§ SIR T. ESMONDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Messrs. William O'Brien and John Dillon, having surrendered to the authorities, the Government intends to estreat their recognisances?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir; I believe so.
§ MR. SEXTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman on what principle the bails are to be estreated, the object of the bail having been secured by the voluntary surrender of the defendants?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI can hardly think that the object of taking bail was secured. The object of the bail was that the defendants were bound to appear on a certain day. They did not appear on that day; they did not appear until some months afterwards; the object of the bail was, therefore, defeated.
§ MR. SEXTONIs not the substantial object of the bail secured now that the defendants are undergoing the sentence inflicted by the Court?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURSurely, one of the objects was that they should come forward and stand their trial in the ordinary course. If you are going to allow every prisoner to appear exactly when and how he chooses, I think you will throw the whole course of judicial investigation into confusion.