Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/226

 212 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1827- recorded 52 to 131 votes. Both these votes were much larger than only a year or two before could have been obtained for such proposals. The subject, however, which was most in men's minds, and threatened not only the repose of ministers, but the peace and stability of the nation, was that of Catholic emancipation. The new House of Commons, when appealed to in 1827, had given a majority of four against proceeding with a considera- tion of the question ; but the House, like the country, was growing in liberalism. On the I2th of May this year (1828), Burdett moved " That the House do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole House, for the purpose of taking into consideration the state of the laws affecting his Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects in Great Britain and Ireland, with a view to such a final and conciliatory adjustment as may be conducive to the peace and strength of the United Kingdom, to the stability of the Protestant establishment, and to the general satisfaction and concord of all classes of his Majesty's subjects." The motion was opposed by Peel on behalf of the Government, but after three nights' debate it was carried by a majority of six, the votes being 272 for, and 266 against. This was a sharp reply to the Premier, who had said, in the discussion on the Test Acts, "There is no person in this House whose feelings and sentiments, after long considera- tion, are more decided than mine are with regard to the subject of the Roman Catholic claims ; and until I see a great change in that question, I certainly shall oppose it." ' The declaratory resolution having been passed in committee, it was on the i6th of May, on the motion of Burdett, resolved that the resolution should be communicated to the Lords in conference, and their Lordships' concurrence asked thereto. The conference took place on the iQth, and the resolution, being conveyed to the Upper House, was taken into considera- tion on the 9th of June. It was debated for two days, and was ultimately defeated by a majority of forty-four. The Duke of Wellington, although opposing the motion, did so in
 * "Annual Register," 1828, p. 104.