Star.
London, England, 1812-06-11 00:00:00

CATHOLIC CLAIMS.

Mr. SPENCER STANHOPE rose for the pur-
pose.of putting a question to the Noble Lord .(Castle-
reagh). He wished to know it it was intentled, on
the part of. the present Ministers, that the sam, po-
licy in every respect, should be observed by them in
reference to the question .of the Calvin: Petitio..,
which had been observed iey the Administration under
the conduct of a late Right Hen. Gentleman ?
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that he felt some
difficulty in answering the question of the Hon. Gen-
tleman literally, the arrangements for the New Mini-
stry not having been yet fully completed. But as
to the spirit of the question, he thought he could be
more satisfactory. He could say this from his know-
ledge of those employed in forming that Ministry,
that generally, their sentiments remained the same.
Upon a former occasion, they had thought, inclusive
even of those who were favourable to the measure,
that the present was not the time for discussing that
question ; and in still thinking so, that recent deµ
sions of Parliament formed a leading consideration
in influencing the adoption of that opinion. The
sense of Parliament having betn at least foi the pre-
sent time definitively pronounces, they thought tout
any immediate revived discussion might only create
irritation, without being productive of any thing
.se-
ful. He was aware, however, of the gro..-ng change
in favour of those claims, and in submission to that
change, and the real sentiments of eel tam Members
of the Government, it had been resolved upon as a
p-inciple, that the discussion of this 'question should
be lett free from all interference on the part of the
Government, and that every Member of that Go-
vernment should be left to the free and unbiassed
suggestions of his own conscientious discretion upon
that quest on. He did not pretend to disguise from
himself the difficulties and embarrassments which
might individually arise from arrangements of such
a nature, but—

Mr. CALCRAFT rose to Order. He said the
Noble Lord was making a speech instead of answer.
ing a simple question.—(L ries of Order, Order, Go
on, go on!).
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that he thought
when indulgence of this kind had been afforded to so
extensive a latitude to others, and •so recently, he
might be permitted to profit by it in some small de-
gree.—(Hear).—He repeated, that difficulties might
arise, but still that he, as a Member of that Govern-
ment, should, if the question cAme before him, vote
as then might seem' best to him, and support such
measure as seemed to his judgment best calculated to
be useful to the Empire and conciliatory to Ireland.
EAST INDIA COMPANY'S lIINANCWI.
Mr. WALLACE brought up the Report of the
Committee on the East India Petition.
Mr. CREEVEY did not mean then to object to
the Report, but he would merely remind the House
that the East India Company had received eight
millions loan from the Public, without giving une
satislActory reason in account of it.
Mr. WALLACE hoped it would be in his power
to bring forward the India Budget in the course of
the present session. He was not satisfied that he
should be able to do so in the course of the time it
might take to carry the Bill through the House ; but
though be could not pledge himself on the subject,
he had every reason to hope he might be able to do pa
in the course of the Session.

Mr. HIJMg objected to the vote, till the House
I saw what was the actual state of the Company's
affairs.

The Report WAS then agreed to.
Mr. WALLACE then gale notice that he should
on Friday next, move a vote to this extent in the
Committee of Supply.—Adjourned,