§ Lord Walsingham moved, that the order of the day for their lordships going into a committee upon the case of Mr. Justice Fox be discharged; which being done, his lordship moved that the house do resolve itself into a commitee for the above purpose, which was ordered accordingly.
§ Lord Auckland took the opportunity to give notice that he intended, before the order of the day should be entered upon on Monday next, to submit a motion to their lordships, that the farther proceedings in the committee on the case of Mr. Justice Fox should be postponed for two or three months, meaning, that it be postponed until the next session of parliament. He thought it but fair and candid to give this previous notice, though perhaps he might be warranted by order, to move it on the very day of such his determination.
§ Lord Hawkesbury was of opinion, that, under the circumstances of the case, the noble baron ought then to state some general ground or reason on which he was induced to propose such a motion. For his part, in every view of the case, particularly on three general grounds, first, that of the character and justice of parliament; secondly, with a view to the administration of justice in Ireland; and, thirdly, with a reference to the character and situation of the individual himself, it was incumbent on the house to proceed with the investigation, and to make as great a progress therein as they possibly could, this session. So deeply was he impressed with this sentiment, that he proposed, at least such was at present his fixed intention, to introduce a bill for the purpose of continuing the proceedings the next session of parliament. The noble secretary of state referred to some minor considerations, which should induce their lordships' application with out delay, particularly the great additional expence which would be incurred to everal of the parties, were the proceedings immediately postponed to the next session.
§ Lord Auckland, in explanation, add[...]ed as his principal ground, the little prospect that obtained, not only of not getting through the investigation during the Present session, but of even making a considerable progress in it.
§ Lord Bolton begged to offer a few words on the occasion. There was no doubt but that the object of all their lordships was to 381 obtain substantial justice, and with the least possible expence to the parties. The first and most important end could best be induced by their lordships' paying a regular and uninterrupted attention to the case. In, that point of view, he was, upon the whole, inclined to think, at least as it at present occurred to his mind, that the best way, and the earlier the better, would be to defer the farther consideration of the case until the next session, when they could attend to the business without interruption.