The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-09 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

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'a certain Moirniiig Paper.' He Would, however; pas,
them over in silence, had it not been for the wickedness
and falsehood in tibia they were dictated, and which
obliged hint to bring the paragraph under' the considera-
tion of the House, as a gross breach of its privileges.—
The Hon. Member read the following passage from the
paper in question :
• The inquiry into the conduct of the Sheriff of Dublin
still oecuples the attention of the House of Commons ; and
each night increases in interest. The details are received,
we understand, with the moat intense anxiety in Ireland.
The case against Mr. Thorpe closed lett night; and those
who conducted his defence went into evidence for him. The
first risme called was that of Henry liandwich, the fellow,
we believe, who threw tae bottle, the most notorious Of the
Orange rioters. He, however, was modest enough not to
I Punter, or was not present ; end a Mr. Mansfield, of the
Town Clerks' Office, was substituted in his place. We can-
not well conceive a stronger case of partiality and corrup-
tioa than that now made out against the Sheriff. The deli.
berate packing of one Jury, and the intention to select an-
other of furious Orangemen, were deposed to out of his own
lips ; 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 and concil a-
tido. The conduct, the gross indecent conduct, of the Jury
this officer packed, was proved by several. witnesses ; that
they stifled and repressed' all evidence—interrupted the in-
dividuals who came into the Jury-room—and would hear
and receive nothing against the rioter Forbes. Ms.. Troy,
an Tuesday night, stated these facts positively. Mr. Car-
penter, an attorney, gave evidence to the same effect. He
spokelo the violent conduct of the Foremaneof the Jury, to
his frequent interruptions, and the difficulty he experienced
in giving his evidence. They were lest night corroborated
by Seri. Ilarris, and Ryan, an officer of the excise ;• both re-
presented the conduct of the Jury as that of inflamed parii-
, sans, and not impartial men upon their oaths. Harris stated,
that when giving his evidence he was interrupted by three
or four Jurors, starting up violently at a Vile, together, to
confuse and contradict hint. Ryan proved, that when giving
a description of the person who had thrown the watchman's
rattle at the Viceroy, and sweating positively to the in iivi-
dual, he was interrupted by the Foreman, who ass:rted. that
in a previous part of his examination, he expressed a doubt
as to the identity of the person, though the witness had all
through sworn to him most positively. There can be now
no doubt, from the evidence of William Poole and from that
of the other Dublin Sheriff, Mr. Cooper, who was examined
by Mr. Plunkett last night, that Poole was excluded Lie
Grand Jury from the foulest motive. Ha was an opponent
of a fellow of the name of Suttler, a low but violent Orange-
man in the Corporation, and therefore he was set aside.
Queen deur tuft perdere prier demented.' Mr. Sheriff
Thorpe is a perfect exemplification of this maxim ; he was
so swoln with authority and prejudice that he disguised none
of his intentions; he avowed all his plans, and is now con-
victed from his own lips. We have often said that there is
no act, however horrible or atrocious, of which the Orange
party are not capable; and the examination of Tuesday
night clearly shows it, and displays this execrable faction in
the darkest colours. They found that Mr. Wadden, a most
respectable tradesman of Dublin, a man hitherto uttimpetsch-
ed in character, though unfortunate in circumstances, was
giving overpowering evidence against them, and they in-
stantly entered into a conspiracy to try anti damn his repu-
tation, by the most abominable calumnies. lie was sub-
jected to an examination at their suggestion, which we can-
not now stain our pages by recording, and which with one
general feeling of indignation and disgust was subsequently
'rdered to be expunged from their minutes by the House.
flue!' of the tranquillity of Ireland will depend on this in-
quiry and its result; it is attended but by few Members In
the House, and the Foreign Secretary has deserted it alto-
gether ; but even if these few, acting in the name of the
Commons of England, wilt act with a det.rmination to tran-
quillize the country Oho object of this investigation), much
indeed may be dons. Withoutit, Marquess Wellesley can-
not remain is laptood, Mr. filmdom cannot exercise his pow-
ers with any ►ot safety, the Orangemen will run riot in
faction, and thssWblteboss in blood: and Irelnud will be
one dreadful scene of conflagration and murder."
The Hon. Member then referred to the Journals of
INS, to slew that a ino4ion had been made directiag
the Attorney-General, at Ito instance of the House, to
prosecute certain libels agai. Warren Hastings, writ-
ten pending the inquiry. . (Colonel Barry) by no
means wished the House to' t a similar course in the
present instance, thinking. therm altercation with printers
and persons of that description ought if possible to be
avoided. But he was persuaded that he should not ilis
charge his his duty, if he left unnoticed these malignant
comments, which were likely to prejudice the public mind
against the person whose conduct was the subject of the
regain, now pending. The newspaper was then given
In, and the Hon: Member then moved that the printer
be ordered to attend at the bar of the House to-morrow
(this day.)
Sir M. W. RIDLEY did not think that the language
complained of applied to the House, though it contained
insinuations against persons who were not parties to its
proceedings. He would put it to the Right lion. Member
whether he would not best consult the feelings of the
House by withdrawing the motion.
Colonel BARRY said he was willing to do so, if be
could obtain from the House a general opinion of the
gross injustice done to an individual by the remarks
which be had read. He certainly thought that, if
such comments were not noticed in that place, the
Press would be master of the House, and not the House
of the Press.
Mr. W. WYNN said that any person charged by the
House, was under its protection pending the inquiry. lie
therefore thought that the comments referred to came
within the cognizance of the House. But, at the same
time, lie was quite satisfied that the 'notice already taken
would be sufficient to prevent a repetition of the offence ;
and if not, it would be for the House to proceed at once,
and inflict punishment on the offending party.
Mr. A BERCROM BY said it would be much better if
Newspaper writers made no comments in the course of the
inquiry. He thought that the statement which had been
read was highly coloured ; but thee be would also ob.
kerve that never within his recollection, from the time he
first because a Member of that House, did he perceive so
many papers and pamphlets, all on the other side. If
the House should once enter into this contest, they
could not expect to be very speedily delivered from It.
Mr. PEEL concurred in the propriety of proceeding no
further with this subject. He was perfectly convinced
that the character of his Right Hon. Friend was proof
against all attacks that could he wade upon it by persons
who abused the liberty of the Press. One great advant-
age, however, resulting from the liberty of the Press, was
that its licentiousuesecarried its own shame and reproach
along with it. It was a natural consequence that no in-
jury could be done to character by the malignant excesses
of is contemptible Newspaper.
The motion was then withdrawn.
SHERIFF OF DUBLIN.
The House on the motion of Mr. J. WILLIAMS,went
into a Committee, and the proceedings in the above ease
:were resumed. •
Henry Handwich, sea. was then called in on.the motion
of Cul. WARR Y, who examined him.
He stated that he was no relation whatever to Sheriff
Thorpe, neither were his sons, by marriage or otherwise..
There wee, however, a reletionahip between another*.
branch of his family and Sheriff Thorpe.
HenryJos. Wade was the next witness called.
Mr. JON LS was proceeding to examine this witness,
as to whether a person named Hyatt had been examined.

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before the tirand Jury, when • - . - •
Mr. PLUNKET r rose and observed, that it was im-
possible the witnes4 court give any answer aii to what
had pass-d before the Grand Joey, finless the Committee
first decided that he might do so.. It was therefore e.
eessary, in the first instanCi ti
. to revert to the questaian
which had engaged the attecitioa of the-t:aminittee last
night. . . .
i Mr. WYNN had no dt,ubt that it was conspeteat td the
Haase -to call ea Juitikalo state what hay accarred br
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