Lord Campbellmoved that the report on the Defamation and Libel Bill be received. With respect to the 7th clause, which he had proposed, he did not mean to divide the House; but in order that it might appear on the journal of their Lordships' House, he should move on the report being brought up that that clause be added to the bill. The great objection to that clause was, in fact, the standing order of their Lordships' House, which professed not to allow the publication of any of their proceedings. The clause would, in fact, legalize such publication. He might add, shat one of the most distinguished statesmen during the last century had spoken of the absurdity of a similar standing order in the House of Commons. For the period of that which was termed the unreported Parliament, from 1768 to 1774, until lately, there was no account whatever, although the proceedings of that Parliament were most interesting; but recently they had been furnished with a transcript of the admirable reports of Sir H. Cavendish, edited by a gentleman of the greatest ability and research—Mr. Wright; and thereby was supplied a most important hiatus in Parliamentary history. The standing-order of their Lordships' House was dated the 27th of February, 1698, and was to this effect:—
Resolved, that it be a breach of the privileges of this House for any person to print or publish in print any of the proceedings of this House without leave of this House, and that this be a standing-order of this House.The order of the House of Commons was in corresponding terms. He (Lord Campbell) trusted that, before long, that standing-order would be repealed, and then one objection to the clause he proposed would be removed. [The Lord Chancellor: When that is repealed, then you can introduce your clause.] Mr. Burke said, he was prepared to show the absurdity of such a resolution; and if they were to make it their business to suppress printing in that way, it would put a stop to all order in their House. He hoped, therefore, when their Lordships knew that their standing-order was condemned by so distinguished a man as Mr. Burke, that their Lordships would not much longer retain upon their books the order to which he had alluded.
Lord Broughamrose to bear willing testimony to the importance of Cavendish's 1296 " Reports," which were just what report: ought to be; the words where the worth were wanted, and the substance where only the substance was necessary. They filled up a most remarkable chasm in parliamentary history, and Mr. Wright had performed his duty as editor with singular ability and knowledge. Nothing could be better done, and he earnestly wished that all parliamentary history had been pre. pared and compiled with equal skill and talent.
§ Report received.
§ Adjourned.