Star. — London, England, 1820-03-17 00:00:00

judge.of the opinions of the Livery. Yet they were told it was by a poll the opinion of the Livery wai said to be best declared. So in an Advertisement, published by one of the successful Candidates, they were congratulated on the triumph which had been obtained over that system, which went to violate the Constitution, and was destructive of all true princi ples of Liberty. Would the Livery now bear to be told, that what a majority off` them did during the last Election, was destructive of liberty, and intended to overthrow the Constitution ?—(Applause, and cries of No !). He would again repeat, his was the tri umph, since 1O )t of his votes, many of them his pri vide friends, who had formerly been on his Commit tees, and canvassed with him, bad been compelled to give their reluctant support to the Hon. Baronet, whose majority was still so small. This was a strong proof that public opinion was with him--(Applause and disapprobation). It was proper they should now speak of public opinion ; for GOD only knew when they should again have an opportunity of doing so.— He had hoped the Hon. Baronet would have re frained from personalities on this eccasion. He was . a Trader standing amongst Traders. He had not' *the wealth of a Merchant, or had he the Mercantile Interest with him. He bad not even the support of the Court of Aldermen ; only two out of twenty-six were with him. Yet still he had met with more sup port than the Hon. Baronet. The Hon. Baronet had talked of long speeches, and had said he (Mr. Vilaithman) never rose in the House that he was not coughed down. He would ask, was that the case ?— (No, no.)—lf it had been so, he had heard Mr. Wil berforce and Mr. Marryatt coughed down ; and, therefore, if he had shared the same fate, it would not have proved that he was to blame; it would enly have shown the taste of the House. On one eccasied, indeed, the attempt had been made ; he could name the occasion, and point out theme with whom the attempt had originated—(llear, hear). — If he might be allowed to use a •ulgtir phrase, a deed set was on this occasion made at him ; but recollecting by whom he was sent there, he assumed resolution, took the hull by the horns, and demanded his right to be heard on the part of himself and the Livery of London, observing, that if the people were not allowed to speek by their Representatives within those walls, the House must not be surprised if they assembled elsewhere, and forced the House to hear them. His appeal had the effect, and instead of the House putting him down, he put the House down—(lmerense applause)—and he must add, to the immortal honour of many Gentlemen who were present on the Ministerial Benches, as well as other parts of the Hoase, they afterwards, in the course of the eveealg, crossed over to him, shook him by thx hand, and complimented him on the stand he had made (C:ieers).—He was one of those who never felt hurt at any observations arising .out of political feeling ; he could excuse any momentary ebullition of passion, but he could not pass over personal in sult. The Hon. Baronet hid talked of the Common Council being governed hy a single bully and a single priest ! These expressions he was persuaded could apply to no cue but hire, and under this persuasion he had felt it due to himself to ask the Honourable Baronet, if he intended to apply the epithet bully to him personally, and the Honourable Baronet had thought proper to say, certainly not—(Lend cheers). D..e other subject he must advert to, that was, to the at:acks which during this contest had been made on lii, peivate character. For himself, he despised them and their authors ; but they had been intruded on his family, who were governed by different feelings. If there were any present who had . countenanced or ibCaCtr these attacks en domestic comfort and hap p;ness, he was convinced on reflection their own con sciences would inflict a hit:escr pang than any ob servations of his could do, and they would feel mem angry with theaiselves for their conduct, than he, could possihiy feel anger against them. He would leave them ‘• to HEAVEN and to the thorns which in' their own breasts would go to goad and sting them." He had received various applications and letters, many of the latter :Lamy moos, calling on him to de ciou.e. his sentiments on one point, namely, on the Ca tholic Ques:ion, and mauy had declared they could not vote for him, on account of the support he had 1 1 gisen to that quoitiol.: yet these very persons had found a salvo .'or their consciences, and voted for his friends, who had pursued the sanse coarse on this sub pet as He had, in fact, never delivered any vrinion on the question; all he had done was to sup., port by his vote the ua for referring the Peti tions of the Catholics to a Committee; and should he ever again be a Member of the House, he should folicv the same course, namely, vote that the Peti tio.ss of the People, whenever presented, should at least receive the consideration of the House.— He had now only to thank those friends who had so nobly 4tood by him. Notwithstanding they had the contest had been glerious for them, and the re ;a:: honourable to in.n. He should now retire to pursuits certainly mere conducive to his health and to his farm;'.; comforts, and beyond all doubt more' advinnageous to him in other respects; yet he should still remein alive to the interests of his fellow-citizens. He should still fs.si i2entified with the question of ileforni and 11,::senchrocnt; Ind should his fellow . citizens again call Liio forward, he would not shrink froin any duty, however :arduous, which they might i consider t right to impose on him (.4pplause). Mr. T. Cutters said he had frequently presented himself to their notice during the contest, to return thank's on behalf of his father, but either owing to their fears that he was too much of an orator, or per haps owing to their susi:icions that he was no orator at all, he had not been fortunate enough to obtain a' hearing. He had now a more important duty to perforin ; that was, to propose a Vote of Thanks to the worthy Sheriffs for their kindness and attention to the acconnnodation of the Livery and Candidates during the contest (4, - /ause). Tim Resolution wa, put and carried unanimously. Mr. Sheriff Roeftwere. first returned thanks. The 6heriffs, in their conduct, had only had in view th e performance of their duty. All tlseir arrangements were made with this object, and he was most happy to say that in every communication he had held with his worthy Colleague, he had found an equal desire on iris past el forward the same object. Mr. Sheriff PARKYXs'3 could not refrain from ex peeseing his surprize at what had fallen frem his Colleague ; as this was the first communication he Led held with him on the sali . ;cet-- 1 .11w2 4 74 Wa*:, ;IA to tee tlleal ; ilt vt.tis al w;tis il; 4 .l,ytp see them merry—(More laughing). But he must again repeat, that so far from aiding his colleague's sug gestions, the suggestions were all his own, and he hgd the greatest difficulty in the world in carrying them into efiect—(Applause and disapprobation). %hat he dia one day, was undone the next ; and not restored without great exertions on his part.—The worthy , Sheriff then retired, after bowing to the Livery, and declaring he desired no compliments from any quar ter for doing his duty. He delighted in it, and should to-morrow be engaged in the performance of it in another place (Brentford). The Hall was then adjourned in the usual manner, and the crowd dispersed. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. SEVENTH DAY. At the close of the Poll this day, the numbers were, Sir Fitaaicu 13cism - 2657 Mr. Homo= - - 2675 Mr. Law - - 1904 _ _ _ The acclamations of Mr. LAMB'S friends on ac count of the majority which he had obtained on the day's Poll having subsided, Mr. Join Bummr, in the absence of Sir Francis, came forward to address the Electors. He felt the necessity of claiming their indulgence, and of throwing himself entirely on their generous feelings, while he attempted to perform the arduous teak which he had undertaken. Accustomed as they were to hear the eloquent addresses of their late worthy Representative from these hustings, he felt his own inadequacy to supply the place of the worthy Baro net; and if he had not been conscious that they•had such a feeling for the independence of Westminster as would induce them to extend their indulgence to any advocate of that cause, he Ahould not have been able to stand in that place to address thefn—( Cheers). It was nut unexpected that their friend should be a little behind on this day's poll, for there had hitherto been very heavy polling, and it was reasonable to expect that, when a man had ran for some time at a rapid pace, he should require to stop, and breathe a little. But this circumstance should, and he was sure it would, animate them to make fresh exertions, and to bring a greater force up to the poll to-morrow (Cheers). In the course of the Canvass he had met 1 with a great number of voters who had expressed their intention of coming to poll, but who said they .must have their own time. Many, in fact, thought , that their assistance would not be required, and therefore they had hitherto stayed away from the t oll. It had been said, that they should be content with thu Constitution as it was—with the present practice of the Constitution. Now he, for one, avowed his dissatisfaction vi ith the present practice .f it, because it appeared to his mind that they had not that real ancient Constitution of England which gave the People a fair representation in the House of Commons—(.Applause). In order to illustrate this opinion, he should take the liberty of making a few remarks on that period of our history in which the Revolution of 1688 was accomplished. It was founded then on Magna Charta, on the law of Ha beas Corpus, and on all the other great laws of jus-i tice and freedom. It was made and carried en by the People, and for the People, to protect their in terests, and to give them weight in the government of time country ; and the consequence of that was, to secure for them an independent House of Commons. At that time the People were, by the Constitution, entitled to new and frequent Parliaments ; and it was an express provision in the declaration of the Prince of Orange, that he was to give them free Parlia silents. It was also for the purpose of seeming the independence of Parliament that the Act of Willieen and Mary was passed, to prevent persons who held pensions or places under Government from having a place in the House of • Commons. He mentioned these things merely to prove that our ancestors had in view, at the time of the Revolution, the establish ment of the independence of the House of Commons. The People now required no more than the Consti tution as it was established in 1688 ; they wanted only a free, independent House of Commons, in which they should be fairly represented. In the year 1793, it was offered to be proved, in a Petition drawn up by Mr. Grey and Mr. Erskine, that the People were not represented in the. House of Commons, con stituted as it then was ; and, in support of this alle• scion, it was shewn that 84 individuals returned • 157 Member:, that 70 others returned SO more, and that altogether upwards of 300 Members were re turned to the House of Cernmons by individuals. A House so constituted could not be called a free House of Commons. The answer, therefore, to those who said that the People were discontented, was, " We want only the ancient and real Constitution, composed of , King, Lords, and Commons ; but we wish the House of Commons to be freely elected." It had been said on a former day that, if Mr, Hobhouse had wished it, lie might have been called to the bit of the House' . of Commons to plead his own cause ; and this, he supposed, had been advanced in mitigatioe of that oppressive power of arbitrery imprisonment, which was almost the greatest grievance that the Fcople suffered—(Applause). But of what consequence would it have been to Mr. Hobhouse if he had been called to the bar of the House? He would have been called before an assembly who had themselves accused him, who were both Judge and Jury, and who were to in flict the punishment. The treatment which Mr. Hobhouse had experienced on that occasion in the cause of the People, ought to recommend him to their favour ; and when the Electors considered also that Gentleman's independence of principles, he was • convinced they would see the propriety of returning him as their Representative in the House of Com mons—( Cheers). Mr. LAMB then presented himself, and was re ceived with loud expressions of applause on the part of his friends, while many of the supporters of his opponents very successfully exercised their vocal organs in imitating the bleating of sheep. The noise at length having partially subsided, the Hon. Gen tleman said he might be allowed to express some satisfaction at being ninety-two a-head on the day's poll,-(Applause and groans). He had on a former occasion proposed a bargain, to which he thought they had assented, that if he kept in good humour when Mr. Hobhouse was a-head, they would in their turn preserve their good humour when he should leave Mr. Hobhouse behind, This proposal he un derstood to have been assented to on their part, and .tie now only asset Lie 1.ci.:•....36;:1t.0 C•I :44 .'.:f..- inint—(iimidtaiss).-11;ey had bees told by the other side, that is advantage was owing to his opponents" voters wanting breathing time. He thought they did, indeed, want something of that sort, and that they could not even find breath enough to make their way to the hustings—(Luughter andapplause). —lie had told them that his friends were beginning to bestir themselves; and it now appeared that he was not broken down or broken-winded, and that the horse opposed to him was not so likely to keep the lead as his jockey had represented to them— (Laughter—a person on the hustings—" is the letter from the Treasury issued yet?" 111 r. Lamb, turning round, " No, Sir."—" There's one from the Board of Works, though").—He had only two or three sen tences more to trouble them with ; and indeed it was the less necessary for him to say much, as his poll now began to speak for itself—(Applause).—The tor toise, to which he had been compared, appeared now to have put forth its paws, and to have advanced beyond the hare ; and though the hare had not fallen asleep, it seemed it had become tired, and was obli ged to relax its speed. Like the hare in another fable, when it most wanted assistance, it was ne glected by all its friends—(Laughter and applause). They found that his predictions - had at last been ve rified. They had to lament to-day the absence of the Honourable Baronet, -Sir Francis Burdett ; but he did not think that the Gentleman who had ad dressed them in his stead, had any reason to make the apology with which he commenced his speech. Tkat Gentleman had done him the honour to com pliment him, and in return he was bound to say that, in his opinion, that Gentleman seemed to possess as much knowledge of the Constitution as any Elector should possess. He begged to ask them if he was not worthy of their approbation on one account ?. (A laugh).—For all the speeches which the Honour able Baronet had made to them, at the last Election and during the present contest, they were obliged to him (Mr. Lamb).—(Laughter and applause).-13etire he had come forward as a Candidate for the P.epre sentation of 'Westminster, they would recollect that the Honourable Baronet had never appeared in per son before them during any Election. He did not mention this from any invidious reason, but merely to spew that they were indebted to him for bringing before them that person whom they most loved and adored—(Gres: applause).—lt was difficult for him to lay claim to their favour, because they and he did not agree; but, having stated this one claim, he hoped they would think of it till to-morrow, and meet Ern again in the same good humour in which he now left them—(Applause). Mr. Hoistioose was ioudly cheered, but there were a few hisses from Mr. LamVs quarter. He began by observing, that Mr. Lamb had told them, that this day's poll spoke little for him. It was but very little, howf:ver, it spoke for him. The commencement of the poll this morning, which was, as they knew, - cold and very cloudy,' had been less favourable to them; but as the sun shone forth, their friends crowded to the poll, and they had polled better this dur than he had expected in the morning. The tor t( i"c, however, had done very well for a tortoise . — (.../ ./ -7,il.::_s_ci—and considering the natural weight it had to carry—considering how equipped it was alto gether for the course—he hoped they would throw no other impediment in its way .han what it felt from its patural capacity. He had to lameat with them the absence of Sit Francis Burdett. But as his jockey, as Mr. Lamb had been pleased to call Sir Francis Burdett, was absent, they must allow the horse to address them !—(Loud applause).—lt was lucky that it was a horse. That animal, to which his opponent had done him the honour to compare him, was an animal of a noble and generous nature—(Appiause). It was with very peculiar satisfaction he had ob.' served, that Sir Francis Burdett was now spoken of from his opponent's board in a very different tone from that which had been assumed at the last Elec • tion—(Applause). He had no intention to rip up old' sores, nor would he call back their memories to old quarrels, but when the public good and the cause of their independence might require it. But the cause of the difference of tone to which he had alluded they could very easily understand, without diving deep into the minds of men. If they looked at the state of the poll, they could understand why Sir Francis Burdett's conduct was not now represented in the colours in which it had been adorned, and with no sparing hand, by his opponents at the last Election—(Cheers). Among the many shapes in which Mr. Lamb was recommended by his friends, one was, that he agreed with Sir Francis Burdett in his principles. He had heard Electors thus addressed, Vote for Burdett and Lamb, for they axe both of the same principles." In some parts of Westminster, those were the, colours which Mr. Lamb's friends carried. Other colours were, indeed, used in other parts; but as votes were solicited in some parts on the ground of agreement with Sir Francis Burdett, it was obviously not convenient to use different lan guage respecting him from the hustings—(" Well, Lamb, what think you of the horse y"). He was fully aware of, and lie was proud to acknowledge, the ad vantages which he derived from what he would call the patronage of Sir Francis Burdett—(Applause). To be indebted to an honest man was no dishonesty. To have been introduced to them by so distinguished a character, who preferred him to his opponent, was a high honour in itself, and was a source of the greatest satisfaction to hint—(Applause), He hoped he should always prove himself deserving of such distinguished support. He would not nowan his ab sence speak of that great man in terms of fulsome praise, but he would say, that the mere he thought of Sir Francis Burdett's career, the more thoroughly was he convinced, that it was the only one which any man pretending to patriotism could pursue—(Loud 1 1 and repeated cheers). • Whatever might have been the merits of great men before him, it war the high and distinguished let of Sir Francis Burdett to have struck out a line for himself, in which he moved really independent, under all circumstances, and in all changes— .(Applause). Although he would not be tied down to any individual's opinions or conduct, yet lie would avow, that to Sir Francis Burdett he looked as his " guide, philosopher, and friend." In many cases, where doubt existed, he woold look to him for assistance and direction. The Electors of Westminster, he was sure, and every distinguished man in the country, conformed to this opinion of his. Let him now turn to Mr. Lamb and his friends, and let him ask whether they had any hopes of 'g oing Lan.;, ::tarred to Parliament, upon the intelc.:: on which they pretended to stand ? Could he, he Asked, be returned without Ministerial influence ? lie did not ask this as a captious question, but fairly put it to than to say, whether they thought of carry ing a Candidate into Parliament for — Westminster, against the Reformers of Westminster ?—(Chcers). There were a number of Ministerialists who had not voted for Sir Samuel Romilly, and who had voted for Mr. Lamb, at the last Election ; 1700 plumpers had been given for Sir M. Maxwell, and all those who had voted for Mr. Lamb ; besides, 2600 fslinisteri:ll - who had voted ibr Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir Murray Maxwell, had also voted for Mr. Lamb.-- 1 Without these Ministerial votes, Mr. Lamb would poll very few votes more at this Election. He asked, then, what satisfaction it could afford to Mr. Lamb if he were so returned ? Excepting on the great question of Parliamentary Reform, which was the main ground on which he appeared there opposed to Mr. Lamb—excepting on that question, no man in the House of Commons had beers so decidedly against those who sat on the Ministerial Benches as Mr. Lamb. With what consistency, with what de cency, then, would he be returned to Parliament by the assistance of those whom he had held out to the disgust and abhorrence of the country ?—(Cheers). Mr. Lamb had said, that be looked at Lord Castle reagh's restrictive measures with horror. How could he now come forward for the assistance of those whose measures excited his horror ? He coxid ncr conceive how Mr. Lainb and his friends could no;: be suitors for the favour of those whom they bad held out to the indignation of the country—(Lcid rleeer3). Mr. Lamb had always opposed Minister-, and for this he had contributed to thank him. If 1:•! were again returned, he would again, from part...- honour, oppose Ministers. What then did he pro pose to himself by his present opposition ? could only propose to spew that the Reformers of Westminster, could not oppose Ministers and Mr. Lamb's party. If, therefore, Mr. Lamb cortsnited iis own better feelings, he would view a triumph in such circumstances, could he obtain his object, as no tri umph at all. How could men of Mr. Lamb's own party view such a contest ? He did not see him now surrounded by those persons who had formerly at tended him on the hustings. Perhaps their presence I was supposed to deter Ministerialists from polling.— Certain it was that those who now arrayed them ' selves around him were very different from those who ushered him for ward at the first Election. Ile would now repeat his question to him, with the as surance that he felt desirous of hearing his answer to fit, not now, but at some future period of the Election. Did he expect to be returned without the help, and the very active help, of Ministerialists ?—(Cheers).-- 1 If Mr. Lamb wished so well to popular rights, if he was friendly to the cause which lie had advocated in Parliament, how could he now ask the helping hand of those whom he had held up as the enemies of the country ? If a Ministerial Candidate stood on that board on which Mi. Lamb stood, would Mr. Lamb's party come forward to assist him ? He did not know that they would ; but, if one good turn de served another, certainly Mr. Lamb's friends should give their assistance--(Cheers). By the dissectioaof the poll of 1818, it appeared that 2800 had voted for Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir Murray Maxwell. Under what aspect Mr. Lamb presented himself it was impossible to know. He was not a Minis ter ialist ; he was 'not a Whig, at least he was not one of the Whigs of 1798; he certainly was not a Re former such as they all were ; he was there before them only, as his Committee stated, to be re-elected (Much laughter). If their cause was the good cause, the advance of 92 on this day's poll would not dis courage them —(Cheers). They would continue their exertions in support of this cause, which was indeed ' their own cause. As Mr. Lamb had told them that their sentiments and his did not agree, they should take care that they did not send. him to Parlia ment to speak sentiments which they did not feel or profess—(Great applause). The Meeting, which was not quite so crowded as on former days, then quietly dispersed. RIOT IN ROSS-SHIRE. INVERNESS, MARCH 10. The wanton violation of the law of the land in Ross-shire, which it was our painful duty to an.- nounce last week, has, as might be expected, excited a strong 'sensation in this quarter, where such out- rages are so 'uncommon. There are various anec dotes related of the bold daring and insensibility to pain and danger which anfroated the females en gaged in it, and which would have done credit w the ancient Amazons ; but, as they savour too much of romance, we shall confine our notice of the par ticulars this week to the following extract of a letter from a respectable correspondent in Tain, dated the 6th of March, 1820: " The following are the facts, as reported to me on good authority:--The proprietor of Culmin, anxious, I presume, to improve his property, let it to Major Forbes at bielness ; and, to clear the ground, gave orders to warn out the tenants, core doting of about eighty faffillies. The officer who was sent to serve the removing. was met by nearly two hundred women, who took from him and destroyed all the warrants. This being reported to the Sheriff, a precognition was taken and scn: 'to the Lord Advocate; who ordered the Staff of the Iloss-shire Militia to repair to the spot, and assist in serving the sum monses. On the let instant, twenty-two of the Staff, provided with ball-cartridges, and accompanied by the Sheriff Depute, his substitute, a number of country gentlemen, and a pare of special constables, proceeded to the West, and were met at the March between Invercarron and Oulrain, by at least 200 women, who were collected by the sound of horns placed on differeti: eminences to give the alarm, and ordered the Sheriff's party to return, as they were determined, at all hazards, to prevent their going further; but this being declined, the women let fiy seve ral showers of stones, which did some injury. The skull of one of the Staff was nea rly fractured, and several others were se verely hurt ; the Sheriff Depute received several stones an the breast. The women rushed on the bayonets, and a few slug shots being fired, several men (s. me of them from Sutherland) made their appearance to support the women, and so desperately determined were they, that it was with difficulty, and at the risk of their lives, the party escaped; closely pursued by the rabble. Too much praise cannot be given to Otanies (the Sheriff Depute) for his conduct on this occasion ; be headed the Staff, and though his life was in the griatest danger, be could not be got to retire, until he was ictually forced from the ground by two of his party ; his carriage, and two others, were almost literally dashed :o pieces by th e mob. Ido not hear that any livettwere loit. T:te mob was quite infuriated, and determined, at the risk of th• lives, to maintain their post. A Report of the whole was pt pared by Geanies, ar.d sent to the Lord Advocate."