ne lately supported in peaceful industry, and which it The interval of a century has not weakened the fort is not his fault that he can no longer so support-sup- of the remark. It is indeed time that we should leave pose this man, and there are ten thousand such from off these petty cavils on frivolous points, these Lilliwhom you may select your victims, dragged into putian sophistries, whether our "eggs are best broken court, to be tried for this new offence, by this new at the broad or narrow end." law; still, there are two things wanting to convict The opponents of the Catholics may be divided into and condemn him; and these are, in my opinion,-two classes; those who assert that the Catholics have twelve Butchers for a Jury, and a Jefferies for a too much already, and those who allege that the lower Judge!

DEBATE ON THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE'S
MOTION FOR A COMMITTEE ON THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC CLAIMS, APRIL 21, 1812.

orders, at least, have nothing more to require. We are told by the former, that the Catholics never will be contented: by the latter, that they are already too nappy. The last paradox is sufficiently refuted by the present, as by all past petitions: it might as well be said, that the negroes did not desire to be emancipated-but this is an unfortunate comparison, for you have already deMY LORDS-the question before the House has been livered them out of the house of bondage without any so frequently, fully, and ably discussed, and never petition on their part, but many from their task-masters perhaps more ably than on this night, that it would to a contrary effect; and for myself, when I consider be difficult to adduce new arguments for or against it. But with each discussion difficulties have been removed, objections have been canvassed and refuted, and some of the former opponents of Catholic Emancipation have at length conceded to the expediency of relieving the petitioners. In conceding thus much, however, a new objection is started; it is not the time, say they, or it is an improper time, or there is time enough yet. In some degree I concur with those who say it is not the time exactly; that time is passed; better had it been for the country, that the Catholics possessed at this moment their proportion of our privileges, that their nobles held their due weight in our councils, than that we should be assembled to discuss their claims. It had indeed been better

"Non tempore tali

Cogere concilium cum muros obsidet hostis." The enemy is without, and distress within. It is too late to cavil on doctrinal points, when we must unite in defence of things more important than the mere ceremonies of religion. It is indeed singular, that we are called together to deliberate, not on the God we adore, for in that we are agreed; not about the king we obey, for to him we are loyal; but how far a difference in the ceremonials of worship, how far believing not too little, but too much (the worst that can be imputed to the Catholics), how far too much devotion to their God, Inay incapacitate our fellow-subjects from effectually serving their king.

this, I pity the Catholic peasantry for not having the good fortune to be born black. But the Catholics are contented, or at least ought to be, as we are told: I shall therefore proceed to touch on a few of those circumstances which so marvellously contribute to their exceeding contentment. They are not allowed the free exercise of their religion in the regular army; the Catholic soldier cannot absent himself from the service of the Protestant clergyman, and, unless he is quartered in Ireland, or in Spain, where can he find eligible opportunities of attending his own? The permission of Catholic chaplains to the Irish militia regiments was conceded as a special favour, and not till after years of remonstrance, although an act, passed in 1793, established it as a right. But are the Catholics properly protected in Ireland? Can the church purchase a rood of land whereon to erect a chapel? No; all the places of worship are built on leases of trust or sufferance from the laity, easily broken and often betrayed. The moment any irregular wish, any casual caprice of the benevolent landlord meets with opposition, the doors are barred against the congregation. This has happened continual ly, but in no instance more glaringly, than at the town of Newtown Barry, in the county of Wexford. The Catholics, enjoying no regular chapel, as a temporary expedient, hired two barns, which, being thrown into one, served for public worship. At this time, there was quartered opposite to the spot an officer, whose mind appears to have been deeply imbued with those prejudices which Much has been said, within and without doors, of the Protestant petitions, now on the table, prove to Church and State, and although those venerable words have been fortunately eradicated from the more rational have been too often prostituted to the most despica-portion of the people; and when the Catholics were ble of party purposes, we cannot hear them too often; assembled on the Sabbath as usual, in peace and goodall, I presume, are the advocates of Church and State, will towards men, for the worship of their God and the Church of Christ, and the State of Great Britain; yours, they found the chapel door closed, and were but not a state of exclusion and despotism; not an in- told that if they did not immediately retire (and they folerant church; not a church militant, which renders were told this by a yeoman officer and a magistrate), itself liable to the very objection urged against the the riot act should be read, and the assembly dispersed Romish communion, and in a greater degree, for the at the point of the bayonet! This was complained of to Catholic merely withholds its spiritual benediction the middle-man of government, the secretary at the (and even that is doubtful), but our church, or rather Castle in 1806, and the answer was (in lieu of redress), our churchmen, not only refuse to the Catholic their that he would cause a letter to be written to the colonel, spiritual grace, but all temporal blessings whatsoever. to prevent, if possible, the recurrence of similar dis It was an observation of the great Lord Peterborough, turbances. Upon this fact, no very great stress need be made within these walls, or within the walls where the laid; but it tends to prove that while the Catholic church Lords then assembled, that he was for a "parliamen- has not power to purchase land for its chapels to stand tary king and a parliamentary constitution, but not a upon, the laws for its protection are of no avail. In the parliamentary God and a parliamentary religion." mean time, the Catholics are at the mercy of every

"pelting petty officer," who may choose to play his "fantastic tricks before high heaven," to insult his God, and injure his fellow-creatures.

Every school-boy, any foot-boy (such have held commissions in our service), any foot-boy who can exchange his shoulder-knot for an epaulet, may perform all this and more against the Catholic, by virtue of that very authority delegated to him by his sovereign, for the express purpose of defending his fellow-subjects to the last drop of his blood, without discrimination or distinction between Catholic and Protestant.

lawn, the fat and tallow of the beef and mutton allowed,
must be paid for and accounted upon oath. It is true,
this economy in miniature cannot be sufficiently com-
mended, particularly at a time when only the insect
defaulters of the Treasury, your Hunts and your
Chinnerys, when only these "gilded bugs" can escape
the microscopic eye of ministers. But when you come
forward session after session, as your paltry pittance is
wrung from you with wrangling and reluctance, to
boast of your liberality, well might the Catholic ex-
claim, in the words of Prior,-

"To John I owe some obligation,
But John unluckily thinks fit
To publish it to all the nation,

So John and I are more than quit."

Have the Irish Catholics the full benefit of trial by jury? They have not; they never can have until they are permitted to share the privilege of serving as sheriffs and under-sheriffs. Of this a striking example occurred at the last Enniskillen assizes. A yeoman was Some persons have compared the Catholics to the arraigned for the murder of a Catholic named Mac-beggar in Gil Blas. Who made them beggars? Who are vournagh: three respectable uncontradicted witnesses enriched with the spoils of their ancestors? And cannot deposed that they saw the prisoner load, take aim, fire you relieve the beggar when your fathers have made at, and kill the said Macvournagh. This was properly him such? If you are disposed to relieve him at all, commented on by the judge; but, to the astonishment cannot you do it without flinging your farthings in his of the bar, and indignation of the court, the Protestant face? As a contrast, however, to this beggarly benev jury acquitted the accused. So glaring was the partiality, that Mr. Justice Osborne felt it his duty to bind over the acquitted, but not absolved assassin, in large recognizances, thus for a time taking away his license to kill Catholics.

olence, let us look at the Protestant Charter Schools; to them you have lately granted 41,000l.: thus are they supported, and how are they recruited? Montesquieu observes, on the English constitution, that the model may be found in Tacitus, where the historian describes the policy of the Germans, and adds, "this beautiful system was taken from the woods;" so in speaking of the charter schools, it may be observed, that this beau tiful system was taken from the gypsies. These schools are recruited in the same manner as the Janizaries at the time of their enrolment under Amurath, and the gypsies of the present day with stolen children, with children decoyed and kidnapped from their Catholic connexions by their rich and powerful Protestant neighbours: this is notorious, and one instance may suffice to show in what manner. The sister of a Mr. Carthy (a Catholic gentleman of very considerable property) died, leaving two girls, who were immediately marked out as proselytes, and conveyed to the charter school of Coolgreny. Their uncle, on being apprized of the fact, which As to Maynooth college, in no instance, except at the took place during his absence, applied for the restitution time of its foundation, when a noble Lord (Camden), at of his nieces, offering to settle an independence on the head of the Irish administration, did appear to in- these relations; his request was refused, and not till terest himself in its advancement; and during the gov-after five years' struggle, and the interference of very ernment of a noble Duke (Bedford), who, like his high authority, could this Catholic gentleman obtain ancestors, has ever been the friend of freedom and back his nearest of kindred from a charity charter mankind, and who has not so far adopted the selfish school. In this manner are proselytes obtained, and policy of the day as to exclude the Catholics from the mingled with the offspring of such Protestants as may number of his fellow-creatures; with these exceptions, avail themselves of the institution. And how are they in no instance has that institution been properly en- taught? A catechism is put into their hands consisting couraged. There was indeed a time when the Catholic of, I believe, forty-five pages, in which are three quesclergy were conciliated, while the Union was pending, tions relative to the Protestant religion; one of these that Union which could not be carried without them, queries is, "Where was the Protestant religion before while their assistance was requisite in procuring ad- Luther?" Answer, "In the Gospel." The remaining dresses from the Catholic counties; then they were forty-four pages and a half regard the damnable idola cajoled and caressed, feared and flattered, and given to try of Papists! understand that "the Union would do every thing;" but, the moment it was passed, they were driven back with contempt into their former obscurity.

Are the very laws passed in their favour observed? They are rendered nugatory in trivial as in serious cases. By a late act, Catholic chaplains are permitted in jails, but in Fermanagh county the grand jury lately persisted in presenting a suspended clergyman for the office, thereby evading the statute, notwithstanding the most pressing remonstrances of a most respectable magistrate, named Fletcher, to the contrary. Such is law, such is justice, for the happy, free, contented Catholic!

It has been asked in another place, why do not the rich Catholics endow foundations for the education of the priesthood? Why do you not permit them to do so? Why are all such bequests subject to the interference, the vexatious, arbitrary, peculating interference of the Orange commissioners for charitable donations?

Allow me to ask our spirituai pastors and masters, Is this training up a child in the way which he should go? Is this the religion of the gospel before the time of In the contempt pursued towards Maynooth college, Luther? that religion which preaches "Peace on earth, every thing is done to irritate and perplex-every thing and glory to God?" Is it bringing up infants to be men is done to efface the slightest impression of gratitude or devils? Better would it be to send them any where from the Catholic mind; the very hay made upon the than teach them such doctrines; better send them to

those islands in the South Seas, where they might more numanely learn to become cannibals; it would be less disgusting that they were brought up to devour the dead, than persecute the living. Schools do you call them? call them rather dunghills, where the viper of intolerance deposits her young, that, when their teeth are cut and their poison is mature, they may issue forth, filthy and venomous, to sting the Catholic. But are these the doctrines of the Church of England, or of churchmen? No; the most enlightened churchmen are of a different opinion. What says Paley? "I perceive no reason why men of different religious persuasions, should not sit upon the same bench, deliberate in the same council, or fight in the same ranks, as well as men of various religious opinions, upon any controverted topic of natural history, philosophy, or ethics." It may be answered that Paley was not strictly orthodox; I know nothing of his orthodoxy, but who will deny that he was an ornament to the church, to human nature, to Christianity?

exclaiming, "the devil burn you, there's no pleasing you, flog where one will!" Thus it is, you have flogged the Catholic, high, low, here, there, and every where, and then you wonder he is not pleased. It is true, that time, experience, and that weariness which attends even the exercise of barbarity, have taught you to flog a little more gently, but still you continue to lay on the lash, and will so continue, till perhaps the rod may be wrested from your hands, and applied to the backs of yourselves and your posterity.

It was said by somebody in a former debate (I forget by whom, and am not very anxious to remember), if the Catholics are emancipated, why not the Jews? If this sentiment was dictated by compassion for the Jews, it might deserve attention, but as a sneer against the Catholic, what is it but the language of Shylock transferred from his daughter's marriage to Catholic emancipation"Would any of the tribe of Barrabbas

Should have it rather than a Christian."

I presume a Catholic is a Christian, even in the opinion of him whose taste only can be called in question for his preference of the Jews.

I shall not dwell upon the grievance of tithes, so severely felt by the peasantry, but it may be proper to opserve that there is an addition to the burthen, a perIt is a remark often quoted of Dr. Johnson (whom I centage to the gatherer, whose interest it thus becomes take to be almost as good authority as the gentle apostle to rate them as highly as possible, and we know that in of intolerance, Dr. Duigenan), that he who could entermany large livings in Ireland, the only resident Prot-tain serious apprehensions of danger to the Church in estants are the tithe proctor and his family.

Among many causes of irritation, too numerous for recapitulation, there is one in the militia not to be passed over, I mean the existence of Orange lodges amongst the privates; can the officers deny this? And if such lodges do exist, do they, can they tend to promote harmony amongst the men, who are thus individually separated in society, although mingled in the ranks? And is this general system of persecution to be permitted, or is it to be believed that with such a system the Catholics can or ought to be contented? If they are, they belie human nature; they are then, indeed, unworthy to be any thing but the slaves you have made The facts stated are from most respectable authority, or I should not have dared in this place, or any place, to hazard this avowal. If exaggerated, there are plenty, as willing as I believe them to be unable, to

them.

disprove them. Should it be objected that I never was in Ireland, I beg leave to observe, that it is as easy to know something of Ireland without having been there, as it appears with some to have been born, bred, and cherished there, and yet remain ignorant of its best interests.

these times, would have "cried fire in the deluge." This is more than a metaphor, for a remnant of these antediluvians appear actually to have come down to us, with fire in their mouths and water in their brains, to disturb and perplex mankind with their whimsical outcries. And as it is an infallible symptom of that distressing malady with which I conceive them to be the unhappy invalids to perceive a flame perpetually afflicted (so any doctor will inform your Lordships) for flashing before their eyes, particularly when their eyes are shut (as those of the persons to whom I allude have long been), it is impossible to convince these poor crea tures, that the fire against which they are perpetually warning us and themselves, is nothing but an ignis fatuus of their own drivelling imaginations. What rhubarb, senna, or "what purgative drug can scour that fancy thence ?"-It is impossible, they are given

over, theirs is the true

'Caput insanabile tribus Anticyris." These are your true Protestants. Like Bayle, who protested against all sects whatsoever, so do they protest against Catholic petitions, Protestant petitions, all redress, all that reason, humanity, policy, justice, and common sense, can urge against the delusions of their absurd delirium. These are the persons who reverse the fable of the mountain that brought forth a mouse; they are the mice who conceive themselves in labour with mountains.

But there are, who assert that the Catholics have aiready been too much indulged: see (cry they) what has been done: we have given them one entire college. we allow them food and raiment, the full enjoyment of the elements, and leave to fight for us as long as they have limos and lives to offer; and yet they are never to be satisfied! Generous and just declaimers! To this, and to this only, amount the whole of your arguments, To return to the Catholics, suppose the Irish wer when stript of their sophistry. These personages re-actually contented under their disabilities, suppose t them inind me of the story of a certain drummer, who being capable of such a bull as not to desire deliverance, ought called upon in the course of duty to administer punish- we not to wish it for ourselves? Have we nothing to ment to a friend tied to the halberts, was requested to gain by their emancipation? What resources have been flog high; he did-to flog low, he did-to flog in the wasted! What talents have been lost by the selfish middle, he did-high, low, down the middle, and up system of exclusion! You already know the value of again, but all in vain, the patient continued his com- Irish aid; at this moment the defence of England is plaints with the most provoking pertinacity, until the entrusted to the Irish militia; at this moment, whils drummer, exhausted and angry, flung down his scourge, the starving people are rising in the fierceness of de

degree of estimation in which they are held by the people of these realms. The esteem in which they are held has been boasted of in a triumphant tone on a

stituted between their conduct, and that of noble lords on this side of the house.

spair, the Irish are faithful to their trust. But till equal esty's ministers permit me to say a few words, not on energy is imparted throughout by the extension of free- their merits, for that would be superfluous, but on the dom, you cannot enjoy the full benefit of the strength which you are glad to interpose between you and destruction. Ireland has done much, but will do more. At this moment the only triumph obtained through late occasion within these walls, and a comparison inlong years of continental disaster has been achieved by an Irish general; it is true he is not a Catholic; had he been so, we should have been deprived of his exertions; but I presume no one will assert that his religion would have impaired his talents or diminished his patriotism, though in that case he must have conquered in the ranks, for he never could have commanded an army.

What portion of popularity may have fallen to the share of my noble friends (if such I may presume to call them), I shall not pretend to ascertain; but that of his majesty's ministers it were vain to deny. It is, to be sure, a little like the wind, "no one knows whence it cometh or whither it goeth," but they feel it, they But while he is fighting the battles of the Catholics enjoy it, they boast of it. Indeed, modest and unosabroad, his noble brother has this night advocated tentatious as they are, to what part of the kingdom, their cause, with an eloquence which I shall not depre- even the most remote, can they flee to avoid the triciate by the humble tribute of my panegyric, whilst a umph which pursues them? If they plunge into the third of his kindred, as unlike as unequal, has been midland counties, there they will be greeted by the combating against his Catholic brethren in Dublin, with manufacturers, with spurned petitions in their hands, circular letters, edicts, proclamations, arrests, and dis- and those halters round their necks recently voted in persions-all the vexatious implements of petty war-their behalf, imploring blessings on the heads of those fare that could be wielded by the mercenary guerillas who so simply, yet ingeniously contrived to remove of government, clad in the rusty armour of their obsolete statutes. Your lordships will, doubtless, divide new honours between the saviour of Portugal, and the dispenser of delegates. It is singular, indeed, to observe the difference between our foreign and domestic policy; if Catholic Spain, faithful Portugal, or the no less Catholic and faithful king of the one Sicily (of which, by the by, you have lately deprived him), stand in need of succour, away goes a fleet and an army, an ambassador and a subsidy, sometimes to fight pretty hardly, generally to negotiate very badly, and always to pay very dearly for our Popish allies. But let four millions of fellow-subjects pray for relief, who fight and pay and labour in your behalf, they must be treated as aliens, and although their "father's house has many mansions," there is no resting-place for them. Allow preparing for the heroes of Walcheren! It is true there me to ask, are you not fighting for the emancipation of Ferdinand the Seventh, who certainly is a fool, and consequently, in all probability, a bigot; and have you more regard for a foreign sovereign than your own fellow-subjects, who are not fools, for they know your interest better than you know your own; who are not bigots, for they return you good for evil; but who are in worse durance than the prison of an usurper, inasmuch as the fetters of the mind are more galling than those of the body.

them from their miseries in this to a better world. If they journey on to Scotland, from Glasgow to Johnny Groat's, every where will they receive similar marks of approbation. If they take a trip from Fortpatrick to Donaghadee, there will they rush at once into the embraces of four Catholic millions, to whom their vote of this night is about to endear them for ever. When they return to the metropolis, if they can pass under Temple Bar without unpleasant sensations at the sight of the greedy niches over that ominous gateway, they cannot escape the acclamations of the livery, and the more tremulous, but not less sincere, applause, the blessings "not loud but deep" of bankrupt merchants and doubting stockholders. If they look to the army, what wreaths, not of laurel, but of nightshade, are

are few living deponents left to testify to their merits on that occasion; but a "cloud of witnesses" are gone above from that gallant army which they so generously and piously despatched, to recruit the "noble army of martyrs."

What if, in the course of this triumphal career (in which they will gather as many pebbles as Caligula's army did on a similar triumph, the prototype of their own), they do not perceive any of those memorials which a grateful people erect in honour of their benefactors; what Upon the consequences of your not acceding to the although not even a sign-post will condescend to depose claims of the petitioners, I shall not expatiate; you the Saracen's head in favour of the likeness of the conknow them, you will feel them, and your children's querors of Walcheren, they will not want a picture children when you are passed away. Adieu to that who can always have a caricature; or regret the omisUnion so called, as "Lucus a non lucendo," a Union sion of a statue who will so often see themselves exalted from never uniting, which, in its first operation, gave in effigy. But their popularity is not limited to the a death-blow to the independence of Ireland, and in narrow bounds of an island; there are other countries its last may be the cause of her eternal separation from where their measures, and, above all, their conduct to thus country. If it must be called a Union, it is the the Catholics, must render them pre-eminently popular. union of the shark with his prey; the spoiler swallows If they are beloved here, in France they must be adored up his victim, and thus they become one and indivis-There is no measure more repugnant to the designs and ble. Thus has Great Britain swallowed up the par- feelings of Buonaparte than Catholic emancipation; no Lament, the constitution, the independence of Ireland, line of conduct more propitious to his projects, than and refuses to disgorge even a single privilege, although that which has been pursued, is pursuing, and, I fear, for the relief of her swollen and distempered body will be pursued, towards Ireland. What is England politic. without Ireland, and what is Ireland without the CaAnd now, my lords, before I sit down, will his maj- Itholics? It is on the basis of your tyranny Napoleon

hopes to build his own. So grateful must oppression equally mindful of the deference to be paid to this of the Catholics be to his mind, that doubtless (as he House. The petitioner states, amongst other matter has lately permitted some renewal of intercourse) the of equal, if not greater importance, to all who are next cartel will convey to this country cargoes of Sèvres British in their feelings, as well as blood and birth, china and blue ribands (things in great request, and of that on the 21st January, 1813, at Huddersfield, himequal value at this moment), blue ribands of the legion self and six other persons, who, on hearing of his arof honour for Dr. Duigenan and his ministerial disciples. rival, had waited on him merely as a testimony of reSuch is that well-earned popularity, the result of those spect, were seized by a military and civil force, and extraordinary expeditions, so expensive to ourselves, kept in close custody for several hours, subjected to gross and so useless to our allies; of those singular inquiries, and abusive insinuations from the commanding officer so exculpatory to the accused, and so dissatisfactory to relative to the character of the petitioner; that he (the the people; of those paradoxical victories, so honour- petitioner) was finally carried before a magistrate; and able, as we are told, to the British name, and so de- not released till an examination of his papers proved structive to the best interests of the British nation: that there was not only no just, but not even statutaabove all, such is the reward of a conduct pursued by ble charge against him; and that, notwithstanding the ministers towards the Catholics. promise and order from the presiding magistrates of a copy of the warrant against your petitioner, it was afterwards withheld on divers pretexts, and has never until this hour been granted. The names and condition of the parties will be found in the petition. To the other topics touched upon in the petition, I shall not now advert, from a wish not to encroach upon the time of the House; but I do most sincerely call the attention of your lordships to its general contents-it is

I have to apologize to the House, who will, I trust, pardon one, not often in the habit of intruding upon their indulgence, for so long attempting to engage their attention. My most decided opinion is, as my vote will be, in favour of the motion.

DEBATE ON MAJOR CARTWRIGHT'S PETITION, in the cause of the parliament and people that the JUNE 1, 1813.

LORD BYRON rose and said:

rights of this venerable freeman have been violated, and it is, in my opinion, the highest mark of respect that could be paid to the House, that to your justice, rather than by appeal to any inferior court, he now commits himself. Whatever may be the fate of his remonstrance, it is some satisfaction to me, though mixed with regret for the occasion, that I have this oppor tunity of publicly stating the obstruction to which the subject is liable, in the prosecution of the most lawful and imperious of his duties, the obtaining by petition reform in parliament. I have shortly stated his com plaint; the petitioner has more fully expressed it. Your lordships will, I hope, adopt some measure fully to protect and redress him, and not him alone, but the whole body of the people insulted and aggrieved in his person by the interposition of an abused civil, and unlawful military force between them and their right of petition to their own representatives.

MY LORDS, the Petition which I now hold for the purpose of presenting to the House, is one which I humbly conceive requires the particular attention of your lordships, inasmuch as, though signed but by a single individual, it contains statements which (if not disproved) demand most serious investigation. The grievance of which the petitioner complains is neither selfish nor imaginary. It is not his own only, for it has been, and is still felt by numbers. No one without these walls, nor indeed within, but may to-morrow be made liable to the same insult and obstruction, in the discharge of an imperious duty for the restoration of the true constitution of these realms by petitioning for reform in parliament. The petitioner, my Lords, is a man whose long life has been spent in one unceasing struggle for the liberty of the subject, against that undue influence which has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished; and, whatever difference of opinion may exist as to his political tenets, few will be found to question the integrity of his intentions. Even now, uppressed with years, and not exempt from the infirmities attendant on his age, but still unimpaired in tal- Several Lords having spoken on the question, ent, and unshaken in spirit-"frangas non flectes”— LORD BYRON replied, that he had, from motives he has received many a wound in the combat against of duty, presented this petition to their lordships' concorruption; and the new grievance, the fresh insult of sideration. The noble Earl had contended that it was which he complains, may inflict another scar, but no not a petition but a speech; and that, as it contained dishonour. The petition is signed by John Cartwright, no prayer, it should not be received. What was the and it was in behalf of the people and parliament, in necessity of a prayer? If that word were to be used in the lawful pursuit of that reform in the representation its proper sense, their lordships could not expect that which is the best service to be rendered both to parlia- any man should pray to others. He had only to say ment and people, that he encountered the wanton out-that the petition, though in some parts expressed strongly rage which forms the subject matter of his petition to perhaps, did not contain any improper mode of address, your lordships. It is couched in firm, yet respectful but was couched in respectful language towards their anguage in the language of a man, not regardless lordships; he should therefore trust their lordships of what is que to himself, but at the same time, I trust, I would allow the petition to be received.

His lordship then presented the petition from Major Cartwright, which was read, complaining of the circunistances at Huddersfield, and of interruptions given to the right of petitioning, in several places in the northern parts of the kingdom, and which his lordship moved should be laid on the table.