§ The Duke of Wellingtonsaid, that seeing the noble Earl at the head of his Majesty's Government then in his place, he begged to ask, whether his Majesty had given any directions respecting the customary ceremony of a Coronation.
§ Earl Greysaid, in answer to the noble Duke, that he had received no commands from his Majesty on the subject.
§ The Duke of Wellingtontrusted, the noble Earl would excuse him if he asked another question on the subject; he wished to know whether his Majesty had taken certain oaths appointed to be administered to the King on his Coronation, for he believed these oaths ought to be taken within a specific time after his Majesty's Accession.
§ Earl Greywas aware that the ceremony of a Coronation was usual. He was aware that it had been provided by law that his Majesty should take certain oaths. If his own opinion were asked upon the subject, he should say, that it was necessary that the ceremony of Coronation should take place, but as long a time had, in former reigns, elapsed from the accession of the Monarch to the Coronation, as in the present reign. There were reasons at present for the postponement, which he should on a future day bring before the House. He should now only say, that it was at all times attended with inconvenience and expense. But means must, under any circumstances, be found, somehow or other, to ratify that solemn compact by which the King is bound to the nation. In what manner he proposed to obviate the inconveniences, he should have another opportunity of explaining to the House. He had not been prepared for the question of the noble Duke, and therefore had merely stated to the House what occurred to him at the moment. The fact was, he had received no commands from his Majesty as to when the Coronation should take place. On the subject of the oaths, he could only state his opinion, that, although the laws had not fixed any time or place in which they should be taken, it was indispensable that his Majesty should bind himself by them.