Lord Campbellbegged permission to ask a question of the noble Duke. He observed, that a petition had been entrusted to the noble Duke on behalf of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, respecting their rights and privileges, and he wished to ask, whether it were the intention of the noble Duke to present that petition, and when, because, that in a certain degree would determine the course which he would follow with respect to his motion on the same subject. If the noble Duke intended to present the petition in a manner which would afford their Lordships an opportunity to express their opinions with regard to the complaints which the petitioners urged, he should not bring forward the resolutions of which he had given notice; but if it should not be the intention of the noble Duke, or of those by whom he was instructed upon the subject, to bring the matter before the House, he should feel it his duty to persevere in his motion.
The Duke of Argyllsaid, that the petition to which the noble and learned Lord referred was in his possession, and he 1097 believed he should not present it just now; but he was not bound to say whether he would not present it in the course of the Session.