Black and his connexions. The efforts attributed to dr. Black are of such a complexion that his object cannot be mistaken; and, though Mr. Cuming's story displays as much childishness, in substance as ingenuity in the application, it can hardly be doubted that his object was the same.

That the written document, which I have copied, is genuine, admits of proof as clear as any thing of the kind possibly can do. Mr. Samuel Cuming, the writer, was born in the congregation of Keady. He was a man, not only highly respected, but of a character the most amiable, and pleasing manners. From an early period of his life he had resided in the village, and during many years had been agent for lord Farnham, landlord of the place, and surrounding country; and seneschal of the manor, which embraces a tract of country vastly more extended. Hence, his hand-writing must be well known to every respectable land-holder to every gentleman, many of whom are his relatives; and every man of business, in the neighbourhood; which hand-writing I have in my possession.

As this enables me to ascertain the authenticity of the document, I have what appears to me, sufficient proof that it was not written from prejudice, ill-will, or any other un orthy mo

tive. Mr. Cuming says, " he went up and saluted' his namesake Cuming and dr. Black, not only as old acquaintances but friends." That he was, and long had been, a warm friend to dr. Black was well known. The doctor, when a young man, had been a candidate for the congregation of Keady. On that occasion Mr. Cuming supported him, not only by his vote, but by all the influence which his public situations gave him in the congregation; and frequently regretted that his exertions were vain. After the above interview, I have often heard him relate these exertions, and at the same time declare, that nothing but that interview, ever gave him a suspicion that he had mistaken his man, and that his friendship had been misplaced. Whenever this subject was mentioned he became irritated; and when it became known, after the meeting of synod, in 1803, that Keady was excluded from a share in the royal bounties, he attributed the exclusion, without reserve, to his two old "friends and acquaintances" dr. Black and Mr. Cuming. In this opinion I believe, few, if any, of his neighbours differed from him. Under this impression, some were for libelling them as slanderers, and others for having a memorial presented to the lord lieutenant, complaining of partiality, and praying that they might be admitted to a participation of the royal bounty. Both these measures I opposed; the former, as unworthy of a minis

ter;

ter; the latter, because I was fully determined never to share any royal bounty, if granted, in connexion with the synod, while my name appeared in their records, stained with a positive charge of being implicated in treasonable and seditious practices."

These being repressed, it was resolved to present a memorial to the synod, at their meeting in 1804, stating their case, complaining of the contempt and insult with which they were treated, and begging to be informed explicitly for what reasons they had been so treated. To such as are unacquainted with our discipline, this memorial may not be, either unentertaining, or without interest; and, it will be observed that, in it, the congregation of Keady neither beg a share in the bounties conferred upon their brethren, nor solicit the intercessory influence of the synod to procure an extension of bounty to themselves. The memorial is as follows:

"REV. SIRS,

We, the congregation of Keady, erected by your authority, in the year 1802, as will appear in your minutes; and, from that date, acting in conformity with the rules of your body, and under the sanction of the rev. the presbytery of Tyrone, have proceeded to the call of a minister, who was, and is, the object of our unanimous choice, and has been regularly installed as our pastor;

pastor; and to the erection of a meeting-house, which will be completely covered in, before your wisdoms shall have disposed of this our address. In these our proceedings, we have demeaned ourselves as persbyterians, and considered ourselves as a constituent part of your body, subject to all your rules in discipline and church government, and entitled to an equitable share in all your privileges, royal bounties, parliamentary grants, and imperial favors. It is with heartfelt regret that we feel ourselves obliged to complain that our situation has been overlooked, and our expectations disappointed. This complaint we submit to your wisdom, piety, justice, and regard to the presbyterian church of Ulster, which, we are confident, ye consider as a part of the church of christ. We beg leave to ask, with all possible deference, respect and humility, (on the supposition that your late negotiations with the government of this country is to be the support, interest, and honor, of said presbyterian church) why we have not been included in them? We presume to ask, whether it is because we are not christians in principle, and presbyterians in discipline: and, whether any person in, or out of, your very rev. body, has charged, or will come forward to charge, us, any of us, or our respected pastor, with any word, act, or deed, either as members of your church, or of the state, on account of which we can, or ought to be, in any particular

manner,

manner, stigmatized by you, or precluded the benefit of any bounty, royal, parliamentary, or imperial, intended for the benefit of the presbyterians of Ulster. Your answer we request with earnestness, and at the same time, with all that respect, with which it becomes humble laity to approach your rev. tribunal.

We hereby appoint &c. &c.

That there was point in this memorial is evident. That that point was sharpened by the language of dr. Black and the rev. Mr. Cuming, in the interview already mentioned is certain. Mr. Samuel Cuming did not conceal that language. Hence it was believed and circulated that my being implicated in seditious and treasonable practices," as the synod have asserted, was the reason why the congregation of Keady was "overlooked" in the new arrangement for the distribution of king's bounty. The synod felt this, and that they were directly called upon, in declaring the reason for " overlooking" the congregation of Keady, either to charge themselves with neglect, at least; or the congregation, or minister, or both, with something which rendered them unworthy of that favor. No such charge was made. Dr. Black did not even hint at my "concern in rebellion,"

my improper conduct therein," or any disloyalty of any kind:" much less " of my rank