The Earl of Suffolkrose, and made several observations expressive of his hostility to the bill; he particularly deprecated the discussion of a measure, which would so injuriously affect the lay patronage of the country, in so thin an attendance of lay peers. He thought, therefore, the consideration of the bill ought to be postponed, until a fuller attendance of the lay, peers should be obtained. There was another objection which struck him forcibly with respect to the bill, namely, its intrenching so materially, in his opinion, upon the statute of Mortmain. Though, he thought, in the present state of things and of religion in this country, great acquisitions to the church may not be expected from such a consideration; yet, from persons in a dying state, particularly women, something in that way may be required. Yet still, its operation with respect to that statute was, he thought, a material consideration. He again pressed the idea of its being improper to discuss such 634 a measure with so thin an attendance of lay peers, and with such a body as presented itself on the reverend bench, he despaired of having his objections properly attended to. One or two of the reverend prelates having observed, that not many minutes ago there had been a remarkably full attendance of lay peers, the noble earl observed he was aware of that; their lordships were tired out by listening to a very long conversation: he intimated an intention to move to have the bill postponed.
The Lord Chancellorobserved, he should deem it incumbent on him to oppose such a motion: the noble earl should recollect, that the bill, both in principle and detail, had been again and again discussed; with respect to the objection of the thin attendance of lay peers, a great number were in attendance not ten minutes before, who, if they thought with the noble lord, with respect to the operation of the bill on the lay patronage, would most probably have remained to express such apprehensions.— Some few remarks, in the way of explanation, were afterwards interchanged between the earl of Suffolk and the noble and learned lord, in which the latter observed there might be some peers who preferred their dinner to their duty; and the former, seeming to think, as the proceeding then stood, it would be preferable not to trouble their lordships further at present, accordingly quitted the house.
Lord Sidmouthexpressed his thanks to their lordships for having so readily deferred the recommitment of the bill from Monday until that day, in consequence of his inability to attend; however, it was not his intention then to trouble the committee with the discussion of the clause he intended to propose, as he believed many of their lordships, who had so recently retired, withdrew upon an understanding that what he meant to bring forward would not be discussed that night. He therefore should not press it; not that he intended, after what passed, to interrupt the progress of the bill, but to take the opportunity of a future stage, to propose what he intended, possibly on the consideration of the report, the third reading, or, if such may be deemed more convenient, as to a certain extent, it would be more regular to discuss his intended propositions in a committee, and with that view to recommit the bill.
The Bishop of Oxfordwas anxious to shew that he never opposed any procrastination of the bill, as far as such procrasti- 635 nation might be expected to throw fuller light upon the question; but in acceding to the proposition of the noble lord, who had an essential amendment to propose, he trusted that no further impediment would be thrown in the way of the subsequent progress of the bill. The result was, that the report of the bill was ordered to be received to-morrow, and an apparent understanding, that on Monday, the bill should be read a third time.
The Lord Chancellorpresented a bill, the principal effect of which was, to encourage the cultivation, planting, &c. of church, college, and hospital lands, and to provide regulations with respect to the growth, felling, &c. of timber on the same. All he should propose at present would be, the first reading, and printing of the bill; intending it should lie over for consideration; and, in the mean time, he should consult the opinions of the reverend personages opposite to him, and which he meant to take previous to his proposing any thing farther upon the bill. The bill was forth with read a first time, and ordered to be printed.—Adjourned.