took his seat at the table and addressed the House as follows:—Genlemen; The House is now met, this being the last day to which parliament was prorogued, but I am informed, that notwithstanding his Majesty's proclamamation upon the subject of a farther prorogation, no message is to be expected from his Majesty's commissioners upon that subject, no commission for prorogation being made out. Under such circumstances I feel it my duty to take the chair, in order that the House may be able to adjourn itself, and I take the chair accordingly. (Here was a general cry of chair, chair!)—The Speaker having taken the chair, stated that he had ordered a new writ to be made out for a burgess to serve in parliament, for the borough of Northampton, in the room of George Bouverie, esq. deceased.

then rose and said:—Mr. Speaker, I am persuaded that it is wholly unnecessary for me to state, that this House is now assembled upon the day to which it was last prorogued, and that a proclamation has been notified in the Gazette, intimating the pleasure of his Majesty, that parliament should from this day be still further prorogued; the House must therefore be naturally anxious to ascertain how it has happened that his Majesty's servants have not executed his commands, and why on this day they were not prepared with that commission which his proclamation notified. It is now my duty, and a painful duty it is, to communicate to this House, that it is owing to the indisposition of his Majesty that this occurrence has taken place. It is owing to the severity of that indisposition that the lord Chancellor, whose immediate duty it is, has not been able to procure to that commission the signature of his Majesty. I presume it is unnecessary for me to state to this House, that it would not be becoming in his lordship to affix to such a document the great seal, without the sanction of the royal signature. Perhaps the House will excuse me, in making one or two observations on the subject of his Majesty's regretted indisposition. It will not be imputed, I think, to me, that I would unnecessarily increase and aggravate the public anxiety, which is so universally felt on that event. Indeed, I should altogether refrain from the topic, did I not feel that the communication I am about to make is truly consolatory; for, if any thing could more sensibly increase those feelings of affection and diminish those of affliction, which are at this moment felt by his people for their Sovereign, it is the knowledge that his disorder has originated from his constant unremitting anxiety and attention during the painful and protracted sufferings of a dearly beloved child. This being the cause of his Majesty's complaint, is affords strong satisfactory and additional reasons for hoping a speedy recovery. I have further the sincere happiness of being able to state, that the symptoms of his disorder are peculiarly mild: and that the physicians, who attend his Majesty, express a most confident hope of his speedy restoration. It would be unbecoming both the duty I owe this House, and inconsistent with my own feelings, not to have afforded that communication before I adverted to that which is at this moment the practical question for our consideration. That question barely is, what the House, now assembled, should under such circumstances adopt. You, Mr. Speaker, have, in my apprehension intimated the proper course we ought to pursue. There can, as it strikes me, be no discussion upon any other subject but the adjournment, and the interval of that adjournment. But setting aside the question, whether the House is competent or incompetent to entertain any other than that of adjournment, surely when we take into our consideration the circumstances under which this day we are assembled, no intimation from the Sovereign expressive of his desire that we should meet, but on the contrary, the most authoritative expression of his will that such meeting from this day should be further prorogued, there can be no doubt that any other course than adjournment would be highly inconsistent. Then the next point, is, to what period that adjournment should extend, so as to afford that notice and preparation which is best calculated to obtain a full attendance—such a degree of attendance as would produce a true parliamentary opinion as to any ulterior measure, whether of a farther adjournment or not. For this object I think the least time should be fifteen days. Indeed we have a parliamentary enactment that may operate as a guide; I mean that which empowers his Majesty upon any unexpected emergency, to convene his parliament in fourteen days. In modern times there has also been a case which might indeed be judged a precedent, and to be only analogous, where a similar motion was proposed and universally acceded to. A motion to that purport it is my intention to make before I sit down. I apprehend there is only another consideration springing from that motion, immediately incident to that proceeding which goes directly to further its object. I allude to the necessary means of procuring that very full attendance which, under such circumstances is most desirable. I conceive that the best means are a call of the House on this day fortnight, and that in the intermediate time a circular letter be written by you, Sir, requesting the attendance of members. I have only to conclude with moving, that this House do at its rising, adjourn to this day fortnight, that on that day there should be a call of the House; and that in the interim the Speaker be requested to write a circular letter to all Sheriffs of counties, Stewards of towns and boroughs, to acquaint their representatives thereof.

said Mr. Speaker, fully concurring in the propriety of every sentiment expressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and feeling, as I do, highly gratified, as I am confident every man who has heard him must, in the sanguine hopes he entertains of the speedy recovery of our gracious Sovereign, I only rise for the purpose of seconding his motion.—The motions were then put and agreed to; after which the House adjourned to Thursday the 15th instant.