^FULL REPORT OF THE SPEECH OF THE Rt. Hon. HENRY G RAT TAN, I N THE HOUSE OF C O M M O N S . OF IRELAND, €>:< T H U R S D A Y t h e 14th or F ETB R U A R Y, i -5?, IX THE DEBATE ON 1' I T H E S. DUBLIN': Printed by P. BvR .ST, No. 108, Grafron Street ; A N I) Rc-piinted by J. DHj;Rf<T, Picciidilly, I.on'dov. LIBRARY UNnrKRSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA FULL REPORT OF THE SPEECH OF THE JRt. Hon. HENRY GRATTAN. M R. Grattan faid it was not his intention to furprife the Houfe at the piefent, by intro- ducing fo important a fubjedt as that of tithes ; he would prefer fubmitting the grievances com- plained of by the peafantry, to a Committee, who would examine if they really cxifted or not. That fuch mode of proceeding would meet with the approbation of the Houfe he had no doubt ; as the Committee, by confidering the magical error in its true form, would fee the necciTity of a commutation of tithes ; a commutation that was he to propofe, in the firfl inflance, without B can- C 4 ] convincing the Houfe that the peafantry were really diilrcfled, might bring on an oppofition that he would wIOn, if pofllble, to fee avoided on the prefent momentous fubjedl. It is, continued he, a pofition in politics as well as phyfics, that for the purpofe of removing the complaint it is neceffary for the phyfician to know the nature of the diforder. For this purpofe there were many refpeclable witneffes ready to attend to prove their allegations, which he was convinced would fhew the neceffity of a reformation being made in this mode of provifion for the clergy. He faid he declined at prefent feparating the quef- tion j he underflood that tithes of a particular nature, unfanc'^ioned by law, were levied on the poor in the fouthern parts of the country ; he lamented their inability to pay them, and re- proached, in terms of ardent indignation, that fpirit of peculation and rapine that brought down mifcry and wretchednefs on fo ufeful a body of men. Tithe of turt had been levied by the clergy, and paid by the poor ; a hearth-money tax of tv/o iliillings a hearth, in lieu of the tithe of turf, which was unknown to the laws, had been alfo levied ; and where oppofition was of- fared to thefe illegal demands, litigation enfued, and often the paifor, the tithe prodlor, and tithe farmer, with every mifchief in their train, united to bring on the lowed and moft ufefui of the con> muiiityj C 5 ] munity, accumulated niin. Thofe charges, he %vas well convinced, could be fufficiently eila- blifhed> with niimberlefs others equally grie- vous, and which he would referve for another rfiore favourable opportunity — For which pur- pofe he moved, *' That a Committee he appai'/ited to inquire if then *' is any juji caufe of difcontent in the proinnce of *' Aii'.njier, and alfo to inquire if the late exccffei " committed in the province of MunJIer, and coun- *' ties of Kilkenny and Carlow, zvere on account of *^ tithes J or on account of the colleBion of them y and * ' alfo what redrefsfJjould be afforded thetn ; and to ** report their opinion thereon,''^ In this Committee, faid he, I (liall ftate and bring; evidence of the grricvances under which the wretched people labour. In this Committee I fliall alfo fubmit what occurs to me as the proper mode of remedy. I do not wifli in the firft in- ftance to uOier thefc matters to the Houfc, be- caufe, as I laid before, I am unwilling to rifk theintereft of the clergy, the caufe of the poor, and the happinefs of the country, upon my opi- nion. Let me then bcfcech an inquiry, from which much good and no mikhicf whatever can pofllbly refult. B 2 With [ 6 3 With refped to the payment of the clergy, ■whofe incomes I would rather augment than di- Uiinifli, three plans have occurred to me : The firfl is, ** To pay the clergy the full amount of what, *'^ on a fair average, they have received for feve- " ral years prior to the diflurbances complained ** of, which amount fliould be raifed by applot- *' ment in the manner of other country charges.'* The fecond is, ** To inftitute a general modus in lieu of »« tithe." The third is, **' A combination of modus of commutation, *' by a general furvey of every county ; a certain- '^ fum to be allowed for every acre under tillage, ** and the whole county at large to be the fecu- ** rity of the clergyman." This I affert to be not only praAicable, but eafy of accomplifliing, for fimilar furveys are every year made m almoft every county in Ire- land. Gentlemen mufh obferve that there is a vail difference between a fair inquiry, which is the fole fubjeft of my motion, and a pofitive agreement, which may bind down Parliament to a fpe- C 7 ] a rpecific plan. I do not willi them to be pledged to any fyflem, but firft to examine whether any fyftem at all is neceffary, and then to determine upon the nature of it themfelves. But if die bu- fmefs ihall be futfered to go into a Committee, 1 flatter myfelf fuch proofs will be adduced, fuch fubftantial allegations attefted upon oath at the bar of the Houfe, as will convince them that the voice of complaint has not been raifed with- out juil, ajid even more than fufncient caufc. And theie proofs (hall not come from White- Boy^s, or from perfons fuppofed favourable to their proceedings, but from men of irreproach- able characters ; men who have been goaded to outrage by tithe-prodors, but who have pa- tiently fubmitted to reiterated impofition, and become the mediators of peace, and the inftru- ments of tranquillity. Thofc evidences are ready to be produced at the bar of your Houfe; and when you go into Committee, gentlemen will have an opportunity of aflenting to, ordifapprov- ing, the propofed plans of reformation. The Attorney General faid, I differ alto- gether with the Right Honourable Gentleman as to the mode of taking up the fubject. I cannot think it right, that, with the concurrence ot diis Houfe, the idea of redrefs fhould be let afloat ; thus to heat the imaginations of the people, with- out C 8 ] out any pofitive remedy in view to allay them. I will not therefore content to the Committee of Inquiry propofed by him, for I am f\ire that a more effectual means to increafe the difturbances that exift, and to difturb the public tranquillity, could not be taken. My Right Hon. Friend has admitted it to be a matter of fuch difficulty, as to call for the greatefh efforts of the wifeft heads to determine it with prudence, and yet he wants the Houfe to enter inftantly into a Committee, in order to afcertain whether any juft caufe of dif- content exifts in the province of Munfterj or in the counties of Kildare or Carlow, on account of tithe, or the collection of tithe; and if any, to report the fame, with their opinion thereon. If his abihties, confeffedly fo great, have not been able to devife any plan which he can vouch for, and pofirively recommend, I think it would be madnefs to agitate the fubject at ^11. But if he is in poffeffion of any fyftem, in God*s name, let Iiim propofe it. He well knows that the Houfe will liften with partiality to any propofal coming from him. If it ihall appear to be fuch as I can approve, 1 ilia'l certainly fupport it; if not, I mull only vote againft it. '&" Lord Kings BOROUGH rofe to fecond Mr. Grat- tan's motion. I cannot, {aid his Lordfhip, for- hc3X mcntipning the oppreOions and diftreffes under C 9 T under v/hich the poor in the lo\ith of Ireland labour. I re fide in that part of the kingdom, and therefore cannot be ignorant of them. The people who cultivate the poor lands in the county of Cork are utterly unable to pay tithe of any kind, and yet tithe of every kind is molt rigoroLifly demanded from them. Many de- mands made by the clergy are illegal. I have myfelf been cited to an ecclefiailical court for payment of an illegal demand, and which, illegal and exorbitant as it was, I Ihould have been obhged to comply with, without ever hav- ing joined iliue, were T a poor man. If a Committee is appointed, gentlemen will have an opportunity of entering into the merits of the bufmefs. Mr. Browne, (of the College) faid he felt much difficulty in oppofmg the Right Honourable Gentleman, whofe romantic fuceefs and fplendid abilities had long infured his triumph. He could not however at prefent fubmit to his motion, it being in his mind replete with an inconfillency that did not ufuaily mark his meafures. The honourable member, continued he, has eflablilh- ed our conftinitional rights on a folid foundation, but would he now (hake it by fufilriiig an inno- vation on our ecclefiaftical fyftcm ? It would, faid he, be a tafs. replete v/ith dilficulry and danger [ lO ] danger to attempt altering fo ancient a {yllem; and the abfiirdity of llich a meafure being adopt- ed, having no colour of reafon why it fliould, ^v,•Is fo evident, that any remark on it would ap- pear fuperfiuous to die Houfe. Mr. Browne next adverted to the compenfation bill which had been introduced. This, he trufted, would cffcftually anfwer every purpofe to reftore order and tranquillity in the fouth. He afked the Right Honourable Gentleman, who authoriled him to become the arbiter between the clergy and their tlock ? Who had appointed him to regulate their property ? I am warranted, continued he, in de- claring the cldrgy have made no fuch requeft ; and on the part of the people 1 can fafely fay the fame, as no petitions appear to give weight to his afiertions. Here Mr. Browne took an opportunity of re* currino- to the late contefted eledion in the county of Cork. The conflid between the ruUng pow- ers in that county incited a fpirit of oppofition in the lower order of people ; diis fpirit was en- courag;ed, becaufe it met no refiftance from their fuperiors, and it therefore grew into an oppofition againft the clergy, that is neither warranted by law or juftice. On the part of the clergy he could with truth fay, that they were a body of men by no means hoftik to humanity, as has been been falfely allcdged ; tlieir meeknefs would not permit them, nor their benevolence fuffer them, to crufh thole mifguided people who had refin- ed the laws, and deprived them of their pro- perty. That the clergy had Laboured under many oppreflions, was a fa6t univerfally known, yet, he would take upon him to fay, they wifh* ed for no alteration in a fyflem founded on the pure bafis of religion ; its fimplicity endeared it to them, and their reverence for the ancient conftitution made them prefer it to any new re- gulation, rather wifhing to fuffer thofe ills they have, than fly to others that they know not of. He concluded by obferving that in refpe(5l to the complaint of the Right Honourable Gentleman, of a tithe of turf being levied, he was affured if any fuch tithe had been taken by the clergy, it was in lieu of fomething withheld from the paf- tor ; and that the laity were no fufferers by fuch regulation. He therefore could not, confif- tcntly with his principles, give his approbation to the motion made by the Right Honourable Member. Mr. G RATTAN. — Mr. Speaker, I am called on by an Honourable Member to fupport what I have alledged refpedling the opprcfTions cx'- pericnced by the fouthern pcafantry. Though C well C 12 ] well I am convinced the matter would come with much more propriety before a Committee, yet, as it is not likely I will have an opportunity of introducing it before the Houfe in that fhape, I muft now requeft your indulgence, while I juftify myfelf, and vindicate my aflertions. . I had indeed flattered myfelf I would not have occafion to trouble the Houfe on the fubjed of tithes, and therefore I referved myfelf to meet the queftion in Committee. If I can judge from appearances, there feems to be a determined oppofition to this meafure. My predicament muft of courfe be a fmgular one, as I am cenfured by one Honourable Gen- tleman for 7iot producing a plan, and by an- other for producing one which has been empha- tically declared to threaten injury to the ftate. Thus, \)y the fame fpecies of fophiftry, I am charged with being an arbiter between the clergy and their flock without any authority, and of courfe a fomenter of commotion, and a pro- moter of difturbance. If it is criminal to wifli to heal the breach fubfifting between the clergy and the laity ; if it is fomenting diflurbance to wifli to conciliate all parties, then I have materially erred ; it tx) deny me the opportunity of doing this C 13 3 tliis is meritorious, the people of Ireland muft be foon convinced to whom they are obliged. Are not the commotions that difturbed the peace of the country too notorious to be denied ? Is it not the ufuage of the parliaments of both kingdoms, in fimilar cafes, to inveftigate the caufe, and ftrike at the root of the evil ; and not, by adopting temporary expedients to remove the effe(5ls, fuffer the primary error to exift ? If this has been the cafe, then, Sir, I tread on firm, on conftitutional grounds, and will not helitate to fay, taat an inquiry ought to be made, and if it, ihould appear that the fubjed is opprefled, re- drefs fhould follow. If you deny this, you deny the exiftence of the conftitution. Sir, there are men ready to appear at your bar, refpectable men, who are enabled and wil- ling to prove on their oaths, that the commo nalty in the fouthern counties are monflroufly aggrieved. Call thefe men to your bar, hu- manity demands it, and their opprcfTions require it ; and if they cannot clearly fupport their alle- gations, it will be to me a fubje<5t of plcafurc, and to the Houfe a matter of triumph. If it ap- pears to me that no grievance docs cxiil, then I C 2 will f H ] will unite In fupporting a fyftem now apparently obnoxious, I applaud the modeH: worth of my honourable friend [Mr. Brown] whofe integrity of principles, and benevolence of heart, I have long admired j and though I widely differ with him on the pre- fent queftion, our coincidence of fentiments on others, is a reflexion that muft ever afford me pleafure. It is. Sir, painful to me to reflect that fo much oppreffion exifls, that this op- prelfion falls chiefly on that mofl \ifeful body, pur hufbandmen. To convince the Houfe that oppreffion and exaction really cxift, I requeft the attention of the Houfe while I read a few extrafts from letters and papers now in my hand, the fubftance of which can be verified on oa^ji. The charges contained in thefe papers, Sir, are of fuch a heinous nature, and exhibit fuch a fcene of iniquity and melancholy impofition pra^ftifed on the fouthern peafantry, as muft raife indignation in the breafl of every man that hears them. It has been afferted on the part of the clergy, or rather of their pro6tors, that though their charges fometimes carried the feature of extor- tion, ftiU the full tenth was feldom taken from the [ >5 ] tke parlfhioner; and they even dared the op- preffed to Hiew one inftaiice where any part of the laity's property had been illegally tithed. The laft affertion I am warranted to fay is a glaring violation of tmth, for I can (hew, to the full fatisfadiion of this Houfe, that turf has been tithed — illegally tithed. I have alfo the bell authority for aflerting that where men have been refradoiy, and would not fiibmit to what they knew was a grofs impofition, they have been dragged before an ecclefiaflical court ; that the decifion of thefe difgraceful courts made the defendants enter into fecurity for the illegal payment of tithe of turf, and not be- ing able to accomplidi that payment, wretches who had fcarcely a rag to protect them from the inclemency of the elements, were call into a loathfome prifon — martyrs to extortion, and vilftims to violated juftice. — Sir, it is obvious and degrading to the conlHtution, to fee ex- tortion aflume the power of legiflation, and comm\iting its own exadlion by laying a tax of two fliiUings on each health of poor creatures, many of whom had not a turf to burn, or a coal to kindle. Is not fuch rapacity contrary to juflice, and repugnant to law ? for the law par- ticularly exempts creatures of poor condition from a hearth tax ; which, under the name of fmokc- [ i6 ] fmokc-money, is feized on by the rigorous and rclentlefs tithe fador. I \\<ill now afk the Hoiife, is it prepared to deny thefe charges, or is it prepared to juftify them ? It cannot — it will not — I have the opi- nion of an upright and learned lawyer, whofe talents and virtues are an ornament ic human nature, and who has been lattiy tranfiated to the feat of juftice, to fay that the parfon, the prodlor, or tithe farmer, who prefumes to exad a tithe of turf, or the tax of fmoke-money, and the ecclefiaftical judge who acquiefces with them, all ad contrary to law, and are deferving of, and liable to, exemplary punifliment. [^A ay of hear, hear.'] A tithe of fiirze has alfo been claimed and obtained, though they were not cut for fale, but fpent or confumed on the premifes ; nay, the mofl trifling article of the wretched parilliioner falls a facritice to the impious grafp of avarice and rapa- city. I now afK gentlemen, is it pofhble for ex- aclion to invent a more caiel and fevere tax than thefe I fubmit for confideration ? Than the firil charge nothing can be more exorbitant, except the charge of the proclor, which amounts to the enormous l\im of two ihillings in the pound, for coileding his own exadion, a tax that may as jultiy be levied for the fupport of the clergy- man's domelYics. — After this fair and pl?in ftate- ment [ '7 ] ment of facts, can it be faid that there has been neither opprelTion or extortion in Miinfter ? No furely, fince every thing paid tithe in that pro- vince, that paid tithe any where elfe, and pota- toes, flax, and turf were alfo tithed there, that were tithed no where elfe. Thus much for the province of Munfter, with the additional charge of proftorage. Having now clearly fliewn, Sir, that the fouthern counties have been particularly ag- grieved, I (hall proceed to ftate the tithable prices charged for the diiferent produdions of the earth, particularly in thofe parilhes recently difturbed ; which are according to the follow- ing ftatement : IVheat from 125. to 20s. per acre* Potatoes from 8j. to 195. do. Barley from gs. to 135. iio. Oats from 6s. to 10s, do, Meadozu from 4^. to 'js, do. Flax from lis. to ic,s, do* Befides, For a little garden 19 J. In the county of Cork, the ratagcs are : Potatoes i6j-. per acre. Wheat 16 J. do. Bark'} [ >« ] Barley 95. 9^. d(i. Oats 8i. do. Mcadozvhg 6 s. do. Exclufive of this general ftatement, Sir, I fliall produce other inftances of uncommon ex- tortion, where wheat, potatoes, flax, &:c. are charged by the (lone ; rape alfo, which the legiflature thought it wifdom to cultivate, has not efcaped the eye of the proiflor, but has been taxed enormoufly. In Ulfler, Sir, the farmer pays but fixpence for his flax, be the quantity great or fmall. Through the whole nation the rate of tirhing is, on an average, but one third of what is charged in Munfter ; the confequence of which has been, that while livings in other parts of the kingdom have improved in honeft gradation as the coun- try improved in wealth, in Muniler they have exceeded all bounds. Is not this. Sir, an encroachment, and fuch a one as fully accounts for tli-e difcontent of the people ? for it is not merely that a living has grown from fixty pounds to three hundred pounds, but the proctor and tithe-farmer's gains, or perhaps the gains of two or three in- termediate relays of tithe prodors and tithe- farmers. C '9 ] farmers, extracted from the peafant, full twice as much as went into the pocket of the parfon. In corroboration of further monftrous extor- tion, I 111 all read the depolition of a refpefta- ble farmer. No. I. flates tliathe was charged 165. an acre tithe for oats. No. IV. ftates that he was obliged to pay 24s. for two Englifh acres of wheat^ and for bull po- tatoes, i]s. an acre. No. VI. flates that he was charged 40;. an acre for potatoes, which he refufed to pay ; and having been caft in a fuit he commenced in con- fequence of this exaction, a decree was obtained againft him, which amounted to fixteen pounds <ofts ! No. XVI. fhcws that deponent paid 15J. an acre for wheat. And No. XVIII. afl'crts that he paid fourteen pounds to the clergyman, having been charged at the rate of one pound two fliillings per acre tithe for potatoes. Thcfe fadls. Sir, arc lupportcd by the oath of a creditable geijtlcman, and D there [ 20 ] there can be lio doubt of their authenticity ; fuch, I lament to fay, are the exadtions praftifed on the Iririi peafantry — fuch are the crimes that bear the mild name of oppreffion — fuch are the iniquitous extortions that call loudly and juftly for reformation. Now I afk, will gentlemen admit thefe ratagcs to be founded in t:ii5l, and fay that no fubftan- tial caufe of grievance cxifls ? I requeft they will not pafs my queftion in fiience. \^A paufe.'] If they do, I fliall conceive that it is a queftion which they cannot, or arc afraid to anfwer. Sir, the litigation excited by this degrading mode of provifion for the clergy, is an evil that fhakes the foundation of induftry, that draws down on the miferable peafant accumulated ruin, that ftems the torrent of juftice, and is the fource of oppreffion. I am concerned to find that tithes of turf, potatoes, and fmoke-money, are with impunity levied contrary to law. The peafant who refifts this cruel violation of juf- tice, and flies for prote(flion to a petty court, foon, to his defbuftion, difcovers that which fhould have been his afylum receives him as a devoted viiflim ; that by the collulion of the court, or the imbecility of the judge, he falls » facrifice to his tanerity, and a decree is ob- tained C " 3 tained which involves him and his flimily m eternal ruin. This pi(5lure of calamity, Sir, may appear over-charged ; for the honour of human nature I wifli it was ; but from the prodor's bills and receipts, which I hold in my hand, I am con- vinced of the exiftence of unexampled oppref- fion ; and as to the iniquity and coUufion of eccleliaftical courts, it is fo flagrant a matter, and fo univerfally known and admitted, that to dwell on the fubje6l any longer for the p\ir- pofe of impredmg the idea, would be a wafte of words, and an infult offered to the honour- able members that furround me. I fhall now advert. Sir, to what has been ad- vanced, that the court would afford redrefs to the complainants, and relieve them from fuch heavy oppreflions. But, Sir, it is well known that the Vicars Court is like a PolilTi Diet, diRinguilhed for no- thing but injuftice, ignorance and party ; the Judge is always one of the body, or elfe his appointment proceeds from it ; and though in lome cafes the flagrant juftice of the individual might controul the partial umpire, yet the foniliuitiun of the court is fuch, that none D z but [ " ] but a partial judge has ever been known to prc- fide there. That the ecclefiaftical court is a mofl expen- five and grievous judicature, 1 prefume no man of candour will deny. It is well known to the Houfe that the cofts and expences of a fuit in the Vicars Court are feldom lefs than one pound fix {hillings and eight-pence, though the fum liti- gated may not be more than five fliillings. In addition to this grievance, the incompetency of a witnefs is of no avail to fet afide his evidence ; the moft contemptible and fufpicious wretch is embraced with a holy zeal, and on the merits of his teflimony this upright court, without hefita- tion, decrees : — nay, though he were the proc- tor, or fervant of the party, and his bias and corruption were evident, ftill his evidence is ad- miflible ; notwithftanding he viewed the crop in the infancy of vegetation, or the ground at the time was red, vvhen it was impoffible, with any degree of certainty, to anticipate its value, or to afcertain its produce. And it is well known, Sir, that he frequently gueffes at the quantum of land, produce, and value, without lurvey, weight, or meafure. The uncharitable and exccffive ratages in the foath, S'li^ mull roufe the indignation of the Houfe* [ ^3 ] Houle. Ill the year 1786,! can prove from in- difputable evidence, the tithes of many farms amounted to the rack rent of the landholder ; and I am ailiired from reputable authority, that it is a praftice to charge the innocent and unfuf- pe<5ting hufbandman for more acres than he real- ly poffeffes ; this i? a charge incontrovertible, as I have a furvey, fworn to, that not only proves this, and the infamous exadlion of the proftor, but plainly fliews that, in many inftances, not only the tenth, but the fourth is extorted from the unprotected peafimt. Surely, Sir, it will not be afked after what I have Hated, is there not a remedy for fuch egre- gious impofition ? That queftion has been al- ready anfwered by what I advanced refpefting the impotency of inferior courts, where the ex- pence attending the failure of the parilhioner's fuit muft be attended by certain deftrudion.--- This, Sir, caufes a fear that operates to the ad- vantage of the tJlhe-prodor, canter, &c. and prevents the objcft of their plunder from feek- ing redrefs in a iummary way. 1 lament, Sir, that the clergy are fo very tenacious, that they will not fuffer or give their approbation to any alteration in a fyflem that has time immemorial given rife to perfecutionsand profecuiions in this kingdom. The mild fj^irit of the Gofpcl does not [ 24 3 not fay, that opprcflion is of divine right — that the elemental tithe of fire Hiall roall the tithe- pig of the paifon, or that it is juft to receive tithe of a wretched cottier, which amounts al* moll to the rack rent he pays for his farm. Sir, the progrefs of a fuit ni the hip ecclefiajll' cal courts, is attended with double the expence of a fuit carried on in the ecclefiaftical courts of England, and is at beft a penal remnant of bar- barity, that requires immediate annihilation. I fhallnow, Sir, recur to the enormities prac- tifed in the levying of tithes, and for the purpofe of convincing the Houfe of the truth of my alle- gations, I (hall, with permifiion of the Houfe, read an extracl from a letter written to me by a gentleman in Calhel, for whofe veracity I can vouch, l^Rcad a letter which took a vlezv of the progrefs of tithing from the year 1774 to 1783; zvhich Mr. Grattan, after furniping the Houfe with, proceeded in the fvlhzving manner to comment on.~j Sir, it appears that in the year 1783, a year of famine, for two hundred and fixty-five barrels of wheat one pound an acre has been charged, according to the average produce of preceding years^ C H 1 years, uncommonly produAive. The Vicars Court in the diocefe of Calhel, appears from in- conteftible evidence, to be a moft iniquitous one. [^Copies of decrees taken from the rule book of this court ^ Mr. Grattan now read.'] Thus, Sir, it plainly appears that the court cal- culated the number of barrels, which the acre of potatoes, wheat, or oats might produce, either on the fuperficial and partial view of the farm, or the moft extraordinary or partial eftimate of their prodors, valuators and dependants. I condemn exceedingly, the uncertainty of fuch grounds for the decilion of property ; the minute divifion in barrels and ftones, is an inge- nious but exceptionable device to accumulate exadtion on the poor. This mode of proceeding is like an apothecary or taylor's bill — crowded with little dirty items to fwell an exorbitant ac- count — \_A laugh.'] Such abominable extortion, I am forry to ob- ferve, is peculiar to this country, and extremely injurious to its commercial interefts ; a tax oij grain difhpates the fpirit of induftry, by driving the peafant from the plough to lefs valuable pur- faits ; a bold and robuft peafantry is the Ilrength of the empire, and the fmews of commerce; they [16] tliey Hioiild be cheriihed by the legillature with a parental affedlion ; I therefore call upon Go- vernment to alleviate their wrongs, which it will completely do, by regulating that fyftem which is no lefs a degradation to the clerical charader, than it is repugnant to the precepts of Chrifti- anity. Sir, from the decrees I have read, it is obvious, that the parfon and prodors claim and receive market prices for tithes ; whereas in juftice, in equity, and in law, field prices can only be de- manded ; to infift on market price is a monftrous exaction, it is claiming a tithe of labour, as well as of property, as no allowances are made for digging and drawing, nor no recompenfe given for the trouble or labour of the pcafant. From the decrees I have read. Sir, it appears that in the year 1774, which was a year of fear- city, that for ' 350 barrels of beer, 40 barrels had been ex- acted for tithe. 130 barrels of oats were charged proportior;-- ably. 4256 flones of potatoes were charged 42^ ftones for tithe. Hay [ ^7 ] Hay had been charged i os. a ton. 47 acres of wheat charged i/. 2S. gJ, an acre ; and meadow was charged 125. an acre. Thus it is plainly proved, by thefe decrees, that the ratages are exorbitant ; but even thefe extortions will appear trivial, when compared to the rapacioufnefs of 1783, which was a year of famine ! During this year potatoes had been rated, according to the decree, one guinea an acre — an equitable famine price !— flax above one guinea an acre, another equitable famine price ! — hay 1 05. a ton, a very equitable famine price ! — to which is tacked i/. 6s. Sd. cod — all, all equitable famine ratages ! Will any honourable member controvert what I have alledged; there is no man can, I am con- vinced : lorry then am I to find, that the pover- ty and accumulated wrongs of the poor of this country are only equal to the rapine and pccu- lation of their mercilefs plunderers. From this ftatcment, nothing Is more obvious than that the clergy and their proclors had fct forth a plenty produce, and thereto annexed a famine price, availing themlclvcs of famine, Vhich was unchriRian and uncharitable, and making plenty itfcif thefcourge of die farmer. E That [ ^8 ] That this had been done appeared evident from the decrees in cafes of poor people, who, to a good Chriftian, fliould have been objects of fuccour in a year of fcarcity, and not the devoted obje(5ts of extortion and exadion. Thefe decrees, and the caufe that excites them, are extremely prejvidicial to the poor, and deftruclive to hufbandry. Surely, it is very impolitic to load with a tithable tax the rudi- ments of our manufactures. The regulation of tithing fliould ever keep in confideration the in- tereft of the manufacturer ; I am alTured, from the befl authority, that 145. an acre have been paid for an acre of flax, and 16/. have been exacted as tithe for four acres of rape ; the firfh elements of our manufadures fhould be tithe-free, and though flax is our fl:aple, yet it pays a greater tithe in tliis kingdom than in Great Britain, as there the tithe of flax and hemp does not exceed 55. the acre. Sir, in the north, and the province of Con- naught, tithe of turf and potatoes are unknown; to fmoke-money the peafant is equally a itrangcr ; ^Yhich demonftrates, that the exactions practifed on the fouthern poor, are much more enormous than thofe experienced by the northern hulband- men. In [ 29 ] In Kildare the ratage of IVheat is, per acre, 6.f. Meadow ing, do. 35. 6d. In the county of Dublin the ratage is about, for lVI:'eat, per acre, 6s. Oats, Barky, Aleadozi'ing, md all other arti- cles JubjeB to tithes, are in the fame propor- tion. In the King's County the ratages upon If'hcat, Barley, and all other tithable articles, are equally rcafonable. In Connaught the ratage is, for H'ljeat, per acre, about 6s» Potatoes, 'nothing. And upon the whole there is no demand what- ever made of prodoragc-fces for trouble in the colledion of tithe. In the county of Antrim no tithe is demanded for potatoes ; all the other tithe-rates are equally rcafonable with thofe I have before dated. In many other counties which I could men- tion, but the detail of which would be railier K z tedious, [ 30 ] tedious, no demand is made of tiilie for potatoes, and fome few are exempted from tithe of flax. I now, Sir, call upon the gentlemen of the law, and afk. them if they can produce legal au- thority in fupport of the extortions I have ftated. If they cannot, I call on them to afliil me in framing a bill that will remove thefe enormities^ and give comfort to the peafant, and an honour- able fupport to the parfon. Sir, in refped to potatoes, the tithe ought in juflice to be eftimated, not according to the quantum of produce, but confonant to the poor condition of the peafant ; and the perfon who values them lliould ever have under confideration the low price of labour in this country. The Teverfe is the fad : in the province of Munfter the exadions are uncommonly high, though the price of labour is fo low that it fcarcely affords the means of fuftenance to the wretched peafant and his haplefs family. When a minifter of the Gofpel vifits a parifli- ioner fo circumftanced, and claims twelve or fifteen, or fometimes twenty iliillings, for an acre of tillage, he demands a child's share ; he extrads alms from a beggar, he adds famine to poverty, he infringes the holy Gofpel, he grinds [ 31 J grinds the face of the poor, and facrifices that humanity and benevolence, which (hould diftin- giiiQi the clerical charader, to the mammon of iinrighteoufnefs. When fuch a man produces the proftor's valuation, the peafant might pro- duce the Gofpel, and in point of divinity, thougli not of law, the peafant would have the advan- tage of the parfon. The peafant would ftate the paftor's fpiritual profeffion againft his reverence's exaclion, and may admonifh him with his own religion, which triumphs over every other divi- iion of Chriftianity, by the exccfs of piety and contempt of riches. Sir, I cannot avoid combating the prevalent opinion, that gentlemen (hould fupport the clergy in upholding a fyRem, that has neither equity or juftice to recommend it ; this indeed would be a criminal partiality. Is it becaufe the burden is renloved from the flioulders of the rich to thofe of the poor ? Is it becaufe the eflated gentry fend from their parks, their palaces, and delightful improvements, the ominous tithe- pro^lor to levy contributions on the potatoe garden of the cottager ? Is it under fuch narrow and confined confiderations you mock the complaints of the peafantry, and re- lufe your aid to remove their opprcflTion ? No, furely ; C r- i fiirely ; this would be a giols libel on the gene- rolity of Iriflimen ! Befides tlie accumulated dillrefles tithes bring on the miferable tenantry, I do infift that no fyflem has ever been adopted in this country which more efFedually involves its inter eft. Tithes, as operating againft agriculture, excite depopulation, and are inconfiftent with indullry ; there is a kindred alliance between tillage and manufaftures, and what one fuffers by exaction the other eventually experiences by depopula- tion. I cannot avoid exprefling my abhorrence at clergymen interfering in fanguinary punilh- ments; thofe who (liould fliew the moral exam- ples of humanity and meeknefs, degrade the ecclefiaftical charader by purfuing, with vindic- tivenefs and perfecution, the objefts of their ven- geance. Of the truth and piety of many worthy ecclefiaftics, I am willing to bear honourable teftimony ; their temperance and humanity are deferving of applaufe. The wifli neareft my heart, is to unite all parties, and the only mode of accomplifliing this is, to provide amply for the miniilers of the Gofpel, by a mode that would facilitate tiie payment of the church re- venues. C 33 ] venues, and cafe the opprefTions of the wretched pearantn\ Sir, how difgraceful muft it appear to fee die face of the foiithern provinces covered with an extenfive army, fent for to fight the battles of the clergy and their proctors ? How dreadful, how fatal had been the confequences were they led to action by a barbarian or a bigot ! No, the rays of benevolence and humanity guided tlie footfteps ot their commander, and he accom- plilhed, by temperance and an amiable concilia- tion, that peace and tranquillity which marked. his march, and now lliews the gratitude ofthofe creatures wiiom he difdained to flau2:hter. On die part of the clergy it has been mention- ed, that a combination exilled among the parifli- ioners, which prevented the clergyman from drawing home his tithes. To fliew this charge J3 unfounded, 1 rcqucft rlie attention of the Houie, while 1 read a letter from a reputable gentleman, onwhofe veracity I can depend. It is directed to the clergyman of his diocefe, and is conceived in thefe terms ; — ** Sir, *' I deem it liighly proper to give you early '* notice of my intention of laying out your tithe. *' i re- [ 34 ] ** I reqvicfl:, If convenient, you will be Co good as to fend and have it drawn away. If, how- ever, it will be attended with any inconveni- ence, I fhall, if agreeable, draw it with my ** own fervants and horfes.'* Friendly and candid as this is, it has been re- fufed. I muft think that the clergy lofe conli- derably by their obftinacy in this refped. Thus the old and only remedy the parifliioner had, having been withftood by the law of the land,_ tlie neceffity of a new one — a firm regulation which will obviate all occaiion for either, muft be apparent to every man of common fenfe— of common difcretion. In the county of Kerry, Sir, I am well In- formed that mercilefs rapine and remorfelefs pe- culation are every where to be found ; the whole body of the people of that county are againft pro(flors and tithe -farmers; therefore the voice of juftice and the grievances of the people call loud- ly for an a*5l of commutation. Tithes are the body and foul of exadion and ufury, that defy legiliAtive refLrictlon, and are only fuftained by the ufes of a cmel law. Now, after having made thefc ftatements, I fhall obfcrve. that though there is no circumilance adequate C 35 ] . adequate to create orto juftify difturbance, thne is no one objed lb likely to excite commotion a?; a fcarcity of the necefTaries of life ; nothing can tend fo much to caufethat fcarcity as the exorbi- tance of tithe demands. If, therefore, you willi the peace and tranquillity of the kingdom, you will take neceflary meafures to prevent that ex- orbitance, the firft ilep to which purpofe is the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry on the alledged grievances. Let each province of the kingdom be placed on a level ; at prefent no equality exifts ; for while the inhabitants of the north, unannoycd by any religious exaction, proceed cheerfully on their manufadures, and various purfuits of profperous induftry, the ufe- ful peafant in the fouth, who follows the plough, anticipates, that the feed he fows will only ripen to be plucked by the hand of a relcntlefs morl- fter, and that he muft remain bereft of the means of comfortable fubfiflence. Thcfe are weighty grievances, and of them- fclves (hould indicate the neceflity of fpeedy re- gulation. But this neceflity will more (Irongly appear from the fix allegations which I hold rn my hand, and whicli evidence are ready to attcft 911 oath at the bar of your Hovife. F ALLE- [ 36 ] ALLEGATIONS. I. 'That in certain parijhes in the fouth, tithe has been demanded and paid for articles not tithabk by law or cujlom ; and this they zvere ready to verify on, oath at the bar of the Houfe of Commons. II. That the tithe redory in certain pari^es in the fouthy do afky extort, and recci-te from the poor pa- rijhioncry one or two JJjillings in the pound under the defcription ofreElorage, a demand opprefjive and ille- gal ; and this they are ready to verify on oath at the bar of the Houfe of Commons. III. That in certain parifJ:)es in the fouth, demands for tithe had been excejjive, and have not obferved a7iy equity in favour of the hufbandman, the poor, or the manufiBurer ; and this they are ready to verify on oath at the bar of :he Houfe of Commons. IV. That in certain parifjes in the fouth the ra- lages for tithe have of late years greatly and rapidly increafed, infomuch that certain livings in the courfe of a few years have increafed three, four, or five fold ; and this they are ready to verify on oath at the bar of the Houfe of Commons. V. That in certain parifhes in the fouth, the pa-* rifjioners have duly and legally fet out their tithe, and given due notice, but that no perfon has attended on the C 37 ] the part of the proElor or m'ln'ifter, under the cxpeFta- jiorij they fuppofe, of getting fome other mode of re- covery ^ tending to deprive the parijh of its legal right of fetting out the tithe; and this they are ready to verify on oath at the bar of the Houfe of Commons. VI. That the tithe -farmers in certain parifJjes of thefouth have opprejfed, and do opprefs his Majeflfs fubje^s, by various ways of extortion, ajfuming to themfelveSj arbitrarily and cruelly, pozvers which the law do not give ; and by viaking a barbarous ufe of fuch pozvers as the lazvhas put into their hands { and this they are ready to verify on oath at ike bat of the Houfe of Commons, By fuffering the bufinefs to go into Committee, and after examining fads, wc fhall, I am con- vinced, be able to afcertain the grievance com- plained of, and to difcover a fuitable remedy. Let us not be diffuaded by the averfion of the clergy from altering a fyftem, which, impelling the lower clafles to defpair, fubjeds them to fan- giiinary puniOiment, and diminilhes the revenue of the clergy themfelvcs. The daemon of un- righteoufnefs feems to have infpired the Irilh ecclefiaflics with an unholy zeal ; and they op- pofe with fury the reformation of a fyilem, which they cannot even fupport by apoitolic authority ! The church of Ireland is degraded into a fchool F 2 of t 3S ] of cortention and animofity ; that harmony which fhoiild fubfift between the creatures of the Omnipotent is baniflied from his temple, aild is not even to be found amongft thofe who profefs themfelves his enemies ! I will now lay the fketch of a plan before the Houfe, which, if adopted, will remove every difhculty, and be equally beneficial to the clergy and laity. 1 would give the {\andard of grain, for the value of money ; I would let the officer who llrikes the average of grain for the county, ftrike it for feven years, for which fpace of time, this average fliould be a nile for regulation of tithes, to be a folemn compaft between the clergy and laity ; a (imilar eftimate to be made at the expi- ration of the next feven years ; thus to proceed 4 in regular gradation, by which an effeftual cau- tion will be eftablifhed againfl injury to the cler- gy, from a decreafe in the value of fpecie. I think the mode of levying a tax of this nature for the fupport of the clergy fhould be by applot- mcnt, for that is a plan the common people are bell acquainted with in raiiing public money, upon which, in my experience, I have never beard of difcontent or murmuring. ^ L 59 ] By diminiiliing the income of rich and unde- ferved benefices, poflefled by non-refident eccle- fiaftics, a fund will accnie for augmenting the falaries of the inferior clergy ; men who have long toiled in the vineyard, a mod worthy and meritorious body ! It is not meet that aminifter of the Gofpel, who deferts or defpifes the duties. of his funftion, fliould monopolize the fums al- loted as a recompenfe for fpiritual fervices which he never performs. — It is not proper to leave the refident paftor to pine in obfcurity and want. — In a confiderable tract of the county, which com- prehends a large fcope of ground, I can voucli, from my own knowledge, that there is but one refident clergyman for the cure of many thoufand fouls who dwelleth in it ! and the faiary of this ecclefiaftic is no more than thirty pounds a year ! Surely fuch laborious priefts Ihould be allowed to participate of the unearned wealth of their idle brethren. But if the legiflature (hall not think that proper, the reducbon may be ex- plained to fuch purpofe as may be deemed moll expedient. Confonant to this plan, I would totally exempt from all tithe-rates the food and fuel of the poor cottager — potatoes and turf in all parts of the kingdom. — I would alfo take fuch precautions a; would prevent the growth of fuch articles as are [ 40 ] are effential to manufadnres from being retarded cither by a total abolition of tithe on them, or by . fubflituting a very hght commutation. But I would make compenfation to the clergy for the vote of agiftment. — I would have all the gra- zing grounds which are now exempt, contribute an acreable allowance. This would evidently befriend agriculture, and by being coUefted in the manner of a pariili cefs, would obviate all the trouble attendant on tithe at prefent, fuch as viewing, canting, and fetting. — This plan, I pledge myfelf, would produce afyftem of equa- lity as yet unknown. The rates under it when in eflimation would be. Wheat, per acre, 5^. 5^. Barley, do. 2 s. 6 d. Poiafoes, zvhcre cultivated in any quantity, 6d. an acre. And all other rat ages would be equally req- jonahle. "^rhc divtm' right of tithes has been ever fet up by the clergy in oppofition to the facrileglou^ ef- forts of the laity t-o abolifh them. — To anticipate this argument is no great proof of penetration ; to refute it, requires no great degree of logic. If we give ourfelves time .to trace the origin of tithes., we fhall have no great caute to exult in. our [ 41 J our imitation. — In the early days ofdarknefsand bigotf)', an ignorant people were not averfe to fuftain the hixiiries of the church — Bigotry and a blind enthurialm favoured the wilhes of the prieft, and the laity fubicribed cheerfully to his f jpport — The want of money gave the firft rife to tithing ; the people were bigots and barba- rians, and their priefts were fenfualifls and extor- tioners — The fituation of the world was fuch in the antediluvian a?ra, and the fcarcity of money was fo prevalent, that tithes were naturally fixed upon as the moil eligible provifion for the clergy. The Jews, Sir, as having favoured the cuftom of tithing, feemto have laid dovvn fuch a maxim for the conduct of Chriftians, as Chriftians fear to violate. When 1 hear of the ftubborn argu- ments ufed by the ecclefiaftics of the church of Ireland, in favour of divine right, it incites mf indignation. — The clergy who make ufe of fuch an argument are unacquainted with the fubjedl of tithes, elfe they would defpife oppofmg it to the oppofition of the laity ; for the firfl mention we find of tithes in holy writ, is of Abraham, who redeemed his kinfman Lot with his fubdance — Pagans improved on the fyftem of Jews, and the Chriftians of the prefent cera improve upon both ; forry am 1 to fee the example of Jews and ido- laters [ 4^ ] lators held (o facred among Chriflians. — Tithes were founded in the days of darknefs, and they are continued at the prefent enhghtened period, through wickednefs and perverfenefs. This Ho\ife is not a fynagogue of Jews; why, there- fore, fo tenacioully adhere to Jewilh cuftoms, ex- cept there is fomething rational to recommend the cuftom or ufage ?— -As well may you contend for a revival of their prepofterous cuftoms, their purifaftions and their circumcifions, as to argue and infer, that becaufe tithe was their modes of payment it fliould be adopted and continued by us. When the grofs idolatries and the vile abomi- nations which over-run this terreftrial habitation fuperceded the Chriftian religion, were tithes continued, or is there an inftance of their being demanded ? — Were tithes demanded under the Chriftian doftrine, or under the difpenfation of the Gofpel ? Did the primitive minifters of Chrif- tianity demand tithes ? Or is there any proof that they depended on tithes for their fupport ? If they did not, I fav, the claims of the clergy for tithes areunchriftian-like ; it is an avaricious demand, united widi avarice and extortion, which nor only deprives it of all force and validi- ty, but renders oppofition to it by no means cri- minal. Are C 43 ] Are not the words of the great Redeemer of mankind repugnant to the exadlions of the cler- gy of this day ? What does he fay ? " Beware of covetoufnefs." — *^ Lay not vip for yourfelves treafures on earth." When the MefTiah, with his Apoflles, enter- ed into the dweUing of the Gentiles, he faid *' Peace be to thishoufe." — l^ot tithes. Does this feem to fandion a demand of the foil's produce ? The Council of Conflance, I admit, may be adduced againft our interference in the fyftem of tithes. — The Council of Lateran, and Council of Nantz, denounced vengeance, and thunder- ed their anathemas againft all thofe who refufed to pay tithe. The fentiments of St. Auguftine and St. Jerome were coincident with thefe ; as was alfo Juno's, who gave Priapus, the genius of war, all the tithes of fpoils that Mars gained in battle, for learning him to dance ! Eudemus men- tions a kind of beaft in Africa, that feems tho- roughly acquainted with the dodrine of tithes ; thefc animals always eat ten parts of their prey, leaving the eleventh as a kind of firft fruit. One would have thought that this fancied dcfcription c; of C 44 ] of Eudemus was a prophecy of the rapacity of our modern elergy. As to Auguftine, Sir, he was a good and a rehgio\is man : To prevent fenfuaUty and feaft- ing, he claimed a tithe of the perfons who dined within his holy diftri6l : His demand being com- phed with, and the Saint following the example of other ghoftly Fathers, fpent in perfonal appro- priations and revelry, a tax that was levied under the fpecious pretext of curbing immorality and diflipation. The old Fathers, Sir, fometimes afTerted their holy claims with temperance, and oftentimes with avidity, equal to the pious claimants of the prefent period. They difdained, like an India or South Sea Company, to demand them under the right of charter ; their refources or regula- tions of provifion being unfettled, they made them ever fubfervient to their luxury. The bi- gotry of the people was fuch that it prevented all refiftancc ; which indeed was needlefs, for in cafe they did, a whole army of faints would fly to the attack, and feize with impunity on the fa- , cred treafure. Tithes, Sir, were not introduced into England till about the fourth century, and what gave rife to [ 45 ] to thera at that time, will be no great matter of triumph to the clergy. The pious King of Mer- cia perpetrated a barbarous murder, and to expi- ate the horrid crime, and fave the fouls of his mother, his grandmother, and anceftors, he not only caufed tithes to be rigoroufly exa(5led from his fubjefts, but paid them himfelf. A laudable inftance that a fyftem founded on fo righteous a meafure fhould not fuffer by innovation ! I fhould mention that the paying of tithes after their cftablifhment in England, was for near a century peculiar to the kingdom oiMercia, but was about the year 1400 introduced throughout England by an equally pious and fanguinary Monarch. To demonftrate that tithes have been ever fubjeft to innovation, you have only to recur to an ad made in the fifth of Henry IV. " Where a bill paffed the Commons againftthe exac- tions of tithe of quarries and tithe of dates.'* <( (( In the 31ft Henry VIII. chap. 1 3. it was enact- ed that " the King and his patentees ihould hold their pofTeffion of the dilTolved monaftries dif- charged and acquitted of payment of tithes, as freely and in as large and ample a manner as thehoufes of religion held them at the time" of their dilTolution." Sir, [ 46 ] Sir, the iiiilanccs of innovations are nuinbcrlefs, and are as glaring as the exadions pradifed in le- vying of tithes are notorious. It may be a mat- ter not unworthy the attention of the Houfe, to calculate all the certain and incidental expences of cultivation ; it amounts at leaft to a demand of one fixth, beyond difpute. But when the one tenth is demanded, if you calculate juftly, you will find that with the labour, and all the certain and incidental expences of cultivation, it amounts at lead to a demand of oneftxth, that is, " one *' fixth of the whole produce of the kingdom would ** fall to the fhare of eight or nine hundred hdivi- ** duals — while, for the remaining two millions nine hundred and above ninety-nine thoufand inhabitants, would only be left to divide amongjl them, the re- ** maining five parts,^' — a grievance fo monftrous as prima facie to fpeak for itfelf — But it will be objeded that the demand of the full tenth is not made : for that very reafon a regulation is necef- fary. Are the clergy fo diftinguifhed for meek- nefs, moderation, and a contempt of the goods of this world, that you can with fafety or pru- dence fuffer theprofperity of the fubjed to hinge upon their forbearance ? What ! will you fuf- fer the prosperity of the fubjed to hinge upon the forbearance of the clergy, when the intereft of the clergy is at (lake, and when their intereft is j incompatible with the fubjed's profperity ? Siirelf C 47 3 Surely this is contrary to all proportion ; a, weighty grievance, and of itfelf Ihould indicate the neceflity of fpeedy regulation. I applaud that meeknefs and piety of the prc- fent race of clergymen, whofe good works we are told entitle them to a divifion of the whole kingdom every fixth year ; let no man then condole with an impious laity, though they fuffer every extortion and oppreffion to infiire our virtuous paftors honed competence and holy eafe. While I am fpeaklng upon this fubject, J would not have it underllood that I am ignorant of the latent caufe which obftruAs an amicable adjuftment of the tithe-bufmefs. It is the ar- rogant idea that the profane laity (hould not meddle with the facred thin2;s of the church I It is from the impio\is opinion that the wealth of the church (hould be unbounded ; as if Chriil could not walk over the land without being ac- companied by Mammon ! It is from that pre- fumptuous waywardnefs which will neither hearken to the cries oi diftrefs or the didates of reafon ! — It is from the over-caution ot digni- fied luxury ! from a tenacioufnefs of relinquifh- ing, even for a moment, that grafp of thofe revenues, which are at prefent firmly held ; re- venues r 4S 3 venues that bloat the dignitary in proportion as they bring down rehgion — religion which is de- clining apace, and in many parts of the king- dom is already, like the nymph Echo, dwindled to a mere found ! from that fpirit of jealoufy which impels the clergy on the mention of *' commutation,'^ to attempt moving heaven, earth, and ocean, in their behalf — to invoke Jove to (liake Olympus with his thunderbolts — Neptune to take the deep with his D-ident — • while Plutus, their tutelary god, protefts their coffers ! An idea has gone abroad, that it is the duty of gentlemen, at all events, to proted the clergy in their prefent fyftem. This is an afperfion of their own charader, becaufe they are interefted in fo doing. It is right to fupport the clergy ho- nourably; it fhould be the fii-ft objetfl of every man. [_bear ! bear! hear!] I fay fo, be- caufe I think the fupport of Chriftianity the firll dutv. What IJuther did for us, philofophy has done for the Roman Catholics : Elizabeth and Luther dared a reformation in the church, and who will be bold enough to fay we are lefg competent tlian they ? In t 49 ] In the name of humanity, I call on you to hearken to the voice of millions ; for the honour of the ecclefiaftical charader, give the clergy an opportunity of refuting thofe heavy charges made againft them. * Hdc lege J in trutind ponetur eadem^ Tu quid & populus mecum decideraU Though the clergy revolt at the idea of com* mutation, they can give no reafon for their per- verfenefs ; perhaps they think that the Irifli peafant, like the afs, becomes more ufeful and adive in his labours, by adding to tlie weight of his burden. Benevolent confideration ! The prodors, you are convinced, are not only colleftors of tithes, but gatherers of taxes. — They are appointed by the parfon, as a fliep- herd appoints his dog, to watch over the ilock ; but like barbarous wolves, they unmercifully devour the flock, and deceive the paftor! Their office of tax-gatherer is procured by the courtly intereft of their employers ; and fo faithful arc * The Reporter, by a recurrence to his notes, difcovcm that Mr. Grattan did not make ulc of the Latiu cjuotatioa *' Nemo compeUetor^ fed Jic pinceat" as erroncoiifly ftated in the Morning Poft, which has liecn fince infcrted in a srURi- oui publication of Mr. firattau's fpccch. they C so 3 they to the intereft of their paftors, that they often remit the tax and levy the tithe. Thus the clergy and tithe-pro6lors have fet up a little commutation of their own, which they enjoy in privacy and peace, though they are hoftile to the idea of the legiflature adopting one, and in- voke all the faints to arms, on bare mention of the word amongfl: the reprefentatives of the peo- ple ! For fuch taxes as are not paid, the pro<ftor gets the note of the peafant ; thefe notes are known in that part of the kingdom by the ap- pellation of Kerry Bonds ; and by that means, terrifying him with the pidure of a prifon, he gets him foul and body into his poffeffion ! Op- prefiTmg not only the fubjed, but defrauding the revenue ! I implore the Houfe not to credit every idle tale that rumour has fent abroad, relative to the people of the fouth. The impediments faid to be offered to the coUedion of tithe, are rarely found- ed in fad. In many inftances they have not only offered no oppofition, but have voluntarily pro^ pofed to draw them with their own cars and their own cattle, and this too, free of all gratuity. — You fliould rather liften to the wailings of men, born in flavery, and educated in captivity ! The oppreffion of tithe-farmers, and tithe-canters, has long fince bent their necks to the yoke of obedi- ence. [ 51 ] ence^, and they frequently rubmlt to the mofl cmel iilages of the la.v, to mifery and famine, rather than riik a htigation with their vicious oppreflbrs. I can adduce Inftances where the p.arlfhioner has been inhumanly compelled to pay ten per cent, for the privilege of paying full tenths to the par-fon ! I have befides^ the fchcdules of the proftor's demands, and which I will oppofe to the idea of an undervaluation. Thefe fchedules run thus " fo much for barley — fo much for oats — fo much for wheat — fo much for po- tatoes." Now they are all high ratages — and in addition to the parfon's exorbitance is the proctor's demand of 2S. in the pound for his trouble, making a ratage of excefs and uncha- ritablenefs, which rather calls for the puniflimcnt of difmiflal, than the prodigious reward of one- tenth of the whole fum. I do not condemn the proclor for making the mod of his trade, which is exaction, but I con- demn the laws for leaving tlie divifion of pro- perty to the difcretion of a wretch who only follows his nature, when he excifes upon the moft wretched, and the mofl hclplcfs part of the community. I know it has been ailerred that the full lendi upon tillage has never been de- H mandwi t 5^ ] manded — but if you go into an inquiry, I havff' | the ftrongeft reafon for fuppofing that tlie alFer- tion will be controverted to the full fatisfaction of every member in the Houfe. Nor do the effecls of the bounty which I fo much applaud, ever reach the claffes of men of whom I now fpeak. It is of elFential fervice to the opulent landlord, but not to the indullrious tenant. The haplefs people of the fouth are hufbandmen from necefTity not choice. They have no Other means of exiflence. They are obliged, in many places, to clamber mountains, rocks, and precipices, to fnatch from fterility a little fpot of ground, and oppofe indefatigable induftry to the natural ftubbornnefs of the foil ; and they are compelled to wade to cultivation through bogs and morafles ; labouring thus to reclaim watery fpaces and difmal voids ; labour- ing thus to add to the productive grounds of the kingdom. And for all their exertion, what is their reward ? none — but on the contrary, wliile it diftinguifhcs them as the moft ufeful memb^s of fociety, itfubjefts them to the predatory grafp of avaricious proftors, and unfeeling tithe-far- mers. In England thefe lands would for feven years be exempt from taxes of any defcription, under the fandion of the laws. In Ireland they are not only oblig^ to contribute their propor- tion I S3 1 tion of taxes, but tithe of every denominationi is mofl rig-orouflv demanded from them. The wretched mountaineers who cultivate them are obhged for fome crops to pay thirty (hillings an acre tithe ; for wheat, where raifed, fourteen Ihil- lings an acre ; oats, potatoes, and indeed every other article are rated upon a fimilar fcale of cruelty and rapine. But this payment of tithe is not all. Thefe mountaineers are obhged to fub- mit to a poll-tax, to the charge of fmoke-money, to feveral otlier ecclefiaftical impofitions : fuch as fees for oblations, fees for religious ceremonies, and a thoufand other fantaftical charges, ground- ed on the groflell fuperftition, and enforced with unabating feverity. All thefe charges I under- {land will be proved upon oath at the bar of your Houfe. Nay more : The ratages of tithe have rifen in thefe identical places in a gradation of two, three, and four fold. And this too, I un- dei-ftand, will be verified on oath at the bar of your Houfe. ♦ Where can the tenantry of Ireland look fop protection if you deny them afTifbmce ? They arc the pillars of the ftatc, and if not humanity, good policy ought at Icall to guide you to cheriih them. You complain they are intractable; there is no animal fo fierce but can be tamed, fave the tyger ; yet he is in fome meafure to be fubdued. If yo\A wilh to conciliate him, feed luni well. H 2. 1 ry C 54 ] Try the experiment, I entreat you, with the in- habitants of the ibiith, which you can eafily do, by reheving them from the heavy exadions un- der which they fuffer. I know it will be faid, if you eafe them of their burden, in this refped, that it will afford but the momentary eafe of fliifting it from one flioul- der to another ; that rents will immediately rife. I deny it. I fay it is an odious, an infamous libel on the gentry of the nation. I fay it is a fcandalous imputation on both houfes of Parlia- ment, who are all poffelTed of lands, to fuppofe that they would avail themfelves of their own aft ; to fuppofe that they would take a bafe ad- vantage of the clemency of the legillaturc, and fliamefully filch for their own ufe what was in- tended for the fuflenance of the pcafantry. I laugh at the idea that Parliament cannot in- terfere in the bufinefs, becaufe tithes are priv<jte property. I fay they are pubhc property to de- fray a public expeace, which is the maintenance of the clergy. Befides, there is this difference to be obferved-: the law gives no man a private property, it only proteds him in the pofTcffion of it. Now the law gives the clergy their iupport, ^nd giving it, can alfuredly regulate that pro- perty. I glory in the power ; nay, in the omni- potence C 55 1 potence of Parliament in this refpecl; and I hope it will be exercifed in this inftance to ex- pole the fallacy of an argument which has been fo induftiioufly circulated. What ! will this honourable Houfe continue to view with fiient apathy, afyilcm of opprellion which does no honour to the legiflative charac- ter ? Will this honourable Houfe fay it is not competent to the tafk of reforming tithes, and 'ecclefiaftical dues ? — What ! are you, after hav- mg reftored your appellant jurifdiclion — are you, who were competent to decide, as you did, on the tenantry bill — to emancipate your conftitu- tion, and to eftablifh your independance — in- competent to alter and approve; nay, pull down a ftruclure \\hofe bafis is exaftion, and whole fupport is matchlefs oppreflion ? Another argument founded upon the danger of innovation may be urged ; but it is equally fal- lacious. — The fame argument might be ufed againft any improvement. — Wliat is the glorious conftitution you poflefs but innovation ? Inno- vation upon a monarchy in the hands of a def- potic prince ? What is the mild and amiable re- ligion you profefs, tlic proteftant religion, but an innovation ? What is it but Cluidianity ref- cucd out of the hands of an ambitious, a cor- rupt. C 56 ] nipt, and avaricious pricfthood ? When bloody- Herod was informed that the forerunners of the Redeemer of mankind were preaching the vir- tues of humility and true religion, he deemed it innovation, and he committed indifcriminate maifacre to extirpate the Son of God, whom he pronounced an innovator 1 The revolution itfelf, ■which introduced arts, fciences, and learning, was deemed an innovation! — ^\Vhat was your own riot-ad, your own compenfation-ad of laft fefTion ? Innovadon indeed — innovations with a vengeanc^^ ! — It is an abufe of terms to call im- provement innovation. Salutary alteratives which amend the debilitated conftitution are juftly termed reftoratives ; and the fame will hold good applied to the flate, as well as applied to the human frame. Without renovation there had been no revela- tion ? Hearken, I again call on you, to the com- plaints of the people, and do not permit the luxury of the clergy to make the altar the flep- ping ftool to ufury and abomination. The fource of your reafon tells yo\i that you iliould embrace every fed of religion ; how then can you hope to receive fovereign mercy if you are deaf to the cries of your fellow creatures f The [ 57 ] The doclrine of the dark conclave of bigotry, which, burfting, ovenvhehned the nations of the earth, may be urged in favour of fuch criminal apathy ; but the pangs of him who fuffered a cruel crucifixion will rulh from the fepulchre, to upbraid you with ingratitude and involve your future tranquillity. Do not evifcerate the bowels of the \NTetcheS that implore your protedion. The Chriftian church cannot exift on the ruins of barbarity < the pillars of extortion and rapaCloufnefs but deface the noble ftruclure, level them with the dull, and reflore it to its primitive fplendour. You have reforted to the engines of coercion and penal laws, to give tranquillity to the king- dom, but you never thought of an engine which would have anlVered the purpofe with a thou- fand times more efficacy, the engine of redrefs, 'Tis not yet too late to ufe it. Convince the people, I conjure you, for once, that you con- fider them objecls of your care, Imprefs them with this gratifying fcntiment ; there is not a fpeck on the map ot your country which is not the objed of your earned folicitude ; and this yon will do by fuflfering the bufmefs to go into Com- mittee. 1 implore you to it; I implore the coun- try gentlemen pariiculajly, by their viriuc, their juftjcc. t 58 1 juflice, their honour, by their feehngs, their regard of humanity, their love of their coun- try, but above all, by that latent fpark which I knew to be in their compofition, and which I have often feen blaze forth, and leave in eclipfed degradation the abaihed fervants of the Crown. We fliall then have laid the foundation of an inquiry which muft enforce us a happy peafantry, a venerable priefthood, and a con- tented people. The Attorney General. — The Rt. Hon* Gentleman has given us an uncommon difplay of the moft fplendid oratory I have every heard, but I hope the delufion into which the Houfe have been thrown, by the eloquence and the high colouring which my Right Hon, Friend has given the fubjedl, will foon vanifli, and that they will view the queflion divefted of all glare, pomp of words, and flight of imagination, with reafon, calmnefs, and juftice. In the fouth of Ireland that caufe of difcontent did exiil, no one will deny, but I deny that thefe difcon- tents were owing to the clergy. I am ready to admit that thefe • dilcontents might be owing to die improper and rapacious conduft of the tithe-prodors, but there are laws already in exiil- ence to take cognizance of their condudt. I am ready to agree with my Right Hon, friend, that [ J9 ] that the decillons of ecclefiaflical courts in refpect to tithes, may not be altogether fo very proper ; and to remedy that, if I have the concurrence of my Right Honourable Friend, I have no objec- tion to bring in a bill, to prevent ecclcfiaftical courts from determining fuits brought on ac- count of tithes. If the peafantry are opprefled by the exactions of the farmers and tithe-proc- tors, the inheritors of the land ought to give them redrefs. I would alk my Right Honour- able Friend, is it his wilh that the minifters of the eftabliihed church in this kingdom ihould be left deftitute of a fettled fubfillence, and go about requefling alms ? Much has been faid on the unrelenting feverity of the clergy in refpect to their tithes, but I am well informed, and I beheve the fa6t is fo, that in ninety-nine in- ftances out of one hundred, the parfon is the perfon who is really opprefled, and deprived of his juft dues. In regard to the prefent difcon- tents on the fuhjeft of tithes, I am aflured that they originated in election party, and I muft alfo inform my Right Honourable Friend, that the perfons who now look up to him for redrefs, will not be fatisfied with a commutation, for they wilh not to pay the parfon at all ; but admit- ting tor a moment that a cojnmutation for tithes Ihould take place, the abolition of the hearth'iuurjey will be the next thing they will I look C 60 ] look for, and thefe will be the confequences of going into a Committee. If the peafantry in general were to fhake off that refpedt for their clergy, whom, from early habits, they have been ufed to look on with a kind of veneration, and if they are permitted to fet the clergy a defiance, and to look upon them with contempt, you will have no poflible tie over them. I am therefore decidedly of opinion, that going into a Commit- tee would be productive of the worft confe- quences, I earneftly requeft my Right Hon. Friend to give me any one or the whole of his plans, in the fhape of a bill, and if I fhall un- cjerftand them, I will then give my Right Hon. Friend my opinion more fully on the fubjedt, in refped: to its being pradlicable or not. Mr. CuRRAN. — 'With much diffidence I rife to encroach onthe patience of the Houfe, to fay a few words on a fubjeft where fuch an aflonilh- ing difplay of eloquence has been united with fo much information, that I muft confefs myfelf loft in admiration, and incapable of cafting a nev/ light on a bufinefs of fuch great national magnitude. Indeed there is nothing left unfaid ; however, from the part I have taken laft feffion, my filence jnay be conftrqed into apoftacy, and I may be faid [ 6i ] faid to recede from thofe fentimeiits I have be- fore pronounced. Were I not indeed decided in my opinion, and firmly perfuaded of the ne- ceflity of a commutation, I fliould be deaf to convidion, and loll to every fenfe of humanity. I can fay, with tmth, that I am a fincere friend to the clergy, and wifli to fee them no longer continue in a ftate of uncertainty, that mud be very diftrefling to the feelings of gentle- men, and not a little difgraceful to the laws ; laws which have been made in the daysof dark- nefs and fuperftition, and have now nothing but their antiquity and abfurdity to recommend them. The temple of the Lord is now fuppoit- ed by extortion and oppreffion, the people arc alienated from the prieflhood, and the face of the whole bufmefs bears lb melancholy an ap- pearance, that every gentleman is called upon for his exertions. It is faid, that in this propofcd inquiry the clergy may be afperfed ; that is another reafon why I fhould voteforaninveftigation, for in that inquiry I hope that the difcontents faid to exifl may be found to be exaggerated, and if there are any complaints againfl: the clergy, Itruftthey will prove unfounded, and that the condudof a few, if fuch there arc, ought not to tlirow a ftig- t . 6» 3 ma on the whole ot that refpcdable body. For the honour of Padiament I will vote for the mo- tion. Laft feflion the peafantry in the fouth were in a ftate of tumult and infurre6lion, and you op- poied them with arms, and in doing this yo\j fhewed your fpirit. — Their grievances and com- plaints were then oifered to be fubmitted -to you, but you would not hear them till they returned to an obedience of the laws, and then, and not till then, you faid you would attend to their com- plaints ; and now that they are in a ftate of per- fe(fl fubmifTion to the laws, you refufe to hear them : and will an adminiftration which endea- vours to gain popularity by detefting of pecula- tion^ refufe to hften to the complaints of a de- fcription' of people who fay they are. aggrieved ? You promiied, and you ought to hear them. I declare my moft perfect coincidence in the mo- tion made by my Right Honourable Friend for going into a Committee. The Floufe divided on Mr. Grattan's motion. For it, 49 Againfl; it, 121 FINIS. Ai THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 447 494 6