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me were my years of study on the Mountain."*— Lady, I would fain have been your companion

on the Mississippi, and on the Great Lakes, and 66 on the St. Lawrence; and, had I time, I should delight to trace the footsteps of Cartier, Mar

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'quette, La Salle, and Hennepin; to kneel before "I die upon the soil hallowed by the labours, the

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success, the lives and martyrdom of the Jesuit "Fathers, the chartered Nuncios of the Cross;

"to look upon De Soto's grave ;†-each spot of "earth washed by these Lakes and Streams, is "classic ground to the Catholic."

In May, 1846, the triennial Convention of the Catholic Church was held in Baltimore. The Bishop of New York at this time received an official communication from Washington to the effect that the Government required his presence on "affairs of State." As soon as he could be released from the arduous duties of the Convention, he obeyed the summons. On his arrival * Mount St. Mary's, Emmetsburg.

+ De Soto sleeps beneath the Mississippi; he who had been the discoverer of the "Father of Waters" found a befitting burial place within his bosom. No soil of earth would have concealed his death so faithfully, nor guarded his memory so fondly, so sacredly, as the grateful river.

in the Metropolis, he was immediately introduced by the Secretary of State to the President, who received him with the highest distinction, and at once carried him to the Cabinet Council then assembled. The Mission to Mexico was offered to his acceptance. It is said that the wisdom and penetration of Buchanan suggested this statesmanlike step; and that he discerned all the advantages that would accrue by appointing a Catholic Prelate of such distinction and influence, as Ambassador to Mexico. The Mexicans added to their other apprehensions of the consequences of a war with the Americans, that of a desecration of their temples for the purpose of carrying away the precious vessels and ornaments belonging to the Altars. The presence of a high Dignitary of their National Church, would have allayed this dread, sufficient of itself to rouse the indignation of a Catholic people. The Bishop unites with his Christian calling, all the distinguished properties necessary to meet an important crisis; he can be as great a Statesman as he is a Priest. And there is no doubt that had this Mission been carried into effect, it would, under his auspices, have

resulted in the pacific adjustment of all subjects of irritation between the belligerent Nations.

The Bishop of New York is thus the first Catholic Dignitary who has ever been called to the Councils of the United States.* This incident derives peculiar interest, from the historical reminiscences which it awakens, of ecclesiastical Ambassadors employed between the different Courts of Europe; and at this moment, when men and nations seek to tarnish and villify the name of Priest, the bold and unusual step taken by Mr. Buchanan exhibits his moral courage, and his manly confidence in the most honourable light. The Mission would have been as successful as it was august.

I saw the distinguished Prelate the morning after his return from Washington; he was gratified by the confidence reposed in his talents and patriotism, and touched by the conduct of Buchanan; but no desire existed in his mind to go to Mexico; to have left his Diocese would have been painful and inconvenient; and he sought no personal

* The excellent and amiable Dr. Carroll, the first Archbishop of Baltimore, accompanied Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Carroll of Carrollton, on a Mission to Canada; but not in an official capacity.

consideration from the Mission. "As a citizen of "the United States I am bound to serve my

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country with all the energies that I possess ; and "as a Christian Bishop I am bound to be the "Messenger of Peace; but I have no favours to "ask from any, and I have important objects to "fulfil at home."

Politically, as well as morally, he strongly condemned the Mexican War,* and to me he has repeatedly, from first to last, prophesied its expense, duration, and perplexities. "Their irregular "warfare," said he, "will harass the Americans, "and Mexico, in all human probability, never

* It is a curious feature in the history of the Mexican war, that the Roman Catholic Volunteers deserted from the United States' army. The Administration requested the Bishop of New York to send down Chaplains. He at once complied, and in two or three days the Rev. Mr. M'Elroy, of the Jesuits' College, at Georgetown, was on his way to Mexico. This excellent personage is sixty-eight years of age, but ready for service, and was accompanied by a brother priest of less advanced years. The venerable Mrs. Madison, whose name is heard throughout the United States with affection and respect, had for many years been acquainted with Mr.M'Elroy. She gave him letters of introduction to General Taylor, of whom she is a relative, and the Catholic Chaplains were received by him with every mark of respect. Since their arrival in the camp no more deserters have been reported.

The Bishop was also applied to for Chaplains for the Navy-he replied that "at present the appointment would be a sinecure; but "that whenever the Navy should be called into action, the Chap"lains should be read-."

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"will be conquered. The Mexicans have Spanish "blood in their veins." So far as politics are admitted into his thoughts, the Bishop is a Conservative, and inclined to the principles of Mr. Clay; they are the appropriate principles of his order. Owing, I suspect, to his twelve years' residence in Philadelphia, he is attached to Protection.

On the question of Slavery, the Bishop takes neutral, or rather Scriptural, ground; he looks upon it as a subject entirely removed from the jurisdiction and interference of the Clergy of all denominations.

On the 14th July, the Doctor and I were present at the opening of the College of St. John's, at Fordham, about ten miles from New York. This Institution is indebted to the Bishop alone for its existence; he purchased the land and buildings, and improved them; he had for three or four years sedulously attended to its progress, but becoming at length too deeply engaged in the other duties of his Diocese, he invited over a Society of Jesuits, chiefly from Bardstown, in Kentucky; and it was on this occasion that he