The Express.
London, England, 1865-07-06 00:00:00

PERSONAL STATEDILENT.

At a quarter pest
The LORD CHANCELLOR rose and said—My lords,
feel it to be my duty, out of the deep respect which I
ewe le your lordabipe, to atteed here to-day, that I may
personally announce to you that I have tendered the rat-
station of my office of Lord Chancellor to her Majesty, and
that it has bees by her Majesty most graciously accepted.
My lords, the step whist I took yesterday I should have
taken several mouths ago if I had followed the dictates of
my own judgment—(hear, hear)—and of my own
feelings. But I felt that I was not at liberty to
de so. As a member at the government I could sot take
such a step without the pormiseion end renetion of the
members of her Majesty's government. So far as I was
spelt persoaally commend, posmosiss, as I brae the happy
Dees to do, the friendship of the liable Iced at the heed of
the gram nicest, and of the members of the cabieet, I
laid aside my owe feeling., bens satisfied that my
homer and my muse of duty were safe V I followed their
opinion muter thee my ewe. (Heir, hear.) My lords, I
felt that the bolder of the green seal ought never to be to
the position of an accused prom, if, usfortueately,
he was so. For my pact I fe't that it was doe
he the peat office which I held that I should
satire from it, sod meet say emulation that might
be brought epic st me in the character of a private person
Bat my *obis friend at the head of her Majesty's govern-
ment combated that minim, mid I think with great patos.
He said it would sot do to admit that as a principle of pli-
lieal
duty, or the coseepeerie would be that whoever
thought fit to being forward as accusation would emceed in
driviag the Lord Chancellor from office. Therefore, when
the charges were first made, and were inveedgatal
by a committee of your lordships' house, I 'striated to les
allowed to retire. The answer I received, and to which I gave
my unqualified assent, was the answer of my noble friend
which I have just described to you. When the committee
of the House of Commons was moved for I again renewed
my solicitations. The gemerenseet, however, theaght I was
boned, es the same principle, to undergo that inquiry, and
I submitted to it again in deference to their wishes. When
the late motile in the House of Commons was announced I
apiareeemed my request that thatmotionmightbe remained
uneeeemery by my resignation of my office. But my noble
Mead thought it was say duty still to persiskend accordingly,
my lords, my resignation, earnestly as I wished to mike it,
wee postponed, is the inmost I have described to you, until
yeierday. Now, let it not be far cue moment (imagined
that I state this in order to set op my own opinion to the
hind and judicious advise that I received, easier; as it did
MOD a source that I was bound to reopen and obey. But
I have troubled you with this statement is the hope
that you will believe, and that the public will '
believe, that I have not clang to office, that I
have had no desire to retain it, that I have not been
inhumed by any hem or unworthy motives. With
mgard to the opinion of the House of Commons I do not
presume to my a weed. I lave bowed to that decision ;
bat I may venture to hope that after an interval of time
Balmer thoughts will prevail, and that feelings more
framable to myself may be entertained. My lords, lam
thankful for the opportunity which my tenure of office has
afforded me of peeing measures origicatieg with myself,
and which have received your keeships' approbation—mea-
sures which I believe, nay, which I venture from
experience to say will be productive of great beeefit
be the radie. With them I hope my mime
will be associated. (Cheers.) I regret deeply that a
ps,t aware which I have bad at heart—the formation of
a digest of the entire law—l have been unable to iosuga-
rate ; for it was not until the session that the mum were
startled by parliament for that putpose. My lords, I
leave that peat scheme ready prepared to my suotemer.
With regard to the tetras, I ems on'y minima to premise
that it will be my zealous moiety, Is the character of a
private member of this house, to promote sad moist in
seseceplishieg all thus reforms and improvements in the
sebniaistration of justice which I feel are yet required
by the country. (Cheers.) My lords, with regard to the
appellate business of your lordship' house, lam happy to
say it is is what I thick will be found a satisfactory slats.
There is sot a single judgment in smear save one, la
Midi the ragnmeeto were emended only, after many days,
learieg, the day before yesterday. (Hear, hear.) In
Ohilielai. lam happy also to state that by the cad of the
@Stine there will not. I believe, remala one appeal whom&
sr a judgment not proem:mei. (Bear.) I mention this
only le the hope that your lordship will emend echaowledge
that it has 11611111 my most preset desire, frees the
lime I assumed office, to give to the di charge of my
*lend duty all my powers and my energies,and all Use
industry I could asemeand. (Cheers.) .My lords, I have mo-
lting POW 01141 Q &Unto thank four lordships, which I do uni-
memilly, for the Magner which I have uniformly received.
IS is very pomildp that by some words, by some inadver-
tence, by some want of attention or courtesy, I may have
given pain, or I may have exposed myself to unfavourable I
report. My lords, if that be the cane, I beg of you to as.
espt the expression of my regret, sad I treat that It may be
seised frees your memories. My lords, I have nothing
more to sty tbs.* est I thank you for the kindness with
eihicti you have listened to me. (Chem)
The Consolidated Fusel Appropriation Bill was read a
third time and passed.
The Commose Amendments to the Admiralty Powers,
ha, Bill, sad the Dockyard Poe ta Regulation Bill, were con.
sidered and agreid to, sad the bills were read a third time
end mewl.
The Couineset; 'Amendmeato to the Lords' Amendments
te the Prisons Bills end the Penalties Law Amendment
Bill were coesidorod and agreed to, sad the bills were read
• third time and passed.
Their lordships adjourned at half-past 5 °Woe.