§ Thomas Jefferies was, according to order, brought to the bar, where he received a reprimand from Mr. Speaker, and was ordered to be discharged out of custody, paying his fees. The reprimand was as follows:
§ "Thomas Jefferies; A select committee of this House appointed to try and determine the merits of the last election for Wootton Bassett, have reported, that you being called as a witness before the committee were guilty of wilful prevarication; and for that offence you were committed by this House to the common gaol allotted for all such offenders.—In the committees established by law for these trials the most favourable attention and protection are bestowed upon all witnesses who come before them; and of that indulgence you, upon your examination, had abundant proof. Repeatedly admonished of the sacred obligation of your oath, and of the duty which you owed to God and your country, you persisted nevertheless in your criminal endeavours to defeat the justice of the cause then under trial. Such practices, however, were, and always will be, unavailing. The example of your punishment, which followed without delay, will operate, we trust, as a warning to all others who may be called upon to give testimony before these tribunals; and the notoriety of your case will, wherever you may have to present yourself during the remainder of your life, teach all men to know, that of such misconduct imprison- 765 ment and ignominy are the inevitable consequences—At length, however, you have been brought to a just sense of your crime; and in consideration of the penitence expressed in your petition, this House has ordered, that you be now discharged, and you are discharged accordingly, paying your fees."