HC Deb 23 February 1838 vol 41 cc59-61
Viscount Maidstone

said: Seeing the hon. and learned Member for Dublin in his place, I wish to ask him whether some sentiments which I perceive reported as having been delivered by him, in a speech made by him on Wednesday, the 21st of February last, at a dinner at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, over which Sir George De Lacy Evans presided, are substantially correct? I will read this paper to the House, and I hope the hon. and learned Member will do me the pleasure of telling me afterwards whether this is substantially a correct report of what he said on that occasion. The following is from The Morning Chronicle:— Corruption of the worst description existed, and, above all, there was the perjury of the Tory politicians. Ireland was not safe from the English and Scotch gentry. It was horrible to think, that a body of Gentlemen—men who ranked high in society, who were themselves the administrators of the law, and who ought therefore to be above all suspicion, and who ought to set an example to others—was it not horrible that they should be perjuring themselves in the Committees of the House of Commons? The time was come when this should be proclaimed boldly. He was ready to be a martyr to justice and truth, but not to false swearing; and, therefore, he repeated, that there was foul perjury in the Tory Committees of the House of Commons. There is another extract from the same speech, as reported in The Morning Post, and which is not in The Morning Chronicle:— He did not mince the matter—his words might appear in the public press, he hoped they would—Ireland was not safe from the perjury of the English and Scotch gentry, who took oaths according to justice and voted according to party. Now, Sir, when I saw these sentiments reported as having been said by the hon. and learned Member, I said to myself, that it would be but fair towards the hon. and learned Gentleman, to bring the subject forward, and we will, therefore, give him the very earliest opportunity to contradict them. Because, I do say, that the words themselves contain an aspersion upon Members belonging to this House, which I, for one, should wish to see wiped out at the very earliest opportunity possible. Now, Sir, I ask the hon. and learned Member to give me a plain answer to the question I have put to him, as I cannot proceed any further until I have his explanation.

Mr. O'Connell

Sir, I am exceedingly obliged to the noble Lord for giving this publicity to the sentiments I entertain on the subject of Committees of a particular description in this House. Sir, I did say every word of that—every word of that; and I do repeat, that I believe it to be perfectly true. Is there a man who will put his hand upon his heart and say upon his honour as a gentleman, that he does not believe that that is substantially true. Such a man would be laughed to scorn. It is a hideous abuse. The public press has taunted you with it. The last time I addressed the House upon the subject, I read a paragraph out of the Morning Chronicle—

The Speaker

I wish to make a remark as to the regularity of our proceedings. The hon. and learned Member having answered the question, I must now appeal to the noble Lord to know what motion he intends to make. [Cries of "Move"]

Viscount Maidstone

said, Sir, in consequence of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin having owned that he has said exactly what is stated—in short, having allowed that my statement is substantially true—I give notice of a motion to bring his conduct before the House on Monday next; for I do think that such an aspersion, passed generally upon the Members of this House, ought not to have been made without proof being adduced.

The Speaker

reminded the noble Lord, that all that remained for him now to do was to give notice of his motion.

Viscount Maidstone

Then, Sir, I give notice that on Monday next I shall call the attention of the House to these articles, and to the conduct of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin.

Lord John Russell

said, Sir, I beg to give notice that, if this complaint be entertained by the House, on Monday next, I mean to bring forward for the consideration of this House the charge of the right rev. Prelate, the Bishop of Exeter, respecting an allegation of perjury on the part of certain Members of this House.

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