Sitting of 20 February 1835

THE KING'S APPROVAL OF THE SPEAKER.
The house of Commons was summoned to the House of Peers.
Mr. Abercromby,attended by his proposer and seconder, and accompanied by a large number of Members, proceeded to the House of Peers.
On the Speaker'sreturn, having taken his seat in the Chair, he informed the House of what took place in the House of Peers, and added, that he had once more to express to the House his unfeigned thanks for the distinguished honour which it had conferred upon him, and for the great proof it had shown of its confidence in him. He was well aware, that if he did not possess the full confidence of the House, it would be useless for him to hope, that he could adequately discharge the important duties of his station. It should, however, be his constant endeavour to gain that confidence by fidelity and zeal, and by pursuing a just and impartial course in support of the rights and privileges of that House.
The two Houses of Parliament were occupied till Tuesday, February 24th, in swearing in of Members.

HIS MAJESTY'S APPROVAL. OF THE SPEAKER.
The Lords Commissioners appointed to signify his Majesty's appro-
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bation of the choice of the House of Commons, were the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Jersey, the Earl of Rosslyn, and Lord Wharncliffe.
The Lord Chancellor,on the Commissioners taking their seats, directed the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to inform the Commons, that "the Lords Commissioners desire the immediate attendance of the Commons in this House."
Mr. Abercromby,accompanied by a numerous assemblage of Commoners, appeared below the Bar immediately afterwards.
Mr. Abercrombysaid—My Lords, I am to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to his Majesty's commands, his Majesty's faithful Commons have proceeded to exercise their undoubted right and privilege in the election of a Speaker. I have now to acquaint your Lordships, that their choice, however unworthy, has fallen upon me; and I now humbly submit myself to his Majesty's royal will and pleasure.
The Lord Chancellor.—Mr. Abercromby, we have it in command from his Majesty to assure you, that his Majesty is fully satisfied of your zeal for the public service, and that it is amply sufficient for the discharge of the arduous duty imposed on you; and his Majesty, therefore, does most readily and fully approve of the choice of his faithful Commons, and confirms you as their Speaker.
The Speaker.—My Lords, with all humility and gratitude, I submit myself to his Majesty's royal will and pleasure; and now, it is my duty, in the name, and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom, to lay claim, by humble petition, to the free exercise of all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges; and more especially to those of freedom of Debate, freedom from arrest for their persons, and their servants, free access to his Majesty whenever occasion may require it, and that his Majesty will be graciously pleased to put the most favourable construction on all their proceedings; and, for myself, I am anxious, and most earnestly entreat, that whenever I shall fall into error, the blame may be imputed to me, and not to his Majesty's faithful Commons.
The Lord Chancellor.—Mr. Speaker, we have it further in command to inform

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you, that his Majesty doth most readily confirm all the rights and privileges, which have ever been granted to, or conferred on, the Commons, by any of his royal predecessors. With respect to your self, Sir, though his Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need of such assurance, his Majesty will ever put the most favourable construction upon your words and actions.
The Speaker and Commons retired.