Sitting of 11 December 1868

Preamble
The House met at Two of the clock.
The House being met, and Mr. Speaker Elect having taken the Chair, a Message was delivered by the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod:

13
" MR. SPEAKER,
"The Lords authorized by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers."
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker Elect, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where he was presented to the said Lords Commissioners for Her Majesty's approbation.
Then the LORD CHANCELLOR, one of the said Lords Commissioners, signified Her Majesty's approbation of Mr. Speaker Elect.
The House being returned;—
MR. SPEAKERsaid: I have to report to the House that this House proceeded to the House of Peers, where Her Majesty was pleased, by Her Royal Commissioners, to approve of the choice they have made of myself as their Speaker. I then, on their behalf, laid claim, by humble petition to Her Majesty, to all their ancient rights and privileges, to freedom of speech and of debate, to freedom from arrests of their persons and servants, and to free access to the presence of Her Majesty whenever occasion might require; and further, that the most favourable constructions might be put upon all our actions: all which Her Majesty by the said Commissioners was pleased to allow and to confirm in as ample and complete a manner as they have ever been confirmed by Herself or by any of Her Royal predecessors. And then Mr. SPEAKER repeated his most respectful acknowledgments to the House for the high honour they had done him.
MR. SPEAKERthen put the House in mind, that the first thing to be done was to take and subscribe the Oath required by law.
MR. SPEAKERthen took and subscribed the Oath, first alone; and after him several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members, being of the People called Quakers, made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.
House adjourned at a quarter after Five o'clock.

Preamble
The House met; and Five of the LORDS COMMISIONERS, namely—The LORD CHANCELLOR, The LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (The Earl de Grey and Ripon), The LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Earl of Kimberley), The LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD (The Viscount Sydney), and The DUKE OF ARGYLL (Secretary of State for India), being in their Robes, and seated on a Form placed between the Throne and the Woolsack, (commanded the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know "The Lords Commissioners desire their immediate Attendance in this House."
And the Commons being at the Bar;

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

  PRESENTED AND APPROVED.
  MR. EVELYN DENISON, Speaker Elect, said—
  "MY LORDS,
  "I have to acquaint your Lordships that, in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, Her Majesty's faithful Commons, in the exercise of their undoubted right and privilege, have proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and that their choice has fallen on myself. I now present myself at your Bar, and submit myself, with all humility, to Her Majesty's gracious approbation."
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR;
  "MR. DENISON,
  "We are commanded to assure you that Her Majesty is fully sensible of your zeal for the public service, of your ample sufficiency to perform the important duties which Her faithful Commons have selected you to discharge, and Her Majesty does most readily approve and confirm you as their Speaker."
  MR. SPEAKERsaid—
  "MY LORDS,
  "I submit myself, with all humility and gratitude, 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 to all their ancient and undoubted rights and privileges. I humbly petition Her Majesty for freedom of speech in debate, freedom from arrest for their persons and servants, and above all, for freedom of access to Her Majesty when occasion should require, and that the most favourable construction should be put upon all their proceedings. And with regard to myself, I pray that if any error should be committed, it may be imputed to myself, and not to Her Majesty's faithful Commons."
  THE LORD CHANCELLOR;
  "MR. SPEAKER,
  "We have it in further command to inform you that Her Majesty doth 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, although Her Majesty is sensible that you stand in no need, of such an assurance, Her Majesty will ever put the most favourable construction upon your words and actions."
  Then the Commons withdrew.
  WRITS AND RETURNS electing The Lord Headley a Representative Peer for Ireland in the Room of the late Earl of Bantry, deceased, with the Certificate of the Clerk of the Crown in Ireland annexed thereto—Delivered (on Oath), and Certificate read.
  Several Lords—Took the Oath.
  House adjourned at Four o'clock, to Tuesday next, Two o'clock.