The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-04 00:00:00

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

kfuterion L're, Esq., on behalf of himself and the Right Hon.
Thomas %Valium, commenced an active canvass at Weymouth on
Thursday. accompanied by a very numerous amemhlage of free.
holders. There is not, we believe, • more loyal county than Dor.
set in the whole kingdom—nor one, perhaps, that has more shown
its approval of the measures adopted 'by die present Ali biters. We
record this fact as a credit to the Dorset people,who have more than
once publicly expressed their determination to elect such Members
only as pledge themselves decidedly to oppose any further conces-
sions to the Catholics. 31asiterton Ure, end the Right Hon.
T. li'allace, are therefore certain of their election; as are also Mr.
Iowa! Buxton, and Mr. Williams, for the town of Weymouth.
Considerable sums have been wagered Tattersall's, at on the
Northumberland election. The betting is Ato 4 Liddell against
Bell-6 to 4 against Lord Ilowick-7 to 6in favour of Beaumont
—6 to 4 Beaumont and Liddell against Howick and Bell.
The requisition to Mr. Sergeant Wilde, which on Saturday last
was reported to have been gi-en up, has this week been revived,
an.l it is now said renewed exertions we making to procure addi-
tional signatures.

Mr. Sot den will again offer himself to represent the borough of
New Shoreham, in the next Parliament. Mr. J. Smith will again
14150 claim the suffrages of the freeholders of the Rape of Brantber.
In respect to the Fermentation of the county. it is currently re.
ported that Mr. Cutlets wishes to entire from Parliament. If an, it II
, is thought Mr Cavendish will be permitted **walk over the ceurearl
At Lewes. the respective friends of „pr. Kamp and Mr. Donovan I
confidently earculate MI returning !bah rndemen. Strenuous exer-
tions are making by the partisans of Sir Godfrey Webster, at Chi.
cheater, to oust Mt. Poyntz. It is thought, however, they will
prove unsuccessful.—Swithompron Herald.
RIADINO ELECTIOS.—During the last fortnight an extraor-
dinary sensation has been produced in this borough by the cir-
culation of a variety of handbills from the Radical Press, im-
puting to Mr. Edward Wakefield, the candidate on the Blue
sat rest, a course of conduct altogether at variance with that
gentleman's professions, and calealated to subject him to the
most serious legal proceedings. Seven or eight, or more, of
these virulent handbills were officiously distributed during the tem-
porary absence of Mr. IVakefield from the borough, and his
return was looked for with great anxiety, as the charges made
against him were of a nature not to be passed over, either by
the candidate or by the electors, in a light or trifling war. From
first to last, it was plainly insinuated, that Mr. Wakefield had
been a party to the gross and revolting deception which is said
to have been practised on Miss Tomes, if Cheshire ; and the
electors who had promised him their support were naturally
most desirous that lie should at once adopt the only measures
which could actisfactorily prove his entire innocence, and show
that there was not the slightest foundatien in truth for the de-
grading reports which had been circulated so industriously, and
so evidently to his injury—we do not mean m -rely to his injury as
a candidate to represent this borough in Parliament, but also
to his injury as a gentleman, as a father, as a man. n Tuesday
31e. Wakefield returned to Reading, and a large party of about
three hundred, comprising many gentlemen of the first respect.
ablity, and a great number ofelectats, assembled to meet him
at time %%line !hut, Duke street. The room was crowded to
excess, and many individuals were unable to obtain talmittance.
On Mr. Wakefield's entrance, he was welcomed with enthusiastic
cheers, which were continued the longer, because a vast majority
of the meeting evidently regarded him as a man, who, instead
of flying front the serious accusations preferred against him,
had given .a strong proof of his perfect inrocenee in the anxious
speed with which he had hastened to subject himself to interro-
gatories, and to put his calumniators to the test, by instituting
against them such pr,:ceedings as the laws of' his country pointed
out. Mr. Wakefield not only most solemnly declared his utter
ignorance of the transaction in question, previous to its taking
place, but he pledged himself to do every thing in his power to
give his assailants full opportunity to prove, if they were able, the
justice of their insinuations. He spoke with the deepest feeling ;
spit while he commiserated the situation in which Mr. Turner
had been so cruelly placed by the temporary loss of his child,
in a manner which excited general and heartfelt sympathy,
he excused himself from becoming the accuser of his own son.
He expressed himself that the question with respect to himself
in particular should be most thoroughly investigated; and he again
pledged himself to entirely cleanse Ina character, which had been
so foully assailrd, by taking the most strenuous measures to bring
his libellers betbre the constituted tribunals of their country.
The announcement of this determination was received with general
cheering, and gave perfect satisfaction to the meeting.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S CANVAS.
Yesterday was a proud day for St. Ives; it presented one of
those interesting scenes, peculiar to the British Isles—an entire
people, as if animated by one spirit, conscious of their rights,
cheerily marching tent, to greet the arrival of their Representative.
tits welcome was ten times more glorious than the triumph of the
warrior. Ills office, like that of the General, is to defend the
rights, the homes, and the privileges ' his countrymen, but here
the simile ends, for his " are the ways of peace." It is good that
the sword be turned into the plough-share. The triumph of the
law is better than the triumph of arms; so are the labours of the
Senator who legislates for the benefit of his country ; who at all
times advocates the cause of truth ; who bends not to power,
and yields not to flattery, or the snore solid eorruptives of a
Court—more valuable to Society than the most splendid achieve.
ments of the most distinguished warrior. The people of
St. Ives on this occasion seemed anxious to vie with each other
in the manner in winch they could beat certify their high opinion of
Lord John Russell's conduct as their representative, and to show
what sacrifices they were ready to make to secure to the county the
benefit of his services. It was known some days previous that Lord
John was to dine with a select party of friends at Mr. Hamnioni's,
of Fenstanton, and that he would commence the canvas of St. Ives
on Friday morning, and every preparation was made to give him a
hearty welcome. At halt'-past ten a party of freeholder, set out on
horseback to meet hint, and were preceded by the Cambridge and
St Ives hands, with two elegant bannera—the one a bright azure
blue, with an inscription in letters of gold, of ‘• The Inuependent
Freeholders of St. Ives," surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves;
the other, a deep purple, with the Russell Arms emblazoned on
it. The horsemen wore large blue favours or sashes, and
their horses were decorated with the same lively material.—
The cavalcade extending a considerable length, had a very
imposing appearance, particularly as it crossed the bridge.
The procesnon was led by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Day, to the point
where the London road intersects the Cambridge one, at which
place it halted for a moment to await the arrival of Lord John,
who came on horseback, accompanied by Mr. Hammond, Mr.
Peare, and several other gentlemen ; 'his appearance was greeted
with loud acclamations by a large concourse of spectators : as soon
as the shouting had saniewhat subsided, Mr. Fisher addressed his
Lordship in the following terms:—
I beg leave, my Lord, on behalf of myself and my brother free.
holders here—independent freeholders of the town of St. Ives—
to assure your Lordship, that it is with feelings of the greatest
saiisticion that we once more meet your Lordship in our neigh.
bourhood. We hail with pride, as well as satisfaction, the arrival
of your Lordship in a cause which most deeply interests us—a
cause which has for its object the promotion of the best interests of
the county—arid not only of the county but of the country at
large. It is then, my Lord, with not a little exultation, that I
make known to your Lordship, that a resolution was lately passed,
at a numerous and most respectable meeting of that freeholder,.
which I shall now read to your Lordship--
" That entertaining the highest opinion of the talents and charac-
ter of our worthy representative. Lord John Russell, and highly ap-
proving his political ,aniduct in Parliament, it was resolved unani.
mouldy, that, as s small mark of our great respect and esteem for his
Lordship, as many of the freeholders Its can conveniently attend
shall meet and escort his Lordship into the town of St. Ives, on the
morning of Ina canvas."
Mr. FISHER, having read the resoletion, continued—l will not
detain your Lordship longer, but merely add, that besides giving
our votes and interest to the cause, every exertion shall be made on
our parts, individually and collectively, to bring it to a successful
issue. So that or may have the inexpressible satisfaction and plea.
sure of again returning your Lordship to Parliament as our repre-
sentative (Cheers.)
Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied in the following terms
GEKTLE MEN,-1 receive with gratitude this mark of your re-
gard—l am aware that you rate my services far too highly. But I
am rejoiced to find that the freeholders of St. Ives prize highly any
exertions, however trifling, which are made in the behalf of liberty;
in behalf of the people. (Cheers.) It has been said that I have
thrown out an unfounded charge again at our opponents, of endea-
vouring to compel the freeholder to support the coalition. The ac.
cusation I made is but too true. At St- Neots, a respectable trades-
man has been ordered
_to give up a swell vices of garden ground,
which he rents under Lord Sandwich, because he intends to vote as
he thinks. (Shame.) It is impowdble not to pity many poor freehol.
dere. who are di ',tied between the fear of ruin sod the guilt of giving
a dishonest suffrage. But the greater our pity for them, the greater
should be our indignation against the oppression of those rho
threaten to crush all who will not vote for the coalition. The
spirit of an Englishman revolts at it. The voice of every free-
holder who as sires to be called independent, should be raised
against it. (Cheers.) if he does not now exert himself, he will
forfeit all freedom of choice for himself and his children.

The procession then returned in the same order, but the num.
bent of the pedestrians increased st every step ; and though in ad.
vance of the horsemen, when we had ascended the wr. per.
eeived that " the living mass" extended quite upbtfoidg Crown.
Indeed it was a lively prospect which then burst upon our view ;
the windows crowded with elegantly.dressed women the waving
of thousands of hats, unmounted with favours or blue inscriptions
—tbe shouts of the people—tint arrninnnn annting in the air—the
sound of musiwthe floseese oldie rlay--all combined to render it
one of the most enlivening sps we rensuniser to have
witnessed. _ _

►iut yet there was one cloud that hovered on this fair horizon
the speck of opposition was still visible on the sun's disk, and was

represented on the marten by wiz bridgespertera, with tri-eigaitred
favours in their hats,—already primed by morning libatiore, quaffed
to the health of Lord ;tlandeville sad Biro Fellown, at the sign of
the Wilkes's Had. These gentlemen, thus fortified, shouted in
favour of tacit patrons; but they were tidily laughed to silence. It
excited no great surprise to see the It.:presmtatires of Toryism
wearing the tri-colnorcd cockade, for they ore said to he fond of
revolutions; brit their being rankest under the sign of Jonn
caused some little merriment. " ! how nre the glories of 45
fallen," sighed an ancient freeholder; but it was not en, far " mine
host" had dressed John, on each side of his sign, with a new blue
coat fur the occasion.

The procession then passed the front of the Croon Inn, and down
the Dulloelt M oket, to Mr. Day's house, where the Noble Lord
alighted to breakfast with that gentleman.
Lord Milton min after arrive-A in a travelling chariot and four,
and wan warmly greeted by the populace.
Mr. W. WELLS attended the box of lined Miaton'e carriage, and
addressed the meeting in a tone of peculiar energy ; he had, he
observed, been for twenty years labocring in the cause of inde-
pendence, therefore it was with pride of heart he witnessed to-day
the noble spirit which the gentlemen of St. lees had manifested.
(Applause.) Ile ought not to say gentlemen only, for he was
proud tolare that the !allies of Si. :vest were equally alive to the good
cause. It would show to the world, that the peoF:e of St. Ives
were sensible of their rights ; that they duly appreciated the privi-
leges of Englishmen t. nod that they had spirit to maintain them.
Mr. Wells then descended amid the good humoured applause of
the multitude.

Lord John Russell and Lord Milton havint shortly afterwards
presented themselves at the drawing room Windows, were again
*reefed with tumultuous applause, amid shouts of " Russell for
ever." Silence being obtained,
Lord Jong again briefly addressed the crowd. He was anxious
before they separated to express to them the high and grateful sense
he entertained of his reception at St. Ives-.-n reception which
proved that the arts their adversaries had elsewhere practiled had
not prevailed with them ; that against them the enenes of corrup-
don would be powerless. (Applause.) Their adversaries had
grounded th4r cause on appeals to the fears and the meaner pas-
sions of thellectors ; but the conduct of the people Of St. I Vest
that day would 'wove that ?KIY rested their cause on a different
feeling—on right Engthibrferllng. ((heers.) The Nrittle Lad
observed a few of lila opponents mastic ; they were certainly not
namenntiquid had get intbwkeprner t hut he believed they were
rather apt to get into holes pad corners. (Laughter and ape
plause.) But still he believed they were not quite en much in
love with taxation, as to be offended when he ex?ressed his desire
to see them relieved of a portion of the burihens with which the
people of England are oppressed. (Applause.) He deprecated
in strong terms the power—s power which he would always oppose
—exercised by the officers of the army, in II time of peace. of flog.
log that partioWthtpeople of England which *as employed in
the defmasalluttry. (Cheers.) The Noble Lord tencluded
by again IfOleseing the delight he felt at the manner in syli!elt he
had ben receited at St. Ives, as well as by the noble sp'-rit which
lie was so happy to see manifested by its inhabitants.
l'lte shouts of the people, and cries of Russell fee ever, continued
long after the Noble Lord had retired from the window.
About forty freeholders then sat down to a splendid breakfast
(hospitably provided by Mr. Day.) pees ions to the commencement
of the canvass.—The dishes, cold mews. pastry, and confections,
were in great variety and perfection. We observed present, besides
the Noble candidate. Lord Milton, J. Roper. Esq., Captain Du.
berly, G. Pryme. Esq., the Rey. Mr. Holland. W. Feats, T.
Hammond, Jas. Forster, (lliggleswarle), E. ;llartin, T. E. Fisher,
Matt. Tebbutt, Eaqrs., &c. The banquet was enlivened by the
performance of some excellent airs by the band ; but neither the
fascinations of the music, nor the hsmitsble cheer of the worthy
host, could detain them long at the table. and the Noble Lord and
his friends shortly rose to commence the canvass, which we under-
stand was successful even beyond the hopes of his most sanguine
friends.—Huntimpfon Parr.
Lord John Russell canvassed Huntingdon on Wednesday, and
Godmanchester on Thursday last.