§ Mr. Henry Grattanpresented a Petition from the parish of St. Michael and St. John, Dublin, against the coercive measure of Government with reference to Ireland. Also a petition from King's Court Political Union, against Vestry-cess and Tithes; and another from Navan to the same effect. The petition of the first named place stated, that they had read with astonishment and alarm that the first act of a Reformed Parliament was the putting down disturbances in Ireland, not by inquiring into grievances which existed with a view to remedying them, but by opposing the voice of the whole people, and suppressing the right of petition. The petitioners protested against any portion of the King's subjects being deprived of their just rights. They stated their opinion, that bad effects would result from administering justice by means of cannon and bayonets, instead of remedial measures; and from the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act instead of the suspension of unjust laws. He (Mr. Grattan) agreed with the petitioners in the view they took of that measure, and also considered that it would be more just to remedy the grievances of Ireland than to put down all argument by force. He hoped, therefore, that the measure would be discussed with fairness and calmness on both sides, and that if it was found beneficial, as he very much doubted, it would be adopted; but that if found injurious, it would be rejected or remodelled.
Mr. Ruthvensaid, that he had been requested by the petitioners to support the prayer of this petition. They felt deeply the injustice of the law about to be enforced, which, instead of being founded on deliberate inquiry and calm investigation, had been determined on without any necessity for it. Instead of inquiring into the state of the country, and remedying the grievances that afflicted it, they were putting down argument by force, by a despotic law, that was more fit for Algiers than for any civilised country in Europe. Ireland was threatened with Bastiles by a damnable and detestable measure, which Englishmen would never sanction if they had a proper knowledge of Ireland or of Irishmen. Ireland was governed by an absentee Governor, a Secretary who seldom favoured it with his presence. He was ge- 1183 nerally acting here as a member of the Cabinet, and an influential Member of Parliament; but he would say, that he was hardly ever in Ireland to perform a duty for which he was most munificently and extravagantly paid by an over-taxed people. He hoped England would not, by this measure, drive Ireland to a separation, instead of a Repeal of the Union. In allusion to the noise and confusion which prevailed in the House, the hon. Member observed that it mattered not whether they sat by day or by night if such inattention and contempt attended the presentation of a petition from an oppressed people.
§ Petitions to lie on the Table.