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London, England, 1807-02-27 00:00:00

sued, by bringing forward the discoss4on c.f it as
early as possible. He no doubt, chit even
up.'n the present °cession there would be a
tion in the House to give it attention.
Lnrd FOLKESTONE added, that after what
they had so repeatedly heard as to notices, he was
surprised to see any disposal( n hwn to wave
the necessity of one upon this occasion. Ihe
Noble Secretary of Sate was corred in think-
ing this was a grave and serious niattei ; and he
presumed it would be therefore taken tip gravely,
and discussed with deliberateness and composure ;
but he could not help remarking, that the graver
and more serious the matter was, so much greater
was the necessity for a entice being given. For his
own part, he should have had no objedion to pro-
ceed immediately, but the mode of proceeding
by notices had now become so prevalent, and so
generally known, that Counsel could not yet be
prepared, nor evidence brought forward, upon the
present occasion. It was under that idea that he
had given the notice, and he saw no re..son fur al-
tering the mode he had first planned out.
Mr. SHERIDAN said, he believed the Noble
Lnrd had done no more than what lie conceived to
be his duty upon the present occasion. As to the
insinuation which had been thrown out in the Peti-
tion now laid upon the Table, lie might be led to
express himself in warmer terms of stern and con-
tempt than it might become him to do to the
House, were he to state his sentiments upon the
present occasion. Rut now, since it had been pre-
sented, he had only to say, that he should be obliged
to the Noble Lord to bring it forward upon as early
and open a day as possible, and he would also feel
obliged to hits if he would pre ent other Petitions, in
order that he might canvass all his canduet on the
late Eledinn, providing Ins assertions and insirn-
ations were proved upon oath. He did not think
that it would be pettedly decent to say, upon the
present occasion, that to his own knowledge every
word contained in the Petition was a falsehood. It
it should so turn out, that those who charged bins
with tampering with witnesses, have themselves
been t- uilty of suborning and perjuring witnesses
.11rnn the present occasion, he trusted the House
world na fail to ex••ress its high indignation at
siiert sters as have been taken, and form a just
tavoutable opinion of his condud in the late
Eledion.

Lord k!OWICK rose, and was proceeding to
make some adiiitional observations : when.
Lord FOLK ES TONE called him to order, as
tilt re was at presela no question before the House.
The sPh,AKER said, he did nst conceive it to
be irregular to discuss tt.e forms of their proceedings
separately and detached from the merits of the
question.
Lord HOWICk said, he did not wish to
prevent the Noble Lord from answering whet he
was about to observe. lie thought it was unusual
for the Home to separate with a motion, merely
that such a Petition should lie upon she Table, with-
out prooming some course of further proceedings.
He bet eyed that it would be found not inconsistent
with the pre lice of toe House, to refer such a Pe-
tition to a Committee of Privileges. Some pre-
vious notice ought, therefore, to have bseo given of
the intention to present it:. In order, therefore, that
no delay might ietervene in such a grave proceed-
ing. t e should certainly suggest, that ir s!oaild. now
ved, iltat it be referred to a Committee of Pri-
vilege,, and to appoint a day for so doing. It was
;it teily impossible to comply with part of the prayer
of the P. titian in question, as to the Petitioner being
heard by Counsel He thought it would be contrary
to the dignity and honour of the House to hear
Counsel at the Bar upon a matter of privilege. Ile
felt, with I is Hun. Friend (Mr. Wilberfasee), that it
would be very inconvenient to postpone it till to-
morrow, on :recount of the important business al-
ready fixed for that day.
The SPEAKER observes!. that the House having
already resolved, that the Petition should lie oil tile
'able, the Noble Lord who presented it was cer-
tainly the best judge of his own course of procedure.
Lord FOLKESTONE replied. that he knew it
was generally necessary to give notice to the party
:ropocaLeJ, of the infeotion of presenting such a
Petition. He had done so in the present instance,
by writing a note to the Right Hon. Treasurer.
This was all that he thought necessary. He was
'tiny to see any difLtrence of opinion as to the
course of proceeding ; but even should it he con-
trary to the rules of the House, that the Petitioner
should .be heard kty Counsel at the Bar, it certain-
ly would be necessary that he should have his wit-
nesses examined at the Bar by his Counsel. It
would surely be bett-r, that the fl-use should take
this business up, rather than a Committee of Pt ivi.
leges. He was net prepared to make any Motion
upon that odic& at present, but he conceived it
would be perlehly nugatory, and would he stilling
the proceedings, as no witnes.. were attending.
Lord HOWICK rose, he said, only to pre-
vent misrepresentations going forth, as to his hav-
ing expressed any wish to stifle the proceedings.
So far from wishing to do so, he wished the Noble
Lord to come with his proof to the bar. and see
what be could make out. He bad only stated, that,
if it ought to be referred to a Committee of Privi-
leges, it would be requisite to ascertain now when
they should sit.
The SPEAKER here observed, that at that
hour (about seven :.'clock) he supposed the House
did not wish him to proceed any further with pri-
vate business. He had also to remark, that to-
mtit:ow was the last day for receiving private Pe-
titions.

Gen. GASCOYNE suggested, that another
day should be citioson, in place of to-morrow. for
ballotting fur the Committee anointed then to take
place.
Lord 1-101 VICK observed, that there were
yet a great many private Petitions, which mi;;ht be
received to-mr now, notwithstanding the ballot, as
there would be a call of the House, and he had nu
doubt of the poractual attendance of Members.
Lord FOLKESTONE then added, that he
should be desirous to proceed with the discussion cf
the subject of t! it Petition to-morrow; but lest the
House should think it necessary to postpone it. on
account of other business interfering, he should have
no ohjedion to fie it for Monday next.
Mr. ADAM said, that ho ahoulii wish to know
what the Noble Lord meant to more upon the sub-
jeft ia coestion. It was an accusatio.), Lc thought,