into the street, where the High Sheriff, from a waggon that had been placed to receive him and his friends, read the requisi

tion.

COLONEL STRATFORD then addressed the persons present, and said, that having had the honour to originate the proceeding, by introducing it to the Noblemen and Gentlemen who signed the requisition (18 in number), he now took the liberty of suggesting the propriety of agreeing to a Petition to both Houses of Parliament, in opposition to the present Claims of the Roman Catholics, which, if conceded, would undoubtedly terminate in the subversion of our happy Constitution, since they were directly contrary to the Act of Settlement, wisely provided by our ancestors for the protection of the Protestant Establishment in Church and State. He then handed a Petition to the High Sheriff, which he recommended for adoption.

requisition dictated the Address to both Houses of Parliament, I have no hesitation in saying that it meets with my complete disapprobation. I shall therefore feel it my duty to submit an Amendment of a very different tenour, calculated, as I conceive, to secure the integrity and tranquillity of the Empire. (Applause. During a political life of some length, it has been my misfortune to be often in the minority, and having so frequently before experienced this predicament, I shall not be deterred from performing my duty, by the fear that I shall once more be in that situation. I have, by experience, learned to look at such a circumstance without apprehension, and the habit of being in the minority has almost converted it into a second nature. There is this consolation to be derived from being defeated, that it is a conscientious discharge of duty, and it often happens that much. advantage results from a firm resistance, even though it prove ineffectual. It will not be disputed, when I say that the sub

SIR HENRY HAWLEY heartily seconded the motion, as his opinion was completely coincident. If the Roman Catholics la-ject of Catholic Emancipation is a question boured under any religious disabilities, if one statute yet remained in our books controling the exercise of their faith, he wished that it should be instantly expunged, but he never would consent to grant them political power, by breaking down the Test Act, and other wholesome barriers, raised to exclude them from it. He entertained a very high opinion of the Catholics, and did not believe that they had now an evil intention, but if once allowed what they demanded, who should say that, fifty years hence, the country would not be governed by a Catholic Administration, which probably would end in a Catholic King being placed upon the Throne. That such an event was to be avoided, no man would hesitate to admit.

After a few interlocutory remarks from LORD THANET, Mr. CALCRAFT, and the HIGH SHERIFF, the Petition proposed was read. It, in general terms, expressed that it was dangerous to grant any additional privileges to the Roman Catholics, and that it was impolitic in the legislature to take their claims into consideration.

The EARL of THANET then addressed the Assembly in the following terms;-Although it is true that the Petition proposed was read by the under Sheriff, in an audible voice, yet I cannot say that I was able, in this situation, to catch every word of it: having, however, seen the requisition by which we have been convened, and knowing that the same spirit that dictated that

upon which great prejudices prevail,-pre-
judices, in my opinion, unfounded; and,
because I think that they will be gradually
removed, I shall tell the Gentlemen calling
this Meeting, that it will not be the last
time when the matter is here discussed.
People, at the first contemplation of what
is new and grand, as this question certainly
is to most of you, are struck by imaginary.
terror, that further inquiry will not justify.
Whenever the Catholic Claims have been
debated in Parliament, I acknowledge that
I have always voted for the investigation of
their principles, that we might know accu-
rately the grievances of which they com-.
plain. I voted for some notice being taken
of the Petitions of four millions of men,
who were not listened to by many, merely
because they were Irishmen, although the
same blood flows in their veins as that which
flows in our own. Certainly the speeches.
of the Mover and Seconder were not very,
well stocked with arguments; and as they
seemed unwilling to name them, I shall
feel myself at liberty to allude to two or
three popular objections to the Claims of
the Catholics. First, it is said that they
keep no faith with Heretics; secondly, that
they are so bound in allegiance to the Pope,
that, on his command, they would be com-
pelled to depose or murder their Sovereign.
As to the former point, I can say with per-
fect confidence, that they abhor the posi-
tion: they have declared their detestation,
over and over again, of such an inhuman

let my proposal be rejected or adopted, I shall rest satisfied with having done all that lay in my power to secure the affection of our Irish brethren, and to preserve the tranquillity of the realm.

and unsocial principle. Upon the bare state- | er or later, I am persuaded, liberality and ment, who can believe that any individuals justice must be triumphant. At any rate, in a civilized state could countenance such a diabolical principle: but the Catholics directly and positively deny it, and yet it is constantly thrown in their teeth: it is a false imputation cast upon them by their enemies, and this imputation is made their Mr. JOHN SMITH, M. P. with much crime. (Hear, hear!) Besides this denial energy seconded the Amendment of the to remove the terrors of these alarmists, Noble Earl. He lamented that sometimes frightened at the very phantoms they had from artifice, and often from ignorance, raised, Mr. Pitt proposed the question, this important subject had been misreprewith the utmost solemnity, to six of the sented and misunderstood. The real quesprincipal Roman Catholic Universities. tion was, whether rights in themselves This was one good action of a man possess- inalienable, and belonging to man as his ing certainly great power, but of whom I birthright, were to be withheld from four must say that a more mischievous Minister millions of the King's subjects. Those who this country never saw. (Some disapproba- were acquainted with the internal state of tion.) I am not, and never will be afraid Ireland, knew that blood and carnage, from to speak my honest sentiments, the more religious animosities, had often deluged its necessary since I see that you are so much plains, and those who manned our fleets mistaken in him. These Universities, these and filled our armies owed their birth to a depositories of the learning of the Catho- country where wretchedness and poverty lics, were horror-struck at the imputation, were equalled only by the misery of the inthat Catholics held no faith with Heretics. habitants. It was said that the Irish nation Let it be likewise remembered, that during was dissatisfied. When a right was dethe present King's reign several indulgences tained it was natural, it was fit that they have already been granted to them; and if should be dissatisfied. As to the dangers it be so dangerous to concede, it will not be so much talked of, they were altogether denied that the Ministers who advised, and chimerical: the Pope was a prisoner to the King who passed such Acts, have done Buonapartè: the Catholic hierarchy was a serious injury to the Protestant religion. destroyed, and monastic institutions subvertBut this is weak in comparison with the ed; the idea of Catholic ascendency was a oath which all Catholics take, and which, mere bugbear, calculated to alarm and disin terms as strong as language could afford, turb the tranquillity of the nation, and if swear to the contrary. (The Noble Earl any attentions were due to authorities, the here read the Oath to which he referred.) united opinions of Fox, Pitt, and Burke, With these views, I should ill discharge might be quoted to prove that the fears inmy duty if I did not propose an Amend- dulged were fictitious and groundless. An ment, not one drawn up in haste for this Honourable Baronet had talked of Cathooccasion, but sanctioned by the adoption of lic Ministers and a Catholic King; the noa most enlightened and respectable Meeting tion was ridiculous, since the Parliament in the County of Wilts.-(Lord Thanet would prevent both the one and the other. read his Amendment, omitting all the If history were examined, it would be words of the original motion, and then con- found that the objections now urged against tinued.) Such a resolution is worthy of Catholics were adduced 200 years ago, the proverbial liberality of the Men of without any regard to the change of circumKent, and I am assured that none will im-stances. It was a remarkable fact that peach the honesty of my motives in suggest- when guiltless men were executed for the ing it; its object is only to lead the Catho- Popish Plot, on the testimony of Titus lics not to despair. There are some short- Oates, they did not die maintaining their sighted politicians who argue that when innocence, but insisting upon the falsity of the general sense of the country, as it is the assertion, that the Pope could authorize called, is obtained by County Meetings, the the murder or deposition of a sovereign, Catholics will cease to torment the Legisla- and yet to this day was this absurd princiture, having no hope of redress. The ef-ple attributed to the Catholics. The Hofect, I fear, will be far otherwise. It is not a pleasing task to predict disasters, and I hope that the good sense of the people of Kugland will prevent them, because soon

nourable Gentleman then went into a statement of the presumptuousness of this Meeting, in pretending to dictate to Parliament not to consider the subject, and concluded

by referring to the injury sustained by Christianity in all ages, from the prevalence of intolerance.

choice was to be made by a protestant king, under a protestant government. Could four Catholic Peers, and less than ten Catholic Commoners, control both Houses of Parliament, they only consisting of 658 members? Was it likely that they should overbalance all the weight and property of the kingdom? his Lordship defied any man to make it appear morally possible.-Were the Catholics of Ireland so much worse than the Catholics of Kent, that they were to be dreaded like wild beasts?— What advantages might we not derive from Catholics being placed at the heads of our fleets and armies. Had Lord Wellington's parents been unfortunately Catholics, our victories in Spain might have been dreamt of, but never realized. If too the Pope was such a powerful agent, why did not Buonaparte employ him against us in those most bigoted countries of the Peninsula ? The truth would turn out to be, that the grant of the claims of the Roman Catholics would strengthen instead of weakening the establishment; and that it wanted support, at this period, few men, who had duly inquired, would deny.

The EARL of DARNLEY expressed his surprise, that neither of the Members of the County had yet spoken. The Honourable Baronet belonging to this district (Sir W. Geary) thought it sufficient to indicate his opinion by putting his name to the requisition. It was not without great astonishment that the Noble Lord found, if there knowing the liberal sentiments of the Honourable Baronet upon most political topics, especially when the question was not whether Catholics should be allowed to participate in all the privileges of Englishmen, but merely whether the House of Commons should follow up its resolution of June last, to investigate this important subject. If, indeed the county of Kent thought it necessary to dictate to the House of Commons what was its duty, it would be the strongest argument in favour of parliamentary reform that had been ever heard. It did not appear quite decent that this Meeting would not allow the Legislature to decide upon a former part of its proceedings. It was requiring Parliament to shut its ears against the reiterated appeals of four millions, who were distinguished for patriotism and loyalty, and for the discharge of every domestic and social duty. After many years of patient inquiry, his Lordship was convinced of the propriety of these concessions, resisted only by ignorance and prejudice. In the time of Charles II. (whose reign was the most profligate and abandoned in our annals) when these disabilities were imposed, it should not be forgotten that the monarch was a concealed Catholic; the heir presumptive who afterwards succeeded as James II. was a known papist, and almost succeeded in overthrowing both church and state: the Catholic religion was at that time identified with arbitrary power, and those restraints were to prevent the total annihila-Lord really so ignorant of facts as not to tion of our constitution. Was such any know that the Board daily sitting in Dublin thing like the state of affairs now? There had positively declared, that it would be was not even a head to the Romish Church, an imputation upon the principles of the and those who talked about the fears in- whole Catholic body to accept any thing spired by the Pope were the only true Pa-short of what the blood of Englishmen had pists, since it was they that created what flowed to resist, (Hear, hear; bravo!): would otherwise be a nonentity. The Pope that it was below the generous ambition of had not been heard of till within these few Irishmen to accept of any thing but uncondays, when he was found among Buona-ditional emancipation? Men might assert parte's other wild beasts at Fontainbleau. It would be imagined by those who only heard one side that the Catholics asked for some mighty power in the state: they only asked to be eligible to office, but the

SIR W. GEARY admitted, that it had been his intention to have remained silent, because the publication of the requisition throughout the county was sufficient evidence of his opinions.-Called upon, however, by the personal allusions of the Noble Lord, he should endeavour to point out the real question, which had been completely misrepresented. The Noble Lord had maintained that the county had no right to state its opinion to the legislature upon this subject, because it precluded inquiry, which both the Houses had determined upon. Sir William denied that the Petition to-day proposed had for its object to prevent inquiry, and he pledged himself to support any claims of the Catholics short of those at present insisted upon. Was the Noble

what they pleased, but every day's experience shewed more and more clearly, that it was only a few men of disappointed and restless ambition that kept alive this turbulent spirit of the Catholics of Ireland, who

having voted in its favour, he could not ap-ence. The Noble Earl (Thanet) had read prove of a Petition, the object of which to the meeting one Oath which the Catho went to render it nugatory. The proposal lics took to the Sovereign to secure their made by Col. Stratford unfairly prejudged allegiance, but many others might be adthe question: It told Parliament, you have duced in the wording equally strong, imacted imprudently, and without examina- posed by the Legislature for various purtion decided that which ought not to be de- poses. Those prescribed by the 13th, 14th, termined without the most minute inquiry. and 28th of the King were always subscribThe Revolution, it was true, was a Pro- ed, and no man could say that they were testant Revolution; but how different were not inviolably observed. Of the faith and the circumstances of the times. Besides a loyalty of the natives of Ireland, no man Popish Sovereign, there was soon after- entertained a doubt; if great and brilliant wards a Popish Pretender; and the Sove- achievements were performed by our troops, reign Pontiff was almost in the zenith of his or by any particular regiment, it would alpower. Now the Protestant succession had most invariably be found that Roman Cabeen long settled; there was no Pretender, tholics formed no inconsiderable proportion and the Pope was a prisoner, an incum- of the force that so distinguished itself. It brance to Buonaparté, who could not em- could not be said that they did not respect ploy him to advantage in any country of their oaths, because oaths only kept them Europe. In Canada we had a splendid in- out of all the offices of the state; if they stance of Catholic loyalty: Catholic esta- would condescend to subscribe the oaths of blishments were there countenanced, and Supremacy and Transubstantiation, no obthe Catholics had resisted the Pope, Buo-jection could be made to their eligibility to naparte, and the Americans, his allies. Parliament, or to any of the dignities of the One Hon. Baronet trembled at the name of State; but their adherence to their faith, a Jesuit. Where they were now to be the respect they shewed to the sacred oblifound Mr. Calcraft was ignorant; but if he gation, kept in the hands of the Protestants should want one, would apply to his wor-all temporal power, and the Catholic, who thy Friend, who probably had a few in petto, that he kept and exhibited like wild beasts. A Pope King was also much dreaded by him; but until the Act of Settlement were repealed, he could not sit upon the British Throne. As to a Popish Parliament, it was ridiculous to entertain such an idea. The elective franchise had already been granted, and all the influence they could have they exercised through Protestants. Was it possible that five millions of Catholics should destroy and annihilate twenty millions of Protestants? What would ten Catholic Members do against 650 Protestant Representatives, even were the former aided by a Popish King and a Jesuit adviser? The great authorities of Pitt, Fox, and Burke had been quoted; but Mr. Calcraft could add the names of five succeeding Lords Lieutenant of Ireland, who all concurred in the necessity of concession to the Catholics: they were, Earl Fitzwilliam, Earl Camden, Marquis Cornwallis, Earl Hardwicke, and the Duke of Bedford. Earls Camden and Hardwicke became proselytes in favour of the Papists, although they were sent out by Administrations who were founded upon opposition to their claims. He was as firmly persuaded that the concession to the Catholics would give additional security in Church and State, as he was of his exist

for gain would sacrifice his conscientious scruples, was below contempt. Allusions had been made to the Catholic Board of Dublin, but the Legislature was not to attend to the inconsiderate nonsense of a few individuals; and if the Catholics did not chuse to accept the boon offered, on the terms Parliament should fix, it must be rejected; but Parliament, and not the Gatholics, nor the Board at Dublin, were to dictate what should or should not be the securities to be given. The apprehensions, therefore, expressed respecting the proceedings or the threats of a noisy set of barristers, were wholly groundless.

SIR W. GEARY in explanation observed, that he did not intend to be understood as asserting that Jesuits were now to be found in Europe; the only remnant, he believed, was in South America. Of the ascendency and power of the Priests in Ireland, he could adduce a melancholy instance, of the 68 respectable persons, taken prisoners at Wexford during the rebellion.

Mr. CALCRAFT objected to the Hon. Baronet going into new matter in explanation.

SIR W. GEARY dropt that point, and proceeded to advert to the Catholic Board, which he insisted was composed of Delegates from the general body.

Mr. CALCRAFT said that they were not delegates.