Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-28
sEEECrrows.
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS.
Correspondence bet,reen George Sd and III

LETTER or MIR. PITr TO THE LATE KING
Downright. Saturday, Jau. 81, 1901.
Mr. Flu would have felt it, at ell events, his
duty, previous 10 the nesting CT Psrliau emit, 10
subIii TO your Ms esy The result of the beet CON
sidefstion which your Confidential servants could
give TO the important questions respecting the
Catholics and Disseutsrs. which must naturally be
agh-ied In eonsequetc of the Union. The
knowledge OF your Majss,y's general indspo.i,ion
10 any change OF the laws this subject would
have made this painful task him; and II is be.
come much uIore by learning from one Of his
coHeagues -snd hon osher quarters, within these
rev da}f, me extent to which your Majesty enter
| ia ns, and has declared, that sentin ent
He husFs that your Majesty viii believe, tbs,
every priAciple of duty, gratitude and attachment
must make him look TO your Majesty ease and
satisfaction, IN preference TO ell consider atoms, but
'hoee arising from .ense of what in his honest
opinion is due to the real interest of your Majesty
and sour dominions. Under The impression OF that
OPINION he has concuned in what appear ed 10 be
the prevailing sentiments Of the majority of the
Cabinet that the admission of the Cath lies and
D.ssenters 10 Offices of the Catholics 10 Parlis
(irom which latter the disseners are now exclud-
ed,) would, under certain conditions 10 be spsci
hed be highly advisable, with a view to the tran
quiiity and mpro vement of Ireland, and TO the
general interest Of the Units! Kingdom.
For himself, be is, full consd Grafton, Goa
WINGED that the measure would be attended with no
danger 10 the Established Church. or to the Proies-
tsnt interest IN q. Britain Ireland that now the
Union has taken place, and with the new proyi-
sions which would make part of the plan, il could
never give any such weight in Office or in Psrlia-
meat, either TO Catholics or disseniers, as could
give them any new means If they were go dispos-
ed) OF attacking the Establishment - that the
grounds, on which the laws of exclusion now re-
manning were founded, have long been narrow sd
and are since the Union Temoy ed - that those
principles, formerly held by the Catholics, which
made them be considered politically dangerous,
nave been Tor course OF lime gradually declining,
and, among The higher orders particularly, they
nave ceased to prevail that the obnoxious teneis
| are dsclalmed IN the most positive manner by the
oaths which have been requi ed in Great Britain,
and stu! more by one Of those acquired in Ireland
as we condition OF the indulgence already grant ed
and which might equally be made the condition
OF the new ones that if such oath, containing
among o'her provisions, deoal OF the power of
sosolounn from it, obligations, is not security
from Catholics the sscTame entail test i. not nors
80 that the political circumstances undsr which
The exclusive laws originated, arising either from
the conflicting power OF hostile and nearly bslanc-
ed sects, from The apprehension OF Popish queen
OF successor, a disputed succession and foreign
pIetendef, and division in Europe between Ca
thclic and Protestant Powers, are no longer an
piicsbie 10 The present state OF things:-that with
respect 10 those of the Dlsseniers who, it is fear
ed en- erisin principles dangerous to the Constitu-
ion, distinct political test, pointed against the
SSNt'hc VI mSucIn JacOOInSfu, WOua be a muc II
more just and more eHeeiual security, than that
which now exists, which may opsTate 10 the ex
lflusion OF conscientious persons well affected to
The State, and is no guard against those of an OPP
posite descripton:ihat with respect TO the Ca.ho.
lice OF Ireland, another most important additional
security, aud one of which the effect " ould con-
tinually incIease, might be provided by gradually
attachng the Popish clergy the government,
and, foF this purpose, making them dependent ior
part oil their provisions (under regulations) the
State, and by also suhjecing them to upernt en-
dence and control that besides these provision g.
the general interests of The Established Church. aud
the securiiy oil the Constitution and Government,
might be eHscually strengthened by requiring the
Political Fest, before referred to, from the pr saci
ers OF all Catholic or Dissenting congregations,
and from the teachers Of schools OF every denomi
nation.
IL is on these principles Mr.. Pit, bunbly con-
ceives new security might be obtained Tor the
Civil and Ecciesisscal Cons,i tuition OF this coun
try, mste applicable 10 the present circumstances
more Tree from objection, and more effectual in
itself, than any which now exist; and which
would, at the same time, admit of extending such
nduigsncies, must conciliate the higher orders
OF the Catholics, and by furnishing 90 large cass
oil your Aajesiys Irish subjects p oof If the good
VIII OF the United Parlia men,, afford the best
chance OF giving effect to the great object Of tie
Union that OF rsnquiliz.ng Ireland aud attaching
il TO this Country
- - WIN pTessIOis CT, amer all he now
knows oil your Msjestys sentiments ilsst MIR Pitt
troubles your Majss,y thus large with the general
grounds OF his opinion, and finds himself Obliged
'o -dd mat tins opinion, is unaerably fixed in his
mind. Ii must, therefore ultimately guide his DO
iitIcal conduct, If IT should be your Maiesty's
pleasure that, after thus presenting TO open him
sen July TO your Majesty, he should remain in
th.t responsible sIiusuon, IN which your Males
" has 50 long condescended graciousIy and fav
isOiy 10 accept has services. 1t viii sffoid him
ipdeed great RELIEF s. sst-fac oB if he may be al.
lowed to hope. that your Majesty will ceign mature
TO weigh what he has buuDly Submitted, and
10 call Tor any explanation which any parts Of il
may appear to require.
! In the Isterval which your Maiss,y may
p, wish Tor consideration, Ice will not, on his part,
B importune your Majesty with any uanscessa
! - reference TO the subject; snd will feel il
IBIS duty 10 abstain, hm-slf, froas al ogits,ion
oil this subject IN Parliament aud TO prevent il, IS
tar ss depends on bin, on the part OF Others. IT..
on The result OF such consideration, your ~ iesty 8
/ OBJECTIONS 70 the measure proposed should not be
removed, or sufficiently diminished TO admit Of IL
being brought forward with your Majesty. fun
concurrence, and with she " hole weight of Cow
efnmsnt, Il must be personally Mr. Piu's hrs,
wish TO be released lro'n situation, which he is
conscious That, under such circumstances, lie could
not continue 10 al but With the greatest dis.dvan
tsge. -"
At the came time, after the gracious intims,ioo.
which has been recently conveyed to him. Of vour
Msles'ys Senincnts, that II the chef dificuitiss
oil the present c. isis should not then be sv,r,,,,
Ell, or very materially diminished. and Il youy Ma.
Jssiy should continue 20 think, that his bvtnbls
eI'ious could, IN any degree. contribute 10 conduct
lnk them 70 isvofsble issue, there is 10 personal
difficulty to which lie ell not rather submit H.,
wiltdr~~ himself, a. such moment from vour
hlaifsf.fs To ygo,iI 49,.