§ Viscount Melbournemoved the first reading of this Bill, the progress of which had been delayed by the pressure of other business. It had been his desire to see the Bill pass into a law previous to the recess, in order that it might afford a practical refutation of an erroneous opinion which prevailed in Ireland, that tithes were extinguished. This delusion, he was sorry to say, had caused resistance to the payment of tithes to show itself in districts which had not been before subject to any commotion or disturbance. Their Lordships were aware that it was the intention of the Tithe Committee to recommend some measure for providing a maintenance for the clergy of Ireland, more secure, more free from objections, and more reconcileable with the feelings of the country, than the existing system of tithes; but at present the law remained unaltered, and he wished it to be understood that the claim for tithe was legal, and resistance to it unjustifiable and contrary to law.
§ Bill read a first time.
§ Adjourned until Monday, the 7th of May.