MR. O'CONNELL AND THE IRISH BENCH.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
London, 2c1 July 1838.
SIR—In the Spectator of last Saturday, I find it stated, on the authority of the Northern Whig, that Mr. O'Cos:sati. had not been offered, and, conse- quently, had not refused, the situation of Master of the Rolls in Ireland. As I have been from home for some weeks, I cannot say on what authority this statement was made, or whether it may not have been derived from another journal ; however, my ob act in troubling you with this communication, is to state the real facts of the case, and to cot rent the misstatement which bas some- where been made. I believe I may sly, without fear of being in error, that Mr. O'CONNELL had the option placed before him, on authority of the highest char. racter, to accept of the vacant seat, as Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ire- land ; and on his giving his reasons for declining the office, it was intimated to him that a transfer could be made, which would leave him the opportunity of going into the Mastership of the Rolls; and that the objections he had urged, in regard to the Exchequer, would not operate in this case. In reply, Mr. O'CONNELL expressed his gratification at the confidence reposed in him, but urged the utter impossi!fility of his quitting Parliament, and giving up his active labours in the public cause, while so many measures of relief for Ireland remained unaccomplished, and so much was still to be achieved for his native country. Whilst one act of justice remained unfulfilled, or one grievance Imre. dressed, he said he was resolved to reinain in the harness. I have cause to believe, that Mr. O'CoxNELL's reasons of objection against acceding to the proposal made him, were properly appreciated ; and gave rise to any thing but a feeling of disinclination to do justice to the motives of the honourable Member. Whatever difference of °pin' there may exist respecting this matter, it is quite clear that Mr. O'CONNELL has thus made a g; eat pecuniary sacrifice. As my journal seems, in attune way, to have been the source from whence the misstatement in the Spectator amuse, I feel it toy duty to publish this expla- nation. I any Sir, yours very truly, F. D. Fr SLAY, Proprietor of the Northern Whig. [The statement in the Spectator, taken from the Northern Whig of June 23d, was simply, that " there was not the slightest ground to expect that Mr. O'Loghlen would leave the Rolls to go into the Exchequer." The offer of the Rolls might have been made without Mi. O'Lmart.EN's authority. Of Mr. O'CoNxELL's readiness on all occasions to make "great pecuniaty sacrifices,' we apprehend there can be no question : n hatever his fault., we believe that the Agitator has a soul too great for avarice.—En.j
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