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ation. He fears, probably, if the petitioners were
!nice let in, they might object against the tax, as well
ca against the measure itself. On tins subject, which
is at least tweet, a little advice might not have
been amiss; the Chancellor of the Exchequer
!night hare listened to the opinion of mercantile
men, and perhaps profited by it. But he displays
so much confidence on all occasions, cud so
amazes me by his absolute contempt of advice,
that I really cannot believe he possesses any of
the constituents of a wise or intelligent man.
%luch light may often be derived, on different
topics, from even inferiors. Modesty is generally
the attribute of wisdom—and obstinacy that of
somethin" else very different."
Lord eASTLIRILAGH had expected more address
in the leader of the party, than to expose the
weak features of the case to observation, and in
making his retreat to so expose himself to the ire
of his opponents. He saw no analogy between the
case adduced by the Right lion. Gentleman on
the question of war. He felt extremely overawed
by the Gentleman's mode of address in the com-
mencement, but was afterwards much indebted to
the Right Hon. Gentleman for what he had said, as
it supported the principle laid down by his Right
lion. Friend., He saw, he said, no great injury the
merchants of Liverpool could particularly sustain
Ike measure.
. Stizainstr—" I hare heard abroad, this
evening:a monstrous proposition was about to be
submitted Ilb the House, relative to the present pe-
tition. I did hope there was no one bold enough
to rnake it; I am, however, sadly disappointed. From
every thing that has fallen from the Noble Lord, 1
havediffered, but in this, the compliment he has
paid a Right Hon. Gent. as the !miler of oar party.
I am, I confess, proud of so distinguished a leader.
While the Noble Lord feels so much awe in rising
to oppose this formidable leader, let him not sup-
pose I will pay him the same compliment. I
should, I confess, feel nor awe nor aneiety in answer-
ing him in beginning or ending. The Noble Lord
has, to support his iniquitous principle, iusulted
and refused the subject the. privileges secured
to him by the bill of rights, which particularly ea-
joiss the right of the saileet to petition the Howe
when aggrieved. . This, in some instances, I admit
may he objectionable, as Mr. Hatsell observes-...
.4 The pnnciple of the rule appears to be this—
That a tax, extending in its effect over every
part of the Kingdom, and more or less affecting
every iudividual, and in its nature necessarily
and intentionally imposing a burden upon the
people—it can answer no end or purpose what-
ever for any set of petitioners to state these con-
sequences as a grievance to the House." But
in the present case the grievant* is not on the
subjects of this realm, but on those of other na-
nom., which ultimately injures them. Hence this
authority, however respectable, does not apply.
No honest Statesman could ever refuse this op.
plication, on such a special pleading exception.
My Hon. Friend has been blamed for exposing
himself in his retreat to the tire—of whom ? the
Noble Lord ? I should have expected indeed to
have seen a little of this boasted fire produced by
the weakness of my Right Hon. Friend's arguments,
but really 1 was surprised not to hear one shot in
exchange, in the course of a longspeech from the
Noble Lord, whose talents of repartee, sally, and
fire, are so universally known. I am not willing
to say any thing that would interrupt the state
of confidence the country possessed in its re-
sources; but this I must say. I am of opinion
the present Petition, and others which may
follow it, will, if they do not turn out the present
Ministry from His Majesty's Councils, bring in
Bonaparte amongst us."
General Taat.ton opposed the Petition, as did
also Mr. Huszissow, who were answered by Mr.
WHITBREAD and Lord • HENRY PATSY, at some
length ; but whose speeches we am prevented from
giving to the public, through the lateness of the
hour at which they rose.
Mr. Rose contended, that the usage which re. '
stricted the reception of such petitions was attended
with the most salutary effects. Indeed, if there
was a door once opened for receiving them on the
imposition of every- tax, the House would not be
able to proceed with public business, and the re-
venue would be materially injured. There was no
analogy in the case of the act to restrain hawkers
and pedlars, as that measure was merely one of pi-
lice, and was carried into effect to protect the law-
ful ,
traue.
Mr. SIIERIDAN—" Mr. Speaker, 'the question
now is, whether this Petition shall be received ?
It has been said by a Gentleman on the opposite
side, that you, Sir, have given your opinion upon
it, as hostile to its reception. I insist that you
have given uo such opinion, and therefore 1 have
taken the liberty of rising to call upon you to*
state your opinion on this subject to the House."
Time SPEAKER cousidered arch an application to
him rather unusual. There were two duties for
him. under such circumstances, so perform ; the
brat was, that when a private application was made
by any lion. Member to bin*, it became an art
not only of courtesy, lint of duty, for him to give
his personal opinion to the individual so apply-
ing. In the other case, it was his duty to put
the House right in the hoe of conduct which it
sought to pursue. He had no objection to state his
opinion on this subject, if properly called upon by
the House; hut it was not for him, on a question of
debate, which will ultimately depend on the majo-
rity of votes, to square its discussion by his own
personal opinion. If the House. by its balanced
vote, called upon him, he would not then hesitate.
Mr. SiltaIDAN" I feel it a duty I owe to this
House, to you, Sir, and to myself, to explain that
which I see has been misconceived by the Chair.
I do assure this House, that I was far from being
actuated by any sinister motive, when I put that
question to the Chair. It was not by me the
Speaker was charged with having already given an
opinion hostile to the reception of tins petition.
Such observations have Innen only from the Hon.
Gentleman opposite: and it V. as in consequence
of such expressions, in my odinion unwarrantable,
Il'ett it any duty to ask the question."
The ()nation being loudly called for, the House
divided, when the numbers were—That the Peti-
tion be received
Arm
Hoes

SO
11.14

111.4enty against the P. tition 4ti