§ Mr. INGHAMsaid, that he had given notice of his intention to move that Joseph Tredre, then in custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms for disobedience to a summons to attend before the Lambeth Election Committee, should be discharged on payment of the fees. Since he had come to the House, however, they had received a petition from this person, in which he prayed that, as he was suffering from great distress, the House would consent to his discharge without the payment of the fees. Although the absence of this man was very wilful and blameable, it did not appear to have been the result of concert with any party before the Committee, and when he did appear, his evidence, which was not of very much value to the inquiry, seemed to be given truthfully. Under these circumstances he asked leave to bring up the petition, and to move that the man should be discharged without paying the fees.
§ MR. ROEBUCKthought, if a person who had disobeyed the orders of the House, and who had consequently been taken into custody, was kept a little while in prison, it might do him some good.
§ COLONEL FRENCHwas of opinion that the House ought to agree to the Motion.
§ MR. INGHAMsaid, that Tredre had already been in custody four days.
§ Ordered, That Joseph Tredre, now in custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms attending this House, be discharged without payment of his fees.