SIR HERVEY BRUCEsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is true that the Government has proclaimed the City of Derry; and, if true, whether it received any requisition from the local magistrates for such proclamation; and, if not, whether he will object to state the information on which the Government acted?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, that it was perfectly true the Lord Lieutenant had thought it incumbent upon him to proclaim the City 105 of Derry; whether he had received a requisition from the magistrates for such proclamation he could not say. No doubt the noble Earl acted on the facts of the case, such as the unfortunate loss of life caused by the use of fire-arms in the streets of Derry between the two opposing parties, and upon the knowledge which the Lord Lieutenant possessed, that arms were in the possession of many persons who upon any exciting occasion might be too much disposed to use them.