§ Mr. Stricklandsaid, he had to present a Petition from a person of the name of Smithson, a resident of the town of Leeds. The petitioner stated, that he was a poor man, who got his livelihood by his industry, and he complained of a speech which he had seen in the newspapers attributed to the hon. member for Preston, in which that hon. Member had represented him (the petitioner) as having been guilty, some time ago, of the atrocious offence of roasting the Bible. The petitioner was aware that he could not complain of what took place in that House, and he, therefore, merely meant to complain of what had been published as a part of its proceedings in the public prints.
§ The Speaker,interrupting the hon. Member, said, that he must be aware a petition complaining of any thing that had passed 1276 in that House, and the publication of which was a breach of privilege, could not be received. He must be aware that if the petitioner had to complain of the publication of any libel out of the House, that was not the place to come for redress, but that there were other tribunals open to him for the purpose.
§ Mr. Stricklandsaid, he would withdraw the petition if—
§ The Speaker:It cannot be presented.
§ Mr. Strickland:I have only to say, that the information which I have received positively contradicts the statement of the hon. member for Preston.