“Sir John Ernly.
What the Speaker said yesterday was in Marvell’s
vindication. If these two gentlemen
are friends already, he would not
make them friends, and would let
the matter go no further.
“Sir Job. Charlton is sorry a thing of this nature has happened, and no more sense of it. You in the Chair, and a stroke struck! Marvell deserves for his reflection on you, Mr. Speaker, to be called in question. You cannot do right to the house unless you question it; and moves to have Marvell sent to the Tower.
“The Speaker. I saw a blow on one side, and a stroke on the other.
“Sir Philip Harcourt.
Marvell had some kind of a stumble, and mine
was only a thrust; and the thing
was accidental.
“Sir H. Goodrick.
The persons have declared the thing to be
accidental, but if done in jest,
not fit to be done here. He believes
it an accident, and hopes the house
thinks so too.
“Mr. Sec. Williamson. This does appear, that the action for that time was in some heat. He cannot excuse Marvell who made a very severe reflection on the Speaker, and since it is so enquired, whether you have done your duty, he would have Marvell withdraw, that you may consider of it.
“Col. Sandys.
Marvell has given you trouble, and instead of
excusing himself, reflects upon
the Speaker: a strange confidence, if
not an impudence!
“Mr. Marvell. Has so great a respect to the privilege, order, and decency, of the house, that he is content to be a sacrifice for it. As to the casualty that happened, he saw a seat empty, and going to sit in it, his friend put him by, in a jocular manner, and what he did was of the same nature. So much familiarity has ever been between them, that there was no heat in the thing. He is sorry he gave an offence to the house. He seldom speaks to the house, and if he commit an error, in the manner of his speech, being not so well tuned, he hopes it is not an offence. Whether out or in the house, he has a respect to the Speaker. But he has been informed that the Speaker resumed something he had said, with reflection. He did not think fit to complain of Mr. Seymour to Mr. Speaker. He believes that is not reflective. He desires to comport himself with all respect to the house. This passage with Harcourt was a perfect casualty, and if you think fit, he will withdraw, and sacrifice himself to the censure of the house.
“Sir Henry Capel. The blow given Harcourt was with his hat; the Speaker cast his eye upon both of them, and both respected him. He would not aggravate the thing. Marvell submits, and he would have you leave the thing as it is.
“Sir Robert Holmes
saw the whole action. Marvell flung about three
or four times with his hat, and
then gave Harcourt a box on the ear.