The Marquis of Anglesey, presented a Petition from certain landowners in Wexford, against the present Tithe-system, as it existed in Ireland. The Petitioners complained of the hardship of being compelled to pay the ministers of a Church with which they had no connection, and from which they derived no benefit. The Tithe-system in Ireland was of no use, as the petitioners thought, except to enable the Clergy of the Established Church to wallow in wealth, luxury, and extravagance, inconsistent with their Christian profession. The system, as it operated in Ireland, had also a most mischievous effect on the morals of the people, for it was the source of many assassinations and other crimes.
§ The Petition laid on the Table.