The National Register.
London, England, 1808-05-23 00:00:00

Int NATIONAL REGISTER.

313

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that stage when, be was infer:tied, from high authority, that b
might with propriety, submit the subject to the consideration o:
the H use, if he conceived it a breach of privilege. He
felt no sort of interest in the business, but thought it a matter
worthy of the serious consideration of the House, if they con-
ceived that it infringed the privileges of Parßenicia. He was
nominated a candidate for the City of Westminster at the List
general election, without his knonledge or consent Ile was re•
turned and took his seat accordingly, which he could not refase
without incurring the displeasure of the House, and he teas
therefore, by a charge of the Chief Justice of tat- Court Of
King's Bench, held liable to the expellees incurred at the election,
though 'without his know ledge or consent in becomiug a eands-
date. The House would consider the fact, and tieterseine, if it
thought tit, whether in such case its privileges were v jointed en
not.
RTii ER PICOT observed, that it was EICITSSAry hero tsßae
Clouse proceeded, that it should he put in posses,a iiii of the tact.
Sett Frwe is said, an eaecutioe had been put in his house fur
the expellees attending the erectile of the hustings, is cense-
quence of the action brought for the same in the court of hing's
Bench.
Tee CIIANC El Lon OF VIE EXClltsof'susuid, that to bring the
matter forward on the grounds of a breach of privilege, the bu-
siness must come in some tangible shape hefere the Utilise. if
the Counsel of the Hon, Barraset hed taken a Riil of 4xecutiors„
or had brote:ht a N 1 nit of Error, turn the Record might be laid
before the house, on which occasion it could deliberate whether
its privileges were violated or not. On the contrary, the Coun-
sel of the lion. Baronet moved for anew trial, and the rule 'was
refused, and consequently there was no preeeediog of which the
House could take coguizance on the subject.
M. Sri:AKER referred to hat had occurred op a former
night. Ile did not then presume to direct the lion. Baronet,
but observed, when any practical consequence ensued, then he
conceived that it was his duty to make a complaint to the House,
if be thought its privileges had been violated or infringed. 111
such case the rule to be pursued was to move for a Committee
to consider the subject, who, if they thought it not worthy lobe
eneirtained, would either proceed or not, as in the case in the
complaints made against certain parties in the reign of C harks 11.
Sin Fo.iNcis BURDVTT said his sources of infortoation were
front the report of his Counsel, and from the notes of a short-
ham! writer. The Learned dudge hearing the a pplieatioe
said he was liable to the claim because he had taken his seat.
This was the only point connected .as ith the privileges of the
House, because he would have violated the-e Kite did net take his
seat, and he was nominated as a t andidate fur Westiniester with-
out his knowledge or consent. Ile therefore having discharged
his duty, left it to the House to determine vs hat line of conduct
it would pursue.
CATuorac PETITION.
Mn. GRATT.4N moved, that the Petition which he presented
from the Roman Catholics of Ireland, be now read. He began
with observing, that the petitioners formed a very considerable
portion of the electors of Irelands they possessed a great share
of political power, and they applied through the constitutional
orean for a legal object. The Petition prayed for admissien
into the State and to the privilege of scats in that House. Ina
Act of the 32.1 of the King gave the Cutholies admission to poli-
tical power ; it admitted them to the constituency, and render'd
them eligible to all offices, with a few exceptions. The removal
of these exceptions, and the power of legislation, were apses
wanting, to place them upon a level with the rest of their rout•
try men. It wa_ the policy of all nations but this to admit per-
sons of every religious description into the service of the Slate.
It saes the practice in fiance, before the Revolution, In Ame-
rica, it had long prevailed. During the war which terminated
in tie independence of that colliery the American Catholic was
s en fighting by the side of the American Protestant, and both
in unity a itis France, of which the religion isms Catholic.. Eng-
land was at present without one ally iu the %solid but Swedirit ;
the Protestant religion did nut supply us with tote, and would
they then give up the only ally vs hich they bad at home t. Thu
objection taerefore, on the score of OM
was as absurd as the argument in support of a moral ia:lnnpati-
bility. But it was said the teligion was to be considered
as
symbolical of the political sentiment. To this he would atwver,
that society had no right to impose arbitrary test, and (oat
the eetti,r,ittni tenet was not to be considered as evidence of fo-
mien attachment. But even if it were, it could -nut be wade
• avatia.hie an this case, for the obje. t it east -ceased. The
Ito yve, u. I ettpCuses* 11,0 ti• d 0:1130 t)itiy t 116 authority. Mgtihuelo%*, jmy tsetseabjured, nut telavtitia) but iu

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