HC Deb 18 May 1808 vol 11 cc403-4
Mr. Leycester

, adverting to the statement made on a recent evening by an hon. baronet (sir Francis Burdett) when he was not present, hoped the house would allow him to make some observations upon that statement. He trusted that they would the more readily agree to this, when they considered how much the character of the noble lord and of the country at large was implicated in that statement. He understood that the hon. baronet had been advised by the chair to postpone any further agitation of the subject, until the judgment of which he complained should be followed up by some legal proceeding. He was disposed to think that the house would hear no more of this business from the hon. baronet, in which case the imputations that had been cast on the conduct of the noble chief justice of the King's-bench, would remain unanswered, and——

Mr. W. Smith

spoke to order. Unless the hon. gent. meant to conclude with some motion, his observations were very irregular.

Mr. Leycester

was not prepared to make any motion; but as the hon. baronet had made his statement, he trusted they would allow him to make a counter statement, under the same circumstances. He was proceeding, when he was again called to order by

Mr. W. Smith

, who observed, that unless the hon. gent, would move for some paper, such observations could only lead to disorderly discussion.

Mr. Leycester

then stated, that he would conclude by moving for the production of an order of the court of king's bench, for the discharge of a rule moved for in that court for a new trial in the action brought by the high bailiff of Westminster against sir Francis Burdett.—On the suggestion of the Speaker, however, who intimated that it was usual to give a formal notice of such a motion, Mr. Leycester abstained from any further remarks, and gave notice, that he would move for the production of this paper to-morrow.