The Sun.
London, England, 1827-02-13 00:00:00

HEDON ELECTION.

The SPEAKER informed the House, that the
reeoguizances on the petition of Robert Farrant, Esq. complain-
ing of an undue Return for the Borough of Hedon, were upon
the Table.

The SPEAKER also stated, that he }Ad received
from the Clerk of the Hanaper, in Dublin, a list of Barristers to
take evidence on Contested Elections in Ireland.

Mr. CURTEIS presented a petition for a Bill to
Light Brighton with Gas.

DENBIGH ELECTION.

The SPEAKER informed the House, that he had
received in writing, from John Amlet, Esq., a declaration, stating
that he did not intend to defend his return for the Borough of
Denbigh.
Mr. PENDARVAS laid upon the table a petition
from the Owners and Occupiers of Laud near Glasgow, for a Pro-
tecting Duty upon Corn.
Mr. R. KING presented a variety of petitions in
favour of Emancipation, from Roman Catholic Inhabitants of Fer-
moy, Kilwoith, High Ross, and other parishes in the county of
Cork--Laid upon the Table.
THE CORN LAWS.
Mr.. LOMBE presented a petition, praying for the
continuance of the present Corn Laws, from the farmers in the
habit of attending Arundel market.
On the question that it do lie on the table,

Sir T. LETHBRIDGE, seeing the Right Ho-
nourable Secretary for the Home Department in his place,
was desirous of obtaining from him some information as to the
time when the question of the Corn Laws was -likely to be
brought under the consideration of the House. Such a feverish
anxiety prevailed throughout the country with regard to that ques-
tion, that he believed much mischief would be occasioned if it were not
speedily agitated in Parliament, or, at least, if the intentions of
Ministers on the subject were not made known. He knew that
the Right Hon. Secretary for Foreign Affairs was exceedingly ill,
and it was not likely that he would be in the House on the day at
present appointed for the discussion of the question, namely, the
19th inst. Under these circumstances, he wished to know whe-
ther the question waa to be postponed to an indefinite period, and
in that case he would propose that something like the substance
of the resolutions (if resolutions they were) which Ministers in-
tended to bring forward should be laid on the table of the House.
He could not conceive that such a proceeding would have a preju-
dicial effect on ' the subsequent discussion. He hoped the Right
Hon. Gentleman would have the kindness to afford the House
some information on the subject. _ _

Mr. PEEL said he had intended, even if not
called upon by the Hon. Baronet to have addressed a few words
to the House with respect to the subject to which its attention
had been drawn, Nothing could have been more fixed than the
determination of his Majesty's Government that the question
should be brought forward on the day for which it was at present
fixed. The fulfilment of the intentions of his Majesty's Ministers
had, however, been prevented by the unfortunate illness of his
Right Hon. Colleague. It was now ascertained that the Right
Hon. the Secretary for Foreign Affairs would not be able to at-
tend in the House on the 19th inst., without at least the danger
of a relapse, and he (Mr. Peel) therefore felt it necessary to post-
pone the order for bringing forward the question until Monday,
the 26th of February. If at that period the indisposition of his
Right Hon. Colleague should continue, which► at present there
was no reason to apprehend, the propositions of Government re-
specting the Corn Laws would nevertheless be submitted to the
House at all events.

The Order for the 19th inst. was then, on the motioa of Mr.
Peel, discharged, and fixed for Monday, the 26th inst.

THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.

Mr. C. WYN N---hoi:Ciiiattile same reason which
had led to the postponement of the question just disposed of, would
also induce the Hon. Baronet opposite (Sir F. Burdett) to post-
pone the important motion of which he had given notice (respect-
ing the Catholic claims). Perhaps he would postpone it to the
Ist of March.

Sir F. BURDETT acceded to the suggestion of the
Right Hon. Gentleman ; and, on his motion, the order for the
22d instant, was discharged, and fixed for the Ist of March.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE CRIMINAL LAWS.
Mr. PEEL gave notice, that as the 22d inst. would
now be an open day, he would then move for leave to bring in a
bill for the consolidation of the Criminal Laws.
Colonel ROCHFORT presented several petitions
from the Protestant inhabitants of various parishes in the county
of Westmeath, against any further concessions being made to the
Catholics.

Mr. R. GRANT presented a petition from certain
farmers in Banffshire against any alterations of the Corn Laws.
Colonel LINDSAY presented a petition from the
Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Dundee, praying
that the House would take the subject of the Corn Laws into
consideration.
Lord GEORGE LENNOX presented a petitiOn
from certain owners add oefipiers of land in the western division
of Sussex, against the importation of foreign wool.
General DUFF presented a petition from the incor-
porated trades of the borough of 41gin, praying for a free trade in
corn.

Mr. MAXFIELD presented several petitions from
Renfrewshire, praying that Parliament would facilitate the means
of emigration.
THE COURT OF CHANCERY.
The MASTER of the ROLLS gave notice, that
he would on Tuesday next (as we understood) move for leave
to bring in a Bill for the regulation of the Court of Chancery.__
(Hear, hear.)

CATHOLIC PETITIONS.
Mr. R. MARTIN presented several petitions from
Catholic inhabitants of Galwayshire, praying for emancipation.
Mr. VILLIERS STEWART presented a petition
from the Roman Catholic Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese of
Waterford, praying for Roman Catholic. Emancipation. The Ho-
nourable Member stated that he should not accompany the peti-
tion with any remarks, unless he had been instructed to do so by
the petitioners. The proportion of Roman Catholics to Protestants
in the county of Waterford was as 23 to I. In other countries it

was still greater, so
.that nothing less than the prayers of a Julien
were offered up in support of the measures the House was, now
called upon to sanction by its approbation. When it was also
considered that the largest proportion of landed proprietors.were
in favour of Emancipation, it would be seen that few. questions
were so backed as this. This circumstance showed how utterly
false was the charge of apathy on the part of the Catholics. They
had shown they knew their rights, and knowing, dared assert them.
The Catholic Priests had certainly taken an active part in the
present" ;question, but was it not a sufficient excuse when
any one considered the light in which they were regarded. They
still cherished the recollection of the obstacles which bad been
thrown in the way of hearing mass. The lion. Gentleman then
proceeded to vindicate the Catholics from holding doctrines which
' were incompatible with the Constitution. He said that the im-
putations to that effect had been circulated by designing men.
The Catholics had been charged with impiety, in believing that.
their Priests could, of themselves, absolve their flock from the
guilt of mortal sin. Secondly, With encouraging sin, in pro-
viding an indemnity for sin by means of indulgences. Thirdly,
With holding the doctrine that they may he exempted from the
obligation of an oath by means of the Pope's dispensation._
Fourthly, That they maintained a divided allegiance. And,
fifthly, That they were not bound to keep faith with heretics.—
From all these accusations he unequivocally -vindicated the mem-
bers of the Roman Catholic persuasion, upon the authority of the
Roman Catholic hierarchy of Ireland. Having explained these
points, he was sanguine enough to hope that justice would ulti-
mately be done to the principles of the Catholics. He besought
the Legislature and the Government to pause fot a moment, and
contemplate the present posture of affairs. He would remind the
Government that they were now on the verge of a wer-3-,-a
which, if it once broke out, would, according to the Bight Hon-
ourable Secretary for Foreign Affairs, be one of the most tre
mendons that ever took place in Europe. And if that war was
to be a war of opinion, he would ask where the conflict was more
likely to he attended with worse conseqtrencealhan in Ireland,?—
That country groaned under font.. centuries of persecution. Her
annals, through.every page, might.he traced in blood—in deeds of
greater atrocity than ever disfigured the history of any nation on
earth. There civilisation was slow and intermittent in its pro-
gress, whilst poverty and desolation strode the land. He would
ask if such had been the consequences of an oppreasive syeteiri
would it not be politic to try the effect of a conciliating course
Why was it that the distant population of our colonies, Niho dif-
fered from the Established Church—why was it that the Catholics'
of Canada acquiesced so peaceably and contentedly in the doNri-
nion ? Why, but because to them we had extended the blessings 64
equal laws and common rights. Let them, then, treat the Irish
Catholic upon the same principle—let him be considered as on a
level with his fellow-subject of the Protestant faith--and, being
amenable to the same laws, let him be eligible to the same offices
Then would the Irish Catholic approve himself a Object as 14{4
and true as could be found in any part of the 'dominions. He
moved that the petition be brought up. He also presented seven'
• similar petitions from different parishes in the county of Wear-
ford. They were read, laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed.