The Sun. — London, England, 1825-04-05 00:00:00

PET ERSFIELD. atei.legion of a Representative to serve in Parliament for Botough took place at Peterstield on Saturday, the 2d instant, before "'fa Join/ MErnns, the titular Mayo! and returning Officer ler this Borongla The usual Proclamation having been made, the Precept ft: the return of one Member to serve in Parliament for this isosough, and the Act against Bribery, &c. was read, and the alayor was sworn duly to discharge the duty of returning Offroev. After which, Sir WILLIAM JoniereneE rose and said, —My Itrothez Freeholders, in addressing you, I must ask your kind ' aess, and I should feel great difficulty in doing so, if I had it rot in my power to propose to you a person whose private worth and the service' he has rendered his Country, as well as hie independent. Politics, render him worthy of receiving this - Amour at your hands.—(flea', hear! )--I assure you, you must allow me some little feeling upon this subject. The gallant Ofleer I am about to propose to you has been called upon to sat his country in the plains of India,--he commanded his licriment with so much credit to himself, as to have been fre or s.ntly noticed,in the. Gazettes of this country. On one occa floss, when in command of a force of cavalry, he received public thanks for the services be rendered, and his own gallant conduct; he likewise received the rewards which your Save -stern confers upon personal valour. In his politics he is a supporter of our King and Constitution, and he is related very nearly to a Member of that Ministry, through whose measures our country is now—(hear, hear !)—raised to such an unparalleled height.—( Hear, hear !).--He hopes to be placed as that situation in which every Englishman must feel himself -thoroughly , independent, when he considers the way in which he is to be returned ! I am convinced, in proposing relenel lexishington to yoe, he will receive the votes of the Independent Freeholders of this Borough—Meer , rear}—and I can safely strain that his conduct will be such as to reflect credit upon himself and the advancement of your interests. I feel quite certain, that if he should succeed in obtaining the honourable post for which he is a candidate, that his conduct will be such as, not only, to ensure your en tire approbation, but even should he again present himself to your notice—(hear, hear !)--you will again receive him with equal confidence!—Mear, hear !) Mr. HYLTOI•I JOLLlFTE.—Freehoiclers 1 . In seconding the nomination that has been made, 1 shall take up very little of your time, as so much has been said upon the honour and mili tary character of the gallant Colonel, and the services he has rendered. He has, as the proposer has stated, received from His Iltajesty that mark, which those receive who distinguish them selves in the hour of danger ; there is no doubt those who feel this principle will give him their support; he feels anxious and possesses a laudable ambition to become one of your Represen tatives in the House of Commons; and his character, I trust, will merit your suffrages. I have very little doubt there will, on anotheroccasion, be other candidates whose merits may be equally great, but as during a poll of several days 1 shall fre quently have an opportunity of addressing you, I shall not take up more of your time now. Mr. Aerciersone—Before the 'nomination which has been made, and seconded, is subrAted to the-freelsoldess, I-conceive it necessary to say a few words. The character of that Gallant Officer, Colonel Lushington, is not unknown to me, connected as X am with the army, of which he was so distinguished a member and therefore it would be uncandid and improper in rue to throw out the slightest insinuanon either upon his mili tary or his private character. I likewise know his family and :connections, and I have only to lament that with his splendid acquirements he should have been driven to the necessity of n oosing down under the venal and corrupt influence which has so long prevailed here—(hear , hear !)—to obtain a Seat, as the representative of this much-injured Borough, for the remain Ocrof the present Parliament. It is idle to talk of the next Parliament and the next Election. God only knows what will be the result of that Election. The Committee of Appeal of the Rause of Commons having permanently fieed the right of liection in this Borough, you now' have it in your power to eeerciee your rights in the most unlimited and unrestricted rummer, and not circumscribed, as you have been on former oeresions---tHear, hear !)—One good effect it has already pro duced—the attendance of the second in Mr. Jollirfe's interest. You have now at least the opportunity of seeing him, and of informing yourselves of his political opinions. Up to - a very - late period, and for almost a century, that second candidate sever made his appearance here. This is the third time only tiering that long period, Mr. Jolliffe and his family have con descended to make you personally acquainted with sirs Komi ` ; and if no other benefit has been derived from the determi nation of the Committee of Appeal, it is an advantage not to he overlooked, that the second candidate is now compelled to comedown anti at least to pay you the compliment of appearing before you, if not of endeavouring to acquire some knowledge of your local interests and views, whilst his presence here gives y3O the certain opportunity of stating to him freely and inde. eeendently, your sentiments upon every topic which ought to engage his attention as a Member of the [louse of Commons. .—llut, Gentlemen, I should not have said one word, as I have stated frequently both publicly and privately, and as I would have stated to Mr. JollitFe if he had thought fit to have written to me, (which would have rendered all his expensive' ?reparations for the conveyance of his voters front a distance, and the attendance of counsel unnecessary) that it was not my intention ner.that of my friends to offer any opposition upon this freedom! On Friday the writ was moved far, and on Saturday transmitted ourdetermination to the County Newspapers, in order that the parties in the Country might not give themselves any trouble. But, .Geudemen, I have risen for the purpose of _referring to s ome reports, imputing to his Majesty's Govern.: meat, which the Proposer of Cal. Lushington has so warmly tpraleed,not only corruption of conduct, but the most disgrace . fill mis-applicanon of the public monies, and of the influence whialt their high station confers upon them. I believe them to . br foul calumnies, and that there is not the slightest foundation fen their utterance. I mention them, that those about me may I;::3 this public opportunity of rescuing his Majesty's Govern meet from the base,and invidious attack which the author of . these reports hat made Upon the integrity of their character, in order to lower and degrade them in the estimation of the public. I mention them, that Mr. Jolliffe, who is equally implicated, Play have an opportunity of publicly negativing them, and of . denying that the Treasury influence and the Public purse were totes employed in rivetting the fetters which have so long op. otesecti your independence, and defeated all your honest exer . .ttians to prqmote the welfare and prosperity of your town. I repeat to you, Gentlemen, that I am firmly convinced, that these reports are foul calumnies upon the Government, and . that they have been got up by base and designing persons, to answer some dishonest and selfish purpose, even at the expellee . of that administration, which deserves so much of the country, . and with which you are told Colonel Irushington is so nearly connected. Gentlemen, the industry with which these reports have been circulated betrays the purpose. They have been cir . eedatai in London, and it would seem, not less assiduously here. Mr. Jolliffe ,heving regained the confidence of the - Treasury, and obtained the promise of their support and influence at the next General Election, had, it is said, offer ed them the vacant seat for this borough for the remainder of the present Parliament.--(Lend shouts of hear, hear, bear l ) —Here an unexpe cted interruption took place, by Mr. Ucctor, jun. one of the clerks employed by Mr. Jolliffe on this occasion, making some violent observations. On which 'Mr. 16A NO said, " If the young gen tleman has not common sense and discretion to know how to behave with decency and pro priety, he ought to resign his place to some more experienced person." Mr. Jonit ATKINSON—The interference of Mr. Hector, jon. is obtrusive, improper, and an insult to the Mayon'who is the only proper person to keep order here. Mr. Arcerosoet resumed, and stated that it had been repie - siented that the Treasury were to give no other consideration for the present seat than the am ount of Mr, Jolliffe 'a expo yes in proc e mg the the return, and a pledge to supporelsim with all thatinfluence et the next General Election, and upon the discussion cf any questions arising outof it. Can anYthinghemore calumnious than this report ? Is it to be believed that the Treasury have bartered their influence, and staked the public purse to obtain.possessioti .of one of Mr. JollifFe's seats for a few months. If Mr..lol htfe's friends have been led to believe it, they have hsen imposed upon. I repeat that the report is a foul calumny, and I call upon Mr. Jolliffe to do Justice to the (doyen. ment by public'; asserting that there is no foundation for it; and that neither himself nor the Administration have lent themselves to so scandalous and shameful an arrangement.— Gentlemen, it does not rest here. The report . goes on to assert that the public money has been.employed in 'silencing my op position at this Election, and that the Treasury have paid me the expences which I am supposed to have incurred in anticipa tion of the present election, upon an understanding that 1 should not oppose Colonel Lushington, who is the brother of the first Secretary of the Treasury. Gentlemen, as fa i r ns lam concerned, I am sure you will agree with me that it does not require a denial ; but as some of Mr. Joßifle's partizans may have been credulous enough to believe it, and may be induced to continue the circulation of the calumny, 1 think justice will not have been done to the Treasury if it is not denied by Mr. Jolliffe, who must know it to be false. To give these reports the appearance of probability, motives are assigned for the ex traordinary conduct imputed to his Majesty's Government. — It is said that my friend, Mr. Stephenson, is hostile to the Administration, and that my vote in the House could not be relied upon, as there was reason to apprehend that I should exercise an impartial and independent judgment upon questions of public policy, and it was necessary they should have a man whose Note they could command. Gentlemen, this may be complimentary to me, but it is libellous upon the Govern ment, and whatever my political feelings and predilections may be, I do not desire to have my individual conduct praised at the expence of others, and of justice. I believe the Ministry to be incapable of such paltry and co nt e m p tible feelings. .1 believe their conduct to he governed by . higher and better motives—and that they would spurn, with just indignation , any suggestion to oppose an individual, because it was likely he would judge their measures, and decide upon them, according to his conscientious view of.lieir merits ; much less would they, upon any such suggestion, seek to perpetuate an influence, the progress of which is only to be traced in the depopulation of your Borough and the ruin of your interests. I put it to Mr. J. to couture with me in rescuing them from the imputations which have -been heaped Ripon them for base and -selfish purposes. They have been widely circulated, and they ought to be publicly denied. They were mentioned to me in town, and I have heard them again since my arrival here. No doubt the object has been to injure me, and through me the cause of your indepen dence, but it will recoil only upon those whe have been mean enough to make the attempt; for I trust that this public notice of prevent their continued circulation to the prejudice of an administration, whose liberal and enlightened me asures have most justly obtained for them universal admiration and the public gratitude. Gentlemen, I have now only to observe, that at the next general Election, Mr. Stephenson and myself will present ourseives to you,—(hear, hear !)—ready to enter into the contest, with a fixed determination to support your in dependence with our most zealous and active exertions ; whilst Mr. Jolliffe and his friends will never have any reason to com plain of any thing irregular or ungentlemanly in our conduct. We will meet him honourably, and fairly try the strength of both parties. Again I thank you, Brother Freeholders. for the kind support which you have invariably given me, and I assure you that I will never desert you.—( Loud applause.) Mr. HYLTON JOLLIFFE offered no explanation, or gave any denial to the calumnious reports alluded to by Mr. Atcheson. Mi. JoITX" A TwINSON.—I take it for granted that the Hon. Candidate is prepared with his qualification. The Pont, Cern, at the table.—Do you wish him to be sworn to it ? Mr. JOHN ATRINSON.—NO ; I shall be satisfied with his assurance that he is. Gentlemen, there is something so novel and so pleasing in having the Member fur this borough and His Nominee present before us, that I must make a few remarks upon the occasion ! For the last fifty years your elections have been controuled by Mr..lolliffe's family. You are now happily relieved from that thraldom. It has been their practice to no minate to you candidates who have not paid you the common civility of a visit upon the occasion of the election ; and your late Member (Sir P. Musgrave), like the former nominees of the old dynasty, has left you, and quitted your service very unceremoniously. Your future Candidates will not treat you so. They will have some competitors to contend with ; and if I had known there would have been so many of you hem to-day, I would have brought down two Candidates for your choice, in opposition to the gallant Stranger who now appears before you ; and although Mr. Jolliffe Seems to ex pect, as a matter of course, you will return wltoever HE recom mends, I must be permitted to remark, that in all the enquiries I have made, I have never discovered that any one beneficial net for the town or neighbourhood has ever emanated from The Jolliffe Family, or T HErn Nominees ! However, there is yet a Gentleman I may propose, although he -may not be prepared to accept the honour which your suffrages may - confer upon him. The Gentleman I am about to name is one very well known in this County for his independent politics, althOugh most of us do riot approve of his Barou,Th practice, which has not been so liberal as we could wish. Gentlemen, the individual I mean to nominate is Mr. Hector. You are so well able to appreciate his merits and his claims to your support, that it is quite need less for me to enlarge upon them. Mr. Mayor, I propose Mr. • Hector as a fit person to fill the vacant seat for this Borough.- -(Shouts of applause, and laughter.) Mr. CHARLES GREETHAM.--I beg leave to second the motion. Mr. HECTOR.—I am certainly very much surprised at this very unexpected proposition. Mr. Atcheson, it appears, has had a good many reports communicated to him about Mr. Jolliffe and himself, in neither of which do I believe there is a word of truth. I have heard a report that the Gentleman who has proposed me had brought down half London, though he says he only meant to have brought down two or three Candidates to fill one place.—(Laughter , ) Mr. LaNG.—There would have been a choice of Candidates, if he had ! Mr. IlEcrou.—l did hear that they were . going to bring down Mr. Alderman Waithman. Mr. Lesta—A very good mars too ! Mr. HECTOR.—And failing in procurirg him, they had got hold of Mr. Sheriff Parkins, and that her, Mr. Atkinson, had actually said, I will return rot only yet, but you and your family ! What I say is merely from hearsay ; it may be as true as any thine: Mr. Atcheson has had reported to him, which, as far as I am concerned, I never before heard of ; but every man who stands here knows my politics. Mr. LANG.—Every man. Mr. HECTOR.—No man more than Mr. Lang. Mr. LANG.—I w . 41 support yen if you will stand now. Mr. HECTOa.—I wish every Gentleman to be represented ; but though rotten Boroughs, like Country Bankers, may be deens ed a great evil, they are and must he resorted to as necessary ; some gentlemen who have abused Country Bankers have found their assistance requisite and very convenient. Gentlemen, if you will be so kind as to give me your votes at any other place than this, I shall be-much obliged to you ! Mr. La:at:a—lt would not become me to say a great deal; but with respect to my friend Mr. Hector. I must take this public opportunity of declaring my opinion of the manner in which he acts here. It is pretty well known what his opinions are as to the County, and mine too ; hut I do say this, and I may gay it here, that whatever his politics may be in the County, he stands in Petersfield on rather a different footing ! I can fully appreciate the principle which compels him to act in the County in one way, and in this Borough in another. Be has long been the confidential agent and manager for Mr: Jolliffe. It is, therefore, very intelligible to me why he thinks it neces hsary to support a system, I will not say of corruption or bribery, but rather of corrupt and unconstitutidnal inf eence.- - Peronal considefationS bind him to Mr. Jolliffe. He has so long acted for him, that he thinks he cannot honourably or honestly act against him ; and he is induced to be a party to acts which, in his heart, he !nest . abhor, as inconsistent with those.better feelings and princielss which he avows elsewhere. It compels - him to act in opposition to that constitutional sys tens, to which no honest and sensible man can be an enemy, as it protects alike the liberty of the highest and the lowest, and which, as to our property, says, that nothing shall be taken i from us without our own consent, or that of our representa tives. I acknowledge the peculiarity and the effect of Mr. HeCtor's situation with Mr. Jolliffe. I am sure that be feels I the same indignation that I do, when he reflects how this sa cred right of the people is invaded in practice. But, Gentle men, these practices are verging fast towards their termination. Not, however, before it was high time for them to be rooted Out. You know it has been avowed over and over again, that Seats are bought and sold; nor is it denied , that such has been I the case with yours. In some horotie,lis a veil hi hypocrisy is thrown over these transactions, and the bribe is postponed. but the corruption is the same. In these boroughs what a farce is carried on. Amongst them, Petersfield has been not a little notorious. Here we have seen the conveyance of the elective franchise' handed over in the morning , and rec eived back at night. The rights of the inhabitants have been borne down by these proceedings, and nothing was left to you but the name and mockery of representation. How could it be ex pected that men so returned to, Parliament would there be come sound and zealous supporters of those laws and of that constitution, which, in their road to the House of Com mons, they have .sampled upon and despised.— (Loud applause.) Your Borough is now open, and must be so, but it will de pend upon whether there will be virtue enough in the people to avail themselves of the opportunity afibrded them to come forward like men, and Englishmen , to support those who have so nobly won the battle for them.—(Loud applause.)—lf there is a General Election, and they . will not come forward to sup port and follow up the victory that has been achieved, they de serve to fall into the trammels that have for so many years galled and oppressed them, but which, like the gloom of night, are gradually disappearing. As 1 am not a resident here, 1 ought to account to you for my presence to-day. It is pretty well known to those who are acquainted with me, that I am a re former—a reformer in principle. I repeat again that I wish to see all Close BoroughS, all Rotten Boroughs, thrown open, and that the people of this - country shall have that which, by the Constitution, they are justly 'and properly entitled to—a fair vote in the election of their represesentatives. With respect to the Borough o( Petersfield, there was a time, as that board (pointing to a board affixed in the Townhall con taining the names of individuals who had bartered their free holds to Mr. Jolliffe's ancestors and taken a long lease in ex change, with a consideration of more or less value, according to circumstances) sufficiently points out, when all who held tene ments had a right to vote, but in many cases that right has been lost, and the freeholder of the tenement has consented to become the leaseholder or vassal of the gentleman who usurp to him self the title of Patron or Lord of this Borough. I will now beg leave to draw a little attention towards myself. It may be said how can you come to Petersfield and support a principle, which in other parts of the County and in your own particular neighbourhood you are anxious to oppose. I reply that if the Candidates could be brought to the understanding that none but the Freeholders of the Hundred of Finchlear should vote, I would make my bow and retire; but if Swiss are brought in on one side, Swiss must come in on the other; for like the merci nary Greeks of former days, if they are to be brought in they must be brought in on both sides, and when Gisek meets Greek then comes the tug of war, and we shall see which way the tug goes I As these observations arias incidentally, I have explained them that I may not a pp ear in ' consistent ! 1 have no peculiar interest to gratify ; I have no private purpose to answer; I have liceemployer to serve; but still I do not see it so strongly as Mr. Hector, and 1 cannot un derstand, although I admit he thinks he cannot act agaiast Mr. Jolliffe, why he should lend himself to him, and why he should exhibit himself as an harlequinatle—a little black on one side— and a little white on the other—(A laugh 1)—I know, on one hand, his consistency of principle has been called in question, but I know he has been too long a reformer ever to swerve from the principles he has espoused, although he does not act in con formity to them in this borough ! -I apologize, Gentlemen, for having taken up so much of your time, but if you go to a poll, • , I shall be happy to support my - frierl's nomination, and with- I out meaning any thing disrespect ful to Col. Lushington, I I should be happy to see Mr. Hectorpreferted upon this occasion. Colonel LuSHlNGTON.—Gentlemen , although E feel anxious for the honour of representing you in Parliament, I feel a dif ficulty in addressing you, being so little known to you, but being presented to yowl)) , Sir William and Colonel Jolliffe, I must stand upon very strong grounds. It is not necessary for me to say much. If lam fortunate enough to receive your countenance I shall hope to shew, that your regard and confi dence have not been misplaced; and in particular you may rest assured. that the rights and interests of the Borough of Peters field will be the object of my particular regard and attention._ I should not have said a word more had not Mr. Atcheson men tioned the rumours alluded to, and frt . winch I feel obliged to him, as it enables me to say, and I do assure you upon my Ito nour and character as a Gentleman, " theta' the expences will come out on my own pocket." Mr. Jotter ATEINSON.—We have a right to expect some thing explanatory of the political principles of Colonel Lush ington. There is a large field before him ; he will favour us perhaps with his opinion upon the Catholic Question, the Corn Laws, Parliamentary Reform, or the more liberal policy that has been extended in the commercial relations of the country, avid in the alterations of the Navigation Laws. I should hope he would give us something like a pledge, that when he meets us bete again we may judge whether he has fulfilled it or not. We have aright, I think, to expect at least something of this kind from him. Colonel LuSHINOTOE.—I hove no hesitation in replying in part. I have not been two months in this country, and the Corn Laws and Renoir in Parliament I am not so familiar with as to give a decided opinion ; but as to the Catholic Ques tion, I am decidedly Protestant, and shall resist further con cessions to the Catholics. Mr. LANG.—The candid admission of the Gallant Officer calls only for one observation ; this is an additional motive why we ought to vote for Mr. Hector; be has been so long before the public, and his principles are so well known, and his con duct so decisive and decided, that we should have no .doubt— The M aYoR.—A re you a freeholder ? Mr. LAN G.--1 am—(Cries of 44 Spoke, spoke !") Mr. Join , : AT ElNsom.—Not upon this subject. Mr. LANG.—I have no objection to be stopped.—(Cries o f " Go on, go on.") Mr. HECTOR, jun.—No, no!! Mr. LANG.—I was only going to observe upon the declara tion of the worthy Colonel.—(Cruces of " Go on, go on.") Mr. LAxo.—l should have finished long before this if I had not been interrupted. shall conclude with merely observing, taentlernen, thatahe deelaaation which has just been made is, I believe; in such discordance with the general feeling of the people of Petersfield, that that would be an additional reason why Mr. Hector ought to have the preference.. Mr. HECTor, jun.—l am, Gentlemen, young as Mr. Lang tells you, but I' think it right that somebody should oppose a man who only comes here to create a disturbance. If Mr. Lang•had addressed himself to the freeholders in general, in stead of to my father, in order to make the Electors believe that Mr. Jolliffeni agents were corrupt:on- Mr. LANG —No, no, I did not say any thing of the kind. Mr. HECTOR—I feel myself highly complimented by this proceeding, and I do give my friend, Mr. Lang, credit for all he has said as to toy political principles. Mr. LANG—I appeal to Mr. Atcheson whether that has not always been my declaration. Mr. HECTOR—I feel great pleasure in hearing such senti ments expressed of my political principles, I hope I shall die in .hem ; but I should to the last man living to attempt to be re urned for this Borough, and therefore, I must decline the tonour you intend me. Mr. LANG—You must serve if you are elected. Mr. IlEcTort, jun.-..-By what law ? Mr. LANG—The Mayor is bound to return the person who has the greatest number of votes. The Matron—There seems to be no opposition. Mr. LANG—There is a second nomination, and youmust put it to a shew of hands. 31r. JOHN ATKINSON.—Mr. Greetham will assist the Mayor in taking the shew of hands. Mr. HECTOR.—I have no wish. Mr. Jolter AT EiNsoN.—l call upon the Mayor, and insist upon it. I should be very happy.to see Mr. Hector a Member of Parliament. Mr. II neTort.—/ should be very sorry to find myself in it. Mr. liTeToet JoLLIFFIe.—This seems to be a ve:y good natured joke, but it may be carried too far. It would be delay ing the thing, and I think Mr. Hector declines the honour you intend him. It would be only giving trouble and inconve nience for two or three days here. It is keepin g Gentlemen here who have many other things upon their handsi Mr. LANG.—I never heard of Mr. Hector's nomination till I came into this room ; it is not for use to say what course the Gentlemen will take. Mr. GnEETHAat.—It would be a waste of time; we may dispense with Mr. Elector. Mr. JOHN A TKINSON.—No, I cannot. A shew of hands then took place, • and it appeared doubtful which had the majority ; hut the Mayor declared the election in favour of Colonel Lushingion. Mr. Jon sr A T KiNsoN.—l should not at all think of taking ' up the time of this Court a moment longer, or of introducing another subject foreign, apparently, to this Election, but I must for the sake deny own ),:agratg_lo4. freeholder, as Colonel ' Tolliffe At the last Election alluded to 4 CH u ntalEla'S Cot.. LEGE," and declared most unequivocally the charges which he said had been made' elsewhere against him and his family, were falSe. I ask, therefore, whether - the debt of 1,6001. and up wards, doe from the late Mr. William Jolliffe to Chutcher's College, has been paid by him?— Mr a TLYON JoetrnE rose, evidently under the influence of considerable agitation, and said—l refer you to the MASTER in CHANCERY ! Mr. JOHN' A'rNINSON—You see, Gentlemen, you cannot obtain a declaration, or any explanation, whether the debt due to Churcher's College from the late Mr. Jolliffe, has been paid or not. I was amtious that you should have that information. It appears, diet Cclonel Joiliffe is not prepared to answer the question. I thought lie might be glad of the opportunity to do so! THE Mayoa—l think that question ought to be dispensed with. Mr. JOHN ATKINSON—I only followed the example of Mr. Jolliffe, who introduced it at the last Elec tion. The MAYOII. then said—l declare Colonel Lushington duly elected to represent - this Borough in the present Parliament. Colonel LusurNoToar—Gentlemen, you must allow me a few words in acknowledging the kindness you have conferred upon me. I beg to offer you my sincere and grateful thanks for the honour you have done use; and I trust no part of my conduct will ever call forth your reprehension. Mr. CHARLES GREETIIASI—Where is Sir Phillip Mus grave ? Col. Jorosirrn—He is at Carlisle. If you had read the newspaoers you would have known that. Mr. C. GuEET Haat—Why is he not here? I Col. JOLLIFFE—IIe could not be at both places. Mr. C. GREETHAM—I want to know why he had not the courtesy to come and take his leave of us ? Min Hylton Jolliffe and Colonel latshington were accom- T ian " by Mr. Mecres the Mayor, -nir. Thoir.as Chitty, Mr. Thomas Holland, and Mr. William Blunt, former Mayors of Petersfield,—Sir William Jolliffe, Major Boyce, Mr. 'fwy ford, Mr. C. Twyford, the Revere nd Brownlow Poulter, Mr. Hector, Mr. Jolliffe of Somersetshire, Mr. Vernon of Me_ gate, Mr. Powell of Waterloo -bridge, Mr. J. Burrell, Dlr. James White, Mr. Itobert Parsons, Mr. John Small., Mr. Bencroft, Mr. William Mitchell, Mr. J. Mundy, Mr. Lips con-ibe, Mr. Osborne, Mr, Williams , 8 " , 6". Sugar Molasses - Rum - Brandy Arrack ',Vine Coffee Cocoa Ginger Pepper Cotton Aloes Balsam Bak Cloves Hemp Hid Horns Indigo Cedar %VEST INDIA DOCKS. STOCK ACCOUNT for the Week ending Saturday, the 2d of April, 1825. Articles. (1-111ds West India -I Trs t Bls Brazil - Chests Ilavanah Boxes East India & I Bags Hollands Pimento - Arrow Root Cochineal - Elephants"fgeth Gum • - Ipecacunnlia Jalap Whale Oil Castor Coco Nut {Palm Delivered. Home Con sumption Pearl Shell Pine Apple Rice and Paddy Sago Snrsaparilla - Tortoise S'aell Turtle - Stock on Hand. 1,108 Exporta tion. Mahogany WOOD. Casks 1. Pus lids ( Pns 1 lids 14,633 831 154 2,027 8,109 8,911 Serons Casks Bags Bales Galls Casks Casks Casks f Casks 1 Serons . Casks I Casks Bags Boxes Bales Casks 5 Casks Boxes Casks 452 20,005 1,292 313 80 1,380 990 9,989 1,832 49,901 1.337 3,485 13 5,323 45 52 445 1 39 4,979 158 543. 3,190 - Bt 3 1,003 145 4 29 2381 24.478 16,993 2'28 347 3,448 {Bogs Pieces Plks&Bdi , ALogs Pcs &Piks African Timber {p c Lo ie g s es Santa Maria Lc% l4 Pieces• Ebony_ T „ s Lig,. Vita' 'dons ' Box Wood Tons Log Wood Tons Fustic Tons Nicaragua Wood Tons Cain Wood - Tons Bar Wood 1 I Tons Pieces Brazilletto Tons Saunders Wood Pieces Lancewood Spars No. :SLaves No. 2,0 n 12,568 57 713 4,633 1,161 13 267 5,688 1,440; 473 7,010 5,518 4,557 31,953 EASTER TVESDAY.—HoIiday at the Bank, Exchequer, East India and South Sza Houses. FOMEIGN MAI(.S. AnuTVEU. Guernsey end Jersey Lisbon Oottenburgh llamburgh - France Brazil Buenos Ayres Jamaica - Leeward Islands . Malta GUM WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO-31011110W Morning , 11 minutes after 4.1 Evening, 32 minutes after 4, [II : SUN. SOLEN OUTS DICERE FALSUM AtlffrEAT LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 5, 1525 An article in the Journal des DAats of Friday last, reviewing the new commercial system of kbis country, induces us to recur to the subject. It says, " The system of universal commercial li berty, the object of the British Government appears to want a reciprocity secured by treaty. However the English Ministry have frankly de clared, that they do not depend on an apparent reciprocity, but on the natural and moral conse quences their system ought to produce on the co mmerce of Continental Nations." It will be recollected, that in observing on this sub ject in our Paper of the 28th March, the a bsence of this reciprocity formed our strongest objection to the measure. WP never in the least doubted the truth of the principles t hat I rest upon the basis of Freedom of Commerce ; Ibut we felt that after so long a continuance of a restrictive system, it was almost too much to ex pect that a recurrence to more liberal doctrines would of itself draw with it all those conse quences which might naturally have been ex pected, if the principle had been applied to trade before any restrictions had existed. Not that the principle was the less valunble, but because it would require time to bring about the ne cessary change in men's m inls, and because it is clear that where the channels of commerce are fitted, the simply taking away of the restric. tions that forced her into those channels will not all at once turn them, notwithstanding there may be another more natural and easy course. FOT these reasons we were not quite so sanguine ite\ our expectations as to hope our relaxed system of trade would compel other nations to grant to us the same favours, and so create by natulal consequence the reciprocity which we wished to have seen secured by treaty. The Journal des D6bats seems to consider that France may gain a great deal by followi►►g the com mercial policy of England ; but it appears by no means certain that she will adopt it.-- To tile Netherlands Mr. HusKtssoN's motion has brought unfeigned delight, and the people there are already beginning to calculate on the profits that will thence accrue to them ; but no observation is ma-de that would lead us to suppose the policy had been considered, Iv ith re ference to the reason which led to its adoptiu“ here, or as to how far the same was practicable and just, to be applied as a rule for themselves to act upon. The measure too is remarked on, as giving the last blow to the famous Act of Na' vigation, as if even at this distance of time the Dutch had not forgot that the Act was passed - with a view to cripple their trade, and that they more than any other nation felt its effect. The commercial prosperity of England was al object of envy during the full operation of its restrictive system, and foreign nations are very apt to think that her prosperity is alone to ig attributed to it ; we cannot therefore expect that mere reasoning will convince them that the n 0... tion is erroneous, and that universal freedom of trade is the best way to secure commercial so' periority, and more especially when the argsv went is adduced by a nation whose immense trade was built upon a foundation of restrictive enactments. It seems pretty obvious then, that whatsoever may be the end, at the first we s hall' have to contend with the restrictive s ystena of almost all the Continental nations, and notwithstanding we have little doubt es to the issue of the contest, we thought it might have been spared to time nation until at tempts had been made to secure at any rate partial reciprocity in the outset. Foreign natio° wlll not forego the advantages they think wll j nilse from a restricted commerce, and advantages they have seen to result to 0 8 nation, which now sets them the example of fre ° trade. Our hope of reciprocity, then, must D e. deferred until time shall have demonstrated the sincerity of the English Government on the el le hand, and the justness and propriety of the pol ici on the other. Satisfied, however, that the Cotn'' coerce of the United Kingdom stands upon a W V ing so firat that it cannot be very easily shake 7 and that it is of so extensive a nature that Briti' capital enters more or less into every great OP .° mercial speculation, we are well contented, f ° ‘ the sake of the principles of Free Commerce, t° Ar make the experiment, and to stand by the first loss, nothing doubting but that the event %%ill 1"‘ sure us a triumph. DREADFUL CONFLAGRATION. is , Extract of a Letter from the Agent to Lloyd's, at SE. iro dated 15th February.l ' 5 4 "About one third of the town of St. Tho ro3 fire (our neighbouring island) was destroyed '', on the 12th inst. The loss of property is estv mated at a Million and a Half of Dollars." t Private letters from St. Thomas's state, l b° the dreadful conflagration there originate d accident, and that 500 houses have been bu rl ' e down to the ground, chiefly occupied by °- lower classes of the inhabitants. The remainder of the Paris Papers of Sah l i day arrived last night. We observe a stat eolen in one of them, that the King of Paussl-t tends to be absent from his dominions two Yeall.4 during which time he .will travel through 115, he kingdom, in his absence, will be goiter° by the PRINCE ROYAL. L'Oh According to a Letter from Madrid in the.- to stitutionnel the Duke of INI , ANTADO and G ell QUfiSADA are expected to succeed Senor ljer in King FERDINAND's favour. The f oraler , said to be no stranger to the intrigues whic h te Initiated in the disgrace of Ugarte. The intelligence from Constantinople reVr, sents the state of affairs in that capital as s tili t i volved in great confusion and alarm, owing ta o , insubordination of the Janissaries. Foor ° in which the most violent symptoms of insu, 4 i nation had displayed themselves, had re cei ve orders to march to Thessaly, but had pe siti c i O r and unanimously Ef fused. " We will not t i i i exclaimed the Janissaries," till the heads °f of the SULTAN'S Ministers have been dehis: er to .US." The Gr,incl Vizier and the P1 1C.1 0 , 0 BUYU&DERE are said to have concerted 051 sures to prevent a new explosion; and t. 1.1.9