§ Mr. Stuart Wortleypresented a petition from Sheffield, setting forth
"That the petitioners being decidedly of opinion, from the declarations of scripture, and the voice of experience, that whatever is at variance with strict morality and pure religion must be inimical to the prosperity of any kingdom, and being convinced that the state lottery is in a great degree destructive of both, they have no hesitation in affirming, that the continuance of it must be injurious to the 1115 best interests of the state; that the petitioners are fully persuaded that these sentiments are likewise those of almost all reflecting, people, as well as of a majority of the members of the legislature, because when, the act for the continuance of the state lottery was passed in the last session of parliament, not a single argument was adduced in its favour, the necessity for it alone being insisted upon; that the petitioners were happy to learn from the report made, on the 8th day of February last, to the House, on the finances of the country, that the aforesaid plea of necessity is now entirely obviated; that the petitioners believe that the loss to the state, even in the revenue, from the pernicious effects of the state lottery on the morals and habits of the lower classes is far beyond any profits which can arise from it; that the petitioners have great apprehensions, since banks for the savings of the poor, under the special sanction of the legislature, are become so general, that if the state lottery be suffered to continue, its pernicious consequences will be much increased, and that the effects of the saving banks will be rendered frequently prejudicial; it is even probable, that emissaries will be employed by the lottery offices to traverse the country for the purpose of personally tempting the depositors to speculate in the state lottery, and these will be ready to insinuate, that the legislature has encouraged the establishment of such banks for the purpose of enabling them so to do; that the petitioners moreover are of opinion, that before the country be farther called upon to establish and support national schools for the education of the children of the poor, and to build free churches for the religious instruction of the lower classes, the state lottery, which is so directly and strongly opposed to the success of such institutions, ought to be abolished; that the petitioners cannot but feel and acknowledge, that the Almighty hath not dealt so with any nation as he hath done with this, having exalted her to unexampled riches, and honours, and power; and that therefore we should, as a people, be wanting, in gratitude to him, and be deserving of the most exemplary chastisement, were we to continue legislatively to sanction and enforce a, measure which is now acknowledged on all hands to be offensive in the sight of Him who is of purer eyes than to, behold iniquity; the petitioners do therefore most earnestly and respect- 1116 fully solicit the House, that no bill in future may pass which shall have for its object the raising of money for the public service by way of lottery.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.