The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-26 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

A NOBLE LORD presented a petition from several
parishes occupying land in the county of Leitrim
against any alteration in the present corn•laws.
RAILWAYS. _ .

Earl GREY gave notice that he would postpone hi!
notice of motion respecting railways until some day nexl
week.

PROTECTION TO AGRICULTURE.

The Duke of RICHMOND presented fifty-four pe-
titions from parishes in Derbyshire, in favour of pro
tection to agriculture and against the measures pro
pesed by the Government.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH said he had to put
two questions to the Noble Earl (the Secretary for
Ireland) regarding the execution of Brian Seery. The
first question was whether there had been a deputation
to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, as stated, prior to
the man's execution, and the second question was whe-
ther, if there had been such a deputation, it could be con-
sidered an improper proceeding of those forming that
deputation? It did not follow that what would be con-
sidered improper in this country should be held to be
wrong in Ireland. lie would state to their Lordships
the hardships the Commission at Westmeath had
to encounter from those opposed to it. A cer-
tain portion of the press was violently opposed
to the Government Commission and a great
feeling was created against their proceedings.
All this arose out of a conspiracy, a conspiracy involving
almost all the lower population in Ireland from the age
of sixteen to twenty-five. After the excitement which
had taken place, after the manner in which the com-
mission was said to be got up—it was almost strange the
jury had not given way. He was perfectly sure the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland would have acted with that modera-
tion and firmness that was necessary in looking into
the circumstances of that case, and would not be
swayed by any intelligence from any body of men in de-
ciding on the fate of Seery. He however would say that
if any minister of the Crown had so acted, that it was
in the present state of that country most unfortunate.
The observations or, expressions which had fallen from a
certain individual were most unusual, because they must
know that in that county there were persons who gladly
took hold of any circumstances whatever to hold up in-
ind.viduals to public admonition by misrepresenting
their conduct. Now he would show their Lordships how
justifiable was the conduct of such indviduals, by stating
what were the acts of the Roman Catholic clergy. He
would tell their Lordships that before the Commissioners
came down to Westmeath, the Roman Catholic Bishop
gave out, in the presence of a large congrega-
tion, that Bryan Seery was innocent, and with
that kind of announcement which was very well
understood in that country by many who were
afraid to give expression to their opinions. After
his conviction, a letter of a most extraordinary,
and he should say of an indecent nature, appeared with
the name of the Romish bishop of that diocese attached
to it. That letter condemned the course adopted by the
counsel for the prosecution—the Government—and all
the proceedings of that trial throughout, and the object
was to excite the people to believe that the unfortunate
man was sacrificed, and that he was innocent. When
the Government had determined that the law in that re-
gard should take its course, the people were called upon
from the altar, to stay away from the execution, and
persons were posted on the road to watch those who
dared to disobey that mandate. Under these circum-
stances, which no one regretted more than he did, and
what, he was sorry to say, could not occur in any
country but Ireland, and which were not unusual there,
he should wish that those Noble Lords, and those per-
sons who were anxious to bring in some other measures
to accompany the one recently brought in Sy the Go-
vernment, would take this matter into their serious
consideration, and would reflect that (as had been re-
marked a few evenings back), by a Noble Marquis, whom
he did notnow see in place, that the supremacy of the
law must first be established, security given to life and
property, and the country be freed from the threats bul-
lying and insinuations of the Roman Catholic clergy
of Ireland. This interference to which he
alluded, before the trial, after the trial,
and during the execution, must be prevented
and_u Under
otn hsere thought that he had said enough on the subject
to open people's
these
circumstances,ees to necessitythe
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e interference.inform ed
wtehneatnhte—r
wanhyde
etteprutthaatin hadtodeput aitatiwonwednotnfrtolinie
Westmeath,
and whether under the peculiar
ar&rvcumstances of that
the part of that wascaopurnotcreye,diitngwas harsh on considered by ednepttuhtaattisoune.h
The Earl of St. GERMANS said that it was not his
intention to follow the Noble Marquis into any discus-
sion on the state of Ireland, but before he proceeded to
answer the questions put by the Noble Marquis, lie must