17 July 1807

(23)[?] 21

2 o

Letter V

IV. Bonâ fide Appeals

On this occasion I find myself stopt and hampered by a doubt which I will venture to confess: honestly, not for the purpose of oppression, but because I find myself unable to find a solution for it.

The number of seats intended for the Chamber of Review, is it five, or four only, or on each occasion either five or four, whichever of the two numbers should on that occasion appear to his Majesty's wisdom the preferable one? In addition to the three Presidents of the three Sections of the Court of Session I see a fourth Judge, a "presiding Judge", about whose existence there can be no doubt. I moreover see the "Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer" whose sitting in the Chamber of Review is as little exposed to doubt. My doubt, and only doubt, is whether if so it please his Majesty at any time, it may not happen that the said Lord Chief Baron shall be the said presiding Judge, in which case instead of the five Members of the Chamber of Review there will be but four.