HL Deb 03 June 1817 vol 36 cc859-60

Lord Sidmouth presented the following Message from the prince Regent:

"GEORGE P. R.

"His royal highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his majesty, has given orders that there be laid before the House of Lords, papers containing information respecting the continuance of practices, meetings, and combinations, in different parts of the kingdom, to which, at the commencement of the present session of parliament, his royal highness called the attention of the House, and which are still carried on in such a manner, and to such an extent, as are calculated to disturb the public tranquillity, and to endanger the security of the established constitution of these realms.

"His royal highness recommends to the House of Lords to take these papers into their immediate and serious consideration.

"GEORGE P.R."

The Message having been read,

Lord Sidmouth

observed, that it was with very painful feelings that he brought down a message of such a nature, but he trusted their lordships would do him the justice to believe that it was only the strongest sense of duty that could have prompted the advisers of the Prince Regent to counsel his royal highness to send down such a message. It was for their lordships to determine what course of proceeding should be adopted with regard to the message. They would probably not object to his first motion for an address to the Prince Regent, thanking his royal highness for his communication, and declaring their intention of taking the papers into their immediate and serious consideration; he trusted also that they would not object to the motion which he afterwards intended to make, for referring these papers to a committee of secrecy; but instead of a new ballot, he would suggest that the same members who had sat on the former committee should be invited to this, with the exception of a noble duke (Bedford), who was prevented by the state of his health from attending the former committee, and who had signified a wish that be might not be appointed on the present. The noble lord then moved an address.

Earl Grey

said, he did not object to an address of thanks, but he wished it to be understood that he did not thereby pledge himself as to any ulterior proceeding.

The address was agreed to.