Mr. Robert Gordonsaid, he would take that opportunity of observing upon some complication of accounts in the office of Vice-treasurer of Ireland. It had not taken place during the time that Mr. M. Fitzgerald was in office; but he understood, that this confusion did exist, and that it extended for some time back. He wished to know if this report were true; if any loss had occurred, and what steps had been taken to recover it?
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that the accounts of the former Vice-Treasurer had not been made up till lately. They were now under the consideration of the auditors.
§ Mr. Spring Riceadmitted that to be the fact; but said, it was not the fault of the late Board of Treasury, who had often pressed for the accounts.
§ Mr. Spring Ricecould not tell till the accounts had been audited.
Mr. Humesaid, the blame was still the more when it was considered that this same person had been recently appointed to the Government of a colony. That appointment particularly ought to be inquired into.
§ Sir J. Wrottesleythought, the late Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to give some explanation on this subject. He wished also to know who had recommended this officer to his appointment abroad?
Mr. Goulburnsaid, it was difficult to give any explanation when he was not in the possession of official documents.
Mr. O'Connellobserved, that this case was a bad one. The officer in question had had a salary of 2,000l. a year, and it seemed that for five years he had been permitted to receive 10,000l. a year of the public money without accounting for it. He did not know how to explain this, except that the late Vice-Treasurer was a loyal man—and in Ireland that was a specific cure for all vices.
§ The House resumed.