HC Deb 17 March 1809 vol 9 cc141-2
The Marquis of Titchfield

presented a petition from the chancellor, masters, and scholars, of the university of Oxford; taking notice of the bill for enabling his majesty to avail himself of the services of all his liege subjects in his naval and military forces, in the manner therein mentioned; and setting forth, "That the petitioners contemplate, with much concern and anxiety, the progress of a bill, which in their apprehension, if it should pass into a law, will break down one of the strongest barriers, raised by the wisdom of our ancestors, for the defence and security of our civil and religious establishments; and that the petitioners cannot look forward without very serious alarm to the consequences of repealing so important a portion of the statute 25 Car. II. cap. 2, commonly called the Test act, and of granting to persons of all religious persuasions an unrestrained admission into situations even of the highest naval and military command; and that the petitioners see much reason to apprehend that the said bill, if it should pass into a law, may lead to the removal also of every similar restraint in matters of civil concern, and to the abrogation of all those oaths, declarations, and tests; which are now required by law of persons admitted into offices and stations of civil trust and authority; and that the petitioners do verily believe, all these restraints and obligations, whether they have respect to employments of a civil or a naval and military nature, to be no other nor greater than are indispensably requisite for the maintenance and security of the monarchy and the church, as they are now happily established in this united kingdom; and therefore praying, that the above-mentioned bill may not pass into a law; and that the house in its wisdom will be pleased still to maintain and preserve inviolate those laws, which experience has proved to be the best safe-guards, under divine providence, of our present happy constitution both in church and state." Ordered, That the said petition do lie upon the table until the said bill be read a second time.