The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-02-25 00:00:00

IV EsTMINSTER ELECTION,
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY U.

TENTH D.Y.

STATE OF THE POLL.
Polled Ilan day. Grate Poll.
Hon. C. Lamb
J. C. Hubbuuse, Esq 261

Majority for the Hen. G. Lamb 361

At four o'clock the crowd in front of the hust-
ings was, as usual, very cwisidenible, sti,l were
chiefly amused, iii the absence of any placards
worth notice, with tossing about on their heads a
drunken orator, who was vociferating something
about the purity of election. The stoner at this
time came down in such quantities, that the heads
of the crowd presented one extensive white sur-
face; but the pelting of the storm seemed to make
no impression upon their feelings, and they
waited with patience, notwithstanditig the drenched
state in which they were in, for the gratification of
the mental treat which they expected to receive
from the popular orators. The orators this day had
(except Mr. Lamb) no pity upon them, aud forgot
during their speeches, which were delivered from
under the cover of the hustings. that the patient
multitude were enduring all the disagreeable sensa-
tions which a snow storm could impart to then).
Mr. HOBIIOUSt: came forward, and was received
with great applause. Ilia said, that this was a bad
day for the Electors in more anises than one. The
state of the weather during the last hour had been
co bad us to prevent, be was certain, many of his
voters front coining to the poll. Wheel lie told them
yesterday that lie anticipated sit accession of strength
to his interest this day, he was not aware that this
was a holiday at all the Public Offices, and,
therefore, all the retainers of Government had Bit
opportunity of going about to Canvass for his op-
ponent. tie was nut then aware that a power-
ful interest was at work against bun, in what
were called the lower parts of Westiniester. Ile
knew the Coalition would stop at nothing, and he
supposed that the persons whom they had this day
brought op were the saute whom Mr. Lamb its his
advertisement of to-day hail called the fiends of
real freedom anal indepentletice. It was to theirs
in particular that Mr. Lamb had directed his ex-
hortation to come tip to the poll. By thus calling
on the friends of real freedom and independence, he
presumed that the Whig Candidate enema to call all
those whom the people foalishly conceived had been
for some years upholding the liberties of Westmin-
ster, as the advocates of slavish independence, and
among whom was their !lon. and worthy Represen-
tative, Sir Francis Burdett. They therefore had
insinuated, that he was returnei by the false friends
of freedom. The chief merit of the Whigs, as he
supposed, must cousin in their opposition to the
Mtuisters. He should therefore be glad to know
why the W big. now came forward to oppore the turn
who had so Wog fought their battles for them,
and who had redeemed the character of Westminster
siace the period when the whole power of the Whigs
was only able, after perilous struggles, to get 11l
one popular Member. The people of Westmin-
ster had, since 1807, returned two Opposition Mem-
bets. How was it then, that the people who had
effected this salutary change, were to he d "-
stated by the ‘l'ltigs the false friends of freedom ?
Ile could only account for it by supposing that the
Whigs were jealous that this great achievement
had been obtained, without their being consulted
during its operation, or without their essistance in
the completion of the object. It was •for this that
they objected to the independent • Electors who re-
turned two Members, who, though not in their re-
giment, always sat and voted at the sitar side of
the (louse. Was this the treatment which they
had a right to expect I the Whigs, after driving
the Court Candidate from the field ? For the last
three months the people had been actively engaged,
they had driven the Couit Candidate entirely from
the contest, and at die moment when they had
secured their independence, the Whigs treacher-
ously came in to rub them of the fruits of
their victory.—This was the plain statement
uf the case.—(Cries of 6' Yes," and " IVe." —On
the former occasion the people made their utmost
start, stud made it with success, to exclude the
Court Candidate, without any aid from the Whir;