§ LORD LYNDHURSTinquired of the noble and learned Lord Chief Justice of England whether his attention had been directed to a definition of the Law relating to Aliens laid down by one of the law officers of the Crown in another place?
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, that he was not aware, when he entered the House, that the question would be put to him by his noble and learned Friend; but, in answer to it, he had to say that his attention had been called to the statement of the law to which his noble and learned Friend had alluded, and it had at once astonished and distressed him. He must deem it a misapprehension—he would not say a misstatement—of the law of England, and it was of the last importance that it should be immediately corrected. If uncorrected, it would hold up this country to foreign nations in the most odious point of view, and would lead aliens living under allegiance to the Queen of this realm 1849 to suppose that they might with impunity commit crimes which would render British subjects amenable to the law. He found that what passed was reported to be as follows——
§ EARL GRANVILLEinterposed, and suggested, with great respect to the noble and learned Lord, that he was out of order.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, he would at once give way, as he had no desire to interfere with the communication which the Lord President was about to make to the House; but, at a subsequent part of the evening, he would renew the subject.