Mr. O'Connellpresented a Petition from Raheen, in the Queen's county, against compelling Catholics to support the Protestant Church, and praying for the abolition of Tithes.
§ Mr. James E. Gordonwould avail himself of that opportunity to call the attention of the House to a challenge given him by the hon. and learned member for Kerry, to produce the original of a document which, on a former occasion, he had described as a command from a Parish Priest to a pound-keeper, to release two cows which he had impounded, and which were the property of a Roman Catholic of Clare. He did not wish to retain the character of an honest man, nor to receive credit for his assertions one moment longer than he was able to verify all the statements he made in that House. He had written to Ireland for the original document, and he now produced it. It was an exact counterpart of the paper he had read on the former occasion, and he would, to convince the House read the document, it was as follows.
Patrick Donelly, give the bearer, John O'Loughlin, his two cows, impounded by the notorious bible-ranting Synge of Carhue, on account of the rent due to his landlord. But I believe the poor fellows stock was seized because he would not permit the infernal fiend, the devil, to seize the little ones with which. God blessed him. I promise you that O'Loughlin will deliver up to you the cows on the day of auction. "JOHN MURPHY.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, there was a great difference between the document, as read by the hon. member for Dundalk on the former occasion, and that which was now produced. When the document was read on the former occasion, it appeared to be a mere command from the Priest to the pound-keeper to release the two cows, but the hon. Member now read additional words, which made the document a good legal promise. These words were, "I promise that O'Loughlin will deliver up the cows on the day of the sale." He admitted the letter was not in good taste but the addition of these words made all the difference in the world in the nature of the document, and he congratulated the hon. Member on this confirmation of his original statement.
§ Mr. James E. Gordonsaid, that on the former occasion he had read the whole of 1223 the document, but it was open to any one to see the document which he then produced, and which, he repeated, exactly corresponded with that now produced.