J 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 VOTES, I R E L A N D . 3 39 would have had if yOU were counsel for the defendant, he, the claimant, being; lessor of the plaintiff m an ejectment ?— Just so. 14044. That is, distinctly to try his title to the land ?— So far as he claimed title under that particular instrument. 14045. The statute itself prevents you from going back further -— It does 14046. Now m answer to Mr. Seijeant Jackson you stated that the registering of the tenants m the midland counties would increase the number of Roman- catholics registered t-— I said of the small landholders. 14047. Not because they are Roman- catholics, but because they are land- holders .'— Because they are the majority of the smaller landholders. 14048. But there would be no religious preference, it would be merely a preference to persons holding land who happened to be Roman- catholicsIt would be an extension of the right to vote to persons holding land of whatever persuasion they happen to be. 14049. According to the prevalent persuasion, just as in some counties of the north, one or two, the extension of the franchise to persons of this class would be augmenting the Protestant voters ?— It would. 14050. In the same way?— It would. 14051. You never heard before Mr. Gibson, or any other barrister, any investigation as to whether a man was a Protestant or a Roman- catholic :— Never, it is generally quite unnecessary. 14052. It is generally suspected?— You can generally form a very good opinion of what they are when they come up. 14053. But it is no part of the judicial investigation ?— No; but they all know pretty well. 14054. Mr. Gibson, you said, was reputed to be a Liberal ?— He is. 14055. He is not supposed to be a Roman- catholic, I believe ?— It is difficult to answer that; because I believe a good many people suppose he is, but I am sure he is not; I have been informed he is not. 14056. You are sure lie is a Protestant ?— Yes, I have been told so by persons who had no interest in misrepresenting it; but I never troubled myself about it; he may be a Roman- catholic for anything that I know; I really do not know. 14057. But you stated your belief of his being a Liberal; have you not the same belief that he is a Protestant ?— Yes ; except that he registered in one character, and that his registration gave me some idea that he was a Liberal in polities, but I never saw him at church. 14058. Did you ever happen to be in the same parish with him on a Sunday ? — I believe so. 14059. You never happened to be at church together ?— Not that I know of. 14060. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] The question referred to by the honourable and learned Member had reference to speaking of letting in persons upon the Liberal interest; it had not regard so much to the investigation of what religion the particular party coming to vote was of, as to what you meant when you said a door was opened for the Liberal interest when a certain course was taken; what do you mean by letting in that class of persons ?— I mean he let in a great number of small landholders; and I was asked what religion those persons were of, and I said they were almost universally Roman- catholics. 14061. The question was not to ask what religion the claimant was of?— No. ' 14062. You did not understand it so ?— No. 14063. Now, did a person of the name of Thomas Murray come forward to register ?— He did. 14064. Did it appear what land he held?— He held 11 acres at 5/. 10s. 14065. What facts appeared upon the investigation of his case?— The only fact I recollect was, that he had not been six months in possession. 14066. The law requires that the party claiming to register should be six months in possession before he is registered ?— There is a provision to that effect in the Reform Bill. 14067. Did he admit the fact that he was not in possession six months . did admit it, as I recollect. 14068. Was he registered?- He was; when I speak of possession, 1 mean possession under the agreement or lease upon which the man claims to register; I do not mean a naked possession. . 643. xx 2 14069 He G. Batter sly, Esq, 26 June 1838. Did