The New York Herald Newspaper, February 19, 1853, Page 2

" PRIAL ¢F TEE. MADIAL | observers of Christian merals, aed profess all those , principles which most satisly human heart, and Se aeemanmmentsninit >! are adupted to the intellect. © prosecuting judge ts and letters in the Case.) ¥8* £" wsly mistaken when he accused the ‘defend- ne] Official Por ume L ants for acting as Evangelical Christians merely for | eee the rake of money, tor they lived on their toils, and . ishop Hughes. are tw most pious, epright and honest per Interesting Letter of Archbishop Haghess aud Ww knowledged to be such by those same csunses persons who the more wished to | TRANSLATED FOR THE HERALD, even the curate of their parish has | [From the Buona Nov wrobity of the two priso On the night of the loth of of the two piso tw arrest what Conyent of the Salesiane of y of Nievole, near Pescia, wherein , of having k Polini and Frane Madiai, nd living in Florence. “I ‘with the wife, in the way to a foreign land, the police was satistied b r- send rying off his Bible in the Italian language. Next came the arrest of Count Ge ini, a member of one of the wealthiest and mos lies of italy, with 0 accused of Protestan- tism—the total ber not being less than fifty per sons, of all ages ¢ d was the only ¢ tion that be she man is at prese A traitor spru who, to recover | illustrious f id her and her has- their upright, honest aud charitable actions respect, although concerning religion they , to my kuowledge, to an heterodox commu- This declaration is dated the 22d of May, ned by Sister Rosa Helice Massei, and au- ed by Sister Amna Maria Bartoli, Abbess of ‘these Ttalian puritans, , denounced all his breth- on hi Fen, in Whose com bad often prayed. His the Mouastery of the Salesiane, and by Pietro Forti, | name is Pasquale Madiai pishop of Pescia, in Tuscany. and his wife of Protesta ytisa having On the morning of the 7th of June, the public pro- gpoken and preached against the Cy religion. seentor summed up the charge, and on the fourth at before entering into the particulars of the trial, Gay the court rewained long in consultation; the Jet us give a short sketch of the lives of those two un- fortunate beings. 3 , son of a farmer, was born Franc: 5 amongst hills of Casentino, not a great distance from the city of Florence. At an early age he left the paternal roof, and went to the city in the employment of several patricians. Having learned French and Hagia, he travelled as courier with to- reign families, With whom he visited many parts of Europe, and even the United States. Rosa Mapiar, trom Rome, had lived in London more than twenty years, when she returned to Italy: she met Francesco Madiai at Florence, whom she had known before, beyond the Alps; they became husband and , and were married by a Protestant chaplain. The weak state of her health did notallow her to mii anew in the hardships of an arduous and agitated Having added her few savings to those of her husband, they furnished a house, and let 7 to foreigners, and particularly to English families. Not having either a ¢ middling ed tien, nor a natural ity and spiri votes were divided, and one vote decided the ques- tion, two being in favor of acquittal, and three of condemnation. At last the Clerk of the Court an- nounced to the prisoners to stand up, for sentence was to pass upon them. The presiding Judge read with a trembling voice:— Francesco Madiai, the Court has decided that you should be condemned to fifty-six months of galleys and hard lebor in the prisons of Volterra; and you, Rosa Madiai, are con- ned to forty-four moxths at the ergastolo, (the Je galleys.) at Lucca, also with hard labor. Be- sides this, you both are answerable for all the penses of tlie trial, and subject to three years sure P , after the completion of your ‘asacci, who denied everything, was ac | > criminal charge, but was detained to ‘inst him, by the police, ac of April, 1851. the Madiais during their trial did st honor, and awakened the admira- udie 1 ned to the sen- | tion of the wanting in conve: y Vigor, Unpo: tence with gr ed of any social rank or conspicuous adhere: cesco was in perfect peace, and ees, they could not dwell on vast and dangero final blow in a spirit of holy subm enterprises; so their whole care was a moderate i and the only expression of seffe as squeezing | dstry, in order to reap fromit the means of existence. the hand ofa friend near by, saying—There is need While the wife was busied about domesti of _ patience comfort, the joy of the at Florence, the husband, who enjoyed e: Holy Spirit ne es with me, however it may. health, continued his travelling life uatil lately, when — with my poor body. always happy. God has he decided to pass his last days with his wile, in the }een with me all the time of my imprisonment, and midst of his relations. We must add that both had forsaken the religion in which they had been bap- tized, and openly acknowledged belonging t» the Swiss communion. The Madiais were put in sepa. rate cells at the Bargello’s prison ; and after several weeks of strict confinement, the government notified them that their trial would take place on the 4th of June, 1552. Being too poor to employ counsel in their defence, Signor Odoardo Magziorani, one of the most learned j ff y, generously and gratuitously offered his services to the two pri and his example was imitated by three oth nent lawyers, viz: Vincenzo Salyaguoli, Ad Mari, and Leopoldo Galeotti. Great anxiety prevailed among the populati Florence as to the results of these proceedin, es many citizens applied for iss of Justice ; but the government notified that the trial should be conducted with closed doors, The presiding judges (as there was no jary Mr. Neryini, who, during the whole trial, ap very bitter against the culprits : Cocchi, the lalways be with me as long as J remain in and f amas sure He will be with me unto Madiai, as soon as she returned to the Bar- son, knelt and prayed for some time; after- she wrote the foliowing letter to her hus- My Dear Manra:—You know that I have always loved you; but how much more ought I to love you now, thet we have been together in the battle of the : have been beaten, but not van- through the merits of Jesus ill bave accepted our testi- grace to oe to the ee cup which is prepared é My good Sladiat, life is only a day, and a day of grief. Yesterday we young, today we are old. Nevertheless, we with old Simeon: ‘Lord, now lettest thon mine eyes hath seen sage, my dear, s' we know a a ms = eyed na . by the Holy Spirit that tis Christ, loaded with op- pcre gt dered iota pate probrivm, trodden down and calumniated, is our the public prosecutor. rn ‘aviour; and we, by His holy light pad power, ae vel r , sroucht th called to a »s8, and Christ who die At 10 o'clock, A. M., the gendarmes brought three ir oe hes that we may after- , the i prisoners into the court—Puasqnate Casss former, was the picture of an unhappy Francesco Madiai appeared happy to sce hi again, and pressed her hand ; and Rosa (his was pale, and trembled with emotion. The few per- sons present were surprised and moved with the tranquillity and firmness of the two accused. At the commencement of the trial, the presiding Judge asked from Francesco Madiai if he was born in the bosom of the Holy Mother, the Roman Catho- lic Church. A. Yes, sir, was the reply: but now I lory. Donot fear ifthe punish- God, who made the chains fall from nd opened the doors of his prison, will never tus. Keep in good spirits; let us trast entirely od. Let me see you cheerful, as, J trast, by the same grace you will see me cheerful. I embrace you with my whole heart. Your affectionate wife, (Signed) Tosa Mapmal. Tiefore leaving the Bargello for his final imprison- micnt, Francesco Madiai applied to be allowed to car- am a Christian according to the gospel. ry with hima supply of clean linen, clothes, &c. Q. Who has made you such, and does there exist But this was not permitted. He smiled, saying, act of abjuration dmongst those you are united ‘ Well things according to the will of God.” He an bw spoke very laudably of his wife, and requested a friend to’ tell her ‘that his prayer was that God would go with them to their prisons, and that he felt sure that God would be their companion there.” | Me was not allowed to see his wite, but was conveyed | to his goal of Volterra, and thrown among criminals. 2 A. My convictions have existed for many years, but have acquired strength from the study of the ord of God. Q. Who advised you to leave the Catholic faith’ A. Nobody; it has been a matter between God and my own soul. 2 demand will meet with a weloome acceptance, being in our own name. a is Imperial Highnes will no doubt appreciate the sentiment which such demeanor inspires us with, as well as that which induces us to recommend, most respectfully, to his consideration, Dir. and Mrs. Madiai. Receive, Duke, the assurance of onr most profound erteem. Rope, A. De GasParin, * Cavan, F. De Musonr, Taorrer. ANSWER OF THE MINISTER. Fiorence, Oct. 25, 1852. My Lorp—I have placed before my sovereign the letter addressed to me on the 24th inst., by several distinguished persons, among whom appears your name. His Imperial and Royal Highness appreciates your form of request, a8 he certainly would have deprecated any political expression, and the honora- ble diplomatic agents residing near this court would, doubtless, have reprobated such a course, The two mentioned Madiais, husband and wile, Tuscan subjects, have been condemned by the ordi- nary tribunals to five years imprisonment, for the crime of Protestant propaganda, which is panished Ea our laws, as it attacks the religion of the State. The punishment inflicted on them is merely the ap- lication of those same laws, and their {appeal has een recta His Imperial and Royal Highness, reserving to himeelf the power of exercising his high privilege in the manner he considers most convenient, could not allow the intervention of any one whatsoever in an affair which concerns the administration of justice in our States, and his manner of proceeding towards his own subjects. My royal sovereign, aware of the benevo- lent seutiments with which you are inspired in taking this step, but not considering that he must allow an intervention of any kind in this transaction, directa me to inform Bh iy lord, that he is sorry not to be able to grant the audience implored by yourself and the others who have signed the letter addressed to me. Receive, my lord, and communicate to those gen- tlemen, the assurance of ay very profonnd esteem. Tue DUKE oF CAsIGLIANO. To the right honorable, the Earl of Reden, Peer of England, at Florence. Assoon as the deputation, who were in perma- nent sitting, bad received this answer, they agreed to write an address to the Grand Duke, and sent it, as is customary, enclosed in the following letter to the Minister of Foreign Afiairs:— To His Excellency the Duke of Casigliano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Tuscany. We have received the letter by which your cilency does us the honor of informing us that Imperial Highness has appreciated the form n to our request, and does not, however, think of granting us the parered audience, but reserves to himself the use of his high privilege in the way which he will consider most convenient. All that remains for us to da now is to pore our mission as well as we can, by conveying to your Ex- cellency the expressions of those sentiments which we liad Leen charged with presenting to His Imperial Highness, and had Fitced in the enclosed address. We hope that if His Imperial Highness will vouch- safe to read them, he will perceive nothing bat what is becoming to the religious character of our peace‘ul intervention, and the profound respect that abides within us, Please accept, Duke, this new testimony of our very profound esteem. Ropen, _ A. De GaspaRin, Cavan, — A. De Bonin, Trorrer,’ De Mimonr. In order not to make your Excellency wait swer which is due to you by us, we sign this letter before the arrival of the other deputies, who are already on their way to Florence, and whom we consider as here present, aware of our demand. They are Albert de Pourtales, from Berlin; Colonel Trouchin: the Count of St.George, from Geneva; and the Counsellor Elout de Soctherwoude, from Amsterdam. ADDRESS, IurrriaL AND Roya Higuxess.—Your Imperial | and Royal Highness knows with what views we have the honor of appearing before you. We not only ab- stained from having recourse to a diplomatic inter- vention, which would have compromised the exclu- siv ie religious character of our mission, but we openly show, from this very moment, the wish that | this mission may never henceforth eerve as a pretext | to any political action. We are but simple Christians, and representatives of millions of other Christians, who use no other arms than prayer, no other strength than that of their divine Master. Our em! uite of a new kind, | and we believe is to be considered as a testimonial of | respect which is shown to the Prince to whom it is | addressed. Our brethren have eaid to us :—-Go, not in the name | of this or of that Protestant power, butin the name of | the Lord Jesus; go and acquaint the sovereign of ‘Tuscany with the expression of profound sympathy excited by the condition of Mr. and Mrs. Madiai; we hope that such general sympathy will be taken into consideration by your Imperial and Royal Highness. We will not attempt, your Highness, to judge about the convenience of the law, nor its application. Itiscer- tainly not our business to meddle with the legislation or administration of justice in your States. We only fee] the want of adding a word of justification to our steps, which is, that we never refuse to those con- Q. Have you ever made a public abjuration? A. | A few days after he was removed from the common ‘¥ea, sir. | galleys, and put into cellulary confinement. Q. When and how? A. When I took the com- | | Tlie seme gentleman who had visited Francesco wmunion in the Swiss church. | Madiai while in the city prison, went to see his wife, Q. Have you distributed among the people any pub- | who, hearing of the sudden yes of her husband, the Roman | became much oppressed; and her mind was also tor- Tication contrary to the dogmas of eharch? A. No, sir; the tracta I gave people to yead contained only passages of the holy scriptures, bat nothing of controversy between the two com- tured by the idea, that, at her advanced age, having | always lived amongst virtuous and religious people, | she should now be thrown with females of bad con- | . | duct. At the same moment, and almost unexpected- Q. Did you ever hold religious meetings in your | ly, the prison-k Tae brought a message from the house? 2 Yes, sii police that Rosa Madini should be taken away from 8, sir. the Bargello and carried to the prisons of Lucea. | At this dreadful notice, in presence of all the at- | tendants and gendarmes, she burst into fervent pray- A. That we were ngelical church, and as such we used to congrevate and pray. Here Casacci said to the President that many were — er, asking God for more faith, more love to Jesus. Catholics, and Francesco Madiai and Rosa (his Her it lawyer, Signor Maggiorani, promised to go to Lucca to see that everything that could be per- milted should be provided tor ; and the physt- cian, who was also present, said that, although it 13 unusual, he would give a certificate as to the te of her health requiring diet different from that common prisoners, as absolutely important to wife,) persuaded them to leave the Papal church. Q. What have you to say, Francesco Mu inst the deposition of the present witnes ie who were yet Catholics desi to b acquainted with the eternal truth, and under such circumstances { could not refuse them admittance to my house. Q. Have you ever hada eligions controversy @nring the time you spoke against the church? A. Yes, sir, only when I was provoked; [ spoke of the dogmas of the church as contrary to the Bible, bat aving quickly dressed herself, she asked for ber net, and to a remark made by one of the jailer: why she did not comb her hair, answered, “ w use, as in afew hours they will cut it off.” § yt he Ihave never daring this conversation, any dis- ML te those assistants, and told an nectful language. , in whose service she had been, lereupon resident ordered Franceseo Madiai tovll the brethren, and tell them, to sit down. Ilis wite alled to stand up Le called to follow us, to bear what may i b mt never to forsake addressed to the et under trial in. the sed of the same a them t This pemerous prisone several prisons of F crime for which the Mad aa, Have you ch ar religion for object?—did ever receive any pi amuneration? o, sir, I have not former religion lightly, or to please men: case I could have done it when 1 was in England, where [ lived s nieen years. could induce you to take that step? of the Bible convinced me of the ‘adictions of the Ror Here the presiding Judge impo: ner. suffer, sean government pre- s should be entirely deprived nd books of their faith, nor be allowed to applied in the nals. were Protestant arule w to the unt Q. Haye you ever made any public a i from a wrisoners, and kept in @ A. Yes sir; “as soon as I became fir: hnsband on the hills of the truth of the Evangelical doctri a dista of fifty the chorch dto walk about, it is partaking r Q. Where did the in a yard, snrrou nothing but the sky. Dreswed after the mar the common and it was bat victuals from ican be seen a © Have you, at tes men of hate totally untrue. [ heaven ha hain han| e wall, a8 athreat in case pose =. oa ay ga ud rebel against the prison discipline, But the Judge interrapted Rosa Madia se ae ca ar neh gina ea are not speaking about religion n : + ihe Paps 4 ant replied, “ As [ am accused of on, Lam to Protest trie , answer, and defend myself on that suvject. Catholise ts mae be meneee slaborate The President, with a stern look, bid her silence, | ,4.clis,®8 may be seen from a very elaborate ar- for the second time. Q. Have you ever said that the Christian religion has bot eight commandments, and that our creed 8 fornication - The prisoner herenpon rose in a high tone of ve that as her only reply to that infamous charge, should be allowed to say the | Ten Commandments, in order that they might judge whether there were eight or ten. “ Silence!” w st the Tuscan govern- ya deputation, composed of the most ns of several coun of Europe, order to implore from the Madiais, The commit. indignantly, and seid Anv.—The f Roden, P { Eng Lord Cavan, Peer of Ireland i Capt. Trotter. | ck.—Count Agenor de Aspa Peer of France under Lovis P ; and M. De Minont, sanswered by the court; upon which being angry, the defendant replied © that it wa not jnstice to impose silence on one’s own defence.” The Judge appeared somewhat milder, and asked | the prisoner if she and her husvaud observed ihe ten Commandments / “ Certainly,” she answered, ‘as God dictated them to Moses on Monnt Sinai. Here the word “silence” was reposted, and examination of Rosa Madiai was closed by the Ju saying ‘that is sufficient.” “Lhe small audience, composed of a few English entlemon, who had becn admitted through the in uence of Sir Henry Bulwer, were struck with th simplicity and sincerity of the Madinia, On the following day the witnesses were examined. On the 6th of Jane, Mr. Maggiorani announced to ‘the court that he was ready for the defence, which he made with so much warmth and feeling as to draw teure even from the eyes of the prosecuting at- The learned dete or. t de Bonin, Captain of the Royel yjesty the King of Prnssi t de Pourtalés, former Minister in MAN Y.—C ‘on: vat de Soetherwoude, Clanod of Ameterdam. utation forwarded their petitions to the | ike of Tuscany through his Prime Minister, the Duke of Casigliano, whe answered afterwards that they could not be admitted to royal andience of his sovereign, as they hed petitioned; and that, concerning the Madiais, they | ng been condemned according to the Jawa of th nothing in favor of the prisoners. CORRESPONDENCE OF TAK DEPET MINISTER OF VOKRIGN APP ALR TeS AND OF THE OF TUSCANY, Prone + Oct. 24, 1952. Fo His Excellency the Duke of Casigtiano, Secretary | of Foreign Affairs of Tuscany. | Sm—We apply to your Excelleney in order that you may beg of his Imperial Highness to grant as an r said: Honorable gentle- stand two aged persons n—not for Protestant pro- ug spoken apoctfully of our church, nor for having taken, at any time, any in the politics! events whieh have lately audience. We wish to have tue honor of placing our country, bot they are yaoi before hefore him the expressions of sympathy that Mr. modern Jaws, of being aj tes and becoming and Mrs. Madioi have obtained fo every Pro- | bers of the Evangelical communion. of which my two clients o toni ma | it our Monorabla’ For this crime, nly and candidiy confess | , to be condemned by legislation is contrary our own, | see no reason why be tried as unbelievers or | testant community. We come as simple dele gates of Evangelical Obristiums of several comn- ties. We acknowledge that, as such, we have no right to fnplore the fevor of a reception from his Imperial Highness; we consider it as an im- portant pofut that a religious attempt be not mis beg of an yee ies crn would term it, a political expression. For we come without the mediation of an: mninidhegt aootottied to | the government of the G: Duchy, hoping that our , and disagree, , yet they are rigid mntry, he could do | trary to our faith what we wish in fayor of our Pro- | testant bretbrep. The Roman Catholic is free in the countries which we represent. Your Imperial ard Royal Highness understands the meaning of these words. How could we ever have dared to address You this petition in favor of our brethren, the Madiais if we knew not “how to accept the condition of granting freedom to Roman Catholics? We should have omitted the profound respect due to your Im- | perlel and Royal Highness had we hesitated in | speaking thus. _ Respect is not cole on onr lips, but we feel it with- inus. The Evangelical Christians who have sent us hither, have all learned, from a study of holy books, to respect constituted powers, and their prayers for your eval and Royal Highness baye joined to those which are now offered in all | and America for our brethren Madiai | Wesincerely hepe, your Highness, that your answer will be such as to afford full consolation to those who sent us. Ropen, GaAsPanin, A. DE Bony, CaAvAN, Ds Mimont, TrotTrer. | LETTER FROM ROSA MADIAI TO A FRIEND, Finally, my dear, if such an injustice of the Tuscan mment is for the glory of but pray continually for us that we may abled to serve and honor Him truly in this heay imprisonment. My husband is very unwell, and this the more affiicts me. J am grown Very thin: but my health is much better, thank the good Jesus. I hope you, my dear, and your excellent wife are well; I shall never forget how much she suffered for me; kiss your chiléren and their mother for me; tell them that 1! and my husband exhort them, in their exile, not to fear the great of this corrupt world, for they will soon he redneed to ashes; let the cause of Christ alone he a sacred jealousy in their hearts and actions, to whom, with the Father and Holy Ghost, be honor and glory. Let the Church pray for us; let us hope that through the blessing of God, which gives strength to the weak like us, that if some one be called to suffer* for his » he will remember how much Jesus suffered for us, incre, for want of paper; remember us prisoners kindly.to everybody. — Your sister ia Christ, Rosa Manta. gove ec Rosa Madiai wrote lately, from her prison at Lucea, | dae hoeband imprisoned at Volterra, the following etter :— The news I received of your being better gave me great Nema iys and many were the tears of joy which bathed my cheeks for two reasous—first, becanse God » you worthy of sxffering with his beloy d, because he es your health. Oh, if we knew how to appre these humiliations, that we sufer {rom having acknowledged that there is but one Mediator between God and man! My dear, you that we expect grace; but allow me to tell | you that we have already received that great grace, when, after being separated by foree, driven from our dwelling, and our property dispersed as dust before the wind, we have been reduced, you see, to what a state ; and yet, with all w we would not, fur all Pharoah’s treasures, a3 also Moses would not, lose that holy gift which the Holy Ghost bas, through his grace, made us, of believing in his divine Word. This icall a grace and a very great one. If a star is to shine, it will he the sta of justice. We have done no haym to any one; on the contrary we were injured, having been sold for a.tew dollars. Our accusers are descendants from Judas, | fear for their souls. I pray that God grant them the tears of Peter, not the punishment of Judas, and that they may one day en- joy the eternal happiness which bas been purchased. | Were they to come and ask alms from me, I would give it to thera as J did formerly, and moy God help us! Amen, My dear, let us be ready to do the Fae ther’s will, as kis Son our master did it. Let us not | torment our-elves. Peter trembled while he was walking on the sea, fearing the flowing of the waters, and forgot that if the Saviour walked towards him, von the same waters, he was not to fear; he feared and cried out—‘Lord, save me!’ The beneficent hand helped him, saying: “Man of little faith, wiy fearest thon?’ if the waves of this cart: canse u} to fear, move sheme for us; let us remember the sacred words: “Although I were to walk in the valley of death, f would fear no evil, for Thou art with me.’ My dear, rest iu the Lord for welfare as well a5 for sufferings. Everything sep away. Fternity is the most essen- tial part. Be merry, and try to recover. God bless yon and cover you under the shadeef his wings, for the grace of oor Lord Jesus Christ. Your affectionate wife, (Signed The following St note which Rosa Maprat. | published on the 17th November, and on the 13th, at | sion, from the subur' eo of Europe | £ God, may it be wel- | Ido not say anything | Francesco Madiai | my friends. 1 cannot write any longer. Your faith- fal servant and brother in Christ Jesus, Peancis MApiAt P. S—Do not tell my wife that ! ax so sick, We extract from a correspondence further partica- lerson the general state of things in Tuscany, and the Madiais:— “ PLorence, Jan. 2, 1853. “Yon are aware of the two new decrees, the first of which re-establishes the pain of death for crimes of public violence against the government and agaiust religion; and the second authorizes the police to search and imprison, without judgment or sentence | from the ordinary tribunals. These decrees were five o'clock A. M., Angiolo Guarducci_ was arrested, he being still in bed, his lodging searched, and him- seli taken to the Murate, where he has been for the last fortnight. We have passed many a happy hour during the ve in our city of so many dear brethren from ‘al cittes; but the sun which shone fora short time was soon overclouded. Lord Roden went to see Rosa Madiai on the 31st October, and Francis on the 2d of November. Their faithful and always devoted friend Mr. C—— saw Francis on the 6th; but some days after, hearing that he was confined to his bed, and wishing to see him, this consolation was refused him. Recent and severe orders only allowed one visit a month. Sir H. Bulwer’s interference, to mitigate this order, was useless. We are aware that since Mr. C—— left, Madiai’s physical weakness has been very great. For several days he refused his medicines, and even his coffee and milk. On Satur- day this gentleman returned to Volterra to see the eee te time prefixed since his last visit being expired.” uring the stay of the delegates in Tuscany, a letter was addressed to them from the con- verted Italians in Florence, numbering altogether 1,500 persons—partly in prison, and others at large, et unknown to the ‘police—congratulating them for heir noble mission in such a good cause. Letter of the Most Rev. Archbishop Hughes on the Madial. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL. The Hieaniog of this communication suggests the matter which it proposes to discuss. No preface or introduction is necessary. The case of the Madiai, as reported in newspapers, had already attracted the attention and active sympathy of distinguished gen- tlemen, especially in England, previous to its having been taken up in this country. It had been the oc- cation of meee at Exeter Hall, in London. It had heen especially adopted by Sir Culling Nardley and Lord Roden, who are byte means distinguished as promoters of religious liberty in their own coun- try. Under sach sanction in England it would be strange if the movement did not produce some cor- responding action in this ccna for latterly it seems as if the philanthropists of this land deein it their highest honor to be imitators ef the correspond- ing class in England. There is nothing done by the aristocracy of England in the name of benevolence and Pane ey, which does not immediately pro- yoke the desire of imitation among the aristocracy here. And the only example that we have failed to imitate is the establishmentof ragged schools, which have become so popular in London and its vicinity. This we have not yet ventured on, although Heaven knows, so far as the title is concerned, the materials are not wanting. England, as an accompaniment of the emigration of at Icast her Catholic subjects, has not allowed them to leave her shores unprovided with all the requisites fitting them for admission into rag- ged schools, With this exception, whatever becomes popular among a certain class of English nobility and gentry is sure to be imitated on this side of the ocean. In this way we can account for the convocation of a | Madiai fe ten meeting at Metropolitan Hall. The call of the meeting was signed by some of our most respectable citizens. It was attended bya very large assemblage of persons who would attend the meetings of Exeter Hall against Catholics with as much sym- pathy and pleasure. The proceedings of the mect- ing were in strict accordance with its purpose, which was to shut off all free discussion, and to excite an unkind, uncharitable, and bitter Protestant feeling against the Catholics of the United States and of the world. I should perhaps observe in this place, to the credit of the Protestant clergy of this city, that if they attended the mecting at ail, it was only in the capacity of silent spectators —whilst the resolutions were brought forward and speeches delivered by reverend brethren imported apparently for the occa- and neighboring villages around New York. I need not refer to the course which was given to the whole discussion on that occasion. I may re- mark, however, that it comprised a scurrilous de- nunciation of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, of the Jesuits, of the Pope, of Catholic governments in Europe, of the Catholic citizens of the United States, and of the Catholic religion and its members of all times and places. ‘This was the purpose to which the Madiai meeting directed its ‘ers of elo- quence and denunciation. Whether the gentlemen who signed the call for that meeting—Hon. Luther Bradish, Colleetor Hugh Maxwell, Hiram Ketchum, Esq., and other Ugh pro of Mie respectability— intended to furnish an occasion for denouncing their Catholic fellow-citizens in this country, is more than I can take me to decide. From my previous knowledge of some of these gentlemen, and my re- ae for all, I should be unwilling to believe that key would loan their honored names for a p so unworthy of their social position, and go much at variance with the civil institutions of their country. T cannot, however, acquit them of responsibility, in this—that having accepted, or assumed the trust of calling a public meeting, they delegated that trust to other trustees, in whom the public could not have the same confidence. Other meetings like that at ee een Hall have already been held in other | parts of the country, and the probability is that | Meeers. Bredish, Maxwell and Ketchum, whether it was their intention or not, will have inangurated a | Protestant crusade against their Catholic fellow-citi- } sone Bay Jess violent or leas dishonorable than that | pees ited from the “ Awful Disclosures of Maria fonk.’ The wiedom and expediency of giving any en- | couragement to religious excitements in connection | with civil and social rights, appear to me extremely doubtfal. The Catholics of this country have had nothing to do with the trial and the imprisonment of ; the Madiai in Florence. What good effect, therefore, | will be produced by an attempt, through the medium of public meetings, to denounce them for an act which they had no power either to accomplish or | prevent? ‘Is it wise to encourage strifes among the various denominations of which the people of the | United States are composed? Would it not be wiser to recognise the rights of each denomination and of each individual, fully and Lead as they are re- cognized by the constitution of the country? Some have the same right to be Catholics as others have to be Protestents. All have the right to profess what religion they please. And since this is the condition of all the people of the United States, is it wise or just to denounce any portion of them for | the offences, real or imaginary, committed by their brethren of the same creed in foreign countri: The time may come, and perhaps sooner than is ex: pected by our wisest public men, when the United States will have need of the support of all her c’ zens. Who can tell whether the future of this coun. try may not reveal dangers cither from foreign ene- | ties or from internal divisions which will test the | loyalty and fidelity of every citizen, of whatever re- | ligion? In such an emexgency the Catholics, in spite of the denunciations to which they have been | lately exposed, will be found among the fastest friends of the Union and the bravest defenders of the soil. They have ever been such—and during the last few years, when even statesmen not of their re- ligion were ready to follow the lead of a foreign | demagogue, the Catholics have exhibited evidences | cf selt-control, of calm and wise loyalty to the Uni- ted States, of a well poised -posscssion, which have entitled them to the respect of their country- men. If it be true, then, that from the earliest colo nization of ‘these States, and through ail the strag- gles which they bad to undergo in peace or in war, the Catholics have ever sustained an untarnished re- uitation, have never furnished a coward on battle- cid, or a traitor in council; if they have discharged honorably their civil duties in times of peace and their obligations of patriotism in times of war, why should they now, under the auspices of the gentle- men who called the meeting at Metropolitan Hall, be given over to the coarse and vulgar denunciations ae reverend orators who figured on thet occa- sion’ The charge a in the preamble of the rezoln- tions adopted at the meeting, and on which the reso- bot Ce tee are founded, is fap for at other crime except of “possessing and reading their Bible,” the Madiai, hu: baadand wife, were tried, con- victed, and incarcerated by the government of ‘'us- cany. Jf thia charge be the truth, tle whole trath, and nothing but the truth, J am quite free and quite willing to denounce the proceedings of the govern- ment of Tuscany as MY Se lg unjust, and cruel. Such an act would be a disgrace to any government, Catholic or Protestant. But J must be; Aeave to say that I do not believe the trutd of the cl I re- ; Sard it a8 a falschood, and | have no doubt that it will turn out to be 60. If this should prove to be the case, the proceedings at Metropolitan Hall will re- flect but little credit on those who sanctioned and took in them. Observe, I do not doubt the | truth of the statement that the Madiai “ pos- sesnsed and read their Bible,’ bat I do donbt | and deny that for this, and this alone, they were tried and condemned to prison. i | must observe at the same time, that I have no know- | ledge of the circumstances of the case, ex what has come under the notice of every one who has read of the day hci J it. [have conelosion on grounds of Probability, com ie wrote to a friowi, dated 20th November:— | which to my suind are not less strong in their aggre- ‘i Dean Mr Co¥sT should wish to write more, but | gate than positive and direct teotimony. car not, being very ill in Led. wever, 1 do not First—There is no law in Tuscan: “ think my doknen dangerous. Let God's holy will , cessing and reading the Bible.” Bon von it be done in everything. All can say, aa & bfuther | there was mech a law, itis impossible that the Ma- in Christ Jesus onr Kaviowr, is, the more my , dini should have been convicted under {t, inasmuch sickness increases, the more the Spirit of God in- | ax, in their very , are allowed to ‘possess oressce nme, Please give my respects to al} | and read their ' Ttie not probable that any country would punish an offender for a crime, and yet allow him to continue, during the penalty, in the commission of the same. For instance, in our own courts, men convicted of forgery are not allowed to carry on the trade inthe State prison. 1 think that these reflections will satisfy any candid mind that the Mad iot condemned solely for the crime of* possessing and reeding their Bible.” And if they are not condemned solely for this, it follows that the proceedings at Metropolitan Hall are founded on ob- vious falsehood. This circumstance, however, was not thought werthy of consideration, and the truth would have been rather a detriment than an adyan- tage to the purpose of the meeting. The impression intended to be made by the speakers, on that oc: sion, was that the government of Tuscany Jesuits, the Pope, and the members of the Catholic Church throughout the world, have a mortal dread ofthe Bible. This would be strange indeed. To them the bock—the New Testament, at least—was cuigingly iven in manuse by its inspired authors. They have been its witnesses and its guardians fiom the beginning. It has heen recognized and used by them as, in so fur as it goes, aduplicate on parchment of the dvctrines which our Saviour had inscribed with a pencil of divine fire, in characters of living faith, on the heart of the church. The art of printing facilitated its diffusion, and the church availed herself w neas of that art, for the parpote of multiplying copies of the Holy Scriptures. Numerous editions of the Bible were published in the principal languages of Europe under the patronage of popes, cardinals, and bishops, long before Protestantism came into being. The Italians were well acquainted with the Bible, in their own beautiful language, before Martin Luther was borif. The first Italian edition was published in Venice in the year 1471, and forty successive editions were published in the different cities of Italy, an- | terior to the date of the Protestant translation, which ‘was published, not in Italy, but in Geneva, in the year 1562. In the very year of our American inde- pendence, the Archbishop of Florence brought out another translation, for which he received the special thanks of Pope Pius VI. In onr own country the Catholics have published not less than twenty or twenty-five editions of the Holy Scriptures, of every size, trom the folio down to the octayo, many of which are stereotyped. Is it not surprising, then, that our Protestant neighbors will peralet in Fi yd ing that we are afraid of our own original and here- ditary documents, that have never been out of our possession? Connected with the case of the Madiai, a new national policy has been broached in the Senate of the United States, by no less distinguished a Senator than General C. This poli with which the gentlemen at Metropolitan Hail appeared to be yery familiar, purports to be a vin- | dication of the rights of conscience, to be secured to | all American citizens, in whatever countries they may | choose to travel or sojourn. The ground on which this policy is advanced is that in this country stran- gers of every nation are allowed to exercise their religion as their conscience may dictate, and there- fore in all other countries Americans have the right to claim and exercise a similar privilege. It is hardly necessary for me to observe that freedom of conscience, which is here contended for, is inviola- ble in its very nature and essence. To say that any man or any nation haseither physical or moral power to destroy freedom of conscience, is to give utterance to a patent absurdity. Conscience without freedom | isnot conscience; but for this very reason the free- dom of conscience is beyond the reach of man's pow- er. God has provided ‘in the human soul a fortress to which it can retreat and from which it can hurl | its defiance against all invaders. 1 presume, there- fore, that there is a confusion of ideas in the minds of those who with Gen. Cass plead eloquently for that which requires no pleading, namely, freedom of conscience. That is universal—that is indestructi- ble—that is inviolable. They must be understood to mean liberty of external action according to con- science, which is quite a different thing. This ex- terral liberty of action according to conscience, | in all countries, is regulated to a certain extent by the enactment. of positive laws. In some countries the range is wider, in others more restricted; but it is limited in all, not even excepting the United States. The berry of conscience which is recog- nized and applauded in Connecticut will not be to- lerated (on certain subjects) in South Curolina or in Alabama. The Mormons have been obliged to seek retirement in Deseret in order to enjoy what they call liberty of conscience. And the liberty which they there enjoy would not be allowed them under the to- leration of the laws of New York. Is it expected, then, in the project of General Cass, that they, too, shall have the privilege of exercising liberty of con- science in their peregrinations among foreign States? Again, the assumption of General Cass is a fallacy. He assumes that the freedom of religion in thi country isa boon conceded by Protestant liberality to all the inhabitants of the land. This is not so, It is a privilege which was won by the good swords* of Catholics and Protestants inthe battles for national independence. It is a common right, therefore, and is not to be regarded as a concession from one denomination to the other. This arrangement in re- gard to liberty of conscience suited the policy of the country and was absolutel; indispensable after the revolutionary war. Does General Cass mean to say, that because it suited us, all other nations must a os t it, whether it suits them or not? As well | t England say, that because it suited her finan- ces to adopt free trade, she will insist es it that all other nations shall do the same. General Caas knows as well as any man Bring that until this conn- try becomes vastly stronger, foreign Statesmuch weaker than they are, will be treated as drivelling by foreign States. Oh, if you have a mind to arrange the constitutions and laws of European States by the power of armies and navies, that indeed is another matter. But thi United States will expose themselyes to ridicule they drag in sucha question into their diplomatic intercourse with foreign governments. It isa recognized principle in this country that every eovereign and independent nation has the right to adopt its ownconstitution and laws. The consti- tution and laws of a country are but the aggregate of general principles applicable to the peculiar situa- tion, protection and welfare of the citizens or sub- jects of which it is composed. They may he re- garded as the public and permanent expression of the aggregate conscience of that State. Thus, without going out of our own country, Massachusetts has one form of public conscience, Louisiana has another. Does Mr. Cass mean to say that an abolitionist from Boston, under the a has the right to talk in New Orleans, and preach, and harangue, and write and publish on the subject of slavery as he might choose to do in Fanouil Hall? If not, | would say with all respect, that the policy in regard to this subject which Gen. Cass advocates in the Senate, is calculated to have no practical ef- fect, either at home or abroad, except to stir up sec- tarian animosities against his Catholic fellow-citi- zens, and this is hardly worthy of his patriotic ser- vices, advanced age or accumulated honors. Indeed, Tam quite persuaded that tlie country has lowered itself in dignity, if it be true, as the news- papers have stated, that the President throagh Se- cretary Everett has become a petitioner side by side with Lord Roden, and taken his place of expectation d hope in the ante-chamber of the Grand Duke of useany. ‘The supreme government of this country ought not to stoop to an investigation, however sa- cred may be the occasion, ef a police trial in th petty States of Italy. In doing 0, it exposes ilself to humiliation and rebuke without redress. The Grand Duke can easily ask Mr. Secretary Everett certain questions about the liberty of conscience in this country, which the latter would find himself ex. ceedingly puzzled to answer. If the Grand Duke or his minister should ask Mr. Everett whether liberty nce is recognized in the United States ns the same in one State as in another—the y will have to reply, “No.”+ If the s interrogator should ask Mr. Everett w the helpless female inmates of a certain c Charlestown, near Boston, who were driven out without accusation, or trial, or condemnation, before any ciyil tribunal, expelled from their pes 1 in the depth of night, their house and f\ mitted to the flames, can Mr. Everett tell what hap- pened to them afterwards? Again the Secretary would have to answer, “No.” Did the State of Massachusetts make any compensat on to these per- tons for the destruction of their property, or he violstion of their rights? Mr. Everett would have to answer “No.” Is the State of Massa- chnsetts bound to protect the individual rights ot its citizens? Mr. Everett would have to answer “Yes,” in_theory;—in practice, in this case at least, “No.” How, then, it might further be asked, do you pretend that liberty of conscience is extended to all the citizens of the United States? Is there any practical difference between the social intolerance which prevails in your country, where there are so mony religous, and the legal intolerance of ours, where there is but one? It seems to me that the Secretary of the United States, who has it not in his power to give different answers to see such as these, rather exposes bimeelf and his native State, if mig! not his country, by going all the way to Florence to | plead for liberty of conscience, whilst such violations of its rights have been perpetrated and left unrecom- pensed at his own door. Other violations of liberty of | no | conscience in different parts of the country are by means rare in ovr history. They occurred in Phila- delphia, where churches and convents were burned to ashes eA intolerance of the mob. ‘There is this, however, to Le said in extenuation, that at least, ifthe clvil authorities of Pennsylvania did not protect its citizens from these Men it allowed compensation for the damage done to their property. { fear mach that social intolerance is not to be ascithed so much to the principles of any religion, as to the diseased moral Prone yf ” poh common inheritance of us all, The evidence of this can be disgpvered no Jeas in the United States than elsewhere. “th raperabundance of social and domestic intolerance, in despite of those laws of religiows freedom of whiclt we are s0 ready to boast, but which, unfortunately, have no power to protect the object of that intole- rance. Is it rare that servants are driven out from their employment, wuge they will not, against their conscience, the ' religion ‘of State” which the ly has made exclusive’ {sit unnevel to hear of men disinberiting their own off- the | pleadings on this subject | ea of liberty of conscience, still | ‘here is among, us a | spring for no canse except that of pi acknowledged righis of conscience? ‘These are mat- ters with which we are made too familiar, notwith- standing our boasted rights and liberty of conscience. Thave offered these remarks not in any spirit of controversy, but in the spirit of peace and of truth, There are moments when every citizen, who feels that be can say something promotive of the welfare of his countrymen and of advantage to his country, is authorized'to give public utterance to his senti- ments, how humble soever he me, . With such a feeling I offer the foreg reflections to the con- sideration of my fellow citizens, for what they are worth—no =a Jony, Archbishop of New York. theatrical and Musical. ae Towsry Turarne —The “shoemaker of Toulonse’’ will ice the entertainments this evening, and Mr. W. in will sustain the character of the Duke de Fron- iacob Odet. The beautiful terminate the performances. ert will sing one of her fi e ballads. Mise s and Mr. Fletcher will dance, and (he orchestra jscourse sweet music, POADWAY THEATRE.—The reeeipts of thia night are for benefit of an excellent setress and great favorite, Vitzyatrick. The selections for the oceasion are Hient. The beautiful comedy of “St. Cupid,” which admired, will commence the entertainments, and they willtermivate with the ‘Love Chase,” Miss Fitzpattick as Constance, and Mr, Conway as Wildvake, Dunrox’s TneaTRs.—A very attractive programme is presented for this evening’s amusement. The first in order is the “Eton Boy,” which will be sueceeded by “Dembey & Son,’? in the cast of which are the names of | sil the leacing performers of this suceessful ‘establish- ment. The amusements will terminate,with the “Old Dutch Governor.’ ‘the orchestra, which is composed of very eminent musicisus, will play several favorite airs. The receipts are for the henelit of Miss Weston, an emi- | nent actress. Namionat. Turarre.—The drama of ‘‘Jack Sheppard,” a favorite piece, will commence the entertainments, and they will terminate with the new Irish drama, calleé “O'Neal the Great,” which is drawing large assemb! every night. Mr.'W. G. Jones, who takes the " | character, receives well merited clreers, ant Mr. Clarke and Mrs. Nichols perform their parts in admirable qwabner, { Wairack’s Turatrs.—This well managed theatre is in a career of great prosperity; it is the resort of very fashion- | able audiences, who express their approbation of the per. sormances in enthusfastic cheers. To-night the fine old comedy of the ‘Heir at Law,” with many of the most eminent artists in the cast. The amusements will close with “High Life Below Stairs."? AmenicaN Musevm,—The performances for ihe after- noon and evening consist of the excellent drama, called the “Old Folks At Home,” in which Mr, C, W. Clarke, Hadaway, and Miss Mestayer, will sustain the leading characters, Cicvs.—The spectacle of St. George and the Dragon has proved bipily succesful at the Amphitheatre, and it will be played to-night, in conjunction with other noyel- | tics. There will be an afternoon performance. Cunsry’s Opnra Hovst.—This place of amusemont con- tinues to be every night crowded. The amusements al ways excite poe laughter. George is a great card— the dancing is excellent. Woon's Mivstrers.—This neat hall of miustrelay fs well supported, and Wood is untiring in his exertions to please. A fine bill for this evening—melodies, instrumen- tal solos, and daneing. Paxvarn’s Exhibition of the Holy Iand, a beautiful | painting, continues to be largely patronised. Pustxy’s Taamrs.—This excellent work of art is gaining in public estimation. All who see it admire its artistic | beauties. | Roprrr Hetzer, the great necromancer, performs his wonderful feats every night, before very respectable au- diences. Pav Jeury, the prodigy of the age, will give his fare- well concert on paeeay evening next, assisted by the distinguished vocalists Madame Henriette Sontag, Ef Padiali, and other celebrated artists, at Metropolitan Miss § | Map, Vaterrin.—This vocalist has given a concert every night during the week. She is assisted by several ainent artists, She gives another concert this evening at Hope Chapel, under the dicection of Mr. Hogan, the eminent organist. Mz. Near, the tragedian, at present in this city, is engaged to appear at the Athoneum, Boston, on Monday evening next ; his term is for ten nights. He opens in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Mrrrorortay Hatt.—Professor Morton will give his en- | tertainment of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, at the above hall, this evening. Madame Alboni will give a concert in Portland, Me., on Monday evening next. | Mr. James E. Murdoch, the tragedian, read one of | Shak:peare's plays before the Young Men’s Association of Cincinnati, on the 17th inst. Madame Anna Bishop gave her first concert in Rieh- mond, Va., on the 1ith inst. dirs. Sinclair commenced an e: ent at the Metro- politan theatre, Buflalo, on the 1dth inst. Mr. W. H. Chippendale was tendered a complimentary benefit in Mobile, which was to have taken place on the ‘14th inst. The Bateman Children were playing at the Varieties theatre, New Orleans, at last acecunts. Miss Julia Dean commenced an engagement at Charles- ton, 8. C., on the 14th inst. ' | _ Mr. Bass, the veteran actor, reecived a beneiit at the | Varieties theatre, in New Orleans, on the 14th inst. The firemen of Nashville, Tenn., gave a compliment: benefit to Miss Logan on the 7th inet. s s. Mr. Martin B. Coombs continues his Shaksperean read: ings in the West. He was in Cincinnati on the 17th inst. Wan Sing, the knife thrower of the Chinese troupe, re- ecived a benefit at the Walnut etreet theatre, Whiladel- phia, last evening. | Storrinc a Traty or Cars—An Amusing Sczxe.—The Supervisors in the several towns through which the Boston and Albany railroad the company tor the | have apories levied a tax uj | entire cost of their road in this State. is the com- pany has refused to pay, aud the parties are cou‘cat- ing its legality ine Court of Equity. It appears that the tax collector of Schodack, not satisfied with the tardy process of law, undertook to bring about a puceny setilement, by stopping the Saturday morning train from Springfield, at the Schodack Station. As soon asthe train reached the place, the eollector mounted the platform of the thst audible tone of voice, said, “Gentlemen, I attach this train—these cars are minc—men, Block the wheels.” On giving this order some twenty-five or thirty persons eet to work and placed bits of wood on ., the rails between the wheels of the cars. While they were cngaged in obstructing the track, Mr. Gray, the Superintendent of the company, in the name of the company demanded the tax gatherer to show his papers by which he assumed the right Hoek the United States mail. After some qnibbling turned out that he bad nothing of the kind, and that he had assumed the power. Quite a laughable scene qusned. The Superintendent directed his men to re- niove the obstructions, and the tax gatherer called upon every man in the cars and on the ground to as- sist him in retaining possession of his propetry—the train of cars and locomotive. After a shght deten- tion the obstractions were removed, and the tratn passed, amid the cheers of the L perorn 4 and the shouts of the spectatcrs, who had assembled in con- siderable nuinbers at the depot to see the sport.— Allany Journal, Feb. 7. car, and, inan : Tens 2 The following, from the North Adams Transcript, is the first and only attempt we have seen to explain away the pregnant silence of the tunnel machine at the Hoosac moun- tain: fhe facts are that the rock is not yet blasted away sufliciently to bring the machine up to the face of the rock at the tunnel, and cannot be with the utinost exertion for some little time; but the work {# tly progressing. The machine now stands y back from the tunnel against the ledge, has been left for a little way for the purpose having fomething to experiment upon, but it there a to t disadvantage, and as it affords but t face enough to cut a full circle, it leaves ht shell on top, which the blasting breaks idering it troublesome. But the working down, ¥ of the machine is quite satisfactory, as the directors | will be ready to show, by practical demonstration, | toa committee of the Legislature, whenever they, may sce fit to visit it. Genvrat The Transcript relates the follow’ ‘sident elect :—Shortly after” his nemination, he was called upon by a party in- terested to lend his professional services in a certain case before the highest judicial tribunal of the: country. An enormous fee was offered, far exceed- ing the average amount of the General's annual receipts from his profession. Quick to ‘perceive that, under the circumstances, his services were not sought because of the value of his legal opinion, or the professional presiige which he might bring to the case, he concluded that the one ‘was to bring into the geale of justice the weight that might be given ly" his new and important relations to the chief extcutive office of the country. The mere sue picion was enough to induce him‘at once to dismiss the temptation, and decline the brilliant offer, _Uscave or Frexen Exes to tap Uni Srarus—The emarara Colonist publishes the fol- lowing facts about the eseape of some French ex- iles from Cayenne :— The captain of the American brig Mermaid, from Cayenne for Boston, found, after three days sailing, hidden in his ship, three French exiles. The captein, who goes often to Cayenne, fearing to meet with some difliculties in his foture voyages, if he should take those men to the United States, put into Surinam, where he found the French war steamer Voyageur. He commun cated tle frets to the United States Consul, who ad- vised Lim to keep his prisoners, The commander of the yoragtne wanted to have them given up to him, but met with a refusal, and sailed imaediately to Cayenne to obtain orders. On his return, the | rere and refogees had ieft for the United James Grant, late Speaker of Representatives, Wing bes een voted ae towed doleet | for his services in that capacity, sends the amount hg ee te 9 } is entitled to the money, re eer ee *,