§ Colonel Vernerwished to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland whether the Government was aware of a great demonstration which was fixed to take place at Dundalk, on Thursday next, the 1st of May, on which occasion Mr. O'Connell was expected to be present? Invitations had been circulated, particularly throughout Ulster, calling on the people to assemble on the occasion, for the purpose of escorting that Gentleman (Mr. O'Connell) to the place of meeting. He wished to know whether it were the intention of the Government to put a stop to this meeting, in accordance with the sentiments expressed by the Law Officers of the Crown with regard to meetings of this description? He had to apologize to the right hon. Gentleman for not having made him acquainted with his intention of bringing forward this matter. Had he had sufficient time, he would have given the right hon. Gentleman due notice of his question.
§ Sir Thomas Fremantleobserved that as he had received no previous notice of the question, he was not prepared to answer it. He had had no communication from Ireland on the subject himself; and, with reference to what might pass in Ireland, there was no doubt the Lord Lieutenant would take such steps as the occasion required, if any such steps became necessary.
§ Mr. Humewished to ask the right hon. Baronet if he was aware of a monster meeting which was to take place in London on the 30th of this month, at which 1244 delegates were to assemble from all parts of the country, to come down and coerce the Members of that House on the subject of the grant to Maynooth? The Anti-Maynooth Committee in London were calling upon every town and district in which a petition against the grant had been got up, to appoint delegates to come up to London, so as to form a demonstration which might have some effect upon that House; as their petitions had failed to have any effect whatever. He begged to ask the right hon. Baronet whether he meant to take any steps to prevent such a demonstration?
§ Sir T. Fremantlethought that he might make the same answer to that as to the former question.
§ Sir R. Peelwould give the same answer as he had given to a former question that evening, that, as he had not had any notice of the question, he was unprepared with a reply. He would state, however, to soothe the apprehensions of the hon. Gentleman, that he (Sir R. Peel) did not feel at all alarmed.