Star.
London, England, 1821-04-10 00:00:00

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man was more anxious than himself for the speedy passing into
a law of that Bill gof histice and mercy towards the Roman Ca-
tholic subjects of the kingdom. Yet, as he conceived it a matter
of the greatestimpertanathat this Bill should undergo the fullest
discussion, and as be knew that several Noble Lords
who wished to take a part in it were now on their way to towp,
and might not be able to be present to-morrow, he should move
to discharge the order for the second reading of the Bill to-
morrow, that the .saine.be read a ►ecpnd tins:. on Monday next;
that the order for summoning their Lordships to-morrow be dis-
charged, and that the Lords be summoned for Monday next.
Lord ItOLLE thought a postponement of this kind would
be very hard upon those Lords who had been attending every
day in expectation of the business being brought on to-morrow.
After some further conversation, the order of the day for the
second reading of the Bill was withdrawn, and renewed fur
Monday next.
GRAMPOUND DISFRANCHISEMENT.
The Earl of LAUDERPA LE presented a Petition
from the Borough of Grampound, in Cornwall, against
the Bill for Disfranchising that Borough, in which the
Petitioners prayed that they might be heard, by Coun-
sel, against the same.
The Earl of CARNARVON expressed his surprise
that a Petition of this kind should come forward on the
very day fixed for the second reading, and when all
the witnesses were in attendance ready to be exa-
mined. The question had undergone a long discus-
sion in the House of Commons ; the Bill had been
lying twenty days on their Lordships' table, and why
did not these parties send their Petition sooner ?
Would the House listen to the application of persons,
who, by their own lashes, had rendered themselves
unworthy of any indulgence? If such a course as
this wet e suffered to take place, they never would be
. .
able to get through the Bill.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE did not think that the
Petitioners wished to delay this Bill ; but his advice
was, that they should defend their rights whenever
they were attacked. He was instructed to inform
the House, that the Petitioners would have been
ready with their Counsel that day ; but it so hap-
pened that the Counsel were absent. For his own
part, he should oppose a Bill- that went to inflict an
indiscriminate punishment on the innocent as well as
on the guilty.
The LORD CHANCELLOR was aware, that any
thing which fell from him might be looked upon with
jealousy, as he had already stated that the measure
would probably not meet with his consent. As in'
an ordinary Court of Justice notice was given to the
parties, he thought here also the Petitioners ought to
be allowed a few days to prepare themselves.
The-Earl of CARNARVON urged the necessity
of proceeding with all expedition with the Bill.—
Their Lordships were aware, that on Monday the
Catholic Bill was to be discussed, and probably the
first stage 'of it would occupy their Lordships two
nights in debating. On the Thursday follovt ing, the
House would adjourn for the holidays. The effect,
therefore, of the postponement would obviously be
an extinguishment of the Bill, and, by a side wind,
to throw it out.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE moved, that the se-
cond reading of the Bill he postponed till Friday next.
The LORD CHANCELLOR observed, that if
there were individuals in Grampoiind who were inno-
cent, this measure was to them ex post facto, and a
Bill of Pains and Penalties. Whenever this Bill was
considered, he hoped there would be a full attendance.
Lord HOLLAND thought, that the most regular
mode of proceeding would be to call in the Petitioners,
and to ask them if they had anything to urge why
the .second reading of the Bill should be postponed ?
He thought, if a reason were assigned that they were
not prepared with Counsel, that would be sufficient
to induce their Lordships to delay.
Barl GREY never heard an application for delay
less supported by argument than this; for, after the
Bill had been before Parliament so long, it was ab-
surd in the Petitioners to say they had 'no time to in-
struct Counsel. Therefore, if there was any hardship in
the case, it was owing to the laches of the Petitioners
themselves. He denied that this Bill was one of
Pains and Penalties, for the parties affected could
not claim a right of suffrage for their own advantage,
for they exercised it for the benefit of the Public, and
he would oppose the postponement of the Bill.

The Earl of WESTMORELAND thought it would
be most unjust to refuse the Petitioners the small re-
quest of delaying the Bill for a few days. He con-
tended that the Bill was one of Pains and Penalties;
for it went to punish one set of men for the offence
of others, if such offences had been committed.

The Marquis of LANSDOWN was against any
delay, as the parties affected by the Bill had all the
notice of its proceeding through the other I-louse
and this House a long time ago. Yet, with all the
knowledge they possessed, they had by their own
lathes declined to give notice to this House ; and
their Petition only brought down that day was to be
made the foundation for moving for delay. The in-
habitants of Grampound had every opportunity of
giving full consideration to the• Bill—and now, on
the very day of the second reading, they made an
unreasonable and suspicious application, with a view
to defeat a measure which no man could wish to see
frustrated, except on private grounds.
The LORD CHANCELLOR repeated his opinion
that he did not think this a Bill which ought to pass;
most certainly it was one which ought not to pass
without the innocent parties, who are to be disfran-
chised by it, having an opportunity of being fully
-heard—( Hear).
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that it would be
harsh to proceed in the absence of the Counsel whom
the parties desired ; but he suggested the propriety of
merely adjourning until Wednesday; that would still
leave three days of the,present %reek for proceeding
upon the Bill; four days,if they sat on Saturday.
The Earl of SARNARVON agreed in the sug-
gestion of theilifihle-Va,r&
After a few words in eiptanation from the Noble
Lords who Irad-spokeni it was agreed that they should
enter- upon tke consideration of the Bill at half-past
fottvo'clKli, on Wednesday, and sit gate on Friday
miAr,,, so as to preclude, if possiblen* necessity of
sitting on Saturday.