§ The Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Richmond, the Marquess of Lansdown, the Earl of Albemarle and Lord Auckland, took their seats as his 84 Majesty's Commissioners in the usual manner.
§ The Commons having been summoned by the Usher of the Black Rod, Mr. Manners Sutton appeared at the Bar, between Lord Morpeth and Sir Francis Burdett, and attended by a considerable number of Members.
Mr. Manners Suttonaddressed their Lordships, and said, in obedience to his Majesty's commands, his Majesty's faithful Commons of the United Kingdom had proceeded in the exercise of their undoubted right to elect a Speaker, and it was his duty to acquaint their Lordships that the choice of the Commons had fallen on him. From no short experience of the difficulties of that high situation, it was impossible for him not to doubt his own capacity to discharge its duties; and, if his Majesty should be graciously pleased to disapprove their choice, he felt well persuaded that his Majesty's faithful Commons would find no difficulty in electing some other individual better qualified than himself to perform the arduous duties of the station, and more deserving of his Majesty's approbation.
The Lord Chancellorinformed Mr. Manners Sutton, that the Lords Commissioners were commanded by his Majesty to assure him, that his Majesty was so fully satisfied of his zeal for the public service, and of those many eminent qualities which had so often recommended him to the choice of the Commons, and, further, of his now matured experience in most arduous and trying circumstances, that his Majesty did most fully approve of the choice of his faithful Commons, and did confirm him to be their Speaker.
The Speakerthen said, that with all humility he submitted himself to his Majesty's pleasure, and it now became his duty, in the name and on behalf of the Commons of the united Kingdom, to lay claim, by humble petition, to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, more especially those of freedom of debate, freedom from arrest for themselves and servants, free access to his Majesty when occasion might demand, and that his Majesty would be most graciously pleased to put the most favourable construction on all their proceedings; and for himself, he earnestly entreated, that if any error should be committed by him, it might not be imputed to his Majesty's faithful Commons,
The Lord Chancellorinformed Mr. Speaker, that the Commissioners had it further in command from his Majesty to inform him, that his Majesty did confirm all the rights and privileges that had ever been granted to, or conferred on, the Commons by any of his Majesty's royal predecessors. With respect to the Speaker himself, his Majesty, though sensible that there was no need of such assurance, had commanded them to say, that his Majesty would ever put the most favourable construction on his words and actions.
The Speaker, accompanied by the Commons, withdrew.