§ Mr. Wasonpresented a petition from John Pilgrim, stating, that Mr. Keith was a necessary witness in his trial which was about to take place at Norwich and praying the House to permit Thomas Moore Keith to proceed to Norwich in custody of the Sergeant-at-arms, or of the gaoler of Newgate, on the 1st day of August for the purpose of giving evidence on the trial.
§ On the question that the petition do lie upon the Table,
§ Lord Stormontsaid, that his recommendation to the parties would be to drop the prosecution against Pilgrim altogether, if this course were to be pursued; for if Mr. Keith went down to give his evidence in any but the ordinary manner, the effect of his doing so must be to prejudge the case.
§ Mr. Hawessaw no necessity for his being sent down at all. The charge against Pilgrim was one of embezzlement against the firm, and any one of the partners could prove it.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersuggested, that as the subject would be brought forward again to-morrow, the discussion had better be allowed to terminate at once.
§ Petition to lie upon the Table.