The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-07-22 00:00:00

the cause of the people.—(Great aepitlause.)—
I should rather be in my grave to singlit•with this
conscientious reflection in iity breast, than live fur
ages pinapereel with the' 1111110 IN wealth, and 'then
sink into it with the reprobation of my countrymen.
—(Applause.)—You have heard me charged with
being lit the pay of Gavernineut ; but to there one
among you who believes the charge ?—((.'ries of
No !')—The Government hirelings re-echo the vile
rain 1111 l y, 'bet my public acts belie it. There are.
however, men of honour belonging to the public
Press, who rill, I amt confident, do You mid sue
justice in their report of our Resolutions, and of
this day'a proceediogs. I ion persuaded they will
be faithfully replotted by the Gentlemen whom
I . see around me.--(Crean applause.) —They
are, know, from what I have sere' on other
occasions, capable. of doing
.u' that justice. in si
manner which has often struck me as most asto-
nishing, considering the trfteultiei which they
are placed. When those, Gentlemen, as I believe
Sim generally do, report faithfully and
they drierve our warmest thanks--(dippiarise)r.
anti when our proceedings are
.not fairly gives. 1.
know it is not their fault. the garbliug. or miser-
presentation
.coines from other baud,. We are ob-
liged to them fur their etteudauce here this day. end
they will add to that Phligation by sending fort') to
the world with that talent and capacity which they
so often exercise, a full and fair report of our Meets
ing—t hat is all We aali, ill4texpect, andsall which,
under any circumstances, we have. a right to des
mend. It war lately, you will recollect, said iii
the country by 'Major Cartwright, or by some body
else, that nothing could be dime for the people, so
ION( a. they .hewed any disposition to pay the
taxes, winch were so isnot mously upon thein,
while they were so unfairly represented. I will
fairly tell you how I have of late acted towards the
tax-gatherer. at may !dace in the cuulotry, every
time lie called within the last 18 mouths. Some-
times I have told him that I was not prepared to
pay his demand ; that I hail too money the house.
At other times I told hint tlilt though Chad a lit-
tle money, I was sorry I had none fur him; for I
had to pay my baker and butcher, with whoM I
had honestly and faiily contracted *debts, but that
as I had contracted none with him he must.wait fur
his taxes. The tax-gatherer, whit was an honest
neighbourly man, came again and again ; at length
lie said, ' Sir, I ant very. sorry. but. I have beets
obliged to return you to the Commuiaionerti
as a defaulter.' I answered, 6 Very well, then
the Commissioners and I will settle the matter.'
Two montlia after, the tax-gatherer came again
fur the same money—but I replied to him, Oh,
my friend, I have nothing to say to you on the
business; ; for you remember you returned me as a
defaulter to the Commissi 111 l ers.'—( Loud laughter.)
then, so far back us the Silt May, 1818,
tbe Commissioners for the county of amt. (I have
their names in my pocket) United a watTant to
distv4in my good*. The tax-gatherer again came
to me, skewed me the warrant, and entreated that
I would pay him, or let him pay for me. to obviate
the necessity of his distraiiiing. • No,' I said,
• I won't pay you ; you ray you must distrait' in
obedience to your orders—do your duty.—'Then,'
✓aid he. 'I be d—d if Ido distrait' your goods !'
The man went backwards and forwards to the Com-
missioners, mail at length the original warrant for
levying was actually worst out in his pocket.—(4
laugh.)—Abouta month ego a fresh warrant was issu-
ed, and the man came and said that positive insttuc-
lions were given by the Commissioners, that if lie
would not distrain on my property for the amount
(61. 1,05.). they would upon his. I was in town when
lie called, and was informed by my family of the
nature of the visit, and that the mast behaved very
civil on the occasion. I again desired that he would
distrait', that there was plenty for him—but lie did
not do so. I had shortly after occasion to attend a
county meeting in Wiltshire, and while I was front
home, a distress was levier!, and a four-wheeled car-
riage, belonging to a friend who was at my house, was
carried away. All I asked was, that they would
inform me when they meant to sell it, that I might
bend a couple of person a down to ascertain the pur-
chaser. I should have made them feel the matter
seriously, for they had given toe no appeal—they
bad charged me a window snore than 1 had, and
their proceedings were front the beg' 111 l ing illegal.
But I told them candidly 1 would hot avail myself
of any rotund objections; I would at once meet the
broad question. It was given out that my house was
blockaded. and an •ffidavit was made that such
was the fact. This usk" neighbours around
my family, who offered to defend my ‘souse with
their lives, if necessary. I dismissed them civilly,
and thanked them for their kind offers, of which
I assured them I did not stand in need. The four-
wheeled carriage which had been carried off was
sent back. and the tax-gatherer said he had paid(
tile money himself sooner than the matter should
go further.—(Cry tf • They were afraid.')—
Now, the ground I mean to take is, that of fol.
an humble 'way. the path of the cele-
brated John Hatupden, and not voluntarily paying
taxes levied in the present state of the represent:i-
-t. of the people." Mr. Hunt concluded by
repeating his exhortation to the Sleeting to main-
tain their peaceable demeanour, and then this
would be a proud day for the people.— (Applause.)
While Mr. Hunt's horse was leading up to the
waggon. some person on the !topology reminded
him, that he had said nothing about the penny
subscription in Palace-yard.
Mr. HUNT thanked the Gentleman for reminds
ing him of this circumstance. He said, that at a
limner Meeting in Palace-yard a penny subscrip-
tion had been entered into, and without his
knowledge or previoui consent lie hail been made
treasurer. Doctor Slop, a contemptible fellow—
[Here Mr. Hunt digressed into an allusion respect-
ing some cause of quarrel between the Editors of
two Newspapers]—this Doctor Slop had dared to
assert that Doctor Watson was living ou the amount
of this ;lenity subscription. and that he (Mr. Hunt)
was flying from John Dee and ttiehard !toe. Now
lie could state that the whole amount of the suli
scription alluded to was 41. 14s. 6d. which. with the
colorist of the Meeting (for as it was grouted by a
public vote, it must be disposed of in a similar
manner), he would apply to defray the expenses of
the waggon on which he stood, and of the silver.
tiseinetitsconveniug the present Meeting. He never
parted with any money with greater pleasure.
The Meeting acceded to this sppticatitin of the
sAto alluded to, and Mr. !put moulded his horse