§ This day at twelve o'clock four of his majesty's commissioners, namely, the lord chancellor, the earl of Aylesford, earl Spencer, and lord Walsingham, took their seats in the usual form. Mr. Quarme, the deputy usher of the black rod, was sent to the house of commons to require their attendance. A great number of the members of the house of commons, preceded by Mr. Abbot, in full dress, shortly afterwards appeared at the bar.
Mr. Abbotaddressed the lords commissioners as follows:—My lords, I have to acquaint you, that in compliance with the commands of his majesty, and in the exercise of their undoubted privilege, the commons of the united kingdom, in parliament assembled, have proceeded to the choice of a fit and proper person to fill the high and important situation of speaker to their house. As the object of that choice, I now submit myself for the approbation of his majesty, with due and sincere humility, deeply impressed with a sense of the many and undeserved favours I have already received from his hands, and fully confident of my inadequacy to fulfil the duties of this high situation in a manner correspondent with the dignity and importance of so sacred a trust. But of this I am convinced, that should his majesty conceive the present choice of his faithful commons not consistent with his own and the public interests, they will immediately proceed to the election of some more suitable and proper person to fill that important and dignified situation.
The Lord Chancellorin the name of the commission said, Gentlemen of the house of commons; We have it in command from his majesty to signify his most gracious approval of the choice you have made in the important appointment of speaker to your house. For my own part when I reflect on the great and comprehensive talents, on the perfect acquaintance with the forms and precedents of parliament, of the gentleman whom you have honoured with your choice; when I reflect on that high character for learning and wisdom for which he is so pre-eminently conspicuous; it is unnecessary for me to say any thing further than merely to express that his majesty fully approves of the object of your choice.
The Speakerthen said,—My lords; His majesty having been most graciously pleased to confirm the choice of his faithful commons, my first duty, after returning my most grateful acknowledgements for the kind manner in which the performance of my duties have been accepted and approved; and after expressing the strong conviction I feel of the indulgence his majesty has ever manifested to unintentional error, is to lay claim, in their name, and on their behalf, to all their ancient rights and privileges; particularly that their persons, estates, and servants, may be free from arrest, and all molestation; that they may enjoy liberty of speech in their debates; that they may have access to his majesty's royal person, whenever occasion may require; and that all their proceedings may receive from his majesty the most favourable construction. For my own part, I do entreat, that whenever any thing in the shape of failing or error may occur, it may be attributed to myself only, and not to his majesty's faithful commons.
The Lord Chancellorin his majesty's name replied, that the accustomed privileges of the house of commons would be continued to them, and that the most favourable construction would be put upon all their acts.—The commons then withdrew, after which the house adjourned during pleasure. At three the house again met, and sat till four, during which time several peers took the usual oaths and their seats.