Sitting of 26 October 1830

Preamble
The Lord Stewardattended in the Long Gallery to swear in the Members of the House of Commons, and a considerable number were sworn in. The Commons being summoned, repaired to the House of Peers, accompanied by the Clerk of the House, and on their return, the Clerk informed the Members, that a Commission, appointed by his Majesty, had commanded the Commons to choose a Speaker.

CHOICE OF A SPEAKER.
Sir Edward Hyde Eastrose to propose a Speaker for the choice of the House. The honorable Member was understood to say, that when a new Parliament was assembled, it was essential to their future proceedings that they should obey the invitation they had received, and choose a Speaker. That was the first act the Commons had to perform. For a Speaker they ought to choose a person of the greatest ability, and possessing a character of the highest integrity—a person who by his worth and talents was fit and proper to represent the House of Commons, in all

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its proceedings before the eyes of the country, in its relations to the other House of Parliament, and in its communications with the Throne itself. They ought to choose a person who was capable, both by his public talents and his private virtues, to confer dignity on the proceedings of Parliament. In calling on the Members to make such a choice, he should not have thought himself entitled to claim their attention, had he not been assured that the Gentleman to whom he should propose that they should do the honour of offering the chair was a person already well acquainted with all the great interests and with all the wishes of the House; and that he was only giving expression to a desire which must be felt by every Gentleman of the House. They ought to choose a person of a high description, who was impressed with a necessity of preserving order in their proceedings, who had abilities to preserve that order, and who had, moreover, eloquence, grace, and dignity, to give effect to the proceedings of the House. He should be a person of great constitutional knowledge, well versed in the orders and forms of proceeding of the House, able to express the sentiments of the House as well to an individual appearing at the bar as to the other great branches of the Legislature. Besides the knowledge which was requisite to fill this great office efficiently, it was necessary, as every Member knew who had been engaged in private business, that the Speaker should be a gentleman of frank, conciliating, intelligent manners, not only able to give effect to the public acts of the House, but to give that information to individual Members which was necessary to facilitate the performance of their duties. There was no one qualification necessary and proper to execute the duties of this high office which had not been exhibited, as the House and the country well knew, by the right hon. Gentleman who had filled it for four successive Parliaments, and who had in an exemplary manner performed those duties, both private and public, which it was so important to the House should be well performed. He might say a great deal more in his praise, but it was unnecessary, when, from long acquaintance, it must be known to every Member of former Parliaments, that there was not one virtue, nor any species of ability necessary to fill that high station, and give effect to the proceedings of the House
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in the eyes of the country, which that gentleman did not possess. His merits were known to all the Members, and to the country at large. He would not further trespass on their time, but at once propose "That the right hon. Charles Manners Sutton be chosen Speaker."
Mr. N. Calvertsaid, that the House required as Speaker, a Gentleman able to preserve order in its proceedings, well acquainted with constitutional law, and with all the forms of the House; endowed with good temper, and of great impartiality. He should be a person easy of access, and whose gentlemanly manners would ensure him the support of all the Members, and to whom all might with pleasure refer all doubtful points, particularly of private business. He had looked over the list of representatives, and he had not been able to find one gentleman so well qualified to fill the office of Speaker as his right hon. friend, Mr. Manners Sutton, and he therefore had great pleasure in seconding the Motion.
Sir Joseph Yorkeobserved, that if ever there was a time when, from the state of public affairs, it was necessary, in order to gain the confidence of the Members, and give full effect to the proceedings of the House, that they ought to choose a proper person as Speaker, the present was the time. He concurred in all that had fallen from the Mover and Seconder. He was sure that there was not in the House a single person better qualified—that there was no one equal, he would not say—for amidst all the Members of the House, men of talents, of different professions, of great virtue and integrity, some equally proper person might be found; but he must say, that from the great suavity of the individual named, as well as his great knowledge, he was a fit and proper person to fill the Chair in as tremendous times as ever any man was called to fill it in.
Mr. Manners Sutton: Long as it has been my pride to be the servant of the House, and frequently as I have had occasion to address it, yet it is impossible for me entirely to divest myself of embarrassment, and not to feel some distrust of myself in returning my thanks to my hon. friends who have proposed me to the House as a fit and proper person for the high office of Speaker, as well as for the terms in which they were pleased to express their sentiments of me; I must also acknowledge the speech of the Gal-

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lant Admiral, and his great kindness and cordiality. I would beg them to believe that I feel the great kindness and obligation with which the House received, and one of them made, and the other seconded, the motion. I think it most respectful to the House of Commons at once to declare that I am proud to submit to its will. If the House places me in this situation, I shall with pride and devotedness exert myself to maintain all its rights and privileges; and to the extent of my abilities I will discharge all the duties of the station. I know, from some experience, that the difficulties of the situation are not small, but experience has also taught me that honesty of purpose, and earnest and strict impartiality, will ensure the encouragement, the support, and the protection of the House. [The right hon. Gentleman was voted into the chair by acclamation, and conducted into it by the mover and Seconder.] When the right hon. Gentleman had taken the chair, he said, I am most anxious that the House should believe that I am not indifferent to these expressions, and that I am deeply grateful for the honour conferred on me. I beg to assure the House that I am deeply sensible of this mark of its confidence, and that I will do all in my power to deserve it.

ADJOURNMENT — BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
Sir Robert Peel Sir Robert Peel, in moving that the House do adjourn, begged to take that opportunity of offering to the Speaker his most sincere congratulations at the unanimity with which he had obtained an honour he so well deserved. He begged also to congratulate the House that it was enabled to place in the chair, a Gentleman of great experience in public business, and well entitled, by his conduct in the Chair, to the approbation and confidence of the House. In the fourteen years which had elapsed since he had been first placed in that situation, he believed that during those fourteen years there had been only one single day in which the right hon. Gentleman had asked, or rather consented, to a remission of his public labours. No considerations of personal convenience—no consideration of his private affairs—nothing but the claims of private affliction, could make him even consent to abstract that day from the public service. During these fourteen years, whatever might have been the conflict of parties, all his opinions and all his
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decisions had been given with the strictest impartiality, and received with satisfaction by the House. But the right hon. Gentleman's merits were so familiarly known to all the Members, that it was unnecessary for him to say more. The unanimous vote of that evening secured the devotion of the House to its Speaker, and it was impossible that the public and the country should not find that, in addressing the Members, the unanimity would give authority to his opinions and weight to his decision.
Mr. Broughamseconded the Motion; and expressed his satisfaction and entire concurrence in the well-merited encomiums which the House had respectfully tendered. His object in rising, however, was to direct the attention of his Majesty's Government, and of such Members as attended to the public business, to a subject which urgently demanded attention, to which he had on former occasions adverted —he meant the business of the House — that they might turn the matter in their minds during the week which would elapse before the House began the effective business of the country. He had adverted more than once to the necessity of some arrangement by which the private business should be separated from the public business, securing to the latter a sufficient time for its discussion. He only wished, however, to throw out some hints on this subject for reflection during the week. He was confident, that unless some arrangement were made, by which the private business should be postponed or brought forward on separate and distinct nights, or by which the time of the House should not be occupied in hearing petitions from individuals on private subjects, or expressing their individual opinions on public affairs, he was confident, unless something was done to call on public business at a reasonable hour, that they would not be able to get through with it. He wished merely to direct the attention of Members to this subject, and should be ready to support any proposition which would secure to the country, that a proper share of the time of its Representatives should be devoted to its business.

Preamble
PARLIAMENT was opened, by Commission, for the despatch of public business; the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Rosslyn, and Earl Bathurst, being his Majesty's Commissioners. The Gentlemen of the House of Commons having been summoned to attend, about 100 Members of that House, headed by Mr. Ley, the chief clerk, came to the bar of the House of Peers. The Royal Commission having been read,
The Lord Chancellorsaid, I have to acquaint you that his Majesty has summoned both Houses to be sworn: before that can take place, it is necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen; and it is his Majesty's pleasure that you should repair to the place where you usually meet, and there proceed to the choice of a proper person, to be presented here (if chosen) to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, for his Majesty's Royal approbation.
Several Peers took the usual oaths.