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*all of the House; among whom was Mr. Huskis-
son, who, upon motion of Lord Castlereagh, ob-
tained leave of absence tor one week, having been
s•thpatnad to attend npon the trial of Sir Home
Papham, at Portsmouth.
Colonel STANLEY, Chairman of the Commit-
tee to whom the Malmsbury Eleflion Petition had
been referred, reported, that the Sitting Members
wc:e duly tithed, and that the Petition was not
frivolous or vexatious.

Mr. BLACKBURNE, Chairman of the Com-
mittee upon a similar Petition for the Town of
Rochester, also reported that the Sitting Members
were duly returned. And further stated, that the
right of franchise was vested in a certain description
of persons only.
Mr. Peter Moore and Mr. Ellisten presented se-
veral Petitions from certain Curriers and Leather
Dealers against the Oak Bark Bill, which were re-
ferred to the Committee upon that Bill.
Mr. Holland, from the Paymaster General's
Office, pursuant to order, presented at the Bar of
the House, an Account of the Expence, &c. of
Clothing the Royal Veteran Battalion, from the
Year 180 G to 1807.—Ordered to lie on the Table.
Mr. Woodford, from the Treasury, also presented
an Account of the distribution of certain Sums since
the last Sessions.—Ordered to lie on the Table.
Upon motion of Mr. FULLER, Walter Drury,
a witness upon the Mridstone Eledion Committee,
who had been committed to Newgate for prevarica-
tion, was ordered to attend at the Bar ; when
The SPEAKER, being covered, addressed him
nearly as follows :
" Walter Drury, the Seled Committee of this
House, for examining into the merits of the Petition
complaining of an undue elation for the Borough
of Maidstone, have reported, that 100 having been•
called before them, in order to give testimony to the
best of your knowledge and belief, did misbehave
grossly, in prevaricating and refusing to answer
certain questions, in consequence of which you
were committed to the gaol of Newgate. The tri-
bunal before which you were summoned, is dear to
this country ; its privileges 4:e to he nip/aired, and
this House will not tract- its siiguity to be violated.
You were sworn to answer such questions as were
necessary to be put to you, but you thought fit to per-
severe in prevarication, umil it was manifest, that
you aged so purposely and intentionally; you were,
therefore, sent to gaol amongst nialtfadors and fe-
lons. By your Petition it appeals, that yen ac-
knowledge your offence, and the ends of public
justice are answered, and it will be your future
duty through lite to redeem your charader. This
House, tlirrefure, order that you be discharged, and
yon are discharged accordingly."
Upon Motion of Mr. FULLER, this Address
was ordered to be entered upon the Journals of the
Muse.
A new Writ was ordered for the Borough of
Harvich, in the room of Mr. Freemantle, who,
being also eleeted for the Borough of Saltash, had
made his Elation for the latter place.
DEFAULTERS. _ _ _

Lord HOWICK moved the Order of the Day for
ealliog over the names of the absent Members, upon
the ballot on Friday last.
An Alphabetical List of the absent Members,
of very considerable length, was then read by the
Ci. rk of the House, when those Members in and near
t3wn were ordered to attend, to-morrow, (this day),
and Thursday. Those Members, at some distance
from town, to attend upon Tuesday (this day) se'n-
night. lhuse Members, in Scotland, in a fortnight,
and,
After same conversation beween Lord HOWICK,
Cannel BARRY, and Sir HORACE MANN, in
the course at which Colonel Barry urged the neces-
sity and importance of Irish Members attending
their assizes, it was ordered, that the absent Irish

Members should attend in their places upon this day
three weeks.
The usual order for the Serjeant-at•Arms to take
into his custody such Members as should be absent
upon the days so appointed, unless they could pro-
duce sufficient excuses, was then made.
Lord Hose ick presented a Message from His
Majesty, similar to that presented to the House of
Lords by Lord Grenville.
[Foe which see the Proceedings of that House.]
11 was ordered to be referred to the Committee of
Supply.
Lord HENRY PETTY rose for the purpose of
giving notice, that as the Loan was likely to be
transaaed tomorrow morning, he should propose
certain Resolutions in the Committee of Ways and
Means on Wednesday next, and should also lay be-
fore them a state of the Sap plies and Ways and
Means for the present year. In the Committee of
Supply upon that day, he should propose as a Re-
'elution, that the sum of ao,nool. be granted to His
Majesty, to enable him to make good what has been
advanced as a subsidy to the King of Prussia.
Lord HOWICK nieved, "That this House will
to-morrow go into a Committee. to consider of the
propriety of appointing bounties to be granted to
Captains and others of His Majesty's ships of war,
for capturing any vessels loaded with Slaves return-
ing from the Coast of Africa."—Ordered.
He also moved, " That there be laid before the
House the monthly Return of the efledive strength
of His Majesty's Regular Forces from the lit of
imitury. 1604, to Ist March, MS t the number of
rank and Gle botae upon the Establishment of the
Regular Army, distinguishing Cavalry and Infan-
try, and the foreign from use Briti.h troope."—
Also, " A Return of the number of men raised for
the Regular Army in each month. from the Ist of
January. 1807, distinguishing the number raised by
ordinag recrititing, those raised under the Addi-
tional Force atitt, and those raised for the Militia,
and distinguishing Cavalry from Idantry."
On the Motion of Mi. TYRWHITT, the ad-
journed debate upon the Mayo fileition Petition was
resumed.
Mr. TYRWHITT next moved. "That tli!• Mayo
Flation Committee hays leave to adjot.:n to
Titursday, the USJ day of April next, on accouut of
tLe absenco of some material witnesses in Leland.
After a short discussion, this Motiosewas agreed to.
WF.STMINSTIER ELECTION.

Lewd FOLKESTONE roared t`.a Order of the
D•+f for isi.iog into consideration the Petition
which he l td presented last week, in behalf of
:Limes Paull, Esq. complaining of the improper colt-
dad of IL D. sinsisisus, Esq. its titropetiog with

the Witnesses, who were to be brought I.ckre the
Committee to try and determine the roe: its of the
Westminster Elettion.
Mt. SHERIDAN toe! slid observed, that before
proceeding further, he begged to declare to the
Home, that be deprecated any Motion that might
be proposed for the purpose of withdrawiug this
matter from the discussion and deliberate consider-
ation of the House. He said this, because he un-
derstood that it was the intention of one Hon. Mem-
ber to submit a Motion, which might have the
effet of preventing that publicity to the subjea in
question, which, in his opinion, was most desirable.
Mr. PETER MOORE stated, that some of the
Gentlemen alluded to in the Petition presented by
the Noble Lord, were desirous of being heard in
their defence against the foul calumnies put upon
them; and they had, therefore, applied to him for
proteltion. Be was accordingly induced to present
Petitions on their behalves. As to the other Peti-
tion, which was presented by an Hon. Gentleman
(Mr. Biddulph), on behalf of the inhabitants of St.
Martin's-le-Grand, the circumstances of its having
been withdrawn, and no other one presented in its
stead, rendered any counter Petition unneces-
sary; but he could inform the House, that several
of the EleCtors, who were prevailed upon to sign it,
were wholly unacquainted with the subjea matter
thereof ; and were exceedingly impatient to p:ove this
by testimony at the Bar; and were attending in a
body for that purpose.
"!'he SPEAKER observed, that there was at
present a question before the House, as to reading
the Order of the Day for taking into consideration
the Petition which had been previously presented by
the Noble Lord; if, however, the Hen. Member
could assign any reasons for presenting the Petitions
he alluded to, previous to proceeding further, tie
might be allowed to do so at the discretion of the
House.

Earl TEMPLE said, he thought that every
light should be thrown upon the subjea before going
into the consideration of the Petition presented by
the Noble Lord. It would. therefore, be but rea-
sonable and proper, that the Petitions which the Hon.
Member had in his hands from persons implicated
in the affair, should be presented, and read.
Mr. FULLER approved of the proposal of hear-
ing the Petitions of these persons alluded to, they
being the regular defendants against whom this
charge had been made.
Lord FOLKESTONE stated, that he had no ob-
jedion to withdraw the motion he had made, in
order to give the Petitions which the Hon. Gentle-
man had spoke.% of, the precedency.
Mr. Moore then presented a Petition from a
person of the name of Henry Burgess, which was
read by the Clerk; the substance of it was, that.
" as the Petitioner was charged with divers adi and
crimes against the Privileges of the Iloase, in the
Petition presented by Mr. Paull ; he wished to con-
front all evidence that might be brought in s.ipport
of such calumny ; to prove to the House, that he
had never taken any step whatever in the Wiist-
minster Eleftion, but as the Solicitor of the Right
Hen. IL B. Sheridan; and praying to be heard by
himself and by witnesses, to detea the perjury that
has been pursued, and is pursuing against Iris
Client, as well as to protett his own credit and pro.
fessional charafter."
Mr. MOORE then moved—" That this Peti-
tion be laid upon the Table."
Lord FO LKESTON E said. that'upon heating the
Petition read, he had one objeCtiiin vi its Is ing upon
the table, and that was, that it was perteafy pre-
mature to hear the defence, before the allegattons
upon the other side were proved by evidence, to the
satisfaftion of the House.

Mr. SHERIDAN was convinced, that the No-
ble Lord could mean nothing unfair or dishonour-
able, in taking the part he had done in this business.
He was sure he could never mean that Witnesses
should be heard at the Bar, to prove the allegations
against him, and deny him, at the same time, the
benefit of Witnesses, who have heard conversations
upon the subjeft. He cared so little who heard
him, and thought it of so little consequence whe-
ther the Witnesses heard one another's depositions
or not, that he would not propose to clear the gal-
lery ot strangers, merely for the purpose of exclud-
ing any of the Witnesses who might be amongst
them, from hearing any previous examination. He
was arraigned by himself and his Agents, of having
tampered with the Witnesses, and therefore the
House should certainly hear the person: so arraign-
ed as speedily as possible.
Lord HOWICK said, that, according to strift
justice, the persons so charged, should be heard at
the Bar, in their own defence, at the very moment
they were so accused. He s'intild, therefore, ap-
prove that the Petitions now alluded to should lie
upon the Table.
Lord FOLKESTONE explained, by saying,
that he by no means wished to exclude the indivi-
duals implicated in this buanzst, from being heard
fully in their defence ; but the presenting of these
Petitions seemed so Ilia to be premature. He,
however, should have no objeftion to comply with
whatever appeared to be the wish of the House.
Mr. BIDDULPH said, that by the course which
the Noble Lord had taken, he appeared to have
thrown bimself nrcin the House as to the mode of
condua'ng it. I: was, no doubt, a grave and se-
limn business, and so unusual in its nature, that the
mover ot it was well entitled to the indulgence, ad-
vice, asaistanee. ani proteftion of every member in
the Houae. They were to look upon themselves in
the light of ,a jury, and, if possible, to guard the
general rights of the people, in regaid to the free-
dom of elediaos. He was, by no means prepared
to support the Noble Lord in the discussion of this
subjea, but he thought the House seemed inclined
to agree to the Motion at present before them, and
chi reinre he approved of the Noble Lord's acquie-
acem.x.

The t etition of Mr. Burgess was accordingly
allowed to be laid on the Table.

The next Petition presented and read, was that
of Jame! Wallace, who also prayed that he and his
Witnosses might be permitted to attend at the ;Ls.,
to di,prive the var,ous allegations made against
him. This was also ordered to lie on the Table.
_ _ _

Mr. P. Moore then presented another Petition,
which was signed by Frederick Homan and Alex-
ander Johnston. It was also laid upon the Table.
Mr. SiiERWAN expressed his surprise that the
Noble Lard, had aot called (onward all the wit-

nesses expressed in these Petitions, is well as in his
own. He wished to ask the Hon. Gentleman who
had presented the oti.er one, urn Friday last,
whether he meant to reilew 4, and bring forward
persons from St. Martin's Le Grande, to prove the
allegations. He would inform him that he had
persons waiting in the Lobby, who were prepared
to prove that there never Was a more scandalous
and infamous fraud than what had ireen pro ised
upon the persons who had signed that Petition.
Mr. BIDDULPH said, he did not ex,ieet to have
been called on to answer any question of that
nature. He had already speeilicahy said, that he
was not answerable fin- its contents; au,: he did
oat
conceive that he had, by presenting it, iiiClllrtd .an
unusual degree of responsibility.
Mr. WHITBREAD said, he had understood the
Hon. Gentleman, who spoke last, to have already
so expressed himself.
Mr. SHERIDAN added, that he was glad to
find that the Hon. Gentleman had not got people
who were willing again to sign a Petition, for a
similar purpose with the former one. He had felt
so impatient, that he had already taken the precau-
tion of providing his witnesses.
The order of the day was then read for taking
Mr. Paull's Petition into consideration, and the
next question pet from the Chair, was, That the
witnesses do attend."
Lord iHOWICK said, that he could not help
confessing, that he had considerable doubt, as to
the mode of proceeding which thq House ought to
adopt. Upon inquiry and research, he bad found
a case, in the reign of King William, where there
was an examination of witnesses, upoa a complaint
that witnesses had been tampered with ; but there
was a considerable distinttion to be taken betwixt
that and the present case ; the former was at a time
when Elation Petitions were tried by the whole
House, by couesel and witnesses et the Bar ; but,
as he was willing that this question should be heard
in a manner that would satisfy the public mind, as
to no imprnpo. means being used to deprive the Pe-
titioner of that justice which the gravity and
seiirmsness of the charge merited, he should
not objeft to follow that case as a precedent.—
He, however, cautioned the House in regard to
adopting, rashly, any guide to their future proced-
ings. Since the passing of Mr. Grenville's Mt, it
had been the praelice of the House to abstain from
entertaining any question at its Bar, which might
defeat the ends of that salutary law, which establish-
ed a Committee as the most proper Tribunal. As
the practice of referring Eleetion cases to Com-
mittees had gene on so long, it would be iirs
proper to interfere, materially, with the original
principle of their establishment. and, therefore,
she present examination ought to be confined
striftly as to the charge of tampering with the
witnesses, avoiding every question that tended
to affect the merits of the case. Ile thought,
therefore, that if Counsel ware at all to be admitted.
it should only be in order to examine the witnesses,
and nit to eater into any pleadings at the bar. The.
House had a right to interpose its authority, in or-
der to preserve the purity of its proceedings, in the
same manlier that a Court of Law, such as that of
the King's Bench, had. Whatever doubts he might
feel, as CO the propriety of adopting the case he had
alluded to as a precedent, yet, being dis'nced to
give this question every degree o' publicity, he
should propose the adoption of it ; and, in order
that the House might be informed of its nature, he
should siliegest the propriety of having the Resolu-
tion of the House, in the case to which he alluded,
read by the Clerk.
(Here the Clerk accordingly read from the
Journals, the resolution of the House in a case of
tampering witnesses who were to be examined in re-
gard to the merits of an elation in the county of
lts ) •
Lord lIOWICK reminded the House, that this
case had occurred before the passing of the Gren-
ville Aft.

'I he SPEAKER observed, that at that time the
House most recollee, that elation cases were usually
sent to be tried by a Committee of Privileges.
Mr. T. GRENVILLE said, he though: the pre-
sent case was one, which might be looked upon as
being entirely new, and therefore the House ought
not to lose sight of a very important consideration,
that of establishing a precedent, that would be
likely hereafter to have much weight and influence.
l le had a great deal of doubt, as to the correaness
of the proceedings, as far as they had already gone.
The House ought to have hesitated much, before
they adapted any step which went to trench upon
or take away that which by law was left to the
determination of a Commutes. It would create
an extreme stiificulty, by separating those questions
which the House had already determined ought
to be referred exclusively to a Committee. There
appeared to be no doubt that a Crusimittee might
be authorised to make a special report upon the
subject of the improper means taken in regard to
tampering with witnesses, should it happen that there
had been any such used. Public and substantial jut.
Lice would thereby be completely effened, the more
especially as the Members upon a Committee rested
upon oaths, administered to them, in regard to the
particular subject under their consideration. The
House, he thought, ouL t not, therefore, to entertain
this proceeding, but refer it to their Committee,
where it would be discussed with much better effeft.
Should the House, however, be of a different opi.
nion, yet there was another important question, as
to whether they should allow it to be discussed,
by admitting Counsel to be heard at the bar.
He thought, that at all events, the examination
ought to he kept entirely in their own hands. He
was not wishing to he presumptuous in thus pressing
his opinion upon the Honse ; but the situation in
which he stood seemed to impose upon him the ae-
cmsity of stating his sentiments and views of the
subject. Another matter of doubt would he, as to
the propriety of allowing the Counsel to plead at the
ear, supposing that the House agreed to permit
them to examine the witnesses. He should contend,
fur the same reasons, that it was equally impraEli-
eahle, and utterly subversive of that legal mole of
procedure which had been already legally appointed.
Mr..,EIGH stated, that bad the offence charged
in this Petition no connetlinn with any other mat-
ter, to be otherwise decided, he should see no ob.
jeCtion to their entertaining it ; if they could look to
no other coasequence than the punishment or ac-
quittal of the parsons ircp:icatcd, be should be one

of the knit to agree to the pine tug:rented by the Nt.
ble Lord, who had brought the minter betore el:. es,
The charge of tampering mast either be mike gene,
or nut be made good, and in either ease the Gentle.
men to be ail/newest as si Committee to try said
determine the merits of the original Petition, meet
' enter upon their detyotrith some confiderablit de.
gree of prepossession in their minds. He shred e
therefore, eppreve of referring the whole matter te
' the determination of one Committee, who, he Lei
every reason to think, would give a fair and to.
partial decision
Mr. PERCEVA I, said, this was a question wiii,tl
had beets very properly •aid so b • likely to esorbeet
a precedent. Considering the course which the
House hid Arcady adopted in this very business, he
should be much astonished, indeed, were they to
think of abandoning it to another kind of trihunal.
The question had already been deter mined 25 to t?.
calling in of Counsel and witnesses; yet the I Jon. Coe
opposite seemed stile inclined to discusser, es.
argue the original point, at so whether the • :• s .
ought to entertain the charge at all. That o , ,
first questioa which the House ought to leeve
eidered ; and, indeed, he conceived t !try b ,
ready determined it. The House had ale . i
given authority to summon witnesses t„..
th:ni, (or the purpose of being heard.
Order of the Day had already been rea•!, ~ j
therefore they wete now in the course of illqui,r,
as to the subject muter set the Petition. He apsti.
heeded there could be very little difficulty in ever.
coming the arguments of the Right Hun. C-..: c.
man opposite, and satisfying him of the necessies ie
the House entrrseining this Petition. His (aie.
Glenville's) objellion seemed to be, that thrie
'would be some danger of interfering with f!-,e
question, which was to follow, in regard to the
' 1411teetion iiself. Now lie by no means wished to
discuss whether the Committee woule be competent
to consider this charge, but he begged the lionise
to recellea, that there were two &ejects in the he•
titian, the one to punish those individuals who hate
offended against the privileges of the House, esd
the other to prevent the recurrence of the offence
which has been committed to the injury of the Pr.
titiener. If the allegations in the Petition were
true, then it was still open to those who have been
guilty to commit the same offence, till the 14th of
April, when the merth of the Eleaion are to be tar
veetigated. It had likewise been stated, that as
important letter remained still in the pos.
session of one of the persons implicated. Was it
not of importance to have that letter produced, he-
fere that period arrived ? Would this previous ne
quit y not give the party an opportunity to remove
it ? Would it rot prove how he had been dealt web,
and how the several witncoses have been k•pt
back, or sent out of the way ? Undoubtediy it
would tend to illustrate the whole proceed-
ings ; and enable the Committee to admini-
ster substantial justice. The House would, there.
fore, advert to this, that what they had dire
was nothing more than what justice reet ired.—
As to the other question, whether they should per.
slit the allegatiems to he made gond by Counsel at
the Bar; how far they might be limited in the er.
tent of their duty was another consiJeratien, bet
that they should be admitted in behalf of the Pen.
firmer, he could not hesitate in determining in the
affirmative. The objea of the Petitioner therefore
wets clearly this,not only to punish the individuals; het
to procure justice to himself. In that view he looked
uston the precedent that bad been stated, ought ta
fel tulate the proceedings upon this present necesien.
It was an intermediate kind of proceeding betssin
the presenting the Petition and the trial of its merits,
and one whkh could be tried and determined by
no other tribunal, than by the House itself. *1 he
House had already done so much upon the business,
that they could not retraa. They had already rot
ceived other Petitions upon the other side of tee
question, praying that Counsel should be heard, and
that witnesses should be examined. He apprehended
that if the Petitioners on the one side were nn
he allowed to be heard by themselves, or that
Counsel. the Petitioner on the other, ought to be
heard also. Ilse Counsel might, indeed, be ap-
prized, tLat they must confine themselves to the
allegations in the Petition. There did not seem
therefote to be that degree of difficulty which the
Right Hon, Gentleman ascribed to this part of the
subjea. As to the inconvenience which has bees
hinted at by another Hon. Gentleman, as being
likely to arise flocs the Committee being prepes-
sewed against one or other of the candidates. ti at
was a consequence w tech it was impossible to pet'.
vent ; he hoped therefore, that the House would set
the propriety of entertaining the Petition, and of
hearing Counsel make goon the allegations at the
bar.
Mr. T. GRENVIL LE said, in explanation, this
he thought the Hon. Llentlernate had mistaken be
meaning. His view of the question was, that oil
wit not the mein convenient times for enter:a:nal
it, as it was impossible to pursue the one trial wide
out interfering with the other.
Lord H. PETTY thought that the evident,
might,be reduced within a very isarrow compass.
The House were called to nalarkt the inco:;szai-
epees of both the mode* that had been pointed out.
On the one hand, the House wee a certainly re t le
well qualified fie ereeriag into thl t enquiry, so ere
of its own Committees; ben to n is was to be ba-
lanced, on the other hand, the inconvenience or
delaying to hear the serious cherg• is in the Petitisee
until such time as the Eledion Cot iornittee could be
appointed, which would lead, in faa, to present
this question from being settled is 'the course of tire
present Session. If the House did no: interfere,
these un.lue praelic. s, if true, wou rd frustrate the
efforts of the Committee to ascertailt the merits of
the Election. Itt eth regard to the objeCtion tha.
the previous examination of whiles as would tend
to recite a Ines in the minds of th, s Committee:
this was no more than what occun'ed in "r3I,
other Tribunal, where a previous era tnination hot
witnesses was entered into. Urns the ' whole,
thought the House could not hesitate t i liirnf--._
and thee upon the ground that it had a ireacr !'
ceived the Petition, and, in faa, sanaioned the
ciple of hearing witnesses in support of the 'alegs.
tions of the Petition.
Mr. illEft IDAN said, he rose to knee, t.? cir.
argument of the Right Hon. Gentlemen i
Grenville), so tar as it went to defer entering Lea
this exam . ination. He wished, above all thiees, , •

,01
.1121

it in;,•!it he permitted. Counsel might easily be
cateitine I net to enter into any mat ter that respeet.
esl the moots a the Lleaion itself He wished to
Nye it in his prayer to spew, that there WAS not one
of r.e Witnesses proposed to be examined by the
Committee, that were worthy of credit. The
question with him, was not whether he should
preserve his seat lir Westminster, but his ho.
pour ; and he was anxious that the stigma ;
attempted to be thrown upon him, might not be un-
necessarily continued one hour. He therefore ear-
nestly retreated the House to permit the witnesses
to be called its iminediately ; for he was sure no Ho-
nourable Gentleman could tel happy any more than
himself, in the idea of sleeping under this stigma for
si/ week. to come. When the witnesses were
brought forward, it would rest with him to chew of
what sort they were.
BRAGGE BATHURST thought that
Counsel should be admitted, but that they should
not be permitted to enter into the general .• atement
.1 the Petitioner's case ; nor in such restraint could
the Petitioner sustain any serious inconvenience or
detriment.—( Mee there was a general cry for the
euritire.)
Mr. BAKER considered it the incumbent duty
of the House to proud the witnesses to be brought
forward by the Petitioner, as well as by the Right
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Sheridan). He was inter-
rupted by
Mr. W. W. WYNNE, who obje&ed to the Hon.
Gentleman's argument, which he understood to be
to admit counsel to be heard in answer to the ails•
gations of the sitting Member.
Mr. BAKER and Mr. WYNNE severally ex-
plained, amidst loud and repeated calls for the I
question.
The ATTOR NEY.GENERAL said, he hoped
to be indulged in making an observation, which
he considered to be necessary to answer the ends of
public justice. It appeared to him that the House
wished to hear the merits of the Petition by counsel
and witnesses, as a Court of Justice ; if so, they
ought also to hear those who are charged in this
Petition by counsel, and witnesses also ; for if they
were allowed on one side, they should be
equally heard on the other. It should be re-
colletted that there were others beside the sitting
Member, who were impeached, namely, his agents
and partisans, who, if the allagations stated were
preyed, must find themselves in perilous circum.
stance., and who had therefore as much right to
be km rd by Counsel as either of the other parties.
Mr. SHERIDAN declared, that he was willing
to stive the Petitioner all the Counsel upon earth ;
bin for himself, he would have no other Counsel
but what the honour and the justice of the House
would grant him.
The SPEAKER stated the current praetiee of
the House to be, that all parties desirous of being
heard by Counsel, must pray it expressly by Peti-
tion ; and also, that there were on record, various
instances of supplementary Petitions to that effeCt.
The question wits then put and carried, that
Counsel be called in.

Counsel appetred at the Bar accordingly, when,
upon the Mi•tion wf Lord HOWICK, they were
ordered to withd,aw.

Lord HOWICK moved, " That the Speaker be
desired to state to the Counsel, that he should con-
fine himself to state the matters of fad, which he
proposea to adduce."
This question being carried, Counsel was again
called in, and the Speaker directed him accordingly.
The Counsel then went ever the allegations in
Mr. Papa's Petition, charging Mr. Sheridan and
his agents with endeavouring to corrupt, dissuade.
arid deter certain witnesses from appearing before
the Committee on the Westminster Eleflion, and
swing that he had evidences to produce of these
CHI ruin prat%ces of Mr. Sheridan t at the tarns time
it was the wish of his client (Mr. Paull) that
the Right Honourable Gentleman mignt be
able to e atricate himself from the charges now
brought against him. The first Witness he should
call was a Mr. Drake, a Lieutenant in the Navy
the second was Mr. Wetherhead, also a gentleman
of the Navy; both respedable charaders: the other
Witnesses were persons in lower circumstances in
life, but equaliy Minkel to credit, as they came
forward with honest and upright charaders. The
Counsel was proceeding in his argument, when the
SPEAKER desired him to withdraw. He then
said, he wished to know of the House, whether the
condu& which the Counsel seemed disposed to pur-
sue, in pointing out what ought, or ought not to be.
the future proceedings of the House should be per.
;flitted ?
Lord HOWICK again expressed his opinion,
that Counsel should be confined to these gene-
ral direflious, which had met the wishes of the
House.
Counsel was again called in, and direded by the
SPEAK ER to confine himself to state matters of
fad ; on which he proposed to call in his witnesses,
but to abstain from any comments, which he must
not presume to make, or to utter any suggestions re-
lative to the future proceedings of the House. Mr.
Warren, the Counsel for the Petioner, then immedi-
ately proceeded to call in the first witness.
illiam Drake stated, that he was en acing
Lieutenant in the Navy, into which referee he
entered in the year 1793, and left it in the year
S di. His first acquaintance with Mr. Richard
Brinsley Sheridan arose from his marrying a
natursl daughter of that Gentleman.—/Loud
/aushiae.)— It was five years since he first be-
came acquainted with him. During the Election
for Westminster was muck in his company ; he
often met a Mr. Homan, whose letter to him he
could produce. 'fhe witness was frequently re-
quested by Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Homan, to obtain
from one Emanuel Harris, of Holywell-street, a
letter signed by the said Richard IL Sheridan,
and delivered by the witness to the said Emanuel
Harris. It was on the Dth, 10th, and 19th of Feb.
that he was repeatedly requested by Mr. Sheridan
to procure this letter from Harris. He, the witness,
had told Mr. Sheridan, during the Eledion for
Westminster, that the said Harris would influence
six or seven voters, if Mr. Sheridan would only
write to him. That on such suggestion. Mr.
Sheridan did sign a letter, which lie. the witness, had
written, and afterwards delivered to Harris. and
which letter Mr. Sheridan had since, by all means,
• requested him to ge‘back. Having been asked by
Counsel what were the contents of the letter, and

whether any nr what persons were present, when the
same was written t
Lord HOWICK rose to observe to the Noose,
th•t it wet the du:y of the Petitioner, and the pro•
vince of his Counsel, to confine themsel►es to the
proof of tampering with the evidence, as alleged i►,
the Peition presented against his Right licmnurAhie
Friend. When such was the admitted line for the
C motel to adopt, it was, in his mind, not only irre-
levant, but trenching on a suhjefl which was re.,erv-
ed for the consideration of another tribunal, to enter
into the particulars contained in the alleged letter,
and coosequ.mtly into the merits of the El-lion
itself. lie therefore felt it his duty to move,
4. 1 hat the last question put by the Petitioner's
Counsel to the Witness, be expunged."
Ms. SHERIDAN. —" Mr. Speaker, I take the
liberty of risi ig to entreat the permission of the
House, for the Petitioner's Counsel to proceed in the
train of evidence which they have commenced. M►
principal detente will be on its incredibility, and I
will be able to prove to this House, by the testi-
mony of that respetclable Magistrate, Mr. Aaron
Graham, that I atlually arrrested this Emanuel
H srris, for his infamous proposals to me dosing the
Lieflion

Lord HOWICK could not ascent to the prac-
tice of allowing the individual feelings of his Right
WEI. Friend to lead the House into an examination
foreign from that to which, iu the present use, it
-a, its duty striftly to adhere.
Mr. PERCEV AL contended. that, as the Peti-
tion alleged, that man. were used to suppress
the letter, the Counsel for the Petitioner were enti
tied—first, to prove i:s exigence i and next, eve! y
other circumstance conneaed with that existence,
•

from the period it gees sig..oJ, until the
moment the Right Hon. Gentlemen is said r hAve
enaeavottred to prevent its being produ cd in evi-
dence.

Mr. THOMAS GRENVILLE insisted. that the
question of Counsel went to an examination not
cognizable by the House. The Cott.tsel had cer.
tainly a right to examine as to the suppression of
this alleged letter. but the moment he endeavoured
to ascertain from the witness at the bar, what were
its particulars, he then entered into a discussion,
from which he was precluded by the usages of the
House, and which it could on no account entertain.
Mr. SHERIDAN Mr. Speaker, as to the
purport of this letter, I shall reset ye my obser ra-
tions for another opportunity; but as the conside-
ration of any end-avour to suppress it, is com-
pletely within the duty and privilege of the House,
I do again most humbly hope, that the sttiaest in-
vestigation may take place, and the entire case be
sifted to the bottom. The Magistrate before whom
this Emanuel Harris was brong..t"..—(Chaar, Mir)
—The Right Hon. Gentleman then sat down, and
the motion for expunging the question, as pat by
Petitioner's Counsel was agreed to.
The Counsel fur the Petitioner having again pro-
ceeded to examine the witness, Drake, as to the na-
ture of 'his alietted letter,
Mr. 8A ri-luksT and Lord HOV'ICK insisted
on the nee." sty of adherin4 to the sanctioned usages
of tae House, and consequently of confiiiing the
examination solely to paints wh ch went to prove
the duff rent allegations of the Petition.
Mr. SHERIDAN observed, that the Witness.
Drake, ha'i asserted, that he had conversations on
this subjee with hint, ( Mr. Sheridan) at his (Mr.
Sieridan's) House He could fully and conscien-
tiously affirm, that the said witness never was in
his house to his knowledge, nor was he (Mr. She-
ridan) there at the time mentioned by Drake."
Mr. PE ItCEVAL continued in the opinion, that
the House should receive evey point of evidence
hearing upon the suppression of the letter, if there
was any ming in that evidence which would tend to
prejudice the cause of the Right Hon. Gentleman
before the Committee appoinsed to try the merits of
that return, he himself was the most competeat
person to make the objection.
The Counsel were again ordered to withdraw.
GLLBL'ItT HEATHCQ FE conceivxd, that
as it was the duty of the House to deal out intoartial
justice to both parties, and as he was convinced that
it was the wish of his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. She-
ridan) to court the minutest investigation, he mild
not suppose the question put by Petitioner's Counsel
of very material importance, at least not of sufficient
importance to engage so long the attention of the
House.

Sir W. W. WYNNF.--.. Mr. Speaker, I conceive
it my ditty to state to the House an opinion, which
the condo& of the Petitioner seems fully to justify.
I have observed him, on difftrent occasions, since
the evidence was ordered to withdraw, going out
of the House, and from expressions vrh.c:s I heard
fall from him, I feel convinced he hai been commu-
nicating with the witness."
Mr. PAULI., who, as Petitioner, was entitled to
a seat under the Gallery, immediately came forward
and addressed the Chair—" Mr. Speaker, I feel
myself called upon by the principle. of honour and
the impulse of a manly spirit, to deny the gross
charge that has been made agaiast me, by the Ho-
nourable Baronet ; I must say, it is hour unfounded
and unjust. The situation in which I a:n at present
placed, forbids me from making any further com-
ment ; but I could not continue silent, when such
an accusation was made against nee. in addition to
the numerous calumnies and misrepresentations, in
which the Right Hon. Gentleman, my opponent, has
this night so frequently indulged himself."
Lord HOIA'ICK dechtied himself restrained,
mere by personal feelings than Parliamentary duties,
from interrupting the Petitioner, in his adopting a
line of condudf, inconsistent with the usages of the
House, and in a high degree offensive to its dignity
and charaCter. He could not Wirer such concise! to
pass unnoticed; and he, theretore, should move,
" The. the Petitioner be reptimanded by the Chair,
for the extreme impropriety of his conduct."
Lord ARCHIBALD HAMILTON feit for the
unguarded expressions of the Petitioner. ye:, at the
same time, when so direct a charge as that of going
out of the House, for the purpose of communicat-
ing what .had passed to the witness, was made
against the Petitioner, he could nut furb-ar from
expressing his hope, that the Home would pardon
and overlook that irritation, which a c0n5:1,34p.m%.
of innocence, and unfounded suspicion, nad oc.a.-
sinned ( Hear ! Aear !
Mr. Will ['BREAD supposed the Honourable
•Baruset mast have been Thou: as the Petiuuner

did not, to his knowledge, withdraw from the
House.
Lord HOWICK did not conceive, that such a
circumstance palliated the impropriety of the He.
t;tioner. He at first moved what appeared to him
the most mitigated question ; and ie what had
since fallen from hi: Noble Friend opposite, thouhh
highly as he appreciated the generosity of his na-
ture, he did not see grounds lot withdrawing his
mr,tion.

_
The 111!tinn fnr censure having been carried, Mr.
Paull, the Petitioner, was called to the Bar, and re-
primand-d, by the SPEAKER, in language to the
following effect: " Mr. Paull, I am directed by
this Honourable House to acquaint you, that, in
its judgment, you have been pithy ot a gross im-
propriety, in having committed a culpable vi.ilation
of its privileges ar..l form:. Having ma le your
elettion to appear by your Counsel, you aged ex-
tremely improper in addressing Oils House, and you
will in future recoll.et striEtty to rcfrain ftttm such
a praetice."
Mr. GRENVILLE wished that as the Coun-
sel were again to attend, he thought it the du- y ot
the House to advise them, that they were so con.
fine themselves to the suppreoion the !Liter, gi.J
not at alt advert to its contents.

Mr. Wane :,C•sonsel for Petitioner, resumed the
examination of the wnnesi 11.akr. Whs sts ed,
that the letter sigio.d by :str. Sheridan, and deli
vered by witnesr to Emanuel Harris, was SO sig led
four days after the eleaiou ; that wet, he ra,,ant,
four days alter the commencement of the el-Won.
/le could mit precisely m.nii nt the exact date ot the
day when it was signed by fair. Sheridan, but it was
on the third tar fourth day of the eleftion. There
was also another letter, consequence of the
solicitation of Emanuel Harris, and the promise
of a sum of money, he procured from Mr. Sheridan,
direCteil to Sir Peter Parka, and Sir Samuel Hood.
Some conversation took place between Lcrd
HO%VICK, Mr. THONIAS GRENVILLE, and
Lord FOLKES CONE, as to the irrelevancy of the
question as put by Pe:itioaer's Connsel. And the
SPEAKER was again obliged to intimate to Com-
' eel, the necessity of confining themselves to me alle-
gations contained in the Petition.
Mr. Plumer, another of Petitioner's Counsel, con.
tended, that it was the right of Petitioner, first, to
prove that such a document as the letter as anually
written, and next to prove the present efstence of
the letter, and to point out to the House, by what
means that letter could be procured, as evidence for
the House ter go on.
The. witness further stated, that no later than
Friday se'rnight, he had a conversat:co with Mt.
Sheridan, in a hackney coach—went with him to
Mr. Homan's, No. 22, I'6lh-street ; witness then
informed him of his having been summoned as a
witness en the pending Petition, and asked him
what he was do ? " Leave that to me," sz.id
Mr. Sheridan ; " for a number of years I
have been sinzions to provide for you, and can
now procure you a situation under Government.
At present, you must go nut ot the way, but,
if pessitole, get the letter from Emanuel Harris.
When Witness asked what was he to do, if Harris
refused to deliver up the letter, a Mr. Johnston,
who via. present, replied, " to knock him," mean-
ing Ilan's, tt down." Mr. Homan also advised
him to g.:t back the letter, and Mr. Sheridan
assured him be shoold have any money he wanted
He, the witness, was an old acquaintance of Mr.
Sheridan, in consequent:a of having married his na-
tural daught,r„ and he was most carve in procur-
ing him votes during the late EleCtion.
The SPEAKER was obliged frequently to desire
the witness to confine his answers to the specific
questions, but neither the order of the Speaker, or
the recommendation of Petitioner's Counsel, could

restrid him to the specific answers.
The witness then said, that Mr. Sheridan repeat-
edly offered him securities, but not ponds, only
some paper writings, at the time he was married to
Eliza Sheridan, w en Mr Sheridan told him he
never would forsake him till he had provided for

Counsel and witness were desired to withdraw ;
when,
After some ohjeSions to the questions by Mr
ADAM, the LORD ADVOCA E. and Mr.
BATHURST, as to the nature nt those ques ions,
Mr. SHERIDAN declared, he had no prissaile
objeSion to anv question heiv put to this witness.
as he should show that every word of his testimony
was (site.

Counsel And Witnest; b-ing again called, the Wit
nes' rail, that in a conversation with Mr. Sheridan,
he desired him ci get the letter int,' his possession
by ;;qty means he could. lie called on him at Mr.
Homan's, where this request was r-peated.
became acquainted with Mr. Paull :tier the elec-
tion. He wrote to Mr. Sheridan, that if he did n.t
do something for him he would acquaint Mr. Paull
with all that had happened during the eledinn : he
then went to Mr. Patin, and told ham ne could prove
bribery and corruption Against Mr. Sheridan, Mr.
Paull desired bum not to say any thing but the
truth.

Being el +mined by Lord II iwiek ; he said.
that he aitint 11:14ards's in a coach at night with
Mr. Johoston ; he did not know who Mr. Jotintton
was. Mr. S'ieridan told him, he mutt procure the
letter from Harris by any muss he c,euld, either by
money or otherwise. IVitness said that Harris, being
a Jew, he would do any thing for money. He did
not make any communication to Mr. Sheridan. of
his offer to Harris of 301. for the letter. He did it
by his own authority and Mr. Shericlaa'a, and c
sidned Mr. S. responsible, if he had advanced
10001.

Examined by Mr. Adam—He made the offer
on the IYtli February, At night I could not soy wl•en
he nude the communication ro Mr. Paull. I:e
could not say whether it was the first, se:ond, third
or fourth week in that month. Thought it wAs
betore the I lth.

Examined by Colonel Barry—lle was not au-
thorised direaly or indirealy to offer a:iy sum of
money whatever, but thought he should do so.
Examined by Mr. Whitbread— !le worn money
was made use of by Mr. Sheridan to him in one con-
vers.stion, the authority front Mr. Sheridan was,
do as you please." Witness said, th.: letter could
be procured t, m money.
Examined by Lord liowick—ln the course of
couvetratiou, he did imt appiy tu Mr. Shtfid4o

money. lie did not wane, nor would he a,k for

aoy.
In answer to a Tuition by the Lord Advocate.
be (Auld sot ,sly wn-ther he ofra--d ,be aura on •
behalf of Mr. Sh-ritlan or %Ir. Paul.

By Lord Ilowick Wit ess having sal.
Oar, afirs quarrelling with Mr. Sheridan, Ise wt ~t
to Mr. Pauli, And then to Ematiutl Hestia ; its
Lordship si.ked, did he make the o'ff'er tat m ntey
fur the bent ft of Mr. Sheridan taw were.!,
he went to i let ris Merely to e.et the • L mit into nil
post:Hsi-us, his: he co ild n n have d .ne it for the
ben. GE of M Sher id in, as he had previ any gear-
refold vtth him. He teceived no &ream* wtiat-
eve- f rom .11 r1.1:1V. CO this letter, nor dolts"
te'l Mr. Paull of tits inteusionace go for it ; nor did
he tell anv pt:,on aliout it till now. -rh Petition
was his "wn die ti,a, he never caw the etßitioa
sl:earn to him W at he +crated was to Mr.
P0w.1., Mt Pauli's Agent. He never wanted tor
3UI he ctund always get it from his Aient. or
Irma his tarnily. He had itioi.ey of his own.
—He was not now i, the Nia!y, bat ie. i .d
pay a wounded nfficer. He was only a M
rata, ai.d never ranked AS a Li utenant. He declorat
ti UAW t na. tire of his pa i, oad ts.e
Speak that he must. answer the q s.ssaoio. Hs re-
c Eyed so in my pAySTP-71tS, Me c.,.6.(1 n..t tell. le
got severa..maii sums hi consequen,s .11 ass te.tundt.
Ile had 101. per an turn Irow we Vatroitic
and a pen ion of 101. more He coal ni.t
&lately say, that he had his pension front we 'Wof.
He had one for the loss of his left le;, aa. arici:Etr
for a wound he received in his right Fle nests
memorialed the Board of Admiieltv for hit pay.
Here L'-rd FIOWICK observed, that the cvss'enca
qow displayed such a scene of prevarication, as the
House could not pass over.
Mr. MON L'AGUE thought that the understand-
ing of the witness WAS not quite ••!...-1, and having
suffered so many woos is in tae :jet v.ce of Isis ccuts.
try, the House ought to look on hem with some in-
dulgence.

Cord HOWICK said, there was no Inch thing
in the navy as half pay for a Mirl:II;I:mar.
Captain HEilklEßlthought it was impartible the
Witness could make such a mistake ualtosioringly.
Being called in again and examined—He said
his olijed in getting the letter was, that he m-got
state it in evidence against Mr. Sheridan. His
first pension was settled on him :a 1797, but he
never arended an examination at the Admiralty.
He never received any money from Mr. Merida- .
Mr. Davies, of Holywell-street, se.ss present when
he offered twenty or thirty pounds for the lent;
to Harris. Mr. Paull did not then know it. Le
received his pension from the Pariinric Fun's
since he was wounded in Lotd Dencan's en-
gagement. He never received any money from
Mr. Sheridan, nor any promises. He never want-
ed any money from him, and refused to take
any. The Erst letter to Harris was destroyed
by himself, because there was no use in hay-
ing two letters. The second letter was written
during the Ele Sion. The first was not destroyed.
because Harris said, it was a gross forgery. He
never complained of being ill-treated in the navy.
He was not present when Mr. tiheridan sired
the letter. M.P. was written at the end cf the
name. He got t.ns later back, because it was
blotted, because it was signed M. P., and because
the denature sees not plain. tie never said that ha
11 would have money e: toer from one or the other.
Weatherhead —the next witness called.—He
knew Drake, the last witness, who was his ship-
mate for some time. He frequently saw Mr. S
riden ; he last raw him on the 19th of February, I
his own bathe, the Government House; there W.. 4
several people there. He met Mr. Drake and Mr.
Human there. Tney were total strangers to him.
Mr. Sheridan was not there at first, but, when he
came in, he chiefly addressed himself to, Drake.
He did not hear their conversation ; it lasted ten
minutes, and they were el ,ow and elbow together.
They met in a sumptuous room, looking towards
the l'hames. There was a contused noise in the
room. Mr. Sheridan said, he suourd follow the busi-
nessup.becauselte bad a parcel of rascals to deal w th.
Witness wrote the body ut the lever in (pest on.
and gave i to Mr. Sheridan for his signs, are. I II
signed it as Treasurer of the When tat
w nt to the house at first then: .-as oely oee old
wo-nAn in black th-re ; soon attei to aher
per.''as rit sire-loons t.lierase rs, ...a a:. one ttem a
w-street Qtficer. Harris be wooly h. II
Bu-gas taken up. Drake wrote a soriilar laser. It
ha 1 M.P. • ter the sigiotime.
kaaritiard ay Mr Sheridan—He said he had
served on bowl a ma, n• war with Capt. Trollop;
he was discharged at lit own pleasure, and nothing
else. Ike letter ea* sed to the Captains and
Commanders of His Maj oty's N.vy, desiring they
would employ Harris. The body of the letter was
written by the witness ; he could n t tell who
wrote the Initials M. P. but he thought it rather an
extraordirrare, acidities', when were was no Par.
liament then existing. He did say before Mrs,
Beadle, that Drake should be obliged to hifilp
fir ;se:Reding him to destroy the first letter.
He beiieves he might have bees intredured on that
occasion to Mr. harridan as a clergyman ; Drake
presented him as the Rey. Mr. IA etherhea 4. He
WAS t..e White Ham, Piccadilly. with Drake,
but could not awe the ennversation. There was
not a word about the second letter, cannot say
what passed about it.
Mr. Powell, Mr. Paull's attorney, was then called,
to speak to the eb.maSer of the former witnes,es,
but was not permitted to be examined, as their tes-
timony had not been challeeged.
John Pullen, John Richards. and Jerenslith
Jame+, were severally examined in support of the
charge against Mr. Sheridan and his known agents,
offering sums of money and other i.sducemeats to the
tue-ses to keep out of the way ; bat nothing ma-
terial turned out upon their evidence, nor did it
appear that either he or any of his agents had inters.
!crest in the manner charged.
Dansel Richards gave his evidence very indi-
stinetly, and %hen Mr. Sheridan was cross-examin-
ing him, he tell back, suddenly, upon the door, in a
faint, and had to be carried out.
Mr. Richards deposed to Eve guineas a-pi.cit
haverz been given by Mr. Rurgeei to some work-
ing men, in order that they might keep out of the
*Ay ; and also spoke of rive or tax guises. having
I been offered on one occasion.