HL Deb 24 February 1806 vol 6 c177
Lord Eldon,

on perceiving a noble marquis in his place, rose, and called the attention of the house generally to the situation in which the case of the above judicial character stood before their lordships. The affair was one, in every point of view, public as well as private, of the highest importance, and it was highly proper that the house should come to some determination upon the case. He therefore requested to know of that noble marquis, whether he intended to move for any proceeding relative to the attendance or examination of witnesses in the case of Mr. justice Fox?

The Marquis of Abercorn

said, it must be in the recollection of several of their lordships, that so early as on the first day of the session, he had called the attention of the house to the business alluded to. It was his wish, that as little delay as possible should take place with respect to the proceedings upon the case. The spring assizes in Ireland were to take place this year somewhat earlier than they did last year, in which case their attendance in London might be proportionably earlier, a week or ten days at least. It was his intention to move, that certain witnesses be ordered to attend on the 28th of April. His lordship presented a list of a number of witnesses, who, he regularly moved, should be ordered to attend at the bar of that house on the 28th day of April next.—As the lord chancellor was reading the motion,

Lord Grenville

entered the house, and, on the question being put, his lordship rose, and observed, he spoke under the disadvantage of not having heard what transpired on the subject previous to the motion; but it struck him most forcibly, that, on a subject of such great and various importance as that which the case of Mr. justice Fox involved, some time should be allowed, not only as it respected himself, but other noble lords, who wished to deliver their opinions, for the consideration of the subject. He was then quite unprepared to give a decided opinion as to what was proposed. He submitted, therefore, whether it would not be better to withdraw the motion? but, shortly after, he moved that the farther consideration of this motion be adjourned to this day se'nnight.—This, on the question being so put, was agreed to by their lordships.