HC Deb 25 February 1812 vol 21 cc933-4
Mr. Bankes

rose, pursuant to notice, to move for certain Papers relating to a Member of that House, which were necessary for him to ground the case on, which it was his intention to bring forward, and that complaint which he meant to prefer In the first place he would move for "A Copy of the Record of the Conviction of Mr. Benjamin Walsh, at the Old Bailey, for Felony." He would then move an humble Address to the Prince Regent, praying that he would be graciously pleased to cause "A Copy of the Pardon which had been granted to Mr. Walsh, together with a copy of the Judges' Letter, in consequence of which the pardon was granted, to be laid before that House." Here he thought it became him to say, that the Pardon granted could not have been granted to Mr. Walsh, but as it might have been granted to any other individual. Whether Mr. Walsh had been the highest or the lowest person in the state, whether he had been a member of that House, or one of the meanest individuals out of doors, he could only have been exempted from punishment by a free pardon. The next paper he should call for was, the Letter from Mr. Walsh to his brother, dated Dec. 5, 1811, and produced at the Old Bailey on his trial, in which he confessed the offence with which he had been charged. He should also move, "That Mr. Jenkyns' the solicitor for the trial, be required to attend the House with the Letter which he had just mentioned." In addition to motions for those papers, the only proposition which be should at present submit to the House was, "That Mr. Walsh do attend this House in his place on Thursday next." The several Motions were agreed to. The Papers ordered to be produced are as follow:

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