I have to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, His Majesty, by his Royal Commissioners, has been pleased to approve the choice made of myself for the Office of your Speaker, and that I have, in your name, and on your behalf, laid claim, by humble Petition to His Majesty, to all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly freedom of speech in Debate, freedom from arrest, freedom of access to His Majesty whenever occasion may require, and that the most favourable construction may be placed upon all your proceedings. All these His Majesty, by his Commissioners, has been pleased to allow and confirm in as ample a manner as they have ever been granted or confirmed by himself or any of his Royal predecessors.
My first duty to the House is to repeat my very sincere thanks for the great honour which they have done me in placing me again in the Chair. I must now call upon the Members of the House, according to the usual practice, to take the Oath of Allegiance at the Table of the House.