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At the request of a meeting of members of both Houses of Parliament connected with Wales, which was held at his house today, he asks his Grace to receive a deputation in connection with the petitions presented to Parliament on the contemplated union of the sees of St Asaph and Bangor. In view of the approaching North Wales Assizes, which commence next Tuesday at Welsh Pool, they would welcome an early interview. Draft.

He encloses a copy of the petition of the Liverpool clergy [No. MC1/73] and an extract from the leading article of a Liverpool newspaper. One of the canons or fellows belonging to the collegiate church of Manchester took an opportunity about the same time of protesting against the proposed union. One of the principal arguments in favour of the union is founded on the difficulty of providing for the maintenance of the two bishops and at the same time of finding means to augment the poor benefices. It appears to him that both objects may be obtained and that it is not necessary to sacrifice the former in order to secure the latter. He has, therefore, taken the liberty of troubling his lordship with a calculation by which he has arrived at this conclusion [No. MC1/72].

Particulars of a scheme for establishing permanent funds in the dioceses of St Asaph and Bangor for augmenting small livings and endowing new churches. The compiler proposes that annual grants for this purpose be made in rotation. The scheme provides for the augmentation of those livings, the tithes of which are held by the bishops in commendam, immediately upon the death of the present prelates The Bishop of St Asaph is ready to endow immediately two archdeaconries from his own income, provided the offices with the same incomes will be sanctioned and rendered perpetual by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. One archdeaconry is already founded in the diocese of Bangor and a new one should be added. One may be augmented and the other endowed from funds belonging to the present stalls in the Cathedral, which will be amply sufficient for that purpose. Indeed, if the two canons of each Cathedral were made archdeacons, the arrangement would be economical and judicious. He does not know whether the royalties of the mines are included in the returns of the episcopal incomes. These, when they exceed a certain sum, may be applied for the purchase of their leases or for augmenting poor livings. He has been assured that the episcopal land belonging to the bishop of Bangor would produce a large revenue if it were out of lease, and he sees no reason why leases of this sort should not be purchased for the use of the bishop. [Compiled by the Rev. Rowland Williams, Ysceifiog. See No. MC1/71.].

The number of churches and of clergy in North Wales is greatly on the increase and the petitioners strongly deprecate any measure which will diminish the number of its bishops. The bishoprics of St Asaph and Bangor have been endowed with funds dedicated to the maintenance of the Church in North Wales, and it is not consistent with the demands of justice to unite those sees in order to direct a portion of their funds to the endowment of a bishopric in a district which is unconnected with Wales and is one of the wealthiest in the Empire. They are prepared to forego the advantage of an additional see at Manchester if it is to be obtained by the suppression of another see elsewhere. Church extension, for which the nation so loudy calls, cannot be efficiently carried out without largely increasing the number of bishops generally. [Copy, received from the Rev. Rowland Williams, Ysceifiog. See No. MC1/71.].

He encloses a sketch of a plan which is considered to be a good one to adopt, and meets with the approval of the Bishop of Winchester. It is not proposed by the means they are adopting now to relax in their endeavours to save the bishopric in North Wales, but rather to obtain that desirable end by removing one main objection brought against them. The necessity of forming a bishopric at Manchester and adhering to the first plan for its endowment removes that difficulty. He has written to Douglas Pennant, who suggested this plan some months ago to the Bishop of Bangor. The latter, for an unknown reason, rather opposed it. He will be glad to hear his lordship's opinion, and they can, if it is considered advisable, adopt the plan at the meeting to be held at his lordship's house on the 28th.

It is proposed by the committee and others who are anxious to save the bishoprics of Bangor and St Asaph to set on foot a subscription for the permanent endowment of the intended bishopric in Manchester. It is not expected that the Principality can do more than commence the necessary collection, but it is earnestly hoped their endeavours will be met, especially by the inhabitants of Manchester and generally by all who are desirous for the welfare of the Church in England . There is reason to believe that such a fund would effectually meet one of the main practical objections to maintaining the sees of Bangor and St Asaph and also give weight to the petitions addressed on behalf of their maintenance. It is proposed to raise a sum of £60,000, which is believed to be sufficient as the basis of a future bishopric. This might afterwards be augmented from the funds of the Chapter of Manchester or otherwise. No promised subscription is to be called for except in the event of the sees of Bangor and St Asaph being saved and the foundation of the bishopric of Manchester secured.

He encloses four petitions from the parishes of Llanfair and Llangyniew, two to Lord Powis and two to his lordship. The Llanfair petitions had eighty-nine signatures and the Llangyniew petitions fifty-five. The Llanfair petitions do not contain the usual prayer for the repeal of so much of Act 6 and 7 William IV as relates to the union of the sees of St Asaph and Bangor, but Mr W. Clive and he did not think it prudent now to alter them and send them round again as there is a violent excitement among the Dissenters of the neighbourhood on the subject of the education clauses in the Factory Bill. He thanks his lordship for a copy of the petition. He has been asked to draw his lordship's attention to the Act of Union of England and Wales with a view to ascertaining whether the four Welsh sees were not guaranteed to the Principality by its terms.

He encloses two petitions from the parish of Llanwddyn with sixty-six signatures. This is nearly a verbatim copy of the petition which his lordship sent to him. He thinks that a passage from Blackstone's [Commentary] might supply subject for powerful appeals to the present Conservative Government. 'When every District almost in Powisland and the Marches furnish mementos of the bloodshed and warfare incessantly carried on between the two nations before the Union of England and Wales, will our Conservative Ministry be accessory to the deed of renewing such scenes, and of exciting, not unnecessarily, a sense of injustice and wrong, and the consequent feelings of asperity in the minds of the People of North Wales, so justy described by Blackstone as a brave Race, yet most jealous of their rights and privileges and sensitive even to a fault of any act of injustice.'.

A Bill entitled An Act for preventing the Union of the Sees of Saint Asaph and Bangor presented by the Earl of Powis with MS emendations and additions.

He wishes his lordship every success in his motion tomorrow. He would like to make two suggestions. As to precedent, the Statute now sought to be partially repealed as to Sodor and Man by Stat. 1 and 2 Vict., c. 30. As to the objection on principle raised by their opponents, it is to be remembered that the statute in question was passed in an unusual and, in his opinion, an unconstitutional manner by giving the effect of an Act of Parliament to the report or scheme of certain Commissioners ratified by an Order in Council and gazetted without discussion of any particular alterations in both or in either of the Houses of Parliament, without notice to the parties affected, and without opportunity for them to be heard. There are very strong objections on principle and in practice to this mode of legislation. If his Lordship presses this point home, he must succeed.

He congratulates his lordship and the Church on the result of their labours. They have gained more than they could wish. His lordship's reference to the proceedings of the convocation was a strong point and has not been assailed. He was very much pleased with the Bishop of Salisbury's speech, which was conclusive as far as the raising of funds for the new see was concerned. The only remaining difficulty is the seat in the House of Lords. His lordship's proposition seems to remove it, but if there is a technical objection then it is better to have bishops without seats in the House of Lords. However, progress has been made; 'we have made the turn at Upper Hope, let us keep to our oars and Boveney stream will soon be passed'. Is he too sanguine?.

He congratulates his lordship on the result of his exertions. Having been obliged to withdraw his Bill, his lordship may think that the issue is not such as ought to excite feelings of gratification. But he feels persuaded that his lordship's motion has produced an altered tone in the minds of the leading public men of the country. Sir Robert Peel's speech last night evinced a disposition to do them that justice which enquiry will prove to be their due. He had feared that by raising the question of the union of the sees they would prejudice their parochial claims, but it is clear that these claims have gained a fairer prospect of success by means of his lordship's motion. His lordship has laid the foundation of a great prospective benefit to the Principality. Had the Bill been introduced with less courtesy and in a less conciliatory manner their chances would have been lost for ever.

He had read with satisfaction the report of the manner in which his lordship has advocated the claim that the bishoprics of St Asaph and Bangor should continue to retain their separate and independent jurisdiction. He has been strongly impressed by the impolicy and injustice of sacrificing these ancient dioceses. He opposed the annexation of the bishopric of Sodor and Man to the see of Carlisle and was responsible for submitting petitions to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the House of Lords [Nos MC1/ 4,MC1/ 7]. The proposed union of the two ancient sees of North Wales produced so strong a sympathy in the Isle of Man that it was decided to present a petition, prepared by him, to both Houses of Parliament. The subject has now been brought strongly and clearly before the nation and the postponement of the motion to another session is a very judicious measure. In the interval he trusts that a more favourable impression may be raised in those powerful personages who have not taken a more enlarge[d] view of this momentous question.

A reply to No. 89. He expresses his thanks for the sympathy of the Isle of Man and for their valuable aid in condensing the strong portions of the case in the compass of a petition. He believes that if he had gone to a division in the House of Lords he should have had a majority in his favour. His object was not to gain a transient victory but to bring before Parliament and the country a Church case so strong in point of reason and so powerfully supported by the Church as to induce those in authority to take a more enlarged view of it. He does not doubt eventual success if the Church continues to sympathise with their Welsh brethren. They will risk defeat if limited to their own exertions in Wales, and he trusts that he may rely on the continued support of all members of the Church of England. He is about to print his speech to the House of Lords and will send Sir William a copy. Draft.

His lordship's communication relating to Ripon is very important as it is upon that footing that he would desire to place the parochial duties of S[t] Asaph. He has written to correct the return, which gives a sevenfold amount of their divisible income, and he thanks his lordship for calling his attention to a blunder which he did not suppose could have existed or could have been made by one who is, or ought to be, so conversant with Church leases as Mr Murray, the secretary to the Church Commissioners.

He thanks his lordship for his note and its enclosure. If he had the good fortune to be a Welshman he doubts whether he should take a different view from that which he takes as an Englishman with regard to the ecclesiastical establishment in North Wales.

He thanks his lordship for a copy of his recent speech in the House of Lords. He cannot but rejoice in the belief that the debate has done much service to the interests of the Church, not in one quarter only but also by strengthening the impression on the public mind as to the propriety of increasing rather than diminishing the number of sees throughout the kingdom in general.

He thanks his lordship for a copy of his speech of May 23 and is delighted in thus possessing in a permanent shape a record of this noble attempt to preserve the integrity and independent existence of the most ancient diocese in Britain.

He will be most happy to distribute copies of his lordship's speech, although the present is not a very favourable time of the year for such a purpose as far as the University is concerned. The present lamentable state of South Wales in which he resided sixteen years is due in a great measure to the prevalence of dissent, the necessary result of the inadequacy of the Establishment to provide for the spiritual needs of the people, and affords another strong proof of the impolicy of the proposed measure, which, by crippling it still more, will render the Welsh Church less effective than it is now.