The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-06-16 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER ELECTION.

At twelve o'clock Yesterday a meeting of the Can-
didates to represent the City of Wertatinister in
the raining Parlioineht was convened to meet the
HIGH Baum', at the Sessions House, West-
-000 i o osier, for the purpose of securing to him pay-
ment of the expenses of the hustings, poll clerks,
&c. At the appointed hour Mr. HUNT, octant]•
pooled by his son, entered the room. Mr. flaw-
SON, fur Captain Sir MURRAY MAxwELL, was also
there. A few minutes afterwards Mr. WISHART,
Mr. Boyce Coutte, and Mr. WM. CLARItsON,
appeared on the part of the Committee for promot-
ing the election of Sir SASIUEL BOMILLY. After
the Gentlemen were seated, and interchanged a few
personal civilities—
The HICK Malian, stifled, that he had thought
it right, in consequence of having had already to
bear the tape:owl' of two former elections, to ad-
dress a letter to each of the Gentlemen whose names
were published as calling for the support of the
Electors of Westminster at the ensuing election,
and to retjuest their attendance in person, or by au-
thorised agents, to couie to a proper understanding
on the subject of the expenses attendant upon the
erection of.a limiting*, as well as the payment of poll
clerks, and the othet expetiars required by law.
Ile hod received a verbal mossier frosts Sir F. Butt-
DETT, saying, that lie had nothing to do a ith the
business of the election; and Major CARTWRIGHT
bad sent him a letter, staling that lie was not a can.
cliche., and had therefore nothing to do with the
expenses of the election; but, nevertheless, Mr.
WALKER would attend the meeting of this day.
Mr. WISHART said, that a nu cling for melee
o'clot k was generally understood fur one, and per-
haps Mr. IVALIC6II would shortly make his ap-
pearance.
Mr. HUNT said, that he canoe in person at the
requisition of the High Bailiff, as lie had no agent,
nor would employ arty. His friends were all an-
lusiteers, and lie had nobody to hire for election
aWit4lrliCe. lie had tio hesitation in statierz, that
there ought to be no underhand-anrk in t!;e elec-
tion, as it was right and fair that every Gentleman
pulled for. should coon ibute to defray the expense*
required by law. He freely avowed that lie was a
candidate, and would of course pity any sum which
the law said lie wile hOIIIIII to incur in that calamity.
Mr. WISHART said, that he appeared as one of
SirSAtau IL Ron IL LY'S CoMmilare, and was ready
not only to contribute that Candidate's share of the
expense, but to concur in any legal proceedings, if
they should be deemed advisable. to compel the
other persons who stood the Poll, but were nut
Candidates in the legal import, to come forward
with their share of the expense.
Mr. HUNT said, he would pay nothing for law,
but lie would do his utmost to make these Gentle-
men appear in person on the hustings. He thought
it bard that Wtstininitter should be the only city in
the empire which had not a hustings of its own. It
was a shame that the Candidates should live here
to pay a large sum for it building which they
would have nothing to do with elsewhere.
The HiGH BAILIFF here read a letter which he
had just received, otatimx. that the Elector* who
meant to support the H Fable DOUGLAS Kt N-
Malan meant to take no share whatever in the pie-
monitions of the High Bailiff relative to the
election expenses. The high Bailiff, in answer
to is question from Mr. Hunt as to the ratio
spot on which the hustings was to be erected, said,
that it was always in front of St. Paul's Church,
Covent-garden, and that he was previoutdy requir-
ed to indemnify the parish for any injury which the
front of the church might possibly receive during
the election. On one occasion he had 401. to p-ay
for the betiding of one of -the church rails.—(4
laugh. 1
The expense of the hustings being inquired into,
the HIGH BAILIFF said, the estimate of the ex-
proses might be easily settled by a reference to his
act omits. The hootings mutt he very substantial,
wool covered in. The expense of the last exceeded
500/.—but after the election it could be sold, and
the amount accounted for.

Mr. HUNT said, be would resist every unneces.
nary expense.
Mr. WALKER having at this moment entered,
and being asked if lie appeared as the agent of
Major CARTWRIGHT, and with the intention of
declaring his liability to pay the Major's share of
the expenses of the Election, replied in the nega-
tive. and said, that he merely came iii !terminal
civility to the Hunt BAILIFF, I. say he would pot
Major CARTWREGIIT in nomination at the ensuing
election for Westminster; but on the subject of the
expense of preparations, he had no authority to say
any thing. His private opinion certainly was. that
the High Bailiff ought not to suffer pecuniary
injury, but on the part of Major CARTWRIGHT,
he had no answer to make to the high Bailiff's
requisition.
Mr. HUNT then said, that as Mr. WALKER did
not conic there as ell agent of Major CARTWRIGHT,
his presence was tiiiiiecessary ; he said this, of
course, without meaning any personal disrespect.
Mr. WALKER said. of course, he would with-
draw after the declaration he had just wade. He
accordingly left the room.
The High Bailiff's Deputy then reduced to
writing the declaration of Mr. HUNT that he was a
candidate; mid the similar declarations of Mr. HAW.
Soh. on the part of Capt. Sir M. MAXWELL ; and
Messrs. WIsHART. CGIIBE, and CLARKSON. fur
Sir SAMUEL HOHILLT's Committee. These Gen-
Omen respectively segued the document, and after