THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM COURT GULLY,Speaker-Elect, said: My Lords, I have to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to Her Majesty's commands, Her Majesty's most faithful Commons have, in the exercise of their undoubted rights and privileges, proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen upon myself. I now present myself at your Lordships' Bar, and submit myself with all humility to Her Majesty's gracious approbation.
Then—
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid: Mr. Gully, we are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is so fully sensible of your zeal in the public service, and your ample sufficiency to exercise the arduous duties which her 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. And, 12 my Lords, 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 ancient and undoubted rights and privileges; specially to freedom of speech in debate, to freedom from arrest, and above all, to free access to Her Majesty whenever occasion shall require, and that the most favourable construction may be put upon all their proceedings. As to myself, I pray that if, in the discharge of my duty, I should inadvertently fall into any error, it may be imputed to myself alone, and not to Her Majesty's most 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 been 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.