§ Mr. Cochrane Johnstonesaid, that understanding his Majesty's ministers were invited to participate in a turtle feast on Monday, as he was by no means desirous of disturbing their harmony, he begged leave to postpone his motion, which stood for that day, to Thursday.
Lord Castlereaghobserved, that nothing of the description to which the hon. gentleman had alluded could operate as an inducement with his Majesty's ministers to neglect their duty; and if the hon. gentleman was desirous of bringing forward his motion on Monday, they were most ready to meet him. The hon. gentleman was best able to appreciate the importance of the subject, and would act as his own judgment dictated.
§ Mr. Cochrane Johnstonehad no objection to bring forward the motion on Monday, but from feelings of courtesy, he was desirous of yielding to the accommodation of the noble lord and his friends.
§ The Solicitor General (Sir W. Garrow), said, that the postponement of the discussion would be a matter of accommodation on both sides, as the Army Estimates and other orders would be before the House, which were likely to occupy their attention for a considerable time.
§ Mr. Whitbreadremarked, that the hon. and learned gentleman had taken up this matter in much too grave a manner. It was well known that his Majesty's ministers were engaged to a dinner on Monday, and that being the fact, it was a proceeding of no novelty that the House should feel disposed to wave any claims on their attention, on such an occasion.
§ The Solicitor Generalwas prepared to admit that the courtesy intended was a course of no novelty; but when it went forth to the public, that his Majesty's ministers were neglecting their public duties to attend a turtle feast, he apprehended it became expedient that the circumstances should be put on a right footing.
§ Mr. Whitbreadsaid, that the hon. and learned gentleman had made this a magnificent trifle, and begged leave to congratulate his Majesty's ministers on having obtained so able an advocate.
§ Mr. Bathurstdeclared that his Majesty's ministers were engaged to dine with the Russia Company on Monday; but as far as he was concerned, he begged to state, that he had made no engagement of the sort. And he felt it his duty to decline the invitation upon the sole ground of business in that House requiring his attention.
§ Mr. Cochrane Johnstonefinally postponed his motion to Thursday.