§ Mr. Robinsonpresented a petition adopted at a public meeting, and most numerously and respectably signed by the merchants, traders, and inhabitants of the city of Worcester, which he had the honour to represent, praying that a full measure of corporate reform might be given to the people of Ireland. The meeting at which the petition had been adopted was held only two days ago, and he would venture to say, that among the great numbers assembled at it, there was not a dissentient voice on the necessity of granting to the people of Ireland a mea sure of corporate reform similar to that given to Scotland and England. He need scarcely say, that he fully concurred in the prayer of the petitioners. He was not aware what the intention of his Majesty's Ministers would be when this subject was brought before the House; but 1190 this he would say, that any departure from the salutary measure given to this country would be productive of discontent and end less dissatisfaction in Ireland; and he was confident that the people of that country would be supported in their efforts by every honest Reformer in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Philip Howardwas, in unison with his colleague, intrusted with a petition from the Mayor and Town-council of Carlisle, praying and urging the House to persevere in enforcing the claim of right, which the people of Ireland had to the same purified municipal institutions which England and Scotland now enjoyed. These rights were possessed by Ireland before the Union, and, therefore, without even taking into consideration its claim to equal rights with themselves, they could not, in his opinion, be withheld without a positive breach of the conditions of that compact.
§ Petition laid on the Table.