Lord Cochranerose to present a petition from, a gentleman who complained of being the object of much oppression and misrepresentation. If the petition contained allegations that were untrue, let them be controverted; if, on the contrary, they were true, let the individual have an opportunity of maintaining them. The noble lord then stated, that the petition which he held, was from Mr. Henry Hunt, who complained of a libel having being sent forth upon his character. He stated, that he could prove it to have been printed at the office of the police printer; to have been issued from a police office; to have been, when affixed to different walls of the metropolis, watched by officers of the police stationed for the purpose; and, lastly, that copies of the paper so placarded, were deposited at a police office, for the purpose of enabling the parties who detected others tearing down the bills to identify the torn part from the whole copy so deposited. He hoped, that if such facts were proved at the bar of that House, they would feel the necessity of addressing the Prince Regent, entreating that he would dismiss from the commission of the peace, a magistrate who would be found to have so violated his duty. He concluded by moving, that the petition be brought up.
§ Mr. Serjeant Bestfelt it right to object to the extraordinary course which was about to be taken on this occasion. Let the House reflect for u moment on the 211 situation in which it would be placed, by receiving this petition. It would stand in a situation to pronounce upon an inquiry, without having the power of ascertaining upon oath the truth or falsehood of the allegations at issue. The petitioner had quite mistaken his course. Some papers had been, it appeared, stuck up, reflecting upon his character, counterparts of which were found at a police office. They might have been there without the knowledge or privity of the magistrate; but if they were with his consent, then the remedy lay in a judicial proceeding against the magistrate in due course of law, where the whole evidence might be taken upon oath. The House would not surely convert itself into a court for taking cognizance in the outset of charges brought against inferior officers. He would, therefore, oppose this petition, as it prayed nothing which could not be put in a regular course of redress in the ordinary way of proceeding.
Sir F. Burdettbegged to observe, that the noble lord had stated the contents of the petition, and, in so doing, had satisfied all the forms contended for in the presentation of petitions.
§ The petition was brought up and read.
§ It was couched in the same words as the one presented to the House of Lords, and which will be found at p. 170. On the motion, that it do lie on the table,
Lord Castlereaghsaid, he should not oppose its being laid on the table, but he should certainly oppose any further proceedings on the allegations which it contained.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.