The Bishop of Norwichsaid, he held in his hand a petition from the Roman Catholics of Newport in the county of Mayo. The petition complained of the distinction made by the law between themselves and other loyal subjects. Nothing could be more reasonable than the prayer of the petitioners; and it must be highly satisfactory to every liberal mind to observe, that there was a sincere disposition in both Houses of parliament to pay attention to the subject. In all classes, with the exception of a few ultra-Tories, there was an anxious wish for the total abolition of all penalties and disabilities on account of religious opinions. When that wish should be carried generally into effect, the hearts of all his majesty's subjects, of every denomination, would be united as one man; and could any one venture to say, that such a union would not add to the security of the Established Church more than any test or declaration which could be enacted? He had also two other petitions to present, signed by many respectable Roman Catholics of Norwich. A residence of twenty-three years in that city, and a personal acquaintance with many of the petitioners, enabled him to say, that men of more exemplary conduct were no where to be found; and, to use their own language, they yielded to no men in a sincere and unshaken love for the constitution. They could not, therefore, but feel much hurt at being considered as objects of suspicion; but the time was approaching, he was happy to say, when greater attention would be paid to their merits. It appeared to 345 him, that the end of intolerance and persecution was fast approaching: and, indeed, he was convinced, that what had lately passed in their Lordships' House had given the death-blow to those odious vices.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.