Star. — London, England, 1819-02-15 00:00:00

S WESTIiaSrER ELEcTioN, pre liminary steps to this struggle were taken Tbr sor day. The hustings being in an incomplete stage was erected for the accomo ., I leMr:Way :4 of the speakers. o'clock the crowd began to assemble, and a f t er that hour Mr. Hunt was in attendance, a I im need, amidst the cheers of the p o p ulace, ~e , • were to have " another fifteen days of it." Francis Burdett, and the other leading person of the day, soon after entered the field of action, were gr eeted by their respective friends.—At 10 .: $ l, Arthur Morris, Esq. the high-bailiff, read eTe cePt calling upon him to return another mem r Westminster, in the room of Sir Samuel Ro :.. ev, deceased. This wits followed by the other ' forms upon the commencement of an election. ..pancis Burdett and Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, with ~.liebhoese 'between them, first presented them. eto the notice of the multitude, amidst loud and ':mated shouts of applause, mingled with some .. •01 disapprobation. Silence being obtained, FRANCIS BURDETT said, that in fulfilling the which he had undertaken at the request of a ,;‘er of the electors of Westminster, lie should i el ? but a very few minutes of th eir time, because nuld rather shoervuld rese have himse heard lf till some future sac , when he the arguments koce,l by the other gentlemen who were candi oi for their suffrages. It was unnecessary for him p eini them with a detail of those principles which itt , well knew that he approved, and which he was a r is satisfied that they would support. After the stn g,le .in which Westminster had been engaged 'king the last election, and after the great hazard litairch the interest of the friends of freedom had placed during its continuance, he had hoped, pr when a meeting had been convened by the elec • sr, for the purpose of consulting upon the best me al..d of maintaining those principles-for which they 4, 1 . so manfully combated from their first advance ont to their complete attainment, he had hoped, zit a full discussion of the course which ought to tr pursued, and which had been adopted, not to have wend any departure from a plan which had for its Clect the support of the great cause of reform in Parliament —he meant radical reform, which he ap rehended was the only measure a consequence to t ie people of England, and one which would ensure return to those privileges to which they were legal )r entitled by the constitution of the country, and by it . hichth;it liberties could alone be secured (6pplause.) k was believed, that the meeting to which he had al hied had been assembled for the purpose of consi :ring who was the most proper person to be nominated z their representative ; and it was then determined. irat Mr. Hobhouse was the person to whom the elec ton were most generally inclined to give their sup port (e pin 1:f no I lobloase, Carttorie,bt.for ere c.) As tiat !esthete& had been almost umversally adopted, rd :Is every measure had been since taken which rude:ice could dictate, or wisdom point out, for car it into effect, after a long course of proceeding , cm7g which period the electors of Westminster had an with repeated opportunities of becoming au cininted with Mr. Hobhouse, Mr. Hobhouse intend that day to present himself once more before them. worthy Baronet then observed, that it was im fossible for lim to disguise from himself the fact, that since the meeting to which he had alluded some per'oio had thought proper to suggest a different :Tine. The report of that disagreement had already, he might believe what was currently reported, led . the pretensions of a Whig candidate, who, he was ~ ight to expect, would be that day presented to ;:ir notice. It was, now, therefore, the time for to secure that character, and to maintain that imation, which by their own disunion had been be; fore in jeopardy, and which was now again placed in danger. They were called upon once more to assert that integrity and that independence, for which they lad been• so justly distinguished. The contest in which they were about to be so unexpectedly engag ed, notild be still more glorious than any that had preceded it ; and he trusted that. their success would Sin be less signal than on the last occasion, when they were called to the place in which they were then as tabled. As he was not certain what course would be pursued, or what persons would be nominated, he ih6old not take up their time by making any obser vations upon the rumours which he had heard upon those subjects ; he should content himself with fu leg that duty which, at the request of a large body of the electors of Westminster, he had undertaken, b) putting in nomination the gentleman to whom he bad before alluded, and who stood by him—he meant Mt. Hobhouse, (nalauw and some dissatis jac!.9,l NI:. I)orcLas KINNAIRD seconded this routine ton, which, he said,lre was the more induced to do, ' from his thorough cons iction that Mr. Hobhouse was the friend of a radical reform uron constitutional i - acl iutclli g ible principles--(applause). Mr. I loatiouse now addressed the Meeting. He Said he was come there to redeem the pledge which three months ago he had made to the Electors of Westminster. In the Address which he had done iinnelf the honour of writing to that great and in telligent Body, he had told them that he would be found at his post. He was now at his post, and had tli.mk his friends for the reception he bad met with. 1 11. Murray Maxwell had also redeemed his pledge ; had told them that he would out come, and he as not there, either in person or by proxy. Those Vao recollected all the horrors of Colirt influence at lie last election, woald no doubt congratulate them :elves on this retirement. Übe should be considered as having been at all instrumental to the flight of the c.ourt Candidate, Le should be most happy ; but he :4a S awls: that the credit, and almost the whole cre t, of this victory was due to the people themselves; 4 with Gods blessing, lie had no dcubt, with their ''sistance, that the contest upon which they were Owlet to enter would be brought to a triumphant ( I'nclnsion—(npplituse). He had been taken from ' : • • c !mk s to fi g h t f oremost i n t he g reat struggle for •. ..e independence of Westminster ; he thought, there tor u.at he might with reason congratulate himself !P'" l being one of the people, chosen by the people, 'e do the work of the people-- ( applause). The no ''...lnation of the 17th of November certainly shewed he had the honour of standing high in the minds 41 . Electors of Westminster. It still remained for . Sao tint which he said upon that occasion he cl.--aamely, to uott every means irehis poivcr, . . if he should haie the honnar of being returnoi to t wright steed so high in the estithatieti of the etnitltry, represent their interests in Parliament, to promote that to conipare him with any other man would be the Wet cause of Reform.—( Cries of Major Cart. to degrade him.—(Bratio I hitsrs, and i ,,, ) —orin, Wright !)—On Tuesday last he went to the only test . uniform, and • consistent, he had held on his "toy in, by which it was possible, ur.der the present circum- : the great work, without deviation or relaxation. He stances, to try his pretensions ; and the result dgcid- it Was that had. craistoil that universal feeling of the edly confirmed his hopes, only twelve hands having i.necessity *fiefbilis .white pervaded every county, ) been held up out of 1500 person. who were present. : every twig, AO almost every family in• England. He hoped, therefore, that he should not be consi- ; With respect to his bodily opacity to fulfil the duty tiered as guilty of presumption in saying ' that helot their representative, he could tell them that' ad came there supported by the majority of the good vaned in years as he is, he was still able to walk wishes of the People of Westminster; and being twenty miles a-day !—(Laughter end hisses)—and he there, he would remain to the last.—(Bravo !)- even now was occupied the whole day and greater If any disunion arose amongst them, the fault was not part of the night in labouring for their benefit. His his: if it were, he should think himself a traitor to powers were unimpaired, and ful/y. equal to the task the cause which he was pretending to espouse— —and even if he could not walk, it would be their (Bravo). If it were, he should think himself guilty duty to carry him into Parliament on their shoulders of a fraudulent attempt to deceive the opinion of the —to place him in the midst of that llouse, and let majority by a minority. It was a great consolation him introduce his Bill on that great question , in the to him that he came forward at the voluntary call of face of it. Let them be united now, and return him, the people at large, and was not thrust upon them if only for one Session, that the question might have by any self-elected party. He would not make any a fair trial. It might be want_ of intelligence which of those professions which were usually dealt out on prevented him from comprehending Mr. Ilobhouse's such occasions. He would not tell them that they declaration ; and if he would now come forward, should have the quartern loaf at 6d. neither would he and declare distinctly for universal suffrage, he would say that they should get rid of all taxation; but he instantly withdraw Major Cartwright. The Major would say, that he would du the best in his power to was at least intelligible, and from him they might represent them fairly, and to carry their wishes to have something explicit and tangible. He would the desired end—(Applause). He had told them his conclude with nominating him as a fit person to re opinions upon occasions when he had before addles:- present them in Parliament. sed them ; it was unnecessary that he should repeat • Mr. BOWIE seconded this nominatiqn. Major Cart them now ; suffice it to say, he was the strenuous wrighes great principle of reform was this, that every advocate of a Radical Reform.—( What do pH mean man of the age of 21 years, and unimpetable with by a Radical Reform?) He thanked the friend by crime, should be entitled to vote for Members of Par whom this question was put; he always considered liament. They also knew clearly j;is sentiments on that man a friend who gave him the opportunity of annual Parliaments, and to those sentiments he had explaining himself. As a great deal of representa- never yet foetid any reasonable objection. He had Lion, or rather misrepresentation had gone forth, with fought their battles, and had established some known respect to his opinions on this question,hebad thought principle as a rallying point for all real Reformers. it expedient to reduce his opinion to writing. The ((.ontidetabl e disapprobetion end impatience acts maui- Gentlemen who had put him in nomination had not rested throughout the whole Vthese last two speeches.) asked him for any pledge whatever. Those by whom Mr. Geonon LAMB then came forward, supported he was proposed well knew his sentiments, and gave by Mr. James Muds:maid, M.P. and Mr. Evans. him credit for entertaining those principles which blv, MWCDONALD, after making a few observations were entertained by the majority of the people of on the yplue of popular elections, said, this was no day Westminster. Not having given any pledge, how- oftriumph and exultation. They had lost in Sir Sa ever, it was perfectly necessary that they should muel Romilly, a father and a friend; the Constitu know what his opinions were. He would not liesi- tion had lost a guardian, and the State an ornament. tate to state this to the question of a friend, but he (Great applause.) How much he was the friend of would disdain to answer a similar question from an the people he had proved by shewing that he scorned enemy—(Applause). Mr, Hobhouse then read from to delude them, and that when wore down by public a paper the following declaration of his opinions on cares and private calamity, he uould sooner perish the subjeet of Parliamentary Reform ; than betray his trust, flow greatly he venerated the i have been questioned, or rather, (to use the right word,) Constitution he had proved by strenuously opposing tortured, upon the great question of Parllamentary Reform.— every attempt to undermine it; and that he was an Those who have been busy to injure me and your cause have ornament to the State was recorded by all Europe. represented, of rather misrepresented, me, as having given a How great and lamentable was the change !—(Year.) pledge to support Annual Parliaments and eniv.isal Suffrage. I gave no such pledge—l was asked for no such pledge. 'Pit Almost in the very hour, in which we had hoped te have Gentlemen who nominated me proposed me as a man fi: to ad- followed his triumphant car to the scene of his splen•• v:snce ' the just claims of the People to Parliaments of a short did exertions, we beheld his hearse passing to the duration, and to a full, free, and equal share in the choice of _ grave! Was there any British heart who did not at Representatives.' It may be necessary, however , t o exp l a in m y self still further • and to be more precise, I have put my words that m o m ent pay tribute to so much departed worth upon paper. Annual Parliaments and Universal Suffrage sieve and excellence with the genuine feeling of melon been mixed together. for the sake of confounding the question; choly regret ? Sir Samuel Romilly had left them but they are two distinct and separate subjects, upon each of the rich legacy of his own example and principles, which I solicit your separate attention. Upon the latter of the two, I think it sight to say, that I consider the extenden of suf- and he would not so wroug them as to suppose that (rage to be not only of secondary, but even of third-rate impor, in three short months all memory of them could have Lance. The first object for the People of England to obtain is passed away. He knew, indeed, that the virtues of equality of right of suffrage •in other words, that there be one . re that gat man were deeply engravee on their hearts, and the same qualification, be that what it may, for every Elector in the Commonwealth. The second object is , chat equality of and would to GOD he could that day produce his numbers elect each Representative. These objects attained. that parallel ! He now only wished the Electors to exer it lam asked whetkerasecurity from misgovernment by a rea l ewe - their ftee and independent judgment ; bet he representation may be attained by an extension of suffrage, short would put it to them whether it would not be more of univis sal? I answer, yes, by an extension far short of univers al. How far short, is a question for fair discussion and honest dip- consistent or them to prefer to any other person a ference of opinion; in such a discussion, the course of my judg- men of promising talent and good character, who ment would be towards the largest exten , ion. I have not hitherto gave them the best of all possible pledges that he been able to feel alarm at the notion of a free people being really would do all they could desire, by declaring it to be choosers of their own Representatives ; but I should chink myself his unfit to claim the character of a man of setae , or your support, if resolution to tread undeeimingly in the path o' 2 I denied that with equality of right of suffrage, and equality of that great man whose loss they all deplored . In numbers of Constituents, there might be various limits not in. him (Mr. Lamb,) they would find an intrepid aesertor consistent with our object. With regard to Annual Perna.- of their rights and liberties, a zealous and judicious menu, I should think myself the greatest coxcomb that ever pre tended to political knowledge, were I to say that twelve reformer of all abuses, and a practiser of that public mouths is the precise golden time within which Elections must integrity which he had always admired in his great periodically recur, is order to secure your liberties. Were predecessor. He was little disposed to advance any Elections to take place every 13, 14, 20, or 24 months, the t hing object of keeping the Repreaentatives properly identified with . and he should, therefore, now conclude by proposing their constituents might perhaps be sufficiently secured. Rut it is my on opini, ' • that every Parliament is too long that can be to the Electors, for their choice, his Parliament, his friend the Hon. usefully made shorter. I own that I see no well-founded objet-I George Lamb, to represent them don to annual Parliaments, but lam very willing to admit, Mr. Evaes seconded this nomination, and strongly that with Parliaments of a longer duration you may be both urged the claims of Mr. Lamb, who, he was sure, if great and free." In conclusion, Mr. Honnouse hoped be should be returned to Parliament, would ever be found an ad put to no further torture on this subject by his ene- vocate for the rights of the people, and a friend to mien. Ile was of no party whatever, and was of the freedom of the press. opinion with that great man Home Tooke, that every Mr. G. Lam," Gentlemen—No man can be man's honour was safest in his own keeping. He more truly sensible than lam of the importance of knew he should be assailed for this explicitness, but the purpose for which you are here assembled this he looked for the support of the electors, and theirs day, and none can more highly appreciate and sin only. The people had brought him there, and at their cerely admire the splendid talents and spotless inte bidding alone would he retire—(Loud applause.) grity of him whom you so lately returned, and who said,has been so quickly snatched away. In suffering Mr. Niettoeson then came for ward and that myself to be proposed to succeed Sir Samuel Ro often minutes before he had not the most distant idea )f . milly, if any comparison were to be made between offering himself to their notic e, and it was on me and that good man, it would require stronger , in consequence of the latter part of the address o nerves than I can boast of, and a hundred times the' Mr. Hobhouse, that he did do so. If he u nderstood any thing of his meaning , in this declaration talent, to appear before you, But he is lost to y o u of his principles, they were in direc t o pp osition to those for ever, and such comparisons can lead to no satis factory result, but !in the contrary will only serve to which Westminster has always su pp orted. Sir Fran cis Burdett had brought into the House of Commons pr o tra ct . rotract vain repinings and unavai li ng regret. I wish a Bill in favour of Universal Suffrage, and unless sot to be compared with those who have gone before they returned another representative holding t h e same me, but with those who now come forward w i t h me. principles, they would not do t heir dut y . Sir Francis I have hitherto fi lled a private station ; but , Gent le-, had also declared in a public Meet in g at theGroutsmen, I ;could refer you to those who might prov e t hat my opinions have ever been favourable to the libertie s person to represent them , thoug h he thou g ht t and Anchor, that Major Cartwrig ht wa s theh fi ttest e ob- of the people, and that I have laboured to promote ject of his return unattainable. That, however, wa s the cause to the extent of my very limited means. — er, I will n oceed to notice the wich I matter of opinion, which might easily be d i spute d, un . derst an pr objections h d have been urged to my being put in no- He would insist, that it was their duty to elect a Imitation. It is said that this is impropey, because man whom they knew, and whose clearly defined Mr. Hobhouse was put in nomination three months principles had been so long before them, in preference ago, at a Meeting in a room which was not capable to a young man, alm o s t an entire stranger, and who of receiving onethird of the Electors of this City,, had th at day mad : a declaration of princ i p l e s whi t ch but si:l4;:h nevertheless took upon itself to designates , were perfectly unintelligible—( Great clamour.) the course which ought to be pursued, in order to, would defy any man present to explain what were fill up the vacancy whwh bed occurred. I have hung' the principles of Mr. Hobhouse, though they heard back to the very last momerkt, in the hope that some him read his declaration.—(V )—Fie believed he on_ e nearer him in merit, whose loss we have to sup s() far understood him, however, that he might safely ply, than myself, would have presented himself. Had assert that he wassan enemy to Universal Suffrage.— such a person. appeared, I would much rather have' (Off, riff, rff.)--To Annual Parliaments hie , lead also solicited our suffrages in his behalf than in my own, avowed himself equally adverse. Re would give This is __ t he cause of my coming forward so late, and him credit for sincerity on these two points; and be _ the difference between the Honourable Baronet and would repeat, that he did net proclaim such vitt myself is this—that he stud Mr. Hobhouse think that ciples as Westminster understands and expects, or as the election ought to have been decided three months Sir P. Burdett holds ; and it would be. the highest . men i t,,ow;Paroliamest„).444l.7posit .: te ni while lam of opinion that it ought now to be Lied here. But then the tionourehO 141-04 et has absurdity ro. jtcip)esf_i to seLounddtwinese ilia d that lam a Whig Candidate, There he &et me honour. That title was borne by ikft-. Fox and Sir Samuel Romilly i when those great and goo d men were returned to Parliament by your unbought suf ., (rages. I hope I shall prove worthy of the title whkh has thus been bestowed. The result of my nomina i tion, the Honourable Ikronet tells you, will he this, that between this and Monday a Court Candidate would start. I thank him for that remark. At least, then, he admits that I am not a Court Candidate— that I have no connexion with the corrupt Ministers of the present day—that my principles, as to them, at least, arc as independent as his own—(applause). Ilut it has been said that I am a Whig Candidate, and must therefore be hostile to Reform. I deny the consequence. Reform, sensible Reform—or, to use the words of Mr. Hobhouse, intelligible Reform, has ever found its best friends among those who have beeti denominated Whigs. Mr. Hobhouse has read to you an Essay, or a Dissertation on the subject of Reform, which, from the character of it, I can hardly help thinking, has been handed over to him from the other candidate, Major Cartwright, as it is more like some of his publications, than the plain and simple declaration which might have been expected from Mr. Hobhou.e. That there are abuses in the repre sentation of the people, is beyond all doubt. I, how ever, have act written down on paper my sentiments on this subject, as Mr. Hobhouse bas done ; but I will refer you to what is written on your minds—to the declaration made by Sir Samuel Romilly, from these hustings, which was like every thing that came from him, short, simple, and distinct—and I, in his words, declare myself a Friend to a more equal Re presentation of the People in the House of Commons, and to the shorter duration of Parliaments." Mr. HuNr then addressed the Electors. He pledged himself, that he would not trespass long upon their attention. He was asked, why he did not stand up as a candidate in the present election ? He did not think fit to do so; but at the same time, if he saw any shuffling, and that the Electors of Westminster wan ted a candidate, he would be ready to offer himself. (Applause.) He was determined to watch during the eient election, both for them and himself (applause.) He was determined to take care that the people of Westminster should have no sham, but a real election. There were many of them, of the highest respectabi lity, who thought, and justly thought, that it was at; honour due to Major Cartwright to return him as their representative. His (Major Cartwright's) prin t ciples were Universal Spffrage, Annual Parliaments, and Vote by Ballot, He (Mr. Hunt) at one time was led to suspect that the principles of Mr. Hobboese were the same: but no such thing—they had that day heard his professions. Mr. Lamb also said he was a friend to Reform: but what Ueform? He would merely go so far, and no farther. His professions were the same as those of Mt. Hobhouse—at lean, they appeared so. The Major was the only one of the candidates who went up completely to the mark, and for that reason all the real friends of freedom were bound to conic forward in his support.—He hoped the election would continue, and that upon next Tuesday fortnight he should be addressing them from the hustings, and congratulating the Electors of Westminster on the success of Major-Cartwright — (Applause.) He did mit ask any thing now for him self: He came before them on behalf of Major Cart wright, and, supported by them, he should at least secure fair play during the election. He plunked them for their attention; and if any thing had fallen emm him of which they did not approve, he was sorry for it. When in their presence, he had no other wish than to speak the honest sentimentsof his heart, Mr. GALE doses spoke; after which the Meeting broke up. - - .Z...- SECOND DAY. The polling commenced this morning at twenty minutes past ten o'clock. At one o'clock the num bers stood as follows Mr. Humors& t. 54 Mr. LA MS - 104 Major CARTWRIGHT 11 Mr. LAMB had been gaining so considerably oa Mr. HOIitIOUSE during the last hour, that it is pos sible he may come very• near hint before the books close tor this day. At the close of the election business, on Saturday last, in Covent-Garden, a number of carpenters were employed in contracting the unfinished hustings, at least six and thirty feet, so that it now extends only in front of the portico of the Church. The workmeu were employed last night by torchlight. Wedne lay the Election of a Representative fcr Guildford was held, when Mr. C. BARANG WALL was returned.. A Private Letter from Wexford says—" that the out.offices of Colonel HAY, of Ballinkeel, in that county, have been burned by accident, supposed to have arisen from a lighted tobacco-pipe." A man, named Alexander Dogherty, charged with desertion from the 3d Dragoon Guards, and with having been the leader of a gang of robbers who in fest the county of Sligo, and the neighbouring coun ties, has been committed to the gaol of Sligo. CORN-EXCHANGE, MARK-LANE, FEISEUARY is. Our Market was well supplied with all Grain this morning ; and although the arrival of foreign Wheat since this day week has been very small, yet that of ont own growth, from Esex, Kent, and Suffolk, was considerable to-day, for which the demand was very trifling, and consequently sales were exceedingly heavy, at a reduction of 3s. per quarter from last Monday's prices. Barley is 4s. per quarter cheaper, having large arrivals of that ankle, and but few buyers. Oats are full 2s. per quarter lower, and dull sale at that reduction. Beans and Peas are 2s. per quarter cheaper.—Current Prices, as under; Small Deana ,....60. 6 36 Wheat, Kent and Tick ditto Essex 7os 008 Oats, Poop, 3.5s 378 Suffolk 7oi 7d. --- Poland sea 356 Norfolk - Feed Ws nits Rye...... .............. 528 64% [flour, per Sack 658 7os Burley (NT‘.w) sss 63. fl. peseed, per Last £44 £46 Malt ..... ..... 7ss 66$ V0L16.16 White Peas 44s 50$ Wheat, Dantzie ...... ..76s 62! Boilers ... .stis liOs Baltic Red, Ilambro' Or Grey Pos 64s 66. Bremen, Brabant red 70s 76 SMITHFIELD MARKET, FE8.16. Beef ts Od to 56 3d I Veal 54 Old to 7s Od Mutton .. ..5s 6d to 6s 44 I Pork 45 64 ads sld licasu 2570—Calves 205--Sbeo7 and Limbs 16210.-1/10 sdu) . • • i N' ~''l Y ~.