§ Parliament was opened by Commission for the despatch of public business. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, Earl Grey, the Duke of Richmond, the Marquess of Lansdown, and Lord Auckland.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, he had to inform the noble Peers present that his Majesty, not thinking fit to open Parliament in person, had caused a Commission under the Great Seal to be issued for opening the House. Was it their Lordships' pleasure that the Commons should be summoned to their Lordships' Bar, to hear the Commission read?
§ Question agreed to.
§ The proper Officer accordingly summoned the House of Commons to hear the reading of the Commission. About 150 Members appeared in a few moments, headed by the Clerks of the House and other Officers.
The Lord ChancellorGentlemen of the House of Commons—His Majesty, not thinking fit to be present in person at the opening of Parliament, has been graciously pleased to cause Letters Patent under the Great Seal to be issued, constituting us and several other Lords his 34 Commissioners for opening this Parliament. The Commission will be read by the Clerk.
§ The Commission having been read,
§ His Lordship proceeded. He had it in command from his Majesty to inform them, that as soon as the Members of both Houses were sworn, his Majesty would declare in person the cause of calling together this present Parliament. To the Gentlemen of the House of Commons, he further said, that it was necessary before proceeding to business, that they should choose a Speaker, and that it was his Majesty's pleasure that they should immediately proceed to their usual place of meeting, and choose from among themselves a fit and proper person to be Speaker, and should present him in this House on Thursday at two o' clock, for his Majesty's approval.
§ The Members of the lower House retired.
§ The Lord Chancellor first took the oath, and was followed by several other Peers.