March 1^st. Yesterday I had a very agreeable drive with Mr. Conolly to Albano, Lerici, Gensano and Castel Gandolfo, seeing the beautiful lake of Nemi, and that of Albano.

Saw Mons^'r. Vespasiani on the subject of the Ponenza.

Left my watch to be cleaned with a watchmaker in the Corso.

2. Called at the Irish College - the Primate was out, but I saw D^r Kirby.

3. Visited S. Clement's and took an early dinner with them - dined later with Mr. Conolly, D^r Donaldson and Mr. Campbell Smith being the other guests.

4^th. Called at the Propaganda to inquire what day was fixed for the Congregation.

Monday next the 11^th inst. has been named and Card^'l. Brignole the Ponente.

Left with Monsignor Vespasiani a short note addressed to Monsignor Barnabò to the effect of removing any grounds of apprehension that British Guiana might be neglected in the event of annexing the Islands, especially Grenada. Assured their Eminences that as the Founder of the Mission it would ever have my anxious care and solicitude directed to it - and to furnish still greater security notified my intention of applying for a Coadjutor as [soon as] circumstances would enable me to make a proper selection, when one or other of the Bps. could always reside in Demerara.

1850. Rome. March 4^th. The Primate has just called. He is detained a little longer here waiting for certain papers from the Propaganda.

The division of the Islands as proposed by D^r Smith will not be carried into effect - my explanations have succeeded so far in frustrating D^r Smith's insidious attempts to isolate B. Guiana and keep it ever in a state of feebleness.

I was asked if I would take Monaghan as Coadjutor, as his name has been so long before them as a candidate for the Episcopacy. I said, "decidedly not - that I know nothing of him" - that I would make my own decision when the proper time arrived.

Visit from the Primate, Reverend Mr. Ennis, Revd. Mr. Devitt of Philadelphia, Mrs. Conolly &c.

6^th. Left the abominable apartment in Via Propaganda, paying the infamous woman who hired [it] the full month's hire to the 17^th inst.

Settled now for the few days that I expect to be in Rome in the quarters Mr. O'Shea has just left: No. 4 Piazza Mignanelli.

Wrote to dear Mother Regis. Posted this letter myself.

Called on Mrs. Everard, who has taken a most charitable interest in our Mission. She has invited me to see her in Ireland and that she would certainly contribute something further towards our Church building &c.

1850. Rome. March 7^th. Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. This day 28 years celebrated my first Mass in the little church of S. Rose's [Santa Rosa] [Santa Rosa], Kentucky, United States.

My new lodging is a great improvement on the last: warm, clean and polite attendance.

A visit yesterday from Mr. Tiffany, who leaves Rome on Monday next.

8^th. About 1/2 past 7 last evening as I was returning to my lodging I was seized by three footpads who rifled me of all the money I had about me. Fortunately I left my watch, chain &c at home or they would have been gone. About a dollar in notes and coppers was all that they got, besides a small pocket book with some memorandums, and my stick.

Visits yesterday from Mrs. Everard and Mrs. Conolly.

Changed a ten pound bill at Plowden &c Cholmley's.

Had a conversation with Mr. Conolly on the subject of a late anonymous letter addressed to Mrs. C.

Visits from Fathers Mullins and Moloney, Mrs. Conolly &c.

The day of the Congregation is approaching - I wish it was over, as I am weary of Rome and feel anxious to learn something of the poor nuns which I can only know in London.

9. Called at the Propaganda. At the instance and to suit the convenience of old Card^l. Castracane the Congregation is postponed to Friday the 15^th.

There are two Ponenzas prepared for the same day - a very bulky one of the ArchBishop of Constantinople of which Card^'l. Castracane is Ponente, and mine.

1850. Rome. March 9^th. Met the Primate, who leaves this evening for Naples. Called at Mr. Manley's and on Mr. Tiffany - saw Mrs. Everard and the Conollys.

Celebrated at S. Clement's this morning.

Lord Walpole is desirous of purchasing the two portraits of the Stewarts which hang in the corridor - desired them ask £50 for them.

Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Manley - they know Lord Walpole and described him as a great scamp. He has abandoned his wife, and is not received into any respectable society here. He is, however, very rich and can well afford to give £50 for the Stewart portraits.

11^th. Called at S. Clement's to advise them how to deal with Lord Walpole.

Heard a curious description last evening of the style of living of Abbate Hamilton.

14^th. Returned last night from Tivoli, where I have gone accompanied by Mr. Conolly on the morning of the 12^th - visited everything worth seeing in the neighbourhood, made an excursion to Castel Madama, a little mountain village, seeing on the way the two aqueducts - and Claudia. Frs. Mullins and Molony, who went to see what dilapidations were done to the little Convent of S. Michael's by the French, dined with us yesterday. A Canon of the Cathedral also came in - stopped at the Sybilla.

1850. Rome. 14^th March. Visited Cardinals Castracane, Mai and Brignole. Received most kindly by all three, but particularly by the venerated Mai, who was most affectionate, reminding me of our long acquaintance. His memory is still fresh and he reverted minutely to all that happened previous to the formation of the Vicariate, which he said was made on my report. Tomorrow will decide this new question unless the very heavy case which precedes mine will be too much for Castracane, who is very feeble.

Visits from an old French Franciscan Nun formerly of Detroit - Mrs. Conolly - Mr. Plowden, Fathers O'Carroll and Molony, Mrs. Conolly and two Vatican Priests.

Received a letter from Revd. J. Cullen expressing his intention of remaining at S. Rose's [Santa Rosa] till my return, giving me an account also of the result of the deliberations of the Combined Court for 1849.

15^th. 3 o'clock p.m. As yet I have not heard the result of the Congregation. A visit from Miss Fielding - Priests &c.

16. Called at the Propaganda - the decision of the Congregation yesterday resulted in the annexation solely of Barbados to Guiana. Tobago would have been added but that it was known that I was opposed to it.

As soon as the Cardinal Ponente sends in the minutes of the decision of the Congregation the necessary papers will be made out, Mons^'r. Barnabò using his extr^'y powers.

1850. Rome. March 17^th. Dined today at S. Isidore's, the Guardian as usual entertaining most hospitably.

Saw D^r Cullen yesterday after his return from Naples. The Pope declared to him his determination to come to Rome immediately after Easter conte qui conte [cost what it may?], altho' he makes up his mind for many tribulations.

Called on Father Cippoletti to see if I could obtain any Dominican Missionaries.

Promised to write to Father Leahy, and Father Lacordaire on the subject.

18. Changed a £20 bill at Plowden & Cholmley's.

Called on Cardinal Brignoli to request him to forward to the Propaganda the resolution of the S. Congregation.

Engaged a place in the Diligenza for Naples.

Saw Mrs. Everard, Mrs. Conolly and Miss Fielding.

Read in the Galignani of the seventh inst. an article taken from the London Globe in disparagement of D^r Cullen and his appointment. It is evidently from the malicious pen of F. Mahony.

Dined at S. Clement's, Father Cippoletti, the Revd. Father O'Carroll, Fr. Ennis and a Mr. Barnes joining the party.

Left with Father Mullins $55 to pay Mr. Lyster when the paintings are finished.

Rome. 20^th March 1850. Called at the Propaganda and had a full account of the discussion in the late Congregation relative to the Vicariates. Mons. Barnabò made no secret of D^r Smith's maneuvres [sic] - altogether what occurred was complimentary to me.

Met Bishop Timon just arrived. He proposes accompanying me tomorrow to Naples.

Made all the necessary visits. Dined with Mr. Conolly; the Primate and Revd. Mr. Behan were of the party.

Wrote to Mother Regis and Choiselat Gallien.

21^st. Left for Naples in company with Bishop Timon.

22^nd. At 1/2 past seven p.m. arrived at Naples - nothing beyond the usual incidents and inconveniences of travelling in Italy occurred on the way.

23. Went to see the Pope at Portici accompanied by Bishop Timon. Presented to Monsig^'r Luca Pacifici the package containing Ponenza and the resolution of the S. Congregation given to me by Mong^'r Barnabò. Pacifici read a good portion of the contents and then accompanied me to the Antecamera , where a large number of people were waiting for audiences.

After some delay the Monsig^'r was introduced and communicated to the Pope the contents of the dispatch. I was then introduced and was received most cordially by the Holy Father. He desired me sit and at once he *launched* into the business. He was ready to give his sanction to the annexation of Barbados, but on my explaining to him how little advantage it would be to us, he asked me which of the Islands I preferred and when I mentioned Grenada he took a note of it and said he would write about it. He asked me a thousand questions and frequently on hearing the recital of our several wants would cry "Povero Monsignor", the tear starting into his eye. I spoke of the letter which the Nuns wrote to him and of our daily prayers for him, which affected him very much. He got up from his chair and went to a Cabinet and took from it two small ciboriums, which he gave me - one for myself - the other for the Nuns. He expressed his annoyance at my being kept so long in Rome - indeed if Pius the 9^th. could only know them he would reform every abuse in the Propaganda. Learning from me that I was going to Ireland he seized the opportunity of expressing his anguish at the differences which divide the Bishops in Ireland. His voice, manner, and actions were vehement and shewed that he was speaking on a subject which occupied much of his anxious attention. "Dica, said he, *que el di Dublino di stare in accordo coi Suoi - e que a Tuam*" to get rid of that fire which seems to be devouring him. I can't express, said the Holy Father, how pained and hurt I have been by his inflammatory letters in the newspapers, his threatenings of excommunication &c giving a triumph to the Protestants - so indiscreet &c. The good Pontiff would have prolonged the interview but knowing so many persons were waiting for audiences I did not *introduce* new matter. I have been treated with more attention and civility by Pius the 9^th than by the meanest understrapper in Propaganda.

Poor Bishop Timon appears downcast and disappointed that he did not receive the same attentions that I did, but our cases are different. He is not and has not been in the same straits that I have been.

1850. Naples. 23^rd March. Among several who were waiting for audience were three American Naval Officers to whom I was introduced - some ladies of the name of Storey &c - Father Costa introduces the English.

The Pope, in speaking of D^r MacHale's conduct in the Colleges Affair, manifested evident disgust - in speaking of D^r Murray he showed a displeasure bordering on contempt.

I must not omit in gratitude noting that the good Holy Father handed me without any solicitation, or a hint of my wanting it, $50 to enable me to meet my travelling expenses.

Mr. Wiseman, who is lodging in the same hotel as me, visited this evening.

24. Palm Sunday. A visit from Mr O'Shea.

25. Called at the Post Office and found a letter from M. Kelly dated 11^th February.

Bought at the celebrated manufactory of Amato 3 lbs shaving soap at 41/2 carlini per lb.

Accompanied on board the American Frigate Independent Bishop Timon. Some of the officers of this fine ship are Catholics. Discovered in the surgeon, D^r Whelan, the son of the grocer of that name with whom I was quartered when I was first in Philadelphia. I received a very kind hospitality from that good family. One of the daughters is now a Nun at Boston among the Sisters of Charity. Took leave of Bishop Timon, who will remain here over Easter.

1850. Naples. 26^th March. Gave orders to have my passport arranged and to have a passage taken in the steamer Corriere Corso which sails at 2 p.m. for Civita Vecchia.

A very boisterous day which prevents the steamer from starting.

Took a trip by railway to Castellanmare and from thence to Garignano by one of the unique Caracollas of Naples. Dined at Castell - and excellently: for 4 carlini, a bottle of excellent wine, capital Macaroni Minestra, two plates of meat with vegetables, sweet, fruit and cheese.

27. Started for Civita which we reached on the 28^th - Leghorn the 29^th and Genoa the 30^th.

30th. Put up at the hotel *Fodor* where poor O'Connell died.