The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1824-06-01 00:00:00

eared that the present mode of administering justice in Wales was quite unexceptionable. The Marquis of BUTE supported the motion. 'Lord CAWDOR replied, saes which the House illy ideiL The Number were— Contents l3 Not.contents Majority against the motion - 8 IRISI - 1 TITHE BIM.. The second railing of the Irish Tithe Bill was fixed for Friday next, on the motion of Lord Shaftesbury. Adjourned at a Quarter before Nine o'Clock. 110 USE OF COMMONS, MONDAY, MAT 31. EQUITABLE LOAN Mt. Mt. PHILLIPS presented a petition from the pawnbrokers of Alatichester against the Equitable Loan Bill. Similar petitions were presented from the inhabitants of Man chester and the public officers of Salford.—Ordered to lie on the table. THAMES NAVItIATION BILL. Mr. Aklerrnan WOOD brought up the Report of the Thames Navigation Bill ; which, after a few words from 3lr. Aldemian SMITH, was ordered to be engrossed. THAMES AND MEDWAY CANAL BILL. The Thames and Medway Canal Bill was read a third time and Paved. • • SLAVE TRADE. Sir W. LEMON presented a petition from a parish in Cornwall against the slave trade. A similar petition was presented from Belfast, by Sir R. SHAW. .--Ordered to lie on the table. QUACK DOCTORS. Mr. HORHOUSE presented a petition from a Burgeon of the name of Dunn, praying that the House would prevent quack doc tors from practising, unless they had previously obtained a diplo ma.—Laid- on the table. THE LATE MISSIONARY SMITH. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a petition from Ashburton, praying the House to invesugate the trial of Mr. Smith the missionary. Similar petitions were presented from Bridport, by Mr. Scott ; how the Hibernian Missionary Society. by Sir R. Shaw ; front Lichfield and Petworth, by lIT. Burrell; from Sydney. by Mr. Portman; from Mitcham, by Mr. Dennison from Kingston tapon.llull, by Mr. Syltes; from Ipswich, by Mr. Haldimand ; grom Reading, by Mr. Stanek float the Dissenting Core:regatinn at Newport, by Mr. R. Smith ; and from a parish in Sussex, by Curteia.—Ordered to lie on the table. HIDES AND SKINS. Lord EASTNOR presented a petition from the tanners of Ile. treford against the Hides and Skins BilL—ttniered to lie en the table. COAL TotTTIF.S. Mr C. COLE presented a petition from the praprietnr• the Olainoeganshire Canal, for a repeal of the coal dutits.-I.aid on the tablZ ATTORNEYS' TAX. Lard BINNING presented a petition from the notaries of Rol praying for the remission of the tax on attorneys, ric.— b La u it on the table. INTERCOURSE OF SPIRITS BILL. Mr. CAMPBELL, presented a petition front Argyle, praying far the free intercourse of spirits between England and Scothind..-.. Laid on the table. BONDED WHEAT BILL. Mr. WODEHOUSE presented a petition from Cambridge , against the Bonded Wheat Bill. Mr. CURTI:FS presented a similar petition from Messes. Bow. ker and Green, (semen, of the county of' Susse, complaining also of the introduction of Canadian wheat into th e market.--Ordcred the statesmt.- iion Parliament they met. and they adjaurned ; they publiihed licentious harangues; thy did every thin g but petition and from January last to this day no petition had come from t h em. 'Jul • , . ml object was to coerce this legideturis to so accordance with their views. If for the purpose of petitioning, why excite the people to a hatred of the laws? A meting to petition could be no cloak for maligning the Canirto of Justice, foe the expression ui folly and faction, and something very little short of treason ; for he could not disguise from himself the thin partition under which they sought a shelter. The riotous exercise of the right to petition always led to ' its diminution, and in some instances to the total abrogation of the original right ; and be thought the right of petition was emi nently brought into jeopardy and disparagement by the proceed ings of the Catholic .Issoctation. There was no sensible Catholic who must not feel disposed to be rid of such foes in the name of advocates. This Association might have met originally to petition, but they had ever since kicked all nualerstion out of doors ; and those Whose property and talents qualified them to take the lead on snob a subject were whally overborne by the deniago,;ue and the npstart. Decency and decorum they threw behind them ! they outraged emery Protestant in Ireland, and scandalized the loyal body of the Roman Catholics, who had no wish to be mea• mired by or confounded with an association whose chief ability was to cheat the law, and whose object wan to feed their own vanity and temporary interests st the expense of the more loyal body. Ile was asked over and over again, at the corner even of every street, how it Man that the Attornev-General he Ireland, who hail been so active in the cause of the bottle 'brooms at the theatre, had been asleep to the mischiefs of the Ca thistle Armistice (who found a lurking-place in his partialities); and his answer was, that they did not come within any existing law ; that the SW Geo. extended to delegates; that they could Mt be caught by one of the six Acts, as that only extended to of dos • confined to lie on the table. MARINE INSURANCE BILL. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON presented a petition from the stn. derwriters at Lloyd's against the Marine Insurance BilL A similar petition was presented from the London Assurance Company.—Ordered to lie on the table. COMMERCIAL TREATIES WITH PRUSSIA AND SWEDEN. Mr. Secretary CANNING presented certain papers to the Mom; relative to the Treaties arranging the commercial rentals. tines between this country and Prussia and Sweden. The Right Hon. Gentleman, in marine that they should be printed, said, that he should abstain from making any observations on them, as they would so soon be in a state for distributing among Alembers.—The papas were their lad on the table, and ordered to be printed. IRISH ROMAN CATHOLICS. • Mr. PLUNKETT rose for the purpose of presenting a petition front the Roman Catholics of Inland, praying for some relief against the laws at present affecting them. The 113nourable Member said, thatin the observations which he bad to make relative so die petition, be would detain the House but for a very Sew minutes, and he would take care not to bring the greet sub - 'rect. of the Catholic Question into disces sion ; he would endea vour as much as possible to avoid touching on its merits. (Here there was some confusion at the bar, and the airs of " Order" became vary general, which having been obtained, the Honourable blestber proceeded amidst the most profound attention.) He observed, that he would shortly state the contents of the petition, in the whole of which, with the exception of one short mamas, he entirely concurred. The petitioners stated, that they dla net reel it necessary tout out with making any parade of attachment re the Thame—their loyalty and love for his Majesty were not to be de scribed. The y could never forget the grace, the kindness, end the condescension evinced in his endeavours to promote a MOM. ~eilimiree among all parties; it was unnecessary for the petition's to state, that the consequences of these benignant endeavours were Aot attributable to them; they had held their promises sacred, and ihme the Hon. Member observed, came the passage from which be ',Oise/rated. The petitioner remarked, that those promisee had ? IWO violated by the highest dignitaries of the Church established • iry law, Ile (Mr. Plunkett) Ud wished that this chafes had i Le omitted, and that the petition had been divested of all pole-I • initial observations. The petitioners continued urging, that the • events of the hat two years deprived them of all hope that his I'dapisty's gracious interference, under present circumstances, could :.;lie o ell The monopoly of power and place enjoyed by smell on of the country induced in that portion an OTCT. .wlfeCTllg p ride; while among those shut out from the participa •l;Soa of these advantages was engendered an indignant and in ,..isuboedinste spirit, to which might be attributed all the grievous . effects that followed as a consequence of riot and violation of law. , -The peutioners alma, that to which he requested the attention of the House, as likely to induce a favourable consideration. that they were strictly loyal to the person of his Majesty. , The petition was of the undersigned Roman Catholics, and signed by MOO Catholics. As such only did he now present tits petition, and he begged it to be distinctly understood by this , House, the petitioner, and the public, that he brought for ward the petition, without any . control of any body in this coon ; .try. Ile disclaimed any conne:tton with any society, and that be ,p:twented it inertly as from the petitioners. In doing this, he • oeg. leave to say that he would not present the general subject thiebession ; because, after every communication with the friends eif Me measure, he found it would not be useful to the Roman Catholic Body. In declining to bring forward the general men. -,, e l an, he had to say, that all his opinions on this great subject re .:.,.tuuned unaltered; his opirnon was long matured, and with a full adios of the importance of these claims, the more he looked to the state of Irelar.d, of this country, and of Europe. he felt the snore n ;gist every hour concession was delayed, the ultimate value of the j. UNARM would be lessened. He was convinced that this subject vas advancing to its accomplishment. At some period or ocher St must be carried ; in fact, it was advancing by as strong Pluses ,sit any other physical operation. He wished to avoid saying any 1114 to call for discussion, and la so saying, begged leave to pre. sect the petition. • - The pentiob was then ordered to be printed. ▪ A message from the Lords announced their Lordships' agree. meet to the Passage of Vessels' Dill, and other BM.. • • Sir T. BARING presented a petition from Buckingham, re. istire to the London Missionary Society. Sir J. WROTTESLEY presented a petition front the town of -Leeds, relative to Missionary Smith. ;. . IRISH INSURRECTION ACT. • • Lord.PALMEILSTON brought up the Report of the Com. .ossittes on the Irish Insurrection Act..._-Ordered to be p r i n ted, Mr. 001.'LBURN gave notice that he would, to-morrow, bring in LBW on that subject. - Mi..,ABERCEOM BY said that some delay should take place, in order to allow the evidence taken by the Committee to be placed ;before the House. It was quite unusual to proceed in the manner • Any Prelksmis IRISH MA LTSTERS. - • Sir H. PARNELL presented a petition from certain mai:sten tie Indand,_mayinefor an assimilation of the duties. lIERRIES sail that a clause would be brought in to re. may the grievance of which the petitioners complained. • Mr. PEEL observed, that there wits no intention to bring on • mhesubjett of the Insurrection Act without giving sufficient means rissedeso Oita sod that the ACt of last year was so comoproollog secretaries. In the state of the law he knew not whet odd= to give; but if no law to catch them existed, one ebodd be hosed to meet their designs. Ile asked, which should be supreme, the Parliament or this association? In calling, dim, upon the House to put down this association, he was Wereising a right and a duty. The right of petition was by the 13 Cherie* IL, and he now called upon the Parliament to express some opinion, and pass souse measure suitable to the novelty of the situation of this I body. Ile bad before used strong langunge in discountenaneing all Or. ange peoieseions, and he now felt a right to call .upon the House en es minion of the Catholic Association. He was mis represents:lla a former debate on that subject, for be was wade to caniseed the society of Ribbonmen with that of Orangemen. He did so suds thing; nothing mild be more foreign to hie intro. I thin He described the Itib'oonmen in the language of the law dß ems fee Ireland ; and in spite of nll the cavil raised against the Omagenven, he, as a member of that body, was prepared to take, his share of any blame which might attach to them. (Cries ofl " Hear, hear VI The principles of Orangemen were peaceable. I peter, moderate; and constitutional. ( Hear, hear.) t , uch he be lieved them to. be, and such they were at the establishment of the Bill of Rights. Let all violators of the law be dealt with by the law—for whets it was violated, no question should be asked as to' the principles oT its violators. He hoped he had already said enough to convince the House of the evils n' the Catholic Association, and' he would not, therefore, detain the House by any further remarks. It was his intention to have moved that this petition should be re faired to the Committee on the State of the Disturbed Districts in Ireland ; but he was prevented doing so by the forms of the House. Ile regretted that circunistaece, but trusted that some! good would be done, by calling the attention of the House to the subject. (Hear, hear.) The petrion was then read. Mr. PLI7NRETT.-1 assure the House that it is not my in-', tention to say much upon this subject, as it is one in which, from the situation I bold, the House will perceive I labour under some difficulty. It is however impossible foe me to pass by some of the observations made by the lion. Member. The Hon. Member has insinuated that I had resorted to strong measures in some cases, bat that, for objects be did not name, I inieituted no prosecution against the Catholic Association. It is true, the Hon. Member said, there was an Imperfetaion in the law as applicable to dial body ; but he added, and I think very necessarily, that while I, eel public prosecutor, tinted the bottle tieowers at the theatre with see verity, I declined prosecuting those persons shuns he described as holding up a crested opposition to his Mnicaty's Government. I can however scare the lion. Member that what he has said, or what other men moray, will never divert mo from pursuing an even course, as long as I may have the honour of holding my, yrs. sent situation. It omit necessary for me to remind the House of what I before said, bat I now repeat, that in my office of Attorney 0 eneral for leased, l hest and shall skills look straight forward is the discharge of oar public duty, foal that if tile law be violated, its vioistose shall be pooh/led. without the slightest regard to either son or peaty. Whether the most candid construction has always bass pot apse sty conduct, I shall leave to the House to judge but this I mpg*, in berguage net to be mistaken, that I wilt follow in die course I bete hitherto pursued. and deal oat no left-hooded justice to say lass of possum If the lair be tranagvessed, its treascessors shall be punished. The Ho. nuurable Member, however, is not satisfied with vindicating the Orangemen, but he has actually declared, for the first time I ever heard stated in Parliament, that he is himself a member of that il legal association. ( Cries of " Hear, bear.") And I can assure that Hon. Member, t hat while he complains of my not bringing to punishment the violators of the law, that he will find me, if public expediency render it necessary, not slow in the pertormance of my duty even upon his own respectable person. (Cries of I " Hear," and a laugh.) If the Hon. Member should then blame me as he dues now, I cannot help it, for he has node that declara- I noel which must have surprised every non who heard it. Nl'ith tes spect to the proceedings et the Catholic Association. 1 will not now give any opinion; but this much I will say. that nu man has con sidered it more necessaw to attend to them than myself. I will' not, however, be led from .tuy principles by whatever may be Paid ; l will not say whether those proems be or be uot within the reach of the law.: I shall be at my post, and, if the public safety or the public expediency demand die institution of criminal roceedings, it I neglect them, then let the Hon. Member Warne p ; buebe has no cause for doing so till then. I am prepared impartially to discharge my duty sod when in the exercise of his duty the lion. Member is so motions to proescute the Catholic Association as ills. gal, it seems rather curious that he calla for no prosecution against the illegal association of Orangemen. of which be this night has, proclaimed himself a member. If I mistake not, the lion. Member said he liad'a " right" to call for this prosecution, because he had smut time since blamed the Orange processitels ; hut bow can the lion. Member, in the fair discharge of his ditty, condemn the pro cessions, while he forma one of the body who encourages them? Ile his avowed himself to be a member of a body who violated the law end conerolled the Governinent—allose diode broke out in murder--and•cho. le: it not be diwised,piovokod the Association: , which the Hon. 'Sionheer now bites tie for not prosecuting. (liner, hese.) The Honourabie 1 1 . letnber now blames the Orange processions, but he continues a member of the body who induces them to take place; he respects the, tree, but lie blames the fruit, with a wonderful power of discretion, and no doubt in the strict discharge of his pnblic duty. If men of talent, of family, and fortune, will condescend to unite themselves in illegal clubs, with the lowest drega of the community, I can promise them, that their subsequent efforts will rot stop the mischiefs which they have pro- yoked. The Honourable Member, l take leave to say, would have done much better if the advice he has bestowed on me had been' followed by himself. (Cries of " Hear.") Mr. M. FITZGERALD said, that his Right Hon. Friend bid eley properly slated his intention nut to persecute in _lreland at info;mation. • 111 r. ABERCROMRY—The question was one of great lm penance, wad now cone forward in a manner totally differant from . any other occasion. CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION. Mr. BROW NLOW. in presenting a petition from certain per- Bons against the Catholic Association of Dublin, said lie hoped ail whoa fell the other evening from the Right Hon. the Secret...try iloir Foreign Affairs, would this night attract considerable attention. The petition but heen for wine time in his hands, but lie dila)ed . .its presentation urtil he hod such a correspondence as induced him to believe that t..e petition wax respectably sigoed ; and he was authorised to stet.: that the petition would have been more n..iner vady Gigue, Wit had been exposed foe signatutes. To him, hew ever. the nionber of signatures was little, fur the petition itself would beat n:c.tte ttteonoti from the House. They 'milt-Ito pro. • mote hansom y and good will, and that lnternal peace which dub not eh ... this lime pi .!vail in Ireland. his agreed with the petitioners in ex . pareasir.g his eoing any thing for Ireland, while an emaciation called the Catholic Association, continued to exist.' Ruses itilt-cr...gA assembly usurped a Sashion like that of this , and ?stmt . . sl the essoblishei privileges of Parliament. pltitiona vr.se Lid or. their table--eousplaints were toads--debates put off and culled on—in fact, they usurped die functions of 00. lament. The 'thole of Ireland was now tinder exactions—se. 'dints were opened with every parish--and when the; were told of the misery of the people—that they could ray no not—that they -amid pay no taxes—they ware still called upon to pay ematieipadon rent, and lie was savvy to say they answered to the call. What' was this rent called for ? He could not characterise the objects; but the Resolutions of the Association stated it to be for au A04(71[481 Priesthood—for a Priesthood for Epp Th s e SPEAKER here interposed, and said, that he wir...d to make an observation on the forms of the House, in regard of the present petition. He wished to do so in o►der to explain a conver him and the Hon. Member who nation vihich took place between presented it. The lion. Gertlemanhsd asked him, whether, upon putting down his name in the list of Members presenting petitions, he would be Entitled to move that it be referred to the Committee up stairs. upon the Insurrection Act. Ile (th: Speaker) thereupon stated the sessional rule of the House, namely, that on certain nights ordershad precedence of motions. It happened that this was a night on which orders had precedence, and he therefore informed the Hon. Member, that if a discussion were to arise out of the pre sentation of the petition that might go into considerable length, it would be his duty to give preference to the entertainment of the Orders of the llay. As to hearing motions, it was usual certainly to give notice of them, in order to prevent the House from being taken by surprise, although the rule was not pressed to such an extent as to permit any Member from submitting a motion without notice, although it was the duty of the Speaker to see that no unfair advantage was had in submitting • motion to its consideration, by taking the House by surprise. Ile wished to offer these observations on the practice of the sessional rule, in order to explain his conduct on the present occasion, and to make Members acquainted with it in similar circumstances in future. Mr. ABERCROMBIE was of opinion, that the motion of re ferring the Petition to the Committee on the Irish Insurrection Act was a regular mode of proceeding. It was as much so as the referring the many petitions on Oa Combination Laws to the Com mittee of Artisans. He stated this, merely as to the mode of pro ceeding, and did not mean to declare how he would vote on the petition. Mr. PEEL was desirous of assuring his lion. Friend (Mr. B.) that it was not owing either to want of personal respect to him, or - of the mini -.0 Of the - petition; but • • • laud, to enlighten the English peonle._ and hebtll them back any It of rot except a feting et duty and State expediency I made sense substantiver.otion , on which be did C.) would have crefone; they injured the cause which the members of it aimed at to that faith, m which they had lived during earlier end better &tiled upon hint to do so, Th e C at holic Association were dtiven . been . read] to have ex Pressed his ori.alon.. for _DOt rOnSid er it arid were anxious to serve. But whatever t h ew i nduaet • ion -1 Aston- right, on the sreoentatton of any i•eition, for any Hon. Member to may be . they did not call for, or justify, the unqualitied and shame _ theca than the present. Such haughty and lirentteus legislators ' to . do whet they het dor... by the eountzr-efforts of other 1 ' disc u ssion on the nes: In:9count concerns of the empire; . less libel which the Honourable Member had renounced should not be tolerated. lie put it to every thin flog man, be he atiens. 'Pic Catholics of Ireland were eselettled-assan all power raise aupon f 11 ..h . M • 'M . • Tat I the C bor l• of Ireland. (H h Catholic or Protestant, whether at such a time and; under such sir.. and authmityy swat if t h oie ensoyieg it e rected thetnselves into I da res a roalltl f o h ceurs h e. o ra h, !Awn is . 1... auity s . stated:rosterstomaget 1 cm ot Tß i c e Ko e p l u i et roGe tein toexplan, amidear , bueode ., aies of "Spoke, bummers the Catholic -association should rot he out down. The . clubs against 'hen). they must take the einseeuences ;at all their opinions ori wi• t , S, ' nose. .Or his Part he , . , 5.. ~ value of a word every one knew to have great leeiteo. partietiliely . events, sire.. his hailaes omit grac i,nu visit to Ireland. the sty thathe nevers: uld.under such circumstances.be con pefied pose. in Ireland, where the people were all touch mast. Tili . A err,..i,•l - : itoMan i'l.h ~1.11 s or h orue to n o t ice the outrages praeticed I toslate i'ait•ns. Ni course cJuld be more incovenient to public Sir C. Re'ItRELL, in a low tone of voice, spoke him und er t exte r tiel Citholic concessions until the Catholics became more c m proPositlon with. I lightened and improved. He read a letter, complaining of the uti. - i••• due discharg- of the moat Serious functions of the tram lion rent was called a slave tax , and the ' , mons paY•ng t ad tix, en their fes•lifigs. They ha I espreas^d every wish for roneihation ; 1 b ( !r•ires, We understood him to express his unwillingness to paid it as slaves. who were called upon to assert there rt ;it. ,as Ilei- , they held or. .he olive bran( It. If it were not accepted; If. in l i royern, h i s .' It would have o f e expedient for the lion. willingness of Catholics to send their children to schools, 'hie , tons. Such conduct was calculated to exasperate tho peop!... mul to ; addition to that. fresh eve ides were csnunitted aga:nst them, they ; 31eii.ser ni r c e n gu t I%rty to hare brought forward e was owing to the undue interference of the priesthood. . excite a hatred and contempt for the laws of the Millis I s Met it : must not he es: l t:cis-4 to s i t qu i et ly an d ta mely under them. They !reference to wl cif Its (Sly. C.) could have given his opinion, and was almost a direct provocation to arm*, occasioned hy those per_ ; (the Cathtilieto were ac tin g on the defeesive. against wh it the I stated the reasons : eri . Which that opinion Bas grounded , and rot to i amt[ who were cajoling a deluded and s genaotts people. Vras it ' Judges had. on the t brims, denominated Illegal Associations. i hae entered, as . le aael , that evening., had , dsla and mos t and I of giving notice for Lord :HILTON said, that he had observed the conduct of the otng that this ast uutiation systematically abused the Protestnnt • lie trusteo, thcrefme, that the 'louse would not act in the spirit I Po r ta"! subject that c"al occupy the attention of Parliament , nd Catholic clergy, and they did not object to the atten a eree o y t a. schools interfered with the ' religion of the people. (Ilear.; church of Irela-alnised ber prelates, and so stigmatised the 1 which had characterised th e s p e ech o f the Hon. Member for lon which the Honourable tieutleman as it were, taken the tholic children at schoob except where the regulations of these Archbishop of Dublin that he could scarcely chew his f ice with .tringh, nor adopt . any measure to prevent the t'atholics fern • house by surprise. fie (Mr. C.) could have no objection that the safety out of his own house 1 Was it nothing that a spirt& prsenting the grievances sf this sea. excluded as they were ; petition should be laid on the table, and if the Honourable Member Sir C. BURRELL explained. of hatred rods to be excited in eveorlimitt ? Surt•ly it was ; from all political power . I n conc lusion, ha also enpressed his i had moved to have it reterred to the Committee up stairs, he don, that it he referred to the Committee on the Irish Ins ' Mr. RHO 4WNIA.IIW proposed to substitute for the praent me ' (Mr. C.) would have voted for the motion ; but he should reserve Practical I Act, if not inconsistent with the regular proceedings of th e the duty . of this House to repress %itch an -association with ; hope that his Majesty's Ministers would follow the course of the.urrertH tou peculiar indignation. As long as this .3ssociation wae al- 1 Irish . Government; which, he sincerely believed, was desirous to ; anything he might haee to say on the subject till that lowed to hold together in lhildin, it was in vain that Members administer the laws with impartiality, ;motion was bmtght forward. lint that the If onourshie G entleman aut 1 The SPEAKER suggested the propriety should have u ) hat the tsseutation of a petition ..•ed ; u Mt. BROWN LOM' said, that he would therefore simply me ve had the liberty of speech in this House. Now. at the coin. I Sir T. IsF.T MIR I iln E returned his thanks to the Honourable I for the present that it be laid on the table, and to-morrow would Tenement of every Session, they were allowed the jesiyilege of I Member fm Arnim:is for the manly and temperate sm-ch with him to call upon his Majesty's al misters for than legal opinion as 1 speech, and he would be a bold man to restrict it ; but it every Re- I which he had introduced the question. (Hear. hear.) 'The petition 'to the Catholic association, was the most extisordinary mistake of! ntative for !reland were to he aliened because he diel not aace I deserved the serious consideration of his Majesty's Government, ; their functions that a Illetul'er of Parliament had ever committed. h i ! au_mi a motion that i: be referred to the Committee up stairs in opinion with this Ae‘ociation, It would certainly require more i wino , he touted, would rot hesitate to take all necessary measures .II hen he (Mr. C.) had occasion is address the House, be expected : ROMAN cATit()LIc PETITION. , aff.xed Try nitmeraus sigratures of the Roman Catholics of fir.. than ordinary nerve, and a greater coetem,P! of Popular °Pli•flon i tow pport the constituts„ of t h ese rea lms. Glair, hear.) •In his ; that attention which the il ot ,e ~,.., i n t h e h a bi t gene r a lly of giving 1 Mr. JIRO! .I i 11.1. AI ro , eto present a petition, to which west land The petitioners might be considered as expmsing in 4- than prevailed in this House, to indite , . loin to bear ,I 6 3 1 Cruise , opinion% o il Heins would not have heard a word about the Orange to its limbers, but he claimed no respect whatever for his legs : with patience, and stand up against so much calumny and ntisrepre. I Societies, but fur tile Catholic Association. (Hear, hers, and a , °pinks's. It was his duty to take tile opinion of his Majesty's sw i ; mem who deserved to be rests eted for the extensive property ft:lien advisers, and not lay down the hw himself. In the Honourable . sensation. He had no objection to far criticism an the I:mid:Jet of t laugh.) present petition the general sense of that community busy of they possessed-so be respected for the influence their wealth and Members and that their constituents should be imitrireil of the I r•Jr. III'TCIIINSON said he had heard with infinite ststisfac. • 3lernba's speech, be had referred to some opinions which he • their numben gave them-to be respected too (notwithstanding and manner in which their interests were treated ; but this Associa ion ' t'oo Slat kid fallen from the Attomey-General for Ireland. In (Mr . (%) had stated in a former debate. Undoubtedly it was .he had heard that night) for their loyalty and good condue ng and only assembled to check the liberty of speech, and overawe tile ! the language of the Honourable dlentber for Armagh. he (Mr. II.) , amongst the most difficult functions of Government to judge, net lastly. to be respected for none of those reasons more than for the Pailiament. Was this House, he asked, disposed to give up its hoped that his Majest ) 's Government were determined te distribute ' according to their feelings, but with a round discretion, whet the the persevering confidence, they had hitherto Flared. privileges to tax the people ? %Pewits 3lembera to be over-awed in 1 fcarlessly and impartially espial justice in Ireland ; and, he trusted, : exercise of free institutions,. and the spirit that grew out of them, the discharge of their public duty ? Wee the Treasury and the i that Welcher an Orange Or a Catholic Association attempted to die- : were carried to an extent mischievous to the country ; and then the confi d ence, The lion. Mem- period of the Sessioo to which they had arrived, it was not his in landßevenue to strike under to tin Association ? Why was Ire- tate to parliament, or comm uted any sets of an illegal or unenn. further question, whether it was wor e to chs-ek than to suffer the and were still disposed to place, in that House. At the advanced Tenon to follow up the presentation of it with any specific Metier to be made a school for such things ? Why was Ire- stitnt'onal nature, the handof the law would fall utsm the o ff enders, irregularity to run to waste. ( lcer, hear, hear.) land t 3 be the licensed land for such proceedings ? lViev land that his Mojesty's Minister% would ,join the Attorney-tieeral her would agree with him at least in iris, that an impotent at in putting down factions of all description in Ireland. lie n also tempt, by which G ov ernment sou ls come ou t of Court defeated, , foe the redress of any of the grievances of which it complained. • . Before he proceeded to submit the substance of the petition to the was a small baud of agitators allowed to disturb Ireland.he felt it his duty to stste here, as he had done elsewhere. from one end of it to the other ? The objects and the efforts hoped, that the great and just cause of the Catholics would not be was worse' titan even a passive acquiescence in the evil. It did not that be differed in many parts of it from the petitioners. The petition .of this Association were only to haran_gue, with factious deelatna„ isoirecl by any acts of the Catholics themselves. Ile had always follow, because there was something of which Government dints. Li mn , itself, however, was couched in terms respectful to the House • it tion, against temporary pressure. In this country, sonic time supported it. and until his dying day he would cent' oue to support proved, and for which the law did not provide, that it waa wise to breathed no Isept •- ege of reproof, and its first ecntencecantainedan ' ex since, th e same efforts Were made; but the strong arm of the law It. If die Catholic Association spoke strongly, let It be remembered create a law to meet the case. It was the duty of Government un prension of gratitude for a disposition which the petitioners believed to . was called in to erzest them, and why not act in the same manner, that they expressed the feelings of the oppressed and insulted mil- der such circumstances to balance the question nicely, cautiously, exist in the minds of the House towards a favourable entertainment and with the same promptitude, in Ireland ? What was there in lions rte the Catholics of Ireland. There was no population in the and ,I)e would add, timidly, not its flying from danger, but as . of their claims, and of restoration to the cunstitutional priailegesof Ireland to make that innnoxious t which was truly said to es world more goaded by outrage and despair. 'l'heir feeling was, • acoitimg . to create a greater evil. The degree of importance, of which they had been deprived. Although be may t that the hurtful in England ? Had the Irish people no a• : ens ? Ilere that both Government and Parliament had neglected their duty : inischict, and of pr th able duration, were all to be taken into ro. Roman l'atholics found it necessary to increase the prayers of the the t people had education, comforts, and an it.c.:r tit in the towards them, atd thereon if they transgressed the limits of did . ; count ; and as at present be held it no pert of his duty to state his • and althou h he may regret also to differ with the pet ' i existing order of things, which glee some security at limit the eretion, it sows not their fault, but the fault of those who had driven , opinion of the applicability of the existing law, he was sure he; machination* of agitators. In hatted they had not. •k he people them to desperation and madness. He did not justify the trio-' had no right prematurely to suggest any alteration, if he bad has- pet i t i on , i one prayer in whit i he fully concurred, and of the justice of the were ignorant, brewed, and labouring under habitual treasure ; knee of the Catholic Association. He lamented it, as calm- ,i lily formed an opinion that it was necessary. He regretted the - donee' as to the expediency of some of those prayers, set there - was - and, therefore, called upon the Government for their pee:thin ore' lated to in the great canse which that Association professed to , esisteree of the present society in Ireland, on account not ' the promises which were made to the Cathubcs at the per - I .od of' the to support the supremacy of the law. In Ireland, the law was n o t uphold. His advi c e to the Catholics would be now, as it had been only of the mischief wnich it did the country, great SS be . complaint it contained he was deeply impressed; namely , eof spreme ; in England, law and security were convertible teens: some years before--" l'ontinue to urge your claims by petition; felt it to be, but still mare on account of the mischief it Union were fulfilled. Those promises were made with a view of it,t Ireland, law was convertable with impotency and laughter, confide in the Gegislature—snd in the Legislature alone, and be : did the cause which it professed to serve. It created a new conciliating the Roman Catholics to that measure, which, what and by none treated with inure ettmtenuot than the Catholic , assured that your su cce sg cannot be long delayed." In his opinion source of inflammation in the country ; and as a new element of Association. He know it was said, in their detente , that t every Moment of delay risked the safety of the empire. It was : conflict , he rcgTntted its existence attd its operations . Ile would I might be the intentions with which it was brought about, h ad fe abstain at Tr from the expression of any opinion as to the they met for the purpose ef petiSoning Parliament foe the ridiculous for either of the Right Honourable the Secretaries of great l y aggravated pre-existing evils, and had hot yielded those counter- Amongst the grievances of winch the petitioners principally out. repeal of the laws affecting the Roman Cathols of Ireland; I State to Hatter himself that he had discharged his duty to the cm- . force of the law at present to put down such an institution, railing advantages which at the period o f i t s pas s ing were h e ld that lie did not believe. Such an tratur , stion was n ot necessary fur i Pire. while he left Ireland in its present harassed and depraved should it be found expedient to put it down ; and he would also plained were the tithes, and the mode of their collection. Thee snitesi such a purpose. Every peasant in Ireland who could read, knew condition. He (dir. Hutchinson) would be glad, if what he had : abstain ffom being induced, ins conversation on a petition, to o ff er i them to be as they were ate:, bearing oppressively on food, on capi. the form of that petition, which they could draw up as well as any slid, proceeding as it did from a true Irish heart, had produced any I any opinion as to whether Government may or may not resolve upon sal, and on labour, which was the peasant's only wealth. In addition of the --ten of the association. Their object was not to yeti_ impression on the House. The Catholic cause he considered as : any nieasure to suppress it, shook! it deem its suppression requi. • ... . .-s ' . -Mon that could ;e the attention of • site- (Hear. hear.) •••iR • - rished :to the enormity of the amount and the mode of exaction, was super heweightof -- inst them, for in no other mar ty was so added tht. oof reason Neil _ large a sum paid to so small a number of persons for services sty small and inadequate. In aggravation of this compkint. it was stated in the words of the petit: that those tides warn raid _ petitioners, "to support a hierarchy who insulted and oppressed then." In proof of this statement of the petition, the petitioners referred to many outrages that occurred in various parts of Ireland in conse quence of the prohibition given to the funerals of persons of their persuasion, and specified an instance in Limerick, where, in en forcing this prohibition, the military were obliged to be summoned in attendance. This was an opportion to the rites of sepulture, which had not before been manifested in Ireland, or in any civilized nation in the world. The administration of justice constituted another ground of complaint. Of the administration of justice in the higher Courts of Dublin the petitioners did not com plain, but they complained most grievous!y of the administration in the subordinate Courts, more particularly in the province of Ulster, where they stated justice often to be " most fkisrandy and inde cently denied." Instances of such shameful dental of justice were most frequent in cases occurring between persons entertaining dif ferent religious opinions. Here the petitioners referred to the en dure of a Right Rev. Prelate, who was a Magistrate, and whose conduct sustained thin allegation of die petition. They further stated, that justice could not be obtained by the Catholics. on accoant of the composition of juries, which were almost cc elusively confined to Orangemen. This part of the petition was supported by the trials that took place in the forth of Ireland fir the zutrages committed there ; and the petitioners prayed that Mr. Sergeant Loyd and Mr. Sergeant (now Mr. Justice) Torrent might be appealed to, who presided at the trials under the insur rection Act, and whose testimony they . were smilled would sustain these and other allegations of the pence. After ember esimplaints of the manner in which Orangenm are =Med to !a Jurors, they advert with pain . to an zusevtion pialgouese--an . _ from an tar_ -.my or amortance s present penis._ , as it was merely moved that the petition be laid on the table, he assertion which the petitioners believe to be made falsely', that this thought it advisable to defer the expression of any opinions he body of men (Orangemen) are supported by the countenance and might entertain as to the legality or illegality of the Association, patronage of the heir presumptive to the throne. This, they state, until it was followed up by the ulterior measure which he under- damps their hope of redress.. and fills them wi h as apprehen s im. that stood it was the intention of his Hon. Friel* to adopt, namely, that such wouldbe the effect of hisextendiog his paaoos Ce to that body, it be referred to the Committee on the disturbances in Ireland. that if Ireland should happen to be deprived of the protection Of ' Mr. M. FITZGERALD was anxious; in rising to vindicate the his M a j e sty, she w ould become a mens sua nny an d annoyan ce character of Mr. O'Connell from the aspersion which had been to England" and of " danger to the Empire." The petitionrs thrown out against it. That gentleman , he could assure the p roceed to p r ay, that immediate steps might be taken foraltering the House was not the person he had been represented b y some to temporalities for the disfranchisement of certain corporations, be. lie was an eminent lawyer, high in his profession, and he and finally for Catholic Emancipation.. He had ahead, was assured by a Noble Lord at the head of the law in that country, stated that with some of the prayers of this petition he did not that a more able and zealous lawyer was not to be found is concur, but when he expressed his regret as to the extent any of the courts ; he was, moreover, largely connected with the to which they thought proper to press the resquet, he mum landed interests of the country, and consequently a person whose panted that expression with an avowal also of the deep name he interest it would be to suppress that agitation which he has been enter tained of the treatment they h a d received ; an d h e was sow accused of promoting. (Hear, hear.) As to the Catholic Associa- ready to add that this eenewed and augmented solicitation on their Mtn. be did not stand forward as t approver of all its pr ceed- part was the natural—nay, the inevitable consequence of t h at treat ing', but it should be remembered that the men who composed it meet. It might appear to some, from the language of the petition. had endured long and severe oppression, and he hoped they would that it was the substitution of a demand for a prayer: it so, or it continue to express their sense and feeling of the injustice with that) which was now asked for appeared too great, it was no small which they were treated, until that oppression was removed. It extenuation of that offence, to refer to the Invariable rule of tilt was to be regretted that the Roman Catholic nobility and principal experience of all times, which showed that nothing tended more Catholic gentry did not reside in the country, for much goal might, directly and certainly to create and increase unreasonable demands in his opinion, be expected from the residence of the Catholic than the rejection of reasonable requests. (Hear, hem, hear.) nobility, by introducing . a spirit of moderation in the proceedings And here Ire would refer to the sentiment which formerly fell from of the Catholic Association, which would in some degree check a Nobleman in the other House of Parliament (the Duke of Devon and restrain the ardour, and perhaps indiscreet enthusiasm, into shire).—.a Nobleman who superadded to the accidental circu the m. which they were sometimes betrayed. Their absence from stances of high birth, illustnoos lineage , . and groat fortune, the country was attributable to the repeated disappointments they still higher attributes of independent maniple and undeviatinn had experienced on the frequent presentation of their claims to rectitude. In (looting the Roman adage " Bur dat yai dat rite." Parliament, and demand for Constitutional freedom. The pre- he accompanied it with the converse of the proposition, which ex acta Association expressed the sense of a very large portion, if not perience Mewed to be equally correct, and which was particularly of the whole of the Catholic people of Ireland ; if the expression applicable to the case of the present petitioners ; for as theft/omin of their opinion was checked, they would sink into silent despair, bestowal of a boon enhances its value, to the unnecessary d ela y of a and it would be preferable in his opinion to permit them freely to right aggravates the injustice that withholds it, and cremes in. express their sentiments, than to see them sink into a state of de- creased dissatisfaction in the minds of thow to whom it is denied. span. with all the evil consequences attendant on that condition. He (Mr. Brougham) would earnestly recommend the petition to In this point of view the existence of the Association should be the attentive consideration of the House, at* implore them not to rather desired than lamented. The Honourable Gentleman (Col. refuse some prayer of which they would approve, because it was Trench) who had spoken with so muc h severit y a g ainst the Asso- accompanied with some other of which they dmapproved.—not to elation, had not been a very constant resident in that country. He reject it on amount of the tone in which it may have been couched, (Mr. Fitzgerald) could remember the time when he had different and least of all not to fall into that silliest of all errors, not as en feelings on these subjects, and he could easily excuse him if, at the tannin it favourably because it may cwt fully satisfy those for whose present, he did not entirely tome up to the warm feelings . of Mr. benefit it was intended. ed (Heatr, he to ne certain parts of tbe pit o hear.) O'Connell, who was a daily eye-witness of the oppression inflicted General FORD object tof on his countrymen, and who was naturally indignant at being shut Lion, and said, that what it stated with regard to the appointment out from those privileges, to which his talents and station in society of jurors in Ulster he couid safely undertake to contradict. entitled him. The Ifonourable Gentleman proceeded to vindicate Mr. BROUGHAM said that the petition was couched in a tone against him, and of cautious respect, as to the part that misted to the Heir Pre coMmr.pOlaTt°endnofell the m unce:minasschana:fe:vapnret preferred d decency in throwing somptive to the Crown. The petitioners stated they disbelieved obloquy on gentlemen who were not present to defend themselves. the assertion made respecting that illustrious personage. At the Colonel TRENCH regretted that be named any individual. same time he would contend for the right of a British subject, in His mode of stating his opinion is that point of view was, he would petition to that House, to denounce the conduct of the Heir Pte. ethnic, a clumsy one. The opinions themselves, however, he would sumptive if he thought proper to do so. not retract or vary. He was impressed with a conviction of the The petition was then read by the clerk and ordered to be mischiefs which the Association worked. To the Catholic question printed. he had madean early sacrifice in 1812. by voting for it—he did so Mt. BROUGHAM then presented sevens pitisious from Ken. when he was fresh from College, and had not the advantages of did, praying for an investigation of the case of Mr. Smith, the knowledge that experience since gave hint; his vote was then missionary. formed on principles of general policy ; but since he became pm- The Honourable Member also presented a petition from Drag sessed of property in Ireland, and nit-creed the state and condition I heda, praying for some 'ltemise in the corporation of that town. of the Catholic population, he entertained opinions hostile to Ca- I hoed MILTON presented a petition front t•liiiden against negr.i tholic views. In refutation of what had been said by the Hon. slavery. Gentleman (Mr. M. Fitzgerald) he begged to say, that he did reside On the motion of Mr. S. WORTLEY , the report of the COM. part of every year in Ireland. and lie would put his tenants mitten on the Game Laws was brought up, and on the ques t i o n t hat some ot upetitim with those of the Hon. Member, for the prosperity it be reconsiderol, and comforts they enjoyed. (Hear, hear.) If the Catholic people Sir J. 811ELL'EY moved that the further oonsidetation be &- I were an educated people, then, indeed, his opinions might undergo fared to thi.. &it six months. some modification as to the propriety of extending the privilege of Mr. A. S M I'lll hoped the Honourable Gentleman who beim& the Constitution to them ; but when he saw them under the Milli- forward the Bill would withdraw it altogether. mice of a priesthood—when he saw their state of ignorance, which Mr. LOCKHART said, he should give his most decided oppin made diem more easily the dupes of designing persons—when he aition to that part of the Mil which made game property, and te- saw them controlled and regulated in all their opinions by an art- longing only to the Lord of the Manor. He thought the right. if ful, cunning, and political demagogue, his opinion on the expediency given, would lead to never:ending litigation. The Bill had 3 - of seceding to the claims they deinanded, a as totally changed from ready gone through three or four Committees to be revised, and she what it had been. These were his sentiments. lie was incapable minority against it had increased at each stage. of shaving any want of decency in speaking of any 31einber out of A. Me stantin whose name we could not learn, • that he couhi that House. As a Member of Parliament, he had a right to speak not agree with the Hon. Member (Mr. Lockhart) in nab -1 of the influence of the public conduct of others, however great may surd to consider game as private property. be their talents. At all events, the sentiments he had that night Mr. W. PELL thought the Bill tended to increase, and, DI uttered, he would be always ready as a man and a gentleman to diminish, the number of poachers; and that itwould give nst avow. innumerable disputes. Ile was so satisfied of the impolicy Mr. HUTCHINSON rose to deny, on the part of the Catholics the measure, that he would vote for the amend-menu of the flon. of Ireland. the justice of the character which the Honourable Member. Member who had just sat down had given them. (Hear, hear.) I Mr. 110 RACE TWIAS looked upon the Bill, notes a qceidea Ile did not know in what part of Ireland that lion. Member re- I of game and property, but as :one of crime and punishment. lie sided, neither did it matter to him to know where his estate lay, or did not believe, that, if the sal: of game were sanctioned be the extent of property he enjoyed ; but of this I.e won satisfied, that • the gentlemen of England would enter into ouch a :mg - . i• the Hon. nleutber did not pniess anyproperty which could entitle I should be remembered, that necortling to the evidence- taken lientr, him to pronounce the unqualified libel hie had that night uttered ; the Committee, game, which was shot, was not so good as th ; anainst the Catholic population of Ireland. (Hear, hear, how.) , which was caught in snares and thi s a tone would be a gnat On what authority dia tile Hon. Member make such a statement ? tation pica s. By tne i1:11, the person who was ferment {rah what press f was he prepared to sustain its (ti sear, her .) guilty of but a misdemeanour, was ttans:atcd t the r..:A. of : If he was poweased of such information, it stet his duty to go be. I felon ; and, although in the former e.r. he wan shooed l 9' tore the Committee to which it was pro posed to refer the present' portent privilege of employing Connsel in the Wt."' this petition, and to prove it benne them. (Hear, hear.) of Mr. O'Con. vantage was denied him. It was his opinion the Bill could tn.' of his lion. F a ri tar eid ou , hese that mtor. he ret i ardt as chihn a lsoim m n sn )(3w o rr f . e p( m a l u n kind e i o n, t teln t i al ir e as n h ti e an bea d . sein A l4 ; i a r M t . M M E n su w ti ppo i =r ed o t me h th e e l w l ai ill e nell, who had been referred to, he would add hi. testimony to that escape doing mischief by doing nothing. ILL g fo u re ali as hcm id ti i o n ns th l Hon. Member (Colonel Trench). Ile was not, any more than his I trespass could, in default of papa' his best friends. He was anxious to bear this testimony in favour I Sir. J. till ITH said that he found a clause in the Bill not sr:- of his friend, and to enter his protest against th e statement of the ; logous to the law of England, that by which any body committing 110 n. Friend, prepared to definid all the indiscretions of the Ca. ! , milted hi ll. not learn. made a few en to prison and to hard labour. He could show many insu'"', tholic Association. Be regretted, nay, he condemned these hulls. in which tase who are born and educated * plait:Malt ga i lP t g a small ssum of money, bee _rot.re; the createst imperial quest.,.. that - engage t.._ Parliament. While the Catholics were denied redress, they always remained liable to be made the instrument of an artful leader. He himself considered Government pledged to the Catholics. The Union could never have been carried but with their COMent. They supposed that there could be no longer the same difficulties in their way, when they had to appeal to the Imperial Parliament. The virtual pledge given by Mr. Pitt at that period was confirmed on the occasion of the late Royal visit to Ireland ; when, though I his Majesty had given no express pledge in words, yet from his royal lips, and under the advice of hit Ministers, he had made an unqualified declaration that the object of his visit was to unite all classes of Irishmen. • He (Mr. Hutchinson) would appeal to the Attorney-General, whether that visit had produced that effect? He would ask the Right Honourable Gentleman whether he could go I into the Royal presence, and tell his Majesty that all parties in Inland were united ? While the Catholics were excluded front I the pale of the Constitution, there could be no strength or Ma -1 bility in the empire. I Colonel TRENCH said, that the people of Ireland looked to the I Catholic Association with more confidence than to Parliament. I(Hear, hear.) One resolution passed by that body was to circulate information with a view to give every facility to collect tithes in I kind. He could interpret the object of this resolution only to be, to excite and prolong animosity between the clergy and people, by preventing compositions. He sincerely wished the Catholic Clergy had a settled provision assigned to them by Parliament, but he could not therefore tolerate the designs of the Catholic Association. Some injudicious and intemperate nien who belonged to that body had shewn too early what were their ultimate objects. The aim of this Catholic Parliament was to establish Catholic equality, and on that subsequent Catholic supremacy • and indeed he was sorry to say that he had heard it avowed in th at House that the religious establishment of a country ought to fiillow the opinions otthF ma- jar/Woldt' inhabitants. " He regarded the Catholic Association as the wane end mating ef every species of disorder and imitation in Inlaid He conscientiously believed 'hat there were shenamongst them who, for the secomplishment of their own ambitious views, I wished to keep 'lreland disturbed, and as he felt this sentiment deeply, he felt himself hosed to express it boldly. Mr. HOLME SUMNER begged to offer his tribute of applause Its the Hoe. Member who had brought forward this petition. lie wished the Attorney-Oenersl for Ireland to express himself mare frilly. Was it the dirty of the Attorney-General to wait till this Association had paned the bounds of the law ? (('heen from the Opposition Benches.) He could not help expressing his disappro bation *idle conduct of the Attorney-General, who, in his opinion, had fallen short of the discharge of his official duty. (Hear, bear, hear.) . Mr. WARRE said, it had often been asserted in that House I that the Catholic population. were indifferent to Catholic Emaneipa tion. He trusted whni the question next came under discussion, the declarations of the Hon. Members opposite would be borne in mind. He would say nothing of the Catholic Association. How ever, he did not wish his silence to be construed into an appr ov al of its proceedings s far from it ; he desired to see the Catholic cause in the hands of other leaders. lie would be glad to act those whose rank and fortune entitled them to the station assume it, and drive away the persons who now improperly occupied it. The petition wos then ordered to lie on the table. Mr. BROWN lOW then rose to move that it be printed. The Association of which the petition complained was an Association in which every Protestant was abused, from the Heir Presumptive to the Throne, downwards to the meanest man who professed the re formed religion. Vet his Majesty's Ministers had not said a word whether in their opinion it was a legal or an illegal Association. The Attorney-Genetal bad declared that he would not give an opinion whether this Association was illegal, but he had stated that if he (Mr. Brownlow) would furnish him with the necessary information, he would use his powers against him, and the Asso ciation to which he belonged. Now, he (Mr. Browniow) as as ready togire the Attorney-General and the House, and the country, all the information he possessed respecting the Orange Associations. (Cheers.) He was convinced that the more those associations were known, the more their principles were understood, and their ser vices to Ireland laid before the country, the more would they be removed from under the cloud of prejudice, which en every occasion was thrown over them in that !louse. (Hear, hear, hear.) The Attorney-General had been called upon for his opinion as to the Catholic AlSKilltion. The Orange Associations at once, and with. out being asked, he pronounced to be illegal ; but respecting the Catholic Association, neither he nor Ministers would give an opi nion. lie (Mr. Brownlow) believed that such an Association would not be allowed to exist for a moment in England. (Hear, hear.) But though the Attorney-Goneral would give no opinion on the subj.vt, he (Mr. Proemial believed that the Association might be got at, and that it did fall within the enactments of the law. The Attomey-fieneral had said he would use no left-handed justice. Vet he had nnhesitatingly declared the Orange Associations to be 11190, while he would not utter a word against the Catholic As. wxlcition• (Rear: hear.) Was not that left-handed justice ? It 'looted, in feet, riff- be Vet dit.posel to favour this Association, which had certainly transgressed the spirit of the Constitution, though it might cheat the letter of the law. Under these circumstances, he (Mr. linsentlow) felt that he and every Protestant in Ireland had great cause of complaint both against his 31ajesty's Ministers and the Attorney . .General for Ireland. • Mr. PLUNKETT aid, that after the animadversions on his conduct from the lion. Member (Mr. Bros. n'ow ) behind him, and the lion. Member for Scary. he felt it necessary to throw himself on the candour 11:141 fairness of the House, and on the discretion of the lion. 3letubers themselves, whether it was right to press him in the manner in which he bad been pressed, and considering the situation he hilt as public prosecutor in Ireland. The sentence with which the lion. Member for Armagh hail chiliad his address to the House, 'Mewed that he was not quite sure whether the Ca.. tholie Association, however improperly or dangerously it might be acting, was not cheating the letter of the law, though it might be violating the spiritof the Constitution. Suppose t hat h e (M r. I Plunkett) had arrived at the same conclusion, was he hound to get up in his place and state, that in his opinion the Association did not come within the letter of the law, but that whether it did or not, he would do his best to prosecute it ? (Hear, bear, hear.) He did not think the House would consider this a very wise course. The lion. Member for Surrey was of opinion that the Catholic Association required to be narrowly watched. He (Mr. Plunkett), had no Ilesit:tlitel to pledge himself to the House, to what, indeed, was already hit sworn duty, namely, that if he saw clearly tit.. state of the law, and that in prudence he ought to proceed against the, Association, lie would not shrink from the prosecution of his duty. He looked upon it as highly calculated to endanger the public peace, and what in his opinion was even of more value than the public peace—the cause of the Catholics. He believed that the folly and violence of that Association were more likely to produce an indefinite postponement of that great ob)ett, than all the efforts of those .Ito openly opposed it. Hut though he would gladly get rid of them as dangerous auxiliaries, he was not compelled in his place in that If nun, on the requisition of the Hon. Member far Armagh, to say whether in his opinion the Association was illegal or not but he should reserve to himself the full exercise of his discretion. Mr. Secretary CA-NNING said, that as his Majesty's ten had been called upon so pointedly by the Hon. Member for Armagh, though he (31r. C.) did not consider that as the pre cise count that should have been followed by the lion. Gentleman, and though it was altogether unusual and unprecedented, he would address a few observations 4; the House. The Hon. Member had Raid, that he was pireluded, by not knowing the opinions of his Majesty's Ministers, from making any other than the ordinary motion, that the petition should be printed. Ile (Mr. C.) bad come down to the House, expecting the Hon. Member to hare 1 l y I. t ~:,/