§ The Marquis of Londonderry, in presenting a Petition, on the subject of Reform, from Ballindooly, was understood to regret that a question of such great importance, and on which so many conflicting opinions existed, should be brought forward at the present moment, when there was so much agitation both at home and abroad; when the policy of this country was likely to be affected by the revolution in France—which revolution, by the way, he considered to be attended with much more dangerous consequences than the first—and when Ireland was so seriously disturbed. He thought that his Majesty's Government ought to pause, and not to press forward a measure, which required the coolest deliberation and tranquil investigation. At the same time he begged some explanation of what had fallen from the noble and learned Lord a few evenings ago, with respect to the approbation of the Crown to the proposition intended to be submitted, as he did not consider it to be strictly correct to influence the votes of the Legislature, by an avowal of the determination of the Sovereign.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, that with reference to the question of the noble Marquis, he would only say one or two words, as they were met that evening to discuss Chancery Reform only; but he had no objection to repeat what he said on a late occasion — namely, that the plan of reform to which he had given his concurrence, was to be brought forward with the consent of all his Majesty's servants; 828 and that the measure had received the approbation of the Crown, inasmuch as any plan to be propounded to Parliament by the King's servants, must of necessity have the sanction of the Sovereign. With regard to the influence which an announcement of the pleasure of the Crown might have on the proceedings of the Legislature, all he could say was, that it would be extremely improper to attempt to influence the votes of any Member of either House in that manner. No such tendency could be imagined from what he had said, and the measure was to be brought forward in the House of Commons, according to the precedent set in the Rockingham administration, when the Cabinet Bill was intrusted to the care of Mr. Burke, who was not a member of it.
The Marquis of Londonderryfelt gratified at the explanation of the noble and learned Lord; and if his Majesty's Government were determined to follow up their declaration, and to bring in a bill for Reform, he hoped that it would be a measure calculated to do as much good, and work as little evil, as possible.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.