§ The Earl of Gallowaypresented a petition from the Protestant Association of Edinburgh, and as it was very short, and the subject was of importance, he begged leave to read it. The noble Earl read the petition, which prayed for an enquiry into the nature and tendency of the books used as class-books at Maynooth College; and setting forth that if those books were such as they had been described to be, it was inconsistent with the duty of a Christian Government any longer to supply funds for the support of that college. The noble Earl proceeded to say, that in laying this petition before their Lordships he did not pretend to be acquainted with the books in use at the College of Maynooth; but he had no hesitation in asserting, that if the books were of such a nature as was stated in this petition, it was a subject that ought at once to be dealt with by Parliament. In presenting this petition he begged it to be observed that he entertained no hostile feelings towards the Roman Catholic body. Indeed, he was one of those who, from the very first, entertained a conscientious opinion in their favour, and in the other House he had voted in favour of what was called Catholic Emancipation, and he was sorry that that measure had not produced those happy results that were anticipated from it by the many Protestants who had supported it. Of this, however, he had no doubt, that a Roman Catholic college, established for purely Roman Catholic purposes, was incon- 846 sistent with the security and safety of a Protestant state. Such a college it appeared by the petition, was now receiving, aid and assistance from the country. Against the noble Lords opposite he made no accusation on that account; but he conceived that if, after duly considering the subject, it was found that such van establishment was inconsistent with the public safety, the grant for its support ought to be rescinded. At an influential meeting which was held some time ago, extracts from the books in use at Maynooth were read, and they were found to agree with the allegations contained' in the petition. It was therefore a proper subject for serious inquiry. About a month ago a right rev. Prelate bad moved—
That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to command that inquiries be made into the diffusion of blasphemous and immoral publications, and especially into the tenets and proceedings of a society under the name of Socialists, which has been represented in petitions to this House to be a society the object of which is, by the dissemination of doctrines subversive of morality and religion, to destroy the existing laws and institutions of this realm.To that address her Majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious answer:—I will give directions that inquiry be made into the important matters which form the subject of your address; and you may rely upon my determination to discourage all doctrines and practices dangerous to morality and religion.Now, he founded his appeal for inquiry in this case on the address which he had read, and the gracious answer in reply to it. He hoped that an inquiry would be instituted on this subject, in order that no further public grant should be continued for the support of this college, if, as had been described, and as he believed to be the fact, books were used in it which promulgated doctrines dangerous to morality and the welfare of society.
§ Petition laid on the Table.