§ Colonel Rochfortpresented a Petition from the Landowners, &c, of the County of Westmeath, against the Reform Bill. The petition was numerously and respectably signed, and contained the names of almost all the intelligent and opulent inhabitants of the county.
Mr. Chapmanobserved, that however respectably the petition was signed, and many of the signatures were those of his personal friends, whose friendship he had always valued as a distinction to himself, 651 still he protested against the assumption that this petition was that of the County of Westmeath. It emanated from no public meeting-, but was sent from house to house, to all those who were known to be opposed to the measure, who signed it themselves, and obtained the signatures of all whom they could control or influence. He must assert, that the petition did not by any means speak the sense of the people of property and intelligence in the county.
§ Mr. Handcockbore testimony to the weight and respectability of the petitioners.
§ Colonel Rochfort, in moving that the petition be printed, said, as there was no doubt as to the respectability of the petitioners, it was clear, that every county had not bowed the knee to the professed measure of his Majesty's Ministers; and he should be happy if the passing of this Bill was to be decided by the sentiments of the majority of each individual class who had signed the petition.
§ To be printed.