On March 4, 1774, John Howard testified before the House of Commons about the state of prisons in England in conjunction with a bill to relieve acquitted prisoners of jailors’ fees. After Howard finished his testimony and withdrew, Mr. Dempster declared to his fellow members:

The instance which is now before us of extraordinary humanity is so great, that I think it demands some return: for a gentleman, from the motives of humanity alone, to undertake such a journey, is an instance of merit that well deserves the thanks of this House: I move therefore that you, Sir Thomas Clavering, as chairman of this committee, do move the House that Mr. Speaker do give the thanks of the House to Mr. Howard.

Samuel Whitbread, John Howard’s close personal friend, seconded Mr. Dempster’s motion. Howard was called back, and the Speaker of the House, Sir Fletcher Norton, thanked Howard:

Mr. Howard, I am commanded by the House, and I do, in obedience to those commands, give you the thanks of this House for the humanity and zeal that have prompted you to visit the gaols of this kingdom, and for the interesting information you have given the House on that subject.

The above texts and facts are as reported in the Middlesex Journal, and Evening Advertiser, issue no. 771 (Sat., Mar. 5 to Tues., Mar. 8, 1774). The reported texts and facts are consistent with Journal of House of Commons, v. 34, p. 535 (14 Geo. III, Parl. 13, Sess. 6, 4 Mar. 1774).

Members of the House of Commons had more influence in prompting Howard’s visits to prisons than this resolution of thanks suggests.