Lord Broughamsaid that he had to present a Petition from Bridport, on the subject of the Municipal Corporations; which, however, like some others now in his hands on the same subject, had better stand over till that measure was before their Lordships. He should wish to take this opportunity of correcting a statement in a ministerial print of this morning, in which it was stated that he had recommended Sir Francis Palgrave to be one of the Municipal Corporation Commissioners, and the appointment of that Gentleman was attributed entirely to him. This was a mistake. It was true that as Lord Chancellor he had recommended Sir Francis Palgrave, but he did so on the recommendation of a noble Lord, then a colleague of his, and now one of his Majesty's Ministers. He had said at the time that Sir Francis Palgrave had some antiquarian crotchets about him that did not render him very fit to be a commissioner. However, he was assured that the hon. Gentleman had no such crotchets, and so the recommendation was made, but it now appeared that he had.
§ Lord Wharncliffesaid, that the Report of Sir Francis Palgrave was one of considerable ability, and deserved to be well considered by their Lordships.
Lord Broughamanswered, that undoubtedly Sir Francis Palgrave was a man of ability and of very considerable learning, for whom he felt great respect.
§ Lord Lyndhurstsaid, that there was another Commissioner, Mr. Hogg, who did not agree with the Report of the rest, and whose reasons it would be important to consider.
Lord Broughamsaid, that if he knew anything of that Gentleman, the reasons for his dissent from the other Commissioners were not what his noble and learned Friend seemed to imagine.