Commons Sitting of 6 March 1874

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:
"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, Trent 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. SPEAKER: I have the pleasure to acquaint the House that I have been to the House of Peers, where Her Majesty, by Commission, has been pleased to approve of the choice which this House has made of me as their Speaker. I have, by petition to Her Majesty, laid claim, on behalf of this House, to all the undoubted Rights and Privileges of the House, more particularly for freedom of speech in debate, for freedom from arrest for our persons and servants, and above all for freedom of access to Her Majesty whenever occasion may require, and also that the most favourable construction may be placed on our proceedings. I desire now for myself to renew my humble acknowledgments to the House for the honour it has conferred on me by placing me for the second time in the Chair. It will be my constant endeavour to facilitate the order and conduct of Public Business in this House, and for that purpose I wish to place my services at the disposal of this House. It is now my duty to remind hon. Members that the first business we have to discharge is to take and subscribe the oath prescribed to us by law. I now call upon the Clerk to administer the oath to myself.
And thereupon MR. SPEAKER, first alone, standing upon the upper step of the Chair, took and subscribed the Oath; 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, till Two o'clock To-morrow.