§ Mr. Lynchmoved for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal so much of the Act 19, George II., c. 13 (Irish), as amends and makes void all marriages celebrated by any Papist priest between Protestant and Catholic. He did not anticipate any opposition to the bringing in of the Bill, and he would not therefore trouble the House with any remarks in its present stage.
§ Mr. Sergeant Jacksonbegged to give the hon. and learned Member notice that 920 he should oppose this Bill in every, subsequent stage. He had opposed the last Bill, and he should feel it his duty to oppose the present.
§ Colonel Percevalrose for the purpose of intimating his intention to follow the same course. He had now for three successive Sessions been called upon to enter his protest against the Bill which the hon. and learned Gentleman opposite seemed so desirous to force down their throats, which might most properly be described as a vote for the encouragement of clandestine marriages in Ireland. He protested against (he introduction of the measure, and should give it every opposition in his power.
§ Mr. Shawdid not approve of the state of the marriage law as at present existing in Ireland; but it should be dealt with on a much more comprehensive and general way than was proposed by the hon. and learned Gentleman. It world be far better if the Crown lawyers in that House would take up the question. The effect of the hon. and learned Member's Bill would be to remove that which was at present the only check to clandestine marriages in certain cases, and would put the Roman Catholic clergy on a better footing than those of the Established Church.
§ Leave was given.