Mr. Hobhouse,in presenting Petitions from the parish of St. Ann, Westminster; from several Benefit. Societies; from a parish in Wilts; and from a parish in the county of Galway, in favour of Parliamentary Reform, took occasion to observe, that the great mass of the people were now unanimously in favour of Reform. From the knowledge he had of the feelings of his constituents, he had no doubt that nothing would satisfy them but a Reform, comprehending Vote by Ballot, short Parliaments, and an extension of suffrage, at least to the extent of the number of persons contributing to direct taxation. The people were no longer to be tricked by any measures of delusive Reform. No man had stood up during the course of the day, and stated that he would oppose Parliamentary Reform. This was a new feature in the present discussion, and one which he was happy to observe. The public had a very proper degree of confidence in his Majesty's Ministers; and he hoped they would not be disappointed in the measure which was to be brought forward on Tuesday next.
§ Mr. Hunt,in presenting twenty-four Petitions, praying for Reform, and Vote by Ballot, from Worcester, Ashton-under Line, Blackburn, Langfield, Kingsbury, Bolton, Manchester, Laleham, Undershaw, Petersfield, Paisley, from the Rotunda, Blackfriars'-road, from Gisborough, Forfar, Newark, and other places, strongly supported the prayer of these petitions, and took occasion to remark on the careless manner in which petitions were presented to that House. If the people of Birmingham had only seen how their petition was dealt with, and that it had occupied the attention of the House not even for two minutes, he felt certain that they would not trouble themselves to petition any more. He trusted that the Reform, to be brought forward on Tuesday next, would be full and effectual, or else it would not satisfy the people; for he could tell the Ministry, that the young men of Bolton, and the same decision was fast spreading throughout Lancashire, had determined to rot in gaol, before they would serve in the Militia, unless they were to have a share in the representation of the country.