The Circular of the Roman Congregation of the Propaganda on
the subject of the " Plan of Campaign" and Boycotting, signed by Cardinal Monaco, and dated April 20th last, has been published in various translations, more or less differing from each other ; but we have seen the Latin text itself, and the drift is not in the least questionable. The Con-
gregation of the Propaganda decided by a unanimous vote, after long and mature deliberation (re diu ac mature perpensel), that in contests between landowners and tenants in Ireland, it is not lawful to have recourse to the means known as the " Plan of Campaign" and " Boycotting," the Pope himself having confirmed and approved the decision. It is added as a reason for the decision, that it is obvious that where a rent has been fixed by mutual consent, it ought not to be reduced at the will of the tenant alone; and that it cannot be lawful to extort rent from the tenants not to be paid to the landlord, but to be deposited with unknown persons. Further, " it is altogether foreign to natural justice and to Christian charity that a new form of persecution and of proscription should recklessly be put in force against persons who are satisfied with and are prepared to pay the rent agreed on with their landlord, or against persons who in the exercise of their right take vacant farms." The Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland are therefore exhorted, " prudently but effectively," to " admonish the clergy and the people in reference to this matter," and "to observe Christian charity and not to overstep the bounds of justice whilst seeking relief from the evils which afflict them."
