The Marquess of Downshirein presenting a petition took the opportunity of expressing his gratification at the information he had received, that in consequence of the wish which had been so properly expressed by his noble Friend the Lord-lieutenant, the ancient custom of processions in the north of Ireland on the 12th of July had been abandoned. He had received accounts from many parts that the wish expressed by the noble Lord at the head of the Irish Government that there should be no longer processions or exhibitions of feeling on the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, had been met in a becoming spirit on the part of the people, and that the day had passed off in perfect harmony. He was particularly gratified also to learn that it had not been thought necessary to order any troops to be marched into that part of Ireland, which he regretted very much was the course adopted last year on the 12th of July. The result of that confidence in the good sense and right feeling of that portion of the Irish people had proved to the Government that the Protestants of that part of the United Kingdom were fit to be trusted, and might be confided in to promote the public peace and preserve the connection between the two countries. He could not help also contratulating the House and the country, in proof of the tranquillity that existed that in the county Down, at the Summer Assizes this year, there were only twenty-seven prisoners for trial.
The Marquess of Normanbycordially partook in the gratification expressed by the noble Marquess in reference to the facts 510 he had stated, but he thought it but justice to the Lord's Justices, who were administering the Government in his absence last year, to state that it was their intention then to have adopted the same course that had been taken on this occasion, but for certain indiscreet proceedings which took place on the 1st of July, and which induced them to change their course.
§ Petition laid on the table.