HC Deb 07 August 1834 vol 25 cc1018-9
Lord Althorp

brought down the following message from his Majesty:—

"W. R.:—His Majesty acquaints the House of Commons, that, having taken into consideration the present state of reversions or remainders of estates in Ireland vested in the Crown, his Majesty deems it proper that measures may be taken to enable the proprietors of estates in Ireland forfeited by attainder, and where the reversion or remainder is vested in the Crown, to bar such reversion or remainder."

Lord Althorp

, in rising to move "that an Address be presented to the King in answer to his gracious Message," begged to observe, that the step taken by his Majesty involved a considerable sacrifice on the part of the Crown. He considered it to be an act of great kindness and ge- nerosity, and one which would be very advantageous to Ireland. He therefore felt great pleasure in having brought down this message; and in moving that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to return the grateful thanks of that House for his Majesty's most gracious Message.

Mr. O'Connell

felt it his duty to say, that the step taken by his Majesty was not only one of kindness and generosity, but also one of eminent utility to the landed proprietors of Ireland. He could state, from his experience as a professional man, that great difficulty was experienced in making out titles in consequence of the number of reversions vested in the Crown, arising out of a multitude of attainders. The proposed measure would place the landed proprietors of Ireland on the same footing as the landed proprietors of England. It had been anxiously expected, and would be received with gratitude by the landed interest of Ireland.

Mr. Lynch

said, that the step taken by his Majesty would confer a great boon on Ireland, and thanked the Ministers for having advised it. The power which his Majesty expressed his willingness to give to proprietors of estates in Ireland would enable them to render titles more secure, and remove all obstacles and impediments in the way of the sale of landed property.

Mr. Shaw

also expressed his gratitude for the concession which his Majesty had been pleased to make to the proprietors of estates in Ireland. It would prove of the greatest benefit to the landed interest of that country.

The Motion for the Address agreed to.