The MARQUESS of LONDONDERRYsaid, he would take the present opportunity of asking the noble and learned Lord (Lord Brougham), who had laid so much blame at the door of the Irish proprietors, for his advice on a matter connected with his (the Marquess of Londonderry's) position as a landholder in the county of Londonderry. The London Companies, as was well known, possessed much property in that county, and he and several other proprietors held under them, by leases, many of which were nearly expired. In consequence of their position, they could not avail themselves of the intentions of Government in passing the Property Act, as those who held property in fee could. The tenantry were for the most part small holders to the extent of ten or fifteen acres, and were utterly unable to pay their rents, or even to support themselves and their families. He wished to know from the noble and learned Lord, if the London Companies could be compelled in any manner to put those who held under them in such a position as would enable them to borrow money like proprietors in fee. He could see no prospect but starvation for the people if the Companies did not assist them. They would not even tell the proprietors if they 500 would renew the leases or not. There were also many estates held in trust with the view of providing funds, applicable to paying the fines for renewal from those Companies; but the trustees were allowed no discretion, and could not allocate any of the trust money to the relief of the poor.
LORD BROUGHAMcould see no possible grounds for making any distinction between those Companies and other landed proprietors; and the noble Marquess might depend on it that they could not escape, and would be liable in every case where the landlord would be liable under the same circumstances.
The MARQUESS of LONDONDERRYinquired if the noble and learned Lord would give him a guarantee in case he (the Marquess of Londonderry), as a landlord, borrowed money under the Act, that the Company would be answerable for it?
LORD BROUGHAMIn answer to that, I can only tell the noble Marquess that our profession give opinions but not guarantees.
The MARQUESS of CLANRICARDEbegged to remind the noble Lord, that the money to be advanced under the Act to which he referred, was to be repaid in twenty-two years, and was charged on the land, not on the proprietor. If the landlord made leases, the land was still liable, and it was upon the security of the land the money was advanced.