§ Parliament was opened by Commission for the despatch of public business.
§ The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Wellesley, Earl Grey, and Lord Durham being his Majesty's Commissioners.
§ The Gentlemen of the House of Commons having been summoned to attend, upwards of 100 Members of that House came to the Bar of the House of Peers. The Royal Commission having been read,
The Lord Chancellorsaid: My Lords and Gentlemen, we have it in command from his Majesty to let you know, that it is his Majesty's Royal will and pleasure, as soon as the Members of both Houses are sworn in, in person to declare to you the cause of his calling together the present Parliament; but it being necessary that a Speaker should be first chosen, it is his Majesty's Royal will and pleasure that you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, should repair to the place where you usually sit, and there proceed to the choice of a fit and proper person to fill that, high and important office, and that, after having chosen him, you arc to present him here to-morrow, at half-past two o'clock, for his Majesty's Royal approbation.
§ Several Peers took the usual oaths.