rose to put a question to the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was desirous of ascertaining for the satisfaction of the public, whether it was the intention of the right hon. gentleman, after the vote of the House last night, to oppose the Bill, the second reading of which stood for tomorrow.

said, that though he did not know by what authority the hon. gentleman thought he had a right to question him upon that subject, yet he had no objection to state, that he did not conceive the question decided by the vote which had been given, and should certainly oppose the progress of the Bill.

rose, in pursuance of his notice, to bring forward a motion relative to the Finance of Ireland, but the hon. gentleman spoke throughout in a tone so inaudible in the gallery, that we cannot attempt to give even an outline of what he said. We understood him to object to the Report of the Finance Committee as incomplete, and to complain of the violation of the 7th Article of the Union; and he entered into a variety of calculations to prove that Ireland paid a proportion greater than the amount contemplated at the period of the Union. The hon. gentleman concluded with moving, "That the Report which, upon the 22d of July 1812, was made from the Select Committee, to whom the several accounts and papers presented to the House in 1811, relating to the public income and expenditure of Ireland, were referred, be referred to a committee."

thought the referring it to a committee was quite unnecessary. The 7th Article of the Union had been much misrepresented by the hon. member, indeed his construction of it was in direct opposition to that which had been put on it by parliament itself. The points enforced in support of this motion had already been fully discussed in the committee, and he, therefore, could not think that the House was called to acquiesce in the proposition for referring it to a committee.

could not approve of the construction put on the 7th Article of the Act of Union by his hon. friend, and therefore could not support his motion; but he certainly thought that the question respecting the ratio of contribution on the part of Ireland worthy of inquiry, and he should take another opportunity of speaking on that point.

replied, after which the motion was negatived without a division.

in bringing up some new clauses, observed, that in them he had endeavoured to combine and meet the views of most of those with whom he had had communication on this most important subject; and he had been particularly anxious to avail himself of the suggestions of a noble lord (Castlereagh), and he hoped he had been successful. He trusted, that he had now succeeded in arranging effectual securities, not only for Protestant, but also for Catholic freedom. He should not now detain the Committee for the purpose of explaining his clauses, except it was desired; but should wait, as had been previously arranged, until the whole had been printed, and had regularly come to the hands of every member.

observed, that in the present state of the Bill, he should not occupy much of their time in expressing his complete approbation of all that was now before them; but if the Committee would pardon him, he would trespass on them for one moment, as this might be the last opportunity he should have of addressing them on the present subject, as he was about to absent himself from this part of the kingdom for some time. He had paid the greatest attention to the clauses just proposed by the right hon. gentleman as well as to the labour of the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Grattan). He was happy to say, that the entire of the clauses as they now stood, had his most cordial approbation. More he would not say on the present occasion, but he was rejoiced to see that the right hon. gentleman had succeeded so well in the accomplishment of the two great objects of the measure—security to the principles and establishments of the Protestant, and also to the free exercise of the opinion of the Catholic, at the same time that he was admitted to participate in the benefits of the constitution. It was his opinion, that those objects had been most clearly and satisfactorily accomplished by the Bill in its present state—that such securities had been proposed as ought to satisfy even the most jealous of the Protestants, as well as the most inimical amongst the Catholics. In thus briefly stating his cordial approbation of the whole of the clauses, he could not sit down without expressing his hope, though he might not be present in his place to support the Bill, that he might not be useless in promoting its objects, and in more clearly explaining its views in the country to which he was going.

expressed his concern at the intended departure of the hon. member who had just spoke; but he drew some consolation from that circumstance, as it was to be hoped that the hon. member would endeavour to remove those false impressions which had been made on the minds of some persons in Ireland, respecting the nature of the Bill. Now that he was on his legs, he could not but bear testimony to the success which had attended the right hon. member's (Mr. Canning's) endeavours to meet his (lord Castlereagh's views in the clauses which had just been presented; and he hoped, in the progress of the Bill, that he should be able to give his cordial support to the Bill: at present it had his concurrence.

thought that further time ought to be given for the consideration of the new clauses, as they would not be printed for two or three days, and on Monday they were to be discussed. He wished for further time, not only on account of members of that House, but also on account of the people of England. He disliked precipitation on a subject of so much importance.

had no objection to go into a full explanation of all his views in proposing the clauses, if the Committee wished him to do so at the present moment: but he had conceived it to be understood that nothing would be said that night that could call forth any thing like debate; that the clauses would be proposed pro forma for the purpose of having them printed, which would be done in twenty-four hours, and therefore he had abstained from any thing like remark or explanation. But at present, he really thought the House was not in a state to go into that explanation, and as there were only shades of difference between many of the friends of the Bill, imperfect statements might have an injurious effect, and which could only be avoided by waiting till the clauses were printed and in the hands of every member. The time occupied by the printing would be very short, but he was ready to give full explanation now if required.

thought, that on so delicate a subject, explanation at the present moment was very unadvisable; that it would be much better to wait till the clauses should be printed.

differed from his noble friend. He thought some explanation of the clauses ought to be given, before the House came to the discussion of them. They had just received clauses which would not be printed, perhaps, before Saturday; and on Monday they were to be discussed. The subject was one of delicacy—but ought it therefore to be so precipitated? The clauses might be of great length; and they ought first to be printed, then to be explained after they were in the hands of the members, and further time ought to be given for the discussion of them. He could not but express his regret at the intended departure of an hon. member opposite (Mr. Plunkett), though, possibly, he might have reason to dread his talents; yet he could not but regret that the House would not have the benefit of those talents in the further discussions that might take place on the Bill. Though that hon. member had expressed his cordial approbation of the entire of the clauses, he (Mr. R.) still retained the opinion which he had already expressed against the principle of the Bill; and he had little hope that any thing would be adduced which could induce him, in the future opportunities which he should have of expressing his sentiments, of altering the opinion which he had already given.

stated; that the clauses would be ready for every member long before Saturday; that they would be printed by to-morrow evening at latest; and therefore the complaints that had been made were not well founded. He, however, could not but express his hope, as well as his firm belief, that the endeavours of the right hon. gentleman to disparage the Bill would be futile, especially as the attempts had been made in a somewhat irregular manner, at a moment when it was understood on all sides that nothing should be said this night that could call forth any thing like debate.

The clauses were passed, as having been read a first time, after which the House resumed, when the Chairman obtained leave to sit again on Monday next.—Ordered to be printed.