§ Order for the attendance of Mr. E. J. Reed read,—And the House being informed that Mr. Reed attended accordingly, he was called in; and, having acknowledged that he had addressed the Letter complained of to Sir Frederic Smith, a Member of this House, Mr. Speaker acquainted him that his Letter had been adjudged to he a breach of the privileges of this House, and asked if he had any explanations to offer in respect of that Letter.
MR. REEDSir, I was not aware that I was committing a breach of the privileges of this House when I wrote that letter, or I certainly should never have written it. Finding now that I have committed an offence, I beg to tender to the House the most ample apology that I can offer, and I beg the pardon of the House for having offended against its rules. To the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham I beg to tender a double apology—in the first place, for having written any letter at all to him concerning remarks made by him in this House; and, secondly, for having employed in the letter I did write phrases, I confess, of great impropriety. I am quite 878 confident now that I wrote that letter under great irritation; that the hon. and gallant Gentleman was entirely misunderstood by me on Monday evening, and that he did not intend to do me any injustice. I hope, Sir, that this apology will be deemed satisfactory by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and the more so as I have a very deep sense of the estimation in which the hon. and gallant Gentleman is held by the public, by this House, and by his honourable profession.
§ Then he was directed to withdraw.
SIR FEDERIC SMITHIt was in the performance of a public duty that I brought this question before the House. I am gratified that the House has shown by its vote that it is satisfied that I have so acted. I think that the course I have taken was a proper one in all respects; and there is no better proof of this than the satisfactory apology—most satisfactory to my mind—which has just been made by Mr. Reed. I hope the apology made by Mr. Reed will be as satisfactory to this House as it is to myself. I think that I have vindicated the honour and dignity of the House in the course which I have taken. As a humble Member, of this House, and little acquainted as I am with its forms, I trust I have done that which my hon. Friends here will approve. And, Sir, being satisfied as I am with the apology which Mr. Reed has made, with its manner, tone, and expression, I should not think I had performed my duty to this House, to my own feelings, and to Mr. Reed if I did not express a hope that the House will consent to Mr. Reed's being discharged from further attendance. I therefore beg, with the permission of the House, to move—
That Mr. Reed, having duly apologised to the satisfaction of this House, be now excused from further attendance here.
§ MR. ARTHUR MILLSseconded the Motion.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Resolved, That Mr. Reed, having fully apologized to the satisfaction of this House, be now excused from further attendance on this House.