The Statesman. — London, England, 1822-07-18 00:00:00

same lama nut been committed than ant thing which could have been in either of the cams he bad mentioned. It appeared that Mr. !lope thought himself injured ; ea justly Wined: and under this feeling he sat down to write his defence. Now he(Mr. Brougham) did sot wish nicely to weigh the expressions which a moo might wakens. of under these circutestaccee, or too meetly to visit Mr. Hope's misconduct; for it would be squeses- isbeesa anal agectsition to say that be had nut been guilty of misconduct. The investigation into the whole spatter cwt of which the hresch of privilege mute, herd, a s yet, only 'wenn. Mr. Hope himself might he roust awed as still on his trial ; it was therelore painful to animadvert upon him. But what, in point of fact, had be does? Without endeavouring to ascertain the exact degree of Mr. Hope's o f f ence, it was his (Mr. w o de cided opinion, that the offence was committed iu no or dinary form; and that it was not a technical, hut a substantial violation of the privileges of the house. It was not a mere complaint of newspaper report, it was a direct attack on a Member for that which he had sail in the course of a speech, as remarkable for its temper us it was for its distinguished ability. There were many personal attacks in that house, which would he • breach of privilege if made out of it: but the words used in this pamphlet were such as no one, even in that Immo% 'could rei.• At to a Member. To Lbarge a Member with malignant, unjust, or even unfair motives, was a breach it the privileges of that howl yet his Honor able and Learned Friend (Mr. Abercromby) had been distinctly charged with doing that, of the un fairness of whirls he was conscious at the time he slid it. tiles this even alloord to lie said in that house witboot a reprimand His lion, and Learned Friend was charged also aith sluing this to political ascot iates out of doors." {Parr persons out of doors to have larger authority than those in it ? lle thought the house would confottml offences which were perfectly distinct, if they treated this as a mere illusion. Pie question, however, was, how to deal with it. His Hon. and Learned Friend (Mr. ronrteuay) proposed to Fats it over on account of the explanation, as he called tt, which hail been given at the bar. With every di.- position to get out of the difficulty, lie (Mr. B.) could not admit 'bat Mr. (lope had at all mitigated his of fence. There was but nor raprestion to he used at the bar for the purpose of softening the consegnence of the displeasure of the house, and that expression had not fallen from Mr. Mope. He (Mr. It.) appealed to the ex perience of those who were most con t with the history of that house, whether it hail ever allowed a per son who had committed a breach of privilege, to escape on a mere explanation ? lint, after all, he should like to know, in what part of Mr. Hope's address the expla nation consisted? Mr. Hope had spoken of his irritated feelings; no man was none secessiVe to an appeal of this description than he was.—(A laugh.)—fiat there were two meanings which might be put upon Mr. Hope's letter. It might mean to express irritated feeling., or it might mean to provoke to a breach of the peace.. And here he (Mr. ) would say, that Mr. Hope, whoever was Lis adviser, been badly advised. in nut living advised to negative this meaning. Ile had, however, left the bar without having done this. As for explanation, he (Mr. B.) hail heard none; anti with respect to contri tion, that had not even been pretended, anal Mr. Hope had left the house in a situation, with regard to its cha racter and honour, which would induce even the lion. Baronet for Weatminster (little as Ise regarded the house) to look down upon it with compassion. I oared, in his opinion, the hunse would motione itself to a miserable, contemptible, and pitiable condition, if it adopted the present Resolistion. Lord BINNING said, that after the dignified and tem perate proposal of his Hon. and Learned Friend (Br. Courtenay) he hail hoped the house was getting near a termination of this unpleasant discussion but after the 'lintel% of the Hon. and Learned Member who had jest sat down, be thought he should forfeit his duty as a Member of that house, and his duty also to his esteemed and beloved Friend. who had left the Bar, if he did not offer a few ob thins on the present rose. Where that house acted upon a Smelt of its Privila.ge. leniency was always desirable; and he thought there was nothing in the ease of his Learned Friend to render it incumbent on the house to do more than was contemplated by the pre sent motion.: He appealed to the house, whether they had:ever heard a more firm—(Hear, hear, from the Oppo. sition)—be would repeat the expression (because without the firmness be shoal,' not have valued it) a more limn, a more respectful address than that which had been ale livered at the Bar by his Learned Friend. His Learned Friend bail stated that be had no wish to violate the privileges of the !mime. Mr. BROUGHAM said, that in that case he must have misunderstood Mr. Hope. He (Mr. B.) understood him to say, that lie felt hiniaelf compelled to defend his character, even at the risk of violating the privileges of , the house. Lord BINNING said It was perfectly true that his Learned Friend had said this ; but in another part of his speech, lie had said that lie had no desire to offend against the Privileges of the House. His Learned Friend bad truly said, that charges had gone forth against him nuder which he found it intolerable to live; charges affecting his private character, and likely to affect his professional prospects as a Barrister. Haul the discus sion of the subject out of which the busineas arose been likely to undergo discussion this Sean:L..lm, his Learned Friend would have forborne to write the pamphlet in question. and would have waited for an Inquiry, the re sult of which could not but be most honourable to him. llut his Learned Friend could not allow an impression to remain whi c h it Is mild afterwards b e most difficult to remove. The statement, of whirl, his Learned Friend complained was not founded in fact, lie had been charg ed with conduct as COIIIISPI in a cause, in which, in fact, lie was not. and never had been comma-1 (Ile Lord Bin ning) was ready to admit the ability w hick had been displayed in the course of that statement by the Hot,. amid Learued Memlier (Mr. Abeecrouik); but lie could not Join the Member for Winchelsea (Mr. Itroug,liam) in his eifoginin on the temper of th.• lion. and Learned 31ent ker. It had been stated that the ulaject of his Learned nice, ts..s to crea.e rejialieisi.u.iinst an unfortunate Identleaaial, ebo is io iae tried. for his life ; %heresy the paper ai!lda L to w is signed in Jaituary, and the unfor tunate duel, in rsspert of which Mr. Stti:irt was tried, I slid not tale place:ill Mardi. He (Loral li.) would feel ashamed of 1,i.: Li•Jfllell Friend, if I:e not contra t the iiiiputatiou thus eat upon kin. and contra. dict it too with kilignatioa. Ile would here he a r leave to say, that had the Honourable and Learned Member (Mr. Abercroaiby), when his read the paper in question to the Muse, read the whole Lai time words connected with the signatures, even lie (Lord II.) though no lawyer, could have informed hint of the practice which was 1 - ,:y COI/1(1KM at the Scottish ir, of on , , •ounsel from motive of courtesy, sieving the pleadings of another.—This was the case of his Learned Fitend, who did not even read the pleadings br signed ; neither was it necessary for hint to have done Anti when his Learned Friend found that his conduct hail been misrepresented. and that the mirepresentation had been seat forth to the world, lie was 11.111r...11y provoked, anal lie acted wider the imuwaliate feeliti;:s ot pluvoration. 'flir character of his Learned Friend was as high as tha• of any amain that lionsP, and lie was sure that the lieu tleuieusuf England would make • • allowance for the Wounded feelings of a person of hon,,Mr. But iris Learn. ed Friend had nut to complain merely of the speech of the Hon. and Learned Member (Mr. Aheri•roiti'•v) He Led to feel the weight of authority which belonged to the Hon. and Learned Member for linaresbarougb (Sir THE STATESMAN. . J. Mackintosh), who was not leas admired for his fple* got out of the kosaa,— (Haar ,) —Ho weld do his ditty did talents than b e w as res p ecte d foe lilt enderstion is iiy voting again* the Resistless. solve amended hy politics and the am en ity o f hi s masers is pleat* lib. sense moderato and simpl e words, asoveying, though Wises this peat authority was backed valet hiss, his Sot harshly, Its reprimand. If they did pie eat Rosa I Levee' I' mod felt convinced that the whole counter halos, it weld be a precedest is favour of all public weld condemn him, 'ekes be Immediately resisted the delinquents, sad she timelier valet all Oldie louiry attack. That Hoo. sod Learned Member bad encased —(Hear.)—lf they wou ld pass it, it would undou btedly his Leered Friend of "a furious seal is the cause hi preset all Members from bringing many grievance be injestice and oppresses." It bad ben truly said that, 'seethe*. He was certain, if any penes of ezperience with regard to this subject, his Learned Fried was yet should advise say young seas spec the ealaleet, it would ape his trial; and this was an ailuitional reason for the be to recommend him sever to meddle with people who house to treat hint in the present case with lenity. It were under the pewees of people la power; for be had been said that motives mast not be imputed to Men- might see that the house would net stand by him, even hers; but had not motives been imputed to his Learned though he was a Member—(Hear, bear.)—He would Friend under which it would be disgraceful for him to waive all private feelings, and steely go with that Bpi live ? It might a ls o b e o b serve d t h at hi s Learned Friend tit o hid, he conceived doe to the dignity of the hese. had been bruughtto London at egret inconvenience, at It was a declared breach of privilege, which the house considerable loss as regarded his professional pursuits, mast notice if they desired Member, to be protected froth and at an expense which, to a professional lawyer, was violence out of doors. He did not wish any thing vindic. Ho trifling consideration. If one Member of that bonne tire *guise Mr. Hope, but he considered that the lapse Implied motives to another, he would only be called to was bound to reprimand any person who committed a utter ; anti he therefore trusted, that the merely repelling a breach of its privileges. of motives, charged without foundation, would not be vi• Mr. W. W. WYNN said the he must confess that sited too . lv. The house world not forget that there was a clear and salistatitial breach of privilege this breach of privilege had been founded npnn another committed, and one which directly affected the freedom breach of privilege, to which his Learned Friend was no of speech—not only by oomutent upon what had been party. He alluded to the publication of the debates of said there. but by impaling unworthy motives to an that house, thuni,b he did not say that this was a breach Honourable Member. If such a license were permitted, of privilege at which the house ought not to connive.— it wotilJ foree Members to descend into an arena bf pub- Ile ought to observe that the contracted circle of society, lie controversy.—(Hear.)—He was aware that the ;rob in which his Learned Friend moved, had been poisoned lication of debates was tolerated, thong!' not legal, as by these imputation. on leis character, which, had It not that publication in itself was a breach of privilege. No been fur his vindication, would hav e de s t ro y e d hr. h ap pi- Member timid he called upon to art right any mistake nes, his fortune, his fame, and ever y thi ng w hi c h cou ld which appeared io the report of that speech. •It was to be dear to a young man of honour and talent. Indeed him extraordinary that reports of the debates wee given party spirit at Edinburgh ran so very high, that his with es, much accuracy, considering the great haste with Learned Friend could not b are li ve d h a d b e not repe ll e d which they must he taken, and the few hone they were the imputations on his character, got up in. But tboaEh he admitted their general Adelity Mr. ABERCROM BY assured the house, that he did they all knew that there was occasionally great wimp not rise to offer an opinion on the prose* question. prehensiune, and, in some cases, the very opposite of Ile merely wished to states few facts to the house; but what was spoken set down. 'No bleuebar should be, h e could nut do so, without expressing his regret that he therefore, held accountable for any such reports. If should bare bee the Clulle of the time of the house Irving their rights were to be called into question, they could thus taken op to the delay of public-business.--(Meer, not go on with the business of the great inquest of hear, hear!)—He had read Mr. Hope's pamphlet, lie the nation. Under all the circumstances, he was in knew not what bad been its effect upon the world; but, dined to think that a positive and substantial breach as it was only in that hese that he held himself account- of privilege was committed. When he (Mr. Sr.) moil able for his conduct or his language within it, be biel dared at the same time all that Mr. Hope bad stated, never authorised any one to answer or comment upon it. he thought that, though his conduct might not be jos- He had now to repeat to the house, to the best of his re- tified, it could be extenuated ; and he was willing to ad cellection. what he bad said with respect to the plead- mit that it had received all the extenuation the case was logs, signed by Mr. Hope and the other Counsel, in the capable of. With the indulgence ever due to the fail course of Mr. Stuart's action. He reed the plea, and the ings of human nature, they could not wonder at that nausea of the Counsel subscribing it, and added, " I don't Gentleman's irritation. Mr. Hope's conduct should not know how far these Gentlemen are responsible for this he allowed to pass by without the notice of the house, paper. That is a matter of indifference. as far as regards but it should not be said that the, acted with partiality. my argument. It is as Advocates Depute that 1 speak —(Hear.) There were similar eases by which the house of them." At that time be certainly was not aware of might govern itself, and be was convinced whatever de the practice at the Scotch bar of Gentlemen signing the vision they Caine to. would be, under all the circa's= pleadings of each other. The fact was that the paper had stances, most prudent and expedient. been read to him by an individual some weeks before he Mr. CANNING said that he would judge of Mr. made his motion; his attention was then drawn to the Hope's conduct in the difficult circumstances in which substance of it rather than to th e tootl e of the signatures. he was placed, by the house declaring his conduct a lie denied that it was any part of his argument to slew breach of privilege, by considering fairly if that Gentle that Mr. Hope was Counsel in Borthwick's case. His man had done any thing with an intention of violating charge was that the object of the proceedings in that the privileges of that Hon. Honse ; or whether be bad case was to prejudice Mr. Stuart on his approaching only performed a duty to himself by repelling what be trial. His motion was made on the 25th of June, and thought an unfounded slander, and statements which af on the 211th, he was is possession Odle Report of Mr.S.'s fectcd hie honour. The question had been stated by trial. '!'his was a material circumstance to chew what some Hon. Gent. as if it was only between the house and must have been the course of his argument when he some offender out of doors. Undoubtedly it was true, made the motion. lie would now state that Who had ever that great mischief would arise, if people out of doors , the misfortune in the course of his Parlianientaryduty to thought themselves entitled to call the Members to ae hurt the feelings of another in consequence of his stating count for reports of their speeches delivered in Paella any thing respecting which he had been misinformed, ment. But it seemed to be forgotten that there was a be would never have hesitated, if an application were thirst party is the transaction—the reporting press, made to him, in a proper manner, to bow to correction which was to a certain extent dependent on any inquiry and to give the individual the benefit of every explana• on the present subject. With the press he would not lo tion within his power. lie assured the house that he heal teeter', as he considered that it was so ingrafted in all acted in this matter from a desire to uphold Isis indivi- ibis practice of the constitution of the house, that it would dual character, consistently with his duties as a Member b e impossible, were it even wise, to attempt to pat it of that house. He begged also to declare that if celled down. Before they made up their minds to censure an upon to remedy any case of injustice originating wit ardent young man, they should consider the situation in himself, in a fair, candid, and intelligible manner, he which Mr. Hope was placed; in a distant part of the should with the same readiness apply himself to do so, as country, in a small circle, who were either his friends or he believed every Member in that house would be die- decidtal opponents, and could he in such a situation pass posed to do.—(Cheering.) over such imputations as those which were thrown out The Marquess of LONDONDERRY said that, with- against him? With respect to the Hon. Gent. (Mr. Aber out comprouliaing the privileges of the house, it was cromby) for whose charactor both io and oat of the easy to see that this was a case, the justice of which house be had the highest respect, he had relieved his would be satisfied by a trilling share of punishment.— (Mr. C.'s) mind, by the explanation of one part of his The house having decreed its breach of its privileges, declaration respecting the practice of the Scottish Bar it was unnecessary to agitate that question again, and affixing their signatures to documents, and of which be the only consideration was, whether or not it was an and many members of the house were ig 5. When aggravated case. That this house had not latterly been he heard that Mr. Hope and Mr. hi• Neill subscribed to a in the habit of enforcing its privileges with the same plea which was soobjectionable, he could most confident. rigour as foru ie rly, was certainly true , fur the publica- Iy say that whe n h e heard that statement, be considered tion of its debates' was an open violation of these pri. that a case was made out which brought Mr. Hope's re vilegea. It was nee sssss y however that this publication pantion into jeopardy. He had applied to his Noble should he overlooked, for the synnethy induced by it Friend (Lord Binning) for an explanation, and between the Representatives and the people out of doors, with the hope that it would turn out as it had done, that had been so much enhanced, that to break it off at this the signature to the plea was a technical practiee, af time might be attended with great inconvenience. This fixed without even sanctioning thedocumeats orproving was a breach of privilege then, which should be tole- for its accuracy. The mistake not only pervaded that rated unless it produced some absolute mischief. The house, hot it was circulated for 10,000 miles through next question was, whether the breach of privilege now the wide expanse of England and of Scotland. From it charged was of the same description? In his opinion was Mr. Hope's character stigmatized ; and he world it was. That it was as offence against th e p r i v il eges o f as k, was f t in human nature for any young man to sit the house no one could doubt ; but the Noble Lord stated down quietly under an imputation affecting his repute his opinion, that the explanation given by the witness tion and honour? The lion. Gentleman (Mr. Aber and his manner generally at the bar, were in a great cromby) had said, that if he had been applied to in any measure an expiation of his fault. He was therefore of reasonable manner, he would have given full explans opinion that Mr. Hope ought to be dismissed with an lion. If the whole matter was to be gone over again, admooitien• perhaps it would be better that such an application had Mr. TI ERNEY differed Erato the Noble Lord. If the been made. Hilt the house must see that the course witness was butadmonisbed, it would be in fact a triumph was open to difficulties. Mr. hope might have applied for him, a consequence which lie was sure ev'n the Noble to a Member who would be so tenacious 'Allis privileges Lord did not wish for. Mr. Hope might have made his as not to give any explanation. It might be said that explanation more satisfactory. It was unfair to liken there was another mode which might have been adopt this case to a publication of their debates in the news- ed ; he might have addressed a letter to the editor of 1 papers, for that was a great benefit to the country. He the paper in which the report had appeared. He might was sure no man who wished well to the interests of the have stone so certainly; but the only difference between State would wish to see the publication of these that mode and the mode which lie adopted was, that he debates pot • stop to.—(Hear, hear !)—tiorl forbid had done that directly which he 'night have done circuit. that any thing that he could Nay in that bowie would ously. Ile (Mr. C.) could not understand, from the sanction any Member in taking away the character of a speech of Sir. Hope, any aggravation of Isis offence to person out of it ! But all he asked was, that a Member wards the house. He very candidly expressed his re of Parliament should he protected fir any stateni-its Bret at being subject to their disapprobation. He which, his duty required him to make. There were other professed his respect for the house, and followed op that modes which a person out of doors might adopt. lie by saying, that he acted on principles which they re might present a petition to the house, complaining that gartled with veneration and esteem. lie stated, with his character was attacked in it, and retpiesting their at- a frankness most creditable to him, that seeing all the tention and their protection. They were placed in a dangers of the course before him, he felt it due to strange situation ; for if they gratt:e.l an inquiry, an his character and to his professional honour to act Hon. Member complained that the ver:.• 1,1.1 , 1117 we, a us he had done. He was bound not to be stopped libel upon Win. It was said that the •-•••• ..: Borthwick by the offence, or the fear of the consequences which was dependent at prevent, and that they ought tc wait awai: .1 its eominittal.—(Hear, hear.) Tile titivation for its termination ; but he did not think that the pre, then which they would have to decide upon was, not if readings of the boost• could elect it. Perhaps it may !hey sh roll neat him as ono %Om had violated the sanc tion get on at all, or if slmi:l at some ,ime hence, bilolll.l Lily of their privileges, hat as one who felt strongly in they allow, all tat time, .11entliers of she house to be a cause where his character and professional honour branded in newspapers, or be treated iti ilmm a it; %sere most une.pii vocallv attacked. He told them odium? What he objected to was, that noshing fur• frankly, that however highly he venerated their CellSli• ther hail been done then demanding en explanation, lotion, he felt that he was called upon to risk every thing and that the person at the bar had r- 4 -retted .his in- in vindication of his reputation. He (Mr. C.) saw no temperate Expression. But the house should not pass thing in all that to give offettre to the house.—(Hear,, the mat , or by so easily. If it stopple! there it would hear.) lie might have added to the present trilling and he a triumph to Mr. (lope.—(Cries of ts hear, hear.' ) technical crime, that of a tt em pti ng t o d ece i ve th e m.— lie would state how easy it was to remedy it, y insisting Ile had trusted to the house with manliness and candour. in the Resolution before them, that the House should that they would not punish him for preferring the risk reprimand Mr. Hope fur toe breach of privilege. Ile of th.iir displeasure to the certain loss of character.— would not propose an amendment, as he wall not certain (Hear, hear.) With the expectation that the house how it would he received. Hemight calculate upon the would nut send "Ir. Hope hack again to Scotland among sentiments of the house from the shouts of triumph with Ilia friends with disgrace, he would leave the question in widch :ilr. Hope's speech was received even before he their hands.—((lear, hear.) Mr. ABIERCROMBY explained. He had said, With referees* re itigestitiva ef Hope eta *Neal; that tbd ass ha had eaute et that paper was array is show that as coating boa thli Debi Advocate's it forced Mr. Stout epee th• coarse of preoWleg ha had adopted. Mr. CANNiNIi bad 'Watered tha Hoietirable and Learnad lieetimea as intending to rep/emit that Mr: was as mach emaleted with the ...maw se lir: Mal. Lord A. HAMILTON *ought the Resoludos at pre sto; proposed, was iswoosistent with what was due s.l Paella Meat and tb his Hon. and l". rued Friend. He could not &cellist for the bhinge apparent in the teei ng* of the hoes* froth iyitipathy fur his Husourabli sad Learned Friend; to exclusive sympathy for Met Hope. He thought the proposition of his Right Hoe. Friend, (Mr. Tierney) ought to be complied with. Ai it at present stood it would be a perfect Nullity, sad he could hot concur in it. Sir J. MACKINTOSH did sot rite to ester into the ' merits of this question, nor for opposing any measure of lenity the House might be disposed to visit this ease with, but merely to answer the rourteous s ad f r i e ndly appeal to himself of the Noble Lard opposite. He ads mitted that be was Ignorant of the practice of the Scot tish Bar already alluded to; bus, at the same time he concurred with his Hon. and Learned Pulped (Mr. Aber eromby) as to the use which he had made of that part of the case.—(Cries of " Question.' Mr. BROUtiHAM wished to know whether it was the intention of the Honourable and Learned Ovule man opposite to acceded to the joint suggestion of the Right Hon. President of the Board of Controul, and hie Right Honorable Friend, the Member for Knaresbo• rough. Dlr. COURTENAY wee conviaced that Mr. Hope bad most substantially and clearly said, that lie regretted the elolation of the privileges of that hour, and if it wit the general feeling of the boast, be b a d no &dec. tion to insert that point in the way that had been nip grated. Mr. BROUGHAM trusted the important words " un der all the circumstances of the cue," would not be omitted. If they were, he could net tote for It con sistently with the votes he had formerly given, in cases of persons whose political opinions did not happen to coincide with those of the majority of that house, hut unprotected Printers and Reporters. It was the circum stances of the ease be particularly looked to—en ill.. quiry being now pending; Mr. Hope's conduct, and also the state of his own feelings, as pleaded at the Bar. Were this part left out, be was sure the justice of the house would never again allow it to commit a Printer; who should express leis regret before them. Mr. COURTENAY thought these words a most im portant ingredient of the Rosolution, and had not the slightest intention of leaving them out. The, Hon. Member then proceeded to withdraw his former Resolu tion, substituting another with the addition of these words, after the word bar—" and your expressions of regret for the violation of its privileges." This Resolatioo was then put, and from the dissent expressed, the Gallery was ordered to be cleared for a division. It was, however, agreed to without a division. Mr. Hope being then brought to the bar by the Ser. grant at Arms, The SPEAKER aid—Mr. Hope, I am directed td communicate to you the resolution which has been adopted by the house. Yan. confessing yourself to be the author of a letter in which imputations were cast epos the conduct of a Member of this House, have been adjudged guilty of a violation of its privileges ; and I am therefot e directed to inform you that this house, un der the circumstance of the case, and in consideration of the explanation given by you at the bar, and your ex pression of regret, does not feel itself called upon to take eoceodings further on the case. Mr. Hope was then ordered to withdraw. On his withdrawing from the Bar ' Mr. COURTESAY moved that Mr. Menzies be cal. led in. Upon his appearing at the Bar ; The SPEAKER informed him of the course the house had taken with regard to him, in consequence of a com plaint made on the 9th July of the letter signed William Manias, which appeared in the Courier news paper. The letter having been handed to Mr. Menzies and avowed to be his production, he was informed by the S that that was his opportunity fur saying any thing in his defence. Mr. Menzies spoke in a low tone, added to the noise in the gallery, that we heard him but very indistinctly. He commenced, as well as we could catch, by professing the most profound respect for the Hon. Hoes., and trust ing that the motives by which he was actuate d io writing the letter which incurred the displeasure of the House, would induce its leniency. He observed in the Morning Chroniek a report of a speech, purporting to have been delivered by Mr. Abercromby in the House of Commons, and which was afterwards copied into the Courier, in which a severe attack was contained upon his conduct. He deemed it to be due to Mr. Abercromby, as well as to himself, to acquaint him, the moment he saw the speech, with the circumstance, with the view of disco vering if it were true that Mr. Abercromby was the au thor of the speech, and if he were to show how false the statements relative to his conduct were, and how much he was deceived by the information be received. His communication was answered by a letter from Mr. Aber cromby, stating that he owed it to himself, as well as to other Members of Parliament, not to enter into any ex planation with respect to sentiments imputed to him on the authority of newspapers alone. He at the same time stated that, as far as Lis memory could serve him, it was satisfactory to find that shat he did say on the occasion was substantially correct. When be recollected that these statements, so injurious to his character, were cir culated through the country, he felt it his duty to pub• licly avow that they were unwarranted, groundless, and false. As he conceived the statements to be gross, he could not but feel that the language he used was war ranted by the circumstances, and he could not, therefore, retract the expressions hr made use of in defence of his character, while lie disclaimed the remotest intro. tion of violating the privileges of the House. lie con cluded by again professing his profound respect for the Hon. House. Mr. Menzies then u :revs'. air. LOU ItTENA t N. 11., af•er the statements which the house had jus: heard :;:e Learned gentleman, that he had no intention to commit a breach of privilege, he was satisfied that I...use would agree with him, that the coarse most su t wits charrcter and dignity, was to come to a resoinrioa tiiat no further proceedings were necessary, and lie would, therefore, move that •• No further attendance was necessary on the part of Mr. Menzies." Mr. BROUGHAM said be felt great pleasure in se conding th motion. tie e u sure there could be but of e teeth)); in the house upon t h e satisfactory explanatiou which it had just heard ; and be was satisfied that if his Hun. Friend (Mr. Abercromby) bad known that these Gentlemen were actuated by such motives, be would have been the last man. to consider that they had committed a Breach of Privi:e4e. lle was convinced, from the course which had been adopted, that the Privileges of the House were now as safe as the honour of the parties was un touched. 'fie motion was then agrerd to...ad Mr. Menzies dis. charged from farther proceedings. THIS GRIM •ND IVIES. Col. DAVIES said be wished to ask the Noble Mar. guess a question; there was at present ix the river a