§ Lord Morpethpresented several Petitions from Halifax, Wakefield, and other places in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in favour of Retrenchment and Reform. He stated the prayer of these petitions generally, because they had been agreed to before the announcement of the great measure of Reform brought forward by his Majesty's Ministers.
§ Colonel Sibthorpavailed himself of that opportunity to correct some gross and unwarrantable misrepresentations which had appeared in the public press respecting his sentiments and his conduct. He was represented, to have said, that he would give his most strenuous opposition to the second reading of the Reform Bill. He had said no such thing. He had said, that he would not oppose this Bill in its first stage, because he thought that the country ought to have an opportunity of making itself acquainted with the details of it. He had likewise said, that though friendly to Reform, he would not pledge himself at that moment to support the details of the Bill. In another paper it had been stated, that he was the nominee of Lord Monson for the city of Lincoln. This was a gross falsehood. He was an independent Member, freely elected by the people, and he was not, nor would he condescend to be, the nominee of any man. It had likewise been said, that his constituents, being 1,300 in number, were all open to the highest bidder. This was the most gross and unwarrantable falsehood of all. His constituents were as honest and independent a body as any constituency in the whole country.