February 19, 1829.

The Roman Catholic Association dangerous.

The true description of this Association was, in his opinion, to be found stated in the speech which had been delivered from the Throne, on the first day of the session.  In that speech, after observing that the state of Ireland had been “the object of his Majesty’s continued solicitude,” it was further observed, “his Majesty laments that in that part of the United Kingdom, an association should still exist which is dangerous to the public peace, and inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution—–­ which keeps alive disorder and ill-will amongst his Majesty’s subjects, and which must, if permitted to continue, effectually obstruct every effort permanently to improve the condition of Ireland.”  The speech proceeded to say—­“His Majesty confidently relies on the wisdom and on the support of his Parliament; and his Majesty feels assured, that you will commit to him such powers as may enable his Majesty to maintain his just authority.”  Such was a just description of the recent state of the Roman Catholic Association; but he believed he was justified in stating, that in the original institution and formation of the society, on the subject of which it was his duty to address their lordships, there was nothing strictly illegal.  The illegality subsequently complained of, and which it was the object of this, as well as of a former bill, to suppress, proceeded from its acts.  Those acts consisted principally in levying a tax upon certain of his Majesty’s subjects, called Catholic Rent; and this, by means and acts of extreme violence, which occasioned constant heart-burnings and jealousies amongst his Majesty’s subjects—­by appointing persons to collect the rent—­by appointing other individuals to be treasurers of it; farther, by adopting measures for organising the Catholic population—­by appointing persons to superintend that organisation—­and by assuming to themselves the government of the country, and still more, affecting to assume it.  Besides, they expended this rent in a manner contrary to, and utterly inconsistent with, all law and order, and the Constitution of the country.  But this was not the least material part of the danger occasioned by the Catholic Association.  Part of the money thus improperly obtained was spent for election purposes.  And here he called the attention of the noble and learned lord, to acts proving the existence in Parliament of a Roman Catholic influence, and of an influence directly derived from this Association.  He would not discuss that subject further at the present moment; but he begged noble lords not to forget it, in discussing the details of a measure which he should have to propose hereafter for their Lordships’ adoption.  Besides the money spent in elections, there were other sums (also arising out of the rent) spent in endeavours to contravene the due administration of justice in Ireland.  When he made this observation, he fully