Commons Sitting of 30 May 1817

RESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER.
The House having met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. Dyson, the deputy clerk, read the following Letter from Mr. Speaker.
Palace-yard, May 30.
"Sir;—It is with the sincerest concern and regret, that I feel myself obliged to request that you will inform the House of Commons at their meeting this day, of my inability, from continued illness, to attend any longer upon their service.
"After holding the high office to which I have been raised by their favour in five successive parliaments, it is impossible that I should resign so honourable and distinguished a situation, without feeling the deepest gratitude for the constant kindness with which they have been pleased to accept and assist my humble endeavours to discharge its various and arduous duties.
"It was my earnest wish and hope to have continued longer in the service of the House, if such were their pleasure, but the interruption of public business which has been already occasioned by my state of health, and the apprehension of the same cause recurring, which might again expose the House to the like inconvenience, have made me deem it necessary that I should retire at this time, and have left me now no farther duty to perform than to return my heartfelt acknowledgements to the House for all the favours they have bestowed upon me, and to express my fervent wishes for the perpetual maintenance and preservation of its rights, its privileges, and its independence.—I am, Sir, always most truly yours,
"CHARLES ABBOT."
"To Jeremiah Dyson, Esq deputy, clerk of the House of Commons."
Lord Castlereaghsaid, that from the communication just read, the House, as well as himself, must feel the great loss which they had sustained by the resignation of their Speaker. On this subject he was sure there could be no difference of opinion, and he felt it to be quite unnecessary to dwell on the merits of the speaker, which were so long and so well known [Hear, hear!]. He would merely propose that the House adjourn till Monday next, when it was probable he should have a communication from the Prince Regent, marking the estimation in which the Speaker was held by that illustrious person; and when the House could proceed to the election of a new Speaker.—Adjourned till Monday.