Lords Sitting of 24 November 1812

MEETING OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT.
This being the day appointed for the meeting of the New Parliament, the Lord Chancellor came to the House about a quarter past two o'clock, and having taken his seat upon the woolsack, he immediately rose and said, "My lords, I have to acquaint you, that his royal highness the Prince Regent not being able to attend in person this day, has been pleased to issue, in the name and on behalf of his Majesty, a Commission under the Great Seal, empowering certain Commissioners, named therein, to open this present Parliament." The Lords Commissioners then present, namely, his royal highness the duke of York, his royal highness the duke of Cumberland, the Lord Chancellor, the earl of Liverpool, and the earl of Westmoreland, being robed and having taken their seats, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (sir Thomas Tyrwhitt) was commanded to order the attendance of the Commons, a number of whom forthwith appeared, preceded by the clerks of the House. The Commission was then read, and the Lord Chancellor spoke as follows: "My lords, and gentlemen of the House of Commons; We have it in command from his royal highness the Prince Regent, to let you know, that he will, as soon as the members of both Houses shall be sworn, declare to you the causes of his calling this Parliament; and it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen,
2
it is his royal highness the Prince Regent's pleasure, that you, gentlemen of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker, and that you present such person here to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, for the Prince Regent's royal approbation."—The Commons immediately withdrew, and the lords commissioners retired to unrobe. On their return the House resumed, and prayers were read. The Lord Chancellor then took the oaths singly at the table; after which the other peers present, took the oaths and their seats in the usual manner. The earl of Mulgrave was introduced by the Garter King at Arms, between the earls of Westmoreland and Harrowby, and his patent of creation read; he also took the oaths and his seat.