The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-19 00:00:00

CLOSE OF THE POLL.

A few minutes betiwetie the-Wlal Sheriff came into
Court, and declared the state of the poll, at its close, to be as fol-
lows:
Mr. Denison . 2305
Alr. Palliner 2055
Mr. Sumner 1375

Majority for Mr. Pallmer

-
6110

Mr. DENISON then came forward. He said, he could not ex-
press his gratitude for the unexampled support with which he was
favoured. His gratitude was indelibly impressed on his bosom,
and would end only with his life. The best return he could make
was to devote himself entirels to the public service, which he was
determined to do. (Applause.) One subject he thought it proper
to advert to—it related to his canvass. lie had never presumed to
ask any freeholder a question about his second vote, and had always
said, `• don't vote for me, if you will offend a parent, a friend, a
landlord, nr a customer." This was the principle upon which he had
acted, and upon which he ever should act. Upon the public sup-
port he would stand or fall. (Applause ) He had never taken
part with either of his brother-Candidates, nor did he mean to do
so.So much he thought it necessary to say, in reply to some reports
which he understood prevailed in some parts of the county, regent-
ing an alleged coalition between him and one of the other honour-
ableCandidates. In conclusion, he begged his friends to perse-
vere in their endeavours to keep him in the proud situation in which
their partiality had placed him. He wished to impress upon them
that a battle was never won until it was ended ; and, again thank-
ing them for their kindness and support, he wished them all a good
night, and respectfully bade them farewell until Monday morning
next, when he trusted they would renew their exertions in his fa-
vour.—The Hon. Gentleman concluded amidst very loud and ge-
neral applause.
Mr. PALLMER next addressed the Court. He said, if he found
himself yesterday wanting words to express his sense of their kind-
near, how much more must he do so to-day, when their kindness
had so much increased, and put the contest, in his opinion, beyond
doubt. He had earned nothing from those who supported' him
hitherto—he should endeavour to pay them by the future. (Ap-
plause.) It should be the business of his life to attend to their bu-
siness, if they sent him into Parliament. He wished they would
reproach him, if they ever found him deficient in this particular.
Upon ti-c subjects of canvass and coalition his lion. Friend (Mr.
D.) had said a few words. He wished the word canvass was erased
from the political dictionary of this country. lie knew they would
choose his Hon. Friend if he had never asked them, and that he
only canvassed nut of respect. He (Mr. P.) did not canvass, from
respect also. lie thought the public mind should be left to its
own bias: and if so left, he was sure the people would always
choose right. (Applause.) He must tell his Hon. Friend that, if
explanation were necessary between the representative and his con-
mit news, he would not choose the time of a general election foe it.
He hoped lie should never cease to be in communication with his con-
stituents, and should always have the pleasure of learning their
wishes. H e could not conclude without expressing his satisfaction at
the increasing moderation which seemed to pervade all parties en-
gaged in this election. He often had borne testimony to the inte-
gray of his Honourable Friend, Ilr. Sumner's conduct, but he had
never seen it in a nioreadvantsgeous light than he had done yentas.*
day, when the Honourable Gentleman declared that he would place
himself entirely in the hands of his friends, and if he saw his situas
tion on the poll left him without a chance, he would not continue
the contest to harass his antagonists. (Applause.) This was all
that could be expected front any man standing in the situation Mr.
Sumner did, and he (Mr. Pallmer) was certain that if that gentle-
man saw, from his situation on the poll, that the feeling of the
county was decidedly against him, he would withdraw from the
contest. lie had nothing further toadd, but to hope they would all
return to their homes, as he was about to do to his happy home,
and enjoy that day set apart for rest, and which the fatigues of the
past week rendered so nevessare. With sentiments of the deepest
gratitude and respect he should therefitre bid them a good night.
The Htutt Sit um' said that the other Candidate (Mr. Sutn-

net), was prevented from addressing them by a hoarseneol, bid
that if it was their pleasure, his son would return thanks foe his
father. (Cries of Heat" and applause.)
Mr. Suwiegie, jan. the* came -forward. He said kis father in-
petted very much that he has not able to return Ms thanks himself.
His voice was broken, but his spirit win not, and he was deter-
mined to persevere in this contest to the last. (Hisses.) He
hoped his friends would renew their exertions in his behalf on Mon-
day, until which day he respectfully bade them farewell.
The Court then adjourned.
You will perceive by what occurred, thatthe Contest is by neatest's
decided, and that Mr. Sumner's friends are determined to persevere.l
His own observation at the close of the poll last night was, that he
had still a chance, and whilst a thanes remained, he determined
never to chew a white feather. However the value of his chance
may have diminished by the result of this day's polling, the data
furnished by him last night, which I have every reason to believe
%efficiently precise, plainly prove that a thence yet remains. He
stated that from the number of new freeholds made since the last
election, there amid not be less than 8,000 freeholders in the
County. Of these he calculated that not more than 3,000 had al-
ready polled, which left ft quite possible that he should yet gain
the hen I of the poll, eonsiderin7. that Mr. Palimer was then little
more than 500 above him. This argument applies equally well to
the state of the poll to-day, and its value is only diminished in pro-
portion as the gross amount of unpolled freeholders in the county
has lessenei, and as Mr. Palmer's majority is increased. But, ad-
mitting the accuracy of Sir. Sumner's views, and considering his
evident want of popularity in all parts of the county. and especially
in the vicinity. of the metropolis, there seems nothing approach-
ing to a certainty, which would give reason to suppose that
his friends will be able to bring up MO freeholders to vote
for him, more than shall vote for Mr. Pannier. We under,
stand that the attacks which have been made on the latter.
upon the ground of his being a West India proprietor, and
the possessor of slaves, has exciusl a very favourable impression
towards him in the City, and tint many influential persons con-
nected with the West India interest, are most zealously and suc-
cessfully exerting themselves for hint in the neighbourhood of
Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, and the Borough. However this may
be, a very large proportion of the freeholders in this part of the
county hare voted for Mr. Pallmer and Mr. I)eni.on, and a very
limited number for Mr. Sumner. From this part of the county,
therefore, which has hitherto sent up a comparatively small propor-
tion of freeholders, Mr. Summer's chance is very slender. If he
looses his election, which seems by no means improbable, it will
prove a signal defeat to the High Tory party in this county. As 1
before intimated, however, Mr. Sumner's ill success may be as-
cribed to anything rather than his political principles ; and. not-
withstanding the personal disapprobation which is manifested
towards him, and the estimable character which his rival bears in
all quarters and amongst all classes. the general opinion is that if
Sir. Sumner and his friends had zealously, actively, and diligently
exerted themselves from the commencement of the contest, the re.
sult would have been very different; but, as 1 remarked in the
outset, his own overweening confidence, and the extraordinary
apathy manifested by his friends, were quite sufficient to destroy
the fairest hopes. At so late a period as Wednesday afternoon, a
most populous district, the neighbourhood of Dorking, only a few
miles from 3lr. Sumneeit own residence, had never been canvassed
for ; and, I understand, the district of Blackheath, where there are
an immense number of straggling freeholds, has never been can-
vassed up to this day.