§ Mr. John Smith, in presenting a petition from the Unitarian congregation assembling in the New Gravel-pit Meeting House at Hackney, praying for the repeal of these acts, said, he was bound to observe that it was signed by individuals of talent, wealth, and moral excellence, inferior to no class of the community. There was one point connected with the numerous classes of persons, of whom the petitioners formed a branch, on which he was anxious to say a few words. It had been stated in the newspapers and elsewhere, that the Dissenters had coalesced with the Catholics, for the purpose of obtaining, in conjunction, the removal of their mutual disabilities. Now, he was authorised positively to state, that they had done no such thing. A united committee had been appointed by the Dissenters, to whom was intrusted the management of the application to parliament for a repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. That committee, which, he could say, without fear of contradic- 97 tion, spoke the sentiments of the Dissenters at large, had that very day entered into the following resolution: "The United Committee of Dissenters, acting on their own best judgment, and under the recommendation of many of their parliamentary friends, have come to the resolution, that it is not expedient for the Dissenters to unite their applications to parliament with those of the Roman Catholics; but they distinctly disavow the inference, that their acting separately, and independently, proceeds from any hostility to the claims of that numerous and respectable body." He could say, from his own knowledge, that there never was a more scandalous calumny than the statement which had been so frequently made, that the Dissenters, as a body, were adverse to the claims of the Roman Catholics.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.