The Life, Times, and Correspondence of the Right REV. Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861. Excerpt: ... THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE AND BOARD SUPPRESSED. 145 teristic unscrupulosity, began from that moment to shuffle on the Catholic question. In 1810, on Mr. Grattan's motion in its favour, he daringly denied that any pledges had been given by him or Lord Cornwallis. A few Catholic barristers co-operated in establishing a "Catholic Committee," but they were immediately tampered with by the Crown, and secretly pensioned. Other men, less corruptible, flung themselves into the gap thus made in their ranks, and led on the forlorn hope. The career of the Catholic Committee was short and ricketty. The barristers having been seduced from their adhesion, this association, thus deprived of legal advice and guidance, incautiously branched into a species of delegation, which subjected it to the penalties of Lord Glare's Convention Act. A proclamation annihilated the Committee in one day; Lord Fingal and other Catholic delegates were placed under arrest. With hopes and spirits crushed, the Catholics rapidly sunk into a state of miserable supineness. O'Connell at last aroused them from, their slumber, and with the scattered materials of the shattered Committee the Catholic Board was now formed. Wearied from long watching, and impatient for liberty, a large segment of the Catholic party, headed by Mr. Sheil, declared their willingness to give the Government a Veto in the appointment of Bishops, in return for the blessings of Emancipation. A warm controversy arose. The vetoists seceded, and the Catholic body became weakened by disunion. O'Connell, however, toiled witii untiring energy, and at last succeeded in breathing strength and spirit into its all but paralysed limbs. But on the 3rd of January, 1814, all the powers of the Government were again let loose upon it, and the is...