HC Deb 24 April 1809 vol 14 c174

Sir Charles Hamilton moved, that Daniel Butler, who had been committed to Newgate for a Breach of Privilege, in arresting him (sir C. Hamilton), should be brought to the bar to be discharged.—Daniel Butler was then called in, and the Speaker addressed him as follows:—

"Daniel Butler; You, an Officer of the Sheriff of Middlesex, having presumed to arrest a Member of this House, have been adjudged to be guilty of a high breach of the Privileges of this House, and for that offence have been committed to his majesty's gaol of Newgate.—Persons of your description, armed with the process of the law to restrain the civil liberty of the subject, are specially called upon to use the utmost lenity which may be consistent with the necessary and faithful discharge of their duty.—Warned however, in the present instance, of the mistake under which you were acting, you nevertheless, in defiance of that warning, persisted, and added insult to outrage. Such conduct might well have warranted a longer duration of your imprisonment. But this House, perceiving by your Petition that you are now brought to a just sense of your past misbehaviour, is content to accept this proof of your submission and repentance, and sends you forth an example at once of its justice and mercy.—It has ordered, therefore, that you be now discharged; and you are discharged accordingly; paying your fees."

Daniel Butler was immediately discharged; and the address of the Speaker was ordered to be entered on the Journals.