§ Earl Stanhopeproposed the first reading of this Bill; as there were some petitions to be presented against it, which could not be received before the first reading. The principle of the Bill was excellent; but as to its propriety in the particular instance, from ignorance of the facts, he was unable to form any opinion. The reason why he took part in the Bill was, to show that he bad no hostility to it, as he had opposed a similar one in the last session, which was then thrown out, in pursuance of an excellent maxim of their lordships, never to proceed on evidence taken by the Commons, but to examine their own witnesses.
§ The Bill was read a first time.