The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-05-08
europe.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, FEB. 81.
IRISH ROMAN CATHOLICKS.

MIR. Gratfan rose TO present petition,
signed as he stated, by divers Roman Catho.
ticks of Ireland. The prayer of their petit
on went TO obtain the constitutional priviie-
Ses, which, AS subjects of the realm, they
considered themselves, in common with their
Protestant brethren, entitled to, and they
same, in his opinion, for legitimate object,
through the legal constitutional organ--the
legislature. When he originally presented
petition, similar in its object, from the diff.
ferent counties in Ireland, he had stated,
that the Roman Catholicks were willing 70
concede the point, viz. the election of their
bishops, anu for this purpose, would give to
the crown a veto. On the present OCCASION
sorry he was tosay, that he could not affirm
such TO be the present sentiments of the res
pectabie body on whose behalf he applied.
WHITTIER he (Mr. Grattan) had misin-
formed the house with respect to that CON
cession, or that the Roman Cathsicks re-
tracted, was question which he would alb.
he be supposed guilty d mistake than that
they mad retracted any Concession. 1t was
his fixed principle neverto defend himself at
the eXpenCe OF his country. With respect
10 the petition, he must Tair.aiu the princi-
pie that it is absolutely necessary for the
security Of these realms that precaution
should be taxi IA. lest determination of Cath
dick bishops should beyested in foreign
mower. The pope, fron the present circum-
stances of the continen, was likely to remain
a French subject. 1t was most probable that
he would not suffer a French citizen 20 nom
inate the head of the eiigion. 1t was ab-
soiuteiy necessary for the success of the
Catho'ck Cause, that tie nomination of the
CatholCk bishops Should NOT emanate from
n foreign power. II waimpossiblc he should
Communicate the privileges of the constitu
tian and rest at the saIe time under the in
6ueuce Of the French 1t was necessary
for their interests. ndperfectly coincedent
with iien principles. protest against the
nomination of any foreyn power. 1t was alb
solutely incumbent on.hem to come to some
declaration on the SUBJECT, so as they might
enjoy those privilegesto which they were
entitled, and which sasfected the ,,ubIic Sc
Curity. He should naie sugAe day for dis
cussing the subject mater OF the petition. In
Abe discussion, hi shoyd rest the argument
On these two great pricipl es~----that no re-
1igious principles IMPLIED Disability upon
the subject, that no fo.ign nomination. would
5nterfere with the loyay Of the Catho'icks
For the present he shlld depreoate any fur.
Their conversation. he question at issue
was between the Protestant and the Catho
aick-whetheri in 4 protacted marriage they
should bear with one nother's infirmities,
add by concession givc.he best assurance Of
harmony.
The Chancellor of ti Exchcquer was not
disposed, as the ret honorable gentle
man had deprecated iscUssion, to prolong
1t. lie should merelynaSe an observation
or two on what had faln from him What
ever opposition he M Perceyai) had gil
ven oil former occaSn, he found re was
fidly justified in giving FROM dat the right
fondrable gentleman ~ stated. If the for
4, Iner petition Lad ijeegranted on the terms
desi'ed, -nich term'the right honorable
Se"',snan admitted IRE inconsistent with
the security OF the country, those terms
were now denied in bbiiC. whatever they
Tnignt be in prvate.4t was then stated,
that the Ieto would gran, ed uncOndition
ally. 1t now appeal perfectly clear, that
whatever difFerenceof opinion might tken
have existed, it cOul not nogv with proprie-
yor fairness be ch ged against him (Mr.
PercevaD that hi. objections arose from
any principles of ir,leranCe. With respect
10 what the right norable gentleman had
stated with regardo the foreign dominion
over the pope, the,Dly difference was the
application of the ,iuciples
Mr.. GraHan in Explanation, stated. that
he had never chanh his mind with respect
90 the claims Of thCa.holcks. When Mr..
Fox introduced e petition, it never was
conceived that the claims were to be "a
g3ttod, that was Subject for discussion in
the committee. He was ready to- agree
wish the right hN gentleman, that il the
bfise had gone pidiy to the vote, he (Mr
q was answerde for deceiviug them -
4 yeith respect tdhe veto, circumstances
we're different. When Mr. Fox presented
y petition, then e pope was under the in
Silence of Englid, ne was now under the