The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1811-02-19 00:00:00

!It EL 04 D.

`N►♦ -

The E 1,1 of Mott; t r ,•eosish eoosidemblo
1)i. tslty n 1 mind, reap-riling the •nl•i••rt to *ht. h he
thought it his awl to rail the summit,' sit their
Lorth.hips ; but is em. a snbj•ct ohtrh he thought
himself impelled he dirt to bti..k under sh. le Caw
sideratiew,other.v,. • hr shrsto:,l not ban. hum to es.
rnie himself in hiaow...ight *withal .4 I,.emantry.
Their Lordship. would slimly entity ar the Iran..
o. faun In which Ise allu.k.l—nrse of vast important*
to the •itttttinn r.f the ennuis-v. awl at It siniesreil
ones!.laisse.l. Oise of • mn.t estranedinary and novel
tendency. lie I, the twists', leiter i.ensoill
by the I.nrd Lieutenant of 1-'rtaes•l to tom Mace.
tri-Y to( that r-suniry. r.llm; upon them to moiety,
the Statute sig•m.t she en. roma of the Rims.
I,sits tricot 1.. r 1141111 IO boo., she.
th,f • •••••1/1? .n I • r , ~roduer initotees
in the minds of rhrre.fnurtn• the ramita,...„ sy
Ireland, hail hie.. l'Oni 0W1111E44'4 to !11. it ty.il
Mahan* the )'rt•: r fervor. Bet is ie.* eir.l
k,Ales to every u..r %WI isnot h .sit Mr. St...Moly

. .

'Pole was dispatched to the Sister Kingdom, and
now the object of his journey tie peered. H. weald
ask, we. this of all others a tinie to distract and
alienate the affections of that country ? Wao it lit
and proper that such a line of policy should be
pursued in England, when we observed the power
and achievements of our euestly abroad ? It was
cot an object to him to have his commercial wings
clipt ; colonies and commerce were not concerned
in supporting his military attend) on the Conti-
nent. Had be not placed a Freuclimati as a Save-
reign oil the Throne of Sweden ? Vas he not hold-
ing in subjectiou the kingdoms of Europe ? While
such were the pursuits of his ambition, white he
had not only assaulted our outworks, but was even
shout to rush upon the citadel, we were concerting
measures to irritate and divide the force of our own
country ! Looking at the period when Mr. Pole
so hastily left this country, and when the measure
had been contemplated. he would ask the Noble
Lords opposite whether it was possible for them to
know they would or would not remain the Regent's
Ministers? He had so much regard far them, lie
would leave them to their own choice of the two
alternations iu their explanation. If they knew they
should (which was certaioly not probable when the
Prince Regent had not taken the oaths), then he
would ask was it not an taunt end improper
proceeding, to say no worse of it, as it would
affect the hied act of the Regent's Government?
—lf, on the other hand, they knew or believed
they would not remain in administration, then
they were endeavouring to set flame* to this
part of the empire, and ought to be accounted in-
cendiaries to the house they could no longer keep in
possession !_(Hear, lusr.)—Beiales, why enforce
this Statute at this time ?I Had they made use of it
to prevent former meetings? And why snake the in-
vidious application of it to the Human Catholics,
when it was a statute meant to be applied generally
to all disorderly subjects, and not invidiously to
any denomination of them ? Was it cousistent with
the principles and professions of the Union ? Was
such a measure calculated to tree the people of
Irelaud from the oppressions they suffered under
their own Government ? He hoped some explana-
tion would be given to prevent the general con-
struction which would universally be put upon this
rub and dangerous proceeding. Perhaps at this
moment, without knowing more information, he
might have said too much ; but no delay could be
suffered before such a proceeding ought to be in-
quired into, as it affected the existence of the
country. He should therefore conclude by mov-
ing, .$ That • Copy of the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland's Circular Letter tel the Magistracy, pro-
hibiting the Meetings of the Catholics, be laid
upon their Lords:iips table."
The Earl of Live:moot. said, he felt no ember.
moment in answering the questions put by the
Noble Lord, whether at the time this messare was
adopted, they knew or not they should remain is
Administration. His answer to this inqutry would
not be attended with the smallest ritfilculty, for lie
could assure their Lordships, not mic of the pre.
sent Government was made acquainted lei t this
,cecurrence till last Thurtelao night. !lee;
Pele's.deparmee sell related bad hot The otea tor
remotest connection with this measure. The Lord
Lieutenant had recourse to the procetding on ac-
count of peculiar eirennuttances and inferination
which CAM,' to the kitowledAr of that Government.
It would, he was confident, be found, that a scheme
was adopted by the Caitlin...lca intentionally and svo-
tetuatieally to violate the law. He was also court.
dent, that although it am a measure uhielt lord not
origivated its the Government of 1..14 country, it
was tote adopted by the Lord Lieutenaut and Go..
verniuent of [relent with a view to the safety said
tranquillity of that country. But as to the motion
of the Noble Lord opposite (Earl of Moir.), he
felt nn objection to the prOductiou of the. Letter
alluded to; still he sheuld consider himself called
upon to inure, at the same time, "That a Copy
of the Letter circulated atnongst the Catholics be
laid upon the Wile, which, with other information,
formed the ground upon which the Government iif
Irelaud were jellified in adopting the measure they
pursued."
The Marquis of Lasspown was glad to hear
from the Noble Secretary, that the measure referred
to, so likely to In injurious in its consequences, •as
unt concerned by the Government of this cotietry ;
and therefore must hale been resorted to by the
Goveroinerit of IrelaniLwithout any communica-
tion with his Royal Highness the Prince. Regret.
It aA* with satisfaction lie heard .this leen matton.
and it would be no less satirfactory to the country
to Cul that such a measure did not emanate from
• Government acting under the Regret's know-
ledge. Ile, however. wished to ask the Noble Se-
cretary. if the document hr was about to move for
would of itself justify the measure re.erierl and
eieulil of itself explain the meatus why this step woe
resorted to by the Lord Lieutenant
The Earl of Livairmoi. tnd. the document he
wished to move for would afford much iulor,natioo
for shot reason this measure had been adopted ;
hot et the Mint time there certainly was ',Base car
formation from • different source, whirl, periiiapa
von td not properly be moved for. as it was of a curet
nature, unless it were moved (*hit Is might be door
necessary) that His Majesty would direct the
seine to be laid before • Secret Coninsitter.
The Earl of Mutat./ observed, that it had
'wen mooed by Um Mejesty'. *sorterss that the
Regent w essiseqemettel with the soteut,on that
reisteri of Wham the Cosesentina Act in lose, at
the period when Mr. Pole departed for lithe I, and
hr was Kl.d teat auels sit open avowal had hero
mule. Ile bed it in eontempla,inn lest year to cull
Use intrusion of their Lordolers to the ;scathe, situ-
-111119.1 of I,elattd, as he eelletole+ell that ennittly nee.
leete.l bath by Parliament and His Maje.o‘'., thus
mister% The recent *et of poste which hail been
relented to made this call &tibia n.e.amie, and
he hni,,,4 she enlvet wosiM he Wipes up a. geom.
ly as its importance de•reved. Ile had roe in
mit to the If Lotilehips the following motion •• That
Mere he laid before their IAM-hie/b—
-e Viso, Aa lleremei 1 the oustisley Monte of betted
fat shirked Pro remot, hi the 1011.1,•,,,, tam
thrennall, As Aelininitsithr Aehtal Capresdolitre fur tie
saw teem/
1 swift. *a Aromas et da• lemided end Edouard
Wee of halm.' fee the wow row
Tie Earl of Lettami a ilmeght
,„ ~..olimeieeing tile assertive. whit h bed in-en as.rda
tr, the %Me Est l Milo the eawdevt Sc Perl,amtes.

both now and formerly, with respect to the people
of that country. He had sot long it, the Irish Par-
haroeut, and knew nothing of such neglect as had
been alluded to. The Noble •Earl might possibly
have an accurate knowledge of !rebind, lint he
thought Isim un e
wouldfounded
ask to tthat Nrtohe assebleions
Earl whic
what
h lie
had made. H
Government had done ? Why they had only pre-
vented traitors from giving law. ft had been better
perhaps if the Noble Earl had gone snore into de-
tail, instead of contenting himself with making
those general and unqualified assertions.
Lord HOLLAN D said, that it was not now his in.-
tennon to enter into any remarks on the conduct
of the Irish Legieluttire. It was a subject which
would lead him too far, and he therefore would nut
enlarge upon it. He would leave it to the records
of history, and he believed he could net leave it to
a severer judge. Ile would only desire those who
had been instrumental in the accomplishment of the
Cation, to ask the people of Ireland whether they
were not led into en expectation of having those
Islas repealed which were obnoxious to them.
So much he would say, upon this occasion, though
not immediately connected with the subject before
them. He felt great satisfaction insheanug it dis-
claimed on the part of His Majesty's Ministers, that
they had any previous knowledge of the measure
which had been resorted to. Though tint bred and
disciplined in their school, nor much occustouied to
approve of their conduct„yet be dial not think so badly
of them as to suppose -that they would exercise such
an act of power without having first made known
to Parliament the exigency which required it. So
far lie was disposed to give credit to His Majesty's
Miuieters, and be was satisfied at the explicitness
of the answer which had been given on that parti-
cular point; but he was desirous also of being in-
formed, whether the opinion delivered by the No-
ble Secretary of State on this subject, was that of
an individual declaring his private aentinients, or
whether it had the sanction of Government ? Thee
measure might have been adopted on the spur of
the occasioc ; but from what had fallen from the.
Noble Earl, he was anxious to be satisfied whether
his observations were to be considered as official or
not? Whichever was the cave, he considered the
country indebted to his Noble Friend for the
motion lie had brought forward.
The Earl of ListelllClC defended the measure
which had been resorted tn, and justified it on the
necessity of the case. He totally differed from
those Noble Lords who thought that the Act in
question was an unnecessary one; and he desired
them to ask the loyal pert of the people of Ireland
whether it was so or not. lie would got recede
from the opinions he heist on this subjeat,in conse-
quence of any 'armed! remarks that might fall
from Noble Lords on the opposite side.
The Earl of Ross defended the conduct of the
Government of Ireland with respect to the Catho-
lics, who, he affirmed, had been trieuted with the
utmost indulgence. They had frequently astern-
bled in Dublin, nor had their discussions lieeu ever
interrupted ; hut when they proceeded to er..rt a
sort of Catholic Parliament, coosistiag of 33! Mete-
writ in rhs, capitol of the kingaosu, for the pnr-
poet of 4isconing subjects of which they could not
tell the tendency, he thought it was high time for
Government to interfere. He did not by anY
means concur in the opinion, that this measure
would produce any bad effect on the minds of the
people, when it was considered that the Catholics
themselves were not agreed on the course of proceed-
ing which had given rise to the adoption of the pre-
smut measure on the part of the Irish Government ; au
confirmation of this, lie would read one or two pab-
ripe from the Report of the proceedin.pi of the
Catholic Committee on the Oil of Fettruury. In
this Report it appeared that Mr. Keogh, a gentle.-
man of considerable influence among the Irish Ca-
tholics, opposed the motion, on the ground that tiO
notice had been given of it; and Lord Ffreoch had
denied their right to exercise such a power as they
assumed. Could it be possible for Government to
permit the assembling of such a body as this, in
open defiance of in unrepealed existing law ? If
laws were to he thus evaded and trampled on, tin
Government could support itself. Nor was the
measure now resorted to a measure of hostility to
the Catholics as arch ; it was a nseassre which
would have been equally resorted to in the case of
Protestaots or Dissenters, if they had acted in a
eimilar manner. It was merely for the purpose of
enforcing a law, and as such it ought to be con-
sidered.

Tne Earl of Bucittnottattiniss defended the
principles of the Convention Act ; and said. it
should be recollected that it was • 11eclaredory Act.
explatuing and et.fortiog • law which had existed
before, preventing the assembling of persons for
purposes hoed* to thiveroment. Seth meetings
had been sore helti• ut at different periods in live
lauds. and il;is A.•t w is intended to prorelit them.
The F.srl of Dolotransinnx said, that he fame to
defend the Catholics of Ireland from the imputas
tiosob which kad been threw.' out against
He should not enter into the principles cf the Act
which hail hero pest is fires 111 behold. at he sl.d
not conceive this the proper period fur doing an:
hot would teserir to hiinaell the right of doilig so
out • restore oceamois; but he should demand now.
awl at all titan, that measure of justice for the Cr
of [reboil *lnch had been claimed for His
Majeaty's Miiiisters by the Noble Lords opp note.
Heatless' there as their •dvocute. and he would hot
shrink from Iris duty. He had been chosen by them
t~ present ':mars (ieUUoo to that Howe, and lie
was not shamed of being the object of their
elusive ; on the relutrary. lie cJii WWII! of 11, N.
cue rr.leral hue it, and would endeavour to fulfil
the sacred bit.t which they had delegated to him.
The memoir which bad been adopted by the (;ii.
vertnitent of i•elood was a Ilifethe act of power. and
could only be jostified by art extreme seers ity.—
Specking in • Parliamentary sena,. hr could not
assert that some josidlcation might ant be offered for
ibis proceeding bat stating hi. opinion as an indi-
vidual. it was his fall ay.il firm conviction that no
vetch necessity etisted. In this stage of the bosi.
414,4 he did nq dinar it Is.ressary to add more Mow
that he 'namely convened in the motion of hie
Nab!, Friend, as it wroili tend to hir.-4. fall an.
poossoity of thscoserng a mar -sore whC 1 anpear.ri
1w him so arbitra•v. so 4141444:111•17, 41..1 so wet.
non, onmednef.
1...r.1 Ilastistan•At oloservad, that the Noble Fart
viler had ost sat darn had tiv:osht

•ii‘