§ The deputy usher of the Black Rod was sent to the House of Commons to desire their attendance. Shortly afterwards, the Speaker, followed by a great number of other members, came to the bar.
Mr. Manners Suttonsaid:—My lords, I have the honour to announce to your lordships, in the name of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, that his majesty's faithful Commons have proceeded to the choice of a Speaker, and that that choice has fallen upon me. I am fully aware, my lords, of the arduous duties of the situation to which I have thus been chosen, and of my own insufficiency to perform those duties. Should, however, it be his majesty's pleasure to reject the choice thus made by his faithful Commons, it is consolatory to me to know that there are many members of the House much better qualified than myself to fulfil the office of Speaker, upon any one of whom their choice may most advantageously devolve.
The Lord Chancellor—Mr. Manners Sutton; his majesty being fully aware of your tried ability and zeal for the public service, has commanded us to signify his most gracious approbation of the choice made by his faithful Commons of you to be their Speaker.
The Speaker—My lords, I humbly submit myself to his majesty's most gracious pleasure. It becomes, therefore, my duty, in the name of his majesty's faithful Commons, to claim their ancient and undoubted privileges, namely, freedom from arrest and molestation for themselves, their servants and estates, freedom of debate, and free access to his majesty whenever occasion shall require it. I have also, coy lords, further to request, in the name of his majesty's faithful Commons, that the most favourable construction may be put upon all their proceedings, and that if any mistake should arise, it may be imputed to me, and not to them.
The Lord Chancellor—Mr. Speaker; we have it in command from his majesty, most graciously to allow to his faithful Commons all the privileges and immuni- 10 ties, and that in the most full and ample manner, which they enjoyed under any of his predecessors; and we have it further in command from his majesty to declare to you, that in every case the most favourable construction shall be put upon the proceedings of his majesty's faithful Commons.
The Speaker and the members retired, and the lords commissioners withdrew to unrobe. On the return of the latter, the lord chancellor took the woolsack, and the oaths were administered to those lords who came into the House.