HC Deb 13 August 1867 vol 189 cc1514-5
MR. REARDEN

said, that he would refer to the amnesty recently granted by the Austrian Government to the Hungarians; M. Kossuth having not only been allowed to return, if he chose, to his native country, but having been elected a Member of its Legislature. He urged that the present auspicious moment, when all England was rejoicing at the passing of another great Reform Act, was particularly opportune for such an exercise of the Royal clemency as his Motion suggested. In reply to a deputation from Conservative working men, the Chancellor of the Exchequer told them that if they would support Ministers they would save not only the country but the Crown. He had acted in the spirit of the advice dictated by the right hon. Gentleman, and he hoped that would induce the right hon. Gentleman to lend a favourable ear to this proposal.

MR. WHALLEY

said, he seconded the Motion, and that he was acting with perfect consistency in doing so. He had signed a Petition for the mitigation of the sentence on the Fenian prisoner Burke. Whether the Fenian prisoners had been influenced by political or by religious motives, he did not think that disaffection in Ireland was to be removed by pursuing these men to extremities, or by treating them with greater severity than the circumstances of their individual cases rendered imperatively necessary. One simple remedy, in his opinion, for the evils of Ireland was to make known to the Irish people what were the facts of the case with regard to the position which this country had taken up in reference to civil and religious liberty.

Motion made, and Question, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that Her Majesty will be pleased to extend Her most gracious pardon to all persons now in prison in the United Kingdom and the Colonies for political offences."—(Sir. Rearden.)

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

"With respect to the political prisoners in the Colonies the House is not acquainted with the facts. With respect to those in the United Kingdom, it would be contrary to all reason and common sense, while you are trying a great number of persons for these offences, and while the Habeas Corpus Act is suspended in order to enable you to apprehend them, to let out a number of prisoners, many of whom, having been let out before, have returned again to trouble this country. I need not say a word more.

Motion put, and negatived.

House adjourned at a quarter after Two o'ciock