Lord Broughamhad now read the petition from Glasgow to which he had before referred, and he found that it was a petition on a most important subject. No wonder that he had thought it was signed by 42,000, for so he would have judged by the bulk, and on a reference to its contents he found that it had actually 40,587 names appended to it.
§ The Duke of RichmondIf the noble Lord had read the outside of the petition he would have seen that it related to Church Extension.
Lord Broughamdid not like superficial knowledge. If he read at all he liked to open the book itself. The petition urged their Lordships strongly not to give any further grant or endowment to the Scotch church, and they played also for a separation between Church and State; it was agreed to at a public meeting held at the Grey Friars' church in Glasgow, on the 12th February, 1839, In presenting this 789 petition he must express his satisfaction at the declaration lately made by the noble Viscount at the head of her Majesty's Government upon this point.
§ The Earl of Aberdeencould not conceive that the declaration attributed to the head of her Majesty's Government—that they would not propose any grant during the present Session, and after the termination of the labours of the commission appointed by themselves—could be correct, or that no pledge had been given to do so; for unless the noble Lord held different language in that House and out of it, nay more, unless he held different language sitting from what he did standing, there was a pledge that funds to a certain amount, the noble Lord knew to what he alluded, should be applied.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, that the Government had not at present come to the determination of making any proposition on the subject.