The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-07-03 00:00:00

CA II E LFORD ELECTION,

Mr. D. W. 14,111 V SY meld, that m the CAM of
this borough, every man who read the Report mast
be sensible tbat some interference was demanded
from Ptah/molt. De could not see any reason for
excepting Camelford front the principle adopted in
the me of Grompnonsl, and other tilaces.
Mr. WYN N, sifter slitting the absence of • maw
feria! witness, 3lr. Haiku, moved that the further
consideration of the Report on the Catuelford Elec-
tion be adjourned to Nlonday next.
Mr. M. &TAYLOR opposed the motion. De would
move that the Report Use taken into cnmideration
now. In this borough there were hut firer persons
convicted of bribery—there were tweisty.nine elec-
tors—and was it to he held that those individuals

were to their rights for the misconduct of four ?
lie could not see nu what ground this question was
twilight to be postponed : the absence of Ilallett,
the witness, was stated—Flallett, who absconded
from the authority of the 1-lorise, and who now
enures forword under the suspicious ciiciinistancea
of promising the most wonderful discoveries against
this borough. concluded by moving as an
amendment, that the consideration of the Report
be now proceeded on.
Nlr. I). Vt. 11 A [MET Commenced by saying, that
the state of the borough of Cr:impound was that of
the most shameless and profligate corruption. Vas

or was not that corruption- to he ended Gen-
tlemen on the last night opposed the motion or
the Hon. Baronet who sat next him (Sir Francis
Burdett), because, as they were pleased to say, his
plan was luu•e and impracticable; but they at the
some time avowed their willingness to grapple
with co►rut wherever it would appear, •nd

would grapple with it for the liorpose of destroy.
tog it. lie 1.114 d that Ito soon and so strik.

illt4 an (1111)(Itt II It 17 was affnrded in those Gen..
liriiirli fur redeeming the pledge they had given.
There was grnuild i*ufficient to the evidence given
liefore the Committee on the Camelford Election,
of which hr ft:el been a Member, to warrant the
most serious attention of every Getttlernan who
was sincere in wishing to correct the abuses of the
borough system. The circumstances of the care
were, in effect, these :—The borough of Camel-
ford comprised 29 voters. and had fur some years
hero the subject of Influent and active barter. It
had latterly Innen within the power of a Noble
Lard, whom lie would not name, but who, by a

reference to the minutes of evidence, would be at
once known. In the month of May or June last,
a meet's% of some of the electors of Came'ford,
anti a Reverend Divine at their head, who, to use
his own woreli, au 11106011* to return two Mem-
bets to Parlitnnvilt. took plane at the Allworthy
lon. A litt:e ibtlicolty. however, stood in the
oily of the proje:d.—ee the electors wanted a
depor•it of lition-y iteimediately,-and this he was un-
able to produce. Ma et iiiii exion with the corrupt
trausactions of the borough being discovered, the

•
kr,. Gentleman absconded, in order 11 avoid ihe
service of the order of that Ho3se, end it was to he
hewed. his flock was now derivinf the benefit of In,
ppm. instruction. A few days afterward., lire or
six of the electors met at a place called Five
near Came%ford, when they came to ■ resolution
that they would agree to the terms prorosed by
Mr. James Harvey. The letter from Harvey, to
which this resolution referred, the Committee cool.'
hint procure; but they traced out circuaistaw.ia
which showed the proposition that must have he,.,,
einita;iieri in that letter. Mr. Selby, the partner of
'Mr. Hallett, stated, in evidence, that lie had hcra
told, by Mr. Hallett, that be eras intrusted sit?,

stain of 6.000/. which was to he employed in
tioneering purposes. Indeed, so little mindful dill
Mr. 111411ett seem to be of the seemly which sa,
generally observed in such cases, that he said, dens,
ling the purse, in which the notes were coniaia,..7l,
" Don't you think the Carvelrond electors will hire
Pt this?" At this declaration, it was to be observed,
Mr.J,ames Ilarvoy, the writer of the letter, with
the terms of which certain of the electors had
agreed, was present. The sum of 6.000/. was., tt
appeared, to be oairl, in equal shares, to 1 i of
pure and virtuosos electors, about whose frarcii;,..
the Learned Member was so anxious, as the
price of their votes. Fifteen cotistimied a ma.
jority of the whole number, and they had form.
ed themselers into a club, emplottcally called
" The Bundle of Slicks." The halves of six oug
tlimmold p.•nmd notes were accordingly tratoaintett
to a Mr. King, at Launceston, and deluded in
his Imo, as the agent, to lie given by him to ti,.,
electors, when the business was complete.
plates, however, who were to be returned for that
sum were thrown out—and some difficulty occurred
in getting back the halves of the six one thomisoil
pound notes. So midi, indeed, that one of the
parties concerned exclaimed, 6, What a t!--d itt
of blackguards these Camelford fellows are-4
could not get the halves of my notes back, tiU I
made a composition with them." Under tlie.e
circumstances, he conceived that Mr. Hallett ought
to he examined at the bar, in order that the limos

might learn from whom he received the suns of 6,0001,
Bat Mr.Hallett did not confine himself toCassielfard.
He was at Fowey, at Carrington, and at ether ha-
roughs, dabbling in the politics of those places.
In his mind, of the 6,000/. made use of on this
occasion, it was rot improbable 3,0001. hvd Ikea
furnished by the Treasu►y—and thus a liait wait
abroad to hook a Member into that
Ile hoped the House would not; at the heel of the
motion of the Hon. Baronet (Sir F. Burdett), let it
go forth to the country, that, whets is case of coo-
%piracy to return a Member to that House was dis-
covered. thev refused to proceed to its investigi.
tines. Ile ditl not coincide in that part of the Hun.
Baronet's speech, in which lie condemned, as sk-
ies", the develapement and exposure of Palates!
case" of corruption. He conceived that, next ta
an immediate Reform, the proceeding on cases of
this kind was the siamt effectual moire of iusuria;
purity of election.—(Hear, hea►.)
Mr. M. A. TAYOR explained.
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, when there was an
individual who professed that lie was able to give
evidence on the subject of a corrupt election
artion, and to extend the information much further
than the Committee had done, the House wunl•l
not perform its duty if it closed its doors ageissOt it.
—(1-fear, hear.)—He had not argued that the
House should not bear further evidence hat he
thought that it would be better to postpone the de.
bate till Monday. _ .

Mr. D. W. HARVEY Said. he had not, in allui-
ing to the. Treasury, intended to refer personally to

auv indivithlal.

......
Lord CASTLEREAGH did not suppose that tt;••
/lon. Member hall done so. But it seemed to 11:111
that he argued the question as if he (Lord Castle-
reagh) wished to do away with inquiry altogether,
whereas he only spoke in favour of postponement.
Mr. PRIMROSE thought that the best course to
be pursued was, to take the Report into consider:o.
tion now, and to direct the Attorney-General to
prosecute the corrupt parties, as had been done
with success and propriety in other cases.
An Hon. Member sad, the Hon. Gentleman who
oprike near him (Mr. Harvey) had spoken 'stler
lightly of a Noble Lord who was said to he cot:-
se cted with the borough of Camellued. Caroni-
Mums, it must be felt, prevented him from making
away observations with respect to that Noble Land
—but this he would say. that the Hon. Member
was not justified in using some of the expressions
which he had indulged.
Mr. BATHURST said, that most of those who rtiml
spoken on this subject, bad confined themselves
a detail of the circumstencts, but had not poitiled
out any ulterior course of proceeding. A 1 1.1
4.lZrretit
course had been pursued by the Hon. 111 i tither
under the gallery (Mr. Primrose), who advised one
Report to be taken into cousideration, and that the
Attorney-General should be ordered to prostcute
particular persons. In his opinion, when it an-
peered that strong circumstance, were adduced.
which led to the conclusion that other person. hail
taken an attire part in those corrupt proceethaVs
it would he well not to proceed with 1.11411 Keel
tion. He believed the Hon. Gentleman (Mr.
Harvey) had stated the case without any private or
party views—(Hear)—and he was inclined to think
with him that the moat eligible course would lw,
to
put off the consideration of the Report With
Monday, when Mr. Hallett might be essmiettl
touching his knowledge of these corrupt peacrcie.
Sir C. BURRELL wished that the justice of the
case, and that alone, should be kept na view. A*
it :at present stood, the evidence was wi mncia
narrowed in another place, that he conceived/
further investigation was necessary before the
House came to any final proceeding.
Mr. BROUGHAM hoped the Learned Member
would withdraw his motion for considering the It,-
port, at present, and give the House an opportu-
nity for the examination of witnesses. Mr. I-I
it was said, could give information of the inmost
Importance, as he was implicated in those corrupt
practices. His situation was, however, very ',vio-
list.. Ile was reported by the Committee, and the
House would do well to attend to the fact, that lie
had absconded, when called on to give evide lice oil
oath ; whereas, lie would, if examined at tl:e
deliver his evidence without that sanction. 11,1'
this. in his opinions did not disqualify him as A
witness—it only rendered it necessary that he shell ,1
be examined with scrupulous exactuess eli co

spection. Tle would piopc!e, instead or puttiii2 off
the examination, even till Monday, that Mr. Mil-
ktt should be called to the bar to-morrow. If the
proceeding were put off till Monday.' it would in-
terfere with the Gratnpound election. lie did not
think that any objection could be made to taking
this subject into consideration, on account of Sa-
turday being an unusual' slay. bince, for some time
past, they bad been obbged, on account „r the
piss of Imvinenl/4 to meet at very uniisnal hones.
Mr. 11. A. TAYLOR expressed his willingness to
vulidraw his Isotion.

Mr. W. WYNN otiljpriesl to any proceeding to-
n•orroa, us the House would probably he thinly
attended, _ . .

Mr. Buouusau said, it Mould he only necessary
to examine the witness, and leave any ulterior mea-
sure for a future day.
Mr. BATHURST was of opinion, lint it would be
much better to adjourn the hornless Over to-onorrow.
Alderman WAITHRIAN thought this transaction
ought to be investigated to the utmost, and this
could not be properly done in a thin house, Poch
us they were likely to have to-morrow. Gentlemen
who hail attended all the week would be anxious to
leave town on the Saturday, and thus there would
probably be a very few Members present.
Mr. BigouGHAll was as anxious as the lion.
Alderman could possibly be, to sift this business to
the bottom—bat be could not see auv fair ohjecrio4
to their proceeding with it to-morrow. They had
hero obliged for the dispatch of business to attend
early—and he had come down to the How,, when
the Grimitsourid election was under consideration,
when there were not more than twenty Me-others
present. Ile could not see why the flame might
toot proceed with besinevs, on the Saturday, when
there was a thin House, as well as on any other day.
Air. CALCRAFT agreed entirely in the opinion of
those who thought that this case should be minutely
investigated. He thought nu time should be lust--.
mid therefore conceived the subject ought to. be
cut illered to-morrow. They ought not to lose
sight.of the state of the Session, which was now
very near its close. If they poured over to-morrow;
the consequence would he, that they would Mit he
able to do any thing. Monday would probably he
taken up with other Inniner, and, on Tuesday,
Aliniptcre, notwithstanding dirk apparent desire to
have thirtransoction etavaisseal, mould come down,
and move the adjournment of the House, under
the pretence, that, as the tax-bills were passed, no
business remained that was worthy of their
torn. He, however, gave notice, that be would do
every thing in his power to prevent an adjournment,
until this transaction was thoroughly examined.
Mr. BATHURST said, it was very unfair in the
Hon. Gentleman, after the statement of his Noble
Friend and himself, to insinuate that they did not
wish to investigate this caw. 'rite great point
was, to decide whether the writ should Osue or not
before next Session. liatnent would still sit for
some days, and he hoped they would he able so
sot through that part of the business, leaving till
the next Session ally further proceeding.
Mr. CALcaAFT and Alderman WAITHMAN
Wally explained.
Mr. LUSHINGTON said, the Hun. Member (Mr.
Calcrah) was misinformed, if Le sapposeil the
Hume would adjourn on Tuesday. It was itnpo,-
snide that the business could be got through by
that day. Indeed, some business was fixed fur
Thimday. _ _ . -

The llieport was then ordered to taken into fur-
ther consideration on Monday next.
Mr. M. A. TAYLOR hoped that the House
wool() not adjourn until the circumstances wtre in—
vestigsted, so that they might know how to act
with effect. For the sake of the Speaker, he might
regret any protracted sitting of the House, iii con-
sequence of this peculiar business, but certainly
not on account of any other Member.
Mr. WILBIRFORCE, as we understood, observed,
that the object immediately in view did not render
it necessary to outer into a protracted examination
of witnesses, in this Session, although it might be
desirable in the next. _ _ _

Mr. PALMER raid, the matter disclosed in the
specisl Report was of the utruo..t importst►ce--and
the (louse was bound, 611th in duty to itself stud to
the public, slot to te irarate until something was
done.

An Hen. Member said. it was not a special Re.
port.
Mr. PALMER conceived. whether it wits special
or not special, that it disclosed matter worthy of
examination.

Alderman AVoors said, that other witnesses, be-
sides Mr.llett, ought to be examined. The
Rey. Mr. Mason, who held an official situation,
sight easily h.. found.
Mr. W. WYNN said. that part of the Report
which declared the sitting Members not to be duly
elected, and that the Petition was not frivolous or
vexations, was made in obedience to the Act of Par-
liament ; but the other part, which spoke of the
corruption of the borough, aria ev►dently special.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY moved—

That the Speaker do not issue his warrant to the Clerk
settle Crown, to make out a new writ for the borough of
Cametford instil Monday next."—Agreed to.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY elpfeitirli a wish to move
forJhe attendance of James Harvey and the Rev.
W. Mason, on Monday next.
Alderman Woos was of opinion, dist Mr. Mason
could be easily served with the order, as lie tilled
a public situation.
Mr. W. IVYNN moved " That W. Hallett do
attend this House on Monday next."—Ordered.

Mr. W. WYNN olserved, with respect to any
eider for the attendance of Mr. J. Harvey and Mr.
31-1,00, th:it it would be useless to issue such an
eider, unless the probability of their attendance
was slo•tvn.
Mr. 1). W. HARVEY said, he wished such an or-.
der to he issued, not because he Wall convinced that
the parties would attend, but because if Mr. Mil-
let alone were summoned, it might be argued, by
cm:0111(21Mo, that he was the only person acquaint-
ed wills the circumstances—whereas he conceived
the evidence of Messrs. Harvey and Maims to be
eiin important.
TIo- SPEAKER submitted to the House the in-
convenience that would arise if an order were issued
for the appearance of witnesses, who, it was ;m-
-oot:we. could not attend.—(Hear, hear.)—Tlie
diairoitc it would impose on the officers of the
flow-c seas greet and obvious. At present. wilco
at; Mdi%i.!ual was ordered to attend, it was first

ti
I ascertained, whether he would come forward, if an-
prised of the circumstance, by putt—if not, a lupe-
, vial mrsfeiiger was dispatched in search of hi..
After a few observations from Mr. IlaTttuasr,
Alderman Wool), and P. Moons:,

Mr. D. W. HARVEY moved—" That James
Hervey do attend this House on Weritiestley next."
Mr. BATHURST said, he understood, 1411 through
this discussion, that Mr. Hallett
n. 04, was to be ee.
anained—but that the whole merits 44f the case
were to be gone into did tint, he believed, enter the
mind of nay our. It was, he contended, unneces-
eery, in this stage of the business, to go through
the merits of the case. The proceeding tinder Ms-
csissiou was not to decide on the disfranehiserrient
of the borough, but whether the writ should not he
issued until next Session. it might, however, he
proper, in the next Session, to take route further
proceedings.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY said, he did not disparage
the evidence of Hallett, when he said that, in his
opiuinie the testimony of Mr. fl srvey was more
eat/Mired. Indeed, it appeared to lain, that a
slue investigation of this scandalous conspiracy
coula not be effected, unless Mr. J. Harvey was
examined. It was evident he wrote a letter to cer-
tain of the electors, making them an eiY-r of
moisey fur their votes. and: that the persons to
whom it was addressed came to a determination to
afeede,to his terms. But, Mr. Harvey not Iwing
Preyed, the Committee could riot come at the con-
tents of that letter, except inferentially, by an ex-
amination of the answer. He feared he would be
ohligerl to retract the t s kkk ou lee had previously
twined of the disposition of his Majesty's Govern-
meat, win seemed, ire. the first instaece, anxious
for initesitgation, but who now appeared
ling to Screen the shaesiee of one of the mos
spiraturs. It might be said, that Mr. Harvey
.would not he I.kely to give satisfactory evidence;
but one thing WI: eil4lll. 11. t him prevaricate as
he would, the Home through I iiiii must come at
the cootents of this impos taut biter—which, lie
believed, contained a ful! detail of in the circum-
stances connected with the conduct of those who
nominated the two Members for the borough.
Without him the investigation would be wholly
inadequate ;sad defective. But, with the aid of
his evidence, they would perhaps trace the foci*
to the Members themselves, or to those higher
agencies by whom the whole business was set in
'theism. If ribose persons were not examined, the
public would at once see the farce—and it would
he better far the House at once to 'say, " We do
trot chose to interfere its this case, glaring as it is."
Mr. BATHURST said, the Hon. MeMber had hot
taken a proper view of the state of the proceeding.
The question was not to go into-an investigation of
facts, for the purpose of disfranchising the borough,
but to inquire whether there was eufficient ground
to prevent the writ from being issued? lie, for one,
was now ',revered to say, that the writ should trot
issue.—elleur, hear.)—He hoped. therefore, lie
would hear no more insimistions thrown nut with
respect to the feelings and conduct of his Ma-
jesty's Ministers.—Gear. hear.)-11) the first in-
stance, the tloa. Gestileman said, lie was pre.:
pared to conic to this conclusion, without mor-
nii tt ing one of the witnesses—why then should lie
accuse him (Mr. IL) or others, with acting un-
fairly, because they did not think it was necessary
for the object immediately before them to call
those persons to the bar?—(Hear, hear.)—ln the
next Session, they would be able to come to a dee
cision on the general merits of the case much more
correctly than they could at present. since they
would have due time lot reflection and cousie
derat ion.

Alderman WAITHSIAX was of opinion, that there
was sufficient evidence to justify the postpotiement
of the writ, leaving the qaestion of disfranchise-
ment to rest until Kest Session, as the Right Hou.
Gentlemen Ind proposed.
W. WyNN was surprised that any person
could imagine hts Right Hon. Friend to harbour a
wish favourahle to the concealment of any part of
this case. His Right Hon. Friend, as might be
wen iii the cue or the Aylesbury and other elec-
tions, was always an active supporter of the privi-
leges of that House, us connected with purity of
election.
Mr. WILBERFORCE could not see how the !louse
could proceed without admittiog a present exami-
nation of Mr. Hallett. When lie said this, lie
concurred in the general views of his lion. and
Learned Friend.
Mr. D. W. HARVLY was ready to conciir in the
view of the House, us to their convenience tor the
time of iiiii the witnesses.
The thou was then siveell to, us well as one
for the attendance of the Rev. Win. Alason on the
same day.