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PRECEDENT of a Member omitting the words in the Oath of Abjuration “On the true Faith of a Christian.”
The Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, returned as one of the members for the City of London, came to the table to be sworn; and being asked by the Clerk what Oath he wished to take, the Protestant or the Roman Catholic Oath, he replied, “I desire to be sworn upon the Old Testament.”
Whereupon the Clerk having stated the matter to Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker directed Baron Rothschild to withdraw.
[Debate on Question relative to the matter adjourned.]
Ordered, That Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, one of the Members for the City of London, having demanded to be sworn on the Old Testament, be called to the table, and that Mr. Speaker do ask him why he has demanded to be sworn in that form.
Whereupon Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, having come to the Table, was asked by Mr. Speaker—
“Baron de Rothschild, you have demanded to be sworn on the Old Testament, and I am directed by the House to ask you why you have demanded to be sworn in that form?”
To which Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild replied: