Colonel Beresfordpresented a Petition from the Corporation of Berwick-upon-Tweed, against the measure of Reform proposed by His Majesty's Ministers. The petitioners complained that the number of resident voters in that borough would be greatly diminished by this Bill in the course of a few years and insisted strongly on the injustice of that part of the Bill which went to disfranchise the sons and apprentices of freemen in boroughs and cities. The inhabitants of Berwick, too, complained, that the right they possessed to vote for the county would be also destroyed by the Bill.
Sir Francis Blakesaid, he should shortly present to the House another petition from the borough, most numerously signed, of a very opposite tendency. He stated that, to shew that the whole of the inhabitants did not agree with the petitioners.
Mr. Humewas a non-resident freeman of Berwick, and he cheerfully gave up that privilege, which the Bill would take away.
§ Colonel Sibthorp, in supporting the peti- 500 tion, took occasion to complain, that he had been in constant attendance on the House for several days, and had not had an opportunity of presenting some petitions which had been intrusted to him. He proposed that the period for receiving petitions should be prolonged to eight o'clock, until after the Reform Bill was disposed of one way or another.
Colonel Daviesprotested against any prolongation of the period for receiving petitions. The hon. and gallant Colonel was anxious, no doubt, to get rid of his petitions, but he was also anxious to get rid of a motion which he had to bring forward.
§ Lord Althorpexpressed his willingness to enter into any arrangement which Members considered most convenient for the public benefit. Important as the Reform petitions were, however, Gentlemen must be aware that other public business must be got through.