§ Mr. T. S. Duncombepresented a petition from a large meeting held in Bridworth, in Yorkshire, in which the petitioners stated that Mr. F. O'Connor had been sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment in York Gaol, on a charge of publishing a seditious libel. The petitioners stated, that Mr. O'Connor was subjected there to the same treatment as burglars, felons, and reputed murderers. They 648 stated that he is obliged to lie on an iron bed, without any sheets to cover him, or a pillow to repose on. That he is obliged to undergo many menial offices, such as cleansing his own utensils—that he is not allowed to receive any visitors, and that while suffering severely from rheumatism, he had not even the luxury of a wooden seat, but was obliged to sit on a cold stone. The petitioners believed that this harsh treatment would tend to destroy his life, and they also stated, as their belief, that this was almost the first instance of a person convicted of a political libel being so severely dealt with. They stated, that when Sir F. Burdett was imprisoned for a like offence, he was allowed to supply his own food and bed, and to receive the visits of his friends; and that Mr. Leigh Hunt, Mr. Cobbett, and Mr. Montgomery the poet, had had the same indulgencies while they were allowed to reside on the debtor side of the prisons. The petitioners prayed that the House might institute an inquiry into the subject—and that Mr. F. O'Connor might be removed from the felons' to the debtor's side of the prison. If any of her Majesty's Ministers were present, I should certainly ask them if this treatment were fair, or allowed by law.
§ Sir E. Knatchbullsuggested that the hon. Member should take the earliest opportunity of putting the question he had referred to. The case was certainly a most harsh one.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, that it was a gross violation of the law to treat Mr. O'Connor in that way. Imprisonment did not imply torture, and really it would appear that this gentleman had been subjected to the greatest torture. He thought the hon. Member ought to take some further step.
§ Sir E. Knatchbullhoped as soon as the matter was stated to the Government that they would interfere and prevent the necessity of Parliamentary inquiry.
§ Mr. Sergeant Talfourdhad seen the Marquess of Normanby on the subject that day, and be understood that some steps would be taken, but he believed that nothing short of removing Mr. O'Connor from the prison would effect the object.
§ Petition laid on the table.