The Sun.
London, England, 1829-02-13 00:00:00

exhibited over the house Where the Brunswick Club as-
sembled.
Mr. S. RICE bad not hitherto said one word on any
of the petitions presented to the House by Hon. Members,
and the House would easily imagine that he had net ab-
stained because he did not feel any interest in the great
question to which they related ; but he wished to reduce
his mind to that state of calmness which would enable him
to contemplate this subject with all the coolness and delibe-
ration which it ought to command. He wished to view it
without any feelings of recrimination—without finding
fault—without referring to past proceedings—and, above
all, without looking to the past for any topics that could
excite or irritate the mind.—(Hear, hear.)—He would
not, therefore, make any observations on the nature, cha-
racter, or tendency of Brunswick Clubs throughout the
kingdom, further than to say, that he trusted the Hon.
and Learned Member (Mr. Moore) would not infer, from
his silence, that he and his flan. Friends regarded the
statements which the Hutt. and Learned Gentleman had
made as being perfectly accurate. For his part. he did
not want the cause he espoused to be supported by clubs
or associations—he did net with any of his arguments to be
derived from such a source. it might be very right, it
night be very justifiable to form such bodies as had been
druded to ; all that might he perfectly true ; but still it did
not vary the nature of the question which they would
here 'her have to diseuss.—(Hear.)—He, however, would
take upon himself to say, that the stattmient which had
,ieen this evening made as to the state of the Protestant
feeling in Ireland by an Hon. Gentleman opposite (Colonel
td by tie "a.l fa- if the

Ptochiimrt), was utterly unsupportee ,y the real facts o. 4,
ease.—(Hear, hear.)—lf English Members were induced would be disrespectful to the House to club the two toge.
to vote on this question, under the idea that 49-50 tbs of then —(Hear, hear.)—Reasons might be urged against the
the Protestants of Ireland were arrayed against it, they one which would not apply to the other ; and he, therefore,
would art under a stronger delusion then had ever before thought also that the interests of both would be rather ra-
been known in that House. It had been said, that 49-50ths ther retarded than forwarded by such a conjunction. But
of the Protestants of Ireland, and s.6ths of the Protestants when the petitioners had asked and obttieed the remission
of England,- were opposed to concession. On this point of those penalties under which they laboured, they thought
he would appeal, with as much confidence now as formerly, it would be ungrateful as well as inconsistent with them if
to the Right Hon. Secretary for the Home Department, they became partners in a monopoly of which they bad be-
who knew that suel was not the fact ; the Noble Secretary fore complained, and did not express the opinion contained
for Ireland (Lord L. Gower.) short a time as he had been in the petition which he then held in his hand. The peti-
in office, al.o knew that the statement was not accurate ; tion was very short, and he should therefore wish it to be
and the declaration of the great body of the Protestant no- read at length.
bility and gentry of Ireland, which would he presented to The petition was then read, and ordered to be printed.
'his Majesty, would completely refute the assertion.— Mr. H. GRATTAN presented several petitions in fa-
(Hear, hear. )—He hoped that on this question they would your of Catholic Emancipation.
not he carried away by false scents. Gentlemen might say Mr. BROWNLOW presented several similar petitions
what they liked about Brunswick clubs ; but he hoped front various parishes in Armagh.
that the House would not allow asperity in these debates to The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER held in
divert them from the duty which they owed to the public, his hand a petition which, whether in reference to the cha-
to themselves, and to the gracious recommendation of his meter or to the number of signatures attached to it, was
Majesty.—(Hear, hear,) deserving of the serious attention of the House. The pe-
Col. ROCHFORT said that the Protestants of Ireland tition was from the Archbishop and Clergy of the diocese
were against concession, in a proportion of one hundred to of Dublin. In this body were comprised men distill-
one.—(A laugh.) guished for their learning, eminent for their talents, eerie-
Mr. TRANT said that be was not ashamed to own that retitle for their piety, and renowned for their zealous per-
he was a member of the Brunswick clubs, and the Protest- forniance of all the duties which attached to their sacred
ants were, he thought, shamefully deserted by Government. functions. Long as this question had been agitated in
A Member, whose name we could not learn, supported Parliament, this was only the second occasion in which the
the line of conduct adopted by his Majesty's Governntent. petitioners bad come forward (Hear, hear); aad on nei-
Mr. H. MAXWELL said he fully concurred in every ther of these occasions had they used any terms of hostility
thing that had fallen from the Hon. Member for Dublin. against those to whom they were in the habit of tens.ering
He gloried in being one of the founders of the Brunswick at once spiritual and temporal consolation. The petitioners
Clubs in Ireland, because they were calculated to uphold stated, that though they had long forborne to present peti-
that Constitution which his Majesty's Mieietets were now lions to that House, yet that lately the attacks against
taking measures to dissolve. the Protestant establishment in Ireland had been more
The petitions were then ordered to be printed. direct; that those attacks had been publicly professed;
Admiral EVANS presented a petition from a parish in that the establishment itself had been called a curse
the county of Wexford, praying for the suppression of the to the country ; and that they believed they should
Catholic Association, and that no farther concessions may fail in their ditty if they did not now come for-
he
granted to the Roman Catholics. After the discussion ward and pray of that House to protect, against the
which had just taken place, he felt it necessary to make a machinations of men, an establishment which, under Di-
few observations. It appeared very strange to him to be vine Providence, had hitherto flourished so prosperously.
called on to make an apology for being a Brunswicker, He was sure that the Parliament would think that the
while a Prince of-that family was on the Throne.—( Hear, petitioners were bound to ask for the protection of their
hear. )—lle confessed himself to have become a Bruns- privileges, and the Parliament would also think that it was
wicker on purely defensive principles. He catered into hound to grant that protection.—(Hear.)—On former oc-
that society, because he saw Roman Catholic combinations casinos he had agreed in the view taken by the petitioners,
around hint ; anti the consequence of those combinations namely, that the best and most effectual means to ensure
was, that every Protestant in his neighbourhood joined this protection was by opposing the claims of the Roman
the Brunswick institution on the great principle of self- Catholics ; and if, on the present occasion, he saw reasons
preservation. He had seen a declaration, disseminat- for entertaining a different opinion, it was not because he
ed for some time past, which ascribed all the ani. had lost sight of the dangers upon which he had formerly
mosity anti all the unhappy differences that prevailed in insisted, but because he was prepared with his Right Hon.
Ireland, to Catholic disabilities. But if they traced the Friend to encounter the lesser danger.—(Cheers. )--Their
effect of -those disabilities here, they would find that the situation presented them with a choice between two evils,
skill, the wealth, the scent icy, the prosperity of this and after a careful consideration he had become convinced
country, grew out of them. That which was manna that a disunited administration, and a divided Parliament,
and food from heaven in England, became poison, it were likely to prove much more prejudicial to the interests
would appear, oo the other side of the Channel. of the Protestant church than the measure which he should
For his own part, he could not see how laws that have the honour to support this Session. —(Cheers.)—
were so wholesome on one side of the water, should be He would not now enter into the reasons of this his eon-
-60 very pernicious on the other as to induce men, in order victims ; but he should take an oppot tunity on a future
to get rid of them, to compromise their Protestant occasion of trespassing upon the House by stating the
Constitution. His experience in lite seas not sufficiently grounds upon which lie had been induced to change his
extensive to enable him to reconcile this contradiction. opinions on this question.—(Cheers.)
Here wasa population of 21,000,000; of which 21,000,000 Lord MILTON was quite sure that it did not require
16,000,000 were Proteetants, and the remaining 7,000,000 the statement which the Right Hon. Gentleman had made
—(hear, and a laugh)—he begged pardon—it was certainly in order to ensure the attention of the House to this peti-
a very gross mistake, but very soon rectified—the remain- tion. He could not help seeing that a petition from such
ing 5,000,000 were Catholics. In this division of the a grave and reverend body of persons was entitled to the
population there was wealth, property, and intelligence on greatest respect and attention ; and the more so, because,
the most numerous side, and the absence of all these on during the long period this question had been under public
other.—(Cries of o Hear.")—And yet a population so consideration, this was only the second time they had pe-
infinitely inferior, both in numbers and character, had, he titioned the House.
confessed be was at a lore to tell why, effected such mighty The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—I should
things. See what they had done. They had induced the have said the third time.
Minister of the Crown to say in that House that his senti- Lord MILTON—WeII, the third time :it made little
meats on the question of Catholic Emancipation were un- difference. If this petition emanated from a deep and in-
changed, but that, from, the force of circumstances, he tense interest that Government should do nothing in 6161
felt hitnself obliged to give way. Now, he was a resident measures that would tend to subversion to the Protestant
in Ireland, and though he gave the Right Hon. Gentle- Church ; the petitioners were not only right in what they
man full credit for the purest motives, yet he (Admiral had done, but their feelings were creditable and honourable
Evans) drew a very different inference from that which to them.—(Hear, hear.) With the opinions which he
the Right Honourable Gentleman had drawn with re- was known to entertain on this question, and with those
speet to what was necessary for the preservation opinions which he wes not so well known to entertain,
of the Protestant interest in Ireland. He would say give him leave to say, that there was no question on which
that the life of every Protestant in Ireland was in danger. he felt greater anxiety than on the safety of the Protestant
Me himself had been threatened—threatened from the altar Church establishment.—(Cheers.) Deeply should be re-
by time priest ; and he agreed, therefore, with the Right Bret, if, by any step to which he had in the remotest degree
Hon. Gent. that something must be done, but he denied contributed, the Protestant religion should he in the least
that the measure in oantemplation was a proper one. He impaired.—(Hear, hear.) He seldom talked of religious
could say, that the best way to secure himself and others feelings, lie thought they were better expressed in private;
was to grant additional arms. (Loud cries of Hear.) He but there were occasions on which men might and must
thought so. And now a few words with respect to the speak ; and he believed, that if there was one man more
Catholic Association. It eves agreed on all hands that deeply and rootedly attached than another to the Protestant
the Catholic Association was a nuisance, and yet one Hon. religion, it was the individual who was now addreesieg
Member, who had suppeeted the speech from the throne, had theng--(Hear, hear.)—From this he could not help pass.
lauded that Association, and boasted that lie himself was ing back, arid alluding to the petition which had been Are-
a member of it. Now, he would ask that Hon. Member, seated by his Noble Friend (Lord John Russell) behind
who had agreed that the Association was a nuisance, who bite. He meant the petition from the Protestant Dissent-
had admitted that'it was an incubus, and that it ought to be bag Ministers in favour of the Roman Catholics. It was
cui off, how he could reconcile it to himself to acknow- with great delight that he heard that petition read. It was
ledge that lie was a member of it? He could only say impossible, as his Noble Friend had well observed, that
that, in his opinion, the Constitution was certainly de- any men could be more anxious than those petitioners to
parted from by the niesieutee which the Government had guard against any encroachments on the' part of the Roman
declared their intention of adopting. He did not wish to Catholics. If they who professed the Anglican Church
depart fruits the Constitution, aid though be disliked ex were cautious and zealots on this subject, much mere so
past facto laws, anti though what he was about to say must those petitioners he. It appeared to him that the pc
might seem a little unconstitutional, yet he would say, tition which was about to be presented had not taken so
that if the measure for the suppression of the Catholic wise and clear a view as that which had been presented by
Association were not retrospective, it would not go far his Noble Friend. But, to do the petitioners jug-
enough. —(Cries of Hear, bear.")—He contended that tice, they were in the midst of that religion, and
there were large funds now at the disposal of that body, this might be a reason for the mistake into which they
and that if the measure were not retrospective, and if those had fallen. The circumstance, however, of their being
funds were not appropriated by the Government—(Cries in the midst of that religion, under the existing state of
of " Hear, hear")—much mischief might still be done, the laws, rather incapacitated than qualified them to judge of
and therefore the 'Hemel" did not go far enough. Unless a political measure on the subject. His anxiety on this
this were done, he thought that the House had little cause question arose from the fact, that the Protestant religion
to congratulate itself on putting down the Association, as was deeply interested in it, and he thought it an insult to
far as rent was concerned. that religion and to the foundations on which it stood, to
Mr. TUITE presented a
petition from the Catholics of say, that by granting political power to the Catholics it
the parish of St. Mary, Athlone, in favour of the Catholic emid be subverted. (Hear, hear.) He could not say, give
Claims. The Hon. Member fully concurred in the send- political power to the Catholics, for they hail had jit
Mr. V. STUART--I can assure the Hon. Member, and not political
ments of Lord Bective. already. Who would say that the Catholic Association had
power ? Who could forget that it sometimes
I appeal to the House if it be not so, that I did not say the happened that injuries conferred greater political power
Catholic Association was either a nuisance or an incubus. on men than concessions could ever bestow ? Let 40. or
I did not apply those terms even to the Brunswick Clubs. 50 Catholics—though he did not believe the number would
--(Cheers and laughter.) ever be so great—find their way Within the avails of that
Mr. S. WORTLEY gave notice that on Tuesday he House, and let some dozen or a score of Catholics, though
should move for leave to bring in a Bill relative to the he was sure they would not be to many find their way to
Game Laws.—( Hear, hear.) the other House—what would he the consequence?
Lord J. RUSSELL begged leave to call the attention Danger ? No—it would be drawing the very teeth
of the House to the petition he held in his hand. It was of their grievances. (Cheers.) He did not think that the
not his intention to trespass upon the House with his own Protestant religion was made to stand fair when it
sentiments on the subject to which the petition related, was said that it could not exist without exclusions.
but be felt it his duty to state those of the petitioners.— The Protesenit religion stood on the Scriptures, and
The petition prayed for the removal of the civil disabilities on reason, and it could not he disturbed by the machinations
tinder which the Roman Catholics laboured on account of
of men.—(Hear, bear.)—He wished to speak respectfully
their religious tenets. The Petitioners were the ministers of the Catholic religion, professed, as he was sure it was,
of those Protestant Dissenters who were known under the most sincetely, by men of great piety ; bet he must eav,
denominations of Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists. that in the mass, he did not think it the best religion to
These denominations of Protestant Dissenters had been long flourish in a free and enlightened country.—(Hear, hear.)
resilient in London, having been settled in time metropolis He believed that the bad parts of the Catholic religion
ever since the Revolution ; and they bad been repeatedly al- arose out of the civil institutions of the countries in which
lowed to address his Majesty on the throne. The petition- it was professed. The Catholic religion in Ireland differed
era had last year petitioned against those parts of the test from the Catholic religion in France; the Catholic religion
and corporation acts which related to the sacramental test, in France differed from the Catholic religion in Italy ; and
and from which they wished to be relieved. He need not the Catholic religion in Italy differed from the Catholic
add, that they obtained the relief they prayed for. The first religion in Spain. However, of this lie was perfectly
act of the petitioners this year was, to return thanks to Pro- convinced—namely, that the Protestant religion stood
eidence for the favour they had obtained ; but, in the next upon a foundation so firm, that no political power with
place, they conceived it to be an act of solemn duty to ask which the Catholics might be invested could ever prevail
that for others which had been extended to themselves. against it.—(Hear, hear.)
They looked arotmd, and seeing that there were still upon The petition wits then read.—To be printed.
the statute. book disabilities of the same nature with those The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER presented
from which they had been relieved, they resolved to peti- a petition against the Catholic claims from the Bishop and

tion for the removal of all disabilities on accouut of reliei- Clergy of the diocese of Elphin. - Also three'petitions pray-
ous opinions. Itenml&bc„ only in him to state, that ins that ti,e 40-shillinir freeholders might be abolished ;
this resolution was net carried unanimously. There were that the Catholic Association might be suppreesed ; and that
83 Protestant Dissenting Ministers present, of whom abort high sheriffs taught be empowered at elections to tender to
15, he believed, voted against -the resolution. There eves, the candidates the seine oaths which were taken by members
however, au extremely large majority in favour of the re- iu the House.
solution, and there were attached to this petition the Mr. WARBURTON gave notice, that he should move
names of 69 of the oust eminent Dissenting Ministers in for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the supply of anato-
London and its vicinity. The petitioners were not, in- mieel subjects. The Hon. Member also presented a peti-
deed, rich in revenues from the profession of their religion, I tien from the Westminster Medical Society, praying that
but they were accustomed to the deep and earnest study tile supply of anatomical subjects might be taken into con-
of that religion, and they objected to the Church of sideration.
England, because it aproximated too nearly to the Lord CLEMENT S presented two petitions from Le.trim
Church of Rome. No man, therefore, could be farther in favour of the Catholic Claims. The Noble Lord said,
than the petitioners were from inclining towards the Ro- I that in the prayer of these petitions, he, as he always had,
man Catholic faith—(Hear, hear, bear,)—hut considering I cordially concurred. He had two other petitions from the
that every man had a right to the free exercise of his eon- same county, praying for the repeal of the Sub Letting
science in matters of religion, they thought it incumbent ± Act. La the prayer of these petitions he did not concur.
upon thent to express their conscientious opinion that reli- He believed that the objeetions to laws enacted for Ireland
gious tenets should be no bar to civil employment.—(Hear, frequently arose from the jealousy with which the people
hear.)—A statement had been somewhere made tiett these lof that country viewed the acts of a legislature In Which
petitioners had declared, that they bad no connexion with they had no part -..-(Hear, bear.)—He thanked troth that
the Roman Catholics, and that, therefore, it was a breach the time was new at hand when Catholics would become A
of faith in them to come forward now with petitions in part of the legislature, and have an opportunity to amend,
favour of the Roman Catholics, This assertion was nut if amendment was necessary, the laws relating to Ireland.
true A proposition was made last year that the Protes- At all events, the promised measure would hare one &stile-
tent Dissenters should join with the Catholics. He was, ble effect upon Irelaud—it would give the peorele cone-
among others, consulted upon this propositiou, and he was deuce in those who legislated for them.—( Hear.)
decidedly of opinion that they ought not to petition in con- Lerd NEWBOROUGH presented several petitions from
junction. His reasons fir this opinion were, that as there places in the county of Carnarvon, in favour of Catholic
was a difference in the degree of disabilities, and as their Emancipation.
caws stood, in many respects, upon different grounds, it PENENDEN-HEATH PETITION.

Sir E. KNATCHRULL had on a preceding evaring
given notice of his intention to offer to the attention and
consideration of the House, a petition in reference to that
claims of the Roman Catholics coining tem the county
which he had the honour to represent. He had declared'
that intention with the view of accommodating those 40,4
tlersen who were interested in this petition and in the iiro-
ceedinee of the meeting at which it was carried, any' he
trusted that the course he had adopted had afforded ant
convenience he was desirous of giving. The petitie tin
quc at nis a petition from the freeholders of the ceuray of
Kent, assembled under the auspices of the High SI, riff,
in the usual place of meeting, for the purpose of taking
the great question of the Roman Catholic claims into on-
sideration. He spoke in the presence of many gentla'nen
who were present there, when he said that a meeting satire
numerous or more respectable than the one he bad alluded
to had never on any public occasion met; and he thought
he might say with equal truth, that the discussions which
took place there were conducted with as mash order and
regularity as it was possible for discussions on a public
question to he, which take place before a large assembly of
I people; and the result of those diet:sssions was most un-
questionable and undisputed, He was quite aware, on
questions of this kind, which excite so much warm feel-
ing, that it was not pleasing to any party to admit of the
other party, that they had entirely succeeded. lie would,
therefore, be satisfied, without entering into a discussion
as to what was the precise majority in favour of the
present petition, with stating, that the High Sheriff of
the County, than whom no man could have acted with
greater fairness, declared, that the question was carried
by an immense majority. (hear, hear.) The meeting,
at which this petition originated, was held on the great ques-
tion of the Catholic claims, for reasons which appeared to
those who were instrumental in calling it to be imperative.
The agitated state of Ireland, and the course Which events
had taken in that country, were the reasons which induced
the calling of this meeting, and its object was the conside-
ration of the Catholic claims. Those who had bean in-
strumental in convenieg the meeting, had viewed for a
long time past the conduct of the Catholic Association in
the same manner as his Majesty's Government then viewed
it. They hail witnessed with alarm the collection of rent,
lied, above all, that money was sent from foreign c,:untries
to foment discord in this.—(Hear.)—They felt that, under
the,e circumstances, they would be rendering a service to
their country, if in calling for the expression of the House
of Commons, they elicited an opinion fivonrable to what
they then conceived to be the designs of •Government.
With that view the meeting was called, and the result sins
such as he had stated it. It was perfectly true he had the
honour of addressing the House under very different feel-
ings from these he had had a right to expect. Ile addres-
sed the House under circumstances essentially changed, and
under feelings of great and deep disappointment, not occa-
sioned by the persevering, and he most now add, the sue-
cessful conduct of those who had always been the advocates
of the Catholic claims, hut because they were those per-
sons with whom he had concurred act opinion respecting
that question, who, for reasons not satisfactory so him, had
changed their opinions, and adopted a different course to
which they had formerly pursned. It was not possible for
him, placed as he was, to be actuated by any other feelings,
and he did candidly confess, that he felt disappointed, not
so much on account of the question itself, as by the way in
which it was to he carried. This he personally felt as a
deep disappointment. He always opr-ci the granting
fortinr concessions to the Catholics on principle, and he
could with equal truth and sincerity declare his hope,
that if the measure should be adopted, it Might he produc-
tive of that good which was anticipated from it by ate
ad-
vocates.
It had been said in the conree of these debates,
ungenerously he thought, that we were influenced by cer-
tain purposes of our own-=that we abandoned tie Right
lion. Gentleman for purposes of our own. That had been
said on a previous evening by a Noble Lord, the Repre-
sentative of the University of Cambridge, but he
was quite sure it had not been said deliberately,
but in the warmth of argument. It was impossible
that he (Sir Edward Knatchbull) could be influenced by
any object hut one, and that was a desire to dischatee his
duty conscientiously. He desired nothing—he looked fir
nothing on this earth. There was another point which
lie wished to treat with equal fairness. He disapproved of
the course which had been taken by the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman, amid that Right Hon. Gentleman had not fully sa-
tisfied his mind, if it was necessary that the measure
should be introduced now, why it was not necessary to be
introduced when Mr. Canning was Minister.—(Hear.)—
Though he much disapproved of the course which the
Right Hon. Gentleman had taken, he did not mean to in-
isnuate that he was actuated by a love of office. He
thought it but fair to make this statement. He repeated
he thought time Right Hon. Gentleman was actuated by
cease of public duty, and by no mean unworthy motive.--
We were told that we had better give up our opposition to
the measure at once, if we found that our efforts were not '
likely to be successful. Ti this was the course which the
Members of that House were to pursue, that when they
saw no chance of succeeding in their endeavours, at once
to abandon their duty, to what inevitable mischief would
it lead?—(He-ne )—He thought, however, it was their
duty on that account to persevere the more. Protestant-
ism and the COnstitution of them country were about to be
invaded, and be would endeavour to the last moment to
defend them ; anal in the course which he and ether gen'
tlemen who entertained the same opinions should follow on
this question, he wished it might not be thought that they
were about to e4,,er upon a factious opposition. This was
a question, upon which, of all others, the sense of the
country should he taken and well understood; and he
thought it did not become them, nor would he be a party
to excite any intemperate feeling of the public. That was
not a course to which he would be a party, nor did he
think that it would be adopted by those who meant to
oppose.the proposed measure of relief. He knew doukte
of that sort were entertained, and he declared that, a' far
as he was individually concerned, the opposition he should
offer to the measure would be founded on different a in-
ciples.—(Hear.)—He Would say a word with refer ace
to the prayer of the petition. The petition was agree to
und. r. the presumption that it was supporting the s .00
of Government, and it prays the House to take care that
the Protestant Constitution be preserved entire. He had
no desire to conceal from the House—indeed, nice :of
the Members present must know—that the debat, et,
the meeting in Kent turned on the question °5
granting political power to the Catholics, by winch
was understood granting them seats in Palla-
ment; lie entertained no unkind or hostile feel-
ing towards the Catholics—be was desirous that they
should posaess every thing that the Constitution mild with
safety grant. But lie was apprehensive that if political
power were granted them, they would then Pesetas the
means to injure the Constitution which it was our deter..
urination to protect. That was the principle upon which
of
ie
oimmpe6estiinngg,thaendwh measure that
view declareditieestiiniwas argued
his intention ti atn
Government. It had been stated, that al! this petition was
'ao
signed before the delivery of his Majesty's speech to Perlin-
ment, ,it did not now express the opinions of the peti-
tioners. In that assertion there was much ingenuity, hot
lie was quite satisfied, both from his own personal know-
ledge, and by- communication with other individnale, that
no alteration-hid taken place in the opinions of the peti-
tioners since his Majesty's speech 'tad been delivered t°
Parliament. He understood that a petition of a different
nature, which was called a counter petition, was to be pre-
sented to that Home. In the county ,of Kent, as well 0
in that House, a difference of opinion existed, halt he
maintained that a large majority of the county were ad-
verse to the adoption of the Roman Catholie chines: The
itaote
meeting was attended by persons in favour of the question!
who possessed great :wealth, power, and influent e,
from this circumstance the petition, which waseadoetedi°
opposition to them, ought to be conajdered, aiaexpreseing
the opinion of the county. If these ;gen-lemen of Wealth,