nd imprisonment
complained of. I am further of opinion that, even supposing the House to
possess such authority, still the informality of the proceedings in the
present case has been such as to vitiate them _ab initio_, and to render
null and void everything that has been done under the colour of such
authority."

Mr. Anstey further maintained that the Speaker's Warrant, under which
Smith O'Brien was arrested, was informal and invalid, that the House had
no general authority of commitment for non-attendance on "calls"--that
such authority for not attending _select_ committees was never claimed
until the previous session; that "the Committee to which Railway Group
No. 11 had been referred" was unduly appointed under the Standing
Orders, and that Mr. O'Brien had his right of action against the Speaker
and the Sergeant-at-Arms.

* * * * *

(NOTE C.)--TREASURY MINUTE, _dated August 31st, 1846_.

My Lords have before them the Act 10 Vict., cap. 107,--"To facilitate
the employment of the labouring poor for a limited period in distressed
districts in Ireland," and proceed to consider the revised instructions
which the provisions of this Act and the experience which has been
acquired from the operations for the relief of the people suffering from
the failure of the potato crop in Ireland, since the month of November
last, render it desirable should be issued to the Board of Works, and to
Commissary-General Sir R. Routh, who is in charge of the duties lately
executed by the Relief Commission.

"No authority can, from the present date, be given for the execution of
any new works under the 9th Vict., cap. 1; and such works as may
hereafter be required for the relief of distress must be presented and
sanctioned according to the provisions of the 10th Vict., cap. 107."

The Board of Works were instructed by the Treasury Minute, dated the
21st ultimo, to bring to an early close all the works under the 9th
Vict., cap. 2, which were not required for the relief of urgent
distress; and the Board were informed, that if the parties interested
desired that works so discontinued should afterwards be recommenced and
completed, it was open to them to take the usual steps to provide for
that object, either by obtaining loans secured by grand jury
presentment, or by other means.

Their Lordships desire that the Board of Works will report to what
extent works have been discontinued under these instruct