The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-17 00:00:00

THE S UN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 17, 1845.

taking a strong part against this country. Who was not
aware, that if they had not been always hostile to Ire-
land, she could not have been left so long in her present
abject condition ; but, proud and bigoted as were their Eng-
lish neighbours (and they might well be proud of having
such a people as the Irish for their slaves), they would not
continue to be their slaves.—(Loud cheers.) He had
been told that he ought not to accept money from Eng-
lish Protestants for Catholic purposes, and had been called
on to assert the principle of every denomination of Chris-
tians paving its own ministers. He was quite ready
to adopt the principle to the fullest extent, but he wanted
others to do so likewise.. The Protestant clergy who opposed
the present Bill on the pretext of its being a violation of
principle, forgot that they were silent respecting the grant of
9,0001. a year, which they had not opposed, and that they
continue silent respecting the Regium donum of the Presby-
terians, and the grants to religious communities in Scotland.
Why were not these grants opposed, and why had such an
outcry been raised against the grant of a suitable endowment
for Maynooth ? The truth was, they hated them as Irish-
men, and were bigoted against them as Catholics.—(Hear,
hear.) The Times spent three years in abusing the Catholic
clergy and people, and raised the people of England to such
a pitch of exasperation against the Ministry for favouring the
Irish people, that they rose at length and turned out the
Whigs. It was idle, therefore, to talk of favour to this coun•
try from England, and he was not sorry for their hate. He
would run no race of petitions with them—if necessary, he
could have millions of signatures to one. He would ask
nothing, but he would take the boon gratefully as it was
given graciously.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman
next proceeded to repel the charges recently made against
the College of Maynooth, and asserted that out of
15,000 students who since its foundation had been edu-
cated there, not a single one had been charged with an
offence of any kind. He next eulogised the presidents and
professors of the College, and enumerated several distin-
guished Roman Catholic clergymen who had filled those
situations. When there was no stain either on the students
or the professors it was too bad that the provision of a suit-
able maintenance for them should be the signal for an exhi-
bition of fiendish bigotry on the part of the English people.
Shame on them for envying Ireland sixpence in the pound
of her just debt ! There was their conscience, their honour,
their honesty ! He was glad that he himself had taken the
offer in the spirit he had met it with. Of course, if the
Catholic clergy had condemned it, or refused it, he would
have joined them ; but as they had been silent he took it
for granted that they approved of it. Had they objected to
the Bill, he himself would have moved that it be kicked out
of the House; but he was most happy in stating that Sir
Robert Peel had consulted the Catholic authorities in the
most open and generous manner on the subject. He had
been accused of a factious disposition to refuse everything
from the present Government, no matter how good the mea-
sure offered might be ; but he rejoiced that the present Bill
gave them an opportunity of showing what their true spirit
was. He hoped it would be well received throughout Ire-
land ; but as to its being a bribe to the clergy, he defied those
who thought so, and equally so those who believed it would
have the eftbct of making them relax in their efforts to regain
national independence.—(Loud cheers.) The Hon. Gentle-
man concluded by moving that the report be adopted and
printed for circulation.
• Mr. T. STEELE addressed the meeting on the same subject.
Mr. H. GRATTAN, M.P., said, that the people of England
had declared war on the Irish people by their conduct in re •
ference to the Maynooth grant, and he had learnt a lesson
within the last forty-eight hours which be might forgive but
would never forget. He took his leave of the "gentlemen of
England ;" he wished them no ill, but so help him God he
would never willingly draw a sword in their behalf or give
them a guinea of his money.—(Loud cheers.) They had
covered their country, their cause, and their Parliament with
a disgrace which they could never remove.—(Cheers.)
The motion was then adopted, after a few remarks from
Mr. J. O'Connell, M.P.
Mr. O'CONNELL announced the receipt of 2501. from Bos-
ton, from Philadelphia 45/., and from Illinois 1001.
Mr. G. PORTER addressed the meeting at considerable
length in support of his peculiar views, and strongly recom-
mended the establishment of a national militia in this
country.
Mr. O'CONNELL agreed with Mr. Porter that a national
militia would be extremely advantageous, if sanctioned by
Parliament and constructed according to constitutional prin-
ciples. He then brought forward a long report on the sub-
ject of the tenant-right in Ulster, upon which he commented
at considerable length.
The rent for the week was stated to be 7001. 4s. 11d.
DUBLIN STOCK AND SHARE MARKET.
There was again a great deal of business in the scrip of
the new railways, with a decided advance in the Great
Southern and Western Extension. The following are the
closing prices :—Three per Cent. Consols, 9814 4 ; Three and-
a-Quarter per Cent. Stock, 1014 a; Three-and-a-Half per
Cent. Debentures, 934 ; Grand Canal Debentures, 4/. sterling
per annum, 71 /-; Mining Company of Ireland, 13A ; Royal
Bank, 144 4 ; City of Dublin Steam of 1836, 52. Railways :
—Great Southern and Western, 174 ; Ditto Extension, 114
12.4 ; Dublin and Belfast Junction, 10* ; Irish Great Western,
Dublin to Mullingar and Athlone, 3 ; Irish Great Western,
Dublin to Galway, 5 4 ; Belfast and Ballymena, 54 ; Dun-
dalk and Enniskillen, 44 4 • Waterford and Limerick, 64 ;
Wexford and Carlow, 4L, ; Kingstown and Bray, 104 ; Cork
and Bandon, 6 ; Londonderry and Enniskillen, 4 k.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD, APRIL 12.—BRASENOSE COLLEGE.—A Fel-
lowship on the original foundation of this college is now
vacant, and will be filled up in the course of the present
term. Natives of the ancient diocese of Lichfield and
Coventry (which comprised the present diocebe of Lich field
together with the county of Chester, the county of W ar-
wick, except the deaneries of Kineton sad Warwick, and
the county of Lancaster south of the Ribble), being gra-
duates of the University of Oxford under eight years
standing, are eligible; the electors having regard in their
choice to the preference given by the statutes in the
first instance to natives of Prescot awl Prestbury, and
in the second to natives of the counties of Lancaster and
Chester. Candidates are required to exhibit to the
Principal, on or before Saturday, the 26th inst., certi-
ficates of the locality of their birth, together with the
ususl college testimonials, and the certificates of their
matriculation. _

TRINITY COLLEGE ELECTION.—There will be an elec-
tion of two scholars on Monday, May 19th. Candidates
must be above 16 and under 20 years of age ; and will
be required to present, in person, to the President, certi-
ficates of baptism and testimonials of conduct, together
with a Latin epistle to request permission to offer them-
selves, at nine o'clock on Wednesday morning, May
14th, when the examination will begin.
EXETER COLLEGE.—There will be an election to a
Scholarship in this College on Friday, May 9, open to
all persons above the age of 16, and who (if members of
the University) have not exceeded two years from their
matriculation. Candidates are required to call on the
Rector, with the necessary certificates, on or before
Saturday, May 3.
QUEEN'S COLLEGE.—An election of an exhibitioner
on the Michel Foundation at Queen's College will take
place on Thursday, the 23d day. of May next. Candi-
dates must be natives of the province of Canterbury, who
have attained the full age of fifteen, and have not ex-
ceeded the age of twenty years ; and if members of the
University, must not have been matriculated longer than
twelve calendar months. Certificates of baptism and testi-
monials of good conduct must be delivered to the Pravost
of the said college by the respective candidates on or
before Saturday, the 7th of May. The examination
will commence on Monday, the 9th, at ten o'clock in the
morning.

REGULATIONS OF LODGTNG-HOUSES.
The keeper of a lodging-house is expected to make
the following engagement to the head or other officer of
the college, or hall, before any junior member of the
same be permitted to occupy his lodgings :-
1. I will lock the door of my house at ten o'clock at
night, and note down the hour after ten o'clock at which
any junior member of the University lodging in my
house shall enter or leave his lodgings.
2. I will deliver or send a list every morning to the
porter of the college or hall to which any such lodger
in my house belongs, in time to be by him inserted in
his gate-bill.
3. I will report at the same time to the Dean or some
other officer of the college or ball if any such lodger in
my house shall pass the night out of his lodgings.
4. I will not allow on any account a key of an outer
door of my house to any such member of tee University
lodging therein.
5. I will not supply or, receive into my house, except
from his own college or hall, a dinner or supper for any
such lodger, without a written permission from some
officer of his college or hall.
The Vinerian Professor of Common Law will com-
mence a course of lectures on the common law of Eng-
land on Tuesday the 22d instant, at 12 o'clock, in the
Vinerian school.

•
The Aldrichian Professor of Medicine proposes to
commence his next course on the practice of physic on
Wednesday, the 16th inst. Students of medicine de•
sirous of attending the course are requested to call upon
the Professor, at his residence, on or before Tuesday, the
15th inst.

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION.

SHROPSHIRE, CHESHIRE, IRELAND, BIRKEN-
HEAD, &c. &c.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Six,—Amidst all the great schemes afloat for the im-
provement of railway communication throughout the
country, the public attention appears to have rather
overlooked the vast changes which are going on in the
important tract of country having Chester for its centre.
A new and powerful community is establishing itself on
the western shores of the river Mersey, whose rising
city " Birkenhead" is at once the wonder of the age and
the nucleus of a commercial revolution which has no
parallel even amongst the enterprising people of the
United States. Birkenhead now comprises more popu-
lation, more wealth, and more elements of grandeur, than
most of our oldest and most favoured cities. With all
the advantages of Liverpool, as regards the commerce

of the world, it also possesses the same comn3unicati. n
with Manchester and Yorkshire, and a better comm.

nication with Birmingham and all the south, being
about 10 to 15 miles nearer, as far as land carriage is
concerned. This rising community of giants will soon
possess the most spacious docks in the kingdom, and it
is idle to doubt their success—the very constitution of
the company " ensures" success! Low charges, great
accommodation and facility, and an ultimate emancipa-
tion of all charges whatever, will and must command an
immense trade as long as the river Mersey bears on her
waters the commercial navies of the world! This, thee,
is the keystone of the vast structure of traffic to which
your attention is called. This new port, and these new
docks of Birkenhead will ere long possess some of the
elements of the Liverpool greatness. The communica-
tion by the river is safer and more convenient than on
the Liverpool side, as it is sheltered from the westerly
gales, and possesses the best anchorages. An influential
body of Manchester manufacturers is interested in the
success of the scheme, and will transfer much of their
business thither, to escape the great expenses of cartage,
porterage, dock dues, and the exorbitant charges for tire
insurances now prevalent in Liverpool. Not that the
commerce of Liverpool is likely to be much affected by
such transfer, since the accumulating trade of the
Mersey is becoming more and more developed, and the
greater the facilities offered on its shores, no matter
whether on the eastern or western, must tend to the in-
crease and permanence of that flourishing commerce.
From Birkenhead there is a railway to Chester, and the
merchandise and passengers brought by the vessels and
steamers which will find accommodation iu the docks
will be conveyed by rail through a tunnel to the main
line, without delay or expense, which is quite a new and
a most promising feature, whether as affecting the pros
perity of the docks or the railways concerned. Eight
miles from Birkenhead (at Hooton) the Manchester
railway will diverge from the Chester and Birkenhead
line, and a little further on (at Sutton) it is probable
that a short line will ere long be projected to Queen's
Ferry for the Welsh traffic. At Chester this important
little trunk joins a eollection of other railways whit h
are destined in a few ycars to be the tributaries to it,
and the natural channels for the great flow of traffic
which this combination of facilities will create. On the
west is the great Holy-head line, which under the foster-
ing patronage of Government will have a large convey.
ance of troops, mails, passengers, &c., besides the pro-
bable accession of summer traffic by parties visiting the
beauties of Wales er the sea coast. Next to the Holy-
head line, though not inferior in importance, is the North
Wales Mineral Railway, which falls into the former at
a mile or two from Chester, and will bring on the Bir-
kenhead line an immense quantity of coals, minerals,
&c., the value of which is almost incalculable. In coal
alone it is computed that an export trade will be rea-
lized, sufficient to pay a fair dividend on the different
railways concerned. The next important railway bear-
ing on Chester is the projected Shrewsbury, Oswestry,
and Cheshire Junction, one of the most promising little
lines in the kingdom. Its cost will be extremely small,
and taking its rise at Shrewsbury with a branch at Os-
westry, it will join the Mineral Railway at or near
Wrexham, and thus bring the districts south of Shrews-
bury into direct communication with Chester. The
next line at Chester is the Chester and Crewe, a branch
of the Grand Junction falling into the main trunk at
Crewe. This line, however, is of secondary importance,
it having hitherto been kept virtually closed by the con-
servative policy of the Grand Junction Company, whose
desire has been to prevent any traffic leaving their main
line on the Lancashire side to swell the receipts of the
Cheshire Railways. It is said also that their policy has
been to depreciate the Birkenhead Railway as much as
possible, in order to acquire it on easy terms, but by a
mere fortuitous circumstance this object has been de-
feated.
Another line projected at Chester, is the Chester and
Preston Brook, which is only in embryo, but bears a
high premium in the market. Thus the converging of
so many railways at Chester bids fair to make that city
the keystone of the traffic with Ireland, North
Wales, Birkenhead, Birmingham, &c., and from the
great saving of distance; the cheapness of the lines, and
the great natural advantages of the country, there can
be no doubt that it will tend materially to the public
advantage.
Another similar knot of railways will, ere long, pro-
bably, converge at Shrewsbury, a town admirably situ-
ated for " through" traffic. The line already mentioned
(the Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Cheshire Junction) con-
nects that town with the North Wales Mineral Railway,
from which it will receive supplies of coal, &c., for the
South, and by its means will bring the Birkenhead,
North Wales, and Irish traffic, in a straight line to
Shrewsbury. From thence, a railway, already pro-
jected, and approved by the Board of Trade, will con-
tinue this important line of communication to Dudley,
Wolverhampton, and Birmingham. Thus a direct and
cheap communication will be formed between Birming-
ham and Liverpool, via Shrewsbury, Chester, and Bir-
kenhead, the value of which can only be estimated by
regarding the value cf the Grand Junction Railway.
Another line from Shrewsbury is projected by the Grand
Junction Company, but as it offers no public advan-
tages, and is evidently dictated by the spirit of Conser-
vatism, to preserve traffic which is seeking a more di-
rect and advantageous route, it is not likely to be per-
severed in, and is discountenanced by the Board of
Trade. Other lines, however, will hereafter, no doubt,
be made south of Shrewsbury, to connect the important
traffic from Coalbrookdale, Shiffnell, Bridgnorth, Kid-
derminster, &c., with Ireland and Liverpool, and thus
the districts which surround Shrewsbury and Chester
will probably, ere long, acquire all the importance and
development which their position and natural advantages
are capable of. There is, perhaps, no feature in the
present aspect of railway affairs of such paramount im-
portance as this one. A new state of things is dawning
on these districts, and a very few years will elapse, pro-
bably, before these vast schemes and expectations are
realised, in the creation of a new and lucrative traffic
which will tend to enrich those parts of the country, be-
sides adding to the national wealth, as well as the public
convenience.

I am yours, respectfully,

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

SOUTH EASTERN LINE-WIDENING AND EXPAK
SION OF THE LONDON AND GREENWICH RAIL
WAY.

There were three petitions against this line; one from Mr. S.
James, one from Mr. Heywood, and one from Mr. Robinson Latten.
HUNGERFORD-BRIDGE AND CHILHAM, WITH FIVE
BRANCHES.

Five petitions against—from Messrs. M. Carr, Robinson Latten,
Sir Isaac L. Goldsmid, and two from the owners and occupiers ()I
property.

PADDOCK WOOD BRANCH.
Three petitions against—from Messrs. J. Ingerstein, Sir
Goldsmid, and the owners and occupiers of the land.

LONDON AND CROYDON BRANCH.
Messrs. Dyson and Hall represented the petitioners.
The list having been gone through, the Committee adjourned,

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
NOTICE TO MARINERS.
VESSELS PROHIBITED ENTERING CARTHAGENA
DURING THE NIGHT.
British Consulate, Carthagena, April 2,1845.
Stn,—An order having been issued by the Governors of
this city, to prevent vessels from entering the port during
the night, excepting when compelled through stress of wea-
ther, when they can anchor to the north of Fort Naindael,
I beg to apprise you of the same, that it may be commu-
nicated to the authorities of those ports which clear for the
Mediterranean. I am, &c.,
(Signed) C. W. TURNER,
W. Dobson, Esq., Sec. Lloyd's. Agent for Lloyds.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 16.

The SrEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
The Birmingham and Staffordshire Gas Bill was read
a third time and passed.
On the motion of Mr. WILLIAMS, the Kirwelly
Inclosure Bill was read a second time.
Mr. GREENE brought up the report on the London
Orphan Asylum Bill.
On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, the Man-
chester Division Stipendary Magistrate Bill was read a
third time and passed.
RAILWAYS.

Mr. R. COLBORN E moved that it be an instruction
to the Committee on the Harrogate and Ripon Junction
Railway Bill that they have power to make provision by
a separate Bill for the proposed branch railway to EMl-
mond, sith the bridge and approaches there" °
Agreed to.
On the motion of Lord COURTENAY, the Amicable
Society Assurance Bill was read a third time and passed.
The Hardwcll and Streadly Road Bill was read a
second time.
Mr. B. BALDWIN presented a petition from Newark
in favour of the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction
Railway.

THE MAYNOOTH GRANT.
Lord C. MANNERS presented a petition from a
Wesleyan Methodist congregation in the county of Lin-
coln against the grant to Maynonth.
Mr. BROADLEY presented petitions from the
county of Gloucester, and from the East Riding of
York, against the proposed grant to Maynooth.
Mr. MUNDY presented a petition from the county
of Derby to the same effect.
Colonel WYNDHAM presented a petition from
West Sussex, and also a petition from South-Kirk
against intemperance.
Lord DALMENY presented a petition against the
grant to Maynooth.
Colonel ROLLESTON presented petitions from the
counties of York, Huntingdon, and several other places,
against the Parochial Settlement Bill.
KcliAgreND presented petitions from seve-
gations, praying the House to
for the total prohibition of the sale of in-
prt
oaaxl: isiclrsanotGdinem. pgeSe BTnliquorsint on
C
on the Sabbath day ; and also peti-
tions against the grant to Ma3nooth.
Mr. THORNELY presented petitions praying fur
some Bill to abolish some of the Jewish disabilities.

Vv
Petitions against the grant to Maynooth were pre-
sented by Mr. Duncan, from Scotland ; Mr. Kemble,
from Walworth ; Mr. Busfsild, from Bradford ; Mr.
Trotter and Lord Pollington, from Yorkshire ; Mr.
Christopher, from Lindsay, and other places in
Linct4mhire ; Colonel Sibthorp, from Essex ; Mr. Ha-
milton, from Dublin ; Mr. Plumptre, from various parts
of the country ; and Mr. Spooner, from Birmingham.
Lord CLIVE presented a petition from Manchester
against the union of the sees of St. A saph and Bangor, and
in favour of the appointment of a Bishop of Manchester.
Also petitions to the same effect from various parts of
the country.
Mr. LAW presented a petition from the bachelors
and under graduates of Cambridge, stating their exceed-
ing regret at the grant which had hitherto been made
to the College of Maynooth. The Hon. Gentleman was
proceeding to make several observations, when he was
interrupted by the Speaker as being out of order, but on
stating that he was only condensing the substance of the
petition, he was suffered to say that the petitioners im-
plored the House not to accede to the grant.
POOR-LAW IN IRELAND. _ _ .

Lord CLAUDE HAMILTON presented petitions
from several places in Ireland, stating the mismanage-
ment of the I'oor• law Commissioners, their ignorance of
their duty, and their errors, in applying to the Court of
Queen's Bench for a mandamus for enforcing their au-
thority, which bad been refused. He also presented pe-
titions against the Educational Board, and from the
Wesleyan Society against the Church Education Society.
Mr. LABOUCHERE presented a petition from the
Caledonian Railway Company, complaining of a clause
which had been introduced into the Scotch Railway
Clauses Consolidation Bill, indemnifying the landholders
of that country against any loss of tolls on gates which
they might sustain through the course of a railway de-
stroying, a public highway.
THE MIDLAND RAILWAYS AND MR. BURKE.
Sir J. Y. BULLER brought up the report of the Se-
lect Committee appointed to investigate the matter.
Mr. STRUTT complained of a reflection which had
been cast upon a Committee of which he had the honour
of being chairman, and to whom was referred the conside-
ration of the Midland Railways Bill. It had been
asserted that the investigations of the Committee
had been conducted in a very improper and
slovenly manner, inasmuch as in going through this
Bill they did not read the whole of it, but merely
glanced over the marginal notes. Now it was hardly
fair to state this, because be believed the real duty of
the Committee was only to examine the petition of the
promoters and the objects for which they proposed to
bring in a Bill, and then to ascertain if they
had complied with the standing orders of the
House. It was then the duty of the promoters,
should it be decided that they had complied with
the standing orders, to introduce a Bill properly drawn
up, and in conformity with the objects set forth in the
petition. He did not see, therefore, how any blame
could attach to the Committee.
The report was then received.
THE GRANT TO MAYNOOTH.

Mr. GROGAN presented a petition from Dublin
against the grant to Maynooth.
Similar petitions were presented by Colonel Acton
from 'Wicklow ; by Mr. Stafford O'Brien from places in
Northamptonshre ; and by Coloutl Fox from Bethnal-
green.
Mr. PROTHERO presented a petition from a place,
the name of which we could not catch, against the grant
to Maynooth.
Mr. W. PATTEN presented petitions from places in
the West Riding of Yorkshire, to the same effect.
MAGISTRATES' CLERKS BILL.
presented a petition against several of
the provisions
CilTi'P Sof the Magistrates' Clerks Bill.
THE 'MAYNOOTH GRANT.
Mr. MORGAN presented Live petitions from places in
Wales against the grant to Maynooth.
Mr. RAIKES CURRIE presented a petition from
Northampton against the same grant.
THE MEDICAL BILL.

Lord DUNCAN presented a petition from Bath again&
,he proposed Medical Bill.
MAYNOOTII GRANT.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented three pel
. .

'ions from places in Derbyshire against the proposed
grant to Maynooth.
Mr. OWEN STANLEY said that, on Friday, he
should ask a question of the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir
R. Peel)—whether it was the intention of the Govern-
ment still to repeal the Act of the 6th and 7th of
William IV., and if it was necessary to obtain the
consent of the Crown for the union of the sees of St.
Asaph and Bangor ; and, in the event of such consent
being requisite, whether the Right Hon. Baronet was
prepared to advise the Crown to give such consent?

Sir J. lIANMEt said that on the Maynooth B

going into Committee, he should move that the second
clause, which gave the power of bequests to the College,
place, begged to ask, whe-
ther, omitted.
TEMPORAL PEERS OF IRELAND.
()int ohfisrs temporal Peer of Ireland,
Noble Lords l
tiords did not decline to vote on Mr. FERRAND, seeing. the Right Hon. Baronet the
otShne
eec
rr
,oe
rat at
more
the
erf for
late
aNt eo Irelandbo
ac-
count of the Irish Bequests Act being a contravention of
the oath of supremacy ; whether the Crown lawyers
were consulted upon the validity of this objection ; and
if so, whether be will lay a copy of their opinion on the
table of the House?
Sir THOMAS FRE M ANTLE had made every inquiry
but could not ascertain that any such circumstance had
occurred as that to which the Hon. Member had alluded.
JUSTICES' CLERKS BILL.
Mr. JERVIS said that seeing the order for taking
into consideration the Justices' Clerks Bill was on the
paper, he begged to ask the Right Hon. Baronet, the
Secretary for the Home Department, whether it was his
intention that it should supersede the adjourned debate,
or whether he intended to postpone it?
Sir J. GRAHAM said that it was his intention to
move that the Bill go into Committee pro
.formd, hut, as
it was his intention simply to carry the Bill into Com-
mittee, he did not intend to snake any further motion
upon it. Several of the clauses required alteration, and
the Government would therefore be obliged if the House
would suffer the Bill to go into Committee, in order that
it right be printed, and those alterations receive due
consideration.
PETITIONS ON MAYNOOTH.

Colonel SIBTEIORPbegged to make the motion of
which he had given notice, that there be laid before this
House a return of the numbers of petitions that have
been presented for and against the present proposal, on
the part of her Majesty's Government, of an increased
grant out of the Consolidated Fund to the College of
Maynooth in Ireland, with the total number of signa-
tures annexed thereto the above return to be
so strongly recommended by them,
made up to Friday the 18th day of April. The
Right Honourable Gentleman expressed his respect for
those who waited upon him, but he thought the Right
llon. Gentleman would show his sense of the respect he
entertained for them, by consenting to the proposition
Mr. ROEBUCK that the number of
those who signed the petitions should be specially
printed, in order that they might, as soon as possible, be
spread through the country.
The SPEAKER
and Gallant Member was out of order in moving for the
number of petitions, with the signatures attached to
them, which might be resented up to Friday next.
rose to-Order. He believed the Hon.
house
was, that the order of the day be now read.
Colonel SIBTHORP would bow with profound
The SPEAKER
re-
spect to the decision of the chair.
said that the question before the
Mr. HINDLEy said he wished to present 134 peti-
tions against the grant to Maynooth.—(Order, order.)
in order. Neither coul.l the Hon. and Gallant Officer
make the motion he sought to make at present. What
the Hon. and Gallant Officer sought for would be laid
said that the Hon. Member was not
on the table of the House in a few days, in the report of
the Select Committee on Public PetitiODS.—(Hear.)
MUSEUMS OF ART BILL.
Mr. EWART would defer his motion on this mea-
sure until after the Maynooth Bill had been disposed of.
CALICO PRINT-WORKS BILL.
On the motion of Lord ASHLEY, the House went
into Committee on this Bill pro former, and it was for-
warded a stage.
Petitions against any further grant to the College of
Maynooth were presented by Dr. Bowring, Mr. Puke,
Sir John Eastho
Mr. Godson, Mr. Caley, Sir G. Clerk, Mr. Craven
Berkeley, Mr. Colvile, Mr. Pattison, Sir R. H. Inglis
and Mr. Alderman Humphery.
Pe, Sir C. Napier, Colonel T. Wood,
Mr. HENDLEY presented 134 petitions to the same
' effect, and similar petitions were presented by Mr.

Turner, Mr. Hume, Mr. Fielding, Lord Ashley, and
several other Hon. Members.
MAYNOOTH—ADJOURNED DEBATE.
• The order of the' day for the adjourned debate was i!
then read, and the Speaker called on
Mr. HAMILTON, who said that be must certainly I
confess that it was with great reluctance, but under an
imperative sense of duty, he felt compelled to vote against
the measure. Whilst he opposed the measure he thought
it right to state that he understood, and highly appre-
ciated, the motives of the Government in proposing it—
namely, their desire to indicate kind feelings towards the
Catholics of Ireland, and to conciliate that body by what
might he considered a liberal and suitable endowment
for their priesthood. No Member in the House felt
more strongly than he did how desirable it was that the
esteem and regard of the Catholic population of Ireland
should be secured to the Government and Legislature of
this empire. No Member of the House was more
anxious than he was to see all causes of
alienation removed, and the two great parties
in Ireland holding out the right hand of brother-
hood and friendship to each other, and he would
with that feeling willingly concur in the present motion,
if it were net inconsistent with higher obligations.
And if he really thought that the measure which was
proposed by the Government would have that eff, ct
which the Govt rnment thought it would have, and if he
could reconcile it to his conscience to support this measure,
no consideration of consistency, or of the pecu-
liar position which he held in this House, should
induce him to oppose it. He, therefore, felt com-
pelled to state unreservedly the reasons which
compelled him to oppose this measure ; and he
felt it the more incumbent on him to do so, because
the same reasons had been alluded to by the Hon. and
Learned Member for Bath, not for the first time, end
had, as he thought, been misunderstood by that Hon.
and Learned Gentleman ; and because the speech of
the Right Honourable Gentleman the late President
of the Board of Trade seemed to have been
intended to contravene them. The Honourable and
Learned Gentleman the Member for Bath had stated,
and that not for the first time, his opinion that States
had nothing to do with religion. The argument of
the Right Honourable Gentleman the late Presi-
dent of the Board of Trade, and it was the
first time the Right Honourable Gentleman had
used that argument, appeared to him to amount to the
same thing, for although he stated that a perfect agree-
ment in relieieus opinions between a State and every
member of that State would be the coe,tiruFem.ti,u Of 1, .4-
tied happiness—a consummation, however, that we had
no right to expect—yet the Right Hon. Gentleman
stated, that if such were not the case, that all sects of
religion, without reference to the truth or falsehood of
their doctrines, had equal claims upon the Government.
He (Mr. Hamilton) was not ashamed or afraid to avow
that he had always thought that the consideration of the
truth of religious doctrines just as much as the considera-
tion of the truth of morality, or of the doctrines of trade
or commerce, was within the scope and responsibility of
Government. He considered that it was the paramount

cinty of every Christian State to affirm that prin-
ciple by recognising some intelligible principle of
religious belief; and if religion was something true and
something tangible, then the holding of certain religious
doctrines was essential to the truth. It was the duty of
the State certainly to protect and to tolerate every
member of the State in the exercise of his i eligious
opinions, whatever they might be ; .but yet it
was a gross inconsistency and a great dere-
liction from that homage which was due to
a truth for a State to support two systems of religion
incompatible with and contradictory to each other. It
could not be denied that theiProtestant religion is the re-
ligion of the State, and that as such it was held to be
true. The British empire and the British Constitution
were an empire and a Constitution which provided
against what were considered the errors of the Church
of Rome, and if that be so he confessed that he was
unable to di-cover how it was possible to make it con-
sistent for that State to countenance and encourage the
Roman Catholic or any other religion differing
the length of a thumb from the State Church.
The Hon. Member for Bath said that the Constitution
had nothing at all to du with religion; if that were true
they ought to unprotestantise the empire, and to abo-
lish the coronation oath as being unconscientious, and it
ought to be competent for the Sovereign to become a
Roman Catholic. He would not recognise the distinc-
tion which had been drawn by the Right Hon. Gentle-
man the Member for Newark, and several other Gentle-
men in the course of the debate, between the duties that
devolved on the Members of the House in their collective
and individual capacity. It did appear to him (Mr. Hamil •
ton) that the same duty precisely which devolved on the
State devolved upon every member of the State who en-
tertained the same opinions as those held by the State.
Gentlemen of the Roman Catholic religion may justly
ask for their religion to be encouraged and indulged—it
would display no inconsistency on their part ;
but, holding as he did that their tenets were
not conformable with God's revealed truth, he
should not think he was doing his duty if he were to
vote for the encouragement of a religion which he held
with the State to be erroneous. The Hon. and Learned
Gentleman the Member for Bath argued as if there
were some great degree of arrogance and Pharisaical
assumption on the part of those who held certain reli-
gious opinions in their public capacity, and should act on
that belief. He (Mr. Hamilton) did not think that their
opinions on religion differed in thiS respect from their
opinions on any other subject. The Hon. Member for
Bath held himself very strong opinions, and was never
very sparing of those who presumed to differ with him.
He was a great admirer of truth, both in politics and
religion ; and he could sincerely say, that he had
sought for truth in both, without reference either to
creed or party. It was his firm belief that the great
cause of truth was much more likely to be advanced
by men conscientiously standing by their own opinions,
either in religion or politics, than by exhibiting a false
liberality, which was only calculated to confound truth,
for the sake of pleasing certain parties who were
allied to error.--(Hear, hear.) The observations
he had taken the liberty of making on this subject
made it obvious that he thought the State was called
upon to encourage and promote the Protestant system of
religion in this country; but with respect to the colonies
it appeared to him to be different. Each colony in itself had
a separate constitution under separate legislatures, but,
at the same time, he must confess that he thought it the
duty of the State to establish, as far as possible,
a branch of the State Church in every one of
the colonies. There were many other conside•
ratisns which compelled him to vote against the
measure. He had already stated that it appeared to
him to be an endowment of Maynooth, and to involve the
abdication of Protestantism and the Constitution. It in.
volved the complete and whole principle of the endow-
ment of the Roman Catholic priesthood, and that
was a serious question, and one with reference to
which this House and the country had a fair right to
expect some statement from her Majesty's Ministry.
The House out ht also to consider the effect which this
measure must have upon public opinion in Ireland, with,
reference to religious matters. The House ought to re-
collect that at this moment in Ireland a great struggle
was going on between two great antagonistic principles,
sustained and supported by two rival countries.
Now the effect of this measure must necessarily be
to throw all the weight of the Legislature
and the Government into the Roman Catholic scale, and
that, in his opinion, was a matter of serious considera-
tion. It was a serious thing to consider that, whilst-
means were denied for the education of the children
of members of the Established Church in Ireland,
the Government were making provision for the
education of the clergy of the Roman Catholic persua-
sion, and at the time, too, when the great body of these
clergymen had declared themselves strong oppo-
nents of the British connexion, and while some of
these clergy were endeavouring to arrest the
free progress of religious opinion in Ireland.
The last objection which he would take the liberty of
stating against the proposed measure was, that the Le-
gislature wanted a sufficient control over the system of
education and principles which were inculcated in the
College of Maynooth. He certainly approached that sub-
ject with the greatest dislike and reluctance, and he
could assure Hon. Members professing the Roman Ca-
tholic religion that he had no intention of offending
their feelings. Nothing could be more unfair than to
impute error to others, who must be supposed to be as
justly conscientious in exercising their own judgment,
and just as anxious on this subject as he could possibly
be ; and he could assure the House that he was far from
inheriting that most depraved of all tastes—the taste of
criminating the principles of his opponents. But in a
question of this kind he thought it his duty to speak
out—he thought the country had a right to know what
the principles were which were inculcated at the College
of Maynooth. He was quite ready to admit, that if
Parliament in its wisdom should determine to endow the
Roman Catholic College of Maynooth, it would be
equally unreasonable and unfair to interfere with the
religious opinions of the Roman Catholics. The Roman
Catholics would justly expect that their religious
opinions
_ought to be respected. But he thought
that Parliament had a right to know whether their
doctrines were right, and whether any political in-
fluences, social or anti-social, were at work among them.
On a former night of the debate his Right Hon. Friend
the Member for the University of Dublin had asserted
that certain political influences inimical to the peace
of the country were at work in the establishment
of Maynooth. A Noble Lord, in replying to the speech
of his Right Hon. Friend, had accused him of imputing
to the Roman Catholics certain doctrines subversive of
the Constitution, but what was the statement of his
Right Hon. Friend ? It was, that the political doctrines
which the Noble Lord said were altogether exploded
were at that very moment inculcated and
taught within the walls of Maynooth. He was
aware that statements had .been made to the
Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, to the effect that the principles and doctrines
inculcated at Maynooth were ultra.-tramontane ; if so,
then he (Mr. Hamilton) would say they were most
objectionable, and should not be supported by
that House, because if they were, as a consequence the
ecclesiastical law and principles of the Roman Catholics
of Ireland would be dangerous to the best interests of
the British Cor stitution. He would ask, why not make
inquiry into this subject ? or was it right that the
Parliament and the country should be kept in
the dark upon it ?—(Hear, hear.) Could it be
consistent that no inquiry should be had, when in-
quiry was so much called for, and at a time when the
Government were about to endow a Roman Catholic
College, thereby giving their countenance to the doc-
trines to be taught in that College.—Hear, hear.) He
did think this inquiry was called for, and w thought
'those from whom he had presented petitions. He had
that day presented a petition from the congregation of
Harold's Cross, near Dublin, which was very strong,
but still respectful, for if it were not, he would not pro-
sent it. The petitioners stated their objections and their
grounds for them. The objections were not to the
Roman Catholic religion or the doctrines of Maynooth,
but to what was contained in their class-books, and they