Commons Sitting of 11 December 1868

Preamble
The House met at Two of the clock.
The House being met, and Mr. Speaker Elect having taken the Chair, a Message was delivered by the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod:

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" MR. SPEAKER,
"The Lords authorized by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers."
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker Elect, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where he was presented to the said Lords Commissioners for Her Majesty's approbation.
Then the LORD CHANCELLOR, one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified Her Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker Elect.
The House being returned;—
MR. SPEAKERsaid: I have to report to the House that this House proceeded to the House of Peers, where Her Majesty was pleased, by Her Royal Commissioners, to approve of the choice they have made of myself as their Speaker. I then, on their behalf, laid claim, by humble petition to Her Majesty, to all their ancient rights and privileges, to freedom of speech and of debate, to freedom from arrests of their persons and servants, and to free access to the presence of Her Majesty whenever occasion might require; and further, that the most favourable constructions might be put upon all our actions: all which Her Majesty by the said Commissioners was pleased to allow and to confirm in as ample and complete a manner as they have ever been confirmed by Herself or by any of Her Royal predecessors. And then Mr. SPEAKER repeated his most respectful acknowledgments to the House for the high honour they had done him.
MR. SPEAKERthen put the House in mind, that the first thing to be done was to take and subscribe the Oath required by law.
MR. SPEAKERthen took and subscribed the Oath, first alone; and after him several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members, being of the People called Quakers, made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
House adjourned at a quarter after Five o'clock.