The Duke of Norfolkadverted to the Petition upon the table against certain enactments in the Dulwich College Bill; and on the ground, principally, of its containing matter of which he was not sufficiently aware in the first instance,—he should move that the petitioners have leave to withdraw the Petition.
Lord Hollandobserved, he certainly had no objection to the Petition being withdrawn: whatever objections he felt were to its being received. He could not help remarking, that a clamour was industriously raised against the Bill now before the House. The Petition which his noble friend moved to have withdrawn alleged, that the petitioners were interested in the College of Dulwich; because, being of the name of Alleyne, they were eligible to the situation of wardens and masters; that was the same interest in the College, that all persons eligible to be so appointed had in other colleges. Such was one of the things of which the petitioners complained, and the reason stated for their being heard by counsel: it was not stated, that the present Bill so affected their interests, but that an Act passed some time ago had affected their interests. That Act was one which was allowed to have materially benefited the interests of Dulwich College. The Petition, he also remarked, went to cast a reflection, for which there was far from existing any ground, not only upon those who came forward on the occasion, but upon some of the best characters to be found in the history of the country; involving with respect to them, a charge, by implication, no less than the subornation of perjury. He must naturally be pleased at hearing such a petition 924 was to be withdrawn, which seemed to reflect in such a manner upon those who were only actuated by a sincere wish to promote the real interests of the College in question.
The Duke of Norfolk, in explanation, stated the way in which the Petition came into his hands. He seemed to admit that part of the language of the Petition alluded to by his noble friend, might be so construed, though they did not strike him so, nor did he think such a reflection was meant to be cast by the petitioners; but as he deemed it so far improper; he was inclined to propose its being withdrawn.
The Petition being so ordered, his grace then presented another Petition for the same object as the former; but drawn up, he said, in an unobjectionable manner; which, being read, was on the motion of the noble duke referred to the committee on the Dulwich College Bill. His grace then moved, that the statutes relating to Dulwich College should be laid before the House.—Ordered.