The Earl of Rodensaid, that he had a Petition to present of an important and serious character, and he could assure their Lordships that the subject to which it related was one that was well deserving of the attention of every Member of that House, more especially of the noble Lord at the head of his Majesty's Government, whom he was glad to see in his place. The petitioner was a gentleman of high respectability, moral worth, and great intelligence, and one who had frequently given important information respecting Ireland, to their Lordships' House and the country. The reverend Sir Harcourt Lees was the individual from whom this petition proceeded, and he stated, that he was prepared to prove on oath at the Bar of their Lordships' House that a conspiracy now existed in Ireland, having for its object the overthrow of the Protestant religion in that country. The noble Lord then read the petition, which was as follows:—