§ Lord John Russellrose for the purpose of moving that this House should, at its rising, adjourn till Monday, the 27th of May, and should the Speaker, to the great regret of the House, persist in his resolution of not resuming the Chair after the holidays, he should on that day communicate to the House the pleasure of the Crown on that subject; and in order that the House might immediately proceed to the election of a Speaker, he should move that they meet on that day at half-past three. There was only one other subject on which he should address the House—that was with regard to the subject of Jamaica; he should not at present state what course the Ministers of the Crown were prepared to pursue. But he wished to state, that on Thursday, the 30th of May, either his right hon. Friend, the under Secretary for the Colonies, or himself, would bring forward a motion on the affairs of Jamaica; and until that motion had been taken into consideration, he should not propose any further proceedings upon the bill then before the House.
§ The Speakerthen rose, and said: As this is the last occasion on which I shall have the honour of presiding over the deliberations of this House, I cannot retire without expressing my most grateful acknowledgments for the kindness and support which have been so generally afforded to me, and which have sustained me in the discharge of my duties.
It was natural that the circumstances under which I was first placed in the Chair should create in my own mind a feeling of embarrassment, and weaken my confidence in my efforts. I most gratefully and unreservedly declare that I have throughout received as prompt and cordial support from those who opposed, as from those who supported my election, This circum- 1025 stance gives me the greatest pleasure, because it convinces me that the desire to uphold the authority which is necessary for enforcing propriety and regularity in the proceedings of the House is the first and strongest feeling among its Members. I am very sensible of my own imperfections, and I claim no other merit than that of having been influenced by an earnest and sincere desire to discharge my duty in all departments of the business of the House, and towards all persons, with courtesy, firmness, and impartiality.
I shall always retain the strongest feeling of gratitude for the favourable construction which has been put on all my acts, and my last wish will be, that this House may be so guided and governed in all its proceedings and conduct, as to ensure the honour, the security, and the happiness of the people whose destinies are confided to its care.