§ Mr. Wysebegged to ask a question of the Secretary at War. It was stated, that a circular had been addressed from the Horse-guards to the commanding officer of every regiment in the army, directing him to make a return of Irishmen in his regiment, without delay, the object being understood to be to enable the Commander-in-Chief to determine which regiments might be the most safely or prudently stationed in Ireland to provide for the contingency of any repeal outbreak. Now, though he (Mr. Wyse) attached no credit to this rumour, others were affected differently, and he thought it right that the Government should take the first opportunity of formally stating whether it were or were not correct, as if uncontradicted it might lead, indeed had led, to angry impressions in Ireland.
§ Sir H. Hardingesaid, he could assure the hon. Gentleman that no such order had been issued. The usual notices from 204 the regiments always specified the birthplaces of the different soldiers.