Star.
London, England, 1817-02-25 00:00:00

CATHOLIC QUIISTIOI.

Mr. SHAW wished to know whether the notice
stich an Honourable and Learned Gentleman had
given for an Honourable Friend of his, -respecting a
Committee to considei of the disabilities of the Ca-
tholics, was intended to apply to the whole of the
C..a.,svic question ? If so, many Gentlemen Avoul44
be unavoidably detained by the Assizes in Ireland,
whose presence would have:been desiiiSfilei - 1
Mr. BROUGHAM replied that the iiotion Obis.
Honourable Friend would not invoke the general
Catholic question. He intended may to propose the
appointment of a Select Committee to examine the
penal laws still in force against the Catholics in the
tree kingdoms.' He should not bring forward the
teat question itself, till there could be a full attend-
ance of all the Members likely to enter into its dis
cusiion. He then suggested•tlie propriety of filling
tip the vacancy left in the Finance Committee by the
Icaigsation of his Honourable Friend (Sir J. New.
port) and proposed Mr. Robert Smith in his stead, as.
aGentlemaa whose abilities and experience entitled.,
lin to fill so important a place in the pending evil]
iElation. The motion was agreed,to, and Mr Ho,
• bort Smith's name inserted on the Comm;ttee.•

thtermons Po* ULTONU..
Sir F. Buitorer said, that before the House
should enter on the discussion of that widely extended
coos' i acy, which had excited so much alarm'on the
opposite aide (Larietecr), he had a few more Petitions
for Parliamentry Reform to prewar. He then pre-
'Meted p.titions to that effect from the borough of
'faddMgbam had its vicinity, the tome of Ludlow,.
rad thelmeughe of Blackburn, Driffizld;Atewarten,,
Carmanagh, ICechaber, and several others.—Ordered
talk on the table.
General FERGUSSON presented a petition from
the inhabitants of the City and Royal Borough of
Perifi, in Perthshire, in favour of Parliamentry Re-,
fort - He stated that it was a moat groundless libel
oaths mass of she people, to say that they were dfeni-
roes of Reeoletion under the .&me of Reform. In
Scotland, ahhcagh the people Were ilous re-
formers, noise were more loyal, er,Yrectifo be more
ready to stand by the Constitution of themountry.-1
lead, and ordered tole on the-tale.
Mr. STANN/FORTH presented a Petition in
farrier of Reform and economy, from the inhabitants
of ILiortori-npon-Hull.
sr. BROUGHAM could assure the House, from
the communications which he had received from
pence' present at the Meeting, that although attend-
ed by large numbers, nothing could have been more,
orderly or dispassionate, either in the conduct of the
people cr she language -of the speakers. But this,
was nat an extraordinary instance. With one solitary
esceptiou, every thing which had passed proved, that
although numerous beyond all -precedent, all the
Meetings in the country had been carried on with a
degree of tranquillity and decorum, which would
doilioneur to the best cause.—iffear, /wars eir.)However Misrepresented. peace and good conduct
still formed the characteristics of the people.—The
petition war then read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Mt. HUNT'S PITITZOW.
Lora COCHRANE stated, that be held a Peti-
tion, whi:h had been put into his liana only ten
misutes before. It was ftom an individuals Mr.
Henry Hunt, who declaied that he was ready to ap-
pear at the bar of flit House, and to disprove by
"hl'nee, certain allegations made in a Report of a
40,iet Committee of that House, which he had read
'dithe public papers. He thought that the Petition
el.ht to it taken into consideration by the House
it should proceed, not indeed to vote away,
tutu) suspend the liberties of the nation. That pa-'
t'''" 'Weil, that the petitioner, while in the country,'
Le received a letter last November from Preston, re-
!rotting him to attend a Meeting of the dikuesscd
ty.abitants of London and its vicinity. That be had,
viteosequence, written to Preston to lt,Ofr thlobjerdtl
of meeting, and had received pyglx,4l,ltaim
" The Independent Whig," .*cWasminiann
''eltisernent calling .wpwo tit* inhabh"ks of o
Westminster, and 3ontbwailt, to asnimble and
' lion the Prince Regent, in favour Of Reform sad
That he hedgerows le lenndone and found
ready of wkirelt he Hutt dhow-
at well aool the of rill its a body to
''''"nt it Ili Carlsomieenso. . That be' had Poled
'etnietiOna, which bid bon dY