§ The House having assembled about three o'clock, the yeoman usher of the black rod appeared at the table to desire their attendance in the house of peers, with their speaker elect, to present him for his majes- 576 ty's approbation.—The commons accordingly, with the Speaker at their head, immediately attended. On his return,
§ The Speakeraddressed the house as follows:—I have to acquaint the house, that I have been in the house of lords, where his majesty, by his royal commission, has been graciously pleased to approve and confirm the choice of this house, in the election they have made of me, to be their Speaker; and that I there laid claim, by humble petition to his majesty, for all our ancient and undoubted rights, in regard to the privileges of this house; and more especially, safety from arrest and all molestation for the members of this house, and their servants; freedom of speech in debate; and that all our proceedings may receive the most favourable construction. His majesty has been pleased to concur in granting to this house the whole of these privileges, as fully, and in as ample a manner, as ever was done by any of his royal predecessors. And now, gentlemen, placed in this chair, by the favour of the house, for the fourth time, I have to repeat my humble and heartfelt acknowledgements to you for the highest honour that any of its members can possibly receive. In my endeavours to execute this trust, I must entreat the continual assistance of the house in support of its own honour and authority, and for maintaining order in its proceedings; assuring you, at the same time, that it is my determination to act, in all matters of business, with the strictest impartiality, and the utmost regularity and dispatch. I have only now to remind the house, that the first thing to be done, upon the present occasien, is, for the members to take the necessary and usual oaths of supremacy, abjuration, and qualification, as by law required.—The house was accordingly so occupied during the remainder of the sitting.