§ Mr. Lalorrose to present a petition from an individual named Brennan, belonging to the poorer classes, in the Queen's County, complaining 952 of harsh and tyrannical treatment on the part of the police. He stated, that the petitioner was a man of industrious and peaceful habits and that he was warmly opposed to the Whitefeet, who had, on one occasion, attacked his house. He, however, repulsed them, shooting one of the party. Three others he subsequently prosecuted to conviction. Yet this was the man the police selected for the unjust exorcise of their authority. He verily believed the police were acting as the agents of higher authority, which was endeavouring to drive the people to such acts of desperation as might appear to justify those unconstitutional measures of coercion which they were now preparing for Ireland. The hon. Member then read a letter from Brennan, which complained of the police having put sentries on his house, in consequence of his having refused them admission, and stated that he was kept in the strictest and most vexatious custody—that he was denied even a drink of water—that the police would not suffer the cows to be milked, or dinner to be sent out to the labourers in the fields. The hon. Member also read a letter from the priest of his parish complaining of having his house searched by the police for arms. This was done under the authority of a warrant signed by Mr. Scott, a Magistrate, who, the hon. Member stated, upon the occasion of the last election, went to the uncle of a young man confined in gaol upon a criminal charge, and told him that if he would vote as he (the Magistrate) wished, his nephew should be let go free; but if he did not so vote let him mark the consequences to his nephew. The priest, he stated, complained that this act of the Magistrate was meant to insult him, and to put it out of his power to preserve the peace in the same manner as heretofore. The police, he added, behaved with great propriety, and expressed their sorrow at being sent on such an errand. The rev. gentleman also stated, that he had succeeded in obtaining fifty stand of arms from the peasantry, which he had given up to the proper authorities, but that, in consequence of the insult offered to him, he could not again think of receiving arms in his house. The hon. Gentleman begged particularly to call the attention of his Majesty's Government to these statements. He wished to show the spirit that actuated the Magistracy and the police in Ireland. Gentlemen who lived in England, where the poorest individual in the community could not be trampled upon any more than the richest, could have no idea of the use that was made 953 of power in Ireland and when they heard of outrages committed by the peasantry in Ireland, they ought not to be surprised at their breaking out into acts of violence, when they knew the injustice and persecution to which they were subjected. He hoped that these circumstances would operate as a cogent and powerful reason against giving powers beyond the Constitution, when it was seen how the present ones guarded as they were, were trampled upon.
Mr. Stanleysaid it was impossible for him to enter into the discussion of a question of the merits of which neither he nor the House had ever heard until this petition was presented. As well as he understood from the hon. member for the Queen's County, this complaint related to some conduct of the police, in the course of proceedings for the recovery of tithes, and the hon. Member had, he was sure unintentionally, conveyed an insinuation that the Government sanctioned the police in exceeding the law. If such an impression existed in the hon. Gentleman's breast, he could assure him that no impression could be more utterly unfounded. He did not mean at all to complain of the hon. Gentleman, for he was sure he had not brought the matter forward in any spirit of unfairness, or with a view to create a wrong impression; but he was sure the hon. Gentleman would see, on reflection, that whenever he had occasion to complain of the conduct of the Magistrates, or of those responsible for the control of the police, it would be more convenient if he would previously inform those who were so responsible, in order that they might be able to make the necessary inquiries, and give such an explanation to him as might prevent the necessity of bringing the subject before the House; or subsequently give a full explanation to the House. With reference to this particular case he would only say, that if the hon. Gentleman would intrust him with the papers to which he referred, he would make the fullest inquiry into both cases, and would give the hon. Gentleman the fullest explanation; and would then leave it to his sense of propriety, having received the explanation, whether he would give it to the House, as he had given the statement. He was sure the hon. Gentleman did not see the mischief which might arise from bringing charges of this description, which could not be rebutted on the moment, and of which a refutation could scarcely be given without the previous warning of a specific motion.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, never was anything more true than what had fallen from the right hon. Secretary as to the injustice of acting upon ex parte statements. He trusted the House would maintain the principle, and that when the measures of coercion to be proposed for Ireland were brought under discussion in that House they would reap the full benefit of it. Being on his legs, though he would not give a formal notice, he would mention his intention in case of any measure of coercion being sent from the other House to move for a call of the House on the day it should be proposed, and, if necessary, every day on which it might afterwards be considered.
§ Mr. Lalorwould, in future, act upon the hint given by the right hon. Secretary for Ireland. When a complaint had been made in the case of Constable Miller, no redress had been given. These matters required more attention from the Government than he thought they had lately received.
§ Mr. Fergus O'Connorsaid, that he had sent an account to the right hon. Secretary, who could not, therefore, be taken unprepared respecting Miller, and he had heard that since he had done so, the inquiry he wished to obtain had not been granted, and the constable had been praised by the authorities. He wished to know whether the right hon. Secretary had received the communication, and if so, why he had not been communicated with?
Mr. Stanleyreally was not aware of having received any communication from the hon. Gentleman, and when it was said, that he was not taken unprepared, a great mistake was committed, for really he had never been taken more unaware. The hon. Member knew little of business when he imagined that on a general statement, unaccompanied by any name whatever of any of the parties, or of any place at which the subject matter of the complaints made were supposed to have occurred, an explanation could be instantly given. But to show how inconsiderately hon. Members sometimes complained, he might just mention, that a short time since a statement was made that the law was not fairly administered in Ireland, and the Government were called to account because a Grand Jury had ventured to ignore a bill sent before them by the hon. Member who made the complaint. As to the particular statement now referred to, he begged to say, that he had no recollection whatever of having received any communication from the hon. Gentleman.
Mr. Ruthvenhoped, that whenever these 955 matters of complaint occurred, hon. Members would always be found to bring them under the consideration of the House.
Mr. Grattansaid, it was the duty of Members to see that petitions sent by their constituents were duly laid before the House.
§ Mr. Edward Ruthvenstated, that Brennan did apply to the Irish Government, but he got no redress. There was, therefore, no alternative but to come before the House. In the county of Kildare, which he represented, the system of Whitefeet had been introduced under the protection of the police themselves. That could be proved; at least, he knew that one of the individuals who had been known to be active among the Whitefeet was now in the police.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.