The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-09-03 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER MEETING.

So early as eleven o'clock last morning, crowds
of persons began to assemble in Palace-yard, in
front of the hustings, which was erected in the
usual place, before the King's Arms Tavern. and
at twelve o'clock the whole area of Palace-yard was
thronged, aud the roofs of a few hackney-coaches,
which remained on the stand in front of %Vest-
minater-hall, covered with people, among whom
we observed several well-dressed females. The
conduct of this great multitude was cutout and
decorous; nor did any of the people of whom it
consisted, and many of whom, from their appear-
ance, were of the labouring classes, manifest the
slightest irritation at the occasional appearance of
soldiers of the Ilor,e Guards, who traversed Parlia-
ment-street, on their way over Westminster-bridge
to ANTLEY'S, which was understood to he their
mafiosi, there to remain in readiness, in case their
auistaare might he required by the Civil Power,
to quell any tumult in the course of the day. The
wiudows iu Palace-yard were crowded with persons
of respectability, and even the space as far as the
rails of St. Margaret's Church, was covered with
people, who silently awaited the COMMenCeilieet
of the business of the day. The public-houses in the
neighbourhood were entirely filled with constables.
A little before one o'cloct
vicinity of Drury-lane, consisting
persons, ` Sic

r bard

" Universal Suffrage," thi
Goal-will." They soon after

hustings, where they halted amid the cheery of the
people.
At one o'clock it was impossible to conceive any
thing more imposing than the view from the hust-
ings. At this time, on a moderate computation,
there were not less than 20,000 people assem-
bled. The immense multitude extended itself
dowu towards Saint Margaret's Church on that
side, and to the River, near Westruinster-brdge,
on the other, in so close and compact • body,
that the change of position of one art the whole
in motion. Nothing could be more orderly than
their conduct, and there were • greater num-
ber of respectable looking persons present than we
ever remember on any former occasion.
At tell minutes past one o'clock, Sir Francis
Burdett mode his sppeurince on the hustings, yr-
compimied by Mr. Hubbouse, Major Cartwright,
Mr. Clarke of Middlesex, and a comber of other .
Gentlemen, who usually take a part in the busi-
orss of the IVesteninster Meetings. The worthy
Baronet, the venerable Major, Mr. Hobliouse,
and the other Gentlemen who accompanied diem,
were in succession loudly cheered—and we never
remember to have sera so iinptoiiig a scene as the
immense crowd which filled the area of Palace-
yard presented, when at this moment, as if by one
accord, they stood uncovered.
As soon as the shouts of applause subsided—.
Sir FRANCIS BultweT' (the Chairman) opened
the busyness of the day in the following manlier:—
" Gentlemen, the High Beit;ir of Westminster
not having thought lit to comply with a Itenaisition
to convene this Alerting, winch was prevented to
him, signed by a large number of respectable house-
holders of Weimainster—not having,l sty, tliouirht
lit (and without assigning any reason) to do that
which I think it was his duty to do, namely,
to roll, i nd preside e, this IWeeting, I here,
at the requisition of a number of electors, amine
forward 011 this most important, as well as sor-
rowful 'and melancholy occasion, to fill that
situation, which, as I think, it was the duty of
the High Bailiff to have filled ; r.y4 I trust
and hope that I shall perform this duty, so iiii-
trartant to the country at this moment, in a man-
ner which will entitle it to consideration, and in-
duce it to be followed, as I hope it will be follow-
ed, all over the Ussited Kingdom, so us to chew
I those practicslly, who wish to suppress by violence
the voice of Euglishmen, what are the reed fed-
jogs of the country on the cause for which they have
so wet, as well as their feelings of indignatioo
, and abhorrence at those proceedings which have
recently occurred at Manchester. The difficulty
that I feel on this important occasion is how, with
'regard to the public peace of this immense assent.
blage, awl With my own feeling...so to exist's* my.
'self here, and so tar mitigate and subdue toy own
se iitionents,' as to keep within due bounds when I
deliver my jiidgment upon those transactiunt on
Iwhich we hive this day met to express our feel.
inip."-((;esitt uppleaue.)—[Here there was mist?
'Aeroble seise cad uproar uu the skirts of the'
iiiiiiseitie crowd, which was at fetigth discovered to
"wise frog; the view of the bostisep Win obii,

thus prefers the dominiou of English law, must
express his detestation of the late proceedings at
Manchester—every man who regards his own in-
terest and honour, must shrink from approving
measures of such a nature as those lately resorted
to by the Magistrates of Manchester. and must step
forward and vindicate the outraged liberties of his
country froun•the act that has been committed against
them. If these things can be done with impunity,
why, we shall have then to ask our masters, whe-
ther we are allowed to breathe the air, whether
we have a right to use our own limbs, whether
we are to consoler the loses ou our faces to be our
own, and whether we, the people of England.
are to be allowed to shew them where we please,
without the previous permission of his Majesty's
Government ?—(Load laughter and immense up-
planse.)—l know there are men who thick our
meeting premature—who think there is not evi-
dence enough yet before Alta country to enable
it to judge of those sorrowful proceedings.
say there is evidence enough before us. Are not
the facts before us—(Cries of They are.')—
the scandalous, the shameful, the undeniable facts.
undeitied even by the l'arty in Administration,
which is at toe bottom of all these proceedings.
and Inch haa, since their occurrence, had the
folly: as well as the wickedness to take the odium
on their own. shoulders ?—( Loud applause.)-1
Pay. after that (I, who was never in my life
before an advocate for a particular change of
Administration), that the time has now come
when, from one end f the country to the other.
the peoide should come forward t hd with one
r,.;re call fora change Administration against the
men who have thus cousitenanced the shethlitig of
blood.—(4uo/aar.-„ss—li would have this effect—it
would shew the great ureceneut and example to the
people of Englano of a disgraced and turned-nut
Ailiniiiitiration—turned out for a daring violation
of the liberties of the:r countryr.....—/
applies.-:./—Can goy man real the defence of these
Miiiistent—the defence pti be their own venal
scribes—can troy Mall yowl this nod not have, if
there were nothing else before hum, ample evidence
to justify his condemnation of their proceedings ?
,These cuter, have stupidly and wickedly tried to
eke ont grounds to justify the indefensible arrest of
Mr. fluilt. That warrant of arrest is illegal. and
it is to be hoped, in the end, three Nlagistretes,
these pre-eminently distinguished Manchester Ma-
gistrates—/ Load laughter)—Will at length find
that they have gone beyond the law. This a t
is justified on oath, too. These very wise defender!
of Goverument have found out. that. all oath !—what
oath ?—au oath to a fact. to something that a MU
call swear to?—No. but what think you le an oath
of a man's opinion ? Did any body before ever
hear of such an oath ? At this very moment, far
any thing l kticw, some wiseacre may he making
the same oath regarding us lielnre a personage just
I es wise, I think. as the Manchester Magistrates.
wan Lord Sidi:tooth, the third Secretary 01 State,
as be is called, but, in fact, according to• the old
stAis the lAwilleitaist Nice, 4.Newe Lord,
Mom. rite sel a par We point of wisdom% with the

of the Manchester yeomanry .. &Ingests.-
What ! a verdict of Accidental Death for men
killed as the people were in that crowd; surely,
any verdict save that would better accord with
common sense and justice.--/Lord applawse.)—
Gentlemen, let it not be supposed that I would be
content with no verdict but one of Wilful Mar-
der ! No ! suppose the Jury had brought it in
homicide—justifiable homicide if you will-1 could
comprehend that I But. in this case, I cannot com-
prehend a verdict of accidental death.--(Cheering.)
I confess I do not understand a man's losing his
loose, dlCCideatally, by the cut of a sabre !—(Cheer.
iag.)—l can comprehend that there are circum.
stances where individuals might deem a resort to
inditery violence necessary-1 can conceive a plea
being offered, that resistance was made, which
obliged persons under arms to cut down those who
were opposed to them—but I cannot comprehend
how such a itroceeding could he denominated Reel-
dental.—(Cheers and shouts of ' Nor see one else!')
—But, Gentlemen, while we feel and express the
necessity of vindicating the grossly violated laws of
England—while we are anxious that measures
bhould be adopted to protect our persons—while, I
say, we consider these points, I propose, et the saute
time, that means should be taken to enable indi-
viduals to apply to those violated laws for justice
end redress, stud that something should also be done
to afford consol.liou to those women, and others,
who have buffered by the infamous conduct of the
ye ttttt more of Manchester !—(Loareossibured cheer-
ing j—Gentlemen. it is no longer a question sr he.
'her theirs was or was not art illegal act ; fee,
on their own statement—on their own 'Mewing—.
on their own defence—the act was illegal. An at.
tempt has been made to defend it, grounded on
the Riot Act—but that Act itself, I say, is a vio.
lation of the law of the laud. That Act, I believe,
was not read—or, ifit were, it was promulgated ins
manner which rendered it as inoperative as if it
hail not been proclaimed. It was read in a corer,'
and the circumstance was wholly unknown.--
/4 Show, show P )—That Act, however, gives no
power, or sanction, in any sense whatever, to mili-
tary execution! —(Cheering.)—A soldier, as my
venerable friend near me (Major Cartwright) Faye.
is nut mentioned, nor alluded to, in the Act. A
wither is unknown to the Constitution of England.
(Cheerisig.)—He is not recognised—he is not
1. spoken 14 But, if he were mentioned, no ne-
cessity exist., to make use of him in the manner
the minima Manchester Magistrates seem to C°l)-
template ! The Riot Act Bays. after •n hour's
notice has been given, and a tontehoosis (uot sus
orderly) meeting continues, theu the Magistrate is
to read the Act, to worn them of toe penalties tss
which they render themselves UMW by remaining
together afterwards. But even the sem laws of
Eltglottd. not to speak of the old—( Laughter)
—do not travel quite so fast as the .mitimen co-
vslry of Manchester I—f Cheering mod imut&cr.)-y-
-&lira if the people do not dispette. they are not !tt,
have their thrombi cot immeshoiely.--(Ctlieveing./...
No but, if 0 meeting b•
It mid tomishomev,
it I directed that the riogleodere *di ba—irliet t

standing, as they have heretofore done—if they do
notliiiig that can alarm the timid—if they give no
'offence to the rational and feeling part of the oum.
muoity—if they quietly and constitutionally ex-
peso their opinion—l think it impossible but flirt
every honest man in the country will be inclined to
pay attetitiou to their reprettentatious,—((.heer-
iag.)—l ant not now saying that this measure or
that measure is the hest that can be devised. I
am not giving ai opinion on any partier,lar tura-
. surd of any description. But this .1 will suaintoin..
that • whatever we think likely to benefit oar com-
mon country. we have an inherent right to propose.
—(Load eheering.)—And, Gentlemen, the only
way to arrive at what is truly beneficial. is by
temperate discussion.—(Repeated etteeling.)—
We invite our esitunies, the sons and dauglitirs i.f
corruption, to enter the field of moment. Let
theist sheer that their mode of proceeding is fit to
secure the general welfare of the tug:ire—let them
do that, and I will at once own myself a convect
to their doctrines. But lam Pot willing, because
I am not a convert, to have my own, throat, or the
throats of my countrymen, treacherously cut.—
(SAoirts of applause./—This is the simple state of
the question—unmixed with otheepiatter. It is on
this point that the feelings of the country .houltl
be, and I trust, are stronely roused.—(Cries
• Yes!' from a thousand roioes.)-it is said. as a
matter of reproach,
.that people create discontent
iu the public mind, by calling meetings, and that
they iullante • the passions or the multitude, by
picturing imaginary evils. Oeislemen, the die.
content always precedes weetiugs of this nature..—.
(4PPianso )—lt is utterly impossible that any gr..st
nation can be deluded, can be led astray, by a re-
cital of evils which exist only to thelasagiaaame,—,
('True, truer)-- Every etf.au must hvvelts Curti men.
surale cause. The great bulk of the people have
hadt heir eyes thoroughly opened—•they uow see
the cause of their grievances-s-and that which they
all think, some melt amongst them have the honest
boldness to viy.—(Shouts Bravo!')—And
hope, an long as Euglaud is England.. Vele will
never be wanting some man, Who, uceit .at
heesrci or his head. will stood forward and titular.:
the truth.—(Long-contstmei elteeriv.;—lt is also
said, Ottot6iven, thot individuals hoist nut doc-
trines and 'opinions to the Tektite, whips they
do nut really entertain—ewhielt they broac.i
merely to'excite popular clamoor-ssto pipcure sp.
plauselp court popularity. I sin free.Ao;cosifess,
that no tine can be more wicked thanitinsan
endearours,on filie grounds, to poicore.popolarity.
Such a wan is. I all ak, a reilaas . 011} 41a)
opinion, that the man, who, for tbe 11,nseie mike tit
popularity. or Publtc applause,. withoot filing
courcientions desire so do good, thriste
ward before the people, though mac • Whitt, is ta
fool—and such popularity I *or*
kosher' its his firtal'escisp...(POpaire./....1pr. es.o.
dente". st,)ata tgospolecay liiteeretumajovedassaafesse
elmirtian iu the cease of the lorople—mehris
is Marled te..whest it Is. not risosoily
Nit , or essamiaily wiled ree.w.sise public amities

neighbourhood were entirely mita with constitutes► very man in me cranny, o. c•c•y -
A little before one o'clock. • part,' from the Nan, who prefers a government of law to a govern. himself with wisdom and propriety. and lam gird entitle us to indict the present Ministers. tinder
vicinity of Drury-lane. consisting of shout twelve ;went of the sword—of every man olio •he •to give him the tribute of my applause for the coo. one of their own Acts. fur endeavouring to bring
persons. proceeded down the Stroud to join the cruel and unnecessery shedding of blood. OW duct he pursued on the °carrion tw which I allude. into contempt the name and person of their Stmt.
Piliatttlatd" • 7h17 wefA.Preeedo by -"Me *Wass n. ribtioool low that 1,101. llshoree.)--44•1 shmeht sweeter circa's. Crier(Cteereag anal laughter.)-1 halo, we are.
a band of meek and two flags, one itiscrilied. "TheiTy, tn One wPth; by ifie triptlcifteilllßlte. sarseirry—fiesitistrwqrs*?-eirmest -es all sesta-of "dliareptesentation--bet, if the
" Universal Suffrage," the other. " Peace mid and bloodshed. can only end in anarchy- sod pleasure at, I mean the verdict of the Inquests at assemblies of the people conduct illemmiviss with
Good-will." They soon after arrived in front of the d,spotiam.—( Loud shoals.)--Every man who Manchester. It rivals in spirit and valour the acts the same good feeling, with the same tothemmee,
tl,-. ....A fir..fees the dominion of Enttltsh law, must of the Manchester yeomanry and_ Magistrates.— with the same exposition of intellect and of under.