IRELAND.
The Court of Exchequer on Monday made absolute the rule against Major Miller, Inspector-General of Police, and Chief Con- stable of Malone, for not assisting in the process of the Court; but it was understood that the attachments were not to issue, as the de- fendants acted under the direct orders of Government. The Attorney- General and Solicitor- General appeared in behalf of Miller and :Malone. The Morning Register gives an account of Exchequer prac- tice in Ireland ; which, with the remarks appended to the extract by the Courier, will show the real nature of this proceeding, and throw light upon the motives of those who were parties to the prosecution of the Police-officers.
" In order that the defendant may have sufficient time to prepare for his defence, a certain period is allowed between the issuing and the return of each process, as follows-1st, Subprena ; 2d, Attachment ; 3d, Alias Attachment ; 4th, Plunks Attachment ; 5th, Proclamation of Rebellion ; 6th, Commission of Rebellion ; 7th, Serjeant at Arms ; 8th and lastly, Sequestration. These various processes, however, are merely the necessary steps to entitle a plaintiff to a decree ;:and the Court, therefore, dispenses with the service of each of them, except the first." " It is the proclamation (adds the Courier). or writ of rebellion, which the Police power proclamation
been called or. to enforce, and for not enforcing which, con-
trary to the regulations of the Executive for many years, the rule for the attach- ment has been made absolute. The mere inspection of the series, which is closed by sequestration, whereas rebellion is punished with death, must satisfy every man that these writs are mere technicalities—some of those despicable fictions which yet over-ri.le all common sense in the administration of the law ; and it is to give effect to these that time Barons of the Exchequer in Ireland— each of them, too, defending his views in a three hours' oration—has committed the Court to a contest with the Executive Government, backed, if needs be, by the great majority of the Irish Nation. Never, in the whole history of the world, did the admiuistrators of the law take such sure and certain means of bringing it and themselves into contempt."
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