THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ^^,^ HISTORY ,^/ OF THE WESTMINSTER AND MIDDLESEX ELECTION Sj IX THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 1806. LONDON: PRINTED FORJ. BUDD, CROWN AND MITRE, PAL3L- mall; R. BAGSHAW, brydges-street, COVENT- gakden; akd h. Humphrey, 27, st. james*s STREET. 1807. J. BrettcU, Printer, Marshall-Street, Goldtii-Jiqiiarc. ]p R E F A C E. i 111 * The Reader is here presented wilh an Account of the Proceedings which took place at the Westminster and Middlesex Elections, in the month of November last. The Volume consists of a Collection of the Addresses of the respective Candidates ; of their Speeches, as well as the Speeches of their Friends, both on the Hustings and at Pubhc Meetings ; of the Resolutions passed at those Meetings ; and also of the numerous Adver- tisements, Letters, Hand-bills, Songs, &c. &c. which made their appearance during the said Elections. To point out the utility of such a Collection, after the favourable re- ception which similar pubhcations have in- variably met with, would be superfluous. The utmost impartiality has been strictly ad- hered to. In no instance has the Compiler given IV PREFACE. given any opinion of his own, upon the se- veral topics brought forward; but, in making a Collection of every thing that he has been able to obtain, he has done his best to enable the Public, both now and hereafter, to form a correct judgment upon subjects which have engaged so large a portion of their attention. December 1806. CON- CONTENTS WESTMINSTER ELECTION. Page jVIr. Sheridan's First Address to the Electors of Westminster 1 Sir Samuel Hood's First Address to the Electors of West- minster S Mr. Paull's First Address to the Electors of Westminster. ... 3 Mr. Paull's Dinner at the Crown and Anchor, Oc- tober 29, Sir Francis BuRDETT in the Chair 6 Resolutions passed at the above Meeting 11 Colonel Fullarton's Address to the Electors of Westminster. . l6 First Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Peter Moore, Mr. Sheridan, Lord W. Russell, Sir S. Hood, Sir Fran- cis Burdett, JNIr. Gibbons, Mr. Paull, Mr. Sheridan, Sir F. Burdett, Mr. Paull 18 Mr. Sheridan's Dinner at the Crown and Anchor, Nov. 3. — Speeches of Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Barry, Mr. Perry ^S To the Independent Electors of Westminster. A Few Plain Questions from One of Yourselves 35 Independence and Paull. An Excellent New Song 36" Mr, Paull appointed Master Tailor to Drury Lane Theatre. . S7 LetU'i CONTENTS. Page Letter from Mr. Alexander Paull, (Journeyman Tailor, to J. Lambert) to the Electors of Westminster 38 A Stupid and Scandalous Hand-Bill, Sec 38 Electioji Query. Who is Mr. Paull ? &c ^ 39 Query. Are the Duties of a Member of Parliament a Farce .'' &c * 40 Second Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. P. Moore, Sir S. Hood, Colonel FuUarton, Mr. Paull, Colonel Fullarton, Sir S. Hood, Mr. Paull 41 Mr. PauU's Second Address to the Electors of Westminster. . 45 Third Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. P. Moore, Sir S. Hood, Mr. Paul! 48 Reward of One Hundred Pounds. Whereas a daring Assault was made on Mr. Sheridan, &c 51 Mr. Sheridan's Second Address to the Electors of Westminster 52 Coalition between Sir Samuel Hood and Mr. Sheridan 53 Camillas to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle, on the Pretensions of Mr. Paull 5i Song. Paull and Plumpers. Tune '* Drops of Brandy" 6^ Veritas to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle, on Mr. Paull and the Nabob of Oude 64 Fourth Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. P. INIoore, Sir S. Hood, Mr. Paull 70 Ccalition. Mr. Sheridan requests, S^c 76 Mr. PauU's Address to the Electors of Wcstininstcr 76 Claims cf the Three Candidates 77 Queries: Who is he who obtains Goods under false Pre- tences ? Sec 8 J Song. Paull the True Patriot; or, A Pill for Apostacy. Tune " Miss Bailey" 82 Priull and Sir Francis Burdctt against Sheridan and Lord Wellc^slev 8j Fifth Day's Pkocf.edings. — Speeches of Mr. Britten, Mr. r. Moore, Sir S. Hood, Mr. Paull S:. Mr. Sui'.KiD \n's DiNNi.ii Ar the SiiAKF.srEAUE Tavern, Nov. 7. — Sjicechcs of Lord W. Russell, Mr. P. M^orc, Mr. Perry 89 Song, CONTENTS. Page Song. Ye Lads who wish well to the Spot of your Birth . . 90 Mr. Paull's Fourth Address to the Electors of Westrainster. . 95 No Pantomimical or Farcical Shews, &c, 96 Independent's Letter to the Electors, on the Coalition $S Query : Paull, Hood, or Sheridan ? 98 Queries submitted to the profound Penetration of Mr. Sheri- dan's Committee 100 SoKG. Measure for Measure. Tune " Madam Figg*s Gala" 102 Mr. Sheridan's Subscri;jtion 103 Mr. Sheridan's Third Address to the Electors of Westminster 103 Mr. Paull's Fifth Address to the Electors of Westminster. . lOt Sixth Day's Puoceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Britten, Sir S.Hood, Mr. Paull 108 James Paull and the Broad 11 Ill Mil. Sheridan. — The Creditors of Richard Brinsley Sheri- dan, Sec n 1 The Old and Tried Patriot 112 SoSG. The Election : " Now haste to the Garden away-" 113 Seventh Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Sheridan, Captain Hood, Mr. Paull 115 Sir Samuel Hood's Din^ner at Willis's Rooms, Nov. 11. — Speeches of Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Whitbrcad, Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Thomas Sheridan ...... 121 Hood and Sheridan. No Paull, No Burdctt, &c 128 Who is asking to be your Representative? The Son of an ob- scure Irish Player, &c 129 To be Sold by Auction, the Unredeemed Pledges of the Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan, &c 131 Song. Jem Paull's Address to his Constituents ; or, an Ex- cellent New Song en the Westminster Election. Tune •♦ The Storm" 132 Eighth Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Whitbread, Sir S.Hood, Mr. Paull 135 Died, on Tuesday, the 11th Day of November, the Last Hope of the Right Hon. R. B.Sheridan, &c 140 Three Queries. Is not Mr. Paull the Agent ? &c 141 Ninth CONTENTS. Page Ninth Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Shelidan, Sir S. Hood, Mr. Paull, Mr. Whit. bread, Mr. Paull 142 A Lesson to be learnt by those who are compelled to heiN(;;s. — Spteches of Mr. Byng, Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Mellish 36i Meeting at Hudson's Hotel, relative to Sir Francis Burdett's Coaches 36G Mr. Denis O'Bryen's " Most Marvellous Discovery" .... 363 ^lajor Cartvvright's Observations on ■\lr. Denis O'Bryen's *' Most Maivcllous Discovery" 374 Seventh Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Mcili^h 377 FiOHTH Day's Proceedikgs. — Speeches of Sir Francif Burdctt, Mr. Melli-h 353 Ninth Day's Proci.eui.ngs. — Speeches of bir l'"iancis Bur- detf, Mr. Mellish 383 TiNTii Day's PiioCEiniNfi'^. — Speeches of Sir P rnnc is Bnr.lett, Mr. TvCrliish 3J3 F.iEVESTH Day's P;u)CF.edings. — Speeches of SirPrLincis Burdett, M Mellish 3^8 Twelfth Day'^s Proceedings. — Sp("cche8 ol Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Melhsh 403 TiiiRTKENTu L'ay's Piicc e [.di n(; s. ■ — Specchcs of Sir Francis Rardctt, Mr. MJlir-h 407 FccuTEF^iii Day's Puocekimngs. — S])ecchcs ot Sir Fiancis j5ur'.!ctt, Mr. Mellish 410 *. Polled Frcehohicr's Letter to the I.-.dc;}f;udcnt Electors of :MiM!cee:; 4l 4 P'l.ri EENTH CONTENTS. Page Fifteenth Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Mellish 415 Mr. John Bowles's Letter to Sir Francis Burdett 419 A Freeiio'der's Letter to the Freeholders of Middlesex . . . .421 SixTEE>TH Day's Proceedings. — Speeches of Mr. Mel- hsh, Mr. Byng, Sir Francis Burdett 425 Mr. Alellish's Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex alter the Election 437 -\Ir. Bvng's Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex after the Election 438 Sir Francis Burdctt's Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex after the Election 439 Major Cartwright's Two Letters to Mr. Whiibre.-id, contain- ing Strictures on that Gentleman's Letter to Sir Francis Burdett 443 Letters between Mr. Whitbread and Sir Francis Burdett after the Election 459 WESTMINSTER ELECTION, CJXDIDJTES. Sir SAMUEL HOOD, K. B. Rt. Hoy. RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAX JAMES PAULL, Esq. MIDDLESEX ELECTION. CANDIDATES. GEORGE BYNG, Esq. Sir ERANCIS BURDETT, Bart. AVILLL\:\I MELLISH, Esq. HISTORY WESTMINSTER ELECTION, IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 3 806. HISTORY WESTMINSTER ELECTION* Shortly after the Dissolution of the late Parliament, the Right Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Sir Samuel Hood, and James Paull, Esq. announced their intentions of be- coming Candidates for the City of Westmin- ster, in the following terms : To the worthy and independent Electors of the City of Westminster. Gentlemen ; It was not in my power to express, in terms adequate to the sensations in my mind, the grati- tude I felt, when, at the meeting of the 18th of last month, your partial kindness induced you to regard me as a person worthy, through your con- fidence and choice, to succeed your late revered representative. Mr. Fox. My motives for then B declining 2 HISTORY OP THE declining the distinguished honour proposed to me, must, I am confident, have received, upon due consideration, the sanction of every unbiassed and reflecting mind. — The present general expectation of an immediate dissolution of parliament, opens to me the course which every motive of duty, gra- titude, and fair ambition, calls on me to pursue; I earnestly solicit from each of you the honour of your support, and vote, if necessary, at the ap- proaching Election. 1 make no professions ; I am conlident you do not expect any from me. What I have been, I shall continue to be : the mainte- nance of the principles of Mr. Fox is now, more than ever, a sacred duty. It is a solemn trust, be- queathed especially to those who shared his confi- dence, gloried in his friendship, and followed in his steps while living. My efforts to execute my humble share in that trust, will, in my estimation, at all times be overpaid by the continuance of your protection and approbation. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, with the sinccrcst respect and devotion, Soioerset-Piace, Your obliged servant, Oct. 20, 1S06. R. B. Sheridax, To the vjorthi/ Electors of Westminster. Gentlemen ; I trust I shall not be deemed presumptuous in offering my services to the City of Westminster upon the present occasion. — If 1 should be so for- tunate as to be distinguished by your favour, I shall be anxious on every occasion to evince my grati- ^ tude WESTMINSTER ELECTION. S tilde to you by an upright and independent conduct in parliament, and by continuing to devote my best faculties to the service of my country. — IMy health is not yet sufficiently re-established to admit of my soliciting your support by a personal canvass, but I am confident this involuntary omission will not be permitted to operate to my prejudice. I have no doubt of being able to make my appearance on the hustings on the day of election, and there to assure you in person of my attachment to your service. I have the honour to remain, gentlemen, with the greatest truth, Your most obedient, and most faithful Wimpole-Street, Humble servant, Oct. 27, 1806. Samuel Hood. To the free and independent Electors of the City and Liberty of JVestminster. Gentlemen ; The unexpected dissolution of parliament having removed the only objection to my standing forward upon a recent occasion, as a candidate for the ho- nour of your suffrages, and for the purpose of rescuing you from the disgrace of being transferred from one great man to another, like the debased inhabitants of a vassal borough ; this objection having been removed by a measure which has de- prived me of that seat, which, for the sake of the great cause in \\hich I was engaged, I was so an- xious to retain, I have lost no time in applying to you, the free and iiulcpendent Electors ol" West- B 2 minstf r. 4 HISTORY OF THE minster, to choose me one of your representatives for the ensuing parliament ; and for the making of this application, the following are the grounds : — Eighteen months only was I a member of the house of commons ; but, gentlemen, during those eighteen months, I was, perhaps, more time ac- tually in the house, and attending upon my duty, than some members have been in the course of as many years ; or it would be impossible, that, for the far greater part of the session, there were not present above seventy or eighty, out of six hun- dred and fiftyrcight members : during these eigh- teen months, I brought under the examination of parliament the misdeeds of lord Wellesley, by whose aggressions, the British character has been rendered hateful in India, and by whose extravagance, four millions of money have already been drained in taxes from the people of England ; many mil- lions more being necessary to satisfy the demands created by that profligate extravagance. During those eighteen months, in spite of all the intrigues and all the power, both of the court and the ministry, and even in spite of endeavours on the part of his royal highness the prince of Whales to put a stop to my proceedings, I persevered, until I had produced, upon the table of the house of commons, articles of impeachment against lord Wellesley, and there- by compelling the house either to declare that they approved of the unparalleled acts of that nobleman, or that he ought to be tried and punished for thosC' acts. But, gentlemen, all this will, without your assistance, be rendered useless, by the dissolution of WESTMINSTER ELECTION. S of the parliament, which puts an end to all the pro- ceedings against lord Wellesley, and which has evidently been adopted, chiefly for the purpose of thus defeating the ends of public justice, and of preventing any reform in the expenditure of the public money. — To you, therefore, I confidently appeal for that support which will enable me again to revive and prosecute this great undertaking ; to you 1 appeal for the power of again withstanding all attempts at suppressing enquiry into the mon- strous abuses of the barrack and other departments; to you I appeal for the power of preventing your burthens from being increased, by exempting the funded property of Hanoverians and othex foreign- ers from bearing its due proportion of the tax, at the very time that you are maintaining thirteen thousand Hanoverian soldiers, and are making war, at an enormous expence, for the restoration of Ha- nover to the king ; to you I appeal, in short, for the power of exerting all my faculties against that torrent of oppression and corruption that threatens to extinguish entirely, and for ever, that flame of British freedom, which is now reduced to a spark,^ and of which spark you are the guardians. J have the honour to be. With the highest respect and esteem, fCharles-Street, Your most devoted servant, Oct. 2/,i8CH). James Paull. Proceedings HISTORY OF THE proceedings at a Meeting of the Friends of Mr. Paull, at the Crown- and- Anchor Tavern^ on Thursday^ October ^ig. This day a meeting was held at the Crown-and- Anchor tavern, in the Strand, pursuant to adver- tisement, of the electors of the city and liberty of Westminster, professedly in the interest of Mr. Pauil. Sir Francis Burdett was in the chair. The number present appeared to be about 300. After dinner (which was a good one), and the cloth having been removed, the first toast was '* The King;" — which was drunk with great applause : " The Independent Electors of Westminster:" *' Sir Francis Burdett." Sir Francis Burdett rose, and spoke as follows : — Gentlemen, I never rose more cheer- fully in my life than I do now, to perform a duty, for I think it is a duty, to support a public man, who comes forward as a candidate for Westminster, and who comes forward upon independent prin- ciples. I never rose, I say, more cheerfully or more satisfactorily, to perform a duty to the public, than I do upon the present occasion, in recom- mending to you a gentleman who sits near me, Mr. Paull, to represent the Independent Electors of this great City. — I will not detain you long in ob- servations preparator}' to drinking his health ; but shall briefly state to you one or two observations, which, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 7 which, I trust, will induce you to concur with me in thinking that Mr. Paull is the only person who can be supported, upon this occasion, on honour- able and public grounds by the independent part of the Electors of this City. — Gentlemen, the ad- vertisement of your late representative (Lord Gardner), who now declines coming forward as a candidate for your future suffrages, carries in itself strong, and, indeed, sufficient reason why he ought never to have been a candidate at all, and why a person, who stands under the same circum- stances, and in the same predicament, cannot, any more than himself, fulfil that duty, which ought to be the first, if not the only object of those whom you deign to favour with your support. In his advertisement, Lord Gardner states, *' that ** he cannot come forward as a candidate to re- *' present you in parliament, on account of his pro- ** fessional duty, which compels him to be absent *' from the House of Commons." I do not mean to insinuate, for I do not feel, that either of these gallant olScers is not a very fit object of any honour or professional reward or emolument, which their country could bestow upon them ; but this is the only situation, — I mean, that of being can- didate for your suffrages to represent you in par- liament ; — I say, the only situation, wherein an English naval officer can appear to any disad- vantage. Gentlemen, upon reflection, I say, it is the only possible situation in which an English naval officer can be made an instrument to oppose the liberty, the independence, and, I must say, the S HISTORY OF THE the interests of his country. Gentlemen, if si^ Samuel Hood, of whose gallantry and meritorious conduct there can be entertained but one opinion, was asking only some mark of honour or respect from his countrymen, no man in England would oppose him ; nor would any be more ready to shew him respect than the Electors of the City of West-^ minster ; but, on the present occasion, wherein your choice confers no sinecure office, but a labo- rious duty, and not less important even than his professional duty, requiring, as it does, so much attendance and exertion, and admitting of nof absence, I think that^ under all such circumstances, you will concur with me in thinking that the gallant officer cannot be fit to fill it. Therefore Lord Gardner has left behind him a legacy which has not only excluded himself, but every other naval officer, from claiming your suffrages to represent you in parliament. Then, gentlemen, conceiving that the professions of sir Samuel Hood, and the duties which attend it, are inconsistent with a faithful discharge of those of a member of par- liament, which is no more than sayiitg that no man can act in two places, and act in two capacities at one time, it cannot be any affront to him, to re- fuse him su})port in an application made on his behalf, in which he has no claim ; because it is impossible for him to serve you as a member of parlian'icnt without neglecting his duty as a naval officer, for which reason he is an unfit candidate to represent you in parliament. After having dis- posed of that part of the question before you, I come \rESTMINSTER ELECTION". 9 come to the next candidate for your suffrages, Mr. Sheridan. On the propriety of his being origi- nally a candidate, I have already given my opinion; — that opinion is before the public; — I maintain that opinion now upon that subject : — but, patting all other observations out of the question, I cannot but think that a Treasurer of the Navy is unfit to represent this great and inde- pendent City in parliament. — [bursts of applause. J — Gentlemen, there remains, then, for our choice but one candidate, Mr. Paull ; who if he had no other merit, than that of being unconnected with, and independent of the other two, would give him a decided preference to both. He comes forward to afford the Electors of Westminster an oppor- tunity of maintaining the independence of their City ; so that, upon that foundation alone, I think you cannot doubt which of the three candidates is best entitled to your support. But, Mr. Paull stands on ground still higher; on ground which, I will be bold to say, not only claims, but deserves, the independent support of every man in the com- munity. I will state, as briefly as I can, the merits of Mr. PauU's conduct ; and I am sorry to say that he stands as a singular individual in the present time, on account of his adherence to public principles ; of his pursuing oppressors ; of his bringing accusations against alledged de- linquents ; and all this under such singular disad- vantages, that I will be bold to say, without com- pliment to him, few indeed would, under the same circumstances, have adhered to the cause of G public 10 HISTORY OF THE public virtue in the same manner as Mr. PauII has clone. {Great applause.^ — Every art and trick that could be employed to create obstruction, or to present all sorts of opposition to the object of Mr. Paull, open or underhanded, to prevent him from pursuing that object, were exercised, either to cajole or terrify him from the pursuit of it ; but they all proved unavailing. But, what is the strongest recommendation of Mr. Paull to your suffrages is, that it has been a strong motive with ministers, perhaps the strongest, to dissolve the present parliament, in order to stifle his voice in ft ; for they are well aware, that Mr. Paull cannot come into parliament for money ; he is a proscribed person amongst those who have seats at their dis- posal. He cannot come in again to perform what he has so nobly begun, by any means but those of the independent exertion, by the uncorrupt and energetic support, of a popular Election, such as yours, and to which 1 say, be has a right to look for support ; nor do I know where he can look with such well-founded confidence of success, as to the public-sj)irited and independent Electors of thi-s great and enlightened City. I say, therefore, that for tliesc reasons only, being engaged as he is against a great alledged delinquent, and being jivoscribed from all places except these that are pojMdous and independent, he has a claim upon your iiucgrity : with your assistance he will stand upon a rock, from which he cannot be removed; and this consideration is or the utmost importance, fur he alone can do it with eifect ; nobody but C liimself WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 11 himself can effectually cany on the enquiry which he has commenced, and with your assistance he will be a fulcrum, sufficiently powerful, perhaps, to remove even the present broad-bottomed ad- ministration. Gentlemen, I shall not detain you any longer, because this is a meeting of business. We should now proceed on the true purpose of it, on which I trust we are agreed unanimously, — that of securing the election of Mr. Paull : — but, before I proceed to drink that gentleman's health, I will read to you certain Resolutions which I shall submit for your approbation, as being descriptive of the fixed principles of Mr. Paull, and upon which he is to be recommended to your notice." — He then read the following Resolutions, which were all carried unanimously, 'viz. RESOLUTIONS. I. Resolved. — '' That, to be represented in the ^' legislature by men sent thither by our own " free choice, is our undou])ted right as En- *' glishmen ; is the only security for the pos- ** session of our property or the enjoyment of " our personal freedom; and is, indeed, the " only thing Mhich distinguishes us from the *' subjects of a despot."' II. " That, duly impressed with the value of this, " our constitutional privilege, and, perceiving " witli deep affliction, that, through the in- " fluence of corruption and venality, this incs- ^' timable privilege has, in numerous instances, *' been undermined and annihilate^:!; it is c f2 at ^2 HISTORY OF THE '• at this critical period, the duty of every body ^' of men having a right to vote, and parti- " culariy of the Electors of this great and po- " pulous City, so to exercise their franchise as " to exhibit to the rest of the kingdom an *' example of good sense, of public spirit, of " purity of principle, and of resolution to *' maintain or recover those rights, Avhich *' when constitutionally enjoyed, have always *' proved to be the greatest blessing to the *' people, and the securest foundation of the *' throne." III. " That we have observed, with unfeigned '' sorrow, that out of the 658 members of the *' late House of Commons, a comparatively very *' small portion ever attended their duty : that '' nearly one half of the whole were Placemen, *' dependent Officers, and Pensioners ; that, it *' was but too often evident, that the motive of *' action was private interest rather than public *' good ; and that, amongst those who were *' loudest in their professions of dev'otion to the " King, the chief object was to render Him, as " wtW as his People, the slaves of faction. lY. " That in the parliamentary conduct of Mr. '' Paull, wc have observed a constant attention " to his duty, a strict adherence to every *' promise made to tlie public, a virtuous al)- *' horrencc of oppressors and peculators, an in- " flexible perseverance in the prosecution of de- " lin(|ucncy, a rare instance of resistance to " those temptations, by which so many other *^ men W'ESTMTNSTER ELECTION. 13 ^* men have been seduced to betray their trust ; ** and that, upon these grounds, it is incumbent " upon us, collectively and individually, to use ** all the legal means within our power to secure *' his election, and therein to do all that rests *' with us to preserve our country from a fate " similar to that of so many European states *' which have fallen an easy conquest to the •' enemy, only because the people had neither *' property nor liberty to defend." Sir Francis then drank " the health of Mr Paull, and success to his Election." Mr. Paull rose, and said : " Gentlemen, I am almost an entire stranger, and utterly unknown to you as a public character, and I feel greater diffi- dence in addressing you, than I felt in addressing that assembly in which I had once, and in which I still seek a seat. — I claim your indulgence, with- out making many professions. I will not say as some do, I have no M'ords to convey my thanks to you for your kindness; but although I use but few words to express those thanks, I hope I can feel more affection for your interests than a man who can say more — [Bia^sts of applause.'] — I sa^-, I hope I feel more than a man who can say more, and that my conduct will hereafter prove the truth of what 1 now assert, on the subject of the great national contest, for so I call it, in which we are now engaged — I mean an appeal to you for a seat in parliament. I certainly had no intention to offer myself to the Electors of Westminster before I had some claim ; and now I have the greatest, because j4 history of the because I am proscribed by every man in pot>-er in this country. I appeal to you, as a body able to defeat that proscription, and as disposed to do so ; for there is a spirit in this countr}-, which can always defeat any despotic minister of the crown. From the firsttime I have been able to think upon political topics, I have been determined to follow the steps of a distinguished and illustrious patriot, for whose principles I have been an avowed advocate, with whom I should wish to live, and with whom and for whose principles I am ready, il" necessary, to die; — 1 mean sir Francis Burdett. — I can only add, that if I am returned for this City to parliament, I will attend my duty as I have always done ; and as I have no doubt mj^ friend (sir Francis Burdett) will be returned, I shall be proud to be at his back ; I pledge myself to support him in resisting the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, and every other measure that may tend to encroach on the liberty of the subject. I shall think with pride on the proceedings of this day ; and, rather than submit to tyranny, I will with pride even go to the scaffold with that distin- guished patriot sir Francis Burdett, if such should be our fate in cur last efforts to resist it ! Gentle- men, I thank vou sincerelv for drinkins: mv health ; and with drinking yours most cordially, I now beg leave to retire, in ortTer to priy my respects to some of those of ; .y friends who have not been able to favour us v\ ith their company here. SirFuAXcis {jurdf IT, after expressing his con- viction that tiic nv.etino: would n iturally sympa- thiz-e WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 15 thize in the feelings of any body of men assailed by ministerial influence, proposed, at the request of Mr. Cobbett, " the independent electors of *' ha:mpshiiie ; and success to their endeauours to ** preserve the remains of their Freedom against the " attacks of an arrogant minister.'' — This toast, and that of, " the independent electors of MIDDLESEX," which foUowcd, having been drunk with three times three, sir Francis Burdett, after a description of the plan of committees and canvas- sing, upon which the Electors ought all to act in order to secure the Election of Mr. Paull, took his leave, accompanied by Mv, Paull, colonel Bosviile, and several gentlemen ^vho sat at the top of the room, and followed by theapplauses of the company. Upon sir Francis having vacated the chair, Mr. Cojjbett was called to it, and he immediately pro- posed, " Success to the Election ofsir Francis Bur- ** dctt,'' which was drunk v/ith the most ardent ex- pressions of enthusiasm. Mr. Cobbett pointed out the several divisions to which it had been found convenient to apportion distinct committees ; and exhorting gentlemen to put down their names, who were disposed to canvass in their several pa- rishes, and to proceed to business as soon as possi- ble, he be2-a;cd to take his leave, in order to attend a meeting in Westminster. I\Ir. Iie\rlings was then called to the chair. His health M'as drunk, as was that of Mr. Gibbons, both of whom made speeches expressive of thanks. And after a few toasts and §ongs, the company separated with the utmost bar- many. Mr- l5 HISTORY OF THE Colofiel Fullarton's Address to the Electors of fVestmhister. Gentlemen ; My absence from London prevented me from learning till yesterday, that your votes and interest had been publicly solicited by sir Samuel Hood. The courage and exertions evinced by that officer at Toulon, at Aboukir, at TenerifFe, and in various other instances, prove that, in his capacity as a Captain of the Navy, he is entitled to the highest praise ; while the recent capture of four French frigates, by a squadron under his command, and the severe misfortune which bcfelhim on that occasion, must interest in his favour every individual who is capable of aDpreciating naval skill and enterprize. Unfortunately, liowever, for sir Samuel Hood, his exertions have not been confined within the limits of his Profession, but have been exercised in a Civil Department, in such d manner as will enable you to dcternr'iie how far his principles, his modes of acting, and his olficial declarations, can be tolerated in a C' ndidate for the Representation of the first City in the British Empire. As a re- ward, I presume, for his tlistinguished Naval Services, he was appointed, in the year 1802, Third Commissioner for the government of Tri- nadad ; at the same time, Governor Picton Mas appointed Second, and I was named asjFirst Com- inissioncv. During the period in which sir Samuel Hood executed the duties of that ofiice, he com- mitted various acts which became the subject of serious WESTMINSTER ELECTION-. 17 serious charges against him, and vvhich remain still pending before the Lords of his Majesty's Council; their lordships having intimated their intentions of postponing the consideration of them until the more serious charges against his col- league, Colonel Picton, were disposed of. The particulars of these transactions are detailed in my address to that right honourable Tribunal, and in other documents, of >vhich copies or extracts shall be printed and circulated for the information of the Electors of Westminster. In the mean while, it is sufficient to specify, that sir Samuel Hood stands arraigned of having concurred with Colonel Picton in committing acts of illegality and aggres- sion against British subjects under his protection ; and that he exposed the colony to a scene of anarchy, by issuing a proclamation, dated 27th of April, 1806, directly violating the King's autho- srity, and commands. I have the honour to be, With great respect, Gentlemen, Your most faithful and most obedient servant, William Fullarton". Barnaby Moor, Oct. 20, ISOG, J) riRST 13 HISTORY OF THE FIRST DAY. Monday November 3, 1806. Mr. Paull proceedecf from his house to the Hustings, in his barouche and four, accompanied by sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Cobbett, and some other friends; colonel Bosville in his coach and four following, accompanied by ]\rr. Burdett, the rev. ]\Ir. French, and another gentleman. Upon Mr. Paull's arrival, he was greeted with the loudest and warmest applause. About ten o'clock, an universal hissing, groaning, and cla- morous disapprobation announced the arrival of one of the other candidates, Mr. Sheridan, — who no sooner appeared on the Hustings, than a cry of " off! off!"' issued from various quarters. A parcel of men, armed with bkidgeons, entered at this time amongst the crowd, who did not fail to express great dissatisfaction at such an unseasonable en- croachment. Mr. Sheridan attempted to speak, in order to apologise for his dchiy, but the noise and clamour Mas so vcrv L;rcat, that not a Vvord coidd be heard. Sir Samuel Hood made his ap])earance, and it Avas v.-ith great difiiciilty that the Hustings, which Arerc l)y tliis time (11 o' clock) exceedingly croM'd- cd, could be cleared for the gallant admiral to get forward. This last Candidate was attended l)y lord William liussell and several naval uentlemen. He was in his full dress naval uniform, and wore 2 all WESTMINSTER ELECTION. ig all the medals and honourable badges which his tneritorious services so justly entitled him to. The want of his arm, and his being in the naval dress, seemed instantaneously to recal to the recollection of all present, our much-lamented hero, lord Nel- son. Loud shouts of applause, and marks of es- teem seemed to follow the gallant admiral, till such time as he approached the Hustings, when a contrary sentiment seemed to prevail, in the idea of his offering himself as a Candidate for Westminster. Lord William Russell attempted to speak, but the cry of '' Paull ! Paull !'' was £0 very great, that he was obliged to desist. Mr. Peter Moore then came forward, and, after a short preamble, or eulogium upon i\lr. Sheridan, concluded by proposing that gentleman as a can- didate. Tliis motion was seconded by lord Wil- liam Russell, who also was proceeding to descant upon the merits of ]\Ir. Sheridan, but was soon completely overpowered by the clamour of the multitude. Mr. Sheridan next spoke, and had proceeded a considerable length, before one single sentence be- came autlihie. We understood him at length to be asking the populace, " Crtntlenien, I wish to know whether you really want a riot or an Election ? If you have a good cause, you will conduct yourselves peaceably; trust in the goodness of your cause, and not in noise and clamour; it is one, which, at least, will bear a fair and impartial discussion."' Mr. Peter ]\Ioore again came iorward, and at- tempted to supply what had been inaudible in the D ^ si^eech 20 HISTORY OF THE speech of his friend who had last spoken. " Gen- tlemen," saidlie, " it is my wish to consult, to the utmost, your interest in proposing ^Ir. Sheridan to supply the place of that patriotic statesman who is now' no more. I have endeavoured to remedy the loss you have experienced in the death of Mr. Fox as much as lies in my power; Mr. Sheridan has heeu all along his steady friend, and it might truly be said, that it was a struggle which of them should do most for the benefit and advantage of the people in general, as well as that of their con- stituents in particular. They had each of them studied to promote the general hberty and indepen- dence of the people. ^Iv. Slieridan has, indeed, accepted of an olTice, and I am glad that he has done so, [Loud rrit'y of' no I no ! and marks of disapprobalion.] Offices must be filled by some- body. Is it not ijetter, therefore, that they be filled by such men as ?>lr. Sheridan, Vyho has proved him- self, on all occasions, to be ycuu' friend? I am con- vinced you will be of opinion, therefore, that Mr. Sheridan is the most proper person to represent you in |)arliament."' L(;i(l William Ivussell, — " I never, gentlemen, had the liouour of ad(lrc:5sing you ; but I am happy to meet y(ni in support of those principles, which liave ever been dearest to my lieart. The princi- ple-. of the gentlemau who has been proposed to } (ju, are such as can secure independence and hap- jfniess to tliis coiuitiy." — -Mr. Paul! here called out to the high bailiflf, to order the bUuli;con-m.cn (who came up with Mr. Sheridan's WESTMINSTER E3LECTI0^^ ^1 Sheridan's colours) to be disarmed, as they were occasioning considerable tumult and confusion below. The noise which prevailed, prevented the sheriff from hearing Mr. PauH's observations.—^ These bludgeon-men, however, becoming some- what more riotous during the polling, they were completely disarmed by the activity of a Mr. Bird, one of the constables in attendance. Lord William Russell continued, after re- peated interruptions ; — " Gentlemen,! shall propose a candidate for your suffrages, whose conduct, lam convinced, will be consistent with those principles I have alluded to : I shall nominatesir Samuel Hood; a gentleman who is entitled to your approbation and gratitude, as he has fouglit and bled iu de- fence of our country, and therefore well adapted, in every point of \'ieu-, to defend 3'our liberties and laws."" Tills motion was seconded by a Mr. Dawes. Wlnie sir Samuel Hood v/as attempting to speak, some altercation ensued betwixt the friends of Mr. Pai;ll and 'Mr. Sheridan. Mr. P. ?>Ioore, addressing himscifto Z\h\ Paull, said with considerable warintli, "By God, sir, if any thing happens, I shall look to you for the consequences," or, " you shall be ansuerabic for the consequen- ces ;" to wliicb ?,Ir. Paull answered, that any tu- mult tliat existed was by no means occasioned by ]jim or his party. He vrislicd above all things to promote quietness and regularitv, but he thought the best way of doing so, would be to remove the men Vv-ho Irdd come anr.ed vritli bludgeons. 11^ could 522 HISTORY OF THE could not approve of such a procedure. His cause stood in need of no such expedient. Sir Samuel Hood then said a few words, which could not be heard. Sir Francis Burdett rose, amidst the loudest plaudits that had as yet been testified by the sur- rounding- multitude. The duration of that ap- plause for some time interrupted the hon. baronet in the commencement of his speech. Soon after- wards, however, the utmost silence generally prevailed, and we lieard him speak as follows: — " Gentlemen, I shall not detain you by animad- verting much upon the very unhandsome manner in which the delay (of opening the poll) has been occasioned. It was, no doubt, perfectly unjustifi- able and un])rccedented ; and you, yourselves, will judge ol" the motives from which it proceeded. As to tr.c gallant Achniral vv-lio has been proposed to you this day for tlic ])U]'po5e of representing yon in Parliament, I sliall only observe, that if he canjc forward to claim yonr arvplause and gratitude for his professional niciits, if be put in his claim solely for professioiial honours, I can assure him and his iVien.ds that I should be the last man to raise my voice against snch undoubted claims- (icntlemcn, not to detain }()n from proceeding to ti!C bu>inc^s of tiie day, I siiall merely shortly state, that it is utterly impossiI)le for the gallant admiral to be your Representative, or to perform the duties of a Representative in parliament. Ha- \ ing statctl thus much, as to one Candidate, I hope it w ill be diemed almost unnecessary to add, that the WESTMINSTER ELECTION". 23 tlie Other stands also in a situation which renders him an unfit person to be entitled to your suffrages. I shall, however, state it broadly, that the Treasu- rer of his majesty's Navy ought not to be elected your Representative. His acceptance of that office must, in your opinion, disqualify that gen- tleman. I state this broadly, and I leave it to your own good sense and consideration. This is not the time, however, for discussing questions of a constitutional nature. It is for you to act in these particulars as your own feelings must dictate. I shall not enter further into the merits, demerits, or disqualifications of the two persons who have already been proposed to your notice. The gen- tleman who, in my opinion, demands your suffrages and support, upon strong constitutional grounds, is a gentleman who now stands near me; I mean Mr. PaulL [//ere the lion, baronet was interrupted by loud and reiterated bursts of applause.^ Gen- tlemen, Mr. Paulfs merits arc as well known to you as to me. It is therefore left to you to judge, whether inflexible integrity, a determined opposi- tion to alledged public crimes, and an inveterate enmity to peculation and fraud, be qualifications which ought to entitle a person to be returned j-our Representative in parliament, in the present situ- ation of the country ? I sliall be as short as possi- ble in statinp; mv reasons tor suno ortin'>' tiiat 2:en- J-; tleman, and my objections to th.e othr" candidates. It is my opinion, gentlemen, that the dani>-ers of our country originated tVom tlie want of suclimen as Mr. Paul! to represent the peo'^lc in the liouse of 24 HISTORY OF THE of commons. Yet, true it is, that Mr. Paul! iinds a difficulty thrown in his way, from causes "which must be evident to you, to procure a seat in that house, unless he submits to a surrender of that integrity, which, in your eyes, ought un- doubtedly to be his chief recommendation for your suffrages. In my estimation, one hundred merce- naries in the house of commons are much more dangerous than five hundred thousand mercenaries in military array, headed by the emperor of France, [loud applause.!^ V/ith these observations, gentle- men, I shall take my leave. I recommend Mr. Paull strongly to the Electors of Westminster, and I trust that they will, on this occasion, come forward and say — " Paull, and the City of West- " minster !" I, therefore, take the liberty of no- minating Mr, Paull, from a thorough conviction that he, of all others, is the best adapted for your Representative ; that, as a Candidate, he stands alone, and unconnected with any party, and totally devoid of mercenary motives." — Sir Francis's speccii was received, throughout, with the most marked attention, Mr. Gibbons said, that after the detail which the Electors had just now heard, of the qualifications of tlic gentleman wliom the hion. l:aronct had pro- posed, it would be unneccs.sary for him, in rising to second tiic pr()j>C)Sal, to say more, than that he most cordialiN' aLirced with every sentiment which tlie mo\ (. r of it had uttered. ^\r. Paull tlicn presented Ininsclf, and addressed the Kltctoi^ ;I^ folio v;s : — '• CJcntlemcn, Electors of WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 25 of Westminster, I certainly, on the present occasion, shall not take up much of your time. We are now about to enter upon the most impor- tant of all contests. We are now standing up in defence of the rights of the people of England, against the proscription of an arrogant minister, I will not make any professions to you this day. They have already gone abroad, and, I trust, have been read by many of my friends. I love my king, I love the cause I have espoused, and I love the people of Great Britain. These are the principles upon which I shall act, and thence arises the course which I shall purpose to pursue, if you are pleased to return me your Representative. I hope that this day it will be seen, that there is a spirit in the Electors of Westminster — that they are not to be bought, sold, nor intimidated from doing their du- ty. My principles, gentlemen, are tlie principles of sir Francis Biirdett. He has been calumniated ; but I should wish to know what man, who has dared to do his duty, has not been calumnia- ted ? I know the purity of his heart, and his love of the king and the constitution. He is one who has all along wished to bring into practice, that system of representation which has recently exist- ed only in theory. I shall refrain, after what has been already said, from entering into the merits of sirSamuel Hood, or of the Treasurer of the Nav}', and shall only conclude by soliciting your suffra- ges to return m.e as your Representative." E IMr. 26 HISTORY OF THE Mr. Sheridan again offered himself — ^'Gentle- inen,sir F. Burdett has toldyou that a hundred merce- naries in the house of commons, are more dangerous to you than 500, 000 mercenaries under Buonaparte. Upon this I wish to observe, and to ask him whe- ther, during any period of tlie 2(1 years I have been in parliament, he ever knew me to be one of those mercenaries ? I put this question to sir F. Burdett. Does he agree to answer me — does lie mean to say, that for the sake of obtaining a place, 1 would be one of those mercenaries ? Another question too — Will sir Francis, as a man of honour and of truth, deny, that I was the single man that stood by him upon the question of the prisons ? did I not second him in his motion for that enquiry ? If you elect me, you will elect a man who is warmly attached to your interests, and who will never become the instrument of bartering away or destroying your rights." Sir Francis Burdett, in answer to Mr. Sheridan, asked him, "whether, since he had been in power, lie had ever proposed to redress those grievances of which he had complained when out of power r" The shew of hands was now proceeded to, and the high Ixiiliff declared it to be in favour of i>ir S. ilood and Mr. Paull. Mr, Sheridan demand- ed that the shew of hands should be resorted to again, as the question liadnot been heard. A long discussion took place ; after which, a poll was de- manded. An adjournment took place for an hour, ill order to •uljust the poll books; when the poll commenced. WESTMINSTER ELECTION". 27 commenced. At four o'clock, the poll closed for the day ; when the numbers appeared : — For Mr. Paull 327 Mr. Sheridan 378 SirS. Hood l6l Mr. Sheridan came forward, and again attempted to address the Electors ; but his efforts to procure silence were completely frustrated by tlie populace ; and he retired amidst the o:roanin2:s and hissincrs of the multitude : the cry of " Paull ! Paull !" ge- nerally prevailed. Sir S. Hood was nearly as unsuccessful as Mr. Sheridan. He did not, however, attempt to enlarge, but merely said that he most sincerely thanked those Electors who had favoured him with their suffrages ; and trusted, that they would, in future days, carry him far above the proportion he had already procured. Mr. Paull said: — '' Gentlemen, Electors of Westminster, I come forward now to announce the most glorious triumph that a free man ever obtained. It is this :— A man, who has nothing but his in- tegrity to recommend him ; one who has no de- pendence on an}' thing but his own upright inten- tions, stands at the head of the poll, although op- posed by two Court Candidates. I thank the ho- nest Electors who voted for me this day ; they may now go home to their wives and children, and say with truth, that the votes they have this day given, were given to a candidate who will not desert them, but will act to the best of his power for their benefit, and assert their rights to the last i: 2 liOur 2B HISTORY OF THE hour of his life. My principles are already known to you, and they are such as I shall most inflexibly pursue. That course which my illustrious friend, sir F. Burdett, has stated to you, I shall persevere in till I accomplish my purpose." Mr. Sheridan's Dinner at the CRO^TN and Anchor. [From the Morning* Chronicle.] In the evening of this day a considerable num- ber of the friends of Mr. Sheridan dined together, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. Lord Barry- more was called to the chair. A good deal of anxiety at first prevailed among the friends of Mr. Sheridan, as a report prevailed that he had been basely assaulted in coming from the hust- ings, by a person carrying a marrow-bone and cleaver. Mr. Sheridan, however, soon arrived ; ao that it was clear he had sustained no serious harm, though in fact it appeared that an attempt had been made to do him a personal injury. — After dinner, several loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk; among which were, "The King," with three times three ; ** The Queen and Royal Family ;" ''the Prince of Wales," with three times three; "The immortal memory of Mr. Fox ;" and that patriot's favourite toast, " The cause of Liberty all over the world." These were interspersed by some exquisite glees sung by lord Barrymore, the hon. IMr. Barry, Mr Lcete, &c. &c. &c. Mr. Plter Moore then rose, and addressed the meeting. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 529 meeting. He adverted to the disgraceful scene which they had that morning witnessed, during which thatjustice had been denied to him and to his right hon. friend Mr. Sheridan, which he had al- ways been anxious to procure for others — a fair and impartial hearing. He was sorry for the part which sir Francis Burdett seemed to have had in these scenes, — a man whom he had long loved and esteemed. He then adverted to the principles which had been attempted to be imposed upon the people with respect to men in office. What had the Electors of Westminster been for 26 years la- bouring for so eagerly ? not the mere returning of a member to parliament. Mr. Fox might, at a comparatively small expence, have been returned to that assembly. Their object had always been to have Mr. Fox in office. The safetv of the British constitution consisted in having men of tried ta- lent and inteo^ritv in office, and with this view the Electors of Westminster had supported Mr. Fox. His exertions, as well as his purse, had been always ready to support the constitution ; and any support unconnected with that, Mr. Fox would have scorn- ed to accept as much as they to give. He had spent the greater part of his life in studying public characters, and there was none, in looking round, whom he considered as so worthy of the support of the Electors of Westminster as his right hon. friend. It was well known that he might at any time have had offices, if that had been his object : but he had scorned that, when it interfered with his principl-es. The great point therefore was, 2 to 50 MISTORr OF THE to have, not a man whom office commanded, but a man M'ho commanded office. The place of Mr. pox could never be supplied, but he was persuaded that if the ashes of the dead could be sensible of ■what was passing here, Mr. Fox would be rejoiced to find that Mr. Sheridan had succeeded him. He concluded by recommending the most active exertions in favour of his right hon. friend, and by proposing the health of Mr. Sheridan. This was received with the most rapturous applause. Mr. SiiEiuDAN tliCn addressed the meeting in a speech distinguished by that uncommon eloquence for which he has so long been celebrated. Two toasts had been given, he said, which had come home to his herat, "The immortal memory of Mr. Pox," and tiie favourite toast of his deceased friend, " The cause of Liberty all over the world." That immortal memory no one revered more than he did. He wislicd certainly to be returned to par» Jiament for Westnnnster : but he would speak plainly ; he neither sought nor desired to have any support distinct from that with which his de- ceased friend had been favoured. He Nvould make no fulsonu: prof;.ssions. He only desired the Elec- tors to looK at wlKit he had done. He had main- tained the proper rights of the crown, the aristo- cracy, and the people. He had always been the sincere friend of rational freedom. He always re- sisted oppression aniong the higher orders, and liccniiousncss among thelower ; because he thought that l)y frcc(l(.ni alone could man be made that for which his Creator intended liin:. He vras forced to WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 31 to alludeto that indecent and highly disgraceful con- duct by which he had that day been prevented from being heard. Sir F. Burdett had made it an objection to him, that he was in office. He had asked sir F. Burdett two plain questions. He had asked him wh. ther he could say that this cir- cumstance had or would bias his vote? No an- swer. He had asked him, who had stood by him when he exposed the abuses in the prison of Cold Bath Fields? Still no answer. But the observation of sir Francis was, that though he (Mr. S.) had been some time in office, governor Aris had not been removed, nor any satisfaction procured for the miserable victims who had suffiifred in the pri- son under that man's management. But sir Fran- cis knew well, and so did otliCrs, that he was not a minister. If he had been a minister, and if the thing had rested with him, there were none of those u ho had been oppressed during the period in wliichhe had op- posed oppressive measures, but would have been relie- ved. His great object had been, and always would be, to support tlie true and rational freedom of the subject on constitutional principles. Tliere was in this country, at ibis moment, he believed, more general worth, niore freedom, more honesty and honourable feelings, and more of those dispositions that constituted the real dignity and nobility of human nature, than in any other part of the world. This was owing to the a(hnirablc nature of our constitution. This was what made our situation still so much worth defending-, and what mii>ht make us exclaim M'ith the poet, "England, with all 53{ JIISTOIIY OF THE all thy faults, I love thee still, because thouVt free !" If there were any who wished, under the colour of patriotism and love of freedom, to overturn that constitution, — he did not say that there were any such, — he hoped there were not ; — but if tliere were any such, he would much rather lay the first stone for a bridge to enable Buonapart6 to come to this country, than support such principles. It had been said, that he had entered into a compromise -with the Duke of Northumberland respecting the representation of the City of Westminster. He certainly had never entered into any such com- promise; — he was almost ashamed to have to repel such an insinuation. But the fact was, that he believed that he shovild not have a single vote that could be influenced by that nobleman. The mo- tives wTre best known to that nobleman himself. But he had still to boast the support of the old and tried friends of Mr. Fox and the constitution, - — the house of Russell and the house of Cavendish. He then again adverted to the disgraceful scenes in the mornings and obser\ed that he would always endeavour to maintain and beseech peace; but that his Electors must not be disturbed in coming to give their votes ; and as far as sir Fran- cis Burdett or Mr. Paull were concerned in these outrages, they must answer to him. — The speech was received with the most enthusiastic applauses. He concluded by proposing as a toast, " The Inde- pendent Electors of Westminster." Mr. Barry (Lord Barrymore's brother) press- ed upon the minds of the Electors, the necessity of WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 33 of an early attendance at the Hustings next morn- ing, and of using every effort to secure the return of his right hen, friend. Mr. James Perry (one of the proprietors of the Morning Chronicle) enforced the necessity of ex- ertion, from the unparalleled species of tumult with which Mr. Sheridan, as well as sir Samuel Hood, had been assailed in the outset of the contest this day. In the professions of the other Candidate, they were told, that there was to be no parade, no colours, no expence ; and yet upon no former oc- casion was there ever exhibited such a tumultuous display of extravagance and dissipation. It seemed as if a Nabob, or at least the agent of a Nabob, had come among them ; — and the prin- ciples which he professed were as extraordinary as the pomp M'hich he exhibited. They were prin- ciples such as they had never heard in West- minster, and such as were incompatible with every thing like order and government. They went to the exclusion of every man from the service of his country whom the people approved, and thus went to the total overthrow of the well-beloved system of our constitution; since,ifthe voice, approbation, and support of the people were not to be titles to public employment, we were to have only for Ministers, the creatures ot a despot, in the character either of a kinsT'Or a dema2:o2,-ue. These were not doc- trines that would suit the intelligent Electors of Westminster. They would not accept of a Marat nor of a Marattali. They had cherished the sound Ihitish principles ^y^ Mr. Fox, and were not to be F drawn 34- HISTORY OF THE drawn from the rational system which even, after all that M'c had suffered, left us the most free, and therefore the most happy people upon earth. The example of France had had its effect upon them. They knew well, that if there had not been a Ro- bespierre, there would not now be a Buonaparte. The conduct of their opponents had this day been in one respect political, though not very decent. They had paid the highest compliment to the talents of Mr. Sheridan, by the preparations they had made to stifle his voice. They knew that it was only necessary for the people to hear him, to be convinced. They dreaded his eloquence, and. still more his principles, for they well knew that in the long course of his public service by the side of vklr. Fox, he had, on every occasion of danger to the state, Avhether from the side of power against the privileges of the people, or from that of mo- mentary delusion, as in the instance of the mutiny in the fleet, had been always the warm and steady friend of his country. As to place, if place had been his object without principle, every one knew that it was always within his grasp. Temptations of every kind liad been held out to him, and it was the glory of his character, that with the most disinterested spirit, he had resisted every allure- ment to draw him from his friends. Independence did not always flow from fortune. Independence "was of various sorts ; and he surely could not claim the proud distinction, who surrendered up ' his understanding to a political tutor; nor would the Electors of Westminster consider that Candi- date WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 35 date as Independent, who came there, not seeking to be the Representative of Westminster, but of Wimbledon. He concluded with proposing a pa- rochial canvass by distinct committees ; which was agreed to. — The meeting separated at an early hour, for the purpose of using every exertion for the support of Mr. Sheridan. To the Indepejident Electors of JVestminster, A ^e\v plain Questions from one of yourselves: Do we want an independent man in the House of Commons, to whose honest integrity we must commit the disposal of our rights and properties, and defend the only remaining vestige of that Constitution which our ancestors so dearly ob- tained? If we do — Is it probable a Candidate, who is a placeman under government, with a very large sa- lary, upon any question relative to economy in the public expenditure, will vote with that integrity which should ever be the leading feature of a Member of Parliament ? Would he vote against his own interest? Are you to be infatuated out of your reason by a great number of names on a committee, many of which the public prints have declared (by autho- rity) were put on even without the knowledge or consent of the parties ? Can the wounds of an officer, or the taking of Buenos Ayres, be any way applicable to the moment- ous cause before your We all pity and sympathize r 2 iu 36 HISTORY OF TH« in the calamity of an individual. We all tvisti liim where he mio;ht be most serviceable — fifrhtinsr against the natural enemies of our country, on his own element. Have you not lately had proof of the propriety of electing a Naval Officer ? Did he ever attend ln*s duty? is it possible he could? Can any man fight in two situations so opposite ? You know how to esteem and appreciate the worth of a Naval Officer: but every man to his station ! ! I As to the " Shade of Nelson," — the immortal Nelson fought Math one arm, and after many wounds: I trust and hope we shall find sir Samuel Hood following his example. Lord Gardner, one of your late Representatives, candidly states, that his duty as an officer prevents him from performing that asaMemberof Parliament. Sir Samuel Hood, — a much younger man, surely will consider the reason still more applicable to himself Electors, the question is, who shall ride trium- phant : you or the Junto ? iXDKPENDKN'CE and PAULL. AX EXCELLENT NEW SONG. !. f .o ! Corruption stalks forward in Liberty's gmse, Freemen I rally your legions, and guard your rich prize ; Wave vour banacrs on high, at fair Liberty's call — . Shout the watch-word aloud — Independence and Paul!.' C'uon;s, — 'Independence und Paull! Independence and Paull I S.'iout ihc xj(itt:/;-iyoril ahud'^Independence und Paul!.' Thougk ▼ISTMINSTER EtECTlOK. 57 9. Though the lovers of places and plunder may strive Of the birth-right of Britons each man to deprive. Let us rally around her, my boys, great and small. And a fig for their threats : — Independence and Paull ! ] 3. Let the place-hunting crew 'gainst our politics rant. Call us Jacobins, Traitors, amd such idle cant ; With our King we're determin'd to stand or to fall— U So success to our cause — Independence and Paull ! 4. >; He's the friend of the poor, and the freedom of man. And will lighten our taxes as fast as he can ; State robbers to justice he'll bring, short and tall— » So success to our cause — Independence and Paull! 5. He's the man of our choice, and we'll join heart and soul. To place him each day at the head of the poll : Then huzza ! my brave boys ; let us shout one and alt- Here's success to our cause — Independence and Paull / Chorus. — Lidependcnce and Paull ! Independence and Paull ! Hire's success to our cause — Independence aJid Paull f Mr. paull Mr. James Paull has relinquished all pretensionfi to the representation of the City of Westminster; having accepted the office of Master Tailor to Drury-Lane Theatre; which lucrative employment is not tenable with a scat in Parliament. n 3$ HISTORY OF THE To the Free and Independent Electors of fVestminster. Gentlemen; My engagements in business have prevented me from learning, till yesterday, that your votes and interest at the ensuing Election, have been pub- licly solicited for my Nephew, Mr. Paull. — I cannot refrain from expressing the great satis-!' faction which, on my account more than your own, I feel at the unexpected honour which my ■worthy Nephew has the fullest confidence of re- ceiving from your disinterested exertions in the present contest ; and if any assurances are neces- sary to those which you have received from him, I beg leave to assure you that the last remnant of his resources, in its most extravagant branches, will be cut lip for ensuring to you the genial warmth and protection of the British Constitution. I am. Gentlemen, with the highest respect, and esteem, Alexander Paull, Journeyman Tailor to J. Lambert, No, 4, Suffolk-street, Charing-Cross. For further particulars enquire as above, from 6 in the morning till 7 at night. A stupid and scandalous hand-bill was yesterday stuck up and circulated in the neighbourhood of Drury-lane and Somerset-house j containing a 2 mean WESTMINSTER ELECTION^. $9 mean attempt to libel Mr. Paull, but meant, in fact, to do mischief to Mr. Slieridan. Mr. Sheri' clan's Committee immediately discovered this im- posture, and a similar stupid libel against Mr. She- ridan. As an answer to this has been equally disavowed by ^Ir. Paull's Committee, the quarter from which these tricks originate is known, and will be revealed. November 4. The folloxving hand-bill has been industriously circulated by the enemies of Mr. Fault and Freedom. " ?vlr. James Paull has relinquished allpre- *' tensions to the Representation of the City '* of Westminster ; having accepted the office ** of Master Tailor to Drury-Lane Theatre; *' which lucrative employment is not tenable *' with a seat in Parliament." The above pitiful attempt (even if it were not, as it is, scandalously false) could never be considered as a degradation, for Mr. Paull glories in the cha- racter of an independent British Trader,, and feels that any occupation of an honest man, is an honourable one ! ELECTION QUERY. Who is Mr. Paull ?— Mr, James Paull, Can- didate for Westminster, is not a relation of sir George Onesiphorus Paul, bart. ; nor of Johu Paul Paul, esq., Sheriff of Wiltshire ; nor of Lieut. Paul; 40 HISTORT OF THI Paul ; nor of the late emperor Paul of Russia ; but is the son and heir-apparent of Mr. Paull, a most respectable and fashionable Master Tailor in the town of Perth, deacon of the Guild of that town. — N. B. For the benefit of persons addressing letters to Mr. Paull, it may be useful to observe, that he spells his name with a double L, having added an ell to the ancient name of PauJ. QUERY: Are the Duties of a Member of Parliament a farce ?— NO. Do they not require constant attention ? — YES. Are the Duties of a Naval Officer a farce? — NO. Do they not require unceasing attention ? — YES. Has not Lord Gardner told us, the two Situations are incompatible? — HE HAS. Would you then, Electors, have the House of Commons adjourned to the Quarter-deck of a Man of War ; or send it to a man who, when he should be in St. Stephen's Chapel^ may, if the minister chooses, be at Trinidad ? si::coyD WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 41 SECOND DAY. Tuesday, November ^, 1806. The polling commenced at nine o'clock ; and notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the crowd was nearly as great as on Monday, and, if possible, more noisy and turbu- lent. Mr. Paull's voters were greeted with the loudest shouts of applause; Sir Samuel Hood's were received with a mixture of cheers and hisses ; while Mr. Sheridan's were assailed with groans, screams, hisses, hooting, growling, roaring, and railing. At four o'clock the Poll closed : but be- fore the numbers were announced, Mr. Peter Moore stepped forward and apolo- gized for the absence of Mr. Sheridan. lie had been confined to his bed by indisposition, and his physician, doctor Bain, had given it as his opi- nion that it would be unsafe for him to attend that day on the Hustings. Notwithstanding the manner in which that gentleman had been at this time received among them, they might be assured he loved them still, and that there was no one who would do more to promote their real and substantial interests. They might not,- perhaps, be sensible of this, in the moment of heat and passion. Mr. Sheridan knew, that whatever enmity might bs shewn to him by the people, must be founded in error ; and would be laid aside the moment they began to reflect coolly. He therefore begged of them to open their eyes, and know their real from G their 43 HrSTORY OF THE their professing friends. — Notwithstanding the un fav^ourable state of the poll for the present, he had no doubt of ultimate success. The rational and reflecting must be convinced of the superior pre- tensions of his friend ; and of them he requested a firm and persevering exertion in the cause of Mr. Sheridan, — of genuine Freedom and tried Indepen- dence. Sir S. IIooD then briefly addressed the people. He was a warm friend to the constitution of this Country, and would always maintain that, as well as the interests of the City of Westminster, to the utmost of his power. He strongly recommended it to his friends to exert themselves, and put a speedy issue to the contest. Colonel FuLLARTON next addressed the Elec- tors. He had no sooner commenced, than he was interrupted, not only by that part of the populace Mdio M'cre of tiie opposite party, but by sir S. Hood himself; who, in order to silence him, asserted, that he was no Elector ; and stated, that if he had any thing to charge against him, he ought first to have communicated it in private. — The noise and confusion were now so great, that neither the one nor the other of these gentlemen could be heard. Mr. Paull exj)ressed his hope, that the inde- pendent Electors of Westminster would hear an hon. and worthy friend of his, who had come for- ward to denounce a public character. He assured them upon his honour, that he had not known of col. Fullarton's intention of coming, and was not acquainted v/ith what he was going to say. Thtf colonel WESTMINSTER ELFXTION. 43 colone! had, however, something to urge against sir S. Hood, and he thought he ought to be heard. Colonel FuLLARTOX lierc again attempted, amidst the greatest tumult, uproar, and confusion, to urge his charges against the gallant admiral ; but his voice was completely drowned amidst the uproar and tumult. He stated, that he had char- ges of the most serious nature to make against sir Samuel: — he had supported governor Picton in some of his acts in Trinidad, for which his con- duct was now under investigation in the Privjr Council. Of the principles on which governor Picton had acted, the public had already a speci- men before them, in the trial respecting Lonisa Calderon. Though sir S. Hood had been con- nected with this man, he might, notwithstand- ing, be a brave, an active, and a skilful offi- cer: but till the investigation respecting his con- duct was finished, he was surely a most unfit repre- sentative of a free people. It was impossible to collect, Avith accuracy, %vhat the speaker said. A party on the Hustings joined with the crowd in perpetually hallooing — *' Off, Fullarton — Private malice." — " Are you not ashamed of yourself?" " Your character is known — Hood for ever! — Off Fullarton ; you are not a candidate — I see you; I see yourd — d face." With many other exclamations of the same nature. This, joined with perpetual groans and hisses, ren- dered it impossible for the colonel to speak so as to be distinctly heard ; and he at last desisted. Sir S. Hood said, that whatever charges colonel c 2 Fullarton 44 HISTORY OF THE Fullarton had to bring against him, he would an- swer in the proper place. The Higli Bailiff then announced the State of the Poll as follows : Mr. PauU 79'i) Sir Samuel Hood 563 Mr. Sheridan 394 Mr. Paull then presented himelf to the notice of the Electors. He said, he had again to announce to them another proud triumph ; — he had to an- nounce the triumph of the Independent Electors of Westminster over the two Court Candidates. It had been said, at a meeting which had been convened for the purpose of libelling them, that he had hired the rabble, with a view to support his Election. Hired whom? — Tliem ; — the Indepen- dent Electors of Westminster, who came there without a switch in their hands to exercise their constitutional right of electing a Representative on whom they could depend. The morning papers of the (lay had stated, that he, and sir F. Burdett, sensible of the weakness of their cause, had been obliged to arm bludgeon-men to promote it. But Sir P\ Burdett, who loved the king and the con- stitution, and who would adhere to both, when deserted by placemen and pensioners ; — that great character, Sir Francis Burdett, and he, came for- ward to stand upon the support of tlie Indepen- dent Electors of Westminster and ■Middlesex; a- gainst the court and the minister; — against the most foi midubie combination that had ever been en- tered into against the rights and liberties of the people. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 45 people. — [Loud applauses.'] They \rere strong in the opinion of the Independent Electors, and wanted not the aid of bludgeon-men. He had only to beg, to entreat, to beseech them, to come as heretofore, unarmed, whilst it should be neces- sary for them to attend, in order to secure the election of a man who would never desert them. He was sorry to be obliged to trespass upon their time, but he felt it necessary to make one observa- tion more. His enemies had represented that he ought not to be chosen for Westminster, because he had not ribbands, and had not been descended from noble ancestry. He had only to say, that he might have had a ribband as broad as that which Avas worn by the Candidate who had just left them, [^alluding to sir S. Hood], if he would have con- sented to surrender his independence. He called on the Electors not to relax in their efforts, but, by continued exertions, to put his election, which was then almost certain, beyond all doubt. It was the intention of their eneniies to keep the Poll open as long as they could ; but he besought his friends to press to the Poll to-morrow, so as to put an end to the contest at once. — i\Ir. Paull re- tired amidst the shouts and acclamations of the people, who (although drenched to the skin by the continued rain, which had prevailed during the whole proceedings) insisted upon taking the hordes from his carriage, and drawing him in triumph to his house in Charles-street, St. James's-Square, accompanied with a band of music. Mr. 46 HISTORY OF THE Mr. PaulVs Second Address to the Independent Electors of JVestminster. Gentlemen ; As we proceed in this our honourable pursuit, — the restoration of the Freedom of this great and populous and industrious and public-spirited City, our prospect becomes more fair, and our suc- cess more certain. The truly noble exertions which you have made this day, while they com- mand gratitude the most sincere and unbounded on my part, afford me the fullest assurance of the continuance of your zeal, and of the glorious triumph which that zeal will finally give us. — Gentlemen ; I am sure you will not fail to partici- pate with me in feelings of indignation against those of our adversaries, who, while they have openly employed bludgeon-men, for the vain pur- pose of intimidating you from performing your sacred duty, have had the assurance to accuse me of having hired persons to make a clamour, and to drown the voice of my opponents. As if. Gentlemen, it were necessary to hire you to express your detesta- tion and abhorrence of those whom you regard as enemies to the liberties of your Country, and to the real glory and permanent authority of your King! No, Gentlemen; it is a truth, and a truth at which court sycophants and arrogant ministers may trem- ble, that eight hundred fllectors of Westminster have, in the tw o Igst days, given me their votes, without having received from me, or from any 3 one WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 47 one else, so much as a single pot of porter. I have only to request most earnestly, that, both col- lectively and individually, you will use all the ex- pedition in your power in coming forward to the Poll, that we may conclude the contest as speedily as possible, and that the defeat of our enemies may be as signal as their confidence and arrogance ha.ve been unbounded. I have the honour to be. Gentlemen, Your most obliged friend and servant, Charles-street, St, James's-Square, JAMES PAULL. Nov. 4, 1806. Mr. PauU's Committee sit at Hudson's Hotel, Covent-Garden ; where it is requested every com- munication for promoting the success of that gentleman may be addressed. The Committee sit daily from eight in the morning till twelve at night. THIRD 48 HISTORY OF THE ' THIRD DAY. Wednesday, November 5, 1806. At the close of the Poll the numbers were as follows : Mr. Paull 151(5 Sir Samuel Hood 1281 Mr. Sheridan 789 Mr. Peter Moore stepped forward and ob- served, that those to whom he now addressed him- self were no doubt friends of Liberty. He was himself a friend to Liberty. As a proof and exam- ple of their love of freedom, he hoped they would allow him the liberty to speak. If they did not, he should conclude tliat they would not, if the matter rested with tbem, allow liim liberty in any tbing else, and consequently that they were not friends to real Freedom. Mr. Paull M'as but a sa- tellite of their little god sir Francis Burdett, and certainly the liberties of Westminster were too valuable to be entrusted to a lio-ht which mio-ht be so easilv extinguished. The moment sir Fran- cis withdrew his beams, the little satellite would sink into obscuritv. Agfain he was oblio-ed to apologize for his right hon. friend (Mr. Sberidan). Nothing but necessity could have kept him away. But the moment his physician had set him on liis legs, lie would himself attend and tell them in a much more able manner than be (Mr. 'M.) could do, the sincere love which he had for the liberties of the people. The minority in whicli bis right hon. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 49 hon. friend stood on the poll neither discouraged his expectations, nor damped in the smallest degree his reliance for ultimate success. It was to be accounted for, not from the want of numerous and most respectable friends to come forward, but from the riotous and disorderly conduct of the supporters of sir Francis Burdettand Mr. Paull, who for three whole da3's, had deterred and kept back the friends of Mr. Sheridan and the gallant officer M'ho stood near him : 2000 more of whom would otherwise have been already added to the number of votes in their favour. [No ! no ! no ! from a thousand voices.] Mr. ^loore was inau- dible in the short remainder of his speech, except in the concluding exclamation of — " Sheridan and Hood for ever !"' Sir Samuel Hood next came forward. He said, the additional and very flattering proof of his success on this day's poll, was a new and honourable pledge of attachment, from the Independent Electors, to his cause, and shewed him, that their generous and liberal minds were far indeed from receiving the slightest bias, from the gross and un- precedented attempt of Col. Fullarton, yesterday, to calumniate his character, and prejudice them against liim. Eut, as an answer to similar repre- sentations laid before his Majesty and the privy council, he begged leave to observe, that he had since been distinguished by the best of So\ereigns with many signal marks of royal favour. Me en- treated the zealous perseverance of his friends to- morrow, and had no doubt of iiual success. u j\Ir. 50 HISTORY OF THE Mr. Paull came forward, and thanked the Electors for the very zealous support he had this day received, and the signal majority in which they had placed him. That majority he attributed to the glorious support of sir Francis Burdett and the Independent Electors of Westminster. Much had been said of attempts to calumniate the cha- racter of the gallant officer, one of his competitors; he was conscious, however, of no such attempt on his part. He had never ventured to cast odium upon the character of that gallant officer. He enter- tained the highest respect for his public character, and he knew nothing of his private one. The pretence of implicating him in any such attempt was a trick he should be able to defeat. The charges against the gallant ollicer were brought forward, not by him, nor at his instance. He stood not there to calumniate the gallant officer, hut merely to oppose him as a Candidate in this election. He begged now to observe that the hireling newspapers of this morning were again at work in endeavouring to calumniate himself and Jiis friends, and charging him M'ith having gained his majorities by bribery : but he could lay his hand to his heart, and declare upon his honour, that, of 1516 voters who had already come forward in his support, he never had given to any one man 30 much as a ribbon or a pot of porter : though a Mr. Denis O'Bryen had thought proper to assert that any porter might procure 3000 votes in the City of AVestminster, provided he had porter enoufrh to i^ive them. He did not think it ne- cessary WESTMINSTER ELECTION^. 51 cessary to say more at present, but merely to ob- serve, that it was necessary for the Electors to come up early the next day ; because an Election for Westminster must be expensive, especially as his purse and theirs were opposed to the treasury. He said their purses, because from them would come the taxes that paid the expences of the Court Candidate. This speech was received with loud acclamations. Mr. Gibbons and some others attempted to speak, and one or two of them said a few words amidst aa incessant noise which prevented us from hearing them. REWARD OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. Whereas on Monday evening, after the close of the poll, a daring and desperate assault was made on the right hon. R. B. Sheridan, immediately as he passed through the door of the Hustings, parti- cularly by three ruffians, who, it appears, had planted themselves there for that purpose : one of whom, named Davenport, now in custody, and committed for trial, aimed a stroke at Mr. Sheri- dan's head, which, by testimony of four respecta- ble witnesses, would probably have killed him on the spot, had not his weapon been arrested ; and there being reason to believe that the other two were known to some of the persons near, this is to give notice, that a reward of one hundred pounds will be paid by this committee, on the detection, apprehension, and conviction of either of the said offenders. Nov. 5, 180G. Peter Moore, Chairman. II 2 Mr, j2 history of fHE j\Ir. She7'ida7rs Secojid Address. To the TVorthi) and Independent Electors of the City of fFestminster. Gextlemf.x ; Iinprcsscd with every sentiment of gratitude for tlie hitherto ahnost unsolicited support I have re- ceived, I heg leave to assure you, that I am not in the least dismayed at the present appearance of the poll. The circumstances of various kinds, Avhich, from the day of the dissolution of parliament, have interfered M'ith and delayed the necessary arrangements for a proper canvass for this ex- tensive City, as well as my own personal exertions, it would he, at this moment, an useless intrusion to detail to you ; I only entreat you to attribute this seemincc neglect to anv other cause than the slightest want of respect, either on the part of my friends or myself towards Electors, who have it in their power to bestow the highest honour which po- litical ambition can merit, or aspire to. I have Jiow the satisfaction to inform you, that a systema- tical arrangement of canvass is established, which, I doubt not, under your protection and indulgence, Avill speedily recaver the ground lost b}' past omis- sions. I have greatly to regret, that the course I had entered upon, for paying, as far as possible, my personal respects to you, has been interrupted ])y unexpected indisposition ; and I trust to your kindness, to make alio>\ancc fur the cause. I hope, to- WESTMINSTER ELECTION'. 53 to-moiTow, to be able to resume my duty in this re- spect, as far as tlie state of the Election, and the dif- ficulty of yielding to any preference in attention will admit of. — Of tb.e ultimate success of a combined, zealous, and persevering exertion, I have no doubt. The accomplishment of my personal wishes or am- bition, is nothing in the great cause in which we are engaged ; and to the maintenance of that cause, amply indeed to be aftected by the event of the present contest, will I devote every energy I am capable of; while there is an Elector, who, with me, wishes to defend it, left unpolled in this great and renowned City. I ha\e the honour to be, with the highest respect and sincerest devotion, Somerset-Place, Your obedient servant, Nov. 5, I'SOd". U. B, SilERIDAN". Coallt'ton hctzcccn Sir S. Hood and ?,Ir. Sheridan. At a meeting of the friends of the right hon. R. B. Sheri(hin, and sir S. Hood, hart. K. B., it was resolved, That a central committee should be formed to conduct the joint Election of the above o-entlcmen. — Tha*^, the said committee shall meet every day at ten o' clock in tlie morning, at the St. Alban s tavern, in St. Alban's-street, St. James's, where all communications will be received relating to the Election of the said Candidares. — That there be a committee at Fisher's rooms, King-strcer, Covent-garden, vrhere the several Electors are re- quested to assemble, and proper p-jrsons v.-ili be ap- pointed to conduct them to tlie Hustings. — The wort] IV 54 HISTORY OF THE worthy and independent Electors of Westminster are earnestly requested to poll for the right hon. R. B. Sheridan, and sir S. Hood, hart. K. B.-^ That a power be given to this committee to admit such additional members as they may think fit. Mr. Sheridan axd Mr. Paull. [Fro??i the Morning Chronicle.^\ Sir ; the state of the poll for the City of West- minster for these three days past, must excite as- tonishment or apprehension in the minds oi every considerate man in the kingdom, who reviews the different Candidates, and reflects upon the nature of their pretensions. It has sometimes happened that boroughs have been taken by surprise, and that the predominant interests have been overpow- ered by a sudden and unexpected attack. On the present occasion 1 have heard it said, that Mr. Paull could not be a mem])er for the City of Westminster ; aiid 3'ct we see tlic progress he lias made towards the head of the poll! I know that many think it impossible that the Electors of this City should be guilty of so monstrous an absurdity, as to select the peis on and the principles of Mr, Paull, while they have eyes to see, or judgement to reason. They ought now to remember however, that those who have it in their })ower to rescue the seat of the government of the British empire, from the dis- grace that threatens it, have but a few days more to repair the effects of their indolence by their fu- ture activity. On the claims of sir S. }Iood it is needless to enlarL^e, because even those who have 2 laid WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 3$ laid down the principle that he is unfit, as a Naval Officer, to be a Member of Parliament, find it in vain to press their argument against the honest feeling of those whom in other points they have deluded. Let us consider what are the pretensions of Mr. PauU, compared with those of Mr. Sheri- dan. — There is no wonder that the faction of those who are neither frientis to their country, nor its kins: and constitution, should make such efforts to seize by their own force or fraud, or by the indo- lence and apathy of their opponents, upon the Re- presentation of this City. They know the im- portance they would acquire by the conquest and subjugation of the capital and seat of government. Sir Francis Burdett, the organ and the minister of the first consul at Wimbledon, long since told us of his doubts, whether there *' were any thing in the country toorth defending?"' he has now told us that Buonapart^ at the head of 500,00 j mer- cenaries in military array against us, is ^iss dan- gerous than a hundred mercenaries, which he false- ly supposes to be in the house of cominoiis,— • Mark the artifice of the statement, and its con- clusion! sirF. Burdett means to assert, wJiat is no- toriously a falsehood, that there are a hundred mer- cenaries in the house of conmions ready to betray their country. Buonaparte, we kno\v, has long- threatened us with Ills .500,000 troops. What is the patriotic inference from these premises } No- thing else, but that we have more danger to fear from the house of commons than from Buonaparte. Mr. PauU has, at the Hustings, as vrcil as on other occasions. 36 HISTORY OF THE occasions, avowed that the principles of sir Francis are his principles. And is this a recommendation to the vast majority of the enhghtened voters of this City? Is it a recommendation to the friends of Mr. Fox, that Mr. Paull is the second-hand re- tailer of the ahuse which has heen cast upon that great man — the disciple of him who has wantonly endeavoured ^ o tarnish the lustre of Mr. Fox's re- putation ? At the very moment M'hen those who had been the enemies of Air. Fom Vv'ere weeping over his grave, it remained for sir F. Burdett, who had professed Inmself his friend, to disturb, by his dis- sonant yells of savage triumph, that grief which every man's breast felt for tlie public loss. At a momiCnt when rivalship had ceased, when enmity "Nvas softened, when former friendship and animosi- ty were mingled in common expressions of regret for the deatii of Mr. Fox, sir F. Burdett alone came forward to mock at the G:encral ^-rief, and to scoirat the man whom all lamented. Was this ge- nerous ? Was this manly ? Mad Air. Fox been even Ins political foe, he should have remembered that tliere arc times w]',en, for the sake of decency and of luiman nature, tliC angry passion should cease ; " Vile is the vengeance on the ashes cold, " And cii\ y base to b;ak at slcc[)nig faciie.'* ikit by t:":e moralitv of th(^ s:'Iiool where sir Francis Ihirdett h;is been fornK'd, it seems that friendship 23 to be sa::rificed on tlie tomb of the dead, and malevo'L::i;;c is kindled wiiere it ougbt to be extin- irui^ihcd. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 57 Is it to the friends of Mr. Fox then that i\Ir. Paull addresses himself; or can he expect support from them? Is it to the friends of government that lie can look, who deliberately declares himself the disciple of him who has said, that no man trusted by the crown, is fit to be a Representative of the people? If Mr. Paull is returned member for this City, every man must conclude that the constitu- tion, as it now exists, is condemned by the suffra- ges of the Electors of Westminster — the seat of the king's government. — Mr. Paull is professedly a Candidate upon the interest of those who are avowedly hostile to the principles of this govern- ment. Let those who support him, from whatever motives, think of the consequences of enabling him to strike with effect at what he aims to destroy. — But if there be any of the sober, rational friends of Liberty who arc in danger of being beguiled by the professions of Mr. Paull, let them reflect a lit- tle before they listen to the exaggerated profes- sions of one but little known to them, in oj)position to one whom they dare not accuse of having, in a single instance, sought place at the expence of his duty and of the public interests. — Of AL'. Paul!, though I happen to know something, I will say nothing but what arises from liis public conduct, as far as all have witnessed it. IJe claims the con- fidence of the public, because he has strenuously persisted in his accusation of lord Wellesley. This is one of his pretensions. — Of the merits and de- merits of lord Wellesley's administration in India, 1 am perfectly certain that the gentlemen assembled T before 58 HISTORY OF THE before the Hustings at Covent Garden, arc not competent judges. But tliey are judges of such plain facts, as m bether a man's conduct in particu- lar instances has coincided with his professions. — Mr Paull professes that he M'ill serve the people, and none but them, under the auspices of sir F. Burdett. Even if there were merit in the profes- sion, are we to believe him, if we have seen this very man profess sentiments he did not feel, and rcs})cct he never entertained? — In a letter to lord Weliesley, dated the 5th Dec, 1802, after all the cnornijtics of which he now accuses lord Welles- ley had been committed, Mr. Paull professes con- fidence in the excessive wise, liberal, and enlight- ened policy, that marked every act of the adminis- tration of his excellency ; — "to whom no man ever complained in vain, who complained with justice." —These have been j\Ir. Paull's professions. I do not quote the above letter (which I defy Mr. Paull to deny) for the i)uipose of entering into a con- troversy about lord Weliesley. I appeal, however, to every honourable man, to every gentleman, whether it be possible that any person of spirit and bionour could so write to one whose whole con- duct lie disapproved, and whom he had resolved to impeach for the greatest crimes ? But Mr. Paull did so. What is the conclusion ? but that when it suits his purpose, wlien convenient for his interest, 3Ir. Paull caii profess sentiments he does not feel ; tiiut he is capable of every kind of simulation and dissinuilation for the most sordid ends. — I am con- ildcnt ^Iv. Paull can offer no other apology for the WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 5^ the language alluded to, but that either he thought favourably of lord Wellesley at the time, or that he employed it to gain a selfish object. But, be this as it may, the style of the address betrays a mean and abject spirit, totally unworthy of esteem or confidence. It is the language of a valet-de- chamhre suing for an indulgence from his master: It shews a sycophancy which no gentleman could feel, or express. I have heard it often said, that Mr. Paull has assailed lord Wellesley from motives of personal enmity. It appears probable at least that he might unjustly attack the man he had so basely flattered. — What then are the pretensions of this Mr. Paull, from the account he gives of himself, "even if he speaks the truth?" Un- known, as he confesses himself to be to the City of Westminster, he rests his pretensions upon his prosecution of Lord Wellesley, whom he has so lately flattered. Either he has been a base syco- phant, or he is now a false accuser. His other claim is, that he is the disciple of sir F. Burdett. And, on these grounds, lie comes forward to op- pose i\Ir. Sheridan ! — It is indeed a painful thing to see Mr. Sheridan even opposed by such a person as !Mr. Paull ; but to sec the adulatory, false, and deceitful professions of the latter, preferred to the long, faithful services of the former, is intolerable. INIuch has been vv'ritten and much said of the levity of tiie ungrateful multitude; but if such an ad- venturer as jMr. Paull, whose Avhole stock of patriotism lies in empty ])rnfcssions of integrity luivouchcd, and of purity absolutely disproved, is I '2 to Co HISTORT OF THE to rise over the head of Mr. Sheridan, farewell for ever all fair, honest, and disinterested endeavours to serve tlic people 1 They can never have profit- ?^blc servants, who shew themselves unthankful masters. The base malignant insinuation, tliat ]\Ir, Sheridan had changed his heart and character because he had accepted a high public situation, could only proceed from a mind either conscious of the falsehood of the charge, or of its own depravity. In the eyes of such men as ^Ir. Sheridan, office is only tlie means of better serving the public, or it has no charms at all. J\Ir. Slieridan, of all men, has shewn that he was far above the temptation. Let ]\Ir. PauU serve, like Mr. Sheridan, for 25 years, amidst all seductions, before he has the pre- sumption to contend with My. Sheridan. ]\Ir. Pauil is but starting ; Mr. Sheridan has reached the Qoal : and what iudi>;es must tliev be who would tear the laurel from his brows, to deck those of an equivocal adventurer ? AVhat assenil)ly of men, in the least .-sensible to the distinctions of genius and excellence, could hesitate one moment between the claims of Mr. Sheri nau'c and authority, is the most im- (2, pudeut WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 65 pudent attempt that profligacy and pride ever siig-- gested. — Wlien you left England, you solicited from some gentlemen introductory letters to mar- quis Wellesley; and as your real character had not then appeared, some were unfortunately given you; — unfortunately, as the base return you have made to these introductions might operate on the minds of men filling high situations, to the prejudice of honest and deserving characters, soliciting the same indulgence. Upon yaur arrival in India, how did you stand ? You represented that your own private concerns, and others with M'hich you Avere entrusted, required your presence in Ou-de; you solicited lord Wellesley's permission to pro- ceed there. You talked then, as you do how to the Electors of Westminster, of your eternal gra- titudc;, and dwelt in the strongest manner on the ruin you should sustain if his lordship refused his permission.— It is ever a disgusting ollice to trace and detail the black ino-ratitude of tlie human heart. You were permitted to proceed up the country, and that at a time when it was thought right to refuse many other adventurers ; when you well knew strong representations had been made against granting you permission, and when your private aifairs v>'ould have suffered ruin by your not going. I am not the unqualified panegyrist of marquis Wellesley; I respect his superior talents as a man; I honour his conduct as a governor ; and I assert, without the fear of contradiction from those who have the honour of knowing him, and from every impartial n^ind, that cruelty and K oppression 66" HISTORY OF THE Oppression are as remote from the feelings of his lordship's heart, as honour and gratitude are from those of Mr. Paull's ; yet from tlie mouth outwards no man professes to feel more ; you did so on this occasion, notwithstanding some of those oppres- sive acts, as you term theni^ which you have since charged lord Wellesley with, had then taken place, and which you say you were resolved to make the subject of legal investigation. I am sure that there is scarcely a man in his IMajesty's dominions but Mill feel, equally with nie, the utmost con- tempt for such duplicity. — Brought now on the stage in Oude, to which province you were per- mitted to go by the particular indulgence of lord Wellesley, how did you fill your part there? Were you solely employed in the manufacturing of indigo, and other obvious pursuits, the ostensible motives for your going? Can you say that you "ivcre alone sedulously occupied in supporting the character of a British merchant ; who, Mhile in- tent on tht^ acquisition of wealth, makes its pur- suit ever subservient to the preservation of a fair and unblemished name? Did not your ardent mind pant for something original, and soar beyond the tedious process of making indigo, or judging of the htness of cloths for the market? Had you never heard of a nearer road to wealth, in which tlie extravagant and puerile pursuits of the Nabob afforded an ample field for a less conscientious tra- der- Propensities where you well knew every art and incitement was practised to encourage them ; and eveiy ';:.se and unworthy advantage taken in gratifying WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 67 gratifying them. This, Mr. Paull, is the real source of much of his Highness's embarrassments: what consummate hypocrisy must you, then, be gifted with, to affect the appearance of feehng, and the cant of commiseration for the Nabob'* pecuniary difficulties; wliat unblushing impudence must you possess, to accuse lord Wcllesley of cruelty, tyranny, and oppression towards his Highness, in the representations it was necessary to make to procure the payment of the arrears due to the government of India; and the measures that M-ere afterwards necessarily taken to enforce those just demands ? During your residence in Oude, when you had finally quitted it, and re- turned to Calcutta, you still professed to have the same sense of the great obligations you were under to lord V/ellesley. You did not journey, as Saul did towards Damascus, breathing threatenings and vengeance ; but you affected to come in the pure spirit of gratitude and peace : and for some time after your arrival in Calcutta, you continued to receive civilities from liis lordship! On the occa- sion of a brilliant victory obtained by the British troops under lord Lake, you solicited to be the bearer of marquis Wellesley's dispatches to En- gland ; but for which trust an officer, deservedly high in the opinion of lord Lake, and who was qualified, by having been in tlic action, to give all necessary information, was selected by the marquis. Plad you succeeded in this application, yiv. Puull, you would liave exhibited a new fea- K '2 ture ^8 HISTORY OF THE tuie in the depravity of tlie human heart; a man soHciting to be entrusted with (hspatclies, the sub- ject of which he had formed the design of making a matter of charge against his employer. Disaj)- pointed in this endeavour, you next solicited for his lordship's permission to embark in the Compa- ny's packet that v.as taken up for this service; but the rcguhitions of the Court of Directors prevented its being granted. Determined upon returning to England, you now no longer thouglit it neces- sary to preserve the appearance of being grateful to lord Wellesley ; the mask dropped, and you stood foith in your native deformity : like the rep- tile in the fable, you souglit to sting the hand that had benefited you ; wherc-e\cr you were admitted, you obtruded your bitter clamours against that no- bleman, and invaded the liappincss of social inter- course, v/ith tiiC rancour of your remarks against your benefactor. 1 think I hear the indignant mind ask, Is this man an Englishman ? I have now filled up a very con^jiderabic hiatus in your l)lsL()!-y ; and I challenge you to disprove a single Avord. Since \oiir return, youj- conduct is befe^re the public, on whieh tlu re remains little to add by Avay of' coiunii'wt. It is fortunate for the hap|)i- jiess of n^a:)kind, tliat the designs ot the most artful aiu! mi^ehic\ ous ahiiost ever unintentionally ■tleveloj^e them^:eKes. Yon say that you are yet yf)eng ('n;';ue:h to ^:(_e other days, and a tar otlier ,'.piril animate tlie People of Great Brilain, A^ .\{)[\ come iVom tlx; X(;;t!]j I know not how iai' 3-()u may WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 69 may be gifted with second sight; but if your pre- science keeps pace with your gratitude, lam very easy as to the event ; for sure I am that the good people of this realm will continue to enjoy unim- paired and undiminished, long, very long after the prophet has descended to his grave, the blessings of a well-regulated government. j:.ondoi], Nov, p, isofj. Veritas. FOUR TIT 70 HISTORY OF THE rOURTK DAY. Thursdayy November 6, 1 806. This clay, the Coalition, formed on the preceding evening between the friends of sir S. Hood and Mr. Sheridan, produced a very active poll on behalf of those gentlemen. Large parties of Elec- tors came up to the Hustings in different bodies from various parishes, led on by naval officers, bearing the banners of sir S. Hood, accompanied by parties of seamen wearing sir Samuel's cock- ades, and bearing laurel branches in their hands, vociferating, "Hood forever !"and preceded by fifes and drums, playing " Hearts of Oak," and " Rule Britannia;" whilst, at the other end of the scene,, parties of Mr. Sheridan's friends M'cre preceded by a posse of Hibernians from the purlieus of St. Giles's, armed with cudgels, roaring " Sheridan for ever !" and speedily cleaving their way through the multitude, who fled on all sides, to avoid the active operation of their weapons. Nor v.as pa- geantry wanting to give ,siagc effect to the per- formance ; for, the last-mentioned escort ushered before the Hustings a banner-bearer, carrying at the top of a long pole a cabbage, surmounted by a smoothing-iron, such as is generally used by tailors. Next followed a man dressed in the cha- racter of an ape, borne uj)on a board, and sur- rounded by the professional implements of aTailor; and, lastly, came a man attired in the levolutionary costume of French democracy, scaring a huge 3 hat, WESTMINSTER F.LKCTION. 71 hat, hullcrously adorned with the cockades and in- scriptions of Mt, Paull ; bearing in one hand a truncheon, inscribed " Liberty, Protection, and Peace;" and waving, M'ith the other, one of Mr. PauU's printed bills; practising attitudes of concilia- tion and complaisance to the multitude in his front, while at his back he bore all the emblems of cun- ning, cruelty, and tyranny. The crowd was much more numerous, and the tumult much greater, than on any day since the Election commenced ; at one time, indeed, there were strong apprehen- sions of a general riot. On the close of the Poll, at four o'clock, the numbers stood thus : — James Paull, Esq 2143 Sir Samuel Hood 1927 Mr. Sheridan 1:330 Mr. Peter Moore, on behalf of Mr. Sheridan, was the first to address the people. Pie said, the issue of this day's poll had gone a great way to ve- rify his predictions of yesterday, and to prove that the spirit and good sense of the respectable and independent inhabitants of Westminster were not extinguished. The exertions of this day had con- siderably dimmed the short-lived lustre of the sa- tellite of sir Francis Burdett; another day of si- milar energy, would, he hoped, entirely put out his light. What did Mr. Paull himself tell the Elec- tors yesterday? Why, that ^uy porter in Westmin- st-er, vvdio should become a candidate for its repre- sentation, might command 3000 votes, if he would but 72 IltSTORY OF TUt hut give po)'ter enough to the rabble. From his success hitherto, it would appear, that he had tried the experiment. ITis porter, however, was not yet quite exhausted ; but by the time he had expended that, and polled his 3000 voters, it would soon be seen whh M-hat degree of probability he was likely to succeed in the contest. Two days ago the lit- tle satellite came to the Hustings, accompanied by his Aid'du-Camp colonel Fullarton, who, he ex- pected, would materially aid his cause, by calum- niating the gallant admiral with whom he con- tended. But what was now become of Fullarton ? After trying, in vain, to propagate his calumnies, he was scouted by the voice of pojjular indigna- tion. Mr. Paull found it necessary to disclaim his acquaintance; and the moment he was disclauned, he vanished, — to appear no more. This w as the first day in which the zeal of his supporters was really manifested forliis riglit hon. friend. It was never before in a state of activity, and the result now proved, that the reliance he liad h.itherto expressed was fully justified. Yesterday Mr. FauU polled two for his one : to-day his right hon. friend polled as many as his antagonist. To-morrow he hoped to double his nuuibers ; and when all the gentleman's porter was exhausted, the little satellite would iind ins light completely extinguished. His right hon. iriend (Air. Sheridan) stood upon a rock too firm to be shaken by the blast of a hired rabble ; he stood upon a foundation laid by the true and inde- penilent friends of Liberty ; v.'hich all the artifices, stratagems;, WESTMINSTIR FLFCTION^. 73 stratagems, or shifts of his adversary, could not remove him from ; and a day or two more, he was convinced, would comi)letely darken the little sa- tellite of sir Francis Biirdett, who, himself, would require all their aid and assistance at Brentford in a iew days. He congratulated the Electors upon the hiightening prospect before them, and trusted that their exertions would place his right hou. friend in that situation that would raise him beyond all competition. Sir S. Hood begged leave to express his sincere thanks to the Electors, for the very handsome manner in which they had, this da}', continued to honour him with their support ; and he expressed his confidence, that, by the cojitinuance of the same energies for a day or two longer, the poll vv-ould be decided in his favour. The Electors must be mindful of the caluninics attempted against him, in order to prejudice their minds. Those calum- nies were atten^.pted by a man, who came forward as the friend of Mr. l^aull. This day, hov/ever, Mr. Paull had, in adtlilion to his d.cclaiation of yesterday, personally disclaimed to him all connec- tion with Colonel rullartoii, a?i(l, tliercforc, he must acquit ]\lr. Paull of any privity to so base a purpose. He decHned trcspa-.sing farther on the attention of his friends, than to re(incsi irom them an active perseverance in tl:c zeal tiiey had this day so generously evinced for hh s'lj.port. Mr. Pau LI. thanked his friends fov the zeal and activity they h.ad this da\' inai!iLestt.d on his behalf, and said he ha'i no doubt of having doubled his- J majority, 74 HISTORY OF THE majority, had it not been for the coalition of in- terests formed !)y his competitors; a measure to which tliey had been obviously driven by dire ne- cessity, and without which, one of his antagonists at least, would have been tliis day obliged to re- lincjuish the poll ; nor would he at this time have had60() honest votesin theCityof Westminster, but for theinlluence of theTreasuryexerted in his behalf. Repeatedly, in llic coui-s(^ of this Election, had his antagonists, and the hireling prints in their pay, the hardihood to charge him not only with bribing the I'dcctors to his support, but v.ith hiring mobs of bludgeon-nicn to disturb the peace of the City, and deter their friends from venturing to approach the Hustings. Every man wiio heard him, must know the falsehood of such assertions. But he beo-oed to ask It ho it was that tifis day, I^rought forward the armed mob of bludgeon-men, led on by a hired gang of bruisers, rutiiuns, and scoundrels, to dis- turb the public jjeace, and deter his friends from approacliing tlie liustiugs : — or who it was that iiiLFoduecd the low n]i!n;;i;erv and pantomimical trifl-LS tliis i\:\\ v:xhibitc{l, togi\'e sta^e cfj'cct to the p;oe;edir]g< ol" those /t/yc'r.v.c'/w ? The pubhc had been to-{!uy auuised !)y ihcjirst act of Roh'ui Hood, and the jarcc of tlie furtij Thieves, i)roiight for- wdvd \)\ tiie Die linger as an election nuineeuvre ; hut tiie\' \\( iL cai-eless, il wcMiid seem, of" the trage- (i'c'r- which sucii in)lous proeeeilings had hetetoiore c: .!>!'. ;, ;uul might aizain prohuee. Eor hisownpart, j;c icil luj terror^ for such [U'oceecungs, while he \v,;-> ^;n:'^..uled hy 10,000 Independent Electors, in WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 75 in whose affections it was his ambition to live, and in whose protection he felt himself perfectly secure. He solemnly pledged himself to stand the poll to the last moment, and to give the really indepen- dent Electors of Westminster, an opportunity of proving to their country, and to the world, that they were not to be biassed by all the in- fluence of a ^Minister, nor purchased by all the gold in the Treasur}^ The cause in which they were engaged, was the cause of the people of Eng- land ; and if they wished to be free, they would redouble their exertions, and secure their triumph. His principles and his constitutional loyalty had been questioned by his opponents : but he chal- lenged any man to arraign the purity of those principles, with the avowal of which, in his public advertisement from the Crown and Anchor, he had commenced his appeal to the Electors, and in which it would be his ambition to persist to the last hour of his life. jNIr. Paull concluded, by vindicatino; himself from some charii;cs in the Morning Chronicle, (seep. 58,) of ingratitude to Marquis Wellesley, for favours received from him, and an alledged connection with the native chiefs of India, by totally denying any obligations to the noble manpiis, and every other concern with the princes of India, except such as a British Member of Parliament was justilied to assume, on the ground of national justice and common hur man it v. L 2 Ut. 7<5 HISTORY or THE Coalition. Mr. Sheridan requests the Worthy Electors of Westminster, who liohour him with their support, will also give their vote and interest to Sir Samuel Hood. Somerset-place, Nov. 6, IS06. Sir Samuel Hood requests the Worthy Electors of Westminster, who honour him with theirsupport, will also give their vote and interest to Mr. She- ridan. J/r. Pauirs Third Address to the Free and Inde- pendent Electors of JVestminsier. Glxtlemen ; The Coalition ot'our enemies you are already ac- quainted with ; and it has, I have no doubt, ex- cited in 3 our breasts that indignation, whicli it is so well calculated to excite in the breasts of all honest and honourable men. 'J'hat the coalescin2r parties hate and detest each other, is notorious ; but, Gentlemen, they both hate me more than they hate one another ; because they know that my princi[>les arc in direct ho>tility to the system by which your properties are prostrated at the mercy oi" placciuen and j^ensioucrs. For this cause too, it is. Gentlemen, tlial the ^v■hole powers of the ministers arc now chav/n iorth against me; that flatteri(^'=^^, and prouiise^, and tln-eat> ar(? resorted to; but. CfcnikMiKMi. I'iieeretl a-> I am hv vour aj)plause, -'ipporled .t-> 1 dui by your un- biassed WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 7t biassed votes, I treat with scorn all the arts, and all the violence of our enemies. — Nevertheless, Gentlemen, I beseech you to remember, that, in our triumph, corruption and peculation will re- ceive a deadly blow ; that, therefore, my opponents will not fail to make desperate efforts against us; and that no means, however foul, will be spared, in order to defeat our purpose. Let me, therefore, exhort you, not to slacken in your exertions for one single moment. Let me beseech you not to repose in security, until we have completely decided the contest. Let me conjure you not to wait to see whtther you are wanted; for it is now, at this moment, that you are wanted — not merely to defeat our enemies, but to cover them with dis- grace, and to shew to all England, and to the world, that, however far and wide corruption has extended its baleful influence, it has not yet cor- roded the hearts of the Electors of "Westminster. Beheve me to be, Gentlemen, your oblio-ed friend and servant, Charles-Street, St. James's-square, JamKS PaulX, Nov. 6, 1800". Claims of the Tiiree Candidates. To each Respectable and Independent Elector of JVest77iinster. Sir; When the credit and dignity of the City of Westminster, and its importance in the repre- sentation of the community at large, are at stake, it can hardly be thought unbecoming in an inde- pendent pi HISTORY OF THE pendent tradesman to point out to each Elector, in tlie most respectful mode that time will admit of, the impressions made on his own mind, in contem- plating the present contest for our favour b}- the three Candidates wlio solicit it. — In tins we shall all agree; that, when called upon by his Majesty, as M'c now are, to exercise our Elective Eranchise, "we sliould deliberately consider the pretensions of each individual who may think proper to apply for our support ; and that those j)rctensions must rest, either on services rendered to tlie public, or oil talents capable of rendering them, or on in- dependence and M eight of character. — If this rule be a correct one, it is our boundcn duty to try it b}' the Claims of the three individuals who now aspire to the exalted situation of Representa- tives for Westminster. Sir Sa:,il'el Hood. A naval Officer of the liighest reputation ; whose various and splendid services it would be an insult to your own recollection to attempt to enumerate; • — who is closely allied to a Family distinguished for their galuintiy din ai'pli-'d to hi. wou^^ds in the attacli- ::nrn*: WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 7§^ inent and gratitude of his Countrymen. — This is the man whose character tlie vindictive mah'gnity of a puny and base cahimniator has dared to asperse ! This is the man, sir, who now soHcits your protection. IMr. Sheridan. A gentleman of the most splendid talents and accomplishments ; of iirst-rate eloquence and high eminence in that Assembly, of which he has been a leading member above twenty years : — A steady adherent to the party with which he was politically connected, except when the danger of the Coun- try imperiously called on him to take a separate line; — v.ho vigorously suj)portcd the nieasures for sup» pressing the mutiny in the navy, and for protecting the Country from invasion ; — who crmnot fail to be considered, by those who favoured Air. Fox's princi- ples, as his fittest successor ; — who cannot fiiil to be respected by all, even the most adverse to those principles, as a true Friend to his Country, of which he ha given such unequivocal proofs in the most trying moments. Mil. Paull. Who is he? — Literally tlie son of a Tailor at Perth, in Scotland I — wlio launched in life as a clerk to a 2;entleman en^^ao-cd in mercantile con- cerns in India ; who afterwards became a sort of a mercliant himself;, who solicited lord Wellesley's interference Avith the Vizier of Oude to procure his admission into his capital, from which he was proscribed; who has not only acknowledged his great obligations to lord Wellesley for the success of 80 HISTORY OF THE of such interference, but has expressed, In written documents, liis high opinion of the splendid ser- vices of that nobleman 1 ! ! who recovered his property at Lucknow in consequence of tliat in- terference ; who, since his arrival from India, made a grateful return for his property so saved, by procuring, by means too often practised, a seat in parliament, for the express purpose of produ- cing Articles of Impeachment against his best be- nefactor ! ! ! ; w ho wearied and disgusted the last House of Commons by bringing forward against that distinguished nobleman unproved aiid unsup- ported charges ; who has been rejected by every petty borough to which he has offered his services !; "who is now the avowed confederate of sir Franci* Burdett, and has declared himself ready to go to the scatibld with him ! ! ! This disinterested cham- pion of an Indian Nabob, who despises and pro- scribed him, presumes to flatter himself, that, ^vithout an atom of talent, he ma}' be (jualified to tread in the steps of Mr. Wilke>, and to throw the Metropolis into confusion by the mere dint of bare-faced calumnies, empt\- promises, and vulgar impudence ! 1 ! Under these circumstances, 1 call on you, sir, to judge for yourself, and to act accordingly. The facts which I have stated, are incontrovertible. The comparritive merits of the respective candi- dates might have been much n^ore strongly drawn. 1 call on you, as an independent Kiector of \\"est- nnnster, as an Englishman, as a loyal subject of the best of Kincr^;. to coritribute vour efforts, with 5 iriine, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 81 mine, to save us from indelible disgrace : I ear- nestly conjure you to consider, who are X\\Q fittest Candidates for your favour, without supposing that absolute perfection can be found in any; to protect the City of Westminster from a rabble Re- presentation ; and, if you share the impressions and feelings which have dictated this address, you "will not content yourself with your own early at- tendance on the Hustings, but will individually strain every nerve to secure the rejection of a man, whose election would entail eternal infamy and self-reproach on those, who, by want of exertion, had incurred the dreadful responsibility of admit- ting into their service so insignificant and con- temptible a Representative. I am, Sir, your humble servant, Piccadilly, Nov. 6, 1806. A TRADESMAN, QUERIES; Ques. What is he who obtains GOODS under false Pretences ? Ayis. A Swindler. Ques. Who never pays his DEBTS? Alls. A Swindler. Ques. Who lives upon the PROPERTY and MEANS of Others ? Ans. A Swindler. Ques. Wlio gives DRAFTS, which are never paid ? Ans, A Swindler. n Ques. 82 HISTORT or THE Qiies. Should a SWINDLER be sl Member of Parliament ? Ans. NO ! ! ! PAULL THE TRUE PATRIOT; OK, '* A PILL FOR APOSTACY. Tune — Miss Bailey. 1. Electors all of Westminster, who prize your noble City, And scorn to see it bought or sold, come listen to my ditty ; I sing of Dicky Sheridan, who twenty years and more, sir. For Justice and for Liberty most lustily did roar, sir : — Now grown a wealthy Placeman, he forsook us one and all, sir; Then punish his Apostacy, and give your Votes to Paull, sir. 2. He rail'd and speechify'd, whene'er Oppression was enacted. Condemning every Tragcdi/ the Minister had acted; But, Manager become himself, a pretty Farce he playM us. When first the Curtain was withdrawn, and shew'd what fools he'd made us. Then, Sons of Independence, let us scout him one and all, sir. And poll a great Majority for Freedom and for Paull, sir. 3. So, finding we've been finely guU'd and chented by this elf, sir, Wt all approve \\\slliyals now nuichbett..r than liimself, sir; For since that he and many more began the Cash to handle, We know that, for tXitlxBcncJil, they've pliy'd The Schcu'forScandal. Then, Sons of Independer^r, let us scout them one and all, sir. And poll a great Majoi ty for Freedom and for Pauil, sir. 4. S:ud Paull one di'.y to Sheridan, " I've got a dismal story, To tell thp Pititish Pavliivment, t'dut i:tains our Nation's glory,—- Of WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 83 Of crimes, which, howe'er scrcen'd from \-iew by power or by dis- tance, I am determin'd to unveil ; pray, lend me your assistance." Expecting he'd supported be by Patriots one and all, sir; But Sheridan forsook the cause of Justice and of Paull, sir. 5^ Said Dick, ** I meant to lend a hand, but now 'tis not expedient ; My Patron has forbidden me ; so, sir, your most obedient." Said Paull, " No Patron I can know, except the British Nation, ^\ ho'll not compound delinquency in any rank or station." Then, Sons of I'ndependence, stand by him one and all, sir. And poll a great Majority for P'reedom and for Paull, sir, 6, Said Dick, *' You know my Master's will, and if you'll not obey, sir. In parliament my wit I'll try, to baffle all you say, sir." Said Paull, " Then to my Master I will look up for protection. And leave him to decide the case against the next election." Then, Sons of Independence, now come forward one and all, sir. And poll a great Majority for Freedom and for Paull, sir. Then may all base venality for ever be confounded ; And, though the cause of Freedom by Apostacyis wounded. May she ne'er want Bcrdet r and Pauli. so manfully to right her. And all s/iam Patriot- only make the true ones look the brighter I Then, Sons of Independence, come forward one and all, sir. And Middlesex and ^V'£STMI^■sTER shall rouse at Freedom's call, sir. Paull and Sir Francis Burdeit, against Sheridan and Lord Welhsleu. We understand that INIr. AiCiS, of the Cold Bath Fields, yesterday gave a grand Dinner to a Party of Friends, among \\hom w?re Mr. Sheri- 84 HISTORY OF THE dan, ^fr. Peter Moore, Mr. Perry, of the Morn- ing Chronicle, and Mr. Mainwaring ; at which the following Toasts were drunk with rapturous ap- plause : " The Enemies of Mr. Paull, and Sir Francis Burdett:" " The Marquis of Wellesley, and the East-India Monopoly:" *' Confusion to the Duke of Northumberland and his Friends in Westminster." Mr. SHERIDAN was observed to be in very low Spirits, and after taking only Three Bottles of Port, found himself obliged to have recourse to Brandy. He absolutely refused to retire to bed, declaring that this cursed Ambition to represent Westminster would allow him no rest. He soon, however, fell into a restless kind of doze, exclaim- ing at intervals, " Oh, my Treasury-ship ! Oh, *' my Popularity ! Oh, Percy ! Percy ! had I but ** serv^ed the People with half the zeal I served myself, they had not now forsaken me!" Then faintly muttering, " Cobbett, thou reasonest well !" he awoke. — November 6. IIFTH WESTMINSTER ELECTION, 85 FIFTH DAY. Frldai/, Novembet^ 7- The number of people that assembled this day before the Hustings was immense. The scaffolding at the opposite side was crowded, and the fineness of the day induced a number of well-dressed ^vo- men to attend to see the humours of a popular Election. Shortly after four o'clock, the num- bers were thus declared : — Sir Samuel Hood, bart 2723 James Paull, esq 2317 Right hon. R. B. Sheridan 2054- The votes this day for Mr, Paull were chiefly plumpers, while those of the other Candidates were mostly for both. On closing the books, Mr. Britten congratulated the people on the success of their exertions this day, in favour of the gallant officer sir S. Hood, and Mr, Sheridan, and the complete triumph they would speedily ob- tain, by their perseverance, over Mr. Paull. The memory of those splendid talents, by which their great City had been represented for above 25 years, in the person of that lamented patriot, the late 3\Ir. Fox, demanded at their hands a successor worthy of his great character. That successor was now presented for their clioice, in the person of Mr, Sheridan, the bosom-friend and compa- triot of their late glorious Representative. For .six-and-twenty years they had witnessed his bril- liant 86 HISTORY OF THE liant abilities, bis unsbaken consistency, and in- defatigable exertions in support of tbe constitu- tional rigbts and bberties of bis fellow-subjects. Could it be possible, tben, tbat the Electors of "Westminster sbould reject bim, and cboose Mr. Paull, — a stranger, of wbom tbey knew notbino-? he would ask them, as Englisbmen, Was tbe metro- polis of tbe empire so destitute of talents, or inte- grity, tbat it became necessary for them to go to Scotland in searcli of a Representative? would tbe people of Scotland reject tbeir own country- men, and seek a Representative in Westminster ? Mr. Paull bad stated among bis pretensions, tbat he gloried in tbe principles of sir F. Burdett, and was ready to accompany bim to tbe scaffold. Another of his pretensions was, tbat be was an in- dependent man ; but this could not be the case, as he bad avowed himself dependent on sir F. Burdett for bis Election. ]\Ir. Peter Moore congratulated tbe indepen- dent Electors of Westminster upon tbe triumphant success of this day's poll in favour of the gallant admiral and his righ.t hon. friend. Ue told them yesterday wliat would be the result of those active exertions on foot for his right hon. friend. He told them that Mr. Paull would speedily flag in his career. The result had verified his predictions* Yesterday bis right hon. friend polled as many as Mr. Paull : to-day he had polled three for bis one. But what would the Electors say when they should be told, that out of the '25\7 votes which enabled Mr. Pauil to boast so bii'-li a maioritv vcatcrday, ?, no WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 87 no iess than 613 were detected to be bad; given by men who paid neither house-rent nor poors- rates ; but who voted under the influence of the porttr-pctj so powerful a stimulus in ]\Ir. Paull's estimation ? To-morrow his right hon. friend, in- stead of three, would poll five to one with Mr. Paull, who, if he had any good sense remaining, would now resign a contest which it would be im- possible for him to maintain with the shghtest probability of success, and repair, with the shat- tered remnant of his forces, to support his friend sir Francis Burdett at the Middlesex Election. However, his consequence as a Candidate for Westminster had but another solitary day to live. To-morrow evening would close upon him like death ; and he would rise no more, except perhaps to join the horde of his partisans on Monday in the drunken march to Brentford. He conjured the Electors to redouble their exertions, and join their forces to-morrow^ for the final decision of the contest, to crown the election of his right hon. friend, and the gallant officer now allied with him, and who might then be at liberty to return to his squadron, and proceed to reap new laurels in what- ever quarter of the globe his country might de- mand his services. He concluded by apologising once more for the absence of his right hon. friend, whose illness continued, from the stroke of a blud- geon, received on quitting the Hustings, from a ruthan, on Monday. Hoping that he would be able to return them his thanks in person, on the close of to-morrow's poll, he trusted that they would 88 HISTORY OF THE would now join in a hearty cheer of three times tliree, to the success of his right hon. friend, and tlie 2;allant admiral. Sir S. Hood observed, that the state of the poll til is day proved that the most respectable part of the community in the City of Westminster had come forward to support him and Mr. Sheridan, and with them the best interests of the constitu- tion. He congratulated the Electors on his stand- ing at the head of the poll. His right hon, friend, too, had beat his opponent by near 400 vo- ters. To-morrow would shew them more of it. He trusted that the Electors of Westminster would manifest their disapproval of the friend of sir F. Burdett, the libeller of the country and of its constitution. The Electors, in his opinion, ought to testify their gratitude to such a man as Mr. Sheridan, who, by his exertions, might be said to have saved the Navy of England from destruc- tion, at the dreadful period of a mutiny among the seamen. Mr. Paull repeated his former professions of the principles upon which he had ventured to stand Candidate for their suffrages ; and said, that the short-lived triumph of this day's majority to the gallant admiral, when he considered the mode by "which it was obtained, did not at all damp his hopes. It was notorious that, in order to muster the forces which appeared this day in the gallant admiral's support, not only had the navy office, the admiralty oi'iice, the war office, and all the other otiices of government iu Somerset-place, and VESTMINSTER ELECTION", S^ and throughout the City of Westminster, been rummaged, ransacked, and swept of every clerk ^vho could furnish a vote— but even the offices and counting-houses of every army-agent, contrac- tor, and tradesman, sanctioned or influenced by government, were subjected to conscription for the like purpose, to eke out this boasted majority of the gallant Admiral, and swell the numbers of his new ally. But they knew little of his disposi- tion who supposed he was to be frightened into a resignation by the majority of a few hundreds thus obtained, in the present stage of the poll. He could not command his supporters into the field — he could not drag them to the Hustings like con- scripts, manacled in the chains of the Treasury : his reliance was upon the free will of a free people ; and he looked only for a spontaneous support. In his reliance upon that, he should continue the poll, if necessary, to the last hour of the loth day, and give the independent Electors of Westminster an opportunity to prove to the world, that not all the influence of Ministers, with all the gold in the Treasury, could induce them to forfeit their inde- pendence, or yield to the mandates of a junto leagued for their subjugation. Mr. Sherida?i\s Dimmer at the Shakespeare Tavern, November 7. About 200 of the friends of Mr. Sheridan dined this day at tlie ShakespeareTavern, Covent Garden. Lord William Russell was unanimously called to the chair. The following are the toasts which he \ save. go HISTORY OF THE gave, and wliich were drunk with three times three, and the most fervent enthusisam : "The King;" ''The Prince of Wales ;" ''Mr. Sheridan, and the Independent Electors of Westminster." Mr. Scott, in the unavoidable absence, from indispo- sition, of Mr. Sheridan, returned thanks in hii name, for the honour done him. — The next toast from the chair was — " Sir S. Hood, and success to his Election." Then followed — "The immortal memory of Mr. Fox," in revered silence; and the favourite toast of — "The cause of Liberty all over the world." — Mr. Incledon was then called upon for a song', and sang the following, composed on the spur of the moment by Mr. T. Dibdin, which was most enthusiastically received and encored. 1. Ye lads -who wish well to the Spot of your Birth, The most independent and happy on earth ; It rests with yourselves that in ftiturc you be. As you ever yet have been, united and free. n It depend? on yourselves, that no hypocrite rob This Land of its Hi«;hts by the threats of a mob ; You ne'er will give way to the bluster and noise Of impostors, who call themselves Liberty Boy«. 3. The men who from harm your Country would save, Are not bullies nor blackguards, but men truly brave ; The o7ie who for years has made Freedom's cause smile, 1 he other who first broke the line at the Nile. 4. The People's real champions, believe me, arc those Who, within and without doors, dare combat your foes ; Give your votes to the true P"riends of Liberty Hall, Who scorn to rob P«ter, by paying of Paull, Wkat WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 91 5. What more can I say, your good-will to inspire, Towards those who both burn with true Freedom's best fir« ? I don't mean the Man who your suffrages mocks, But the Friends and Companions of Nelson and Fox. 6. Then fill up your glasses, my lads, while I sing. The Navy, Hood, Sheridan, and our Good KING ; May Englishmen never with nonsense be cramm'd. And Bony'» supporters all tiie and be damr!d ! The health of lord W. Russell, and the indepen- dent Freeholders of the county of Surrey, was jiext proposed by Mr. Scott ; upon which, Lord \Yyi. Russell returned thanks in the warmest and most enerjretic terms. In the Citv of Westminster, enlisting under the principles of Mr. Fox, he had studied and imbibed the first principles of his political creed. The profession of these principles recommended him, though a total stran- ger, to the choice and approbation of the Freehol- ders of Surrey. In that proud situation he had since stood, notwithstanding all the manoeuvres of the enemies of Freedom, with George Rose at their head. The same manoeuvres were now again practised; but, as before, they would prove vain and abortive. This predilection he never as- cribed to any personal merit, but to his steady at- tachment to the principles of Mr. Fox. The same claim, he trusted, would now meet with the same reward. Westminster would look for a proper Re- presentative; and would not allow itself to be dis- N 2 graced. 92 HISTORY OF THE graced. He next gave the health of Mr. Byng, and the independent and consistent Freeholders of Middlesex. It was with heartfelt sorrow that he could not couple M'ith his name that of sir Francis Burdett. The notorious apostacy of sir Francis from every principle he had formerly avowed, sunk him to a level to which no man of honest and honourable feelings and principles could stoop to recoo'nise him. The de"-radation into which he CD O had fallen, would be signally manifested by the desertion he must experience at the ensuing Elec- tion. The health of Mr. P. Aloore, the chairman of the committee, was next proposed and drunk with unanimous plaudits. Mr. Peter Moore rose and said, that though nearly exhausted from the exertions of the day, he should be lost to all sense of feeling, if he did not personally acknowledge the very handsome manner in whicli his health had been drunk. Whenever the interests of Westminster v/cre concerned, he was ever ready to give liis most un(|ualitied assis- tance ; and were he to be judged ])y the past, they would find him ever alive to her particular interests. He felt nuich hurt at being obliged pei'sonally to ;ittend to his own interests at Coventry, from whence he returned only last week ; but since that time, he had not slept upon it ; on the contrary, lie dcpiived himself of necessary repose, and would jiot relax till his end was accomplished. Tlie i-rium])li of this day was decisiNe, and must be put WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 93 put out of all possible doubt to-morrow. It was not from the flattering state of the poll he said this, but judging from the good sense and discre- tion, from the independent principles and the honour of the Electors of Westminster, which they had con- vinced the world were not to be put down by any- hired rabble M'hatever. He said, he had once been the most strenuous advocate and supporter of sir F. Burdett ; but when he found him an apostate to the cause of true Liberty, when he found one open declaration, that no government should exist but by his appointment, or the dictation of the mob, he believed it could not be supposed that he would longer support a man who had for- feited all claim to the support of every man of honour, of principle, and of common sense. He had the pleasure to inform the meeting, that it had been communicated to him within the last five minutes, that all the real, independent, and honour- able Electors of Westminster had united iu support of Mr. Sheridan, and that subscriptions had actually been entered into, to defray the ex- penses of his Election, uliolly unknown to him, or even his nearest connections : these honourable personages had determined to support the common cause, at their own common expcncc, and this communication would be realized in a'l the public papers of to-morrou'. Sir. S. Hocxl hud made a most candid declaration upon rhe Hustings, tliis ^laj^, of the union between his, and the friends of Mr. Sheridan, from v,lnch he was satisfied, to- rn or ro\r S^ HISTORY OF THE morrow would produce a most decided victory, as all the sensible, respectable, and independent Electors, were united for these two Candidates ; and the union of the friends of a Nelson and a Fox must ultimately triumph. If, therefore, sir F. Burdett, and his little satellite, had any sense left, they would withdraw from the contest. He con- cluded by observing, that, had he been supported by such characters as this little gentleman had hitherto been supported by, although ultimately assured of success, upon his soul he would have run away from this City for ever. Mr. Perry acquiesced in all the warm senti- ments expressed by Mr. Moore, but wished not to rest upon the same, perhaps too confident hope, that the struggle might be decided to-morrow. He recommended an increased activity in the canvass, insteadof a relaxation which such a confi- dence might inspire, as the continuance of a sys- tematic canvass was the only means of securing ultimate success. He concluded with detailing the plan of canvass, which, from long experience, he knew would prove successful. — The Chairman highly approved of the plan, and recommended it to be put in immediate execution ; for which purpose the meeting broke up without delay. J/k WESTMINSTER ELECTION, 95 Mr. PaiilVs Fourth Address to the Independent Electors oj the City and Liberties of JVest- minstcr. Hudson's Hotel, Nov. 7, 18©ff. Gentlemen; If any thing in the world were calculated to ex- cite sentiments of the strongest indignation in the breast of Man, it certainly would be the scene dis- played at Covent-Garden yesterday. To see one hundred and Jifteenhhed armed banditti and as- lassins marching in battle-array, from the Com- mittee-room of one of the Candidates, headed by a Nobleman,* an officer in his Majesty's service, for the avowed purpose of committing acts of atrocious enormity, was an exhibition certainly unparalleled in this country, and I trust will re- main so. But, Gentlemen, you were not intimi- dated by it, — I am not to be intimidated. You resented it, and I hope ahrays will, as free men should do. We will still prove to the ruffians, zvho hire, and the ruffians 7cho are hired, that you are not to be over-awed, and that you will man- fully come forward in support of me and your- selves. — Miserable indeed must be that cause which is so reduced as to require these aids ; it shews, Gentlemen, what little reliance they have on them- selves, and on their cause ; and let me entreat * Lord Viscount Petersham, son of the Earl of Harrington j associated with some Scene- Jiifters. froro Drury Lane, is the pprsoQ here alluded to. VOU gS ItlStORY OF THE you to give a speedy death-blow to their hopes^ by your numbers on';thePoll this day. Gentlemeu^ I have perfect confidence in your support ; I know I have your hearts, your aifections, and that \ve shall rise triumphantly out of this contest, which will place me in the enviable situation of Repre- sentative of JFestminster, and secure to you your lost privileges and independence. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obliged Friend and Servant, James Paull. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. No Pantomimical or Farcical Shews to tvick us out of our LIBERTIES. NO MOUNTEBANK MEMBER. HONEST MEN paif their Debts; ROGUES do 710 f. The Coalition*. To the zcorilij/ and independent Electors of the City of IVestminster, GKN"TLti[EN ; Your rights are now endangered by the junction of two Court Candidates, who did on the first day of the Election assure you each was on his own 2 bottom- '\rZSTMiySTER ELECTION. 97 bottom. Was it not to undue court influence that for years past you struggled for independence and freedom ; and will you now have let loose upon you, two placemen, whose merits for integrity you can place no reliance on ? Exert your liberty and rights, now you have time to secure them, by choosing an independent member, who courts not flattery, and minds not the unjust influence and low calumny which are brought against him. If you will be true to yourselves, and prove the in- dependent spirit you have always shewn, when your rights, your privileges, and all that is dear to you are intended to be trampled upon, for the most venal purposes — contrast Mr. PauU and Mr. Sheridan, and see tlic balance of disinterestedness between them ! Mr. Sheridan, a placeman, rolling in luxury, at the expence of others ; Mr. Paull, the advocate of your liberties, rights, and independence, the friend of the oppressed. — The cause which you uniformly, under the tuition of that much lamented patriot Mr. Fox, invariably pursued, do now, and shew the world Mr. Sheridan is not of the princi- ples of Mr. Fox, wlio would, I am sure, had he been living, never have insulted you by so gross a coalition as the present! I ! Rouse then, my brother Electors, and shew that you are worthy to be, what you ever have been, Independent. QUERY ; 95 HISTORY OF THE QUERY ; Paull, Hood, or Sheridan ? A sincere friend of rational Freedom, and conse- quently an enemy to those wild systems of pre- tended democracy, which lead first to anarchy and next to despotism, begs leave respectfully to submit the following Queries to the Independent Electors of Westminster : What are the claims of IMr. Paull to the high honour of representing the first City of England ? Is he known to 3'ou by a series of splendid actions performed in the service of his Country, or by a long display of extraordinary ability, zeal, and knowledge as a Member of Parliament? Is IMr. Paull in birth, fortune, character, or talents, such a man, as it becomes you to elect as your liepresentative ? — He is a man of the most obscure birth, without education, a petty specu- lator in eastern traffic, and a contemptible speaker, whose folly and ignorance were the subjects of ri^ dicule in the last house of commons ; — and is such a person fit to be placed in the next, as the successor of that distinguished orator, enlightened statesman, and " best of patriots, " the ever-to-be- lamented Charles James Fox ? Is the dishonoured violatorof private confidence, and the scandalous libeller of the heir apparent, worthy of being entrusted with the most sacred of all charges? Will you give the title of Member for West- minster, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 99 minster, to the man who has had the impudence to declare, " that three thousand of you may be bought with as many pots of porter V If such are Mr. Paull's personal merits, let us next examine his claims as the friend and admirer of sir F. Burdett; and for that purpose let us appeal to the honourable baronet's declaration to the Free- holders of Middlesex, and to his first speech on the Hustings in Covent-Garden. Electors of Westminster, can you approve either of that declaration or of that speech ? Can you ad- mire the man who, by the ironical use of the words, '' best of kings," has attempted to insult, in his old age, the person of your beloved So- vereign ? — Can you give the sanction of your ap- plause to the ungrateful calumniator of your late illustrious Representative, and who, while his ho- noured remains still lay unburicd, dared to traduce his memory ? Do you wish to see Buonapart6 and a French army welcomed to your City, and foreign miHtary despotism established, instead of that admirable system of government under which you now enjoy all the blessings of Liberty and Independence, while the rest of Europe are sunk into abject and disgraceful thraldom ? Can you entertain any doubt of the sentiments of sir F. Burdett, who proudly declared on the first day of that Election,that ' ' One hundred corrupt Members in the House of Commons were more dangerous than 500,000 armed men, led by the Emperor of the French P" — Does the friend and o 2 cwpyisf 100 HISTORY OF THL copyist of the man who has used sucli language, deserve the suffrages of free-horn Englishmen ? Electors of Westminster, will you, for such a man, reject sir S. Hood, the chosen friend, and companion in danger, of the immortal Nelson ; who is abused for having followed the career of glory, and whose mutilated person, still bleeding in the cause of our Country, is pointed out as an object of scorn ? Electors of Westminster ; for such a man, will you reject Richard Brinsley Sheridan ; the lumi- nary of English literature ; the old and long-tried friend of Mr. Fox ; the eloquent defender, througlf a long parliamentary life, of the Rights and Liber- ties of the people ; the steady supporter of that system of volunteer force, Mliich is at once your best bulwark a<>-ainst forcijj^n invasion and domestic tyranny ; and tlie consistent and patriotic sup- porter of every measure tending to increase the power, the dignity, and the glory of the British name ? Queries siibinitted to the profound penetration of Mr. Sheridan\s Committee, and the truly Inde- pendent Eleetors of /l^estmimtcr. Who denounced a public ^linister, as the greatest enemy to his country; and pledged him- self to impeach him ? Who has associated with the same Minister afterwards, and joined him in a worse system of conuption than he had before deprecated ? Who WESTMINSTER ELECtlON. 101 Who is it that, when in opposition, was perpe- tually declaiming- against jobs, places^ and India delinquency ; but, when in place, becomes tlie col- league of rogues, and the screener of guilt ? Who is it that brow-beats the pursuers of guilt, and throws obstacles in the way of all proper and just enquiry ? Who is it that disgusts the people by the pro- fligacy and apostacy of his actions, and then re- proaches them with being a hired mob ? Who is it that has spent his whole life in a system o^ delusion, fraud, and hypocrisy — paying no debts that he ever contracted, unless wdien he bartered his principles for place, and discharged them with the plunder of his Country? Who is it that has become the supporter of the same men and the same destructive system, which has mortgaged the British people from head to foot y — leavino; scarcely any thino; which can be taxed that is not already taxed — after oj)ening our veins and draining them so long, that they have left us nothing but our hearts' blood? If such a man can be found, does he not deserve to sicing upon that gallous that he screens by his duplicity others from, rather than be returned to Parliament by the same people he has so fleeced and betrayed -^ AX ZXQUIRER- MEASURE 102 HISTORY OF THE MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Tune — Madame Figg's Gala. I. A Tailor there liv'd in the North, In business, as sharp as a needle ; He liv'd upon cabbage and broth. Grew fat, and was dubb'd parish-beadle : Mrs. Stitchlouse had ta'en such a measure^ That an heir to his trade was soon born, sir j Who in mending old clothes found no pleasure. And treated the shop-board with scorn, sir, jRmw ti iddiiyy 8fc, 9. His son was a rickety brat. And scarcely as long as his yard, sir ; His head was remarkably fat ; His scull was thick, heavy, and hard, sir ; Far away he was sent to be mended ; But every attempt prov'd in vain, sir ; A dung he went out, 'tis contended ; And a fool he has come home again, sir. 3. That Paull cannot tailor, 'tis true, But breaches he makes in the peace, sir ; The ?ncasures he takes are not new. But he cabbages votes from the sccsc, sir : Let us cut short the thread of his story, And Hood be tlie man of our choice, sirs; With his s-word he defends England's glory. Which Sheridan does with his voice, ^x, 4. Let Paull then return to his trade. An object of hatred and pity ; The Jiinth of a 7na)i was not made To represent Westminster City : Here WESTMINSTER ELECTION. !03 Here we neither want Burdetts nor Bonys ; And pQuIl is the sworn friend of either ; To the scaffold he'll stick by his cronies,— 'Tis fitting they should hang together, Ru7n ti idditj/, Sfc. Mr. Sheridan's Subscription. Committee at the Shakespeare. Resolved, That in the present arduous contest, of the ultimate success of which this Committee has no doubt, it will be honourable to the Electors of Westminster, that no part of the ex pence at- tending it should fall on the right hon. R. B. She- ridan. — Resolved, That a Public Subscription for the maintenance of a public cause, be immediately set on foot, and that such subscriptions be paid into the Banking Houses of Messrs. Davison and Co., Pall-Mall; and Messrs. Biddulph, Cox, and Ridge, Charing-Cross; in the names of lord Wil- liam Russell, sir R. Barclay, bart. , and John El- liot, Esq., Treasurers ; subject to the application of the Committees, through ths direction of Mr. Alderman Combe. Peter r^IooiiE, Chairman. Mr, Sheridan's Third Address to the Electors of JFesfniinster. Gentlemen ; I trust you are now convinced that it proceeded fiom no light presumption in me, tliat in my ad- vertisement of the 5th inst,, acknowledging my 2 gratitude 104 HISTORY OF THE gratitude for your past and almost unsolicited support, I ventured to declare that I was not in the least dismayed by the then existing appearance of the Poll. The result of the two last days more than justifies the confidence I then expressed. That confidence was founded on my knowledge of the good sense, the honour, the loyalty, and the patriotism of the Electors of Westminster. Of the success of the pretensions of any gentlemen who appeared to assume that they did not possess these qualities, I really never entertained any se- rious apprehension. Such a Candidate could only obtain the appearance of a momentary triumph by other remissness. I am M'illing to take my full share of the blame on the present occasion, confi- dent that a short perseverance will give complete success to our exertions, in a cause which deserves and demands the exertions of every man who de- sires the preservation of tlie British Constitution. I have the honour to be, uith the utmost respect and gratitude, Souver^pt-Placf, Your faithful servant, Nov. (J, isoD. II, B. Sheridan. Mr. PaiilVs Fifth Jddress to the Free unci IndcpcHckiit FJectorn of West minster, (jEXTLIMl-.X ; Informed as you l)rtore u-rrc, of the Coalition of our enemi'js, vou wi!' not be surprised that they are usini!,- :',!1 possible cxcrtior.s to make your dis- "•raee til-' price oi" tlic scanclalcus eompronilsc. Atr tri WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 105 ter lord Percy had openly slirunk with horror from the touch of the Treasurer of theNavy, it might have been hoped, that an Officer of the British Fleet, co- vered over with stars and rihbons, would not have submitted to be forced into his embraces. The effects of this Coalition, Gentlemen, have been such as were to be expected. Against you have been mar- shalled all the placemen, clerks, pensioners, justi- ces, tax-gatherers, beadles, and every other crea- ture, composing that innumerable swarm of lo- custs, which are supported by the labour and the care of the industrious people. Seeing, however, after six days of most strenuous exertions on their part, that you were not to be overcome by threats of any sort, an attempt has been made to seduce you by misrepresenting the principles of the man who, I am confident, you will convince our enemies is the object of your choice ; and, though I have upon no occasion omitted, either in private meetings, or at the Hustings, to declare in terms the most explicit, that my attachment to the King and the Constitution, yielded to that of no man living, our enemies have had the meanness to re- sort to the exploded cry of " Jacobinism," in or- der to inveigle you from following the dictates of your reason. I shall conclude. Gentlemen, with an earnest exhortation to you to lose no time in pressing forward to the Poll, as the most effectual way of avenging this insult to your understand- ings ; and I shall subjoin as an answer to all our calumniators, the Resolutions, m hich, at the outset of the contest, we unanimou'^ly passed, and which r the 106 HISTORY OF Till; the candour of our enemies, has prevented them from noticing. Beheve me to he, Gentlemen, Charles-Street, ^^^^^^ ohhged friend and servant, Nov. 9, 1805. James Paull. *' At a numerous and most respectable Meeting of *' the Electors of Westminster, held at the Crown " and Anchor Tavern, on Thursday, Oct. 30, *' 1806, the following Resolutions, moved from *' the Chair, and seconded by My. Gibbons, were *' unanimously agreed to : Resolved, 1. " That, to be represented in the Legislature by men sent thither by our own free choice, is our undoubted right as Englishmen; is the only security for the possession of our property, or the enjoyment of our personal Freedom ; and is, indeed, the only thing which distinguishes us from the subjects of a despot. II. " That, duly impressed with the value of this our Constitutional Privilege, and percei- ving, with deep affliction, that, through the influence of corruption and venality, this in- estimable privilege has, in numerous instances, been undermined and annihilated, it is, at this critical period, the duty of eveiy body of men having a right to vote, and particularly of the Electors of this great- and populous City, so to exercise their Franchise as to exhibit to the rest of the kingdom, an example of good sense, of public spirit, of purity of principle, and of resolution to maintain or recover those rights, which, when constitutionally enjoyed, have al- *' ways Westminster election. 107 *' ways proved to be the greatest blessing to the *' people, and the surest foundation of the throne. III. "■ That we have observed, with unfeigned " sorrow, that out of the 658 Members of the late *' House of Commons, a comparatively very small *' portion ever attended their duty; that nearly *' one half of the whole were placemen, depend- *' ent officers, and pensioners; that, it was but " too often evident, that the motive of action " was private interest rather than public good; '^ and that, amongst those who were loudest in ** their professions of devotion to the King, the *' chief object was to render him, as well as his '* people, the slaves of a faction. IV. " That in the Parliamentary conduct of Mr. •* Paull, we have observed a constant attention ** to liis duty, a strict adherence to every promise *' made to the Public, a virtuous abhorrence of " oppressors and peculators, an inflexible perse- " veraiice in the prosecution of delinquency, a " rare instance of resistance to those temptations, " by whicli so many other men have been se- ** duced to betray their trust; and that, upon *' these grounds, it is incumbent upon us, collec- *' tively, and individually, to use all the legal *' means within our power to secure his Election, *' and therein to do all that rests ^vith us to pre- " serve our Country from a fate similar to that of *' so many European States which have fallen an " easy conquest to the enemy, only because the *' people had neither property nor liberty to de- " fend. (Signed) F. Pukdett." 103 HISTORY OF THE SIXTH DAY. Saturday, November 8. At the close of the Poll, the ninnheis for the respective Candidates stood thus : — For Sir Samuel Hood 3102! Mr. Paull 265S Mv. Sheridan 2424 Mr. BiiiTTEX, in the absence of Mr. P. Moore, addressed the Electors in behalf of i\Ir. Sheridan. —Considerable opposition was made to him at first. He requested, however, to be heard. — It had been asserted, that no Court Candidate had a title to the votes of the Electors of Westminster. lUit he Avas no Court Candidate, nor was he in any degree inlluenced by the Court. They might, tb.ercfore, at least allow him a patient hearing. — He then spoke in the highest terms of the talents and public conduct of ]Mr. Sheridan, who, du- ring the whole of his parliamentary career, had been the steady and determined supporter of the Constitution, and the Rights of the people. It had been said, that none were free men who did not vote for My. Paull, Such an assertion could only j>roceed upon the absurd supposition that men in ofiice were to be opposed, whether right or wrong. But Mr. Sheridan had proved, in the course of an active life, that otiice was no consideration with liim, when put in competition with his principles. jMr. Paull had little share on the score of experi- ence. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 100 ence, and still less in point of talents. It was im- possible that any rational and reflecting free man could give the preference to Mr. Paull over Mr. Sheridan. This would be to clap an extinguisher on the sun, and supply its place with a little far- thing rush-light ! The gallant admiral, sirS. Hood, had fought the battles of his Country. Those only M ho had witnessed the situation of a country which was the seat of war, could form a compe- tent idea of the horrors attending such a situation. That this Country had not been the seat of war, was owing to our Navy. Our Sailors were the guardians of our Peace, our Laws, and our Liber- ties. This consideration pointed out the claims of the gallant Admiral, and certainly no honour or benefit, that could be conferred, could exceed the deserts of a brave, an active, and skilful Naval Officer. Sir S. IIooD congratulated the Electors on the glorious and triumphant stand they had made this day. Tlicy had nobly vindicated their Constitu- tion ; and he could assure them, that in the defence of that would consist their best security, and not in faction. To-day the result of the poll justified the hopes he had expressed yesterday, and placed him at the head of it, by a majority of 444 ; and on ]\Ionday he hoped the victory v/ould be com- plete. j\Ir. Va\j ll said, the result of this day's poll gave to the Court Candidates a temporary triumph, wliich by no means dispirited liis hopes, nor in- duced him to doubt, that the result of Monday's poll no HISTORY OF THE poll would shew them a material reverse of fortune. The independent Electors of Westminster would now see that his opponents were driven to the most desperate expedients. No artifice M'as omitted, ■which by slander and falsehood might depreciate his character, or which by force or terror could intimidate his friends, or bully him into a derelic- tion of the cause in which he Avas embarked. Amongst others, Mr. Peter Moore had, for two successive days, the hardihood to stand forward on the Hastings, and impute to him a declaration — " that any porter who should stand forward as a Candidate for the Representation of Westmin- ster, might be sure of 3000 votes, if he would but distribute porter enough." The audacity of the assertion was onlj^ to be equalled by its falsehood. He had never presumed to insult the Electors of Westminster by such a declaration. It was, he felt, a false and infamous calaniny, not invented or declared by him, but (|uoted from the speech of a Mr, Denis O'Brien, who v/as its author. In like manner had his own principles been basely belied, from tlic same source; but the falseliood was too notorious, and its motives too obvious to call for refutation. He was aware of the formidable com- bination of a *i^\\' aristocratical families in West- minster, \\\\Q had joined their purses with their in- fiueuce to tlvsc of tiie r\Iinistry and the Treasury, ]iot merely to flefeat his election, but to shew the Electors of Westminster, that they must not pre- SLiuvj to clioose a Representative, contrary to the dictate^ iii this Junto. Rut, undismayed by their 'J artifices, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. Ill artifices, unappalled by the ^hole force of corrup- tion and influence, there he stood to oppose them. He expected 800 votes on Monday. He would stand the poll to the last moment. It was for the Electors tiorv, if ever, to vindicate their rights; and he should never desert them, so long as they had the virtue, and the spirit, to be true to them- selves. JAMES PAULL, and ike Broad R. James Paull having sworn with his usual VC' hemetice, and 'veracity, " That he refused a Ribbon *' as broad and as loiig as the Order of Knighthood *' worn by Sir Samuel Hood, K. B.;" the Elec- tors of Westminster Jiave requested tliat gallant and generous Naval Commander to confer the Honour of the naval Broad R on James Paull. Sir Samuel Hood accordingl}^ intends to add th& Natal Broad R. to James Paull's Name on this Monda3\ James Paull, R, AIr. SlIERlDAX. The Creditors of the Right Honourable Ri- chard Brinsley Sheridan, Treasurer of the Navy, Placeman, Pensioner, Apostate, &c. &c. &c., whose DEBTS have been long rendered desperate^ are earnestly requested to attend at his Committee- Room, Shakspeare Tavern, Co vent-Garden, on Monday, the 10th of November, 180-5, to consult on the most efficacious Measures for ensuring the Return 112 HISTORY OF TUL Return to Parliament of that punctual, correct, honest, and 77iost honourable Gentleman. N. B. Any SUBSCRIPTIONS, hoxvever tri- Jling, and whether in Money or Goods, will be most thankfully received, and most u n d u ly accounted for. THE OLD AND TRIED PATRIOT. Electors of JVestminster ; IIow many Industrious Tradesmen have been THROWN INTO GAOL, for even the Costs of Law which have ensued on their legal efforts to recover their. Debts of the ^'OLD AND TRIED PATRIOT!'' And Ijv what base expe- dients did he bid Defiance to the Law? — Was it not by a Sacrifice of tliat Property lie mms bound to protect— theProperty of THE PROPRIETORS OF THE THEATRE? W^ere not the Sheriff's Officers, their Folio v.'crs, the Sheriff Brokers, and their Relatives, put on the Liberty List of the Theatre? So that upon any new Play being announced, the House was li- terally filled witli these his Brother Patriots, and the natural Consecjuences followed — The itiiquitous Return to lErits-^'' NO EFFECTS fl!" Did not the " 'Tried Patriot '' at this time garnish his Table with Peas at two Guineas and a Half the Quart — not yet paid for; and drive FOUR Horses to his Carriage ? Will you give this self called " Tried Patriot " once ag;.iin a Protection aii'ainst Pl^RSONAL ARREST, h\ llctunving vMw a '\K inbcr of Par- liamciit WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 313 iiament for thisEnlightened and Independent City ? Considei\ Electors, and determ'uwfor yourselves I ! His NUMEROUS and miserable Creditors will not ridicidc, \fith the " Old Patriot, '* the Merchant presuming to otfer himself a Candidate. Is he not one of yourselves? And during the last two Sessions of Parliament, did he not zealously attend to your best Interests in defiance of the frowns and influence of Power, Mhile the " Tried Patriot' was entrenching himself in Somerset House, and his boasted eloquence and professions silenced with 7000/. per Annum — his share of the Additional 5 per Cent. Income Tax laid on you, to enable Lord Crenville to take on and pen- sion the Band of Patriots. He knozvs the Justice of his Cause, and protects it by Seventy Hired Bludgeon-Men. — ELECTORS — He dare not leave his Cause to your honest zeal — and is he, then, the Man, likely to become your HO NESr ADVOCATE IN THE SENATE !!! THE ELECTION. a new song. Tune — Here ~xe go up up up, 1. Now haste to the Garden away, And banish dull care and reflection ; There you'll hear all the news of the day, And see how goes on the Election. For there they go up up up. And then they go down a downle ; P)Ut SKraRY and Hood are the men, I'll lav you a thousand poundlc. ^ Pr..y 114 HISTORY OF THE Pray who is that black little fellow. Who so fidgets and loudly doth bawl ? Why, he is the Tailor from Perth, And I think they call him Mr. Paull. Now he goes up up up^ And now he goes down a downle : Shall he be the man of your choice ? Ko — not for a thousand poundic, 3. Oh, he's a nice little manikin ; Oh, he's a pretty young fellow : When the County Election begins. We'll make him a punchineAio. Here he goes up up up. There he goes down a downic i If he the Election should win, I'll forfeit a thousand poundie. 4. Then 'fore the Hustings at Brentford, He'n shew the mob many a prank ; A stage he'll erect on his board. Play tricks, and roar out for Sir Frank. Now here they go up np up. There PauUy goes down a downic ; Shall he be your member, my boys } No— not for a thousand poundie. 5. Then Sheuhy and Hood are your men ; For them now your voices I crave ; The one in the Senate's your friend, And the other on shipboard is brave. For now they go up up up ; How Paully goes down a dovmy, And he the Election will lose, With many a thousand poundie. 5£VENTH WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 115 SEVENTH DAY. Jlondat/, November 10, 1806. About two o' clock this day, Mr. Sheridan ap- peared in front of the Hustiags, accompanied by ford W. Russeir, Mr. Whi thread, lord Petersham, Jord Barrymore, the hou. Lincoln Stanhope, Mr. Cavendish Bradshaw, the hon. Berkeley Craven, Sir John Shelley, Mr. Britten, and Mr. T. She- ridan. At the close of the poll, the numbers vere, Sir Samuel Hood 37 15 Mr. Paull 3277 Mr. Sheridan 2993 ]\Ir. Shkridan advanced to address the people. Some considerable time was exhausted in his .en- deavours, before the contending clamour of oppo- site parties had so fa;r subsided as to allow him the chance of a hearing. He began with a respectful claim of peace, order, and attention ! This protluced new bursts of clamouj-, especially from the broad- faced orator. Mr. Sheridan facetiously answered him : " ]My good friend, I am anxious to hear you, but am deprived of that pleasure by the bad management of your voice. I perceive you're get- ting hoarse, and I must send you some syrup." ^Ir, Sheridan proceeded : " Gentlemen, you are d — d fools not to hear me; I have always desired ^o hear your oratois, and therefore I.don't think it t'andsouic that you refuse to hear -oie in my turn. ^a - I piC' Il6 nrs'joRV op the I presume it is because we think and act upon dif- ferent principles: you know that your oratois in- jure their own cause, and you are apprehensive that /shall vindicate and serve mine. I told you, gen- tlemen, upon the first day of tliis Election, that though it was not impossible I might be beaten in the contest, yet I was not to be frightened. I BOW repeat that declaration : and though I ivu- rowly escaped murder from an assassin on my de- parture from these Hustings on the fust day, and 4m now for the first time able to return, after the consequences of tliat attack, I am not to be de- terred from this contest by any tiling that comes against me from the highest of the demagogues to the lov/cst of the ruflians amonust you. I have no desire for tumult or di.^turbance ; no u'ish to offer insult to any man opposed tome in this Elec- tion. 1 have said nothing coarse orungentlemanly against the person or clianicter of Mr. Paull ; and if mine were the kind of cause that could require sucb expedients, 1 should be asliamed of, and Avould abandon it. But the cause in which I am engaged is the cause of my Country, equally dear to you and to me, and it requires not the aid of tumult or ^ ituperation. So far as you may choose to exercise your pri\ilcgc towards me, as a fair English mob, I freely forgive you, and have no desire on tbiis occasiow to curb your lirence. It is not from the industrious oidcrs of the people of England that 1 expect serious enmity or abuse; lor I aril convinced, tliat no honest ]:^nglishman, wiio knows my political character, can be my enemy ; WESTMINSTER FLECTION. 117 enemy ; conscious that I have ever been the friend of the liberties and the happiness of the British peo- ple. It is from hired -ruffians only, that I expect insult and abuse, and to such only I impute that species of hostility that has been shewn towards nie in the course of this Election, and particular!}^ on the last day I hafl the honour to address you. I should be glad to know what is become of the broad-faced gentleman, who, upon that occasion, was so zealous against me. I should be glad to speak to my broad-faced friend again : I hope, he will now condescend to hear me, and that, instead of being my enemy, he is converted to my sup- port." [No, no, no 1 from the broad-faced orator]. " I am sorry for it. I thought the gen- tleman might have come to his senses : but I will allow him a day or two more to cool himself; and I doubt not, he M'ill then come forward, and make me an apology for his error. Ger.tlemcn, not- withstanding any short-lived triumph my antago- nist may boast in the trivial majority he now en- joys, I rest satisfied in the fullest confidence of success ; nor am 1 to be deterred from the pursuit of it, until finally victorious. When I was coming to the Hustings this day, I was told by my friends it was at the risk of my life, from ilie turbulence of the mob. But, instead of staying back, I came here on that very account. 1 was told that, for my safety, I must come by tiiis door or that : but I preferred to come round Covevit- Garden, and through the midst of you. 1 am here a Candidate for the cause of you al]. My opponent tells you what 1 18 HISTORY OF THE what he will do : I tell you what I ftat^ donf . I put focts in opposition to his pledges. I urge the whole progress of my political life against his promises, and I challenge the whole hody of the lower classes of the people of England, to point out a single instance in which I have not acted at their friend. I shall conclude by saying, that I thank my friends and scorn my enemies." Captain Hoop, in the absence of sir Samuel, begged leave to return thanks to the Independent Electors fii his name for their further exertions in his favour on tliat day. Mr. Paull came forward, and said, — " Gen- tlenwrn, I now, for the seventli time, appear before ^x>u, and I do so with more pleasure than before. It was last Saturday night, that the member for Coventry, that liunter for places (Mr. P. Moore) appeared here, and pledged his honour, that 1 ■.vould not be heard any more upon these Hustings. You sec me here, however, for the seventh time, notwithstanding the avow«d jcoalition of two Court Candidates, notwithstanding all the interest they could muster, from Carleton house even down to the cook at Somerset house. The number polled this day in my favour, exceeds that of any of the others, notwithstanding that their votes have been purchased with gold from tlie Treasury, with threats ■ind iutimidation. Gentlemen, the Alember for CovLiitry, that placc-imnter, when talking of the Treast'.vcr of the Navy, said, tliat I v.ould not poll one to his five, this day ; but that f would be off to P>rcntror det-t. WESTiCIXSTER ELECTION. 119 dctt. I do not wish to hurt the feehngs of tlie Treasurer of the Navy, or to sink hicn in his friends' estimation ; but good God ! can it be beUeved, that Mr. Sheridan, M-ho once had the j>opular voice, and was thought to be the tried and un- doubted friend of tJie people, can only now find refuge amongst the heads of the administration J It would have been more honourable for Mr. She- ridan to have thrown himself at the feet of tli« people of England, and craved their pardon f,ed " the health of Mr. Whitbread, and the Independent Electors of Bedford, with thanks to ^Iv. Whitbread for his letter to sir E. Burdett." This toast being given with distingnisiied aj)probati()n, Mr. WnrTiiK!:AD returned his best thanks to the WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 12$ the meeting, for the honour they had clone him, and particularly for their approbation of the letter which he had written to sir F. Burdett, entirely ex tempore, on the receipt of a letter from sir Francis, soliciting his suffrage. He felt no hesi- tation in saying, tliat at the time of the dissolu- tion of Parliament, he had it in his contemplation that sir F. Burdett would be the Representative for Middlesex, and he had a satisfaction in thinking so, believing, as he still did, that sir F. meant well. — When, however, the hon. baronet had ex- pressed himself in the manner every gentleman present knew he had in his address, and when he called on him (]\Ir. W.) on the grounds contained in that address alone, it was impossible for him (Mr. W.) not to withdraw from sir F. his support. To this letter sir F. wrote an answer, perfectly gentlemanlike and kind ; but, on better conside- ration, he had told tlie Electors that he was not entitled to be addressed in such terms. He (Mr. W.) however, thought that sir F. had no right to complain that he, as an Elector, answered pub- licly his (sir F.'s) address to the Electors in general. He also confessed, that, at the period of the dis- solution, he did not think Mr. Paull an unlit per- son again to become a Representative of the People in Parliament. On the contrary, he thought that, during his sitting in Parliament, he had shewn himself not unworthy of a renewal of that honour. When he saw hiin, however, stand- ing forward as the follower of sir F. Burdett, as ene ready to adopt whatever line of conduct he might 126 HISTORY OF inz might pursue, that entirely altered the question. He thought the Electors of Westn^inster had at present a more than usual important trust to dis- charge. He had come to town impressed with this idea. He had come to use his influence for his friend Mr. Sheridan and for the brave Commo- dore also ; one whom till tliis day he had never seen^ though he had heard of him so much ; of whom England must have heard so much ; and of whom, lie trusted, their children would have much to hear. In soliciting those Electors to whom he had applied, he had coupled the names together — equally illustrious though in different ways. The gallant Commodore's fame had been progressive, and had not yet, he was convinced, nearly reached its height. The fame of his right hon. friend had been constantlv risina; since he came into Par- liament, nor could he be convinced, that it had yet reached its height, more than that of the gallant Commodore. There were other persons •who sought the confidence and protection of the public, when they could not gain it, like the two Candidates to whom he had alluded, by well- earned fame, but by singulaiit}' of opinion; such persons were to be avoided. — not because their hearts were bad, but because their heads were light, and they did not know where they were cfoiu"-. He solemnly believed sir E. liurdett was in this situation. But, if lie could not be trusted, because he did not know to M'hat extent he was to go, far less could Mr. Paull be trusted, Avho pro- fessed himself to be only his disciple. His illus- trious WESTMINSTER ELECTION". I'lT trlous friend (Mr. Fox), were he alive, would have recommended to them to support tlie two Candidates now before them. As to the idea thrown out b}^ sir F. Burdett, of a person in place being unfit to represent a populous City, he thought nothing could be more honourable, or more becoming in such Representative, than to throw himself on his Constituents, and allow them to say if he had done any thing to forfeit their esteem. Mr. White READ then gave as a sentiment — " May sir F. Burdett retain his present situation on the Poll for the county of Middlesex !" the state of the Poll being then declared. ^tr. Sheridax proposed — " The Female Pa- triots of Westminster, of whatever degree." — Both of v/hich were drunk with three times three. I\Ir. Whitbread proposed — '* The Constitution, the whole Constitution, and nothi ug but the Constitution of Great Britain — or King, Lords, and Commons;" which was drunk with three times three, — " Mr. P. ?yIoore, and the Electors of Coventry," being drunk; Mr. Perer Mooiti: returned thanks, professing the unfeigned zeal he had formerly felt for sir F. Burdetl. and that he luul now abandoned liim only because he had abandoned hin^iself. He reminded the Electors that Vlw Paull was only the follower of sir F. Burdett, and that the worthy baronet himself was no more than tlie disciple of Home Tooke. INIr. 128 HISTORY OF THE Mr. Sheridan informed the meeting that he should to-morrow, or Thursday, publish an offer h}'- Mr. Paull and Mr. Cobbett to him, if he wouldr stand neuter, that he should have all Mr. PauU's second votes ; this he had rejected with scorn : but the object evidently was to give them an op- portunity of blackening both Candidates, and of takino- his run a^•ainst that one which mi2:ht lat- tcrly be f.irtliest behind. Mr. T. Sheridax proposed "the health of a gal- lant Officer, Captain Hallida}', of the Navy," in conjunction witli whom he had carried on an earnest and a successful canvass for sir F. Burdett, during the last election. He had the authority of that gallant gfficer for declaring that he now discoun- tenanced him. It was agreed that each member present should exert himself to bring up a given number of votes to-morrow: and the meeting adjourned tillThurs- day, at the Crown and Anchor. II00T3 AND SHERIDAN. Xo PaulL—Xo Burdett. No Independent Men in the House of Com- mons. No Impeachment for Murder and Plunder in India. No Enquiry into Peculation and Embezzlement at IloniC. No Kncn]ies to Placemen and Pensioners. No WESTMINSTER ELFXTIOX. 129 No Advocates for the Old Constitution. No Censure on Coalitions. No exposing State Tricks. No paying just Debts. No complaining of Hired Bludgeon-Men. No degrading Hired Bruisers. No Reflections on Cockade Constables. No GRUMBLING at ANY THING. HOOD, SHERIDAN, and CLUB LAW for Ever ! ! ! To the Independent Electors of TFestminster. Who is asking to be one of your Representa- tive r The Son of an obscure Irish Player, a pro- fession formerly proscribed by our laws ; and its fol- lowers by various statutes stigmatized as incorrigi- ble rogues and vagabonds. — Possessed of a conside- rable portion of ribaldry, disgusting obscenity, and dissoluteness of manners, this Harlequin Son of a Mountebank Father was indulged by some few of the depraved Nobility of the age with admission into their society, as a kind of hi?^ed Jester, whose grossness of conversation was cal- culated to stimulate their already too luxuriant debauchery. — From these beginnings he moved through all the gradations of meanness, trick- ing and impudence, to the station he now fills; his career has been marked with every species of profligacy and extravagance ; to support s which, ISO HISTORY OP THE which, he has been compelled to resort to low cunning and vile impostures. I will not make any honest man blu&h by the recital of them — my paper shall not be thus stained: The ruin of hundreds of industrious Tradesmen and their innocent families are tlie evidences, and will rise up in vengeance against such o])pressors \ — If you look at his political life, you will find it ex- hibiting equally repulsive traits : — At one time the friend and supporter of principles subver- sive of the Constitution and of all order; the advocate of the French Revolution and its wild- est theories; the defender of an O'Connor; the systematic opposer (whether right or wrong) of all the measures of the Government; yet, when in place, pursuing the same measures; inconsist- ent, tergiversating, unpatriotic, and the Apostate of Public Liberty : Ever regardless of the true interests of his Country, the acquirement of place his onlif object, the love of its advantages his only care. — And can such a MAN be a fit Representative for the Independent Electors o-f JVestmhister? No!! No ! ! !— Let it not be said, that the dictates of an imperious Minis- ter shall determine your actions \ Debased, sunk below the possibility of recovery, motUified and stung to, the soul by the success of his oppo- iients, this would-be and cannot-be popular Can- didate, on his knees, most humbly sues his masters to raise him from the dirt. Yes! and theij X, i/I attempt to raise liim, but it will be only to WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 131 to sink him the lower, to make him their tool, their dependent^ their slave. — And, Gentlemen, will you be represented by a dependent and a slave of the Grenvilles ? Forbid it Justice ! Forbid k Virtue ! Forbid it Freedom ! ! ! A Calm Observer. To be SOLD by AUCTION, 0« Tuesday, the Wth of November, 1 806, At the Hustings, in Covent Garden, AT FOUR O'CLOCK, By Mr. JOHN GRAHAIil, Sheriffs Broker, THE UNREDEEMED PLEDGES OF THE Rt. Hon. R. Brinsley Sheridan^ Treasurer of the Navy, ^-c. ^-c. Pawned previous to his coming into Power; CONSISTING OF THE FOLLOWING VARIETIES, Which are very particularly recommended to the Attention of Mr. PETER MOORE, and the other Place-Hunters and Shoe-Lickers in and about ST. JAMES'S PALACE:— Lot 1st. To reduce the Income Tax from 5 per Cent, to Nothing; because it was unjust, oppres- sive, inquisitorial, and contrary to. our Liberties and Privileges : 132 HISTORY or THE 2d. To enquire into the Affairs of the Carnatic ; because Tyranny and Oppression had been exer- cised there : 3d. Not to desert his Constituents at Stafford ;' because they had for 26 years kept him out of Gaol: 4th. Not to take a Place or Pension ; because it destroyed a Man's Independence : 5th. To support the Enquiry into Lord Welles- ley's Administration. 6th. To effect a Reformation of the Abuses of the late Administration ; to pay his Debts ; be- cause Hundreds of Tradesmen, their Wives and Tamilies, were reduced to ruin by their non-pay- ment. These Articles having remained a long while on hand, and not likely to be redeemed, will be sold, without reserve, to the best Bidders ; and Purcha- sers will be allowed every accommodation in pay- ment. JEM PAULL'6 ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS; oil, An excellent Naz Song on the Westminster Election. Tune — The Stoum. ]. CEASE, Sir Samuel, gallant Sailor ! Be thy patriot voice unknown ! Tradesmen, hear a brother Tailor Speak of virtues all his own.— First WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 133 First I, on the shopboard seated, Preach'd to Journeymen a score ; In the Commons then repeated All the Snips had heard before. 2. In my youth I sail'd for India ; Trade and wealth began to dawn : Trowsers there I made for Scixdeah, Cotto7i Drawers for Ali Khan! Fame I wish'd — content with riches- Soon that fell within my reach- As I 7nended once the breeches Of the Man I now impeach. 3. What though some malignant railer Ask, with rage and eager hate. How a journey-vorking Tailor Knew the secrets of the State ? How that I, to stop their vapours, (Which I value not a Louse,) Pick'd the pockets of the papers I presented to the House ? 4. What though all my humming, ha-^ingf Ne'er was understood by half ; All my chatt'ring, all my Ja-wingf Only made the Commons laugh. Since each Briton" stout and hearty. Treats me with neglect and scorn ; Soon I join'd with Bonapartk, BuRDETT, Jones, and Parson HoRNE. 5. Working on St. Stephens benches — Ev'ry Minister shall be. Who upon the Mob intrenches. Speedily sevn up by me ! Then 134 HISTORY or THE Then shall BoMEy, my befriender,— (Well to him my worth is known)— High in state and regal splendour. Mount me cross-leggd on the throne. Thou who hast a fellow-feeling ;— Thou who lov'st no* to be free ;— Thou who liv'st by lies, and stealing j-** If there be one, vote for me ! Choose ; — it will be better for thee ; Next, yourself may stand and try : None so poor, or so unworthy, But arc just as fit as I. £i6irrH WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 13'5 EIGHTH DAY. Tuesday, No'cemher 11. At the close of the Poll, this day, the numbers vere, for Sir Samuel Hood 4029 Mr. PauU 3488 Mr. Sheridan 3284 Upon the Poll being announced, Mr. White READ stood forward, and addressed the meeting. He began by stating, that as an in- dependent Elector of Westminster, he was war- ranted in claiming, from such among the crowd as were really independent, a fair hearing. In the name of Mr. Sheridan — in the name of his nu- merous and respectable friends — in the name of the Country and of rational Freedom, he begged to thank those to whose support his illustrious Friend was indebted for his present advantageous situation upon the poll. Among those who were most anxious to hear him, he perceived many of the friends of Mr. Paull, and he thanked them for the disposition they manifested. Xo one of the people of England more sincerely respected than he did the right of an Englishman to act as he pleased, and to speak as he thought, particularly upon an occasion like the present. In such a contest, how- ever, too many were apt to think themselves ab- solved from the necessity of attending to the rules of common propriety. He had witnessed a good deal 1S6 HISTORY or THE deal of irregularity ; but he could not ascribe it to the Electors. No; for as far as their opinion was to be collected from the result of the poll, it was decidedly in favour of Mr. Sheridan. This result, however, he was not disposed to attribute so much to the partiality genejally entertained for Mr. Sheridan, as to the difference very naturally ascri- bed in the public mind by the contrast of the prin- ciples avowed by Mr. PauU and those of the other Candidates. The present had no doubt been a hard-fought contest, but he had no doubt that ul- timate victory would be with his distinguished friend, Mr. Sheridan. Such was his ardent wish, and that wish he had expressed by his vote. With regard to the objections urged against his right hon. friend, on the grounds that he held a place; and that, therefore, he ought not to have obtruded his pretensions upon the Electors of Westminster, but ought to sneak into Parliament through some rotten Borough — he deprecated the doctrine. It was a proof of the honesty of his right hon. friend's case, that he submitted himself to the judgment of so large a proportion of his Countrymen ; and if he had appealed to all the people of England, it Mould have been a still stronger evidence of his conscious rectitude. To such an appeal, particularly upon the grounds which liis oj)poiicnt.s advanced against him, he was sure liis right hon. friend could have no ob- jection, but would rather urge it with alacrity. His claims and character were now before the tri- bunal of the most numerous class of Electors in 2 the WESTMINSTER ELECTIOX. ];17 the British Empire, and lie had no doubt tliat the decision woukl be in liis favour. Sir S. Hood observed upon the advantage which his friends had obtained over his adversary since yesterday. This advantage tlic hon. Admiral was glad to consider as an evidence that the friends of the Constitution were too formidable to be over- come by its enemies ; and he begged to present his thanks, which he did most cordially, to those Electors who had favoured \[t. Sheridan and him- self with their support. lie requested them to persevere in their exertions, and he had no doubt the result would be favourable to their wislics. Mr. P.\uj.L said, " he addressed the Electors for the eighth time, with much more confidence as to the issue of the contest than he had yet felt. Not- withstanding the assurances which, on Fridav last, the meeting had heard from the place-hunting member for Coventry, that lie would liave been quite broken down before now — notwithstanding the influence and threats of the Minister of the Court and of th.e Ileir Apparent to the Throne, his opponent, the Treasurer of the Navy, had no other resource than to be drag^-cd along reluctant- ly M'ith a rope about his neck, by the \ellow Admi- ral. l)Ut how tlie vellow Admiial himself was able to fiu'nish this aid, the I'lectors must be curious to know. He could assure theni, that it was the result of a fraud of the foulest and most scanda- lous nature. He would explain to the nu'cting what he meant by the fraud, for the first four or five days of" the Election, tlje ycdiow Admiial had I cauvas-^ed 1S8 HISTORY OF THE canvasseil in the parishes of St. John's and St. Mari»;aret's, and assured the Voters that he had not, nor ever would have, any connection whatever ■Nvith the Treasurer of the Navy. To this he pledged the honour of a British Admiral; but yet as soon as he had obtained 400 votes under this un- derstanding, he forgot liis pledge, and forfeited the ])romise M'hich ought to be held inviolate. Thus did the yellow Admiral, covered with those marks of honour with which his Sovereign had fa- voured him, tarnish the credit and character of the British Navy. For M'hen he had polled the voters with whom he made the compact, he set the compact at nought, and formed the coalition, Avhich was equally the subject of public surprise and indignation. What added to his confiflence in the result of this Election, the lion. Gentleman stated to be the declarations of ]\Ir. Whitbread tO' day. That Gentleman, M'hom he should wish to respect, had come forward to class himself with tlie place-hunting Peter Moore, who did not dare to shew his face upon the Hustings for some days back, b}^ making confident predictions as to the future. But Mr. Whitbread would soon find his predictions unfounded, and would not again'ap- pear before the pco|)!e to repeat any tliing of the ]%ind. For himself he co-j.ld not but feci, that not- Avithstanding all the resistance he had met with, lie v.-as in a situation as proud as any individual in \\'e.stmin3ter had ever occupied. As up.on the close of t!ie 8thx day's poll in tiie celebrated contest between Mr. Fox and sir Cecil Vv^ray, the former, bU))j)orted. WESTMINSTER ELECTION-. 129 supported as he was by all the Aristocracy, by the influence and the purses of no less than ten Dukes, was only 45 above his opponent; whereas he, op- posed by the Court, the Heir Apparent, and all the Aristocracy, and supported only by the people, stood, at the same period, in a much higher situa- tion. To the people and his principles alone he trusted ; through them he hoped for victory. They might rely on it that he would, by perseve- rance, afford them every opportunity for exertion. Upon the fifteenth day of the poll they might de- pend on seeing him there, standing undaunted, whatever the result might be. He might be de- feated, but he could not be disgraced. If he was defeated, however, he begged the people to reflect, that it would involve the defeat of English Liberty, for M'hich alone he contended against the basest co- alition that, perhaps, ever was formed. Of such a coalition he was sorry to see Mr. Whitbread a member, but he could hardly be surprised at any thing on the part of that gentleman, after what he had heard from him that day; after he had given the aid of his influence, to raise against him (Mr. Paull) the cry of Jacobinism. But he despised the calumniator as much as he detested the calumny. In considering, however, tlie character of the ca- lumniator, the evidence of Samuel Whitbread, at O'Connor's trial, in Maidstone, naturally occurred to his recollection. And what did Samuel depose on that occasion ? Why, that he considered O'Con- nor as a man of the highest lionour, and that his sentiments were his own. Mr. Paull stated, that T Q- upCAl 140 HISTORY OF THE Upon the rectitude of his principles, he rehed, for the ])reservation of his character against that ca- lumny, the power of which, whether applied to his private or public character, he entirely disdain- ed; and he M-as fully confident that when the re- putation and consequence of ^Ir. Whitbread should sink into place, his character would, what- ever might be the event of the present contest, stand well in the estimation of the Electors of West- minster, and of his Country." — Mr. Paull had no sooner concluded his speech, thanhe jumped down from the Hustings, amongst the crowd, and was, as formerly, conveyed home in triumph. The concourse of people was at this time exceedingly great, and the shouts of " Paull I Paull!" re- sounded from every quarter. D I E 1), OnTuisDAY, the 11th Day of NovEiMBER, 1806, at Half-past Four in the Afternoon, at her Lodgings, (the Shakspearc Tavern, Covent- (jurdcii,') THE LAST HOPE of Tlic Plight Honourable IllCIIAliD IjUIXSi.KY SliEKIDAX, Treasurer of tJic Navy, &^'c. 8\C. This Lady, after a ^.hort, but painful Illness, expired, with a violent Struggle, in the Arms of hci- Daughter Dk^paik, greatly lamented by all lier Friend,, us, by her Death, that renowned Paiiuot WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 141 Patriot will be deprived of every Means of Sub- sistence, SHE having been his sole Support for a great number of Years. Her Obsequies will be attended to the Grave, with all due Solemnity, accompanied with the Groans and Tears of all the Placemen, Pensioners, Ministers, Clerks, Collec- tors, Tax-Gatherers, Fraudulent Debtors, Gam- blers, Swindlers, Rogues and Vagabonds con- nected with the Family. Mr. PAULL. Three Queries. Is not ;Mr. PauU the Agent of the Nabob of Oude? Is he not in correspondence with Bonaparte? Does he not know that 500,000 Frenchmen are to land in this Country before the Meeting of the New Parliament? ninth 143 HISTORY OF THS f NINTH DAY. Wednesday^ November 11. At the close of the Polling, and before the mini* bers were announced, Mr. Whitehead presented himself to the croM^d, and spoke to the following purpose: — *' Gentlemen, will you do me tlie favour to hear me ? I have the greatest respect for you all, those who vote for Mr. Pauli, as well as those who vote for my friend, Mr. Sheridan. I respect and ho- nour honest and inde])endent men, whether they vote for the one or for the other of these Candi- dates. I only wish, that those Nvho are the friends of Mr. Paull, would procure silence, in order that that 2,'entleman may liear me, as well as that voii may hear me. If Mr. Paull had heard me yester- day, I am sure he \v ould not have made the obser- vations he did. All tljat I said, as to the Candi- dates, was, that I had a respect for them all. I never called j^Ir. Paull a Jacoinn, nor made use of any expression as to his principles. His princi- ples, I only said, were before you, as well as those of the other Candidates. It is for you to judge for yourselves, v.hich of them you like the best. Gentlemen, I bciievc the result of the poll to- day is in favour of Mr. Sheridan, and, 1 trust, it will continue to ])e so, and that he will be trium- phant. Wlicther he be so or not, however, I hope that all of the independent Electors of Westmin- ster will have expressed their sense, by polling for one WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 143 one or other of the Candidates, let the majority be for whom it Avill. I shall be glad that this con- test has been fought, and that the true sense of the Electors has been taken." [Mr. Whitbread was here interrupted by huzzas, and loud bursts of laughter, occasioned by some one amongst the crowd calling out, that ' Mr. Whitbread's impu' dence was much stronger than his porter.'] *' I have no objection," continued he, '' to talk to any one amongst you, so long as you shevv^ your- selves to be so good-humoured, but I would rather it had been over some pots of my porter, for the more you drink of it the better. — [^Loud laugh ter~[, I have never met but with the greatest civility on the part of all the Electors to whom I have spoken, and I never attempted, by undue means, to pre- vail upon any of you to vote improperly. If any attempts of that nature have been made, I trust that the discovery of them will lead to the punish- ment of the oiienders. You heard an allusion made yesterday by Mr. Paull, as to what I had said in a Court of Justice, upon the trial of O'Connor, at; Maidstone. I have only to observe, upon that subject, that I wish that every thing I ever have said, either there, or in the House of Commons, should be read and heard by you all; for I should not have iiad the impudence to appear before the people of England, as I now do, unless conscious of having been their friencL When I cease to he your friend, I hcpe you will cease to be mine. 1 think I cannot shew a greater friendship to you, than by supporting that Candidate whom I d.-> 144 HISTORY OF THE I do now support. I thank you very much for hearing me thus far, and as the numbers polled are now to be announced, I shall leave Mr. Sheri- dan to address you himself." The state of the poll stood thus : Sir Samuel Hood 4301 Mr. PauU 3658 Mr. Sheridan 3548 Mr. Sheridan stood forward, and addressed the Electors as follows: " Gentlemen, vhat I told you before, I am still perfectly convinced of, namely, that not one of you, however noisy you may have been at times, is in your heart my enemy. I re- peat what also I mentioned on a former occasion, that none of your description can be inimical to me.- For, to the working part of the community, I have been always friendly. I have the pleasure to inform you, that I am, on this day's poll, no less than 94 a-head of my opponent. I am sure you will be happy to hear this. [Hisses], Xotwithstanding this partial interruption, I cannot believe that you do not unanimously wish me success. Some of you appear to look grim at me, and inclined to abuse me. But neither you, or any others of. a si- milar inclination, ha\-e produced any facts against me, although I have frccjucntly called for them. When any accusations are brought forward against me, that are founded in truth, I shall an- swer them. For such accusations 1 have waited, but none sueli have appeared ; and, I belic\c, that those viio know me will admit, that if I wait for sucli ch:'!L;,';>, I ^llall wait in vain. W'iiat can lia\"e WESTMINSTER ELECTION"/ 145 have credence only with irreclaimable fools, or ir- reconcileable enemies, and can make no impression upon the candid or the intelligent, it would be useless, and beneath me to answer. Many of you, gentlemen, have thought proper to abuse me, but I have borne your abuse with good temper, for I knew it was not the effect of ill-will. I haveheard nothing to-day that would at all justify any feeling of anger towards you. Some of you were concei- ved to be rather harsh yesterday; and the poor green man, who was such a distinguished orator, was taken into custody. The poor man wrote to me to-day, stating, that he had no prejudice what- ever against me, but that he was paid for abusing me ; adding, that he was paid so badly that he was determined to abandon his party, if set at large. I pitied the poor man, ordered his release, and gave him money. But although this man was influenced by payment, there are others who act from preju- dice, artfully excited by the grossest misinforma- tion. I am told that the journeymen of particular professions have been entrapped into the confede- racy against me. What! that a description of persons who have always found in me the stoutest friend, should become my opponents, does astonish me in- deed. Of these opponents I learn that the majo- rity are journeymen shoemakers — the very class of persons from whom 1 should expect a decided par- tiality — the very class by whom I have been cho, sen six times to parliament — the very persons, really, with whom I fondly thought myself as great a favourite as Crispin himself. Indeed I feel u that 146 HISTORY OF THE that there is no class in the community with whom I ought to be so popular as with the journeymen. Between them and their masters I have always wished to promote reconcihation and harmony ; but when I have found the journeymen oppressed, I have never remitted any effort in my power to relieve them. In proof of this disposition 1 could state many instances, but there is one in particular which a gentleman now on the Hustings can tes- tify. It is that of the journeymen calreo printers* These men were oppressed — I took up their cause, and at length succeeded in procuring them re- lief. And in testimony of their gratitude, tliey, poor men ! made me a present of a rich set of calico furniture, which I was glad to accept. But, gen- tlemen, there are other tradespeople which I could quote among those who ought to be my friends. There is one announced through toun, which if I could believe hostile, I should be astonished in the extreme. 1 mean the journeymen printers. What 1 that any persons connected with the press, for the liberty of which I have ever strenuously contended^ should range themselves under any standard ad- verse to me ! The moment the thing was told me, 1 believed it to be an imposture, and 1 now know it to be so ; for I find that the name ostentatiously held forth as the Chairman of a meeting of Prin- ters, is unknown in the trade in Westminster. This publication, therefore, is but an Election trick. Mr. S. congratulated the meeting on the good tem}>er which appeared to prevail among them, and assured them that his own example ^» should •WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 147 should always serve to encourage that disposition. When low on the poll, he expressed no discontent ; now, when he was high, he should express no ex- ultation, although, under all the disadvantages with which he had to contend, he had reason to exult in the state of the poll. But he would not dwell upon it. He looked to the result of the contest with confidence, and should conclude with crying, "Admiral Hood and Sheridan for ever !" Sir S. Hood, adverting to some allusions made to him by Mr. PauU yesterday, observed that the contempt he felt for any ridicule that might be pointed at the honours he wore, could only be equalled by his pride in thinking that he had been considered by his Sovereign as deserving of such tn'> . WESTMINSTER ELECTION. I5f 5. Howick Grei/f Hoxoick Grey, How oft did you say You'd^e'er barter Freedom for Riches ; Yet the Admiral's Board, For the Treasury Hoard, You left — ^just to garnish your breeches, Howick Grey ; You left— just to garnish your breeches. 6. Theu Pdti^^ young Pettj/, Just like Master Eettj/ ; Of others the profit and tool- To save these young masters From future disasters Whip their bottoms, and send them to school. Master Petty ; Whip their bottoms, and send them to school. 7. Lauderdale^ Lauderdale^ Tell at Walmer your tale ; How to •' Paris you marcli'd" in a crack— Hatvki/ 'Jl envy your share. Though you did nothing there. Because you have safely march'd back, Lauderdale ; Because you have safely march'd back. 8. Sir Sammy ^ Sir Sammy, Your character, damme, " For courage is hearty and good ; But Englishmen's backs Shrink from tortures and rackSj, And from two faces under a Hood, Sir Sammy ; And from two faces under a Hgod, Oh. I60 HISTORY OF TllJt .9. Oh, Sherry ! red S/iern/ ! You'd make us all merry. With your drolls, your stage-tricks, and curvetts.; But dou't, on Old Davy, Draw. drafts for the Navy; Nor pay 'em. as you pay your debts. Red Sherry ; Nor pay 'era as you pay your debts, 10. Lord JfcUeslev, Lord Wdlcslei^, No fiend, tho' in hell, sly, Seems half so secure as you sit ; You thought, dissolution Would stop prosecution ; — You'll find that the biter is bit. Lord Wellesley ; You'll find that the biter is bit. 11. Then PAULL, honest PAULL, W^e cry, one and all. Hunt him down to the brink of disgrace ; In spirit's true tone, (Till hell gets her own), llaik forward 1 nor give up the chacc^ Honest Paull ; Hark forward ! nor give up the chacc . 12. I'o St. Sicphoi's we'll send Our Britain's best friend, No courage nor honour he'll lack ; Though wolves and their whelps Join bowlings and yelps — He'll worry and tear the whole pack. Honest Paull ; He'll worry and tear the whole pack. :1/? WESTMINSTUR ELECTION. 161 Mr, Sheriian's Letter to Mr, P. Moore, respecting John Davenport. (See p, 5\.) Sir Somerset-Place, Nor. 13, I80G. I have received a Petition from John Daven- port, the man who assaulted me, as I left the Hustings, the first day of the Election. It appears to me to be dictated by very artless and sincere con- trition. He states himself to have been very much intoxicated at the time, vhich I find to be true; and avers he did not know it "was me he struck at. He further urges, that his wife, who has lost the use of her right hand, and a large family, might perish for want, if deprived of his support; and on their account very penitently implores my for- giveness. I do very freely forgive him, and re- quest you, sir, with the approbation of the Com- mittee, to take proper measures to procure his li- berty, and to provide that his family may not be injured by his confinement. I am, Sir, your very obedient servant. To Petee Moore, Esq. K. B. Sheripan. Old Shakspeare Tavern. John Dave7iporfs Letter to Mr. Sheridan, on his Release fiom Confinement. Sir, I should be greatly wanting in my dutv to myself, as well as in gratitude, not to return, in the earliest manner, my sinccrest thanks to you and your Committee, for my liberation from confine- ment, which, though unjust on my account, yet it reflects tlie highest honour and liberality of soul Y on 162 HISTORY OF THE on the part of you and your Committee. Sir, the emotions that must be felt by you on this occasion, can only be equalled by the transports of joy and gratitude of a helpless wife and tliree infant chil- dren, in being restored to a husband and parent who is the means of their support ; and 1 am sure, * sir, that your conduct on this occasion, will afford you as much satisfaction, as it will excite gratitude in the breasts of me and my family, for my eman- cipation from confinement. lam, with all possible respect, Sir, &c. No. 3, Cock-court, New-street, J. DaVENPORTV Curnaoy Market, Nov. 14-, 1S06". P. S. Right Honourable Sir — Humbly hoping you will stop any farther proceedings against me, I have procured a friend to indite this for mc— but; it is every word from my heart. TKMH WESTMINSTER ELECTION. iGS TENTH DAY. Thm^sdaj/, November 13. Mr. Sheridan appeared on the Hustings about two o'clock. One of the more distinguished ora- tors of the mob told Mr. Whitbread, that if his porter were as strong as his assurance, that it would sell astonishingly well; — " but," retorted Mr. T\'hitbread, " if it were as strong as your impu- dence, I should get nothing by it." In answer to a question from one of the mob, Mr. Sheridan stated that if Mr, Paull should bring forward that charge, respecting the conduct of marquis Welles- ley, in India, upon which alone he had pledged himself, the hon. gentleman should have his most decided support. About three o'clock, Mr. Cobbett approached Mr. Sheridan on the Hustings, and asked whe- ther the M'ords ascribed to the right hon. gen- tleman, in the newspapers, in the report of the proceedings at Willis's Rooms, (seep. 128.) were really uttered by him ; namely, whether he had said, that a pro{)osilion was made to him by Mr. PauU's friends, to give him all that gentle- man's second-votes, if he Mould consent to coa- lesce with him ; but that he (Mr. S.) rejected the proposition with disdain ? To this question he stated that he would reply by the publication of ]\Ir. Cobbett's and other letters, in the newspapers of to-morrow, with some comments. The question Y 2 'vvas 164 HISTORY OF THE was frequently repeated by Mr. Cobbett, but Mr. Sheridan declined giving any other reply. Mr. Cobbett's own account of what passed will be given in a subsequent page. At the close of the Poll the numbers were» For Sir Samuel Hood 4547 Mr. Paull 3799 Mr. Sheridan 3791 ]\{r. Whitbread then announced that ^fr. Paull was, upon the whole poll, only 8 a-head of his illustrious friend Mr. Sheridan. He therefore wished the friends of Mr. Sheridan joy, and begged his enemies to keep themselves in temper, [^p- plauses and hisses.'] ^fr. Sheridan repeated the M'ords of Mr. Whitbread, exhorting the people to preserve their temper ; and he was the more induced to press this exhortation, because he felt the best wishes towards every one of them. He knew their dispo- sition, and was certain that not one among them was his enemy ; but, on the contrary, that they now felt ashamed of having been so long made the dupes of the vile misrepresentations and false- hoods which had been propagated respecting his conduct and character. The contest would not, he was sure, terminate until the public would be fully convinced of the turpitude of his accusers, and that he had never declined, in any instance, to do all that was in his power to discharge every obligation to which man was bound to attend, either by the precepts of justice or the feelings of generosity. To loose and general calunmies, liow- 5 < ver, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. iQS ever, it was impossible for him to answer, and with those who could be'im posed upon by such calumnies, it would perhaps be absurd to argue. Against the suggestions of the prejudiced, and the clamours of the ignorant, no man could protect his reputa- tion ; but to precise specific accusation, for which he had looked, in vain, in the course of this con- test, it was the dut}' of a man to make a defence. None such having offered, he must leave it to the candid, the just, the reflecting part of the com- munity to refute the malignity of his opponents. Returning to the state of the poll, he dwelt upon the omen which it afforded of ultimate victory. This victory would, he trusted, be borne by his op- ponents with the same temper as that which he de- clared he should feel were it his lot to be defeated. [Jppldusei and hisses.] — He regretted the absence of his broad-faced friend, for he was sure that, al- though rather harsh in his attacks upon him, he would still have the good -nature and good temper to procure a hearing from him in reply. The in- terruption he had met with augured ill of the cause it was meant to sustain. His cause required not the aid, but would be injured by the interposition of irregularity; and, therefore, he deprecated every tiiijig of this kind on tiie part of his friends. Here he adverted to the dinner Arhich was fixed for this da}', at the Crown and Anchor, where, he asi*iircd the gentlemen in front of the Hustings, he should drink all their good healths, and he should not trespass longer on their attention here. As the days were shorter, he felt that so should his 166 iirsTOiiy of th£ his speaking be shorter ; for he did not like to pro* long the meeting until dark; wishing, as he always did, to speak and to act in the face of open day. lie did not care, however, whether the days or the speaking was long, provided he was longer on the poll than his opponent. After repeat* ing his resolution to hury every thing in ob- livion that had been offered against him in the course of the F.lection ; to forgive ad who had injured him, as he had forgiven the man who struck him the first day, and the green orator; he exhorted the meeting to makea long pidl, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, in support of sir Samuel liood and Mr. Sheridan. Sir. S. Hood, in returning thanks to the meet- ing, repeated the concluding exhortation of Mr. Sheridan, and his contempt for the disposition and power of his calumniators. ]Mr. Palm,l expressed his satisfaction at the pre- sent state of the poll, and his confident expectation as to the final result. He exulted in the progress he had made, notwithstanding the resistance he had to encounter. He animadverted upon the conduct of certain persons among his opponents, particularly colonel Britten and his son. The former knew well what he was after. He was candidate for a baronetcy, and the misconchict of the son was such, that he liad ordered him to be j)!o>ecuted for pcrjurv in the vote he had given. — [Captain Brit- ten, wlio v,-as present, exclaimed, " Uj)on the part of m\ self and my father, fellow, I tell you you are a liar."] — ?Jr. Taull continued, and animadverted in WESTMINSTER ELECTION-. }67 in terms of marked seventy upon the outrageous behaviour of several bravoes of the aristocracy in tlie course of the Election; many of whom were to be seen among the leaders of hired ruffians, committing every description of violence. Of those leaders the hon. gentleman particularly men- tioned, lord Petersiiam, and IVlr. Berkeley Craven. But the endeavours used by such persons suited the cause they came forward to support. They could not, ho A ever, succeed in upholding the un- fortunate, degraded Treasurer of the Navy ; al- though their anxiet\ to savehim fvom siiikinginto a jail, to die there, must naturally urge them to great and cxtruordinarv exertions to secure his re- turn to Parliament. Then the hon. gentleman, in alluding to the declaration reported by the news- papers to have been made by Mv. Sheridan, at Willis's Rooms, that he had tendeicd that ri«'ht hon. gentleman his second votes, if he would coa- lesce with him, but that that ri^ht hon. o-entle- man treated the proposition with disdain, as- sured the meeting that this statement of the Trea- surer of the Navy was utterly unfounded; but that, on tlie contrary, to a proposition of a similar nature which v>as made to Lis Committee, upon the third day of the poll, by a letter from a Mr. Rodweil, one of Mr. Sheridan's Committee, a di- rect and immediate denial was given ; aiid tliat denial was given with his advice; for he could never reconcile it to liis mind to form any con- nection wiih this degraded apostate. The only communication his friends had had with the Tiea surer 168 HISTORY or THE surer of the Navy, was by a letter from Mr. Cob- bett to liim, on the Sunday before the publication of his first address; and the only object of this letter was to provide that the Election should be conducted with temper and quietness. The hon. gentleman stated, that he had the assurance of 700 honest tradesmen that they would come up to- morrow, and each of them declared to him on his canvass, that they were surprised any honest man could vote for the Treasurer of the Navy. The hon. gentleman asserted, that the whole expence of the Election of Mr. Sheridan was defrayed by money taken from the pockets of the people. He assured the meeting, that he was very little kno^s•n to those who supposed that he was to be appalled by any reverse of fortune or menace of faction ; and in this contest he was resolved to persevere to the utmost. Of success he could not allow him- self to doubt, until the High Bailifi' should actu- ally declare the ixturn against him. But even af- ter he had no doubt that a scrutiny would, by shewing the number of fictitious and fraudulent votes polled for his opponents, serve to place hini in Parliament as the Ke})rcM'ntative for AVestuiiii- stcr, and condemn the unhappy Treasurer of" \\\i Navy to sink, — iicN'er to rise agairi. Air. Slu'ridan\^- D'nnn'r (tt thcCjoicv imd A)tcJiOT, \ovtrnlnr 1 .'^. 'iiii-. dav a iiuinerous nnd ie^pcctablc meeting of the Ili^■ii(l^ ot'Alr. Sheridan .nitlsir S. Hood, diju'd '^if ii,r Cic^^n und Anehor ta\'eni in the St rami , WESTMINSTER EtECTION* l69 Mr. Whitbread in the chair. After dinner the fol- lowing toasts, proposed by the chairman, were drunk with the greatest applause: — " The King," with three times three ; " The Queen and all the Royal Family;" ''The Prince of Wales," with three times three ; " The Constitution, — the whole Constitution, — and nothing but the Consti- tution." — Mr. Whitbread observed, that there was one toast which might be expected from him, but which must rather dispose their minds to silent regret than that loud applause with which other toasts had been drunk. He proposed " The im- mortal and glorious memory, and never-to-be-for- gotten example of the late Mr. Fox." It was drunk in silence. He then proposed the healths of " Mr. Sheridan and Sir S. Hood, and success to theirE,lection." This Mas received with the warmest applause. Mr. Sheridan rose, and addressed the meeting. In returning them thanks for the lionour which they had done him, he would be brief Having al- ready expressed himself happy at the union that had lately taken place, he would now say little on that subject. He hoped that he would not prove so mean as to be mortified because sir S. Hood was at the head of the poll. Whether or not a pro- position had been made to him to join with Mr. Paull, would appear from the letters of Mr. Paull and Mr. Cobbett, which would soon be published : but had it not been for an unfortunate misunder^ standing, he and sir S. Hood would have been from the first together, and Mr. Paull M'ould have z been 170 HISTORY OF THE been no M'here — [plaudits]. Sir Samuel Hood was here in his proper situation, in that situation in wliich he was at Aboukir — he had shot a-head to take sou .dii:gs, and he trusted that to-morrow Admiral Paull would be obliged to drop astern — ^ applause \. He need not repeat what he had be- :••: s'lid in praise of the British Navy. He be- 'j---rcd, as lie had before expressed himself, that it nii^C-^ not be difficult in that glorious profession to point out the equal of sir S. Hood, but that it would be impossible to point out his superior. Mr. Paull had told them that he and sir Samuel Hood mortally hated each other. (See p. 76.) How he could find out that, he did not know : but if there was a man who entertained a higher respect than another for our Naval Officers, and v.-ho considered our Navy as the peculiar guardian of our Liberties, our King, and our Constitution, he was that man, and he had shewed it in his public conduct. It had been objected to sir S. Hood, that he had other duties to perform. \Vhen the gallant Commodore was called au ay, he would undertake his share of the duty. For exerting himself he would have a double inducement, for he wo.ild then be the re- presentative of Westminster and sir S. Hood. He ])opcd they would exert theniselves in his favour, V, ith the same spirit as they woidd against Buona- parte's tyranny, or insidious pretenders to Liberty, aiul concluded by thanking them for the exertion^ they had already made. Sir S. Hood then thanked the meeting. He adverted to the advanta^f^s whicli the Constitution hud WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 171 had received from his right lion friend, and parti- cularly to the benefit wliich he had conferred on the Navy. He declared from his heart, that he always understood that the Navy lo ked up to him particularly as its advocate. He hoped there- fore, that he would experieocc that support which he deserved, in opposition to the faction against which they were now contending. Mr. Sheridan then rose, and after some obser- vations upon the different degrees of rank in so- ciety, and the manner in which a mixture of the young men of rank, Math those of the middle and lower classes of the people, would affect the whole, and the utility of calling up to high honours and situations, those who, by their zeal and arduous endeavours for the good of the State, had rendered themselves worthy that situation — he gave *' The health of Mr. Whitbread." [plaudits.] Mr.WniTBREAD returned thanks to the meeting for the honour they had done him, and for the manner in which that honour had been conferred. The two persons who, he hoped, M'ould be re- turned for Westminster, were popular Candidates. To the one he had long been attached ; to the other he was certainly warmly attached in this cause. He said they were both popular Candi- dates, because he did not see why the government and the people should always be at variance. He, on the contrary, looked forward to the day when they would most cordially unite. Even though Mr. Paull should be successful, he would look on tiiem as the two popular Candidates ; because he z '2 thou^lit 17*2 HISTORY OF THE thought that as much tyranny might be exercised on the real sense of the people by misleading them, as by other improper influence. Bribes, or threats, or any sort of influence to induce the people to vote against their consciences, he thought wrong, and he knew of none such that had been exerted on the side of his friends. Assertions had beea made respecting undue influence, but assertion and proof u'ere very distinct things. The exertions that had been made in favour of those who were in fact the popular Candidates were so far well, but he contended that these exertions ought not to relax till the end. He then adverted to the re- ports that had been spread resj)ecting himself. If report said true, it had been said that he knew the road that had been chalked out for him, and that he looked to a peerage. The power of confer- ring honours had been judiciously, by the Con- stitution, placed in the hands of the King, and they were noble things when conferred on the deserving; but when conferred on those who had not de- served them, they were disgraceful to those who had improperly obtained them, and became in themselves less valuable. If a Nelson walked the streets; who could be at a loss to tell why he wore a star — or why lie was called " iMy Lord ?" If any one should ask why Lord Nelson's brother was an Earl ; who would not readily answer, because Nelson fought and fell at Trafalgar? Among the military, too, he could mention many who had been deservedly ennobled. A near and dear rela- tion of bi^ had deservedly obtained that honour — he WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 173 he alluded to lord Grey, who had fought at the battle of Minden, and performed other eminent service. If a peerage should be offered to him (Mr. W.), he would ask what he had done to deserve it ; and he would not take it. But he was surprised to hear those %vho talked much about the ConstitutioUj and the popular part of the Constitution, which was the most prominent, speaking of place in the manner they had done. The people must be governed, and it was proper they should be governed by the persons best qualified for that purpose. Without applying this to himself, he observed, that if a place were offered to him, where he was confident he could serve the people, and from which he could, by accepting it, keep out one who would be allowed to be less qualified, most certainly he would accept that place, with a determination to lay it aside the moment it interfered with his duty. This much he thought it proper to say, on ac- count of the reports that had prevailed respecting- himself. As to the enquiry respecting Marquis Weilesley, it did not follow that it should not be taken up, though Mr. Pauil should not be return- ed to Parliament; although he had no particular objection to Mr. Paull. If a dissolution had taken place while he M-as engaged in the enquiry which had lately occupied his attention, there were others certainly who would have taken it up. And in every enquiry of the sort, he only wished that equal diligence, as he had applied, might be employed, and that the issue might be more successful if the accused should be guilty; and that the acquittal might ^74 HISTORY OF THE might be at least as complete if the accusation sliould be unfounderl. If the accusation were un- founded, the sifting of the case, at any rate, would turn out to the honour of the accused. He jexpressed a hope, that he should retain the name merely of Mr. Whitbread ; that his name might ever continue honourable to himself, and his situation useful to his country. He concluded by giving *' the health of Mr. T. Sheridan." Mr. T. Sheridan thanked the meeting, and felt so invigorated by the several patriotic toasts which had been given, that he felt ready to can- I'-ass for almost a thousand votes. He differed from Mr. Whitbread in his opinion of Mr. Paull 50 much, that he was in doubt whether he would Tsot 7'aise him in the estimation of societ}', by kicking Jiim out of it. i\Ir. Sheiudan expressed his opinion that the Ptevolution in France was, in a great measure, occasioned by the contempt of the NobiHty for the People, and their inattention to their cause. He proposed the health of " Mr. Berkeley Craven.'' This was drunk with applause. '* The Houses ol-' Ilussell and Cavendish,'" vv-erc then given and drunk with enthusiasm. " Mr. P. Moore's Health," was also received witli applause; and the compan}' separated, under an implied engagement, that each should to-ninrrow bring at least one vote to t'hr ]^^ll ! [()()!) WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 175 HOOD AND SHERIDAN FOR EVER! Success to Placemen, Courtiers, and Apostates! Damn PAULL, Honesty, and Independence ! Szvindlers and fraudulent Debtors screened from the Effects of the Law by a Seat in ParHament ! Rogues rolling in Riches ! Honest Men of the middling Class struggUng witk Adversity! The lower Order without a Bed left to satisfy the Rapacity of the Tax-Gatherer ! Honest Senators sent to Sea, lest in their simple Ideas these Things should not be right ! Vice in Splendour, supported at the expense of the public vitals! Virtue pining in utter Distress ! Perish Commerce ! Perish the Constitution ! Perish the Swinish Multitude ! Survive Corruption and IMinisterial Influence ! The Clamours of the Majority of an agonized Nation drowned in the loud excess of riotous Pleasures of an Aristocratical Minority — of Peculators — of Loan Jobbers — of Contractors — of Political Scoundrels ! The FEW Rich ; and the IVLVXY Poor . Huzza, my Boys — Hood and Sheridan for ever. and a Fig for Puuil and Patriotism \ PAULL 17(> HISTORY OF THX PAULL AND LIBERTY. A NEW SONG. Tune — Tally He/g/w. I. All yoii who Freedom love. And count it such a blessing ; Come now, and to us prove. You think it worth possessing. Tally heigho, &c. Away, and vote for Paull, boys. 2. Long while you've borne the weight Of tyranny and taxes ; Yet, in this hopeless state, Corruption stronger waxes. 3. But if you would be free. Make this a grand endeavour ; And England's pow'r, you'll see. Will be as great as ever. 4. 'Tis Paull alone can save The remnants of your Charter ; Because he's no vile Slave, Xor will your Freedom barter. 5. Old Hood we'll send to Sea, — The best place for a Sailor ; For his Country there to be. When outward foes assail her — 6". As no man can, you know. At once be in two places ; And this will clearly show His principle how base 'til. But WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 177 7. But Paull will always stand The People's firm defender ; With infamy will brand Each rascally pretender. 3. The Court all costs def/ay. To make your champion fall, sirs ; The only court we pay. Is asking votes for Paull, sirs. Tally hcigho, &c. Away, and vote for Paull, boy«. 2 A ELEVENTH 178 HISTORY OF THE ELEVENTH DAY. Friday, November 14. At the close of the Poll the numbers were : Sir Samuel Hood 4812 Mr. Sheridan 4057 Mr. PauU ^gsi IVIr. Sheui'dan' addressed the Electors — ''Gen- tlemen," said he, "I congratulate you upon the event of this day's Poll, which places me 103 votes a-head of ]\Ir. Paull. I shall address you very shortly, because I cannot express myself Tivithout feeling some emotion of joy and exulta- tion. I trust that you never will find me expres- sing myself in terms of insult towards my adver- sary. I understand that Mr. Paull (and I beg you to observe, that this is the first time, upon the Hustings, that I have condescended to men- tion his name,) has expressed himself in this place in terms of great scurrility. I scorn however tq retort, I am at a distance from him; and I pro- mise you that I do not read the things called his speeches. He may endeavour to peisuade some of you, that I am an unfit person to represent you in Parliament, but he cannot deprive me of the mind and the manners of a gentleman. I am only convinced that he is woefully deficient in both. I was yesterday addressed by a person in the crowd, who said, he would vote for me, as well as Yiw Paull, if I would support Mr. Paull in his ch:ir2;es against the marti'iis Wellesley. I told him, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 179 liim, that if those charges were just, I would do so ; his reply then was, that he would vote for me. I am happy that I gave an answer to him as I did, because 1 know that this very day, that gentleman, a tin-plate-worker in Westminster, came forward and voted for me; and I am very sure, that my broad-faced friend, if he really had a vote to dispose of, would do the same. You must not slacken in your exertions, — you must persevere with spirit; and I am sure, that that zeal and spirit which has hitherto actuated you, will ultimately prove me successful in this con- test." Sir S. Hoot) stated his determination to support the principles of the Constitution, and thanked the Electors for the efforts they had made in his support. Mr. Paull said he was not discouraged by the majority which the Treasurer of the Navy had obtained. When he considered the ministerial and aristocratical influence which had been employed — when he knew that all the clerks in the public ofhces had been dragged to the Hustings — that the prisons had been ransacked, and men brought from a sick-bed to vote for the Court Candidates, he was indeed surprised, that he should stand in so glorious^ a situation on this day's Poll. They knew little of his character, who supposed that the advantage which the Court Candidate had bv such means gained, would induce him to abandon the contest ; but he wished the Electors to recol- lect what had been the conduct of the Treasurer 2 A 2 of 180 nrsTORT op the of the Navy during the first five days of the Election. He did not then dare to look his fellow citizens in the face. He had stated, that an at- tempt had been made on his way to the Crown and Anchor to assassinate him, by a person hired by his adversary. This was false; for it M'as well known that no rioters had been hired by him or his friends. But it was not this pretended assault which the Treasurer of the Navy said he met with, that occasioned his indisposition ; for he stuck to his glass at the Crown and Anchor as long as he was able, and appeared to have suffered 110 injury from any blows, except from the blows he aimed at his own head, with his own hand. But what had been his conduct yesterday ? Find- ing that his character was completely gone, he was at length obliged to say, that if Mr. Paull could get into Parliament, and should bring for- ward the charges already made against lord Welles- ley, that he would sijp])ort one of them. How far tliis profession was likely to be sincere, the Electors might jndge from liis former treacherous conduct. Five years ago he had moved the House of Commons for documents relating to what he styled one of the most atrocious and foulest murders ever committed, and which, if not en- quired into and avenged, would leave an eternal disgrace on the Eni>libh name. He meant the mur- dcr of the Nabob of the Carnatic. Session after session passed away, and Mr. Sheridan, at the end of each, renewed his notice on this subject for the next ; hut at the moment the Coalition took place WESTMINSTER ELECtlON. 181 place between the Grenvilles and the Whigs, he^ had the audacity to come down to the House of Commons where he had so often solemnly pledged himself to prosecute this enquiry, and stated that he would proceed no farther. All the reason he had assigned for this conduct was, that to proceed in this business would have broken up the new administration, that is to say, would have made him lose his place. Now he says, that if another, against whom all the court influence is directed, does get into Parliament, that he will support him in doing what he is most solemnly pledged to do himself! With regard to the state of the Poll, it was always to be remembered that the voters for the Treasurer of the Navy were all conscripts dragged in chains to the Hustings. He had none, on the contrar}', but volunteers, and it was not in his power to compel them to attend when he pleased. The business of labouring peo- ple did not permit them to come to the Hustings at a moment's notice. He had, however, received assurances that 800 honest, independent men had reserved their votes for him, in case he should finally want them, and he was confident he would, on Monday and Tuesday next, distance the Treasu- rer of the Navy as completely uS he had done on the same days in the present week. He accused sir S. .Hood of havini'; in a base, dishonourable, and ungentlemanly manner, fraud ilcntly obtained 400 votes, and then afterwards, on the Hustings, in a manner no Icsi ,s!]aniefu], and, as he was con- vinced, illegally, and ur.cou'.titutionally, declaring that 182 HISTORY OF THE that he would ask no more votes, but requesting all the votes that came to him might be given to Mr. Sheridan. He concluded by declaring that he would keep the Poll open to the last, and he would stand or fall with the Independence of the City of Westminster. Air. Sheridan*s Dinner at the Bedford Coffee House, Co've?it Garden, November 14. This day, a select meeting of the friends of Mr. Sheridan dined at the Bedford Coffee-house, Covent-garden ; Peter Moore, Esq. in the chair. After the cloth was removed, the chairman pro- posed a toast, to which he thought necessary, in the present crisis of affairs, and under the cir- cumstances of the present times, to make some addition, out of the general custom: " The King ; and may his crown be wreathed with lau- rels, and his throne surrounded by honest men, and patriotic ministers!" Pie next gave — "The Queen and Royal Family;" with three — " The Prince of Wales;" with three times three, and loud applause — " The Independent Electors of Westminster;" witli three times three — ''The im- mortal memory of Mr, Fox;" drunk in solemn silence. Next, " the health of Mr. Sheridan and sir S. Hood, and success to their Election." Air. Sheridan returned his most heartfelt thanks, for himself and sir S. Hood, who was absent. He repeated his intention of supplying the WESTMINSTER ELECTION. J S3 the place of the gallant Commodore, and doing his duty in Parliament, while he should be absent, fighting the battles of his country. Although some mistake had arisen, perhaps through his own inadvertence or neglect, he assured his friends, that the most cordial co-operation existed between himself and the gallant Commodore. He sin- cerely thanked his worthy friends for their exertions in his favour, and felt confident in their final tri- umph. He repeated his satisfaction at the brave Commodore's retaining the head of the Poll, which was his proper station. Their worthy Chairman had been prevented from attending the Hustings for a few days, through indisposition, which had given Mr. Paull the opportunity of say- ing that he had beat him out of the field, and he was afraid to make his appearance there again; but he could tell Mr. Paull, he would be on the Hust- ings again to-morrow, and he rather thought he would find him at least his match. He concluded by observing, that, however he might feel ashamed by being beaten by Mr. Paull, he should feel him- self still more disgraced in being his colleague. He then gave " The health of Mr. Peter Moore." Mr. Peter Moore said, he was well known to most of the gentlemen present, and appealed to them, whether he had ever been intimidated or prevented from doing that which he conceived to be his duty ? and he was not to be deterred from it by the scurrilous attacks of such a man as Mr. Paull, He was well acquainted with the people of Westminster, and knew their stntiments; and, as he 1S4 HISTORY OF THE he had already ventured to prophesy, he would at last completely extinguish this little satellite, who was nothing more than a sort of meteor, blown about by every blast of wind. — The event of this day's poll had, in some measure, extinguished him ; but before the week ended, as he had already promised, he would put such an extin- guisher upon him, as would cover him even to the heel. He then adverted to the speech of co- lonel Britten, a day or two before, and highly complimented him on the simile he had used, namely, that to reject Mr. Sheridan, and elect Mr. Paull, would be extinguishing the light of the sun, and setting up a little farthing rush-light. Colonel Britten rose, and, in a very spirited and animated speecli, refuted the attacks of Mr. Paull upon him, as false and malicious; he gloried in that sun, who, in the very face of Mr, Paull, gave the lie to his assertions (see p. 166. ). He was the old and steady friend of Mr. Pox, and had worn blue and buff for these 27 years; and he dared any man to say that he would turn his coat.'* — After some excellent songs, and catches and glees, and a number of jovial, constitutional, and patriotic toasts, the company separated in the utmost har- mony and good humour. CGRRESPONDENCf. WESTMli^STER ElrECTION. 185 CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. COBBETT, MR. TAULL, AND MR. SHERIDAN. [Js published by Mr. Sheridan's Committee.] Air. p. Moore to Mr. Sheridcw. Sir; Thursday, Nov. 13. It is the unanimous opinion of tlie committee, ^liat, in justice to yourself, to the great cause you are engaged in, and the honourahle conduct of your friends, emulating yours, the papers sub- mitted to their consideration, and your letter to me, should be forthwith made public, together with Mr. Finnerty's Statement, and the Resolu- tions which the committee have come to in conse- quence. As you have left this matter to our discretion, I have accordingly directed the whole to be published. I have the honour to be, &c. Peter Moore. Mr. Sheridan to Mr. P. Aloore. Sir; Somerset-place, Thursday, Nov. 13. In compliance with your request, I send you Mr, Cobbett's letters, and leave it to you and the com- mittee to decide whether they should be published or not. I have never suffered Mr. Cobbett's first letter to me to pass from my desk ; nor should I now consent to the publication of any letter, not avowedly meant to be published by the writer. e B but 1S6 HISTORY OF THK but that3'ou will perceive that Mr. Cobbett him- self calls for its publication ; how discreetly for the cause he supports, is his affair. I need not tell you how decidedly I have disdained to aUo\r this letter, or that from ^Nlr. PauU to Mr. Finnerty, and by him placed in my hands, to be used for the purpose of gaining me a single vote from the supporters of Mr. Paull. What their object was, and what advantage I might have made of it, had I been base enough to have stooped to profit by their advances, is too evident to require a com- ment. My conduct has been without disguise or reserve. It is known to you, sir, and to the committee, and to you and them 1 leave the vin- dication of it. I have the honour to be, &c. R. B. Sheridan. Mr. Cobbett to Air. Sheridan, oin; No. 5, Pantoii. square, Tuesday Kveniiig^ To be direct and frank has always been my course, and I think it right to lose not a moment in informing you, that upon hearing that lord Percy had declined, that a Pittite was to be set up in his stead, and that ■Mr. Paull meant to offer himself, I immediately set off for town, to lend this latter gentleman all the assistance in my power, however trifling that may be; and, as the main object of this letter, I think it right to in- form you, that I am well assured that Mr. Paull e would tend to prevent his succes^. The answer M'hich I instantly gave to this letter was, that I was afraid that he far over-rated the force of my animadver- sions, but that, if it was in my power to prev^t Mr. Sheridan's success, I certainly would prevent it. Nevertheless, when I came to town, not being sure that this answer had been communicated to Mr. Sheridan, and supposing it possible that he might have been informed of the application made to me by our friend, and might, in consequence, expect not to see me amongst his opponents, I thought it right to lose not a moment in apprizing him of my intentions; and, with the knowledge of ]\Ir. Paull, I wrote him a letter, of M'hich I kept no copy, but which was to the following ef- fect : " Sir, as it is a rule with me always to be ** fair and direct, 1 lose no time in informing you, *' that I am this moment come to town for the *' express purpose of rendering Mr. Paull, as a *' Candidate for Westminster, ail the aid which it *' is in my feeble power to render him. But, at *' the same time, 1 can take upon me to assure '' you, that I know^, that if there should be du- '^' ring the contest, any hostility between you and *' Mr. Paull, the fault will be that of y;^u, or your 2 c " friend s<' 194 HISTORY OF THE *' friends." This last sentence was written at th^ suggestion of a third gentleman present, M'ho had expressed a wish, that no foul personahties should take place. With this statement before him, the reader will, I am sure, participate with me in the feelings excited b};^ the speech ascribed to Mr. Sheridan. But, this is not all. Mr. Sheridan is represented as having said, that " he rejected the " offer with scorn." Luckily, 1 have a copy of his answer to my letter ; which answer was in the following words: — "Monday evening, 8 o'clock. — *' Sir, on my return to town this evening, I recei- *' ved your note, which gave me the first intimation *' of Mr, Paull's intention to stand for Westmin- " stre. I admit your motives in making the " communication to be as frank and direct as *' you profess them to be, and I thank you for " your attention in having made it." Now, if this was what he looked upon as a " rejection" of our " offer," as he is said to have called it, the reader will, I think, agre.e, that this was not a very " scornful" rejection. But, the truth is, that he looked upon it as no offer at all. I was satisfied, that he could not ; and, therefore, the moment I saw the report of his speech in the Morning Chronicle before mentioned, I wrote him the following letter: [Here follows the letter which will be found in p. 189.] To this letter, I received at midnight the following ansv.er from Mr. Sheridan: — "Sir; The bustle of an Election " day, and occupations fitter for me to attend to, *' than to any communication from you, have pre- *' vented WEStMIXSTER ELECTION. 195 ** vented rtiy noticing the letter you have favoured " me with, till this moment. I am very much ** amused by the folly of it, and very little provo- ** ked by its insolence. I shall not, however, be *' deficient in gentlemanly respect to the call of *' any man, iand you will receive from me to-morrozo ** such an answer as I shall judge proper to give *' to such a letter. 1 have the honour to be," &c. The *' morrow" came; but, it brought no answer from Mr. Sheridan, either written or in print, though it was now Thursday, the latest day fixed on, in his speech, for publishing the letter on which the reported statement was said to be found- ed. When, therefore, he ventured to shew him- self upon the Hustings in the evening of that day, and as soon as the hisses and groans, which his pre- sence had drawn forth from the people, were a little subsided, I went up to him, and in the presence of Mr. Berkeley Craven and others, narrated in substance what I have here submit- ted to the reader, concluding with these words: ** Now, sir, let me beg of you to give me a *' direct answer, whether you did, or did not, make ** the assertion which the Morning Chronicle has " ascribed to you?" His answer was, I am really sorry to say it, a miserable subterfuge; a procrasti- nating evasion; nay, a downright shuffle. — ''I will not," said he, *' have an answer extorted from ** me. I will not be catechised. I will not ** make myself responsible for any thing published '* in a newspaper as a speech of mine." In short, all I could get from him was, that " an answer i^ c 2 should 19^ HISTORY OF THE sliould appear in print to-morroNv;" that is, to-day*. " But the '* morrow" is again come ; and now it is Friday night; and no answer has appeared, though in all the daily prints, a paragraph has been pub- lished, intimating, that the answer will appear " to-morrow !'' That is, M'hen he knows tliat the Register is gone to the press, and when I shall, for another week, be deprived of the means of contra- dicting any statement that he may think proper to make ; because, he well knows, that, while the daily prints are all open to him cost-free, they are all shut against me, except at an enormous ex- pence ; ■Mr. Perry of the Morning Chronicle, ha- ving charged Mr. Paull no less than eight guineas- for his last advertisement! Does there, then, re- quire any thing further as an exposure of Mr. Sheridan? Yes : one fact more; and tliat is this; that he made, on the day of his coalition with sir S. Hood ; on that very day he made, through Mr, llodwcll, one of the principal persons of his Committee, a proposal to Mr. Paull to give him -Mr. Sheridan) his secoTid votes, as the certain means of tlnowing out sir Samuel Hood ! This fact I, at, tlie time before-mentioned, reminded- JMr. Sheridan of, to his face, upon the Hus- tings; and tiie only answer he could give was, " I am not rcs])onsible for any thing that Mr. Rod- "■ well has done." Much, however, as 1 dislike j\ir. Sheridan as a member for Westminster, my dis- like to tlie Commodore has always been, and still is eieater. This latter I regard as a mere ministe- rial ^y£STMINSTER ELECTION. 197 rial creature. I disliked him on that account from the first; and the seeing of his wounded arm projected out to the people, while his great coat is studiously turned back to expose his star and taw- dry ribbons, has by no means tended to lessen that dislike. Constantly, therefore, have I said, and I Still say, that of the two, give me the man of ta- lents, who is able, and may, possibly, become willing, to render the country some service in parliament. Besides, ill as Mr. Sheridan has be- haved of late, and now towards myself, I have seen him receive, in the loud and unanimous re- proaches of the people, a punishment far beyond the measure of any revenge that my heart is capa- ble of entertaining. Friday y Nov. 14. The offer, which Mr. Sheridan asserted to have been made by me, previous to the Election, for Mr. Paull to split votes with Mr. Sheridan, has been proved never to have been made. After Mr. Sheridan knew that my Register was gone to the press, he published in the iVIorning Chronicle, my first letter, (see p. 186.) and which letter he had before said implied a proposition to split votes with him ; a proposition which, he further said, he rejected with scorn. The reader was convinced of the falsehood of this by Mr. Sheridan's answer to me, (see p. 194 ) ; and, to give him an idea of Mr. Sheridan's candour, I need only say, th^t he took special care not to publish this his letter, iu. lC^8 HTSTORr OP Tfle in the Morning Chronicle ! In addition to rtiy let- ter, Mr. Sheridan published a note from Mr. Paull to Mr. Finnerty ; which letter, together with the substance of a short conversation between Mr. Finnerty, Mr. Paull, and myself, Mr. Sheridaii extracted from Mr. Finnerty, in the first instance, without avowing any intention to publish them ? And yet, it is the partisans of a man like this, who have the impudence to accuse others of a breach of private confidence ! By all these pitiful acts Mr. Sheridan has, however, gained nothing. The town was astonished, not at his falsehood, hut at his folly, when, from his own publication, it was clearly proved that no offer of splitting votes had ever been made to him. — I mentioned, (seep. I96.) that Mr. Rodwell on the part of Mr. Sheridan, had made such an offer to Mr. Paull. The answer, which, by me, in behalf of Mr. Paull, was given to Mr. Rodwell, I have now obtained ; and it was as follows : *' Sir; Mr, Paull being engaged in mat- " ters previously before him, he requested me to ** say, in answer to your letter, signifying 3 " wish on your part, that he would couple him- " self with Mr. Sheridan, that he has, from the *' beginning, publicly as well as privately, decla- ** red that he was not, and would not be connected *' with either of the other Candidates; a declaration, ** which, for your satisfaction, he begs me now " tQ repeat." Now, reader, observe, that Mr. Rodwell showed this letter to Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Peter Moore, the chairman of his Committee ; 3 and. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 199 and, they have taken special care not to pub^ iish it ; nay, to give another instance of the blessings of the liberty of the daily press, Mr, Rodwell sent the letter for publication in the Morning Chronicle; but, upon a shuffling pre- text that the editor (Mr. Spankie) was not to be seen, it was kept out of that paper ! Friday J Nov. 22* W. Co£bett. TWELFTH 200 HISTORY OF THE TWELFTH DAr. Salurdatf, November 15. Immediate!}' after the books were taken away, Mr. P. Moore came forward and addressed the Electors. He said that he was induced, at a very early period of the contest, in common charity to the little satellite who opposed "Sir. Sheridan, to exhort him to desist from a pursuit in which he might be assured of ultimate failure, and in the prosecution of which he could not hope to gain any credit. But what Mas the conduct of Mr. Paull? Why, that instead of feeling any gratitude towards him for liis salutary counsels, he had been uniformly desperate in his harangues against him, ever since sir F. j'urfl^tt had gone to Middlesex, never ceasing to muck those predictions which this little gentleman and his Gallican partisans now found to be true. He had repeatedly told tliese gentlemen that he would put an extinguisher upon Mr. Paull, and he had been absent from tlie Hus- tings only because he was actively engaged in can- vassing, M'itli a view to caiiy his promise into exe- ctition. He had foretold the downfall and disjjrace of Mr. Paull, even when he was 6'00 a-head of his illustrious friend; and what was now the fact? AVhy, that the friends of real liberty, talent, and public spirit, bad placed Mr. Sheiidan on the poll 110 less tiian '200 above Mr. PauH's good and bad votes p'.it together. Therefore the continuance of exertion WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 201 exertion on the part of Mr. Sheridan's friends was alone necessary completely to ensure his success. The hon. gentleman congratulated the Electors, that the Middlesex flambeau was nearly extinguish- ed, and that the Westminster rush-light Avas quite gone out. He congratulated Westminster, that there was no danger of its being disgraced by a Repre- sentative, who was capable only of speaking Bil- lingsgate, and disposed only to support French principles. He concluded M'ith exhorting the friends of Mr. Sheridan to persevere in their acti- vity until they compelled the little satellite to de- part from the Hustings with his allies, the mob, with whom alone he was fit to associate. The state of the Poll was then declared, viz. Sir. S. Hood 4957 Mr. Sheridan 4222 Mr. Paull 4021 Mr. Whitbread stated to the Electors, that Mr. Sheridan was 201 a-head of his opponent upon the whole poll, but exhorted the friends of "Mr. Sheridan not, on that account, to relax their exertions in his favour, but to persevere with in- creased activity to the last moment. Mr. Sheridan now came, and spoke nearly as follows: — " Gentlemen, I congratulate you hear- tily on the triunrph of the day ; but my next M-ord must be, to intreatyou,foryour own honour, and the honour of the great cause you have espoused, not to relax one atom in your exertions, until the same zeal and spirit which have so bravely recovered the ground we lost at first, have placed me securely upon that eminence on which you so anxiously 2 D wish '^02 HISTORY OF THE wish to fix me, partly from your partiality to me, . but much more from your devotion to the Consti- tution of your Country. Gentlemen, bet'ore I proceed further in my thanks to you, I must thank those, who, in my estimation, have, even before you, a preferable claim to my gratitude; I mean the patriotic Females of every description through- out the City of Westminster; for 1 do seriously believe, that there is not a single woman, at least not one good-looking one, who is not on my side, and for the gallant Commodore, so much so, that I really pity and feel for the unfortunate Gentlemen on my left, on account of the jobations and cur- tain-lectures they are sure to recci\e when they get home to-night. Gentlemen, if I were to no- tice all the lies against me which impudence and malice have put forth, and folly and credulity have taken up in the course of this Election, I should only waste my own breath, and insult your atten- tion. Among those wretched expedients, tlie first and loudest cry was, that at a moment when my present bitterest opponents assert, that I might have been chosen by the unanimous suffrages of you all, I deserted your cause, betrayed your in- terests, and turned you over, by some un^v■orll)y compromise, to Earl Percy. Where a prejudice and cry is once raised, there is no use in struggling against it with the ignorant, but I appeal to men of understanding— 1 appeal to I\lr. Gibbons and Mr. Hew ling themselves, now active in Mr. PauU's committee; but my warm friends on the 18th of Septtniber, whether they are not now convinced, that tliis charge, upon which so much clamour has beer; WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 203 been founded, was a foul and impudent calumny ; I ask them, whether they do not know that, at this moment I have to regret that I am not honoured by tlie Noble Duke's support^ though undoubtedly Mr. Paull has it not, and I am confident his Grace would reijard it as a u:ross libel to insinuate that Air. Paull had even presumed to ask it? The next lie I have to notice, is a pretended meeting of Piinters, declaring in favour of Mr. Paull:- — this is a very ludicrous forgery — the press declare against me ! No, Gentlemen, there is not, there cannot ])e a man, from the highest to the lowest, desiring the liberty of the press, or employed in its various occupations, that is not my friend. Throughout this contest, I have received from the editors of our diurnal publications, the most ardent and ge- nerous support. I know they do not ask or ex- pect my thanks; for their support was given to me on just and disinterested principles ; it is given as that which is due to a man who never in his life omitted a single occasion to prove himself thede— cided and resolute defender of the Liberty of th« Press; aye. Gentlemen, even of its licentiousness, rather than its restraint. This leads me to say a word or two respecting a Gentleman present, who has in speech and writing taken a very liberal allowance of both — I mean Mr. Cobbett. I have not read it; but I take it for granted that I am plentifully abused in this day's Uegister: — he is very welcome to do so — he may abuse me and my friends, and the Government I support, and any Government that may succeed ; and the Parliament I hope to 2 D 9 sit 204 HISTORY OF THE sit in, and every succeeding Parliament; my only retort or revenge shall be, that I will continue my efforts that he may do so with impunity, I will continue my efforts that there never shall reign in this land any detestable tyrant, who, as in the case of Palm, of Nuremberg, shall put him to death for daring to publish his opinion. Before I quit IVIr. Cobbett, I will frankly say, that though there is much in his notions which I abhor, there is some- thing in his character which I respect. 1 detest and abominate his endeavour to establish that stu- pid and profligate proposition, that such men as you, whom lam now addressing, would be relieved from burthens, and be bettered in your conditions, by a violation of the public faith to the public cre- ditor. The fancy is eciually dishonest and nonsen- sical. 1 doubt ]\Ir. Cobbctt's being serious on this subject; but, M'hat I respect in him is this; he has, b}^ his own unassisted talents and energy, raised himself from a very humble condition to a situation of respect, reception, and property ; and he has the manliness and good sense not to be ash'cimcd to avow tlie iact ; that situation which he has g;iin"d, that rank, that reception, and property, there is not oneamont<- you who have it not in vour pov-'er to gam, if you are young, or for your sons, if yon have passed the daV; of vigorous exertion. If this statemcr:! of mine be true, as I perceive, by your applause, you all iVel it to be, then allow me to turn from you for a moment to ask Mr. Cobbett, Is th.is, or is it not a condition of society worth de- fending? Ye-:, I say worth defending by every 5 man WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 205 man who has sense to comprehend the blessings of our Constitution, and spirit to defend it. From ?ir. Cobbett I pass to Mr. Paull. I know very lit- tle of him, but I am told he is a very irritable person, and very scurrilous. This is foolish ; he had better keep his temper, because he will have occasion for it. Sincerely, I never listen to the things people endeavour to tell me he has said against me on the Hustings : I know he has the highest respect for me. He has pledged himself •to this in terms of extravagant panegyric, in his address to you previous to lord Percy's election. He means no real harm by what lie says ; he has been told that every thing is fair at an election, and he is disposed to profit very lavishly by the admis- sion ; again I say he is welcome to do so. He could not be opposed to an adversary more inclined to make every allowance for him, I have myself met him more than once, at dinner, in gentlemen's society. — I see you stare, gentlemen, and seem astonished, but I assure you it is a fact; no ob- jection liave I to its happening again ; and then, probably, will Mr Paull tell me how far from any ill-will to me he had acted ; how great was tliC regard and high opinion he enter- tained of me ; and then, for the first time on the subject of tlie election, sliall I be sure that IMr. Paull thinks what he says. I conclude, gentlemen, earnestly recommending to you that course of peaceable and orderly dem.ea- nour which I have never ceased to inculcate. We have shewn that no rutfian insolence could dismay us in XhQ hour of seeming adversity; let us novr prove 20(> HTSTORV OF THE prove that our moderation sliall increase M'ith our success. And hom-, gentlemen, I take my leave of you, most gratefully acknowledging the attention you liave honoured me with. But the j^ame atten- tion, I hope, you will hestow on Mr. Paull. It is said, his speeches are very long; but, as I am told there are those who remain to hear him, I pre- sume they are both instructive and entertaining; I therefore request you to remain and listen to him, only excuse my being of the party." Sir S. Hood — " Gentlemen, I repeat my grati* tude to those Electors who have taken such an interest in my behalf, against a Candidate who professes himself the confidant of sir F. Burdett ; and whose intention is to turn out those whom lie denominates Pittites. I am neither a Foxitc nor a Pittite; I have taken no share in Politics; I have always been a lover of my Country, and 1 have no doubt but you Vvill always find me act for its benefit. I cannot doubt but that it was Mr. Paull's wish to have opposed me solely, if he had been joined by my friend, who at present goes hand in hand cordially with me in this contest. — 1 hiue to thank you for your exertions, and I trust you will yet give me a greater majority over the adherent of sir P. Burdett; and I wish you all a very good night. "^ Mr. Paull next presented himself, amidst the acclamations of tb.e people ; and said : " On the 12th niglit of the most glorious contest that ever a free man was engaged in, I present myself to the Elec- tors of Westminster, more sure and confident of success than ever I was at any period of this Elec- tioji^, WESTMINSTER ELECTION, f07 tion. You have heard the loquacious harangue of the Treasurer of the Navy, and you have heard the attempt of the gallant Admiral. I have no doubt that the latter of these gentlemen will be fully competent to represent you in Parliament, by saying yes or no in the House of Commons ; but as for his abihties to stand upforyourRights and Liberties, you your- selves may now have an opportunity of judging, HQ^n the 12th night of the contest, which has been carried on by the combined influence of Ministers .and their adherents, supported by the money taken out of the Treasury, you find me standing here, havitig 170 votes above the situation in which Mr. Fox stood on the ever-memorable contest. We have heard to-nig-ht the shouts of our enemies. It is right that they should shout now, for I can tell them, and lean tell Mr. Whitbread, who hears me, that their triumph will be very short, and the impostures practised by the Whigs of England, for the last ten days, will be soon exposed. In the end I shall bring up a most triumphant majo- rity of free and independent Electors. If I were in Mr. Whitbread's situation, I should be ashamed of appearing upon the Hustings of Covent-Gar- den, to say that he had gained any thing like a triumph. Is it a triumph to say, that Court Can- didates, that IVIinisters, or even Mr. Whitbread himself, should have had influence enough to ac- 6rjury, the most infamous, ofi behalf of thd other candidates'. Those scenes vAW all be expo- sed to the indio^nation of the people of England : and if Mr. Whitbread can then come forward to shew his face, as he once did, I shall believe, that human nature is more unblushing, and more degra- ded, than I thouglit it was," Mr. FixNKRTr then addressed the meeting". — He stated, that immediately after his receipt of Mr. Paull's letter, and his conversation with him and Mr. Cobbett, he mentioned generally to j\Ir. Sheridan's friends that Mr. Paul! was friendly to him; in consequence of which, several gave their second votes to Mr. Paul], on the first days of the Election, who would have revolted at the idejl of doing so, had they supposed him hostile to the interests of Mr. Sheridan. Upon his return, there- fore, from Stafford, he (^Ir. F.) found that many of these voters complained of having been misled by his sanguine assurances as to Mr. Paull's dispo- sition, and some even expressed a doubt as to the possibility of Mr. PauU having made the declara- tion contained in the letter alluded to. These complainti were frequently made to the Committee and repeated to himself. Under such circumstances, heapptjalcd to any candid man M'lu'tlier, in his own, viudication, he was uot jusiified in trausmitting to Mr. iNIoore the statement which had appeared in the papers, (see p. lS7,)and requesting him to shew it for liis justiiicalion. The declaration, however, of Mr. PaviU's friendly dispc>iition towards Mr. Sheridan, 214 HISTORY OF THE Sheridan, was not only communicated to hmi, but to many others. For, Mr. PauU's friends, in the course of their canvass, made it a rule almost ge- neral, wherever they found a prepossession in fa- vGi-ir of Mr. Sheridan, to profess a similar senti- ment, in order to obtain the second votes ^ while, on the contrarjs wherever calumny was afloat, or prejudice prevailed against Mr. Sheridan, they con- curred in the calumny, and endeavoured to inflame the prejudice, disclaiming, at the same time, just as it suited the party to whom they applied, any degree of hostility to sir Samuel Hood — [Name, name, exclaimed Mi\ Gibbons and others, the persons who have done so. "I name you, Gib- bons," said a gentleman from the Hustings.] I could name many, said Mr. Finnerty. — Such then, continued he, is the game of trick and duplicity which the friends of Mr. Paull have been playing, notwithstanding the reprobation of inconsistency, and the lofty professions of purity which you daily hear repeated from these Hustings. [Hisses and laugh tc?\] Mr. Sheridan and the Duke of Nortiium* BERLAND. The Friends of the Duke of Northunjberland will, it is hoped, to a man, come forward in favour of yir. PauU ; in order more effectually to defeat Mr. Slieridan, who (in addition to his other wick- ed deeds) has, upon the Hustings of Covent-Gar- (len, littered the most false and malicious expres- sions against that virtuous and patriotic Nobleman, whom WESTMINSTER £LECTIOy. 215 ht there called a wretched old cripple, and a do- tardf — in revenge for the letter, written by the Duke, to the several vestries of the City of Westminster, — in which letter his Grace distinct- ly stated, that rather than allow Earl Percy to be contaminated, by standing for Westminster with *' the abandoned profligate," he would sooner choose to withdraw his connections from that great City, Flagitious Falsehood. Mr. Sheridan's Letter to Mr. Morris, Agent t» the Duke of Nor thuinber land. Somerset-Place, Sunday Evening, Sir; Nov. i6. The impudent libel posted about the town this day, accusing me of having uttered on the Hustings yesterday, the most foul and illiberal abuse of the Duke of Northumberland, and charging his Grace with having previously, by circular letters, done the same towards me, is really such a wretched expedient of despairing profliga- cy, that I can scarcely bring myself to condescend to notice it. There must have been, at least, a thousand auditors who heard every word I said yesterday on the Hustings, and who know that I did not then speak, as I never have in any other place, or any other occasion, spoken one disre- spectful word of the Duke of Northumberland. I was happy to have it corroborated from you to- day, that the assertion of the Duke having sent round round 5.uch letters ^o the vestries af 9,r.c described in this g,trociou.s IJ.bel, <)r of bis Grace'$ trie.ncis Jxavin^ for a raom.ent thougbt of supporting Mr. Paull, w^s ail audacious falsehood. I find your commuiiic-atio.n supported rby tl,ie testimony of the jespectable persons to whom you referred me^ and :whos,e avernients, as faj" a.s time aiiay allow, wil], I understand, be published to-morrow ; but really it is painful to be called on to answer such trash, jox to approach to any degree of collision with the cowardly miscreants who deal in it. I am. Sir, &c. R, B. Sheridan. SpniiigrGaixlenCofiee-House, Sir ; Nov. 16", 1806\ In answer to your communication, by Mr. Akxander Johnston, we beg leave to declare, that BO kind of influence has been made use .of, either directly, or indirect^, by the Duke of Northura- ■fcerland, or any person in his name, in this parish, r. Q37 facts whicli he was in possession of, and which it would be important for tliem to know. The frst related to the denial of Mr. Sheridan, that he had called the duke of Northumberland, " an old cripple and a dotard.'" Mr. C. said, he had not lieard him say so himself, but he had it from Mr. Pow ell, a person of veracity, to whom Mr. She- ridan had addressed himself, and made use of the expressions adverted to. Tlie othc-r fact was rela- tive to the alledged circular letter of the duke of Northumberland. The fact was, that the duke of Northumberland had sent a circular letter to the vestries of St. iMargaret and St. John, and this he had from Mr. Stephenson, a solicitor, who had some concern in the business of one of these parishes. Tljis gentleman had read to him a mi- nute which he had taken of the letter. Owing to the person who had it, not being at home, he had not seen the letter itself, but the substance of it was, " that the duke of Northumberland had no objection to his son's being the colleague of any man of fair cliaractei, whatever his rank or cir- cumstances miglit be, but that he could not al- low him to de^irade himself by beino; the colleas-ue of siu.'h a Jiian as the Treasurer of the Navy." He hoped that tliis would be fairly stated in the pub- lic papers, and he would pledge himself to prove it to be true. ^Iv. Cobbett then adverted to the observations of Mr. Denis O'Brien, in the IMorn- ing Post, relative to the most marvellous disco- very wliich that gentleman had made of sir Pran- cis Uurdett's prijiciples. (Sss p. 36?.) Thisgen- 2 tlemaa 238 HISTORY OF THE tleman thought, that not only Westminster, bat the whole universe, M'ere mightily concerned in his opinions. He had discovered a most astonish* ing secret relative to sir Francis Burdett, which ■\vas, " that without the^assistance of the fanati- " cism which was Cromwell's ladder — without *' any military pretensions — and unaided by any *' thing like the moral influence of Buonaparte's *' unparalleled renown ; — that sir Francis Burdett, •' in the full belief of his soul, aimed at equal *' supremacy with both.*' {Loud and long-con- ti}2ued laughter.) Yet this Mr. O'Brien long after he had made this notable discovery, had spoken of sir F. Burdett to him (Mr. Cobbett) in terms of the most unqualified approbation, both as loyal to ills king and faithful to the constitution of his country. Something else therefore must have in- duced Mr. O'Brien to publish his discovery to tlie world now, than a love of truth. lie professed considerable respect for 3»ir. O'Brien notwithstan- ding this piece of simplicity, because while other whigs vrere harassing Mr. Fox to death for places and pensions, Mr. O'Brien kept aloof and disdained such contemptible coiiduct. As to the juvenile nobility, whom }>Ir. Sheridan had collected about him, none v.-ouUl envy him tlieir support. It was better to be Itnv in birth and high in cliaracter than high in birth and low in character. [Loud hursts 0/ apjAuLisc.'] IMr. Slieridan had paid him some CDmpiiir.ents at tlie ilu>itlr.as, but lie scorned any praise from sucli a ciiaracter. — The meeting/ separated at an early hour. Pethe WESTMINSTER ELECTION, 239 Peter Moore's Character of Sir Francis Burdett in the Year 1804. To the Free and Independent Electors of PFcst- minster. Gentlemen; Mr. Peter Moore has presumed to offer himself several times to your notice, and, v.ith an efFronter}'' which has no parallel, has dared to libel and calumniate that excellent Cha- racter and firm Friend to his King and Country, Sir Francis Burdett. — Out of his own mouth let Peter Moore be judged. — Gentlemen, You M'ill scarcely believe, and yet it is nevertheless true, that the following is an extract from the speech of this same place-huntnig Peter !Moore, no longer ago than on the 23d of July 1804, from the Hust- ings, at Brentford : *' At tlie last Election, I was scarcely acquainted " with Sir F. Burdett ; the support I gave him ** then, arose entirely from an approbation of his *^ public conduct; but since that time I have had " the means of learning his private cliaracter, and " 1 take upon myself to say, that a man more ex- " emplary in all tlie relations and duties of life, *' never existed in anv countrv at any time; — he ** is pure from every sraia ; — he was a good son ; *' he is a most affectionate husband and fatlicr ; — • *' a most valuable friend ; — a most exemplary *' memlier of society ; — and all these virtues of " pri\ate life be carries into his public conduct ; *' with the warmest patriotism and tb.e mo:.t con- " stitntional 240 HISTORY OF THE " stitutional zeal for the rights of Englishmen, " he possesses the niost dutiful aflfcction and loyal- " ty to our hcloved King. I speak from the bot- ** torn of my heart, and if the Sheriff's will admi- " nister the oath, I will swear to the truth of " what I say. I do not know in this world a ** purer or more unblemished character, or a man *' of more public and private M'orth than Sir F. Bur- ** dett. If he has a single fault, it is that in the '* generosity of a sanguine mind, he expects *' to find more virtue than belongs to these depra- ^' ved times, and through that virtue to obtain all " the happiness for his fellow-subjects that tlie ** principles of our free government are calculated *' in themselves to confer; but in th.e ardour of "^ this expectation, I do not know of a single act ** of his life that detracts from his icputation, or " ou2:htto lower him in the esteem of anv oood or '' candid man, I have ser\cd witli Sir F. Burdelt *' in ParliameiU, and I have observed his conduct " tliere ; he never gave a vote but fur the consti- '' tution ; for peace, for morals, and for the hap-. *' piness of the human r:ice."' Gentlemen, after tlii-. Eulogy, which no Man better deserves tb.an Sir T^rancis Burtlett, you will be able to judge what Credit is (\(\e to thi^ Peter Moore Alas! Poor Pi:Tj-,i{ ^Ioohl ! ! ! Mh Westminster election. 241 jMr. Paull's Uncle. Mr. Simon Frasers Letter to Mr. Paull. Si R ; I should be the last person in the v/orld to press on you any matter of a private nature, in a public contest; but, when I seethe basest and falsest arts resorted to, to represent Mr. Sheri- dan and his friends, as persons who have insulted a very respectable class of men — I mean the " Master Tailors " and journeymen, of the City of Westminster, I demand of you to come forward and contradict, if you dare, one word of the facts I am now, by question, putting to you.— First, lja\e you not, at this moment, an own Un- cle v/orking on the board of that most respectable tradesman, ^U\ Lambert, of Suffolk- Street, Cha- ring Cross ? Secondly, has not Mr. Lambert, and his Clerk addressed to you several let-" tcr3, since your arrival from Lidia, with a sup- posed large fortune, informing you, that your L'ncle, being aged, and growing almost blind, Mas retained in his service from motives of charity> and must starve if he dismissed liim ? Did you ever notice or answer one of tliese letters, until the day before the present Election? wlien you in- closed a Guinea for him; and, canvassing Mr. Lambert to poll for you, you promised to attend to your Uncle's situation after the Election bhould be over. Is what I have now stated, fact or not r W you venture to deny any part of it, and any one person vrhatcvcr is so cre- 2 I dulous 242 HISTORY OF THE duloiis as to believe you, I refer you and tliem for the proof of tlie veracity of every word of my statement, to ]\Ir. Lambert himself, and to those most respectable characters, Mr. Tooling, of Great Marlboroiigb-Street, and J. Birnie, Esq. of Oxendon-Street, who have each of them had this statement from Mr. Lambert himself, and have seen your Uncle in the situation I have described. Answer this, if it is in your power; or deny a word of it, if you can. Vou know vie 'ei^ell, and I kuoic you. Six^fox Fraser, of Perth. 3fr. PaulVs Anszve7\ Charlfcs-Street, St. James's Square, 18th Nov. 1805. Sir; In your Paper of this Morning, there is an article, in the form of a letter, and bearing the signature of " Simon Fraser, of Perth." This letter states, that I have, at this moment, an own Uncle, working upon the shop-board of Mr. Lam- ])ert, of Suffolk-Street, Charing-Cross; that Mr. Lambert and his Clerk have made several apphca- tions to me to aflbrd the poor old man pecuniary aid ; and that, until the day before the Election, \vlien I Arent to canvass Mr. Lambert, I never took any notice of these applications ; but that I then sent my unfortunate L^ncle a guinea ! — Now, Sir, in answer to this, I have to state, 1st, That I know not who My. Fraser is; 2dly, That Mr. Lambert lias this moment, authorised mc to declare, in his name, that I never had any communication with him, directly, or indirectly, until this morning, Y>-lu-n U'ESTMINSTER ELECTION. 243 when I called upon him for a disavowal of the statement of the pretended Simon Fraser; 3dly, That the whole of the above statement, under the name of Fraser, is a tissue of gross falsehoods-, except as far as it may relate to an application made to me by a Clerk, in behalf of a pretended rela- tion of mine whom he chose to name Adams ; 4th, That, though convinced of the falsehood of the fact upon which this application was founded, I caused an enquiry to be made, and finding the application to have been dictated by pure fraud, 1 concluded it to have originated, as Mr. Fraser's letter, doubtless, has, with the Leader of the ha.nd o^ Fo7'ty Thieves; and, accordingly, I treat- ed it, as I now do the letter, with the contempt they so well deserve; in which contempt, 1 am persuaded, Sir, that you and your readers will heartily concur. Relying upon your justice for the publication of this letter, in a conspicuous part of the very next number of your Paper, I remain, Sir, &c. James Pauli:. The Duke of Northu.uberland's Letter. jllr. Simoti Stephenson to the Editor of the JMorning Chro?iicle. Sir; I conceive it necessary to state, that the observation of Mr. Cobbett, at a dinner of ]\Ir. PauU's friends, at the Crown and Anchor, on the 17th inst., as reported in your Paper, (see p. £37,) asserting, that a Circular Letter of the Duke of • Nor- €44 HISTORY OF THE Northumberland, reflecting upon the character of the Treasurer of the Navy, was sent to the Vestries of St. Margaret and St. John, is not true; nor was Mr. Cobbett so inforaied by me. The fact is, that a communication was made to ■Mr. Cob- bett, at a conjidential meeting, on the subject of a private letter from his Grace the Duke of Nor- thumberland, in which, however, the Treasurer of the JSavi/ \va.s not mentioned. — I must conress I am very much surprised that yir. Cobbett should occasion the public notice of a matter spoken of in perfect confidence, arising from the circumstan- ces of the then ensuing Election. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, Skmox Stepuexsox. Great Queen-Street, Vv'estniinster, Xov. IS, ISOO, _Vr. Cobbetfs Statement of Facts, relative to the DuliC cf Northumberland'.':; Letter- The public have seen a letter published in the news-papers, and signed bvMr. Slierirlan (seep. '-15.), in which letter lic derdes, 1st, that l^.e ever uttered, upon the Mustings, anj- words disrespectfid towards the Duke of Northiimleiland ; and ^ciiy, tliat the Duke ever v/rotc, to any of the Electors of West- minster, any letter e\j)res.sive of dislike to liim, Mr. Sheridan. The facts aie tlic^e, 1st, tliat }Av. Stephenson, tlic ve.-.try clerk of the j.Kirish of St. Margaret, lead to me, before tlie Election began, minutes, v.hich lie had made in his [)Ocket-book, of the Contents of a letter fiom the Duke of Xor- thumbcrkind >yESTMINSTER ELECTION. 245 thumberland to some leadini^ man in tlie parish, who, agreeably to tlie wishes of the Duke, had communicated the contents of the letter to the Churchwardens and Overseers, and to others of his friends in the parisli; which contents, as read to me, in substance, were, that the Duke was highly offended that th.e ministers could faid no other man than jNIr. Sheridan to be the colleague of Earl Percy ; that he could not bring himself to consent to his son's standing with such a man as Mr. She- ridan ; and that, as he, the Duke, did not like to declare upen hostility against the ministers, he would not, upon this occasion, suffer his son to stand at ail The 'Jd fact is, tiiat ViV. Sheridan, being told of this upon the Hustings, in answer to a most insolent remark made by him respecting the low characters of !^lr, Paiiirs supporters, said, in addressing iiimself to Zvlr. Poweil, that, if the Duke of Xortlmn^iberland were not an old cripple and a dotard, he would chastise liirn lor his letter; and, to the truth of this statement, jNIr. Powell, who is ]\Ir. Paulfs solicitor, and is well known to be a gentleman of undoubted veracity and honour, lias authorised me to say, that he is, if re^juired, ready to make oath. The Letter of the Duke of Northumberland, the terms of winch I have greatly softened, is nov/ in the possession of Mr. Harrison, a linen-draper of Bridge-Street, West- minster; it was carefully read by Mr. Porter, of Parliament-Street, Mho has assured me that the contents are wliat I have described them ; and, as ,Mr, Stephenson appeared to wish to shuffle out of his • e4^ HISTORY OF THE his statement to r.ie, Mr. Clarke, of Dartmoutlj- Strcet, who was '.; resent v.lien Mr. Stephenson read his niinutcs, rame to the Crown and Anchor, on the 19th instant, and there publicly declared, that the statement before madci by me (exactly si- milar to that above made) was perfectly correct ; and, moreover, that Mr. Stephenson had autho- rised me to make any use that I pleased of the in- formation he had given me. But, as the public have already a hundred times asked, zvhy does not Mr. Shoidau get the letter of the Duke published? If it contains nothing disadvcantageous to him, why not let the public see it? He knows better; and his friends participate in his prudence. Mr. Stephenson, who, at the time when lie read me his notes, had no idea that the ministers would step forth to support Mr. Sheridan, Las now shuffled, and most contemptibly shuffled. But let Mr. Stephenson publish his minutes, then ! Those mi- nutes contain expressions, beyond all measure, more harsh than are contained in my account of them ; and Mr. Stephenson well knows that I have kept far within the limits of truth. In fact, ^Jr. Sheridan himself must be well acquainted with the contents of the Duke's letter ; he is boiling with rage at those contents ; but, though, in the heat of reply, he gave way to this rage upon the Hustings, he, upon reflection, feels how dangerous it is for him to attempt to resent any thing coming from a supporter of the ministry. This he feels, too, is only a Hi tic beginning ; a mere foreta^^tc of that M hich is 10 come. LlEERTY WESTMINSTER ELECTION'. 247 Liberty of the Press, Placemen, Pensions. The Impartial Opinion of AVilliam Cob- UETT, ON THE "PrESS," "PlACES," AND *' Pensions." [From the Alorning Chronicle.'] *' I never was factious, I never appealed to the *' Mob: never to the io-norance and discontent, *' but to the sense and lovaltv of my readers."— Vide Cobbett's Register, vol, I. page 542. " We have before declared it, as our decided " opinion, that the destruction of what is called *' the Liberty of the Press, would be a good act, " by M'homsoever it might be performed." — Cob- bett's Register, vol. II. page 281. " Far be it from us to rail against Places and " Pensions! they are the rewards v.'liich govern- *' ment bestov/s, and ought to bestow, on those ''' u'lio render services to tlie nation. Nay, we *' go farther, and alIo\r that it is perfectly pro- *' per not only to entail such rewards on widows ''' or cliildren, but for the support of the Aristo- " cracy of the kingdom to bestow emoluments, '* in certain extraordinary cases, on persons who " have rendered no services at all to the State 1 ! ! *•' T]iis is a prerogative v^'hich belongs to a king, *■* and without which a crovrn would not be worth " Ijavino-. The writer of this article" rvrilliani ■-J \ Col.ibett) '' has witnessed the fatal ettects of a " niggardly system of ceconomy, and is well 5 " convinced # S48 HISTORY OF THE " convinced that no part of the public money is^ *' generally speaking, better employed than that *' which goes to answer the demands of national *• gratitude, generosity, and munificence." — Vide Cobbett's Register, vol. II. page 55. Mr. Cohbetfs Reply to the above Attack. The Morning Chronicle has quoted, from the Register of four years back, a passage ^'herein I express a wish, that " xchat is called the liberty of *' the press, may be annihilated." But, the candid writer forgot to take in the context, which would have shewn, that I had then been complaining of the same base partiality in the press that I so justly complain of now ; that I had been observing upon the pernicious consequences of a press, bought up with the public money, and sending forth false- hoods instead of truths; that I had been com- plaining of a press vvhich was free only so far as it tended to deceive the people by its misrepresen- tations, but was completely enslaved as to all other purposes; a press, the main, and, indeed, the only object of whose conductors was, to get places or pensions, or pay, by their publications : such li« berty of the press I wished to see destroyed then, and I \\ish to see it destroyed now; though, Vv'hilc taxes can be collected, this wish will not rise into any thing like expectation. — The daily papers, witiiout a single exception, have been Leagued together against Mr. Paull and his cause. There is no species of partiality ; of base and scandalous misrepresentation and falsehood, of which f WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 249 which they have not been guilty. It has cost him and his friends a hundred pounds to procure publicity to contradictions of the sheer calumnious falsehoods, promulged against them in these venal journals. And, as to the proceedings at the Hustings and elsewhere, relative to the Election, their subaltern hirelings seem to have attended for the purpose of hearing and seeing what was said and done, only that their employers might be enabled to make a representation as near as possible the exact contrary of thiC truth. They have, as was before observed, all along carefully suppressed the cir- cumstance of Mr. Paull being drawn home every evening by thousands of the people. But, sup- pression is amongst their trifling sins. When the elder Sheridan has been hissed, hooted and groan- ed off the Hustings ; when he has been cruelly spit upon in his passage to and fio ; when even the children in the streets, of six or seven years of age, have, like wicked little rogues, pelted him with orange peel and dirt; after a scene like this, the hireling prints, have, the next morning, re- presented him as having been received with i^ap- turous applause I So that, Mcre it not for the weekly-newspapers, some of which are conducted with perfect impartiality, it Mould be impossible for the truth, respecting this election, to find its way to the other parts of the kingdom. — But, there is one particular and marked instance of the partiality of the daily press that I must notice a little in detail. — The public saw Mr. Whitbread's letter to Sir Francis Burdett in all the daily papers. 2 k ' Of r* :250 HISTORY OF THE Of the nick of time when that letter \ras in- serted, and of the evident motives of the writer, notice has before been taken. To this knter major Cartwright wrote an excellent answer, [see the end of this volume.] This answer was sent for insertion to every daily paper in London; because one object of it was, to counteract the effects which Mr. Whitbread obviously wished his letter to produce against sir Francis Burdett. At all the papers, except two, it was positively refused admission upon any terms. An obscure print, called the British Press, demanded ten guineas for the admission ; and the Oracle, after having kept it back several days, did, at last, insert it. — Such is the London Daily Press; and, js there one good man upon the face of the earth ; is there one man, who loves truth and fair- dealing, that does not wish to see such a jjress annihilated.'' The mischiefs that this press have done to the country, are indescribable. Not only is no man in power afraid of a press which he can at all times bribe; but, such a press is his best ally. The people, taught by this press, seldom have an opinion of their own. Tbxy reject the evidence of their senses ; and, thus, is the nation led along from calamity to calamity without ever having a true notion as to the cause of those calamities. In short, as the press, in the hands of free and independent men, is one of the greatest of national blessings, so, in tiie hands of slaves and hirelings, it is the greatest of al na- tioual curses. PAULL WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 551 PAULL PUT OUT. A NEW SONG. Tune — Liberty Hall. I. To keep the game going, I've scribbled a song; A:l fan is afloat when Elections come on : Some write against Hood, some against Sherry scrawl; But I scorn all abuse, so I'll praise Jemmy Paull, Fal dc rah 2. Pray, is it ubuseful to tell of his Birth ; That he sprang from a Cucumber planted at Perth ? Ik lay snug in a dung-heap, not heard of at all, Till a cursed old Monk thought of hatchbg of Paull. 3. HoRXE TooKE a political tinder-box bought. And amongst the burnt rags he a Candidate sought; With a match came in Bukdett, without fuss at all ; \Vith a posterior pufF he produc'd httle Paull. 4. A brass Kitchen-candlestick Bosville's hand grac'd. They lighted, and into the socket Paull plac'd ; But the Coventry member, whom Peter they call. With a one-hundled vessel extinguish'd poor Paull. 5. Now whom would you seat in the Parliament-house ; A brave man, a wise man, or one not worth a louse ? One who to the living 's of no use at all, For there's none but the dead that have use for a Pall ! G. Let our canvass be stout, as our motives are good ; For Sheridan canvass as well as for Hood ; Leave no stone unturn'd 'gainst the little Save-all, Excepting Old Nick, who 's a Plumper for Paull. Fal de ral, 2 j£ 2 lOUJl' 252 HISTORY OF THE FOURTEENTH DAY. Tucsdai/, November 18. At the close of the Poll the numbers were, for Sir Samuel Hood 5S62 Mr. Sheridan 4642 Mr. Paull 4365 Mr. Sheridax stated, that he was, on the whole Poll, no less than 277 above his opponent, and that on this day's Poll he was a-head 62. " It gives me great pleasure, said the right hon. gent., to find that you are growing every day more and more in good humour ; and I can easily account for it — as you have every day been more and more pleased at my success. Gentlemen, a few days ago the aspect of my affairs was rather dif- ferent. I address myself particularly to Mr. Berridge (the broad-faced orator), because he seems to have a disposition liberally to attend to those who are entitled to be heard. lie will remember that ]\Ir. Paull said, at another stage of the Poll, that he would not press on a falling man. I do not, however, owe niuch to his politeness ; nor am I behoiden to his mercy, for I have no occasion for either. If I had, I si.ould have been disappointed, for I understaiid that the hon. gent, has in no instance manifested either mercy or politeness towards m.e in the course of the con- test. If his power to injure my character had been equal to his disposition to abuse it, I am sure WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 253 5Lire he would have done me considerable mischief. But his means are as impotent as his charges are groundless. In spite of his once boasted majority, obtained at the outset, by tricks and devices, I have overtaken and passed him— through tlie aid of those who will, I hope, always be victorious — through the lovers of the Constitution — the lovers of the Country— the lovers of loyalty and good order — but, above all, the lovers of women. [Applauses and laughter.'] 1 would not part with the good %vishes of such men for the favour and support of all those on my left hand. W ith regard to the calunmies propagated against me, I realiy cannot suspect Air. Paull himself, or any respectable per- son connected wnth. him, of having'any concern in such forgeries as have appeared since the com- mencement of this Election. If Mr. Paull even knew of the propagation of such slanders and was capable of permitting them, I should, were sir Samuel Hood below me on the poll, feel myself placed in a very unpleasant dilemma ; for I do not think that I should feel myself so nmch mortified by defeat, as I should by the disgrace of becoming the colleague of such a man. I shall leave you, my friends, with a particular recommendation to you to preserve your temper, and not to retort any insults that may be offered. Be resolute, but let your resolution be that of patience and quiet. Let lis be, my friends, as invincible in our good hu- mour, as we are in our cause."' Sir S. IIooD returned thanks to the Electors for the high station to which they had advanced him on the poll, and concluded with the usual exhor- i' tation, t64> HISTORY OF Tnt tation, that they would use their utmost endea" vours to secure the triumph of IMr. Sheridan. Mr. Paull. — *' Gentlemen, when I first ap- peared before yon, I made a solemn pledge, and notwithstanding the assertions of my enemies, not- withstanding what you have heard from day to day, as to my deserting you, you see me here to-day, and you will see me here to-morrow, till the poll be closed. I shall contest, inch by inch, and foot by foot, with my antagonist, until the High Bailiff shall declare from the Hustings at Co- vent-Garden, that your Liberties are now extinct. I shall m.ake this solemn pledge, which I shall never depart from but with existence, that after the poll- books are closed, and whether it be determined that I am to represent you in Parliament, or to re- tire to a private life, 1 will be found still to perse- vere in doing my duty, by exposing to public view the infamous frauds and iniquities, next to high treason, M'hich have been practised against you. I call such frauds next to high treason, because they are directly in opposition to the principles of our glorious Constitution. I return Mr. Whit- bread thanks for his daily attending me at the Hustings, for I am sure he will yet do me justice, and that he M'ill beg your pardon, at some future period, for the injuries v/hich he has been instru- mental in practising against your Liberties. It is a part of the Constitution of this Country, that Peers of the Realm shall never interfere with the Elections of Members of Parliament. I hold in my hand a paper, which will prevent Mr. She- ridan from ever sitting in the House of Commons. It WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 255 It is, I say, a part of our Constitution, that Elec- tions shall be free. So jealous were our forefathers upon this subject, that neither Peers of the Realm, nor Officers of Excise, nor any Persons likely to controul, were permitted to intermeddle with Elec- tions. What will you say, Gentlemen, when you hear that the brother of the Duke of Bedford, a placeman and pensioner, daring the pleasure of the Crown, — that Lord William Russell acted as the agent of a Peef, upon this occasion ? What will you say, when you learn that his lordship wrote to all the tenants of the Duke of Bedford, who were to vote at this Election, threatening them with ex- pulsion, if they voted against these Court Candi- dates? Can you believe it, that through the influ- ence of that single Peer of Parliament, instigated, no doubt, by His Alajesty's servants, I have lost an infinitely larger number of nee and independent suffrages than the Treasurer of the Navy has yet procured? This contest will, no doubt, have a glorious issue. We will shew, at all events, to our Country, whether in or out of Parliament, wliat are our true prineiples ; principles which, I trust, M'e will never drop till cur dying day. I am very sorry that I cannot now see the Member for Coventry. Air. Sheridan has said, sarcastically, that he has sometimes seen me in gentlemen's com- pany. I have been more thanonr.ein ]Mr. Aloore's company, and I am not ashamed to say, that he did inculcate some political principles into my mind. That gentleman, JMr. Moore I say instilled into my mind the moit favourable sentiments of my friend sir Q56 HISTORY OP THE Sir F. Burdett, and that too in public as well as in private company. I hold in my hand a copy of the speech of Mr. Moore, when he nominated Sir F. Burdett as a Candidate for ^Middlesex, two years ago. He was then proud to say, that he knew Sir Francis's principles to be pure, disinterested, and highly constitutional ; in short, that he was the most loyal man in His Majesty s dominions. I l ol' '20(^0 vote-: behind me this day, in that view of our shu:\'::o:i : a:id vet, -Midv.]; 5uch circumstan- WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 259 ces, you see Mr. Whitbread coming here 'to claim a triumph. With a nominal majority of 270 such illegal votes, he claims a triumph for his friend the Treasurer of the Navy ! ! If this be a triumph. Heaven prevent me from such triumphs ! If Carlc- ton-house can be satisfied, if the prime minister can be satisfied, that Mr. Sheridan should procure a seat by such infamous means, I wish them much joy of their triumph. I, too, must claim my tri- umph, when I find that, on the 14th day of tlje Poll, I have procured the suffrages of 4,000 Electors, not purchased with money nor hypo- crisy. If I should be defeated, which I am con- fident will not be the case, I say that it is impos- sible for Mr. Sheridan to be returned to the House of Commons. I will to-morrow demand of the bailiff that he be not returned for Westminster. It is for him to judge, after hearing what I shall state, whether or not the poll-books ought to be closed under sucli circumstances. If I am the last upon the poll, I shall certainly demand a scru- tiny. But let me not libel the Electors of West- minster. Let me not suppose for a single moment, that they will allow Mr. Sheridan to stand supe- roir upon the last day of the poll, in preference to a Candidate who stands upon independent suf- frages alone. If my friends wlio have given me positive promises, come forward, I say, that I shall yet put the Treasurer of the Navy in a deci- ded minority. It will yet be seen whether or not Mr. Sheridan has obtained his votes in a proper manner, and it will be for you to say whether 2 L 2 you 2^0 HISTORY ©F THE j^ou are yet to exercise your rights as free men, or whether you are to allow the present system of taxation to operate to your destruction ? I am far from being against ministers adopting every proper means to defend us from foreign and do- mestic attacks ; but it is impossible, under the pre- sent system, for Electors to retain their privileges, or to procure their unbiassed choice. If those of Westminster could have done sa, I say, that, on the 14th day of the poll, the Treasurer of tlie Kavy must have sunk, never more to rise. I have yet something very important to state; I am sorry the Treasurer is not here, but his friend below (Mr. Whitbread), will, I doubt not, communicate it to him : In most of the hireling papers of this day, it is said, that I have lost a great many friends. It is mentioned as a proof of it, in some of the papers of this morning, that the Trea- surer of the Navy was drawn ro Somerset-House by a numerous crowd of friends ; but was it men- tioned, that the majorit}' of these friends consisted of hired bludgeon-men, headed by Cody the brui- ser, and Cribb the boxer? Was it mentioned that -Mr. Paiill was drav.-u to hiy home in Westminster, by 20,000 people, who, acting of their own free will andaccord, would admit of no refusal ? iLoudappIau- scs.^^ Gentlemen, you will be astonished at a proposi- tion M'hich was made to nicthis morning, upontlie Hustings, by a ^Mr. Cocker, an eminent solicitor. That gentleman came to express a \vish tliat I Mould not allow the number^ to be announced to- morrow, on the Hustings of Ccvent-Gardcn. He wished WESTMINSTER ELECTION. €^I Wished me to prevail upon the Bailiff not to declare the state of the poll publicl}', when it came to a conclusion. I said to him, No, sir, I have pledged myself to my fellow-citizens, M-ho confide in my integrity, and trust to my standing up for their rights, that I will stand this contest, and rise or fall by the result. I am not afraid of the conse- quences, be they what they may ; and therefore I shall never consent to any such novel procedure. [Cries of bravo ! bravo! from all quarters.'] I sa}'', that this proposition, so degrading to free men, and to the independence of Westminster, \vasn>ade by a friend of 3,Ir, Sheridan, who has said, that he M'as now become most popular. Where is that de- gree of boasted jjopularity, when we find him afraid to stand the result ; when we find him wish- ing to have the numbers of the poll announced in the Star Chamber ? lam certain tlmt ]\Ir. Whit- bread will give it to the ear of the ^linister, as well as to that of tlie Right Hon, the Treasurer of the Navy, and also to Lord IJowick, that all this has been uttered upon the Hustings of Covent-Garden ; but I defy him, or them, to assert that any speech that ever I uttered, or that ever my illustrious friend Sir F. Burdett uttered, can be tortured into any thing lilvhich lie was bound to make his return to the writ. Mr. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. ^65 Mr. Paull therefore signified his intention to avail himself of the only alternative, a petition to par- liament against the return. The matter being thus decided, Mr. Paull and his friends adjourned to Hudson's Hotel, from a window of which he harangued the multitude. He was afterwards drawn home in triumph by the populace. — Sir S. Hood and Mr. Sheridan immediately proceeded to a sort of military car, about 12 feet long, which was provided for the occasion, with a platform raised upon, and a gallery around it. The royal arms and military trophies were painted upon the back, with the M'ords George Rex. Two chairs were placed upon the platform, for the two suc- cessful Candidates. They were covered with crimson velvet, riclily gilt, and surmounted with an arch of laurel branches thickly interwoven. The carriage was drawn by six horses, decorated with orange and blue ribbons, the colours of Mr. Sheridan ; and were each led by a man also deco- rated with cockades of orange and blue. The procession set out from the south side of Covent-Garden, and advanced along Great Rus- sell-street, down Brydges-street, Catherine-street, and down tlie Strand. Arrived opposite Northum- berland House, the procession halted. That noble mansron was greeted with a loud huzza, and the band struck up'" God save the King.*' The flag was hoisted upon St. ^Martin's chuich, and its bells began to liiig a merry peal. The precession then advanced, along Cockspur-street, and into Pali- Mall, where it stopped opposite to Carleton House. '^2 u Here 266 htstorV of the Here the band again played " God save the King," and the popailace manifested their joy by shouts and huzzas. A similar mark of respect was paid to the Marquis of Buckingham's house, and the Union Club House, as the procession came oppo- site to these several houses. When it reached St. James's Palace, a glass of wine was served to Mr. Sheridan and sir Samuel Hood, with which they drank " The King, God bless him" — both gentle- men standing up, and waving the glass round their heads. They were warmly seconded Ijy the surrounding multitude, who made the street re- echo with their acclamations, the band all the tim,e playing " God save the King." The procession then advanced up St. James's-street and Picca- dilly, to Devonshire House. The gates were thrown open, and the cavalcade entered into the court-yard of that noble mansion, by the western gate. When the car came close to the house, it stopped for a few minutes, and the duke of De- vonshire, from the gallery, congratulated sir S. Hood and Mr. Sheridan upon their success. These two gentlemen returned thanks amidst loud huzzas ; after which the procession left the court-yard in the same order in which it had entered, went down St. James's-street, and halted at the Thatched House Tavern. Mr. Sheridan addressed the people before he left the Car : He said, that having not yet lost his voice, he would endeavour to raise it for himself and the gallant Connnander, whom he was now proud to call his colleague, to thank them ; but surtf WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 2^7 sure he was, that no words he could use could do justice to the feehngs of either of them. They had, on that day, every thing on their side but the weather ; and sorry he was to think that many of their friends, hke themselves, were wet to the skins ; but still he saw that their hearts were, like theirs, warm, and their spirits unchilled. He had never heard but one word, like common sense, urged against the gallant Officer, and that was, that he might be obliged to attend his duty in his profession, instead of in Parliament. His answer to this was, in one word, that if the war conti- nued, he hoped the gallant Commodore would be found an absentee for the safety of the Country, and the defeat of his enemies. He would conclude by saying, that in any such case he would endea- vour to represent him, as well as the Electors of Westminster, by maintaining in Parliament the principles of the Constitution, while his gallant Colleague was fighting, or perhaps shedding his blood for his King and Country. Mr, Sheridan bowed, and, with the gallant Commodore, retired. Mr. Sheridan and Sir Samuel Hood's Dinner at the Thatched House Tavern, Nov. 19- In the afternoon above 100 gentlemen, the friends of the successful Candidates, dined toge- ther at the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's- street ; Lord W. Russell in the Chair. After the cloth was removed, the usual loyal toasts followed; as did also the " Immortal memory of Mr. Fox," and *' The cause of Liberty all over the world." 2 M 2 Upon 26$ HISTORY OF THE Upon the health of Mr. Sheridan and Sir S. Hoobi being drunk, Mr. Sheridan rose, and observed, that what^ ever fraihies prejudice or ignorance might ascribe to him, there was one vice whicli had never been imputed to him, and which he hoped he never should deserve. He never was accused of ingra- titude ; and he must be "capable of that, the worst of all the bad qualities of man, if he did not feci in the most lively manner the kindness, the affec- tion, the ardent zeal which had been manifested towards him in the course of this contest. He had .seen the friends by whom he was surrounded, not only active and labouring, but ready to shed their blood in his cause. He had also to observe with pride, that ever since an unhappy misunderstand- ing M^as removed, the gallant officers who were connected with his honourable and highly ho- noured Colleao'ue were amono; the mo^t active of those who canvassed for him, and were entitled to liis eternal gratitude. To the English Navy he had always felt a particular partiality. They had ever been with him the peculiar objects of esteem and admiration ; but this esteem was now heio-htened on his part by the receipt of personal favours, and the Navy had now a claim upon his personal gra- titude. He hoped the company would give him credit for so much tai^te and judgn"!ent as sliould restrain him in future from ever mentioning the name of Paull. He now thought it necessary to advert to him, merely in consequence of some questions which had been put to him this day. WESTMINSTER ELEGTIOX. QdQ lie was asked, why he had not the fulsome address of Mr. Paull which re-appearcd this morning, pub- lished earher in the Election ? and his answer was, because he was ashamed of Mr. Paull's praise; and because he would not contribute to hbel the Duke of Northumberland. But, looking at this address, what must the world think of a man who, on the 20th of Sept, dealt in such fulsome com- pliments to his qualifications, as to maintain that he (Mr. S.) ought to be the first object of the Electors' choice — that Lord Percy was quite un- worthy to be put in competition with him?— '' This young nobleman,'' said Mr. S. " Mr. Pauil at that time most grossly abused, but what I did then I fullv thouo-ht to be rif^ht, and since then I have found upon inquiry, that Lord Percy, and I do not mean to praise him because he is the son of a great nobleman, for that with me is nothing; but I am assured that hi^ lordship is a voung man of the liighest promise, capable of rendering ho- nour to his liigh rank, and worthy the respect and esteem of the Electors of Westminster, or any other Electors in the country. But to return to Mr. Paull; after he had described the representation of Westminster as one of the higliest objects of a public man's ambition — that I was the fittest per- son in the country to be chosen, and that it was presumption in Lord Percy to enter into compe- tition with me, this same ]Mr. Paull has the auda- city to charo'e me with abusing Lord Percy's fa- mily, and also the modesty to offer him.self as my opponent. Mr. S. referred to the observations 2 made 270 HISTORY OF THE made elsewhere, as to the sacrifices which the peo- ple were called to submit to, in order to meet the ])erils with which the country was snrrownded. Of the odium which the author of tliese obser- vations was anxious to attach to those who spoke of such sacrifices, he was willinj^ to take his full share. The people must submit to sacrifices, in order to be saved ; perhaps retrench some part even of the necessaries of life. His gallant friend (Sir S. Hood) furnished a type of what England •might become— She might lose a lin-'b, but even if she should, she would still light, as tliat gallant Admiral would do, to maintain her honour and safety, with unmaimed heart and unbroken spirit. That Englishmen would so fight, lie liad no doubt, and they must be j)reparc(l for the contest. Every Briton ought to be ready to follow in the steps of Nelson, as his gallant Colleai»'ue M'ould do — ouo:]it to be prepared to say, " give me death, but give m}' country victory"' (loud plaudits). Sir S. Hood's health beino," drunk, the irallant OHicer re turned thanks. Upon the health of Air. \v HiTEttEAi) being drunk, he congratu- lated the coiiipany on the important triumph v/hich tiu" Jiulcpendent Electors of \\'estminster had achi.jvcd to-day — a triumph which was the in(;rc lo he rejoiced in as it afforded a practical ."videiice oX tlie arUiaiitages of a po])ular Govern- ment and a [jopular Election. The people had 'manifested their indcpcnth-nce w ithout tumult, and the friends of tlie ( io\ crnuicnt weie triumphant -ivilhout aii\ cxe)ti.:»n ol" umhu- ini.iuen(\'. \V'hen it WF.SIMIXSTER ELECTION. 271 It was said that the Liherty of ^^'cstminste^ was to be extinguislied by the result of this contest, he would answer in the words of a gentleman who had lately attracted much attention, " look at the Poll ;"' and then ask whether such a spirit of in- dependence as was there manifest was likely to be put down by any i\Iinisterr \\'hen the Hon. Ba- ronet, the Candidate for ^liddlesex, spoke of in- dependence, he might well he asked to " look at the Poll,"' which served to shew that there was very little, if any, of the independence of Middle- sex willing to ally itself with his principles. But turning to the Election for \\'cstminster, Mr. W. shewed that the Electors had done themselves ho- nour b}- choosing one of the ablest and highest gift- ed men of this or any other time ; and with him an officer than whom, unless the law shoukl pronounce naval officers ineligible, it Vv-as impossible to find a better man to be w ith his Right Hon. Friend. He agi-ecd with him in his description as to the state of. the country. But yet he did not at all despond — still the peril he felt to be great, and so m.ust all men capable of thinking ; and when Sir F. Bur- dett and others, were heard declaiming against taxes, he wonld ask, could the aliairs of the coun- try be managed without taxes; could they them- selves, were they in power, continue to keep tlu- machine of Goveninient in motion without addi- tional burihens; if tliey cordu not, and tlie^' nuist be sensible that it ^v■ouid be OL:t of tiieir power, wliy sliould they, ine^'e'v for the purpoie of an. Election, or poj)uI;:r intlamacior:, excite a sense- less outcry against taxes? He Ik re, o.f\Qr a very. 272 HISTORY OF THE high panegyric upon the public services and cha- racter of Sir S. Hood, concluded with an exhor- tation to the Electors to bury all animosities with the Election, and to do honour, by their conduct^ to those Representatives, who would, he was cer- tain, do honour to them. — (Applauses. ) Mr. White READ, referring to the observation in his letter to sir F. Burdett, that the union of op- posite parties was advantageous to popular liberty, quoted the instance of the Revolution in 1688; and begged to propose the health of the illustrious House which distinguished itself on that occasion, and a member of v/hich M'as then in the chair. *' The House of Russell " being drunk. Lord W. Russell rose, and after returning thanks, took occasion to advert to the doctrine of sir F. Burdett, with regard to the junction of parties who had formerly differed, as one m.ore dangerous to Liberty than any that had been pro- mulgated in the most arbitrary times. \u fact, to establish such a doctrine M-ould be to throw into the hands of an arbitrary minister one of the most pov/erful engines against popular liberty. But the v/nole demonstrated that the hon. baronet was totally inconsistent u'ith himself on this point ; for, no later ago than tlie period of Lord Percy's Flection, tiie lion. Ijaronet pub- liciv professed his a}M^M-o]>ation of tlie party with wh(/ni he had so long acted in j)arr, z'cmX then; but still more at the celebration of the last Anni- versary of the Aii{''!uscx Llcclion, the hon. baro- net coiigratulated iiis country on tlie tbrmge that md'-taken place in his I\l;nesty"s eoiwicils. To what WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 273 what cause, or to what person, the sudden altera- tion of the hon. baronet's sentiments M'as owing, he would not stop to enquire ; but certainly the inconsistency was glaring. The hon. baronet, however, might change as often as he pleased ; but, for himself, at the same time that he deprecated the idea of following the example of IMr. Paull, or Sir F. Burdett, by following them to the block, he would declare, upon his solemn word of honour, that he would forfeit his life sooner than forfeit his prin- ciples. [Loud applauses']. "The health of the Naval Officers — friends to Sir S. Hood," being drunk, Capt. ^laxweil, who declared he was no orator, returned thanks for himself and brother officers. Mr. Sheridan observed upon the declaration of the gallant officer that he was no orator ; but, said tlie right hon gent., we don't expect oratory from our gallant naval officers. When they ad- th'ess you, their friends, they speak in " the still small voice of gratitude;" but when they address the enemy — they speak in thunder. [Loud plau- dits.] — Tlie conipany broke up about 11 o'clock. E L E C T ION. i fezi choice, rare, and piquant Epigrams; addressed tc the good Sense of the Electors, Route, fellow Citizciiis, at Vinae's call; Ii' Freedom 's d^ad, at least let 's b;;r.;- ;.cr PAULL. ON SHLRIDAX's ACCIDENT. A bloiv from ir.arrow-bone one day, 'tis said, Was airri'd ?-t Sheridan's unlucky head ; "Twere well, for popular disgust to drown. He on his 7narrjz:-L^ncs had been brought dc'.:n. 2 N c.v 274 HISTORY OF THt ON HIS ILLNESS. What ! Sheridan is sick ? Ah ! well he might ; No wonder he should feel some little pain:— Poor man ', I think he'd pass a better night. If antidotes he ^ot as well as Bant* DITTO. Poor Sherry 's so bad he'll come out nerer ; His doctor says he's ill of a fever. Ill of a fever — and away Tom slunk : — Not of a fever, sir ; — he's on!;/ drunk. ON PKTER MOOKE. In vain does Peter every day declaim, To make us think that Sheridan "s the same ; Enough professions we've had before, I pray you let us not hear Moore. TO THE ELECTORS. Wise men choose good, reject the evil ; Choose Paull ; the others to the Devil. Sir Samuel, some men say, is mighty good ; But we can wear our cloaks without a Hood. DITTO, Sherry wiih Hood is now conibin'd. And thus to get more votes believes ; But, my good fellows, soon you'll find. One is enough^ — not Forfi/ Thieves. '^ Dr. Bain is Mr. ii.'s Plivsi<-ian. Ml WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 275 J/r. PauWs Dhuier at the Crown and Anchor after the Election, No'cembcr \9. About 200 of the friends of Mr. Paull dined this afternoon at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. Major Cartwright was called to the chair. — Immediately after dinner the Cliairman gave as a toast — " The King," — which was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm. The Chairman then begged leave to read to the company certain Resolutions, which he wished to subn^iit to them for their adop- tion. He then proceeded to read all the Resolu- tions, [which will be foand in p. 290*] ; and after they had received the unqualified approbation of the whole company, they were then read one by one, seconded by I\Ir. Gibbons, and unanimously carried by a shew of hands. The next toast given was — " The virtuous Electors of "Westminster," — with three times three, and unbounded applause. After a short period had elapsed, the Chairman gave—" Mr. Paull,'" — which was drunk with three times three. !Mr. Paull then addressed the company in a speech of some length, Avhich he commenced by sincerely thanking the Electors of Westminster for the honourable, patriotic, and independent support by which they had maintained their nomi- nation of him as a candidate for their representa- tion : it n!U>t be clearly obvious, he said, that the independent Electors would have \ indicated their choice, and carried his election with a triumphant ^ N 2 majority, ^76 HISTORY OF THE majority, had it not been for the combination of Ministerial power, of Treasury gold, and of aris- tocratical influence. Mr. Paull adverted to manv of the topics which he had before repeatedly no- ticed in his speeches from the Hustings, in rela- tion to the Treasurer of the Navy; and repeated his charges against that gentleman, of apostacy to the cause of the people, of which he so long pro- fessed to be the strenuous advocate; and of join- ing in a coalition with the very men whose princi- ples and measures he had for so many years stre- nuously opposed. In consequence of that aposta- cy, and his acceptance of a sinecure place as its reward, the salary of which must be drawn from the pockets of the people, he saw himself deserted by every independent friend of those principles he had formerly professed, and yoked in the same car with sir S. Hood, the nephew of that Lord Hood, and the heir to those very principles which Mr. Sheridan had so long deprecated and derided. He had heard much of the talents of Mr. Sheridan, but what Avere talents without integrlt\ - The more eminent the talents of a bad man, the more dangerous was it to entrust him \\ itb the sword of power, and thus to arm him against tlie liberties of his fellow citizens. It would be far better for the liberties of the people, that tlicy should be protected by plain, honest men, attached to tlu: principlcs, and jealous for the security of the con- stitution, than be entrusted to men of talents, however brilliant, whose real object was their own aggrandisement. lie thun iulverted to the result of WESTMIXTSER ELECTION". 277 of the election, and stated, tliat in fLirtlier vindi- cation of the freedom and^rridependence of "West- minster, which he had pledged liimseif to support, he had, in failure of his endeavour to obtain a scrutiny, engaged himself to present a petition to the House of Commons. In pursuing sucli an impor- tant object, he would have no objection to sacrifice his fortune, or even liis life, were it necessary; but he was certain the independent Electors of Vv^est- minster would demand no such sacrifice. He did not boast of unbounded wealth : all he possessed was a moderate independence. The result of the election, and the support he had received, gave him the fullest satisfaction : but he hoped he. should not be thought presumptuous in soliciting the independent electors to aid him in perfecting the work they had begun ; namely, the vindica- tion of their rights and independence, and support, by a moderate subscription, the cliarges of the petition to Parliam.ent. To sacrifice his own for- tune in the cause, was what he was sure they did not desire ; because that would deprive him of his independence, and render him unworthy to be thefr representative. He pledged himself to support the principles which had recommended him to their nomination, and never to abandon them so long as they honoured him by their support. He then gave as a toast, " The independent Electors *' of Liverpool, who placed at the head of the Poll *• the celebrated Roscoe, exempted him from ex- *' pence, and inscribed on his banner, * no slave Next «78 IIISTOKY OF THE Next followed the health of ''SirF. Durdett, " whom knaves hate and lionest men venerate." Sir F. BuiiDETT, after his health had been re- ceived with the most enthusiastic applause, said, that he had not repented of having nominated j\Ir. Paull as tlieir Candidate, and returned them liis sincere thanks. 1 he lion, baronet then gave — " Defence, on right principles; Defence, of " which National Lil;rrty is the immoveable basis ; " armed Property and Freedom, the invincible '* superstructure; a (k'fence interwoven in the very " texture of the British Constitution, but which, " great as are our changers, has not yet been re- " sorted to by our rulers with C(nistitutional *' fidelity." ' Major CAiiTVv-iiiGiiT next gave — " Our af- " flicted bretlr.en, the fallen people of tljc Con- •' tinent, whose present unhappy condition is a *' practical demor..->tration, tliat a mercenary ami}-, " which eveiy despot makes as large as he can ^' extort taxes to pa\', always enslaves, as long " as it can protect; but being the bane of de- " fence, upon right principles, neither natlor.s ** nor tlirones find in it their protection, in the *' hour of extremity.'' — ,\fter this toast was drunk, Major Cartwiight immediately rose, and said, h : had another resolution to propose. He then read the resolution which related to the subscription, t>ee p. 2lr. Mansel Phillips, one of, the candidates. They found that a friend of tliat gentleman owed a bill of 'iOOl. to a tailor, and was in danger of being reduced to gread difficulty, when Mr. l^hillips passed his word for the payment of the bill, and saved his friend from a gaol. ]Mr. Phillips being thus re- sponsible for the money, they causal a writ to be sent from London, uiid had Mr. Phillips arrested upon it. The writ was brougr.t down by Major Douns, and executed, and a ^h. Burgess, domes- tic Attorney to Mr. Sirjridan, w-as the agent for carrying it into etrect.' !Mr. Phillips, liowever, was bailed by some of his friends. Sti'i the party of Sheridan found out another demand against him, and caused hip.: to i;e arrested at the suit of Mr.Harxey Combs for 104/., and 'Mr. Cocker, an intimate £80 HIStORY OF THE intimate friend of iNIr. Sheridan, and an attorney of tlie Whiii* Clnl:>, M'as the agent employed on that occasii)n. This, I\Ir. Clifford considered a practice the most dangerous that could possibly take place to the Liljerties of the people, and the lights of Election. It might be said that all this Avas done by the agents or friends of Mr. Sheridan^ without his kuowlcfigc ; but he must have had a i^uffjcicnt power and controul over them, and he must be responsible for their acts. Notwith- standing r.U these attempts, tlie party of 1\Iy. She- ridan was unable to succeed ; the voters at Stafford were more than (iOO, and out of these ]Mr. T. Sheridan could obtain no more than ]C)5. — *' The healtli of the Electors of Stafford," was then drunk with the greatest applause. *' The health of the Independent Electors of ^Middlesex, who had proved their attachment to Freed m by voting for sir F. Burdett," was drunk with the warmest approbation. Major Cartwiight proposed the health of IMr. Cobbett, which was received with everv mark of applaUiiC. Mr. Cobbett rose ajid addressed the ]^>leeting to the following efi'ect : — " Gentlemen; I rise to return my thanks to this assembl}', for the honour they have just done me, in drinking my healtli ; and I should rest satisfied v.'ith siniply so doing on the present occasion, but that some assertions have appeared in tlie public prints of this day, and have bc'cn hardily repeated by Mr. Sheridan, on tiiC IlLi^Lings in Covent Garden, in contradic- tion WESTMINSTER ELECI^ION. 281 tioti to that which I, on a former occasion asserted, (see p. ^37,) and which indispensably call for some observations on my part in reply. What I before stated was, that Mr. Sheridan publicly on the Hust- ings, in answer to what had been stated, respecting a letter addressed by his Grace the Duke of Nor- thumberland, to certain of the churchwardens, or vestry clerks in certain parishes of Westmin- ster, stating, that his Grace had- no objection that his son should stand with any honest man, but that his reason for M-ithdrawing his son as a Candidate on the present Election, was, that he could not think of suffering him to stand as the colleague of so abandoned a character as Mr. She- ridan, — and Mr. Sheridan's declaration was, that nothino; but the consideration of the Duke's bein^ * ' an old cripple and a dotard " should protect him from his (Mr. Sheridan's) chastisement. This fact has been recorded in two, only, of the public newspapers ; the rest having totally suppressed the statement. — Now, Mr. Sheridan has thought proper to deny, not only that he ever used any words disre- spectful to the Duke of Northumberland, but has also ventured to assert, tliat no such letters have ever been addressed by his Grace to the church- wardens of the parishes of St. Margaret and St. John: but how is the assertion of Mr, Sheridan on tliis point boriic out? — Why, that his Grace's letter was not, in fact, v»ritten precisely to the church- wardens, but to some other gentlemen connected officially with these parishes. And a Mr. Stephenson a Solicitor, who has some concern in the business 2 o of £82 HISTORY OF THE of the above parishes, has, indeed, acknowledged that he read a private letter of such purport, from the Duke of Northumberland, but in which he says, *' the Treasurer of the Navy was not mentioned," The name, however, that I mentioned, was Mr. Sheridan. Mr. Sheridan is the Treasurer of the Navy ; and, therefore, the distinction is no more than one of those Jesuitical quibbles, for which the Sheridans are so celebrated. When I made my statement upon a former night, I then forgot, that at the time when Mr. Stephenson read the mi- nute of the Duke's letter, of which he made no sort of secret, there was a gentlemen of the name of Clarke present. That gentleman is now, I believe, in this room; and I call upon him candidly to declare what he recollects of the mat- ter."— Mr. Clarke immediately rose and said, " I owe it to truth and candour to declare, whatever may hereafter be sounded in my ears upon the sub- ject, that Mr. Cobbctt has stated nothing but the truth, and almost in the very words of the letter in question, I have always heretofore considered ]\Ir. Stephenson as a man of truth and candour, and warmly esteemed him as such; but I must now say, that after his duplicity upon this subject, I shall not henceforward consider him as amongst the number of my friends." Mr. CoBBETT, in continuation. — " I hope Gentlemen who entertained any doubt or uncertainty upon this subject, will now be convinced that my statement was true ; but, in addition WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 283 addition to this, I have the respectable authority of Mr. Porter of Parliament-street, one of the church-wardens, who has declared the facts to be exactly as I stated them. I have been charged with a breach of confidence; but, I positively deny that the communication to me was confr- dential. I asked IMr. Stephenson whether the subject might be mentioned ? and he answered, that the duke of Northumberland had signified his permission that it might be told to any person whom it might concern. The assertion, therefore, of the Sheridans, that the communication was confidential, is one, amongst their last quib- ling subterfuges. — Another cliarge of mis- statement has been brouglit by the ^lorning Chronicle respecting a flagitious over-charge for the insertion of Mr. Paull's advertisement : But it was a mistake of Mr. Paull in having taken the receipt of the Morning Post for that of the Morning Chronicle. Nevertheless, I do assert, that the same principle of exorbitancy, has, more or less, actuated most, if not all the morning papers against the advertisements of Mr, Paull; while they have been throv/n open at the disposal of Mr. Sheridan. — It has been charged against me in the Morning Chronicle (see p. 247), that I have said, " what is called the Liberty of the Press in *' this country ought to be destroyed." I do not hesitate to repeat that assertion ; but I must be allowed to explain my meaning. Far be it from me to wish the destruction of that Liberty of the Press, to which every thing dear or estimable 2 o 2 in ^$4; OaiSTORY OF THE in the liberties of thi^ country owes its origin and its continuance. By the words, " Liberty of the Press," I do not mean that partial and licentious privilege which our modern journahsts call the Liberty of the Press, and in which, equally care- less of all sides of political questions, they carry on the trade for their own private emolument, just as much as the Globe Insurance Company, or any other money-making speculations do tlieirs; and they abuse one set of men, in order that they may extort from them exorbitant sums for the insertion of articles in their own vindication. In the course of this Election, all the public prints, with hardly an exception, have been opposed to Mr. PauU and those M^ho support him. And, Avhile they have been free to his opponents, they have demanded the most flagitious and exorbitant prices for the insertion of every article sent by Mr. Paul! for insertion. The letter of major Cartwright in ans\\er to the manifesto of AJr. Whitbrcad, (see p. 321,) appeared only in one paper, the Oracle, though the publication of I\Ir. "VVhitbread appeared in them all; and one paper in particular, The British Press — (I believe theie is a paper of that name in existence) — demanded ten guineas for inserting major Cartwright's letter in answer to it. Yet tliis is the system which the editors of those papers term " the Liberty of the Press!'' — Is it, then, wonderful that every honest man should wish to sec whai: they call the Liberty of the Press extinguished ? [Loud and continued Applauses.] — Amongst other things I Avould WESTMINSTER ELECTION. S85 would notice, is a declaration said to have been made by Mr. Thomas Sheridan, son of the Can- didate, and himself a rejected Candidate, *' that he was only restrained from personal chas- tisement of Mv. PauU, by considering that he should raise him in the estimation of society by kicking him out of it /" Now, gentlemen, I should be olad to know who and what is this Mr. Sheri- dan that assumes to himself of a sudden, such important consideration? or what pretensions he has to any thing respectable or good ? We never heard of him 'till very lately, except as a gambler, or a Bond-street lounger. It was said, that some time since he had some Office about the Prince of Wales's regiment : when all at once, without ever looking into a military book — v^'ithout any experience in military tactics — he suddenly rose to the supposed qualifications of an experi- enced com.mander, and was appointed Aid-dU' Camp to that wise and valorous man the Earl of ]\Ioira. This, however, not having answered his lucrative expectations, (mark the wonderful ver- satility of genius in the Sheridans !) he suddenly -drops the sMord, takes up the pen, is appointed 3. Muster-Master General, and assumes the import- ant duties of setting doM'n '' John a' Nokes ab- '* sent," and then a dash; and *' Tom a' Stiles *' absent,'' and then another dash: and for this he receives a salary of 2000/. a year out of the taxes wrung from the hard earnings of the people of England ; while veterans, grown grey and co- vered with honourable wounds in the arduous ser- ▼ice 28^ HISTORY OF THE vice of their country, are starving upon half- pay in garrets throughout Westminster ! [Bursts of applause.] While on the other hand, Sheridan the father, M'ho has so long clamoured against the corrupt profusion of former administrations, now condescends to occupy a palace in Somerset- place, with a sinecure salary of four thousand a year as 7>easurer of the Navy! [Appiause.1 In a word, gentlemen, the Sheridans are a sort of state paupers ; like sturdy beggars, they tell you *' Here we are, out of employment, and without a *' shilling: you must either find us work or main- *' tain us idle:" in plain English, you must *' either give us places or pensions" [Great applauses.] Some have compared them to ticks — others to leeches, who derive their nutrition by sucking the blood of the country, and never drop off, 'till they are gorged : but I know of nothing to which they may be so aptly compared, as to the insect called tiie Forest Fly, which at one time buzzes in your car, the next annoys your nostril ; and in short, theie is no part of the bodv so foul, at which it will not seek an en- trance in search of its gratification. [Bursts of ^ laughter and applause.] I should not have said so much about those gentlemen, had they not been so pointed in their attacks on others; and I do it in order to let them feel, that while they direct their malicious shafts at other men's cha- racters, they are not themselves quite invul- nerable." Mr. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 287 Mr. Paull, after a suitable apology, left the Meeting, with several of his friends; and the chair was occupied by Mr. Cob BET T, who again addressed the assembly: — <' Gentlemen," said he, " when I before had the honour of addressing you, I had forgot to make some observations, in answer to some of the lead- ing objections, made by the friends of Mr. Sheri- dan, and the newspapers devoted to his cause, against Mr. Paull. Amongst others, the editor of the British Press — (I know not whether he has any aristocratical blood flowing in his veins) — states, that Mr. Paull is the son of a Taylor. There^is a strange propensity in some descriptions of men to reproach their neighbours with the meanness of their family origin, without first looking back at their own : but, I believe, in a Country like this, which owes all its strength, its wealth, and its greatness to industry and tradt, no rational Englishman will hold it disgraceful to be the Son of an honest industrious Tradesman. [Jpplauses.l But whose son, I would ask, is Mr. Sheridan ? — why the son of a man, to whose memory I mean no personal disrespect, but who was a Play Actor; and, as such, denominated by the good old laws of England — a Vagabond. Now, any man who will read the^ history of the City of London, will there find that some of the good old kings of this Country, — (I don't mean any of the modern kings, who have lost us several impor- tant branches of the empire, but the good old and valiant kings of yore, who conqliered France, and 288 HISTORY OF THE and raised the glory of the British Name,) — felt no degradation in being enrolled as members of* the Merchant Tailor's Company in London : but I never yet read of any British king, ancient or modern, desirous to enroll himself as a member of any company of strolling players or vaga- bonds: nor was it until very modern times indeed, that Stage Players and Mimicks were deemed fit friends and companions, and guests at the tables of British Princes. [Bursts of Applause.'] — But the distinctions which those aristocratical a-en- tlemen have drawn for the degradation of parti- cular trades, are not, it seems, confined to Mr. Paull, but extend to some of his friends. A flip- pant paper (the British Press), speaking of the gentleman (Mr. Gibbons) who seconded i\Ir. PaiiU's nomination, as a Candidate, on the first day of the Election, calls him a Commission-man. Ano- ther friend of Mr. Paull, I mean Mr. Hewlings, it calls a Feaiher-man. The same low print calls mc the Register-man ; and, I suppose, when its Edi- tor finds out that I live great part of my time in the country, he will call me the Plough-man. Now, who were they who proposed Sir S. Hood ? The one was Lord W. Russell; the other Mr. Dawes, the undertaker; so that the gallant Commodore was proposed by a Place-hunter and seconded by a Death-hunter. — Another ground of objec- tion with the Aristocracy against Mr. Paul), and against all men, v.ho, by their indus- try or their talents, have raised themselves to wealth and importance, is, that such men forget their WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 289* their origin and reject their poor relations. But what is the conduct of the Aristocracy themselves ? Do they not constantly cast from them their near- est and dearest relations? Does not the eldest son of the family take the whole fortune to himself, — (which, by the law of nature, reason, and justice, should be equally divided amongst all the children of the same parents,) — and cast his younger brethren and sisters as a burthen on the Country, or by cor- rupt and fraudulent means quarter them on the public purse, by procuring for them places and pensions ! I can myself mention a recent example in the case of the youngest daughter of tbe Earl of Uxbridge, who, notwithstanding the princely fortune of her noble father, has been placed upon the pension list at 300/. a year. — But, gentlemen, it would seem, from the doctrines of this modern aristocracy, that notwithstanding the elevation of ]\Ir. Sheridan, no man in the C-ountr}', be his ta- lents, his industry, or his fortune, what tliey ma^^ must look for any honour or respect in society, unless he can trace back his family for fifteen generations. Those gentlemen are shocked, that Mr. Paull, whom they call the son of a tailor, should be proposed as a representative of the tra- ding City of Westminster. Prav, M'hose son is Mr. Sheridan ? and, who are his friends and parti- sans.^ Lord Percy, you will remember, was propo- sed by one breicer (]\Ir Vv'hitbread), and seconded by another brcicer (Mr. Elliott); and how, I sliould be glad to know, does the vending of beer ennoble a man anv more than the vendins; o^ Fea- 2 0* thcrs? *9,90 HISTORY OF THE thers? It seems, the profession of Stage Player, or the occupation of Brewer, is no bar against Parlia- mentary introduction, and political elevation ; but that, in the opinion of the new Aristocracy, no class of men, however raised by their industry, or their talents in other walks of life, shall pre- sume to look for respect or rank in society; and, least of all, for seats in Parliament, unless they can trace out their })retensions to the Paste and Paint of a Green Room, or to the Grounds of a Beer- barrel. [Bu?^sts of laughter and applause]. I should not, gentlemen, have said so much on this subject, had it not been for the insults offered to our candidate, Mr. Paull ; and let it never he for- gotten, that it was our advers:ulcs that cast the iirst stone." [^Loud applauses']. After some observations from Mr. Cliflbrd, sta- ting, tliat an ofter had been m?.(le to Sii- P. Ikir- dett to allow him to come in ibr Midillc^ex witliout opposition, if he would rtCiain at that time from declaring any public principles, the T\Ieeting sej)a- rated. — The following are the Resolutions passed at this Meeting. liesolul'ioas moved hrj the Chairman, Major Cart- i:right, and seconded b\) Mr. Gibbons, at a Meeting at tJie Croicn and Anchor Tarern, on the \^Jth of Koi-eniber, lb06\ " Resolved, I. That our principles, relative '' to Elections in general, and that the feelings " and motives by which we were more especially " actuated at the outset of the present contest, " are WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 291* ** are fully set forth in our Resolutions agreed to " at this place on the 30th ultimo, and signed ** with the honoured name of our then chairman, *' sir F. Burdett. — II. That, proceeding in strict " conformity with those principles and motives, *' we have from that hour unto the present, scru- '' pulously abstained from every attempt at undue *' influence, making our appeal to the good sense, ■*' the integrity, and the public spirit of the Elec- " tors; while, on the contrary, the partisans of *' our enemies have had recourse to every species *' of unfair means, whether of compulsion or of *' fraud.- — III. That from a conviction of the *' unfitness of the other Candidates to become *' the Representatives of free and independent men, " Mr. PauU lias from the beginning, uniformly *' and exphcitly declared his fixed determination " not to be connected Avith either, and that the *' coalition between sir Samuel Hood and Mr. She- " ridan did not take place, until after the former " had obtained up.rards of two thousand votes, " under the effect of an opinion sedulously pro- " pagated, that he was not, and would on no ^' account be, connected with the latter.— I V. " That Air. Paull has polled 4,481 votes of free " and independent Electors- of Westminster, of " M-liich 3,077 liave been whole votes (or plum- " pers) ; M'hile Air. Sheridan has polled onlv 955 '' whole votes, and sir Sanuiel Hood 1,033; and " that, from the combination of the.^jc latter Can- " (iidates, wc find that they each pulled 3,240 ''-split votes.— V, That thus, notwithstanding 2 0=^ 2 - tl^ *;292 HISTORY OF TH£ '' the before mentioned unnatural and odious co- *' alition ; notwitlistanding an union of the minis- " tr}', and of the whole of the aristocracy ; not- *' withstanding the combined hostility of the tax- *' gatherers, of the magistrates, and of the depen- *' dent clergy ; notwithstanding tlie means grow- *' ing out of the large subscriptions made for Mr. " Sheridan, by swarms of placemen and pension- ** ers, who have thus opposed the voice of the " people with the money drawn from them in " taxes; that, notwithstanding all the effects of *'^ this hideous and formidable combination against " the free and independent part of the people, *' Mr. PauU has obtained, not only more suffrage *' than either of the other Candidates, but more " than was ever before obtained by any Candi- " date for the Representation of the Cityof West- " minster. — VI. That therefore, on a calm rc- '' view of the progress, as well as of the result of " this contest, we find solid reason to congratulate '' ourselves upon having obiained a triumph the " most decisive over undue influence and political '• apostacy ; a triumph which has struck terror to *^ the hearts of our opponents, and which will " not fail to encourage us in our future exertions " against all the enemies of our King and Coun- '' try, domestic as well as foreign. — VII. That, " for this glorious triumph, and for the fair pro- " sDCct of better davs which it presents tons, we '' are chiclly indebted to the integrity and pcrse- *' vcrance of ^^Ir. Paull, unto wliom, tlierefore, " we, in this public manner, express our warmest " gratitude. WESTMINSTER ELECTION". ^g3* "' gratitude, and declare our unalterable attach* '* ment." Fiu'ther Resolutions passed at the said ATeeting. " Kcsolved, that as the cause in which Mr. *' PauU is engaged is that of all the independent *' Electors of Westminster, and that as by prac- *' tices the most foul, corrupt, and nefarious, a ma- *' jority of votes on the poll has been obtained *' for Mr. Sheridan, it is incumbent upon us to *' stand forward in defence of our dearest rio-hts ■*' and privileges, and to use every means in our *' power to procure Mr. Paull to be seated as our *' Representative, to which situation we think " him legally entitled. — That, for this purpose, a *' subscription be entered into, and books to re- ** ceive the names of the subscribers be open at *' the present committee-room, Hudson's hotel, *' Covent-Garden; the Feathers, Grosvenor-place, '* Pimlico ; and at the King's Arms, in ]\fary-Ie- *' Bone-street. — That II. Williams, esq. No. 9, " Lincoln's-iun Ne\v-s(|uare, be the treasurer to *' receive and appropriate the sums subscribed. (Signed) " Joiix Cartwrigpit, Chairman,** J\lr. PauU's Address to the Electors of trestmiri' stcr, after the Election. Gextlemex ; After your having seen that, out of 14,717 votes, which have been polled at this election for the three candidates, 4,4S1 were polled for me, of which 3,077 ♦294 HISTORY OF THE 5,077 were whole votes, or plumpers, while only 955 whole votes were polled for Mr. Sheridan, and ],033 for Sir Samuel Hood; after having seen, that thus, through your virtuous independence of mind, I have obtained, not only 7no7^e suffrage than either of the other Candidates, but more than was ever before obtained by a?2i/ candidate for the represen- tation of the City of Westminster ; after having witnessed the general and indescribable indigna- tion witli which ^Ir. Sheridan Nvas, on all occa- sions, received by the people, and their silent con- tempt towards the other candidates ; after liaving seen these, as they call themselves, favourite can- didates, secretly and ingioriously sneaking from the Hustings at tlie close of the poll, and retiring through a back door, to have the result of it de- clared out of the hearing of the people ; after ha- ving seen them pursue tlieir retreat through a pri- vate passage, to the spot \\hcre their theatrical car was provided for their reception ; after having seen them conducted to the scene of their carousals, surrounded by a host of constables and police oihcers, to whom, upon this special occasion, had been added, the officers of the Thames Police, while troops were drawn up in the Park, by way of superabundant precaution; all which, neverthe- less, was insufficient to shelter them from that mud, which tiie people considered as their most appropriate decoration ; after having seen that, while they, m ho were formerly objects of popula- rity, were thus surrounded with apprehensions for their personal safety, and stunned with hisses and groans, WESTMINSTER ELECTION. 295* groans, I was conducted to my house amidst heart- cheering shouts of applause, that reverbera- ted even to their distant and barricadoed retreat; after having witnessed all this, need I remind you, gentlemen, that ours is the triumph, and theirs the defeat ? For my share of this triumph, gentlemen, I am indebted to your good sense, public spirit, and love of real liberty, wiiich never, at any ri;ne, or in any part of the kingdom, were so conspicuous as on this occasion, and which, while they de- mand m}'^ warmest gratitude for the past, are grounds of my unshaken reliance for the future, especially for the vigorous prosecution of those measures which are necessary, finally to obtain that justice, of which, through the means resorted to by our adversaries, we are, for the present, de- prived. With sentiment- of respect and affection never to be effaced from my heart, I remain. Gen- tlemen, Your faithful and devoted Servant, Charles-Street, St. James's-Square, JaMES PaULI. Nov. 15, ISOO". Lord JViltiam RusseWs Letter to the Electors of Jl'estvwister. Gentlemen ; Having observed in all the Reports of Mr. Pauirs Speech on Tuesday last, (see p. 255,) a complaint respecting certain letters, asserted to have been written by me to several of my brother's tenantry, with a view of unfairly influencing their votes, I think it right publicly and unequivocally to affirm, that, *29^ HISTORY OF THE that, in point of fact, I did not canvass, by letter or by word of mouth, or by any means whatever, a single tenant of the Duke of Bedford's, on the occasion of the last Election. Without any farther comment, I havethehonour to be, Gentlemen, &c. W. Russell. J^csolidio)is passed at a 3Ieelhig of ^fr. Sheridan' <: General Comniiltee^ on the xieiorious Teruiiuation of the late Contest. Shukespeare Tavern, Nov. 21, 1806. At a most numerous and resjjectable INIccting of the Genera! Committee, who have conducted the Affairs of Mr. Sheridan's Election, Resolved, That this Committee, studiously avoiding all parade of words, or ostentatious exuhation, do simplv congratulate the Electors on the success of their honourable efforts, connected as their cause has been with the maintenance of the Laws and Con- stitution, and the preservation of the Liberties and Peace of the Country. — Resolved, That the scurrility of Mr. Paull's last Adver- tisement is utterly beneath the notice of this Committee. — Resolved, Tliat the cordial Thanks of the General Committee be communi- cated to the Chairmen and Members of the several Parochial Com- mittees ; and that Mr. Moore be requested to communicate the same, by letter, to the Chairmen of the different Committees. — Resolved, That a similar communication of Thanks be made to the several Chairmen and Committees associated on the part of fir Samuel Hood, who, from the moment of the removal of an un- fortunate misapprehension, have acted with the utmost zeal and energy' to the common cause. — Resolved, That this Committee, in desiring .Sir S. Hood to accept their sincere congratulations on the situation in which the gratitude of his Country has placed him on the poll, do further request him to communicate sentiments of equal gratitude to his gallant comrades, v."ho have, so much to their own honour, contributed to the success - f the Election of IVIr. Sheridan and Sir Samuel Hood. — Re.-ol-<\!, 'I'hat this Com- mittee, adopting the reasons contained in ]\lr. Slieridan's letter ty Mr. iVIoorc, decline noticing the public ilion; of "Sir. Paull and Mr. P^bbett. *' Somer- WESTMINSTF.R ELr^CTIOX. 297* " Somerset-Place, Nov. 22, 1806. '• Dear Sir — The Committee, yoa inform me, wish that Mr. ** Paull's advertisement of the Sfjth of Se{)tomber last, so ardently " extolling me, and especially my pretensions to represent West- ** minster, should be published, that the attention of the Electors, *' and particularly of his ov/n supporters, might be calmly called " to the contrast of the ser.timents then deliberately avowed by him, '* and the language he and his friends have since thouffht proper to *' hold. 'J"o this I can onlv reneat vhe answer I £:ave to a similar " remark at the Thatched House, that I am far from beins; anxious " to obtrude on the notice of the pubhc .Mr. Paull's praises of me, *' and still more reluctant to assist in circulating a very coarse, *' though impotent, attack on the Duke of Northumberland and " P^arl Percy. — And as to Mr. Cobbett, I must again be?: leave to " differ from the Committee. Believe me, there can be no use in " continuing to detect and expose the gross and scurrilous untruths *' which his nature, his habits, and his cause, compel him to deal *' in. Leave him to himself; rely on it there is not a man, wo- " man, or child, in Great Britain, who believes one word he " says. With regard to the passage respecting the scandalous " words lie continues to assert I spoke on the Ilustino's, notice of *' a different sort will be taken of that. " I have the honour to be, yours, very faithfully, «' To Pcltr Moon:, Esq. Richard Brinsi.ey Sheridan.** P.esolved, That this Committee cannot separate without ex- pressing their high apj)robation of the conduct of the Rio-ht Hon. R. B. Sheridan, throughout the late arduuus and important con- test, which hu;; evinced a constancy and firmness, in supportlno- the true prir.ciples of the British Constitution, equally unshaken by the threats and malignity of his opponents, accompanied by a di?pl::y of temper in the midst of provocation, and of sincerity and good faith throughout every transaction, as must for ever recom- mend him to the w;.rmest confidence and esteem of those who value such qualities in a Public Man. Peter Mooke, Chairman. Re^^olved unanimously, That the most unqualified and c^rateful Thanks of this Committee be presented to Peter Moore, Esq. for his ifteritcrious and 'spirited conduct as Chairman. Mr. S.98* HISTORY O V I II E llr. S/urfdmi'^^ A'/Jrcsx //> (It E!<-i'hrj of fFesiny/fstcr, after the GkN'TT.EMEX, I'he Communication \nvKlr to me this l;citcd no brief degree of attf ntion ; but, on reconsidering ail that has passed, and bending; to the iudjnicnt of thore wViose opinion { ought to respect, I forego my first i.itcntion of refuting all foul and foolish calumnies, v/hich Ivave !)een put ibvth against me, as v^ll as of restating, with that proud confidt-nce which I feel myself entitled to retain in mv own bos;?m, my claims as a public man to the honour vihich I have aspired to, and wLicli your justness and iwdgrnent have now conferred upon nje, \^ iiv, it has been urged torrie, should I stoop to a controversv with scurrility and falsehood, proof jigainst the shame of deteetion, and insensible to the contrast oi -cyentlemaiily manners: Jt is true, and bo I leave the question. At the same time, I cai-itiot \y.\t cherish a hope, that all respectable persons wlio li;ivebeei: arrayedagidnst me, have not been implicated :.n or even inforrnetl of the baseness of the means by which their cause haf, been attemp'etl to ''^e c- unporte'l. Could I believe otlierwise, 1 should feel tliat I owe it to tl.e hojitur cX the Citizens of West- minster to decbre to itb Electors that we cannot be justined in de- sirincr to remember oi;r surce..-s as a triumph., without endeavouring to forget who -.vere our op.ponent^. i)i\':. word more, Gentlemen, and I have done I take to mvsiif liie greates: blame, and I must also include manv of mv friends I'ov n\v admission in the negligence, mLsmanai.',emeni ;uk; n:i:sapprelK;.s--:o;; winch attencled the too long protracted comniencen-.ent of sny c;;nvat-s ; to enter ir.to the cause of this wou'd be to eiu'-r into a deteil not now of material interest, or casilv to be exp!ai;ied. i only intreat ycm to asci'ibe it to any motive bnta v.-aiit of persorinl reso'.ct u\ me toward anv one Klcctor of any degree amoni.st yon, au'd tlna I cm sincere in the profes- ;?ion, I shall entieuvour to prove, bv tiie utmost assiduity, now the I'dection is over, to siicw to vou, inciividuaUv and collectively, the gvaiitude, esteem, and devotion wall which 1 have tlie honour to be. Gentlemen, '^ our iiiithful Servant, Somerset-Place, KiCiiAKu Brixsl£Y Shfridan. Nov. Si, lyOO'. M> WESTMINSTER ELECTION?, 299* 1/r. C'oHBETT'sS/r/r^j.Tc'J on the Cunchict of Mi-, Sbeeidan duTing ihc driest for WtstmiKofir ; in « Letter to ths Right Hufi, William WiNDUAii. Sir, Eotlen, gJM I\o-c. \606, The conduct oT the youiiger Sheuidam, danng the recent Election in Wt^tminsrer, suggested to my mind the pro- priety of addressing a letter publicly to yon u]7on the subject of Uis-situ;:ic'jn ?>? thf (jrmy, thiit army for the exciting and preserving of emn.'ation in which yoa have shewn such a iaudable anxiety. E:it, sir, upon takin-j; up niv \)^-n \'ov this purpose, my thouglits fiaturaily liy back to the r.r,':ie, when vo-t as well as I hiid to en- counter the effects of llie eiJer Sheridiin's mob- courting- cant and mi'jrepresentutions ; atid, thus i efief;ting, { cannot refniin fronri endeavouring to give you, who were in Norfolk daring the whole of the period of the contest in SV'estminscer, a tolerably accurate ide-ci of tiie occurrences with res|>ect to this o'-^.v former assailant, who, during the existence of the Addington ministrv, was, as he succeeded in pei-suading the House of Conrmjons, the onlv man possessing popularity in an extensive degree. — You hure read, sir, in the Register of the 8th instimt, p»^^g*^ 715, sn acconnt of the reception which Tvlr. Sheridan met with upon his first appearance at the Hustings in Covent Gtirden (seep, 11)); but, sir, (he scene was far beyond the ordinary jx>wers of (iescrfption. Mr. Sheridan, accordin"^ to his usual custom, kepteverr thine wartino- for his arrival ; and, whesj he did arrive, he appe-ared to have been hurried away in an unprepared state. By surp^lus of misfortune he placed himself on the side of sir Fran.cis Burdett. Good hea- vens, what a contrast ! An involuntary shout broke ibrth from the multitude, through wdiose voice honest nature seemed to exclaim.: •'Look on thi'j picho-c, and on i/m !" — It was not until this moment that Mr. Sheridan was convinced, or, perhaos, that he suspected, that so far from being popular, he was an object ( f unanimous unjwpuiarhy and odium. I could have told hi;n of the tact several days Ijefore ; aj-.d so c juid his friends; biU tact? of such a nature, friends are not, in general, very ready to commu- nicate. — Tiie general hissings and groaning^, with wh=ch M'\ Sheridan and tiis supporters v/erc recvived, have been before spoken of; and some notice has, In tlie venal dailv print?, Ix^en tai:o:i of the p-.trticulir repiorxhes of n person, whos-e fact. Mr. 300* HISTORY OF THE Sheridan attempted to render a subject of ridicu'e : an attempt which I will not repay by giving a desciption of Mr. Sheridan's face. This person, as soon as the s]-ceches and the uproar were at an end, approached as near as he could to the Hustings, where, raising his arm and shaking his cler.ched fist, he, in a loud and clear voice, audible within as well as wcliout the Rustlings, thus began: " Sheridan! mru-y days ai-.d weeks and months and veavs " I have loHj/^d for an oppo'tunity of daring to spea.k the truth " of you to yov.- face ; that opportunity is now come, and I wiil *' not ,ct it slip." He then be:-;an, and. though it took him no little tune, he went throufli the whole of l;;-. jnaracrer and con- duct, private and public, moral and j^olilici;!. His description v;t- nervcu« and eloquent; and, v^hen I tcil you that it was Jicrfu .': ■,;..,, you \ ''v\ wo-.. T am sure, expect me f'^ repeat it in print, not^=';t':^^.:ldin2• all Mr .^ri", : ;:: ;':= p:\;;;: ~ioi:s ^spccti"g the liberty oi aic , ress, — From :' . ■ , •- cl 'v.v vc-:, \ pvfss, sir, you would imagihe, that Mr. Sheridan kc,.t his te j cr through all this. Nothing is farther fiom tlie truth. He did, indeed, \ent a few of his threadbare jests ; but, by the few wno were .: ^le to hear them, they were received with expressions of d ^^gust and contempt ; and, at the close of the first day, he, in these wor '.s, took his leave of the pei ;;Jc, of that peop'e ^x:.r.rn he had so long succeeded in deluding : " you hav-:; behaved like a set of *' blackguard?, particularly vou, vou broadfaced bully, and d "you, I'll stay witii . - u no lorii^er." — The venal press has told you, sir, that this " hro;d-faced orator" was /'ur(d by Mr. Paull ; but, the fact is, that neither Mr. Paud nor any of his friends had evfr spoken to the orator, nor, until ctUer the day was over, did any of them ki]Ov/ v/ho he wa-j. We then karnt, that his nanie was BuRRAr.;:, and that he kept the Oid-?arr's-Head in Swallow- street. Rut, while I say this, I for my own part, shall say, that i h.igidy approved of his condiict ; and was glad to find, that there was one itian, at least, who had sp'iit enough to discharge fo useful a public duty.— The venal prints have said, sir, that Mr. V:,u\\ /lind a ?.'io6 ; and, that very profoun". pers;.nage, Mr. Peter Moore, swore, that /le, forsooth, would look to Mr, Paull for .•iny violence that mig!;t take place 'see p. 21). But, if any thing had been to be done l>y hirinis, is it likely th.,t I^.Ir. Paull vvould have had the a):iipin-!ient«, co.Vilni' f;i>ni i.im, I took th.° earliest opportunity to say tb-it I rd-'CtcJ with ^co'-n. 'I'hcy, hoircvrr, ans^vered his purpose in 0;-'tu:;-;;.i;( f^ilcnce, whirh he araiitrd hinisrlf of to sav, t]\at I;e " detejrL'l mv rec3in:v;.:.-:'':.,r:c-;; ^or l:r((ij.:i:^ f^.ith xcith ihr *' p-ihUr o^td:'or^ " Vv-::ich wf.rd.-- v.-fe haro' ■- out of his mouth ^■iht;n the air io.'c\<::^ wiiis .-'louts of ia.'ij;nnLnr surprise ; and this niiu-a;il ci:.m.<)U;"5 iri w iiv-ii ever,- vr-ce had been struined to it3 iit;Ti'-.^t, ben:;^ K)n;:\vr,l In' a s-:ort inverval of comparative silence, a n;r:n, \,o\.\ the n:i:d!i;t: of the crowd, in a verv di:^t!nct voice, iitf'T.u! th.- i>;"io:\-;ne;; word^ : " /feor / heart *'hear/ S-n-ida::; R'-!:cu-i! I'rr--'r:! ShndJnv, DETESTS "RREAKIXG VWVW \V] TH CREDITORS!" Which words were ec';o;u a'v:i rv-.-eh.oed throu'^li everv part of the immense multitink- col'.-ctC'f: i<\ Covcnt-' /urden a.-ui die adjoininf:: streets and hou?cs. 'I'iic va'.ia! prin;s have reconled his observa- tions levelled at \nv. ; hi-t. tin y h:'ve t:d,-rn <;r':eci:i! care not to notice the indignation a;::'] ?,i!''.:Mri dra-.vn iorth fror-n the people bv those- observations. — Mr. Pauh's address to ti:ic F.lerrors, after the elec- tion. ^'ou have ^ecn, sir, '[). C;'.!""). Mr. S'r.eridrdi's vou may alsL? have seen, (p. '2. -'8*; an,:, ii' you lauv..-. I think I may venture to s:\-^-, that so stion^" :i niaik of i!;eri;al imbecilitv never before met vonr eve. Is this th.e man of great talents? AVhither, then, are thosj titlcnts ti ;i ? Av.A v.j.ai: has chas;d them from their former ah'ode .' Is this tlie man, Vv-ho h,as the modcstv to rail aj,ainst Mr. Pauh, as a ;,er'--on unfit, froiri want of talcrits, to rt-present the Citv of \\'estn;!rster - Toidd not t';c Whitbrea.ls and th.e Moore? and ti:e lluss> 11-, v.V'X. tli.e vviioie of the pompous pretenders to su- perioritv of mind, make np anv ihing h.rtcr than tiii^ sensfless ad- dress, especialiv alter having taken three ilavs to write and aher smd imipro\e ? .\re v.e, indeed, to he tnl.i, that v^-'e shall all be ruined, un!--- w ?' iia\e men i'r:e r;ir^e to rule us? ]r\ yourself, sir, and in men hht- \o\\. I ■'. >v n\\ '-art, have no o!;ir(tion tc^ acknow- li-d:.e a •■■r-A si Mfdr;:i:v ; hut, in men, sueii at- ^^ e have had to con- ccndi \'. ifn ar \'> r -:;n'-iibt, r, ar,l <.)f v.ho'n, at e\erv step, we have //fj.'i .'/ i nr^tf ■ '■ ro he tiie ^^.n-iv^vs in vv?rv thing of whicii men .■,v' hi •' d'iv ;'•'• .d, i;::--^- a.i i t'.-:^ic;djie ;.- t'le me.nie'^t man amongst ..<',\i:,^e' -••.I'd^cs ■■■. ' .p^n'ioiitv, : nd :-p. ei^adv wiien the ;u> kr.'TwhuU'in.nl WF.STMIXSTKR ELECTION*. 303* kro'.vledgmcnt is. and with so much insolence too, demanded at our hand-s. Of tl;e hJ.^/i b'oud of our opponents, and particn- Inrly of the Sncriii'ai:-':, I hr.ve before Sjyokcn, and I will not, there- fore, offend vonr c:'.v.s with their disgustini: pretensions upon this score. "But, sir, it was impossible to liear the language of our onponeats in genRiai; tiii lant-ruage oi. the sev-jral branches of but Too Hiunv of the titled families, of the bankers, cf the farmers of t:\x.es, of io;\n-r;2:;ker?, and other'=, v,-^'.r,out loidring back to the fcn! cau.^i:^ cf the dcsLr'iction of the yvenci^ Gcvcvnment, and 1:0 the ccnduc- of tiie ti;Ied Mmiil.c;'- \\]-,cv t'*'e Frericri Ilevolution broke out, and ';/h'!n the Tvihi^ony Ki:^^^ ^to^id in need of the de- tbnce of the titied ihmihc?. And, tviiut h:;d we done, that we •were to be treuiid a? persons too h^w and insi-x:iitic:mt to he heard in pabhc r We had only claimed the exercise of that ri-^ht, which the Ki:if:;"s vvrit not onlv cilleil I'.pon u'^, bv.t comin:u'.ded as to ex- «rci'3e. \N e luid caiied i;p,;:i iili the free i .lectors to choose a Can- didate free from the iniinence of cicher Kincr or Minister; and, were we, tor tlds, to be treated as low and i'.isigniiicrint men ? We have convinced our adversaries, that vve are not insi<^nificant even now; and, let fortune biit c^ive v.? a;;ot,her op'^ortimitv, and we will produce in th.eir n\indp, if they are n'^t roin-detelv stultified, the further conviction, that ours is not a sinkinc; pro;)er.sitv,— — — Mr. Paul!, as you have ser-n. Sir, olit-nned not o'div mmch ?»Gr-r iftiff'ra^^c than eitiier oi" the other C'andid;ites, but much more than had ever l)een before obtauicd \--\- an/ (V.n'iiJ.ate for the I'epresen- lation of the citv of V\ estmmster. And., Sii-, tins was done v\dth- out any nnf.ir tne;;n?. X'S e made no attent:)!; to deceive or seduce the people. >... i;;-i-tinieat was e\])iesscd bv us, tiiat 1 inysclf had cot expressed in prim, wiien addressin;' myself to the disyassiorate judgment <:.;' my rea 'ers, \'A\r-, f;r.m tie: \ery nature r;f my pubh- Cation, ^re, ii\ p'-r^eral, to o? i..;,!idi m. Vvhat wo ciMimonly call the higiici- ranks of ii!i->. 1 never adires--t/d myscli'to the i:i;norance and discontent and prehidi'e of tiie peijpl- ; nor lias Mr. Panil done it rosv. No innuerr-'-, ether tlam that which wns vi>ible to ail tlje world, did any of us nsj; and, as to myseh", th'vrd; there were many persons in ^^ tstminscer, on wdiorn 1 :n'ci,- jiava im^ posed al- most a common.; to vote tor Mr. Piiidl, I d -;V an" rnan to sav th'i*- I even solicited a vote t'rom an^ person nnder obli^adons to me. The law says, tiiat " Eirxr;on5 covi.; i..; i>c //.vAv;-/-/ f}-cc ;" aiid the dictates of the law 1 have, bcKi i.i I 'ampsldre and in ^Vc^• - minitcr, strictly obeyed. To say the ;rL:tii, d:owe.i:, no com- 304* HISTORY OF THE tnands were, on oar part, necessary. We found all thtfree roice of the pe(;j)te for us ; and, amongst those who were not free, we invariai'iv met with hearty wishes for ou- success. The united intiuencc of the Government, the aristcc-ac}', and the dependent clergy, operating upon avarice, upon self-interest, and upon self- preservaiion, was, with the aid of splitting votes, too numerically powerful lor U::; ; bur, v/e hod with us all the truly independent and \!rf: ■ a", men iti tr.e micelle cl;iesler of the Police- me7i\'; sa/ar.es, and a ivcmher of t/ic House of Commons, ii» which latter Ci'.pacity he, of course, votes the money that he him- self receives on his own account ; tiiis gentleman, who was as busy and as clamorous in the cause of TvTr. bheridan as if he had never been a dependc;;t of tl:c dnke of Portland ; this gentleman had the modesty to sav, v-i-irsw the Iiusani,s, tliat he would have the names of .Mr. Paull's voters pnbiished, " that none of them might *' ever be admitted into gentiemen's company."- Now, what will Billv Baldv.in siiv, whvv, J pnbHs/i (he names of all the placemen, .pensioners, and the relations of jilaccm^-n and pensioners; of all the tax-gat'^ere.s, miigistrai^-.'-:, [ olicc nren, and dcpotult nt clergy ; of all the plny-actor':, scene-shii't r';, candle-snutleis, and persons foHow'-rrJ- iilega!, or invinor.d cuilings .' What iviil Billy Baldwin £:'V, wIiKn I pul'lisli the names of u;l the persons of these classes, who In.ve voted f(;r iMr. hhcmdan, andi wl;en I take care to show the people of Mnghnd the iuviS whicn the voters (jf the -former classes rcedvi J ■-■ni tl:f>!: vi ta.ics? lie surely will r.ot complain of illiberal dealing ? Bi:lv l-^aldwin, as the organ of our high-blooded ^u .e;sai'ies, has thrown dov,n the gauntlet; and slianie upon our c(.use if tnrre be a suigle m'.m amongst us so base as to l)e afraid to take it up ! — You have, doubtless, read, sir, a description of the ^\cirt>!g WESTMINSTER ELECTION, 305* c^ifji/'t'/inr of the two '' favoupHe" Candidates, as they are called by the venul writers of the diiily press ; and, until you read Mr. Paull's last address, it will certainly have appeared odd to you, that, favoa" rites as they were, they should not have followed the invariable custom of being chaired round Covent Garden, They no more dared to attempt it, than general Reignier dared to attempt beino- chaired through our army in Egypt. They slipped away from the Hustings, carefully keeping from the people all knowledge of their intentions ; and, while the peop'e were waiting in Covent Garden, they got to their CAR, through a narrow passage, which ]eads from St. Paull's church into Henrietta-street. The car, which had been constructed by the people of Druri/ Lane Theatre, was surrounded by beadles, constables, police-officers and police-ma- gistrates, to whom, even their own venal prints inform us, had been added the numerous officers of the Thames police. " The people" of whom they talk, as huzzaem, consisted of the play- actors, scene-shifters, candle-snuffers, and mutes of the theatre, aided by a pretty numerous bevy of those unfortunate females, who are, in some sort, inmates of that mansion. So that, the procession did, altogether, bear a very strong resemblance to that of Eluk-qeard. The "/a uom;' (!/(?" Candidates were almost entirely hidden by large branches of laurcly which the property-man, as they call him, of Drury Lane Theatre^ had placed round the car ; but, notwithstanding this, and notwithstanding the constables and police officers (some of them on horseback and armed with cutlasses) were placed six deep on each side of the car, the jnud found its way to the inside of it ; and, as the venal prints inform us, one man was actually seized and commit- ted to prison, for this act of throwing mud at i\\t ^' favourite'^ Candidates ! About the time that they had got in safety to their place of dinin^T, Mr. Paull set off from Covent Garden to his house, con- ducted by thousands upon thousands of men. Soon afterwards Mr. Paul], together with sir Francis Burdett, set out from Charles- street to the Crown and Anchor; and, though it was now dark, the zeal of the people overcame even that inconvenience; for, the street quickly became as light as if it had been day. There needed no rnonej/ to be given to buy torches. The people felt that they were asserting their own rights ; that they were engaged in their 2 o *** own 306* IIIST6RY OF THE own cause; and, sir, if I am told that they were foolish, let me never again be told, that they discover their frood sense and their ;>fl- triofi.sm when they draw -the carriages and light the way of such men as lord Nelson. — Let us now look back upon the" favourite'* Candidates. As to the Commodore, few people, I believe, grudi^ed him the honour of being the colleague, of being encircled in the embraces, of that man, iTom whose political touch lord Percy had recoiled ; and, as to Mr. Sheridan himself, thouo-b he talked of a i-idori/, he w^ell knew, he severely felt, that the l9th of November, the day wdicu he was returned for Westminster, was the day of his everlasting political disgrace. Before Mr. Paul! offered himself as a Candidate, no notion existed in the mind of IMr. Sheridan that he should have any even the slightest opposition to encounter. He expected that the Election would pass off as lord Percy's had done : and, I dare say, his speech for the occa- sion, was already prepared. He would have considered himself as the -sttcccssoi- of Mr. Fox ; so he would have been considered by the greater part of the country ; and, he would have taken care to make the minister consider him as having the peoi->lc of Palacc- \ ard always really to jictition or remonstrate, at his nod. Jn short, the cup ear, when 1 wrote the following letter : — *' Sir, — It will be in your recollection, that Mr. Sheridan pro- *' mised me on the Hustin'^s of Covent Garden to contradict the *' statement he had made respecting me, namely, * that on the *' 18th of Sept. I was his warm friend :' having said that he pro- " mised this, renders it almost unnecessary to add, that he has ** not performed that promise ; and you will likewise recollect, *' that to prevent an explanation taking place on the Hustings, you *' gave me a specific promise that such contradiction on the pait *' of Mr. Sheridan should take place; and although I should 3 <' never WESTMINSTER ELECTION". Sll ** never expect from Mr, Sheridan the fulfilment of any promise, *♦ either of a public or a private nature, yet, as I believe you iu- ** capable of* violating any promise given to any man, I rely on •* you for an immediate contradiction of the above statement, *' which I consider to be due to my character. I have the honour ♦' to be. Sir, &c. *' To S. Whitbread, Esq. A. HEWLINGS." To the above I never received any answer, nor did any contra- diction appear. Now, on what principle it is that Mr. Whit- bread denies me justice (or, what is equivalent to a denial, keeps silence) I do not know, ner can I even guess, unless that gentle- man has formed a new system of morals as well as politics, a fundamental principle of which is, that a difference of profession cancels all moral obligations, consequently that a dealer in beer is not obliged to keep a promise given to a dealer in feathers. If this be his system, and I suspect it Is, I will merely observe, that it is perfectly consistent with every principle, moral or political, of those degraded men, of whom he is a leader; and I will ven- ture to prophesy, that it will be (inasmuch as it is very con- venient) adopted by his supporters, the " Juvenile Aristocracy" and *' the Female Patriots of Westminster ;" more properly called Titled Swindlers and Painted Prostitutes, — Rut as Messrs, Sheridan and Whitbread will not prove any thing (except their own infamy) I shall prove the assertion of Mr. Sheridan to be false. You, sir, will recollect, that I pubhcly censured the con- duct of Mr. Sheridan and the Whig Administration so early as February last ; and further, on the 18th day of September, the day Mr. Sheridan would have the people believe I was at the Crown and Anchor, and with the giddy multitude applauding that speech, which was calculated to degrade us to the condition of slaves, I was at Conway, 250 miles distant — I did not arrive till four days after, and then only to oppose the measures of Mr. She- ridan. After having seen that man, in the presence of thousands of the people, detected in lying backwards and forwards — after having seen his professions treated with scorn by these people- after having heard him on the Hustings drink the health of the Electors of Westminster, and seen these Electors pledge him by spitting in his face, it cannot be supposed that my object is farther to 3121* HISTORY OF THE, ScC, to degrade him ! No, that would be Impossible. I Iiave made this exposition of facts, partly to disprove the foul aspersion that I was the friend of such a man ; partly to add one more instance of detected falsehood to the many of which this gentleman has been ' guilty ; but chiefly to shew you by experience, that the word of JNIr. Whitbread is lust as much to be reo-arded as that of Mr. J o Sheridan, and that the promise' of either is equally valuable. I am, Sir, your obliged, and very humble fellow subject, Nov. 2y, 18Ub. i'^BRAiiA.-l IIewlisc?. HISTORY f ISTORY OF THE MIDDLESEX ELECTION, IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, iSo6. 2P HISTORY OF THE MIDDLESEX ELECTION. Mr. Byng's Firji Address to the Independent Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, Gentlemen J JtIaVING had the honour]of representing you in the three last Parliaments, 1 once more solicit your Votes to replace me in that diflinguiflied situation ; feeling conscious that I have not in any one single instance deviated from those principles which firll recommended me to your favour. I hope to con- tinue through life a Friend to Freedom, an Enemy to Corruption, and a determined Supporter of those Privileges which of right belong to the People in the scale of the conftitution. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your faithful and obliged Servant, Wrotham Park , G . B Y N G . Oct. 25, 1 see. 2 P 2 Sir 292 HISTORY OF THE Sir Francis Biirdett's Firjl Address to the In^ dependent Freeholders of the County of Mid- dlesex, Gentlemen j Whenever the Leaders of conteiiding parties and factions in a State unite, the hiftory of the world bears evidence, thiit it never is iafavour, but always at the expence, of the People j whose renewed and augmented pillage pays the scandalous price of the reconciliation. Under these circumftances, you are called, prematurely and suddenly, to a frefh election of your Representatives, if they can be called such. And a double imposture is attempted to be passed upon you. The watchword of one party is — " The beft of Kings." The watchword of the other is- — ■ " The beft of Patriots." But neither of these par- ties will choose to descend to particulars, and inform you what the beil of Kings, and the beft of Patriots, have already done, or will hereafter do, for you. What thev have done for themselves, we know, and feel : what farther they will do for us we can only conjecture. They who have desired a new Parliament thus suddenly, in our present fituation, undoubtedly have their own strong reasons for it, which they arc not likely to disclose: But I am thoroughly persuaded, that all our present burdens and restraints, vexatious and galling as they arc, will appear but as trities when compared with what they will be at the close of this nov^-coming Parlia- jnent. — I w^ould willingly be instrumental in the rescue MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 29S rescue of my Country, at the certain expence of life and fortune. But it cannot be rescued, and would not deserve to be rescued, unless the majo- rity of the Country be uncorrupt. It is fit that the experiment should be tried 3 and that, at least, the proportion of remaining integrity should be known. And I pledge my honour to you, Gentlemen, that, upon the present occasion, I do not desire the aid or countenance of any of the parties, in or out of power; that I will not distribute, nor consent to the distribution even of a lingle cockade 3 nor will I furnish, nor consent to the furnishing of a fingle carriage. If the Freeholders of Middlesex feel the situation of their Country, and desire to redress its grievances ; they will do their easy parts towards such redress, by an uncorrupt vote. And if this spirit is not to be found in this County at this time, it is not likely to be found any where else, at any time. — Let the Freeholders of Middlesex do their easy duty ; I will do mine, which will not be easy: and, if it fliall be their unbiaffed choice, I will prove "ffiyself their uncornipt, difiiiterelled, and zealous Representative. 1 am. Gentlemen, wiih full afiu- rance of your integrity and spirit, your most faith- ful!, humble servant, Frakcis Burdett. Proceedings at a Meeting of the FreeJioldeys of Middle- sex, in the Interefl of Mr. Mcilifi, held at the Free- mason s Tavern, Oelober 31, 1806. This dav a numerous Meetin, and it was their bufiness to enable him to place him- self in that fituation in a triumphant manner. The following Refolutions were then put and car- ried, viz. " Resolved unanimouQy, That m the opi- nion of this Meeting the Thanks of the County are due to G. B. Mainwaring, Esq. for having flood forward at the laft Eledion for the County, in op- poiition to Sir Francis Burdett, Bart, for the firm.- ness with which he maintained so arduous a contefb, and for the ailiduity, ability, and patriotism with which he has suflained the charader of a Member of Parliament. — That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to W. Mainwaring, Esq. for his long, un- wearied and adtive public services, and for his uni- form attention to the interefls of the County of Mid- dlesex. — Tliat it is the opinion of this Meeting that William Mellifh, Esq. is a fit and proper person to represent the County of Middlesex in Parliament. — That the original pretensions and uniform conduct of Sir F. Burdett, have been invariably offenfive to the majority of the Freeholders of this County; but that if the paft could have been forgiven, the senti- ments contained in his laft Address to the Free- holders of Middlesex muft irritate the moft tranquil mind ; every honourable man, of every party ; prove him to be disloyal to the befl of Kings, inimical to the true interefts and glory of the beft of countries, and totally unworthy to become our Representative in Parliament. — That this Meeting will, therefore, 2 R llrenuoufly 506 HISTORY OF THE ftrenuoufly oppose his Election to that fituation, and invite the immediate, active and unremitting aflift- ance of every rr-an loyal to his King, devoted to the fupport of rational and confiitutional liberty, and detefting revolutionary principles, perjury, bribery and guilt. — That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Sir W. Gibbons, Bart, for his upright, able and impartial conduct in the Chair." •' William Gibbons, Chairman." Mr, Mellisiys First Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex. Your late worthy Member, Mr. G. B, Main- waring having withdrav.'n himself on the present oc- cafion, I am emboldened to offer myself to your notice, as your Representative, in consequence of the very flattering aflijrances of support which I have this day received. — Having actively exerted myself during the lall four years, in the vindication of your Rights and the preservation of your Inde- pendance, and having a lively feeling for the prospe- rity of the County of Middlesex, in which I have been a refident the whole of mv life, I humbly fub- init my chim to your attention. — 1 know the futility of profefTions, I make none — I come forward to re- lift Him., of whose profciTions you know too much — inviolably attached to tlie bcfr of King.-:, solicitous for the maintenance of the bell of Conflitutions, I pledge myfelf to that line of coiiduct, which an ar- cicnv zeal for my Country's welfare cannot fail to inspire.— 1 have sat in Parliament during the laft ten MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 307 ten years, the experience of my paft, mufl be the pledge of my future, conduct. And as I then acted, so shall I continue to acr — honeftly and independ- ently — with the additional impulse to exertion, which the representation of the first county in the kingdom affords, and with the fulleff determination to execure, with diligence and fidclit)', the manifold duties its interefts require. 1 have the honour to be, occ. Bush- hill Park. VV'm. Mellish. Resolut'iGns passed at a Meeting of the Middle- sex Freeholders' Club, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Oct, 30, 1806. At a numerous and moft respectable Meeting of the Middlesex Freeholders Club, held this day in pursuance of the unanimous Resolution, passed at the hifl; x\Iceting of the Annual Committee, for the purpose of taking into consideration the mod: effica- cious plan to fupport the Independence of the County, Chrifl'opiicr Hu]!,Esq. in the Chair. Resolved unanimously, Tluit the mianly, plain, and undisguised principles 01 Sir Francis Burdctt are. such as do honour to his virtuous and ]?atrioiic mind, and ought to endear ium and all those representa- tives v.'ho may act and think with liim, not only to every free and independent elector of Middlesex, but also to every subject \\\ the united kingdoms. — That tliis Club do invite Sir F. Burdctt to (land forward again as the Champion of t!:e Fibertics of the Sub- ject, and engage, at tl^.eir individual expence, to at- tend on the firft day of the Election at Brentford, to 2 R 2 support 508 HISTORY OF THE support his nomination, and will cheerfully devote their time and exertions during the whole fifteen days, (if nccclTary) in support of his Election upon the principles contained in his advertisement. — That a Subscription be opened in this Club, to which the Freeholders at large be invited to accede, for the purpose of providing carriages for the con- veyance of such Freeholders to the Huftings who, through indigence and infirmity may be otherwise disabled fi-om giving their independant suffrages at the approaching Election, and that the Treasurer and Secretary be authorised to receive sucn Sub- scriptions. — That these Resolutions, signed by the Chairman, be presented ro Sir F. Burdett by the Secretary, and that they be inserted in all the Morn- ing and Evening Papers, signed by the Cliairman and Secretary, and othei-i:e diflributed as the An- nual CommiUce may think proper, at the expence of the Club. — The Chairman having qiiitted the Chair from indispoiiLion, Edward Langlcy, Esq. was called to the Chair. Resolved unanimously. That the Thanks of this Meeting be presented to Chrifiopiier Hull, Esq. for his attentive and im- partial conduct in the Chair. — Thar this Club does highly approve or the iiid ^pendent conduct of George Byng, Esq. as Representative of this County, and trulls that, upon this occasion, his friends will unite with those of Sir F. Burdett to procure their joint election,- — ^That Sir F. Burdett and G. Byng, Esq. be invited to dine with this Club on Thursday next, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. Christopher FIull, Chairman. Resolved MIDDLESEX ELECTION. S03 Resolved unanimo ly. That the foregoing Reso- lutio'^s be s'^ned by tht Chairman, and published with the former Resolutions of this day. Edward Langley. Mr. Byng's Letter to the Chairman of the Mid-^ dlesex Freeholders* Club. SiR; St. James' s-fquarey Nov. 4> 1806. I fhould have felt highly fluttered by the Vote of Thanks from the Freeholders assembled at the Crown and Anchor, on the 30th of October, for my parliamentary conduct, if it had not been accom- panied with a proposal to join, what they are pleased to term, my ini'^rest with Sir Francis Bur.'ctt's. — From the commencemient of my Canvass (October 20), I have uniformly declared to every Freeholder I had the pleasureof meci:ing, that 1 flood alone, un- connected with any other Candidate. — The Address which afterwards appeared from Sir F. Burdctt, to the Freeholders of Middlesex, certain] v gave me no reason to rccjret the line of conduct I had pursued — ■ JSUT TilE CONTRARY. Yoi.r - ocd'ent humble servant. To Eikjuard Lc'jg,.:)', Efq Cbnirman G, B^ng. at a Meeting r^f Frec'"r,!dcrs, as- semhled at the Cro~j:ii and Aucbor, OBober 30. Sir Francis Burdeti's Letter to the Freeholders' Club of Middlesex. Gentlemen; — At lengl.i .»ir. Bvn?, who never was really with us, has ceased to temponze , and, taking SIO HISTORY OF THE taking advantage of your undeserved compliment to him, has declared openly agaiml us. It was al- ways to be expeded, that such would be his con- duel, whenever it should suit the views of his party. — This, Gentlemen, is the short flatcment of our situation. The politics o^ George Grenville, the father, loft us Anienca-r— the politics of George Gren- ville, the son, have lost us all Europe. To these po- litics, and to afnrt: in carrying them on, the pro- felling Whigs have lately joined tiiemsclves — to their own great emolument, and to the juft dismay of the public. — In this conjuncSlure it is not surprising that Mr. Byng, v/ho belongs to those Whigs, should play into the hands of Mr. Mcllish, who belongs to that Grenville, whom they have joined. — I am perfedly aware, that, if I had been silent, I might have been returned for Middlesex without a conteft. But I will have no compromise, nor suspected compro- mise, with such fhabby politics. I will not by filence be guilty of the ruin which appears to be fast approaching. — Gentlemen, 1 will never consent to be returned by the connivance of any Ministers ; for I will'RCVcr connive at their plunder. I desire no seat, but by the unbiassed votes of intelligent and uncorrupt Freeholders. If my principles differ from theirs, I am not fit to be their Representative, and fliall not defire it. But I shall vvait tor their deci- sion, regardless of the intrigues, misrepresentation, and influence of the Coalesced Factions. — I fliall ever remain, (rcntlcmen, faithful to the principles I avow, and to your honest service. F. BuRDrxT. MIDDLESEX ELECTION. SiJt Resolution of the Middlesex Freeholders' Club, relative to the Conduct of Mr. Byng. At a numerous and respectable Meeting of the Freeholders of Middlesex Club, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, Strand, on Thursday, the 6th November, 1806. William Bosville, Esq. in the Chair. — Rcfolved unanimously, That the Letter of Mr. Byng addressed to Mr. Langley, in anfwer to the Resolutions of this Club on Thursday laft, is an insult to the Frcehcl Jers of this County, and in diredl violation of his solemn pledge made to a num.erous Meeting on the 29th of July lafl, aflem.bled to cele- brate the Anniversary of the Return of Sir F. Burdett and Mr. Byng, in 1802. — Resolved unanimously. That a Copy of this Resolution be sent to every Member of the Ckib, who is absent this evening, and that the same be pubiiflied in all the News- papers. W. Bo:,viLLE, Chairman. On Sir F. Burdett's Advertisements. l_From the i\lGrning Chronicle Cooler 31.] " In my opinion it is less dishonourable to be the creature of a Court, th:in the tool of a fatiion." John Hcrne Tooke, Junius's Letters, Vol. II. Sir ; — The period of a General Election has usu- ally been allowed to confer a htirudc of piofefTion upon tho;e who present them.selves to the favour of !.he People. The vehement patriotism, and the in^ ilcxible 512 HISTORY OF THE flexible principle to which all lay claim, may cbari- tablv be iucerpreted to mean, that moderate regard for the public interes:, which ordinary virtue must feel, and tha*: inccgrity vvhu'h common honefty may practice. E\' ry m.m may he permitted to employ thar fiile of courtfhip suiicd to the objedl of his affe.^ons. Bi t in thi.s, as every thing, there is a good .iP-i bad It'Ie, which dirtni.iry v)f the parties. There is a language whicli . i o ice tef ifies a man's own rank and that of the- e he Uidrcss ; ., while there is a tone which fl'',ews that a man links even below hif juft level for the sake of picahng. — The Addie.s to the Freeholders of .Vlidi^Iesex, which has appeared under the figna- tuic o.^ Sir Fn.nris Burdett, has naturally attradled the attpntiofi of this metropolis and its neighbour- hooa. People were anxious to see in what cha- ra:"tcr Sir Francis would now solicit the suffrages of the County of Middlesex. Those who had been hoftiie CO him on former occafions, and Hill sus- pcCled the foundness of his principles, were afraid that he would disarm oppofirion by a (hev; of m.ode- ration j while those v\-ho had suppcrLed him, hoped, that now, emancipated from that pernicious influ- ence by which his unsuspecting youth had been overpcvvered, and Vv ith a love of liberty, regulated, not impaired, by experience ".nd rchcclion, he would ftand forward upon conflitutional principles, to which every honeft patriot v/ou'.l assent, and to which no unbiassed man could refuse his appro' ation. I*" is with the utmoft mortification that as one ^\ ho hoped ivell of him, 1 have been extremely disappointed. la MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 313 In his eledlon address to the Freeholders of Mid- dlesex, as well as in his letter respecling the vacancy for Weftminfter, there are displayed principles as in- confiftentvvith the acknowledged dodrine of the Con- ftitution, as they are irreconcilable with any virtu- ous intentions in him who avows them. — It has al- ways been permitted, and may well be indulged to an ardent mind, to descant upon the bleflings of freedom, the proneness of power to abuse, the juft jealousy of the Crown, and the neceflity of economy and controul. But when all government is attacked, when discontent is excited, not againft the Minilfry, but all Minifters, as if Government v/ere the evil, and Anarchy the remedy ; whc-n civil authority is re— presented as a conspiracy againft the rights of the People, and Adminiftration the pillagers of their propertj', it is difficult not to conrlude, either that the man who writes so is devoid of sense, or that he cheriflies the moft pernicious designs. — It sometimes has been the praclice with pretenders to popular favour to impose upon themselves a voluntary dis- qualification for the public service, in any other character than that of a Representative of the Peo- ple. Such men have rarely obtained much credit for their sincerity, nor have they often juftified their profeflions by their constancy. But though even in these cases the right of a man to disable himself for the public service in the way in which he is perhaps calculated to be moft useful, is totally irreconcilable with patriotism and duty ; yet the disqualification is personal, and those who have been the mofc ready to r'iiinounce the temptation of ofnce have been those 2 S who 314 HISTORY OF THE who could well be spared. It is a different thing, however, for the political Monk to make the vain and ostentatious vow of political chaftity, and to compel others to celibacy. Let men of this distem- pered fancy withdraw their contributions from the service of society if they will, and enjoy the praise which may follow their self-denial and their sandtity. Let them not, however, arrogantly devote to censure those who, with intentions as pure as theirs, embrace a wider field of adlivity and of usefulness. It is presumption even for Sir F. Burdett to assert, that to be a fit and faithful Representative of the People is incompatible with the fundtions of a Minifter, as if the integrity and talents that conftitute a great Statesman ought to incapacitate a man to be a Mem- ber of the House of Commons. — Among all the projects of reform, it never, I believe, was serioufly proposed by any vifionary, that the Members of Ex- ecutive (lovernment fliould be excluded from the House of Commons. The projedl, indeed, of send- ing a Minifi-'er to tlic bar of a popular affembly, of which he is not a member, to propose Legislative arrangements, was tried b}' the firft French Confti- tution, and the world knows the success of the expe- riment. — A fmiilarplan was proposed, and with some exceptions carried, in the self-denying ordinance which paved the v/ay for Cromwell's usurpation. Indeed, such a plan can serve only to promote, as it seems intended, in the present occafion, either per- sonal ambition or general confufion. — It would ftrip the House of Commons of many of its moft abl« Members, and it would leave the whole body a prey cither MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 515 cither to ignorance or to fadion. Public measures could not be carried without the afii Trance and expla- nation of those with whom they originate, ani a num- ber of popular declaimers, aiming atdiftindlion a{id power, would neceflarily convert the House of Com- mons into a tumultuous affembly, alike unfit for sober controul or wise legislation. The funflions of the House of Commons do not suppose a rival- ship and hoftility to the Executive power. The powers of the House of Commons are so great that the Government could not exift a week if that body refused to co-operate with the Executive Magiftrate. There muft be a unity of intention, and a joint co- operation, in order to preserve Government. When that co-operation does not exift the Minifters mull be changed. But if it were ever to happen that the House of Commons and the Exccutve Government ceased to sympathise and co-operate, the form of the Government itself muft be altered. If all Minis- ters and Placemen were excluded from the House of Commons, one of two things would ensue — either the House of Commons, beins: the Reorcsentative of ' O J. the People, pofTeffed of the whole authority of the State, or (what is nearly the same) the authority to suspend all other Authorities, would, of neceffity, become predominant,' — or a syftem of corruption or force would reduce it to be an inferior and degraded appendage of the Executive Power, efficient, as a tool, but impotent as a controul. It is only by blend- ing the rights of the People with the prerogatives of the Crown that the House of Commons is a useful alTiftant of the Executive, and an efhcient controul 2 S 2 for 516 HISTORY OF THE for the People. Every thing is mixed in our Go- vernment, There is no hostility between the com- ponent parts. Concord of the different orders, is the rule .: ^r^^fition, is the exception. If it were not so^ the Britifh constitution would be a system of anarchy. What is called Oppofition in this country is of individuals, not of orders. In the prefent Go- vernment of France the ministers are not members of the Legiflative councils, and they are contempt- ible. In the former experiment the Convention was a theatre of faftion. But does Sir Francis mean to adopt the vulgar sentiment, that every man who en- gages in the fervice of Executive Government for- feits his pretenfions to the public confidence? — In what age or country has the service of the State been held incompatible with the duties of a Patriot? The fun£lions of a minister, or of an inferior Place- man may be either useful or mischievous to the State, according as they are exercised. To con- demn all Ministers and all Placemen indiscriminate- ly, has been the malignant cant of the worst of men. It has been truly said, " that he who accus- es all mankind of corruption, convicls only one." If tho«e who are invested with power, employ it to the opprefTion or destruclioii of the State, let them be driven from office with disgrace andpuniOiment, bat, the trivial ribcildry about Placemen, is as incon- sistent with justice, as it is with all government. The administration of affairs must be entrusted to ^omc. Even if the management of the Empire were to be committed to Sir Francis, or to his Pre- *:«ptor, the inferior departments must be occupied bv MIDDLESEX ELECTION. Jl7 by other patriots j they must be paid for their ser- vices, for, I believe, there are very few of Sir F. Burdett's friends that could afford to serve their country for nothing. Bonaparte has his Talleyrand, Cromwell had his Whitelocke's and Thurlo^'s. Those who rail at Placemen, are either hypocrites who aim at power, by profelTmg to despise it, or fooi^ with w^hom it would be useless to reason. It is a reptesentation of public men, no less invidious tha'. ralsr, that the tem.ptation of gain is their prin- cipal object. In every pursuit, as well as in poli- tics, lov^e of gain is but one of the principles of aclion. Every day we see men either negle5l, or throw it away, for the gratification of other pafTions. It was not the love of money that made Sir Francis squander SO or 40,0001. in his contests for Middle- sex. It was patriotism without question ^ and the same patriotism now advises him to be more saving qi his money. In politics, however, men mav be stimulated by motives more criminal than the love of place or of money. They may be gratified at seeing themselves the idols of a faclion, and the admiration of the mob. They may confider the shouts of a rabble more valuable than the smiles of £. Court. Nay, they may, like Cromwell and other hypocrites, make an exaggerated profelTion of pu- rity and disinterestedness, m.erely to secure the absolute authority at which they aim.— Some of Sir F. Burdett's friends apologise for his indiscretions at the expence both of his pride and his understan- ding. They say that the advertisements he has publiflied bear unequivocal m.arks both of the (^ool malignity SIS' HISTORY OF THE hialignity of his master's cbarafter, and the epigram- matic sarcasm of liis stile. If this apology be well founded, I can pity Sir Francis, who beyond the age of pupilage, can descend to be the channel through which another man's venom shall be distributed. But I confess that the friends of Mr. Fox have a right to be surprised at the obloquy thrown upon Mr. Fox, when dead, if they believed that Sir Fran- cis respected him when living. I acquit Sir Francis, however, of everv thing but hypocrisy. He and those about him neither loved Mr. Fox living nor honour his memory when dead. But they would have taken his countenance if they could have ob- tained it, and frequently laboured to entrap his au- thority in favour of objects and principles which his heart and his judgment equally disapproved. Sir •Francis prefents himself as the Candidate for Mid- dlesex ; and what are his pretenfions r He sneers at a trivial expreffion, " the best of Kings." I am sure I cannot tell of what party this phrase is the watch-word. But Sir Francis must have learnt at \'\ imbledon, at least to speak respeftfully of the first magistrate. John Home Tookc, who would ]iave " discharged his piece into Charles the First's bosom, rather than into any other man's," would have been as polite as a courtier. " He would have used daggers but spckc none." I'here was a time when John Home Tooke profcfled to think, that *' zvhoe-ver ci ichaiei'er is So-jereign, demands the rcspedi and support of the peotle. — The union is formed for their mutual happiness, zvhich cannci be had without mutual respeS ; MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 319, respeB ; mtd he connceh malicionjly who would -persuade fit her to a zvmton breach of it'' This is sense and truth, though from the pen of Home Tooke ; and he must indeed be of the Cynic School who takes offence at an expreffion (be it of flattery), which, however, is too common-place to be employed with taste or applied with effecl. As pitiful are the ob- servations upon the *' best of Patriots." Far from trying to vindicate the justice of that title bestowed upon Mr. Fox, from the sneers of Sir F. Burdett, I leave to the Britifli Nation to decide upon the claim and the objection. There is a custom at Rome, that when a Saint is tc be added to the Ca- lendar, a personage is appointed to oppose the claimant, with the charatter of i' Avocato del Dia- volo. I do not propose "vlr. Fox for political cano- nization ; but if sucli a thing is ever brought for- ward, Sir F. Burdett may execute the ofiicc of the Devil's Attorney. It is quite impoffible that Sir Francis, upon the grounds h.e has stated, can expect to be elected iVlember for Middlesex. No man that Joves or respects the Constitution, can vote k r him who boldly avows principles :ncon;patiblc with all Government; who rail^ against tax.:s wr.ich cannot be decreased, and who speaks of our situation in a stile to encrease rather than to leifen our dansrcr. Will Bonaparte grant terms of pe?.ce to Sir F. Bur- dett? Would Sir F, Burdett's politics take off a 3tngle iaipost, unless by that universal confufion of a national bankruptcy, which some of his friends recommend, and which would be the inevitable result S20 HISTORY OF THE result of his condu6l ? But in truth I am surprised at some parts of the address while I am pleased. Yet to alk no vote ! to distribute no ribband ! to excite no riot ! This indeed is a change. But, upon my honour^ I fhould have thought Sir F. Burdett the last man on earth to boast of this forbearance. What ! After the ribbands, the tumults, the carriages, the profufion of two elections, not a vote afked, a cock- ade distributed, or a carriage allowed ! Sir F. Bur- dett, the Idol of the rabble, all at once set up for a Coriolanus ! Afk votes ! canvass I To beg of Hob and Dick ! — " Rather than fool it so. Let the high office and the honour go To one that would do thus. I cannot with satisfaction pursue the examination tartlier. It grieves me to see a Gentleman like Sir F. Burdett, who might have been the respected supporter or the formidable opponent, of any Mi- iiifrer, to aci as to render support injurious and op- poiition unavailing. Me appears disposed to link himself v.'ith the moil desperate adventurers, and to seek for consolation in the applause of the loweft or the vilefl of men. I would hope that Sir Fran- cis cannot enjoy the approbation of his own mind;- he may yet retrace his licps; and I truft that even ftill a reiHinciation of his errors will secure to him the eireera of bis country and of himself. PORTIVS. Mr. MIDDLESEX ELECTION, 321 Mr. Vv'hitbread's Letter to Sir Francis BuRDETT, Bart. Dear Sir, I have received a circular letter bearing your fig- nature, and accompanied by an Address to the Free- holders of Middlesex, upon the grounds contained in which alone, you afic my support at the present Election for that County. I am sorry to tell you, that, upon those grounds, I feel it impoflible to comply with your requeft. Having twice had the honour to poll for you at Brentford — having anti- cipated the pleasure of seeing vou re-elecled with- out oppofition, or of ufmg my utmoft exertions In your favour, and having a great personal respect for you, I cannot conceal the mortification I feel at being compelled to adopt this line of conduct; nor can I refrain from pointing out to you some of those passages of the Address which make it incumbent on me to v^'ithlioid the support 1 have hitherto been happv to afford vou. You assume that two par- ties in the ftate have joined, not for the purpose of bettering tiie con'lition of the people, but with a base and scandaloi-s intention of pilia^in:^ those whom tiiev are calicd to rule, and are bound to protect, li would have been ueil if you, who have called for details, had pointed out tlie pa; ticu'ar iii- iiances wnicii jullif}- such an assertion to your mind ; in order rliat persons, as Independent of the present, and ev'. rv other adminifLration, as your.^elf, might have had an opportiinitv of more eorre£lly judging •2 1 how 522 illSTOXY OF THE how far they had heen deceived as to the paft, and ^vhat precautions they ought to take for the future. I have supported the present adminiftration from a conviction that they were united upon principles of real public utility, and for the purpose of car- rying into execution plans of great national improve- ment, both in our foreign and domeftic circum- ftances ; and I cannot abandon them, because in a fituation more difficult than that in which any of their predeceilbrs have ever flood, they have not been able to effeft, what I believe, to have been neareft the hearts of them all — I mean a peace with France ; seeing such a peace could not have been obtained upon terms confident with national ho- nour, and because time has not sufficed to mature and execute the schemes of internal improvement, which they have manifefted their determination to pursue. — You affume, that whenever the leaders of contending parties in a ftate unite, that it never is in favour of the people ; and that the hiftory of the world bears evidence of the truth of your afler- tion. It appears to me that the doctrine you maintain — that the political animofities of honeft men muft be irreconcilable — is moft fatal to the exigence of a popular government ; and if carried to the extreme, muft tend to the subjugation of the country,or to tlie abandonment of liberty, in order to obtain security from foreign conqueft : and to hiftory I refer you for the fa6t, that if the heads of discordant parties could not be united in thecause of the people, ihe Revolution of 1688;, in which We glory, could not MIDDLESEX ELECTION. S23 not have been brought about. You aflert that a double impofture is now attempted upon the Peo- ple; and you ascribe to each of two parties a watch word, neither of which I have found to be in use. I have no hefitation, however, in saying, that attach- ed as I am by preference to the more popular parts of our Conftitution, I consider the Throne as indis- penfibly neceffary to the perpetuity of our liberties, by preventing any usurpation upon them by indivi- duals, either of the ariftocratical or democratical eftate : but hovi'ever a Sovereiirn rulincf these kins:- doms m.ay be personally beloved, his, name cannot be brought in queftion, nor Jiis virtues, however eminent, ftated, in order to give ftrength to the Alinifters he may have appointed, without a violation of the dignity of all the Conftitutional Powers, and I am not aware that such has been the pr:i£t:ce n:w. Neither do I know that tiie other watcli-uoid, as you term it, has been used, for any Unifier pur!:;r;se^ It the friends and admirers of the late Mr. Fox have upon every occafion, both public and private, spoke of his transcendant merits in ir.e mofr forcible lan- guage their imaginations could :,iipply, i will ven- ture to say, they have in no one inftance been able adequately to express tlieir sense of his worth, or the poignancy of their grier, ror the irretrievable Ijss which has been sustained. The term, '• the best of Patriots" is, in n:yeil:iraation, ol light pre eminentlv his; and if you would condescend to refer to the particulars of his glorious and active life, }ou would find that, for near iorty years, he was the mofr aili- '2 T 2 duoas 224 HISTORY OF THE duous and disintcrcilcd servant anv country ever pofTcfled ; that he vvithftood every encroachment attempted tipon public liberty ; that he proposed innumerable measures for the relief and prosperity of the people; that he obtained some, and endea- voured to obtain many more, diminutions of reftraint upon civil and religious freedom ; that he did his utmoft, and was capable of doing far more than any other individual, by his own personal exertionsj could ever do, to prevent wars, which he thought neither juft nor neceffary, and to obtain or preserve peace, when he thought it could be either atchieved or continued with security and honour 3 that, in the pursuit of the great objects he had in vieu', he was insenfible to all that could intimidate, all that could tempt, all that could persuade minds of an ordinary stamp ; and that, in the cause of the People, Vv^hich he had espoused, he w^as proof againft the allure- ments of ambition, wealth, power, popularity, and friendfliip itself. — In the paths ot his political u'ls- domi and integrity I dclire to walk 3 and if you are not only not alive to his merits as the bcft of pa- triots, but propose to yourself means of rescuing your Country from the difficulties of its pre- sent situation, totally ditlercnt fromi those which jNlr. Fox v/ould have pursued, had he lived to coun- sel us in this iiour of trial, you mufl: pardon me for sayin^, that such an avov* al decides me againft giving you n"'y vote. — I do not perceive in your present address any allulion to an opinion promulgated by vGU on the late Elettion for Weftminftcr, v/hich is, " rhat MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 525 " that a person holding an office under the Crown, *' however otherwise eftimable, cannot at any time *' become the fit representative of a free, uncorrupt *' and independent people ;" if such opinion be founded in truth, which I utterly deny, a law ought to be paffed to exclude all the executive servants of Government from scats in either House of Par- liament. I have not heard that it was in the con- templation of cnv one to propose such a measure, and if proposed,! am sure it would meet vvith refist- ance from all descriptions of persons, who have the power or the will to reason upon its conse- quences. The people, by the acceptance of your tood alone, unconnected with any other candidate, because, I felt that I could be responsible only to you for every part of my conduct, and for my own language, but not for the conduct or language of any other candidate. ^Canl I cant! misrepresentatiGn.] Gentlemen, it has been said that I have played the game of Mr. Mcllish. I beg leave explicitly to declare, that I have rendered Mr. Mellish no service. ^Nor any body else, I dare sayy exclaimed a Freeholder.^ Gentlcnien, if I am to point out the man who has rendered Mr. Mellish the greatest service, it \z xXiZ Hon. Bart. Sir Francis Burdett. It has been the avowal of his principles, from which I difient, that has brought forward a de- cided and marked oppofuicn to hi. Election. Gen- tlemen, having said thus mucn^ I beg le.^.ve again to repeat to you that I stand alone, unconnected with any other candidate. I will either stand or fall by mv own principles. '{_Yoii' II fall then T: I Vvifli, Gen- tlemen, in the prcseiu ardiicus crisis to lend my aid and assi5,iancc to the preseni: Government ; but 1 beg leave to state, that 1 shall ncr be gui^. d iii my parlia- mentary conduct bv an}^ private aiiecricn tor their persons. Their public condutl alcnc will dc:ernune me, and I shall not be guided by any motive cA in- terest or ambition, but by a motive as pov/ctiul, I mean MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 529 mean ah extreme share of vanity to~[A"cJ profefmg Whig ! No peerage hunting IVbig! IVhere is the Parlia^ mentary Reform you prouihed us ? Where are all the pledges of the IVhigMuhr Off! off! No Byng! No Byng I] Gentlemen, I beg leave to state, that whenever the question of a Parliamentary Reform is brought forward, consistently with the principles of our Con- stitution — \^ Another burst of indignation drowned the iound of his over strained voice, and he retired under a hud and general cry of no Byng ! no prof effing Whig! no Turn-coat I His reception zvas full as mortifying as Mr. Sheridan's hadbeen at Covent Garden,"] Sir Francis Burdett advanced in front of the Hustings, and, amidst reiterated plaudits, addrefTed the Freeholders in the following words : *' Gentle- men, Freeholders of the County of iVIiddlesex, I shall state to you, as shortly as I can upon this occasion, and with the same plainness and sincerity upon every occafion, as I think myself bound to do when called upon by the public, my sentiments with regard to the state of politics and party in this country. Mr. Byng has told yoii that he offers himself to your notice on those principles which first recommended him to it. It would have been well if Mr. Byng bad stated to you what those principles were. [Great applause.'} Where are we to look for them ? Who knov/s what are the principles of Mr. Byng ? Do any of you? \_No^ noy no!] Gentlemen, I am neither sur- prised or displeased at the conduct of Mr. Byng on this occasion, but quite contraiy. It is not incon- sistent with the conduct he has all along professed. You know that Mr. Byng is a summer insect, and 2 U LOVES S5© HISTORY OF TH« LOVES THE SUN. [_A general huvst of appluuse.'] But I must allow, that if Mr. Byng has not stated his prin- ciples on this, any more than on any former occasion, he has stated his pretensions to your support with a degree of modesty which I suppose you will hardly think entitles him to it. For he calls for your sup- port—on what grounds? That you have returned him three times to Parliament, and that he never voted againft you. What ! are members ever re- turned to Parliament to vote againft their conftitu- ents ? Have we arrived at such a pitch of degrada- tion that for a man not to have betrayed his confti- tuents, is to be put forth a3 a claim to the approba- tion of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex ? It would be easy to shew, that, if Mr. Byng has not incurred the sin of commission^ he has at least incur- red the sin of omission^ which is, perhaps, not less prejudicial to the public than the other. Where was Mr. Byng when the question was brought forward relative to the abuses in the Cold-bath-fields prison ? Does that, or not, interest the Electors of /"he County of Middlesex ? Are they not at the expence of main- taining it ? Mave not they suffered, and do they not ftiil suffer, for the infamous practices which, to the eternal disgrace of the county, were and are permit- ted to take place within its dreary walls ? [7/ 'was rr-jt-r proved—its a stale .*/ory.] Freeholders, a Gent- tleman among the crowd says that the old stale ftory of the Bastille is going to be revived ; I am sorry it u ; I hp.ve endeavoured to prevent it, but Mr. Byng hni not. \_PU:ndUs.] Now, Gentlemen, permit mc r© ask you, Wheihcr this great and principal claina MlDDLESE3f ILECTIOK, 331 ip the confidence of the County of Middlesex has Jiot been recently put forward by one of the Band of Patriots to which Mr. Byng belongs ? 1 ask you, whether it has not been stated by Mr. Sheridan, as the ground of that support he expecfls from the Elec- tors of Westminfter, that he alone stood forward and supported me upon the question of the Cold-bath- fields pri- son ? Can these Gentlemen, who attempt to interrupt me, think to bear me down by saying, that no abuses exifled, that they do not now exift, and that 1 have merely sought, by raising a clamour and exciting the popular feeling, to bring myself in for the County of Middlesex ? It is. Gentlemen, now plain and appa- rent; — and happy I am to have this opportunity of proving what I at first asserted — [7/ is untrue^ exclaimed a person upon the Hustings.! The Gentleman behind me denies what I was going to say, even before he has heard it. I was going to state, that you have had, in my present conduct, a convincing proof, that if my object had been personal, — if I had merely been ambitious of the honour of becoming the Represen- tative for the County of Middlesex, I might easily have been so — nay, that I might have been brought in without any oppo Jtion. [_Tes, you certainly could, said several!] It has been stated, as the opinion of Mr. Byng, that I have performed the greatefl pofli- ble service for Mr. Mellifh.— Gentlemen, let the con- sequence be what it may, neither a scat in Parliament ior the County of Middlesex, nor any thing else in the power of Government to bestow, fhall ever make me desert those principles, which I am thoroughly convinced muft ultimately prove the sole means of 2 U 2 th« 532 HISTORY OF THE the salvation of the country. ^Loud plaudits were re-echoed on all fides.'] Freeholders of the Coun- ty ; I have besides another confirmation of what some of the Gentlemen around me think pro- per to deny, 1 have the Official Declaration, for so I muft call the letter of Mr. Whitbread {see p. 321.) the brother-in-law of Lord Howick, one of his Majesty's principal secretaries of state, a man whom 1 think 1 may now venture to denominate the head of that Band of Patriots to which Mr. Byng belongs, — I have it from him, that he had no doubt I ihould be brought in for the county. But Gentle- men, I thought it my duty to disdain Ministerial Support i I still think it so, and I do not repent my determination ; for I look to no other objed: but to speak the truth, whenever the public intereft calls upon me, \_inccffiant plaudits.'] Gentlemen, the letter of Mr. Whitbread 1 confess I at firfl thought a hand- some mode of proceeding towards me, and I wTOtc to him to thank him for justifying his condud in declining to support my cause. I was obliged to him; because I felt, that, if he did not approve of my principles, I did not want his support ; nor would I have accepted i\..—[^Bravo! bravo /j— Now, Gentle- men, since I have seen that letter— which I confidered a personal justification tome— published to the world, I muft look at it in a very different point of view. I consider it as the Official Declaration of the late Pa- triot, but present Minister, againft me, and I regret to say, 1 think it altogether unworthy of the quarter from whence it came. But I trust I shall, when I have somewhat more leisure, state at large my opi- nion MIDDLESEX ELECTION. S33 5iion of that extraordinary publication, and of all the ixiatrtr it contains. 1 flatter myself I shall expose its sophi-try,and prove, even to demonstration, that it is as Liter' V destitute of historical truth,as it is ofcon- ftir itioiia' principles. [^Lcud and unanimous applause.'] — -Gentlerucn, Mr. Whitbread tells us that the ad- ministration, of which he is so conspicuous a sup- porter, have not yet formed their projccicd schemes of re- form^ internal and external. Thus, it appears they have schemes in agitation. Now, what is the absurd outcry raised againfl: me ? That I am a schemer. That I have schemes which I wish to execute. Believe me. Gentlemen, and it is the sacred assurance of an hon- eft, independent, and, I truft, virtuous man, 1 have no schemes; 1 meditate no innovation; I want no- thing but the Conftitution of England, my beloved country; I want the whole of that Conftitution, and nothing but that Conftitution. {Universal plaudit s.'\ — We have the good fortune to live in a country, which is pre-eminent over the reft of the world. That we have so invaluable an inheritance is to be attributed to our having a Conftitution, traced out originally for ourselves. To preserve it inviolate, we have only to take care not to abandon it, or the principles which form its basis. But I m.aintain, that our boafted conftitution is an incongruity, if the people have not their fair representation in Parliament. {Acclamations and Jhouts of approbation.']^ — It is aftved, what do I complain of, in the condudl of the coales- ced parties? Would I have no minifter? Is the office of a minifter a disqualification which precludes his representing an vmcorrupt people? Gentlemen, I have SS4 HISTORY OP tH« I have said no such thing; but I do objedl to 9. minifter representing a free and independent city or county. The queftion is not. Whether minifters fhould be in Parliament, but, whether the Parliament {boidd he composed entirely of court penjioners and place^ vten ? If these men will accept of places and offices under the crown, let them not fhow themselves upon those huftings, from whence the people look to be represented by men as independent as themselves. \_BurJls of applause.'] htt them go to court bo- roughs; let them not throw every other man out of some Ihare of that representation which ftill remains uncorrupt. — Gentlemen, there is another objedion to this Coalition Adminijlration. They say, they have have not yet matured their schernes. True; but though they have done nothing for the public^ they have done something for themselves. They have matured their ov/n Penfions^ Minijlerial OJjices^ and Sinecure Places, [Exceffive plaudits.] They have matured all their objects of Party. But, they say they have not matured any thing for the public. I will tell you one thing they have done : they have afligned a magnificent palace, at the end of Cathe- rine-ftreet, to the Manager of Drury-lane Theatre. They have given him no small fhare of the public mo- ney-and forwhatj^ra/VifjtheDevil only knows! \_Amix* iure ofexcelfive laughter and applause.] — Gentlemen, in the (liort period of time fmcethisBAXD of Patriots have coal.ced, they have reduced the country, inter- nally and externally, to a more perilous fituation even than they found it. Yet they have the barefaced im- pudence to tell you, that they h.«ve not matured their sfbemes. What do I complain of? They allow they MIDDLESEX ELECTION. $3$ have performed no Services; but they have taken the Rev^rard of Services. [Hear! Hear! Hear! Gen- eral acclamations.'] I say, that they fhould not take the Revi'ard, unless the Service goes hand in hand with it [True exclaimed many voices. ~\ — These, Gentle- jnen, are my principles. They are applicable to all governments, for the same abuses muft be inimical to every government, let their forms be what they may. These, of whom I have been speaking, arc the belt friends any of our enemies can have ; for, if they wantonly diffipate the resources of the country how are those resources to be found, when they are wanted for its defence ? [Incejfant applause']— G^ntXe- men, I observe, that Mr. Whitbread, in his Manifefto, has not followed the same principles and motives ia his public capacity which actuate his private conduct, I find nothing of the kind in his Letter to me. What does he do in his private concerns? He never pay# his men till they have performed their labour. He sees the beer they brew before he gives them the re- ward for brewing it. 1 believe he rewards them liberally ; but never till they have done their duty.— - With respecT: to Mr. Byng and his principles, I can say nothing, because it is a secret to mc what they are. If I could find them out, and they appeared t» me to be likely to be of the lead benefit to the pub- lic, I fhould be the firH: man to withdrav/ and give Mr. Byng my vote. [Tqu have not got a vote, exclaim^ ed Mr. Byng : several persons cried out, For JJjame.for Jhame, Byngf] Mr. Byng does not believe -I-.have got a vote. He is miflaken. He would find I have •He.— Now. Gentlemen, what is it that has called down 35t) HISTORY OF THfe down on my head the coalesced Powers of the Coalescing Parlies? What is it, but my doing my duty hy yoUy and vot conniving at zrhat I confider their mal-pra^iices. \ Loud plaudits.'] Gentlemen, / never will connive at them. I care not for a Seat in Parliament, if it is so to be obtained. Gentlemen, when I am before the public I will do my duty, but, Iwill havenoconni^ vance with viiniJlerSy neither will I ever consent to Jhare in their guilty or their plunder .'^ [-^''^^^ '^/^^ repeated applause folkwed this speech^ in which applause no small part of Mr. MelUJh^s friends joined ; and they clearly appeared to prefer Sir F^'ancis Burdett to Mr. Byng.] Mr. Mellish. — Gentlemen. Freeholders of this county, I crave your filence for a few moments. I fhall not make near as long a speech as the hon. baronet. I am convinced you will hear what I have to say, because the hon. baronet's speech is rather a personal attack on my conduct, which 1 am sure you will think I ought to clear up. In my address to you, I have told you the manner in which 1 came forward to offer myself as one of your representatives. My opinion remains the same as it Was, in direct oppo- fition to the hon. baronet. 1 have been accused of joining Mr. Byng. Now I affure you 1 have not joined any body. I have neither joined Sir F. Bur- dett or Mr. Byng. 1 have been told by Mr. Byng, that Sir. F. Burdett has done me all the good he could. This the hon. baronet does not deny; but I am not to be so lulled as to conceive that the hon. baronet Cc-m have that affeclion for me and my cause as is pretended. I have been, I do not mean person- ally, but with regard to his political principles, one MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 337 of the greatefl: enemies he ever had. [iVb, «o, no! Ton are unable to he his enemy ! He never heard of you in his lifcy till within this week /] I am proud to think differently from him. It is impoHible I can conceal that some of Sir F. Burdett's friends have promised to vote for me. Now, gentlemen, Mr. Byng having told you that I have not joined him, there can be no doubt as to the fad. I declare 1 have not joined him; I have not joined the hon. baronet. If I am not dating what is true, he is here to contradidl me. I make no profeflions ; I do not say that I will sup- port this or that government. [What I are there MANY government s^ then ? Who did you learn that off^ I will support the measures, but not the men. I come forward, I hope as an honeft and independent man; If you catch me tripping, (hould I be the successYul candidate, you will have the means of puniHiment in your power. To be sure, it will be a few years hence. Was I not confident I fhould do my duty I would not think of coming forward to disgrace myself and you. I come forward to preserve the Beft of Kings ; {_No cant ! no Jhameful cant ! no hypo^ critel you preserve the King indeed I a Bank Directcr ■preserve the King /] We all know what he has done — we know his aimable qualities, and it would be un- becoming to attempt to describe them. I come forward to preserve the conftitution, in the words of the hon. baronet, the whole conftitution. I come forward to preserve the country, because I love it. \Well you may I you fatten upon it I But why don't you pay your Bank of England mAes in cajh ?j There xs one thing more I wish to mention. I think it was wrong 2X to S38 HISTORY OF THE to bring forward the Baflile. It was infamous and disgraceful to bring it forward during the two laft elections. Gentlemen^ to assume the ability to find words to express my feelings for having been nomi- nated, would be an insult to your underftandings, I have lived all my life in the county ? \^and wbal good have you done in it ?'] I have lived on my own efl"ate, I hope the freeholders of the county know my character, and are convinced that I am both honeft and independent." The three candidates were then separately put in nomination by the fheriff. Thejhew of hands was decidedly in favour of Sir Francis Burdetiy Bart, and My. Mellifj^ and the fheriffaccordingly declared the same. A poll was immediately demanded on behalf of Mr Byng, and the court adjourned. Character of Sir Francis BurdeTt ; By his friend Wm. Cobbett. " It was our intention to have entered into a re- futation of certain political doctrines which Sir F. Burdett has published and polled through the county of Middlesex j but, upon closer examination, w^ find them to proceed upon notions so completely sub- versive of the Laws and Government of the country, that any controversy with him mulV necelTarily have for its object to prove the inexpediency of destroying the Alonarchy of England. To reason with such a man would be absurd ; he must be treated with silent contempt, or be combated with weapons very different MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 339 different from a pen. We declare our abhorrence of the principles and conduct of the man, who, in alluding to the Britilh Government, speaks of hired Magiftrates, Parliaments, and Kings ; we deteft and loath Sir F. Burdett; we would trample upon him for his false, base, and insolent insinuations and as- sertions, respecting his and our Sovereign," &c. &c. &c. — Cobhett's Annual Regifter^ Vol. II. p. 151. "The Political Regifter" (of Mr. Cobbett) " is the only publication that I have seen or heard of, wherein men expect to meet with authenticity of ftatement and impartiality of insertion." — Mr. Paull's letter to Lord Folkeflone. — CobbetVs Political Regifter, Oct. 25th, 1806- Mr. Cobbett's Vindication of Sir F. Burdett, A paflage has been quoted, from the Regifter of 1802, wherein I severely reproached Sir Francis Bur- dett for having in one of his Addrefles to the Free- holders, made use of the phrase, " hired Magiftrates, ParliatfientSy and Kings \' a phrase highly improper, in my opinion, both then and now; though I ihall not maintain, that, in my comments upon it, I was entirely uninfluenced by that flrong prejudice, which had been created in my mind, with regard to his motives ; to which muft be added, that the situation of England and of Europe, with respect to political doctrines, was, at that time, very different from what it is now, when all the terrors of democracy are turned into errors of universal despotism. But, it fhould not be forgotten, that, in 1802, 1 had been but about 2X2 10 340 HISTORY OF THB 1 8 months in England, afcer a long war, carried on with great zeal, againft republicans in a foreign country, where, let it be observed, every republican was a sworn enemy, not only of the king of England, but of England itself. Upon my return to England, I naturally fell into a literary acquaintance, consist- ing entirely of men who were the political enemies of Sir F. Burdett. Several of these had corresponded with me while I was in America ; and, it was not until long after my return to England, that I found, to my utter astonishment, that every one ofthem^ re- ceived, and had long been receiving, in one fhape or another, considerable sums of money annually from the government ; that is to say, out of the taxes raised upon the people. Amidft such a circle of acquaintance it was not likely, that, with all my in- dependence of mind, and with as ftrong an inclina- tion, as falls to the lot of any writer, to speak the truth upon every subje6l ; amidft such a circle it was not likely that I should very soon arrive at the truth; and, from the acquaintances alluded to, I imbibed what was, I dare say, their sincere opinion, that Sir F. Burdett, in his representations with re- spect to the solitary prison in Cold Bath Fields, was actuated by no other motive than that of regard for the MutineerSy-who^NQxt, or had been, confined there, and that that regard was founded on an approbation of their treasonable designs. Thus thinking, it is not at all surprizing, that, as far as I was able, I opposed him in his jirft conteft for Middlesex. During th^fecond conteft I made no observations, on one side or the other ; and the reasons were these: FIRST, MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 541 FIRST, in no part of his parliamentary conduct had I seen any thing to censure, but in many parts of it much to commend; second, that a muft foul mis- representation of his speech upon the County Ad- dress, relative to the present Wai, had excited in my mind a great degree of indignation againfl his ene- mies; THIRD, that I had had time to perceive, that the moi^ bitter of his enemies, not excepting my own acquaintances above alluded to, were, to a man, placemen or pensioners, or both at once, and that the far better half of their loyalty ^ was, in fact, a love of the public money; but, a fourth reason, and a reason more powerful than all the reft put together, was, that I had, by this time, learnt from the lips of Mr. Reeves, that (hocking abuses had really exifted in the Solitary Prison, and that he himself had been the firft to complain thereof, in his capacity of ma- giftrate. The subject of Mr. Reeves's complaint was the treatment of Despard, who was then confined in the prison ; and, the description which he gave me of that treatment, though he seemed to think that Sir F. Burdett's complaints were not founded, convinced me that those complaints were not, with- out further inquiry, to be treated as groundless. With these impressions upon my mind it was, that I made, with regard to the second Middlesex Elec- tion, and after the conteft was over, those remarks which will be found in Vol. IV. of the Regifter : and which remarks, had Sir F. Burdett been a hunter after popularity, would very soon have produced a personal acquaintance between us. But, the fact is, that no communication of any kind, either direct or indirecfl. 542 HISTORY OF THE indirect, ever took place between him and me, until K -e time, I believe, in the month of March last, vv -^c firll met from causes purely accidental; Vl:.,x..i>1: . luuft confess, that an unsolicited meeting im ■ g been wished for on my part. I have be- l;)?c expressed, in general terms, my opinion, and, indeed, my thorough conviction, that, in the whole kingdom, there is not a man more attached to the kingly government and the whole of the conftitution of England, than Sir F. Burdett. But, I muft now jbcg leave to ftate, somewhat in detail, the informa- tion which, upon the subject of the Solitary Prison, the hon. baronet has had the condescension to furnish me with, and which, had I been furnished with it pre- vious to 1802, would have made me his eulogift at that time. The English newspapers which reached me in America, and the representations made to mc upon my return to England, exhibited Sir Francis as a person, who, from mere love of the conduct of the Mutineers, officiously visited them in their cells. Bat the fact, though so ftudiously concealed by all the newspapers, was, that Sir Francis was led to that prison by a letter, received from some of the pri- soners. This letter, from the circumstance of the prisoners being deprived of the use of pen, ink, and paper, was written upon the leaf of a book, if I re- collect right, with a splinter of wood, and in the blood of the miserable captives, who, in terms indi- cative of despair, supplicated him to save them from the pangs of death produced by hunger and thirst ; and, need I ask the reader, whether it was the bounden duty of an Englishman, particularly of a member of par- MIDDLESEX ELECTION, 54S parliament, to lend his ear to the fupplication, and to endeavour to procure redress ? No matter who or what the suffering prisoners were. They were in an English prison, and they were there without a trials too. Not to have attended to their call would have argued a heart destitute of justice as well as of mercy. Sir Francis, upon visiting the unhappy creatures, found them, he says, mere frames of men, their minds, apparently, as much impaired as their bodies. This led him on to a general inquiry and examination ; and, though, in the heat of descrip- tion, he may, probably, in some few instances, have surpassed the bounds of the fad, I am sincerely per- suaded, that, in every case, the representations made by him were subitantially true ; and this persua- sion must, in the mind of every candid man, be greatly ftrengthened by the well-known fad, that, upon the subjed of these his representations, he never could obtain an open discussion in the House of Commons; all his endeavours in that way being defeated by-a motion for the previous queftion^ or by some such device. One occurrence of this sort is worthy of particular notice. Sir Francis Burdett, upon making a speech relative to the abuses in the prison, was answered by Sir William Elford, that he himself had been, that day, to vifit the pri- son, and that with some little excusable excep- tions, the conduct of the jailor had been highly commendable; upon which ground he concluded with making a motion, that the jailor should be called to the bar to defend his character against the charges of the Hon. Baronet. " I second that " motion," 344 HISTORY OF THE •« motion," said Sir F. Burdett; " for, though it is «» quite a novel proceeding to call in a man, under '* similar circumftances, to deny the ftatements of a ** member of this house, yet, so long have I endea- " voured in vain to bring this matter under dis- " cussion, in some shape or other ; so clear am I as ** to the truth of all my ftatements, and so confident " do I feel, that this truth will be made manifest to " the House by any mode of examination, whatever " it may be, that I cheerfully concur in the propo- " lition now made." Some member from the Trea- sury Bench, having, by this time, received his cue from the minister, recommended to Sir W. Elford to withdraza his motion ; whereupon he begged leave to withdraw it. But, as this could not be done "without the consent of a seconder^ and as Sir Francis Burdett would not give this consent, the House di- vided ; the Noes went out, leaving Sir Francis alone^ Sir W. Elford voting againjt his own motion! No comment is necessary; and I shall only add, upon this part of my subject, that, if the doors of the House had not been closed at the time here referred to, ajid if the daily newspapers had not then been, as they now are, in pofTeflion of the mofl uncandid and venal of m.cn, neither I, nor any other weil- meanlng man, would ever have been found amongft the political enemies of Sir Francis Burdett. Such, reader, are the causes of my change of opinion with regard to the motives of this gentleman, calumniated more than any other man that ever lived, but yet enjoying popularity unparalleled; the mention of which latter circumstance brings me back to the scene MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 345 scene now before US, and reminds meof the neces- sity of observing, that the daily newspapers, the whole of which have so carefully concealed the fad of !VIr. Paull's being, at the close of every day's poll, drawn home to his house ^ in triimph, by the people^ have, with equal care, concealed the fact, that Sir F. Bur- dett was the only gueft that -was Jo conduSJed to the Lord Mayor's Fenfty on the ^th injtant. This popu- larity, which is by no means confined to the rabble, but which extends itself amongft all those who compose that mass which is denominated the peo^ pie \ this popularity, which will be increased, rather than diminished, by the effects of miniflerial fear and rancour ; this popularity 1 am anxious to see employed '\x\ preservings zx\<\ not in de/troying; and, for this reason, amongft many others, it is that 1 have deprecated, and do ftill deprecate, all attempts to inculcate the notion, that Sir F. Burdctt is an enemy to the King and the Conftitution ; a notion, which, to whatever extent it may reach, cannot fail to give a riischievou." direclion to the min-i;; of the people. Union, rhc coidiai union ot ail men in dcitnce of thrii country againft the obviously meditated attacks oi a moft formidable tnemv; ih;:^ wnion is ^onftantly represented as the n^l;, n.cans Oi prc.ervin^ our :n.lc- pendcnce as an. :on. " Let us be but uvited, hand and heart, and we may ftill se^ the threaicn.nnr conqueror at defiance." Bi.l, is it likci tnat this union will be secured by setting up the !a!sc and calumnious accusation of disloyalty againt agtiitie- man, who, amongft the really efficient part of the people, possesses more influence, and will, in spite a Y of 546 HISTORY OF THE of all that cfhn be said or done, possess more influ* ence, than all the other public men in the kingdom put together ? No matter what name placemen and peniioners and peculators may give him ; for, that name, be it what it may, the independent part of the people will take to themselves ; and, if his calumni- ators were to succeed in producing a general per- suasion, that his views are really hoftilc to the kingly government, they would, thereby, gradually prepare the minds of the people for revolutionary measures. I may be deceived in my views of this matter; but, such is my sincere opinion, and such are the reasons which have, from the beginning of the present war, induced me to inculcate, to the ut- moft of my power, the nrcelHty of abstaining from all those accusations, the tendency of which evidently was, not only to cause the enemy to believe that we wQxc 2i divided peopky but, in reality, to make us a divided people. The phrase, in Sir F. Burdett's firft Address, " the beji oj kinvs^" together with the context, conveys no meaning hofrile to the piesent king, or to the kingly government of England. There is nothing in that Addres?, which any candid and senfible man can, in his heart, disapprove of; and, though we may excuse such men as Mr. Bowles and Mr. Redhead Yorke, and such a man as Mr. Mellidi, for setting up an out-cry againft it ; though these persons may be excused, what excuse can be found for the Sheridans and the Whitbrcads and the Peter Moorcs, who, for the laft 17 years, have been maintaining the right of " cajhiering kinds'' at plea- sure, and who have, in their orgies, toasted " their " Sovereign^ MIDDLESEX ELECTION; 347 " Sovereign., \.\i^ Majejiy of the People i'* what excuse can be found for such men as these joining in the criticising calumny, and endeavouring to excite a hatred againft a gentleman, whom they well know to be more, aye much more, loyal than themselves, but whom they mortally hate, only because he will not connive at their selfiQi conducl, which he, and in my opinion juftly, regards as the mod fertile source of public danger ? They mufl: be senfible that their calumnies will tend to divide the people; to excite, in the breafts of a great portion of those men, who may be termed the nerves of the ftate, feelings of disguft, of hatred towards the caiumnia- torSi and of indifference, at leaft, with respect to the fate of a government, from the officers of which they may imagine that they have nothing but accu- sation and calumny to expedt; ihey muft be senfible of ail this, and they muff sec, that, in the same de- gree that they succeed in over-ruling, by their mis- representation and their influence, the unbiassed voice of the people, the hearts of that people will be alienated from the order of things whence that in- fluence flows ; but, alas ! they seem, in pursuit of present private advantage, to disregard all future public consequences Am 1 told, that the fault " is Sir F. Burdett's? That be has made the first ** attack F*' 1 answer, that every man has a right to criticise the condudt of every ofhcer receiving the public money. This right, in the moral as well as in the legal sense of the word, has always been ad- mitted, even by the moft arbitrary of miniffers, allowing, at the same time, that the right of all such 2 Y 2 officers. 348 HISTORY OF THE officers (and have they not meafis enough !) to defend themselves is equally undoubted. But, they have no right, by way of defence, to reproach their assailants with disloyalty. This mode of proceeding was pur- sued by the Addingtons. All those who disapproved of their measures ; all those who expressed disguft at their insatiable love of place and emolument ; all those who exposed their grasping, were, for want of arguments wherewith to furnifha defence, accused^of disaffeclion to the gcvernment^ and were, more thaa once, denominated Jacobins f But, this is a fraud, which, though it may succeed for a time with a certain portion of the people, muft, in the end, prove, as it did in the case iuft referred to, ruinous to those who resort to it. SECOND MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 349 SECOND DAY. Tuefday^ 'Novemler ii. At the close of the poll, the numbers were as follows ; William Mellish, Esq. . . . 433 George Byng, Esq 421 Sir Francis Burdett .... 108 Mr. Byng advanced to the front of the huftings. The uproar was so great that for some time he could not be heard. " Gentlemen, (said he, after silence had been obtained) I am highly gratified at the ftatc of the poll this day, and have only to return you my bed thanks for your exertions in my favour, and to requefl: your continuance of them." Sir Francis Burdett then came forward, and was greeted with the usual applauses by the crowd. " At this late hour, (he observed) I shall only take up your time, Gentlemen, for a few minutes, in ex- pressing to those who have voted in my favour with so much spirit, under so many disadvantages, the great satisfaclion which I feel at the independent principles on which I have been supported. For, whether I look at the whole nuinber that has polled this day, or the number of thofc who, under the dis- advantages that I have mentioned, have come for- ward in my favour, I cannot but be persuaded, that the independence of the County will at length rouse S50 History of the rouse itself, and will finally place me in that situst- tion where another candidate at present ftands, viz. at the head of the poll {Jhoats of applaufe). At all events. Gentlemen, it will be no fault of mine if yoii should not place me there. I am willing to stand or fall with the independence of the County of Mid- dlesex; and I am resolved to give it every opportu- nity that the law allows of exerting itself, by keeping the poll open to the lad [applauses). Gentlemen, when I consider the general llackncss of the poll this day — when I consider that others, with all the advantages v,hich they possessed, have not polled many more than 1 myself polled on the firft day of a late election for this County, 1 cannot consider the ftate of the poll this dnv as the slightefl: criterion for judging of the final iciinination of the conteft. I therefore hope that the mucpendence of the County will shortly manifefl: itself. There are many rea- sons, which you may easily sugged: to yourselves, for the lowness of the poll in my favour this dav. In the firft place, the Election at Weftminfler en- gages numbers of our friends. From the present ftate of political parties, there arc many of my friends engaged there on opposite sidc.^. After that Elec- tion is over, they will come forward, and finally crown the cause of independence v/ith a glorious triumph. But, Gentlemen, I shall only say thi^, that be the support given to that cause more or less, I shall always prefer the liberties of the people to any eledlion triumph, or to a triumph of any kind that you can imagine. Having said this much. Gentlemen, I shall conclude by rcquefting, that you will MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 351 will exert yourselves with that indefatigable zeal which you have before shewn, and which the greatnes of the cause deserves, and in that case, I truft, that the independence of the County of Middlesex will at laft be fully eftablished." — [Loud and long continued plaudits.'] Mr. Mellish. *' Gentlemen, it would be an in- sult to you to occupy much of your time at present. It is now almofi: dark, and I am sure you must be very hungry. I can assure you, that I feci proud of the situation in which you have placed me, and I hope you will always keep me at the head of the poll. I have therefore only to return you my warmefl thanks, and to request that you will con- tinue to exert yourselves in my favour, as you have hitherto done." THIRD 552 HISTORY OF THl THIRD DAY. Wednesdc})\ Novemher 12. At the conclusion of the poll, at three o'clock, the numbers were, William Mollish, Esq ^^^^ George Byng, Esq 833 Sir Francis BurdcLt 183 Mr. Byng then addressed the Meeting. He thanked them for the exertion they had made on his behalf this day, which, he had no doubt, would continue, and, of course, secure his rc-eledlion. Sir FRANrT<^ b..7D£TT stepped forward amidlt the :uuJv.iL acclamations. He declared that he did not feel himself at all dismayed by the flate of the poll. He knew it was in the power of the Indepen- dent Eleclors of Middicsx, if he possessed their fa- vour, to return him, notwithft inding every effort which might be made againfl: him. At all events, he had at leaft cffcdtcd one objedf, which deserved their approbation. He had excluded a number of persons who, from parochi^d situations which they held, claimed votes for the county, thereby infring- ing on the rights of the fair Eleftors. It was not a seat in parliament which he was so anxious to obtain, as to add to, and protecft, the rights and indepen- dence of the Electors. If he had contributed in any shape to this defirable ohjecl, he felt recompensed for MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 35S for any extraordinary trouble occafioned to himself. He mufl: now intrude on the patience of the Eleftors, while he noticed some attacks made on him, and harratcd in the Papers of this day, which, if he were now to pass unnoticed, it might never be in his power in any fliapeto animadvert on. — At a meeting of the friends of Sir Samuel Hood, yefterday, at Willis's Rooms, (fee p. 123.} Mr. Sheridan had charged him with detefting those many brave men "with whom our Navy abounded, and of whom he confessed Sir S. Hood to be one; supprefling not- "withftanding, as he (Mr. Sheridan) would have it be believed, in the true spirit of charity, his (Sir Francis's) name. If this was charity in the concep- tion of Mr. Sheridan, his heart and dispofition muft be very differently formed from those of the generality of mankind ; for it was impofllble for a moment to doubt of the objed of his allufion. If so however, that quality which in the minds of other men dis- played the milk of human kindness, muft in his produce the gall of bitterness. To suppose that he did hold the brave men alluded to in deteftation was as foolifh, however, as it was uncharitable. Who that could think, would for a moment suppose that he had not more at ftake in this country than the Right Hon. the Manager of Drury-lane Theatre. Mr. Whitbread, with a corresponding degree of charity, had allowed him to be a person of an honeft heart, and of good intentions, but at the same time described him as a fellow of so little sense, that he did not know his own mind, or where he was going. 2 Z Suppofing 554- HISTORY OF THE Suppofing this, however, to be the case, he was un- doubtedly ftill preferable to Mr. VVhitbread, or to Mr. P. Moore, another of his calumniators. The place to uhich they would wilh to go he could be at no loss to find out. The former would have no objcdlion to go into a Peerage, or into a good Place, or both. To the latter, a Place was the moft dcfir- able thing in the world. Therefore, wherever he (Sir F. B.) was going, whether he himself or the Ele6lors of Middlesex knew where he was going, his views could not be more interefted or more sus- picious than those of his calumniators. That same Gentleman, Mr. Moore, however, had charged him with being a turncoat. He confessed this charge surprised him. He might be accused, as he had been, of entertaining sentiments of too free, and undefined a kind, but he had hoped that a charge of tergiversation or derelidlion of those principles which he had once maintained, would never be urged ^igainfl: him. Neither, however, could Mr. Thomas Sheridan abftain from adding his calumny to the others, with which he (Sir Francis) had been loaded. Heflated, so universal was the odium, which the late declaration of his sentiments had occafioned, that his friend, Captain Halliday, had withdrawn from him his countenance, and had adually been employed in canvafTing for his opponents. This, Sir Francis could say was not the fact. He had seen Mr. Halliday yeilerday, at which time no such revolution in the sentiments of that Gentleman, whom he had always regarded as his fteady and inde^ MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 355 independent friend, had ever been hinted. But, though he had not seen him, so much did he rely on the friendlhip and goodwill of Mr. Halliday, and so much did he know of the eftimation in which that honourable and worthy Gentleman held his principles, that he could assert, the allegation was utterly unfounded- Having thus noticed the calum- nies thrown out againft him, as he presumed to think, in the mod unbecoming and moft unjailifia- ble manner, he fhould say little in addition. He only called on that Gentleman who flood higheflon the poll, to (late what were the principles on which he alked the support of the Elecflors of Middlesex, and by which he fhould ad if returned as one of their Representatives. For himself, notwithftanding all the infinuarions, all the calumnies, falsehoods, and miirepresentations which had been openly thrown out, or secretly urged a(?;ainft him ; he de- clared him elf to be a firm, inflexible, and never to be {haken friend to the Britifli Conftitution, as by law eftablifhed. The principles which he professed he knew to be those of the ConQiturion, and they alone coul'^ : ive rhe country from the perilous fuu- ati:-i u. Huich it was at present involved, — Sir Fran- Cia retired amidfl loud applauses. Mr. Mellish next came forward, and was for some few moments before he could obcai.i a hc'i.r- ing, from the hissing and groanin.!: of t'riQ mob. He at length spoke nearly as follows : — " Gentle- men Eledors of MiddK- "x, 1 should be very un- grateful if 1 did not return you my warmefl thanks, for the situation in which you have placed me upon 3 Z 2 this 556 HISTORY OF THE this day's poll. I conjure you to continue your ex- ertions, for I am sure you can do a great deal more. The Hon. Baronet has made an attack upon me with respect to my principles, and I am sure you will have generosity enough to hear my defence. He has called on me to avow my principles ; but, Gen- tlemen, I make no profeilions, and will content myself by assuring you, that if I have the honour to be returned, you shall find me an Independent Member." FOURTH MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 557 FOURTH DAY. Thursday, November 13, The numbers at the close of the poll were, William Mellish, Esq. . . . 1415 George Byiig, Esq 1191 Sir Francis Burdett .... 248 Mr. Byng.— I beg leave to thank those Gentle- ynen who have done me the honour to vote to-day in my favour. Sir Francis Burdett.-—" Gentlemen, I have very few words to trouble you with on the present occasion. I shall in the firft place return my warmest thanks to those Freeholders v/ho have so honourably come forward undertime present circum- Itances, in my support; and J beg leave to assure them, that, however small their numbers, I consider the honour as great : under the circumflanccs I now fland, I feel myself more honoured by one inde- pendent vote than I should be by a thousand, under the ufual circumftances in uhich candidates come forward. Gentlemen, 1 took the liberty yeflerday of requefting, on the part of the Freeholders of Mid- dlesex, of the Gciitiemun near mc, to ■ tate to the county the principles and grounds on which he of- fered himself to your sn^^port. The Candidate seemed rautiouily to avoid any ftatement at the time, and although he thanked you for all you had done for 558 HISTORY OF THE for him, he did not tell you, what would have been more to the purpose, what he intended to do for you. I muft confess, that I think the Freeholders would be gratified by, and are entitled to some de- claration of the public principles of every public man who offers himself to notice. Gentlemen, I am not at all discouraged by the present state of the poll. I flill look forward to the time when the conclusion of the Weftminfler conteft shall enable rnany independent Freeholders to come forward in my favour: but be that as it may, I shall give the county time, if nothing else. I shall not be wanting in my duty, and if the county can extricate itself, and assert its independence, it shall not be my fault that it is not done in triuriph. I now tukc my leave, and beg to return you my sincere thanks."— (^/v- plause.") Mr. Mellish. — " Gentlemen, Freeholders, I mud appeal to your generosity, to hear me defend myself from anv^ther attack. It is extraordinary that it should be made on me d ^y aftn ilay, and 1 muft re- commend to the Hon. Baronet to t^ke care of his own conduct, and 1 will take care of mine. I did yefterday tell you what m.y piiuviplcs wi^re — that I was a man of indcpLudent principles — that I will vote for measures, if you are so kind as to return me, and not for men. I cannot speak plainer. If you will tell me the manner to speak pLiiner 1 will do it. It is not for the Hon. Baronet to tell m,e to explain my principles — if any body has a right, it is the independent Freeholders. 1 am aflonifhed that the Hon. Baronet fhould suppose that those Free- holders MIDDLESEX ELECTIOIT. 359 holders who voted for him are more independent than those who did me that honour. Now I will finifh with what I said yefterday — I thank you for the honourable situation in which you have placed me. Continue your exertions and do more, for I know you can." MIDDLESEX ELECTION. The Independent Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, are requefled to meet at Hudson's Hotel, in Covent-Garden, to-morrow, (Ssiturday) at six o'clock in the evening, to consider of the propriety of a Subscription for Carriages, to convey the Free- holders to poll, and thereby secure the re-ele(flion of Sir Francis Burdetr, and rescue this Metropolitan County from the degradation of becoming a Rotten Borough of the Treasury. 14//? Xov. 1806. TiMOTur Brown. FIFTH 360 HISTORY OF THE FIFTH DAY. Fridny^ November 14. At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for William Mellish, Esq. . . . 1785 George Byng, Esq 1456 Sir Francis Burdett .... 298 Mr. Byng exclaimed — " Gentlemen, I beg leave to return thanks," and then retired, amidft thehisres and execrations of the mob. Sir Francis Burdett spoke as follows: — " Gen- tlemen; I took the liberty yefterday of addressing a question or two to the Gentleman next to me, (Mr. Mellifh) who seems to think it was rather unwar- rantable; but I trufl:, at leafl, as one of the Free- holders of the County, he will not think it was al- together misplaced. Gentlemen, 1 can only say, that if the County and the Freeholders are content with those general declarations, to which the Can- didate near me has confined himself, I certainly have no reason to find lault with their being satisfied ; but, Gentlemen, I always think it necessary, and more fair towards the Public^ to ftate at leaft my own principles fairly and plainlv ; and it makes it the more necessary for me to do so, because I per* ceive them so frequently, I may say almofl: uni- formly, either misunderftood or misrepresented. — Gentlemen ; I beg lc?.\^e firfl: of all to take this op- portunity o^ observing, that 1 see, in the papers of to-day, an advertisement of certain Freeholders of cUis MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 361 this County, who wilh to support my interest; (see P- 359)> ^"d I only beg leave to take this opportu- nity of (kclaring, that that Advertisement appears without any knowledge or consent on my part. — Gentlemen ; much has been faid during this Elec- tion, both here and at other places, concerning the principles which I have professed ; but no reason has been fhewn, no person has had the charity to point out, wherein those principles are defective, or wherein they are inconsistent with the old freeCon- flitution ot England. • Therefore, if 1 fhould ad- here to these principles until the error is pointed out to me, I trufl: 1 shall meet with your approba- tion. — Gentlemen ; there has been an attack made upon me, and upon my principle^-, by a very re- spectable gentleman, 1 mean Mr. Whitbread, who ftates, on his part, and perhaps on that of the party with whom he acts, such principles as I confess, are not reconcilable with mine; of course, I do not look for his or their support, but which, I will be bound to say, are neither rational, or consistent witli the Confiitution cf the Country. — Gentlemen ; Not to detain you long by going ti:rough the whole of that long Letter (seep. 321.), I wiU juft menticiu one prin- ciple which appears to me so inconsiftcnt, so uncon- ftitutional, and so mihch'cvc.s to the Country, that I cannot p;ss ii"over ^viniouc noiic? '^ is therein ftated by thai Genticaian, that the Miniders of thi^ Coun:ry are appointed to rule c>\cr us, and that wcai'-. to look to them for protection. Ti i-, appears to me monffrous ; because I do not so consider any Mi- nifler, or any Admmiftration; because I do consider 3 A the 362 HISTORY OP THE the Conftitution as having appointed the King to rule, and to appoint tbo.-e Minifters, each in his re-r spective d'.partmenr, to do his dutj^ ; but the Con- flitution has also provided the people with a (hield against official abuse, by the fair representation of the people in Parliament. This, Gentlemen, is fhortly and plainly, then, the conliitutional ground on which I have, and ever intend, to act ; and I defy any man to find out any part of niy conduct, any word written^ or sentence spoken by me, inconsistent with that declaration ; for i hold it to be as per- nicious to the public, as prejudicial to the people, that any party of men, or any coalition of parties of men, fhould take pofTeflion, as it were, of the King, and rule over the people in his name, and misuse his name and his prerogative, as I do that it is perni- cious to the people, that they should not have their fair constitutional Representation, — Gentlemen ; One principle, alfo, seems to have g-iveii universal alarm, and that is, that it is a prin':iple with me, that -no man, who does not serve the Pui'tlic, lliould meet with public reward ; — that no man, who has not performed honourable services, fhould receive the wages of honour; nor, in the present circum- Jfiances of the Country, fhould one fliilling of its re- sources, so essential for its safety, be misjipplied, or given to any man without iiis being able to fhevv his merits. Now, Gentlemen, I have never thought^ as many persons have sceracci lo imagine, thnt those who have . crformed great public duties, and great public services, fliouki not meet with ample reward ; but, on the contrary, 1 think thai they hardly meet with MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 363 \vith reward sufficient, and that those who perform none, run away with all those advantages which can fairly, and ought only, to be beftowed for services performed. — Gentlemen ; the case of my Lord Nel- son was alluded to by Mr. Whitbread ; a case in which every man muft agree, that no national re- ward could be too high. But, Gentlemen, to (hew how the generality of men are rewarded for public merit , 1 would julf take one inftance, and I fear not a solitary one; — the inftance of the family of that brave and gallant man, who fell by the side of my Lord Nelson, at Trafalgar, Mr. Scott, whose gallant conduct exposed him to dangers which his duty did not call him to encounter; but who, having fallen with my Lord Nelson on that occasion, great difficulty was found to obtain f(;r the widow and children of that deserving man, even the small pit- tance of one hundred pounds a year. At the same time we see men, we see Mr. Sheridan for inflance, one who was not at Trafalgar, who was never any where, as I believe, performing any services to the people, and yet he has rewards — many thousands a year, from the public, out of the purfes of the peo- ple, exhauftcd as they are. Gentlemen ; this is the abuse of which I complain ; this, I say, is deftrudtive of the Country, — -this exhausting of the resources, whether of honour or of emolument, in times like the present; and I say, that those men are the allies of your enemies, — that they are the real traitors of your Country, who diffipate, under its present cir- cumflances, and exhauft its sacred resources. — Gen- tlemen; Having ftated to you thus plainly and 3 A5 briefly 3G4 HISTORY OF THE briefly my sentiments on these few topics, that have lately been brought before the public, I can only say, that no alteration in my mind is likely to take place, either by any circumftances of the poll, at this Eledion, or from any other cause, than the con- vidlion of my own mind, in case any Gentleman should be able to induce me to believe, that I am adding upon principles not beneficial to the people of England. Mr. Mellish. — " Gentlemen Freeholders; For the third time I mult appeal to your generosity to hear me. It is impossible I can say much, and I have so bad a cold that I am sure you will not hear half what I do say. It would undoubtedly give me the greateif pleasure if the explanation of my prin- ciples had met with the unanimous approbation of the Freeholders. I am sorry it has not, but I am sure if you will look to the poll, you will find it has been approved by a decided majority. I cannot say much. I thank you for what you have done, and I requefl you to continue your exertions to the lafl day of the election." SIXTH MIDDLESEX ELECTION. SIXTH DAY. Saturday^ November 15. Ac the close of the poll, the numbers were, William Mel Hsh, Esq. . . . iC)eG George Byng, Esq 1572 Sir Francis Burdett . . . .323 Mr. Byng. — " Gentlemen Freeholders, I beg leave to return you my thanks for the honour you have done me this day." Sir pRAXcis B'JRDETT — " Gcntlcmcri Freehold- ers, in taking my leave this day, I fliall address you in a icw fhort sentences. In the (iril: place, I beg leave to return my warm.efr thanks to those Freeholders who have come forward this day in my support; anU to afilire them, that however flack the Poll may appear, 1 fhall not be v/anting in the duty which I owe the County, which 1 conlider is giving that fair opportunity the Law allows, ofexprclling their sen- timents in favour of whatever Candidate is presented to their notice. Gentlemen, upon a Saturday the Poll of course is exceedingly Hack, for a number of persons engaged in London have bufmess 10 doy and cannot have an opportunity of attending. On Monday 1 trulf it will be brilk:cr ; but be it as it m;iy, I Ihalldo my dutv, by keeping the Poll open till the- laft day. Gentlemen, you all know, and I trufrun- derftand, the grounds on wliich 1 offer myself to the Freeholders. You all clearly comprclicr.' my principles. S66 HISTORY OF THE principles, and if ever there has been any ambiguity respevfting them in the mind of any man, it has not proceeded from any want of plainness on my part, but from that habitual mode of regarding all mat- ters relating to politics in this Country in a narrow and contracted view, and not with reference to those great conflitutional principles on which I have al- ways Itood. I truft, and hope, that all misunder- Handing has proceeded from this source, and that by adhering in an undeviating course to the principles I have professed, and by being guided nor by party politics, but truth, and honour, and public integrity, I fliall henceforth not only be better underflood than I have been, but meet with that support which a fincere friend to a free Conftitution deserves from the people of England." — (Great applause.) Mr. Mellish. — " Gentlemen Freeholders, I can assure you I will detain you only a few minutes. I beg leave to return you my warmeft thanks for the honour you have done me, and after the declaration the Hon. Baronet has juft made, that he means to keep the poll open to the lafl minute, I hope your exertions will not be relaxed, but continue, so that I may noi only always continue in the same iiatc 1 am, but be much higher." Sir Francis Burdett's Coaches. Hudson's Hotel, Coijent-Garden, No"j, ij. iSo6. At a very numerous and respeftable Meeting of the Independent Freeholders of the County of Mid- dlesex MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 367 dksex, held this day, in pursuance of a public Ad- vertisement, Timothy Brown, Esq. in the Chair, Resolved, That this Meeting are decidedly of opinion that a sufficient nun^ber of Freeholders now remain unpolled to enable Sir F. Burdett to succeed in his Election. — That tr?m age, infirmity, and the refiftless neceinty of economy, very great numbers will be deprived or exer:;l~.:jg their elective franchise, unless provided v.-ith carriages. — That, for support- ing the independence of the County, a General Sub- scription be opened, for the delraying the expence of carriages to convey to the Poll the Freeholders who defire to vote for Sir F. Burdett. — That a Com- mittee be now appointed to carry the above Reso- lutions into effect, such Committe to fit daily at this house, where subscriptions will be received, as well as at the Banking-houses of MeiTrs. Brown, Cobb, and Stokes, No. 67, Lombard-ftrcet. — That Timo- thy Brown, Esq. be appointed Treasurer. — That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Chair- men for calling this Mceli;:g, and for his impartial conduct in the Chair.— That these Resolutions be advertised in the several public Papers and other- \vise diftributed as the Committee may order. Mr. Denis O'Bryen's xMost Wonderful Discovery. [From jhe Morning Poji.'] I have of late been so much before the public, that it would seem as if publicity were a passion with 568 HISTORY OF THE with me!— My true paffion, in this respefl, is of little consequence to any but myself; and, therefore, I say nothing upon the subje61. The incumbencies, whe- ther they are of defign or accident, which he upon me, I fliall, at all events, discharge; and I fhall do so with the same ease, under every species of hvoer- criticism, that marks, as I apprehend, the whole tenor of my humble career. — There are three topics which make me think it a personal and jiublic duty to write this letter. I fliall take them in their separate and succeilive order. Ift. ' Three tliousand Vv'eftaiinfter votes for 3,000 pots of porter.' I underftand myself to have been quoted by ATr. Paull, from the Huftings, at Covent Garden, as having given an opinion to the above efTecf. How Air. Paull, wh.om I have never yet be- held, has been led into this error, it is quite impos- sible forme to know. That Hon. Geiit. will, how- ever, I doubt not, be eager to acknowledge tlse miftake he has fallen into, when I tlus declare^ that I never uttered any such sentiment. AVithout pretending that V/efaninfter is universally free from tliat boroiigh cor.taglon v.'hich 1 dctuft the more, the more I h. r.r of ii, 1 have ne\'er entertained, even for a mo'iient, the (ligh/ic ft doubt, th.at of all the confiitucnt bocies in the realm, tJie gei^eral mass of the Wefimiijiler electors was, by Jar, the purell. 2d. ' My inaclion in the prcbent contest tor V/eft- minfler.' To the various enquiries upon tliis subject my an. swer is this — that though no mortal admius, more thai^ MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 369 than I admire, the splendid genius and complicated talents of Mr. Sheridan ; though Mr. Sheridan is one of the oldtft, if not the very oldeft, of my political and personal conne6tions ; though I am sure it would be, since Mr. Sheridan thought fit to embark in it, dire6tly subverfive of all the declared principles of the Weftminfter Ele£lors, for the lalt 26 years, not to choose him ; (for the objection to him, of holding an office, is neither Englifh, nor even French, nor Grecian, nor Roman — it is of no clime or country, but totally original — it may be the beft of do£frines, but it is wholly new) — yet, notwith- standing all the reasons, in favour of Mr. Sheridan> to which I advert, still, for me to engage (I never en- gage by halves in any thing) even for Mr. Sheridan, as I have been wont, in a Weftminfter conteft, would to me, and in my interpretation of such a thing, be an irreverence to the grave, and making a sort of meretricious transfer of an undivided devoted affec- tion, of w^hich the principal comfort is the conscious- ness of itself. I blame no other persons, but, on the contrary, applaud tliem for their activity ; but I muft crave the liberty of iuds:inf'-, for myself, upon a subject in which there are delicacies unknown, and ever to remain unknown, to the public. It was my fixed intention ne /er again to engage in any oleclion conteff : and from that intention nothing Ihould have persuaded me to depart but the cause of an absent friend, affailcd by an unworthy, and, as in the result it will provc^ a fruitless combination^ If I could, confiftently, abftain from exercifing my suffrage, upon this occafion, it would be my wifh G B not $70 HISTORY OF THE not to be present, even for a moment, at a scene which can only renew afflifting remembrances in my mind ; and (governed by that sound maxim which presumes innocence till guilt is proved) as, in my aftual, total ignorance of the merits of the im- ■peachment, I infer the innocence of the marquis of Wellefley — as I think it would be honourable to the noble Marquis, and juflice to Mr. Paull, that the latter fliould have full scope and power to prose- cute his accusation. Upon these grounds, moil assuredly, I (hould divide my vote with Mr. Paull, but for the reason which, rendering such a course totally impoffible, the reader will find in the third and moft material section of this article, namely as referable to Sir Francis Burdett. The aptitude to wrong, the bias to bad, which so ftrongly prevail in our frail natures ; my per- suafion that the extreme of fafhion in opinion, like the extreme of fafliion in dress, is generally faulty y the principled repugnance of my mind to every thing like clamour — all these would only have the effect of predispofing me in favour of Sir F. Burdett, About the Icaft addi6ted of mankind, as I believe 1 am, to swear by the words of any body, not even the admirable, the unanswered, and unanswerable letter of Mr. Whitbread ; no, nor even that which has caused it. Sir F. Burdett's famous advertise- ment — not even that advertisement, nor all thes* causes put together, could produce the result upon my conviftions which I fliall presently relate to the reader. — In this world there exifts not a man, in my opioiom MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 371 Opinion, In whom an assemblage of more amiable qualities is comprised than in Sir F. Burdett. He is a perfect Gentleman, in the trueft definition of that term. With the mildness of an infant he unites the immoveableness of a ftoic. Pride, in its bad sense, is utterly unknown to him; and, of all living beings, I conceive him to be the most perfectly free from every vestige of the arrogant and the supercilious* The public conduft of public men he discufles with freedom ; but his lips are never polluted by a perso- nal calumny. Such appears to mc to be Sir F. Bur- dett j whom, with a little more warmth of temper- ament, I fhould as soon covet as a connexion, and cultivate as a friend, as any individual in existence, — Yet with even this opinion {can a higher be en- tertained r) of Sir F. Burdett, it is totally impomble for me to support Sir Francis, or any man, who sv;^ears by Sir Francis, " as a master."— What I am about to state to the reader is very remarkable, and is, at least, as a curiosity, worthy his attention. — In Sept. 1802, I wrote a letter to Mr. Fox, then at Paris, in which was the following sentence : " I think I have fathomed the mind of Sir F. Burdett ; and have made a most marvellous discovery. It is not a subje6i: for the bustle of Paris; it will serve for a talk in the solitude of St. Anne's." Upon the very same day, in a letter from me to the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn, was a passage to the following effect : — "•' I have just stated, in a letter to Mr. Fox, that I have made a mod extraordinary discovery of what I conceive to be in the political contemplation ©f Sir F. Burdett. — I shall impart it only to Mr. Fox ; 3 B 2 . he 372 jftlSTORY OF THE he may to your Grace ; if he likes." — About three tveeks before the recent diflblution of Parliamentj touching upon Sir F. Burdett, incidentally, among other topics, in a conversation with a Noble Com- moner in high office, I mentioned the circumftances ©f my letters to Mr. Fox and to the Duke of Bed- ford, as above referred to. The Noble Person to whom I allude, asked me, ' what the discovery was ?* Though I had wished the question had not been put to me, yet, as my confidence in that Noble Minister is unbounded, I unreservedly communica- ted to him what the reader shall presently hear. A syllable of my thoughts, upon this point, I never have dropped in any conversation even with Mr. Cobbett, for whose rare powers, and ftill more rare incorruptibleness, I make, (not the less that I often differ from him) an open proclamation of my unqua- lified respect. (To see so many persons, so high in my esteem, in discord, as I see at the present mo- ment, is most painful to me. My sympathy is not the less, that I am, myself, at war, uhere I had ra- ther be at peace ; and the rule on which I rely for steering mc in safety through all these storms is — in matters of opinion, to state what I think • — in matters of fact, to Hate the truth).' — To do any thing in the dark that might seem infidious — to utter any thing in privacy, which would look like disaffecting a powerful connection from a man for whom my personal esteem is infinite — this is so foreign from my character, that my tongue would refuse its function in saying any thing other than in the face of day' upon so peculiar a subject. Some MIDPIESEX ELECTION. 373 Some may think, with the Poet, that ' the glorious fault of Angels and of Gods,' is expiated by the magnitude of the aspiration, and that such reserve, on my part, was not called for. At all events, up to this hour, 1 have kep; my mind to myself. Many a snriie however, have I had in my sleeve, at many a sapient friend of mine, hard at work as many of them were, after his firft election, (the period of my discovery, supposed or real) for Sir Francis, who en- tertained not even the element of an opinion in com- mon with any one of them. For upwards of four years, whilst the crowd was puzzled with ' hired Kings,' and many other inexplicabilities, I "can truly affirm, that, to me, * Wharton was as plain,' as if I had surveyed the interior of Sir F. Burdett's mind, uncased by its tegument of flefh ; and further, that ' the best of Princes' and of ^ Patriots,' excited in me only a smile of confirmation in my long settled con- victions. What then was this grand discovery of mine ? — The reader shall have it in the very words I used to both the dead and the living Minister : — That without the assistance of the fa- naticism which WAS Cromvv'ell's ladder — without any military pretentions — and unaided by any thing like the moral injiuence of Bonaparte' a unparalleled renown — that Sir F. Burdett, in the full belief of my soul, aimed at equal supremacy with both. Whether I am right or wrong, lies between Heaven and Sir F. Burdett. My friend Sir F. often ask his rivals at Brentford, what are their principles ? and they, ' like dum ftatues', never retort the inter- rogatory. If Sir F. will develope his, I answer for it. 574 HISTORY OF THE it, that his principles will confift of nothing but some of those common places, about the sufferings of the people, and the wonders he, will do for them, which every man has praftised from Tijijiratiis to Casar; from C^sar to Cromwe//; and from Cromwell to Bonaparte — whom genius or fortune, a6ling upon popular flupidity and public baseness, has raised to domination over his fellow citizens. — With all my profound personal regard for Sir F. Burdett, I can- not consent to make him Prefeft, or Consul, or Pro- testor, or King, or Emperor of England ; and for that reason, though I believe Mr. Paull not to be aware of the movements of the planet under which he has placed his deftinies— 1 cannot advise any man to ijive his vote for Mr. Paull. Craven-ftreet, Nov. 16. D. O'BRYEN. Major CariwrlgJifs Observaihns on the 'Mojl Wonderful Discovery.' Sir — I have juft read Mr. O'Bryen's account of his " mofl marvellous discovery" — " That without the affiftance of the fanaticism which was Crom- well's ladder — without any military pretentions — and unaided by any thing like the moral influence of Bonaparte's unparalleled renown — that Sir F. Burdett, in the full belief of Mr. O'Bryen's soul, aimed at equal supremacy with both." — This Gentle- man then says—'' If Sir F. will develope his princi- ples, he will answer for it, that his principles will confift of nothing but some of those common places, about MIDDLESEX l^LECTION. 375 about the sufferings of the people, and the wonders he will do for them, which every man has praftised from Pififtratus to Caesar; from Csesar to Crom- well ^ and from Cromwell to Bonaparte — whom genius or fortune, a6ting upon popular stupidity and public baseness, have raised to domination over his fellow-citizens."— Now, Sir, as it appears to me, who am a plain man, if Mr. O'Bryen believed the aims of Sir F. Burdett to correspond with those of men who by the greatest wickedness, eflablilhed them- selves in despotic power on the ruins of public liberty, he must poffess a whimfical kind of patriotism and morality, to say of this very man, that, had he " a little more warmth of temper he *"• fhould as soon covet him as a connexion, and culti- " vate as a Friend, as any individual in existence." — But it seems that Mr. O'Bryen's " mofl: marvellous discovery" was made in September, 1802, and that he immediately mentioned in letters to Mr. Fox, and the late Duke of Bedford, that he had made such a discovery. To the Duke he also savs — " I fliall impart it only to Mr. Fox; he may to your Grace if he likes." VVe arc, therefore, to presume, that when Mr. Fox returned from Paris (where he then was) this sagacious Gentleman did not fail to embrace the firft opportunity of imparting a disco- very of so much importance. — Had, then, Mr. Fox, whose penetration was not, perliaps, less than that of his correspondent, himself made a like discove- ry, it is not probable that he could afterwards, in any respeft, have favoured the political efforts of the Baronet for rifing in povvcr. But during the election 576 HISTORY OF THE election of 1 804, I can bear teflimony, formed on a correspondence with the deceased Statesman, to the warm interefl: he took in the success of Sir Fran- cis Burdett. — On the subje6t of the Baronet's prin- ciplesy Mr. O'Bryen writes with an " if." — If Sir Francis will Jevelope." — Is any man, except Mr. O'Bryen, ignorant of the Baronet's principles ? Was any man ever more frank, or more explicitj than the Baronet, in this respeft ? He has repeat- edly told his Countrymen, that his leading obje6l is a Rejloration of the People's Right to a fair and sub- fiantial Representation in Parliament ; and he has told them truly that nothing but this can ^ave the State. If Mr, O'Bryen's '^ conne6tions" have taught him to treat this queftion, as one of the " common places about the sufTerings of the People," as a phrase without other meaning, than to a6l " upon popular stupidity and public baseness^'' for raising a man " to domination over his fellow-citizens," then what he has revealed as a " moft marvellous discovery," amounts only to this, that, in his opinion, Sir Fran- cis Burdett is no better than many who have gone before him ; while at the same time this same Gen- tleman describes the Baronet as a man of mofl con- summ.ate virtue — one who, had he but " a little more warmth of temper, he should covet as a con- 7ie^ion and a Friend.''— Now, Sir, If this reader of human hearts, this sagacious politician, can disco- ver any other means than those for which Sir Fran- cis Burdett contends, of saving the State — if he can discover any other noftrum for the preservation of our liberties, than reftoring to us a fair a-nd substantial raiDDLESEX ELECTION. 377 Representation in Parliament, *t ^v*!^ be a "'mcft ^ar- " vellous discovery" indeed ! — The idea is perfeftly original, that a6lual]y to give men political liberty, is the way to make ihoimjlaves. Had this been the natural efFe6t of a Reform of Parliament, I need not have spent half my life in conte>»ding for it. I Ihould have needed but to have announ-ed the •* marvellous discovery." From Lord North I fhould have had a Vote of Thanks j and my Country would have had the Reform thirty years ago. Will's Coffee House, Searle-street, Nov. 17, 1806. JohnGartwright, SEVENTH DAY. Monday y November 17. At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for "William Mellish, Esq. . , . 2207 George Byng, Esq. . . . . 1714 Sir Francis Burdett 400 Mr. Byng merely made his bow and retired. Sir Francis Burdett spoke as follows : — • Gen- tlemen Freeholders ; I am happy in having this op- portunity of disclaiming any consent or knowledge on my parr of a Meeting of certain Freeholders, whose zeal has led them, I see by the Papers of this % C morn" 3/8 HISTORY OF THE Morning, tvo come forward in the way they thought moft likely to promote my success. Though I can- not but feel grateful to the Gentlemen who have thus expressed their zeal in my favor, I muft at the same time declare, that it is so contrary to my wifhes, so contrary to the principles on which I offered myself to the notice of the County, that, though I feel every kind of gratitude for the zeal they are pleased to fhew in my favour, I cannot, at the same time, concur in their sentiments, or agree with them in opinion, that it is :i benefit to the County, or to the Public at large. Gentlemen, I was anxious and defirous that the principle fnould fland by itself; and that we fhouid know, in this County of Middlesex, so much spoken of in former times for its spirit and indepen- dence, how far the unassisted public principle would be able to carry them in a time like the prcocnt. — Gentlemen, I have great reason to hope, from the ftate of the Poll this day, that the independent inte- reft of the County may fliil exert itself beneficially towards that Candidate, v>-ho flands totally, and alone upon the independent intereft of the County. — The Gentleman near me has said, upon a former occafion. Why fliould I as.ume, that those Freeholders, who poll in my favour, arc more independent than those who poll for him .'' Confidcring the circumflances under which we fland, I iliould think it quite unne- cessary to give any precise answer to that queflion. I think you muft all be well aware, that there are many motives, that there are many causes of influ- ence, upon the fide of the Gentleman near me, which cannot operate in my favor, but muft, on the con- trary, MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 379 trary, operate ftrongly againft me. Gentlemen, un- der these circumftances, I do not think that I pay more than a fair compliment to the Freeholders who come forward in my support, when I denominate them, particularly, the Independent men of the County of Middlesex. — Gentlemen, 1 do not say, that it is a proof to the contrary, if any man votes in favor of the Candidate near me ; but I do say, that whoever votes for me, gives a proof of the fad: itself. — Gentlemen, to some influence or other, I must suppose, that the Gentleman near me trusts, because he has not, up to the present moment, been pleased to favor you with one declaration as to the grounds of his public condu6l — as to what he may be inclined to do for you in future — or one princi- ple, of a public kind, upon v/hich he recommends himself to your support. What has been the an- swer of the Gentleman near me, upon every occafion ? The ansv/er has always been to you, " Look at the Poll.'" — Gentlemen, I trust that answer will not be thought 5oconclufive j I trust that that sentence, {hort and concise undoubtedly, will not be thought to be fraught with so much wisdom, that the Independent Freeholders of Middlesex will think that a sufficient recommendation to a Candidate who afks for their support. — Gentlemen, this has been the trick of all men who have depended upon Majorities alone, in- dependent of reason, and of public principle. What has been the answer at all times, from Minifters carrying on flagitious measures ? What has been the answer from Minifters carrying on wicked, oppreffive, ruinous Wars? — Their argument, in 3 C a answer 380 HISTORY OF THE answer to any remonftrance on the part of the peo- ple, has always been " Look aI the Poll." We afford you no reasons ; but look at the Majorities '.—Gen- tlemen, what was the answer made always, during the course of the American war, which has laid the foundation of all those mischiefs which we now ex- perience ; The answer to those who argued on the part of the Public was always like that of the Gentle- man near me, ^^ Lock at the Poll i" — Gentlemen, when the late Minifler, Mr. Pitt, who has laid the foundation of the ruin of this country — [Marks of disapprobation zvithin the Hujlings.~\ — when an Inqui- fition was taken into all your private affairs ; when all sorts of oppreflive measures were brought forward and supported, what was the reply to all persons who disapproved of all that conduct? It was the reply of the Candidate near me, " Look at the Poll!** I do not know. Gentlemen, whether the vote of the Gentleman near me would not be found wpon that Poll, an appeal to which has been so universally suc- cessful againft the beft interefts and liberties of the Country. Gentlemen, 1 declare every Placeman and Penfioner in England ought to be obliged to the Gentleman near me, for furniPning them with so concluiive and satisfactory an answer; for they may exclaim, with him, " Look at the Poll!" Every Placeman, who has a scat there, may triumphantly appeal, with the Gentleman near me, to the same criterion of their patriotism and their merit. — Gen- tlemen, the Right Honorable Treasurer of the Navy, (xMr. Sheridan) who takes many thousands a year out of the exhaufled resources of the Country, who, at MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 581 ^ttke same tiaie, seems as if he thought there was united in his person all the patriotism and public intereft of England,— he, I say, who takes many thou- sands a year for his family, in the present circum- ftances of the people, o'lt of their exhaulied pockets, may exclaim, with the Candidate near me, " Look at the Poll!'' That Gentleman, Mr. Sheridan, who is now content to come in, in oppofition to that interelV, in oppofition to that popular voice, and those public feelings, which supported him, wnom he falsely calls his predecessor, (Mr, Fox)^ for-so he falsely terms the person whom he hopes to succeed, whose name he does on that, as others do on other occalions, scandalize and abuse, — he who is content to come in upon the second votes of Court Candidates, has the comfort of being able also to say to the People, " Look at the Poll!'" — However, Gentlemen, public opinion may alter, — public opin- ion may change, — the Poll may turn, — and those Minifters, who are bringing such mischiefs on their Country, may poflibly find themselves in the Mino- rity — may find their own Polls in danger, — and then they will not appeal so triumphantly to the Poll ; — they will not then think, that the Poll is the only criterion of public principle and public m,crit. — • Gentlemen, I truft and hope, that this answer will not, by you, be thought quite so satis fliclor]^ or be looked upon with quite so much complacency, as it appears to be by the Gentleman who offers it to your notice. 1 truft and hope, that upon these Huftings, in a public conteH: for the moft important part of the representation of the kingdom, it Mill not oS2 HISTORY OF THE not be thought sufficient,— on all occafions, to say to the Freeholders '' Look at the Poll!" Gentlemen, if it is, then that influence, which you feel the very effeds of— that corruption, of which I complain as the cause of the deflrudlion of the country, will be converted into a judification and be made the grounds for afking for your approbation and support. — Gen- tlemen, in taking my leave of you this day, I muft ftill say, that 1 [confidently look to the exertion of the Independent intereR of the County ;— by that 1 am willing to ftand or fall ; and be assured, that there is no motive in my mind that can in any de- gree be altered, or changed, by any lituation of the Poll." ' . Mr. Mellish,— " Gentlemen, I muft appeal again, for the fifth and fixthtime, to yourgenerolity to hear me in defence of my own character. The Hon. Bart, has again attacked me personally, and I am certain and possitive that the independent Freehold- ers will hear me in my j unification. I will begin with returning you my warmest thanks .for the fitii- ation in which you have placed me. I do not con- fider myself safe, though I am far superior to the other Candidates. I hope you vv ill continue your exertions, and put me in a fituation more defirable than it is at present. Now, Gentlemen, 1 come to your generofity. I hope all independent Freehold- ers will hear me. The Hon. Baronet lias said, as well as I recoiled — I Paould be sorry to omit a word of v\hat he did say — He talked about a trick played off by me at the poll; (Ao, ;2^, said Sir FranciSyl only talked of I he tricks of MimfLcrs), Gentlemen, he savs MIDDLESEX ELECTION'. 583 says he talked of Ministers and not of me. I must only take care of my own charaifler, and let others take care of theirs. I will go on a little farther. The Hon. Baronet talks so much of the Indepen- dence of the Freeholders who voted for him. It is unjust in the Hon. Baronet — If he was not a Candi- date, he would not talk so — he would not say his voters were more independent than mine— (J^j- >^(» would, said Sir Francis and his Friends). It is only aa eledioneering trick to make you believe what he does not believe himself, and I am sure, if the Hon. Baronet fliould be so fortunate as to get to the head of the Poll, he will also exclaim—" Look to the Poll." EIGHTH DAY. Tuesda\\ Kovcinher IS. il At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for William Mellish, Esq. . . . 2401 George Byng, E'-'q 1821 Sir I'rancis Eurdctt .... 496 Mr. Byng bowed to tlie multitude and withdrew. Sir Francis Burdett. — " Gentlemen; 1 cannot but confider the poll of to-day as rather encouraging to my hopes, and to the independent interefl: of this County. — Ccntlem.en ; I fliall beg leave before I de- part to make one or two observations to you, which I think 3$4 HISTORY OF THJt think well worthy the conlideration of the Frcc- holiiers of Middlesex before the poll closes, or their confideration may perhaps come top late. — Gentle- men ; 1 do not at all regret, though it certainly ren- ders me liable to some sort of disadvantage, the plain and open way in which 1 have thought fit to ftate to you the grounds upon which I offer myself to your notice, the principles upon which I intend to acl, and therefore the expectations you would be intitled to form of my condudl had I met with your support.— Gentlemen ; It is well worth the atten- tion of the Freeholders of Middlesex to consider the sentiments which have been expressed by Candidates in other places of popular Eledion ; because they will: see the different tone taken by those persons as soon as they have ceased to be Candidates and have ob- tained their seats. Gentlemen, only to mention one inftance, the Borough. I would dircdl your atten- tion to the scntimenti5 expressed by Mr. Henry Thornton to the Eledors of the Borough, immedi- ately after he had secured his seat. You will there find, that he takes the firft opportunity of telling the Eledors the great and monftrous sacrifices they are now to be called upon to make, — which, I believe, you will not find him ever to have hinted at pre- vious to that day. — Gentlemen ; in another great County,— in Yorkshire,— Mr. Wilbcrforce 1 see fol- lows also the same track, and as soon as his seat is secured, he then talks of the enormous sacrifices the people arc to be called upon'to make. — Gentlemen ; this is indeed curious language, to be expe6led per- haps from the quarter from whence it comes, but it would MIDDLESEX ELECTION-. 385 would have been as well I think to have thrown out those subjedls for the confideration of their Con- ftituents previous to their having attained their re- turn. — Gentlemen ; as to sacrifices— are all the sa- crifices that have hitherto been made to count for nothing? Have we not been making sacrifice vpon sacrifice ? and would it not have been important to have shewn, at leafl:, what had been the result of the sacrifices hitherto made, and to have held out at leaft some hope for the future, some benefit to be derived from those unheard of sacrifices which the}'- now fay the people are to n^ake ?— Gentlemen ; it is as if after having supported a syftem which has di- vided great portions of the population of the Coun- try, one part into paupers and the other into tax- giitherers, it would seem a^ if a system leading to the ereclion of poor-houses for the reception of the indufirious, and palaces for the reception of tax- gatherers, as if a syfiem of that kind had not caused sufficient sacrifices on the part of the people Gen- tlemen ; another Right Hon. Gentleman, whom I have frequently had occasion to allude to in the course of this Election, the Right Hon. the Manan-er and Treasurer, talks very pleasantly of the chearful sacrifices the people are to make— that Gentleman who has sacrificed nothing else that 1 know of ex- cept his confiiiency and public character, but who, while you arc making sacrifices, is putting into his ov/n pocket many thousands a rear of the public money. Whv, Gentlcmicn, the^e persons may speak with great composure, and perhaps with great plea- •"urc, of the sacrifices which others ^re to make for 3 n their 336 HISTORY OF THE their emolument. That person, too, Mr. Sheridan, is as unfortunate in many others respedls in his at- tempts to acquire some little popular applause, by means which I Ihould think hardly any man would descend to ; he is as unfortunate in public concerns, for it never happens that he is able to put forward any claim to the protedion and support of the Eledors ol Weflminfter, that it is not done by ex- hibiting to a disadvantage some parts of the condu of Parliament, to enable 392 HISTOTIY OF THE enable him to hold his salary, without the perform- ance of any duty whatever. Why, Gentlemen, I also complain, then, that a new aft has been paffed —that a new bill has been brought in and paffed by Parliament, to enable the same Lord Grenville to hold two incompatible offices, contrary to law. — Gentlemen ; if I were to go through all the emolu- ments, enjoyed by various branches of that one family, wifh all their collaterals, — if I were to sum up the vaft sums of monev they have been in the habit of Receiving for a number of years,' — if I were to add to that the intereft that has accrued, — if I were to add to that again those monies which have been disposed of by them, in order to support their own corrupt power, — I fliould say, that in that family alone, there has been diftributed sufficient of the plunder of tiie public, materially to lighten the burdens and the grievances of the people. Why then GentlemiCn, these are the things of which I complain, this is the syftcm to which I am oppos- ed ; — -these are the principles upon Vv'hich I have acted, and fliaM continue to a61: j an 1 I can affure you. Gentlemen, that there is notiiing in my mind to be moved, — no principle of mine to be afftfted— no motive to my conduct to be altered — by any lituation of the Poll upon this Eleclion." Mr. AIellish begged leave to tliar.k the Electors forthe additional honour tl;ev had done him this day The Speeches of the worthy Baronet were so ex- traordinary, it was very difficult to underfiand them.. TENTH MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 393 TENTH DAY. Thursday, November 20. The numbers at the close of the poll were, for William Mellish, Esq. . . . 2605 George Byng, Esq 1962 ' Sir Francis Burdett .... 646 Air. Byng made his bow and retired. Sir Francis Burdett. — Gentlemen ; In the few observations I fliall have to offer to you this day, I fliall endeavour to make myself, and I truft more succefsfully, intelligible to the Gentleman near me (Mr. Mellifh) than it appeared, by what he said yefterday, I had the good fortune to do. I fliould ^ifli that on every account, because I fhould be glad to know what v^'ere the difficulties of that Gentleman's mind, and what were his objedions, if he had any objections, to those sentiments, and to those principles, which I yesterday advanced — and I truft and hope, Gentlemen, that you will pay that attention to your Candidate, when the Gentleman near me comes to deliver to you his sentiments ; and which you ought as well as myself, to be ex- tremely anxious to hear j because, as this Election draws near to a conclusion, it would be rather hard on the Freeholders, I think, to have returned a Can- didate, without knowing on what principles he would be likely to condu61: himself in Parliament, •^—Gentlemen -, it falls to my lot frequently to no- tice the aspersions cast upon me by persons in other .places : and it becomes neceflary for me to do so, 3 E because S94« HISTORY OF THE because this Is the only, place in which I have an opportunity of clearing up any miftakes, or misre- presentations, as to the motives or principles of my condu6t. — Gentlemen ; I shall observe, in the first place, upon some remarks which have appeared ia the morning Papers, in the form of a Speech deli- vered by Lord William Ruffell. He is pleased to tax me with inconsistency ; and, in order to {hew that, he first of all ftates, that, at the Eleftion of Lord Percy for Weftminfter, I then exprefifed a good opinion of the Administration, and supported Lord Percy. It appears to me, that it would re- quire more ingenuity than Lord W. Ruffell poffeffes, to fliew that there is any inconsistency, either at this, or at the Westminster Elcftion, in now opposing the same person whom I before opposed j inasmuch, at least as my support in favour of Lord Percy, at that time, was confidered an opposition to Mr. She- ridan. — Gentlemen; It has also been said, by Lord W. Russell, that I, at the outset of the Coalition Administration, congratulated the Country on the change which had taken place. Now, Gentlemen, at that time undoubtedly I did entertain hopes of some of those ameliorations of the condition of the Public, which we had been led to expe£t from the profcffions of that noble Lord, and of his party ; and every body must be aware, that if at that time I had, without giving them any opportunity even of laying before the Public their future plans of con- duct, — if I had (i say) at that time immediately de- clared my disinclination to support them, — it would not only liavc been contrary to those feelings of re- gard. MIDDLESEX ELECTION". 895 gard, which I felt for many of them individually, and to that desire of affording them support, which those feelings certainly encouraged ; — but also, the Public would have said, it was not fair to judge of them, before we had any proof what their conduct might have been. But, Gentlemen, if there could have been any inconfistency in having given credit to the professions of the party, to which Lord W. Ruflell belongs, it is extraordinary, I think, that it ihould come from one of them, as an accusation against me, and a proof of inconsistency, that I did entertain hopes, and a higher opinion of them, than their subsequent conduct has proved that they deserve. But, Gentlemen, Lord W. Kuflell seems to be like a person on board a ship, who, pas- ing every object himself supposes the objects he pas- ses to be in motion ; but I believe he will find, and you will always find, that it is not mvself who am ia motion, but that it is those persons with whom I have at times had the good fortune to be able to a6f: and that I have remained ftationary, when they have changed their places. — Gentlemen ; the high opi- nion I undoubtedly entertained of Mr. Fox, the great ^nd transcendent abilities of Mr. Fox, and the amiable private qualities of Mr. Fox, were certainly of such a nature, as, perhaps, to induce men to pass over many political faults; and undoubtedly to make all men, who were witneffes to the exercise of his abilities, admire his talents; and those who had the good fortune to partake of his society, to love and respeft him. In paying that tribute to the memory of Mr. Fox, I muft say, he was the only person of that party, upon whom my hopes were founded ; — I muft ^ E2 confess. 396 HISTORY OF THt confess, that, when he came into power, I did look to some of those great schemes of National Reform, which his great mind was well calculated to produce. I did as eagerly expect some amelioration of the condition of the people. — I did so, as eagerly as the traveller, in passing the thirsty desart, looks for the moistening drops of Heaven, But, Gentlemen, it would be curious indeed, if, after a confiderable time had elapsed without any of those schemes of Reform being submitted to the Public,— without even any hint at any of those pledges which had formerly been given to the Public, — without any allusion to those promises, which we had a right to cxpe£l to be fulfilled, — after a confiderable time had elapsed without any hope of that kind having been held forth to the country, — 1 Hiould think I was car- rying my complaisance a great deal too far, still to entertain hopesmyself ;— and, not entertaining hopes myself, I felt I (hould be guilty of treachery to the people, if I did consent, in any way, to delude the people with false expectations. — Gentlemen ; It has been represented also, in the papers, as part of the Speech of another gentleman, Mr. Whitbread, that he had represented me as a person trying to raise an improper and senseless clamour ; (for that is the expression made use of in the Newspapers) most likely it is a misrepresentation of Mr. VVhit- bread's Speech, [ATr Whitbread nodded assent ;J but it is still important for me to contradict the asper- sion. It is said, that I have been endeavouring to raise an improper and senseless clamour against all taxes, and all levies, for the good of the Public. Now MIDDLESEX ELECTION. S97 Now Gentlemen, this is so contrary to all that I have ever said upon this subject, that I have more than once stated, that so far from objecting to the levy- ing of taxes fairly, and properly, and equally, upon the Public at large, that I have considered taxes, duly and properly levied and applied, not scanda- lously, either in the collection, or in the expenditure for corrupt purposes, to be for the Public benefit. I have even liicened it to the moisture which the sun draws from the earth, and which it again lets fall, in dews and refreshing showers, invigorating and ameliorating the soil. But, Gentlemen, taxes which are applied to purposes of corruption, are like the torrent, that devastates and lays waste the land^ It is to the misapplication, therefore, that I have al- ways objected.— I have stated, on various occasions, particular instances of that scandalous application — application peculiarly scandalous at this time, and highly dangerous to the independence and liberties of the country. — Gentlemen ; having, I trust, been understood upon these few points, 1 shall take my leave of you this day, by observing, that Mr. Sheri- dan also, at the same meeting, countenances the same sort of misrepresentations, and talks of me, as a person endeavouring to excite public odium upon the Government, which calls for necessary sacrifices on the part of the People. He says, that he is will- ing, at least (but he said it after his Ele£tion was secured) to take his share of the odium. Gentlemen, he might have added, I think too, his full share of the plunder. Gentlemen, this is the principle upon which 59S HISTORY OF THE which we decidedly disagree, because I am deter- mided to have no share in either." Mr. Mellish. "'Gentlemen, after the particular requeft of the Hon. Baronet, I flatter myself you will be filent for a few minutes. I Hated to you yefter- day that the speeches of the Hon. Baronet, were very extraordinary; and 1 repeat, that he so changes his principles, day after day, that it is difficult to comprehend him. He wiflies. Gentlemen, to in- ftil his principles into m\nQ.— [A loud lau^h). He al- so wiflies to di6tate to you what fliall be your con- duct, and what sort of men you ought to choose ^ but I am sure he has no more influence over your minds than he has over mine. His personal attack upon me grows dale, and 1 can forgive it, feeling that my success might irritate him, I will repeat my principles in two words — " Honesty and Inde- pendency !" — and I take my leave." ELEVENTH DAY. Friday^ November 2 1 . At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for William Mellish. Esq. . . . 2724 George Byng, Esq 2034 Sir Francis Burdett .... 722 Mr. Byng immediately made his bow and retired. Sir Francis Burdett. — " Gentlemen; not having had, hitherto, the good fortune to make my- self MIDDLESEX ELECrlON. 599^ self understood by the Gentleman near me, I hope this day I fliall be as intelligible to him, as I have hitherto had the happiness to be to you Gentlemen. If up to this time, as Mr. MelliQi declared yefterday, he had not been able to underftand what I have ta- ken the liberty, at different times, to address to you, I muft confess, at lead, that, in the (hort address of Mr. Mellifh, yefterday, he has certainly taken his revenge, and has been as unintelligible to me, as it is pollible that ever I could have been to him. Gentlemen, I defy the ingenuity of man, in a flior- ter compass, more completely to baffle and puzzle the human underftanding. Gentlemen, Mr. Mel* lifh's speech certainly had these chara6teriftics of wit, it was una.ueftionably both fhort and surpri- iing ; but. Gentlemen, though I have not hitherto had the good fortune to make my principles under- stood by Mr. Mellifh, it does seem, that yefterday, however, a sort of light broke in upon him ; — and, though I did not lay down any principle, but mere- ly made some few general observations on topics which I thought it my duty to notice, he did, how- ever, seem to think, that he had some kind of glim- mering light, as to the principles which I had before professed. — Gentlemen, I only say that 1 suppose that to have been the case. Mr. Mcllifli says he has made a mofc wonderful discovery, which is, that I was endeavouring to inftil my prii;ciples into his. Now, Gentlemen, how this carious process {hould be brought about, how Mr. Melliib has made that moft surprifmg discovery, bv what means it is to be efFe(Sled, how my Jacobinical principles, which ho 400 HISTORY OF THE he has not been ablehitherto to underftand,fliould be somehow or other inftilled Into his principles, which I have not had the good fortune to learn, is some- thing so extraordinary that lean hardly help envying Mr. Mellifh the merit ofsofmgular and sowhimficala discovery. — Gentlemen, Mr. Melliih muft certainly have dived far into the depths of science, — he muft have found out some new process of chemical mo- rality, by which this curious process of inftillation of my principles into his was to be efFe£ted ;— -he muft have dived into the depths of science, deeper than line or plummet ever fathomed; and I cannot ima- gine where he could apply, or from whence he could have obtained, this moft extraordinary secret, unless he has extra6ted it from the profound erudition, and elaborate libels, of his friend Mr. Bowles. — Gentle- men, I much regret, and I have no doubt Mr Mellilli also regrets, that he loses the benefit of Mr. Byng's presence upon these Huftings, who seems to have abdicated his fituation. Mr. Mellifli would polliblv not have thouirht himself in so much dan- ger from my Jacobinical principles, had Mr. Byng stood as a party-wall between us, which would have prevented the heat of my raging Jacobinism from affe6\ing him. — In paffing through the negative medium of Mr. Byng's Whiggism, my Jacobinical principles would poilibly have become harmless, and been divcfted of their malignity, before they got to Mr. Mcllini.— Gentlemen, I hope Mr. Mellifli will, for your benefit, who are not yet infe£ledwith those Jacobin principles which I profess, discover to you this ftrange and finguiar process of his, and will MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 401 -will afford you an antidote to the poison which he thinks so dangerous, that he is afraid of avowing any principle of his own,— he is afraid of putting forth any particle of his own principles,— for fear they fliould become contaminated immediately by the neighbourhood in which he is placed. — Gentle- men, Mr. Mellilh certainly addrefled you yefterday more in the ftyje of an Oracle than of an Orator ! with this special difference, however, that the dark- ness and obscurity of the Oracles of old, was owing to their containing a great variety of meanings, ac- cording to the way in which the words that com- posed them were placed ; but, Gentlemen, the darkness and obscurity of Mr. Melliih's speech a- rises from its containing no meaning at all, let the words be placed in what way you will. — Gentle- men, Mr. Mellifh has been as reserved in his prin- ciples, he has kept them as close, as he keeps Gold at the Rank ; — he will no more give you an opin- ion, than a guinea ;— but. Gentlemen, I fliould have hoped, that, if he had no fteriing coin, he at leafl would have treated you as well as he treats his Cus- tomers at the Bakk, and have given you a pro- miffory note, although those notes only contain g promise to promise, ftill we fliould have preferred to have them, rather than to have nothing j—and I think Mr. Mellifli, at the same time, might have fairly pledged himself, without any infringement of the judicious caution he has so ftri611y observed, to discharge both obligations together.— Gentlemen, I will for once run the rilk of making a prophecy, and foretel what will be the language and conduct of Mr. Byng and Mr. Melliih, when you ffiall have 3 F returned 402 HISTORY OF THE returned them, if you do return them, your mem- bers. I think. Gentlemen, you will find, that they will run in unison with those of the other Candi- dates to whom I have before alluded, and that you will hear nothing but of the great sacrifices you are to make.— Gentlemen, in saying this, I fliall, how- ever, qualify it a little, because I w^ill prophecy, that they will eillier hold this language, or hold their tongues. One would suppose, by the lan- guage of all the Candidates returned to this now- coming Parliament, that no sacrifices had hitherto hcen made by the people: — one would imagine, that every resource was left unimpaired j — we hear one Gentleman, the Treasurer of the Navy, talking of cheerfully sacrificing even the very necefiaries of life. What, have they not been sa- crificed already i* have they not taken all? does not the tax-gatherer take the beds from under you r does not the tax-gatherer take your cloaths from off your backs? would they talce your ikin too, and ftillafk for more sacrifices r \Hers many persons answered No — No— and many otjicrs Yes—Yes\ I say, Yes^ too, if the sacred call of country demands it ;— but never, by my consent, to gratify the insatiable avarice of Pensioners, PL.*cE?riEN, and Expectants, ve- nal Orators, and llate Empirics. IVIr. Mellisii. — ^^ GcnticiTien, I again return you my v/armeft thanks ior ihc honour you have this day done me, and I have only two or three vvords further to say ; these are, Gentlemen, to as- sure you that the at:ack$ of the Hon. Baronet can- not po.ffibly produce any influence upon my mind or condu6t. MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 403 TWELFTH DAY. Saturday y 'Novemher 22. At the close of the poll, the numbers were as follow : — William Mcllish, Esq. . . . 2792 George Byng, Esq. .... 2074 Sir Francis Burdett .... 748 Mr. Byng made his bow and retired. Sir Francis Burdett.— Gentlemen ; Although you have paid every attention due to the Gentleman near me, (Mr. Melliih) an attention excited, perhaps, a little by the curiosity you probably have, in com- mon, participated with me to hear some explanation of the curious myilery he announced to us on a former day, yet we not having obtained any expla- nation, he thinks, I flatter myself, that, upon this occaiion, you may be more fortunate, as well as my- self. — Gentlemen ; Mr. Mcllifh seems to be as de- termined to keep his secret as close as Launcc, the Clown, in one of Shakespcar's Plays ; who, speaking of his love, fays, " that is a secret, that a team of bonnes fnall not draw from me," — Gentlemen ; Mr. Mcllifh yefterday favoured us but with< one obser- vation, and that not a very gracious cm?.; Mr. Mel- lish observed, that all I had said had no effecft what- ever upon his mind ; that my speeches were totally loft upon him. I will not return Mr. Mellish so bad a compliment; I can aiTure you, that his speeches— I Ihould rather say, his speech (for he has 3 F 2 favoured 404 HISTORY OF THE favoured us with only one during the course of this Eledion) ; that speech, containing the great disco- very before alluded to, was nor, I can affure him, loft upon me, Gentlemen ; 1 might add " but the co7itrary,'' to use the language of Mr. Byng, who, I truft, will not grudge me the use of it, as he seems to make none of it himself. — Gentlemen ; when my mind recovered from the surprize and aftonifhment with which it was overwhelmed, upon the firft an- nouncal of Mr. Mellifii's great discovery, I began immediately to thinic within myself, and to form conjcd^ures, how it was possible for him to have ob- tained it ! Gentlemen, I have heard many grave and learned men, in the defence of abftruse subjeds* ftate it as their opinion, that, although many of their objecfls were unattainable, that frequently, in the pursuit, they ftumblcd upon some sort of useful dis- covery, which turned out afterwards to the great benefit of mankind. Now, Gentlemen, coniidering "irt in this point of view, I was at a loss to imagine what great pursuit or object Mr. Mellilh could have been endeavouring to obtain, when he had the good fortune to hit upon his lucky discovery; and. Gen- tlemen, after a great deal of consideration with my- self, (afrer weighing maturely a variety of points — after considering the situation of Mr. Mellifh, as a Bank Director), confidcr?ng how valuable a com- modity, especially jufb now, gold muft be at the Bank, it immediately Ifruck my mind, that, when Mr. Mellifh hit upon this magnificent new disco- covcrv of hi% he could have been in pursuit of no ♦)thcr object, than that of tlic philosopher's flone; s.ndv MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 405 and. Gentlemen, it mufl be a great comfort to you to think, that, when Mr. Mellifti Ihall have found out the philosopher's ftone, the Bank will resume its payments in calh. — Gentlemen ; I hope that this success of Mr. Mellifh will not tend, in any way, to retard him in his original pursuit ; but, on the con- trary, that this lucky discovery of his will only ope- rate as a ftimulus to his future exertions ; because, I am persuaded, notwith (landing the slight opinion Mr„ Mcllini has been pleased to express of me, 1 am firiD'y pci"suadcd, that there is no man more likely to find out the philosopher's ftone than himself. Mr. Mellifh has the goodness to inform me, and I thank him for it, that it was not of me, but of my prin- ciples, that he thought lightly.— Gentlemen ; This calls to my mind an hiftorical fadl I have read in a great poet. It is recorded by that great moral hif- torian, Ben Johnson, in his Alchymifl, that this wise , and learned man, this alchymifl:, after many years of severe labour and fludy in pursuits, like those of Mr. Mellifh, after the philosopher's ftone, did at length, towards the conclusion of his days, in his grey hair?, and his cheer days, make a discovery, not indeed of the philoso^icr's ftone, but a discovery perhaps more useful to mankind ; he discovered. Gentlemen, a cure for the itch. Now, Gentlemen, although Ben Johnfon's Alchymift certainly will bear away the palm of the discovery, confidered only in the point of utility, — yet, 1 muft ftill be of opinion, that Mr. Mellish, in point of ingenuity and novelty, and subtilty of thought, will, in the estimation at leaft of the learned few, maintain the precedence) 406 HISTORY OF THE precedence, — and continue a long time their delight ; - — to please which few, such, for inftance, as his profound and learned friend Mr. Bowles and his compeers, if, indeed, that Gentleman is not altoge- ther peerless, which I fhall not take upon me to xletermine, — but certainly, it mud be more glorious and honourable to Mr. Mellish to please those learned few, than cither to serve, or please, the Swin- ifli Multitude, in general.— Gentlemen ; It is an observation, not quite so novel as the discovery of Mr. Mellish, that, in this our lot and condition of humanity no valuable thing can be obtained without confidcrablc pains and labour. It is equally true that the pains and labour we bcdovv' upon any objedt, in order to acquire it, is perhaps, the beft criterion of the estimation in which we hold it. Gentlemen; I trulT, thcn,thatyou will see, and that Mr. Mellish will see, the high value I put upon his sentiments and opinions, if I could hear them, by the pains and labour that I have been at, in endeavouring to elicit a principle, or an opinion from him. But, Gentle- meUy I begin to fear, that, unless I ihould be as niuch favoured by good fortune and inspiration, as he has been in mal<.ing that wonderful discovery of the power of inftilling unknown principles, into principles unknown, unless I fliould have the good fortune to discover some process of diftillation, by which his principles, in spite of himself, may be dis- tilled from him, I fliall at length, 1 believe, give up all such attempts in future in despair. — Gentlemen ; upon this point Mr. Mellish seems to be even more discreet and secret than the sapient lord Bl'r- LET. MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 407' LEY, in the Critic ;— he will not even afford us a fhake of the head. — Gentlemen ; I (hall only make one further observation, and take my leave of you. It is this ; I am persuaded, that if Minifters had been* but half as wise as Mr. Mellish, — had they known half as well how to keep an advantage, when ob- tained, Europe, vvould not, in all probability, have been in the condition in whi(^h we now see it." Mr. Mellish. "Gentlemen, I thank you for your support. If the worthy Baronet's speeches please you, I can have no objcLlion to them." THIRTEENTH DAY. Monday, No-'jcmbet 24. At the close of the poll, this day, the numbers were — William Mellish Esq 2894 George Byng Esq. . . . .2133 Sir Francis Burcktt .... 901 Mr. Byng made his accuftomed bow, and retired, amidfl: the uproar and laughter of the crowd. Sir Francis Burdett. — Gentlemen; After the very honourable exertion which the independent in- tereft of the County has m;ide this day in its own and my behalf, I cannot refrain from returning them my thanks, a: the same time that I mull i.-iv in thai 40S HISTORY OF THE that claim of credit to them which I did upon a former occasion, when I ftated, what every one mull be aware of, that tho e Freeholders who come for- ward in my favour muft come forward free of all suspicion of every kind of improper motive or un- due influence. — This, Gentlemen, I muft think is no more than due to their merit.— Gentlemen ; It is acknowledged, I think, on all hands, and by persons of every different defcription, that the present fitua- tion of this Country is calamitous beyond all pre- cedent, and that the burdens of the people are great beyond all former example. — Gentlemen; this, then, being the acknowledged situation of alfairs, it does seem to but a rational and a juft enquiry to attempt to know how the Country has been brought into that calamitous situation, and who are the persons who have been doing themischiefof which we complain. — Gentlemen ; Ir is a common and a well known principle, and uniformly a61ed upon by persons in magiftcrial situations, well known to the Magiflralcs of this and of every County in England, and parti- cularly the IMctropolis, that wherever a robbery has been committed, the way to enquire into the authors of that crime, if they arc at that time unknown, and the way followed always, is to look about and find out what persons happen unexpectedly to be flufliof money at the time, who appear to have derived be- nefit from the perpetration of the crime. — Gentle- men; this is a principle £o rational, which has been always adtcd upon by men of great sense and expe- rience in matters of a private concern and it so nuich more applicable to matters of a public nature, is so less liable to error, where nations and Hates and MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 409 public persons are concerned, that I cannot think it an improper mode of pursuing the enquiry at pre- sent into the affairs and the present state of the Countr}'. Now, Gentlemen, if there are persons and families who have rprung out of the filth and corruption, as muflirooms and funguses spring out of filth and ordure; if there are persons who, in the midfl of public calamity, have their own affairs en- creasing in prosperity — if there are persons and fa- milies who, like evil weeds growing out of ruins, flioot their pernicious roots into every rotten part, corner, and crevice of the building, thriving and supporting themselves, and drawing succour from the very mischief they occasion — if there are such persons and families thriving in the midft of public mischief — if there are persons and families who have grown great as the Country has grown small, who have been profperous as our calamities have extended, whose fortunes have risen as those of the-Country have fallen — if there are any such persons, and any man will point them out to me, I will in return point out to him the authors of the Country's ruin. — [Burjh of applause.'] — Gentlemen ; when I looked at the different Speeches and the AddrclTcs which have been exhibited before the pub''.c, by those persons who have bee i returned Members uO the now com- ing Parliament ; when I looked particularly to the speeches of Mr. Thornton, of Mr. Wilberforce, of Mr. Sheridan, and of various other persons who never agreed in any other point but the one 1 fhall mention, in which they do agree — when I see such a union of sandity and profligacy of loyalty and 3 Q Jaco- 410 HISTORY OF THE Jacobinism, but uniting in this one point, that enormous sacrifices are to be made by the people, I do think that persons returned under those cir- cumftances, and holding that language, call to my mind more than that of the meeting of an English Parliament, a meeting which we are told of, of the Counsellors of Rehoboam. They feem to me to be holding juft that language — ** our predecessors," said those wicked Counsellors, " scourged the peo- ple with whips, but we will scourge them with scorpions." — Gentlemen; It is also my firm persua- sion, that you will find the little finger of this now coming Parliament to weigh more heavily and more grievously upon the loins of the people, than the whole body even of the laft." Mr. Mellish. — " Gentlemen, I fliall only return you my beft thanks for the exertions you have this day made in my behalf, and then take my leave." FOURTEENTH DAY. Tuesday^ November 25. At the close of the poll, the numbers were, for William Mellish, Esq. . . . 3009 George Byng, Esq 2198 Sir Francis Burdett .... 1016 Mr. Byng made his accustomed bow and retired. Sit MIDBtESEX ELECTTO^^. 4?, 1 Sir Francis Burdp.tt.— "* GcrxtkiTiCn ; In ad- drefiing the few words I shall have to address to you this day, 1 shall begin with observing^ with a- con- siderable degree of satisfadion and exultation, that the independent spirit of the County has for the two last days placed me in a very rcspedlable situation indeed upon the poll. Gentlemen ; this must be highly gratifying to me, and it is also gratifying to me to observe, that at this late period of the Elec- tion the Freeholders seem to be more inclined to come forward, as if the effect of the first misrepre- sentations and calumnies that were propagated with respeifl to me and my conducfl began confiderabiy to wear off. Gentlemen, I fhall only observe, that there at present remain a sufficient number of Freeholders to turn the Elcflion in my favor if they fhall think fit to make any such exertion for that purpose ; — at all events, I can assure them, that they will not find me wanting in my duty, which is to appear here, and to give them all the opportunities which the law allows to come forward if they are so disposed.—Gcntlemcn ; when I look at the poll and sec ioi6 unsolicited, unaskcd-for votes, and un- influenced, 1 cannot but look upon this Eledlion, however it may terminate, as a contefl ending tri- umphantly for myself — Gentlemen, when 1 recol- lecfl all the influences which have been used for my opponent — vvlien I recollei^lall the various modes by which Freeholders in this County particularly may be influenced, and that I have flood unconnedcd with any party posiefling power, or what is commonly called political influence, in the Country, flanding 3 G 2 barely^ 412 HISTORY OF THE barely upon public principle alone, I cannot con- fider this ftate of the poll as in anyway refleding upon the County itself or upon myself in particular. —Gentleman ; having expressed my compleat sa- tisfadlion, therefore, with those exertions which have been hitherto used in my favor, I fhall take the liberty of flating one or two things to you with res- ped: to the opinions and sentiments I have main- tained, and do maintain, upon the fituation of this Country ; and I do il, because it is upon those grounds alone that I ask for the support of the Free- holders of the County of Middlesex, and if they do not agree with me in opinion— if they do not coin- cide with me in sentiment. I am free to declare that 1 am a very unfit representative for them to re- turn to Parliament. -^.-Gentlemen ; it has been my persuasion ever since I have been able to come for- ward and to consider political subjedls, that a sys- tem has been adopted in this Country moft inimical to the beft interefls of the people, and mofl: dange- rous to the independence of the Country. Gentle- men ; persuaded, ftrongly persuaded of that opinion,! have done every thing m my power to interrupt that progress which has produced the present calamitous situation of the Country, and, if I could, to recall back that old free Englifh ConRitution which for- merly formed the basis of its happinej;s, its prosperity, and its security. — Gentlemen I cannot believe that Earracks, Soup-shops, Work-houses, Colledors of Taxes palaces, — \_Here an inlerruption took place y many persons on the hustings h{(fing.'\-'—\ am afraid by this that there are some Gentlemen near me to whom this MIDDLESEX ELECTIOiT. 4lS this is rather touching a sore part ; but Gentlemen, every on.e knows, that however painful may be the operation, however disagreeable to the person who performs it, if an ulcer is to be cured it mud be probed to the bottom. — Gentlemen ; I was stating my persuasion, that those grievances which I before enumerated were not the genuine produce of the old Conftitution of England — that being the case, and I having done every thing in my power to arreft the progrc-s of the new-system, of which these are the formidable component parts — having done all I could to arreft that progress which has ended in the present dangerous and calamitous condition of the Country, I have only to say to the Freeholders of Middlesex, that if they are catislied with the present situation of affairs they uill do well to continue to support the Gentlemian near me, who has been uni- formly supporting that syftem while I have been uniformly opposing it. — Gentlemen ; In taking my leave of you this d:\y I ihall only put my pretentions to your support upon these grounds — It is for you to judge— i: is your interefts which are concerned — and however ycu may determine, the result will be perPecHy Sati:facl:ory to rne." Mr. Mellispj '' Gciitlcm.en, I return you my thanks for the ho:iour and support you have this day conferred upon n:e. B\^ looking at the poll you will see what a very great majority 1 have [A loud uproar.) Thi.% Gentlemen, is the Hon. Baronet's own exprcirion; and I 'nope you will continue your exertions." A Polled 414 HISTORY OF THE A Foiled Freeholder s Letter to the Independent Freeholders of Middlesex. Genilemen; If to return Mr. Mcllish be your only wish, no farther exertions are requisite ; but if you have a higher and more important objed in view, namely, to restore peace and order to this distradled County, too long a prey to Jacobin Fac- tion, then I ask, is the present state of the poll cal- culated to obtain that objed ? Certainly not. No- thing less than carrying the poll of the popular Can- didate out of sight of his opponents, will convince the Democrats that the Eledors of Middlesex, loyal and free themselves, are resolved to be represented in future by none but those who are so. Every Free- holder, therefore, who has not yet polled, fhould put this question to himself: Is it not my boundcn duty to add my vote to the present majority, and how shall I answer it to my country, if, through my in- dolence, the County of Middlesex should again be subjected to the same mischiefs and outrages which have so long disturbed the peace of the County, and endangered its independence ? — If every voter, who is a sincere friend to his Country, would now come forward and exercise his franchise. Sir F. Bur- dett, and all who hold his principles (if principles they may be called) would learn, that the Free- holders of this County will no longer be duped by a fadion, or scared by a mob. Mr. Byng and his adherents would learn, that those who hope in future to represent honest and independent men, must themselves be independent and honest : and Mr. Mellish MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 415 MelUsh himselfwould learn, that unless his conduct shall correspond with his professions, he must never more hope to be member for Middlesex. — Gentle- men, delays are dangerous ; the poll closes on Thurs- day; the losing Candidates strain every nerve to swell their polls. If you delay to the last moment what has already been postponed too long, you may find to your confusion that you have come an hour too late. A Polled Freeholder. FIFTEENTH DAY. JVednesdajy Novemhcr 26. At the close of the poll the numbers were, William Mellifh, Esq. . . . 3089 George Byng, Esq 2243 Sir Prancis Burdett, . . . . loji Mr. Byng made his bow and retired. Sir Francis Burdett. — " Gentlemen; After the disapprobation which was expressed yefterday by some persons near me, in consequence of some topics intro- duced into my Address to you, it will be very difficult for me indeed to speak upon the present situation of this country, so as not to incur the displeasure of those persons. You all know how difficult it is to touch any sore or tender part, so as not to give sensations ^f uneasiness to the persons who labour under those com- 415 HISTORY OF TkE complaints. — Gentlemen; notwithflanding that dis- pleasure, I mufi: confess; I do not at all regret, nor shall I be withheld from exprelling my sentiments freely upon such ahuie?, as I conceive it to be essen- tial to the Country to have reformed. On the con- trary. Gentlemen, 1 am rather pleased at the dis- pleasure of certain persons, not merely at the dis- pleasing them, but because that is a proof to mc that I am touching upon those points on which it is essential for you to hear me. — Gentlemen ; the anger of yefterday appears not to have confined it- self merely to the disapprobation of the Gentlemen who heard me at the time, because it has produced an advertisement in the papers of this day, which proves to me that they have carried home with them the displeasure which they before expressed at this place. I hold in mvhand a very curious adver- tisement signed " A Freeholder ;" but at the same time the marks and tl>e features of this advertise- ment are so flrong, tluu I cannot be at a loss to state who has prodLK'C'i it. — Gentlemen ; the topics in- troduced in it comp..] me to believe that it muft be the production, cither of the hired libeller Mr. Bowles, or the hired informer Mr. Redhead York.] — \^Hfre an irUcrrupl'iQn iock place, some e::cJiuming^ " Shame! Shame!" and others " Don't libel people here."'^ Some Gentlemen cry out ** Shame!" but they think it no shame to put in print the moft scandalous accusations againfl: mc — the moft scan- dalous misrepresentations — to represent me as what they please to term a Jacobin, and the worlf enemy to the Country and the Conftitution of England--^ they MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 417 they think that no fhamc, and they feel no repugnance so to hold me up to the public. — The Gentleman who wrote this advertisement says, that the objedl of this Eledion is to preserve this County, too long diftraded by Jacobinical principles, from becoming a prey to a Jacobin Faction, As to fadion, I should like the person who wrote this, or any other person, to point out in what that fadion consists, or where that fadion exifts. I should like them at the same time that they use these words to be so good as to annex to them an explanation, that we may under- stand at leaft what they are at. — Gentlemen, as to Fadion, do we not know that there can be no fac- tion but of men from interefled motives, combining against the public good for their own private and individual emolument. Can fadion, or did fadion ever put forward or depend upon public principle, and you will judge between us which are the inter- cfled parties, and who has moft candidly explained his public principles upon this and upon every other occasion. — Gentlemen ; they choose to use the word Fadion as they do the word Jacobin, merely as a term of general abuse, and which affixes upon them no particular meaning; but I will affix a meaning to that term, and under that term I think they them- selves come; because 1 do look upon them as a con- neded set of men — not conneded by public prin- ciple of any kind, but by private and individual in- tereft Gentlemen ; you all know that where there is a reward, where ever a profit is to be had, there will be the interefted persons. You all know, that where the carq^ise is there will be the vultures also; 3 H you 418 HISTORY OF THE you know well that we have no carcase, that we have nothing to afford ; that we hold forth nothing to the Independent Freeholders of Middlesex but public constitutional principles ; upon those grounds I have afked their support, and therefore I retort upon those persons the aspersions they are willing to cad upon mc, and I declare that I do hold them in the light in which they wifh to uphold me, and consider them as the molt dangerous as well as the mod interefted Fadlion in this Country. The same Gentleman says, " That the principles I have pro- fessed, if principles they may be called" — Now, if they would but be explicit-— if they would but let us underftand what they mean by principle — if they themselves understand -what they mean, I truft they will be kind enough to explain to me how they can entertain any doubt as to what I have laid before you as my principles, and not only principles pro- fessed, but principles upon which I have uniformly adled. — Gentlemen ; In the same advertisement, it is said, that Mr. Mellifh, too, mufl learn, that un- less his condudl fhall correspond with his profeflions, he muft never more hope to be Member for Mid- dlesex. Now, this is also very curious, because wc have not had the good fortune yet to hear any pro- fessions from Mr. Mellifli, and why those friends of his should talk of that on whioli he holds his tongue, is for him and not for me to explain.--- Gentlemen ; with the same degree of candour and truth this ad- vertisement concludes with flating, that I have (trained every nerve to swell my poll. Now, Gen- tlemen, I fliould guess at lealt from some of the votes MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 419 votes that were taken yefterday, that the Candidate near me had certainly ftrained every nerve to swell his poll, because I did observe polling yefterday Mr. Mainwaring, the Jufbice, and Mr. Daniel Hindley, the Clerk, and I did expe(5l to see as a proper ac- companiment to the other two, Mr. Aris, the Gaoler; probably you may have the satisfadion to see him poll to-morrow.-— Gentlemen ; I have only further to observe to the Independent Freeholders, that there are still abundantly sufficient voters unpolled to carry the Ele^fiion upon the principles, and for the intereft on which I ftand ; — whether they fhall be pleased so to exert rhem:-elves is for their considera- tion, and it interests them to the full as much as it can me." Mr. Mellish,™ *' Gentlemen ; I return you my* belt thanks for the honour you have done me." Mr. Bowles's Letter to Sir Francis Burdett. Sir, In several of your speeches from the Hullings, during this Eicilion, you have thought proper to allude to me, personally, and you have twice ap- ])lied to me the odious term of" libeller." As far as these allulions afFeft myself, I can have no induce- ment to notice them; for they cannot injure me in the opinion of those on whose approbation I set any value; but, as they may seem to imply a contradic- tion of what I have publiOied respecting you, public confiderations forbid me to pass them over in lilence : and, as the Sheriff of Middlesex has judic"ously re- 3 H 2 solved 4^20 HISTORY OF THE solved to confine the privilege of addrefling the Free- holders to the Candidates, I have no other opportu- nity of noticing them, than tlirough the medium of the Press. — I am aware, that the term libeller is equivocal, and I am anxious to know in what sense you have applied it to me.-It is well known, that, ac- cording to the law of England, truth may be a libelj and, if your charge be intended merely to impute to me what is libellous in point of law, I beg you to remember, that the conduct of some men is of sucii a nature, that it is impoffible to comment freely upon it, without being chargeable with a libel, in the legal sense of the term. But the expreffion, libellous, frequently involves a charge of calumny; and it is an apprehenfion that you may have used it in this sense, which induces me, for the reason above ftated, now to address you. — It has fallen to my lot. Sir, to have animadverted, more perhaps than any other individual, on your public conduct ; and particularly on your calumnies, with regard to the Prifon in Cold-Bath-Fields; and on the atrocious proceedings which were resorted to at the Elections in 1802 and 1804, to procure your return as a Re- presentative for the County of Middlesex ; and be- fides what I have thus publiQied with my name, candour requires me, on this occafion, to avow the anonymous Pamphlet, which appeared soon after the laft Middlesex Election, under the title of " An Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex, by an attentive Observer, &c." But in this, as well as my other publications on the above subje6ts, I took the MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 421 the utmoft pai«s to avoid the flighteft Inaccuracy; and had I been capable of wilful misrepresentation, I fliould have pursued the same course; for the truth did not want, and indeed could not receive, any higher colouring, than belonged to it in its native garb. But as you, Sir, have thought proper publicly to represent me as a libeller, I am inpelled, in juftice to the cause of kyalty and order, which I have endeavoured, to the utmoft of my ability, to defend, to challenge you to disprove any of the charges which 1 have advanced againft you. I am, Sir, Bic. JOHN BOWLES, Bloomshury-square, Nov. 26. 18o6. A Freeholder s Letter to the Freeholders of Middlesex, Gentlemen; Sir F. Burdett, in his speech of yes- terday, began with observing, that the displeasure expressed by certain persons, at some ])arts of his speech of the day before, proved that he hfid touch- ed those persons in a sore place. He immediately afterwards proceeded to comment upon an adver- tisement which appeared this morning in the pub- lic Papers; and by the displeasure which he ex- pressed at that advertisem.ent, he proved, according to the rule he had juft before laid down, that it touched him in a sore place. The part which seemed chiefly to make him writhe, was that which contained the expreffion " Jacobin Faction ;" on which 422 HISTORY OF THE which he expatiated with much warmth, and with personal abuse of some Gentlemen, who doubtless think it an honour to be abused by him. If he had not professed to be ignorant of the meaning of the term, " Jacobin Faftion," the anger which it seemed to excite in his bread: would have led any- one to believe, that his conscience had made a moft feeling application of that term. To enlightea him however, upon so important a subjecl, it may not be amis to inform him, that the term in queftion implies a Faction, which|endangers the very exiflence of Government, and of social order, by inflaming the paffions of the multitude, by promoting a spirit of insubordination, by ftimulating the lower orders agalnfl the higher, the poor againft the rich, and the profligate againll the law, the magillrates and the prisons; a faction which, if it fliould succeed, by such means, to acquire an ascendancy, would tyrannise, with despotic sway, over those deluded mortals whom it had made the flalking-horse of its ambition ; and which has, therefore, moil juftly been described " as a desperate faction, not less hostile to the people whom it flatters, than to the throne which it seeks to subvert." Such a faction lately succeeded, by such means, in overdi rowing the mon- archy of France, and in eftablilhing, upon its ruins, a despotism more galling than the world had ever before known. Such a faction lately attempted to overthrow the monarchy of England ; and, by the means of Corresponding Societies, and Jacobin Clubs, was in a fair way of efl^ecting its purpose, un- til its real designs were unmasked and frustrated by the MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 423 the detectlori of Sir F. Burdett's quondam friends, the O'Coigleys, the O'Connors, and the Despards ! Let Sir Francis recollect the schemes of these mis- creants, and their abettors, and he will be no lon- ger at a loss to understand the meaning of the term *' Jacobin Faction." I am, &c. A Freeholder. SIXTEENTH AND LAST DAY. Thursday, November 27. At the Final Close of the Poll, the numbers were, for Wllliani Mellish, Esq. . . . 3213 George Byng, Esq 2304 Sir Francis Burdett . . . . 1197 The Sheriff then came forward, and formally declared, that William Melliih, Esq. and George Byng, Esq. were duly elefted. — This declaration was followed by a mixture of applause and disapproba- tion. Sir W. Gibbons moved the Thanks of the Freeholders to Messrs. ?*iiles and Branscombe, which being seconded by Mr. ClifFord, was carried without a dissentient voice. Mr. Mellish took his place upon the Hustings, amidst the vociferations of his friends, and spoke as follows: — " Gentlemen, I fliaii only say one word j 1 will not be long, I assure you-— (The Jioise conUfiu- id.) If you will not hear me, I iliall make my bow, and retire. Gentlem.en, I say, that proud I am^ and proud I ought to be, of the truft you have reposed 424 HISTORY or THE reposed in me. The voice of the County has spo* ken so decidedly in my favour, that I fliall only say, that I am gratefully senlible of the honour the Freeholders have conferred upon me, and I will never desert their interests." (A mixture of applause and disapprobation followed.) Mr. Byng came forward amidst the prevailing hisses of the multitude, and finding it impossible to obtain a hearing, exclaimed — " I beg leave to re- turn the Freeholders my best thanks for the honour they have done me this day," and retired. {A Free- holder observed, that Mr. Byng had taken his last fare- well of the County of Middlesex.) Mr, Mellifh was then conducted to an ornament- ed car, hung with blue drapery, and placed in his barouche, in which he was chaired round the Mar- ket Place, and across the Butts, accompanied by his friends. Mr. Byng follow'ed next, in a chair decorated with laurel, and preceeded with orangs and blue flags. He was carried over the same ground as Mr. Melliih, supported by his friends. — During this time. Sir Francis Burdett remained upon the hus- tings, and w^hen the proceffion had passed away, he addressed the Freeholders to the following ef- feft : — " Gentlemen , So humble a man am I, though represented by many persons as of so lofty and aspiring a mind, that, even in my present cir- cumstances, I do not at all envy the triumphant exit of the two Candidates who have just left you, now become your Members, but am quite satisfied and content with my Own situation — Gentlemen i I think MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 425 think it first mv duty to return thanks to the Free- holders who have come forward in my support in a manner I trust as honorable to themselves aS to me. — Having said that much, I (hall go on to make one or two observations w'hich I think it necessary to make before I take my leave of you for the last time — [Some cried out, " I hope «5/."]— Gentlemen ; when 1 said that, I meant that at all times I ihall be proud and happy to be considered as the servant of the independent Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, and they may be afsured that at no time will they find any tergiversation in my condu61: — ■ any abandonment of my principles, or any disincli- nation on my part to promote their interests. — Gentlemen j I am afraid that in taking my leave of you this day, I fhall be no more fortunate in pleas- ing many persons whom I had not the good fortune to please yesterday or the day before, than I had at that time ; but, standing here before the County of Middlesex, called upon by honor and gratitude to them to place myself in a public situation, I hold myself bound to do my duty to them — which is fair- ly and explicitly giving them my opinion on all sub- jetis which 1 think conneded with their interests. — -Gentlemen j as I complained yesterday of an ano- nymous Libel under the signature of *' A Freehol- der" and which 1 guefsed must have come from the pen, the patriotic and disinterested pen, either of Mr. Bowles or of Mr. Redhead Yorke the Spy, so I have to complain to day of another Letter signed in the same way, " A Freeholder," containing si- milar calumnies against me, and it will be my duty 3 I before 426 HISTORY OF THE before I leave you, to make one or two short obser- vations on that letter, connected as it is with another letter where the Libeller is unmasked — for it is signed with the name of Mr. Bowles.--Considering both these wonderful pieces of workmanfliip as coming from the same fliop— being certain that they were manufa6lured in the same forge — I fhall indiscriminately mention one or the other as con- taining the sentiments of those persons. — Gentle- men; in the first of these Letters are again reite- rated all those stale and worn out accusations of Jacobins and Jacobin Faftions. — Gentlemen ; I yesterday ftated what I conceive to be the nature of a Faction, and those Gentlemen would do well to fhew that they do not come under that descrip- tion : but as for me, Gentlemen, the use of the word Faction is, upon the face of it, ridiculous and contemptible. I, flandinghere in such a man- ner as scarcely any man has ever come before the public, in the teeth of all parties and factions, with no intereft — with no motive — with no means of re- warding those who support me — unless the genero- fity of their own minds can reward them by the consciousness of contributing eflentially to the safety and honor of their Country — ftanding upon no other ground but that, I fliould have thought that the moft senseless and absurd word that could have been picked out of the dictionary would have been that very word *' Faction" which those Gentlemen have adopted. — But, Gentlemen, it seems that I have been attempting to excite the poor againft the rich — to excite disgust of social order and fair jrovcro" MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 427 government — that I have been attempting to over- turn all the orders of the state, and, if I could, the very existence of civil society. [Here many cried out NOf No, it is not so — you never have7\ — Now Gentle- men, what is it of which I complain ? I complain of a departure from law — I complain of juftice not being impartially diflributed — I complaia of in- tcrefted men being intruded with great and un- constitutional powers by the exercise of which no man feels himself to be safe — innocence has no prote6tion — no man can look for justice or for safety. — This, then, is the system of which I com- plain. — Gentlemen i it is further stated by Mr. Bowles, or rather he wishes to ask me the question, whether I mean by calling him a Libeller merely in the legal sense of the term, which, by the bye, he does not underftand, as I shall presently shew you — < w^hether I mean according to Law, by which he says truth is a Libel."— [A/r. Clifford. Mr. Bowles cor- rects you — he says., '-^ may be a Libel^'^ — Gentlemen, I will put it either way, that truth is a Libel or may be a Libel ; it is indifferent to me which he means. — Upon this point I am at issue with this re- nowned and famous Barrister, this profound Politi- cian, this supporter of a Constitution which he does not understand — I am at issue wirh him in point of fact — I deny that according to the Laws and Con- ftitutionof England, and according to common sense, which is always analogous to it. Truth can be a Li- bel — I know well that by the late scandalous prac- tices — that by the late dictum of a learned judge, but the moft unconftitutional that ever sat upon the Bench, I mean the late lord Mansfield-that has been 3 I 2 laid 428 HISTORY OF THE Jaid down, and I know that from that eonilructlon of the Law which he for the time dared to lay down,that iTQonftrous position has since been maintained--but I say, that that is not according to the principles of the Constitution of England, nay that it is not according to the forms of that Constitution, which alwavs when it suits their purpose they can easily getover-theLaw of England—Then Gentlemen, i mean most distin6lly and explicitly to say, that wnen I called Mr, Bowles a Libeller, I meant it according to the old term — the constitutional description of a Libel. I meant plain- ly to say that it was both false and malicious Then Gentlemen, from this Mr. Bowles's own confeffion of being a Libeller — we have moreover two instan- ces of Libels by him, one ol which was proved be- fore a Committee of tlie House of Commons — I mean that concerning the Nottingham Ele61ion, and the other on the late Duke of Bedford — Ihen he stands a Libeller, by confeffion, --of two false and ma- licious Libels convicted ; — and I say moreover, that he is a hired Libeller. — Now gentlemen, you will observe then, that the mere term Libeller, which Mr. Bowles takes up, is not the term of reproach that 1 meant to affix to him or to any man — be- cause I know that in bad times the best men are the most liable to incur convi6lions of Libels, be- cause the men who teel most strongly for the inter- ests of their country and for the liberties of the people are most likely to feel the grievances of the people, to (land up in defence of the people, and to maintain the Constitution. — Therefore, gen- tlemen, 1 again repeat, that it is not being a Libel- ler that I throw in the teeth of Mr. Bowles — for he MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 429 he might have been an honorable Libeller— but it is being: a hired Libeller which makes the weig^ht of my charge. — Now, Gentlemen, it is reported strongly— it is a report to which I give complete credit — that I believe can be proved — that not many years ago this same Mr. Bowles, this very zealous Advocate for all those abuses which now exist, was a very few years ago upon the eve of des- pairing and of departing from this Country to go and take refuge from the then abuses, which were not a ten thousandth part of those which have been heaped upon the people since, in that Asylum of Freedom, across the Atlantic. — Now Gentlemen, I have never so far despaired of the Country. I am willing to remain and take my fate with it. Gen- tlemen, whether those reports and rumors are true or not, Mr. Bowles possesses the means of making clear to the public — observe whether he does it or not. — Gentlemen ; as to the motives of Mr. Bowles's conduct; are they not the ordinary and common — - the most vulgar motives of self iiiterell that can give impulse to human action ? — Was Mr. Bowles the great advocate of every existing abuse until he had tasted the honey of corruption — until he had tasted the sweets of Dutch Prizes } — Mr. Bowles will ex- plain that among many other things which it will not be for me but for him to detail to you. — Gentlemen, with the same candor, with the sa.ne juftice, with the same good sense, as upon all oiher occasions, and as I itated before, the Letter of yefter- day was closed, is this Letter of to day closed, with calling upon me to disprove the accusa-. tior^s 430 HISTORY OF THL tions it contains. Why, Gentlemen, it did not rcquiic being bred to the Bar to know that no in.m can be called upon to prove the negative of an accusation ; but it is for tho:>e who have the ctiVontcry to make a charge, to make it good, or they muft ftand dishonourably convicT;ed of false and ma- licious Libel. — Gentlemen, there is an opinion that I have ventured to promulgate, which has met with no small opposition from persons of all faclions and parties, w hich seems to have had an influence like that attributed to sympathy, to Galvanism, or rather to Animal Mignetism — which has touched, as it seems, the scnlible part of every Placeman from one end of the Kingdom to the other — without any other conneclion they all seem to join in this one note, and with one arcord we have Mr. Tierney in the Bo- rough, and ue have Mr. Windham in Norfolk, \vho boih have pi. ices, and Mr. Whitbread, who would have a place — ftating, that they think it something so nonsensical that no man can contend for a mo- ment that it is unconflicutional or dangerous to the Country, that the men wlio hold lucrative Offices under the Crov.n (hould be also the representatives of the people :— -They call it a principle of the 7/fzcj school, but 1 say it is a principle of the old school,— that those person, have forgotten it— like the falhions out of n>emory w hich have been so long disused, all the good old principles of England have been so long disused that persons get up anel deny even that thicy ever exifled. — Gentlemen ; according to the Conflitution it was settled by Law, and if any thing can be called the Conftitution unqucltionably the .A61 MIDDLESEX ELECTIONS 451 Adl of Settlement mufl: be— by that Law it is enacted, that no person fhall hold a seat in Parlia- ment having at the same time a place ur.dcr the Crown. That has since been departed tiom for corrupt purposes, and has been repealed by spt^cial Act of Parliament — but which at the same time so far acknowledges the principle, though it departs from it on the ground of expediency in practice, that as soon as a man accepts of a place he is obliged to go through the form and mock'^ry of ah uidoning his seat and trying a seconJ Elc. tion. — Then, do these Gentlemen think to persuade us out of our senses? do they hold the undcrftandings of Engliili- men so cheap that they can be impo:ed upon with such flimsy pretences, or are those men so blinded by- self intereft, arc their minds which upon other oc- Gallons appear to be clear and acute, so blinded when self-interefl: comes between them and the ob- ject of their ambition, that they cannot comprehend one of the plainefl: and cleareft propositions of the law of England ? — Why, Gentlemen, it is no more consonant to the law than it is to common sense. The principle which 1 ftate is that on which they would always act in their private affairs; for v,hat man on earth ever vet contended that it was ii: the same Attorney (l-iould m.anagc a cause for two con- tending parties ? I say that the representatives of t'nc people are the Attorneys of th;. people— they v. ere so denominated according to the old forms of the Conftitution, and when they vserc returned to Par- liament they had Letters of Attorney to empower them to act for the per?ons they represented.— \VI:v, 4S2 HISTORY OF THk then, as it is impofTible for an Attorney honeftly to conduc'T: two opposite interefls with reference to pri- vate affairs, it is infinitely more so with regard to matters of a public and political nature, where pri- vate morality has so much to contend with, where the temptations are so much ftronger, and where the consequences of misconducl are much less likely to fall on the persons who misconduct themselves. — • On public ground, therefore, with reference to pub- lic affairs, the principle acquires tenfold strength, and is more necessary to be adhered to. — I simply, then, fl:ate,and am ready to mainta in at all times, that accord- ing to the Conftitution of England, which supposes no Utopian syftem of perfedlion, which supports in all cases the jufr prerogatives of the Crown, there is eftablished a check and a control from abuse on the part of the Crown by the Representatives of the People. I do say, that that syftem goes on the idea of jealousy between the parts, and docs not leave the people at the mercy of either the Minifters or the Crown, nor docs it leave the Crown at the mercy of the Minifters or the people. Then, Gentlemen the only consideration is. Whether the .same person shall be intrufted with the check and control upon his own conduct — a proposition soab.urd and ridiculous, that it would be unneceffarily taking up your time any funhtr to argue upon it. — Gentlemen ; I have been denominated an enemy to my Country — an encHiy to its liberties and to its Conftitution. — Gen- tlemen ; lam happy and proud to say — prouder than those Gentlemen who havejuft taken their leaves with all the ribbands which fly about them— that I poffess MIDDLESEX ELSCTION. 435 , poflTess rather than their ribbonds the hearts of my countrymen. But, Gentlemen, proud as I consider that honour to be — proud as it makes me — I will at the same tin.e frankly and .boldly say, that neither that nor any thing else would prevent my doing what I conceive to be my duty, and that my ambition has been more to serve than to please you — GenclemiCn ; I have complained, of what ? — of the Consiitution? no — Of speculative doctrines, as they falsely charge mc ? — no — We are not now debating about a Go- vernment — we have a Government — we have an established Government, giving and affording, if fairly exercised, to all men v.irhin these realms, fair protedlion and rational freedom. I am not, there- fore, nov.' disputing such points. I know, moreover, that in different countries men have lived happily and securely under differeni; forms of Government, and that a Government being established has, of it- self, a considerable advantage over any other, how- ever perfect it may appear in theory— -that the very ground of its being established gives it a decided preference. But, Gentlemen, it is the abuses of Go- vernment which I Have been pointing out ; the scan- dalous misapplication of the public wealth, the scan- dalous and unfeeling plunacr of the people of Eng- and, and the scandalous abuses which I have pointed out, are equally pernicious to all Governments, be their principles what they may. Gentlemen ; were I to stay here to detail to you the stacement of those abuses, the particulars of v. .ch 1 have at diffc:-.:- 1 tim.es noticed — [Here a Ccnileman e^^claimt-d^ " A^ 3 K might 434 HISTORY OF THE might flay here fill the next EIe^wn.'''\ — Gentlemen^ very true, if 1 were to attempt to detail them I might stand here till the coming of another Election. — Gentlemen, I should certainly have to present ii picfiure which even the persons who. have been the authors of the syi^tcm I com.plain of, would, them- selves perhaps start back and shudder at. — Gentle- men ; with respect to the Grievances and to the Taxes of the Country, when they are so scandalously misapplied, I think it is the duty of every public man to stand forward and expose such conduct.— What has been the language upon that subject of Ministers themselves ? what the consolation they ' have held out to the people ?—- -no abuse has been redified, but they have told you that the prodigal waste, or as they will call it, the neceiTary expendi- ture of the Country, has been such, and is such, that men mufi: sacriiice even the nccessr.ries of life — many indeed must do that j but we muft not complain, though they leave us hardlv anv thin^ we can carl our own — ;:he man who keep,-; a house muH go into the firll floor and be a lodger — tlie man who rents thcfirft floor muff go into the secend, and the man in the second floor muft go up to the third. Why do noi thcyprocred in their progress and shew you the issue, because there were men in all those situations before — why not mount uj) and say, the man who has the third floor lii nil go into the garrat ; — but where is the man who vvas bc:ore in the garrat to go? Why, Gentlemen, he riiuft descend into the cellar ; — but there was somebody before in the cellar! where is he to go to? v.hy, l.e niuft be thruft out naked MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 4S5 fjaked upon the pavement, and carried to the poor- house or the grave. Why, then do these Gentlemen il^op in their progress? why do they not go on with the journey they are pursuing? they are fliocked themselves at the picture they are going to trace, or auaid of telling you, whom'they are leading, whither they are going to condu(fl you! — Gentlemen; in such times as these — in times of public danger, it is in my opinion one of the greateft crimes any man can commit, whether he does it against or according to law, to lay his unhallowed hands upon the sacred resources of the Country. Those resources are all wanted for national defence, and they cannot at once fiovv in two channels — they cannot be used for pur- poses of corniption, and for purposes of national se- curity. Only to mention one department which these Gentlemen may perhaps call part of the Con- ftitution — for thev seem to consider nothino: but its abuses as the Confcitution — the very department of the Barracks. Why are Barracks built all over Eng- land ? why so many millions befrovved upon them? were those millions which are employed in the moft corrupt and foul way, employed, either in augment- ing your navy, or in rewarding the gallant actions of those men who are the real defence of their coun- try, were they employed in that way they would prove an ample source of national security without laying a single tax more upon the people. — Gentle- men ; what becomes of all the Sinecure Places and Pensions given for the moft corrupt and flagrant purposes? — given to delude the people in many in- stances, to oppress them in others; why are all those 3 K 2 resources, 436 HISTORY OF THE resources given for such purposes, whilfl: there is a single honourable defender of his Country who goes unre\varded ?— Gentlemen ; there is another source, too, which ought to be held as a sacred source of national supply— I mean the honours of the state — Why are those honours proilituted for political pur- poses ? — those honours which ought to be held sacred as the rewards particularly of military merit, which are a great and ample source of reward for gallant and brave men are made use of for no purpose but to secure corrupt majorities in the two houses of Parliament.— Gentlem.en ; there is another subjedt of abuse which I think it my duty to mention : why in this perilous rtate of the Country are we inundated by German troops? w^hy are Englifhmen sent out of the country on expeditions, and thousands of Ger- mans taken into our pay ? Can it be for the defence of England? Why did they not defend Germany? What interefi: have they with us ? For Vv'hat purpose has the Country b 'cn put to that experice, and those i'CijOurces so employed which might have gone to the support and maintenance of national troops for the defence of England itself ?— Gentlemen ; having f.^.ortly detailed a very few of those circumdancesof which I complain, and none of which 1 contend are complaints againll: the Conftitution of England, but againft those who are dcflroying, undermining, and coirupting^that Conftitution, I ftiall take my leave of you with merely observing — that great as the dan- gers of the Country are from without, they are ftill greater from the corruption wi[hin,-th?it no country Ihis ever been overcome by the valour of its enemies abroad MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 437 abroad which has not f.Jlen a prey to a previous svsrc ..."corruption at home. — Gentlemen; I ihali take mv leave o;: you vvith returning you many than'-s ■ >r the honour you have done me, and with flatiiig amply this — that while our gallant navy is cont^ ding againft the foreign foe, you will always find me .cady to contend for the people againit the domeflic one." bir Francis was then drawn through Brentford by tne populace. Most of the houses in Kensington and Knightsbridge were illuminated, and the whole had more the appearance of a triumph than a defeat. Mr. MelUsh's Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex after the Ele&ion. Gentlemen ; If in an ordinary contefr I had been chosen by you as one of vour Representatives, I should have been utterly at a loss to express my gratitude for so high an honour. Judge, then, how incapable I muft be of doing jufiice to my feelings, when 3'our choice involves in it a great and glorious vidory that you have enabled me to obtain over the dangerous party which, by the moll dis- graceful practices at the laft two Eledlions, had nearly triumphed over your independence. Ihe im- micnse majority with which you have honoured my humble pretensions to your favour, declares, in fo decifive a manner, the voice of the County, that I trufl it will extinguifli the hopes of all w'ho are de- fircus of ftifling that voice by popular clamour, or of defeating it by the arts of faction. That majority also. 438 HISTORY OF THE also, permit mc to add, aftbrds the bell possible an- swer to the call, which, during the Eledion, Sir F. Burdett has almoft daily made upon me, for a decla- ration of my principles. Nay, it goes further ; for it pronounces, in language which cannot be misun- derftood, your judgment upon his principles, as well as upon mine. — In congratulating you. Gentlemen, upon a victory which is the fruit of so much exer- tion, and which, considering the nature of the con- teft, affords juft cause for triumph to the kingdom at large, and, indeed, to the friends of order through- out the civilized world, my duty to you compels me mofl earneftly to intreat a continuance of that vigi- lance and firmness which, in such a cau.-e, can alone secure the ineftiniable advantage we have gained. — Having hitheito refrained from profeflions, '^veli kifowing them to be a mofl: fallacious tefl: of con- ducflj 1 fhall now content myself with assuring you, that by promoting, to the beft of my abilities, the prosperity of the Bricifti Empire, the security of the Britifh Conftitution, and the honeur and welfare ot the County of Middlesex, I ^haii endeavour to justify vour choice, and to evince the gratitude with which i am, t^r, Bufj~h:ll Psrk, Xcv. 2'. William Msllish, Mr. Bvn^q'6 .Address to the Frceboldcrs of Mid- dlesex after the Election, Gentlemen •, The high trust which you have again been pleased to repO:;c in me, is the beft proof that r.iv condud in your service has met with your ap- probation ; MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 4-3.9 probation ; for I will rake upon myself to say, that never did any individual receive more conspicuous marks of the unbiassed suffrages of his conftituents thao 1 have been honoured with on the present oc- casion. Amidlt the torrent of personal invedive and violence with which the present contefl for your favour has been conducted^ I have felt it due both to your underflanding and to my own charadler, to abftain from all profeffions as to my future conduct, as well as from all retrospect of the pad. What I have been, is in your recollection ; and I can truly say, without presuming to arrogate to myself any other .merit than that of confiftency, that even with the light which time and experience have thrown on the measures in which I took a part, I do not re- member a single instance in which 1 have to regret the vote I gave, as one of your Representatives, or which I should change if it were again to be given. This maybe ascribed to the advantage of my having uniformly maintained and acted on those rational principles of pure Whiggism, v.hich vvirh a constant but liberal jealousy of the exerciie of power, has foa: its sole object the preservation of our invaluablt.* Constitution in all its branches, and the happincis of the people from v/hom it sprung. I have the honour to be, &c. S/. James^s-SqiiarC:, Ncv. 27. George B/ng. ^/r Francis Burdett's Address to the Freeholders of Middlesex after the FAecfion. Gentlemen ;— The moment before the com- ni^ncement of the late Kle8,:op for M'diicsex, Mr, Whir- 440 niSTORY OF THE Whitbrcad, in a manner mofl: unbecoming his station, connedlions, and character, inserted in the public Newspapers the following passage, signed with his name: addressed indeed nominally, with dissembled respe(ft, to me ; but intended as a political Ele6li- oneering Manccuvre againft you. " I do not perceive in your present Address (says Mr. Whitbread) any allusion to an opinion promul- " gated by you on the late Eledlion for Weftminfter, *' which is — * That a person holdnig an Ojfice under " the Crown^ however otherwise eflimable, cannot at ** any time become the fit Representative of a free ^ uncor- " rupl^ and independent People.^' — If such opinion be " founded in truth, which (continues Mr. Whitbread) " I utterly deny, a law ought to be passed to exclude " all the executive servants of Government from seats *• in either House of Parliament. 1 have not heard, " that it was in the contemplation of any one to " propose such a measure : and, if proposed, I am " sure it would meet with resiftance from all descrip- ** tions of persons, who have the power or the will to <* reason upon its consequences. The people, by ** the acceptance of your doctrine, would reduce " themselves to the hard necefli:y of bcing«governcd ** by the worft of mankind."— These, Mr. Whii- brcad's sentiments, have likewise beea recently paraded by Mr. Windh.am, Secretary of State ; by Mr. Tierney, Cliairman of the Board of Controul ; by Mr. Sheridan, Treasurer of the Navy ; and arc now held, I presume, as the political creed of the whole party. — Gentlemen ; In that actor parliament (12 and MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 441 (12 and 13 Will. 3.) which gave the throne of these kingdoms to his present Majefty, and his family, intitled — " An Act for the further limitation of the " Crown, and better securing the Rights and Libcr- ** ties of the Subject," — it was wisely and honeftly thus enacted — " That no person, who has ati ** office or place of profit under the King, or receives " a pension from the Grown, shall be capable of *' serving as a Member of the House of Commons." —But Mr. Whitbread, it seems, never heard of this provision — " for better securing the Rights and ** Liberties of the Subject." And because, after a melancholy experience of the neceflity of such a provision, which our honeft anceflors only foresaw, I maintain the opinion of those from whom his Ma- jefty holds his Crown, I am represented, by these befl of Patriots, as an enemy to the Conftitution, and by some of their place-holding and place-hunt- ing Party, as a traitor to my country. The worft of traitors to their country are those who eat up its resources. Mr. Whi thread's judgment upon us who hold this opinion, is indeed something milder : he only concludes us to be either fools or rogues, — ** either we have not the power or the zvill to rea- son upon its consequences." — I have reason to be- lieve, that Mr. Whitbread himself possesses both the zvill and the pQzvcr to obtain speedily a lucrative office under the crown, without much embarraffing himself with its consequences to the Public— Gen- tlemen ; When the lafl: additional Taxes for the pre- sent year were lately impo:ed upon the People by these beft of Patriots, it was undisguisedly and tran- *? I. quillv 442 HISTORY Of THI quilly acknowledged by them, without the Icaft *^^onipunction, or commiseration of the People, that the necessary effedt of these taxes would be, to drive the inhabitants of a house into lodgings, and the lodgers of the firft floor into the second. Here indeed they flopped ,- leaving us to complete the miserable picture of national calamity ; viz. that the lodgers of the second floor muft mount up into the garret, the garreteer descend into the cellar ; whose former wretched inhabitant muft be thruft out upon the pavement, and from thence transferred to the workhouse or the grave. And this process is to be repeated toties quoties ; — so that the beft pro- vided amongft us cannot tell where himself and his family may be found at last. This is a hard le:son for Engliftimen to hear : It is harder dill to hear it enforced from the mouths of those, who themselves arc all the while creeping forward from their origi- nal garrets into palaces. Such unfeeling insult as this would never have taken place but amidft place- men and pcnfioners. Had they been really the Re- presentatives of the People, they would have felt something for the People; and, inftead of incessantly calling for fresh sacrifices, and telling us gaily^ that wc muft " retrench even part of our necessaries," they would surely now at laft have held out to us «ome prospect of consolation and redress ; they would no longer continue to gorge upon the vitals yet it were much to have been wifhed, as a ground of h'^.pe to the nation, which certainly stands in need of every thing that can raise a hope of its con- dition being bettered, that you had at leaft hinted at such reformation having been one of the obje8:s of the union and pursuit of his Majefty's present minifters. But I will proceed: * Peace marejt the hearts of minifters.' — * Peace not to be obtained with honour' — How {hould it, when tiie natural and moft obvious means to that end had been negle6led? In 'Napoleon^ either as a ftatesman, or as a warrior, do minfters see one whom England can awe into moderation and amiiy, while she puts not forth half her defenfive energies? What those energies are, is fully unfolded in " Eng- land's iEgis," a new edition of which work I had the honour to present to each member of the cabi- net laft spring soon after the new miniftry was formed. If it then made on their minds but little impreffion, the military events now before their eyes perhaps may. The doctrines of the .Egis, and those events, teach the same lesson. That it may practically influence the conduct of our rulers, 'ere the war get into the bowels of our ov/n country, and thereby hazard the exiftcnce of the frate, is my prayer. * Stafe of the Nitlon by J. C. 141 MIDDLESEX ELECTIOII. 455 prayer. — " Schemes of internal improvement'^ which miriijlers *' have manifejied their determination to pur* sue.'' — What, when empires and potent kingdoms in the twinkling of an eye are daily vanilliing from our fight — 'Vvhen, at the pointing of the great necro- mancer's sabre. Victory condu6ts his legions to battle, and Dominion takes her course in the direc- tion he bids, are we to counteract the spell, by- making auditors of accounts? Are we to avert from ourselves the mighty mischief,that has overwhelmed so many nations, by " improving" the law courts beyond the Tweed? — As many " internal improve- ments" as minifters please, but as foundations of their fame as ftatesmen, in the present crisis of England's deftiny, such petty obje6^s are very trafh and trumpery. Napoleon, I doubt not, has his " in- ternal improvements" in finance and police, but these are not the things of which you hear. To place France at the head of nations, and himself at the head of all conquerors, are his objects. To place England as the rock of security, to preserve her independence and her honour, ought to be the lead- ing objefct of her minifters. — I ask you, Mr. Whit- bread, as a man of experience and ability, as a man of conftitutional knowledge, as a patriot, and as a man of honour,if minifters could merit your support, or if they could deserve the name ot ftatesmen, w^ere" they incapable of comprehending this great truth, that POLITICAL LIBERTY MUST SE THE TRUH BASIS OF England's defence? — I then a fic, what is poli- tical liberty ? You, who took so active a pan i;^ " THE FRIENDS OF THE Pi:o?LE," know a- v-^eW 456 HISTORY OF THE as I in what it confifts. Whatever we may think of the advantages of inftitutions not necessarily pro- ducing freedom, you know as well as I, that politi- cal liberty and legijlat've representation are conver- tible terms. It, therefore, our pohtical Hberty con- sifls ill being represented in the Commons House of Piirliamcnt, and nothing else^ how infinitely im- portant to us is the purity of tliat house ! — 1 know not, Sir, whether you actually figned the petition drawn np by "thp: friends of the people," and now upon the Journals of the Commons for the 6th of May 1793, but, I am sure you are well acquainted with its contents. Eight vears ago, I re- marked, that, on the authority of that petition,! found *' the majority seated in the house by the crown, by " the borough-holders, and the peers, at only 307 ;'* but, that in a newspaper flarement;* taken from the History of the Boroughs, it was then said " to amount to no less than the dreadful number of 424." This Avas when the house consifccd of only 558 members. —If, Sir, among " the schemes" of the cabinet to which you allude, a reformation of this be one, why, in God's name, not proclaim it aloud 1 It requires no hesitation, no veil. What is it but this reforma- tion thiit can give heart and hope to an almost des- pairing public ? What but this, can silence faction * On tli? 12lh January, 1798, the Morning Chronicle gave a li.-i of n:cn,hci-s, I'okiing civil ai;d niiiilary appointments, places, contracts, and sinecures inidcrthc crnin, with near relations, Scc^ v.-hich -^pr.o-c.r.icd {o un-j Jiundred and sixhj tJircc. It was from the ^aaic stalen-'.cnt the above nuniber, -Vll. was copied. and MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 457 and unite the nation in support of patriot ministers ? What but this, and arms in the hands of England's millions, can check the career of him who has already nearly conquered the whole Continent, but who has hitherto conquered none but slaves?" — That man calls us a nation of shopkeepers, and truly, Sir, I am not surprized. In too much of our policy, there is the meanness of the shop. In a dirty traffic for votes we see eagerness in the extreme ; while the vital principles of freedom scarcely find an advocate. The borough trade, contraband and iniquitous, is now a road to what 1 will not name; and its con- tamination degrades even those whom one would be proud to respert. Parties contend by all the arts of intrigue for the reins of government ; but which of ihem, when it prevails, manifests a grandeur of sen- timent by restoring to the people the rights they have lost, or repairing the damage which the con- stitution has received ? These are not views to enter into minds intent upon the emoluments of office, fees, sinecures, stock-^jobbery and all the other pro- fits of the shop. And which, again, among the statesmen who have been rivals as war ministers, has shewn himself superior to the contradled views and sordid policy of the shop — for every thing which wants the generosity and dignity arising from a ge- nuine love of constitutional liberty, I account selfish and sordid. — No one of them hdiS, founded his defen- sive system on the Englisji Constitution, or the Liberty of his Country ? The two conspicuous features in the plan of each, have been a perma- ^:ENT standing army ; and a temporary arming of 3 N portions 458 HISTORY OF THfi portions of the people at the discretion of Ministers, liable to be blown av/ay by a breath of their lips.— Is this the way to encounter him, who in a few days utterly annihilates immense standing armies famed for tactics and discipline? V/hen landed upon our shores, what has England to oppose to him before whom all despotic nations fall, but her liberty 1 Despots dare not arm the millions. An enslaved population to a regular army is " an unresisting " medium ;" while an English population armed, and organized agreeably to the Constitutiony must prove a barrier which the conquerors of the conti- nent could never pass, were every soldier a Napo- leon.— Jf, Sir, you regard the fame of those whom you support, if with humility and true devotion you bow before the shrine of your country, impress upon tho.e ministers the few simple truths of the consti- tution on which I have touched. Receiving those truths, their situation will no longer be " difficult :'* Their course will be straight before them. Their proper line of conduct will be that which he who runs may read. In saving their country they can- not fail. — Shall I be told o^ unseen difficulties? Have these ministers the confidence of their sovereign ? If they have not, if they cannot do that which is ne- cessary to save the state, they have no business where they are ; and their continuance in office can only deceive the people, and bring the kingdom to ruin- If they have their sovereign's confidence he will adopt their advice. Fnmly supported by their law- ful sovereign, ministers are more than a match for the mock sovereignty of our borough potentates, and MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 459 and may at their pleasure lay it prostrate on the dunghill from whence it sprung. Neither its wealth, nor all its mercenaries, can save it from perdition, ■when once an honest king and honest ministers shall have determined, that it shall cease to reign. — I shall not at present speak of the part to be taken by the people in this business. If the king and his ministers should be agreed, the part of the people will then be very easy. It is because I do not ima- gine the people wish for such a state of things, as exposed Italy, Holland, Austria, and Prussia to con- quest, that I presume upon their readiness to second their sovereign and his ministers in the natural means of precaution. I have the honour to remain, dear Sir, &c. John Cartwright. Letters between Mr. Wiiitbread and Sir. Francis Burdett since the Election. To Sir Francis Burdclty Bart. Sir; Ever since my entrance into public life as a Member of Parliament, it has been my earnest wifli to divest political differences of all personal animo- sity, and I have been at all times ready to concede to others, with regard to myself, the liberty I have assumed towards them, of the fullest and freest dis- cuiTion of every part of my public conduct. But there are limits, beyond which it is not poflible to step, without injury to the party who may happen to be the subject of animadversions, such as he must 3 N 2 be 460 HISTORY OF THE be compelled to resent. — It is with pain I am forced to say, that I feel m^'^sclf so injured, by some pafTages contained in your Advertisement to the Freeholders of Middlesex, publifhcd in an Evening Paper of yesterday. — In the face of the people of England*, you tell me, that, by the publication of a Letter ad- dreffed to you, in answer to a printed Circular Letter addrefled by you to me, as one of the Electors of Middlesex, ** I have acted in a manner most unbe- " coming my station, connections, and character." — After the account I gave you privately on the Hust- ings at Brentford, respecting the Letter in question, which was, '* That it was written without concert or " consultation with any person whatever, that I be- " gan it within half an hour after the receipt of your *' Circular Letter and Address ; thatit wasoutof my " hands before four o'clock on the same day ; and " that it was entrusted to the revision of one friend " only (and that not till after the copy addrefTed to ** you had been sealed and dispatched), in order that ** he might see whether, from the haste in which it " was written, it was not too inaccurate in point of ** language for publication ;" — you say, that " I ad- ** dressed that Letter nominally, and with diffem- " bled respect, to you ; but that I intended it as a ** political electioneering manoeuvre against the " Freeholders of Middlesex." — I did not dilTemble, Sir, in any part of that transaction ; and at the time I wrote, I unfeignedly, as I told you, felt respect tovvards you ; and if you pollcfs those feelings with which I am still willing and desirous to believe that you are actuated, you feel that it is impofFible for me not MIDDLESEX ELECTION. 461 not to demand reparation for the injury my character must sustain from a patient acquiescence under such imputations as you have most unprovokedly thrown upon me — such reparation I demand at your hands. — Mr. Brand has been so good as to undertake to carry this Letter, and is the only person who is ac- quainted with the circumstance of its having been written. He will state to you what my demands are.— This is not the time to enter into what 1 con- ceive to be the fallacy generally, or the injustice personally, pervading the whole of your Advertise- ment. — You are certainly not so much in my confi- dence as to entitle you to tell the people what my political views are ; but I have never yet done any one political act, from the recollection of which I llirink; nor will I ever do one, without making as well understood, as my faculties will permit, what the grounds are upon which that act was done. — It will be for the public to determine then upon my conduct. I am. Sir, your obedient Servant, Samuel White read. SGUthill^ Dee. 2, 1806. 7'o Samuel IVbitlread, Esq. Sir; Nothing could have been more distant from my intention, than to introduce into the Advertise- ment, which I thought it nccefiary to addrefs to the Freeholders of Middlesex, any exprellion which could be construed into personal disrespect to your- self; and I take this opportunity of alTuring you, that every 462 HISTORY, Sec. every interpretatio of its contents, v hich may be pervi i t.i into a seise personally disrespectful to you, is contrary to my meaning and intention. 1 rcmam. Sir, your most obedient humble Servant, Francis Burdett. Piicadillyy Dec. 3, 1806. P. S. — Mr. Brand thinks it necessary to give pub- licity to this Correspondence, to which I can have no objeclion. FINIS, (■T. C. HlNfARD, Pritiler.-j - PettTbQMuitii-Coait, r (. Hce'.-.usct. J UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This l)ook is DUE on the hist date stamped beU>w. 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