Mr. O' Connellsaid, he had yesterday presented a petition from an individual named Alexander Jacobs, who had been taken into custody for a Breach of the Privileges of that House. For his own part, though the 1153 words constituting the offence were applied to him, he entertained no personal feelings against the individual. Before he presented the petition, he had taken care to ascertain who and what Mr. Jacobs was, and had found him to be a person of the Jewish persuasion. He saw no reason why any person of that persuasion should possibly indulge in any hostility towards him (Mr. O'Connell), for he had always desired to see the fullest liberty given to every class or sect, no matter whether Jews or Gentiles. He had further learned, from some persons of great respectability, that this individual was occasionally subject to certain paroxysms, which rendered him at intervals irresponsible for his acts. As it was extremely probable that the malady would be aggravated by the excitement of placing him at the bar to be reprimanded by the Chair, he wished that that proceeding might be dispensed with, and that the party should be forthwith discharged. The hon. and learned Gentleman accordingly moved, that Alexander Jacobs be remanded into the custody of the Sergeant of Arms for the purpose of being discharged.
§ The Speakersaid, there was a precedent for the hon. Member's motion on the journals of 1784, in the case of Thomas Whitby, who was committed to Newgate for a Breach of Privilege. The House in that case discharged the prisoner without the usual reprimand from the Chair.
§ Mr. O'Connellamended his motion accordingly for the immediate discharge of the prisoner.
Mr. F. Lewisdid not rise to offer any objection to the prisoner's discharge, but to suggest the expediency of the House being previously furnished with such medical evidence of the state of the individual's mind, as would guard against a precedent being established on a fraudulent representation.
§ Mr. Beaumontthought the House more consulted its dignity by at once acceding to the hon. member for Waterford's motion, than by acting on the hon. member for Radnorshire's suggestion.
§ The motion for the prisoner's discharge forthwith, without reprimand, was then agreed to.