The Earl of Donoughmoreadverted to a statement in "the Courier" of what had been said in the debate on the Catholic question by a right rev. prelate (the bishop of Ossory), with respect to the titular archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Troy, to the effect that Dr. Troy had, in a pastoral letter, called upon the Catholics to refrain from petitioning, and to trust to their numbers and their strength. His lordship observed upon the great importance of not throwing unmerited calumny upon a large portion of the population of the empire, particularly upon those who had the education of that population in their hands; but was satisfied, at the same time, that there was no blame to be imputed to the editor of "the Courier." He did not therefore, intend to make any complaint; his object was, that the imputation which had thus been cast upon Dr. Troy should be completely done away. His lordship read a letter from Dr. Troy to himself upon the subject, stating that no such pastoral letter had been issued by him, and observed, that there was not a more loyal man in his majesty's dominions than Dr. Troy, who, instead of at all urging on the Catholics to acts of violence, had frequently declined even going those lengths, with regard to the Catholics, which their Protestant advocates considered as essential to this cause. He did not believe that the right rev. prelate alluded to uttered the words imputed to him; but he felt it his duty to call upon the right rev. prelate to state whether such words had been used by him or not?
The Bishop of Ossoryexpressed as sincere a regard for the character of Dr. Troy as the noble earl, and stated, that the expression imputed to him, with respect to Dr. Troy, had never fallen from his lips. His lordship was proceeding to state, that the point of time in the debate alluded to by the noble earl, was when he (the bishop of Ossory) was answering aright rev. prelate (the bishop of Norwich), whom he considered to have asserted what was unchristian and unconstitutional.
Lord Hollandspoke to order, observing, that though the courtesy of the House allowed to noble lords to explain any misrepresentations that had occurred of what took place in a former debate, it was going beyond the line marked out upon such occasions, to animadvert upon what had been said by others, particularly those who were not now present.
The Lord Chancelloragreed in opinion with the noble lord, and observed, that if they were to enter into discussions with respect to what had been said in newspapers, regarding what had passed in that House, he could not see where it was to end. He himself had been grossly slandered in the newspapers within these three days, but he should be ashamed of himself if he were to take notice of it within that House.
Lord Hollandsaid, he had no wish in what he said, to prevent the right rev. prelate from explaining what he thought necessary, with regard to his own speech.
The bishop of Ossory was about to rise again, but there being a cry of no; no; his lordship did not persist, and the conversation ended.