§ Shortly after the Speaker had taken the chair,
§ Mr. Humerose to submit the motion of which he had given notice yesterday. He began by saying, that we were now within eight days of the coronation, and as yet it was not known in what situation her majesty was to be placed, with regard to that ceremony. Surely ministers would not renew the agitation of the public mind by the exclusion of her majesty; for he 1516 thought that nothing could so effectually quiet it as the participation by the Queen in the august ceremony which was about to take place. It was not without deep regret, though certainly without surprise, that he had heard of the decision of the privy council respecting her majesty's claim to be crowned. That claim, he thought, had been clearly established by her majesty's counsel; but it appeared that the privy council were of a different opinion, and they had so decided. He did not mean to impugn this decision, but his own opinion was, that her majesty had as good a right to be crowned as the king. The House, from respect to the royal family, were called upon to prevent, if possible, her majesty from being insulted and degraded. She was now placed in a situation in which no queen-consort of this country had ever been placed before. She was the cousin, as well as the wife, of the sovereign; and she was, independently of her character as Queen, a member of the house of Brunswick. So anxious was he for the preservation of the public peace, that he would willingly wave all question of her majesty's right to be crowned, and receive it as a matter of grace and favour of the king. If his majesty should be advised to grant this, he was satisfied that it would be received with joy and gratitude throughout the country. The hon. Member concluded by moving, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, praying that he will be graciously pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the coronation of her Majesty; thereby consulting the true dignity of the Crown, the tranquility of the metropolis, and the general expectations of the people."
The hon. member had but just commenced the reading of his resolution, when the Deputy Usher of the black rod was heard knocking at the door, and as he was concluding it, he was called to order by the Speaker, who reminded him of the presence of that officer. Mr. Hume immediately took his seat, and the deputy usher informed the House, that his majesty's commissioners for giving the royal assent to several bills, and slso for the prorogation of this parliament, attended in the House of Peers, whither the attendance of the Speaker was required. The Speaker, accompanied by most of the members present, immediately repaired to the House of Peers.