The Statesman. — London, England, 1823-07-02 00:00:00

Exchequer), had turned his attention to counterscarp, or other parts of fortification.— w•s more competent to judge of the ....lure in arrangements conoerning the when only a comparatively small proptiir -died for a public work was to be ad that work was to be put under the isury, as was the case in the bate plan 'bridge. He should gladly see the ited to the moat public part, even to Allbouak he would not/este inch • emotion; 'srt it if made by any other Member. The "%loved. es . en addition to the words of s, "That it was the opiniots of that expedient, before such, buildings Ire tinder s-I design and plan of the work, as well as expense, be prepared and laid before the Isury for tittle opinion, whether it would Ice for the reception of the works of British \lessens. lid there was already an amendment to Irst to he disposed of. his intention was. in ease the former agreed to, then to put his own resehttiou by to it. . R tbuh put the question on the original viant of 440001. for a new building for King's Library in the British Museum, ' that the gale be pail withoat any de agreed that the addition alight tom part mewed hi* Asevidmetd. COMO. egpcsert it ii Vomebeisery. It contemplation of the' In** of the Bei \ one stone of a new building without of the Intended edifice, as well as the to the Lords of the Treasury. His ad wearied himself to uo purpose in in support of Ms amendment, and bad —me arguments by his references to the Ad- Ordnance, and t.ondon Midge. He eittirely ith of his Honourable Friend's statements on respecting the manner in which the Egyptian Staged in the !Unseen. Any one who Meseum 'Could find that the Venus of collation wee pieced in a circular tribune, •- diameter, end mot eon fined In a square he table, as his Honourable Friend said. marble gallrre was higher the was re marbles placed there, and, instead of ellitte4 by the trustees to fit the spirt: Jrable Friend said, the fact *re, that . pissed over them. Over tin Meaning, able Friend, be believed. blirighen es so Memnon might be placed. Bat without the former night, what *could bavnbe .Nble Friend's Pier! Of the forty ie of tbem was in that situation when built. and they could hot be responsible elevation. The gaiter" was planned by *lf, and approved of by him, and he be rry had se Much taste in disposing a picture lenourable Friend. It &mainly was to be m was no gallery for the reception of pia presence, Sir (de°. Beaumont said that he I , etion to the British if there was 2 them. Somerset House was mentioned as • erred** of a suitable building, but in his there was too confined, and the expense of ;rest. Though his Honourable Friend ention to stigmatise the trustees of the -etitwas evident that such would be the in. His Hop. Friona charged the tris- Ad conduct, but in his opinion those disgtsceAti So those who !milk thous , from Sir J. YORK, in 4 • /11/poet ELIAS paid •he could not illta ieh Woad seem to cast a slur on theirai nisly gave up their time and bestorred the superintendence of the works in Ihe, ~ rosemeot of the piddle taste. lie statement of the Right Hon. Baronet an , Mon. Baronet intended tansake a lic of his magnificent collection. No. :honourable . than sdch a gift. It was regret that there Was no gallery fOr a afraid that the fine collection of Mr. go oat of this country, unless it was, that House. It was his intention in less some other Member . took it up, collection should be bought for the \ CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that Lord of the Treasury and a trustee of lost unfit to decide the question before I not think th.it bit Hon. Friel (lir. Ned in representing that the trustees :root fit to be trusted with the disposal was cever implied by him nor by tbe money was to be expended wltliontyre. Aniates of expense. His floe. Friend ranch on his taste and skill in aithi rds of the Treasury were to take • p .ctioo of this building; his Hon. Friend ',eremite', in the style of the epitaph Vartbargit— on him, earth, for he a !teary load on thee. " present site of the British • Masetnn : I about eight acres, and had ample 'likings. He did not approve of tbe me. hiteliall Chapel as a gallery for those then they would be too confined, as - in a sqoare box, according to his luslly disapproved of the suggestion He was sorry that balding was not tght it argued bad taste in the nation. . • grant for that purpose nest Sea .) —but still did not thinks it a fit place liens'. In the first place, socrowded , '14:1011 with houses and streets, that the, rer be enlarged, and with the increase of woxise of art, they would be non 'it extend their galleries. He could not hisehall Chapel or Somerset House, any place better seised than the pro. lib Mamma. from Mr. John Martin, Mr. Stuart Wood, Mr. A. Baring, Mr. Gar- Smith, Mr. Choker and Sir Charles cleared for a division, when there ap \ nsendusant, 81—Against it,s4—Majority for lwent, 26:: that 9,334.14 granted for beading selarl, id antheientwoeision bad beer made by that be therefore world tabs the sense of Kreoltitioath• I again canard for a division-- ion, lia-41(iinst it. 35—Majority for O. ,tutions were deep agreml to, "INTUtitt rosy for the purpose of ed ) motion relative to the affairs *Altair, Thursday next, (rem *es day to the folio!. ')jeet in &log so *silo wait for more Jn. which every day teas littety to bring. Itllneation of evems no* in proem:lola that • at all .veris t postporo the risers. of. information heirs *lidded ir IM Ott Ma. GEO. ItOWAY.. At rose for the propose of idirdog to file from McGee. Rowan. skid% botbero draws on a fornserersloirif. ratrlldhimittit Men. Member of, tart Nora % Os that at be would make farther Ingrid's tato dour so, and h . t. Mend that thepeetflerer Obese atiresairet prima- facie • "Worse .. r . • ' . ,' • , •i! .. . - 1 .4 p , ~.i. •-. • :,.. 2 . Chancellor of the Each .:. 1 .. - bastion or countersuit' (A laugh.) But who w ~ . ! . fitneseof any I.:muld; tine are.? Even when lion of the money recto' - 1 • ~ r i J vacced by that House, i inspection of the Treat %,/ - !or rebuilding London•l . Flritish Museum remote - . the S•rsnd. Althout.h • • • he you'd support it if I lion. Molt her theninot i • the orioinal motion. ' }Buse that it was expo . taken. that a general do an estimate of the expe Lords of the Treasury • form h suitable edifies art belonging to the Br The SPEAKER said be Vote, w.hicti was firm • Mr. CHOKER said • amendment was agreed way of addition to it. Thy SPEAKER that i'' ' • resblotion for the gran the reception of the Ki - . with this addition, " th du•tion whatsoever." The Hoag Imolai ag of the Resolution, air. CROKER move Sir CH ARLES LOl was never in the contet '!,?... HA hluscum to 104 on first submitting a plan I estimate of expense. I Honourable Friend hat bringing arguments in , even falsified those ergs initalty, the Ordaance, denied the truth of tile a former' night respectii antiquities Were plop pleased to visit the ills Mr. Townley's cola ti twenty•four. feet in Jim shout the Mee of the to ...., The ceiling in the mart (mired eve' by the ml those having reelected ... s ~ went, as his lionourah others stew be yet pia , which his Honourable Instance, another Mem those statements on the some of his Monaural - three trustees, not one those grfileries were ha • for their eltent at Ale Mr. Townli himself, I i evocl Mr. TowniPY NIP or statue as his Hollow regretted.that there vs • titres. Islas own pre' would give his coll••ctir a place to receive thorn, it place for the erred* opinion the space there • the work would be gee, disc aimed any intentic British Museum, yet-it effectof his resolution tees with : disgraceful 1 I ! ci ergo.% were more dial than to the trustees. After a few words f the amendment; Mr. AOAR ELA amendnient, shift. w trier, who gratuitously their attrntion tin the Museum fur the imps felt gratified by die st (Sir V. Long) that - a dtlniniekto thepdhlii , • thing mold be cinch i , a matterntgeneral tel piiititirgi.• He was a ~ A nigieeteut would go secured by a vote in tl the next Session, unle to propose that the co British Museum. The CHANCELL( be, si bring both a Lc the Museum, was cos , the *foci*. He did t i • of the AI uienin - were n of this grant. It was trustees. that this trot bad pi qu edaaredplens and cons i himself mi 1 . • tecture. if the Lords thVmselves the dliecti rnigat fall On than . written for Sir Johii I • b. Lie heavy • .Laid min/ a • He approved of the p the si ace contained a room for rue buildinfi ' lion Of 'Ening Whiteli • * works of art. for then Townley Venus was i Hos. Friend. He rot of Somerset House. 1 • finished. acd he thong He would propose' • siln(hear, hear.) —I M the British Milieu was the neighbourboo I:mailings could never of their collections of plastid, and could not approve of either lVh and be did not know I dent site of the British ... . After a few words I Wortley, Alderman I try, Air. William Sis Iring, • The I•allery was cle peered— For the Ansendusee Mr. Croker's Amend: On the resolution tl . Glebe-houses in heist • - Mr. HUME said so i - other votes, and that She House cm the Rea The gallery was ag Lur the Resolution 01 . • Resolution, 34). The other Iteetitut is lilt JAMES MACH journiog the notice of ' which stood.for Thorsd kg Monday. ills tat* decisive infounstion. o • • and for the coon mouth • country. He Woolf, Moo, -fig the abaSto • smoothie. PF.TITION Mr. 111101,1011111 M r l• ' i' . Mouse. a petition fro; Presented and widuirs of the conducrofan hi *Cession-be said that tee , sailed t Woad do , Was it prrsia Ins *b • ... : • . • • i . ..... - I THE StATESNtAg might be placed. He wished to tette the present opportu afty oT giving as. eepleseaticht of whet be Old We. foraer evening, and of correcting as 'ertoneon impression of his tentinlents, which' had gone forth to the public. The en sues, which an lien. Friend of his, end a Mensheri gave to the inquiries, he felt It his duty to make of him, shouio not be construed at all neither one way or the other braying on 'the merits of the COMM ft had bees said that the revolt of the inquiries which he (Mr. B.) made was to give a confirm ation to the charges in the petition. Ile laid quite the con trary, and the answer of his Hon. Friend was so cautious and circumspect that It did not leave room for such an infer ence. Ills lion. Friend could not have refused to answer the questions he pat. It was strictly consistent with justice, the usage of Parlipmeot, and private rights, to affords!l ex planation in his power. The answer of the tion.Gentirmen carefully abstained from saying one word implicating him In the charges, or which could give currency to the reports. Since the former dissuasion. he (Mr. 8..) thought it fit to in form Mr. Rowse that he had withdrawn the petition, and cautioned him of the risk he ran in preferring such charges against an lion. Member, unless he wits certain of proving them by sr.ncient evidence.. He took ears that he should be aware'of his exposure to the weenies of the House, sto len he could make good Ms ebelge. Ile would move that the petition be received, sad then on the question that it be laid on the table, any opinions respecting it might be offesed by Hon. Members. Mr. WY IN objected to the petition being received, as there were coutituted authorities to whom the case might be sent to trial. Ifs could not conceive how the Hoossreould sanction any course consiseent with justice by suffering the petition to be presented. They must either examine into its contents or merely suffer It to Ile on the ta ble. If they examined into its contents tins result might be that instreetions to prosecute sbossid be given to the Attor• nay-General, and they must see with whet disadvantage as individual would be seat into a Court of Law with thr weight of their censure hanging owe Wm. ft was,' besides, too late lathe Sessioa to commence an inquiry. There was also another ground on which it should be opposed. Tim lion. and teamed Gentlesnaa did not state dml the peti tioner had ever laid his ease before Puy of the Public Fuse. Generics. He (Mr. W.) deciaeod oe the part of his Met jesty's Government, that there was so disposition to pro tect any individual, sod that they went always wady, if a aufheient ease was made out, to direct a peowention. In that way the object of the petition might be obtained. Un der all circumstanees, at this late period of the Bessie*. he treed not consent to have a petition wansielog such charges read; While there were tribunals is the country wore reedy ; to undertake them. Mr. BROUGHAM rose again to say that he was quite aware of the difficulties po i nted out by the Right flon. Geotlemao. To she principle that the Nonce should not interfere in cases where the Courts of haw held joriedic 'ion. he agreed in its fullest extent. But, while the House should art with caution, they shoal, on the other hand, not be too slow in receiving charges against their owe Members. There was in the present case a charge di rectly within the jutisdiction of the House. It wee a charge for abuse of patronage by one of 'heir own Mew bers—by one of the Ministerial County Members-4 f the Right Hon. Gentleman looked to precedents, be might find many directly in point—he would find that the atten tion of the House bring given to such a case was not an usual proceeding—Lord Melville was censured by the House, though the offence was indictable. The indict ment was even engrossed, but withdrawn. when the im peachment was preferred.. to the latter part of Queen Anne's pingo, in 1710, Me. J. Itodgets, a Member of the • House, a common Brewer and contractor—and here he would observe that a contractor was no pnblic functionary but a private person—this contractor made a content for ;.911116 toms of beer, and delivered 3,300, while he received payment for the entire. The House took coeni name of the facts ; they beard evidence upon them, and then expelled . the individual, and ordered a proSecution by the Attorney- General. They sent him to trial, not merely with a decla ration of their opinions against him, but with a sapience of expulsion. For his parr, he believed that no man went into Conrt with a chance oftwfaireetrial titan an indivi dual seat there by a vote 'of the House, and under the prosecution of the Attorney General. The petition, at all events, should be brought op, and a day moved for 'its being taken into consideration. When that time came, reasons in its support might be advauced, and Go vernment might judge. if a case were made out Geer their interference. ' Mr. IV-WYNN contended that the cases quoted were not analogous to the present. In the case of the breach of contract and fraud, the House, as guardians of the public phew, were booed to notice it. There was a precedent en the other side—that of an officer of a regiment against whom charges of embezzlement were preferred, and Mr. Foe opposed its being taken op by thc . House, as there was a military tribunal—a coon -martial, to which it should be . properly referred. lie (:tr. IV.) thought the present time the most proper to state hisobjectlons to the petition, and be would still oppose its being brought up. Mr. !MAURICE FITZGEItALD gave the lion. and Learned Gentleman (Mr. Brougham) every credit for his anxiety to corms the erroneous impression of his senti ments made on the public mind. le the account given of that Hon. Gentleman's observations, he was made to say, " that having referred for information on the petition to an Hon. Member of that House, the result of 'that in quiry had been, that the charge assumed a graver it-taxer ter th..n it had before." The impression that passage would convey was, that the charges were corroborated by the answer to the inquiry.. As he (Mr. F.) was concern ed in the subject, he would entreat the attention of the House while he read a letter in answer to the reference made to hiss by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman. The House must feel in what a delicate situation he stood when referred to on charges affecting the character of an Hon. Member of that House with whom lie had been po litically connected. He was applied to by the Learned Gentleman (Mr. 11.) before the petition was presented, and though reluctant to interfere in the subject in any ' way,be(hie.F.) felt that he could not as a Member of dam House withhold all communication. Whether the letter which he wrote unauthorised any public reference to it was a quettien on which be and the Learned, Gentleman might entertain different opinions. He then read a letter to the following purport:--" I have just received your let ter. 1 know Mr. George Rowan, he is related to me , and otherwise connected in the country. Independent of the charges laid to this individual, I never kneq his. charac ter impeached, and. these charge* were prosecuted by base and treacherous means. I have had so communica tion with this individual for some years. Election feuds in tile county of Kerry and other reasons would induce me not to take any part in the proceedings on4he petition, and I am anxious that my name should not be referred - to in airy statement on the subject to the House."— This was the letter which he wished his Hononrable and Learned Friend bad either read throughout, or tot refer nee to at all. He never intended that it should be used to corroborate the charges which hail been Iwo-gist against the lion. bleutber,and, therefore, desired histion. and Learned Friend not to refer to it. lie nos anxious to gaud against saving any thing which might seem to assist in suhstaetiesi erg :fie charges against his colleague, irate they might seem to proceed irons lorol jrahtueses or eleettonering motive:. .The House would, theiefore. 411411.11 the anxiety. which be could not help feeling, to remove an impression to•that effect, which he fearel bail been siready created. lie begged of them, however, to receive his aseurence, that it the time of writing the let ter be was in miss seise a party to the proceedings whiCh were istended agaiitst has colleague.--(Rear y Yielding to the ditty whiih he tiered his oimstiturnia ' be was ail. lisp if poitailhe, to discharge that duty t hit he &pre mast, all 'Mee of prekedicing the ease against the l)on. Impetativeas the obligation of dnty was, i.e *4,460 ie at" ore of those who wield us e no w t annotate veva lish any object. But it ea* said, drat - ire bad s e these proceedings, although he m i g ht sot bare pftewood Miens. TektlmPrikmieucqi by whom . . , ...,,. hewas known. lot was sole it was nineorssary to say that inch v.n linpolotion was totally unfoalWied.:-:(lfear, hear.) fielogell nobody. supposed that i d charges to pre. i t ler, be-would resort to indirect weans of ;ti portiog them: Bet in fact, eraf.as front enconraring tbise oceedings.he had taken quite an opposite cones*. I e had actually taken pains to disconnect hiineelf from those who, weer bringing forward they,. charges. Three weeks aro he was informed that the petition in tinestiiin had been intrusted to his lion. and Learned Friend. This wisthe only know= ledge which he had of the transaction. No intercourse bad taken place between hintanel the petitioner, since six years after he was dismissed from hisoffice. And at to his.(alr..l%) having any knots ledge that these charges were abort to be preferred against his colle • rite; e. de clared that when hr heard the petitioner had expressed his intention of laying the matter before this House, he ceased all correspondence with him,. front an apprehensioa that 'however pure his own motives were, his condom might possibly be misconstrued into an acquiescence of the course proposed.—(lfeat.) lie went even farther than this, for he wrote toe most respectable gentleman of the county, a Mr:Church, stating that he understood a notn• plaint was about to be made against his collages,. and in the most distinct terms disclaiming . any connection with it. He begged once more to apologias for having t a ken the liberty to occupy so much of the time of the House in a matter which was so entirely personal to himself. lot conclusion, be wished it to be understood, that except the Hon. Member hi uself, no one felt greater pain than he did at these complaints, which had been preferred against hie colleague; for though he was sure that these charges wonlil be eventually repelled, yet he knew that there was an odium attending them, and unyter each circuantances, bis feeling* would have been awakened for any gentle mac They reflected* discrediton his country, which he wished to repel. lie hoped hr :•ad said enough to undo the impeessiou which the report of the Hon. and Leartscd ' Gentleman's speech wasnalcobsted to make, that he bad at all 'assisted.in bringing these charges against his Hon. colleague.--(llear.) Mr. BROUGHAM said, that what the Right lion Member bid just stated, was conclusive in shooing the complete futility and groundliness of the suspicion, if any such was ever entertained, that be wait st all a party to the charges which had been preferred against his Hon. colleague.—(llesr.) In every part of his statement whit Is related to the circumstances under which the petition was put into his (Mr. B.'s) hands. he was ready to Amara l him. But he was bound to say, that he lead not under stood the fetter to have been written with the intention which the Right Hon. Gentleman now expressed. If it Was his wish to suppress the charge. nothing could have been more' ',sterol to him, (Mr. 8.).f0r be appealed to the House, whether upon beisig called upon, he hail shown any indisposition to withdraw the former petition. or whether he had show, any great degree of eagerness in pressing forward • groundless (barge against a Member of this House.—(Hear.) The truth was, that in the whole course of his Parliamentary experience, he had never met any thing so troublesome as this petition. Ile hoped lie had shown no want of candour towards the lion. Member 1 whom it construed, so far as showing hien a copy. au I lot presenting it until he was in his place. Indeed he would not have pressed it if la had not been suggested, that it was better at once to call she attention of the House to the eobject, the:- to keep it hanging over the lion. bleurber's head. His reason for making a pa r t:al. "matron from the letter was, that if he had read but one sentence more. it would Nave explained who the writer was, for he :alluded to "Ida lion. Colleague ;" but Redid not think himself at liberty to disclose the name. He should perhaps have Rutted the subseaneenf the letter, bat as it waa evidence its support of an accusatiotr, he was unwilling to use env other than the writer's. own words in an affair so delicate. As-td' the tharge itself, in one view of the rase, be would he disposed to re-, commend that it shoot., be pressed no farthve at present, as it seemed to anticipate the deciaini of it tourt of „Justice ; but on the other leant; it was too grave a charged not to be atteadedro. It was, in fact, a criarge.of abuse of that influence which Gentlemen poetess by being Mein hers of this House fur populous placea; audit therefore I behoved this House to entertain it. Wiest they would do with it when it came before theist wan quite another I question. I Colonel CROSBY said it was eery true, an impres sion was made upon him by reading the report that the Right Honourable Gentleman had afforded information' to substantiate the charge against bin. He was,. how- ever, quite convinced, from what he sow beard, that he, was no party to thew proceedings, aid be should there.: fore dismiss from his mind all recollection of this sub ject.—(Hear t.,) Mr. BROUGHAM said that lie had . guarded himself against saying that he received an.y extrinsic information on the subject, and confined himself to the evidence arising out of the petition. Mr. MAURICE FITZGERALD said he felt it neces sary to explain one passage in his letter, ?.hick plight otherwise be misconstrued. lie had said, "that whatever the circumstances of his (Mr. Rowan's) dismissal were, he thought they were prosecuted through base and treacherous means." Now this last observation applied neither to the conduct of his Hon. Colleague nor of the Irish Government, in dismissing this individual. It re ferred solely to the mode in which Mr. Rowan woo first proceeded against, which was, as he himself alleged, in a former petition to this House, by a conspiracy, at the head of which was a person who had been his con fidential clerk. it was to this conspiracy that the words " base and treacherous means" wete applied. With re gard to the conduct of the Right Honourable Gentle mat who was Secretary for Ireland when this individual was dismissed, so far from finding fault with his con duct, he (Mr. F.) had reason to be grateful for the liberality which was shown towards Mr. Rowan, for it wan known at the Lastle that he was the intimate friend of him (Mr. Fitzgerald), who was then in opposition to Government. Mr. Secretary PEEL said he had no distinct recollec tion of the case, but he was sore, that whatever the government of Ireland did, they most certainly had a view to providing for another, when they dismissed this petitioner from his office.—(llsar.) Mr. BROWHAM said no such charge was made against them. • The Petition was ltrJurrht tip and read. It coos splained that the Petitioner Isiol been deprived of his si tuationas Collector of the Excise, its consequence of a, 'conspiracy promoted by W. Meredith Tans and Cele rtel Crosby; that Mr. Twiss had been appointed to his situation, and that he was subsequently dismissed from I it on accoun t o f mal.ps.4ctices. It further stated, that notwithstanding this dismissal, Mr. Meredith was reap- pointed to the office ' by the influence of Col. C ros by, who received a bribe of 140001— awl it charged Col. I 'Crosby with having received bribes from a Mr. Bate man, aad various other persons, fur appointing theta to offices, oi *bleb be had the patronage. On the question that it do lie upon the table, wyNN observed, that be did not see what pos sible good could arise from laying this petition on the .tahle. 4t was tot intendeilto follow it op by any elm fiat steps; and, indeed, in to present state of the Ses sion. he did not see the possibility of doing so. It ap- 1 peered to hint, drat the Petitioner'shoad, in the firset,-1 stance. 'have applied to the Rxecatfie Government. and if they Idled to cirri themselves, it would be thee time to entsictittlais Home. No other result than suffering tee 'olitier to stand over to the next Session could ensure sorcew; audio the mein time the Hot. bleutheowho was the object or it, would be exposed to Abe odium of having such a charge hanging over his haul ' *D A thew • •• s .• •• • ;j ~.,. • 'grounds he should oppose the laying on the table of t Petition. , A division then took place: when there appeared— For receiving the Petition, 51; against it, 26.—Majo. rats, b. FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS OPINIONS. Mr. DUMB rose for the purpose of presenting a pets- thin which he considered of great importance. Define he slid so, he bAgged to correct an error which bad r o e: abetted a-tierce+ big what he hid raid last night. He hal been made to say in one publication, that he disapproved of dissenters altozether, when, in fact, - he en!, express red his disapprobation of that Sect to which au iionottralilir member belongelplr. Butterworth) His acquaintame Eying very much among dissenters, many of whom he knew to he most intelligent end virtuous men, he stiaott lime belied his own expwrienre if lie ha , l said ' a y. li e sins ofopinion, that g eneral censures were always wroog, and as fiis feelings bad been more excited on the. Mon to which he alluded, by the intolerance ilisp'afei uy !that sect of which stone bespoke, he tool: the opport - ty of this cooler moment to explain what he had said. Having done so, he wimirt unel. he regretted that any pea son should have presiimed to arraign his conduct, and to bavr designated him. as the advocate of a person whose opinions he was so far from advocating, that if that per son tied listened to his atlviee, he would lone ago limo Anteing& from publishing them. He was *ell convinced that to attack prejusliees lathe way Mr. Carlile had at tacked what he ettinsidorel prejudices was the hest means of diffusing and strengthening them. He did hope thst in Wore no person would take the liberty of endeavour ing to represent lain as the advocate of his opinions.— Cbe to which he now called the attention of the house was signed by 2,04,7 persons,mmuhers of congregatiobs, of whom b were ministers, among thee latter were names which the House would agree were en titled to considerable nspect, such as those of Dr. Evans, Dr. Jones, Dr. Rees ' Dr. Clarke, Mr. iliarislay, Mr. Roscoe, and others, the whole a more important, more sensible, or more Christiamlike petition, uas nev'r rented to this Illonse.. He reconeitended its caref d peru sal to all those who still adhered t.i the notion, that the stilling ef discussion was favourable to the eliciting of truth. Every Christian must admit that the Christian religion was not enhanced by holding it up as a syistein of persecution. This was a more dangerous enemy , tb it than the arguments of a man who openly opposed it by argument; therefore he was of opinion that the course which had been , adopted of late years was very unwise.— , He meant in the setritrlto Move a Resolution to that eff '4 t. In conclusion the Hun. Member declared that he hid brought Ibis petition forward only from a sense of roue., native duty,auil not from any private motives. He in,r ed that the petition he brought np. Mr. BOTTERWO:ITIll asked whether It was signed by Dissenters of Mt classes, or confined to one partiteeler sect? , Mr. HUM V. realied that theca were two' signatures of Cleogymeo of the Church of England. He believed Mere were 'some more from Liverpool ; and perhaps the Riglit klion: Gentleman (Mr. Canning) would reeetnise some of cis quondam conatltnents. He had been told that It was signed by the DissentersOf all classes. Mr. WILLIAM SMITH said he had reason M know that the subscribers to the petition were not confined to say • Particular acct. There were attached to it the shrnetures• of persons who entertained opposite seneinseete in religious matters. Air, IiCTTERWORTIE was understood to stk Wbeth:r the mimes - of the Clergymen stood apart from the others? • her. libiMElll4l the names of the Clergymen were placed in a separate column. The petittott was thta read, ant ordered to De !Ton thew Me. IlUbild now rose to bring forward the motion of which he had elven notice, respecting the free discussion of religious opinions. His object was to obtain an admission, that by law free discussion was the rivilege of ao Ertl/114s subject op di controversial points of religion. 'l'M% at least. was the reputed privilege of tke subject, desired to him fro:n the English Constitutiot This was iteeo flat Creed in which he (Mr. H.) had hems educated. From his early residence in Edinbergh, be had been led to appreciate the value of free discussion, for there no turn's opinions were interfered with, provided he kept the public pence. Jr was with regret that he saw a contrary practice arise in 'hit country since t 917. Prosecutions were now 'become fre quent against individuals who indulged ii religious discus sion, either by original writings, or repiebthhittg certain proscribed works. There certainly were proseeutioas for what were called blasphemous works exterior to ISIS, hut he had hoped that the enlargement of the Manisa mind.. and the propagation of knowledge, would have induced a better system, and that the protecutions of last century would not be •gain revived. Seeing the advanteaes then which,were likely to result from free discussion. and the lights which would be thrown upon relision by the able men engaged in it, he thought it a greet injustice to the community to throw any obstacle in the way of investig.4 Lion of truth. lt.ery thing which prevented discussion was an obstacle to truth. The greatest biessin:zs dewed front the free discussion of religions opinions. • The Re formation itself arose out of free discussion: Hy Orating an extingui.lrer on inquiry, donuts were raised as to the truth of religion iiselt. lie held that they, as Membeis of the Church of England, should follow the dictates of the Scripture, sod nut use force and p.o-seention against those who may differ from us. No human power could controul the thoughts of men, or induce them to take up a persuasion which was not the result of conviction: The Government of this country very wisely, and credit ably for itself, extended its indulgence to those who dill fered from the established faith. Jews, who altogether denied the revealed religion, and Quakers, es well as every other sett, enjoyed toleration. He wished to are tests bn4 qualifications of all descriptions removed, and every subject placed in such a situation as that he could fearlessly entertain whatever religious opinions inquiry and discussions might lead bins to prefer. Religion was so much a matter exclusively between man and his CREATOR, that it was astonishing bow one man could think of persecuting another. for his peculiar opinion. '1 n the whole of the New Testament, there was not one word which authorized the infection of punishment for differences of religiose sentiment. On the contrary, the' Author of Christianity, when some of his ignorant f 01.,. lowers proposed punishment, rebuked those persons and said, they knew not what they did. It was not by the' area of power that the reign of the gospel was to if:. ex tended. It bad made its way by contrary means. It was propagated by the applications of reasoning, and by the influence of principle. Were they then to. revive the scenes of persecution, which the primitive Christians tacit derwent. Would they immure in dungeon*, and take away the property of those who sought to introduce reli ghats opinions at variance with those sanctioned by the conourresce of the bulk of the community. Rut it was said individuals were permitted to declare their opinions as well as investigate the grounds of religious Whet, se long at they confined themselves within the bounds of decency and moderation. For his part he thought it quite amp' rest•ble in a matter of this kind to deaw the.lioe where ribaldry and intemperance ceme.and raiht anti dispassionate .reasoning begin. Whinier initance, understand what was meant by blasphemy? Male time of James I. an Act was passed describing it - to be blas phemy; to speak the name of GOD jestingly. • No men would usow eoncuy in the principle of that ArL in like manner the 9tb and 19th of William and May. ;aide it blasphrmy to impugn the doctrine of the HulyTrisity, SAW or to say shit there was * (iota. than one. • Yet after wards .nether passed, which completely coot radieted that definitiossof bmsphenay. How wax it possible, then, for a own tell before hand, whether he was coressittipg blas phemy or not in the eyes ofthe law. 'The nature of the offeme was no where set teeth, it wan [Used' to inirg different times as the epipioni of mankind chewed. 1; Was said, thaf no man Aid right to promnig - senti ments eaireary.i4 those of the general mats ' of ifs. coin.- , Aurrialr..ll..thisprinciple were spit ose, sad always acted / ' I ti I I 2111 k ` i 7 of troy Would other *ries the air gions, receive that ti were n those were fi withsti to Ix norant Christ which opinio some to scr man i sod W advoes Beside onsopi who to ettion book o actualll 01111 Der by per io the bought 2,001) a protect the opt free Inc your of could s: had mu , 31 litchi to lend but a et their cry quoted London Y V 1111110111 01, C i fi How much 1 nation