The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-05-19 00:00:00

9,

itt gmetbe sotrooncling scaffolds. At the claw of
the poll the numbers stood thus

sir ►. Ikaudett .
Lord Cochrane . •
)4r. Elliott .
Mr. Sheridan . .

Mit
$l5B
):3•
6:14

Mr. &moons then addressed the Eledorr, and
upon this ocrasi..o advanced to the outer hoot nt
the hustings. being supported by his frisnd Mr. Fe.
lie *earthy : " Gentlernin." said he, 6. having
formerly confessed to rui that 1 am not nom SI)
nimble, or in possession of such vod sea legs as the
Noble Lord, or as !formerly have he.ui in posse,-
sive of, this is the first tine 1 have venture:l to ac-
cost you from this perch. However deficient I
may he in point of of body. 1 trust
I am yet as aefive in mini A> ever I was ; 1 advance
forward with more cnefilence, because I am more
than ever assured, t bat it ,t'ir.‘ugh eagerness of Aa ion.
I should chance to fall backwards or forwards, I
should fall amongst my friends.—(nand applause.)
Nothing has been more gratifyiiig to me, than the
constant attention with which you have honoured
me. I have never yet had an opportunity of
making observations upon the speeches of the other
Candidates, who have followed .me in addressing
you, as I thought it would only be making a dis •
respeitful intrusion upon your time.—Therefore the
coon Candidates have had all the advantage of
heating me first, and making such reply as
they might
.think proper. They shall be heartily
welcome to that advantage, becaose 1 am not
apprehensive of any use they can make of it.-
1 have spoken to you straight forward, and have
not wished to support my cause, by making any
attack upon the charaßer of absent men ; nor have
1 thought it necessary to throw the slightest imputa-
tion upon the charatter or conduit of any one of the
candidates opposed to me; nor have I thought it
necessary to conciliate your esteem, by making
professions, as to my future practice, but
merely to fecal to your recolkdtton the tenor
of my past condudt. In stating to you, that
soch has been my tale of procedure, I must, at
the same time, confess, that my determination
upon this subjea, was, upon Saturday last, put
to a severe trial. Could I ever have been tempted
to depart from that rule, it would have been, when!
heard the revered name of the late Rt. Hon. Charles
James Fox mentioned disrespeafully. I give the
Noble Lord full and implicit credit for the expla.na•
tion, which he afterwards gave, as to his not mean-
ing any personal refietlion upon the memory of
that Illustrious Chataaer (I did riot. said Lord
Cochrane). The feelings which you expressed,
when you resented toe imputation which
was made as to a near relation of the Noble
Lord. were such as did you honour ; but,
n, he will allow me to say, that there
are te.oings as strongly implanted in the human
mind, as those from Atacliment through relation-
ship, I mean the feelings Al wag from the recollec-
tion of sacred friendship. There are many of us
who knew him, and who must think-, that it is our
right to claim for his rnemoty a filial respell. When
this world lost that Ilium ious Charafler, I think the
cause of friendship and honour lost its best support
and ex impie ; public liberty lost its most resolute
tool deco:milted champion ; and humanity lost her
*poets. Gentlemen, if ever there was a man, who,
from eeei, snAlification of head and heart, was en-
titled to your vttention, and to command respet ;
if ever there was -is man in whose head and heart
were to be found the Z,nost amiable qualities, it was
Charles James Fox. (.;:osefr al approbation.) in
speaking of him. I cannot trot expiess myself with
some degree a emotion and teti.ng. I speak now
of his political choisiner, and 1 state the plain
and sincere truth, when I say, that were he now
alive, and knew of this contest, he would give his
voice for Sir Francis Burdett. (Harraing, cheering,
Tool clapping of 4.4(410 The Noble Lord afterwards
told you that he meant nothing personal upon
Mr. Fos ; but he will excuse me for reminding him
of the nature of the remark he made, without any
affected nicety, as to terms, with which I shall not
insult your WS. The meaning of it was this, that
ttscugh he acquitted Mr. Fox himself, yet those
who were tounedled with him—those who were his
folluwers, and adise.e.: to him in supporting his
claims to power. were oauated by selfish motives,
and not the good of their country. I would ask the
Noble Loid. who are those persons who are fol-
kwing the baser parts of Mr. Fox ? (Lord Mel-
edLT, Tsdanaed on, of toe crowd). I sooll du the
Noble Lord the justice to declare, that 1 du not
think lie meant Lod Melville. One of the
prominent features et Mr. LA'S charafler was,
u.at 00 man living bad such followers.—
Tniy uere amongst the best and moat worthy
men of this country, and who aeted from the
most disinterested of motives. Are they not the
descendants of the Russells, Cavendishs, Howords,
and Pelhams, some of whom bled for your Liberty,
and all of whom did honour to the aristocracy of
this country 3 Did their attachment to Mr. Foes,
proceed from base motives 1 Were any such to be
Miami iu tne House of Commons ? Where were
there such mess as Mr. Plummer, er Mr. Coke, of
Norfolk; who, to his immortal honour, when an
opportunity was afforded him of hiding his bead
in a
.Coronet, or clothing himself with titles, re-
fused them ? Perhaps I shall bear of the place.
hunters, and myself amongst the number, who,
although 27 years in Parliament, was only one
year in office. There was not a rich man amongst
us, the rollovers of Mr. Fox. We were proud to
rank with him, upon the chill seats of Opposition, ra-
dio; than share the ri:hes of the Court. We were
prouder to share in his difficulties and panties,
than to accept of my place or emolument that could
be confuted. I am sure, that the facetious
thrown out by the Kahle Lord, must have originated
from his long ab.enee from this country. and not
knowing the real characters of the followers of Mr.
k oz. ImAy be Allowed to say, that as a follower

of Mr. Yoz, I deiire iv) other epitaph to cover me,
than ~ Here /yes elm fieeesai ofFor."— I ifisraa,
basica, c,ace Sh4erte, •` cow sire the Braver a w!pe,"
ezeLtme• • mice ;tear the Cutaway,"
cont:oued hir.Shernian, "there is a strong call upon
theta say something about Mr. Elliott, also, as I
that the right and felt ought to have fair play (awl
lquilLing and bass vr, g ) but ailow me to say, Lila;
I am a gond deal exhausted, and therel"re must
delay touching ttirots that other Candidate, till
another opportunity. I fatal a difficulty add Alia-

wardnecs in passing front such a momentous and
important subject. to one so insignificant as that
concerning myself ; but I think it necessary to say
something further than what I formerly stated, re-
,.po,oing my irresolution io first standing a Can-
did.oe upon this occasion." (Here Mr. Sheridan en-
tried into an explanation, enforcing strongly the
est uses which gave tine to his being so late in offer-
ing htu,aelf for the choice of the .Eleaurs of West•
minster, similar to former explanations he had
given. both at the Hustings, and at the Crown and
Anchor). 6* My great gratification," added he,
6• would be, that you should persevere in the contest.
so as to return whomsoever is the undoubted choice
of the people. I have only to add, as to myself, that
it I shall, upon consultation with my Committee,
and an examination of the returns made of the can-
vass, which has been so late in taking place, be ad-
vised to withdraw from the contest, I shall most re-
speafully retire, should there appear no prospea of
success; but if, upon the contrary, I should find that
there is a prospers of following up the symptoms of
this day, as far as I can command exertions, I shall
persevere to the last man that remains to be polled.
My motive for wishing to represent you was this ; at
the time when some degree of hesitation was in my
mind. I was informed, that if I had the honour of
being returned for Westminster, the same persons
who gave me the Representation of Ilchester, would
do me the honour of returning my son for that
place. I am Imre there is no man but would feel
that this was an inducement to such a determination;
but I can assure you, that the same principlis of
attachment to liberty shall ever exist is my breast,
whether I am 'lofted to represeut one place or
another. In either case, you may command
me, colleaively and individually, as your servant."
Lord Cocuaanz—" Gentlemen, I am pleased
at the marks of approbation which fell from you
during some parts of the Hight I loneurable Gan-
tlensan's address to you, touching an expression
which fell from me on Saturday : which I confess
candidly I ought not to have used ; I have felt the
impropriety of it more than I can explain to you:
all I meant was, to contrast the merits of that great
character, Mr. Fox, with persons who appeared to be
°fa very different stamp. I directed it to tkose persons
who accepted of places for which they, did ao duty
to their country. I believe it is now pretty evident
to every one, that I have not coalesced, either di-
redly or indirealy, with any man, and I pledge
my word of honour, that I have not authorised
any individual to canvass for me, in conjunction
with the name of any of the other Candidates.
'fhe question put to me by Mr. Gibbons was, as
to whether or not I had been test night at the
Duke of Portland's, soliciting the assistance- of
Government ? This insinuation I was surely war-
ranted in deity ing in the ntamer 1 did, as I had
not neon any of His Majesty's Government for four
days before, when I went to inquire asto whether
they. were to support Sir Samuel Hood t It has
been stated to you, that there was no pecuniary in-
tertsrernt on the past of the 'Treasury, during the
former contest for Westminster; but, Gentlemen, I
have a list of subscriptions, which will show that His
Majesty's late Government did interfere in that
Election. I shall read it to you, as it has
beea given to me, in the form of an extraa from
the inquiry instituted by Mr. Paull. It states, Gen-
tlemen, that towards the Lite Elettion, Lord Gren-
ville subsctibed 1001. Lord Sidmouth 1001. Lord
Spencer 1001. Lord Henry Petty 100/. General Fitz-
patrick 1001. Mr. T. Grenville 1001. Lord Holland
1001. Lord St. Vincent 1001. a Noble Prince $OOl.
the Duke of Devonshire 2001. the Duke of Argyle
1001. the Duke of Queensberry 1,0001. and Lord
Thanet 1001. Such, Gentlemen, was the freedom
of Medina upon that occasion, and I lament es.
ceedingly that it was so. but I trust that you will
now exert yourself against any coalition that may be
feared against you. I shall not detain you longer
I this day, but merely beg of you to continue your
exertions. 1 have several subjeas upon which I in-
tend to touch to-morrow. _

Mr. .1 stesteos-" Gentlemen, I find, by the
address of the Noble Lord, that he has followed
souse part of .the advice that was given him 6 he
has not gone into details of naval abuses ; but I am
sorry to see that he still indulges in inveitive
against the late Administration, while he cautiously
avoids meotiouing the other' He has endeavoured
to cast censure upon the present opposition ; but as
to the paper which he has read to you, I shall only
observe, that there is no law, not rule, to prevent
any g.entlemin's private friends subscribing to
defray the expenses of his Eletieou. Supposing
his statement to be coned, as to its having been a
Government Subscription, it ought to afford you
the greater joy, at the present state of the poll be-
ing so favourable to Sir Francis Burdett. It gave
encouragement to every public-spirited man to
come for ward, and stand upon the broad princi-
ples of English Liberty. It shows clearly and
Jistinaly, that however much Government may
marshal its bands of placemen and pensioners,
you, the Elettors of Westminster, can support the
man of your choice, against all their strength.—
As to Mr. Elliott, 1 have only to beg you to recol-
lect what be said to you on a former day. He
gave you his principles, and stated, that he would
afford indiscriminate support to every Minister, a
support which might lead to the most mischievous
consequences to the country. (Mr. Elliott here
begged Mr. Jennings to state his (Mr. E's) princi-
ples fairly.) Gentlemen, continued Mr. Jennings,
I shall comply with Mr. Elliott's request, and I
think what he stated was to this effect, that who-
ever was Minister. and whoever should have a
majority in the House of Commons, should have his
support. (Load Laghing.) Gentlemen, if you had
no other motive for refusing to give your votes to
Mr. Elliott, that siogle sentiment would be suffici-
ent. Would you send such a person to the House
of Commons, where he would find a multitude of
ir.dividuals wlts possessed the same sentiments?"
Sec. &c.

Mr. Et tio rr aien came forward, and attempted
to speak, bat in vain ; the cries of " OP Of! Le•
as /woe Rs wad leer tresorr. as a Repreavitiative," were
so loud and ince-s,anr, that he had to retire, amidst
the blues and groans of the populace.
Mr. Go saut•s next presented hinise:f, but it was
a considerahle while tiefore he onuid be heard. He
still persisted in ancrt/rp; that Lord Cochrane was
a political apostate, 4r.J !.e could state reasons for
that auscrtioa 1k dq;• lie alluded to the duty shut,

end the borough of Honiten, the Ames in the
Navy, and the unfounded calumnies which the
Noble Loud bad stated against that Noble Earl of
St. Vincent. Mr. Gibbons then made some just
remarks upon the Parliamentary consistency of Mr.
Sh..ri.!an, whom, aithough he had formerly oppos-
ed, when in place, yet lie highly approved of
him now when out of it. He had received
thirty anonymous letters. to deter him from ap-
pearing again upon the hustings ; but none of
these threats should deter him from speaking
his mind and explaining the cliara&ets and views
of the several Candidates. He expressed sotrow at
having been prematurely misled as to the circum-
stance he had state'', which had so much hurt the
feelings of the Noble Lord, which he never intruded
to do, but merely for the purpose of elucidating his
Lordship's political apostacy- He could not con-
clude without alinding to Mr. Elliott, whom he
denominated a Weathercock Candidate"

Mr. THOMAS SHBAID•11 pwesented himself to the
notice of the assembly. he said, with considerable
diffidence. being unaccustomed to public speaking.
He only wished to observe to them, that if they
could find 100 upright men, (such as they all ac-
knowledged Sir Francis Burdett to be) who would
bring up 10 men each. to vote for his father, (Mr.
Sheridan) he should not despair of his being also
reckoned an upright man. by all of them, by his
being placed at the bead of the poll.

roRtsHIRE NOMIN,tTION.

(Caneladed heat yesterday's Paper.)

We are sorry we are not able to a particular
account of Mr. Vilberforce's Speech. We can only
stavb some of the principal heads of which it con-
sisted. He began by returning his thanks to the
Freeholders, for the repeated instances of their kind-
ness which he had experienced, and presented him-
self once more as a Candidate for their favour, with
more confidence, bec.:use he had so often received
the sati&ion of their approbation. He apologised
for detaining them in the rain ; but felt it necessary
to state a few words, in consequence of what had
fallen from his late Hon. Colleague, Mr. Fawkes,
to whom, in the first, instance, his acknowledgments
were due, for the friendly language in which he bad
expressed himself ; and here Mr. Wilberforce de-
clared, that it was with pleasure he should pay to
his late colleague, the tribute of his acknowledg.
menu, and avow, that all he (Mr. Wilberforce)
had seen of him in public life, had only tended to
confirm the opinion, he before had entertained, of
Mr. Fawkes's talents, patriotism, and integrity.—
Still Mr. Wilberforce felt himself bound to animad-
vert upon two or three of the topics on which Mr.
Fawkes had just now insisted. Mr. Fawkes bad
condemned the present Ministry for resisting a par-
liamentary assertion of an important, constitu-
tional principle ; that a *titter of State ought not
to give pledges, with swipe& to the advice which he
would give His Majesty, as a Cabinet Counsellor.
Here, however, Mr. Wilberforce maned at some
length, that the incidents on which the motion C OD.
cerning pledges was founded, were such, as it was
utterly unconstitutional for the House of Commons
to hear or entertain ; and that therefore the previous
question was the proper mode of proceecfing in that
instance. Would it have been fair, in the case of
the most humble individual, to form a judgment on
a case in which his toadied came in questain, with-
out his having an opportunity of stating all which
he might have to urge in his defence t And since it
was declared, that His Majesty had in the instance
of demanding a pledge, no adviser, and that there-
fore it was his own cause which was at issue, would
not the House of Commons, in condemning the re-
quisition of a pledge, under such peculiar circum-
stances, have acted in a manner contrary to the
fundamental principles of justice, and have treated
the King in a way in which they would not have
behaved to the very meanest of his subjects ?
Mr. Wilberforce also commented on the remarks
which Mr. Fawkes hail made on His Majesty's pre-
sent Ministers ; and spoke in the highest terms of
the talents, integrity, anJ patriotism of Mr. Pet ce-
val, the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; of whom he
could speak with confidence, because he had known
him well for above 2S years. . .

Mr. Wilberforce declared, that by some opinions
of a contrary sort, which had been uttered, he felt it
a solemn ad of duty to declare publicly, that the
Abolition of the Slave Trade, after a struggle of
nearly twenty years, had been chiefly effeded by the
talents and efforts, both in and out of Parliament, of
the principal members of the late Administration.
Without them, he was convinced, that great measure
would never have been effected. On this ground he
must ever declare, that he himself, nay more, that
the country at large, owed them no small return.
The debt of gratitude which was due to them from
himself, he should ever be ready to acknowledge,
and by all legitimate methods to repay ; but he had
no right to recompence those services by his parlia-
mentary support—that was not his to give or with-
hold at. pleasure. kle Jail ever borne in mind, that
he had received from his Constituents, nor a proper-
ty, but a trust ; and that be was bound to administer
it, on every occasion, in such a manner as might
appear to him most conducive to the weltare of his
country. Aduated by this persuasion. he had ne-
ver enlisted himself under the banners of A N v Peet,' ;
but looking to Maasuess, and not to Mist, be had
made the public good the great object of his atten-
tion. He had learned from his Coustituents a lesson
of independence, which he bad endeavoured, in
every instance, to reduce to predict. He bad uni-
formly borne in mind the principles of our mixed
Constitution, and had made it his care to as.ign to
every part of it its due and wholesome exercise. He
witnessed therefo e with pleasure. or the one hind,
that love of liberty, and on the other that spirit of
loyalty, which, in the British Constitution, were hap-
pily united in harmonious and beneficial cornbinatioo.
He witnessed, whit satisfadion, the affection of the
people towards a Sovereign, who had reigned over
them for seven and forty years, and whose paternal
care of his people was justly returned, WI their
part. with a corresponding measure of gratitude
and confidence. He doubted nut but that His Ma-
jesty valued this attachment of his people. as the
fairest and best possession of his Clown. Ila en-
larged on these topics, and others connected with
them ; and concluded by declaring, that, if he
should again be placed in the honourable station
which he had now held for twenty-time path he

should endeavour to discharge ti.e duties of th
trust reposed in him, in such a manner 31 to Prove
not unworthy of the kind partiality of the Frreholl.
ers of Yorks'lirt. In reply to a
_question from
W. N. W. Hewitt, Esq. whether Mr. Wilberforce
would or would in any event, coalesce with Mr.
Lascellgs Mr. Wilberforce replied, that he straq
alone and independent, nor did he think himself at
liberty to unite with any other Candidate. huh A
compromise might suit a small Borough, allele
burgagee were barrereil and trafficked in, but was
unworthy the dignity o the situation ut a Itekre.
sentative for Yorkshire.

The Hon. H. LAIC EL Lis then came forward, sod
addressed, in a very audible and impressive manner,
the Freehold-Ts. Alluding to his former condua in
Parliament, he said, with regard to the put he lid
taken in the dispute between the Merchants and
MAlltlide*UrelS, what his condua had been befnte,
he should continue the same again, if he had the
honour of being chosen their Representative. ,tIS.6
(he observed) should all this clamour be
against me in particular ; when the Comtnit:ee an./
the House of Commoas were unauiraous on the •isa.
jest Had the bill been carried, which was intstid-,
to be introduced, it would have lessened the Ca;, t.;
and ruined the Manetactures of the country, 4•,i
the trade must have gone into foreip,n markets,"
The domestic system of the thief manufatlate of
Yorkshires he asserted was expiring; he might „d.
most say extina ; and therefore be sapported a
Manufueure upon larger capitals, where Iris profiL
would be expected, consequently the articles would
be sold at a cheaper rata, and would coiduce more
to the National Interest. The clamour he said
that had been raised against him on this account
arose from a ,polltited

He had adied from a full conviction of doing !is
duty to his Commercial and Manufadturing Cony,.
tuents. He replied fully to several parts of Mr.
Fawkes's Speech, particularly to a part of it which
Mr. Lase elles apprehended to intimate, that in
coesequenonlif his (Min Lascelles's) private assidnity
in strengthening his own interest, Mr. Fawkes found
it prudent to retire from Parliament. Mr. Fawkes
here interrupted, to assure him he hed not the
slightest intention of conveying any such insinuation.
Alluding to the conduit of the late Administration,
and Mr. Pin's condltdt on the Catholic Bill, a name
Mr. L. said ht could not mentioa without the
deepest regret and veneration ; what did Mr. Pitt
do when he found that the measure was disapproved
by his Sovereign ? did tie attempt to keep his place,
and at the same time to abandon the measure, or
stipulate to bring it forward again at a future time!
Nu ; such conduct would have been inconsistent
with Isis superior character. He retired from dice.
He was not a man that would have brought his So.
vereign before the bar of the nation. Besides, he
observed, the Bill which Mr. Pitt wished to intro-
duce, differed widely from the present. He do.
fended the present Ministers, and thought the late
highly wrong in endeavouring to introduce the
Ca,;:nlic Bill, contrary to the inclination of his Ma-
jesty, contrary to his oath. and contrary to the wed
being. or , safety of this Protestant` country; on
these topics he dwel: a considerable time. ilmpecz-
ing the abolition of the Slave Trade, he said it met
his approval; and declared, that shonld it ever
again be brought into the House of Commons, on a
a view to its revival, suds should have his most
decided opposition, if a Member of that House.
Lord Inlioros began with declaring, that hs
offered himself to the Freeholders of Yorkshire, up.
on the broad basis of the British Constitution. He
made no stalking.horse of 6, Church" or " King;"
though he was proud and happy to anniunce him-
self as the determined and in&aible friend of both!
not. however, more so, than the determined and
inflexible enemy of all the public robbers who had
sn long fattened on the spoils of the nation. Al.
hiding to Mr. IVilberforce's speech, he observed,
that it Wss not Mr. l'erccval who was at the head
of the present Administration, but a certain wen-
kaosue character, who was at present, for good
reasons. kept behind the curtain; but who *used,
probably very soon, be brought forward into pus
lic view. He proceeded to state. that he had its
honour of descending from a long line of ances-
tors, to whom the County of York had been as
custonted to look with the highest veneration ; and
of whom he should feel himself most unworthy, !I
he ever shrank from the great cause of the people.
He regarded, with devout attachment, the illus-
trious charadler of Sir George Savile ; whom,
though he could never hope to equal in abilities,
he would resolutely follow, and boldly vie with, is
principle and integrity. He offered himself to their
acceptance. because he wished them to be rep:e.
seated by eta independent woe ; a man, shacent
and fettered with no pledges. To his indusen
many of them could bear ample and satisfadtl
testimony; and it should be unremittingly eon-
cised in every thing which, nationally or prone.
chilly, Jelled their interests.
Colonel Herron. of Halifax, then came knead
to address the Freeholders, but the continued an
clausation fee " Show of Hands." obliged him ir
retire.
The Hien &miry having requested a show
bands for the respeftive Candidates, declared On
in favour of William Wilberforce, F.sql and t:.)
Hon. Henry Larcener
Lord Micros then came forward. and ad',
Mg the High Sheriff, said. that as the tr:
present could be no criterion of ti,e general n •
of this extensive County, he should, on the da;
Election, demand a poll.
The day of Election is to-morrow. Ott
day we understand the poll will commence.