day in the week should be given to the he had seen many frosty mornings. He slaves in lieu of it.

had laboured as much as any man for what Mr. James Wilson complained of the he possessed; and though he did happen to aspersions and insinuations thrown out be one of the masters of that portion of against the West-India proprietors, when his Majesty's subjects who had dark comever an opportunity for doing so occurred. plexions—although he was one of their He would say to his compassionate bre- unfortunate masters-he had always been thren over the way, who were for galloping disposed to act by them conscientiously. away thousands of miles from their own He had lived among them since he was a country and seeking to bestow their be- boy, in every situation; and he would tell nevolence every where but in those places his saintly brethren on the other side of where it was most wanted, “ look at home; the House, that if he was among the nego to Ireland and Scotland; there you will groes and held but his little finger up, it find misery and wretchedness enough; there would be enough. Subordination was neyou can be at no loss to discover plenty of cessary. Nothing could be accomplished starvation. In these places you may find without obedience to authority. He liked persons, perhaps, related to yourselves, in instruction well enough, but it must be in a state of the utmost destitution, actually a moderate and temperate way. By doing starving. When you have done what you too much they would do nothing. 'Emanought to do in this respect, when you have cipation in his opinion, must grow up from relieved the poor of your own country, go the seedlings, like the oak from the acorn. abroad as fast as you like; relieve Ireland If they went to work temperately, he first, and then I will go hand-in-hand with would lend them a helping hand; and you in assisting the West Indies, wbich, without the cordial assistance of the Westhowever, stands in need of assistance India planter, he could assure the philanmuch less than the places already men- thropists they could never hope to be suctioned.” He was the owner of a small cessful in their objects. parish in the north of England, and he had The motion was agreed to. an estate in the West Indies, containing nearly the same number of subjects; and WESTMINSTER Sessions.] Mr. Secrehe could say most conscientiously, that tary Peel moved, “ for leave to bring in a the condition of the black-coloured peo- Bill to extend the times of Sitting in ple was infinitely superior to that of the Sessions at Westminster.”

At present tenantry of his parish in England. If one there were four sessions in the year in of his tenants in that parish wanted a glass Westminster, and eight in Middlesex. of wine, he must go without it. Now that By the terms of their commission the was a state of things which he never recol- magistrates of Westminster were at liberty, lected in the West Indies. The hon. gen- like those of Middlesex, to sit as often as tleman had thrown out a great deal of abuse they found it convenient; but at present upon

the West-India planters, but he could they could not hold any sessions at Westsay that they had feelings of kindness minster during term, or while the judges equal to any of the modern philan- of the King's-bench sat in Westminsterthropists. He desired those hon. gen- hall. The object of his bill was, therefore, tlemen to recollect, that the planters held to enable the magistrates to hold sessions their estates and their present rights un- when they pleased, notwithstanding the der the authority of acts of that House. sittings of the judges of the King's-bench. Their situation was no act of their own; At present, they held but four sessions they went out from this country and pur- yearly; and the consequence was, that an chased or laboured for their property, and offender was frequently detained in conleft it to the children under the sanction finement for three months before he was of that House. Widows and orphans were brought to trial, and then, perhaps he was the holders of much of that property, and only sentenced to a confinement of one he called upon the House to pause before month; so that, in fact, the confinement it interfered with their rights. He called of the man, who must be looked upon as for protection to them and to himself with not deserving such confinement until he as much confidence as he called upon them had been convicted, was three times for protection to his parish in Yorkshire. greater before trial than after he was He spoke as a plain country gentleman, found guilty of the offence. He apprewho had seen many ups and downs in life; hended, therefore, that it would be a

matter of general convenience, as well as that question; but you will do me the of justice, that the sessions of Westmin- justice to recollect, that I stated distinctly ster should be held as frequently as those then, that it was only for that moment; of Middlesex; and he should, therefore, and, indeed, if I could have proposed any move, “ for leave to bring in a Bill to thing further, I must have been insane to enable Justices of the Peace for West- suppose that the Catholic people of Ireminster to hold their Sessions of the land would ever consent to such a disPeace during the Term, and the Sitting of graceful proposition. I will, however, the Court of King's-bench.”—Leave was say no more on this subject, leaving it to given.

you, if you think fit, to set it right, as I really think it due, both to lord Lansdowne

and the Catholics, that it should be rightly HOUSE OF LORDS.

understood. The present posture of Friday, March 7.

affairs is a hopeless one, as I really think Catholic Association.] The Mar- the government as at present constituted, quis of Londonderry said, he wished to almost worse than lord Liverpool's. Mr. ask a noble lord a question, which was Lamb, indeed, has the best intentions connected with those observations which towards Ireland, and lord Anglesea goes he had ventured to make to their lord with the same intentions; but what can ships on a former evening, relative to the be hoped for from any such government, Roman Catholic Association. Before he after Mr. Peel's speech last year, in which asked, however, an explanation upon that he took to the Home Secretary the compoint, he could not help, when he ob- plete control of Ireland.”

Thus it apserved, in the reported proceedings of peared that those noble lords above-menthat Association, that a letter had been tioned had authorized the stating to the read from a noble lord (Duncannon), a Catholics of Ireland, that if they had been member of the other House of Parliament, able, they would have brought forward making a few observations with respect to the Catholic question; but when their the conduct of that noble lord. if that intentions respecting that question had Association was bad in itself, it became in- been asked at the time they formed part finitely worse when it was made a channel of of the government, they stated they communication to the Roman Catholics of would not bring it forward at that time; Ireland, and when those political spirits, and he would assert, that, if they made whom he could call no better than dema- that declaration to the people of Ireland gogues,made use of the authority with which through this Association, such a proceedthey were thus clothed. The letter was too ing was clothing it with an authority of a long to trouble their lordships by reading highly improper character. The reading the whole, but he had selected one para- of that letter was followed by a speech graph from it. The letter stated, " for from Mr. O'Connell, so absurd as to be lord Lansdowne, Mr. Tierney, and lord undeserving of notice. After him, however, Carlisle, I am prepared to assure you now, a gentleman got up and said, that he was as I did on a former occasion, that they desired by lord Clifden to state that the and their friends were most anxious the marquis of Anglesea regretted exceedquestion should be brought on, and that it ingly the unfortunate expressions which would have had, as it always has had, all he had used on a former occasion, with the support that as individuals they could respect to the Catholics of Ireland. Now, have given to it. For this opinion, I can he doubted not, that if the noble marquis have no objection, now or at any other intended again to make a recantation of time, to have my name used. On the his opinions on that question, their formation of the late government, I thought lordships would have known it by his it my duty, as an Irishman, to give such proxy, or by some other mode. He could advice to my Catholic countrymen as I not believe that the noble marquis had thought most to their interest to pursue. authorized the noble lord opposite to make I thought the agitation of that question, a declaration of his sentiments to the at that time, proposed, as it was attempted Association, neither could he imagine to be done, by the bitterest opponents that that noble lord had made such a of the Catholics, would have embar- statement without the consent of the rassed the formation of the government, noble marquis, yet here it stood reported. and I recommended a postponement of He thought, therefore, it would be of essential importance, if, by these observa- | marquis of Anglesea and for Mr. Lamb he tions, he should give the noble lord an had the greatest respect. There never opportunity to unmask the imposture by had gone out to Ireland a governor nor a which mischievous political spirits at- Secretary more popular, both among Catempted to govern Ireland. It was solely tholics and Protestants. The noble marfor that purpose that he had ventured quis was admitted by all parties, equally to address the few observations he had disposed to put down the Orange violences made to their lordships, and he did hope in the north, and the Catholic violences in that government would take such mea- the south, and to deal strict justice besures as would put down, for the sake of tween both parties. The great thing was the happiness of the country, that most to convince the people of Ireland that permischievous Association. He hoped the fect justice was to be done them. He noble lords, to whom he had alluded, greatly lamented that a time had been alwould do him the justice to believe that lowed to pass when it would have been his only object was to enable them to state possible to put down the Association. It distinctly what was the meaning of the was, however, stated, that if the claims of declarations made at the meeting of that the Catholics of Ireland were granted at Association.

all, they would still be unquiet. But Lord Clifden hoped, after the speech of if that should be the case, they would then the noble marquis, he might be allowed to find opposed to them both the Catholics say a few words. If the noble marquis and Protestants of England sixteen milhad not put a question to him he should, lions against five or six millions. If forty nevertheless, have stated, that he never thousand armed men were sent over to had authorized the gentleman who had Ireland to prevent the meetings of the sobeen mentioned by the noble marquis, to ciety, they might drive the Catholics under make the declaration which he had just ground, but still the mischief would exist heard read. He understood that the pro- until the Catholic question was set at rest. ceedings of the meeting had been ill-re- The settlement of that question was the ported. With respect to the Association, sine qua non for bringing peace to Ireland. their lordships would recollect, that it was As he had said before, he expected much now thirty-five years since, under the good to Ireland from the present governorshapes of convention, committee, or asso- general, and his secretary. It was also ciation, the Catholics had carried on their said, that the patronage was to be distriapplications for relief from those laws buted in a reasonable and just degree. which the wisest and ablest men in the As to the letter which the noble marquis country contended ought to be abrogated. opposite had read, he must confess that he In 1793, an act passed to put down the saw nothing in it; although he could not convention ; and that act was so worded, defend the writing to the gentlemen of the that had it not been for a special excep- Association. He was himself a sufferer tion in favour of the two Houses of the through them ; though he dealt more tenIrish parliament, they could not have con- derly with them than the noble marquis, tinued to sit. In consequence of that act In Ireland there was a great deal of talent, of parliament, the convention appeared in but he was sorry to say very little discrethe shape of a committee, and during the tion; and this Association was often degovernment of the duke of Richmond there ficient in the latter respect. The publishwas a violent contest with that committee, ing of that letter was a very unjustifiable and he forgot what was the end of it. act. The noble marquis opposite had Then arose the Association, and this state made some remark on the Catholic quesof things would continue until the two tion not being brought forward last session, countries were identified. There was no by his noble friends near him. The noble choice for their lordships for putting down marquis should recollect, that the question the Association, but by the strong arm of had been once decided last year, and that power, and even then it would rise up in its friends had been called to office so some other shape, like the Carbonari in shortly after that decision, that they could Italy. Their lordships could not muzzle, not have been expected to bring it forward. crush or strangle six million of people. Had they been a year in office, they would He was, however, far from justifying the have done so. He all due credit to acts of the Association. In many cases the present government, and especially to he exceedingly lamented them. For the the noble marquis who had gone to Ireland,

gave

а

for a desire to conciliate that country; He had uniformly stated to them, that he and, if measures were pursued to prevent considered them at liberty, as a portion of all Orange or Catholic excesses, that would the king's subjects, to bring forward their be the likeliest method to produce peace claims, in the form of a petition at that there, or at least an abatement of the pre- time which they might think most expesent feelings of hostility. Their lordships dient; and he had as uniformly stated, were aware of the monstrous religious ha- ' that whatever might be the course adopted treds which existed in that country. In: by the individual to whom that petition Ireland there were Christians acting was intrusted, still he lord Lansdowne) against every principle of Christianity would exercise his own discretion, as to the high-church people and Orange party the time at which he should think fit to on one side, and the Catholics on the found on that petition any motion for their other. He did believe, that there were lordships' consideration. Upon this submembers of the high Orange party and ject he had invariably used his own judgthe Catholics, who were ready to cut each ment, and to this principle he would at all other's throats. He hoped, however, that times, and under all circumstances, ad, they were not many who were so disposed. here. He might have a petition from The best method io remove these feelings that body to present, and if called upon was by a firm and equal government; and to say when he would bring the great mohe again said, that to put down the Asso- tion forward, his answer would be, that ciation, there was only one way, and that he would give due notice of such an event. was, by concession, under certain regula- When he did so it would be, not because tions--whether by a treaty with the Pope he was required by the Catholic Associaor a provision for the clergy. He knew tion, or even by the Catholics of Ireland, that that was scouted by the Association, but because of his impression as to its efbut he cared very little for what they fect, not ouly upon the Catholics, but upon might scout,

the empire at large. That Association, The Marquis of Lansdowne said, he although composed of great talent, was should not have thought it necessary to certainly wanting in discretion, and certake a part in the conversation, which had tainly deficient as to the mode by which arisen in consequence of the observations they should bring that great talent to bear of the noble marquis opposite, had not the upon their interest. He had made no noble marquis introduced his name in read-inquiries of them, because he did not think ing a copy of a letter which he had then them qualified to act. Neither did he heard for the first time. After hearing think that this great question ought to be that letter read, and after the observations dealt with according to the views or opimade by the noble marquis, it became ne- nions of any body of men, but according cessary for him to state, that he never to the interests of the public at large. He authorized any communication to be made, was far from wishing that the Catholic directly or indirectly, to the Catholic Asso- Association had power: he wished, indeed, ciation. He would go further and say, that they had not the power of irritating, as that he never had, and never would. He they had irritated, by language far from thought it due to his noble friend whose being dignified or wise. He would, howname appeared at the end of that letter, ever, treat language used under such to say, that he had repeatedly stated to circumstances with total disregard, rather his noble and honourable friends that he than give it importance by making it the thought himself called upon, in conse- subject of discussion in that House. A quence of it having been proclaimed in time would soon come when all the talent Ireland, that he had endeavoured to in- of that house would be called forth upon duce the Catholics not to petition parlia- that question, in which all interests were ment in the present session, to declare that concerned ; and he hoped that the utmost he had not, either directly or indirectly, attention would be given to the subject, made such endeavours or given such ad- because he felt it now, more than ever, vice. He never had thought himself their bounden duty to devise some measure called upon to communicate with the Ca- for securing the tranquillity and promoting tholics, through their Association, or any the interest of the country. other medium, as to the time at which he The Earl of Roden expressed his earmight think proper to bring forward their nest hope that some measure would claims for the consideration of parliament, I immediately be adopted for suppressing

a

that abominable nuisance, the Catholic ! substance of which he had given to the Association. It was said it could not be House, and which had appeared in the put down, but he should like to see the public prints was true, it was impossible, experiment tried. Whatever difference of he thought, that the House should not take opinion noble lords might entertain on the up the matter. He hoped, however, that

ei question of Catholic Emancipation, there his mind would be relieved from the imcould be only one as to the evil effects pression made by the statement, by hearproduced by the inflammatory speeches of ing that it had no foundation in truth. the demagogues now meeting in Dublin. Mr. Courtenay said, it was impossible The suppression of the Association was not for him to declare that the statement in only of importance to the safety of the question had no foundation whatever. He loyal Protestants of Ireland, but to the could only say, that no intelligence of the peace and happiness of the Catholic suspension of Mr. Courtenay Smith had peasantry. All those who, like himself, reached the Board of Control. He would, were induced to reside on their estates in however candidly state, that information Ireland, and who endeavoured to improve had been received of an explanation having the condition of those dependent on them, been called for from Mr. Smith of the excould bear testimony to this fact.

pression alluded to. Further than that,

he knew nothing on the subject. HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. Brougham wished to know by

whom that explanation had been called Friday, March 7.

for? In this country a judge could not be Suspension of a JUDGE IN INDIA.] called to give an explanation of what he had Mr. Brougham said, that seeing an hon. said, except to the Court of Appeal. It member connected with the Board of Con- was perfectly well known that any person trol in his place, he wished to call his connected with Government in this country attention to the reported removal or sus- who shall presume to call upon a judge for pension of a judge in India. The alleged an explanation of what he had said, might offence of the learned person said to have be impeached and removed from office, bebeen thus disposed of was, that in the sides suffering other penalties. course of delivering a legal opinion, he had Mr. Courtenay said, that the explanation mentioned something, as if he contemp- had been called for by the vice-president lated the probability of the time arriving of the Council. when the East India Company's charter might not be renewed. Now, he thought Public Charities.) Mr. Secretary there could be no doubt that any man was Peel observed, that on a former evening an justified in stating, without meaning to hon. member had put a question to him question the supremacy of the East India with the view of eliciting some information Company, that by law their charter expired respecting the labours of the commission at a certain time. Indeed, if any man appointed to inquire into the abuses of should take upon himself to state that the charities, and at the same time the hon. charter would be renewed as a matter of member expressed an opinion, that the course, that would be illegal; it would be reports made by the commissioners were doing what the Crown and the Parliament inoperative, and, as it were, a dead letter. could not do. Mr. Justice Blackstone At the time the question was proposed, had laid it down to be one of the few he had stated his impression, that in things which the Crown or Legislature every instance in which the commissioners could not do, to bind themselves down as thought it desirable that the attention of to what they would do at a future time; the Court of Chancery should be called to yet here was a judge, because he had any charge of abuse, the Attorney-General chosen in argument, to contemplate the had directions to attend immediately to possibility of that which he (Mr. Brougham) their wishes. Upon inquiry he had found earnestly wished might prove the fact; that such in fact was the arrangement. In namely, that the Company's charter would order to prevent unnecessary corresponnot be renewed, at least not without great dence, it had been arranged between the curtailment of their monopoly, and a cor- Secretary of State and the commissioners, responding extension of the rights of the that the latter should have the power of subject, instantly suspended from his judi- making direct application to the Attorneycial functions, If the statement, the General; who in his turn was authorized