§ Mr. Edenmade a complaint against a person of the name of Hindson, an officer of the sheriff of Surrey, for having arrested a person of the name of Campbell, who was on his way to be examined before a Committee of that House. The hon. member stated, that he was chairman of the committee appointed to enquire into the state and condition of the transports. It being necessary to examine Mr. Campbell, he on Friday issued his precept, requiring his attendance, and that person was in obedience to that precept, on his way to the committee room, when he was arrested by Hindson, Campbell shewed the officer the precept, but the latter disregarded the order and carried him to a place of confinement, where he now remained. In such case, the hon. member observed, he should follow the practice which was adopted on similar occasions, and which was also recognised by the judges of the courts below, who always protected witnesses in going and coming to their courts, and move," That Richard Hindson, officer of the sheriff of Surrey, and Mr. Campbell, do attend this House tomorrow. "—On the question being put,
Mr. Lockhartapprehended that there was no necessity to order the attendance of Mr. Campbell, as the mere statement of the matter of privilege to the House, would be sufficient to induce the officer to discharge him out of custody; therefore all that was necessary to be done was, to order the officer to attend to answer the complaint.
§ The Speakerobserved, that the course of proceeding was so clear, that it was unnecessary for him to interpose his opinion before putting the question. The course proposed by the hon. mover was the ordinary parliamentary course, namely, to require the attendance of the two parties before the House—the one to stale the cause and manner of his arrest, and the other lo give such answer to the charge as 111 might to him seem proper for having committed an extraordinary insult and outrage on the privilege of parliament.
§ The Order for the attendance of Hindison and Mr. Campbell was then made out.