Lord Teynhamrose to submit a Motion which he thought necessary from the present circumstances of the country. He was happy that order was restored, but still it was to be lamented that much distress existed. That distress was necessarily attended with many deplorable circumstances, and gave rise to 1004 many crimes. Amongst the causes which deteriorated the condition of the peasantry, the malt and hop duties had hitherto a principal and injurious effect. The petitions which had been presented for the last two Sessions proved the general existence of the distress. In another House it was usual to print such petitions. The object of his present Motion was, to found upon the petitions presented to their Lordships, a proceeding which might lead to an alleviation of the misery which was too prevalent. He meant to move for a classification of the petitions which had been presented for the last two years, complaining of agricultural distress, stating the names of the counties or places from which such petitions came, the number of signatures which each contained, the prayer of the petition, and other particulars. He called for this classification with the view that Resolutions might be founded upon the petitions, such as the circumstances of the case required.
§ Earl Greysaid, that this Motion appeared to him a most extraordinary one; and the mode which the noble Lord had adopted for introducing it, no less extraordinary. He admitted that the distress which prevailed deserved all the attention which could be bestowed upon it; but he was glad that the condition of the people was improving. The noble Lord had referred to a practice in the House of Commons, which he (Earl Grey) should be sorry to see adopted in their Lordships' House. It was the practice in the House of Commons to print petitions, at great inconvenience and expense to the country, and he thought that that example ought rather to be avoided than followed. He knew of no similar duty being imposed upon the Officers of the House of Commons, but he was certain that no such duty devolved upon the Clerks of that House, as to classify these petitions, to which they must devote a portion of time which would be impossible, consistently with their other duties. The noble Lord could at any time refer to these petitions, in the library of the House, or he could have them produced upon the Table for any occasion for which he required them; but this Motion, if not altogether impossible to be complied with, would at least occasion such an expense and waste of time, that he was sure their Lordships would not consent to it. He believed, that in the instance of the Catholic Relief 1005 Bill a list was made out, by Order of the House, stating what petitions were for, and what against the measure. That was the only precedent, and it would not answer the purpose which the noble Lord had in view. He was not inclined to consent to the Motion.
Lord Teynhamsaid, that as it appeared the Motion was attended with greater difficulty than he had supposed, he would withdraw it, and he hoped that, in calling the attention of their Lordships to the petitions, he had done all that he ought.
§ Motion withdrawn.