The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-04 00:00:00

IRELAND.

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT AND THE
RIBAND CONSPIRACY.
• DUBLIN, FRIDAY EVENING.
The following important proclamation is pub-
lished in the Dublin Gazette of this evening :
" BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT-GENERAL AND
GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND.
" PROCLAMATION.
" EGLINTON AND WINTON.
" Whereas we had been given to understand that
societies or associations of persons exist in several
parts of Ireland, the members of which are bound
together by oaths or obligations of a seditious or
treasonable character; and whereas many unwell'
persons may have been induced to become mem-
bers of, or otherwise to connect themselves with,
such societies without being fully, aware of the
penalties which they have thereby incurred; now,
therefore, for the information of all persons con-
cerned, and for the better prevention and suppres-
sion of all such societies or associations, we, the
Lord•Lieutenant-General and General Governor of
Ireland, do hereby declare and make it known that
all societies or bodies of persons associated under
the pretended obligation of oaths unlawfully admi-
nistered are illegal, and that any person who shall
administer or be concerned in administering any
oath or engagement binding, or importing to bind,
the party taking the same to belong to or be con-
cerned with any such society or association, or to
aid or abet the unlawful objects or purposes
thereof, and every person who shall unlawfully'
take the same, shall be guilty of felony ; and all
persons belonging to or members of any such so-
ciety or association, or maintaining correspondence
therewith, or with any officer or member thereof
as such, are guilty of an unlawful combination and
confederacy, and may be punished accordingly--
and we do hereby caution and forewarn all per-
sons against becoming, or being, or continuing
to bo members of, or in any way connected
with, any such society or association, under
whatever pretence or pretext, or with whatever
object or purpose the same may have been founded
or established, or profess to ,be continued or con-
ducted. And we do hereby announce and declare
that it is our firm determination to use all the means
in our power for the suppression of such societies
and associations, and for the punishment of the per-
sons belonging thereto. Accordingly, we solemnly
admonish and require all peaceable and loyal sub-
jects to the utmost of their power to discountenance
such societies or assemblies, and to be aiding and
assisting the magistrates, constables, and other
authorities in the suppression of the same, and in
the detaining and bringing to justice of those who
shall be found to belong thereto, or be connected
therewith; and for the better carrying into effect
these our intentions and purposes aforesaid, we
do hereby offer a reward of £lOO for such informa-
tion as will lead to the conviction of any
.of the
persons who shall have administered any such oath,
and a rewatd of £5O for such information as will
lead to the conviction of any of the persons who
shall be found to be members of, or in anywise
connected with, any of the aforesaid societies.
• " Given at her Majesty's Castle of Dublin, the
3d day of December, 1858,
" By his Excellency's command,
" NAAS."