§ MR. PATRICK A. M'HUGHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government have yet considered the petition recently presented to this House by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Dublin, in favour of an amnesty of the Irish treason-felony prisoners, now undergoing penal servitude in English gaols; if the petition has not yet been considered, can he say when it is likely to receive the attention of Her Majesty's Government; and, will he be good enough to impress upon the Government the desirability of giving the petition an early and favourable consideration?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYIt is my duty to give careful consideration to any petition addressed to the Crown for the exercise of the prerogative; but the petition in question was addressed to this House, and is one, therefore, for the consideration of the House.
§ MR. W. FIELDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would feel it his duty to bring this matter before the House?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYNo, Sir, it is not my duty to bring it before the House.