§ MR. ROSSbegged to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland, a question upon a subject of much importance and deeply interesting to the people of Ireland. The House was aware that a great many Gentlemen had been, in consequence of their political sentiments, and the part they took in the Repeal movement during the last two or three years under the late Administration, removed from the commission of the peace in Ireland. A great many magistrates of opposite political opinions were likewise removed for countenancing Orange processions, although it was denied that they had over countenanced them at all. What he wished therefore to ask was—whether under all the circumstonces, and considering that in the present condition of Ireland a more humane and tolerant spirit had arisen and now prevailed amongst all parties, the Government would take any steps to have the gentlemen so dismissed restored to their commissions?
§ MR. LABOUCHERE, in answer to the question, begged to state that the most serious attention of Her Majesty's Government had been given to the subject from the moment of their coming into office, and they had come to a determination upon it, the best way of stating which to the House would be by reading a short official correspondence which had taken place between himself (as Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant) and the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. It was as follows:—
§ "London, July 21, 1846.
§ "My Lord — I am directed by his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant to inform you that his attention has been given to the circumstance of a great number of magistrates having been removed at various times from the commission of the peace, on account of their conduct in relation to political meetings and demonstrations both in the north and south of Ireland. His Excellency is anxious not to be understood as expressing any opinion as to the sufficiency of the grounds upon which these gentlemen were removed; but he is satisfied that the continued loss of the services of so many magistrates in their respective localities is not for the advantage of the administration of justice in the country. His Excellency is, therefore, of 204 opinion that these cases may be severally reconsidered with a view to deciding upon the propriety of restoring to the commission such of these gentlemen as you may think properly qualified for the office. I am further directed by His Excellency to inform you that it appears to him that there is no reason in the present state of the country for the exclusion of persons who have formerly taken part in these proceedings, if their restoration should otherwise be thought desirable.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient servant, "H. LABOUCHERE.
§ "The Lord Chancellor of Ireland."
§ In reply he received the following letter from the Lord Chancellor:—
§ "Dublin, July 22, 1846.
§ "Sir — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst., informing me that the attention of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has been given to the circumstance of a great number of magistrates having been removed from the commission of the peace at various times, on account of their conduct in relation to political meetings and demonstrations both in the north and south of Ireland; and stating that His Excellency was of opinion that the cases might be severally reconsidered, with a view of deciding upon the propriety of restoring to the commission such of those gentlemen as I might think properly qualified for the office. And I have in reply to request you will inform the Lord Lieutenant that I am quite prepared to enter on the reconsideration of the cases alluded to with the proposed view; and I take leave at the same time to express my concurrence in the grounds for His Excellency's opinion as stated in your letter.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient servant,
§ "MAZIERE BRADY.
§ "The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere."