Lord Castlereaghbrought in a bill "to make certain publications subject to the Duties of Stamps upon Newspapers; and to restrain the Abuses arising from the publication of blasphemous and Seditious Libels.'' On the motion, that it be read a first time,
§ Mr. Broughamrose to object to this bill even in its first stage. He conceived that all the bills lately introduced into the House tended to abridge the liberty of the subject. The present bill, however, went to abridge the liberty of the press, which he conceived to be the great pillar of the constitution; he, therefore, could not let it pass without entering his protest against it. As other opportunities would occur, when he could enter 706 into the objections which he entertained against this bill, he should not trouble the House any farther at present.
§ The bill was then read a first time.