Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-01

lion against transubstantiation never intended
religious test, il was not applied IN the reign
OF Queen Elizabeth, or in the early periods OF the
country: il applied in tho reign Of Charles II,
and used more for the purpose o! the exclusion OF
the Roman Catholics than any thing else; aud,
when the removal OF the exclusion OF the Roman
Catholics ia 60 be effected. there appears TO be no
reason why il should be continued loud and
long continued checring.) Sir, propose TO retain
the ancient oath Of supremacy TO DC taken by the
I'rotestants hope the time may come when
these distinctions shah he all abolished. and when
we may expect to see the Roman Catholics also
take the oath OF supremacy; hut, as that may not
Ge accomplished at present, it becomes, however,
necessary to propose test in the oath which they
likewise shalfh nc under the necessity OF taking.
propose in the oath fer the Roman Catholic 10
iicvc him from the necessity Of taking the oath Of
allegiance and oath Of abjuraon. because the oath
which intend TO prescibe shall incorporate both.
This. then, is the oath which propose TO be taken
by Roman Catholic members, relieving them from
taking the two oa.hs Of allegiance and abjuration
and Incorporating the two in one.
81, A II, 10 declare that profess the Roman
Catholic religion" 1. A b. do sincerely promise
and swear that will be faithful and bear true al
legiarce to his Majesty King George w., an!
will defend him TO the utmost of my power against
all consiiracies and attempts whatever which shall
be made against his person, crown, or dignity; and
will do my utmost endeavor to disclose and make
known 10 his Majesty, his heirs, and successors,
all treasons and traitorous conspiracies which may
= be formed against him or them. And faithfully
most OF my power, the succession to the crown,
when succession, by an act, entitled 'An act for
the further Limitation of the crown, and the better
securing the rights and liberties of the subject, u.s.
ard stands. limited to the Princess Sophia, Elec.
tress of Hanover, and the heirs Of her body. being
Proiestants: hereby utterly renouncing and alb
juring any obedience or allegiance unto any other
person claiming or pretending right 10 the crown
OF these realms. And do further declare, that il
is not article Of my faith, and that do renounce
reject and ALLURE the opinion that princes excom.
municated or deprived by the Pope, OF any au-
thority of the See OF Rome. may be deposed or
murdered by their subjects, or by any person
whatever. And I do declare that the Pope OF
Rome, or any other foreign prince, prclate person,
state, or poteniatc, hath not, nor ought to have,
any temporal or civil Jurisdiction, power, superb
III this realm do swe6r that will defend, to
the utmost Of my power the settlement Of tho pro-
per,y within this realm, established by the
laws; and do hereby disclaim, dsavow. and SOL
emnly ALLURE any intention TO subvcrt the present
church establishment, as settled by tho law with
in this realm; and do so'emnly swear that ne
vcr will exercise any privilege to which am, or
may become entitled, TO disturb or weaken the
BE- Protestant religion or Protestant government in
this kingdom; and ! do soemnIy. in the presence
of God, profess, testify, and declare that DO make
this declaration, and every part thereof, in the
plain and ordinary sense OF this oath, without any
evasion equivocatlon, or mental observation what
stever.''
This oath, trust, will be considered sufficient
security, as far as an oath can give security. II
may, perhaps, be objected that il imposes less
bonds on the Catholics, as there several other
articles CT religion imputed to them which it, does
not call upon them to reject For my own part
consider this strong recommendation to it. There
were several other articles which l omitted as
unnecessary, which did not think applied TO the
present case. l thoughtit was not necessary to
call upon those gentlemen who were to legslate
with US to swear that they rejected the doctrine
that faith was not to be kept with heretics."-
(Hear, hear) ! thought the Introduction OF such
clauses as these would rather weaken the force
OF the oath; but, fit should be the prevalent opin-
,Jn that their Introduction would add force, am
ready 10 comply with the wishes OF the house.
Whatever this measure may DE considered TO be,
declare proposing il in the unaffected spirit
on peace; and do not wish 10 clog il with any
restrictions which consider to be unnecessary or
'iseless.-(Great cheering.) The oath propose
Is, with very slight difference, the oaths proposed
by Lord Plunkett and others. / think this should
he the only oath to etaken. II would be advisa-
bic, if possible, to have but one oath.-(Cheers.)
In conformity with the principle on which the bill
proceeds. Of course the Roman Catholics should
ne admissible to corporate Offices in Ireland they
are at present excluded from these by what Is
called the new rules, 10 administer the oaths Of
nlpremacy.-The Roman Catholics will also be
admissible generally TO the Offices connected with
the administration Of justice. Now, they are ex-
cluded from the Office Of sherfs and from office in
the superior courts Of jurisdiction; butt in future
propose that Roman Catholics shall be equally
HilglDe 10 all Ounces connected W!itl The criminal
Jurisdiction with Protestants. Then, sir, with re-
spect to the military and naval services, the Ro-
man Catholics at present eligible, but even in
these services the system Of exclusion is acted On
Then. with respect to admission to the higher
Offices, am aware Of the difficulties connected
with this; but it does appear, that once having
determined to admit the Roman Catholics into Par
lament, we also determine upon their eligibility
TO be admitted into higher Offices. doub,
the propriety OF receiving a Roman Catholic into
parliamentary power, and excluding him at the
same time from the distinction TO be conferred
upon him by the crown of holding office in our
higher situations. l should propose, therefore,
10 capacitate the Roman Catholics for employment
IN any way in the service ofthe crown cloud
tAeeriDg) Sir, now proceed to consider the
exception with which propose tie general rule
OF admissibility. propose that the leading prin-
ciP1e upon which the exception should be founded,
should be-connexion with some duties or Offices
that are in connexion with the established church
Of England. The only Offices of exception !
have provided for, the Office of lord Ijeute nant
of ireland, or other chief governor Of Ireland the
disposcr OF church patronage there, the lord high
Chancellor, and lord keeper Of the treat SEAL
These are the specified exceptions. By other
clauses in the bill, Catholics shall be excluded
from all interference with our universities and
with church patronage.-fThe right hon. gentle.
man read the clauses relative to the exceptions.
II propose that il shall not be lawful for any Ro-
MIN Catholic 10 advise his majesty relating TO any
office connected with the Protestant established
chnrch.-(Hear y Such clause ia called tor
for tbe security OF the established church. UIearl
Having, sir, given this brief outline, hope il
viii be deemed satisfactory to the house. am
ready TO 90 into any particulars that any honora-
bic member may be inclined to ask, although II
may, perhaps, be thought what have already
slated IL all that is necessary.