prompt him to detect, and as the committee is sincerely desirous of removing every obstacle to the attendance of Catholic children at the public schools, it was thought best to omit reporting to the board till ample time is afforded the objectors for investigation.

That the committee of the Common Council may be placed in possession of every fact and circumstance connected with this deeply interesting subject, it may be proper to add that, among the works passed upon and sanctioned by the Book Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Trustees, as being suitable for the school library, was a collection of entertaining and highly moral stories entitled, "Temperance Tales." These tales proved so popular, that the publishers were induced to issue volume after volume; and the gentleman charged with the duty of procuring for the library all books ordered by the board, supposing that he was authorized to purchase the volumes issued subsequently to the date of the order, introduced into the library one volume which was afterward found to contain a story that is deemed objectionable by the Catholic clergy. This volume has been removed from all the school libraries.

In conclusion, the committee of the Board of Trustees take occasion to renew the assurance, that every thing in their power shall be done to divest the public schools of a sectarian character or bias.

The committee accompanied their report to the Board of Trustees with a specification of some of the passages which they deemed exceptionable. They are as follows:

New York Reader.-Page 205, erase last paragraph.

English Reader.-Page 51, strike out paragraph, "the Queen's bigoted zeal," &c., to "eternal welfare." Page 152, erase, "the most credulous monk in a Portuguese convent."

Sequel, Murray's.—The whole article, "Life of Luther." Pages 84 and 85, paste up "Execution of Cranmer." Page 279, erase, "and anon in penance, planning sins anew."

Putnam's Sequel.-Erase the article, "John Huss."

Maltebrun's Geography.-Page 111, erase first five lines. Page 123, erase last paragraph, chapter 134. Page 140, erase five lines from the top, "and there is no doubt the lower classes of Ireland are so." Page 145, erase, "inflict the most horrible tortures." Page 148, erase, "Italy to be submitted to the Catholic bishop." Page 155, erase, "from their religion," down to "ceremonies."

Hale's History of the United States.-Page 11, erase, tion of the Catholics," section 22.

"from the persecu

Scripture Lessons.-Erase, in the title-page, the words, "without note or comment."

The revision and expurgation of the books was continued. under the direction of the board, and all the objectionable passages were either stamped with ink from a wooden block, or the leaves pasted together or removed, or a volume discontinued as a text-book or library-book. This course, however, on the part of the trustees, was not satisfactory, and did not in the least

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 cooperation 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 committce," 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 amendment of Mr. Shaw, to refer to the members of the New York