HL Deb 28 January 1817 vol 35 cc4-5

At half past five o'clock, when it was expected that an address to the Prince Regent in answer to his Speech, would be moved and considered in the usual manner, Viscount Sidmouth rose and said, that before their lordships entered upon any other subject, he had one of the most important communications to make to them, that had ever been made to parliament; preparatory to which he should move the standing order for the exclusion of strangers. Strangers were accordingly ordered to withdraw. After the strangers had withdrawn, lord Sidmouth informed their lordships that as his royal highness the Prince Regent was returning from the House, and the carriage was passing in the park, at the back of the garden of Carle-ton-house, the glass of the carriage window had been broken by a stone, as some represented it, or by two balls, fired from an air-gun, as others stated it, which appeared to have been aimed at his royal highness. Lord James Murray, who was in the carriage with his royal highness, was called in, and Mr. Gurney, the short-hand writer, was on the close sent for. After the evidence had been taken as that afterwards given in the Commons, the House sent the two clerks (the masters is chancery not being in attendance) to desire a conference with the Commons. The conference having been held, and the evidence communicated to the Commons, an address congratulating his royal highness on his escape was agreed to, and communicated to the Commons for their concurrence. The consideration of the Prince Regent's speech was postponed till to-morrow.