Brian Condon: Diary of James Alipius Goold, 1848-1886

This month I called a public meeting of the Irish residents of this city, in order to refute charges of immorality and incapacity as servants made by the City Council against the Irish orphans who were enabled to emigrate to this Colony by the Home Government. The meeting was a crowded one: there could not have been less than a thousand persons present. The resolutions condemnatory of the conduct of the City Council, and commendatory of the Irish orphans, whom the distress of Ireland, unparalleled in the annals of her sufferings, compelled to migrate to this distant Colony, were unanimously adopted, and a Memorial approving of the system of Irish orphan emigration ordered to be prepared and forwarded to Her Majesty. This memorial, which I signed on behalf and at the request of the meeting as Chairman, was handed to His Honor Charles Joseph LaTrobe for transmission through His Excellency the Governor to Her Majesty, May 25th 1850.

The proceedings of the City Council against the orphans in consequence of this public meeting of the Irish fell to the ground, no one of that body feeling inclined to second the petition to Her Majesty against Irish orphan emigration founded on those proceedings.

I visited Geelong, Warrnambool and Belfast this month. On 28th April I administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 25 persons, children and adults. On Thursday 2nd May I gave Confirmation to 25 persons, children and adults at Warrnambool.