their agent, and ascertain the most favorable terms on which the said rents can be liquidated, and report the same," &c. now proceed to perform the duty thus enjoined. They address you as the agent of the proprietors, rather than the proprietors themselves; because from your residence in this city and your intimate knowledge of its inhabitants, you must be well acquainted with their situation and with the state of feeling which now exists among them. This knowledge, the committee trust and believe, you will communicate to your constituents. It is well known that the ground rents for many years past are now in arrear. They have not been generally paid since the death of Andrew Hamilton, in 1825.You must be fully sensible of the cause. Every citizen of Lancaster knows that for several years after that event, no regular demand was made upon the Lot holders, and there was no agent amongst us who could exhibit a competent authority to receive the ground rents. No regular chain of title for them was produced, and the Lot holders were not informed, nor did they know who were the real owners. For this neglect and for its consequences the proprietors have themselves to blame. Serious doubts and suspicions were thus cast upon their title; and the Lot owners ceased to pay their ground rents. These ground rents have thus accumulated to such an extent, that many, very many of them, would be wholly unable, without sacrificing their property to meet the demand. Under such circumstances, what ought to be the course pursued? The committee firmly believe that the true interest of the proprietors is to meet the Lot holdders in a spirit of liberal and enlightened conciliation. A strong and a general feeling now exists in Lancaster against the payment of these arrearages. The ground rents in future, we believe, might be collected without serious difficulty, if the question of the arrears were settled. In that event, the Lot holders would generally be disposed to purchase immediately upon reasonable terms: and it would certainly be the interest of the proprietors to sell. But what, in the present state of public feeling, would be the consequence, if a compulsory course should be adopted, and the proprietors should attempt to enforce the payment of these arrearages? A resistance almost universal. Many hundred suits must be brought the city must be thrown into agitation-the Lot holders must be harrassed by the trouble and expense of these law suits, and in the end, the proprietors would discover that they had mistaken their true interest. Many examples might be adduced to prove the extreme difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of enforcing separate claims, though clearly legal, against a great number of individuals in the same vicinity, who are impelled to oppose them by a strong sense of their injustice, whether well or ill-founded. Besides, such a course of conduct might endanger the interest of the proprietors, upon a point which the committee do not believe will otherwise be put in jeopardy. It might and probably would produce a hostility on the part of the Lot holders to pay or to extinguish their ground rents in future, and thus the present value of the estate to the proprietors might be seriously impaired. If there ever were a case, then, in which conciliation is the interest of all parties, it is the present. We trust, therefore, that a liberal and generous proposition may be made by the proprietors-such an one as the committee may be able conscientiously to recommend to the adept on of their fellow citizens,—and such an one as will promote harmony between the parties and se cure the best interests of all concerned. In conclusion, the committee owe it to themselves to observe, that their own interests, minute and trifling as they are, even if any of them should be disposed to take advantage of the compromise which they hope may be 191 effected, could not, in the opinion of those who know JOHN F. STEINMAN, NO 6. Mr. Reigart to the Committee. Gentlemen,-Your second note of yesterday, was received late last night; this morning I leave for Philadel phia, and will submit your note to my constituents, who know are disposed to do what may be fair and honora ble. On my return to Lancaster you may expect to hear from me fully. I am, very respectfully, &c. E. C. REIGART. NO. 7. Mr. Reigart to the Committee. Gentlemen,—I have submitted to my constituents your letter of the 2d inst., and am instructed, in reply, to express their gratification at the opportunity which your correspondence affords them of making known their views and sentiments concerning the collection of the arrears of their ground rents. They believe, as I do, that you are mistaken in your impressions of the causes which have led so many of the Lot holders to neglect paying the rents accrued during several years past. It is, we think, a mistake to suppose that there ever was a time when there was not a regular chain of title to the rents, or parties ready and competent to receive them: these parties have always been duly represented by an agent, in Lancaster, except on one occa. sion, for about a year, in consequence of the death of one of the parties. It may be, that the gentleman who represented the owners of the rents, at the time to which you refer, may have been remiss in his duty in not producing the title by which he claimed to collect the rents, when properly called upon for that purpose. All these matters, however, have recently undergone judicial investigation, before a jury, in the District Court of this county, and before the Supreme Court of the state, and the concurrent decision of both these tribunals, serves to show that the proprietors of the rents are not the parties to be blamed for the delay of the Lot holders to pay their rents. In questioning the correctness of your impressions on these subjects, my constituents have no desire to recriminate the same charges upon the Lot holders. They have the highest respect for the inhabitants of Lancaster, and, while they always regretted the existence of any difference of opinion between them, have always felt assured that the mistake, on the part of the Lot holders, was an honest one, and would be candidly acknowledged by them, when the decision of the Supreme Court should be obtained, as it now has been. The decision of this Court places it beyond the possibility of future doubt or question, that the rents are recoverable by course of law: But a legal course is the last one to which my constituents would willingly resort. Trusting that such a course might not ultimately be necessary, they have patiently awaited the result of the late proceedings in the Supreme Court: this time being now arrived, there exists no longer any subject for controversy. It is settled that the arrears are duc, and the amount in arrear is in every case ascertained, or easily ascertainable. Under these circumstances, the proprietors of the rents, in the same spirit of conciliation by which they have been hitherto governed, have resolved to institute nó legal proceedings before the 1st day of December next; and have resolved to place it in the power of every Lot holder to make an easy arrangement before that day, by which they will be enabled to pay the arrears without any inconvenience or pressure. I am, therefore, authorised to say, that, to those who come forward before the first day of December next, and pay one year's rent on account of arrears, I am instructed to allow a liberal indulgence in the way of extending the time for payment of the balance of arrears, without interest. It will be expected, however, that in every instance, the person asking such indulgence, will give some personal obligation for the payment of such balance of arrears, by annual instalments or otherwise, according to the circumstances of the party and the amount of arrears. In cases of poor widows, and other poor, helpless, and infirm persons, I have a large discretion, as to treating them with humanity and indulgence. Such cases will be acted upon individually, as they arise, and will invariably be viewed most favorably: In the same friendly spirit, it may not be amiss to remark, that, if the proprietors of the rents are obliged to resort to legal proceedings in any cases, the law will authorise the recovery of interest on all the arrears. A settlement on the terms above suggested, will therefore have the effect of saving to the Lot holders the interest previous to the 1st December next, on all the arrears of rents; the annual rents hereafter to accrue will of course be punctually paid:-they will be punc. tually collected in all cases, with due regard, however, to the situation of destitute widows, and poor, helpless and infirm persons. Some of you, who personally know the character of those whom I represent, can unhesitatingly assure our fellow citizens, on your own and my responsibility, that no person will be harshly dealt with. The extinguishment of the capital of the rents, must, of course, be a matter of special arrangement in the case of each Lot. It would be impossible to discuss the question in a general shape: but my constituents are willing to place it upon an easy footing to the Lot holders. These observations will, it is expected, be received by you as friendly intimations in reply to your communications. The details of arrangement can be made in particular cases as presented. My general instructions are, to be indulgent to all, and kind and humane to the poor; and I call upon my fellow citizens, through you, gentle nen, to meet me in a spirit of conciliation; feeling confident that I shall be able to execute my instructions with satisfaction to my constituents, advantage to my fellow citizens, and with the approbation of my own conscience. I am gentlemen, very respectfully, E. C. REIGART. To the Hon. James Buchanan, Adam Reigart, Samuel EDUCATION. A very rich man, a citizen of Lancaster county, when the necessity of adopting a system of education for all the people of Pennsylvania, was pressed upon the Legislature, opposed it with-great violence, and in his closing remarks, said-What shall we do for laborers? What shall we do for servants? What shall we do for hirelings, if all are educated?” "In the first place, my friend, remarked one of the company, "pay better wages in the second place, wait upon yourself—in the third place, work yourself!-It never was known yet, that a man was less willing to work, be [SEPTEMBER cause he could read and write-It never was known yet, that a servant, if you must have servants, made a worse one bccause he could keep accounts-It never was known yet, that a man made a worse hireling, because he could read for himself the moral lessons which the Saviour left as his legacy to the children of man in the New Testament." Comment. A Captain M. whose residence is in Lebanon, arri. ved in the spring at Marietta, with a load of Pine Grove Coal, consigned to Captain G. While the account of the coal was being made out, Captain G. asked the colher how the School Law was received in Lebanon county? "We are all opposed," was the coal Captain's reply. We had petitions out against it all over the county, and I rode three days and got more as five hundred signers against it."""Well Captain M." said Mr. G., "I am sorry to hear so bad an account of my friends in Lebanon: Here is the money for the coal, and here is the receipt, which you will please to sign.”— “Bless my soul," replied M., “I can neither read nor write!" "Indeed!" said his astonished friend—“ And yet, you, who feel the want of education, yourself, are laboring to prevent, the children of your fellow citizens, and your own children from receiving its benefits.”— Lancaster Journal. A LEAD MINE. The Wellsborough (Tioga Co.) Phonix of the fifth inst says:-"Major Ezra Long, of Troy, Bradford co. has succeeded in discovering a considerable quantity of Lead ore in Union township in this county. The specimens we have seen are, we think, equal to the best Galena Lead ore. Major Long is confident that he shall be completely successful. No doubt exists that lead to a considerable extent is embedded beneath our soil, as it has already been discovered in three or four places in different parts of the country." From the Lancaster Journal. THE SUSQUEHANNA CANAL. the Baltimore American, we are given to understand, By a semi-official communication, which appeared in that a proposition will be submitted, on the part of the make the Maryland Canal, from the Pennsylvania line Maryland Company, to the Susquehanna Company, to to Port Deposit, to correspond in depth and width, and in the size of locks, with the plan which may be adopted by the Pennsylvania Company, and to bind themselves to impose the same rates of tolls, and as we under stand, to be governed by the same rules, as the Susquehanna Company shall adopt. They conclude by observing, that this will be comp'ying with one of the propositions offered for their acceptance. to be considered, will be accep'ed, depends upon the Whether the concession, as the above offer appears views which the directors of the Susquehanna Company may now entertain. To put the most favorable construction on the past conduct of the Maryland Company, it must be considered equivocal, and the tardy acceptance now made, after having been refused, in the first instance, certainly leaves the Susquehanna Company at ful! liberty to receive or reject it, as they may think best for the interests the directors represent. We hope, however, a conciliatory spirit may rise out of this proposition, which will eventuate satisfactorily to both parties. Printed every Saturday morning by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 9 Library street. The publication office of the Register has been removed from Franklin Place, to No. 61, in the Arcade, West Avenue, up stairs. HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. XVI.--NO. 13. PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 26, 1835. The following Anecdote from the Cincinnati Mirror, we have thought sufficiently interesting to be inserted in our Register, the more so as we have reason to believe that it is substantially true, having conversed with a gentleman who held a confidential office under the United States, during the Revolutionary War, and who has told us that from circumstances within his knowledge, but which we are not at liberty to state, he has no doubt of the truth of what is here related, except as it refers to individuals, of which he has no recollection. AN ANECDOTE of the REVOLUTION. congress The year 1775 was to the civil, though not to the military councils of America, more rife with doubt and anxiety than those years which followed. The first battles had been fought-the first blood shed; the weapon of death was bared, and the arm nerved to the contest: but it was the child arrayed against the parent, and many a patriotic heart bled at the seeming sacri. lege. The petitions and remonstrances of and the nation, had been treated with contempt; and it was plain to all men that submission or resistance to the death must thenceforth be the choice. Yet few dreamed of independence, and those to whom the dream did come, started at the dim, gigantic shade. The wise still wished to heal the breach: in the language of one of the public addresses, though insulted and abused, they wished for reconciliation; though defamed as se ditious, they were ready to obey the laws: what more could they say-what more could they offer?"But reconciliation was daily becoming more difficult; the gulf which sundered America from England was hourly widening; but even when they saw that gulf impassable, there were few who dared think America might stand alone, self-sustained-few who dared believe that she, an infant, could single handed, contend with the Queen of nations, "the mistress of the ocean:" and though to bow the neck and receive the yoke again, was what never entered their thoughts, yet annihilation, if not physically, at least politically and morally, did flit before their eyes, and make them burn in their pockets. The summer passed, and the melancholy autumn laid At the hour appointed, Mr, Jay, with that punctuality 1 No. 403. and strict regard to engagement which was as remarkable in him as in Washington, entered the committee having the appearance of a French officer. The Ameri room; he found in it an elderly gentleman, lame, and can at once introduced himself as one of the committee who had been appointed to receive the communication With many thanks for his kindness, the referred to. French gentleman began to open his business; but Mr. Jay desired that nothing might be said upon the subject until those associated with him arrived; at his request the officer dropped the subject-but after a lit tle general conversation, again skilfully approached it. It was a maxim of Jay's to separate himself from his enemy: and it was his practice never to commit himself, and particularly upon public affairs, with a stranger: while therefore with that politeness and kindness which he could never be driven to abandon, he continued the conversation, he at once, by taking the lead, passed from America to Europe; and by direct inquiries which could not be evaded, he learned much of foreign matters before his colleagues arrived; thereby making At length Franklin and Jefferson appeared, and the him who had thought to be the receiver, the giver. committee declared themselves ready to hear the gentleman who had met them. "My friends," said the officer, "I have long looked with delight and enthusiasm at this noble people. My to do battle with them for the great principles of popu heart has yearned to be with them, to consult with them, lar freedom." "A demagogue," whispered Jefferson to Jay with a sneer. The Newyorker made no answer; he was too wise, even at thirty, to think a man of course a demaaffects to use. gogue because he used the language that the hypocrite 66 "I have fought," continued the Frenchman, "for these great principles in my own land; and were I but what I once was, I should be proud to fight for them "Sir," interrupted Mr. Jay, with that gravity which again in this land, with this virtuous people." gave him while a youth, the tone and the manner of The soldier bowed as if rebuked, but his eye caught age-"we came to hear your communication.” My communicathat of Jefferson, and with a Frenchman's tact he read in its glance the spirit of the man. tion," he continued, and he addressed his discourse to the Virginian," my co nmunication, gentlemen, shall be made; and if I have rightly guessed the spirit of the sons of this free land, if the master-minds of the South have their due weight in your councils"-(he bowed,) "then will my communication be received with joy: "Stop, sir," said Franklin, whose tongue had till reference to our but if the cold and unconfiding councils of the north"then been silent-"we wish no councils, or our patriots-to your secret, sir, if you please, at once." 66 The voice of the sage produced the desired result, and the officer stated that the king of France had heard with pleasure of their struggle for freedom, and stood ready to aid them. By whose authority do you state this?" said Mr. Jay. The Frenchman smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and drawing his hand across his throat, said, "Gentlemen, I shall take care of my head.”. 194 DANVILLE AND POTTSVILLE RAIL ROAD COMPANY. "And how shall we be aided?" enquired Jay. "If you want arms, you shall have them; amunition, it is yours; money you may command at any moment." "All this, my good friend," said Jefferson, "is very well; but from what authority do you speak?” “Even to you, sr," said the French man, bowing, "Even to you, I can only say, I must take care of my head," and once more he drew his hand across his throat: no other an swer could be obtained from him, and the interview ended. [SEPTEMBER trembling to the result of his actions. With the materials of a great and good man, he has imbibed principles which may fester in his bosom till his very excellencies become deadly poisons." The prophecy of Mr. Jay, was in great part fulfilled; whether his fears were also realized, it is for each one to judge;-but it is worthy of note that Jefferson, piqued at the advice of his associates, did seek the Frenchman, who was a disciple of the ultra-French liberals,and was by him made more fully acquainted with those principles which placed him in opposition to Washington, Jay, and Adams, became at length his guiding rules, and through him, to a great extent, the political creed of the United States. STEAM TOW BOAT. J. H. P. Sept. 10. We The Frenchman was seen no more publicly in Philadelphia, nor was it known who he was, nor whither he went: the impression of the committee was, that he was a secret emissary from the French court, and on the 29th of November, a secret committee of correspondence was appointed in consequence of that impres sion. But though this meeting was of some importance to the country directly, its indirect influence was, perhaps, much greater. As Jay and Jefferson went out from the committee room, they met John Adams, who This afternoon at 4 o'clock, was launched from was waiting to hear the result of the investigation.-the ship yard of J. Vaughan & Son, Kensington, the "Is it all smoke?" said he to Jay, but before that elegant steainboat, Pennsylvania. She is intended to gentleman could answer, Jefferson exclaimed: "No ply between this city and the Breakwater, for the pur by my faith, 'tis not smoke: or if it be, what does it pose of towing vessels, and breaking the ice in winter. prove but that there is fire somewhere? John Adams, Her burthen is 300 tons, having two engines, each of France will help us, with men, money, arms, anything.' 100 horse power, coppered and copper fastened. "How so? did he bring letters?" "No, nor would consider this vessel as one, in which the interests, not tell his authority even to me: but I'll see the old of the whole mercantile community are interested, and man in private, and if we dont make his majesty of as forming a new era in our foreign trade. She belongs France, out of pure hatred to his royal brother of Eng to "the Philadelphia Steam Tow Boat Company.”— land, cut off the heads of all absolute monarchies, we We learn that another vessel will shortly be commencmust be young indeed." "Mr. Jefferson," said Jay, ed for this Company. "think a moment before you decide on seeing this man privately. Is it becoming in you, a member of the committee appointed to meet him publicly, to seek a private interview with him””” "Is it becoming!" repeated the proud Virginian, stepping back: "let me ask, in return, if it is becoming in you, my junior, thus to advise me?-I know, sir, what is due my own honor, and my country's." "Be not offended," said Jay, calmly, "you designated the man as a demagogue, and I have much doubt of his honesty; he is, as I know by my conversation with him, previous to your arrival, a close diplomatist." DANVILLE AND POTTSVILLE RAIL ROAD To the President of the Danville and Pottsville rail road company. Sir, I have the honor to hand you for the information of the Board, the following statement of the present condition of the work: Since the date of my last report to the company the grading and masonry on the western division of the road have been completed, as well as the superstructure of the bridges, with the exception of the two across the Shamokin next to Sunbury. These last have been delayed, in consequence of the failure of the timber contractor to deliver in season some essential portions of his bill. The deficiency has been lately supplied, and these bridges may now be expected to be completed in the course of three or four weeks. Agreeably to the instructions of the members of the Board then in Philadelphia, a contract was made on the 31st of July last, for the iron, spikes, and end-plates necessary for the superstructure of fourteen miles of road next to Sunbury. "And shall I fear his diplomacy? What if he is a demagogue? I could be one myself for a consideration." "I trust not," said Jay: "from Absalom down, there never has been-from this time forth there never can be, an honest demagogue." The face of the Virginian Aushed, and perhaps his hand clenched, but he was not a man of war, and before he could speak, Adams took his arm. "What's all this pother?" said the Bayman; "are you quarreling? and at the moment when God has given us hope of deliverance? Shame on you! Here's the way opened to independence; the very aid we needed, given us without the asking; the helm put into our hands, and do you dare have private feuds personal differences? Why, hot head as I am myself, The iron has been already shipped to Sunbury, and I could not do that, nor will I see it in another." Mr. the sills and rails for the whole of the western division Jay at once put forth his hand: "there is no spirit of of the rail road had been previously provided, so that discord in me," said he, smiling; "I was but seeking to no delay will probably arise in laying down the fourconvince Mr. Jefferson that he had better not see this teen miles of superstructure, which I have been inforeigner in private." "Of course not," said Adams.structed to place under contract. It is presumed that it Mr. Jefferson could not so demean himself." "Gentlemen," replied Jefferson, separating from them, "I scarce know how to construe your language; but in the present condition of our affairs, I wish to make no private feud of consequence enough to be apparent, and I therefore leave you." "John Adams," said Jay, when they were alone, that man is with us, and for us, but he is not of us. — I fear, not his honesty or honor, but his discretion and judgment: he is beyond us, and I think beyond the true line, in respect to liberty:-and mark me, should we go through this struggle triumphantly, and by God's help we shall, Thos. Jefferson and ourselves will be in very different ranks, and I shall look with fear and will be completed at any rate in all this year, and that it may be used for the transportation of passengers on, or before, the first of January next. The grading of the portion of the rail road on the eastern division next to Mine run, which at the date of my last report it was announced had been contracted for, is also now completed, and the sills and rails and keys for this portion of the road are also delivered. The transportation of coal on the eastern division, it is known to the Board, was delayed in consequence of the failure of an imperfect shaft at the Mahanoy Plane, which was not replaced until early in July. Since then about twenty-eight hundred tons of coal have been conveyed over the road and shipped to this city. The 1835] ST. CLARE NUNNERY. transportation of this quantity over the planes has enabled us to test them completely, and they have answer ed in every, respect all our expectations. With the exception of the failure above mentioned, which was ascribable entirely to the use of inferior metal, and a bad arrangement of the pattern in casting by the founder, no accident of any kind has occurred. On the western division of the road, it seems to be almost unnecessary to lay down the superstructure between the crossing of the centre turnpike and the coal mines, until some accommodation shall have been obtained for the coal trade at Sunbury. The Board will probably deem it expedient to present an application on this subject to the next Legislature. If an appropriation should be made by that body to effect at this point a connection with the Pennsylvania canal, by means of a guard lock and basin, there can scarcely be a doubt that in a short time an active trade would exist on this portion of the Rail Road. Agreeably to the instructions of the Board, surveys have been made with a view to the construction of the Rail Road between Mount Carbon and Port Clinton. The estimates of the cost of the same are not completed, but the distance it is ascertained will be less than by either the turnpike or canal; and the cost per mile will certainly be much less than that of a rail road along any other portion of the valley of the Schuylkill, of equal extent. All which is repectfully submitted. M. ROBINSON, C. E. Philadelphia, Sept. 10th, 1835. From the Pittsburgh Gazette. ST. CLARE NUNNERY. We publish to-day the article from the Times, which was referred to yesterday, and have added two notes, as corrections or rather modifications of passages in the These notes were added at the suggestion of a gentleman who was well acquainted with the oc statement. currences. Suppression of the St. Clare Nunnery at Pittsburgh. We propose to state every thing that is necessary to give the public a fair view of this matter. Very erroneous accounts are circulating widely, even in the remotest parts of the Union; while it has been the source of many unjust reflections-a fountain of bitterness amidst the society of this city. We are utterly incapable of dragging private individuals before the public for use less exposure-and particularly defenceless women. Our wish is, not to wound but to relieve-and in doing this it is necessary to show what the infliction has been. The Times has been the only paper called upon by remote editors; and we shall not forfeit their confidence in our "fearlessness," nor our own claim to truth and liberality. Both the nuns and Priest O'Reilley have been wronged undoubtedly, in regard to the main point of the rumor, and we at first noticed the matter only to express our belief in their innocence; but were provoked at the very injudicious eagerness with which suits were entered; apparently to arrest all scrutiny and remark; and the still more obnoxious appeal of Mr. O'Rielley to the public, attempting to excite prejudices against the adversaries he was making to himself. All this seemed to forfeit that claim to a newspaper acquittal which we would otherwise have freely conceded to him and to the nuns. Bishop Peter Richard Kenrick of Philadelphia has officially and truly stated that the St. Clare nuns were under censure for disobedience to their superior, and their removal, or the suppression of the establishment, was the consequence of their persistence in that diso bedience. Let us add the particulars. The Superior A female came about last January to be admitted a member of the St. Clare nunnery, but she was rejected by the lady Superior. She had been a member when the establishment was on Grove Hill; but had to quit it on account of a rumor which, whether true or untrue, went near to ruin the whole concern as a public school. Most people in Pittsburgh will recollect the case; but she had been since in Michigan or in quarters unknown, and came without any order to be accepted again.Failing in the first attempts, a peremptory order from Bishop Résé was obtained, but the nuns here, for scruples of conscience, or of reputation, or concern for their school, or all combined, still refused to admit the obnoxious sister. When that sister came here 7 or 8 years ago it is said she was in men's attire, and accompanied by a priestif so, that circumstance should have then excluded her from any institution intended for the education of girls; and this opinion we believe Bishop Kenrick has himself expressed. Her character we do not pretend to judge, but it was exceedingly objectionable in the eyes of the Superior; and the most probable, as well as most excusable, ac. count of the matter was, that she was sent here with the purpose of breaking up the establishment, and compelling the nuns all to remove to Michigan. It is understood to have been Bishop Résé's intention for some time to have discontinued the nunnory here, to place its inmates at Detroit;-and why they disobeyed him in regard to that plan, is a matter not yet explained. The agents appointed by the Bishop to execute his O'Reilley's note; and though they seemed to have adoptplan were the two Roman Catholics mentioned in Mr. ed a cruel procedure, we have no reason to suppose that it was from malice, or that they exceeded their in structions. These agents set up a claim against the nuns that the houses, lands, &c., of their establishment belonged to Bishop Résé, and the chattels to the lady Abbess at Detroit; and possession of the whole was demanded and A system of intimidation and vexation was refused. then adopted towards the nuns, part of which was the oft repeated attempt of forcing the stray nun into their community. Another part of that system-or certainly in connection with it, was the rumor charging some of the nuns with unchastity. It was mentioned by one of those Roman Catholic agents of Bishop Rese, who said he had it from another Catholic, alledging that that person heard it from a protestant-so far however we have not been able to trace it beyond the agent, who stated it to the physician in attendance at the nunnery, and to a protestant parent who had a daughter at the nunnery assigning it as a reason why the girl should be removed. An individual nun was even indicated to whom the rumor was pointed; so that a suit could be laid in the case: and if suits had been brought against the originators of the rumor, instead of going out, vindictively as we thought, to catch persons in the protestant community who were retailing the rumor, it would have looked more like a disposition to have justice, instead of revenge; and if no suits had been instituted at all, it was a plain case, where the press could have effectually established the innocence of the nuns and Mr. O'Reilley: Instead of which the whole country is filled with revolt ing rumors against them. Mr. O'Reilley, instead of being on a footing of impro * A Protestant was advised by the agent to remove his daughter before the scandal was talked. |