The Sun. — London, England, 1840-01-24 00:00:00

E VEND G EDITION . ALLOWANCE to PRINCE ALBERT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—When Prince Leopold's allowance, on his mar riage with the Princess Charlotte, was settled, no pro phetic eye could have foreseen the establishing of Bel gium into a kingdom, the early demise of the Heiress to the Throne of England, or the yet less probable event of Prince Leopold becoming the King of Belgium. Had such a case been deemed likely to occur, it is probable, and at all events would hare been correct, that a clause in the Act should have guarded against his continuing as a Foreign Potentate to receive the 50,0001. a-year. However unlikely a similar thing may be in the case of Prince Albert, it would not be more unlooked for than in that of Prince Leopold ; and under these cir cumstances, I can do no harm in calling the attention of Parliament to the case. The grant to the King of Hanover is another case in poinL _ _ `Worthing, Jan. 23. A. I. G. JOHN THOROGOOD At a public meeting held in the Assembly Rooms, Saracen's Head Inn, Chelmsford, Jan. 17, 1840, JOSEPH MARRIAGE, Jun., in the Chair, Proposed by Dr. PRITCHARD and seconded by Mr. W ELLS—It was unanimously resolved, " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Editor of The Sun, and the Liberal Press, who have so ably and disinterestedly advocated the cause of John Thorogood throughout the Empire." MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS. (THURSDAY EVENING.) SUN.—The following important notice was posted at the Bank of England this afternoon, and has pro duced the greatest satisfaction among the commercial men of the City, who anticipate an immediate revival of business : BANK OF ENGLAND. At a Court of Directors, held on the 23d January, 1840, Resolved_" That the sate of interest of bills of ex change and notes discounted at the Bank of England be five per cent. from this day." The Funds, both Foreign and Domestic, rose directly the notice became known, Consols about per. Cent., leaving off at 91a for money, and 91-a for time Exchequer Bills improved to 18s. premium ; the New Three -and-a-Half per Cents. to 991 ; and the Re duced Three per Cents. to 91a ; Spanish Consols ad vanced to 25i 26 ; Portuguese New Five per Cents., to 34t i ; Columbian, to 271 ; and Dutch Two-and a-Halt per Cents. to 52i. The Share Market was also more elastic. The Great Western Shares rose to premium ; the New Shares to par ; the Brighton, to 101 discount ; and the Manchester and Birmingham, to 8 discount. TIMES —The notice so frequently anticipated by spe culators, but deferred, as believed by others, through pru dential motives, for the reduction of interest by the Bank of England has appeared this morning. So strong wa§ the impression in the Money Market that the proper time had not yet arrived for the Bank to take this step, that its appearance to-day has taken most people by surprise. Besides that caution in the regula tion of the circulation which it is the duty of the Bank to exercise in order to avoid any encouragement to specula tion, there is another motive which is supposed to have weighed with them in this delay, which is the necessity for getting back the greater part, at least, of the securities sold during the late crisis before the general rise took place, as they would have become otherwise a mark for speculators on both sides of the water. It is surmised from the publication of the notice, that this has now been effected, and also that some considerable progress has been made by the directors in the liquidation of the Paris account, which may serve to explain the late depression and irre gular course of the exchanges. If this should turn out to be the case, the Bank will have credit for more cautious management than they have usually shown, and must have employed very discreet and cautious agents, as their move ments are at all times most carefully watched, and no sus picion of the kind seems to have arisen in an quarter. To most persons in trade the measure will afford a timely relief, for though among traders in the first class of credit, money was readiiy to be obtained for some weeks past in the open market touch lower than the rate now fixed by the Bank, their adherence to so high a rate as 6 per cent. was an excuse for making it the general charge out of doors, and great extortion and oppression seems to have been exer cised under its cover. The return to the old legitimate rate of 5 per cent will do away with much practical evil of this description, and, by becoming an indication to foreigners that we are returning to a healthy state as to credit, will renew all the confidence heretofore placed in our merchants, and which the late panic had disturbed. There must now be in the spring orders, and as soon as the northern ports are open a great increase of business, and that, if it can be kept from degenerating into specula tion and gambling, adapting itself to the real demand, will be the best restorer of the circulation. Altogether a strong persua . sion exists in the city that sufficient experience has been acquired by the Bank during the late momentous struggle to secure us from any relapse into the errors which have mainly contributed to bring it on ; at all events, the Directors may be assured that the public have seen so much that they will lay the fault of another rise to 6 per cent. entirely at their door. In this country of vast capital, the rate ought never to be higher than 5 per cent., nor can it be so without the conviction that $ omething is wrong in the system. The English stock-market opened this morning with fa vourable appearances, and a scarcity of Consols for imme diate delivery caused the money price to advance to 91a, while the quotation for the account was 911. When the resolution of the Bank directors to lower the rate of dis count became known, the immediate effect was to raise the price of Consols to 911 for money, and 91+ for the ac count, at both which quotations there were buyers at the close of business. Previously to the reduction of interest being known the premium on Exchequer Bills had risen to - 18s. , and the price was easily obtainable afterwards. In the Foreign Market the effect of the Bank notice was still more decided, and almost every foreign security advanced in value. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. rose to 521, after being as low as 52+; Spanish Active advanced from 25i to 25+ to 26 ; Portuguese Five per Cents. from 331- to 34i ; Colombian Bonds, which in the morning had been flat at 263, closed at 27 to 4 ; and Mex ican 6 per Cents. at 291. In the Share Market no business was done after the Bank measure was known, but the effect was evidently to make the holders more confident as to an advance. No minally London and Birmingham Railvray shares were 65 to 67, and Great Western (old), 1 to 11- premium ; and the new shares discount to par. CHRONICLE. —We stated yesterday that the meet ing of the Bank Parlour to-day was looked to with some interest, in consequence of its being rumoured that the Directors "are very nearly balanced on the question re garding the reduction in the present rates of discount," and we now subjoin a copy of the notice given on the subject after the meeting, as above. We justified the Directors on the past restricted policy as a necessary measure of self-safety while the foreign exchanges were unfavourable, and while gold was not coming back to their coffers from the legitimate operations of trade. The Directors themselves (tacitly at least) allowed it to be understood that these were the causes which had obliged them to keep on the screw ; and, ad mitting the force of the argument, we found no fault with them for doing so, while charged with the responsibility of preserving the value of the currency ; but we unequi vocally stated that much of the difficulty of their position had been occasioned by their former mismanagement, par ticularly in keeping money so easy after the end of 1838, and on even to April of 1839, after they saw the gold taken away from them for foreign corn to an extent that soon drained them almost dry. POST —On the breaking up of the Bank weekly meet ing, held to-day, the notice above-mentioned was posted. This measure, although the foreign exchanges have been rather upon the decline during the last two or three post days, and although it is more than probable that re mittances to some amount have yet to be made to the northern parts of Europe for grain, is regarded in the city as, perhaps, the best thing that could have been done ix the present circumstances of the kingdom. It is con cluded that the Bank would not venture to assume the at titude she does had not her resources and prospects materially improved of late. There can be no doubt that the stock of bullion in her coffers must be, by this time, between five and six millions, including everything. and it is considered that the low ering of the rate of dis count will at once have the effect of giving relief to the trading community, and of restoring confidence on the Continent. It is only to be regretted that a change in the Bank policy having these laudable objects in view should be always at once taken advantage of by speculators in the funds and in shares and produce, as the intention thus be comes in a great measure defeated. The afternoon did not pass over without renewed dealings having taken place in many of the schemes and bubbles that have now so long been nearly lost sight of. In the low-priced foreign bonds there was a decided advance of price, and throughout the markets generally there was some improvement upon yes terday's quotations. There is nothing of interest from the other points named. HERALD.—The Bank Directors, at their weekly Court held this day, came to the resolution of lowering their rate of discount from 6 to 5 per cent . per annum. This measure is viewedin a very fav oura bl e li ght at the Stock Exchange, and, we may say, generally in th e Cit y , as it is taken for granted that the Bank Directors would not, in the face of a continued depression of the Fo7 e ;,, r , Exchanges, have taken so bold a step, had they not the fullest confidence in the security of their position, an d i n the gradual revival of our commercial activity. .We arc informed, in fact, that things are very materially better than they have been in many parts of the kingdom, what ever local distress may exist in the manufacturing districts. The unfunded debt continues to advance, and rumours still prevail of an intended funding. The Bank arrangements have given a stimulus to the Share Mark e t, as we ll as to t h e ot h er t wo , but speculatcrs in the f ormer have b een so severely pun i s h e d on man y oc eas.ions by th e i r ill- cons id ere d a d ventures , t h a t it now re gal:es a little time to give a renewed impetus to their folly upon a scale of any magnitude. In a few days it is not improbable that they may all be busily at work again. As another proof of Sir Francis Burdett's de clining intellect, he not only delivered a speech on Tuesday evening in direct opposition to the views he advocated on the privilege question on the first of august last, but also forgot he had paired off for that evening ; and was actually in the lobby, ready to vote on the division, had not the tellers discovered the mistake, and reminded him of his engagement. Really, the friends of the poor old gentleman should look better after him ! SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS (From the Morning Chronicle.) The electors of Southwark have not disappointed us. At the close of the poll the numbers for Mr. Wood were 2,052, and for Mr. Walter only 1,504 ; the majority in favour of the former being 548 !! I Throughout this con test neither money nor exertion has been spared by Mr. Walter. The number of persons bribed by him in one capacity or other, by high wages to further his views, was prodigious. Everything on the part of Mr. Wood and his friends was, on the other hand, conducted in the most quiet and easy manner. We have no doubt that five times as much has been laid out on bills, bill-stickers, and bill carriers, as the whole expenses incurred by Mr. Wood amount to. The Tories are continually boasting of the immense re-action in their favour. Here we have a test which they cannot themselves challenge. It will not surely be said that the present Ministry have any peculiar source of influence in the borough of Southwark. If there be an independent constituency in England, that constituency is Southwark. What better proof, then, could be afforded, whether the boasts with which they have made the air resound of the people of England being on their side, had any foun dation that an election for a populous and important dis trict of the metropolis? What better test whether Minis ters have, as the Tories have so often asserted, lost the confidence of all but a few Popish agitators, Irish dema gogues, and Whig ladies in waiting, than an appeal to one of the most numerous and independent constituencies of England? The appeal has been made, and the result is that the Tory candidate is utterly and signally defeated. The Tories felt the full importance of the South wark election, and neglected no means of insuring success. The candidate whom they put forward, Mr. Walter, was in every respect the fittest man of the whole party who could have been selected for the purpose. His former profession of Radicalism, his violent opposition to the Poor law Amendment Act, and his connection and sym pathy with Oastler and other agitators of that stamp, throw a convenient veil of obscurity over his obnoxious Toryism, and rendered it comparatively easy for him to come forward, not as the Tcry candidate, but as the ean didate, to use his own words, of the two extreme parties-- the Tories and the ultra-Radicals and Chartists. Nor was another qualification wanting in Mr. Walter, of even more importance in Tory electioneering tactics, than convenient laxity of political principle. At previous elections he had shown himself a resolute, unscrupulous canvasser, deter mined to spare no exertion, to stick at no expense, how ever enormous and unprecedented, and to strain to the utmost every advantage to be derived from personal influ ence, and from his connection with a powerful Journal. For months past all these influences have been brought to bear unceasingly and unsparingly upon the constitu ency of Southwark. Oastler has been enlisted to bring over the Chartists and Anti-Poor-law agitators to the cause of the " friend of the poor." The Times has put forth paragraph after paragraph, to place Mr. Walter's claims in the fairest light, and urge on the Conservatives the necessity of bestirring themselves in his support. The " continuance of Whig misrule," the Tory organs announce on the eve of the election, depends upon its result. Mo ney, as Mr. Anderson's disclosures show, has been forth coming freely for every purpose, legitimate or illegitimate. Turn to the other side, and what do we see to oppose this compact union of Tories and Chartists, this formidable array of electioneering influence?—a respectable mer chant, known only in a limited circle, and recommended chiefly by his attachment to Liberal principles, and his avowed determination to support a Liberal Administration. Add to this, that the Reformers were disunited amongst themselves, and that up to the latest moment, a second Liberal candidate remained in the field. Could any combination of circumstances be imagined more favourable for the Tories, or more likely to give them a chance of success, if the sense of the people of England had been—we will not say with them, but only not strongly and decidedly against them. The result shows, and the coming elections for Edinburgh and Devonport will con firm that result, that the people of England are unchanged —that they have not been won over by the sweet voices of the Bradshaws, the Robys, the O'Sullivans, and the M‘Neils—that they arc not prepared to embark in a cru sade agAinst the " damnable" Emancipation or the " in fernal" Reform Act (we use the epithets of a noble Tory orator).—in a word, that they are still the same people who, at the last general election, returned for every po pulous city, every great centre of wealth and intelligence, every numerous, independent, and respectably constituency of English householders, an overwhelming majority of members, pledged to oppose the return of the Tories to power. _ _ (From the Morning Advertiser.) All hail, Reformers of Southwark I You have nobly done your duty, and we thank you in the name of the Libe rals of England from the very bottom of our hearts. It is not that you have rescued Southwark from the stain of returning a renegade Liberal and unsound Tory, that we are thus warm in our laudation, but because you have re vived the slumbering spirit of Liberalism—because you have vindicated by your votes one of the boldest, as well as one of the most moral revolutions that ever took place in any age or country_we mean the reform of the gross abuses of the Poor.laws—because you have shewn an ex ample which ought to be followed by every constituency throughout the kingdom—because you have strengthened the hands of an ill-used although thoroughly-reforming Administration, and dashed from the lips of the Tories that cup of hope—the re-occupancy of office—which they had so fondly cherished. The defeat of Mr. Walter must be gall and wormwood to the Tories. They not only felt sure of the election of their confederate in their opposition to Re form principles, but they indulged the fond expectation that it would operate upon the debate of Tuesday next, and upon all the elections now pending—Newark, Birming ham, Devonport, Beverley, &c.—and finally, that it would serve them as an engine for turning out the present Ad ministration, and establishing themselves in full authority (query, tyranny ?) over the Queen, her Court, and the whole people of the greatest empire in the world. But " how are the mighty fallen 1 how has the gold become dim, and the fine gold as the dross" of the earth ! The betrayer has been caught in his own snare, and the people delivered from the baneful domination of his mis chievous principles. To the Committee and the agents who undertook the responsibility of Mr. Wood's election, the greatest praise is due. Theis arrangements were ad mirable, and we trust that the constituenzy will not lose sight of their exertions. The triumph ought to be cele brated by a public entertainment, and an unequalled ex 7 hibition of loyal and reforming feeling. (From the Times.) The Southwark election has been carried in favour of the ultra-Radical or revolutionary candidate, Mr. Wood, against Mr. Walter, who came forward as independent of the trammels of party. The constituency of Southwark will have full time, and ere long have opportunity, to repent of their share in the result of this contest, which on one side we suspect was not carried on in a spirit or by means the most creditable. Of course we must not say that Mr. Curling played tricks, or did that which any but dishonest men would scout to prac tice ; but we may venture to maintain, that had Mr. Curling meant to be a double dealer, to de ceive another candidate, and cheat the whole body of electors into a belief that they had three names to choose from instead of only two, he could not have succeeded more completely than by pledging himself to the last moment that he would go to the poll —ay, keep the poll open until the whale constituency should be exhausted, by treating as downright falsehoods (at ten on Wednesday night) every current rumour that it was his in tention to retire, and then, at eight o'clock on Thursday morning, withdrawing his own person from the battle, but handing over his partisans to one of the remaining candi dates, at a moment when there were no means left for the independent candidate to canvass them in favour of exer cising their own free will, or to retrieve the forfeiture of the deserter's violated obligation. We do not say that Mr. Curling has been bought by a tangible bribe of any sort to this discreditable breach of faith ; but it is clear enough that the acceptance of a bribe of some description by that person would be the easiest way of accounting for his public conduct on the occasion ; and, with a palpable corpus delicti before our faces, the onus must rest upon the parties profit ing by it to disprove the accusation brought against them. Southwark, then, continues in the hands of a clique of barefaced demagogues, whose notion of reform is ever lasting change, whose law is the fluctuating impulse of the mob, their religious freedom the absence of all belief, and their test of truth the mystification and poltroonery of the ballot-box. For those who call for such accommodations as the foregoing, Mr. Walter unquestionably is not, and will never be, the man to carry on their required services. They want a slave who can truckle to faction, and can do the behests of that many-headed tyrant, which knows no restraint hut its own capricious will, and revolts against all authority constituted, revered, and moral. They want not a man like Mr. Walter, who will make the rights and com fort of the poor his care, and will devote, as he has done, his life to their well-being, but one who will use their in terests for his pretext, their mind for his dupe, their num bers for his tools, and their peace and prosperity for his victims: How long may we expect to see Mr. Wood tte sitting Member for Southwark before he accepts the Chil. tern Hundreds, and vacates for a lucrative office ? THE ARMY-IRELAND. Major-General Sir William Macbean, K. C. 8., having left Limerick for England on leave of absence, the troops serving in the south-western district will report through the Assistant Adjutant-General to head-quarters, Dublin, during the Major-General's absence. The Carshalton Park freight-ship, 441 tons, having on board the draft from the depot companies of the 64th and 68th degiments, destined to join the service companies of those corps, sailed from Cove on the 16th inst. for Jamaica. The following are the numbers of which these draft: con sist, viz :-64th Foot—Captain James, Lieutenant Cana van, Ensign Kilvington, two sergeants, and 100 rank and file; 68th Foot—Major Huey, Lieutenant Cross, Ensigns Rhodes and Beak, and four privates. The depot companies of the 92d Regiment, under the command of Major Forbes, will march from Birr to-mor row ( Tuesday) for Mullingar, where they will arrive on the 24th instant, and be stationed for the present, Ensign Garylls, of the 30th Foot, embarked for Ber muda on the 4th instant, in order to join the service com panies of his regiment. The Itith R eg i ment i s expected to return to Dublin without delay, now that the Monmouth trials are over. All the heavy baggage, sick, the recruits, and about forty rank and file are now in the Royal Barracks, Dublin, ur der the command of Major Potts. Lieutenants Walsh and Honey are also with the detachment. TILE INGOLDSBY ill LEGENDs.—Who kno t s nut the oldsby Legends? Wh o has not felt a kind of chuckle hisin very heart as the tim e o f their periodical appearance carne about ? And what lover of genuine wit and humour has not cherished a wish that these unrivalled c ccentricities would be collected in one volume, in order that he might have at hand, " in case cf need," either at the fireside, or during his rambles; a m erry, laugh-exciting, and original-minded co m p an i on ? Such a volume, we are glad to find, will appear ins few dais, wherein the images of the poet (for frolicsome though he be, he is en titl ed to that high name) will be presented to the eye b y the subtle pencil of the artist. rnE SUN, LONDON. FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, iB4O BIRMINGHAM ELECTION. (BY EX PRESS.) BIRMINGHAM, THURSDAY EVENING. The nomination having been appointed to take place this morning in the Town-hall, the town presented an appearance of great bustle and animation, and no small interest appeared to be excited to know the result of the extraordinary contest between the two Reform Candi dates, Mr. Sturge and Mr. Muntz. Up to eleven o'clock, the hour appointed for the nomination, no Conservative Candidate was named, although a confident expectation prevailed that one would be brought forward ; and Sir Charles Wetherell, amongst a number of others, was spoken of. That. some Tory would be nominated, no doubt existed amongst the electors, from the silence maintained by the party upon the subject, and the many private meetings held during the week. That they were encouraged in this determination by the division of the Reformers, there could be no doubt, as the state of the constituency (were the Liberals united) would have prevented any man of Tory, or even ultra- Whig principles, from coming in. On Mr. Muntz presenting himself on the hustings, he was assailed by a storm of yells and hisses from one part of the assembly, and greeted by loud cheers from another. Proclamation was then made by the Town-crier, and the Mayor, Mr. P. H. Muntz, Esq. (brotlper to the candidate), desired the precept to be read. This being done by Wm. Wills, Esq., who, with Clement Ingleby, Esq., acted as assessors for the returning officers, The High Bailiff, Rice Harris, Esq., having also read the precept which had been addressed to him and his colleague by the Sheriff, the Bribery Oath was administered to the returning officers. WM. REDFERN, Esq., the Town-Clerk, then pro ceeded to read the clause against bribery an'd eirrup- tion on the part of voters, with the penalties for refus ing to put the same, as specified by the Act. During the time these formalities were b Bing gone through, which occupied considerable time, the body and gallery of the hall became densely filled ; the meet ing occasionally exhibiting every indication of the storm which was gathering, The MAYOR said he would now explain the course of the proceedings marked out by the returning officer. A burgess would propose and second the nomination of each candidate who was brought forward ; the candidates themselves would then come foiward, in the order in which they were proposed, and ex plain their views; and after such explanation, any 'burgess would be at liberty to pu such questions as he thought proper. He trusted every honest man, whatever might be his sentiments, would assist the returning-officers in keep ing order, and in giving every man a. fair mid full op portunity of expressing his opinions. The High and Low Bailiffs also expressed them selves in similar terms, upon which the Mayor called upon some burgess to propose a candidate. . GEORGE EDMONDS, Clerk of the Peace, presented himself amidst loud cheers, and said he appeared on the present occasion with a conflict of feelings.. He be lieved that every true Reformer would agree with him, that a more fatal blow could not have been struck at the Liberal cause, than the unhappy division that now existed. It was such divisions that had given triumphs to their enemies when they had not deserved them.— (Loud cheering.) He had risen fnr the purpose of moving that Joseph Sturge, Esq., is a fit and proper parson to represent this borough in Parliament.—(lm mense cheering.) Ha should have berm happy, under different circumstances, to have proposed Mr. Mintz for their choice.—(Cheers, and " We von% have him.") And it was necessary that he should n ow explain some of those circumstances which inducei I him to become the honest and determined advocate sof the gentleman whose name he had mentioned. Th ree years ago, it would be recollected, that Mr. Attwr od had some in tention of retiring from the represents tion of Birming ham, and the friends of Mr. Sturge then thought of bringing him forward. Application isas made to Mr. Attwood, but he declined to retire 'unless his friend Mr. Muntz consented to come fiorwaril.—(Hear.) Mr. Muntz, however, refused to do ;so. Three years rolled by ; Mr. Muntz bad time to ;make up his mind upon the subject, when Mr. Attwood, without apprising. his constituents of his intention, made private applica tion for the Chiltern Hundreds. A genaletnan in London becoming acquainted with the fact, ca me down to Bir mingham, and instantly called together the leading Re formers of the town.--(Cries of "•No, ino.") Well, some of them.—(" Just half a dozen.") He could name 'some of those gentlemen who were now conspicuous characters on Mr. Muntz's Committe e. At that time it was understood by every one that: Mr. Muntz had declined to come forward.—(" No me 3h thing.") Well, all he could say was, that he had see n a private letter from Mr. Attwood himself, in which . be stated that he had applied to Mr. Muntz, who had refused to come forward.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) This Mr. Salt could confirm. At the meeting to wh Lich he referred, it being understood that Mr. Muntz woruld not come for ward, he (Mr. Edmonds) announced: his intention of nominating Mr. Sturge ; but one imps irtant point was discussed and unanimously agreed up e n, and that was, that there was to be no division among st the Reformers of the borough.—(Hear, hear.) ;, iteps were then taken to bring Mr. Sturge fore ard, when an individual, connected now with Mr. Muntz's Committee threw difficulties in the way, saying that Mr. Attwood was still in the field, a .lthough they had it from incontestible evidence that he ?had made applica tion for the Chiltern Hundreds.--(IL car.) AN ere they then, to wait until the application : had been made to other parties by the gentleman to sea cceed him in the representation ?—(" No, no.") Me tc h as he (Mr. E.) respected Mr. Attwood, he would never become a party to the making of Birmingham a no enination borough, even to serve Mr. Attwood.—(Loud cheers.) At this period much delay was occasioned b) r a correspondence which was entered into by certain p zalies, of whom he would not now speak disrespectfully , with the view of inducing Mr. Muntz to come form Muntz —" No, it is not true.") Well, Mr. Munt:e states him self that he came forward in consequence of a requisi tion, and by private letters addressed to him by many of the electors, and he has stated that his only reason for offering himself as a candidate was with the view of keeping out a Tory.---(Hear, hear..:) He (Mr. Ed monds) had endeavoured when he re .and that things had proceeded thus far, to effect an arrangement between the parties, by proposing tha it the case should be submitted to the decision of a ire e sting of the elec tors, an offer made in perfect good fai tl e, and in the most amicable spirit, but the party whose ix sterests he repre sented were proudly referred to the day of nomination.— (Cheers from the friends of Mr. Mal ntz.) Whatever might be th 3 result of this contest, he • was quite sure the meeting would give him a patient hear ing while he enu merated a few of the qualifications sir f Mr. Sturge.— (Cheers.) He should not attempt to 'institute a compa rison between the merits of the two c andidates—that he would leave to others ; but he would simply speak of those qualities in Mr. Sturge, which, without reference to the failings of any man, must, in . the &pinions of all men, entitle him to the confidence an AL admiration of all who know him.—(Loud cheers.) In reply first to the insinuation that Mr. Sturge was a ni rut man, and that he had not gone through the labours i sf an old reformer, he would state that Mr. Sturge was a member of the Old Political Union, and not only a c:o nsistent but a li beral member of that body.—(Cries of " When did he join it ?") In the year 1832,.—e(" Yes, he came down with the Whigs," from the .; Jews-room.) He thought his friends on the left had l setter say nothing about the Whigs, as if the Whig pill° ws. on which they were seated, were taken from under them, they might find themselves in a very uneasy po si tion.—( Laughter and cheers.) Mr. Sturge did not be long to the Whigs —nor yet to the Tories, who had e adeavoured to cut discontent out of the hearts of the p eople by the sword --nor did he belong to that other class., who would beat Universal Suffrage out of the heads o f the people by the liberal use of the bludgeon.—(Choe rs.) He (Mr. Sturge) was of opinion that the fair ar id certain way of putting an end to discontent was by c, )needing the just rights of the people, instead of exam). !rating them into acts of violence, which no one cook I deprecate more strongly than hintself.—(Cheers.) What, he asked, were the present electors of Birmingheim but th e non . electors of 1839., who at that tine shook the country • to its centre? And what, he asked., was t h e reasol , they were quiet now ? Simply becreuse they had got their rights.—( Chet:rs.) Chen he would say, give the peo ple their rights, and they would be quiet too.—(Cheers.) But he appealed to those who hear 1 him, and espe cially to the gentlemen around him, Iced:ming the great distress in the country, and knowing that that distress might be and was traced to want of wisdom in their legislators, whether the people were not fairly justified in claiming a share in the representation.—(Cheers.) They might depend upon it, until they removed the cause of the distress of the working elasees, the coun try would continue to be disturb e d, and the public safety endangered by the rash and insane efforts of , those who expected to set matters right by an appeal to physical force.—(Hear, hear.) Give them their ' rights," says Mr. Sturge ; " give thorn their riehts," say I, and I defy the devil himself t o st i r them u p to sedi , lion or violence.—(Loud applause.) Others, he be ieved, took a different view of the cause of their dis t tress ; but he believed both candidates concurred in opinion that there was a most iniquitous tax on the poor. It was, he knew, objected that the repeal of the Corn laws would have the effect of ruining the landlords, un less there was a repeal of the money laws ; but let the landowners join in procuring reform in the House of Commons, and the men who repeal the Corn-laws will be first to alter the currency.—(Cheers.) This was Mr. Sturge's view of the question, and he rejoiced to find that they agreed with him in opinion. Mr. Sturge was also opposed to any connection between the Church and State, while he would be the last man to damage the religion of the Church of England ; but he was firmly convinced that its political connection had been the source of a thousand evils.—(Hear, and cheers.) Mr. Sturge was also opposed to Sabbath Legisla tion ; Sir A. Agnew had been mentioned as though he (Mr. S.) had any connection with him. What was the Church Establishment but a system of political Sabbath Legislation ? Mr. Sturge then left all men to exercise their own considerations and opinions respect ing it—(Cheers.) Mr. Sturge and Mr. Muntz Agreed on the subject of Church-rates, and as Mr. Muntz came nobly forward and vindicated his principles by great personal sacrifices too, he should leave that subject, and proceed to the next topic touched upon in Mr. Sturge's address—namely, Mr. Sturge's views upon the subject of war. He asked, what had they gained by war ? He asked them, was it strange that Mr. Sturge should be opposed to war, for where was it to be found in the New Testament ? What was the American war ? What was the French war, but attempts made to establish tyranny, and suppress, as far as pos sible, the voice of liberty ? However Mr. Muntz might defend war, he could not defend those wars which his tory records.—(Hear.) He would come to another subject—the exertions Mr. Sturge had made to effect the emancipation of the Negroes. He was then taunted with looking to the blacks, and neglecting the interests of the poor at home ; but when he had liberated the slave, and now used his best efforts to achieve the liber ties of his fellow-countrymen, they turned round upon him and refused their support.—( Hear, hear.) On the subject of education his views were well known, and it would be enough to refer to his splendid contributions to every benevolent effort to educate and improve the character of the people. Again, it was stated that Mr. Sturge had not the talent of making long speeches, and would therefore be useless in the House of Corn mons.—(Hear.) In reply to this, he would point to those men who had been notorious for making long spun speeches, and he would ask what had they ef fected ? Mr, Sturge was a business man—he was a man who carried weight with him out of doors, and whose influence in the House had already been exercised and acknowledged by the country.—(Cheers.) Mr. Ed monds next referred to the opinions of the Liberal press of the country, respecting the claims of Mr. Sturge, and adverted to the fact of Mr. S.'s opinions respect ing the cause of temperance being attempted to be turned against him by his opponents. Mr. Sturge had been charged with being an ambitious man, and pur suing his own happiness. He was charged with being a selfish man too, and all men were selfish, but there was some difference between the selfishness of an angel, and the selfishness of a devil ; and if he gratified his selfish ness by the exercise of benevolence, and by doing good to his fellow-creatures, he (Mr. E.) only wished they had more selfish men of his stamp in the world. Mr. Edmonds concluded amidst lotul cheers, by pro posing Mr. Sturge as a fit and proper person to repre sent the electors of Birmingham. Wm. BOULTBEE, Esq., would second the nomination of Mr. Sturge. Mr. Edmonds had occupied nearly ail the topics he intended to touch upon, but had left him one. He had declined drawing a comparison between the merits of the two candidates. Mr. Boultbee here entered into a brief analysis of their respective claims. He differed with many in the estimate of Mr. Muntz's talents. Mr. Muntz's talents are rather of the violent and dictatorial order.—(Cheers and hisses.) And his own experience in life was, thet every great man was characterised by the opposite quality ; and he believed Mr. Muntz himself would not attempt to lay claim to these.—(Cheers and groans.) Whatever his opinions, however, were, he (Mr. Boultbce) had often declared that he would never attempt to oppose him, if he wished to represent the borough ; but Mr. Muntz having re fused to come forward, Mr. Sturge had strong claims on the suffrages of the people. He wished to show what good Mr. Muntz had achieved for the town.— (" All the town knows it," " Church-rates," and great uproar.) He wished to have entered into a comparison between the two candidates, but, as Mr. Muntz's friends did not seem to relish it, he would desist. Mr. MUNTZ—Go on, Mr. Boultbee ; the more you say about me, the better I will be pleased.—(Great hissing and cheers.) Mr. BOULTBEE proceeded—He would do Mr. Muntz the justice to say, he had shown more good taste than his supporters, he was not afraid of the comparison, He (Mr. Boultbee) had been told that Mr. Attwood had made it an express condition of his resignation, that he should be succeeded by Mr. Muntz.—( Hear, hear.) Now, much as he esteemed Mr. Attwood, he felt that his conduct in this respect had thrown a shade over his brilliant political career.—(Disapprobation.) Mr. MuNTz—Produce the correspondence on that subject. Until you do I shall not believe a word of it. Mr. BOULTBEE, amidst much confusion, proceeded to anirnsdvert on the address of Mr. Muntz, particu larly that portion of it which referred to the necessity of an alteratioa in the currency as a primary and pa ramount object. He (Mr. B.) did not see Mr. Muntz was likely to be more successful in advocating this ques tion than their late representative. Mr. Muntz con sidered that the repeal of the Corn-laws without an alteration of the currency, would do more harm than good ; but he put it to him whether they were to re main seven years longer under these atrocious laws, which paralyzed their trade, unless the currency of our country was altered ? The speaker here proceeded to analyze Mr. Muntz's currency views, and continued. Mr. Muntz had stated that he could only attend in Parliament on questions of vital importance. Mr. MuNrz—l never did.—(Great uproar.) Mr. BOULTBEE—He would now put a few questions to Mr. Muntz as to those matters which he considered of such vital importanc e as to command his attendance in the House. Mr. MuNTz—l won't answer your question. When my turn comes I will answer any questions put to me. (Uproar.) Mr. BOULTBEE, amidst groat confusion, concluded by seconding Mr. Sturge's nomination. EYRE LEE, Esq. solicitor, rose amidst loud cheers and hisses, accompanied by a din of uproar. He said he appeared before them to nominate his respected friend Mr. George Federick Muntz.—(General cheer ing and diserpprobation.) He should take no notice to any great extent of the observations of the former speakers, in reference to Mr. Muntz. Mr. Muntz was able to defend himself, and he had no doubt he would do it to their satisfaction.—(Cheers.) It was their business on that occasion, to elect a man who could best serve the interests of their town and country, and he thought it would be difficult to find a man bet ter acquainted with their manufacturing and commer cial interests than Mr. Muntz.—(Cheers.) It was im possible for a man perhaps to agree with another in all his political views, but when they found a man possess ing sterling qualities, and sound political opinions, he thought they should waive any trifling differences that might exist between them ; and all who knew Mr. Muntz during his long connexion with their town; must feel convinced that a man who had acted so honourable a part as a merchant, and bore so high a character in private life, would do nothing to cause them to repent the confidence they reposed in him as their representative. Mr. Lee here proceeded to animadvert on some of the topics touched upon by Mr. Muntz in his address, and observed, that as the question of the currency was to be brought under the consideration of Parliament during the present session, it was of the last importance that. they should have a man to represent them who tho roughly understood it, and whose opinions would carry weight in the House, for it was well known that Mr. Muntz was looked up to as an authority upon the subject.—(Hear and cheers.) Mr. Lee concluded by calling upon the meeting to testify their high opinion of Mr. Muntz by electing him as their representative in Parliament. Mr. T. C. SALT rose to second the nomination. He was received after somewhat the same fashion as the speakers that preceded hir.n. The uproar was tremen dous, and he in vain essay 9d to make himself heard. The Returning Officer reps atedly endeavoured to ob tain for him a hearing, but in vain, and every endeavour made by the seconder himseelf to obtain a hearing was unsuccessful. He was obliged, at length, to appeal to Mr. Edmonde, to im:erfere. Mr. Salt said a question had been put to him, " "Where are Lovett and Collins ?" He wished to answer that question.—(Re newed uproar.) He then requeste‘d the Mayor to put it to the meeting whether they would bear him. The MAYOR rose for this purpose, but the uproar still continued. He put it to the meeting whether they would bear Mr. Salt or not ?--(A shout of " No, we will not.") It was ultimately nit to a show of hands, and Mr. Salt was foreedtore uestion v ti . ,reamidvas again put b sttheeheersant 3 l the m eeting witheting Th e q the sa me success as b e f ore . M r . groans o lt a , Anislal of' bu o y % o v r e ver, came forward, and attempted to speak once more, but it acted merely- as the signal for renewed uproar. Mr. EoNtoNDs called wra. them, as they wished In see justice au' impartiality• dokte to all, to hear Mr. Salt: ibloperseverance once more assembly, and said—lf he n th e condemnation of Lo vett s l eah r n . nat Sd(eitt part himself Collins, t rb i h n eei d n. oerfea shareltnt oi ~ ,s u.vdly would he be un worthy of being heard.(Fiear, hear.) If, on the contrary, he had endcavou re d to pr otect them, he was in justice entitled to be Is :ard in his defenCe. Mr. purport of which was, i.114t the friends of Lovett a agthened explanation, the wl him to obtain his evidence aa S sn a t l ia t it e in n i ne ss s w haa e tnd the tt t re o :!, .0a d when it wss known that in their favour, be was sub- Crown, and attended as a pc h w e ron : a • i a ,en s dl t v o oi tngni:;siesl the part hs the . i ) 11( saylle prose, •ution ; but knowing the hearts of the prison , ,n.s, an d being intimately ac qu-ainted with their opinions and views, he was enabled, on his cross-examination, to give the strongest testi mony in their favour, while he saved their friends the expense they would otherwise have been put to. He ap pealed to Mr. Edmonds whether this was not the case ; and Mr. Salt then proceeded to complain that they would not hear an old friend, and that not a word had been mentioned in testimony of the exertions of their former honoured representative, Mr. Attwood. The reason he alluded to these things was, that next to Thomas Attwood in fighting their battles, in fidelity, wisdom, and truth, was George Frederick Muntz.—(Cheers.) If he thought Mr. Muntz had changed, and that he were not an advocate for Universal Suffrage, he would not second him. He (Mr. S.) was, and ever had been, a Universal Suffrage man, and would be to the last. He advocated this great principle side by side with George Frederick Muntz. They advocated questions that were to put forward the Suffrage, and were pre pared to do it again. But how could they successfully do this, unless by the aid of the people, and they were divided. He knew not how they could look at their present condition but with regret., but he looked for ward to the day when they would be united again. He now came to the question of the day, " Which of the two candidates would they choose—GeorgeFrederick Muntz or Joseph Sturge ?"—(Loud cries of " Sturge," and " Muntz.") He would say nothing derogatory of that excellent man, Joseph Sturge ; but in 1835, when the whites were ground down with an oppression infinitely worse than the blacks, Mr. Muntz was foremost in de fending and vindicating their rights. He thought at this time that Mr. Sturge had acted strangely in run ning off at such a crisis to put the blacks—God forgive him—in the condition of the whites.—(Loud hisses and cheers.) He thought it a little wayward of him at the time, and told him so.—( Hear.) Coming to the Corn-la ws , w h a t w as the use of having corn in their granaries, if they had not money to get it out ? The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the monetary laws of the country would be one of the questions to be discussed in the coming Session, yet Mr. Sturge had acknowledged to him (Mr. Salt) that he did not under stand the question.—(Loud cries of " No, no.") Mr. Mentz, on the contrary, was known to the country, and esteemed even by the members of the Government and House of Commons as an authority upon these important questions..—(Hear, hear, hear.) A question of priority is claimed in favour of Mr. Sturge coming forward, but that claim could not be made, as at the meeting at which Mr. Sturge's name was introduced there were only six electors—two only being in favour of Mr. Sturge, the other four being de sirous that the question should be left open.—(Uproar.) This he thought settled the question of priority. He called upon them to banish all suspicion from their minds, and to elect that man as their representative whom Mr. Attwood had declared to be the right hand of their strength. He called upon them to do this by the recol lection of former days, and of those patriots who had fought for them, and when they did so had always con quered. Mr. Salt concluded by seconding the nomina tion of Mr. Muntz. JAMES TAYLOR, Esq., rose to propose a candidate for the suffrages of the electors of Birmingham. He should offer no apology for introducing to their notice the claims of the gentleman whom he had the honour to propose—(Great uproar, during which it was impossible to hear a word that was uttered.) He said that one of the advantages which they claimed from the Reform Bill was that their representatives in Parliament should be returned in one day's polling. If that was an object of great importance, it was of equal importance that when they were called together to decide whom they should elect as their representative, they should hear the opinions of those candidates to be proposed for their selection. The friends with whom he had acted had called upon him to propose a candidate that day— (Uproar.) They were all conscious of the difficulties in which they were placed with regard to the Government ' of the country, owing to the incapacity of her Majesty's Ministers. (Cheers and hisses.) The gentlemen with whom he acted were anxious that the can didate he was about to propose should be able to assist in the conduct of the Government when a change should take place.—(Uproar.) He dared say that it was known to most of them that a notice had been given by Sir .1. Y. Buller, in the House of Commons, that on that day week he would move that the Ministers who ruled the country at the present day had forfeited the confidence of the people. Should the motion be carried, it was essential to have men in Par liament competent to assist in the new Government.— (" There is never a one yet," and loud laughter.) He would tell them that the gentleman he was about to propose was a tried man.—(Uproar.) He was an indi vidual whose public character was well known.—(" To the Tories ;" and cries of " Name.") He was a man of independence, but he was not a man who entertained opinions adverse to those principles upon which the English Constitution was based. It was known that Republican principles were rife in this country—prin ciples which had not even the merit of those which governed the States of America ; in proof of which, he might refer to a passage in the Address of the Ame rican President, which had just arrived in this country. The President lamented the distressed state of the manufacturing interests of the country, but he con gratulated the people in these words, upon the flourish ing state of the agricultural interests :—" I cannot omit declaring Cie great satisfaction I feel at the pros perous condition of the agricultural interest. Nothing can compensate a people for the evils arising from a depen dance upon other nations for bread." These were the sentiments of the President of America, and they dif fered very much indeed from those of the two candi dates before them. From the knowledge he himself had of the benefits arising from agriculture, he knew the trading interest derived more benefit from the agriculture of our own country than they could by possibility derive from foreign trade. They might rely upon the honesty of the opinion he had given them.—(A voice in the crowd—" Was not your father a tradesman ?"—Cheers.) Yes, his grand father was a tradesman, and he felt prou d o f the ori g in . He knew that it was under the present system of Corn laws this country had arrived at its present state of proc parity. He was fully aware that very considerable dis tress now prevailed, but he was anxious that distress should not be increased by throwing away the advan tages this country possessed and giving them to the fo reigners, who, notwithstanding the large quantity of corn imported from them last year, had not given any equivalent return by increased purchases of our ma nufactured goods. He knew they could not feel con fidence in that Government of which Lord Melbourne was the head—(Tremendous uproar and groaning)—a Government which did not dispense justice equally to the people.—(Renewed hissing, and cries of " We know what you are at," " No Tories," " Down with the To ries.") He would say he could not acquiesce in the prosecution of Frost at Monmouth while O'Connell is not prosecuted for greater violence of language in Ire land.—(Renewed hissing, and cries of " It won't do?) The candidate whom he had the honour to propose was a man of talent and independence, an independence which he had evinced on the subject of the Catholic Emancipation Bill.—(Cries of Name ! name !) It was Sir Charles Wetherell.—(A tremendous burst of groans and hisses followed this announcement, in which the sup porters of Messrs. Muntz and Sturge cordially joined.) The remainder of Mr. Taylor's address was quite inau dible from the uproar that continued, during which he was understood to expatiate on the many excellent qualities of the Gentleman whom he had nominated. The MAYOR inquired whether there was another can didate to be proposed ? Some persons in the meeting having called for Mr. Allen, that Gentleman then came forward, but it was objected that he bad not been proposed, and therefore -could not address the electors. The Mayor expressed this opinion, and suggested that he should be proposed in the first instance. As a matter of form, Mr. Allen requested Mr. John Ilebbert to propose him. Mr. HERBERT accordingly proposed Mr. Robert Al ice, of Birmingham. Some time elapsed before a seconder could be found, when Mr. ACKERMANN, attorney's clerk, said he had no objection. He was requested to state his Christian name and residence to the returning officer, but it could not be ascertained. The MAYOR then said that Mr. ALLEN could not be permitted to address the electors. Mr. J. ALLDAY—If no other person comes forward, I will. The Assessor inquired whether he was on the bur gess roll, and was answered in the affirmative. The MAYOR then put the names of the four candi dates to the meeting, and ,asked whether there was any other person who wished to propose another candidate. Mr. BROWN (the Chartist leader)—Yes, I have a candidate to propose. The MAYOR—Are you a burgess, and on the bur gess roll? Mr. BROWN-4 want to know whether the non-elec tors are to have a voice here. Have I a right to put a question ? . The MAYOR—You have. Mr. BROWN—Can I make an observation on your answer? The MAYOR—Unquestionably not. Mr. Brown, after complaining of what he termed this injustice, retired. The Rev. Mr. M‘DoNNELL here came forward as the representative of Mr. Sturge, and proceeded to read from that gentleman tlic following letter :-- " TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH 'OF BIRMINGHAM. 4. Having been no party to my name b e i ng brought forward as that of a suitable perso n t o represent you in Parliament, and not having attended a s i ng l e meeting of the Committee appointed to promote that o bj ect , I h ope my absence on th e da y of nomination will not be con sidered any Kant of respect to you, but as mere l y carry ing out the principle of nonvnterference on which alone I have stated . 1 wonld con si d er i t my duty to represent you in the British House of Commons. I am ignorant of much that may have been written during the discus. sion of the question, and I am of . course not responsible for the acts of others ; but I should be ex:Ternely sorry if anything should have a pp eare d t h at cou ld e i t h er b e fairly construed into unjust blame of an opposing party, or if a single vote s hould have been obtained for ■e by withholding any part. of the truth. " There are two points in my former letter to you in which it has been suggested my silence may be liable to misconstruction—the Temperance and Police questions. "In regard to the first I am so strongly impressed with the dreadful evils of intemperance, that I have long believed it to be my imperative duty, both by ex ample and persuasion, publicly and privately, not only to recommend moderation in the use of intoxicating drinks, but total abstiaence from them. Ido not, how ever, see it my duty to promote by legislative measures the prohibition of the sale of all spirituous liquors, and am decidedly opposed to any laws which shall give one part of those who are engaged in this trade a preference over another. "In regard to the second, nothing can be more incor rect than the report that I am opposed to an efficient police. I would, however, wish to give all those who have a right to the elective franchise a control over them. This would necessarily secure to them the support and confi dence of the people,witbout which in times ofdifficulty and popular excitement they must be comparatively power less. Such a system would lam persuaded make the use of mortal weapons by the police themselves unne cessary, and also remove one great excuse for keeping up a military establishment, which not only greatly increases the taxation of the country, but will, I be lieve be ultimately found as impolitic as it is opposed to Christian principles. But while advocating the adoption of moral instead of physical force in the Go vernment of the country, I deprecate in the strongest possible terms the resort to violence on the part of the people, for the redress of these evils however great ; and I am fully convinced that not only is such a course forbidden by the Gospel, and would be injurious to them selves, but that they can place their liberties on an im moveable foundation only by peaceable and constitu tional means. I will only add that if I did not consider the principles of George Frederick Muntz on several important points, widely different from mine, and that some distinct expression of preference had been obtained in his favour from a majority of your body, it is due to those who wish me to represent them not to interfere, I should before this time have publicly requested my name to be withdrawn. lam very respectfully, "JOSEPH STURGE. " Edgbaston, Ist month, 22d, 1840." Mr. MUNTZ then came forward amidst much up roar, and commenced by complainini , of the conduct pur sued by Mr.Bturge in not coming forward, as he wished to have put some questions to that gentleman. The HIGH BAILIFF said, if it was the wish of the meeting he would send and solicit the attendance of Mr. Sturge.—(" Send for Sir Charles Wetherell.") Mr. EDMONDS inquired whether Sir Charles We therell was present ? The MAYOR said, there was no legal necessity for the candidate being present. Mr. MUNTZ—I never said there was ; but I never knew an instance of a candidate proposed, being in the town, and refusing to come forwardat the nomination.— (Uproar.) He would remain there till morning, until they heard him. He defied every one of them, man, woman, or child to put him down.—(Yells and hisses.) If they wished for Universal Suffrage, let them show that they were deserving of it by their conduct. He knew the minds of the people had been poisoned by the To ries against their best ftiends, and when the Tories had succeeded in urging them on to a breach of the law, they called upon the former friends of the people to punish them. Is not this the case ? He asked what had he done to merit the reception he had met with that day ? Mr. - BsowN—lt lies in the simple fact (Uproar.) The reason why—(Renewed uproar.) A man in the crowd said it was because he had de clared against Universal Suffrage—that was one reason. You said the people would never get their rights till they had the Suffrage, and yet you have said nothing about giving them the Suffrage in your address. A respectful petition was also brought to you the other day—a Christian petition—and you had the audacity to refuse your signature to save a man's life." Mr. MtrNTz—lt is a rascally falsehood. I never was asked to sign such a petition. Mr. ACLAND (the Corn-law lecturer) came forward and said he had asked Mr. Muntz whether he would sign such a petition —a petition to save the life of Frost. Mr. Muntz's answer was—" No, I will not."—(Loud cries of " Shanic.") Mr. MUNTZ—It is not the truth—you have not given my answer correctly. Mr. ACLAND—The answer was—" No ; for I con sider an example necessary."—( Loud cries.) Mr. MUNTZ—He (the speaker) is an infamous scoun drel, and ought to be hanged up. I will tell you what I said. The only mortification he felt in the business was, to find Mr. Acland was such a dirty scoundrel.—( Hisses.) He hoped that Englishmen would hear him, before they condemned him. Mr. EDMONDS wished for fair play. He was sorry I for the strong manner in which Mr. Muntz had ex pressed himself. Mr. MUNTZ—I am not. If you attend a moment, I will tell you exactly what passed, and then you will judge whether the conduct of Mr. Acland was such as he had described it. Mr. Munta then explained that he went to the Public-office on Monday evening, to hear Mr. Acland on the Corn-laws, and when he was leaving the room, Mr. Acland said, " Will you . have any objection to sign the p e titi on i n f a vour of Frost ?" I replied that it was a serious question, and I could not give an immediate answer. What, think you, said Mr. Acland ? His answer is characteristic of the man, and I challenge him to deny it. His reply was this, " Well, then, I will not say that I have asked you."—(Great uproar.) He (Mr. Muntz) bad never heard a syllable about it since, and never had a petition presented him by any one. A VOICE—WiII you sign it now ? Mr. MUNTZ—Yes, I will sign it.—(Cheers.) He would sign it on the principle of his objection to the punishment of death. What did Frost do ? He gets together a quantity of men to attack an inn— A Woman, with violent gestures, in the front of the gallery, " He never did."—(Loud laughter and uproar.) Mr. MINTZ—Mark what I say— The Woman—Tell the truth, Mr. MUNTZ—It was stated by all parties that Mr Frost arranged with a party of men to make an attack on an inn ; is that true ?—(" No, it is not.") Is there not evidence to show he directed the mob to fire on the people in the inn ?—(" No ; there is not.") Did he not after that, run away ?—(" No, be did not.") There is evidence to prove that he did. He wished the law for the punishment of death to be done away with as much as any man, but it was a serious thing while that law existed, how they interfered with it. They were quite mistaken if they thought his disposition more cruel than that of other men. Mr. ACLAND here said he could substantiate what said upon his oath. He called upon the High Bailiff to make Mr. Muntz retract the offensive expressions he had used. Mr. MUNTZ said he would never do so. Great blame had been attributed to him for comity , forward, and it was asserted that he was a nominee of Mr. Att wood. Now, he never heard from Mr. Attwood but once on the subject of the representation, when he wrote to him, saying that he was anxious to retire, and wished him (Mr. Muntz) to succeed him. His reply was that he declined to do so, and impressed on Mr. Attwood, from the position of the country, the importance of retaining his seat. This was the only letter that had passed between them, and it was only after repeated application from parties—and Radical parties too—in the town, that he at length con sented to stand, in order to keep out a Tory. He was placed in circumstances beyond his control. What would they say if a Tory had come in ? Who would have been so ready to blame him as those whom ha now addressed ? But now that be had come forward, and travelled 200 miles to be grinned at, he would not retire without grinning in return, and doing his best to promote the cause of his friends, He trusted they would now acquit him of the charge of creating division amongst the Reformers. (Mr. Muntz here refer red to some strictures in the Staffordshire Ex. aminer on his address, in which he complained that his views and opinions had been grossly misrepre sented. His words had been misquoted, and argu ments and conclusions drawn from incorrect premises. He cared little for himself whether they sent him to the House of Comtnons or. not. It was said by Mr. Taylor that he was a Republican. He acknowledged it, but it came only to this—if be had to model a form of government it should be a Republican one, but it was a very different thing to attempt to change the institutions of a Monarchy to a Republican Government. This he would never attempt todo. If to t d h i ez hg s a e r nt ehs himi t dut oP y arliarnent, he would en deavourfaithfully ; he believed he knew as much about trade and commerce as any man in the House, and that knowledge would ever be toe t l i e je vote g d oodof the interests of his constituents, and the country at large. (Mr. Muntz here adverted to the state of their corn and monetary enactments, and, in allusion to the slave trade, observed that it was far less cruel than the system under which the great mass of their artizans were placed. In referring next to the law that affected the beer-sellers, he contended that they could not de prive them of the privileges they now enjoyed without inflicting upon them a gross wrong. He concluded by saying that he was unchanged in political opinion, and that if elected he would faithfully serve them— but he did not thank them for sending him to Parliament, for it was very well-known that they were the obliged party, as lie made sacrifices in coming forward far greater than any honour he could receive by representing them.—( Hear, hear.) The Mayor inquired whether Sir Charles Wetherell was present. GEORGE BARKER, Esq., rose as his representative, and said, if they would return Sir Charles to serve in Parliament, they would elect a man no less distin guished for ability than for his indep , ,nderice. Mr. ALLEN, the seceding candidate, here addressed the meeting, stating that he felt it due to those electors who had signed the requisition to explain his views, although he declined coming forward as a representa tive for that borough. E VNING The MAYOR said that Mr. Allen having retired, they had now before them Mr. Joseith' Sturge, Mr, George Frederick Aluntz, and Sir Charles Wetherell,l3art. The Returoing Office;sheTecxpressed their opinion that if any gentleman wished to address the meeting, it must be after a show of hands, as they _could not other wise decide thi s important question fairly, if they postponed it for ten minutes more. He' would put it 'to'the meeting whether they should have an imM2dtate show of hands or not? The question having been carried in the affirmative, the Mayor called for a for a show of hands-to decide on the merits of the respective candidates. Tile meet ing appeared to- be pretty • equally divided be ween Mr. Muntz and Mr. Sturge, but with the exception of the Conservative gentlemen on the hustings, scarcely a hand was raised in favour of Sir °narks Wetherell. As there appeared to be a doubt in reference to the two liberal candidates, they were again put to the meeting, when there ap peared to be a decided majority in favour of Mr. Muntz. The- Mayor then declared in form that G. Muntz was duly elected. Mr. EDMOND S said he had now a communication to make to the electors, which he was convinced would elevate Mr. Sturge, in the highest degree, in the esti mation of every Reformer in that dense assembly, and he confessed, if anything tended to exhibit, in a stronger light than another, the magnanimity of his character, it was the course that be was now about to adopt.— (Hear, hear.) Mr. Sturge had come forward on prin ciple, and on principle he now retired from the contest. —(Loud expressions of approbation.) Mr. Sturge had determined, that even if there was a tnnall ma jority of electors in favour of going to a poll, that he would have retired from the contest ; and as the Returning Officer had declared that he was in a mi nority, he was relieved from all responsibility in the matter.—(Hear, hear.) Englishmen had a right to exercise their opinions, and no one rejoiced in the free exercise of those opinions more than Mr. Sturge.— (Cheers.) He (Mr. Edmonds) had now an opinion to give expression to in reference to himself in his indivi dual capacity, and without any connection with Mr. Sturge's Committee or Mr. Surge himself. They had now got a Tory in the field, and he knew that the result of this attempt on the part of the Tories would be as contemptible as their victories generally were.—(Cheers.) They were aware that he had avoided assailing the fitness of character of Mr. Muntz; although some gen tlemen had done so ; but the great question now was, whether a rampant Tory, such as Sir Charles Wetherell had proved himself to be, should be returned to repre sent the independent Electors of Birmingham ? (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Edmonds) would now say de cidedly that he should vote for Mr. Muntz.—(Loud cheers.) Mr. Sturge had declared that he would not go to Parliament with a majority of the electors them selves if he had not a majority of the non-elec tors ; and he trusted whenever they found a Tory come into the field, they would lay aside their petty differeaces, and magnanimously come forward and make war against the common enemy.—(Loud applause.) One word more, and he had done. He declared that he felt sick at heart from the division of opinions amongst Reform ' ers, and so acutely did he feel this at the present moment, that he believed the present would be the last occasion on which be should interfere in political matters in Bir ' mingham.—( Loud cries of " No, no.") Whether it was so or not, he would ever stick to the great principle of ' the representation of the masses of the people. —(Loud cheering) Let their cause be conducted peaceably. Cast physical force to the winds ; despise all who talk of violence, and they might rest assured that their cause would triumph, even though he him self should be in the grave before that triumph was achieved.—(Mr. Edmonds concluded amidst the plau dits of the meeting.) JAMES TAYLOR, Esq. then came forward and moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor and other Returning Officers, for the impartiality with which they had con ducted the business of • the day, particularly as regarded the very delicate position in which one or two of the gentlemen were placed—the Mayor being brother to one of the candidates, and the Low Bailiff ehairnian of Mr. Muntz's Committee. Wm. Bouursee, Esq., seconded the motion. The Low BAILIFF, previous to its being put to the meeting, explained that, the moment he had been named, contrary to expectation, as one of the Return ing Officers, he had ceased to become connected in any way with Mr. Muntz's Committee. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried with acclamation ; and three cheers having been given .for Mr. Muntz and Mr. Sturge, the dense as sembly peaceably dispersed. The town was perfectly quiet at the hour our ex• press left (six o'clock) and the dbubts and regrets of Reformers appeared to have given place to a firm de termination to drive Sir Charles Wetherell out of the field. SPORTING INTELLIGENum TATTERSALL'S—YEsTERD.kY. If the attendance was thinner, and business less brisk than on Monday, it did not fail to realize a few changes of striking in terest. Those in the Derby affected Muley Ishmael, Glen orchy, and the Lady Sarah colt ; and that in the Oaks the re cently made favourite Black Bess. The odds quoted against Lady Sarah colt and Black Bess speak so clearly, that it would be waste of time to dwell upon them. Glenorchy was priceless, simply because no one would back him. It was rumoured that he was amiss, and an offer to bet 5 to 2 on Muley Ishmael against him would give a colour to it, but nothing transpired of a sufficiently definite character to justify our vouching for the accuracy of the report. Muley Ishmael was backed at 18 to 1, and left off as good a favourite as anything bar Theon and An gelica, who temained precisely as on Monday, and v cre not backed. Launcelot advanced to 17 to 1, or takers to a point more, and Confederate was repeatedly mentioned, not backed, at 18 to 1. Bokhara gave way a riint, and Wardan, although backed several times, did not sustain the previous quotation. Grey Milton rose to 30 to 1, takers, and Chamean to 40 to 1, layers. Nothing else occurred worth particular notice. TWO THOUSAND GUINEA STAKES.! 8 to 1 agst Confederate—taken 8 to 1 agst Wardan—taken 8 to 1 agst Ottoman—taken 14 to 1 agst Grey Milton—taken 50 even between Confederate and Wardan—taken From the number of Derby favourites engaged in this stake, in addition to Crucifix, it is expected to be a good betting race. THE DERBY. 14 to 1 agst Theon 15 to 1 agst Angelica—take 16 to 1 17 to 1 agst Launcelot—take 18 to 1 1/5 to 1 agst Muley Ishmael—taken 18 to 1 agst Confederate—take 20 to 1 18 to 1 agst Bokhara 24 to 1 agst Ottoman—take 25 to 1 28 to 1 agst Wardan—taken 30 to 1 agst Gambia—taken 30 to 1 agst Grey Alilten—taken 40 to 1 agst Fitzroy 40 to 1 agst Chamcau 50 to 1 agst Monops—taken 50 to 1 agst Assassin 1000 to 10 agst Lady Sarah—taken 1000 to 10 agst Janus—taken 500 even between Muley Ishmael and Launeelot—taken 500 even between Muley Ishmael and Bokhara—taken 600 to 500 on Ottoman agst Wardan—taken 600 to 500 on Wardan agst Grey Milton—taken 8 to 1 agst Theon and Muley Ishmael—taken THE OAKS. 500 to 100 agst Scott's lot—taken 12 to 1 agst Rowton's dam—take 15 to 1 30 to 1 agst Black Bess—taken, and afterwards offered TO THE EDITOR OF TILE SUN. Sparta nominated twenty-eight senators, ' w h os e successors Stn,—Lycurgus in appointing th e g overnment of were ever afterwards to be elected by the people ; and lest the kings or senate should overstep tEe Constitutional were offended limits in vested their t h authority power, t fi n ve br j i u n d g ge t s o , n t a r m ia e l d; ; E li p w ho h r o i, against the laws, whatever might be 'their rank, with power to punish by fine and flogging even the kings and senatori themselves. Once on a :time a poor man complained to the Ephori that a servarct of the senators had defamed him, and taken assay his chartteter. The judges finding that his complaint was true,fincd thc servant,notwith standing that he excused himself by sayiing that he bad only acted by orders from the Senate. 'The senators, in a rage, sent for the complainant, and . asked him how he dared to apply to the Judges for justice, and being too cowardly openly to attack the Ephori, imprisoned the poor man instead. History then goes on to say that the sena tors, after blustering and threatening the understrappers of the law with their high displeasure, were obliged ulti mately to retract all that they bad done. This hap pened about the year 880 B.C. How strange, Mt. Editor, that almost a similar case should occur in a Euro pean kingdom nearly thirty centuries afterwards Bristol, Jan. 21, 1840. ARISTIDES. • Mr. Hedworth Lanabton, M.P., and his Lady, have arrived at their house in Chester-street from Leamington. Mr. Edmund M'Donnell arrived at Mivart's Hotel yesterday morning, from Glenariu Castle, Ireland. The manufacturers of Choler, in the department of the Maine, are represented to be in great distress; and wholly unable to obtain subsistence. A meeting had been convened by the authorities to project measures of relief. MARRIAGES IN HIGH LIFE.—At Riddles worth Hall, Norfolk, Thomas Thornhill, Esq., to Miss Fores ter, daughter of Major and the late Lady Louisa Forester, and granddaughter to the Duke of Cleveland. The bridegroom has taken one of the mansions in Berkeley-square for the ensuing season. The Bishop of Carlisle's marriage with the Hon. Miss Hope Johnstone is expected to be solemnised in the course of the ensuing month. A marriage is understood to be in contemplation between Mr. Rothschild, brother to Baron Samuel de Rothschild, and his cousin Miss Montefiore. STORM.—Since earl', on Saturday morning last, np to the hour of going to press, it has blown an almost uninterrupted hurricane, chiefly from the south and south-west. We have heard of no casualties on our coast, but several nar row escapes have been made. A good many vessels have found. refuge in the harbour of Troon. The barque, Ro3al Adelaide), mentioned in our last, as having been driven on shore at Dow hill, near Girvan, is not expected to be got off. The storm has thrown her much farther up on the beach.—Ayr Observ.er.. A FATAL FALL.—Yesterday morning an tn— qttest was held berore Mr. Wakley, M. P., at the Middlesex Hospital, on the bo:'y of Mrs. Jane Johns, aged 74. It ap peared that the deceased wzs a widow lady of small fortune, and that she had passed the day of Friday last at a friend's house in Soho. In the evening, about ten, she took her leave. and descended the stairs alone, refusing to be lighted ( I lows by ht r host. Shortly after a cry and fall were heard,_,11,1,..... ceased was found at the bottom of the kitchen-slairs...l3dl profits-4y from the ears, mouth, and nostrils. •‘-' from the passage to the kitchen-door. 3y a . she was speedily conveyed to the above hospita_i - riental Der.th." Tr f h n e c o; h s ic a n dv s i h ee e expired on Monday morning. Verdiet—,. Accidental ..,', the Fo tie- the St. Is.) ;lee , I ye• , g 0 r arl' di , ' Al l o w L ible. L 05 Lb tl6 dOll/1 'foi l rri c td F e ore , a tio o ' nc,,,i, Ne ll ' , ole'• ;too ,!. 0. Na ° ~ l~ s , e dy ice of rrbe: v et ' 'I be i A r iti (i ' o sce l i ,in te r p