were secure in their number,
asserted that the house of commons was not restricted by the forms or
proceedings at common law; and that it was necessary to vindicate their
own honour and dignity, by making examples of those who seemed to
hold them in contempt. Mr. Murray was committed to the custody of
the sergeant-at-arms, and found bail; and Gibson was sent prisoner to
Newgate, from whence he was in a few days released, upon presenting
an humble petition, professing his sorrow for having incurred the
displeasure of the house, to the bar of which he was brought, and
received a reprimand on his knees from the speaker. In the meantime,
divers witnesses being examined before the house, declared, That Mr.
Murray had been seen, about the time of the return of a member for
Westminster, heading and exciting a tumult to acts of violence against
the high-bailiff. The majority, therefore, after a long and warm debate,
agreed, that for his dangerous and seditious practices, in violation
and contempt of the privileges of the house, and of the freedom of
elections, he should be committed close prisoner to Newgate Then, in the
close of another violent debate, they resolved that he should be brought
to the bar of the house, to receive that sentence on his knees. He
accordingly appeared, and being directed by the speaker to kneel,
refused to comply. He knew that he could not be discharged from Newgate
during the session, without petitioning, acknowledging his offence, and
making such concessions as he thought would imply a consciousness of
guilt; he considered this whole transaction as an oppressive exertion of
arbitrary power, and, being apprized of the extent of their authority,
determined to bear the brunt of their indignation, rather than make
submissions which he deemed beneath the dignity of his character. When
he refused to humble himself, the whole house was in commotion; he was
no sooner removed from the bar than they resolved, that his having in a
most insolent and audacious manner refused to be on his knees at the bar
of that house, in consequence of their former resolution, was a high and
most dangerous contempt of the authority and privilege of the commons;
it was therefore ordered, that he should be committed close prisoner
to Newgate, debarred the use of pen, ink, and paper; and that no person
should have access to him without the leave of the house. Finally, a
committee was appointed to consider what methods might be pro