§ MR. SPEAKERinformed the House that he had received the following letter from Mr. Cowan, one of the Gentlemen returned at the last election for the city of Edinburgh:—
House of Commons, Nov. 19, 1847.Sir—I beg respectfully to state, that at the recent Election I had the honour to be chosen one of the Representatives in Parliament for the City of Edinburgh. It was not until some time afterwards that I became aware of a disqualification attaching to me, from my having, at the time of Election, been a party to a contract then subsisting with Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I apprehend, therefore, that I was 'unduly elected,' and that, although I am no longer a Government contractor, I should nevertheless be liable to actions for heavy pecuniary penalties if I should now sit or vote in the House. While I entertain the ut- 210 most deference for the authority of the House, and while I have no desire to shrink from the discharge of the duties which I owe to my constituents, the position to which I have referred renders it necessary, in the opinion of my advisers, that I should decline to take the oaths or my seat; and I have respectfully to request that you will, as early as convenient, have the goodness to communicate this my intention and desire to the House of Commons.I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,CHARLES COWAN.The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of Commons.