Mr. O’Connell appeared in Conciliation Hall on Monday, the 6th of July.  He stated that his object was to ascertain the state of the registries, so as to resist the return of the anti-Repealers in any of the towns where a vacancy was likely to occur.  But he added, “I will give no vexatious opposition.”  Here a voice cried “Dungarvan,” with significant emphasis, a question Mr. O’Connell evaded with his usual dexterity.  Four seats were then actually vacant; Dungarvan, Drogheda, Dundalk and Roscommon county.  In the three former, there were clear majorities in favour of Repeal.  That question admitted of no earthly doubt.  It had been long before enquired into, and assurances the most unequivocal were transmitted to the Association.  On motion of Mr. O’Connell, the question was referred to the committee.

Daniel O’Connell, jun., was a candidate for Dundalk, where a public dinner was given him on the 7th.  His father attended, and said, “I tell you there is another experiment to be made, in which every honest and rational man, of every party, will join.” Similar doctrines were to be found in his former letter and speech, above referred to; and the other members of the Association awoke to a sense of the danger that threatened the body.  Meantime, the Dungarvan committee proceeded with its labours.  A deputation from that town waited on them—­the parish priest and two others.  They paid their first visit, however, to the Secretary, at the Castle.  They found it as easy to satisfy the committee, or its majority, as the Secretary found it to satisfy themselves.  They advised there should be no opposition given to Mr. Shiel on these two grounds:  First, because success was then impossible, owing to the shortness of the time for preparation.  And secondly, because a failure then would endanger the cause at the general election which was to take place in a few months.  The sincerity of these reasons was tested by the facts, that, at the general election, the same parish priest stood at the hustings to propose and sustain the same official of the Whigs, insolently proclaiming his steadfastness in O’Connell’s glorious principles, while he was huckstering away the honour and independence of his country; and that at that general election, when the people of Dungarvan were more openly betrayed and trafficked on by John O’Connell, and when they had to contend against the treachery of the priest, the treachery of the Association and the whole strength of the Whigs, they were only defeated in their opposition to Mr. Shiel by three votes.  But, sincere or not, absurd or not, they were conclusive with the committee, or its chairman, who reported that it was not advisable to oppose Mr. Shiel, and this report was published just two days after Mr. Shiel had been returned unopposed.