§ MR. AGLIONBYwished to call the attention of the House to a petition which had been put into his hands from Henry Edwards, who had been committed to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms under Mr. Speaker's warrant. The petitioner stated that he was now in custody; that he had never, to his knowledge, committed a Breach of the Privileges of that House; and submitted that he ought not to be condemned unheard, nor punished by imprisonment, without having an opportunity of making his defence. He further stated 1227 that he was ready to go before the Committee and answer every question they might desire; and prayed that he might be set at liberty on undertaking to obey the directions of the House. He begged to move that the petition of Henry Edwards he printed with the Votes, and taken into consideration to-morrow.
§ MR. AGLIONBYreplied that he had done so.
MR. EDWARD ELLICEsaid, he could have no possible objection to the Motion, but he could throw no more light on the subject than he did yesterday, unless the House should order the shorthand writer's notes to be printed. This person, Henry Edwards, was committed by the House, not as an absent witness, but for having concealed others, and by corruption. It was on that ground this man had been declared guilty of a Breach of Privilege, and that he was committed to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms. It was the unanimous opinion of the Committee that he should be committed, and he was quite sure the Committee would be unanimously of opinion that he should not be discharged.
§ SIR R. H. INGLISwished to know if the matter was to come on at twelve tomorrow?
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, the Motion was not that it come on at twelve to-morrow, but that it come on to-morrow.
§ Sir R. H. INGLISsaid, then, as there were several other matters which would take up a great deal of time, this would not come on at all.
§ MR. AGLIONBYmust appeal to the right hon. the Speaker, whether this man, being in custody, and asking for his discharge on certain allegations, was not entitled to be heard?
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, he was not entitled.
§ MR. AGLIONBYsaid, he should move that the petition be considered to-morrow. A member of the man's family had felt it very much—his wife.
§ MR. GOULBURNsaid, it would be a bad precedent to accede to a petition on the ground of family circumstances.
§ Motion agreed to.
MR. EDWARD ELLICEinformed the House, that the Agent for the petitioners having been examined before the Committee, has declared that the evidence of 1228 James Skegg and Thomas Burchmore is most material for the purpose of substantiating distinct acts of bribery against the Agent for the sitting Member, and that notwithstanding warrants have been issued, and the utmost exertions have been used to serve such warrants upon the said James Skegg and Thomas Burchmore, and to procure their attendance before the Committee, all such attempts have hitherto failed in securing that object. Under these circumstances he should move that James Skegg and Thomas Burchmore, having absconded from the service of a warrant, have been guilty of a Breach of Privilege.
§ MR. HENLEYsaid, the hon. Gentleman said the Agent stated that the evidence of these witnesses was necessary; he did not say that the Agent stated upon his oath that he had any knowledge these parties had absconded.
MR. EDWARD ELLICEsaid, the depositions of these people were taken upon oath, and the Agent swore that their evidence was necessary to substantiate distinct acts of bribery; that after haying made those depositions, warrants were issued against them, which were sent to their homes and their places of occupation; but they were absent, and had not hitherto returned to them. Advertisements had been inserted in the newspapers offering a reward, the police had been put on their track; but notwithstanding all these steps, they were not to be found. He contended, therefore, that they were wilfully absent, and under these circumstances he made this Motion.
§
Resolved—
That James Skegg and Thomas Burchmore, having absconded in order to avoid being served with Mr. Speaker's warrant, have been guilty of a breach of the Privileges of this House.
§
Ordered—
That James Skegg and Thomas Burchmore, having committed a breach of the Privileges of this House, be committed for their said offence to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms attending this House, and that Mr. Speaker do issue his warrants accordingly.