The Statesman.
London, England, 1810-05-08 00:00:00

by so doing, that they had performed no more
than their duty. By their delay, they had given a
handle to their enemies, and sentiments went
abroad, Of which the honest and unwary had in all
probability become the dupes. He would not now
stop to describe what mischiefs might have *ecru.
but proceed to the question. A Committee had:
not yet heenaponinted, and in what situation was
the }louse?—to-morrow the first day of Term -;-in
tee days legal process would commence against
the Speaker, and probably against the Serjeant at
Arno, or the other °Ricers, sootier. It was now
that his Majesty Miuishos awoke }rum their
trance ; now they wanted to see what could be
doe, and were endeavouring to cover themselves
under a Committee of the Mouse ; and now for the
first time the Speaker was pet under the protec-
tion of a Committee. He could not bet sincerely
senent a delay so unwarrantable had taken place.
If it was necessary that the measures which were
nov proposed should have been adopted, why
were they nut submitted before ? Was the sum-
mons of Sir Francis Burdett to be served on the
Bettie, when no person was ready to state what
way to be dunes And now what was to be asked
of the Committee ? They were to he asked fur
precedent, none being in existence. With respect
to the latter put of the motion, tailing upon
the Committee to repeat their opinions, he con.
ceised it quite irregular, analncOnsistent with the
di.tnity of the House. The question was, what
were the' rights, and what were the remedies of
the House, in this instance ? As lo the tight,
he hoped there was no great difference of opinion.
Without the full enjoyment of privileges, the
House could not exercise its iequisiturial or judi-
nil functions, which were not only essential, but
without which it could nut exist. Hu contended,
that Parliaireeit haul 'the full power of punishing
otfcriders against itself, without limitation of time,
during its progress. Ho agreed that the House
not a right to try for a hint against one of its
individual Members. An Hon. Gentleman, now
no more, when libelled, sought redress in the
Court of King's Bench ; and at the same time,
Lord laoitghbeeough sought similar satisfaction in 1
the Court of Common Ptcaa. It dill not appear
that either cif these Gentlemen had applied to the
House of Commons or House of Loris. But it.'
was ttash to suppose that the House could not
assume the power to punish those who had im.,
puted improper motives to its proceedings.--
There were those who told the House to go to
a Court of Law. lintthe house of Commons col-
lectively cola prefer no indictment, nor °could
it submit its complaint to a Jury. These' were,
however, the cries of the new &Aim'. It was im.
possible for the Mouse to go to a Jury without
first suppliceting the Crown; and it 'night happeo
that the Clown was not disposed to gt.iitt such a
request. The Crown might be desirous or govern.
ing without Parliament, and that would be in
good a way as any other yo get rid of parliament
altogether. It was nut fur him, howeves to seg.,
mat what measure ought to be pursad, although"
he did not see the necessity of a Committee. If
the Lord Chancellor had thought fit to commit any_
person fora contempt of his Court, and he had re. '
ceived e notice. similar to that sent to the Speaker,
there was no doubt that his Lordship would haWe
committed the Attorney who served the notice to
the custody of the 'fipstaff without hesistation.—
The Honourable Gentleman concluded by decrar-
ing his inteution, if any Committee was appointed;
sot to vote for thessmentlment of Mr. Marti.
The SOLItIVOILGENII:AL expressed his
entire satisfaction at the sentiments which had been
expressed by his Hon. Friend (Sir A. Piggot).°
lie agreed that if the privileges of the house were
curtailed, it could nut exist at all. The limitai
volition for consideration was, whether the Hume
were to adept the suggestion of his. Lion. Friend
(the Chancellor of the Excheqner) or not ; %she-
lter it was to appoint a Committee, to do any
th or to do nothing. Honourable Gentlemen '
only conspleined that nothing had been done be-
tore; bit all agreed that something ought to be
done, di&ring only in what it ought to be. Ifs
could nut see upon what principle the whole
blameef deliy on this occasion was attributed to
his. Majesty's Alinisters. Ile conceived it was the
concern of every Member sitting on either side of
the Haase., whether in or out of office ; and as it
became them collectively to protect their own dig.
wirier', it was incumbent on them to agree on some
specific plan fin that purpose. It haul been la.
misted that WO steps were taken from the 17th of
the Last month on this topic ; but as the period
bad now arrived when some measure ought to be
adopted, it was heeessary that some precaution.
ary arrangentent should be made, in order to see
what was hest to be done. If it was determined
to inquiet, into the proper constitutional mode of
acting, he thought the appointment of a Select
Coniiiiittee tang likely to attain that purpose;
and if that was agreed to, the only question was
whether the power of reporting their observations
should be superadded. By such a step, it had
been said, that the dignity. of the House would be
surrendered; 'lit lie was of a different opinion;
and spun these grounds he thought it highly pee-
per that a Committee should be appointed, whom
he should hire no objection to arm with full 'sewer
and authority td Mad the necessary inquiries, and
to digest the best cowrie to be punned.,
Mr. WINDHAM also declared his approba.
tlim of the arguments that had been used by Sir
Arthur Piggott. He did not think it vas neces-
sary to appoint a Committee, nor were there any
doubts esisting to serinire investigation. At all
events, if Committee was appointed, lie did nut'
think that they should bus rested with the power of
dictating to the House--not thit by such a dole.
gation of power, they would put it out of the
hands of the House to come to a different deci.
Sion ; but from the inconveuience that would
arise if the Committee should give an opinion, in
which the House did not concur. This would
makes very injurious and qvil impression out of
down. lie thought it best to leave out the notice
"'Petting opinion altogether. He disapproved
the attempintra jastlfitAtion "f his Majesty's
Bitters, made by the Hight Honourable Gentle maa
who spoke last. He said Ft was having recourse
to the old plan of retaliation, which bad always