Star. — London, England, 1817-05-24 00:00:00

11 ~'- ANNWERS4I27-tf SIR FRANCIS BURDETT': ELECTION for WESTMINSTER. CROWN AND ANCHOR TAVERN. Yesterday the friends of Purity of Election dined together, to commemorate the triumph of popular election, in the return of Sir FRANCIS Bunorre. The company was most numerous, including Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, who was in the Chair, Lord COCHKANE, the Marquis of Tat-I;l.°m Lord Ossuovroat, Lurd RAN UWE, Lord W. RUSSELL, the Hon. T. BRAND, the Hon. H. G. BENNETT, Sir G.'HEATHeOTE, Sir Ro amer Vi7tasosi , Mr. LASIBTON, M.P. Mr. BROUGHAM, M.P. Mr. is.laouocks, M. P. Mr. WALTER FAWKES, Mr. Baum Major. CARTRIGIII, and many other distinguished individuals. • After the cloth had been removed, rr The King" was drank, as also The King and Constitution, and a speedy recovery to both," with great applause. The health • of Sir Francis Burdett was then pro posed by Mr. Adams, who briefly recapitulated the circumstances of the Westminster Election. Sir Fientscas BURDETT then rose, and said that it ary thing could add to die feelings with which he met sucf. an assembly of his constituents, it was the circumstance that he was surrounded and supported by such a body of Gentlemen, who supported, as they always had supported, the principles of liberty and of the Constitu:ion. When he called to mind the circumstances which attended the first free exer ci4e of t!:e elective franchise on the part of the inha bitants of Westminster, he could not but feel that they had mide a deep and lasting impression upon him ; and lie was also happy that when he had met his constituents, his exertions seemed to meet their approbation, though not attended with the happy re suit which he could wish on the country at large. His constituents were convinced, as well as himself, hova unavailing it generally was to move fur Re:orm in an Assembly which held an usurped power over the people, and profited by the cotruption which it was sought to abolish. lie wai not afraid to say, that it was by an endeavour to rouse people of England to a sense of their injuries, that he hoped to prevail; and in this he was happy to see himself supported by men whose names would be dear to Englishmere as long as the liberties of England were dear to them. The Ministers might enslave their bodies, or accuse them as they pleased of madness or treasud, but they could not enslave their minds— (Alijilesre),—But it was degrading to address a body of men under such circumstances, that any inferior Magistrate might, if he pleaied, take up. if he thought it worth while (alpplause)—tor no doubt they %mild conceive the words which Le had spoken to be seditious and dangerous—(alioriaurc).—Since the last time he had met them the events which had taken place were worthy their notice. The attempt to stop the communication of ideas by the press had been made. Not only did the Attorney-Generai possess the power of ex-officio informations, which were in themselves host:le to liberty, but any Magis trate aught commit to prison any person whom he chose—a power which was not the better, but the worse, because it was exercised under the colour of Cc law, and N. 0 di he had tether see come from the I.r.sters• of the time being, because no oppression seemed to threaten permanence, unless it came tram Parliament itself. It was therefore proper always to bear in mind, that without a Representation of the People in Parliament, there could he no security for freedom in this country, though it would hot become theta to argue on shades of differences, or to ground their claims on abstract tights, it was enough for them that Reform wasexpedieut and highly necessary (.livilaame)—it was enough fur them to see that Re form should produce such a Representation as might etnAIALC IROM great bulk of the community, and form a suf f icient controul on the Administration— (Aispiaute)—This was what all Reformers agreed in, and to this end they should direct their efforts. The cause of Reform had of late made sonic progress, at least in public opinion. The Reformers had been formerly told, that their demands were novel and visionary: It had now been proved that one point at I least, the annuality of Parliaments in old times, had been put out of dispute, and had been proved to exist not only. in the earliest periods of history, but in those times the accounts of which were supplied by tradi tion. But now, said the Antintirformert, this was too old—it was quite antiquated—(a/ laugh).—But lay ing aside this mass of antiquarian knowledge, they might stand still more firmly on the ground that Re form was rational and fit—though it ill became those to despise the ancient rules of the Constitution who contended for the untenable and monstrous doctrine of legitimacy— (Andeure).—lt was the common cant in the House of Commons, to set down all who were not within its walls as ignorant and unenlight ened. To be sure the House ought to possess a great portion of knowledge itself, as it communicated so li tt l e to others—(.4 kupi).—There must be an accumulation of knowledge laid by—as it was produced and never impaired by action or use.— However, the historical part of the qtiestion, on the part.of the Reformers, had been made very clear by the pamphlet of the worthy Gentleman who sat near him that day (Mr. Fawkes), and by that of Mr. Evans, which was full of satisfactory researches, and in many other writings which he had read with plea sure and profit. It was strange that the House had Sot enlightened their ignorance, instead of loading them woo the unmeaning appellation of Jacobins and innovators, while they attempted to excite an alarm which tile tranquillity of the people had completely negatived. Toe patience of the people, though un der the present circumstances praiseworthy, had been almost carried to a degree when it ceased to be lauchi ble ; they had been quiet under wrongs and sliffer ings which at other times would have provoked re sistance, so as to overwhelm with contempt the Mi nisterial delusion which had been ;atteropted'to •he practised on the country. The country Gentlemen, tO,whom he was always willing to direct his attention, would, be hoped, see that it was - from prodigality and corruption, not from the.people, that.they bad to a pprehend.danger, that they weer like a simple coun tryman hustled by pickpockets, who pretended to be his most zealous friends, while they contrived to con. vey away his purse--(Andatue). In the cause of Rejoins, those who now. co-operated would, he trusted. continue to act together with mutual forbear. ance, mutual moderation, and united efforts, and they might strive to turn the helm to reach that haven to wards which, they had long endeavoured to steer the vessel of the State, and to which be row looked !Fhb more spnguine hope tray at any former period of a life, which though not lorg, bad not been, as a poli tical life, very short--(Loyd app/owe.) Mr. M.LautuN proposed the health of the zealous Represen'ative of Westminster, 61 Lord Cochrane," • which was drank with great applause. Lord CO/NIRANIK returned thanks in a speech which was most favourably received, in which he endea voured to :hew that corruption must soon cease to possess the means of corrupting. He read a state. ment, which, he observed, was from the pen of a dili gent and ingenious writer, by which it was shewn that the difference between the sums collected from taxes, and the sums expended in the last year, was £24,745,765, and making an allowance on the one side for the reductions which had been announced by Lord Castlereagh on the other, for the cessation of the Income and Malt Tax, the deficiency in the next year would be £24,600,000. His Lordship also gave a humourous account of the transaction at the Honiton election, in consequence of which he had now several executions in his house, the debt having been swelled by law costs from about £6O to ,g }t 7s. I Id. _ . The health of Mejor Cartwright was drank. This venerable Gentleman shortly returned thanks, and declared his unaltered attachment to thecause he had undertaken, and to the principles he had avowed. " Th e Marquis of Tavistock, Lord W. Russell, and their patriotic Race," having been given, The Marquis of TAVISTOCK, in an animated ad. dress, said he was happy to receive the thanks of per sons who had given such a splendid example of purity ;—might they always have Representatives, who knew how to value such constituents— Represen tatives, who, like his Honourable Friend, (Sir F. Burdett) possessed loyalty to the Crown, but not without a filial reverence to the liberties of the peo. plc, as the only stock whence all public happiness could spring —who, steering the even course of pa triotism, neither deviating into servility, nor faction, might shew themselves uniform enemies to jobbing, peculation and corruption (a/01.m5.) He avowed himself a friend, however strange the avowal might appear to those who calumniated all Reformers, a friend to radical and moderate Reform—moderate, in asinuch as it proceeded on no wild or incautious theories—radical. as it should be sufficient to remove all the abuses of the representation wisely and tem perately, and restore it to the system demanded by the theory and practice of the Constitution —(Laud amlaust). " Lend Ossulston and the Hon. H. G. Bennett," having been drank with applause, Lord Ossuerrote returned thanks. The Gagging Bill, he observed, could have no effect upon any who possessed an ordinary share of political courage and firmness, together with a love for freedom, but to cause them to identify themselves more closely with the people, and to advocate more strenuously and more publicly that cause, to the defence of which they might at other times contribute in a more ordinary manner, and within more narrow limits—Me/awe). The Hon. H. G. Beeever also returned thanks. During the short time which he had sat in the House of Commons, he had had occasion to give several votes on the subject of Reform—he had left the sub ject to be discussed by other and abler persons ; but though his votes had been silent, they had not been the less earnest. He went further than some, and less far than others, who maintained the cause of Reform ; but there was one point on which they were all agreed, the difference between , Reformers and Anti. Reformers—though they differed, as in all matters in which human intellect was concerned men must dif fer, there was no reason that they should not proceed, heart and hand, to the attainment of those points, as to the necessity of which they were all agreed. He trusted it would not be long before the people of England would shew the Ministers, that they were not to be treated like children,: but that they knew theme rights, and, knowing them, must obtain them. " Henry Broughatn, F.sq. and Trial by Jury," was theneet toast, which was received with great applause. Mr.l3nouonere said, he felt highly gratified at the' honour conferred on him by a body of men assembled to celebrate that memorable triumph by which the City of Westminster, while it secured its own inde pendence, afforded a practical refutation, worth a thousand arguments, of the assertion, that all popu lar elections must be attended with confusion and ex pense—(am/aure).—He congratulated them on the attendance of so many friends of reform, but espe.l cially of the youngest representatives of the illustrious 1 , family of Russell—(aeteilause),—descended, as they had good cause to remember, from those noblest Martyrs of English liberty, who, before they shed their blood in behalf of their countrymen, were not more ready to shed it than he was persuaded their descendants would be if the cause of the country re quired it—(apeknue).—He earnestly hoped that they might never live to see any such lamentable necessity, and be grounded his expectation not on any trust as to the honesty or abstinence of his Majesty's Minl.l sters, but on the experience, the surest page of which was the Westminster Election, that the firm, united, and temperate, and therefore irresistible voice of the people, would check the madness of the rulers— (aperlasue).—This was a time in which no man should stand aloof ; all were bound to step forward to meet the people. Every man, however illustrious his rank, however countless his possessions, could enjoy neither the dignity of the former, tor the comforts of the latter, with good conscience and in peace, seho had not done his duty in a common cause with the people. in behalf of liberty. They had done him the honour to couple his name with the Trial by Jury. A few months ago we might have said with boldness, No 'Minister can take this right from us. But even that timed right was now taken away—and eves to be . conenued to be kept from us, by those groundless, infamous, and intolerable measures which frenzy or corruption had forced upon. them. His Noble and Honourable Friends around him had, from the lust, opposed themselves to these tricks, and plots, and Committees, and Reports. He advised every man in his sphere to • exert himself with equal diligenee, for an attempt was to be made, on grounds still more hollow than the former, to continue and perpetuate the exclusion of the subject from his best birth.right, Trial by hwy. 'lt • was• the fault of tee People ,ot. England if latch a measure passed :—if they :hewed themselves firm and devoted to their own cause they would be formidable eaten to the most desperate des pots; but it they were sluggish ; if ii every part they gat with new folded. caving there wds no help, that 1 Parlian•eni would pass the measures, then would it be tree ta, Parliament would pass them, and the liberties of England would be gone for ever; but if the-people, beginning with London and Westminster, reszlved to meet, time after time, to petition Patlia ment and address .the Throne, then he could boldly say from experience, Parliament would not pass the Continuance of the Habeas Corpus Act. It was by public petitioning that they had wrung from the Nli nisters the repeal of the odious provisions of the In come Tax ; and if they did one half as much fur their freedom as they did for their property—(lo:4 applaust),—then would they recover all their lost freedom, and retain all that remained of their pro perty. If he were convinced that the naked unex tinguishable courage of the people of Westminster would diffuse its spirit over the Empire, then should he retire as confident that the battle was won, as on that memorable evening when, by the ereit,ions of the people, they destroyed that odious tax. " Your petitions ('aid he) succeeded against tie property tax : if you do half as much for your freedom as you have done for your property, you will succeed in se curing both."— (LoadaNdaure.) The health of the Honourable T. Brand followed, Mr. BRAND in returning thanks obseived, that if the example of Westminter had been imitated by the Llectors throughout the kingdom, they might that day have been celebrating, not a solitary, though noble triumph of independence, but the general suc cess o; the came of Reform. When he first heard of the election of the Honourable Baronet, be had hope.l that from this point the spirit would have gra dually spread over the whole country : " The n:re moved, a circle ttra . t succeed - , " "%bother still, and !till another rpreads" C. C. Some days betole the present meeting, notice had been given 'Mat the Trial by Jury would be again taken away. He was rather disappointed to find that no Requisitions had been pliblished for ealling Meet ings to petition ; but on this occasion Westminster would not take the lead, as a Requisition had been prepared in the county (Hertfordshire) which he had the honour to represent —(aliplasue),—an example which he trusted would be an invitation and encou ragement to others, and that the people, though too much familiarized to unconstitutional acts, would, .by their voice, defeat thisodious arid unnecessary measure. " Lord Rancliffe, and the Independent Electors of Nottingham," was drank. Lord It awetavve in returning thanks stated, that after the Electors of Nottingham had imitated those of Westminster—after the poll had begun three days —some persons requested him to step forward, and though he declined, he was nominated by an humble stocking-weaver and elected, without canvassing a sinle voter—(epO/ann.). Die health of J. G. Lambton, Esq. having been drank, Mr. LAMDTON returned thanks, and said, that it was likely that Parliament would suspend the Habeas Corpus again as its last Act—an Act fit to close the career of such a Parliament, which only •in one in stance had paid attention to the P itions of the People, and that too when it suited the p ets of its Mem bers. The Menibers would he soon to account.be. fore the people of England, and he hoped they would no longer trust those. who had misused their-power— .24p/.77ire).—Thesy were no common times—it was not a party question which they had now to consider, but whether England should be a land of freemen or slaves, bowing their necks to the yoke of a :military despotism ? To this all they saw or heard was di-. rected; and to this there was but one obstacle—the efforts of the Independent Electors—(landal:l2lam). " Lord A. Hamilton and the Reformers of Scot land," was drank. His Lordship returned thank, in an animater) speech, in which he denied the imputations on the Reformers in Scotland. Electing Members, free and independent, was; he observed, the best road to the security of freedom and independence for themselve s . The health of Sir G. Heathcote was drank.---Sir G. Heathcote returned thanks. The health of W. Fawkes, Esq. was dranlc.-- , -Mr. Fawkes returned thanks in an eloquent and energetic address. The healths of Sir R. Wilson and M. Bruce, the brave and humane deliverers of Lavalette, were pro- , posed and drank with enthusiasm. Sir R. WILSON returned thanks. He was conscious, that in the event which had been alluded to, he had violated the municipal law, but the law of nature, which reigned paramount in all nations and at all times, must have been disobeyed, if the tears of con jugal affection over the misfortune—he would say unmerited misfortune—of a husband had been disre garded. An attempt had been made to give the event a political character. He should, under the same circumstances, have acted in the same manner to an enemy, even a personal enemy ; but he did not deny that he regarded Lavalette as the victim of violated faith. (Applaure.) He could not help congratula ting the Ciiiiens of Westminster on the triumph they had met to commemorate—though bred a soldier, he valued the Constitution for which so many mar tyred heroes bird. (A1•/.lama) Mr. Burcs: also returned thanks in in impressive :perch, which was received with rapturous applause. In the act alluded to, he had obeyed these feelings which ever: man present, he was convinced, would have obeyed, had he been so circumstanced. That it was grounded on political motives, he denied, though he utterly detested the system pursued to wards France as founded on a palpable violation of justice and policy. He duly appreciated the thanks of a body which had shown itselt so conscientious, so magnanimous, so disinterested. Mr. Madocks health was drank.—Mr. Madocks returned thanks. The company continued together till a late hour. In the Annals cf Lotteries there is scarcely an In stance of the Principal Prizes being so eztensively and beneficially distributed amongst the Public as in that just concluded, for not one of them remained in, the Possession of the CONTRACTOR. This, in one sense, is an unfortunate circumstance for Mr. SlVE wwia, but, seeriii'likely to be counterbalanced by the very general satisfaction and confidence it has diffused among. Adventurers, who will, in conse quence, Wig bey'rlp the small Number of Tickets he 1.0 ifs, the Tottery to be Drawn on the PArstv4 aay. Apia, when Twrity 'More Capitals, in- cluding Two orsgls,ooo, will all be decided in ONE DAY. P.IRLMAIRNTARr PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE or• LORDS, MAY 2s. The Royal Astons was notified by Commission Nit* Imt•c—.• Bill, the land Revenue Bill, tl• . eWeat hiJia rad,. bill, the b-*; Bills Bill, the Gas l,oi 6t Bill, anti some 'Akre i;itis. The Contnnsitoners were the Letn CItAfiCELLUIL, the Frl c t Sit i . i sin:lyr , and Lord Vl, , uunt Afkkvat.s. Alt. lottNtd N frosts the. Office of Chit:f Secrete., f+.4r pre.rrttd the Fifth Iteport n' the Cornmteroners tut the Public Accounts in Ireland, and whet P:pes,; p c , MAITLAND, Papers front the East ludia liettse.-4.lrdered to he. I lie table. • The :none Betties WI% read a s: coma time, ~ a •se.l throue.h COMPlitte.?. Ie.R..K!NE nt.:je I is ft: tttott for a.111t...1t-nt of I ` s .-14. rtizances horn the year etitered into h: fate Jultter.e.f .Tree lA eases of i.ihel, rctumed to tilt; V..ieb was ordered The Justice% in Eyre ..-Ib4diriatt 13111 f, the Etthevitito.s.i.4 Regulation Htil (England And Ireland), the lrica Ottir,s 6 'anon 11*11, the. Exchequer °aces kegulatiou 1141 the Hoard of 'Freda ddl, and sum I.nta4 and l'rivats brought up 1111111 the Howe t 4 Commons, by Mr. •r et. 1' r. t ISiLA V, apd Utht r MCltibels. read a gird tune, :•o be printed., QUEENSREttRY APPLIM C:lUs%•. "l'he LORD C!iANCELLOR said he would givejudentin tlir.,•Appluils on Lim lint Jay of C44IsCS idler the Wiiiamosi:;Ar itec..sa. • PROPONEU OFFTCIAL AIIOI.'TIONs. The Earl of LAUDIARDAI.E. s.l ). .seteritl, that this system kal now conic up to them agaiu front the wiser House, and he was desirous of knowing upon what grounds it was now to be var. portril, a ter braid turtnerly Biqa ovr.4 by their teardstor.. it was known, in•!eed, that th.ft bah %V Tr thqsta. of Commons upon the Report o. a Committee, And it a•:.• s course desirable that the antormasien communicated to the otitis.. kinuse, ups 0 which these ihiss ware wuttsled, mots:.l t r 101.1 bef.re tie ir L,lrdchipe. N h"t c,,,,eut is :I.OW tuete wee., II) be found In that Report for th-se ISM. he could ns.tprett.no to>ay ; he trusted, however, tli:ur n•yal..l pausr tow h• at they agrrt3 to thew 241., after iirvit:!, At h. , rraer tiegativrd •*.mflar measures, tae they I,.tat aware, agreed to . 1 .• m. what cuu.trur., o urit!ori ara..l uptitt tb. it rundue!, cud how much the; f.JI us t.. t ion of •he country. '1 :Is. Earl of LIVERPOOL said, it Wa• intri•tle,l a Message to the lieurke of Cortt.tu.n*, I:trurtsti; Ise t alluded to by the Nobk Lord. Wit• r.:•; vet to the at lee., he should be prepared to ••..1•!e into the . 1...• •.•. rf diens when the time cause for ttoir r Jon !..ratot) W , ','::• to the course of procleding, at aas !tot hro niteutit, .•• ..• r •'.! srcun4 reading of thew bolt Maul 2:10: , .er Lint e. 4 tot 7* , n , r's• Commons, which was now in protr‘rs 1: ere, am: ••heo . • !ut came up he ..11 , old give notice fit the doscopooti. it. -11 t!.i only now observe, vsith revisit to il.e •Ata.:*rt . bids, U,at caCuristaUCCS had occurred winch -..kettl st,s- • ....• in a point ot view allea rat stuns flat us which cur .area .;. •.•:• dcrauun of u ue.,k 'I he F.airl or SHAFf IisBUR V mtut..l a Maltose of Commons, dadriud iu•uratuiuu tai L r,gurl se thy Jkstizo • t I:.)te Alwlatiwa bill. . . . 'live kart 011.AUDERDALE s.kej at helm. ti:at a:. ue sufficient. to obtain thz whole tatnno:..oas tliC t Ihe kart us LIVEitPOUL. aissw,:rckl i ti.c rim atm cc 'll4e Message was scut to the Leununi.ne, zuel via ...MA/ Mr. :•TILATFuILD, UDC &lithe hlastuts en Ch:trecety !eat surd. returned with a Copy ut die liest Reputt 01 the. Conseditire of Finance, which was laud upuu lie ,able, and ordered to Le punted. STATE OI THE COUNTRY. The Earl of LIVERPOOL moved that the Hy .ms do adjourn till this day se'iiiiight (Ft ida) reftto antl stated that Lc should probably ...fitas day him,: down a communication nom the Prince Regetit tt specting the State•of the C‘iiintry, its which case, he should on the sante day niove fur the festival ut the Committee which sat in the early part of the Sewcn. Earl GRLY sale], he did nut rm's) to oppose tl.e -adjournment; but he had heard with segiet—lte aright say, with a feeling almost amounting to epair—o hat the Noble .E4ll had stated woo treed to the intended ccronitioication hum the gent, and the revival of the Comstitt;e. etiiisol,:- ing•that since the P.:open:ion of toe Habeas Ctior , r Act, the utmot.. tranquillity had prevailed the people, notwithstanJing the distress that tithe. s. ted, and which, he W.:S very wiry to sap qv:n.l to be rather increasing than dims! ishoig ; n: • withstanding all the privations to which they west unhappily subjected, they had evinced ..n uuerata pled patience under their suffertogs ; considering a lio that the persons as rested under the puweis e.vcit the Suspension Bill had proved to be prooi.s w t! lower ranks of life, with little or nu itirltience—wita no means at their command to render tin its dative I .ous to the Government—v: any character it station that could render them at all formidable — he had hoped that the people of England might now be trusted with the blessings of their Ccuttautiv. and that it would not be thought neces s ary again t:+ suspend the exercise of their privi'.eges. It was there ' fore with poignant regret that lie bad now beard iron the Noble Earl an intimation of the intention which he had announced—the more so, :is it was knora, that if the Noble Earl proposed the revival of die Committee, it would be revivcd, and that if he after wards proposed the renewal of the Suspension of hie Habeas Corpus, it would be agreed to. Contrary also to the constant practice of the If arse, the Noble Earl had given notice, that on the same day on which be brought doivn the intended Message, lie shorn.' move the revival of the Committees Could not 1/11: I d a y be given for the consideration of the Message be foie the revival of the Can:Lime ivas preposed Could not the proposition for the revival 01 the Ces• roittee be postponed meldy till the nt:a sitting :• 14 ! of the House,' to give a short interval for the cr.r.;,. deration of the Message Ile did not now mean t , eider into a discussion upon the subject ; but he coll. not help observing, that the renewal of the Soper skin of the I - Lsileas Corpus, instead of alleviating! would only greatly aggravate the evil. Let theist • pie have the full enjoyment of the privileges of Constitution, and they would know how to feel gni appreciate their independence. Those privileges:: • hitherto borne them triumphantly through every ficulty, and would again raise them above ti:e tresses of their present situation, by giving t!-.err t . : feeling of freedom which was the best the Government. These privileges the best support of the Government, solier joyed by the country, leading it, as they ;.!iesrt ••• - done, to the path of honour, and glory, ant! Ter: He should not now say more, except regpst.-7 hope that the Committee would very carts and Weigh the evidence which came bef-Jre dart. •• order that their Report might not, as in tf:e (cry instance, be impeached, on the ground of an . ous statement, the fallacy of which was orscret, . • -- proved at the bar. The Earl of LIVERPOOL. —le Mr Lore:- v out meaning to create a discussion on the pts.e . r.: •-• casion, I beg to say, in explanation, that !Lie 1.71 , conduct which his Majesty's Ministers have aslor- - : ought .not.to be objected to. The usual cons. - when a communication is to be made from the Crc:i to have it brought in without any previous vt T