HL Deb 16 March 1840 vol 52 cc1195-6
The Earl of Charleville

had examined the petition from the borough of Liverpool in favour of the Municipal Corporation Bill for Ireland presented by the noble Marquess, and found that it came from Joshua Walmisley, the mayor, and not from the inhabitants of that borough.

The Marquess of Normanby

said he had stated, that the petition was from the inhabitants, and signed by Mr. Walmisley on their behalf, which the noble Earl would have known, if he had attended to him.

The Marquess of Westmeath

congratulated their Lordships on receiving a petition presented by the noble Marquess, desiring that municipal corporations might be extended to the intelligence, moral worth, and property of Ireland. He should expect, that when the bill came before their Lordships, the noble Marquess would adhere to the principle laid down in the petition; and he could assure the noble Marquess, that if he would show that was the use, and object, and purpose of the bill, he would give it his cordial support.

The Marquess of Normanby

was understood to say, that he would leave the noble Marquess to settle that matter with his country. The noble Marquess would surely not deny the existence of property, or intelligence, or moral worth amongst the Roman Catholic population there.

The Marquess of Westmeath

thought the intelligence, moral worth, or property of Ireland was not confined to the back lanes and back streets of the country.