ORANGE LODGES. (Hansard, 3 March 1836)

The Earl of Winchilsea
rose to request of his noble Friend the postponement of the motion until to-morrow evening. He did so in consequence of the continued absence of a noble Earl (the Earl of Roden), who was extremely anxious to be present upon the debate, and who was expected to arrive early to-morrow.

The Marquess of Londonderry
felt considerably embarrassed by the request of his noble Friend, whom he was very anxious to oblige; but being placed in a very 1174 awkward position, it would be with great regret that he consented to the postponement of the motion. When he first gave notice of his intention of bringing under their Lordships' consideration the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons upon Orange Lodges, he did so solely with the view of refuting the strong personal allusions which had been made upon his conduct in connexion with that subject; and feeling naturally most anxious to get rid of the pain which those dark and cunning insinuations had given him, he should regret that even twenty-four hours more should pass over without his having an opportunity to call their Lordships' attention to the subject. He thought it would be very practicable, without entering upon the general subject of Orange Lodges, at once to proceed with his contradiction of the allegations made in the other House; and therefore, unless it was the opinion of their Lordships generally, that he ought to wait, he would beg to make his statement, reserving, however, all discussion on the general question to a future occasion. A considerable time had now elapsed since he first gave notice of the motion, and he therefore thought he should not be guilty of any disrespect to the noble Earl if he proceeded. He was, however, in the hands of the House, and would bow to their decision.

The Earl of Winchilsea
observed that he had not held any communication with the noble Earl to whom he alluded, and that he only sought for the postponement upon the ground that the intimate connexion existing between the noble Earl who was absent (Earl of Roden), and the institutions in question, would enable him to undertake their defence with more knowledge of the subject than any then present.

The Duke of Cumberland
was most anxious the present discussion should take place as soon as possible; but what had fallen from the noble Earl (Earl of Winchilsea), and taking into consideration the connexion which had subsisted between the noble Earl (Earl of Roden) and the late constitutional and loyal associations, called the Orange Lodges of Ireland, he thought it would be better that his noble Friend should wait until he was present.

The Marquess of Londonderry
thought it but right to observe, that when he first gave notice of his motion, he distinctly stated that his only reason- for not proceeding with it immediately, was the noble Earl in question's absence. He certainly 1175 expected that ere this, the noble Earl would have managed to have been In his place. He could not, he regretted, give way to an individual request, but should the House be in favour of a postponement, he should at once bow to it.

§ Viscount Melbourne
thought, that if the noble Earl was to be in his place to-morrow it might be better to postpone the motion. If any attack had been made on the noble Marquess in another place, (and he was ignorant of any such attack) surely, it could make little matter whether it was answered then or twenty-fours hence.

The Marquess of Londonderry
in order to prevent the impossibility of another postponement, in consequence of his absence, he would at once name Monday next for his motion.