The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-28 00:00:00

THE JESUITS.

Sir RICHARD VYVYAN said, that in introducing
lis subject, he would shortly advert to the history of this
,rder. Previous to their suppression they had existed as

a formidable body throughout Europe, and had grown
rapidly after their first formation by Loyola, so as to soon
become a most powerful fraternity. This power and in-
fluence they had obtained by attaching and binding them-
selves to the Papal Power in a way in which no monastic
institution had ever before been bound to it—namely, by
submitting with implicit obedience to the orders of the
Pope, in whatever he may think proper to direct. In a
short time the fraternity had become widely extended,
that besides the General of the Order, who resided at
Rome, there were twelve Provincials—twelve heads of
Colleges ; and the fraternity had been widely extended
throughout several parts of Europe. They had become
so powerful shortly before their suppression, that they
were the confessors of many Crowned Heads—they inter-
fered in the Councils of Kings—they engaged, too, and
they became so influentially established in the vatious
Courts of the Continent, that all the important secrets
of those Courts were drawn to the fountain-head of the
Catholic Religion—to the Pope at Rome. At length
they had obtained such a power and ascendancy through-
out Europe, that Pope Ganganelli found it necessary to
put down this dangerous Order, or to incur the risk of their
usurping the power and functions of the Pope himself.
After they had been abolished by Ganganelli, they
were received by the Emperor of a Northern Power (Rus-
sia), who always paid a watchful attention to the concerns
of Western Europe. He had afforded them au asylum
after they had been banished from other countries (as we
understood the Hon. Baronet). They had been also sub-
sequently tolerated in another kingdom (Prussia). After
a comparisoo of this Order with the Knights of 3lalta,
the precise meaning of which, from the low tone in which
be spoke, was not distinctly audible in the gallery, the
Hon. Baronet proceeded to state what was not generally
known—that in 1601 the Jesuits were restored in Russia
by a private 13u11 of Pope Pius VII., although the general
restoration of the Order did not take place until 181 4..
The Hon. Baronet dwelt on the dangers to be apprehended
from their persevering in endeavouring to imbue the young
with their principles; and entered into a history of their
conduct in France and Russia, but in a tone of voice so
low, and in so rapid a manner, that we were unable to
follow him. It was his intention to propose, as an amend-
ment in the clause, to substitute the words " his Majesty's
dominions" for the words " the United Kingdom." It
was absurd, at a time whets they were going to put down
the Jesuits; to exclude the Colonies from the operation of
the measure; especially at the very moment when they
were about to allow the Catholics the possession of places
of trust and power. Experience had already shewn, in
some of the Colonies, the evils resulting from the resi-
dence in them of Jesuits; and it was not probable that
these evils would be diminished should a Catholic become
a Goveronr of a Colony. After some further observations,
the Hon. Baronet gencinded by moving the amendment
just described.
Mr. F. LEWIS observed, that one of the objects of the
Bill was to prevent the increase of Jesuits in the country.
He was at a loss to conceive what ground there could
Ire for any rational fear respecting those already here,
when he reconerted that there were only three Jesuits in
Ireland. He had no partiality for the Jesuits; but he
really believed that great prejudkes existed on the subject.
With respect to the Monita Secrete, he referred to the
examination before the Commissioners of Irish Education,
of the Rev. Peter Kenney, Principal of the College of
Clongowee Wor4, a gentleman who had been examined by
the Commissioners on three days, and whose candid
answer 4 to all the questions wl4it Were put to him were
in the highest degree creditable to him, at fact which he
(Mr. Lewis) might appeal to his Hon. Colleague ftear him
to confirm. Mr. Kenney having stated that the Institutes
of the Order of the Jesuits was contained in two
volumes folic, with a copy of which he should have
no difficulty in fornishing the Commissioners, was
asked if there were were any inatruetiorte, admonitions,
or suggestions, given to any class pf the members
of the society, other than those contained imp those teo
volumes? His answer was, " Every thing—admonition,
ins:ruction, and rule, arid every legislative enactment or
ordinance, are contained in these volumes. Perhaps the
question has referemee to a little pamphlet, or publication,
that is called the .31;mtta Recrete. lam quite prepared
to say what is my opinion of that wp3... Whoever looks
for any pat t of the contents of that work in the rulie and
constitutions of the society will be greatly disappointed.
consider it, and I declare it to be, as far as my know-
ledge goes, # false, infamous, and malicious libel ; such
a libel as n.o one Charitable man ought to impute to
another, without having /the fnlle.et evidence that the
atrocious imputation was merited.-" He hail thought it
his duty to state this, in order that the Jesuits miht nos,
labour under a false imputation. The only Jesuit Cnstitp-
tions in the country were those of Stonyhuret and Clan-
gowptswood. When the individuals at the head of those
Institutions p'ere gone, there was security in the Bill that
there would be no plya,
Nr. LESLIE FOSTER entirely concurred with his
Icon. !friend in what he said of Mr. 14ermey ; .70 that he
was pet feetiy.con,w;nrcd that the MOnita-Secreie was what
that Gent. had described if to be. As had been justly ob-
served by time Hon, Member Coe Pprowell, in proportion
all France and the other countries of the Continent got rid
of the Jesuits, they would, If permitted, pour info this
4.w.vntry. If we thought it beneath our dignity to inter-
fere with :hem, they would rapidly increase. Their aole
object was to rii.-sLe penverts. In proportion, therefore, as
they were conscientious tiny ",.7pre dangerous.
ls~r. Secretary PEEL wished time pion. Member for
Cornwall ty state his proposition respecting the 6ens.„,tic
Institutions, that the whole subject might be discussed to-

eether.
Sir I VYVYAN wished first to asceri4lo if it were the
pleasure of the Honse that the provisions of the
extend to all his Majesty's dominions.
Mr. PEE!, would state generally what he considered
to be the policy of the enactment in ,q.yestion. That policy
was to reconcile justice to individuals with the object of
preventing the spreading of the institutions to wlkich they
belonged. He concurred with the Hon. ileinbtr for
Cornwall in considering that it was the policy of a Pro-
testant state like England to follow the example of Ca-

tholic states, and to take precautions agft'inst the Jesuits,
and more especially that the free institutions of England
should not be endangered by allowing this country to be the
resort of the Jesuits driven from the Continent. But in
taking this precaution regard ought to be had to the just
rights of individuals. He would ask, in the first place,
what was the existing law with respect to the Jesuits and
to monastic institutions? The House should consider
whether the Jesuits who were in this country were not
here on the faith of the law, and if so, whether more
could justly be required of them than that they should be
registered ; and that their number should not be increased.
He apprehended that the state of the law in England and
Ireland was this ; in Ireland there was no law directed
against the Jesuits, or any members of monastic institu-
tions. He did not know what existed before 1793, but
there was nothing since in the law prohibiting the residence
of the Jesuits in Ireland. In England, since the Statute
of 1791, not only was there nothing to prevent the resi-
dence of the Jesuits, but it gave to Catholics who took the
oath prescribed by the Act expressly a power to belong to
that Order. In support of this opinion the Right Hon.
Gent. read an extract from the Act of 1791 ; and showed
that it relieved the individual Jesuit from being prose-
cuted, and left the law respecting monastic endowments
as it found it. In his opinion, although policy re-
quired an interdict to any addition to the number
of Jesuits, it would be a harsh measure to deprive
any of those who, on the faith of the existing law, had
taken up their residence in this country of their right of
remaining. The present Bill left the law as it found it re-
specting Monastic Institutions. It required that the Je-
suits already here should be registered, so that Govern-
ment might have a full knowledge of their number. It
interdicted the admission of any more who were not Bri-
tish subjects. If any British subject, who, befinv the
passing of the Act, had professed Jesuitism, wished to
come to this country, he was allowed to do so on regis-
tering his name ; but that privilege was not. to be so ex-
tended hereafter. As to the Hon. Baronet's proposition
for extending the provisions of the Bill to the Colonies,
he begged to observe that some of the Colonies were
placed under peculiar circumstances. Canada, for in-
stance. He did not exactly know, but he believed that
in Canada the Jesuits were suppressed. He doubt-
ed, however, the expediency of any interference with
the Colonies on the subject. The whole scope of the 13111
would be, that all monastic endowments for the purposes
of education would be absolutely prohibited. The Mem-
bers of the Orders of the Jesuits, or members of other
Monastic Orders, would be required to register themselves,
and cautions would be taken against their increase. In
1800, in consequence of the troubles in France, the great
resort of foreign regulars to this country attracted the at-
tention of the Legislature, and a Bill was passed very simi-
lar to that now before the House.

After a few words from the SOLICITOR-GENERAL, the
Amendment was withdrawn.

Mr. PEEL said it had been a question whether the
words " under his Majesty George Fourth" would extend
to future Sovereigns. He would now move to insert the
word. " or his Majesty for the time being."
The Amendment was put and carried.
Mr. PEEL said that it had appeared to him to be the
prevailing opinion on the preceding night, that a power
ought to be given to Government to allow individual Mem-
bers of Monastic Orders to reside in England for a limited
period. He had drawn up a clause to that effect. The
clause was—" Provided it he enacted, that notvvithstdnding
anything herein before contained, it may be lawful for the
Secretary of State, being a Protestant, by license in writing,
to grant permission to any Jesuit or Member uf Monastic
Institutions to come into the United Kingdom, and remain
there for any period not exceeding he apace of six calendar
months ; and to revoke the license so granted before the
expiration of the term so specified. And if any such
person do not depart the kingdom within twenty days after
such 'evocation, every person so offending shall be judged
guilty of a misdemeanour, and banished for the term of
his natural life. And be it enacted, that there he laid before
Parliament an account of all such licenses."

Mr. HUME said that it appeared to him that the clause
moveyed a great reflection on the good sense of the House.
He knew of no class of men to whom the world was more
indebted than to the Jesuits; they had been useful through-
out Europe, and the dangers apprehended from them were
at an end. The Government ought at least to have the
power of renewing the licences. He considered the
whole of the exclusion clause with respect to the Jesuits
as unworthy of the House.

Mr. TRANT rose, but was inaudible from the cough-
ing of the Members.
The clause was read a first time.
Mr. HUSKISSON thought the period of licence ought
to be extended beyond six months.
Mr. PEEL said, that unless a power were given to
grant licences for life, he did not see where the limit
could be fixed better than he had fixed it.
Mr. MONCK said a few words.
Sir J. SEBRIGHT regretted that the Secretary of
State had not the power to renew the licences.
After a few words from Mr. W. HoaToN, the clause
was read a second time, and carried.
Sir R. VYVYAN said, wherever the Jesuits had been
in power they had always done something against the liber-
ties of their fellow men. He denied that they had been of
such eminent service in literature.—(Cries of " oh !")
He would propose the following Clause with reference to
the Jesuits :—" No Jesuits, or members of Monastic Or-
ders or establishments, should be allowed to act as school-
masters.—(Laughter.)—And if, after the space of six
months after the passing of this Act, any Jesuit should be
guilty of such offence, and legally convicted thereof, he
should forfeit and pay 2001., or be imprisoned till the fine
was paid. And if he should be convicted rf a second of-
fence, he should pay 5001., or be imprisoned till the fine
was paid ; and on the third conviction be banished for the
term of his natural life. And OR proof that any young
person had been educated in any such establishment in the
United Kingdom, such establishment should be forthwith
dissolved."
Mr. TRANT seconded the motion.

Mr. PEEL said that the Act 0i1791 gave the Jesuits
the right of keeping schools, on tiking a certain o%th, and
registering their names with the Clerk of the Peace. The
House ought to stand on its good faith with the Jesuits,
as well as with every body.
After a few words from Mr. Mowcx, Mr. P. THOMP.•
SON, and Mr. HusxissoN, Sir R. VYVYAN withdrew his
clause.

On the motion that the report he engrossed,
The House then divided, when the numbers appeared
to be—

Ayes
Noes
Majority --127
The Bill was then ordered to be engrossed, and to be
read a third time on Monday.
Mr. HUME moved for rteturns of the number of per-
cons pon fined in the Gaols of the Metropolis for non•py-
ment of their fees.—Ordered.

The other Orders of the Day were then disposed or, and
the House adjourned at a Quarter before Eleven o'clock.

PRESENT TO MR. T. COOKE.—Thursday
owing 9 Meeting of the Gentlemen composing the Band of
the Drury-lane 'theatre was held, when a splendid silver
epergne, weighing seventy-eight ounces, was presented to
their leader, Mr. T. Cooxi. The inscription ran thus :--
.6 Respectfully presented by the Band of the Theatre Royal,
Drury-Lane, to their Leader, THOMAS COOKE, Esq.,
piieptor and Composer of the Music, in testimony of their
high adintratuoi: of his pipits, and grateful acknowledg-
ments of his kindness ma all uceasio-04, 182 P, weighing
seventy-eight ounces silver.—Artist, B. SMITH, 12, Duke-
street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, under the direction of Mr.
GOMEN.SON."

GREAT SALE OF HORSES.--Yesterday, at
the Branch 3r ard, iti. Grub street, Finsbury, the valuable
stud of horses, the property of 111$,ssr3r W4Tganousz and
Son, the great coach pkoprietots, were bri.ufilit to thp
hammer by Mr. ALEXANDER. The yard was crowded by
gentlemen of rank and respectability, dealers, and coach
proprietors 7 • and in the course of the sale some very
r.,;rited bidding occurred, so much anxiety being evinced
Ai: the posse-t;an of many of the horses. The breed and
thorough metal of the,horns f?elpiiglng to Messrs. WATER-
HoLsx; has long been cnott•r!, anif consequently great rul-
of which had run in
4i
L.
wasN pIRc manifestedppa
sm te:lepli
tit obtain::l:sac:l:ms:: oilfe:t:gn.c ,o
o'clockl collection. ci
brtiiyno
janp7 :
ttelly
ia./
emr:
rtee dfl4i rcirnrntgi°llb'a;l °e
celebratedml for trotting. The
Tally-ho, and others of the fastest coapi,„ on tie nßrthcrn
a. tion, until nearly five
11'.'"'Rome of
exposed for sale are
o'clock ;
lansialudn;epr western
5,..
o,
..4 „,,,„?? 7,,e-es the emulation of the bidders, that
ap,ei4d
emrdo:n:ll,y,si.ih of Stghorenemi
jet ofan ti
several of the horses sold at reniarP.ably fine prices. The
i.; to 46 guineas.
general average of prices was from 2,. to 79 gut4itai,; ard
nany ..f the coach horses brought from S
:There were aboui. forty of the stock sold, "and the sale will
be renewed, it is expected, in alipi4, four weeks. After
the conclusion of thelorse sale, Mr. A.t,filinxic dioi;o4ed
a several lots of harness at aremarkay
cheap rate. The
sale upon t4e who
le wa? an important one, and the put'
chants had the gond fortune, in a)most every case, to
meet with valuable barguaa,