HC Deb 05 March 1807 vol 9 c2

A considerable crowd assembled this evening, in the avenues leading to the gallery, in expectation of hearing the discussion and further examination of witnesses on the Westminster election petition; but owing to a ballot and a call of the house taking place, the doors Were not opened till half past six. On the admission of strangers into the gallery, we found the house engaged in a conversation relative to some irregularities that had been committed, or accident occasioned by persons forcibly entering through the body of the house, by which some members were likely to be injured. Mr. Yorke declared that in case of any repetition of suck a proceeding, he should think it his duty to enforce the standing order for the exclusion of strangers. Mr. Fellowes complained in strong terms of the crowd in the lobby, through which he had passed with much difficulty, and at the risk of having his arm broken. Mr. Barham observed, that he had seen a number of strangers force their way in spite of the resistance made by the officers of the house. The Speaker declared it to be the duty of the serjeant when he found that the avenues to the house were crowded with strangers, to provide proper persons to clear them, and to maintain order.—Mr. White appeared at the bar, with the reduced list of the committee, ballotted to take into consideration the petition complaining of an undue return for the borough of Guildford. The following are the names .of the said committee: sir J. Callander, H. Everett, esq., H. Brownlow, esq., R. Dawson, esq., H. Peirse esq., T. Thistlethwaite, esq., W. Mellish, esq., lord Lovaine, W. Loftus, esq., A. Henderson, esq., lord Paget, W. J. Denison, esq., C. Vereker, esq., Nominees, hon. A. Wellesley, H. C. Combe, esq.—On the motion of lord Howick, there were ordered to be laid before the house, accounts sheaving the time of service in his majesty's navy, of Thomas Weatherhead and William Drake; also, accounts shewing the pensions paid to W. Drake from the chest at Greenwich; the occasions on which the said pensions were granted, &.—On the motion of lord Howick, the house was ordered to be called over on Tuesday, when the noble lord declared, that unless a sufficient excuse should be made by the defaulters, he should move, that the course of proceeding adopted in 1793, of taking them into custody, should be enforced.