The Most Rev. Dr. MacCabe, who attended the meeting, said:—

I thought it better to come here myself and personally enter my solemn protest against the charge brought against this Committee. I myself have not come in contact with it in so far as being an applicant for money, but I have had an opportunity of meeting a great many bishops in Maynooth, and I may tell you that I have heard from themselves the statements you have now heard from their letters, and their feeling, as mine, is one of complete satisfaction and unbounded confidence in the operations of the Committee. As some of the letters reminded us, it would be perhaps a miracle to find all the gentlemen around this table agreeing upon any subject except that of charity (hear, hear). I am sure we would not all agree on religious doctrines, on politics, and on a great many social subjects; but what brings us all here is the one great cause, the cause of Godlike charity. Though it may seem strange, I think that, assuming these telegrams are correct, perhaps it is very fortunate the charge has been made, for it has given an occasion for a great and generous outburst of approval of the proceedings of the Committee (hear, hear). Had you gone on unchallenged there never would have been such a unanimous expression of opinion (hear, hear). There is no evil so purely evil from which great good may not come, and I think you may rather congratulate yourself on this charge having been made. Had the charge been confined to Ireland, the Lord page 69 Mayor might have indeed afforded to despise it, but under the circumstances of its having been made in foreign parts it was right they should now protest against it (hear, hear). For myself, I have the most unbounded faith in this Committee, and I am glad to know with confidence that we all rejoice at being able to work harmoniously.

The following letter was read from Most Rev. Dr. Nulty, Bishop of Meath: