GAINST SIR FRANCIS BURDETT.

During these proceedings the standing order of the house for the
exclusion of strangers was enforced, chiefly by the instrumentality of
Mr. Charles Yorke. This exclusion of strangers, however, not only failed
in the object, for which it was intended--that of keeping the public
ignorant of what passed within the walls of St. Stephens--but led to
new troubles and disgraceful scenes. At this time there was a debating
society in London, called the "British Forum," the president and chief
orator of which was one Gale Jones, who, though an obscure individual,
was suddenly raised into the dignity of a patriot and martyr. Gale Jones
proposed the subject of the exclusion of strangers from the house of
commons, as a proper subject of discussion in the British Forum; and in
this debate the conduct of Mr. Yorke was so freely censured, that he
was resolved to punish the delinquent. He complained of a breach
of privilege, and Gale Jones was brought to the bar of the commons;
and notwithstanding a humble apology made by him, he was committed to
Newgate. Sir Francis Burdett was not in the house when a vote for his
committal passed; but on the 12th of March he loudly condemned the
measure as a violation of the common law, of Magna Charta, and of
the trial by jury, in a case where the offence was punishable by the
ordinary course of justice; and concluded by moving that Gale Jones be
forthwith discharged. Sir Francis was outvoted by a large majority; and
in consequence of this decision he printed his speech in an enlarged
form, and with stronger language than he had used in the house. It was
published in Cobbett's Register, with his own name appended to it, and
accompanied with a letter to his constituents. The paper was a libel
from beginning to end; but the question which gave most offence was that
in which Sir Francis denied the right of the house to commit for breach
of privilege. The house determined to assert their privilege; and they
replied to Sir Francis by a vote that he should be committed to the
Tower, on the speaker's warrant, for a libel on the commons. This
warrant was issued; but Sir Francis shut himself up in his mansion in
Piccadilly, barring his doors and windows, and declaring that he would
yield only to force, A letter was sent to the speaker expressive of this
resolution, of his contempt for the house, and his conviction that the
warrant was illegal, On the receipt of this letter the opin