§ The Duke of Sussexrose to present a petition from the members of the Society of Friends in Ireland praying the Legislature to withdraw from the criminal code of this country the punishment of death. The petition contained a variety of observations in furtherance of the removal of that stigma from the statute-book, and the petitioners relied particularly upon the good effects which had been already seen, and which experience had witnessed in other countries where the punishment of death had been abolished, as affording strong grounds for the adoption of the same policy in this country. He ought to observe that the petition was not addressed in the usual words, but he believed that petitions from the Quakers, who entertained conscientious scruples on certain points, had been received similarly drawn up. The petition was addressed to the Peers of the United Kingdom, instead of to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal; and instead of the word "humbly" the word "respectfully" was adopted in the prayer of the petition. He trusted that the petition of this numerous, influential, and respectable body would not be rejected on this point of form; and so important did he conceive its contents to be, that he should move that the petition be read at length.
The Earl of Shaftesburywas extremely sorry to raise any objection to the reception of the petition just presented by the illustrious Duke, and especially as it ema- 1905 nated from so respectable a portion of the community, but he was bound to say, that in point of form, it could not be received.
§ The Duke of Sussexsaid, he should certainly withdraw the petition and bow to the decision of the noble Earl opposite, who was so much better acquainted with the forms of the House than himself. He had, however, understood that petitions omitting the words "Lords spiritual and temporal" had before been received.
Lord Broughamwas extremely sorry that the petition was open to objection, and the more so, because it amounted to neither more nor less than that their Lordships never could receive the petitions of that amiable, and, as it was admitted, respectable body of the community, known as the Society of Friends. The language of [their petitions was not adopted from any want of respect to their Lordships' House, but was to be attributed to their conscientious principles, which restrained them from the use of such expressions as the forms of the House required. He (Lord Brougham) put it to the House, whether for the purpose of opening the doors to the petitions of the Quakers, the words "Peers of the United Kingdom" ought not to be considered to include the Lords temporal and spiritual.
§ Viscount Beresfordbegged to remind the noble and learned Lord opposite (Lord Brougham), and he thought it ought to be publicly known, that by the adoption of the words "Lords of Parliament," instead of "Peers of the United Kingdom," the respectable body who entertained conscientious scruples, as suggested, would not be prevented from approaching this House by petition.
Lord Broughamadmitted the propriety of the suggestion, and if any doubt existed, he would, when an occasion presented itself, divide the House upon it. The words "Lords of Parliament" were amply sufficient to include Peers, spiritual and temporal.
§ Petition withdrawn, and conversation dropped.