The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-04 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

to Sir F. Burdett, Itart. for Ilia spontaneous offeis of co-
operation with the gentlemen originating the subscription in
strict conformity with a life of pure patriotism and love of
country.
Mr. Walker seconded a motion to this effect, which was
carried unanimously.
Sir F. Burdett returned thanks.
Lord Cochrane said, he rejoiced sincerely at witnessing
the strong and unanimous feeling which had called together,
and had been testified by so numerous a meeting. It was a
proud triumph gained for the cause of liberty over the sys-
tem of mock trials and packed juries, which had been so long
the bane and disgrace of the country.
The thanks of the meeting having been then unanimously
voted to Mr. Pearson and Mr. Wooler for their exertions in
bringing to light the abuses attending the system of form-
ing special juries, the former gentleman expressed his ac-
knowledgments for the honour done him. He observed that
he was but a young soldier in the cause, and the notice taken
of him was probably intended as a recruiting bounty, but the
bringer on such an occasion was usually deemed to be entitled
to the highest reward ; and as Mr. Hone was the bringer, he
hoped the custom would not be forgotten.
Here Mr. Wooler was loudly and generally called for: but
as he did not immediately appear, Mr. Stnrch came forward,
after a few apologies for the obtrusion of his own opinions,
which were in perfect unison with those already delivered,
observed that lie must beg an excuse for one further parody
upon Holy Writ; and it was to express his belief, that a
camel would sooner pass through the eye of a needle, than a
Crown lawyer be an honest man. The object for which lie
rose was, however, no other than to move a vote of thanks to
their worthy chairman fur his conduct in the chair, and the
uniform patriotism and public spirit which his conduct had
displayed.
Mr. Wooler now presented himself to the notice of the
room. 'Elie kind interference of the Attorney-General had
been the first means of introducing him personally to their
acquaintance. Having himself experienced the effects of the
of libel as expounded by lawyers, he could not bat feel
happy in perceiving the indiguant reproliaticin with which
such a construction was received by an assembly which from
their hers and unanimity must in all fairness be considered
as reprusepiting the sense and feelings of the inetiopolis.—
The absurdity of supposing that the liberty of the press could
ever be 'preserved under an arbitrary interpretation of what
Was libel, had been happily anti ably exposed ; but Well was
the tot midablv nature of wigs ano guwils, that these who wore
them were inclined to believe that nothing could be done or
withstood without them. The whole freedom of the peopie,
as depending on the fredoin of the press by the general cont.
in 111 l ication of sentiment, conk! only be maintained by main-
taining the purity of toe trial by jury, by a resistance of those
who attempted to overawe or uncle 111 l il le its independent
functions. and by following the bright example which had
been set by Mr. Hone, who nobly told the judge, that what he
said on a question of libel was 110 more than " his opinion."
[Applause.] Mr. Hone had been iriril three times, as it were,
to verily that moral principle so well expresied by our great
dramatic baud,

" Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just,"
It had been said from the bench, on the late prosecution, that
it was not tier intention with which an act was duce, but its
tendency alien dune for which its author was properly re-
spousiole in a cas" of this kind ; hut if Wen a doctrine were
tract he would not scruple to say, that Lard Edenhorough
had been guilty of high treason. Without charging him with
treasonable intentions, he would say he had done that which
had a direct tendency to subvert the whole principle of a
trial by jury, and thus to stab the constitution in its vitals.—
He believed, indeed, that the slanderers of the people were
strong, because the people lid themselves dreamed, or rather
slept ovur their rights ; tee people of England were naturally
slow in their own vindication from domestic wrougs ; they
had waited long before they maintained Magna Cnarta ; long
before they expelled the Stuarts; and though they had now
waited long, be trusted it would nut be munch longer, before
their voice, like that of thunder, would demand and recover
a restitution of their ancient and chartered rights. [Loud ap.
Manse].
Mr. Waithman then returned thanks in a neat and ener-
getic speech, in which he avowed his determination to act
through life upon those principles which had lidlierto been
his guide, without expecting any other reward than that of
the Soo l opinion and approbation of iii. fehow-citizens. He
had great pleasure in announcing, us treasurer, he tied just
received Sir F; Bifittlett's suinteription of 1001. [Lund up-
please.) lie concluded by an earnest exhortation to the
meeting not to lose the present opportunity of contributing to
the object in view.
Thanks to Lord Cochrane were then voted; and a general
subscription was immediately opened.

Front the LONDON GAZETTE, Tuesday, Dec. O.

BANKRUPTS.

WILLta G. Bath, upholsterer, Jan. 21, 22, Feb. 10, at Bath. Att.
Mr. Young, Charlotte-row, Nlansioa -house.
TOMLIN hON J. Frankley, Worcester, dealer, Jan. 9, 20, Feb. 10,
at Birroiu,gharn. Att. Mr. Platt, New Boswell Court.
POOLE W. -Leicester, hosier, Jan. 6,7, Feb. to, at Leicester. Atta.

Edmunds and Co. Chancery •lune.
G II BOY T. Stretford, Lancashire. pork-dealer, Jan. 21, 22, Feb. 10,
at Liverpool. Atts. Avison and Co. Castle-street, Holborn.

DIVIDENDS.
J. Batimer, Bishopsgate.street, merchant, Jan. 44.
.1. 11..lowsey, Sunderland, ship-owner, Jan. 43.
T. Alidilleton, Liverpool, cotton-manufacturer, Jan. 30.
M. Jarvis, l'urton, Stafthrd. miller, Jan.
A. M'Lacklan and J. B. Galt, Great St. Helens, factors, Jan.
G. I)wycr, Exeliange-alley, broker.. lan. 24.
B. Thompson, Nun-green, Peckham, farmer, Jan. 13.
I). Adams, Fleet-market, optician, Jan. 42.
T. Nice, Bishopsgate-street, without, linen-draper, Jan. t 6.
J. Hay, Stamford-hill, merchant, Jan. 24.
IL. Wallington, Stockport, Cheshire, muslin.manufacturer, Jan. 27.
1). Anderson, Gray's-inn-lane, coal-merthant, Jan. 44.
J. Lowes, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, draper, Jan. 44.
J. Come, Aldennaubury—postern, jeweller, Jan. 27.
J. Sparks, and A. Color, Portland-street, Marylebonne, coach-
makers, Feb. 14.
C. Love, Ohl Bond-street, jeweller, Feb. 10.
J. L. Hill, Plymouth dock, grocer, Jan. IC7.

CERTI6CATES-JAN.3O.

J. Snywell, silk-tnanufaeturer,Wned-street, Clicapside.—J. Blom-
field, Counnereial.road, pluui iekinan, Binionghani, plater.
—S. Fereday, Wigton, Staffordshire, Hanker, J. Carlisle, St. Ann's
Mill, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. miller.—W. Ruler., Buildwas,
shire, fanner.—l. W. IVuoastoek, Brightchnstone, stationer.—T.
Ashby, Gough-square, fancy feather-wassuf.u:turc:.--1%. 6ghch,
suuth Shields, sail-LW:cr.