Lord Morpethsaid, he had a petition to present to the House from Mr. Bedingfield, a gentleman of an ancient and respectable family, but who rested his claim to their attention on merits exclusively his own. It would be in the recollection of the House, that, in 1795, there was considerable discontent and dissatisfaction in the country. On October the 31st, in that year, his majesty, on his way to parliament, was treated in a manner which no one could reflect on without regret. He referred to the proclamation which was issued at the time for a description of the conduct of the mob, which was described to be in open violation of the laws, and to the imminent danger of the king's person. The outrages did not end here, for, after his majesty had returned to St. James's, and was proceeding from thence to Buckingham house, in his private carriage, he was again assailed by the mob. The king was assailed with opprobrious language; and the populace, armed with bludgeons, were about to force open the door of the carriage, when they were prevented by the timely interference of Mr. Bedingfield, who drove the crowd from the door of the carriage, and prevented them from approaching it till a detachment of the Guards arrived, who rescued his majesty, and conveyed him to Buckingham-house. This service was acknowledged by his majesty at the time in a few words, but in an emphatic manner at the next levee, where, speaking of this gentleman, he said, "He came just in time." If this gentleman had been possessed of an ample fortune, these words would have been a sufficient reward; but as he was in different circumstances, it was not to be 1439 wondered at, that he should desire a more ample remuneration. He was concerned to state, that the petitioner had applied in more than one instance, and to more than one quarter, but without success; for, among the names which graced or encumbered the pension list, there surely was not to be found one which had a clearer claim on the government. The petitioner asked for no distinct pecuniary reward (for to that the consent of the Crown would be necessary, which had been refused), but he submitted his case to the liberality of parliament, hoping at least the petition would be allowed to remain on the Journals, a memorial of a service which was rendered at least with promptitude, resolution, and zeal.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerthought it strange, that, after a lapse of 24 years, the petitioner should deem it necessary to throw himself on parliament. He knew nothing of the facts of the case; but he could not conceive that the ministers of that day would have neglected their duty by not inquiring into the merits of the petitioner.
§ Mr. Serjeant Onslowsaid, that the length of time which had elapsed should be no bar to the claim of the petitioner, whose meritorious conduct had been universally acknowledged in 1795.
§ Mr. Barhamsaid, that if the time which had elapsed was the only obstacle in the way of the petition, the House might recollect that the other night they had voted 6,000l. to general Boyd for a service performed at a period more distant than 1795.
Mr. C. Herveysaid, he had known the petitioner for a number of years, and was sure that he was incapable of stating as fact that which he did not believe to be true.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.