HL Deb 11 June 1806 vol 7 c604

Their lordships proceeded further in the Appeal "Seymour v. the earl of Euston and lord Henry Seymour." Mr. Perceval was heard on the part of the respondents, after which the further consideration of the appeal was postponed till Friday.—The Earl of Elgin took the oaths and his seat.—Earl Stanhope rose to address the house with respect to the form of proceeding the next day in Westminster Hall. Upon which strangers were excluded, and the discussion continued for near two hours.—Lord Eldon presented a petition from W. Watson, esq. the serjeant at arms, stating the inadequacy of the emoluments attached to the office, which were unequal to the expenditure necessary in executing its duties; and praying for such relief as the house should think fit. His lordship supported the object of the petition, and was seconded by Earl Spencer. The petition was ordered to be referred to a committee on Monday.—An undefended appeal having been heard and decided upon, Lord Eldon took the oportunity of giving notice, that he should, next session, bring forward some measure respecting costs in appeals, as at present the house could not award more than 200l, although the expences might actually amount to 7 or 800l. It then became an object with some persons to appeal to that house, merely for the purpose of gaining time, in cases where the interest of the money in the mean time, before the appeal could be. heard, rendered the costs to be ultimately paid a matter of little consequence. The, Lord Chancellor said, it was a great abuse, and ought to be remedied.