S E L E C T C O M M I T T E E O N F I C T I T I O U S V O T E S , I R E L A N D . 319L ? / you think the tenant would vote in favour of a political enemy of his co- religionists and against a political friend of his co- religionists ?— 1 think if the clergy let him alone, and he was not excited by agitation, he would care very little about it 13550. And be on whichever side the landlord was ?— I think he would vote whatever way his landlord voted. ^ V The landlord declaring to him that he, the landlord, was indifferent about it ?— I he landlord declaring he did not care which side he went, my opinion is he would care very little about it. 13552. Would not he be a base, abject wretch in that case ?— I can scarcely imagine such a case as is put. 13553- Then you can scarcely imagine a case in which the landlord would leave him quite free?— In which he would be left quite free 011 both sides. 13554. If you were a Protestant tenant, and there was a party in Ireland desirous of taking away the franchises or limiting the franchises of Protestants would not you feel irritated with that party ?— As a farming man, living in the country, I do not think I would interfere, or care much about it. 13555- Would not you be very hostile to such a party, without supposing your feelings to be mitigated by your situation of farmer, but taking you as an educated gentleman ?— As I am at present, having mixed a good deal in the world, I would feel annoyed if there was anything more sought to be taken from the Pro- testants. 13556. Or supposing they had not franchises, if it was sought to keep them out from the enjoyment of those franchises, would not you think it wrong ; in short, if they were upon an equality with the Roman- catholics in Ireland, would not you think it very wrong?— I would. ] 3557- Would not you think that party an unjust party that kept the Pro- testants in an inferiority ?— As I am at present, I might. 13558. Have you any doubt you would?— No. 13559. Would not you politically favour the party that was for putting you, as a Protestant, upon an equality with your Roman- catholic neighbours ?— I would. 13560. And be active?— And be active. 13561. And zealous?— And zealous. 13562. And create excitement if you could, to get justice for the Protestants ?— I will not say I would create excitement; I would be zealous and anxious about it. 13563. Would not you endeavour to excite others to be equally zealous and anxious?— If it did not interfere with them to an extent to injure them, I would. 13564. You seem to have a notion that farmers ought to lie less political than others?— I think they would be, if they were left alone. 13565. And that they ought to be ?— And that they ought to be, under the circumstances. 13566. In short, that there should be a sort of clodhopping about politics as well about all other operations of farming, something connected with a tie to the as T. Courtenay, Esq 12 June 1838. land ?— I think there should be a sort of tie to the land. 13567. Frankly, do not you think that tenants ought to vote with their land- lords ?— Where the landlord is really a good landlord I think they ought. 13568. Totally independent of political feeling?— I think it is the worst thing that ever happened to have the landlords set against them. 13569. So that they ought to march to the hustings with their landlord as sol- diers would follow their officers ?— In old times, when they did it, they were much happier. 13570. And therefore you would wish to restore the old times of bad politics and good landlords?— I would wish to restore it to what it was when they lived peacefully and happily. 13571. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.'] Do you think it is the object of those landlords that have been referred to, to deprive the Roman- catholics of any rights and privi leges they ought to enjoy ?— I do not think it is. 13572. Do you think it is the object of any of them to degrade the Roman- catholics below the level of equality with Protestants in point of civil rights?— I do not think it is. 13573. Mr. O'Connell.] Do not you think that Lord Lorton would wish to repeal the Emancipation Act if he could ?— I never heard him express that. 13574. What is your opinion?— I do not think he would, now that it is the law. 13575. But before the law passed he opposed it?— He did. R R 4 1357"- iNow,