The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-01 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS, JULY 31.
IPSWICH ELECTION.
Lord STORMONT presented a petition from Thomas
Moore Keith, expressing his sincere regret and sorrow,
that any conduct of his should incur the displeasure
of the House, and praying that he might, be discharged. The
.Noble Lord stated that it was his intention on Monday next to
move for the disebarge of Mr. Keith.
Mr. WA-SON said it was not his intention to offer a single
word as to the probable fate of the petition. It would however
he impossible fur him to postpone his motion for this reason—the
Commission day' at Norwich was to-morrow, and it was Ns,.
Bible that the Grand Jury on that day might dispose of all the.
eases before them ; if such was the case and his motion .was
delayed, it might be of no avail. The motion would not at all
interfere with that of the Noble Lord.
Mr. WYNN said that the House could not tell whether
Mr. Keith was a necessary. party or not to be examined on
Mr. Pilgrim's trial. If he'was he thought the House should
allow him to go ..down to Norwich.
.Aler some observations from Lord STORMONT the
petition was ordered to lie on the table-and be printed.
.• Lord STORMONT then gave notice, that on Monday lie
should move that Mr. Kei.l.h should be brought to the Bar, and
reprimanded and disearged on Wednesday' next.
Mr. WASON'theught that Mr. Keith Should be sent Co.vn
to Norwielo in custody of the Sergeant at Aries, in order that
he might be'exernined on the trial of Mr. Pilgrim. . .
Mr. SCA RL ETT did not see the necessity of Mr. Keith's
being examined at the trial.
Mr... 'WA SON: "thought •the attendance of Mr. Keith
r'was essentially necessary. He believed that the trial would,.
end in the honourable acquittal of Mr. Pilgrim. His friends were-
extremely desiroUs that leis trial should take place at the pre-
sent assizes; and, if Mr. Keith was absent, that might be
prevented, •
• Mr. SCARL-ETT thought that it was to the interest of
al parties that the trial should come on without delay.
• Lord STORMONT then gave notice that or, Monday
next he should move that Mr. Keith should be brought to the
bar, reprimanded, and discharged.
Mr. WODE HO USE (we believe) was summoned as a
Grand Juror to attend these assizes, and he could state that
.there was no probability of their having terminated their buil-
ness on Tuesday—nay, he would go further, and say Wed-
.. nesday.-( Hear-) , •
Mr. P. M. STEWART said Pilgrim had been accused of
a crime merelyo and yet he had been brought up in custody
of tho gaoler-of 'Norwich ; and why should not Mr. Keith, who
had been convicted of a crime, be sent down in the same way
in custody ofthe gaoler?_ ( Hear, hear.)
After a few words from Lord .ST9RMONT,
Mr. WA SON moved that Thomas Moore Keith be sent
down on the Ist of August, in custody of the Sergeant-at-
Arms, to give evidence, if required, in the case of Pilgrim.
'The question having been put,
Mr. ESTCOURT said this was a proposition, as it seemed
to•him; made by the Hon. Member, without any application
from to have Keith as a witness. —( Mr. Wason—
" Yes.") He denied that Pilgrim required hito--( Ilear)—
but he was to be sent down for-the purpose of being examined
by the opposite party.. It would make all the difference us ;
the world whether Mr. Keith attended. as nwiteesa..while in
the custody of the Sergeant at-Arms, or if he wri,"first dis-
-charged by • that House, and attended -Whigliwn free Will.
He thought there was evidence of vindictive feeling in press •
ing this matter.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY could not apprehend by what un-
fortunate reasoning or advice Pilgrim had beer, induced to present
such a petition. It was all anticipation of the finding of the bill by
the Grand Jury. It appeared to him (Mr. Harvey) to be
quite a new case.-_(-Hear, hear.) When the Bill was
found, then was the time for. Pilgrim to present a petition
praying to have the evidence of Mr. Keith on the trial, or
traverse. of that indictment.—( Hear,' hear.)
Mr. WYNN considered that there was no occasion for coming
to a conclusion on the subject before the House.: There would he
plenty-of time if the House.were to decide upon Monday. He
moved that the debate be adjourned until Monday.
After a few words from Lord J. litTssELL and Mr. WAsos, •.,
the motion was agreed to.
. .
GREAT YARMOUTH.
Lord FRANCIS EGERTON said he ,'Was instructed to
inform the Hotise, by the Great Yarn:wilt Committee, that
when the witness, Mr. Prenticts, refused to answer the
question put to him, he was allowed to consult with his agent,
whom the Committeeknew.fiOt. Haring made that explanation,
-he moved that William Prentice be called to the. Bar.
[A temporary 'oar was then placed in the centre of the
House, gr 07.1 inconvenience having been experienced from the
ditll.oo.'„v of hearing witnesses when plaCed at what is properly
called the 'bar of the House.] •
• • Prentice having been placed at the bar,
The SPEAKER said—You have been examined as a wit.
ness before the Committee of this. House to which the peti-
tions complaining of bribery at the Great Yarmouth and Yolk
elections were referred.
Prentice—Yes, Sir.
The SPEAKER—Before that Committee you was asked
thiS question—" Will you state from whom you received that
sum of one or two hundred pounds of which you had been
speaking, and do not answer away from the question, because
the Committee will make up their minds shortly."
Prentice—l was, Sir.
The SPEAKER—You declined to answer it.
Prentice-A did, Sir. -
The SPEAKER—Upon what grounds ?
Prentice—l was accused of various things, and as I was not
acqUainted with the consequences that might happen, a sort • •
of timidity affected me.. I could not tell of what I was ac-
cused. Notice was given to me that I had been charged with
bribery. I could not tell what the feelings of the Committee
Might be, so I declined to answer the question.
The SPEAKER—Do you still decline answering that
question?

Prentice—l must still decline ; but I can assure you I had
not the remotest idea of being guilty of contempt towards the
House. I did it merely for self-preservation. I had nut a fair
chance. I could not tell of what I was accused.
Mr. WYNN—Were you of opinion that the question might
tend to criminate yourself.?
Prentice—l. was of that opinion.
Mr. 'WYNN—Are you still of that opinion?
Prentiee-Yes.
Mr. W. YNN—Had you received any notice stating that
you were charged, by the parties preferring these petitions,
with bribery ?
Prentice—l had.
Mr. WA SON—Have yoU had any conversation with any
person respecting these words, " Hold in your oath ?"
Prentice—L have not, Sir.
Mr. BENETT—Did you decline to answer the question
in consequence of the advice of the friend you consulted?
Prentice—l did.
Mr. B E NETT—Who was that friend ?
Prentice—Am I to answer that question ?
Mr. BENETT—My question is, who was that friend?
Prentice—l ask the Speaker whether I must answer that
question.—( Cries of " Withdraw.")
The witness was then ordered to withdraw.
A discussion then' took place, in which Dr. Nicholl, Mr.
Benett, Mr. Wynn, and Lord John Russell took part, as to
the propriety of requiring the witness to answer the question,
when it was finally agreed that the witness should be required
to do so.

The witness was again called in, and told by the SPEAKER
that the decision of the House was, that he must answer the
question which was last put to him.
The question was again put to the witness.
friend?
Prentice—`lr. Pritt.
.Mr. BENETT—riid any other person give you a ivice?
Prentice—Ne,,
Mr. uNETT—Did any person give you any advice a 3
~our.tonduct before the Committee?.
Prentice—No, Sir.
Mr. HAWES—Has any body given you advice subse-
quently ?
Prentice—l cannot say I have not been spoken to upon the
subject, but my determination was made before:
• Mr. HAWES—By whom have you been spoken to since?
--(Cries of " No, no," " Withdraw, withdraw.")
The witness was ordered to withdraw.
Lord F. EGERTON was of opinion that the question
ought not to be put.
Mr. HAWES said there were two points to be attended
to—the first re a_ed to the fact of the witness 'having received
of nr:acy, and the second respeeVd the pal ty from

Who was that