The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-18 00:00:00

lIVIPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.-LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Cambridge Gas and the Great Northern Railway
Bills were read a second time.

The Moulton Gas, the Milford Harbour, the Manchester
Corporation Ward, and the Holborn Valley Improvement
Bills were read a third time and passed.

PETITIONS.

A petition was presented from the people of Maidenhead,
praying that no alteration should be made in the Common
Prayer used in the churches.
THE CONDEMNED PRISONERS IN IRELAND.
],odd LIFFORD rose to lay upon the table of the house
a petition, which he had given notice of, from the people
of Glasnevin, in Ireland, praying that a memorial
might be presented to her Majesty praying
that the unfortunate persons now under sentence
of death in Ireland for political offences might
have their sentences commuted. The petition emanated,
said the noble lord, from those who had taken up arms
to protect the cause of peace and order; and though they
deeply regretted that those men should so have offended,
yet they earnestly prayed that her Majesty would exercise
her royal clemency. Although aware of the heinous
crime these men had been guilty of, he could not but point
out to their lordships that this outbreak was quite different
from any other that had occurred in that country. It was
an attempt against a throne that had been established 700
years —it was against a country which had the most mag-
nificent army and navy, and this by a people who had no such
advantages. T heir conduct had been quite different ; they had
visited the houses of the gentry and had been quite cour-
teous in their demeanour, they had committed no outrage ;
some had been mere swindlers, some had been dupes, and
some enthusiasts. His lordship then alluded to the speech
of Burke, and stated that though he was misguided they
were noble words, and if capital punishment was visited
on him he would be translated into a martyr.

The petition was ordered to lie on the table.
FORTIFICATIONS BILL.

Lord LONGFORD moved the second reading of this
bill, and it was agreed to.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The Srzaxmt took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
--Blyth and Tyne Railway, London and South-Western
Railway, Prescot Gas, Riaton and Warburton Bridge and
Tyne Improvement.
THE METROPOLITAN GAS BILL.

The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex presented a peti-
tion from the City of London against this bill.

DISTRESS IN GALWAY.

Mr. GREGORY asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland
whether he had received any communication from the
Law Life Society expressing the intentions of that corpora-
tion to give employment and support to their tenantry
during the present severe distress in the west of Galway ;
and whether he would order a report from the Poor-law
Inspector as to the steps taken in fulfilment of that pledge.
Lord NAAS said he had received further information,
and it was to the effect that unfortunately great distress
prevailed, but the society had set on foot certain works on
their estate with a view to give relief to the suffering
people. He would take care that reports were made
frequently as to the state of the distress.