§ MR. BRIGHTsaid, he understood that in the course of the evening a Committee had been nominated, in pursuance of the Resolution adopted by the House last night, in the matter of the petition charging Earl Fitzwilliam with having interfered in various elections for Peterborough. It would be in the recollection of the House that, when he moved for the appointment of a Committee, he endeavoured to follow in all particulars, except in having reduced the number by two, the precedent of the Stamford case. He stated that his object in moving that the number of the Committee should be seven, was, that the General Committee of Selection might appoint five; that he should be chosen as another; and that some other Member of the House should be selected to watch the case for Earl Fitzwilliam. He understood that the House acceded to that view. He now found, however, that the General Committee had nominated seven members, and that he was not one of them, though there might, for anything he knew, be one of the friends of Earl Fitzwilliam upon the Committee. He was not aware that any of the Gentlemen who had been placed upon the Committee knew anything of the case; and if they did not, it would be necessary to have counsel, who were not the best parties to bring out the truth in such an inquiry, He should be very glad, personally, to be excused from serving upon the Committee; but having moved for its appointment upon the understanding that he should be chosen 657 one of its members, he did think that the course which had been taken by the General Committee of Selection was not that which the House intended, or which would best promote the ends of justice. He was not at the present moment certain what step to adopt with the view of reverting to the intention of the House; but he should consider, between that and Monday, what course he ought to pursue in the matter, and should then state his determination with regard to it.