Wednesday 1 May 1844. Dined with J. Gould. Called on Fr. Mathew - he gave hope that a young man of his Order named McSweeny might accompany me.

Told me that Rogers before he left Cork had two children by a ward of his named Brown.

Returned Mr. Ryan his ten pounds.

Thursday 2 May 1844. Took my farewell dinner at Dom^k Street

J. Fahey, M O'Sullivan and C. MacLeod were of the party.

Sent to Marlboro Street a trunk containing Episcopal dress and two silver cups.

Friday 3 May 1844. Spent the morning in bidding adieus - J. O'Connor, J. Ryan, J. Leahy, B. Russell, C. MacLeod and Mr. Troy accompanied me to the steamer. Sailed at 1/2 past 3 for Bristol.

Saturday 4 May 1844. We did not reach Bristol owing to there being no water in the Avon till 1/2 past 6 in the evening. Stopped for the night, as the last train had already left for London.

Put up at the "White Hart", a rather indifferent hotel.

Sunday 5 May 1844. Heard Mass in the chapel in which D^r Baines officiated for the last time. It formerly belonged to the Irvingites.

Started for London by the 1/2 past 2 train. Arrived in 41/2 hours at Paddington Terminus.

Monday 6 May 1844. Put up at Ford's.

Called immediately on D^r Griffiths - he read for me a letter from D^r Clancy in which he insists upon being still V.A.. He sent back the two letters which Propaganda wrote him unopened because they were not addressed to him as V.A.! D^r G. wrote to Rome communicating this fact on the 8^th. ulto. He has heard nothing since from Lord Stanley.

A letter from D^r Cullen and one from M. Kelly.

Dined with D^r G. - met D^r Olliffe.

Tuesday 7 May 1844. Dined with D^r Griffiths again today - D^r Kinsella, Bp. of Ossory also. Never in my life did I hear such a boaster as this same D^r K.

Dr. Olliffe and his sister called on me.

Father White has called upon me - he is on his way to the General Chapter, and starts this afternoon.

Wednesday 8 May 1844. The W. India mail has arrived and brings me newspapers and a letter from Taggart.

Met F. Mahony.

Thursday 9 May 1844. Had a conversation with D^r Kinsella about D^r Clancy and his present conduct. He never had a good opinion of him. He promised to write to a priest and two students who he thinks may join me.

Saw D^r Griffiths - he has had no communication as yet from Lord Stanley.

A visit from F. Mahony - he tells me that D^r Clancy has been writing to J. Kennealy of Paris to join him and that K. was disposed to do so, under the impression that C. was right and that he must ultimately triumph.. The fool is ignorant of the disgrace and peril he would encounter.

Friday 10 May 1844. F. Mahony called upon me - he appears intimately acquainted with all the officials of the Colonial Office. He suggested, in the event of Lord Stanley's communication being unfavourable, to get a deputation of Catholic members of Parliament to wait upon him, and know why he acts upon a principle so injurious to the interests of the Catholic religion in the Colonies.

Shortly after leaving me he must have seen Serjeant Murphy on the subject; who wrote me a very polite and friendly note saying that he would be ready to join a deputation or assist in any other way to put a stop to the Scandal in Demerara.

Saturday 11 May 1844. A visit from J. Reed. I mentioned to him the idea of the deputation, which he thought would be productive of good - but he would have the deputation wait upon the Premier, rather than Lord Stanley, and protest against the rule laid down by Lord S. that a priest may be recognised as a Catholic pastor by the Government, even after his spiritual powers have been proved to be withdrawn.

A letter from the Rev^d E. MacSweeny declining to join the Mission of Demerara.

Monday 13 May 1844. Received letters this morning from Fr. Guglielmi, J. Ryan, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hughes of Carlow. Mr. Taylor's communicated the gratifying intelligence of D^r Haly's having consented to give two free places in the missionary department of Carlow for B. Guiana, and Fr. Gul: tells me that two Spanish Dominicans, Caldentei and Villanova, are ready to join me at a moment's notice. Card^l Acton has taken up warmly the affair of D^r Clancy's continued contumacy.

A letter from D^r Cox.

Wrote to M. Kelly, also to Mr. Taylor, Mr Hughes, J. Ryan and D^r Cox. Sent newspapers to D^r O'Finan and M. K.

A visit from Mr. Reed - poor fellow, he does not know what to do with himself, every effort in London having failed. He proposes coming out with me. I am afraid the prospects of his succeeding there are to say the least doubtful - however I shall do my utmost for him, for he seems to me deserving of it.

Tuesday 14 May 1844. Saw D^r Griffiths - he had had a letter from Lord Stanley appointing 1/2 past 3 today to see him. Saw F. Mahony - he shewed me a letter from Norton introducing Clancy to him. The letter is written in a very slang and undignified style - he desires M. give C. "some dead knowledge" for "that he must be up to many an artful dodge".

Dined with D^r Griffiths. He had an interview with Lord Stanley - the result - a message to be sent to the Governor desiring him to withdraw D^r Clancy's salary - hesitated, however, to furnish me with the usual official letter.

Wednesday 15 May 1844. Visits from D^r Ullathorne, F. Mahony and J. Reed. Letters from J. Ryan.

Wrote to Lord Stanley - gave up my apartment to Mr. Bourchier in consequence of his having to undergo a surgical operation.

Mr. D'Arcy Talbot, brother to Lady Shrewsbury, called in the evening.

Thursday 16 May 1844. A French Priest by the name of Dufèvre from Trinidad has been with me. There is quite a rupture between D^r MacDonnell - according to his account, MacD has been jockeyed by Smyth - the former having been induced to forward his resignation to Rome, which the V. Apostolic of London and his brother the Franciscan no sooner heard of than they loudly condemned the step and advised him to retract it.

He accordingly wrote to Rome and requested to be allowed to resume his office, and till this was granted, but on condition that he do no act without the sanction of his Coadjutor. The Clergy and laity are divided, some siding with the one, some with the other.

Friday 17 May 1844. Mac ordered Smyth away from Port of Spain, which the latter refused to do.

Sunday 19 May 1844. Said Mass for Mr. Bourchier in his apartment.

Monday 20 May 1844. Wrote to Lord Stanley.

Tuesday 21 May 1844. Called at the West India Dock to see the Claudia, which sails for Demerara in a few days.

Wednesday 22 May 1844. A letter from Lord Stanley.

Thursday 23 May 1844. Started for Paris via Havre - wrote Mr. Troy.

Friday 24 May 1844. 7 a.m. arrived at Havre - 21 hours from London Bridge - at noon proceeded up the Seine by steamer to Rouen, which we reached in seven hours. Stayed the night at Rouen.

Saturday 25 May 1844. Took the railway to Paris, where we arrived at 11 o'clock a.m. - made for the Bedford Hotel, rue S. Honoré, where I found the Henrys.

Called at the Irish College and saw D^r McSweeny.

Sunday 26 May 1844. Said Mass, and dined at the Irish College. The économe [bursar] (Sheehan) and one of the young Professors seemed half inclined to join me.

Charlotte Henry is about to be married to a Frenchman named Morin, a bad match, it is said.

Monday 27 May 1844. Preparing to return to London - met J. Kennelly, the first time since 1817.

At 2 p.m. left for Boulogne.

Tuesday 28 May 1844. Arrived at Boulogne before midday and at 5 p.m. started for Folkestone, which we reached after a very rough passage in 4 hours.

Slept at Folkestone Pavilion.

Wednesday 29 May 1844. Reached London by railway at 1 o'clock p.m.

Found a letter and newspapers from Demerara.

Dr. Clancy gave the white veil to some young female on the 8^th. April.

Thursday 30 May 1844. Spent the day in making purchases, giving commissions and preparations for starting by the next Packet.

Friday 31 May 1844. Dined with D^r Griffiths - he has had a letter from D^r Kinsella saying that he had two subjects for me whom he would ordain Subdeacons on this day or tomorrow. This good news will oblige [me] to wait for another Packet, as I wish to be certain of these young men accompanying me.