PREFATORY NOTICE. THE Commission under which the Evidence was taken, of which a Digest is now printed, was issued in December, 1843, and was directed to five gentlemen well acquainted with Ireland. After visiting every part of the country, and taking much Evidence upon oath, they made their Report, which, together with an Appendix of documents, and three large volumes of Evidence, has been printed by order of Parliament. Although the Report is not in itself very long, yet, when the Appendix and Evidence are added, the whole together, occupying four or five large blue books, present a very formidable appearance; and it is apprehended that these documents have not received, and will not in their present shape receive, that degree of general attention which the importance of the subject might justly claim for them. I may, perhaps, individually be excused for re |