The Earl of Winchilsea,said, he felt confident that 1110 their Lordships were most zealous to support the high character which they had hitherto maintained. He could not find language to express the deep indignation which he felt at the slur cast on their Lordships' House by the report of a trial which he had seen in the newspapers—
The Lord Chancellorbegged pardon for interposing to prevent the statement which the noble Earl was about to make, evidently under feelings of the most natural and praiseworthy nature, and in which he himself, with the House generally, perhaps, was inclined to concur. But he prayed the noble Earl to remember, that the noble Lord who was a party in this case stood at present in a peculiar situation. He was not yet properly convicted. A verdict had passed, it was true, but it remained suspended as to its operation. It might never have any, or it might be moved to be set aside. Until the four first days of Term had elapsed, it was quite impossible to tell whether the noble Lord would be convicted or not. Had he known the intention of the noble Earl, he would have taken the opportunity of asking for a few minutes' private conversation on the subject, for the sake of making to him that communication. The noble Person in question must in fact be considered as still on his trial.
The Earl of Winchilseabowed with submission to the noble Lord. He certainly felt strongly upon the subject.
The Duke of Cumberlandfelt excessively happy at the explanation which had taken place. He certainly entered the House under a belief that the noble Lord had been convicted.
§ The Earl of Eldonsaid, that until the Court of King's Bench had either refused or granted the trial, the ease was still in a course of adjudication; therefore, at present, their Lordships were scarcely in a situation to form any judgment.*