The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-13 00:00:00

IRELAND.

THE STATE TRIALS.
Dunuttr, SEPT. 12.—1 t is more than likely that
Lord John Russell will be afforded on opportunity
of seeing something of the south of Ireland during
the progress of the state trials at Clonmel, to which
his Lordship has been summoned as a witness on the
part of the Crown. It was rumoured some days agu
that such a proceeding was in contemplation, but
little credit was attached to the statement. It ap-
pears, however, that it was substantially correct, and
that such an idea was not only entertained, but that
the preliminary steps have been taken for carrying it
into practical operation. The Freeman's Journal of
this morning gives the following account of the
matter :
" We are enabled to announce that the Prime Minister
will have occasion to pay a second visit to this country,
and theta polite invitation for that purpose was conveyed
to him in the afternoon of Saturday last, bearing the
signature of Messrs. Pedder and Carmichael, clerks of
the Crown for the county of Tipperary—or, to express
ourselves with less ambiguity, we may simply state that
Lord John Russell, almost the moment previous to his
departure from our shores, was handed a Crown sum-
mons, requiring him to attend and give evidence at the
ensuing special commission in Clonmel, on the part of
Mr. William Smith O'Brien. The delivery of this docu-
ment, as we can collect, was not effected without some
difficulty. Several applications were made in the course
of Saturday for an interview with Mr. R. W. Grey,
the Premier's secretary, with the view of making his
Lordship acquainted with the object of Mr. O'Brien's
solicitor (Mr. Potter), but in vain; and it was only after
the carriage was packed, and the Noble Lord's family
waiting him to step into it, that he could spare a mo-
ment for an interview with Mr. Potter. It took place in
the drawing-room of the Viceregal Lodge, and, after a
brief introduction, Lord John was handed the legal docu-
ment in due form, which he read over carefully. Mr.
Potter then observed that, in order to comply with the
requisite formalities of law, it was his duty to tender his
Lordship a viaticum; accompanying the summons which
required his attendance, and at the same time hading
him ten sovereigns. Lord John Russell declined to re-
ceive the money, observing, that though such might be
the form of law, Mr. Potter might consider the service
of the summons complete without his acceptance of the
viaticum. His Lordship then remarked that he was
going to Scotland by a special order to wait upon her
Majesty, and that he did not know for what purpose his
attendance could he required at the trial. Mr. Potter
stated that the legal advisers of Mr. Smith O'Brien con-
sidered his Lordship's attendance and evidence absolutely
requisite.
" The Premier then requested that if it should still be
deemed necessary to examine him as a witness, he would
receive intimation to that effect as early as possible, in
order to enable him to make arrangements for attending
the trial at Clonmel.

" Mr. Potter repeated that he had reason to believe
his Lordship's evidence would be indispensable on the
trial, and then withdrew, after which Lord John Rus-
sell stepped into his carriage, and drove off to Kings-
town.

"It is supposed that the object of the accused is to
obtain from his Lordship a distinct enunciation of opi-
nion respecting the extent of prosecution, which would
justify armed resistarce to authority, and perhaps also
ascertain how far his Lordship's practice as a statesman
agrees with his theories as a historian. In his Lord-
ship's Life of Lord William Russell, doctrines are
broached awl promulgated which would go to show
that obi lience to bad laws was a crime, and resistance
even to good laws badly administered, a duty."
ESCAPS OF T. M. RIVERS. ESQ., ()F TYLRANGHAY
CASTLE.—This gentleman (according to a Leeds
correspondent of the Freeman), for whose arrest on
a charge of high treason a warrant had been issued
shortly after the affair of Ballingarry, has safely ar-
rived in France. lie was seen in London ten days
ago, the night before he sailed, arid there is now no
question of his being beyond the benign influence of
British Coercion Bills.
Ma. HALPIN, LATE SECRETARY OF THE IRISH
CONFEDERATION.—As it was ascertained that Mr.
Halpin hail been removed from BeVast, and had not
been received in any of the prisons in Dublin, it
became a question what had become of him. A
gentleman has called at our office this moment, to say
that on Wednesday, the 6th instant, Mr, Halpin
passed from Dublin to Satins in the twelve o'clock
train. He was accompanied by only one man—and
in reply to questions from two gentlemen who knew
his appearance, and travelled in the carriage with him,
be stated was on his way to Naas gaol. It has been
since ascertained by our informant, that Mr. Halpin
is now in the prison at Naas.
THE APPROACHING TRIALS.—Under this head the
Evening Mail states that it understands that Mr.
Duffy is to be put on his trial not with the other
accused parties in Cionmel, but before the next Corn
mission in Dublin.

MR. (YGORMAX AGAlN.—Captain Love, Limerick
Regiment, while grouse shooting in county Cork,
was arrested for Mr. Richard O'Gorman.
REMOVAL OF CONVICTS FROM SMITUFIEII) PRISON
TO KlNGSTOWN.—Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, about
two hurldred prisoners (all male) were removed from
Kilmainham and Smithfield prisons. The convicts
had been collected from different parts of the country
for some t:me rat. They were taken from the pri-
son to the North-wall in covered cars, guarded by
dragoons. On arriving, at the light-house point they
were put on board one of the river steamers and sent
to Kingstown, where they were shipped on board
the Pestonjee Bomanjee, which fine vessel will sail
for New South Wales in a few days.—Freeman's
Journal.