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was, not being a corporation." Moreover the doubt thrown on our power of mortgaging Lot 50 by the Crown Solicitor were based on the words of the Chief Justice. The Crown Solicitor said to our friends who wanted to make a new loan to us on mortgaging Lot 50-" After what has been said by the Chief Justice I cannot advise you to do it." On that we moved the Bill, and it appeared at least to us when we proposed it first, that neither the Chief Justice, nor the Attorney General had any objection to it. We regret only to have lost time.
2. As to whom or to what body the incorporation should be granted, the matter ought to be settled first with the Attorney General. I think it should be to the Vicar Apostolic; but it must be such as to comprehend all the titles of our several Crown Leases. I fear, if I have to move the matter by myself, my work might be useless as it has been with the precedent Bill. We must have an Act to prevent all future doubts or difficulties; and I hope the Government will help us
in the matter.
3. I did not say who and what the Sacred Congregation is, because I thought the Government knew it before hand. To avoid all misunderstandings, I will give the definition from Professor CAMILLI's lectures on Canon Law delivered in the
Roman Pontifical Seminary and therefore very accurate. In the first volume, p. 259, he defines the Roman Congregations as follows:-Roma Congregationes dicuntur Collegia particularia ex aliquod Cardinalibus aliisque viris prestantissimis in Urbe (Roma) constituta pro nonnullis negotiis curandis discutiendis et definiendis.
At page 267 he defines the nature of the Congregations of the Propagation of the Faith:-Congregatio Propaganda Fidei præest omnibus Missionibus in partes Infidelium et intuitu Missionum predita est amplissimis facultatibus siquidem in se una Congregationum plurium aliarum officia complectitur, et constituit organum generale per quod Romanus Pontifex necessitatibus Missionum providet. Constat, prout cæteræ, Prefecto Secretario etc. •
The present prefect of the Congregation is Cardinal SIMEONI. To give you an idea in my way of viewing the matter, I would in lato sensu compare the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda to the Colonial Office, and I would say, with some- thing of the Foreign Office, as the Propaganda likewise presides to the interest of the Catholic Church in England, Ireland and the English Colonies always under the control of the Pope. It is the Propaganda which published lately a series of letters concerning Ireland showing its consistent policy in recommending to the Catholics of Ireland loyalty to the Queen and respect to the authorities.
4. You ask me, on what authority I apply on behalf of the Propaganda-I answer: In force of the organisation of the Catholic Church by having been myself entrusted by the Sovereign Pontiff the Pope through the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith with the charge of the Catholic Mission of Hongkong.
5. By the last mails I have referred the case to the Sacred Congregation to whom I have likewise sent a certified copy of the Crown Lease of Lot 50. As soon as I shall receive instructions it will be my duty to communicate them to you.
6. The only thing I regret after all is that no arrangements could be found in such case of emergency. The doubts which have arisen for the first time on our power of mortgaging and selling Lot 50 will, we fear, if not removed soon, con- tribute to lessen the value of our property. Such a ground as Lot 50 which was called by the Surveyor General a very precious property, located in the centre of the