moment you throw open the door the first time that I have heard to equal and general concession, the name of a thing prized beyond and say that the only difference the substance. The noble Earl between the churches of the dis- argues in this manner. He thinks senters and the churches of the that though the Parliament would establishment is the ecclesiastical be substantially the same, great establishment of the latter, that danger is to be apprehended if moment you will cease to possess two or three Catholic representathe means of maintaining what is tives should be admitted into the essential to the security of your cther House, and two or three establishment. Parliament will Catholic peers restored to their immediately cease to be a Protes- hereditary seats in this House. tant parliament.

Surely never did the wit of man To this strain of reasoning, devise a danger more futile and Earl Grey made the following imaginary than this ! reply. The noble Earl opposite The House being at length dihas stated one danger, but it is of vided upon Lord Donoughmore's a nature somewhat unsubstantial, motion, the numbers stood although he earnestly calls your follows: Lordships attention to it.

Contents, present 54 that if the Catholics shall be ad

Proxies

36 mitted into full participation of

90 the privileges of the British con- Non-contents, present 32 stitution, the Parliament of this

Proxies

60 country can no longer be called

-142 exclusively a Protestant Parliament. Really, my Lords, this is Majority against the

motion

52

as

It is,

.

CHAP

CHAPTER V. Resignation of the Speaker, and subsequent Proceedings.-Lord Sidmouth]

circular Letter discussed in both Houses.

SPEAKER'S RESIGNATION. no further duty to perform than

to return my heartfelt acknowV May 30th, the following ledgments to the House for all

a

Speaker of the flouse of Com- upon me, and to express my fernions, addressed to Jeremiah Dye vent wishes for the perpetual son, Esq. deputy clerk of the llouse. maintenance and preservation of SIR,

its rights, its privileges, and its It is with the sincerest con- independence. I am, Sir, cern and regret that I feel myself always most truly your's, obliged to request that you will

CHARLES ABBOT. inform the House of Commons at Lord Custlereagh then proposed their meeting this day, of my in- that the House should adjourn ability, from continued illness, toat- till Monday next, when it was tend any longer upon their service. probable they would receive a

After holding the high office to communication from the Prince which I have been raised by that Regent on the subject. — Adfarour in five successive Parlia- journed. ments, it is impossible that I On June 2, there being an unshould resign so honourable and usually full attendance of memdistinguished a situation without bers, Lord Castlereagh rose, and feeling the deepest gratitude for said that he was commanded by the constant kindness with which the Prince Regent to acquaint the they have been pleased to accept House, that being anxious that and assist my humble endeavours no further delay should arise in to discharge its various and ar- the progress of public business, duous duties.

he was desirous that they should It was my earnest wish and immediately proceed to the elechope to have continued longer in tion of a new Speaker. the service of the House, if such Sir J. Nicholl, a dressing limwere their pleasure ; but the in- self to the deputy clerk, then terruption of public business which arose, and after paying a wellhas been already occasioned by merited compliment to the Speal my state of health, and the appre. er, he presented the Right Hon. hension of the same cause recur- Charles Manners Sutton to the ring, which might again expose choice of this House. the House to the like inconve- He was seconded by Mr. E. J. nience, have made me deem it Littleton. necessary that I should retire at Mr. Dickinson then rose to rethis time, and have left me now commend Mr. Charles Watkin

Williams Williams Wynn to the same post, adopted by the advisers of the crown in which he was seconded by Sir on this occasion. No one could M. W. Ridley.

concur more willingly in a vote The two candidates having paid of thanks to Lord Colchester than their proper respects to the himself; but why did the crown House, each party proceeded to interfere to prevent the House election, when Mr. Manners Sut- from going further, and from oriton was chosen by 312 to 150. ginating any other reward which On the following day the appro- was due to his acknowledged mebation of the Prince Regent was

rits? His services had been persignified to him by his Majesty's formed in that House; and from commissioners in the House of it, therefore, ought their recomLords.

pence to proceed. It was not a On the same day, Lord Castle, matter of indifference that persons reagh presented the following sitting in that chair should be message from the Prince Regent. accustomed to look to the crown

“The Prince Regent, acting in for the reward of their exertions the name and in the behalf of his in it. Had the message been Majesty, thinks it right to inform preceded by an address, every obthe House of Commons, that hav- jection would have been preing taken into his consideration cluded ; but the services in questhe eminent and distinguished ser- tion were of that nature which, vices of the Right Honourable for peculiar reasons, ought in the Charles Abbot, during the long first instance to be fully recogand eventful period in which he nized and appreciated by the had filled the situation of Speaker House. of that House, has conferred upon Lord Castlereagh said, that the him the dignity of a baron of the right hon. person having been united kingdom by the title of raised to the dignity of the peerBaron Colchester, of Colchester, age, the purport of the message in the county of Essex ; and the ought to be understood as inviting Prince Regent recommends to the the House to make a provision in House of Commons to enable him consequence of the title, and not to make such provision for Charles of his services as Speaker. Lord Colchester, and for the heir Mr. Ponsonby was surprised at male of his body who may next the noble lord's explanation, who succeed to the title, as shall, under might find from the very words of all the circumstances, be judged the message, that it was founded just and reasonable."

upon those services. George, P. R. After several other observaThe Chancellor of the Exchequer tions, Mr. Wynn repeated his anmoved, that the message of the xious wish that the motion should Prince Regent respecting a pro- be withdrawn, and another subvision for Lord Colchester be stituted that would meet the taken into consideration on Thurs- wishes of every member in that day next.

House. Mr. Wynn expressed his asto- The Chancellor of the Exchequer nishment at the mode of proceeding admitted the candour of the hon.

member's member's intimation. He appre- mark of the royal favour upon hended that it might be the most Charles Lord Colchester, late satisfactory course that he should Speaker of this House, for his withdraw the motion he had al- great and eminent services perready made, and give notice of his formed to his country during the intention to move an address to long and important period in the crown on this subject on which he has, with such distinThursday next.

guished ability and integrity, preThe motion was accordingly sided in the chair of this House; withdrawn.

and to assure his Royal Highness, On June 5th, Lord Castlereagh that whatever expense his Royal rose in the House, and after a Highness shall think proper to be bandsome compliment to the late incurred upon that account, this Speaker, he moved, “That the House will make good the same.” thanks of this House be expressed Mr. Ponsonby said, that the to the Right Hon. Charles Abbot, House was already in one diffinow Baron Colchester, for his culty, and he was afraid that the eminent and distinguished services wording of the address was calduring the long and eventful pe- culated to produce another. The riod in which he discharged the objection on a former day was duties of Speaker with a zeal that the crown should be the first and ability alike honourable to proposer of the grant; and they himself, and advantageous to the were now told that the crown service of this House: that he ought to determine the amount. be assured that the proofs he has After some discussion upon this uniformly given of attachment to matter, the motion was agreed to his King and Country; the exemplary firmness with which he has The Speaker, on the next day, maintained the dignity and privi- reported Lord Colchester's answer leges of this House; the ability, to the resolution of the House of integrity, and unremitting atten- Commons. tion to parliamentary business, Lord Castlereagh then laid bewhich have marked the whole of fore the House the answer of the his conduct; justly entitle him to Prince Regent to their address, the approbation, respect, and gra-' which was to the following purtitude of this House.”

pose: This motion was agreed to, “ The Prince Regent has the and the Speaker was directed to justest sense of the long services communicate the resolution to and great merit of Charles Lord Lord Colchester.

Colchester, late Speaker of the Lord Castlereugh then moved, House of Commons: and in the “ That an humble address be name and on the behalf of his presented to his royal highness Majesty has already taken the the Prince Regent, to beseech his same into his consideration, The Royal Highness that he will be Prince Regent is desirous, in graciously pleased, acting in the compliance with the wishes of his name and on the behalf of his Majesty's faithful Commons, to Majesty, to confer some signal confer upon the said Lord Col

nem. con.

chester some further signal mark extension of the reversionary grant of his favour ; but as the same to the late Speaker, to two lives ; cannot be effectually granted and which was negatived. secured without the concurrence of Parliament, his Royal Ilighness

LORD SIDMOUTH'S LETTER. recommends to the House of Com- Lord Sidmouth, on March 27, mors the adoption of such mea- 1817, sent the following circular sures as may be necessary for the letter to his Majesty's lieutenants accomplishment of this purpose." of counties throughout England

On the 9th of June, the House and Wales. having resolved itself into a com- My Lord, -As it is of the greatmittee to take into consideration est importance to prevent, as far the Prince Regent's answer to as possible, the circulation of their address, the Chancellor of blasphemous and seditious pamthe Exchequer entered upon the phlets and writings, of which for subject of the provision which it à considerable time past great was desirable to allow Lord Col. numbers have been sold and dischester. His proposal was, that tributed throughout the country; Mr. Speaker Onslow having at 1 have thought it my duty to conthe beginning of this reign retired sult the law servants of the crown, from the chair with an allowance whether an individual found sellof 30001. a year, the depreciation ing, or in any way publishing such of the value of money since that pamphlets or writings, might be time, and the extraordinary aug- brought immediately before a jusmentation of duty which the tice of the peace, under a warrant Speaker had to perforin, would issued for the purpose, to answer render the addition of one thousand for his conduct. The law officers pounds not too liberal a vote. He having accordingly taken this mataccordingly moved a resolution to ter intu their consideration, have that effect.

notified to me their opinion, that This was regarded as an over- a justice of the peace may issue a payment by several members; and warrant to apprehend a person, Mr. Tierney humnorously said, that charged before him upon oath with " as to the anxiety that had been the publication of libels of the natalked of, the Speaker felt less ture in question, and compel him than any man in the House, or to give bail to answer the charge. perhaps was the only man entirely Under these circumstances, I without anxiety: he existed in a beg leave to call your lordship's sort of middle atmosphere, to bend attention very particularly to this his head to one side or the other, subject ; and have to request, and enjoy the fray."

that if your lordship should not Mr. Lambton moved that the propose to attend in person at the words 3000l. a yerr be substituted next general quarter sessions of for 10001. ; upon which the com- the peace, to be holden in and for mittee divided : For the amend- the county under your lordship's ment, 42; against it, 126. The charge, you would make known originalinotion was then agreed to.

ed to. to the chairman of such sessions Mr, Sumner then moved for an the substance of this communica