abate the demands of the applicants for a separate provision to be made for their schools from the school fund, and the controversy subsequently became more animated than ever before. The mutilated volumes were gradually worn out and rendered unfit for use, and were replaced by new books, which were permitted to go into the schools without change or expurgation, and the discussion in reference to the text-books subsided. The action of the trustees was understood by a large portion of the public to have been in obedience to the direction and demands. of the Catholic clergy; and at the meeting of the Society held November 6, 1840, the following declaration was submitted for adoption by the board:

In consequence of unfounded rumors prevalent in the city, the Trustees of the New York Public School Society deem it proper to state that the obliterations in the books used in the public schools have been made under their direction, from an earnest desire to remove, as far as possible, all obstacles to the coöperation of every portion of the community with them in the business of public education. They further deem it proper to state, that this matter of expurgation has been long a subject of consideration with them, and has only been delayed for the reasons set forth in their address now before the public.

After some discussion had upon this declaration, it was laid upon the table, where it was allowed to remain, and the agitation ceased.

CHAPTER XII.

THE SCHOOL CONTROVERSY OF 1841-1842.

Meeting of Roman Catholics at Washington Hall-Addresses by Rev. Dr. Power and Bishop Hughes-Central Committee Appointed-Ward Meetings and Committees -Petitions to the Legislature-Hon. John L. O'Sullivan's Bill-Action of the House of Assembly-Action in the Senate-Governor Seward's Message-Remonstrance from the City of New York-Hon. John C. Spencer-Report on the School Question-The Committee on Literature-Speech of Hiram KetchumMemorial and Remonstrance of the Public School Society-Proceedings in the Senate-Speech of Bishop Hughes--Public Meetings of Catholics-Election of Members of the Legislature-Roman Catholic Ticket Nominated. NOTE.-The Journal of Commerce-Review by one of its Contributors-Roman Catholic Excommunications--Bishop Hughes-Tristam Shandy.

THE proceedings before the Common Council relative to the claims of the Roman Catholics, were terminated by the vote adopting the report of the committee, submitted on the 11th of January, 1841. The result, although foreseen, was so decided in its character-only one member of the board having voted in the negative-that it gave little ground for expectation that the grievances complained of would be removed by that body. The committee of the Catholics, to whom the general care of the whole matter had been entrusted, accordingly called a meeting at Washington Hall, in Broadway, corner of Reade street, to be held on the 11th of February.

A crowded auditory assembled on the occasion, when THOMAS O'Connor, Esq., was called to the chair, Francis Cooper and Gregory Dillon were named as vice-presidents, and B. O'Connor and Edward Shortill, secretaries.

Rev. Dr. Power made the opening address, followed by Bishop Hughes, at the close of which, on motion of Dr. Hogan, it was

Resolved, That it is expedient to form a Central Committee, to be called "The Central Executive Committee on Common Schools."

James W. McKeon, Hugh Sweeney, M.D., Robert Hogan,

M.D., James W. White, and Thomas O'Connor, were named as the committee.

On motion of James W. White, it was

Resolved, That it is expedient to call meetings in each ward, for the purpose of giving public expression to our sentiments in disapprobation of the public school system as at present existing in New York.

On motion of T. L. Danaher, it was

Resolved, That the ward meetings be respectfully recommended to appoint committees in their respective wards, for the purpose of obtaining signatures to a memorial to the honorable the Legislature, praying for such modification in the school system of this city and county as will afford to persons of every denomination, without violation of their conscience, the advantages of the common school education provided by the bounty of the State.

On motion of Hugh Sweeney, M.D., it was

Resolved, That a committee of two shall be appointed by the meetings in each ward, whose duty it shall be to communicate with and to carry into effect in their respective wards the measures which may be recommended by the Central Executive Committee.

The resolutions were approved and adopted with great enthusiasm; and a resolution tendering the thanks of the meeting to Alderman Pentz, for his "independent and honorable conduct in voting against the report of the committee," was received with the most lively and earnest demonstrations of applause.

The movement on the part of the Roman Catholics was thus fully organized, and the committees proceeded with great zeal and unanimity in the discharge of their several duties. Meetings were held, petitions were circulated, and signatures obtained to the number of about seven thousand. Mr. Joseph O'Connor, on behalf of the committee, proceeded to Albany, and placed the memorial in the hands of Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, a member of the New York delegation in the Senate, who promised to present it to that body at the earliest day. Subsequent conferences between influential parties led to the adoption of another course, as the presentation of the memorials from Roman Catholics as a religious body was deemed inexpedient. They were returned to the committees of the Catholics, amended, and again placed in the hands of the Senator in the form of petitions from "CITIZENS OF NEW YORK."

On Saturday, March 13, Mr. John L. O'Sullivan, a member of the Assembly from New York, gave notice that he would, on some future day, ask leave to introduce a bill, entitled, “An Act to Extend and Improve the Benefits of Common School Education in the City of New York." On Monday following, he asked and obtained leave to introduce his bill, which was read the first time, and, by unanimous consent, was read the second time. Mr. O'Sullivan then moved that the bill be referred to a select committee, consisting of the members of the House representing the city of New York. Mr. Bryson moved that it be referred to the Standing Committee on Colleges, Academies, and Schools; and, debate arising on the several motions, the subject was laid on the table under the rules.

On Saturday, the 20th of March, Mr. O'Sullivan called up the question, on the motion of Mr. Bryson, to refer his bill to the Committee on Colleges, &c., upon which some discussion. was had, when the Speaker put the question whether the House would agree with the motion of Mr. Bryson, and it was decided in the affirmative, and the bill was accordingly referred. The committee consisted of William Duer, of Oswego, William B. Maclay, of New York, Levi Hubbell, of Tompkins, Isaac N. Stoddard, of Genesee, and Edmund Elmendorf, of Dutchess.

On Tuesday, March 30, Mr. O'Sullivan offered a resolution that the Standing Committee on Colleges, Academies, and Schools be discharged from the consideration of the bill relative to common schools in the city of New York, and that the same be referred to a select committee. Mr. Shaw moved to amend the resolution, by adding, at the end, the words, "consisting of the delegation attending this House from the city and county of New York." Mr. Culver moved to amend the amendment, by striking out all after the words "consisting of," and inserting the words, "the mover of this resolution." Mr. W. F. Brodhead moved to lay the whole question on the table, which was lost, and a long debate ensued, pending which the House adjourned.

On Thursday, April 1, Mr. O'Sullivan called up his resolution of reference to a select committee. The resolution was read, together with the amendments, when Mr. Culver withdrew his amendment, and the Speaker put the question on the amendinent of Mr. Shaw, to refer to the members of the New York

delegation, which was agreed to by the House. The gentlemen comprising the delegation at that session were the following: William B. Maclay, Paul Grout, Norman Hickok, Edmund J. Porter, Cornelius H. Bryson, Solomon Townsend, George Weir, David R. Floyd Jones, Absalom A. Miller, Conrad Swackhamer, William McMurray, Abraham B. Davis, and John L. O'Sullivan.

On the 21st of the same month, the remonstrance of citizens of New York, against diverting the school fund from its legitimate objects was received from the Senate, and referred to the same committee. The House adjourned without hearing any report on the matter, and the narrative of proceedings in the Senate will not be interrupted by the action of the Assembly.

After the organization of the Senate, the various topics of the message of Hon. William H. Seward, the Governor, were referred to appropriate committees, and so much as related to colleges, academies, and common schools, the school fund, the literature fund, and the United States deposit fund, was referred to the Committee on Literature. This committee was composed of Erastus Root, of Delaware, John Hunter, of Westchester, and Gulian C. Verplanck, of New York.

Mr. Seward's recommendations are contained in the following extract from his message:

Previous to 1802, no foreigner could be naturalized until after a residence of fourteen years. No one has better understood the tendency of republican institutions, or entertained more just views of the principles upon which they were founded, than the illustrious citizen who in that year recommended to Congress an amelioration of the naturalization laws. "Considering the ordinary chances of human life," he observed, “ a denial of citizenship under a residence of fourteen years is a denial to a great portion of those who ask it, and controls a policy pursued from their first settlement by many of the States, and still believed to be of consequence to their prosperity. And shall we refuse the unhappy fugitives from distress that hospitality which the savages of the wilderness extended to our fathers arriving in this land? Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on the globe? The Constitution has wisely provided that, for admission to certain offices of trust, a residence shall be required sufficient to develop character and design. But might not the general character and capabilities of a citizen be safely communicated to every one manifesting a boná-fide purpose of embarking his life and fortunes with us?" In concurrence with these suggestions, Congress passed the act now in force concerning naturalization. Probably half a million of persons have, since that time, complied with its provisions, and secured to themselves the rights of citizenship; and there