Lord Teynhamregretted being obliged, under any circumstances, to take up a moment of their Lordships' time upon a matter relating personally to so insignificant a person, as himself, and the more especially when the object he had in view was his own defence; but as he felt that his allowing himself to be prevented by this regret from calling to their attention a breach of privilege, to which he had been subjected, he should not be doing his duty, either to his own honour or their Lordships' dignity, he had to trust, that he might stand ex- 1171 cused for doing so for a very few minutes. Upon the discussion of the other evening, with reference to the conduct of the Brighton Magistrates, a noble Viscount was made to appear in one of the morning papers as having made a most personal and derogatory attack upon him. He knew not whether the noble Viscount to whom he alluded was now in his place or not, nor did he care whether he was or not. [The Earl of Shaftesbury: Wait till he comes.] He should not. It was quite immaterial to him whether the noble Viscount was present or not. The noble Viscount, forgetful of many kindnesses done by him to his family, had made upon him, as it appeared in the report to which he alluded, a most unwarrantable, gross, and unfounded attack, and he would be failing in the duty he owed to their Lordships individually, as well as to the respect he entertained for their privileges, if he did not formally bring it under their notice. His complaint was a breach of the privileges of the House committed by the Morning Post newspaper. That paper, notorious alone for the falsehood of every statement it put forth, had published a version of the noble Viscount's speech upon the discussion of the other evening, not only totally different from what he believed the noble Viscount had said, but in every word varying from the reports which appeared in the other morning papers. He knew well—
The Earl of Shaftesburyrose to. He submitted that, in the absence of the noble Viscount to whom the noble Lord alluded, the present complaint ought not to be made.
The Marquis of Londonderryagain rose to order. The noble Viscount alluded to would, he had no doubt, be in his place presently, and he submitted it would be but decorous to wait for his presence.
Lord Teynhamwould wait the noble Viscount's appearance, on the understanding, that if he did not appear before the rising of the House he (Lord Teynham) should be at liberty to proceed with his complaint. [Shortly afterwards Viscount Strangford entered the House. The noble Lord then continued.] Seeing the noble Viscount in his place, he begged to proceed with the Motion on which he had been interrupted. As a preliminary step, he desired, with the permission of the House, to ask two questions of the noble Viscount. He wished, in the first place, to know if the 1172 noble Viscount meant to apply to him the observations which had appeared attached to his name in the Morning Post of yesterday, and which he understood had been supplied to that paper by the noble Viscount himself? He had understood the speech of the noble Viscount the other evening in a totally different sense from that conveyed by the report to which he alluded; and he begged, therefore, to ask, whether he was to take as the real sentiments of the noble Viscount his impression of his speech, or that which the report would convey? In other words, did the noble Viscount mean to apply the observations as they appeared in the Morning Post to him? [The noble Lord resumed his seat. A pause of a few minutes ensued.]
Lord Kenyanrose to order. The noble Lord was doing that which was most irregular. Whatever the observations of the noble Viscount might have been, they were made in the presence of the noble Lord: had they been in any degree personal or insulting to the noble Lord's feelings, they should have been at once noticed by him. Certainly a more irregular question could not be put than that of asking a noble Lord to state whether a certain report, which appeared in a newspaper, was true or false. If their Lordships were desirous of preserving the order of their proceedings, they should not sanction the continuance of the present discussion.
Lord Teynhamthought that when the character of a Member of that House was most grossly and wantonly attacked, the utmost latitude should be given in the interpretation of its orders. When the noble Viscount spoke the other evening, he (Lord Teynham) either did not perfectly hear him, or totally misunderstood the nature of his remarks. He thought it was due to him (Lord Teynham) as to their Lordships that he should be permitted to -put his question and that the noble Viscount should be called upon to answer it, [The noble Lord again resumed his seat.]
Lord Ellenboroughobserved, that the noble Lord's proceeding was quite out of order. It was specifically stated in the regulations of the House, that no noble Lord should require any explanation from another 1173 except for words spoken in debate; and that even in such case the explanation should be required on the moment.
Lord Teynhamwould have demanded an explanation upon the moment, but that he did not understand the observations of the noble Viscount. They were, in the first place, too diplomatic for his comprehension; and, in the second, he could not have thought that an attack upon his character would have proceeded from such a source.
The Marquess of Salisburyrose to order. Some stop should at once be put to the irregular discussion which had arisen.
Lord Teynham, notwithstanding the call to order, would persevere in putting the question. Once more he asked of the noble Viscount, if the uncalled-for, false, and scandalous speech—["Order, order."]
§ Viscount Melbournerose.—It was obvious to all, that unless some degree of order was preserved, and some attention paid to the rules of debate, it would be quite impossible for the House to proceed in the discharge of the public duties allotted to it. There could be no question but that the noble Lord was perfectly irregular in referring to observations made during a former debate. The very object of the regulation which had been alluded to was, the prevention of such irregular discussions as that which had been commenced. He, therefore, hoped the noble Lord would see the propriety of withdrawing his question.
Lord TeynhamAfter the speech of the noble Viscount, he begged to say he felt completely satisfied, and should not trouble the House any further. He regretted that so unworthy a Member of the House as himself should have taken up even so much of their Lordships time upon the matter.
§ The matter dropped.