§ Mr. Horatio Rossrose to present a Petition from the inhabitants of Arbroath, complaining of the delays that had taken place in the progress of the Reform Bill. This was a proof that the inhabitants of Scotland had not become lukewarm on the subject.
§ The Speakerinterposed, and stated his opinion, that, the petition could not be received, on the ground of irregularity, and its objectionable nature. He might take that opportunity to express a hope, that hon. Members would see the propriety of abstaining from giving publicity, by a side-wind, to petitions containing statements that were considered objectionable by the House.
§ The Petition withdrawn.
§ Mr. Crokerwished to take that opportunity of explaining a misunderstanding that had arisen, with reference to the letters of the 1st and 2nd of August, on which he made some observations last night. Both those letters appeared in the Gazette published at the Hague: that of the 1st of August was printed in the Morning Post of Thursday, and the letter dated the 2nd, appeared in the Standard of the preceding evening. He wished to state the sources from which his information had been derived. As every word that was spoken had been given to the public, it was desirable that this matter should be clearly stated, in order that private interests might not suffer.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, the Paper the right hon. Gentleman quoted with such praise had not only given every word he said, but had complimented him on his ingenuity.
Mr. O'Connellcomplained, that every word uttered in that House respecting Belgium was given to the public; but the case was different as regarded an important and integral part of the empire, which was not thought worthy of so much notice.