§ Mr. Spring Rice moved the Order of the Day for the third reading, in doing which he remarked, that he was much gratified that he should have been able to carry such a measure without any opposition whatever, after a similar Bill had failed for three Sessions. The object of it was, to put an end to one of the worst remnants of the Penal Code, that which inflicted a double Land-tax upon Roman Catholics. There had been some sacrifice of revenue in giving up this remnant of intolerance and injustice, but an additional revenue ought never to be purchased at the expense of principle, or the violation of rights.
Mr. Humeentirely agreed with the principle of the Bill, but wished to know, whether any provision had been introduced into it confining the relief to land in the possession of Catholics for a long time, because, by relieving estates purchased recently, his right hon. friend merely made a present to the individuals who might happen to be the present proprietors.
§ Mr. Spring Riceassured his hon. friend, that the case he had alluded to was guarded against. No relief was to be given in cases where there was not an equitable claim, but his great object had been, to relieve the Statute Book from a law which had too long disgraced it.
§ Bill passed.