The Sun.
London, England, 1829-01-19 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENiNG, JANUARY 19, 1829.

DEVONSHIRE ANT!-CATHOLIC

MEETING.

This much-talked-of assembly, which has exciited
a greater interest in this and the neighbouring coun-
ties than any meeting for some years, took place on
Friday, in the Castle-yard at Exeter ; and it may,
without exaggeration, be said that a more numerous
attendance of the rank, wealth, and talent of the
county has seldom been witnessed. A very suk,
stantial building was erected in front of the Court.,
house, capable of affording atcortiniodation to a large
number. Some of the leading men were loudly
cheered by their friends as they made their appear-
ance. Amongst, those who were thus greeted were
the Duke of Somerset, and his son Lord Seymour,
Lord Ebrington, Lord John Russell, Lord Morley,
Lord Rolle, Sir 'l'. Acland,&e.

In a felt days will be pnbliabed,
EMARKS on some • of the Important
ARRORS contained in Mr. BADNALL'S PAM-
.
PHLET, entitled " A View of the Silk Trade."
By JOHN BALLANCE.
Printing-for 3. M. .iticharaton, Cornhill; and Ridgway,

The reqdisitionists, or no:Popery party, were ranw-
ed at the right of the hustings. The Liberal party
took place on the left. The same distinction of
parties took place in the yard, Acre large placards
with the words the Protestant side"
~pointed out
to the multitude as they arrived the Station it
.was.,
intende4*ey should take....
On the Liberal side, left the Sheriff, we obi
served the Duke of Somerset; Lord Seymour; the
Earl of Morley; Lord Eoringdon ; Loid Ebring-
ton ; Lord John Russell ; Lord Clinton ; Lord
Clifford; Hon. George Fortescue, M.P.; Hon. and
Rev. John Fortescue; Hon. Newton Fellowes ;
Hon. Robert Clifford ; Sir Thomas Dyke Acland,
M.P.; Sir Thomas Baring,- M.P.; Sir Bourchier
Wrey; Sir M. Masseh Lopes; Sir John Kenna-
way; Sir George Bampfylde ; Sir A. Chichester;
Sir H. Davie; Right Hon. J. Abereromby, M.P.;
Albany Saville, of Oatlands, Esq.; Edward Lee,
Esq. late M.P. for Waterford ; Messrs. Fettowes,
Wise of ford, Wyse of Mount Wyse, Wrey, and
Harding; Colonels Seale, Pell, and Blakeney;
Calinady Hamill), Thomas Northmore, William
Courtenay, Dunn, Stanley, Cary, Davie Bassett,
Rodd, Flartopp, James Butler, Horatio Townsliend,
A. G. Tucker, LL.D., William Nation, Henry
Woolcomhe, Ilum. Weld, Jasper Parrott, J. A.
Frampton, and Theism& Barnes, Esqrs.; Captains
Louis and Hodgson; Rev. Chancellor Martin;
Rev. William Martin, his brother; Rev. Mr. Barker,
of Silverton ; Rev. J. P. Jones; Rev. Henry Acton;
and the Rev. J. Manning.
A ral on the anti-Catholic side, or the right, were
1.. u. di Itolle and Exmouth, Sir L. V. Palk, Sir W. ,
T. Pole, Sir Thomas Lethbridge, Colonel Drake,
Captain Bastard, L. W. Buck, Esq. and S. T. Keke-
nich, Esq., the Members for Exeter, E. P. Bastard,
Esq. M.P. for the county; H. Holdsworth Kitson,
H. Lott, H. St tidtly, the Rev. Dr. Collyns, the Rev.
James Dennis, the Rev. Mr. Lyte, and some 10 or
50 other clergymen.
We may here observe, that at the commence-
ment of the proceedings there were about ten thou-
sand persons present; but they continued to increase
for two hours after the business of the day had
begun. There were, we think, at one time of the
meeting fourteen or fifteen thousand persons present.
At a quarter before twelve, the High Sheriff (W.
LANGMEAD, Esq.) arrived in his carriage, -and was
greeted with enthusiastic cheers by all parties. Pre-
cisely at twelve, silence having been obtained, the
High Sheriff addressed the Meeting, enjoining it
to tranquillity.
The requisition was then read, and the Sheriff
proposed to read letters from Lord Mount Edge-
cumbe, Sir Trayton Drake, and Mr. C. H. Clifford,
apologizing for their absence, but the meeting, to
save time, declined to hear them.

THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.
In a few days will be published,
A VIEW of the CATHOLIC QUES-
TION, as it relates to IRELAND.
By:a NORTH of IRELAND MAN,
" None age, quid, nostrum concentuin divide, midi,"
Horace.
Printed for J. 14. Richardson, 23, Cornhill.

A FEW WORDS OF OBVIOUS
ZIL. TRUTH ; or, the Authenticity of a part of the
/12ptismal Gm-mission, &c.
13y a UNITARIAN BELIEVER in the DIVINITY of

Mr. FURSDON then presented himself, and was
received with mingled applause and hisses. He
began by saying that he entertained no hostile feel-
ing to his Roman Catholic fellow-subjects, but he
deprecated the granting of political power to a body
of men actuated by principles such as the members
of the Roman Catholic church were known to en-
tertain. (Here the uproar, which had been gradu-
ally gathering from the first commencement of Mr.
Fursdon's speech,' rose to its highest pitch, so as
completely to drown the speaker's voice.)
The HIGH SHERIFF, after having attempted in
vain to obtain a hearing for Mr. Fursdon, then ad-
dressed the meeting--" Gentlemen, I beg leave, at
this early stage of the meeting, to inform you, that
if I see anything like clamour, if I observe any im•
proper attempt to prevent the fair discussion of the
regular subjects which this meeting is called on to
consider, I shall instantly distolve the meeting."
(Great applause, and " Bravo.")
Mr. FURSDON then resumed•-.He said, that what-
ever other merit the petition possessed which he was
about to introduce to their notice, it certainly had
the virtue of moderation. With a view to obviate
all objection to cavil, it bad been written and revised
over and over again. Indeed, so moderate was it,
that he should hare thought it unnecessary for him
to do more than barely read it, were it not that he
found it necessary to say a few . words. He could
not consent to give political power to persons ac-
tuated by the religious principles of the Catholics.
He then went on to state that the Catholic Associa-
tion, an illegal body, had marshalled the Irish people.
A short time since there were no less than 30,000
men assembled together at Clonmel ; then, again,
some two ennimers ago, there was a rebellious camp
at Macroon, which, from its proceedings, kept all
Cork in a state of terror. At Ballinamore, the
creatures of the Association commenced a rebellion ;
then, again, at •Ballybay similar proceedings took
place; and in fact it was probable that at that
moment Ireland was in a state of civil war. After
some further observations in the same strain, ho
concluded by moving that the following petition be
adopted :
" To the Honourable the Commons of the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament as-

sembled.
" The humble petition of the Fru,loll:re and Inhabitants
of the county of Devon, adopted at a County Meeting,
convened by the High Sheriff, anti hell at the Cagle of
Exeter, the 16th day of January, IBM shoiveth—
" That your rtitioners feel themselves called upon. under
present circumstances, to declare their unshaken and unal-
terable attachment to the constitution of their country, as
establishyl at the glorious revolution. in 1658, and their
firm determination to uphold it, being convinced that it af-
fords the best and only security for their civil and religious
liberties.

" Tbat your petitioners disclaim, in the strongest man-
ner, every wish to withhold from any body of men, any
privilege which can be safelyintrusted to them, and heartily
eori::ur in t!,:t wisdom of those measures which have restored
to his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects security of person
and property, and the most nnlimited.religious toleration;
but, ever mindfril that the constitution of theme realms is es-
sentially Protestant, they humbly conceive that persons pro-
fessing the doctrineaad principles of theßomish church can-
not, with safety, be entrusted either with legislative or high
executive power in this Protestant kingdom.
" Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your
honourable House will, in its wisdom, refuse to sanction
any law which may tend to weaken or destroy the bulwarks
of our Protestant cnszitution in Clowch and State as now
by law estrblisi,cd. And your petitioners will ever pray."
BAI.DITIN FULPORD, jun., Esq., in coming for-
ward to second the petition, said—The claims which
ireare called on to grant are
trot matter of tolera-
tion;
in. ore of establishment than toleration. No maxim
is more generally received than the right of the ma-
jority to withhold from the minority such powers as
might b© exercised to their injury; and I conceive
'the admission of 50 or 60 Catholic members to the
House of Commons cannot be allowed wiih safety
to the Constitution. (" Certainly not.") Mi. Furs-

don concluded by repeating the last clause of the
petition. The petition having been read,
';'ho Earl of Mont 47 came forward, and was re,
ceited by a very conSiuerable di fleet-
ing With applause. He then addressed them as
follows :—Mr. High Sheriff and Gentlemen—ln
spite of the 300 or 400 names appended to the re-
quiSition, it is impossible not to feel, that the county
of Devon is this day assembled contrary to that ex-
ample of moderation and forbearance which has been
held otit, with cite exception?, by the other counties
tngland,—contrary, es I in my conscience believe,
to the general sense of this county. • .
[Here the confusion, which indeed prevailed to a
considerable extent during the whole time his Lord-
ship was speaking, was carried to such a pitch as to
oblige him to pause for a short time. During this
interval, the High Sheriff; after vainly inviting the
mecting-s,Or rather the portion 'of it to his right
hand-s-again threatttned) that in ease they persissed
in the interruptions which had proved so mconves
fluent to the order of the proceedings, he should cer-
tainly dissolve the meeting.)
The Earl of Motsusv, as sOoti as partial Silettce
had been restored, resumed his address t Gentles'
men, If lam starry for-this thCetlng tiking plaee, thy
regrets are founded on the belief that the question
might have better been left to the Legislature, ansl
to the effects of a q-uarter of a century's discussion
of its merits. I should indeed divide mv opposition
to it into three points. In the first place, I stand
here the attached. friend of the Constitution as esta-
blished In church and state. Secondly, I, from the
best consideration which I could bestow upon the
subject, honestly and firmly believe that the church
and state, and more particularly that the churith, are
placed in imminent hazard of destruction by the
12 wint!-tion .cf the ruinous and oppressive laws
which I am anxious to repeal.—(Cheers,
with a cry w hich we may say was continuous from
the right side of the meeting, and prevented his
Lordship from being audible beyond a very inconsi-
derable distance from the hustings.) Thirdly, I beg
to say, that it is my intention to submit a resolution
which proposes to leave this great matter to the ex-
clusive consideration of the Legislature. HI run
asked why, since I am impressed with the urgent
necessity of a repeal of those unfeeling laws, I act
thus, my answer is, that I adopt this course be-
cause I am convinced—nay, indeed, I know—that
' if this petition be carried, a serious national cala-
mity will eriene.—(Cheers,, mingled with groans.)
A great deal has been said respecting the Catholic
religion. No one, I dare say, entertains personal hos-
tility to a Catholic gentleman ; but still we are afraid
of their religion. lem not here to defend the Ca-
tholic tenets : they may, for ought I know, be
wisdom itself, or they may be the greatest absurdi-
ties in the world.; they may be accused of denying
the existence of the sun or moon, or of believing that
two and two make fire. With all this, Gentlemen,
surely we have nothing to do; every man is en-
titled to civil rights, in a free country, who has not
committed an offence whereby he has incurred the
penalties of the law; every man is the_ keeper of
his own conscience; and so long as the laws are
observed by the subjects of a state, they have a
right to be excepted from penalties, either directly
or indirectly inflicted. (Cheers.) And, Gentlemen,
in what age, and in what country, is it that I am
called upon to defend the principle of universal civil
and religious liberty ? Can it be that here in Eng-
land at this timesof day, it is necessary to maintain
such a principle; awl can it be, that in the expres-
sion of such a sentiment, before a British audience,

it is a matter of doubt whether I shall be received
with applause or disapprobation ? (Loud cheers.)
[From the right side. the low but persevering cry,
which was uninterruptedly maintained now for up-
wards of half an hour, again proved triumphant over
the efforts of the Noble speaker to make himself
understood; he had to pause for a few minutes
until comparative silence was restored.] Gentlemen,
it is said that the benefits of emancipation will only
affect the higher orders of Catholics, and that the
lower climes of that community feel no stigma to
arise from the existing disqualifications. Again
let me demand of you, in what country
is it that I
,am speaking? Is it not the glory
and the boast of our peculiar constitution, that it
opens the path of honourable and responsible office
to every man, however humble his rank may be in
the State ? (Immense cheering.) Have we not
had instances, and tliat recently too, of men raised
from obscure station to the very highest civil ho-
nours ? And are the Irish differently constituted
from all other men ? Are they insensible to those

rewards and d!stinctions, the influence of which is
recognised by every other description of subjects ?
(Repeated cheers.) But it is said we will give to
the Catholics the fullest toleration, but we will
withhold from them political power. Good God!
can men undeistand the meaning of words who re-
peat this language? Can they persuade themselves
that five millions of men, with education, with pro-
perty, with franchises, as they pcssess, can be des-
titute of political power? The Catholic gentlemen
have power; they hare enormous power; but at
present that power is used; not for the State, but

against it; and be you assured of this, that so long
as you continue the system of oppressive law, the
Catholic population of Ireland must remain a source
of weakness, instead of being that source of
strength to the empire, which, by other arrange-
ments, undoubtedly it might be made. (Cheers.)
An Hon—Friend who spoke before me alludes to the
danger of Catholics having power in the Legisla-
ture; and he expresses his opinion to be, that their

admission to Parliament would be the means of aug-
menting their influence in the State. Now, arguing
from analogy, I believe it will be found that where
the interests of any separate class are amalgamated
with those of the other classes of the Empire, their
influence will he diminished. Let one of their
members be brought into the House of Commons,
will he not there find his proper level ? He will be
heard, be answered, and, if he deserves it, be ridi-

culcd, as other Members are. Gentlemen, there is

from America, and another is expected to arive
from France ? Do gentlemen remember these things,
andobove all, the effect of the.question upon our
finances, of which I shall now endeavour to give you
some yid, taken scam a pains to inform my-
self upon this subject, and nCv7 state how
the account stands. The number of sqsare aerds
in Scotland and Ireland is nearly equal. The po-
pulation of Scotland may be estimated at 2,300,000,
—that of Ireland at 6,900,000. The army in Scot-
land amounts to 2,107: the co .t of that army to
the Sinn at SI,000!: per anntum The army
in Ireland amounts to 30,300: the east et that
army is 1,300,000/. Therefore, keeping up the pro-
portion upon the tame *tale that governs the amount
of force, as compared ivith the .population, Ireland
pught to require no. more. than 6,000 soldiers, the
Cost of which, at the present: scale, would he
240,000 f. perannum : so thatyou perceive 1,060,0004
is aiiiinatly taken front the 'pockets cf this country
for the maintenance of this detestable system in ircs '
hind. It has happened to be my lot, more than
ofice, to receive from this county petitions to Par-
Bement, and meervials to
.Government, for the pur-
pose of rtpfniiingivlat tax on coals carried coastwise,
and the ansiver, froth Cloveritrunt -alttays has been,
that this tax was so productive, that, comiatent
with the interests of the revenue, it could not be re-
linquished. The revenue derived from this tax
amounts to 803,000 f. a-year ; therefore, by a short
calculation, you will perceive that you pay, for the
maintenance of this -system in Ireland, 260,000/. a
year more than the amount of the tax levied on
coals carried coastwise. (here great interruption
from the right, and cries from the left, " Ah, they
don't like to hear that, it comes home to them.") I
never will, I promise you, present any more petitions
of that description from this county, a.al I shall tell
the ministec that thy gentlemen of ore otter
happy to have the coal-tax continued. (Caughtt:
and applause.) One word with respect to securities.
A gentleman asks, will the Catholics grant securi-
ties ? As a member of the Legislature, I must repel
the feeling which this question would dictate. As
a member of the British Legislature, I cannot con-
sent that the Crown or Parliament should enter into
any negotiation with any class of subjects, either
Pre testant 'or Catholic. That Parliament will adopt
the course which is best, I have no doubt ; and I
trust that all enactments of the legislature will be
cordially, as I hope Government will take care that
it be implicitly, obeyed. In conclusion, I can only
observe, that if you pass this petition, you will be
planning discord throughout the country, in defiance
Of that example of moderation and forbearance all the
other counties have held out : you will be giving an
instance of intolerance which will produce mischief,
and you may invite the attack against you of foreign
powers, which, under other circumstances, would
admire your wisdom and respect yonr power. The
Noble Lord concluded by moving this resolution :
, " That although this Meeting views, with sentiments
lof apprehension and of the deepest regret, the discontents
which prevail amongst a large portion of his Majesty's sub-
jects, they do not feel themselves called upon to offer to
Parliament the expression of any particular opinion, as to
the mode and manner by which such discontents had best
be allayed, but willingly trust to its wisdom to adopt such
measures as shall most effectually establish peace and tran-
quillity within the United Kingdom."
W. COURTENAY, Esq. (Deputy Clerk of Parlia-
ment), seconded the Resolution,
Mr. HOLDBWORTU thought that the designs of
the Catholics would not be confined to the obtaining
of mare emancipation, but that something else still
remained for a more serious nature to be aimed at.
The speaker then took occasion to advert to the
letter and contribution of Lord Ebrington to the
Catholic Association, and expressed himself in strong
terms against the proceedings of that body, denying
the truth of the assertion made in the letter alluded
to, that the peace of Ireland was to be attributed to
the influence of the Catholic Association.--(lse
concluded his speech amidst much applause, mingled
with hisses.)
Lord EDRINGTON then presented himself, and
was received with mingled approbation and groans.
The clamour continuing an unusual length, his Lord-
ship good humouredly observed, " Gentlemen, I
wait your pleasure." Silence being in some mea-
sure restored, his Lordship proceeded. I address
you as a freeholder of Devon, and I hope that the
freeholders of Devon will hear me. (Applause.) I
address you, as having a family property in Ireland,
and in that capacity I have a light to exercise a
sound judgment upon the state of that unhappy
country, respecting which I think I have is my
possession as good and authentic information, at
least, as the gentlemen on the other side, however
respectable they may be. (Still great confusion.)
I must appeal to the fairness of the freeholders. I
should suppose that every man is entitled to a fair
hearing. It is now five years since, for the first
time, I fixed my residence for a considerable part of
the year in my family property in Ireland. I went
over,, doubtless, favourably impressed on the subject
of Catholic emancipation, from a conviction of its po-
licy and justice; but, after five years' experience of
the country and the people, I returned back, I will
not say confirmed in my former notions, but con-
vinced beyond doubt of the paramount necessity of
the measure which we are here advocating. I am
perfectly satisfied, and I can have no interest in de-
ceiving you, for I have property in both countries,
and therefore possess a stake in both, that unless
you contemplate—(groans from the right)—a sepa-
ration of Ireland from Great Britain—(great inter-
ruption again from the same quarter)—unless, I re-
peat, you contemplate the separation of Ireland lions
England, you must emancipate the Catholics.
(Great cheering, mingled with,groans.) I tell you,
that if you dq not give emancipation to the Catholics
of Ireland, that fair portion of the British empire,
with its brave, intelligent, and, if treated with kind-

one point on which lam anxions to detain you a
moment. Lord Cornwallis, Lord Hardwicke, and
Lord Camden, went over to Ireland with strong pre-
possessions against the Catholics. What happened
—were they confirmed in their opinions ? On the
contrary, all their habitual impressions, all their an-
tecedent convictions, were destroyed by the light
which broke in upon them during their experience
in (Loud cheering-.) I myself have heard
Lord Anglesea, in 182.% maize, in the of
Lords, a speech inimical to the Catholic claims;
now hold in my hand a letter from the same Noble-
man, in which he distinctly states the peace of the
empire depends ou the settlement of the question.--
(Here the Noble Lord, interrupted by the increased
clamour of the right side, was under the necessity
of discontinuing his address for a few minutes.)—lt
is easy for gentlemen to state that they dislike the
Catholic religion; but why look at the question in
this particular view? Are gentlemen aware of the
numerous bearings of this great question ? Are
they competent to pronounce so unhesitatingly, upon
a subject having so many important tendencies ? Do
they remember how it constantly embarrasses the
Monarch in the choice of his servants?--how it
paralyzes business in every department of Civil Go-
vernment.? Do they remember how it bears on our
foreign relations, and Presses on our finances and
matie relations ? Are they aware how foreign
States regard us, with relation to this question ? Do
they think of the fact•that a contribution of tents has
lien within the last three months_ sent to hvlind

PRICE 7D.

ruption was given to, any person' from this side..''
(Loitd tedes of " Sheriff; Sheriff, do your duty.")
The InGlf 61101rr then entreated the meeting
to hear Lord Ebringtoo. -
Lord EBRINGTON proceeded—He pttiinitY4 nc ttfl
honourable man, if he believed that Catholic efilfii.;
dptttien would endanger the Protestant church, he
would rather ell the evils and calamities which
he apprehended from a cor;i!htr:s sestirse. He would
go further, and say that though he Issish the
funds of that church to be more equally distribuftdi
he was willing and anxious to leave to the excellent
ministers, who generally discharged their duties in
so eitemplary si menner, the full enjoyment of all its
possessions in England; The church of Ireland
stood on a different footing, and he Would hot innult
the clergy of England by putting their useful lee
hours in comparison with those of their Irish bre-
thren: His- own parish in Ireland—and there were
hundreds of others similarly situated---presented an
iiistatice Of a Protestant clergyman without a church,
without a parsonage, or a single Peotestant.inhabi-
taut, except when his (Lord Elsrihgton's)lowit fa-
mily resided there. (Hear, hear.) He did not be-
lieve that such a state of •things could be acceptable
to the clergy of riglend, or that they could wish
to einbarls•bi the same boat with • their Irish bre-
thren ; and if the lash clergy were only known to
their parishioners by the exaction of their tithes, it
was, perhaps, better than their presence among
them when they kad no duty to perform. But it
WRS worthy of notice, that no petition had ever
been presented from the Roman Catholics for a par-
ticipation of the revenues of the Protestant church ;
on the contrary, \shell, in 1825, a Bill was in
progress for paying the Roman Catholic clergy,
it was only a matter of doubt whether they
would receive the provision it was intended to give.
Ind no* lid would say two or three words on the
subject of the Catholic Association. He certainly
r,t originally approve of the formation of that
hotly, nor should he have joinedit now if he had
not seen other societies formed in this country and
Ireland, professing indeed a regard to the consti-
tution, but. using language so harsh, violent, and
intimidating, that he considered it his duty to unite,
as many respectable Protestants had done, with the
Catholic Association. He would say more,—that
to the Catholic Association was due the credit of
preserving the peace of Ireland at this moment
(cheers and disapprobation); they taught the peo-
ple respect to the laws, and helped the poor man
against the oppression of the rich. It had been said
by a late Lord Chancellor of Ireland now 'icing
(Lord Redesdale), that in Ireland there was one
law for the rich and another for the poor, and the
honourable member for Somerset would allow that
Lord Redesdale was no radical. (" Hear," from Sir
T. Lethbridge.) It was on those grounds he sup-
ported the amendment ; he rejoiced that the meet-
' ing had been called, whatever might he its result,
for he had been always a friend to assemblies of the
people, and should be ever proud to be present at
the meetings of this county. (Cheering.)
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE, M.P., next addressed the'
meeting, and after paying a tribute to the public and
private virtues of the Noble Lord tsho preceded him,
observed that he believed that Noble Lord was la-
boering under a fatal delusion with respect to the
Catholic Association. (Cheers and laughter.) The
Hon. Baronet then proceeded to denounce the great
i,ma.ts of the Association as traitors to their country;
and to con:end that public safety required that that
body should be put down. In conclusion, he ob-
served, the Noble Lord says that the Catholics never
asked for the revenues of the Church; but though
they have not asked it in direct terms, the whole of
their views are directed towards it, and they say
that ours is the usurpation, and if they got into Par-
liament, the Mother Church shall gain the ascend-
ancy. Mother Church I I call it the most horrid
of all step-mothers! (A laugh.) May you, by
your spirit, keep yourselves from her maternal hugs ;
and there is only one way to do it—keep round your
Sheriff on all public occasions. (Much confusion.)
I have notes here which would keep me till I should
be at home, 30 miles distant, but as you are anxious
to come to a decision, and there is no novelty in the
case, I will conclude by saying that you have done
rightly in assembling here, as men, and as Britons,
to declare that the laws of England shall not be
changed. (Loud cheering.)
J. W. BULLER, Esq., (Downes) was anxious for
an opportunity of expressing his deep conviction of
the wisdom and necessity of conceding the Roman
Catholic claims. (Great uproar.) He concluded
by moving, as a second amendment, the following
petition :
" Your petitioners are exceeded by no part of the King's
subjects in their sentiments of loyalty to the throne, and
attachment to the great principles of constitutional liberty,
which are happily established in the United Kingdom.
" Your petitioners view with apprehension and with
the deepest regret the discontents which prevail amongst
his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects, from the operation
of laws excluding them, without sufficient cause, from vari-
ous civil offices, and from seats in the Legislature.
" Your petitioners are most desirous that a settlement of
this long-pending question should be effected ; but they
feel it is impossible that this can be accomplished otherwise
than by restoring the Roman Catholics tol the privileges
from which they are at present excluded, since there never
cm be a settlement of a question, whilst it is the unceasing
interest of many millions of disqualified individuals to agi-
t toe it.

Your petitioners pray that your Honourable House,
having due regard to the interest of the Protestant consti-
tution as by law established, will settle the question in this,
the only way in which it can by possit.ility be settled—thus
consolidating tl,e power of the country, strengthening the
constitution, and relieving the empire from the exhibition
of the degraded character of a divided people."
Lord SEYMOUR seconded this amendment.
Mr..l. P. LYON next addressed the Meeting, but
very little of what he said could be heard, lie de-
precated any further concession to the Roman

ness, its grateful and affectionate population, instead -Catholics.
of beiog,aS heretofore, the nursery, the inexhaustible Lord SEYMOUR next presented himself, and was
nursery for your soldiers arid seamen, will become loudly greeted by that part of the assembly to the
thestrong-holdand the placeofstrength toyourenemy. left of the hustings; but the uproar from the other
Of this lam convinced, and unfortunately this, too, is side was so loud and continued, that only an occa-
the conviction of many foreign Powers; for unless sionul sentence of his address could he heard, ex-
the continental states to which I allude were aware cept by those who stood next to him. We under-
of some festering sore being found in your body stood his Lordship to congratulate the friends of
politic, unless they discovered some point of weak- civil and religious liberty on the triumph which
ness in your political system, do you think they ever they had obtained, and which was so strongly dis-
could have slighted this country as they hare (lone played by the repugnance of their opponents to hear
•n recent occasions? (Cheers.) I ask of any man the appeals of argument and reason. The whole of
who reads the newspapers, if ever ti.i.!?e Iviis a
.heir arguments, such as they were, had been rc-
riod in the modern history of ot.r country, when her fined, and haring no chance of success on that
influence on the continent was reduced to so low an groenl, they had recourse to clamour.
ebb? And when we hear gentlemen talk of net
The confusion here became so great that the
being bullied into this, and
the other, is it not better, Noble Lord withdrew from the front.
I ask, to he bullied into an act of kindness and
The Rev. 11. LYTE, of Brixham, offered himself
affection, of conciliation and grace to your country-
men (for the inhabitants of Ireland you
_Sir yo afidst cries of "Hear him." " Off." " Question."
Sir Thomas Acland came forward at the same
would admit to be your countrymen), than be bug-
moment but the Sheriff decided that the Reverend
lied in consequence of the alienation of that people,
Gentleman had first caught his eye. The uproar
—ay, and when the hour of danger will come, as
now was tremendous. Sir Thos. Acland observed,
come it soon will, be bullied, I repeat by those
!ions of the continent who are jealous Of your power, " Hear Jr. Lyle, or I have no chance." Sir T.
Aeland often attempted to address the meeting, and
J .ealous of your prosperity, jealous of your victories,
jealous, above all, of your free constitution, and as often the Sheriff requested silence in vain.
Who, therefore, only wait a favourable opportunity to
lay your liberties at the feet of foreign despotism ? to dissolve the meeting or adjourn the discussion
Sir B. WnEv-111r. High Sheriff, I call upon you
(Great cheering.) [The noise on the right side
we will not be put down by an organized faction.
new became SF) inconvenient, that it was impossible The UNDER-SHERIFF proceeded to read the
for the Noble Lord to proceed.] At length, amendment, but could not be heard.
Mr. NEWTON FEL:Loma rose and appealed to the Sir T. ACLAND said, if my constituents are what
Sheriff,. Mr. . Sheriff,• you will allow," he said, 1 thought them to be ten years ago, they will not
I." that this is not correct; not the slightest inter-, refuse to bear their County Member on a question

•
upon which he has heeti:4llallesiget, --(The up:ear
,was renewed.)
The limn SHFRIFF again rropmed to put the
question, hut was called upon by the pro-Catholirs
to dissolve or adjourn the meet,ng.
At this moment a placard was exhibited on the
right, " Protestants, stop and sign the petition."
Upon which Sr Thomas Aclan:l observed, " That':;
tmetake: they mean to stop Cie deliberation, anti
that's the way they will lose their cause."
Sir THOMAS AcLAND said-1. am informed by the
Sheriff that lam in possession of the meting. I
throw myself on your protection, and I complain
that the freeholders refuse to hear their county
member.

The MOH SHERIFF—I exceedingly regret that
persist, it is my duty to pat the question.
you will not hw? Sir Thomas Aeland; and if you
(Cheet,
and disapprobation.)
Mr. FAZA/CURLEY—III consequence of the turnta-
Otte state of the meeting, I move that this meet-
ing be firlkgrned.
Lord Jolitt tj4Kgt.L said—l second the motion..
The flon. ost FrI.I.OITEB complained that
the amendment had not hem ?nerd, and the Untkr
Sheila proceeded to read it.
The Sheriff rtes proceeded to put the arne.rci‘ont
(that of Lord Morley), but so great waa
tisfaction of the Liberals at having the disc°.
closed without haying heard tilf.n,e who II isheel
addreFs them, that very few of them voted in the
first instunte (we may say not one in ten); many of
them-loudly-protested against the unfair conduct of
their opponents.
The show of hands by the No-Popery patty
evit.ced a majority against the amendment, and the
Sheriff so declared it.

The amendment of Mr. Buller WU next put, anti
;also Ittotired.. Nearly the NI hole of the liberal
srtf-voted on this occasion, awl apyearf4l to. us so-
be out-tiumbered by their cpponents in the: propoi-
tion of three to two. -

The original petition was th►+n, put and rarritd
amidst loud cheers of that party.
Sir Witi, TEMPLER FOLK Inol ed that the Right

Hon. Lord Rulle be requested to present the peti-
tion to the House of Lords, and Cerit the other to tbe
House of Commons be presentee by Edmund Pot-
lexfen Bastard, Esq., and Sir Thtmas Dylce Adam!,
Bart., the Members for the Cinney.
Seconded by Mr. ARUNDEL HARRIS, and tarried
by a very ierge majority.
E. P. BASTARD, Esq. should be most happy to
present and support the petition.
Sir Tuoetee AtLAND then came forward, amidst
loud noise, and said—Gentlemen, if yon possess the
common feelings of Englishmen—if you are realty
the freeholders of Devonshire, such as I recollees
you to have been, you must hear the ; you have
heard the debate, and I have given way to your un-
fairness. I have allawed the amendment to be put
end regatived. I have permitted other- motions to
be submitted, and you have called upon me to per-
form my duty towards you, when you would not 4u
a common duty, as between man and mart. I will do
my duty towards you in plesentirg your .petition it,
conjunction with my Hon. Friend and Colleague, but.
I will not support the petition. (Tivineudona Hproar.)
It woold have been a vain task tc-day to address arc
Assembly so disposed as you hart ehown.yourselece;
but you have rendered me most effectual assistance
by !giving the cause which I eopeuse a weight and
importance which no talents or exertions of mine
could have imparted to it. (Much clamour.) You
Imre sati.fied me and the country that I am right;
for that must be a sinking anti degraded cause
which will not render justice to a man who has, a
right to be heard. And now, ladies and gentlemen,
who hare presented certainly a ereet but not glori-
ous majority, though you have riot heard my senti-
ments, I leave you neither in sorrow nor in angtr,
.and bid you all a hearty farewell. (Through the
address the utmost confusion prevailed, from the
impatience of the Meeting.)
W. A. H. ARUNDEL HARRIS, EN., moved, and
the Rev. Mr. LYTE seconded, a vote of thanke Lis
the High Sheriff, which was carried by acclamation.
The SHERIFF, in acknowledgment of the compli-
ment, said, that he felt exceedingly obliged for the
attention which had been paid ter the business of
the day; for, with a few exceptions, he had Dever
witnessed a popular meeting conducted with more
decorum. (Loud laughter, and cry of "Do you.
call such conduct as that of the re.her (No Popery)
side decorous ?")
It was almost dark before the business of the thy
ended.

On leaving the'cnstle Lord Cliff: Id Was surrounded
by a large portion of the yeomanry, who gave him
three hearty cheers. Idis Lordship shortly addressed
them, 'and assured them, howeve, much he felt gra-
tified at this mark of their attention to him, he was
happy in the opportunity of asa.,ring them that he
supported the petition moved by Mr. Buller, and
seconded by Lord Seymo,ar, not so much as a Ca-
tholic Question, but as a question of civil and reli-
gious liberty; that attempts wer" made to-persuade
the people that the object was t," introduce the Ca-
tholic religion among them : it 'eas no such 'Ling.
What they said respecting the Catholic religion rds
totally void of foundation, but the question was a
Protestant one, for civil and religions liberty was a
Protestant principle, and that was the principle. they
were met that day to support. The crowd followed
his Lordship to the New London Inn, when he
again addressed them, and they quietly dispersed,
again giving three hearty cheers.