§ Mr. Hawesthen presented two petitions from certain Dissenters in favour of the bill which he was now about to introduce, "to provide a general form of affidavit for all persons believing the taking of any oath to be forbidden by the law of God." The Quakers had long been permitted to substitute their affirmation for an oath. The Moravians and the Separatists had also since received similar indulgences; nay, all who had, at any time, been Quakers, and who still professed to have conscientious scruples, were exempted from oaths. He did not, therefore, apprehend any danger from the extension of toleration in this respect. He would now propose, that all persons should be relieved from the necessity of taking an oath who should three months previously have gone before a magistrate and have solemnly declared their conscientious objection to that Act; thereby removing the danger or likelihood of setting up a false pretence in the matter, as the declaration would be made before the necessity could be foreseen. As he anticipated no serious objection to the principle he advocated, he would, to save the time of the House, at present only move for leave to bring in the bill.
§ Mr. Goulburnsaid, that he had stated his opinion on this subject already, and did not now intend to offer any opposition to the introduction of the bill; however, he begged that it would not be understood 682 that he assented to the principle of the measure.
§ Leave given.