The Duke of Newcastlewished to ask of the noble Viscount opposite a question of great importance, as it had reference to a subject which had created a strong feeling throughout the country. Some days ago he observed an article in a newspaper, in which it was stated that 236 acres of land had been sold to the rev. Mr. Hunt, a Roman Catholic clergyman at Loughborough, for the purpose of founding a Roman Catholic monastery for individuals of the order of Jesuits. It was added, that Mr. C. Gisborne, to whom the land belonged, meant 1100 to end his days in the new monastery. He wished to know whether the noble Viscount could give him any information on the subject. It was important that no colleges of this description should be founded. He considered that the principles taught in them contained the ground work of every thing that was injurious to the established religion of this country. He understood that, on a former night, the noble Viscount had stated that he was opposed to the formation of new Universities in this country, and he was very glad to hear it, because in that case he would set his face against establishments of this kind. He had observed also a report in the public papers of dangerous riots promoted by Papists in Liverpool, and various parts of the country, on the 12th of July. It would appear that the Papists had assumed a tone most insulting to their Protestant brethren, and he wished to know whether anything had been done to check those disturbances.
§ Viscount Melbournehad no further acquaintance than the noble Duke with the matter first referred to. He had no power whatever to prevent or prohibit any person from selling his land in the manner stated. The noble Duke mistook him in supposing that he had said he objected to there being any Colleges but those of the two Universities in England. What he did say was, that he thought it was desirable that all his Majesty's subjects, of whatever denomination, should have the opportunity of being educated, if they pleased, at the two Universities. With respect to the rest, he had no information on the matter; but if anything had been done that was illegal, the law should be put in force.
§ Subject dropped.