The Sun.
London, England, 1829-02-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(LAST NIGHT.)

The SPEAKER took his seat at four o'clock.
Mr. fIOBHOUSE presented a petition from the inha-
bitants of St. James's, Westminster, praying for more per-
fect regulations concerning Parish Vestries. It had ex-
cited great pain among the parishioners,"to find that the
present regulations were ineffective. The petition con-
tained many alleged misappropriations of the funds of that
parish, which the petitioners averred that they could trove,
and which misappropriations they would continue, uulesa
some alteration was made in the system.

Mr. DOWNIE brought up some reports from the Edin-
burgh Gas Light Company, preparatory to a Bill for rais-
ing a sum of money fur the further prosecution of their
object.
Mr. Alderman WAITIIMAN presented a petition from
the Inhabitants of St. Dunstan's parish in the City of
London, to enable them to pull down the present clium.h
of the said parish, which was in a very dilapidated state,
and to build a new one. It was in contemplation, in the
event of this Bill passing, to make such alterations us
would tend to a great public improvement.
Lord STANLEY and Mr. N. CALVERT presented
petitions relative to the Repair of certain Roads.
Sir J. MACKINTOSH rose to give notice of a motion
whirls lie should have given notice of before, but as
his Majesty's Speech had appeared to give such gratifying
and universal satisfaction on the first day of the
Session, he slid not like to he the first to bring any
part of that speech into discussion, or injure the temper of
the House in considering that which was certainly the
greatest of all public questions..--(Hear.)—He had also
delayed this notice, because he was loth to show that he
differed in opinion on any part of the conduct of his Ma-
jesty's Ministers, who hail now brought before them one of
the happiest measures that had ever been introduced into
that House since the Bill of Rights.—(Hear, and cheers.)
Ile was still desirous of adhering to that pacific principle
upon which he had acted, and would endeavour to avoid in-
terfering with his friends in supporting the measure which
he considered of national benefit to the country. Ile
hoped in the little tranquillity which the House might
enjoy, for he saw fearful preparations made to disturb it,
in the interval between the conclusion of the discus-
sion of the Association Bill, and the proposal of the Eman-
ciption Bill, that that little tranquillity would afford him an
opportunity of listening to the calls of humanity, and draw-
ing the attention of the House to a part of the Speech
which had hardly been noticed. He therefore gave
notice that on Thursday the 19th inst. he should move
for the production of certain dispatches, reports, and
other documents concerning the relations of this country
with Donna Maria, Queen of Portugal and Algarve.
Lord SIIIRLEY presented a petition from several
parishes in Ireland against any further concession to the
Catholics.

Major-General KING in presenting a similar petition,
declared that lie should give his vote against any concessions
whatever.—(Hear.)—He also presented a similar petition
praying for the suppression of the Roman Catholic As-
sociation from Crossmaleena, and a third petition from Castle
Coiling.
The Marquis of CHANDOS presented petitions against
Catholic Emancipation from the Rector. Churchwardens,
and other inhabitants of North Church, Hants, and from
Hemel Hempstead.
After a few words from Sir J. SEIIRIGHT and General
G ascov
Sir J. MACKINTOSH said, that it was by no means
his wish or intention to disparage this petition, and other
petitions of a similar kind. In the present prosperous
state of the Catholic Question, he conceived that it would
be in the highest degree unbecoming to apply hasty or in-
dignant language to the still conscientious opponents of
that great measure.—(Cheers.)—He could not, however,
avoid remarlcir,g, that the petitions at present before the
House had been adopted before the meeting of Parliament,
and the promulgation of his Majesty's most gracious speech,
and had the change which had taken place in the views of
his Majesty's Government been known to the petitioners,
it was highly probable that they would have adopted quite
different petitions.—(Hear.)—lt was highly probable that
had those petitioners been previously made acquainted
with the declaration !-,f his Majesty's Government, that
this measuie of Emancipation 7.;;ap cleaolntely necessary
for the safety and tranquillity of the :tag, apd tlittP it
would be accompanied by satisfactory securities fur
the :z:q.igp?.nance of the Protestant establishments and
institutions r the country, it was highly probable,
he would say, that litad these petitioners known that
such were the sentiments of the Co,-e:l;tpent, they would
never have sent forward such petitions to .t.'i?at House
IL regretted to observe that a similar petition had been
adopted at one of the seats of science and literature.—
(Hear.)—lt appeared Oat the University of Oxford was
Asjembled to petition against eroarcipation on the morning
of the day r4l which his Majesty's in hoah souses
of Parliament had in a full and satisfactory manlier declaa
red their opinions that thin measure of Catholic Emanci-
pation was necessary for the public aafety, and that it
would be so framed as to be perfectly consistent with, the
tiarqeste.ot institutions and establishments of the country.
With reapeait tiitliat learned body, he (Sir J. Mackintosh)
must say bel,9ped-+.4ee4 lie believed—that they had re-
fused to [weep: Are res' gng.lon vihicir ;.he peculiar, and he
might perhaps add, the over delicacy 'of the !tight
Gentleman opposite (Mr. Peel) haal'induced tender
to them; and if that were the fact, it might very ration-
ii)y e
,co-ac!ofied, that if that learned body at the time of
its meetinkhati been in full possession of the sentiments of
Government, theyotiacl prOAbly have withdrawn the
petition which they then aZlO'pted.-7.(irfeair.)
Mr. TRANT was surprised to heal. on that site
Noose, the language which had been used by the 'Bight
Hon. tie ;man who bad last spoken. He hail spoken of
the King's Speech it were a command that could not
be disobeyed; and he seemed 0 for granted, that the
,
protestant inhabitants of tne empire were, *mail ifs-ro-
vroslgatiop, Wally ignorant of the change which litlctoe,
rurred in Gre--,erittim-aFrts of his Majesty's Governthent.
They were certainik'nor; pripFaparesl far it. A masked bat-
tery had been preiionsly opened by the greait captaia, grihich
had somewhat discornfitted them, His Right non: Vriertl,
the member for Derry, in a speech there sumo months
egp, had let the cat (Jut of the bag. (A laugh.) But they
avho se .e ytaqnFil to the Protestant cause would neither
die delnded norinltirpigated, ,!Cheers.) The tables of the
house wtniiii he coverer)Fijty pe6490 4-on all parts of
the country against the measure. Nothing thoit
aberration of intellect could have induced his Ifon; FrTentl;
opposite (would to God he could still call tl:m his friends)
CO erimpe down to the House and thus suddenly and une-,t,
irectedly
,aaadaini, " Oh ! this thing can't be_lielped—it
roast be done.`'
After a few words feotm fir i. Batt ynoßs,
Mr. H. MAXWELL could' not alloiv the j„atitiops to
pass without a few words. The majority of Engfiriai rihd
Ireland were decidedly opposed to the Catholics, and if
iris Ma'„esty's Minister had changed their opinion, the
country had nut O:peed tlieir's.—(Hear, hear, bear.)
--It was a source or great aaijarfireaion that the po-
litical feeling of the country was such as would
,Ca:,arnment. Ile had no doubt that the Noble Duke and
the Home iiieeretai.7 had conscientiously changed their
opinions ; but lie co* ioN,arc theta that they had lost the

. .
,

confidence of the country—and in that feeling, as it lum-
ber of that House, he must say he participated.
Mr. W. YATES PEEL said that had his Ma-
jesty's Ministers shown a proper attention to the opi-
nions of the House, when it was recommended to
put dawn the Catholic Association, they would slot
now have had to resort to the alternative of eman-
cipation. There was no danger equal to that of
granting concession. There could be no doubt emancipa-
tion was intended to be granted, and after what had passed
he would ask what security could they have of the seven
millions about whom they had heard so much.—(Hear,
hear.)—lt was telling them they possessed a power which
the Government of this country could not resist. His opi-
nion was not changed, he should still continue a steady
opposition to the Catholic Claims,
Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH explained. The lion.
Member for Cavan seemed to possess a species of commu-
nication, compared to which balloons and telegraphs were
a mere joke ; for within four days after the delivery of the
King's speech. the Hon. Member had ascertained that the
people of England and of Ireland had lost their confidence
in his Majesty's Government.—(A laugh.)—He (Sir J.
Mackintosh) was not as yet so completely gone over to the
errors of Popery as to give his credence to such a Hohenlohe
miracle as that.—(Laughter.)—The Hon. Member had
expressed his conviction that the petitioners against eman-
cipation would not be influenced in the slightest degree by
the change which had taken place in the views of his Ma-
jesty's Government, but on that point he (Sir J.Xackintosh)
could not help dissenting from the opinion of the Honour-
able Member. _ . .

Mr. G. 11I0ORF, said no one felt more inclination to
pay attentio❑ to the recommendation contained in the
Royal Speech, or rather the Speech of his Majesty's
nisters, for he never could believe that it flowed from his
own heart. He would boldly deny that it was his Ma-
jesty's wish that power should be given to the Catholics.
—( Hear, hear, and loud cries of Order, from all parts of the
House.) He would support the Protestant Establishment
and trusted that time would be allowed for the people of
England and Ireland to express their opinion, by petition,
on this momentous question. Ministers would then hear
how decided was public opinion in favour of the Protestant
cause. They would have a Protestant religion—they
would have a Protestant King.—(Hear, hear.)--The
petition which was from Hemel Hempstead was then brought
up, it was against concession, arni was ‘4llcred to be laid
on the table. _ _

The Marquis of CHANDOS presented a petition from
Ossory, Queen's County, praying the Government to pot
down the Catholic Association. He would state that in
a few days his Majesty's Ministers would hear the real
opinions of tl,e country, which would renew its exertions,
and make its Representives do their duty. When the Bill
for Emancipatlcn was brought in he would make a call of
the House. for it was the duty of every Member, by his
owu individual vote, to say whether or not the Constitu-
tion was to be changed.
Colonel SIBTHORPE was happy to see the number of
petitions presented against emancipation. The country
was surprised at the unexpected change. He had just re•
ceired a letter from Ipswich, where it was thought impos-
sible that his Majesty's Ministers could have come to such
a determination. Whilst he (Col. Sibthorpe) bad a seat
in that House, he would do his duty, and oppose cone .s-
-'ion. The Hon. Member then presented a petition from
Wootton, in Lincolnshire, against emancipation.
Sir R. INGLIS was confident that petitions would pour
in against cnocp.ssion. He cei tainly could assure the House
that his Majesty's Ministers hod forfeited the confidence of
the people. He had the greatest respect for the Right
Hon. Gent., and hoped he would see his error in time.
He then presented a petition from the Corporation of
Ripon against further concession to the Catholics.
Sir W. ING4•R Y. did not agree with the Hon. Bart.
who spoke last. He felt called upon to give some account
of the way in which the last petition had been got up.
ft was really a hole and corner petition, concocted in a
public-house, and he rather thought it was not the petition
of the Corporation of Ripon. It should not be allowed
to lie on the table. If it was, the Rrunswickets would bet
up thousands of them.

Mr. Secretary PEEL thought all petitions ought to be
treated with the utmost respect. The opinions of any
class of his Majesty's subjects should meet with the re-
spect of that noose. Nothing was so injurious as to treat
lightly the honest opinion of the petitioners. He could
assure the Hun. Baronet that the petition from Oxford
had originated in the purest motives and was uninfluenced
by any measure of Government. He should feel it his
duty to present it, though compelled by a sense of duty
to differ from its prayer. Whatever efforts might be made
to induce Lim to express his opinion fully on this subject,
Le did hope that his Hon. Friend and the country also
would feel satisfied that there must have been some cogent
reasons, on looking at the whole question, that could in-
duce his Noble Friend and himself to place themselves in
the situation in which they at present stood—(Hear, hear)
—a situation in which they were not only opposed, but
severely reproached by those who had long been their
friends.—(Cheers.)—Allusion had been made, in the
course of the evening, to the sacrifice of the emoluments
of office, which, it was insinuated, ought to have been
preferred sooner than he should have taken the course
which he had adopted. Good God ! he could not argue
with a man who could place the sacrifice of office or of
emolument in competition with the severe, the painful sa-
crifice which he had made—(cheers),—a sacrifice which
it seemed to be supposed he had consented to, iu order to
retain his office.—(Cheers.)—He had, after mature de-
liberation, come to this determination, and nothing
could have occurred to shake it—that in the state of
the country—in the state of public opinion in Ireland
—he never would meet that House in the situation in
which he had been formerly placed. He was respon-
sible for the safety of Ireland, and that responsibility he
did not wish to be subjected to, while the Cabinet were
disunited on this question. It was impossible that he
could remain in such a situation after the information he
had received relative to the state of Ireland last suminvr•s--
(Hear.) The consequences arising front that determina,
tion were known to the House; and, however displeasing
thvy might be to some gentlemen, he firmly believed that
the time would come when justice would be done to the
intentions of his Noble Friend and himself, (Qheeor.)—,
When they would not be thought to have betrayed their
trust to the country, to the Protestant establishment, and
to the interests of the state, because they had preferred the
reproaches which were heaped on them, and even an appa-
Tpup svritiee of consistency, rather than for the purpose of
saving appe,;,wancpa, tnbaye porsued the course which they
had hitherto pursued (cheers), and h4ve thus oboiped a
short popularity at the expence of a firm conviction that
they were not acting rightly, and at the expence also of
the true interests of the country. (Cheers.)

Aft r z!. few wottisi from Mr. C. PELITAzr, the petition
was )4id on tabh;.

Sir R. INGLIS, in rising to move that the petition now
laid on the table he printed, should take the opportunity
of answering what had fallen from the Honourable Member
or Linpelnahire (Sir H. Ingilby.) The Hon. Baronet
had said, that this petition was tint wofttly to tie op fhc
table. He did not mean to move that the petition should
be read, in order to disprove that assertion, but he should
azlre, that it was directed to two objects—it prayed,
first, that the onnsitt;ti,:-.• might he preservcd-7and next,
that no further concession of peliticai poweF ahold be
granted to the Roman Catholics. Now, he would ask the
Hon. Baronet, what was there in these two clauses that
pug;rl,:-. ‘r-o prevent the petition from lying on the table?
its itntzor~y of a Protestant people to express a wish
to live untle a .Protestant Goveroteletit ? Was t iat the
language which the Hon. RarOnees conatituen4 would
wish him to utter in that House? He hoped that the
people of this country would maintain the principles ad-
vocated by the petitioners, and that they would resist any
appaltiori Yip potriF4l power on the part of the Roman
or'd Wre'd to ne pa
Mr. FLEMING presented' petitions fi.oth Bishop Stort-
ford, and two other places, against the Catholic Claims.'—
Laid on the table.

Vtißia .•_o resent three petitions against
granting any fullher cOneessiOn'to the Roman (rttholics.
He begged 'leave to obsenie, that furthe'Riglit Ilon. e-
cretary he entertained the highest and most sincere respect
bat he cpnii.ss,Al tha,t lie could not express the surprise
Whi‘ch feri Op' he itard of the extianrdinavy cn4ng
whichest i,m h.ad place in his septiments on this important
um what had fallen froM the Right
(utiatkBeen seemed
from
Hon. Gentleman, that he had, in his official situation,
obtained such information, as called on him, in consequence
0/ the 4ngp.r which threatened the country; to act att
has done; -andthey were told, that, in' the arrangement
which tyeold he propOsed, care would he taken that there
b;ar,dd be ample securitik given for. the safety of the
Pro-
testant Establishment.—(hear, lleaf..)—ft did appear tq
hint exceedingly strange, that those who had fortnerly op-
posed all concession with the utmost perseverance, should
now, all of a sudden, turn round and support it. Tea dire
Ft5;,;57,47 Fisted for taking such a step, the House must of
course meet than rie;,eati is the best man,lter, but he
would say, whatever proceeding might be itoopkdl tae
especial care that due security is afforded to the Protestant
Constitution of this country.—(Hear, bear.)—That was
essentially necessary, for it could not be expected thas the
Protestar4s wcu!d gratify the Roman Catholics at their
own Cost. till' the absolute necessity of the case was
proved, and 'proper 'securities' given, he would be the last

mad to allow any additional concessions to be made to the
Roman Catholics.

The petitions, which were from Ruthin, and two other
plac,2s, were then laid on the table.
Admiral SOTHERON presented three petitions against
any further concessions to the Roman Catholics. The first
was from the town and neighbourhood of Mansfield,—the
second signed by 2,000 persons, from the town and neigh-
bourhood of Nottingham,—and the third signed by 300 or
400 persons, from East Eulchford, in the county of Not-
tingliam.—Laid on the table.

Mr. F. MUNDY presented four petitions against the
Catholic claims, from Ashbourn, Matlock, and two other
places in Derbyshire.

Mr. H. DAVIS held in his hand a petition, nume-
rously signed by the inhabitants of Bristol, against further
concessions to the Catholics. He did not mean to take up
the time of the house by stating at length the ground by
which his opinion that further concession ought not to be
granted, was supported. What had been said by the Hon.
and Learned Gentleman on the floor (Sir J. Mackintosh),
in order to disparage the effect of these petitions on the
House, namely, that if the contents of the speech had been
known earlier, no such petitions would have been pre-
sented, deserved some comment. In answer to that lie
would request the Hon. and Learned Gentleman to observe
what had been done in the city which lie (Mr. 11. Davis)
represented. The speech was read in that city, and, in a
few minutes afterwards, a requisition, signed by 230 most
respectable inhabitants of Bristol, was prepared, calling
for a public meeting to consider of a petition against grant-
ing
any further extension of political power to the Roman
Catholics—(hear, hear)--and he had no hesitation in say-
ing, that at this moment an immense majority of his con-
stituents were of the same opinion.--(Hear, bear.)—The
petition was laid on the table.

Mr. HART DAVIS presented a similar petition from
the parish of St. Stephen, Bristol.—To be printed.
Mr. DUNCOMBE presented two petitions of a similar
nature—one from the clergy of the Archdeaconry of the
East Ridin; of Yorkshire, and another from Kirby, in
the same county. The Hon. Member had been requested
to support the prayer of the petitions, and did so most
willingly. took this opportunity of saying, that
though others had seen reason to abandon their principles,
he saw no reason to abandon his. If, therefore, he were to
act in opposition to the course which he had hitherto con-
scientiously pursued, he thought that le should be acting
disglaceftilly and dishonourably.—(Loud cries of Hear.)
He believed that the measure contemplated was obnoxious
to the feelings of the people of this country, and against
the best interests of the empire. They were now called upon
to take into their consideration a no less important subject
than the alteration of the most vital principle of the British
constitution. (Cheers, and cries of Hear.) He hoped,
however, that it was not too late to ask his Majesty's Mini-
sters to weigh again and again the step they were about to
tyke, and to dolled deliberately on the consequences of it.
I..et them vecollept, and follow the good example of the late
Mr. Canning. That able and strenuous advocate of the
Catholic claims declared, that he should never wish to see
this measure thrust precipitately and prematurely on the
country. The King was actuated by the smile principles,
and thought that such a, inesswe ought net to be adopted
OW lug Itirotestaot subjects were as ready to give as his
Catholic subjects were to receive it.
The petitions were then ordered to be printed,

Mr. F. CLINTON presented a petition from the
town of Grantham. The Hon. Member said, that for the
last two sessions he had given his vote against further con-
cessions to the Roman Catholics, and that, notwithstanding
the great and unexpected changes that had taken place, he
saw no reason to give a different vote in this session. He
never thought that such a measure would give tranquillity to
Ireland. It it were passed, there would still remain questions
much more embarrassing and difficult. They had heard the
most eloquent, and he thought, the most unanswerable, ar-
o 'wnents against it from gentlemen who were used to take
the lead in opposing the claims of the Catholics, but whose
services he feared were new lost to thecause. The arguments
in favour of it, too, had always been urged with the same
force, though not with the same effect as now. They were
formerly thought of little moment; now they were held to
be convincing. (Hear.) They had been told that the an.
nounceinent in his Majesty's Speech would discourage the
people from petitioning. He thought otherwise. Though
there had been a change in that House, there had been none
out of doors, and he was satisfied that this announcement
would be the signal for petitions against the Catholic Claims.
Sir J. YORKE rose, not for the purpose of noticing
what had fallen from the Hon. Member who had just sat
down, but to answer the Hon. Member who had precedo
him. Ile must say, lie thought that Hon. Alembera had
used some very hard words. Were they to be told that
they acted disgracefully and dishonourably, because they
attended 'to a recomtsiendation of the Government commu-
nicated by the Right Hon. Secretary (Mr. Peel), than
whom a more honourable mats did not breathe? (Cheers,
and cries of hear.) It did appear to him to be very hard
that they should be so taunted. lie always thought that
he was doing his duty in voting against the Catholics, but
he could no longer hold that opinion when his Right Hon.
Friend told them that it was wrong, and proved his since-
rity by sacrificing all that was most dear to him. (Cheers,)
When they saw one of the Right Hon, Gentleman's own
family withdrawing from hint his support, could any one
doubt that his Right Hon. Friend acted otherwise than
from a sense of duty. (Cheers.) Good God ! Was such
conduct to be called disgraceful and dishonourable ? (Cries
of No, no.) For his own part, sO help him God, as God
was his judge, he would not have thought of altering his
opinion if the Ministers of the Crown, who had the best
means of information, had not thought it necessary to give
way.
Mr. DUNCOMI3E really did not mean to apply the
words complained of to any Member of this House. He
had merely stated, that he saw no reason to alter his opi-
nion on this subject, and that it would, therefore, be dis-
graceful and dishonourable in him to abandon his princi-
ples merely because others Lad abandoned theirs.
Lord CASTLEREAGH should think himself unworthy
Of occupying the aituatiPP in Which his constituents had
if representing, as be did, a large county, he
stand forward and say that, in his opinion, the
(ppilia(.loctee not
dstialpiM'
Protestant population of Ireland were by no meant so op-
posed to the pleasure in contemplation as two Honourable
Merobers vybcf bad spoken that evening would make them
believe. He slid hope and believe that there was more
the measure
Christian charity among them. ,The Hon. Gentleman
who thought that so many petitions would be presented
against
I.t.lisi:tialehasPlir:-:ll4fieere9.lto come from
against the measure, must, as well as his supposed
peti-
tioners, have a wonderful insight into futurity—far
onew4q lisfees
as
ar, Lert. )k-7-17f
the other side of the House they might look upon it with
suspicion--(llear, and a laugh)—but from the hands of
those who had been called the bulwarks of th? Constitu-
tion, surely no danger cot!Isl be rinticiaated. Many dark
isisif.oations of dangers that would result to Ireland from
this measure had been thrown out. He did not know
what those dangers were; but he knew that none coslld:be
worse than the broken friendships and tllse bestic feelings_
which the present ssist.;sin had caused.-:-.(Cheess.),-He
lilesscd thw flalyzi of that
lOikit had brought convetion
borne to the Right Hon, Secretary, whose conduct on this
subject did him the greatest credit. During the whole
course of the Right Hon. Gentleman's career, bright and
honourable as that career had been, he had never alip3
traffscendentli as now.-ss(F, 11e9rOss.--11 %vottl rather
have retrained silent on this occasion, -but he could not
help rising to intimate, diet gentlemen who represented
the Protestant feeling of Ireland as so decided and so press
whelming, would (16 well to snake inquiries respecting thv,
4inio;ks of osii4s who were sinfte as 'respectable as their
oWn 14'3r.)
Mr. FIOBHOUSE moved for various returns respect-
ing the expenses of the vestry, &c. of the parish of St.
James.

Mr. HENRY MAXWELL tresented Seyecal petitions
from places in the couritirE! of Aernagls, Wicklow, and Tip-
praying that no farther political power be granted
to the Roinati Catholics; that the forty-shilling freeholders
be done away with; and that the Catholic .Att',-4aion Le
put down.
' rt ANT presented a siclSilar petition from Armagh.
—Tee he printed,

_ .
Mr. CRESSET PELHAM presented petition from
Salop, against farther co-41c.esiop% to the Roman Catholics.
'Afr: RICE TREVOR presented five petitions of a
similar stature front Carmarthenshire. The Hon. Member
observed, that his opinions on the Catholic question were
at present unchanged. He was totally ignoraqt of the
nature of the measure about to be prqosetl, and had very
little mktion of what securities would be provided for tine
Protestant church. If he found that those securities were
not such as to satisfy his mind, his vote should be as it
had always been.
Admiral EV4NS presented a petition from Portarling_
ton, praying for the abolition of forty-shilling freeholders,
for the suppression of the Catholic Association, and against
any further concessions to the Roman Catholics. The
Hon. Member said, they were told that the measure in
contemplation was tp giTis civil linel:ty` to
the Roma? C4timlies. Now, as to civil liberty, could any
man lay his hand upon his 'heart and say that the Ca-
tholics in this country did nut enjoy as much civil liberty
as the subjects of any Catholic prince in the'world ? As
to religious liberty, it was an absurdity for Catholics to
talk of such a thing (hear, and a laugh), when they would
not allow people even to read the Scriptures, Our Saviour

.~
;off

1

said, "Open the Scriptures," but the Catholic church sai' I
" Shut that book."
Lord E. SOMERSET presented a- petition against fry"
Cher concessions to the Roman Catholics, from the De°
and Chapter of the Cathedral Church at Gloucester;
three petitions of a similar nature from the county "
Gloucester.—To be printed.
Mr. ROBINSON moved for a return of the number cl
dozen pairs of gloves imported, and of the duty paid on tUe
same, from the sth of April to the sth of February last/
Ordered.
Mr. O'NEILL presented two petitions against further
concessions to the Roman Catholics: one from the Mayor
and Corporation of Kingston-upon-Hull—aml another frog
the Merchants, Bankers, and other Inhabitants of the salve
place.—To be printed.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the Excnuauts,
the orders of the day were read.
CLARE ELECTION.

Mr. LEAKE moved that leave be given to Thonsa'
Mahon and others, freeholders of the county of Clare,
renew, within the next three sitting days, their petitio,
presented last session, against the eleetieu and return
Daniel O'Connell, Esq.—Leave granted.
PORTUGUESE REFUGEES.
The Lords Commissioners' Speech was taken into consi'
deration ; and upon the motion of supply,
Mr. E. D. DAVENPORT considered it his duty t)
avail himself of the present occasion, without losing arse'
ther moment, to call the attention of Parliament, and Oar
titularly of the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, to a tar
ject in its nature so distressing, that he was almost .afraid
trust to his own feelings while explaining it to the House'
Lie was aware that the question respecting the relation'
between this country and Portugal was of the greatest iU
portance, and was one which required, and would, a°
doubt, shortly undergo the jealous investigation of trot
House. A motion upon that subject had already been fix,
and he was satisfied that whenever the papers called for
should be produced, it would appear that the lamentable
state in which Portugal has been during the last nine
months, was mainly owing to the confined policy of this
country. He was, however, sensible that it would be es'
tremely injudicious and improper to discuss that subject
at the present moment, or to move any question whish
might obstruct the operations of that most important
of all questions, upon the consideration of which
Government had at length bona fide entered. Bat
there was an insulated transaction, to which he was
desirous of calling the attention of the House. He al-
luded to a recent outrage perpetrated by a British officer 0P
the island of Terceira, which was, in his opinion, so dis"
graceful to the national character, so distressing in its
effects, whether we considered the shame excited at horse
or the universal detestation abroad, that he thought the
honour of Parliament and the credit of Government alike
involved in bringing the matter to an explanation. Fot
himself he could say, that if he had the honour to ttand se)
the situation of the Right Honourable Gentleman, be
should avail himself of the earliest opportunity to gife
an explanation, whatever it might be, of that meat sua-
toward circumstance. The facts relating to this case
were briefly these : the Hotta'e would perhaps recollect,
that after the withdrawal of the British forces from Per
tugal, and the surrender of the fortresses on the Tao.
into the hands of the usurper, no obstacle remained in the
way of Don Miguel to prevent him carrying into effect
those designs against the liberty of his country; which
he had previously shown a disposition to put into exc'
cut ion. When, therefore, all was lost in that country,
—when the wise resolutions and determinations, matte
in Vienna and this country, were all at once diat'i-
pated, experiencing the fate which was probably es'
pected of them, (but lie wished to be understood 0
not blaming any Minister whatever for those event"'
and particularly the Minister of the Power of Austria)
—when, he repeated, all was lost in that country,
a considerable body of Portuguese, both in militia,'
and civil stations, rather than remain any longer under.
the dominion of the tyrannical usurper, went into volun-
tary exile. They proceeded to this country as their natio'
ral asylum, which had been for so many ages the Lai-,
table and kind friend to the persecuted and oppressed of
all nations. They accordingly arrived at Plymest,th, °
after remaining there a considerable time, cloeiog eibtee'
they conducted themselves with great plospaiety, they re'
ceived an order through the eonspeteot authorities to bloat
up their quarters. The officers woe directed to be sopa"
rated from the soldiers-oso coarse calculated to dentay tp
the latter all idea of military discipline. The soldier'
were ordered to be dispersed round Plymouth, atd the
v.iticesa to go into exile—in short, they were treated in
every respect like prisoners on their parole. The }artier
to whom this order was addressed, though thinking io or'
eution would be detritneotol to the good cause in PottniAL
yet preferred leoying a country where they were oonnger
welcome, and resolved to proceed to Brazil, of OW tine the
only safe port open to them. Bat soon after they ewe to
this determination, the news reaollo this country tlsio
island of Terceira continued faithful to her legitiocuttO
vereign ; that, in point 440, the Queen Damn, Manic ds
Gloria's authority solos recognized throughout the'hir
and that she was Sovereign of Terceira as much de facto
as she was de jure. Accoolioolys they hired three Esr
lish and one Russian ships, and upwards of 6,000 permutes
military and civil, embarked and proceeded to Terceira.
It was most unquestionably true, that they received an
tinsation from our Government that they would not 14
allowed to land at the Azores, But they considered that
provided they kept within the letter a international late-.°
provided they proceeded unarmed, and provided they weeit
fortified conditioually with orders from their own legitiooo
Sovereign--they considered that they had a, full tight to
hire neutral or any vessels they chose, to protseed to of
port in the world they pleased ; they thought that
England would be the last powea a earth to interfere with
the unarmed subjects of opother country. Moreover, tbel
had been assured, by yeay good authority, that the intinut"
tion which had beets given to them by Government
too much opposed to the law of natioass to be worthy of at'
teptioo. The expedition accordingly set sail, and sr'
rived on the 16th ef Jamsary lost, within a mile re
Terceira, awl when they were just preparing to let ee
their anchors a shot from a British frigate was Aqqa. i4g4the,
susannah, (a small brig, filled with men), whic7,
destroyed one man and wounded two others, lie cool'
never believe that a British offices, let his instructions be
what they might, would begin his explanation with a°
striking an argumeatt as a shot. He was, therefore, '"
opinion, that 4or,te revious signal must have been given IV
Captain Walpole, which was not underatood by the ire-
s'aut Portuguese. However, this circumstance led to t
gociation between Captain Wolpole and Count Seadanisto
and, in conseqoenco of the captain expressing o decided (le'
terroirotio,o to CsOpose a landing, the attetwps was given 0"
i 4 bogged to remark, that as soon Its the shot was fired, s
correspondence ensued, and the British captain appeared to
him to have pursued ; aoo of kgw, which had shown it'
self in another iiallose,Aro. ~
.! of aat to punish a party, and
afterwesda to inquire ioto the offence. The correspond
ence which followed had ken
published, in shishSaltlanha Goa°
prntesta against the injustice of preieoliug an "s:
armed body
of Portuguese from landing 14 the only 513°.
which remained faithful to its legitimate sovereign. 'O4
Count complained of the act as a gross breach of iatf
national law, and a,s a, cruel violation of thoaa aesticaUe''
relations oelOolt hod, so long existed between this
eollotry and the sovereigns of Portugal. The news"
14 of the ships was urged its vomit, and the result
was, that the pLec; of the expedition having been
thwatte'sla t11C• Vort4,g4Wse were obliged to put into the port
of Brent, where they were received with every ssztorsstra-
tion of friendship and kindness. He thotiglo tisey had nut`
got into a country willing and prepared to do them justie,
and he trusted that France was 4t a condition to eccupl
that post of honour of always giving succour to the perse-
cuted and the 41.*Setisof liberty of all nations, which, he or,
oretted, Englatol, who had so looor enjoyed it, had suffered
herself to lose. lie had heard it stated—but he hardly es'
Pected to bear it repeetad to-night—in extenuation, if not
in excuse, fn; this ootrasgeous.prooeeding, that this Go-
v could not took with naditierence at the separation any part of the
Pariaguese dominions from the rest.—'
Nobody, he thought, wished for any separation of the dos
1.11it400 lAtt it never wottisl he contended that because ilea
tootper of Portugal possessed nearly the whole of the Por-
tuguese possessions, therefore no part should be preserted
for the legitimate Sovereign. He begged pardon, for hsa's
ing so long occupied the ottootloo of the House. ge•
thought it his deity not to lot another unguent transpire
withp;it solbug for eu explaoatioo of the matter, which be
hoped the Right Hon. Secretory social give, as no Oen°
felt he did with respect tea hastiness
twots more ta•e interested
ppavtltv chap
dhiccetable to Wit country.
Mr. ATEI.. had expected that this subject would be
Itsooght before the House, and he could assure the Hon.
Gentleman, that he had come down to the House with tb4
intention of giving any information upon it which, paiblpt
be in his power ; but, subsequently to lit arrival in ill
House, a Right Hon. qcutlwkiA P.r.A apposite side lead
notified hi:+ lotesit'ioo of hoingiOSO forward a discussion 00
this subject, aid also on the whole of our relations with
Porttigab Osi that account, and as in any explanation be
might give, he must of necessity enter into details, it might
be the most convenient course for all parties if any exploits:Os
tion was postponed until the Right Hoot Geoatlemao
brought forward his motion, He had 'also another
motive for wishing tp peatpooto the explanation of the cif
cunistaucea whioli the Hon. Gentleman had alluded to'
As yet Government had received no official account, or ail

despatch from Captain Walpole. He did not know from
that officer what had taken place, and therefore any expla.-
, • taation he could give now must be incomplete. It was
stlll, however, his belief, that the conduct of that officer
Would, upon examination, stand in that light in which
every body must wish the conduct of a British officer to
appear. The time would come when he would explain
to the Hon. Gentleman the whole of the facts connected

with this case ; and, in the mean time, it was only neces•

vary for him to request the Hon. Gentleman opposite to
bear in mind the principle upon which we have acted with

respect to Portugal—namely, not to involve this country
in the civil dissentions of Portugal. Though we ad-
mitted the right of the Qneen, yet we did not think it ne-
. Canary to involve this country in the civil dissentions which
at present distract Portugal. The Right Hon. Gentleman
repeated that the time would come when the whole of the
facts of the case would he explained in detail.
Sir CHRIST. COLE considered it extremely unjust
to cast the stigma of inhumanity on Captain Walpole. If
he understood the correspondence which had been publish-
ed right, the Portuguese had received an intimation from
this GoverlVnent not to land in the island in question, which
was known to Captain Walpole, and if he had received
orders to prevent them from landing, however unjust such
orders might Ise, yet the officer only did Isis duty in per-
forming them. •
Mr. G. DAVENPORT stated, that the Hon. Member
who had just sat down had not attended to what he said.
Re stated, that though, by the account published in the
l'ewspapers, it appeared that a shot was the first argument,
yet he could not believe that such was the case, and he
gave credit to Captain Walpole for making some previous
signal, and that that circumstance had not been stated in
the Portuguese account.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER laid on
the table a copy of the convention with the King of Spain
for the final settlement of the claims of British and Spanish
subjects, preferred under the Treaty signed at Madrid, on
the-12th of March, 11823.—Ordered to be printed.
Adjourned at Seven o'clock.