Star.
London, England, 1828-04-30 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mt. IL A. TAYLOR presented three Petitions from the Ito.
sum Catholics of Richmond, Skeffseld, and another place in the
empty of York, la favour of the Catholic CWtna
&lunar Padgetts were presented by Mr. W. Sages, from the
Congregation of &. John's Chapel, Norwich, and from a Society
of the Friends of ReNglms Liberty, in Birmingham; by Lord
lleassem, from two Parishes in Cumberland and Northumberland.
__Ordered to be printed.
Lealg SOMERSET presented two Petitions from Parishes in
Gloucester, against further concessions to the Catholics.
Similar Petitions were presented by Mr. Hawe Davis, from the
>bWasland Churchwardens of the Parishes of Sr. Aug,usdn, and
St. Mary &date, Bristol; by Mr. H. Memwms, from how
Paddies in the meaty of Cavan ;II Sir H. Satin, from the Arch.
deacon and Clergy of the ArandMstry of Cokhestes, Been ; by
Mr. Pawns, frost Brockbamptoo; by Sir J. Sanest, kom the

and Inhabitants of Deadbeat. ISM ; by Vt. Moose. fro
th:firoves of Wieldow,coonty of Wicklow ; by Lord B. Stateasay.
front the Methodists of fieeeort.—Ordereti to be printed.
Mr. KENNEDY presented a Petition from the Royal Borth
of Ayr. in favour of the repeal of the Test and Corporadonct
—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. SUDDEN presented a Petition from Horsham against the

Catholic Claims.
Sir 3'. GOOCH presented Petitions from Rock Farm, and the
Hundred of lionnere, In Suffolk, in favour of the Corn Laws.
Mr. SYKES presented a Petition from the Corporation of Hull
against the Catholic Claims.
Mr. HUME presented a Petition from the Catholics of St.
Chad's, Birmingham, in favour of Emancipation.
Mr. HENEA GE presented five Petitions from the Roman
Catholics in the county of Lincoln, to the same effect.
Colonel BAILEY presented a Petition from Holderness to the
same effect.
Sir T. LET H BR I DG E presented Petitions against the Catholics
from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset; Boughton Green, Bucks;
and three places in Wicklow and Carlow.
Mr. R. TREVOR presented several Petitions from places in
Carmarthensbire to the same effect.
Mr. CALCRAFT presented Petitions from the Roman Ca-
tholics of Callington,. Ipswich, and Bury St. Edmund's, for

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Emancipation.
Earl BECTIVE presented a Petition from the Catholics of
Dulcet for Catholic Emancipation.
Sir N. C. COLTHURST, from several Parishes in Cork, to the
same effect; and one against the Vestry Act.
Mr. R. GROSVENOR, from Chester and another place its
Cheshire, to the same effect.
Lord BRUDENELL, a Petition against the Catholic Claims,
from the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Chichester.
Lord C. MANNERS, from the Dean and Chapter of Ely, to
the same effect.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, after presenting
several similar Petitions from Parishes in the County of Armagh,
said, " 1 hold in my band another Petition, which I conceivelto.be
more worthy the attention of the House than several I have pre-
sented. It comes from the Archbishop and Clergy of the Diocese
of Dublin, and expresses their opinion that if any change be made in
the laws which disqualify Roman Cotholics from holding offices in
the State, it may ultimately endanger the security of the Established
Church. It is signed by the Archbishop and 115 of the Clergy of
the Diocese, who are as much distinguished for their learning as
any the Church can boast of. When I state that the name of the
Archbishop of Dublin is affixed to it, I am sure that every one wbo
knows the talent and learning of that Noble Prelate will treat
the Petition with that high respect which such a sanction deserves.
Front my own personal knowledge. I can also speak as to the
manner in v hick the Clergy who petition discharge their duty, not
only as to the maintaining of schools, and the diffusing of religious
instruction, but also as to the manner in which they administer to
the wants of those about them, who even do not profess the Estab-
lished Religion. It is net with any feeling of hostility towards
those against whom they petition that they are induced to come
forward, but front a conviction that their admission to political power
would be dangerous to the establishment of Which they ate members.
As I said before, I think their opinion is intitled to the high respect
and deep attention of this House. I move that the Petition be
brought up."—Read, and ordered to be printed.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
Mr. Secretary PEEL—I have been requested, Sir, to
present to the House the Petition of the University of
Oxford, against any further concessions to the Roman
Catholics. It is couched in the same terms as that of
last year, and states, that having often and maturely
consideied the weight of the al gurnents urged on both
sides of this great question, the petitioners are sure that
those Statutes which have been passed for the security
of our venerated establishments in Church and State
would be endangered by the admission of the Roman
Catholics to political power. The Statutes to which
they refer are those which exclude Catholics from hold-
ing offices of State, and being Members of Parliament.
As I shall soon have an opportunity of expressing my
opinions, and as I shall then follow the course which I
have invariably taken, I shall not at present trouble the
House with any further observations, and therefore
move that the Petition be brOught up.
Sir M. %V. RIDLEY wished the Right Ilonourable
Gentleman, in presenting this Petition, had stated all
the circumstances tinder which it was got up. He
did not partake in the sentiments it expressed, but yet
he rejoiced at its being presented, because it must be
matter of great satisfaction to the friends of religious
ltbetty, that it was carried by a comparatively small
majority, and that so many members of that learned
University seemed now convinced that exclusion was
incompatible with the safety or interests either of Church
or State. Upon a former occasion, when a similar
Petition had been brought under the consideration of
the Committee, there was only one dissentient voice.
Now, however, the majority was no more than sixty to
ti.irty-four. This was a proof that a more liberal fea-
ture on this great question had spread through the
country, and could not fail in due time to secure to
their fellow-subjects what they so justly claimed.
Mr. ESTCOURT said, he also was glad that the
Petition was presented, because it expressed the opinion
of a large majority of that learned body. He did not
,ee why it should be hailed as a proof that the Univer-
•ity had altered their opinions upon this question.
Upon the former occasion alluded to by the Honourable
Baronet no discussion took place—(hear)—and he
helitved no division ; but his own account of the man•
ner in which the present Petition had been got up proved
that it underwent most serious consideration, and that
alter weighing the matter deliberately a conclusion was
come to, by a majority of nearly two to one, against
any further concession. This was important, and lie
trusted there would be in that House a majority equally
large in proportion—(Hear, hear).
The Petition was ordered-to be printed.
A Message• was brought from the Lords, intimating that their
Lordships had assented to the Bill for Repealing the Test and Cor.
poration Acts, with certain amendments.—(The announcement
was received in the House with some cheering).
Lord R. SOMERSET presented a Petition from the Wool
Growers in Gloucester, praying for a higher duty on Foreign Wool.
—Ordered to be printed.
Mr. HOBHOUSE presented a Petition from John Dean, com.
plaining of being ovet.rated to the Poor Rates, and praying for
redress. This was an unconstitutional mode of proceeding; and if
no other person took up the subject. he should bimsell propose some
measure for restraining the power of Select Vestries within the
Bills of Mortality, if not throughout the whole country. —Or dared
to be printed.