Sir F. Burdett.in present- 766 ing a petition from Bath against the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, expressed a hope that longer time would be given, that the sentiments of the country might be made known on this important subject. The petition in his hand had been prepared in great haste, from an apprehension, on the part of the petitioners, that if any delay occurred, it would not be presented in time. It was pretty numerously signed; but the gentleman from whom he had received it, had written, that it had been kept but a few hours at his house for signature; had more time been afforded, it would have been signed by 10,000 persons.
Mr. Serjeant Onslowsaid, the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, was a measure which must command the attention of every man who had any regard for the British constitution. He had, he might say, a sort of superstitious reverence for that sacred act. This the bill he had recently brought in would he thought go to prove. He, however, could not say that the petition before the House had altered the opinion which he had previously formed. He thought there was an imperious necessity for passing the act.
§ Mr. Broughamwas surprised at the course taken by the last speaker. He had referred the House for what he called his superstitious reverence for the Habeas Corpus act, to a bill which he had brought into that House, and which, after much opposition in another place, had passed into a law; but now having made the Habeas Corpus act more valuable to the nation than ever it was before, he showed his superstitious reverence for it by voting in favour of its suspension. Under these circumstances, he could only wish, that instead of a superstitious reverence, he had had merely a reasonable reverence for it, as in that case it was probable he would have voted against the bill now in the House.
§ The petition was ordered to lie on the table.