§ The Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Rosslyn, Earl Bathurst, Lord Ellenborough, 7 and Lord Melville, sat at twelve o'clock, as his Majesty's Commissioners, to signify the Royal Assent to the choice of a Speaker made by the House of Commons. The Commons having been summoned to the bar, and a great number of Members having accompanied the Speaker thither,
Mr. Manners Suttonaddressed their Lordships as follows:—" I have to acquaint your Lordships, that in obedience to his Majesty's commands, his Majesty's, faithful Commons have proceeded to elect a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen on me. I well know, from the experience, I have already had, what are the duties of that important office; and I feel, as I ought, a great mistrust in my own powers to execute that office; but if it should be his Majesty's pleasure to disapprove of the choice, I now announce to your Lordships that his Majesty's faithful Commons will at once elect another Speaker.
The Lord Chancellor.—Mr. Sutton, I am commanded by his Majesty to assure you, that his Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal for the public service, and of the sufficiency of your abilities to discharge the duties connected with the office, that he most willingly approves of the choice that has been made by his faithful Commons.
The Speaker.—My Lords; with a deep sense of gratitude I submit to his Majesty's will, and it now becomes my duty, in the name and on the behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom, to lay claim by petition to all their undoubted rights and privileges,—more especially those of freedom from arrest for themselves, their servants and estates—of freedom in debate —and free access to, his Majesty whenever occasion may require; and I have also to beg his Majesty's most favourable construction of all their doings; and that if any error should be committed, it may be attributed to me alone, and not to his faithful Commons.
The Lord Chancellor.—Mr. Speaker, I have it further in command to inform you, that it is his Majesty's most gracious will to confirm all those rights and privileges that have been allowed by his Royal predecessors. With respect to yourself (though his Majesty is sensible that you stand in need of no such assurance), his Majesty will ever put the most favourable construction on your words and actions.
The Commons withdrew, and the House proceeded with the swearing in of Peers.