LORD Suffieldpresented a petition from Uttoxeter, praying for an alteration in the Tithe System, The petitioners complained grievously that tithes were levied in the most inconvenient possible manner, and that these funds, which were originally destined to promote the moral and religious instruction of the parishioners, were entirely perverted from such objects. The inhabitants of Uttoxeter amounted to 5,000, and the tithes were worth 1,300l, a-year. The impropriators, the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, let them out to a Mr. Charles 719 Tyrrell, of Suffolk, who sublet them to various individuals, who made all they could of them by exacting every farthing possible on every improvement made in the lands, a system which either took from the enterprising tenant the reward of his industry, or checked industry altogether. The Dean and Chapter of Windsor had a vicar at the stipend of 20l. per annum, to which must be added the small tithes, most troublesome and vexatious in their collection, making about 150l. more. The vicar hired a curate at the rate of 50l. a-year, and the petitioners complained that these clergymen, notwithstanding the large sum paid as tithes, were destitute of the means of administering consolation to the poor, and of performing their duties properly. The petitioners earnestly prayed that these, and all such grievances throughout the kingdom, might be done away with.
§ The Earl of Eldondeprecated the system which appeared to have been entered into of making this sort of petitions a peg whereon to hang attacks on the clergy; the persons petitioned against most generally knew nothing about the intended attack, and were therefore unable to forward any refutations of them. Such petitions, however, would have not the slightest operation in altering his fixed determination to support the Established Church. There was a measure to be brought forward with reference to Church Reform, and he hoped that the debate on the subject would not be forestalled by the renewal of any such assertions as these. Besides, particular instances of individual conduct constituted no general rule by which their Lordships could form their judgment.
Lord Suffieldprotested against the noble Earl's interpretation of what he had done; he had merely read the statement of certain petitioners; and however unimportant the petitions and complaints of the people might appear to the noble Earl, he should never hesitate in bringing them before the House. He denied having brought this petition forward by surprise; he had given full intimation of it to the parties concerned, and had given notice to their Lordships of his intention.
The Bishop of Bristolsaid, that the noble Earl (Suffield) had certainly given him information that he intended to present the petition. He had accordingly sent to the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, one of 720 the leading members of which returned an answer which clearly showed that the ex-parte statement of the petitioners was greatly exaggerated; indeed, the whole was a misrepresentation. So far from having the large income stated in the petition, the whole amount obtained by the Dean and Chapter was 27l. a-year; and they had, out of this insignificant sum, paid 200l. towards rebuilding the church, and several other sums, towards charities, &c. As to the pay of the ministers, it did not wholly depend upon the holders of large tithes, nor had the diocesan any power to augment the stipend. It was, however, in contemplation to augment the benefice, but this could not be done before the renewal of the lease.
The Earl of Radnorsaid, the noble and learned Lord (the Earl of Eldon) seemed to fall into the offence of prediscussion much more than the noble Lord whom he objurgated. As to the petitioners, he thought they ought to be pretty well acquainted with the extent of what they paid.
Petition laid on the Table.