The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-03 00:00:00

EDINBURGH.

The Declaration of the poll took place on Saturday at
two o'clock on the hustings erected in front of the
County Buildings. The crowd was very great. All
the candidates were present except Mr. Macsulay, who
had left fur Cambridge early in the morning to give his
vote in behalf of Mr. Shaw Lefevre. Mr. Cowan first made
his appearance on the hustings, and was most rapturously
received. He was followed shortly afterwards by Mr. Black-
burn and Mr. Gibson Craig, both of whom were likewise
applauded.—Sheriff Speirs presented himself on the hustings
exactly at two o'clock. He said: " I have now, in terms of
the statute, to declare the state of the poll, as it was taken
yesterday. It is as follows : for Mr. Cowan, 2.063 votes ;
Mr. Gibson Craig. 1,8,5 t votes ; for Mr. Macaulay, 1477
votes; and for Mr Blackburn, 980 votes. Mr. Cowan and
Mr. Gibson Craig having the majority of votes, I now declare
them to be duly returned as members for the city of Edict-
burgh, and make proclamation accordingly."
Mr. COWAN then presented himself. He said "We met,
or rather we parted, here just forty-eight hours ago. Since
that time you have accomplished a great work—you have
achieved a peaceful and glorious triumph. For the honour
you have conferred upon me—an honour equally unex-
pected and unsolicited—accept my warmest thanks. We were
entirely unprepared. Our remembrance of former elections
was that of either our bon. friends on the other side being
unopposed, or, in the event of a contest, of their being re-
turned by triumphant majorities. So late, therefore as yes-
terdaymorning, I had but little idea of occupying the place
which I now do. In fact, I bad every reason to believe that,
if not at the bottom of the poll, which was told me by the
other side, I should be far indeed from the top of it. I hart
to thank you that I have succeeded in carrying the election
by upwards of two thousand votes in my favour. I had no
idea that I hnd so many kind and zealous friends in Edin-
burgh." The hon. gentleman concluded by again thanking
his supporters.
Mr.ioe CRAIG was received with mingled applause
and disapprobation. He said : " Gentlemen! I also have
to return you my most grateful thanks for having again re-
turned me, and for the third time, as your representative to
parliament. I will not conceal from you, gentlemen, that I
have witnessed the event of the last two days with consider.
able regret and surprise. (Hines.) You have discharged
from your service a man who has done honour to the repre-
sentation of this city. (Hisses and applause.) I find, also,
that against me, who have so faithfully served you, both in
this city and county, for so many .years, a majority of the
electors have recorded their votes in preference of another
liberal candidate. This, gentlemen, is no great encourage-
ment to public men to undertake the arduous duties of their
position, and I am afraid that I can only look upon it as an in-
timation to ma—(great laughter)—that I also have been long
enough your representative. (Applause, and cries of" No, no,'
"Yee, yin.") I did not intrude myseduponthis constituency
—I was invited by you unanimously to come forward.
A second time yeu unanimously returned me to parliament;
and I am not sure, if you had sent me into private life, as
you have done my honourable colleague, that I should not
have submitted to my fate without a murmur or a complaint.
I will say that I was much more anxious that my honour.
able colleague should have been returned than myself; but,
at the suns time, I must make you aware that reports were
very generally in circulation that I intended to behave to.
ward you in a manner by which I should have felt myself
for ever disgraced. There were reports industriously circu-
lated yesterday, I believe also acted upon to a considerable
extent, to my prejudice ("no no"), that it was my intention
to have retired from this contest, in favour of Mr. Macaulay.
No proceeding could be more utterly unjustifiable, more nt-
te disgraceful, than thatany man should attempt to dictate
to this constituency who ought to be their representative, or
to endeavour by each zeanceuvring to foist upon you a can-
didate who was not the free choice of the electors. I say it
would have been unworthy of me, or of all man, to have
thought et it ; and I may say, also, that Mr. Macaulay is
the last man in the world who would have accepted a seat
upon such terms." Mr. Craig then showed that the course
he was accused of intending was utterly impossible to be
followed. Once the poll had commenced, no one could stop
it. Having thanked his friends for their support, he retired
amidst penal applause.
,• Mr. BLACARVILY then addressed the electors at some
length ; thanks were voted to the returning officer, and the
! assemblage quietly diver's&
•

H AVERFOItD WEST.
The election took place on Friday. Mr. G. Roche, of
Truther-hill, proposed Mr. J. Evans, Queen's Counsel, who
was seconded by Mr. C. E. Davies —Mr. Evans being un-
opposed was declared elected, and proceeded to address the
elector, and said that the Shibboleth of the party to which
ha was attached was " civil and religious liberty." He pro-
fessed his attachment to the present ministry as the men who
have carried all the great measures of reform which have
been brought about during the last fifty year'. To these
men be confessed be was attached, but he would go to par-
' Dement not as the slave of any man, but independent. He
would act with those who had always been the friends of
freedom ; and he had no doubt if they were allowed to carry
out their measures they would prove beneficial to them and
their children. The bm. and learned member was then
chaired in due form.