Mr. Chapmansaid, that the Petition he held in his hand related to a question which had acquired, within the last few days, a most painful and serious importance—the question of Tithes in Ireland. The petition he held in his hand emanated from certain inhabitants of the county of Westmeath, and among the signatures to it, was one of a clergyman of the established Church. Its prayer was, that Parliament should cause an inquiry to be made on the subject, for the purpose of effecting a total abolition of the present system of tithes. Had he presented it only two evenings since, he should have contented himself with requesting permission to refer its consideration to the Committee now sitting; but in that brief interval occurrences had taken place, both here and elsewhere, which made it his duty, as an Irish proprietor, to express his feelings, and deplore the dangerous and mischievous threats which had elsewhere been held out. They had been told that force was to be employed to crush the combination against tithes! Now, when they reflected that this combination was one most serious in its nature—when they recollected that the Secretary for Ireland, in his speech on proposing the Committee, stated it to be extensive at the moment, hourly increasing, and sympathized with by not only many in Ireland, but that even 103 in England there existed in some of the markets a difficulty to procure purchasers for Irish tithe-cattle—when they recollected all this, they could not but feel how fearful might be the results of the course of conduct proposed to be adopted by his Majesty's Government: he still, however, hoped that such a course would not be persisted in. He would also take this occasion of expressing his regret that the Tithe Committee had restricted its inquiries solely to the consideration of tithes; for he felt convinced, that the church lands and other properties would, if properly applied, prove an ample, full, and abundant provision for the Established Church; and, in such a case, the amount of tithes being much diminished, they might be raised in the shape of an acreable cess, and converted to one of their original destinations—the support of the sick and infirm—and diminish the necessity for introducing poor laws into Ireland.
Mr. Blackneysaid, "Although I am persuaded the Tithe Committee comprises much of talent and virtue, I do not anticipate a satisfactory result from its labours; and I should feel unworthy of the confidence of my constituents, and little deserving the regard of my country generally, did I lead them to expect a release from tithes arising from the management of a Committee so constituted. The Government, perhaps, anxious to conciliate—where it might be obvious conciliation was impracticable—have slighted the party most aggrieved, in the persons of their Representatives: a circumstance little calculated to allay party feuds, or to reconcile a pauperized population to the payment, in any shape, of the obnoxious impost of tithe. In the formation of this Committee, Catholics, and Catholics only, were excluded; and we are told it was expedient, and the result of deliberate conviction; but the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland assures us, notwithstanding, that Catholic feeling was consulted, and would be amply represented in the Committee by Protestant Irish Representatives. He is further pleased to add his belief, that if Catholics were on the Committee, under the obligations imposed upon them, they would conscientiously perform their duties. Sir, I must confess, I felt as I think it became me upon this occasion, and cannot, therefore (being one of the proscribed), acknowledge that I was flattered by this, perhaps well-meant, but, as it appeared 104 to me, rather clumsy compliment from the right hon. Gentleman. The noble Lord, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, apprehended feelings of jealousy from the Protestants, if they were not allowed to settle this matter themselves. Sir, I take leave, with much humility, to reiterate what I so lately stated in this honourable House, with no little knowledge of the feelings of a great portion of tithe-payers, that I sincerely believe that that great question is already nearly settled in Ireland. The policy of the Bishops in another place, coupled with the Horn-book we shall have presently from the Committee upstairs, will, it may be hoped, extinguish for ever that disgraceful legalized plunder. This new edition of the Parson's Book will be sought with deep anxiety; its pages will unfold much of the oppressions of a luxurious, idle, Irish Church. Such an exhibition cannot fail to excite in the bosoms of Englishmen much of sympathy and indignation, and engage all honest Reformers, all sincere advocates for universal freedom, constitutionally and legally to make common cause with Ireland in so glorious a struggle. I feel complimented by the indulgence of the House, and most sincerely support the prayer of the Petition."
§ Petition to be printed.