Star. — London, England, 1822-04-12 00:00:00

F II ,I W II ; ! 1 F , . 1 I'`~ u {E E ~f .~ I N.. \. • %v.' b ` . s._.l • . • t i seeVlntthr* .... did in one respet t o atn a higher opinion of the great tribunal Man it entertained of itself; for, notwithstakding its a fignAthe Bill in question upon NT OA by's a ority of votes, it did some how distrust its judgment too much to pass it—(Loud and continued cheers).—He should add but one word, and that was of himself : if he had not taken a very distinct or active part in public affairs, he trusted be had done nothing to forfeit their confidence or esteem —(Loud applause).—The instant that he should be hold none other more able than himself to serve the common cause, he would step forward and exert himself to the utmost—(Loud applause).—With this assurance, he begged leave to conclude with proposing " The health of the Independent Freeholders, by whose exer tions the County of Middlesex had been emancipated from Mi nisterial influence. " The next toast was—" The People, the only true source of legitimate power." Song—" Flow, thou regal purple stream." The CHAIRMAN then proposed to the Meeting—. " The health of those hnst friends of the People, Sir Frauds Burdett, and John Cam Hobhouse, Esq."—( Great endeassel. Mr. Ho:mouse rose amid acclamations. Of all the Gentlemen who had been honoured by the notice of the Meeting, none had thanked the Meeting more sincerely, though some might have expressed their thanks more eloquently, than he did. It was an ho nour, he thought, not easily to be forgotten, that the Meeting had coupled his name with the name Of Sir Francis Burdett—a man who yielded to none in the present " tide of times," for devotion to a grateful, though perhaps to a sinking country—(Cheers).—He begged, in the name of Sir Francis Burdett, to re turn thanks to the company : the Baronet certainly would have been with them in person, but that he was visiting his family during the recess of Parlia ment. Sir Francis Burdett had been long known to the country ; he was known already by every act which could dignify a public man ; be would be still further known, if he continued to live, by the ser vices which he was to perform hereafter—(Applause). During the short time that he (Mr. Hubhouse) had been connected with public affairs, he trusted that he had redeemed the pledge given at the commencement of his career. He hoped that he had never forgotten what was due to his constituents, to his country, or to himself. Ile felt that he was placed in rather an un fortunate situation, addressing the Meeting after the two Gentlemen who had last spoken—Gentlemen, one of whom had represented the count) of Mi(' hese: long, and who had never deserted their posts a the hour of need ; whose lives and conduct displayed that cha racter which it should ever be the boast of an Eng lish Gentleman to maintain. He (Mr. llobhouse) was happy to see so many persons of consequence aad respectability before him. He rejoiced to see it, b?cause it was a most important point at the present moment that the Gentry of England, should in the most marked manner, identify themselves with the People—(Loud cheers).—And glad he was to see that the cause of Reform was gaining supporters. Those who had refused to learn from the experienceof others who had gone before them, did now begin to learn a little from experience of their own; and although tardy comers, they must be admitted as coadjutors in the great work. It was something, at least, for the Reformers to have gained supporters from the ranks of their foes; it was some matter for congratu lation, that there now remained no man so bold as to say for the Constitution, " the system works well." Indeed, as an Honourable Colleague of his had ex pressed himself, the system could not work well but for those who worked ill. No man could live tinder it, but the man who fattened upon the distresses of his country—who rose upon the pain and upon the ruin of his fellow-creatures—(Great applause). Whatever, however, were the flowers of the baneful tree, its root was to be found in Parliamentary cor ruption. The Hon. Member proceeded to bear testi mony to the important services of Mr. Hume in the House of Commons. The fate of that Gentleman's motions had sufficiently shewn that the cause of the Public could not be fairly tried before the tribunal of Parliament—(Cheers). —But the People of England perfectly understood what the country wanted. The People wanted a Government which would sympa thize with them—not abuse them ; a Government which would give them the fair balance of King, Lords, and Commons—not one which set up a shew, a farce, a delusion, as to the Commons, Lords, and King, supporting the rotten holders of a few rotten posts and sheep-cotes—the possessors, not of ancient power, but of ancient abuse, and treating them as the true Lords and Governors of the nation—(Loud cheers).—He declared that he had listened, both in Parliament and out of it—he had heard taunts, so phisms, and miserable jokes, from those who knew the corrupt character of the audience they were ad dressing; but he had never heard anything like an argument against the principles of Reform. If Re form, then, was really necessary, in what manner was it to be obtained ? He (Mr. Hobhouse) would never recommend to the Meeting any course in op position even to that which was called law ; but he did most earnestly recommend to them a perseverance in all legal and constitutional endeavours. If they themselves did not succeed, those who came after them would reap the benefit of their endeavours— (Cheers). —It was impossible that so much talent, so much virtue, so much integrity, as the country pos sessed, could sink before an association of the meanest adventurers that had ever conspired against the rights of their fellow-subjects—(Great applause).—lf such a consummation did arrive, he should indeed say, with the ancient Roman, that virtue was but a name ; but he did firmly believe, that if the advocates of Reform would exert themselves, if they would only for a short time sacrifice their individual interest and happiness to the interests of their country, something alright still be done for England. He begged pardon for trespassing so long upon the attention of the Meeting—(Applause)—but the subject was one upon which he found it impossible to contain himself.— It was a common argument with the opponents of Reform, that the People, if they wanted Reform, should begin by reforming themselves. He (Mr. Hobhouse) certainly so tar agreed with that argument, that he would recommend to every friend of liberty to be, in his own private conduct, a practiser of vit.. tue. Let them imitate the example of those who had gone before them in that which had been called a rebellion, but which had really been a vindication of , the rights and privileges of England—let them take care that their own lives afforded no ground of and they might defy the impotent malice pponents—(Chars). The Hon. Gentleman - . * = • ' e s be seen that . 48 County MemMem ber Toted in favour of Paam—atiberty r thea boh u concluded by qt a PAW' kin' Theo* on of that tax, whilst only 12 Members of Weis corshiplivit first ae)lee the Ode the are description voted against it ; but then the lat ;. • And guardian vigour of the free bcesrsesd, ter were backed by a close phalanx, composed of 62 The crude attempts of violence are vein; For firm widths, and while at heart untouch'd, placemen—(Applause).—When this state of things New yet by force was freedom overcome r lighted, it was not to be wondered at that Ministers --He apologized once more for having so long occa- should say that the Government could not pi on pied the time of the Meeting. In him the cause of without the possession of interest in the House of liberty should ever find an ad vocate. If he p roved a 'Commons. The Salt Tax, it appeared, could not weak one, the failure was not of his good intent, but go on without this influence; but the question was, of his capacity—( Loud cheers). whether the country could not go on better without Mr..-" Scots wha ha 'e wi' Wallace bled." the Salt Tax ?—(A laugh, and applause.)—All persons The CHAIRMAN next gave—" The health of Mr. who wished to keep the long arm of the Chancellor H. G. Bennet," which was drank with three times of the Exchequer out of their pockets, should endea three and great applause. your to procure a Reform in the Representation of Mr. BENNET expressed his thanks for the honour the People. This fact should never be forgotten— which had been conferred upon him. To receive the that with a reformed House of Commons, we might approbation of the People was, he could mettle the have a cheap Government ; but, with the House of company, in his opinion, the best reward an honest Commons as at present composed, only an expensive man could desire. That was the only reward he Government could exist. He believed that, while the wished to obtain for any exertions that he might be present system of influence continued, it would be im able to make in the cause of the People of England. possible to induce Members oftheHouse of Commons to After the speeches which the Meeting had that day vote in accordance with the wishes of their constituents. heard, he felt at a loss to know upon what topic to • If the country Gentlemen did upon any occasion vote address them. -He found another difficulty in the for the reduction af one or two thousand pounds, they circumstance of his opinions being in consonance with immediately afterwards appeared to repent of the step their own on almost every point; for he was so ac- they had taken, and continued for the future to give customed to meet opponents, that now he found he Ministers their steady support. He thanked the Mee:- hid only friends around him, he hardly knew what ing for the attention and kindness with which they to say. He begged leave to congratulate the Meet- had listened to him. He felt great satisfaction in ing upon the speech which had been delivered by making acquaintance with them : this was the first the junior Member for the County. The principles time he had met them, but he hoped it would not be which had been advanced in that speech, and the ac- the last. He would be always ready and willing to cents of the voice which had uttered it, reminded him serve them in any way consistent with his character of an individual now no more, but who had left be- and honour, and he was sure they would ask him to do hind him a great name, and who would never be for- nothing that would derogate horn either (Applause). gotten as long as the People remembered aught that The health of" Joseph Ilume, Esq. and thanks for his cow was honest or honourable. (The Hon. Gentleman dons in the cause of Retrenchment," was next drank with three was understood to make allusion to the late Mr. times three. Whitbread). In the dearth of topics upon which to The health of the CHAIRMAN was then drank with address the Meeting, arising from the circums tances similar marks of approbation. The worthy Gentle ma.n returned thanks in a neat speech, after which he which he had before stated, he might be excuse d for retiredcompany. (at nine o clock), accompanied by a large pm , adverting to some strange doctrines which he had heard promulgated out of doors, and in anothe r place. n The most absurd and startling of these doctrines was, • that the plenty which a bountiful PROVIDENCE had provided was a curse, and that the abundance which the People were instructed to pray for, night and morning, ought not to be invoked as a blessing, but should be deprecated as a great evil—(Applause). If this proposition were true, the country, instead of being thankful to PROVIDENCE for the mild and ge nial winter which they had passed, ought to have prayed for rugged and stormy weather, in the hope that is the present year famine might succeed to the plenty of last year. He could view such an extra-, ordinary and absurd doctrine in no other light than as a pretence advanced by persons who were inte rested in supporting the destructive system of taxa tion which bore down the whole country (Applause). He remembered, that upon the last day upon which Parliament sat this Session, the Marquis of London derry said, in answer to some observations from him (Mr. Bennet), that if all the existing taxes were re pealed, the People would still be no better off than they now were—(Laughter).—The Noble Marquis was so much accustomed to deal in sophisms, that this was applauded by the House of Commons—yes, in that Assembly there were persons found to cheer such a declaration; but he would take upon himself to say, that there was no other assemblage of human beings in the whole world, except the House of Com mons, in which it would not have been hooted at. The Noble Marquis and his disciples appeared to have got one lesson by heart, which they had borrowed from an old legitimate Sovereign of former times, who, in giving instructions to his Ministers, said— " You know what course I would hare you take; let nobody have anything left"--(A laugh).—This was precisely the line of conduct pursued by the Noble Marquis; for the Meeting well knew, that when the King got his taxes, the Church its tithes, and the Poor their rates, nobody had anything left—(Ap plause).—The Honourable Member then censured the House of Commons for the conduct which it had held during the present Session. He stated, that they bad reduced no expense—remedied no grievance— scarcely listened to any petitions (some they had alto gether discarded)—attended to the prayer of none; and all that they had done, was to vote all the main estimates of the year, without, in some cases, reducing a single shilling, and only in one instance making a retrenchment to the extent of a few thousands, which it was afterwards admitted had been asked for by mistake. To conclude the whole, the Agricultural Committee had produced a Report, which, from its perplexed language, he defied any man clearly to understand. By a close inspection of this docu ment, however, he thought he could perceive the a cloven foot," ac a rise of the prices of agricultural produce was contemplated; in other words, it was desired to increase the price of the quartern loaf, He pledged himself to resist any measure of this kind, regardless whether by so doing he should please or displease the agriculturists. lie himself belonged to the landed interest ; he derived his whole income from the land, but would deserve to be considered the most wicked of human beings if, from any in terested motives, he should do anything that might tend to prevent the people from obtaining cheap food —(Applause).. The only way in which the agricul turists could be relieved was, by reducing the cost of production; and that might be done by repealing the taxes upon soap, .tallow, salt, leather, and light, in the shape of window-tax, which were all necessaries of life, and had the effect of increasing the price of labour. The country, however, could expect a re duction of taxation only from a Reformed House of Commons. Upon the question of Reform he differed altogether from a Learned Judge who had lately, at Carlow, thought fit to indulge in some very severe reflections against any kind of reformation. He (Mr. Bennet) was of opinion that it was impossible for this country to exist as a free nation if the present system continued, under which a few persons got possession of the means of returning Members to the House oil Commons. It was said, as a general proposition, gi By the fruit shall you know the tree." Now n hat had been the result of the present Session of Parliament? The House of Commons had, at length, after repeated struggles, got rid of two Lords of the Admiralty ; but it had refused to consent to the repeal of the salt tax If, however, the question of the repeal of the Salt Tax had depended upon the votes of County Members,• it would have been carried ; for, upon examining the lists of those who voted upon the occasion, it would • • • • COURT OF ALDERMEN. We have already stated that Mr. KNOWLYS, the Common Serjeant, was on Wednesday elected Re corder for the City of London, by the Court of Alder men. The Court was numerous, there being only three out of the 26 Aldermen absent. Sir WILLIAM CURTIS proposed Mr. Knowlys, as Recorder ; which was seconded by Sir RICHARD CARR GLYNN., Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN proposed Sir James Mackintosh ; and stated, that although Sir James thought it would be degrading in him to canvass for the office, yet he should feel his appointment to it as a distinguished honour, and would readily and zeal ously devote himself to the performance of its im portant duties. Sir JAMES SHAW allowed that no one could be better qualified for such a situation than Sir James Mackintosh ; but he thought the Common Serjeant possessed great claims upon the Court, and he trusted he would therefore receive their support. Mr. Alderman BIRCH considered the Court had an important duty to perform, and that it was due to the Public, whose eyes were upon them, as well as to those Gentlemen who might feel inclined to offer themselves for the situation, that proper time and opportunity should be afforded ; and he therefore moved, that the Election of a Recorder be postponed to a future day. Mr. Aldernian WAITIMAN seconded the motion Mr. Alderman C. SMITH thought the delay pro posed was wholly unnecessary, as he believed most of the Members had made up their minds. Mr. Alderman BRIDGES eulogized the conduct and talents of the Common Serjeant, and was against any adjournment. Mr. Sheriff GARRATT thought that due time should have been allowed for deliberation ; but, as the Court had decided against it, he thought it would be esta blishing a bad precedent not now to proceed, and might appear to reflect on the Common Serjeant. Mr. Alderman Thonp said, that as so many Gen tlemen had promised their votes to Mr. Common Ser jeant, the result would most probably be the same; the adjournment, therefore, would answer no purpose. Mr. Alderman HEYGATE deprecated the haste with which the Election had been hurried on, and thought unanimity of sentiment upon the subject was de sirable, which would be best effected by an adjourn ment of the Election. Sir W. CURTIS observed, that although Gentle men said they had no object in the postponement, he paid little regard to such professions. lie thought they had an object, and he should use his endeavours to defeat that object. Mr. Alderman BIRCH rose with some warmth to repel the insinuation of the Hon. Baronet. He de clared he had no object in view but the honour of that Court and the interest of the Public ; and he must say, that in coming to a hasty decision, they might have cause to rue the precedent they were esta blishing. He should persist in his motion though he might stand alone. Mr. Alderman WAITIIMAN thought all such insi nuations unworthy of notice. Every one must allow that the worthy Alderman (Birch) had acted with the greatest candour and sincerity. Sir W. CURTIS.—I am very sorry. I did not mean to cast any reflections. Mr. Alderman littow)r regretted that the motion for delay had not bee.; carried at the last• Court ; but as he now learnt that many Gentlemen had promised their votes, he felt great difficulty in supporting the motion of Alderman Birch. Mr. Alderman WOOD said, as it appeared Gentle men had engaged their rotes, and it was obvious that it would not alter the decision, he recommended both the worthy Aldermen (Birch and Waithmall) to with draw their motions. Mr. Alderman VENADLES was of opinion, that more time should have been taken, before coming to an ul timate decision upon so very important a subject. Several of the AldeinNit expressing their wishes that the motions should be withdrawn, Mr. Alderman 13tacir said, though he would not shrink from the proposition he had made, he felt no inclination obstinately to persevere against the wishes of the majority. Mr. Alderman WAITIIMAN said the Court was summoned for the purpose of advising together as to a fit person to be elected Recorder ; but of what use *as their advising together, if Gentlemen bad per. viously made up their minds? This mode of ad vising together reminded him of the conduct of the old man in the poem, who being about to marry a young wife, called his friends together to advise with them upon so important and dan s a speculaticio, O But Bed before, and well 'd was he, O As men who ask advice are wont to be V' Under such circumstances he felt it hopeless to peps sist in his proposition of Sir James Mackintosh. The motions of Aldermen Biwa and Warangal being thus withdrawn, it Was considered unnecessary to proceed to a ballot, and NawMAW KNOWLII4 Est. was accordingly elected, withbut opposition, topes the chew of hands. • complaint, bi emir op ST. MATTHEW, BETHNAL-GREEN. Monday, a strong contest took place for the "inks; tion of Vestry Clerk in this Parish. At dye o'clock the doors of the church were thrown open, and be tween three and four thousand per .ans were present. On the conclusion of the poll, Mr. MARSHALL, the Chairman, came forward and declared the nunsbers. to be as follow, viz. For Mr. Batman 1363 Mr. MAT, jun. - - 1034 Majority • , ••-31 0 9 —He trusted, he said, that the friends of Mr. Bretton would conduct themselves with moderation is victors, and that the friends of Mr. May would act as men who had done their duty. He had himself endea voured during the day to preserve strict impartiality, and hoped that the good sense of the Meeting would allow them to hear the two Candidates, who had promised to be as brief as pos s ible. Mr.BautToN said,while he begged to return thanks for the situation in which his friends had placed him, he must bear testimony to the conduct of Mr. May's friends, for the civility and kindness he had met with ; and, notwithstanding that they were in opposition to him, he believed they had voted conscientiously, Before he proceeded further, he telt himself pattien larly called upon to express his obligations to those Gentlemen who had exerted themselves, from morn- ing till night, in his behalf; and he would say that, had it not been for their exertions, he should not have had the honour of standing in his present enviable situation; he would again repeat, that to them he owed his re-election. He assured them that he would endeavour to continue to serve them truly, honourably, and faithfully, so long as they elected him as their Vestry Clerk. Mr. MAY, jun. endeavoured to address the Meeting, but, for a very considerable time, owing to the con fusion that prevailed, was completely inaudible. The Chairman exerted himself to obtain silence, but to no effect, and such was the confusion that all efforts on the part of Mr. May were fruitless. Mr. SMITH entreated that the Meeting would, in candour, hear Mr. May, if it was only tor the pur pose of returning thanks to his friends. Mr. MAY, jun. said, he should be wanting in gra titude, did he not most fervently return his thanks and obligations to his kind friends for the handsome manner in which they had supported him; he trusted he should be ever worthy of their support ; and he hoped that, born in the Parish, and residing in it from his infancy, his nativity would entitle him to their patronage on a future occasion. A vote of thanks was then proposed to the CHAIR MAN for his impartial conduct, which was carried unanimously. SPAIN. The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, NIAn- TINEZ DE LA ROSA, has drawn up a Memo: ial upea the Foreign Relations of Spain, which has been read to the Cortes. It supplies nothing absolutely new. It is mentioned that the Smallish Commiwners, charged to execute the delivery of the East and West Floridas, had experienced some ill-treatment from the American Authorities, but it was hoped that the required satisfaction would he given. The Regency of Algiers had revived an ancient demand on Spain of a million and a half of dollars. A fleet had in consequence been ordered to Algiers, and it was hoped that an amicable arrangement would be ef fected. The Spanish Members of the mixed Com mission at Sierra Leone having been removed in consequence of " the insalubrity of the climate." t. his Majesty," says the Memorial, 44 influenced by the feeling of humanity, and religiously scrupulous in the fulfilment of his contracts, has authorised our Minister in London to treat with the British Govern meat, in concert with the Portuguese Representative at that Court, respecting the removal of the mixed Commission to a mores alubrious spot, in order that the security of the Commissioners may be combined with the important duty they have to discharge."— The conduct pursued by Portugal, in recognising the independence of Buenos Ayres, and the circumstance that the King of Portzuoat. has declared that no Treaty exists between that country and Spain, are mentioned with regret, but not without an expres sion of hope that friendly relations may yet be esta blished. It is stated that arrangements have been r made between France and Spain with respect to poli tical refugees in both countries, and that some more accurate measurement of the boundaries of the two kingdoms is considered necessary. Not a word is said of Great Britain. The ratest Papers from -America bring the Decla ration of Independence made by the inhabitants in the Spanish part of St. Domingo. It is dated the Ist of December, 1821. The form of Government to be established is not expressly stated, nor is there flee slightest manifestation of a disposition to unite with the portion of the island which, since the death of CIIRISTOPM, is fallen under the government of Boltslt. It is probable that the intention is to erect a new republican State, to form a member of the grt at Confederation of Columbia. I , Long live our coun try—Long live the Independence—Long live the Union of Columbia !" are the formulary prayers with which the document concludes. The intercourse be tween the city of St. Domingo (which is in this part of the island) and Caraccas and Cuba, has been ex tensive and varied. It is a curious fact stated in the Declaration, that it was at St. Domingo that the youth of those latter places received their education. This paper , is drawn up with much good sense, and states the grievances of the colony Irons the selfish tyranny of Spain, and the utter inability of the latter to send out any force able to subdue them, with truth and simplicity.