The Earl of Westmorelandmoved, that a message be sent to the commons, requesting they would furnish their lordships with a copy of the evidence upon which they had passed the bill for indemnifying John duke of Athol, &c. for his claims on the revenues of the Isle of Man.
The Marquis of Buckinghamwas well aware that the present moment was not the usual time to make any observations upon the bill, as it had only just been ordered to be printed; but he rose merely to observe, that he and many noble lords now absent, might not think themselves justified with the evidence that might be brought from the house of commons, and therefore he wished now to enter his caveat against any objection that might hereafter be made against the production of other grounds of evidence; and against any idea that the evidence taken before the commons, and being admitted by their lordships, should preclude any noble lord from moving for whatever documents he might deem necessary to throw light upon a measure that had been hastily taken up at the close of the session, and which to him appeared of considerable importance, whether it concerned an individual or the public.
The Earl of Westmorelandnever intended, by making the present motion, to preclude any noble lord from calling for whatever additional information he might judge necessary to elucidate the nature of the question.
The Lord Chancellorobserved, that there was nothing unusual or extraordinary in the motion; it only requested the evidence taken before the house of commons, as a part at least of the grounds upon which that house might proceed; but it never could be conceived of a nature to preclude any further evidence which any individual of that house might be inclined to move for. For his part, he knew nothing of the matter at present, but when it came to be decided upon, he should form his judgment from the whole of the evidence then before the house.
The Marquis of Buckinghamshortly explained, and said, he wished to put in the claim he had alluded to, not only on his own part, but on those of some other noble lords then absent, who might wish to deliver their sentiments upon the measure—The question was then put, and the message ordered to be sent to the commons.—Adjourned.