THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ARTHUR WELLESLEY PEEL, Speaker Elect, said—
"MY LORDS,
"I have to acquaint your Lordships, that Her Majesty's most faithful Commons, in obedience to Her Majesty's commands, and in the exercise of their 13 undoubted rights and privileges, have proceeded to the Election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon myself, and I now present myself at your Lordships' Bar, and submit myself with all humility for Her Majesty's gracious approbation."
Then THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
"MR. PEEL,
"We are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal for the public service, and of your ample, sufficiency to execute the rights and duties which Her Majesty's faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, that She does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker."
Then MR. SPEAKERsaid—
"MY LORDS,
"I submit myself with all humility to Her Majesty's gracious commands. It is now my duty, in the name and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom, to lay claim by humble Petition to Her Majesty, to all their undoubted rights and privileges; especially to freedom of speech in debate; to freedom from arrest of their persons and servants; and, above all, to freedom of access to Her Majesty whenever occasion shall require. For myself, if any error should be committed, I pray it may be imputed to me alone, and not to Her Majesty's faithful Commons."
Then THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid,
"MR. SPEAKER,
"We have it further in command to inform you that Her Majesty does most readily confirm all the rights and privileges which have ever boon granted to or conferred upon the Commons by any of Her Royal Predecessors.
"With respect to yourself, Sir, though Her Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, Her Majesty will ever put the most favourable construction upon your words and actions."
Then the Commons withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.
§ Several Lords—Took the Oath.