Star.
London, England, 1825-04-30 00:00:00

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Learned Gentleman,theMember for the county of Louth
(Mr. L. Foster), be begged leave to read to the House
an extract from the debates of 1812, when that Hon.
Member had delivered his sentiments, founded upon a
most laborious attention to the affairs of Ireland, not
least appreciated by those by whom it was moist needed
(here the Honourable Member read the extract alluded
to). He begged, in the exertions which were.made to
overcome the difficulties opposed to .this important
measure, that " his little bark might attendant sail,"
as he was convinced it was calculated to produce the
greatest benefits to Ireland. One of the objects he had
in view was to improve in a certain degrte the state of
the secular Clergy, and also the state of the peasantry
of Ireland. With regard to the condition of the Catho-
lies themselves, he might here be allowed to explain
one advantage necessarily accruing from an improve-
ment of their income. He could not for a moment
doubt that a fixed periodical income would be more
advantageous to this country, if coming from it, than
the precarious income which they derived from their
flocks • and ke was disposed to concur with the opinions
of a Reverend Prelate, that certain contributions from
the flocks, amounting
.to one-fourth of what it at pre-
sent was, should continue to exist. While he wished
to relieve the Catholic peasant from oppressive burthens
which weighed on his means too heavily, he neverthe-
less wished, that when that Catholic attended a relative
to the grave, he should be reminded of his obligation
to contribute to the support bf him in this world, who
was to assist him towards his situation in the next. He
would here refer to a passage of Mr.O'Connelrs evidence,
which stated, that the ranks of the Catholic Clergy
were almost exclusively filled from the lower orders.
He did not mean by that allusion to insult such a body
with anything that might savour of Aristocratic feel-
ing, because such a disposition would be contrary to
the first principles which founded Christianity on earth.
But he meant to say, that when distress and want pro-
duced sedition and rebellion, the period might .arrive
when the Catholic Clergy ought to be able to- stand
aloof. When the storm was up—When the vesselwas
staggering over the troubled waters, the Catholic Clet-
oyman ought not to be compelled to share the danger.
When the vessel was a wreck—he should not be lashed
to its remnants, and be floated on theturbulent wave)of
discord and sedition; but he ought to beplaced in chat
situation in which he might be capable of standing clear
of the conflict. The Honourable Member, after having
perused the volume of evidence adduced before the
Committee had laid• that evidence down with feelings
highly satisfactory to his own bosom. There were in-
cidents disclosed in it of the most cheering nature; and
such as shewed a creditable and exemplary feeling of
charity on the part of Protestants towards Catholics.
He alluded particularly to the burial of Mr. Egan.—
He would tell the Catholics openly and fairly, that he
preferred his own faith to all others ; and he wished
there was no lively difference between Protestants and
Catholics; but while Ireland continued Catholic (and
nothing but a positive miracle could prevent her
from continuing Catholic), he thought a 'connexion
should exist of the nature now proposed. When
the watchword of " Economy' was, raised, which
was peculiar in a commercial nation, he would only say
he did not believe it was in the people of England to
object to a measure of this kind, which was calculated
not only immediately to relieve the corporeal wants of
the Catholics, but to ease their minds from the canker
and the pang' of bitter hostility, which was now festering
there; and to cleanse their hearts from the premedita-
tion, and their arms from the nerve, to commit mid-
night assassination and atrocious marders. He should
sot enter into minute details as to the proposition he
was about to submit. He was happy to find that his
task. was simplified by a sound precedent: he alluded
to the present establishment of the Presbyterian Clergy
in Ireland. That body had been supported by statute
since almost its first establishment in Ireland. In the
reign of James I. a support was administered to them
,in the form of a direct salary, in 1852, and in the shape
of a ReOurrr donne in 1719. Now be would estimate
the Parish Clergy in round numbers at 2,000, of different
denciminations. Under the first bead, he would put a
certain number at 2004. a year. Under the next head,
rBOO at'l2Cl. a year ; and under' the third head, 1000 at
601. a year. He thought he was not overstating the
amount, when he put it at four Archbishrips, 1,5001.
ra-year each : twenty-twoßishoptot 10001. each ; twenty-
six Deans, at 8001. each : and toe remaining Clergy in
the proportion he had stated. He would• put them in
that situation that the Protestant majority might ad-
dress them gird say, " We have given you from our
store ; and, Iti,k Alum we ask for the exercise of your
influence. We 'have power and possession, which we
trust it is.in vain for you to attack, and, which we will
defedd even unto death. too have power which we
cannot undermine; and we have given you from our
store with a grace and spirit which may warrant you t.
accept it. We ask an exercise of your influence for
those purposes of peace and chatitywhich your religion
preaches on earth. Exert that influence with your
'flocks, by warning them from creating those awful
troubles which we trust will never occur; but remehs-
bet., if you have a disposition to the contrary, your best
success must be your common rain." The Honourable
Member conclUded by movipg a Resolution, that it Ts expedient
provision should be made by law foi the secular Clergy of Ireland.
Colonel BAGWELL considered that we owed much
gratitude to the Roman Catholic Church, for having
transmitted to us, through many dark ages, the unadul-
terated doctrines of 11ClaristianIty. Ile also considered it sound policy
to take such a course u one calculate* to promote the peace and
power of this mighty empire. f
Mr. LESLIE FOSTER never had thought there was
an irresistible barrier against the Catholic claims. He
had always pointed out the danger of the Roman Ca-
tholics of Ireland without concessions were made to
them. He never had any difficulty as reg irded the
laity, and still less the lay aristocracy. He was per-
sonally acquainted with all those likely; under a chalet
of circumstances, to come into that House, and consi-
dered them a valuable ,body of men. But the misfor-
tune wasp that they were but a small part of use Ca-
tholic Body. of Ireland. The Church was the great
ruling power amongst them. Therefore it was that he
had always wished to see them dependent upon the
Government of this' country. In all Protestant coun-
tries the Government had the appointment of the Bi-
shops, and even the 'osier orders of Pi iesthood and
that, he contend-d, ought to be the case in this country.

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gibe glare of party f 'ngi.tWile hid at. 1
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ces were now lost tithe empire —Pitt, ,
and Cornwall,. In order to sheer that a,
his kind was an object of desire toanHon.and !
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