essing the disturbances caused
by the English Chartists. One of the clauses of the bill was for the
suppression of "open and unadvised speakings."

This gave offence to the liberal party, and there was a general
suspicion throughout the country that under the disguise of putting down
chartism, the government was solicitous to check the increase of public
meetings for reform in church and state, which became very numerous,
especially in the north of England, and most especially in Lancashire.
In those parts of the country, the disapprobation of the clause was very
strong, and occasion was taken at public meetings, even of a religious
nature, to denounce it. Mr. Hume, Mr. G. Thompson, and Mr. Fox argued
well against the "gagging clause" as it was called, and eloquently
pointed out the consequences which, upon a forced construction, might
ensue. Mr. M. J. O'Connell declared that some such measure was necessary
to the peace of Ireland, and he would give the government his support.
This circumstance, taken in connection with the private letter read by
Lord Brougham in the House of Lords, left a strong impression
among liberal members of the commons, and of the community, that the
O'Connells had been insincere in their professions to Ireland. The
press, both in the Old and Young Ireland interest, censured Mr. M. J.
O'Connell, in terms of bitter severity, and the cry was raised that the
younger O'Connells were more of place-hunters than patriots. After some
warm personal altercations, the bill passed.

Mr. Samuel Martin, afterwards Sir Samuel Martin, and a baron of the
exchequer, much increased his personal and legal reputation by opposing
"the gagging clause." This, however, he did in a temper and mode which
secured the respect of the government as well as of the country.

_Alien removal Bill_.--The vast number of foreigners in England, and
especially in London, was at that time a source of uneasiness to
the well-disposed, and eventually became so to the government. These
immigrants so conducted themselves as to expose the country to the
danger of being embroiled with foreign powers; and they expressed openly
their sympathy with English Chartists and Irish Confederates. A bill
was brought into the House of Lords by the Marquis of Lansdowne, giving
power to the home secretary to remove foreigners whose presence might be
an inconvenience. Their removal was to be determined by their conduct
in England, not in the place from wh