Lords Sitting of 17 May 1806

MINUTES.
The house proceeded as usual to Westminster-hall, and returned about half past three. Strangers were not admitted for some time afterwards, during which it was understood their lordships appointed Wednesday se'nnight to take into consideration the evidence adduced on the trial of lord Melville.—The Mutiny bill, the Irish Loan bill, and the Irish Treasury Bills bill, passed through committees, and were reported.

IMPEACHMENT OF LORD MELVILLE.
Earl Stanhopesuggesting that doubts seemed to be entertained respecting the time of publication of the trial of lord Melville, with reference to the order previously made by the house upon that subject; and an idea appearing to be conceived, that, the trial being over,publications of the proceedings might now freely take place; he thought, therefore, the sense of the house should he known to he public on that head.
The Lord Chancelloragreed with the noble earl, that the sense of the house, on an affair of this kind, should be publicly known and clearly expressed. Such an idea as his noble friend alluded to, had been entertained, as appeared from a paper put into his hand by one of the reporters. It appeared to him, however, to be contrary to the sense and intention of the house in framing the order; and his opinion was, which he thought should be generally known, that all publications of the trial were strictly prohibited, until after the house should deliver its final judgment.
The Earl of Rosslynentirely concurred in the sentiment expressed by his noble friend on the woolsack, and farther, he thought, an express order should be made upon the occasion, in order that all doubts upon the point might be set at rest. His lordship then wrote an order at the table,

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which he moved forthwith, for the adoption of the house; and, which, being read from the woolsack, ran nearly as follows: Ordered, "that no person whatever shall presume to publish any account of the proceedings, &c. laid before this house, touching the impeachment of Henry lord viscount Melville, until. after this house shall have delivered its final judgment upon the said impeachment."—The question, being put, it was ordered accordingly, and read a second time by the clerk at the table.