The official announcements were made on Tuesday, in the Lords
by Lord Granville, and in the Commons by Mr. Glad- stone, who told the House that the Government, acting upon information and on its responsibility, but " without any nego- tiation, promise, or engagement whatever," had ordered the re- lease of the three Members then detained in Kilmainham. The Act for the Protection of Life and Property would be suffered to lapse, but the Government, as soon as the Rules of Procedure had been voted, would introduce measures " to strengthen the law and remove the difficulties in the way of the administration of justice." They would permit no other legislation to stand in the way of that. Mr. Gladstone deeply regretted to add that these decisions had entailed upon the Government" one lament- able consequence," the resignation of the Chief Secretary, Mr. Forster, who " declined to share their responsibility," and had resigned the high duties " which he had discharged with such universal diligence, such marked ability, and such un- failing patriotism." He concluded a short speech by promising an explanation from Mr. Forster, as soon as he had received her Majesty's permission to explain.
