Charles Abbot, as a fit and proper person to be elected speaker of that house.

Mr.Wilberforce.-"Sir, in rising to second the motion which has just been made by my right honourable friend, I cannot help feel ing considerably impressed with the manner in which the house has been just now pleased to manifest its high sense of gratitude for the former exertions and the complete adequacy of the right honourable gentleman who is the subject of the motion. It has often happened, that a speaker of this house of parliament has many and various duties to discharge, beyond what he is required to perform in public. This is sometimes also the case with the other members of parliament. A great sacrifice of private avocations becomes necessary upon various occasions. I have now the satisfaction to perform a duty which is not only gratifying to my own personal feelings, but also most consistent with my sense of a public life. Impressed with a just conviction of the high importance of that office which we are now endeavouring adequately to fill, my right honourable friend has with great propriety prefaced his motion by pointing out the greatness of the task to be performed, and the character and qualifications which are necessary to discharge it with satisfaction to the public. He who calculates its real importance has imposed upon himself a great task. It is an office which is intimately connected with the greatness of this empire, and may be said to operate as a cause of promoting true happiness throughout all its inhabitants. The qualifications which are necessary, are acknowledged by all to be great and nu

merous, and we should remember that the person whom we choose ought on all occasions to be one who is perfectly acquainted with the constitution of his country. We should ever keep in our view, that small deviations may in the end conduce to great changes. It is only by an intimate acquaintance with the constitution, that any man can estimate the effects of small changes, so as to know where they are or are not of real importance. On these principles, therefore, most undoubtedly one of the qualifications we require in the person we choose as our speaker, is a perfect acquaintance with the constitution; or, I may almost say, that he should be one who possesses a complete love of it. These expressions, however, are almost identical; for every one who knows the blessings to be enjoyed from it, and who has been in the enjoyment of those blessings, cannot but be, in some degree, in love with that constitution from which they originate, and grow more and more attached to it in proportion as he feels the secret springs which regulate it. There must be a sense of adherence to the great principle of the English law in the management of private billsy as well as in great national con cerns; for I know nothing which could be more likely to produce an alienation from the house of commons, than the non-consideration of that place as being the most proper for deciding such questions as concern the rights and properties of individuals. This is rendered the more important, as the person who is appointed to the chair is, in general, deemed the guardian of the weak, the protector of the poor. We know that the rich and the powerful may be able to adopt

measures

measures to protect their own rights, but this is not the case with regard to the other class of society. Is it not, therefore, of the utmost importance, that in all measures and bills which come before this house, we, the representatives of the people, should be convinced that we have appointed an individual who is both able and willing to attend to them minutely, and to see that the great principles of legislation are not, in any degree, departed from, or the rights of private individuals trampled upon? Sir, I have said the more upon that particular subject, as it is one of which it is impossible to know the consequence: and as I have had many occasions to enable me to appreciate them, in the character of the individual whose qualifications we are now discussing, I am well convinced that he is fully adequate to the task; and that in that particular, as well as others, he will endear himself to the house of commons. It is, therefore, with singular satisfaction that I rise to second the motion of my right honourable friend. it is impossible not to recollect too, with satisfaction, that, before that right honourable gentleman was raised to the chair, he had shewn to the world those patriotic feelings by which he intended to be governed; that he had rendered services to the country which must have endeared him to the house. He had sat at the head of a committee appointed for the preservation of public economy and the remedying of abuses. Although no one rejoiced more than I at his elevation, as a commoner, to the chair, I should have regarded it as a public injury if he had been placed in that high situation before he had rendered such services; for

this reason, that it shews to others; that it is by pursuing an upright and faithful conduct as a member of parliament, as a guardian of the purse and liberties of the people, that they can be raised to a similar situation, and enabled to act with full effect for the benefit of society. In that right honourable gentle man we have a speaker of tried worth, who possesses our confidence in an eminent degree; one who is competent to protect the rights of parliament, to restrain the disposition of members to push matters too far, and one who, from the confidence he possesses, will be able to fill the situation with dignity. I shall only add one word more, to say, that at the same time that Mr. Abbot has shewn, by his love of public liberty, that he feels for our true constitutional liberty, he has shewn a just sense of the privileges of parliament, and has acted upon all occasions with that greatness of mind which is necessary for the preservation of our constitution."

The

Mr. Abbot then rose, and said: "Gentlemen, in addressing the house on this occasion, it is impossible for me not to feel the deepest sense of gratitude for the general favour which this proposition has been met with. many, very many commendations which the proposer and seconder of this motion have, by their partiality, bestowed upon me, I know not how to return. Although they have been pleased to suppose, that my being in the chair before may afford arguments for my re-elec tion, I will frankly own, that a very different impression is thereby created in my own mind; for I am persuaded, that whoever wishes to understand and to execute the duties of this important situation,

will readily acknowledge its various difficulties, and feel his own inadequacy to render it justice. Nevertheless, from my experience in the business of the house, and in compliance with their wish, I will accede to the proposal, and take the chair; although at the same time I am convinced that the event of their choice will, at some future period, shew them that they might have otherwise filled that situation more for their interests and honour:"(the cry of chair! chair! resounded from all sides of the house; and Mr. Abbot was then conducted by the mover and seconder to the chair; and when seated therein, he again rose, and addressed a few words to the house:)" Since it has been," said he, "the pleasure of the house to place me again in this chair, I have to make my most grateful acknowledgments to you for this proof of your high and distinguished confidence; and to assure you, that while I have the honour of occupy ing it, every moment of y time, both within and without these walls, shall be constantly and faithfully devoted to your service."

Mr. T. Grenville rose, and, in a very neat and appropriate speech, congratulated the house, the country, and the right honourable gentleman himself, on the choice that had been made.He then moved an adjournment, which was carried.

On the following day, in the house of lords, Mr. Abbot, with a great number of the members of the house of commons, appeared at the bar, when

Mr. Abbot addressed the lords commissioners as follows:-"My lords, I have to acquaint you, that in compliance with the commands of his majesty, and in the exercise of

their undoubted privilege, the commons of the united kingdom, in parliament assembled, have proceeded to the choice of a fit and proper person to fill the high office of speaker to their house. As the object of that choice, I now submit myself for the approbation of his majesty, with due and sincere humility, deeply impressed with a sense of the many and undeserved favours that I have already received from his hands, and fully confident of my inadequacy to full the duties of this high situation in a manner correspondent with the dignity and importance of so sacred a trust. But of this I am convinced, that should his majesty conceive the present choice of his faithful commons not consistent with his own and the public interests, they will immediately proceed to the election of some more suitable and proper person to fill that important and dignified situation.”

The lord chancellor, in the name of the commission, said,-"Gentlemen of the house of commons, we have it in command from his majesty to signify his majesty's most gracious approval of the choice you have made in the important appointment of speaker to your house. For my own part, when I reflect on the great and comprehensive talents, on the perfect acquaintance with the forms and precedents of parliament, of the gentleman whom you have honoured with your choice; when I reflect on that high character for learning and wisdom for which he is so pre-eminently conspicuousit is unnecessary for me to say any thing further than merely to express that his majesty fully approves of the object of your choice."

The speaker then claimed, in the name and on behalf of the house, all their antient rights and privi

leges;

leges; particularly that their persons, estates, and servants, may be free from arrest, and all molesta tion; that they may enjoy liberty of speech in their debates; that they may have access to his majesty's person, whenever occasion may require; and that all their proceedings may receive from his majesty the most favourable construction." For my part," he added, "I do entreat, that when. ever any thing in the shape of failing or error may occur, it may be attributed to me, to myself only, and not to his majesty's faithful

commons."

The lord chancellor, in his majesty's name, replied, that the accustomed privileges of the house of commons would be continued to them, and that the most favourable construction would be put up on all their acts.

The commons then returned to their house; when Mr. Speaker informed the members assembled of the proceedings in the other house: they then took the usual oaths, and adjourned.

On the 19th, the intervening days having been employed in administering the oaths to members of both houses, his majesty's speech was read by the lord chancellor. The purport of which was to prepare men's minds for the awful crisis then impending, and to animate them to the adequate exertions against the formidable and increasing power of the enemy. It asserts that the resistance of the king of Prussia to the usurpations of France was without previous concert with his majesty's ministers, but avows the measures taken to unite councils and interest with him. It extols

the good faith of our remaining allies, and suggests the necessity of cultivating their friendship.

The house of commons having withdrawn, the earl of Jersey rose to move an address to his majesty. In adverting to the topics contained in his majesty's speech, the first to be noticed was, the negotiation between this country and France. As the papers respecting this subject would shortly be laid on their lordships' table, it would not now be regular to enter into any detailed discussion respecting the progress and result of that negotiation: it must, however, be evident to their lordships, from what had already transpired, that the negotiation had broken off in consequence of the imperious conduct and exorbitant demands of France. His majesty, anxious that peace should be restored, if that could be attained consistently with the honour and interests of the country, had ordered the commencement of a negoti ation, the main business of which was transacted by a man, than whom no one was more fit, whose great and comprehensive mind was admirably calculated to embrace all the interests of the country, whose candour and manliness of character was exhibited in the most striking manner in the frankness, the clearness, and precision, with which he communicated with the French government; whilst, at the same time, he did not give up one jot of the interests or the honour of his country, but asserted them with all the firmness and energy which so important an occasion required. The negotiation, then, commenced under the most favourable auspices,

and, notwithstanding the lamented death of the person to whom he had alluded, was carried on in the same spirit. That it had failed in producing peace was to be attributed to the enemy. That in our present situation great sacrifices must be made was evident; but when the great object which we had in view was contemplated, these sacrifices must sink in the comparison. He was convinced that there was not a man who bore the envied name of a Briton, with the blessings and privileges attached to that title, who would not cheerfully come forward to make those sacrifices which were required to maintain the honour and dignity of the country, our laws, our constitution, and all that was dear to us. Let us rely upon ourselves, and put forth all our energies. It was true we had, in the course of a twelvemonth, lost two men of pre-eminent talent, but there was still ability more than sufficient to direct the energies of the country with the best hopes of ultimate success. He had no doubt that the pariment and the people would be unanimous in supporting his ma jesty's government by every exertion in the prosecution of a war, until a peace could be obtained consistent with the honour of the country, but which we could never consent to obtain by making humiliating sacrifices. The valour which had continued to be displayed by his majesty's fleets and armies, was an amply sufficient pledge of our superiority. Our little army, if he might call it so, in Calabria, had bravely and victoriously sustained the British character, whilst our fleets had every where maintained their accustomed superiority, With all these advantages, and with the great sources

of our prosperity and strength unimpaired, we might look forward with confidence to the result. Re lying upon ourselves, and united in sentiment and in action, we might set our enemy at defiance, and finally, he trusted, bring this great contest to a successful and glorious issue. His lordship concluded by moving an address to his majesty, noticing, as usual, the different paragraphs in his majesty's speech, and assuring his majesty of the determination of that house to unite in every effort for the vigorous prosecution of the war.

Lord Somers rose to second the address. Concurring, as he did, with the noble earl in the sentiments which he had advanced, he felt considerable difficulty in following him upon the same grounds, after the ability which the noble earl had displayed. It was his wish to support the present administration, conceiving, that though it combined different parties, that those parties were united upon the public and patriotic principies, and that it also combined so large a portion of the talent and ability of the country, that every reliance might be placed upon their exertions. In this point of view he highly approved of the measures which his majesty's ministers had brought forward for increasing the military force of the country; and although it had been said that they had damped the spirit of volunteers, he believed that very few of that highly meritorious body of men had quitted their standards. At a crisis like the present, he trusted that that house would set an example of unanimity, in pledging themselves to a firm and vigorous pro secution of the war. Our present situation called for the exertion of all the energies of the country,