§ Major Beauclerk, in calling the attention of the House to the petition from Ludlow, presented on Friday last, and to the counter petition from Mr. L. Charlton, presented on Monday, said, that the petitioner was extremely desirous to be allowed to attend the Committee of Privileges, and to explain his conduct, and vindicate his character.
Mr. Blackburnesaid, that on a former occasion, when he presented a petition, reflecting on the conduct of an hon. Member, who was not present, and that under circumstances which rendered it probable that he might be absent for some time, an hon. Member had commented on the ex- 566 treme indelicacy of his conduct in so doing. The delicacy of the matter appeared, however, to be all on one side, for last night an hon. Member presented a petition reflecting on his (Mr. Blackburne's) conduct whilst he was absent from the House. He had been charged with great indelicacy, but the only thing he did was, to present a petition from the mayor, aldermen, and common council of Ludlow, complaining of what had been imputed to them by the hon. Member (Mr. L. Charlton). The petition was ordered to be printed, and nothing more was done. Everybody at first appeared anxious for inquiry, but when the hour arrived, it appeared there was to be no inquiry at all. When he first brought forward the petition, various allegations were submitted to the consideration of the House, but now, not one word respecting them was said.
§ Major Beauclerksaid, a petition had been put into his hand, merely denying the allegations made against his hon. Friend's character, and he had presented it to the House; but the truth was, he had been so hurried, that he had not read the petitions either on the one side or the other. He, therefore, hoped he stood acquitted of anything like indelicacy imputed to him by the hon. Gentleman. He had only to add, that as to inquiry, he believed his hon. Friend was most anxious for an inquiry, and hoped to be able to convince the House, that he was not capable of doing anything inconsistent with his duty.
§ The Speakersaid, there was no question before the House.
Lord Clivesaid, he had no wish to enter into the subject now, but he trusted that no part of the charge brought against the character of his hon. Friend would be left unexplained; and if the House would consider it necessary to institute an inquiry, his hon. Friend would be able to prove, that he had only acted in conformity with the opinions of Mr. Sergeant Merewether.
§ Subject dropped.