Star.
London, England, 1823-05-09 00:00:00

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Colonel BARRY begged to state to the House,
that there was no man more unwilling than himself
to complain of a breach of the privileges of that
House; but he felt that he should not be discharging
his duty, if he neglected calling the attention of the
House to a gross libel contained in a newspaper,
called The Mitish Press, in its publication of that
day. From the obscurity of the print in question,
he should have been inclined to pass over the article
he alluded to in silence and contempt; but however
obscure, he could not in justice suffer it to pass un-
noticed. Before he should proceed with the case, he
begged leave to read the paragraph containing what
he deemed a gross breach of the privileges of the
House. The Right Hon. Member then proceeded to
read the paragraph, which was as follows: •
" The inquiry into the conduct of the Sheriff of Dublin stilt
occupies the atteninm of the House of Commons; and each
night increases in interest. The details are received, we under-
stand, with the most intense anxiety in Ireland. The case
against Mr. Thorpe closed last night ; and those who conduct
his defence went into evidence for him. The first name called
was that of Henry Flandwich, the fellow, we believe, who
threw the botde, the most notorious of the Orange rioters.—
He, however, was modest enough not to answer, or was not
present ; and a Mr. Mansfield, of the Town Clerk's Office, was
substituted in his place. We cannot well conceive a stronger
Lase of partiality and corruption than now made out against the
sheriff. The deliberate packing of one Jury, and the intention'
to select another of furious Orangemen, were deposed to out
of his own tips; his avowals were stated, of having the Orange
panels in his pocket. The exclusion of Poole was clearly
proved, because his principles were those of fairness arid con-
ciliation. The conduct, the gross indecent conduct of the Jury
this Officer packed, was proved by *veral witnesses; that they
stifled and repressed all evidence—interrupted the individuals
who came into the Juiy-roamand would hear and receive
nothing against the rioter Forbes. Mr. Troy, on Tueedpy
night, stated these facts positively. Mr. Carpenter, an &toe.
ney, gave evidence to the same effect : he spoke to the violent
conduct of the Foreman of the Jury, to his frequent interrup-
tions, and the difficulty be experienced in giving his evidence.—
They were last night corroborated by Serjeant Harris, and
Ryan, au Officer of the Excise ; both represented the conduct
of the Jury as that of inflamed partisans, and not Impartial
men upon their oaths. Harris stated, that when giving his eel,
deuce, he was iota ruined by three or foul Jurors, starting up
violently at a time, together, to confuse and contradict hitte-7
Ryan proved, that when giving a description of the person who
'fad thrown the watchmen's rattle at the Viceroy, and swearing
positively ro the individual, he was interrupted bt the -Fore.
man, who asserted, that in a previous part of tali- examination,
he expressed a doubt as Co the identity of the person, though
'the witness had alt through sworn to him most positively.—
There can be now no doubt, froin the e4itlenci:Of SPas.' Poole
•atid from that* of the other Dublin Shetiff, Costwilaso/14
was ettamined by Mr. Plunkett hue night, that Aisle -we. es.
eluded the Grand Jury from the foulest nattthees.'..„ll4 tsis nut.
opponent of a fellow of the nam. of Smiler, a low but violent'
(Orangeman in the Corporation, and therefore he was set iielde.
ritaseen Deessysell rodent prigs deriestoe'—liberiff Thorpe is
Orfeetnegemplikation .f -this maxim. He was no taroks with
authorhy aud preiudice, that he disguised none of hisfuteutions.
He avowed all Ids plans,and is now convicted from his own lips.
We have often said that there is no act, however horrible or
atrocious, of Which the ()ranee party are not Capable; and the
examination pi Taman night clearly shews it, and displays this
execrable faction in the darkest colours. They found that Mr.
Wadden, a most respectable tradennian of Dublin, a man hitherto
unimpeached in character, though unfortunate fricircumstanees,
was giving overpomecingevidenue against diens, sod they in-
stand' entered into i topopitogy ro try,and damn his repotatioo
by the rails
.abornitiable sauna** 1-14 c ,was subjected to an
examination at their sugzestion, which ere Cipunit now stain our
pages by recording, and which witl4bow Okra' feeling ofhidlp
nation and disgust was subsequeridy *Awed to he espunged
from their minor); by the House.
fle begged luare then*o givein that Paper, ancl•
defiled that reference should be made to the Journals
of 1788tand to the ease-of Sir. Elijah. Imply. In that:
case it would be fotind, that dUring au iaquiry into
~ . .
his c0t,t431. iq
_Oat ;loqse, sons yoblicatiionk inju-
rious to Sir Elijab (aley appeared, and the House
came to a Resolution—" That an humble Acidressbe
presented to his Majesty, praying that his Majesty
may be graciously pleased. to givy directions to his
i%lajesty's Attorney-General:to proseinteind bring to
condign punishment the hiitlorti if that.pablitation."
Now, although it was not his intitition'to commit the
house with a newspaper, or to bring it into a predi-
catnent with printers, yet, feeling that he Should not
discharge his duty to -the 'House, to hiMitelf, andlip
the parties who were the objects ei attack, or to the
Public, did he not exhibit that Paper to the House,
he would therefore mere hand- in the Paper, leav-
ing to the house to deadawith it as it should seem
meet. He should, however, now move that the Printer
of the British Pressle called to the bar.

The SPEAKER. said, before the Right Honourable
Gentleman.could make .any motion on the.subject, it
must appear that the House was pleased that the Pa-
per should be delivered:in.
.

Sir M. W. RIDLEY felt unwilling to interface;
but it appeared to him that the lariguage of the-Pe-
per was not directed against, nor did it apply to, Dar
contain any insinuation against, any individuals
within the walls of that House. He would therefore

suggest to the Right Honourable Gentleman, as hir
did not intend to found any ulterior proceedings on
his motion, that perhaps the Right Honourable Gen-
tleman would best consalt his own feelings, end at-
tain his own object, by refraining from interference.
with individuals who, by some means or other, ob-'

tanned a knowledge of what passed within the walls
of that House—(Hear, hear).
Colonel IiARRY did not wish to press the matter
farther, provided a general feeling of the House
should be expressed, that gross injustice bad been at-
tempted by the publication in question, against in '
vidnals who had appeared at the bar of that House.
hlr. C. W. WYNN said, assuredly every person
who appeared at its har was entitled to protection by
the House. The House mast either punish offences
similar to the present, or be • under the necessity of
clearing the gallery, as had been done on foram' ;oc-
casions, in order to prevent their proceedings from
being reported.