The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-02-09 00:00:00

loved, that the said Peti-
mmittee, to consider the
?cot the same, with that
)riered.

E kS CORMS IN IRELAND.
r, in consequence of the
I make his promised Mo-
e spoke in so low a tone,
idly hear him, but, from
sh, he said. there were at
r, and an Irish Committer
every means of carrying
disaffeded person, in Ire-
necesswcy for the Govern.
earOrtNinst their united
at put i.ose. no means were
a continuance of the Sus-
orpus A.t. lie requeste.i,
the. King, with it,
be viad pro lus %%!,
moved,
mg in a Bill to c./.lt

Cr said, he thought th ,
asion of :IA MI, in whici
!arest privileges of the sub.
Lnd deeply concerned, some.
uspicious should be laid he.
on for its adopting so ,:rung
,et of an Irish Committee, or
lees such, being sitting in
andation for such a proceed.
y matter for His Majesty's
, either in war or peace, to
hat country of one of the
lwarks of the British Con.
such a measure is coup.
he thought it was highly in.
trought forward the measure
e information whether there
totally exist any grounds fur
.ocedure? It was, he said,
ice to the harmony and hap-
Empire, that the Hou,e
se minds of the people of
II be as guarded and eau.
best parts of the Constitu.
ey would in Great Britain.
re which might so ike the
r, that it was pregnant *itri
eatest abuse might be made
ity, to which the flume',
were of necessity employed,
When he recollected the man-
ion was introduced. he could

'as deemed, even by those who
unnecessary. First of all, a
ringing it forward, which, two
s withdrawn without a single
t is again brought forward on
!ice. Why such a measure
ht on, without one single Tee-
n it, he was at a loss to goes;.
night say, with a respectable
a great and leading majority
Ulster were as lap!, and as
he Government of this Cons
England is; and therefore, Le
and give his consent that such
aken against that part of the
thout any reason whatever be.
Din. He cid not think it ne.
! House any farther at present;
e, propose, as an Amendment,
le Motion alter 4, That," be left
ing substituted in their stead.
'as then read from the Chair As
twenty one Members of thi4 Hey*
to examine such Documents as ,H:7
report their opinion to the Hoax,
tient measure.
E agreed with the Hon. Bart.
the people of the Province 0
s to the loyalty of a majority of
tole of that part of the United
ras, nevertheless, confident that
was a most salutary one, and
solute necessity for adopting it.
that there was not only an Irish
Paris, and aftually employed in
ans of sowing dicontent and dii•
ncl • hut, that over the whole
and French emissaries are sot.
•eady to seize all opportuniti.s
es conveyed to Ireland, for the
up the disaffedled, and workin..;
be weak and ignorant. 11::!.
reason to believe that mini
tries had already made tlieit or..y
'ere at this moment concealed
interior of the country ; and, in
vernment could not be ton eigi•
necessary they should be armdd
wins Parliament could put into
to combat an enemy at once so
ing, and so secret in his attempts-
this measure was absolutely ne•
irity and safety of that pa:t of tl:c
and therefore the Motion had

SON expressed his concern, an
gree of surprise, that a nannos
neasure of so impot tam a natere,
brought forward, without
d on so short a notice. Till 1,4
[louse, he did not know that the
bet intended to brine it on. A'
sever, he folthimselt called typo
ntiments on the subjefl, and he
so momentous a ctisis as the
I wish to make the Executive
reland as strong as possible. He
deeply concerned, that, in the pee-
'as not thought adviseshle to state
rendered the measure neccsary ;
weeding to the Motion, he coal
ig his hopes, that it is in the sr.
en
of 1 lie Majesty's Ministers to
Ireland into immediate considers.
er they did so, they might t dep°n.!
▪ him retry lappet and cetY
set and assistance, which his toov•
le sad of the cowry might eyble
very mach the arguausts ust.

1•••

• aye Honourable Baronet against the Motion, anti able Gentleman wit* has jolt sat down; Mick I must
agreed with him as to the loyalty and attachment of confess, Sir, that I cannot bap being surprised at
2 great majority of the people of Ireland ; but it the arguments just advanced by bins against theme-
gave min pain to my, that he could not agree with sent motion. His proposition on the present oecasion,
the Amendment he had moved. if I do not materially misunderstand' h, is thit the
sir JOHN STF:W ART said, that from a long flialreas Capes Aa CaMillt.ot ought unt,to b*susOnd-
and intimate ocquointonce and connection with Ire- ed without due examination, and full proof. If sea'
land, he heartily concurred in the present motion, be the proposition maimaiued by the Right Non.
which lie deemed absolutely necessary at the present Gentleman, I most own, Sir, it is altogether eon-
moment. He had the honeur, he said, to be the teary to what was the pradice during the course of
Representative of a County in the North, which I the last war ; and that Moodice most ably and mai-
was well known to be as loyal as atty in the whole of I formly supported by the Right Hon. Gentleman
Ireland ; but still he could not take upon him to say himself. lamat a loss, Sir, to conceive main what
that there were not any disaffected persons in it. He grounds the Right Hon. Gentleman has taken upon
hoped, and believed, there were not many ; but himself to advance, through the whole of his ar-
theiioli that was the ease, and they were still fewer Foment, that no reason has been given in support or
goo, they are, he should warmly support the present justification of the Motion brought fortkord by my
measure as an encouragement to the loyal to persist Right Hon. Friend. If the speech with which he
in their conduct, and as a reward for having always introduced it was a short one, it by no means fol-
done so. The artifices and machinations which lows, therefore, that no reason was adduced in sup-
hod been used to seduce the people from their port of it. My Right Hon. Friend informed the
allegiance had been numerous, and deeply contritt- House that an Irish Committee was sitting in Paris,
tol, and the threats to intimidate the weak and and that they were using the most alive exertions
timid had been violent and terrible, and not spa- to correspond with, and stir up the disaffelted and
ugly used ; and he was convinced, that the protec- discontented in Ireland, which, taken together with
ton and security derived from the salutary effects thecircumstanceof our being at this moment engaged
of this Bill, had been the means of holding the pen- in a war with a most enterprising and inveterate ene-
:ple together, and by that had been procludive of my, who has longevinced, beyond the possibility of a
the best effects in promoting the tranquillity of the 1 doubt, the most hostile designs ag tinst the happi-
comitry. He was perfectly well acquainted with ness and prosperity of this country ; to destroy
i!)r humane and honourable feelings of the Noble- which, he is most anxiously watchful to give a
roan who is at present at the head of the Irish mortal wound to Ireland ; I think there can be but
Government, and was convinced that he inherited few individuals in this House that will not think
from his illustrious ancestor a high value for the Brit- there is a sufficient reason for adopting the present
ish Constitution. He was certain that he never lost measure. Is it possible, Sir, that any Member of
any opportunity of tempering justice with mercy, and this House should forget for a moment that the
that there never could be any danger of hismoking threat of invasion was thrown out by this deadly
an ill use or abase of any extraordinary power that enemy to this country, even before the commence-
the peculiar circumstances of the times might induce ment of the war, and, that the roost gigantic efforts
the Legislature to put into his hands. At this too- have since been made to carry those threats into
ment, the number confined in Ireland were few in- execution ? Is it not known to every one, that the
deed; but it was necessary a power should he vested most material part of the armaments and prepara-
in the Government there to seize such persons as tions for this invasion are destined to proceed
may be fairly suspeded, and to keep them in safe against Ireland, and, that we have had to rely on
confinement. When he was in office himself, he the vigilance and aftivity of our fleets to frustrate
had frequent opportunities of observing that if it his intended attempt? Has not this enemy alsd
had not been for such a power, every source of in- been, during the whole war, embodying shoe* men
formation of the designs unit attempts of the dis- from Ireland who have left their own country, from
affeaed would have been cut off; for, if it had being actively and deeply engaged in schemes of
once been known who were their accusers, they sedition and treason ? If the existence of an Irish
would have paid for their attachment to the Go- committee in Paris cannot be doubted, and, that
vernment, and their love for their country, with the there are even a few disaffeded persons in Ire-
loio of their lives, and have perished by the hands land, surely both these circumstances, coupled
of the assassin. Fully convinced, therefore, as he with the war and the well known intention of in-
was of the necessity of the present measure, it should vadieg that country, if possible, form the strongest
have his warmest support. reason why this measure should be adopted by
Mr. WINDHAM said, he could not but be sur. the House; and, as to what has been said as
prised that the Hon. Bart. should bring forward a to the continuance nt it, lam certainly not so un-
Motion on a sullied of such magnitude and im- manly as not to avow, tha: it may probably happen,
portance, without adducing one single ,season why unless circumstances should very materially change
he did so. Such a mode of proceeding seemed to indeed, that this suspension will continue as long as
him to carry on the face of it an opinion, that to • foreign war continues. lam certain the Right
suspend the Hake. Corpus Ado in Ireland; was a Hon. Gentleman cannot say, that citcumstances
step that might he taken with as little ceremony as are already altered ; and am there fore confident Cie
the passing a common Turnpike Road Bill. If House will see the necessity of our aging with all
such is allowed to be the case, it is in the power of that watchfulness and caution, the nature and im-
Ministers, as was well observed by the Hon. Bart. portance of the case so imperiously and loudly call
who moved the amendment, to suspend the Consti- for. I ant still more astonished to hear that clumsy
union whenever they please : they may in felt stop and common place argument resorted to; that a
• the Constitution, and set it a-going, according to large proportion of the people are loyal, and there.
their own particular wish : they may bandy it about fore, in adopting such a measure, you libel a whole
like a feather in the air, and that without asoiguiag country. I remember very well, and -I have no
any further cause, than that they deem it needful. doubt the House will also recoiled, that this
In the present case, they have not told us that any argument was used against myself in the course
one county is in a state of insurredion ; that a to- of the last war, and was most ably and forcibly
reign enemy has landed in Ireland ; or that there is repelled by that Right Hon. Gentleman, when I
any solid cause to suppose the country in any had the advantage of his assistance and support,
actual danger of revolt ; but only that there are in bringing forward those prompt and vigorous
persons ready to produce mischief in Ireland— measures which, lam confident, saved this country
Ready to produce mischief ! why so there are in from the rein and destruCtion with which it was
England ; and yet no such measure is thought to then threatened, and which, if not so timely intro-
be necessary here. There never was, he said, so duced, nothing could have averted. I call upon
monstrous a proposition, nor one executed in so the Right Hon. Gentleman to say, whether he did
monstrous a way. What, he exclaimed, are we to not then see the most imminent danger, from the
pass such important alts as these, and countenance active exertions of a faftious few, bent upon the
an introdution of arbitrary power, for such it ae- most mischievous designs, under the mistaken and
tually is, merely on the sense of the mild assurance delusive idea, that those measures were unconsti.
or prudent disposition of the person who happens tutional ? If, however, more is still wanting to
to be at the head of the Government of Ireland ? prove the innumerable evils which may follow the
He was astonished that such an argument could be turbulent and unruly efforts, even of a small mino-
endured, or that any one should seriously give way rity, let us cast our eyes to the French revolution,
to it for a moment. An argument has been ad- and there we shall repeatedly see melancholy in-
vanced in support of this motion, that part of the stances, where a small minority, by ghee exer-
people of a county wish for, and are desirous that tions and loud clamour, overturned the long esta-
a continuance of the suspension of this important blishe i government of that country, and introduced
Bill should take place, because they think their se- a succ ssive series of the most horrible and bloody
curity is increased by it :so that one part of the scenes of murder, devastation, and desolation, that
county are to judge what is best for the other, and ever blackened and disgraced the annals of the
thus deprive them of one of the dearest privileges worlds" It is true, Sir, we may hope, that these te-
flon attaches to a British subject. The Hon. 80. peated scenes of horror, which have long been so
ronet, who moved the Anse:id:vent, does not at well known to the people of Ireland, as well as to
soacni similar pi inciples—he does not wish that one the whole civilised world, may have their proper
port ot a counts ii.,uld ditaate to, or injure the other, effed on the majority of the once deluded people of
either in their privileges or in their property; he only that country ; but are we to indulge ourselves with
desires you to inquire before you proceed, and, the hope, that them may not be a minority still in
surely, there can be no harm in inquiry before the existence, who cherish the delusion on all occasions,
House gives its sanction to so strong and harsh a mea- fomented and kept up by those of that country,
sure. As the matter stands, it may be only a tri- who have taken up their abode in France, and who,
fling and timid minority in a county that wish for an by means of French emissaries sem into Ireland,
adoption of the measure; and it would be extreme- are still tempted to continue in their old paths, from
ly hard upon the majority, that they should be made repeated assurances that that country is the point
liable to operations of such an Act, on the sugges- particularly seleded and relied on by the enemy,
Lion and wishes of a few, who have either no proper through whi hto strike the nest deadly blow at
knowledge of the blessings of the Constitution, or the vital iattrests of Great Britain. We may hope
whose fears lead them to lose sight of their value. that the true Catholic will look with a discerning
An Hon. Gentleman, he said, had told the House, and impoi nal, but indigoont e) e, on the various in-
gm the first day of the Sessions, that Ireland was in sults aroi mockeries which this inveterate and im-
a state of the most perfect tranquillity ;if that were placable enemy of this country has heaped on his
really the case, he could not conceive why, in so religion, under the pretence of restoring it ; yet we
short an interval of time, the -House was to agree to cannot tinter ourselves so fir as not to suppose
suspend the Constitution, with regard melte' part there are odors who neither see his late mocke-
of the United Empire, without an case made out, ries, and in their proper colours, nor ransom-
ot one single reason being given to justify the House ber those reiterated exertions which, for so ma-
in such a proceeding, except an " Irish Committee ny years, he so actively employed to overturn
being sitting in Pans, and that there are persons in, asset annihllote it altogether. I am astonished,
Ireland ready to pioduee mischief," without saying Sir, to hew!. the Right Honourable Gentlemen
who these persons arc, or in what part of Ireland argue. that His Majesty's Ministers justify this inta-
they aro to be met with. For these reasons, be sure in. she grouod of the prudent, respedable, and
thought the present strong measure altogether woe, bousooe ilaspontiou of the Lord Lieutenant. Such
cessoryo and should, therefore, vote for the Amend-, an moment mid such a foundation would in the
ment moved by the Hon. Baronet. - first iiill3fat be absurd had ridiculous ; but, ass
Ihe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER cundary mmive, Ido says that where a measure of
spoke to the following purport s—ss I shouldear- this notore.s fousol absolutely necessary for the pub-
tainly, Sir, be desirous of giving way to those Fla. lie wellitse, it is a very strong argument, and a
Gentlemen who come from that part of the United greet ecomoistion, to be able to sayo that that such
Empire, but, that I deem it necessary to enterer extroomiteary powameotild not be placed in nary.
immediately the greater t the obseliva., hands less ha i le, and likely to pervert or abuse theta.
lions width have fallen from the Riglatlionoor- As to the question of inquiry, Sir, I thiuk it entirely

t

sarefamOKlrberethrrosids for the insiesre ire to
phis and obvious, and Mast deckle*, that I think it
could not fail to be attended with many, and great
inconveniences. The necessity of the contimagace
tv, this Suspension is obvious, and castor be ohs-
ponsed with, without cutting off alt the worms of
information,. and leaving all those who would serve
them country by giving it, liable to the dark
and malignant attacks of the assassin's dagger.—
With respott to the shortness of the notice, Sir,
it has been owing entirely to circumstances un-
foreseen. When it was first given, it was *tended
to be brought forward immediately ; hut there were
so many matters of importance stood before it, wh'ch
it was then imagined would have come on diredtly,
that it was withdrawn. These various motions have,

riod is the Habeas Corp's Aet likely to bereeeskerwill
Are the supporters of this measure so ignorant dr
Mikarciless of history, as not to consider, that, frsnl.o
time of the Revolution, and particularly Jun*
Ai reigns of William 121. and Anne, this country,
' as well as Ireland. was eternally menaced with in-
vasion by a foreign enemy, co-operating with a •
strong and numerous party of Jacobite's at horre ?
"Ile faet is indisputable, and every event, and every
page of the accounts of thew epochs,, attest it • yet
never was that circumstarnik made the groan; for
suspending the I labeas Corpus Aft upon simple iu.- •
torwry; nor, during the whole period I Speak of, was
the A6t at all suspended above once or twice, when
it was done on very critical occasions, and after a
due and minute enquiry. Let us look A little Co-
ther into the pretext
We all remember
notoriously, s
said to be dis_
with our enemies
verntnent seemed
the• Monarchy -
the prevalent ,
is now said to
in Ireland. r,
such measure
sorted to '
venture then
a suspension
presume to
long and laborious
mittees of both '
pension was, Iv
Session; and i
on what was 7
the measure
towards the
surance of .
teltigeoce of
Sad of Ji.

: ..

however, been postponed from time to time, and as,
in consequence thereof, this came to be an open day,
the notice was given yesterdayw in order that irmight
be brought on to-day, as an omission to do so might
have precluded us from bringing it forward before
the last Ad expired. These are the reasons, Sir, on
which I ground my support of it ; and which will,
of course, determine me to vote against the amend-
ment."

Mr. WINDHAM complained, that the Right
Hon. Gentleman had, though, he made no doubt
unintentionally, misrepresented him. Through the
whole scope of his argument, he principally con-
tended, that whatever information may be in the
possession of the Government, respeCting the neces.
sity of this measure, they I ad laid none whatever,
upon new grounds, before the I louse. He wished
also to observe, that when he argued strenuously in
favour of a• 911114ATIVNIM1111, ea a former occasion,

1

the case was widely different from the present; as
there were then the reports of aCommitree, :read am•
pk materials to phew the necessity of it, laid tipon
the table.
• Mr. FOX—" Much as I have been alatmecl for
the safety of this Constitution, by the measures often
adopted by the Right Hon. Gent. who spoke last
bet one, I confess that. I never felt ms,re serious
grounds of apprehension, nor any thing so truly
alarming to every lever of liberty; is the principles
laid down by him, its a speech inculcating notions,
of far greater magnitude, if ailed upon, than any
other which a Minister has ever ventured to promul-
gate within these walls ; and, should that Right
Hon. Gentleman continue long to maintain ally
considerable degree of power in this country, I fear,
considering the alarming extent to which he has this
day carried his principles, that the Constitution of
this Empire is in greater linger than ever it has been
at any former period of even his administration. He
has very far outstripped the opinions at any time,
or under any circumstances, delivered by my Right
Hon. Friend (Mr. %Villais/19 ; and, when he com-
plains of the clumsy argument, as he called it, that,
though the minority of the Irish people were disal-
feded, the majority, whom he owns to he loyal,
and which I have beard no man attempt to contro-
vert, should suffer by this oppressive measure, I
consider myself entitled to arraign the clumsy pre-
cautions which he recommeuds fur ptotetting this
great majority against the contemptible minority.
The very statement of such a majority of good and
well-affeded inhabitants is, indeed, a very clumsy
kind of reasoning in favour of this bill, which goes
merely upon the ground, that, notwithstanding that
superiority of ntunkers, same discontent prevailed
in some patient' the country. How can thisbe com-
sistent with the assertion this day made by an Hon.
BArt. (Sir John Stewart), and several other Irish
Members, that, tbcugh some disloyalty might exist-
in the minds of individuals, the people, in general,
are as loyal throughout Ireland, as they are here in
the several counties of England; that they felt as
great an attachment to the Constitution and the Go-
vernment ; anl that they were equally ready to op-
pose any hostile attempts of a foreign enemy ? The
solution of this dilemma will be found a matter of
no small difficulty to the promoters and authors of
this Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Aa in Ire-
land, which appeared to me always unnecessary,
however it might have been APr r med of by others,
and particularly by an tion. r Head of mine ( Mr.
Sheridan) who now sits near me. But, what I con-
tend for most is, that this country, and this Consti-
tution, I mean all the sound parts that remain of it,
can never be considered as safe, if, in a country now
united with us, we establish the principle, that the
existence of any disloyal principles, in any particular
counties, or scattered amongst a number of indivi-
duals, should be a justification for suspending tl:e
dearest and most invaluable security that remains
for British liberty. Such a principle, carried to the
extent we now heard, would be more fatal to the em-
pire than any thing that could be effected by the at-
tempts of a foreign enemy. An invasion fi om the
enemy, in any quarter, would not be so much aimed
at the destru.dion of our liberty or Constitution,
as at our independence The Right Hon. Gent.
(Mr. Pitt) has told us that there were Committees of
disloyal Irishmen, stationed on those parts of the
enemy's shore, from whence an attack was medi-
tated ; and that only for the vigilance and activity
of our hlockadiag squadron, the Brest fleet would,
before this, have sailed on its destination for the in-
vasion of Ireland. I admit it to be now more than pro-
bable, that the French may attempt to carry their
designs into execution ; but is Ireland the only point
from which this danger may threaten us ? Does the
Right Hon. Gentleman (.Vlr. Pitt) forget, that,
during the list session of Parliament, his constant
tone was to express his lively sense of the imminent
and immediate danger to which England was ex-
posed ? Does he not recoiled his having frequently
darned us in the most emphatic terms, that we had
tot an hour to lose, and that we did not know the
imminent when the enemy would be at our door ? If
so, then the danger was and is as great to England
is to Ireland ; and let us now consider what o a-
tion this fatal principle will hays upon otlrtel
Contemplating this precedent, I must risaittiliin;
that, if domestic discontent, or a disposition to dis-
loyalty, coupled with the threats of a foreign ene-
' my, is to be made a ground mid precedent for sus-
pending the palladium of the Habeas Corpus Ail,
we must, in time of war, either in Great Britain or
Ireland, bid a long adieu to that bulwark of British
liberty, for which our ancestors so gloriously and so
successfrily contended. Such a presence has never
before been set up, without inquiry, or upon the
ground of simple notoriety. The people of Eng-
land never admitted its and shall we deal a different
.treasure to those of the thnNed Kingdom l Let
.me ask, if this principle is to prevail, at what pe.

cottrse to
was only
of the occasion,
which was "
ourselves.
men, w!.'
than can fall
tame, represented
such a measure.
hefore adopted
riety of the
called for, w
adopted upon cc,.
it was understood
to further invest;
ingly instituted.
pears to me, tha
barrenness of it
sent, it would
at once an '
leave the b
subjeas enti
cutive Gotiernmem.
the subject o'
of any set of
to consent
s•lf happy
basing any
of mania,
nourable Baronet
-sin"; and which,
will drop for
made upon'
Motion had
but I consider
foon&d. 1a•
measure WAS

postponed
important _
these important
and that, a
clauses was,
after the meeting .
discover, in any description
the present state of Ireland, any pressure .
should inspire Gentlemen opposite me with con-
fidence to call upon us fur the renewal of this Ad,
at one day's notice, and within three weeks
after the assembling of ti.e Parliament. What
are the fads upon which they can justify such
precip.tation f Could they not, in the interval
which has intervened in the discinsion of other
matters, to which I attac!, as much importance
as any other man can do, have instituted an en-
quiry which might enable us to judge of the
necessity of so material a rerridion on the liberties
of our fellow subjects ? I now come to another point
of this subject, in which some stress has been laid
on the mild character of the Nob:: Lord now at
head of the Irish Government, and Inost candidly
confess, that I am unable to comprehend the strange
distinction made by the Rt. Hon Cent. Cvir.
Ile admitted, that the character of the s oble Lord
in question, and his equitable demeanor and for-
bearance in Ireland, would not of itself be a sum-
dent ground for justifying such a measure as this ;
but most perversely argues. that when the necessity
notorious, as he calls it, exists. it is a sufficient
foundation for its continuarre, that we may be cer-
tain, the extraordinary - oower givea
him will not be absurd.
this kind is to me a 4 -
able. Ido not
press any opinion
ation of the Lor.
perhaps, deserve
ed upon him ; but _
sion of the principle
founded, as being s
am acquainted with
know it has often l•
vernment that et
would be that of a,
be ensured that the Prince -
seised of all the virtues which would make un-
limited power instrumental to the happiness his
people ; that his Government, being unconstrained,
would be more prompt and vigorous; and that the
influence of his virtues and talents would dirks*
themselves throughout the extent of hi. dominions.
I have beard people press this argument. but always
with the condition, that the absolute monarch should
possess all the qualities necessarg. to his suq". Bur"
though I have heard ass
know that tbeY can find no .
of the British Constitution. k
with a view of prereadng

nute enquiry. IACL US WOE a I.IIIIC ia.-
he pretext of what they call notoriety.
onemher the time when there were,
, several associations in this country,
disaffected, and ading in co-operation
nemies abroad. At that time the Go-
eemed to be is the utmost alarm, and
:by represented as in more danger froth
nt disloyalty of the people here, than it
to be from the iiispositinns of the people
Notwithstanding all tl.is, howtve-, 110
are as the present was immediately re-
The Right Hon. .
.gentleman did not
en to propose to ns, in the first instance,
in of the Habeas Corpus At ; nor did he
o submit such a measure, until after a
aborious enquiry, reported to us by cots.
both Horses of Parliament. The. sun-
is, undoohtedly, continued in tie ensuing
,nd though, at the time it was called for,
ras represented as the spur of themonsent,
ire was adopted ; yet this was never done
he people of England, without the as-
h ulterior enquiry. On the first iota,-
of the insurreCtion in Ireland, on the
July, 1 tfr, the Ministers had re-
this precautionary measure; but that
assented to fram the appareer presume
canon, with a view to further etsquilt,
s instituted in a Committee, chosen ky
I amAware, that several Irish Gentfit-
must haN. had more local informatiop
Sall to the share of us, stationed at a dis-
resented at thc time, the strong necessity of
easure. But I must allow, that it was
spted upon confidence, or upon bar.! notes-
tie insurreetion. The Aet was passed, as •
wilhont delay; but, instead of being ;
pon confidence, or as a matter of course,
lerstood that the fads should be submitted •
.;,••
• investigation, which the House accord- .
kilted. Upon the whole, indeed, it ap-
se, that if, upon stich grounds, and
s of information as the Hou'ue has et peek,
could be more fair and explicit to psis
an MI which, in time of war, wruid '
liberties of ourselves and our Cello*
entirely at the discretim of the Exe-
ivernment. Having said so much upon
:t of public notoriety, or the assurances
of genr lernen,as the grourd for this Houie
t to In alarming a precedent ; I feel my-
y in being relieved from the necwsity of
iy thmw-to add 'respeding the c• nt :dance
a law to Ireland, which the Riaht Ho-
Baronet has dropped on the presets' caws- •
which, I cannot bat indulge the hope, he
for ever. Some observations bave beets
os the ground of objedion taken, Celt this A
ad not been produced by a sufficient notice;
isider that copiplalnt as having been justly
I am now told that the reason why the
WAS not brought forward was, that it was
d from the press of other more urgent
t business ; but when I relied eta
)(stunt topics have not yet been discus ,
at the time the Ad was passed, one of the
•as, that the Ad should expire in five weeks
meeting of Parliament, I am at a loss to
, in any description which has been given of
ent state rf Ireland, any pressure which

dinary and dangerous power given
absurd. Now, Sir, a dv.tmc[r:n of
ie at novel as it is certainly unjustifi-
think proper on this occasion to es-
on respecting the virtues and moder-
ki Lieutenant of Ireland, whu may,
: all the encomiums that were bestow.
tut I must provide against the admit-
inciple upon which the distinCtion is
no- quite anomalous to any thing I
within the British Constitution. I
en been argued, that the best Go-
could be formed for any nation,
of an absolute monarch, if it could
the Prince should be always pop-
e virtues which would snake his an-
instrumental to the happiness of his.

LUXinrca tin...—.,
e head and read these opinions, yi
can find no analogy in the principles
!onstitutioa, which has been framed
of preventing the abu.• ti p.m

this elms', I &twelve, can only be safely guarded
aga ist by taking care that no such power should
be vested in the hands of any man. If men have
not power, you prevent the abuse ; but you
have only a slight security in the charaaer of any
one in whom you deposit the means of abusing it.
Upon this ground our ancestors had so great a dread
of the abase of power, that they could not risk it
upon personal charafter. I shall admit, for the
sake of argument, all the virtues attributed to the
present Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and all the
good •qualities of his Secretary also. It signides
little to this argument, whether they, and those
under them, do or do not possess the disposition
to use their power with moderation, mildness, and
forbearance, when the constitution tells me, " you
shall not trust them with it." Supposing me to have
the highest opinion imaginable of the virtues of the
Noble Lord alluded to, and those with whom he
acts ; yet, being aware that the Lord Lieutenant of
to-don- may not be the Lord Lieutenant of to-morrow,
I will not trust any thing which is liable to be be-
lieve I upon personal confidence or personal opinion.
'The very demand of extraordinary powers is. ac-
cording to the principles of the British constitution,
in it:elf a ground of jealousy and suspicion; and
whe.: I am called upon to invest absohite power any
where, the constitution teaches me, whatever I may
think of the man, to deny that unlimited power to
the office. If this suspension be now adopted, I ask
what chance we have.of its ceasing to operate during
the present war ? and what security have we of the
same measures not being resorted to in England
atter such a precedent ? As to the existing tran-
quillity in the former country,we have the same tes-
timonies from gentlemen, possessed of local know-
ledge, as we have for the tranquility of oar own.
They tell us, however, that this bill is necessary on
account of there being committees in Paris and other
parts of France, in co-operation with the enemy,
and in correspondence with certain disaffected in-
dividuals in Irelned ; but will they tell us, wise-
thee from former history, or what may occur
in future, the same situation may sot be always
likely to occur ? In all countries, and under all
Governments, there will ever be found people who
are discontented and disloyal. We have no reason
to suppose that even in Eno and there may not
exist some individuals of that description. If so,
then, why not suspeud the Habeas Corpus Act in
this country upon the same motives that they pro-
pose to do in Ireland ? Upen such an occasion I
can never consent to build ally thing upon the vir-
tues, the chant/ter, or the moderation of any man, in
whom absolute power isdeposited. I cannot give even
the present Government of Ireland all the credit
claimed for it on the score of lenity and forbearance.
I know that whatever virtues might he possessed by
the man who has absnlate power, its existence can-
not prevent the abase of it, either by himself or
his subordin nee. As an instance of this, 1 shall
barely state the circumstance of Mr. Todd
Jones having been arrested in Ireland, and
confined for .evetal months in a loathsome and
unhealthy prism upon hare suspicion, and without
any trial. I only mention this thus slightly and
incidentally, without dwelling or expatiating on the
subjnnt any farther than to observe, that this pu-
nishment, of a long and loathsome imprisonment,
on suspicion merely, is as great as is usually in-
flitted in this country, where the Habeas Corpus
Aft is not (thank God!) now suspended, for any
offence short of Felony or High Tgensoa. I have
alluded to this case the more slightly at present, as
I understand that a Learned and Hon. Ft iend of
mine (we belitwe Mr. Ponsonby) means speedily
to make it the sidled of a serious and specific mo-
tion. From this single altumstance alone, corn-
Dined with the other observations I have submitted,
I think myself warranted in endeavouring to im-
press upon the /louse the old constitutional princi-
ple, that, except in cases of the most extreme na-
ture, and very clearly made out, so absolute a
power should never be intrusted to the Govern-
meet of any country."
Sir EVAN NEPEAN explained, in relation to
what was said at the hardships sustained by
Mr. Todd Jones, that he never heard any com-
plaint against the state of his prison ; that he was
certainly deprived of kis linerty, but that he be.
lieved he was as well lreated in prison as could be
expelled by any person in a similar tituation.
Mr. FOX replied, that, if what he heard was
correct, the Grand Jury, at the Assizes, complained
to the Judges of the loathsome, filthy, and unwhole-
some state of the prison in which Mr. Jones suf-
fered so long a confinement.
Lord DB BLAQUIERE spoke in favour of the
Motion. He denied that any one had asserted the
people of Ireland were generally loyal, and adverse
from the views of the enemy, except in some of the
northern counties, and expressed it as his opinion,
that, had the Bill now in question been then in force,
the last insurredion would not have taken place in
that country.
Mr. SHERIDAN said, he rose merely to correct
a misapprehension into which his Hon. Friend (Mr.
Fca4 had fallen, and which he was sensible of a
few moments after he had uttered it. He was per-
fectly right in saying. that when intelligence was re-
ceived of the insurredion of the 24th of July, ac-
companied with the lamentable event of the mur-
der of Lord Kilwarden, he supported the Motion for
an immediate answer to the gracious communica-
tion made by His Majesty ; but as for the suspen-
sion of the Hares Corea Aft, and the establish.
ment of Martial Law in Ireland, it was impossible
that he should have voted for it.
Mr. ALEXANDER bore testimony to the
loyalty of the northern counties of Ireland, but
maintained, that there was, in other parts. a return
of those Committees, corresponding with the enemy,
whose object was, the separation of Ireland from
this country. The present state of things could
not, in his opinion, have any thing analogous
to former times, when the question was between
Jacobitism and ‘Villiamism, as the attempts of
France and its confederates would be directed to
make the separation of the two countries an instru-
ment of the conquest of them both, for which
purpose it only made Irish liberty the pretest. The
eproperty and magistracy of Ireland were in favour
of this measure, and the gr .ItOSi hsyalty prevailed
in that part of the country, with which he was par-
ticularly conaeded ; vet he knew that the most m-
. penalde people *jibed, notwithstanding, the pro-
tadimi*d Idttfttny 'finch this measure was calcu-
lated 4to affyintbest, At the. time that there were
' --•