Lord Hollandrose, pursuant to notice, to bring in a bill to Repeal the Law of Attainder and Forfeiture, in so far as the rights of others besides the persons offending were prejudiced. It was not necessary for him to state to their lordships what the law was; but, the state of public opinion was such, as induced him to think that the proper time for altering the law was now arrived. The object of the bill was, to prevent forfeiture in cases of treason 124 from extending further than to the person and property of the offender himself, or from extending to any titles descending to others, and in all cases in which the penalty was not already so confined. As the bill he held in his hand might be considered as a bill for reviving two acts, the act of queen Anne and George 2nd., and for repealing the act of the 39th of the late king, it would be proper, in the first place, for him to move that these acts be read. Their lordships would allow the first reading to pass; and, soon after the bill should be printed, he would give notice of a day for the second reading.
The acts referred to above were read pro forma, after which the bill was read a first time, and ordered to be printed.