only to deprive the subjects of their liberty,but also, by pernicious examples, of their morals; and above all, to trust no man until he had made his proofs of baseness.

When the habeas corpus was to be suspended, could no other be found to execute arbitrary imprisonment, but he who had sworn to oppose "all arbitrary stretches of power?" When the parliament was to be annihilated, could no man be found so fit to destroy it as the man who had sworn to defend its independence and its purity?

How many of those whom Lord Castlereagh swore to protect against imprisonment, he has since imprisoned arbitrarily, and betrayed to the most cruel sufferings, may be bet ter known hereafter his biography will be written. It is time that false honors should cease to varnish treason; and that lying and foreswearing should cease to pass for talents and merit. Does it require so much genius to lie—and is it so meritorious to betray? If so, let it be proclaimed aloud to all mankind. The field of Genius may be much enlargedhonest men will cease to be troublesome, and thieves will have due honor. It is much to be wished, for the repose of mankind, that a great convention should be formed upon this head-That all may submit, or all rebel together.

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WILLIAM HENRY CAVENDISH, Duke of Portland, one of his Majesty's bonorable Privy Council, and Principal Secretary of State, Sc. Sc. Sc.

TO all Admirals, Vice-Admirals, Captains, Commanders of His Majesty's Ships of War or Privateers, Governors, Mayors, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, and all others whom it may concern, Greeting:-These are, in his Majesty's name, pursuant to the authority vested in me by his Majesty in this behalf, to will and require you to permit and suffer the bearer hereof, William Sampson, Esq. freely and quietly to go from hence to Falmouth, and there to embark and pass over to Lisbon, without any lett, hindrance, or molestation whatsoever-Provided the said person do embark within after the date hereof, and sail, wind and weather permitting, or otherwise this Pass shall remain no longer in force.— Given at Whitehall, the thirteenth day of December, 1798. PORTLAND.

No. VII.-Page 69.

FROM THE (London) COURIER.

The following petition was presented to his Majesty at the Levee, by Mr. Fox.

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. The humble petition of the undersigned, freeholders of the county of Down.

May it please your Majesty

WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, take this opportunity of expressing our loyalty and attachment to

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