HC Deb 22 March 1869 vol 194 c1904
COLONEL ANNESLEY

said, he rose to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is true that, on the 22nd of February last, a man, named Smith, was arrested in the county of Cavan, for having in his possession Fenian documents and resolutions, regularly printed on green paper, and containing plans and schemes of the Fenian conspiracy, dated 1869; and, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to recommend the liberation of any more Fenian convicts? He hoped the right hon. Gentleman would be able to give a distinct answer to the latter part of the Question.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

It is true, Sir, that a man named Smith was apprehended upon the date mentioned, and that what were apparently Fenian documents were found in his possession, one of them being printed upon green paper. This person has been committed for trial. With regard to the second part of the Question of the hon. and gallant Member, I am not able to add anything to what I said when a Question was last asked upon this subject—namely, that it was not the intention of the Government to offer any further advice to the Crown on that subject.