The National Register.
London, England, 1822-03-17 00:00:00

Our Sing, eanatitution,

SUNDAY. MARCH 17, 1822•

government be that cannot goon without corruption and
a standinv army. Ministers know that the constitution
and the Crown would gait strength by reform.; brit that
their rotten administration most fail. Indeed the con-
stitution would be the worst in the world if it requited
support.—The worthy Alderman concluded by
declaring his opiuion that uothing but a reduction of
expenee 'could save The .ectantry.
Air: Strew La Faye* said, fie had just taunted from
the country, where he had made the most panicular in-
quiries into the state of the farmers-..the emotion; he
received beggared all clescriptiem ; their capital was lost,
and many were compelled to 'quit farms on which
their families had lived 100 years. He did not 'mean the
fox hunting and claret drinking farmers, who had grown
oat of the high prices of the last way but that useful
class who were the pride of the countapiand who were
now fast teasing to exist. Be could not third( ministers
so hard-hearted, so lust to the feelingspf butuanity, but
that, if they knew the distress, they Would resign their
situations, and he was satisfied, if his Majesty could
hear the voice of despair which was now the common
language of his faithful subjects, he would dismiss mi-
nister: from stations they had proved themselves so ill
qualified to fill (Hear.)-...The hon. gent. then moved
that the petition should be read., which bring done, he
then moved that it be adopted as the petition of the
meeting, and presented to the House of Commous by
the county members.
Mr. Bytto said, it gave him great satisfaction to see so
respectable a meeting of his constituents assembled, in
support of their just rights. He had but one object, the
good of his country and his constituents. Ile was at-
tached to a government of King, Lords, and Commons,
but the present state of the represeutation rendered that
government hisectire.
Mr. WILIVIRrAD expressed the great pleasure it gave
him to meet his constituents, whose approbation he eon
sidered his highest honour. Ile hoped the subject of
reform would never be suffered to sleep, as the more it
was discussed the better it would be ttriderstoctl, and the
less alarm it would excite. -
Sir F. BURDETT was called for by the meeting with
great earnestness. The Him. Daronet rose, and was re.
ceited with long controlled applause. Ile said it might
be thought extraordinary that lie should at all dissent
front the worthy Alderman and Mr. Le Fore, who had
both addressed the meeting with so intl6l ; he
was obliged to dider with them on two points. The
worthy Alderman had sail, that Ire would trot think it
right to make any observation on the opinion of Sir John
Gibbon, as they were repugnant to those entertained by
tire meeting. He was glad Johu Gibbon had been
heard, and certainly he hail stiewn unparalleled courage
in telling a meeting of Eitglishmen that a was under
taken to place the Bourbons oat the throne of France
was just and necessary. When the war was entered
into, tin man in the country, even Mr. Put, did not dare
to tell that notoriously corrupt as,eisibly, the Parliament
of that day, what we have since found out, that to place
the Bourbons on the throne of France was the object of
the war. " I remember (said Sit Francis) being in the
gallery of the House of Commons when Mr. Pitt stated
tire object for which this country was to go to war with
France; he said it was to assist our allies to pretclll. the
French from opening the Scheldt. Jlr. Burke, who
.vas its the house at the time, treated the pretence with
the greatest contempt ; go to war,' said he, ' for open-
iog the Scheldt—go to war for a piss•pot. (Latigliter.)—
Tne English language did not present to Mr. Ilurke's
mind'alt expression of contempt equal to his feelings.—
Mr. Pitt swore that was the object of the Ivor. Mr.
litirke said the war was not for the Scheldt, but for re-
ligion and morality, and the throne, and for every thing
that was dear. Mr. Fox said the real object of the war
was to force the Hinoterits on the people of France, and
tin one doubts it. .t.s far as military talent and courage
and glory are concerned, we have reason to be proud of
the oar; but the glory of arms Is one thing, and the
Itai.plitass of a country is another. If the glory of arms
iva re sofficient for hanpiness, why should the people of
France be dissatisfied with Ilitottapatte ? they were cram.
mud with glory, but deprivy.l of liberty. We too have
glory; let us take care of our library. (Hear, hear.)
—Toe Hon. Baronet hail said the war was lust asul
iteee:sity, and the people were party to it 1 but I (said
Sir I:Lox's) say the people were nn poly to the war but
to pay tile expence with their prt,per y and 11100 d...
(Ilear, hear.) The war was made l yboroagintrongers
aaattist a reform in Parliameut, and the same warfare is
still continued ;---:or this purpose a standing atm), is
kept up, and harraelts built to keep the soldiers off front
the people. The ministers say the army is tt.teasary,
because the people are nuitieroos; they war against opt-
talon, and keep an army against the people..—(Hear !)
Ali, Le Fevre hail tirade exception tar hex-buitoog fa:.
anent, but lie (Sir F. IL) war glad when he sate any of
his fartnera in tne chase, as it was a proof of their pros-
perity. .Nlatty thought farmers were fit for nothiug but
to pay rent and taxes. The agricultural distress was ac-
knowledged. The landed men hail been compared to
sheep, who freely sutured themselves to he rno.st of
their fleece; but now they felt the shears entering their
flesh, and they would won shrink fruits the operation.
—(Hear, hear: ) Ile was prsuadcal was ton hope

~;'

PRICE Sid

for the people hot in a reformed House of commons.—
lie would tie always ready to meet the people in support
of that eteat and necessary measure.
The Hon. Baronet sat down amidst the loudest ap.
plause, which continued for a considerable time.
Mr. Hobhouse and Mv. Peter Moore addressed the
meeting in speeches which were received with great ap-
plause.
Thr Million that the petition bit adopted by the meet-
ing was carried with the single dissent of Sir John
G.bboir.
Thanks were voted by acclamation to the county
members, to Sir Francis Burdett, to Mr. Hobhoti.e,
Alderman Waithman, Major Cartwright. and the She•
riffs, after which the meeting was dissolved.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
Puts, MARCH 9.—On Tuesday, at noon, an
assemblance of upwards of 400 students, a portion
of whom were provided with canes, took place on
the I'lace de St. Genevive. From thence they pro•
ceeded shouting " The Charter for ever !" " Li.
berty for ever !" to the Place de l'Odeon. At this
moment the Commissary of Police arrived in his
official attire: he was received with hisses. Almost
at the same moment a detachment of gendarmerie
came to the spot at full gallop, and dispersed them.
—At two o'clock they again mustered on Quay
d'Orsay, and marched to the place du Palais Bour.
bon, where they renewed their rallying cries of
" The Charter and the Nation fur ever ! " The
guard and gendarmes took several into custody, and
cleared the ground. At. the close of the evening
they rallied in front of the chutch St. Eustache,
and vented insulting expressions against the mis-
sionaries.

On Wednesday these tumultuous proceedings
were renewed. About 5 o'clock in the alter:mar
several hundreds of individuals, whose ill intentions
were rendered sufficiently manifest by their de-
meanour, assembled at tl:c entrance of the Jardin
des Plantes, where M. Tbenard had commenced his
lecture. There were not many students in this
assemblage, which was fur the most part, composed
of the lowest of the populace. Sinister exclama-
tions were soon raised on all sides; the lecture w.:s
susper.ded. and a serious riot ensued. The gelid...-.
merie entered and charged the multitude ; several
were wounded. At eight in the evening grau:rt
were formed on the Place 'Vendome; these were
almost immediately dispersed by strung detachments
of cavalry ; again they rallied on the Place des
Victoircs, from whence they were also driven by
the military, whose vigilance distxmcerted all their
schemes to congregate.
MADRID, MARC Il .—The King went to the Hal
in which the Ordinary Cortes had assembled, and
pronounced an opening speech, which heitoncluded
by expressing to the Cortes the firm hope whiled
animates him, that by their wisdom anti zeal, they
%via consolidate the work of public felicity, dr t.v
closer the bonds which join all classes of the State,
and secure in all ways tr nquillity and colfidence.
To arrive at results so desirable, my Government
shall, on its side, contribute with all the power the
Constitntion givesit ; and the efficacious ea-operation
of the Cortes, the energy and courage which mark
the Spanish pe0p1..., will at last crown exertions sa
constant by securing for ever the liberty and glory
of the country.
The President ltiego, in the dress of' an Aid-de.
Camp of the King, then rose, and answered his
Majesty in the following terms
ster:,—ln hearing from the very mouth of your Majesty
the situation in which the soutce of public wealtb, the intermit
order of the State, and it. relations with tOrcign Powers, it ap-
pears, will justify our entertaining the most &timing expevatiot.s
of the future.

utwithitanding the difficulties with which we are surround.
ed, the repeated to iciiinations of the enemies of freialum, and taw
resistance which io experienced In every ehange of affairs, even
twin those who du lan dirldoe rclurat, impertouoiy damaged she
utmost perueverance and energy for the consolidation of the
existing 'winked brim. To complete thu improvements already
commenced, it to necessary to teanive with a strung hand did
obstacles which may be o,ipootal to them.
'6 The Cortes, ?ire. w nituut transgrussing the limit of their
powers, will labaur incessantly to overcome all difficulties, Lid
will :ithe attentlvely conoider whatever your Majeoty shall pro-
pose to them.
66 Intimately connected with your Nlejesty, they hope to secure
for ever the ea;joyitient of its liberties to the Spanioh pcopl:. I u
Moo raising the nation to tne degree of prosperity to %lite:: it
they will eral.:avour to give additional splendour to t..a
con.mutional throne of your Nl:t..e.ty, and will lot the whoie
world bee that true power and real grandeur militia only with :tie
strict of thu laws."
After this speech the King went out amidst cries
of " Live the Cores. the Constitutional Ki,g, ant
the Spanish Nation,"

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