§ Lord Wynfordpresented several petitions from places in Suffolk and Kent against the abolition of Church-rates; to one of which he observed, after it had been signed by certain parties there was appended a statement, signed by the churchwardens, assigning additional reasons for supporting the system of Church-rates, and vouching for the respectability of the petitioners.
Lord Hollandsaid, it was not usual to present a petition with an additional statement annexed to that petition. It was contrary to the established usage of the House to receive such a petition.
§ Lord Wynfordsaid, he knew not of any rule which prevented the House from receiving a petition of this description. He thought that it deserved the attention of the House, as it came from persons of great respectability.
Lord HollandAll he meant to say was, that it was against the usage of the House to receive such a petition. And he would observe, that the course taken by the noble and learned Lord in sifting out the characters and circumstances of those who signed petitions was, to say the least of it, ungracious. By petitions alone could the great body of the people represent their grievances to the I louse; and he looked upon it as very ungracious to institute minute inquiries into what was called the respectability and the situation in life of those by whom they were signed.
§ Petition withdrawn.