§ CAPTAIN HARRIS rose to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it were the intention of Her Majesty's Government to avail themselves of the large military force now in Ireland, and by introducing a measure for the search and seizure of pikes, to provide for the security of that part of the United Kingdom. He wished to know, now that the resources of civil law and moral power were failing the Government, whether they were prepared, by taking the pikes out of the hands of mischievous rebels, to prevent the shedding of blood in civil warfare, and to give confidence to the loyal portion of the population, thus restoring tranquillity to society, and vigour and energy to trade.
§ SIR G. GREY must remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman, that in the early part of the Session an Act was passed for the prevention of crime and outrage in Ire- 1420 land, and that the Lord Lieutenant may, by the proclamation of any district, place it under the provisions of that Act—provisions which include the power of seizing arms. That Act being now law, it was not in the contemplation of Government to adopt any additional measure upon the subject.