Lords Sitting of 21 February 1827

CORN LAWS.
Lord Hollandpresented a petition, praying for an alteration of the Corn Laws. He wished it to be understood, that he gave no opinion whatever on the subject. He entirely agreed with the noble marquis, that nothing was more erroneous than to consider this as a conflict between different interests. They had all necessarily one interest, and all found their security in the prosperity of each other.
Lord Kingpresented a petition, praying for the repeal of the Corn Laws, from certain persons in Gloucestershire, calling themselves members of the Anti-Bread-Tax Association, No. 2. His noble friend near him had just stated, that this was not a contest of interests. He admitted that it ought not to be such a contest; but he was afraid it was a contest between principles that would lead to prosperity and a course of policy that had been too long pursued, and would be, he was afraid, still longer persevered in. The plan that was forthcoming had been too long in concocting to be very beneficial. He expected to see no self-denying ordinance issue from that House. The plan would be something that would not very much displease the landed interest. It would not be what the people prayed for. He would contend, however, that until that which was just and right was done, this question would not be suffered to rest.
Lord Teynhamthought it was beneath their lordships' dignity to receive a petition from a society calling itself the Anti-Bread-Tax Association. He hoped the noble lord would withdraw it.
Lord Kingpresented the petition as the petition of the persons who signed it, though it was indorsed Anti-Bread-Tax Petition.
The Earl of Lauderdalesaid, that when he saw that the indorsements of the petitions were all "Anti-bread Tax Petitions," and understood that there were several, all drawn up in the same words; and when he recollected the speeches of his noble friend, he was at no loss to conjecture who was the author of these petitions.
Lord Kingreplied, that whoever might be the author, he was not. The petitions must, however, give his noble friend considerable pleasure, as they must convince him, that other persons could make as great mistakes in matters of political economy as he had made himself.
The Lord Chancellordid not know whether the noble lord had drawn up the petitions, or had only indorsed them for their lordships' acceptance; but there was nothing in the indorsement which should prevent their lordships from receiving the petition as the petition of the persons who signed it.
Ordered to lie on the table.

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.
The Earl of Mountcashelpresented a petition from a barony in Tipperary, signed by thirteen magistrates, and most of the respectable inhabitants, against granting any further concessions to the Catholics. The noble earl, in presenting the petition, complained of the influence exerted by the Catholic priests over their flocks. The people, he said, were indifferent to the subject of Catholic emancipation. There would be many more petitions, such as that which he now presented, if the people did not live under apprehension for their safety. He had known instances where individuals were prevented from speaking out by their fears.
Viscount Clifdenwished to say a word about the Catholic priests. He had heard from an assistant barrister, who was in the county of Waterford at the time of the election, that there was no ground of complaint against the Catholic priests. They had exerted their interest in favour of their own party. And why not? Did not the Protestant clergy interfere at Reading and in Surrey; and was it to be tolerated in them, and treated as a crime in the Catholics? As to the Protestants being ready to petition against the catholics if they dared, it was his firm conviction, that the vast majority of the Protestant landed proprietors of Ireland were in favour of Catholic emancipation, from a conviction that their security depended on its being carried. The Catholics had suffered from many abuses; and it was not surprising that they should be exasperated. He begged their lordships to reflect seriously on the state of Ireland, and ask themselves how all these things could end? For himself, he would express his conviction, that until the question was settled in favour of the Catholics, there would be neither peace nor tranquillity in that country.
Ordered to lie on the table.