Letter from Thomas Hanmer, London to Richard Steele, 1713 March 20 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning Steele's expulsion from the House of Commons; saying "The Resolution which you desire the House wou'd pass can by no means regularly be proposed to them since all debate upon that subject is closed & at an end : And though the opportunity for it were still subsisting yet I believe upon your second thoughts you will agree in opinion that when any Man's actions or writings are under the consideration of such an Assembly It can never come properly form the Person himself who is in question to direct or propose what the judgment shall be or how far the punishment shall extend. I will not pretend to advise you, but as you insist upon the Laws of your Country as the Rules by which every subject ought to be guided & tried, I would remind you of another obligation equally strong upon us all which is to submit to the legal jurisdictions establish'd in our Country for the application & Execution of those Laws. Of those Jurisdictions there is none more known or more necessary than That before which you have stood; and since the penalty inflicted is no other than the divesting you of that honour and those priviledges which your Seat in that place gave you The sentence was pass'd I will not content my self with saying by the most proper but by the only judges upon earth capable of giving it. In this case therefore there is no appeal nor is it in the nature or course of justice to allow of any from a superiour to an inferiour Court : I hope you will be persuaded to lay aside all thoughts of any thing that looks like it, At least It cannot pass through my hands though in any thing consistent with my Duty I shou'd be glad to show my self / y'r / &c."