§ Earl Greyexpressed his regret, that in consequence of illness his noble friend (the earl of Donoughmore) was rendered, unable to attend the House, to bring forward his motion the Roman Catholic Petitions. He could take upon him to assure their lordships, that nothing but the inability on the part of his noble friend, not only to make any exertion, but even to attend the House, would have prevented him from bringing forward his motion. It would be desirable at this late period of the session" 625 to appoint as early a day as possible, and therefore he moved to discharge the order far summoning their lordships for this day, and to renew it for Tuesday, having every reason to believe that his noble friend would on that day be able to attend.
The Earl of Liverpooldid not rise to oppose the motion, but merely to express a hope that the discussion would not be deferred beyond Tuesday, if it was meant to bring it on at all this session, although he thought it might be postponed till the next session without the least prejudice to the question. He also wished to observe, that the Committee on the Militia Interchange Bill, which had been postponed till Monday, could not at this late period of the session be longer deferred, without great inconvenience.
§ Earl Greysaid, there was every reason to believe that his noble friend would be able to attend on Tuesday, and would in that case certainly bring on the question.