The Sun.
London, England, 1831-02-15 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEBRUARY 14.

Lord MANDEVILLE presented a petition from Hint-
ngdon praying for a general fast.
Mr. MAXWELL postponed his motion for a call of
the House from the 18th to the 28th in-t. His reason
for so doing was to secure a full attendance of Members
on the night previous to the great question of Reform.
Mr. LEADER, in presenting a petition, said he was
glad to see that an amicable arrangement of the prose-
cutions in Ireland had been come to with Government.—
( Hear. )
The Marquis of CHANDOS presented several petitions
for a repeal of the Game Laws, the Poor Laws, and for the
Duty on Malt. The Noble Marquis said, when the latter
question was brought forward it should have his hearty
support. The Noble Marquis gave notice that, on Mon-
day next, he should bring forward a motion for the total
repeal of the sugar duties.—( Hear.)
Mr. HOBHOUSE, in presenting a petition for Reform,
said that it would be impossible for this or any Govern-
ment to give effectual relief to the country, unless they
proposed a well graduated property-tax.—( Hear.) In his
opinion, Reform would be useless unaccompanied by a
property-tax. The Hon. Gentlema❑ announced himself
an advocate for universal suffrage, annual Parliaments, and
the vote by ballot.
Mr. PENDARVIS presented a petition from Cornwall,
praying for Reform. The petition was signed by more
than 10,000 inhabitants, and was upwards of 17 yards
in length.—(A laugh.)
A variety of similar petitions were also presented from
different parts of the country.

Several petitions were presented praying for a general
fast.

Lord ISIORPETH had great pleasure in presenting two
petitions, the one from the compositors and printers of
London, the other from the compositors and printers of
Sheffield, praying that the duties on paper, newspapers,
&c., should be repealed. The Noble Lord observed, that
both the petitions were drawn up with an ability which
well became individuals connected with literature. lie
trusted that the prayer of their petition would be attended
to, and that the utmost facility would be efforded to the
dissemination of knowledge through the medium of the
Press. It might undoubtedly happen, that in 60 doing,
increased circulation might be given to those blasphemous
and libellous publications which every one would wish to
see not merely taxed, but annihilated. However, in this
as well as in every other case, the good must be taken
mixed with evil ; and he was persuaded, that the good
would preponderate in any measure relieving the Press
from its present burdens ; and that the result would be
seen in the furtherance of the cause of sound literature and
true religion. Of this he was convinced, that wherever
the schoolmaster was abroad, there Swing would not tind
his way.
Colonel SIBTHORPE cordially supported the prayer
of the petition.
Mr. SYKES and Mr. DUNCOMBE supported the prayer
of the petition.
Lord MORPETH presented petitions from Sheffield,
Halifax, and other places in Yorkshire, praying for Par-
liamentary Reform.
Mr. II LTNT presented a petition from a place in Wilt-
shire in favour of Parliamentary Reform, on the principle
of annual elections, universal suffrage, and vote by ballot.
He also presented a petition from certain tradespeople in
Dublin, praying for a repeal of the Legislative Union be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland. In presenting the last
petition, he observed, that the people of Ireland were the
best judges of their own grievances ; and if he found them
unanimous in praying for a repeal of the Union, he for
one would not oppose them. . .

. _
O'GORNIAN MAHON, in supporting the petition,
took occasion to thank the Hon. Member (Mr. Hunt) for
expressing a fair and just opinion towards Ireland. He
proceeded to say that he was anxious, if not out of order,
to tike that opportunity of stating, that his countrymen had
no idea of obtaining any measure from that House except
by peaceable and constitutional proceedings. They had no
idea of making an appeal to force of arms. He was sorry
to perceive that the observations he had made the other
night were misunderstood. He most positively disclaimed
a connexion with any secret society formed for the
purpose of obtaining a repeal of the Union. In whit he
hail said the other evening, he was merely anxious to
convey that he was a Member of a Society or of a Club,
consisting, with the exception of himself and one other
person, of Protestants and lli.senters, which, long before
the passing of the Catholic Relief Bill, had one and all ex-
pressed an opinion in favour of a repeal of the Union.—
But never had they agreed to any steps of a secret, for-
, cible, or even a political nature. The House, therefore,
he
trusted, would understand that he was not in any degree
Connected with a society of Roman Catholics combined for
the purpose of obtaining a repeal of the Union. In the

club to which he had alluded (as he had before stated), he '
and another gentleman were the only Roman Catholics.
General KING was extremely happy to hear the Hon.
Gentleman's explanation; and hoped that he ssould also
take the opportunity of correcting a misrepresentation he
had made with regard to the state of public feeling in the
county of Sligo, respecting the repeal of the Union. He,
as Member for that county, could take upon himself to
declare that the people there were almost universally in
favour of a continuance of a connexion between the two
countries. The Hon. Member had 1110 argued that the
county of Roscommon was decidedly in favour of repeal,
in consequence of the resolutions passed at a county meet-
ing ; but he (General King) could assure the House, that
the landed proprietors, and the respectability of the county,
were not present.
O'GORMAN MAHON never since he had en'ered that
House, had alluded to the county of Sligo. The Hon.
Member attributed to him the words used by some other
person. As to what had been said by the Hon. Member
about the meeting in Roscommon, he bad only to ob-
set ve, that it was to use the gentlest words, rather harsh
and discourteous to say that the respectability of the
county was not present at a meeting at which the High
Sheriff presided, and one of the Members of the county
attended. He hoped, accordingly, the Hon. Member
would withdraw these expressions.
General KING allowed that there might have been
about tvrcnty respectable persons at the meeting.
Mr. ILUNT presented a petition from the Rotunda
(Blackfriars) meeting, complaining of the Judges who pre-
sided at the late Commission.
Mr. HUNT presented a petition from Southampton,
praying that that Honourable House would not listen to
any petition for a general fast.—(Laughter.) But the
petitioners hoped that when the great measure of Reform
was carried, the House would address his Majesty to ap-
point a day for a general feast and jubilee.—(Great laugh-
ter.) He (Mr. Hunt) fully concurred in the prayer of
the petition.
_—.________ _