text:  By every possible device by demurrers and inconsistent pleas delays were interposed; and though Mr O'Connell withdrew a former plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty to the counts to which he had at first demurred--though Mr Stanley in the House of Commons in reply to a question put by the Marquis of Chandos emphatically declared that it was impossible for the Irish government consistently with their dignity as a government to enter into any negotiation implying the remotest compromise with the defendants--and that it was the unalterable determination of the law-officers of Ireland to let the law take its course against Mr O'Connell--and that let him act as he pleased judgment would be passed against him--still in spite of this determination of the government so emphatically announced by the Irish Secretary the statute on which the proceedings were founded was actually suffered to expire without any previous steps having been taken against the state delinquents