The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-05 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(LAST NIGHT.)
Mr. SPENCE took the oaths and his seat fur the
Borough of Ripon.
Sir WILLIAM SCOTT took the oaths and his seat
as Member for Carlisle.

Mr, Wilbraham, the Deputy Clerk of the Crown,
reported that a double return had been made for

he City of Bath, each candidate having polled the
;lune number of votes. The election was then de-

Glared void, and a new writ ordered to be made out.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from Wexley,
in favour of the Catholics.

Colonel POWELL presented a petition from a
parish in the county of Cardigan, against the
Cat holies.

Mr. JONES deprecated the plan adopted by
the opposite party in the mode of influencing the
opinions of the people. He had just received a
letter, which informed him that in a town in Wales
there had been a packet of placards sent
over the Irish channel, and posted during
the night. The bills were of the most in-
flammatory description, as they represented Pro-
testants being roasted by Catholics. He re-
gretted that such a mode had been taken, as it was
no argument, but an appeal to the worst passions of
the people. With regard to his own opinions, he
remained unchanged, and he would advise other
Honourable Members to suspend their judgment till
they knew what they had to decide on.
Sir W. HEATHCOTE presented similar pe-
titions from the Archdeacon and Clergy of Winches-
ter ; the town of Gosport ; the parish of Holybourne,
and one from the towns of Portsmouth and Portsea.
He observed that these petitions were most respect-
ably signed, and one of them was attended with
rather a curious fact, that the meeting was called for
a counter petition, and the present one was carried
by an amendment. He added, that his own opinions
on the subject remained unchanged.
Mr. CARTER wished to say a few words re-
lative to the petitions which had just been presented.
and the observations which had been made on them.
With regard to that particularly mentioned, 10 or
12 respectable persons had advertised that counter
petitions would be prepared, and lie for signature
at some of the neighbouring towns. A requisition
was then signed by sixty or seventy persons, and
a public meeting called to get up a petition in
favour of the Catholics. The meeting was fairly
condeeted, and the amendment was undoubtedly
carried by a majority of about 5 to 4 against the
Catholics. The male population of the place
amounted to about 20,000, and both parties agreed
that there were not more than 12,000 present.
About three years ago, a meeting was called, and then
the petition against the Catholics failed, as the peti-
tion alluded to had failed in favour of them. He knew
from his own observation that two or three boys, of

.. - -
12 or 13 years of age, had signed that petition, and
that schools had been called upon to sign it. It had
also been sent to the poor-house to be signed by the
paupers. As to the number of signatures, there-
fore, he did not think that it would prove much one
way or the other. His own opinions remained un-
changed.
An Hon. Member presented two petitions from
places in the county of Oxford against any further
concessions to the Roman Catholics.

Colonel SIBTHORPE in presenting a petition
from Barkston and seven other places in Lincolnshire,
against Emancipation, said the measures about to be
introduced were so much to be dreaded, that it
was enough to make the stones in the wall cry out
against them.—( Hear, hear.)—It was idle to talk
about there being no danger, let Hon. Members but
read the history of former times, and but for one
moment reflect, he was then sure they would see
there was great danger; he had presented many
petitions, but before the measures were carried they
would be increased twenty-fold.—The petitions
were then brought up and lead. -
Mr. WILLIAMS WYNN presented a petition

from the county of Montgomery agai►ist the
Roman Catholic Claims; he must bear testimony

to the respectability of many of the signatures; but
it was almost unnecessary for him to say, that he
entirely differed with them in opinion on the mea-
rure of Catholic Emancipation, for if it was carried
he was convinced it would afford additional securi-

les to the Protestant Constitution.—(Hear, hear.)

A petition was presented from the town and
county of Southampton, against the Catholic Claims.
Lord DUNCANNON presented seven petitions
from the Roman Catholics of parishes in Ireland,
praying for unqualified Emancipation.
Sir C. BUItRELL presented a petition from
Steyning, against the Catholic Claims.
Sir F. BURDETT presented a petition from
the Dissenters of Worship-street Chapel, Finsbury-
square, in favour of Catholic Emancipation ; also
other petitions of a similar nature from Brentford ;
from Newhall, Derbyshire ; and from the Roman
Catholics of Foxton, Derbyshire.
Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH—I beg leave,
Sir, in presenting a petition from the professors of
the University of Glasgow, and merchants of the
same glace, to trouble the House with a few obser-
vations ; the petitioners, Sir, are most respectable,
and pray for a repeal of all acts imposing civil dis-
abilities on account of religious opinions. • Many
of the petitioners arc Ministers of the Church
of Scotland—(Hear, hear)—and they say they
are convinced, that removing all restrictions would
add security to the Protestant Establishments, the
blessings of which they wished to see extended to
all classes of his Majesty's subjects; such sentiments
did great credit to the enlightened views of the pe-
titioners. I, Sir, after paying the greatest atten-
tion to this important subject, am decidely of opi-
nion, that the majority of the well educated society
in Great Britain, are in favour of the measure,
I have come to this conclusion after years of the
greatest attention to to the subject. (Hear.) I am
of the same opinion as the most enlightened Cler-
gyman of the Church of Scotland, I mean Dr.
Chalmers—that the Protestant religion requires no
other weapons than those of reason and argument to
defend it. (Hear.) The petitioners only amounted
to about 300—for they did not, from various causes,
wish it to be itumeroas—they wished it to be cons
fined to the most respectable of the inhabitants. If
they had wished for numbers they could have•easily
been obtained. The petition had his most cordial
support.
Sir M. SHAW STUART begged to add his
testimony to the great respectability, intelligence,
and station of many of the gentlemen who had
signed thie petition. He was not aware, when
l,Yetimp dqwn to the House, that his Right
Hon. Friend had already receiied the petition,
and that it was to be presented this night, or he would
have requested his permission to go at length through
the long list of respectable names attached
to it, but merely glancing over the names was suffi-
cient to justify him in enforcing the assertions of
his Right Hon. and Learned Friend, and in respect.
fully assuring the House from his own knowledge
that many of the most distinguished literary cha-
racters, of the leading merchants, of the first,rate men
of business, and of the most intelligent gentlemen
of 014sgov, were included in this list of petitioners,
who earnestly implore this House to etiacede such
measures of relief to their Roman Catholic fellow-
subjects as, in the present state of the Empire,
' they may deem necessary and expedient, and he
begged to express his own cordial concurrence in the
prayer of that petition.
The petition was then brought up and read.
• sir J.; mAt_cicINTOSI-1 then presented a petition,
praying for a Reform of the Laws in the Colonies. '
Mr. BROUGHAM said it would be recollected,
that last Sessions he gave notice of a motion to
bring in a Bill for admitting the evidence of Slaves
to be received in Courts of Law; he was then, on
!account of indisposition, obliged to withdraw it, but
he would take the opportunity of stating, he should
• shortly again bring forward a similar Biil.
Sir G. MURRAY said, a similar law was at the
present time in existence in the Island of Grenada.
1 Mr, BANKES wished to address a question to

the Right Hon. Member opposite, as to the • mode
intended to be adopted to-morrow night on the dis-
cwsion of the great question which they expected.
He wished to ask whether it was intended to ex-
plain the measure in the first instance, and refer that
passage of his Majesty's speech to a Committee, or
whether it was intended to propose a string of reso-
lutions, and move for leave to bring in a Bill ? He
trusted that the Right Hon. Member would 'excuse.
the question, as he asked for the information of
himself and the House.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
replied, that it was intended to pursue the
same form of proceedings on this occasion as
had been followed on other occasions, when the
civil disabilities of the Catholics were the subject of
discussion.

PETITIONS.
Sir IL INGLIS rose to present two petitions
against religious toleration ; the one from Bolton-le-

Moor, and-the other from South Shields.

The

Hon. Baronet denied that the petition from Glasgow
spoke the opinion of its inhabitants;. and as to the
assertion that the talent of the country was favour-

able to toleration—if that were the case, he could
only say it was ignorant or uninstructed talent. He

represented the most learned body in the country.—
(Hear, hear, with bursts of laughter and cheers.)
His Hon. Friend could not point to any one profes-
sion in which he would not find that the very first
name was in favour of the old system--(laughter)--;
of preserving, he meant, the Constitution inviolate.
—He was authorised to conclude that the greater
part of the intellect of the country had remained firm
in favour of the old principles.—(Laughter.) The
rising talent was on this side, anti the Government
had neglected to bring it forward.

Mr. M. A. TAYLOR had presented a petition
of a' very contrary nature a few nights past, from
South Shields. He denied that there was any
intention to alter the Constitution, and those
that raised the cry knew it to be unfounded.

He should feel himself most degraded, as the

Representative of Durham, if he :could sanction

any such intention. _ He wished the Honourable

Member for Oxford had been content to take the

Univers'ty as he had found it, instead of talking of

the Undergraduates, and he would have found many
of its most illustrious names in favour of Emancipa-

tion. It had been set forth that the country was to
have a Catholic King and a Popish Government ;

and every artifice had been used to prevent the pa-
cification of the country. (Hear.) He was glad
that gentlemen did hear him. (Question, question,
from, we believe, Sir Robert Inglis, under the gal-
lery.) He thought the interruption of the Hon.
Member under the gallery perfectly improper, and
perfectly unnecessary. If the Hon. Member did not
like what he was saying, he was at perfect liberty to

walk out of the Houle. --(Laughter.) The idea that
the Duke of Norfolk, the E.rl of Shrewsbury, and
the three or four other Catholic Peers, could forfeit
their allegiance and betray the Constitution, was
quite absurd.

- Mr. G. DAWSON could not refrain from offer-
ing some observations to the House after the turn

which the debate upon this petition had taken.—
The Hon. Baronet, who was now the representa-
tive of the University of Oxford, had ventured to
state that all the rising talent of that learned body
. ..

was decidedly opposed to an further concessions to
the Catholics. He had been at Oxford during the
last election, and he would venture, from his know•
.
ledge of the University, to give a denial to the cor-
rectness of the Hon. Baronet's information upon
that point. [Here an interruption took place in the
debate, in consequence of a gentleman who sat on
the Ministerial Benches falling down in a fit. He
was carried out of the House 14y some Members who
sat next him.] On order being restored, Mr. Daw-
son proceeded as follows :—" Whilst I was at Ox-
ford during the late contest, I found myself with
more leisure on my hands than that which I usually
enjoy. I was invited to attend the discussion of a
debating society, called the Union—(if we heard the
Hon. Member correctly)—a society which is known
to every member of the University, and among others
to those who are intrusted with the superintendence
of the students. At that society the question pro-
posed for discussion was this—' Are his Majesty's
advisers justified in recommending to Parlia-
ment the expediency of removing the various
disabilities under which the Roman Catholics of
the empire at present laboured.' Such was the
question which all the rising talent of the Uni
-
versity was engaged in discussing; and I say that
the conclusion to which they came upon it is ell•
titled to some consideration. (Hear, hear.) The
debate upon it was an angry, a very angry debate,
and yet, accustomed as -I have been for many years
to the debates of this House, it was such us I had
great pleasure in listening to. 'What was the result
of it ? (Hear.) I will tell the Hon. Gentlemes
\silo cheer me. The result was a decision of two

to one in favour of the course recently pursued by
his Majesty's Government. (Great cheering.) Now
this is a fact, and I defy it to be contradicted. The
young gentlemen of this Club comprise, I say, all
the rising talent of the University. They have all
of them the benefit of the most accomplished edu-
cation, they are all influenced by the generous im-
pulses of youth,—they are all open to the aspirations
of ambition,—they are all eager to distinguish them-
selves in the eyes of their contemporaries,—and the.
result of their deliberations is an expression of op'
pion which proves beyond all contradiction the
in-
correctness of the information given to the Hon.
Member for Oxford respecting the bias which the
rising talent of Oxford has taken upon this particular
question. This is a fact, I again repeat, which it i 5
impossible to gainsay ; and I therefore request the
Hon. Member for Oxford to weigh his words Wgit
before he again ventures to repeat his assertien
specting the rising talent of the University of 07''
ford. (Hear, hear,) With respect to the matured
talent of that learned body, I will only say,- that
whenever the poll-book for the last election is put)"
fished, the lion. Baronet will find that it is opposed
in the proportion of ten to one,—l will not say to
him individually, but,--to the opinions of which he
is considered the representative."—(dear, hear.)
Lord MILTON.—The Hon. Gentleman who
has just sat down has given a most decisive answer.
to one of the points which the Hon. Member for
Oxford attempted to make in his speech : but there
were other points in that speech, to which, as they
were at present answered, he would beg leave to
advert. The Hon. Bart. has asked us,—.4 Are you
prepared to change the Constitution as it was estab-
lished in the year 1688 ?" Now, he would- just
venture to recommend to the Hon. Bart., who
plumed himself so much on his historic recollectioN
to consider whether the Constitption which he
qharges with a de4ign to change.---to use his OW"
phrase,--As not the Constitution of 1678, and net -
that of 1688. (Hear, hear.) That at least was the
way in which he had read the history of those times
—that at least was the conclusion N% hich he had;
drawn from a perusal of the acts of Parliament
which were passed at the close of the 17th century.
So much for the dates of the Hon. Bart. (Hear.)
But there is another point, on which it appeared to
him that the Hon. Baronet was much mistaken. it,
is not perhaps unpatural, that the Hon. Part. feturneCt •
as he had been, in triiimplii as ihe representative
for Oxford, should see no other vision floating be-
fore his eyes, save that of the talent of that Univer-
sity. He would, however, remind the Hon'i
Baronet that there was in this kingdom another;
University.—(Hear,hear.)—which, though it might
not boast, perhaps, of quite so many colleges, was
at least entitled, according to the opinion of "thl.i
public at large, to be placed op en equality with 16.
for the learning and' intelligence of its members.--",
(Hear.)—lle was sure that the individuals who
were most devoted to the interests of the UniversitY.
of Oxford—he was sure that the Hon. Baronet)
himself who had just been returned as its repreSelr
tative, would not deny that the University of Cern
bridge was also entitled to be considered as one
the most learned bodies in that land. (Hear.) 4.*
lie begged to inform the lion, Baronet (if, indee..O,pl
he did not know it already), that the University,
Cambridge had declared, if not by so large a ma'

.i°l6tY as he could .have wished, still by a majority
---andin antiquated bodies small majorities were the
first symptoms of the advanced progress which new
notions were making with the public at large—that
d.eopiniona of its most influential members were
metrically opposite to those which were stated to
be the opinios of the more mature part of the
members of the University of Oxford. (Hear.)
The University of Cambridge, he repeated, had re-
jected a petition adverse to concessions to the Ca-
tbolies by a majority of five to four. That rejec-
tion ,
-too had been made by the senior members of
the University ; and he was informed, upon authority
whielrhe could not doubt, that if that petition had
Poe to what was called the Lower House, it would
have been defeated by a majority of at least three to
one. (Hear, hear.) That statement, coupled with
that which had just been made by the Right Hon.
`Member for Derry, might perhaps, satisfy the Right
11°11. Member for the University of Oxford that his
estimate of the opinions which the junior members
of that University entertained on this subject were
not quite so correct as his information had led him
to
us ( Hear.)
YNES CLINTON felt convinced that a
great majority of the Junior Members of Oxford
;re °Prssed to the claims of the Roman Catholics.
He was-not prepared to contradict the statement of
tne Hon.
Member for Derry, further than by stat-
ling that the great body of Electors who supported
ie Election of Sir R. Inglis were distinguished by
Ifreeirsitrany. station, and independence in the Uni-
t}, .211 e word with respect to what had fallen
the One
-Member for Durham relative to the
effect wit' h ; the proposed measure would produce
.
in "ratigittg. about a change in the Constitution.
The Hon. and Learned Member denied that such a
change would be effected by that measure. Now
rthis declaration he made in the face of the admis-
ail of one of his Majesty's Ministers who had re-
ucsini
Y consented to support that measure, and
Nl'"oadtnitted that it would break in upon the prin-
"Plea of the Constitution as established in 1688. It
as not his intention to enter at that moment into
se details of the measure ; but he thought that
after such a declaration on the part of one of his
Majesty's Ministers, it was rather too much to
charge an Hon. Member with using language too
strong or too severe in speaking upon the subject.
Mr. TENNYSON observed, that if the proposed
measure was to hare the effect of changing the
tt Nstitution, as established in 1688, he would give
big most decided dissent and opposition; but he
denied
the statement of the Hon. Member for Ox-
ford, that such would be its effect. The Hon. Baro-
111eillholted'14 inn support of his argument, referred to the
Rights; but in that Bill there is no mention
whatever made of the Roman Catholics, beyond the
these
of Roman Catholics from the Throne of
realms.
The Act of Charles the Second c ex-
ludm from certain public
thered thee offices, because
such :211
.hen.a fear of a Papist succession, but no
s ',prehension was now entertained; and there-
.ore
r, the arguments used by a Noble Lord in another
lac
iade-- En a Noble Lord, too, be it remembered, who
th; !" Speaker in that House, and had also filled
Office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland—he re-
peatedthat there was no foundation for the state.
tnanent of that Noble Lord, that the passing of such
th Act Would shake the title of his Majesty to his
anr,?ae•---(Hear, hear. ) Such doctrine was absurd
,tisot worth the consideration of a moment. This
bat 4„
•nent, he understood from the public press to
a: e been made by the Noble Lord; and,
if he had
813('ken—if he had dared to make such an asser-
ITN it Was high time that the Members of that
tiease, and the people at large, should stand forth
vindicate the principles of the Constitution, as
att
"tablished in 1688, against this libel which was
etnpted to be cast upon it.—(llca")
t Lord MORPETH wished to add one supplemen-
-I,arY fact to what had been stated with reference to
iae- late election for the University of Oxford. It
tnd been stated by the Hon. Baronet recently re-
aned, thut of every profession connected with the
i'isersitY, the most eminent had voted on his side
;).vt'T question. He (Lord Morpeth) knew not
eaß'i the Metnbers of the Bar had voted on that oc-
and would, therefore, confine himself to the
UAlvetsttY of Oxford—and if the case he had to
t-."a"e out told in his favour, he thought himself en-
!tied to the benefit of it. Now he would say, that
°flit of 14 Professors of that University, 11 voted
had
Mr. Peel.—(Hear, hear.)—The Hon. Baronet
sad told the House that all the rising talent of the
country was opposed to all further concessions to the
4(man Catholics. He (Lord Morpeth) denied
that such was the fact ; but if it were so, it was
10taewhat singular that they were to be found any
"here but within the walls of that House. If, how-
"'er, such was the fact, it were pity that such
flowers were born to blush unseen,
And waste their sweetness on the desert air."
Olt J. GRAHAM supposed that the Hon. Mem-
IZ,for Oxford was alluding to the support which he
„ tt received from the Poet-Laurent, when he had
sitter ted that all who were most eminent for litera-
"e - 4ilLan science were fouri:l marshalled in the ranks
slo:le supporters of exclusion. It now happened
,E unfortunately, that that most excellent per-
N.Nage, the Poet-Laureat—and a most excellent
ht, age in private life he believed him to be—
't hated his opinions so often upon every sub-
itat was quite uncertain what opinion lie
stir entertain at any given time upon any given
hoJect.--(Hear, and a laugh.)—He had not the
t4iour•
.0
„ be in -communication with the Poets
41,rest, like the Hon. Baronet, but the information
to leh lie had received from those who were accus-
hilaed to move in the Poet-Laureat's circle, induced
te? to believe, that in spite of his recent violent pro-
-4:6" against concessions to the Catholics, he was
sne 'aelined to give his unqualified opposition to the
14,naute% to be proposed by his Majesty's Govern-
toint'alear, hear, and a laugh.) As to what fun]
by th ett hom the Hon. Baronet, intoxicated as he was
Gentle sweetness of the triumph which he had re-
achieved at Oxford, be would merely say,
of* -}," Ival not unnatural for him to form his opinion
the people of England on this
_t e sense of ques-
t;L°n fro
rn what he had found to be the sense of his
ii alostititents at Oxford. • From the position which
1,:,/lon. Baronet had advanced upon that subject,
to ,cegged most widely to dissent ; and with respect
observations on the rising talent of the coun-
Ohe (Sir J. Graham) concurred with his Noble
eollend in thinking that if the rising talent of the
p:ra.trY be unanimous in favour of exclusion, it is
whtleularly unfortunate that it is to be found every
set except within the walls of this House ; for
Ish_have yet to learn that the youth of England,
that are within these walls, is prepared to vote in
t4',Lt Mieerity in which the Hon. Baronet is certain
ue placed, if he shall divide the House upon the
thettlte of concession. (Hear.) He regretted that
111311. Member who had acted as the chairman
ti,,,,!ue Hon. Baronet's election committee should,
kilig the absence of the home Secretary from the
pt,-
.41e, have commented with such severity on ex-
tni.t;slons which he was alleged to have used in a
it v, debate. He regretted it, first of all, because
itt',.'",,irregular to
dale;alde at all to what had been
ktili'eu on a former arid, ne.xt, because it was
tins more irregular to allude to it when the party
(11, not present to afford an explanation of it.
reir,:nra bear.) However the Hop. Baronet might
re,,:ice in his recent success, he believed that every
gre"naable man of both parties would wait with the
each est anxiety to see the names of time voters for
it candidate at the late election for Oxford ; for
tholvirould be manifest, from the publication of
tia4,,,e names, that great difference existed even
members of the church, as to the course
lie Ptirsitea in tine present exigencies of the country.
tmet,vould state, in the presence of the Hon. Baro-
sihetand without meaning him the slightest diste-
el4et' that he regretted the preference which the
%hors of I Oxford had given him over the Right
Pred:,l3ecretary for the Home Department. If the
the 'iotis on die other side should come true, if
Phurch should be placed in danger, if trouble-
tlit4.titnes should be at hand, if die institutions of
tt"Setd. Should really be attacked, he should ven-
- .`°:PrOdiet that the day would not be far distant
. .

when even the High Church Doctors would regret
the choice which th y hiol reach, and the champion
whom they hal I, (l Lear.)
t"funm tempts' erit 111,Tno cum opt,vcrit emptum
tt Intact= Pall.th! 4 ; et turn cpolia iota dienit,e
tt Oderit." (He.. 1%)
"I have great east•," continued the Hon. Member,
" in speaking on this subject at present, bec.at,e the
Right Hon. Secretary is *not in the House to hear
me. I cannot boast of my friendship with that Right
Hon. Gentleman in private life. I have been op-
posed to him on almost every occasion since I en-
tered upon public life. I have not voted with him,
I believe, on five occasions since I came into Parlia-
ment. I think him, however, a really honest and
conscientious man—(lcear, hear)—and, considering
the great sacrifices which he has recently made; the
connexions from which lie has torn himself; the
public attachments which he has broken asunder ;
the private feelings of those near and dear to him,
from which he must have averted his eyes; the
dangers which he might have:created by a different
course; the difficulties which he might have aggra-
vated by merely adhering to his old system ; the
civil war which he had avoided by departing from
it; and the great public service which he has ren-
dered to the State by his manly avowal of his
change of opinion ; considering all these circum-
stances, I think that the Right Hon. Gentleman is
entitled to the very highest, praise, old to the
honest support of every friend of the Catholics,
which is all that I have to bestow.—(Cheers.)
After a few words from Mr. DUNCOMBE,

The petition was brought up and read, as were
similar petitions from South Shields, and from two
districts in Cumberland.

Sir R. INGLIS said, it was not his intention or
wish to enter further at that moment into the gene-
ral question ; indeed, he would rather abstain from
doing so. He could not, however, avoid stating the
fact, that 30 of the first class-men of Oxford had
voted for him. (Hear, hear.) He begged pardon
of the House for referring to himself, and assured
them that the statement was reluctantly drawn from
him, but it would have been ungrateful in him to
withhold it. That support was not, however, given
to him, but to the principles which he had uniformly
advocated. As to what had been said by the Hon.
Member for Carlisle with respect to the Poet
Laureat, he could only say, that he had uniformly
maintained the same opinion ; and further, that this
was the first time since 1801 that Keswick had ex-
pressed its opinions upon this great question.
Mr. DA WSON brought up papers relative to the
Miscellaneous Estimates.—Laid on the table.

Sir JOHN LOWTHER presented a petition
from Whitehaven, against the Roman Catholic
Claims.
Sir J. GRAHAM had been informed that the
Petition had been got up under the immediate sanc-
tion and patronage of a Noble Family with whom
the Hon. Bart. was intimately connected. The
petition had been entrtkted to police officers, who
took it round for signatures ; and children under
ten years of age had been called upon and allowed
to sign it. It purported to be the petition of the
merchants, tradesmen, and inhabitants of that town,
but there were also other signatures of it. There
were fourteen Harbour Trustees, of whom ten had
signed the counter petition, two refused to sign, one
was absent, and the fourteenth happened to be a
Noble Lord, at present the Chief Commissioner of
Woods and Forests ; and he congratulated the
Noble Lord on having the support of such a num-
ber of his co-Trustees in favour of a measure to
which he, as a Member of the Administration, was
now about to give his cordial support.—(Hear and
a laugh.)
Sir R. HERON presente4 three petitions from
Districts in Lincolnshire, in favour of the Catholic
Claims.

Colonel LOWTHER presented a petition from
Richmond, in opposition to the Catholic Claims.
Mr. BLACKBURN presented a petition► from
Warrington, against the Catholic Claims.
General GASCOYNE bore testimony to the re-
spectability of the petition. It was, he understood,
signed by 10,00 persons.
The petitions were severally read, and ordered to
be printed.
General GASCOYNE presented a petition from
Preston and its neightrurhood, against further con-
cessions to the Catholics. The petition had 3,400
signatures of the inhabitants of the town of Preston
and its vicinity ; and as 100 of these had keen the
supporters of an Hon. and Learned Gentleman now
in ,the House, probably that Hon. Member would
find reason when he again met them, to believe that
they were not free from the chance of a change of
opinion.

Mr. J. WOOD observed, that scarcely on any
former occasion, when he had presented petitions to
the House, or when they had been presented by
others, had he obtruded himself on their notice ;
but as this petition referred to the borough which he
represented, he trusted they would allow him to
make a few observations, and he promised that they
should be few. That the Gallant General should
be disposed to treat as a matter of importance this
petition, could be no cau,e of wonder—it was his
own bantling.—(Hear, and laughter.) It was the
illegitimate issue of his connexion with the borough
of Preston.—(Laughter.)—The Gallant General
had advertised for a petition of this sort ; and till he
had advertised for it, there had not been the re-
motest idea among the inhabitants of that borough
to trouble the House ❑pon the subject. Their feel-
ings had been gratified by the communication made
to the Parliament from the Throne. There was un•
doubtedly a difference of opinion among them, but
not such a difference as to induce the party opposing
the measure, of their own accord, to get up a peti-
tion on:the subject ; and it was only in consequence
of the advertisement which the Gallant General had
put forth, that any of them had come forward with
such zeal. The Gallant General was anxious to in-
troduce a crooked sword into the Church. Whether
he had done any thing to entitle himself to the grad-
tude of those who thought the Catholic Claims ought
not to be conceded, it was impossible to say; but when
the Gallant General advertised for a petition against
the Catholics, he (Mr. J. Wood) had taken on himself
to state, and perhaps the prophecy had tended to
its own accomplishment, that the one would pro-
duce the other, arid that petitions of another sort
would speedily be presented. Owing to the ab-
sence of his Hon. Colleague from town, a petition
agreed to by the inhabitants of Preston, and signed
by three thousand six hundred and sixteen persons,
was not presented. Among them were three mem-
bers of the Corporation, two of whom were Magi-
strates of the borough. As to the petition pre-
sented by the Gallant General, he (Mr. Wood) was
the last man who ought to show any thing like in-
attention to the opinions of any of his constituents,
2,000 of whose names were said to be affixed to
that petition. That fact undoubtedly sheaved that
a difference of opinion did actually exist in the bo-
rough ; but when he was reminded of it in the
mariner he had been by the Gallant General, he
could only state, in answer, that both his Hon.
Colleague and himself had stood forward at the
time of their election and on all other occasions, as
the friends of religious liberty to the fullest extent.
If, therefore, the electors of Preston had been de-
ceived, it was not by his Hon. Colleague or by
himself, for -they had taken the most ample pains
to exhibit to the electors what their votes would be.
It should be observed, however, that the petition
now presented was not only from Preston, but from
the country fifteen miles round it ; and he had let-
ters from individuals in the town, and from a clergy-
man of the neighbourhood, by which he was in-
formed that the instructions given to those who
were asked to sign were put into the following form
of question :—" Will you have a Protestaut or a
Popish King ?" Of course the people preferred
the Protestant King, and accordingly signed the
petition. It would, however, not only be met by a
counter-petition from the town itself, more nutne7
rously signed, but no less than thirty-two other
petitions from the neighbouring townships would be
sent up against it ; and• all these had been occa-
sioned through the getting up of this petition. The

Gallant General would therefore be outnumbered;
and while he marched with a single recruit, his
(Mr. Wood's) Hon. Colleague and himself would
have thirty-three in their train.—(Hear, hear.)
Gen. GASCOYNE said as to the petition being
his, he did not know what the Hon. and Learned
Gent. meant ; and it was no bantling of his. The
petition %vas numerously, and, us he understood, re-
spectably signed ; and it did seem to him a reason
why the Hon. and Learned Gentleman ought not to
speak so triumphantly, when he recollected that a
petition so numerously signed came from his own
constituents.—The petition was ordered to lie on
the table.

General GASCOYNE presented a similar peti-
tion from the Members of the new chapel at Ros-
sendale, in Lancashire, signed by 170 persons.
Mr. MUNDAY presented a petition of the same
kind from the congregation of St. Peter's chapel,
Derby ; another from the parish of Tibshelf, in
that county; and a third from the parishes of
Marshfield and Dodington, in Gloucestershire.
Mr. CROMPTON presented a petition from the
Protestant Dissenters of the Independent denomi-
nation at Derby in favour of concession, and similar
petitions from two parishes in Cork.
S;r W. GUISE presented a petition from the
Mayor and Corporation of Gloucester, in favour of
concession, and another to the same effect, from
193 inhabitants of Cheltenham. He expressed his
full concurrence with the prayer of these petitions.
Mr. J. WOOD presented three petitions of the
same sort from the members of the Unitarian Dis-
senters of Greengate, Salford; from the Unitarian
Dissenters of Park-street chapel, Bolton-le-Moors ;
and from the Roman Catholics of Hollywell, in the
county of Flint. The last had been occasioned by
an attempt made to get up a petition of a different
sort at the same place. From a letter sent to him,
it appeared that a meeting had been got up there,
and being composed of Welchmen, the letter of
Lord Winchilsea was translated, and its translation
was handed about among them. They then asked
what were the sentiments of any speaker that pre-
sented himself, and on being informed that they were
in favour of the Catholics, they hooted him down
at once. The consequence of which was, that as
an Anti-Catholic petition had been passed at the
meeting, the Roman Catholic inhabitants of the
place had sent up that which--he now _presented.
Mr. J. CARTER presented a petition from the
Mayor and Corporation of Portsmouth, in favour Of
the Catholic Claims.

Lord GEORGE LENNOX wished to say, with
respect to the petition, that like one already noticed
by an Hon. Baronet, it had been signed by boys
and children, and net only by them but by Roman
Catholic soldiers in the regiments stationed at
Portsmouth.

Mr. J; CARTER observed, that this must be a
mistake of the Noble Lord, as the petition was the
petition of the Corporation alone, and was sealed
with their seal.—(Hear and laughter.)—lt was well
known that that Corporation had always distin-
guished itself by returning Members favourable to
the Catholics; and he had no doubt that if any
thing should now happen to send him back to his
constituents, they would show the House that they
still continued to entertain the same opinion.
Lord GEORGE LENNOX said, that his obser-
vations applied to a petition from Portsmouth, and
having already made them, he should be saved the
trouble of repeating them when that petition was
presented.
Admiral SOTHERON presented four petitions
from as many parishes against concession.
Mr. HEMMING presented a similar petition from
Bishopstoke, in the county of Southampton. He
could but regret that he was obliged to differ from
the petitioners; no one was more attached than lie
to the Constitution in Church and State ; but he
thought the measure about to be proposed by the
Ministers was one required by circumstances, and
should therefore support it.
General KING presented petitions from the No-
bility and Gentry of Sligo; from Roscommon-
shire; and from Ballynasloe, against concessions.
Mr. CRIPPS presented a petition from Ciren-
cester against concessions. No undue means had
been used to obtain signatures to it, and he gave it
his cordial support. He could not at once turn
round and say, as some Hon. Gentlemen had done,
that he had been all his life in error; but if clauses
which he considered really beneficial should be in-
troduced into the Bill, he would not say that he
would always persevere in his present opinion.
General ARCHDA LL presented five petitions
from different places in Monaghan and Fermanagh
against concessions.
Mr. H. MAXWELL presented twenty-seven
petitions from the same number of parishes in Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland.
Mr. G. MOORE presented fifteen petitions from
the Protestants of Louth, Newry, Clogher, Cloon,
Ardshaw, Parsons Town, Kilkenny, Carrickfergus,
Antrim, and other places, against further concessions
to the Roman Catholics.

Mr. F. WEST presented six petitions with the
same prayer, from Llangothlin, Abergavenny, and
other places in Wales, and from the Welch Cal-
vinistic Methodists' Meeting in Jewin-street, London.
Mr. SHIRLEY presented four similar petitions
from parishes in the county of Monaghan.
Sir E. HARVEY presented eighteen petitions,
with the same prayer, horn Chigwell, and other
parishes of Essex.

Colonel WILSON presented a petition, also
against the Catholic Claims, from 5,000 of the in-
habitants of York, forming the majority of the Pro-
testant community of that city, and all persons of
respectability and property.
Mr.WYVlLLsaid,that a petition with a contrary
prayer had been circulated in York, which had been
subscribed by all the Magistrates, almost every
banker in the City, and a large majority of the whole
population of the City. The names in the petition
now offered had been obtained by means of every
kind, not only in York, but within the vicinity of ten
miles.

Colonel WILSON repeated that the petition he
had presented decidedly represented the opinions of
the respectable inhabitants of York. The proof of the
pudding, to be sure, was in the eating—(laughter,)
and when the counter-petition was laid upon the
table, the fact might be ascertained. A more re-
spectable doer ent had never been laid upon the
table of Parliament than that he moved to bring up.
The petition was brought up, read, laid upon the
table, and ordered to be printed.
Lord G. LENNOX presented petitions against fur-
ther concessions from the Dean, Chapter, and Clergy
of Chichester, and from five parishes in Sussex.
Mr. DUNCOMBE presented ten petitions, with,
in the whole, between six and seven thousand sig-
natures, from the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of
York, from Bradford, and eight other places.
Sir H. PARNELL presented six petitions in fa-
vour of Emancipation, and against the Sub-letting and
Vestry Acts, from six parishes of Queen's County.
Mr. H. BATLEY presented a petition against
giving greater political power to the Roman Catho-
lics fr im the Aldermen, Burgesses, and Inhabitants
of Beverley. The Hon. Gentleman expressed him-
self most decidedly hostile to concession, in accord-
ance with the main body of his constituents.

Mr. HODGSON presented a petition, with the
same prayer, from the Chapelry of Hindley, in
Lancashire.

Mr. BUCK presented petitions of the same de-
scription from the Clergy of the Archdcaconry of
Barnstaple, and from the Inhabitants of Biddeford.
Mr. F. CLINTON presented a similar petition
from Kirkham, Lancashire.
Lord CLIFTON presented petitions in favour of
the Catholic claims, from the Inhabitants of Cziuter-
bury, and from the Protestant Dissenters of the same
city. Also a petition, with the same prayer, from
Athboy, in the county of Meath.
Colonel ANON presented a petition, signed by
600 persons,, inhabitants of Great Yarmouth, in
favour of the measure of fb
rt'.. rO, 'or the moman Ca-
tholics. He admitted that a counter petition had
been got up in the same borough, and wentioned, as

a fact with which he was himself acquainted, that it
had been signed by three SOBS of three tradesmen,
who had subscribed the petition he held in his hand,
and that the united ages of the three boys did not
amount to thirty-one years.
Mr. RUMBOLI) bore testimony to the reTeeta-
bility of the signatiares to the petition n©w offered;
and it was read, laid upon the table, and ordered to
be printed.
Mr. MALCOLM presented petitions from Bos-
ton, Lincolnshire, and two others from places in that
county, against further concession.
Mr. CROKER brought in the Bill for the regu-
lation of his Majesty's Marine Forces while on shore.
It was read a first time, and the second reading was
fixed for to-morrow.

Colonel SIBTHORPE presented a petition from
the parish of Linwood, in Lincolnshire, against the
Catholic Claims.

Colonel DAVIES presented a petition from the
Protestant Dissenters of Worcester and its vicinity,
to the same effect. From deference to his consti-
tuents, he would not trouble the House with many
observations—but he would say, that no personal
consideration should prevent him from giving his
support to his Majesty's Ministers.
Mr. NORTH presented petitions from the Ca-
tholic inhabitants of two parishes in Louth, and one
in Galway, for relief from their civil disabilities.
Lord T. CECIL presented a petition from the
parish of St. Martin, Stamford Baron, against
the Catholic Cla;ma.

The Committees of Supply, and Ways and
Means, were postponed till Friday next.
On the Motion of Mr. HUME, Returns were
ordered of the number of Slaves captured and taken
-to Sierra Leone, and emancipated there in each year
since.lBQB ; also, of the Population of that Colony
by the latest return, distinguishing each class of
persons, and especially the liberate:l Africans from
the other African residents.
On the motion of Mr. HUME, a Return was
ordered in detail, under the separate heads, of the
mode in which the sum of 50,0001., voted for Pilot-
age, in the Navy Estimates for 1828, was expended.