The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-03-17 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

Yesterday a Common was held for the pur-
pose of formally declaring the return of the Mem-
bers elected to serve in Parliament. The slumbers
having been more correctly cost up since the close
of the pull, appeared to be, for—
Wood 5,370 I Lord Mayor
Wilson
Corns

The Common Crier then pronounced the elec.
tion to have fallen on Alderman Wood, citizen and
fishmonger; Mr. Wilson, citizen. and spectacle-
maker; Alderman Sir William Curtis, citizen,
Baronet, and draper; and the Lied Mayor, citi-
zen. Aldermen, and whe.tlwright.
Mr. Alderman WOOD came forward to return
thanks, hut was culled from the frout of the host.
logs for akw minutes. When he returned to his
!dace, he thanked them fur the distinguished man-
ner in which they had returned I to serve them
in Parliament. lie very much regretted &but a
mistake had pretty generally gone forth respecting
one expression contained in Ins address of acknow-
ledginent to the Livery. He might with safety ap-
peal to all the enlightened electors of the city. and
indeed to the whole world, to say if the expression of
" triumph," or "complete victory," which lie hail
there used, could • be fairly supposed to mean with
him any thing more than as the coldest kidded to
himself. He could scarcely Winter there was a
man in the kingdom who could put any other con-
struction upon the words. The ailihrsa would
speak for itself, as it contained a declaretiou of re-
gret at the loss of his two political friends. When,
he would ask, at any time, nr in any instance, bad
he ever shewn any thing that could lead to a sus-
picion that he hail lost sight of the public cause ?.
If in the case of a single vote that he had solicited
or acquired, it could be proved that he had pre-
ferred his own personal considerations to that cause,
let the 'instance he immediately adduced. He de-
fied any one to phew such an instance. He bad
certainly felt that anxiety which must be common
to all candidates, and fur which he would never
blame any one to be placed high on the poll. But
lie had not sought this by the sacrifice of the cause
in which he held himself to be engaged. If they
would take the trouble to examine tire pull, it would
be found that lie had fewer 'dumpers than any
one of the candidates. He hurl sleets asked for
theist, awl did pot know at the timeihut they were
given him, except iu the case of his own beadle,
who crone and informed loin that 1w hod given hint
one.—(Some one from the eruwd &tiled
invited the party disputing with hint to come 011
the huatitiga and disprove his assertion. •He was be.
fate then' to return thanks for the third lime for
the same honour dune to him. He would be watch-

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Ilk •

•
NI of their interests as a civic body; he would be
attentive to the interests or the country et large. No I
exertion of his should be wanting, no time spared that
be coold furiii.h Far the fulfllmesit of his high duties.
He would continue to *lmport the principles of
public freedom as he had hitherto done ; sod he
expected, when he came back to them again, to
experience the same kindness and confidence which
haei placed hien at the head of the pull.—(s, Necer
a, more.")— His worthy Friend hod mistaken hint.
the did nut say he expected again to be placed at
the heat of the poll : he was observing on the great
contidenee he enjoyed among the Livery, in proof
of wiatle he had polled w..re than 1,300 votes in
one it ly. This lie must consider as unquestionable
proof that he enjoyed their esteem and support,
whether he had done his duty effectively or not.
For this he returned them his most sincere thanks.
—(Applause.)
Mr. WILSON said, that he had addressed them
so frequently of late, little was now left for him to
say. He was gratified with their manner of return.
ing him : his gratificatiou would have been the
same, whether first or second on the poll. The
exact amount of votes could scarcely ever be known
until the poll was cast up • second time; but the
motives of hie friends in wishing to place him at the
head of it, anti in using their best endeavour, for
that purpose, were equally entitled to his acknow-
ledgments, whether they succeeded or not. He
was prepared for the mistake which had at first
been made in his favour; and it must be in their
recollection that he hail made no assumption, at the
close of the poll, in his own favour, from the cir-
cumstance of his being then placed, erroneously as
it now appeared. at the head of it. He theta ex.
pressed his gratitude fur his high station on the poll,
which was the second indulgence of the kind he
had received from them. It proved to him that
they believed the promises which he had made to
them before, anal would repeat now. They might
easily have found a man whose superior talents
would better comport with the dignity of repre-
senting them, but there was none more sincere in
the principles he professed, and in his desire to
serve theta faithfully and usefully. He had al-
ways from his early life had an impulse in his mind,
which led him to support the existing Government
of the country, in whosesoever hands the reins of it
might be placed. He would listen to and support
any proposition for the remedy or avoidance of con.
tiogent or probable grievance. lie would repel
encroachments on the rights of the people as fear-
lessly and promptly from the Ministerial benches '
as if sitting in Opposition. With these assurances,
and a deep sense of gratitude for the honour con-
ferred on him, lie would retire.—(Applause.)
Sir W. CURTIS was proud to stand on those
hustings again, especially on an occasion so import-
ant. He had foretold that the feeling of the
Livery, which caused his absence from them for a
time. would retort', and the event had proved him
to be a tree pruphet.—( Hisses and applause.)—
He begged a patient hearing, as he should not de-
tain them long; and lie hoped no one would at-
tempt to prevent a Candidate from rooming
thanks to a public body fur the favours lie had
received. lie wished he could do it as calmly and
diapersionately as the gentleman who spoke last,
than whom they could not have chosen • more
honourable and faithful person to represent them.
He agreed with the remark in the address of the
worthy Candidate (Wood), that the conclusion of
the contest was triumphant. It was the triumph of
loyalty over despotism.—(Applause and hisses.)—
The worthy Candidate had boasted that no infiu-
eoce had beet, used fur him. Why, ha (Sir Wan.)
had been the instrument of getting him hundreds
of votes. An unfortunate fellow hod been lament-
ing that there lad been for twenty years before the
last election, no primal ill the representation of the
City who could. make a speech twenty minutes
long. He would tell then. what had been the
effect of their sending a speech-maker into the
House of Comm tttt s. lie no sooner rose than he
was regularly coughed down.--(Laughter and
groans, applause and hisses, which continued while
the Hon. Baronet was pronouncing several Wise.
?tient sentences ; they became consequently ittautli-
61e.)—He would always support the same princi-
ples which he before declared and acted ou ; he
would be true to his King—he would support the
constitution as well as ally man—no man would
aupport die constitution better than himself—no
man was • better friend of the people.—(Alore in-
terruption—during which. we believe, Sir
ham said, no man would more willingly light or
die for the people and the constitution.) Coll him
ministerial indeed !—whit had he to do with the
Ministry, or the Ministers with him ? He would
support the constitution against treason end 'submit-
nation—(llisses)—and lie would taut support wild
democracy, at at had been shamefully supported
by some persons. Shame cm them--they ought to
he ashamed of themselves. The Hon. Be a was
addressing himarlf pointedly to some who stood
near him. but the maime hetame ton great, and he
coticluded his speech without being heard further
by any but otiose who were close to
The Lotto MAYolt teturateit them his grateful
thanks bar the I done him. Ile should be
most happy to prove by his exertions in Pau lament
bow 1411X11113% lie ass to fulfil hi, duty to them. to
I boa country, and has King. As to his station on
Ithe poll, considering the short time and the few up-
..portunities left I • by his office for canvassing, it
was rather outputting that he had risen so high.
lie anticipated great and important advantages to
the city from its bring represented by more nier.
I Omits, whore knowledge. property, and education,
t enabled diem to be of great service to the interests
of a great commercial body like the Livery. Ile
returited them his thanks once inure, and wishing
I the city an increase of happmeas and prosperity,
! would retire.
I Mr. Alderman WAITBMAN said, that on occa-
Moos like the present, when the trienda of the sue.
cesaltil candidates were alone supposed to be pre.
sent, perhaps lie ought to make some additional
claim on their forbearance while he addressed
them. lie differed so entirely au all particulars
of public principle f the greater part
of the successful candidates. that it would be id-
most impossible bar hint nut to asysoinething which
would be injurious to the feelings of sonic present.
He would steer a middle course, and acquit him-
self, us he trusted. its a manly manner. He had
hoped, when they were suet together •pon impor-
taut public business, that there would have been

some other Conversation than a mere bilkibg *brie
who was highest or lowest on the poll. Ile
hoped that those who hid triumphed. us they ;ins.
glued, over what they deemed the pernicious pr e.
ciples of himself and friends, would have rejot e.I
their victory with calm minds, and not Wye chg.
utilized or denounced those who were supposed to
be their defeated enemies. It was not like the
triumph of a pod cause for MCI to behave with
such rancorous resentment to their Writ fees.
It *hewed rather that the victory afforded no
triumph to the feelings of the vainioisher.—
For his own pint, he felt that he had really tr:.
uinphed over circumstances the most wicked ale!
appalling—ovet influence the most perincoma
tyrannical. lie had received repeated declarations
of regret from persons who were compelled to vote
ageinst him for their own security.—(Croons
hisses, and applause.)—He knew these were tender
strings, which were 'tot to be touched without vilira-
time, and if his opinions were assailable by at::
more rational course, he was certain some or;e,
would be found to come forward and state it
honestly.—(Applause.)—He had a quick rye, aril
knew the quarter from whence the opposition
Bat bow was it that these persons who could net 4,4
en instant listen to him, so patiently heard the
vituperations of the Hon. Baronet ? He hail pre.
dieted that which had fallen out, that many viii...
would he given contrary to principle.—( Hisses and
groans.)
Mr. Sheriff PARKINS begged them to bear all
parties impartially.
Mr. WAITHIKAN said, he was not to he ruffled
by noises winch seldom came from into of sense,
they gave him time to collect his thoughts, awl
better to prepare his speech. There had been, a*
he predicted, many votes given contrary to
eillie•—(" There were no such voice',
Mr. Sheriff PARKIN, again interfered. •
Mr. WAITHMAN begged not'ling lice himself.
There was an angry petulant gentlemen joist ander
hum, with irritable tasters, whom he requested io
come on the hustings anti he would hug a liteariiie
for him. As to any noise he made below, it woul.l
only hate the effect of keeping him a little longer in
his eddies. A thousand vote, had bees given boils
for himself and Sir William Curtis. Tl.is was like
en attempt to mix oil and sinew; by what lug 'c
it could be accomplished, lie wonlil not ottitertakie
to say. He would put it to the angry irritable
gentleman below the hosting', to say no what pri..-
ciple those votes had been given ? Let it he decid-
ed one way or the other, he did not care whose
principles should' be considered right ; lie would
leave it entirely to them. One mast be wriorg.—
When he found his Honourable (rural it the iv
of the poll mid himself at the bettont. baying
both of them in all cases voted the saute w..y,
he would ask in what possible shape or [neither
could the poll iudicate the minims*, of the
Livery ?—(Applause.)—He had told then, before
that the poll would be taken as the instil* of their
sentiments. Ile would reply to an soutititia iu air
of the addresses of the successful candidates. volinio
intimated that " those had hut a short triumph
who were opposed to principles which we're the only
security against the destruction of the constitution,
the liberty and the property of the armory." Tills
cast no reflexion on him. What lie had done loot
always been done cutler the sanction; and with the
concurrence of the Livery. Would thry bear t.*
be told that their conduct teeded to the destruc-
tion of the constitution, of libeity and property
It belonged to those who triumphed, to observe
some decorum and decency towards 'how *lions
they had vanquished. He complained of IP Jr.!.
tictency in this respect ou the present occasion.
Referring to the poll. be observed, that a few indi-
viduals might vote without commlting public pins.
ciple, from motives of private frienilthip • bat when
lie found that many had voted for die Baronet
who had been en lois Committie, and had filmy cuts-
visaing with him, he could not bat conclude tlist
they bad given such votes tram some necessity
unfairly put upon them—and he was thereby cm.-
voiced, moreover, that the ',corral opinioti was stilt
in favour of those principles which he nail ell tiklig,
supported. Ho had hoped that the Baronet would
have obstained from all personalities,. The 1;.-
ronet had said, that his long speeches were Owes*
, coughed down in the House of Cottonton% in,
what single instance had !hi. occurred ? Ile hart
heard Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. nerryett coughed
down in the House; and, itherefoir, if the thing
had happened to himself, it would have been an
imputation, not on him, but on the Houve. But
no such thing had taken place. One attempt hod
indeed been mode to do it ; to use u vulgar phrase.
a deed set had beets made against lion. lie kilos
the quarter from whence it originated; but " lie
took the bull by the horns," and .idolised the ela•
moor at once. He felt that he v‘il,4 there to were-
meet the first city in the tropoe he rarefied the
right of his constituents, the Lively, to be hesrd
by him in the House--(Creel ondoitse)--ui.,l
instead of the House putting hen ikon. he put lie,
House down.—(Loud apptiose.)—l le pot tt to the
sense of the House, what would to. viva alit slo.u:n
.
be known that he could not be !wind on beliell 4d
his constituents; sod if it was too to be expect..)
that people, finding their comi.latuts ROI owns Its-
tested to to the House, would begin io diebaTe meet
them elsewhere. The House, to os tumour, beat-
kened to his remonstrance, and several Mtenbsiii

from either side came over and congliatblaked taw.
He could put up with any ebullition of l'etling. but
not with studied insult. The Baronet bad said
thins about the Court of Aldermen hail bees, butte
dowti by a single bully and a einglettest. tidies did
not mean himself, it WAS inispiaced, sir tiacie was III*
other person worthy of Lis atteiiiims on the occa-
sion. He had asked the Baronet to his Incr, if lie
were meant, and the Baronet said crriandy inn. If
the Baronet chose to back out of it, therefore, lie
could have no objection. lie h :d been asked Ity
several persons in anonymous letters, and by sonic
who made themselves known, to eay of lie Lad eser
voted for the Catholic Question ? It was odd that
many of these persons voted for the Wier candidates
without such inquiry. He had never toted for the
Catholic Question. He had supported a snow n
fur referring the allegations of the Catholic Petitions,
under which the table groaned, to a Committee.
He would have done the same on a pealing coming
from the w st man in the country. He was
ashamed of keeping them so long ; he inka grateful
fur the exertions which had been made ter him.
From whatever causes those exertious bad failed,

he would not make further comment on them. lie
was relieved from a considerable burden of cure
and trouble; he could now pursue objects better
suited to his health and the interests of his family ;
hut so intimately had his life and feelings become
blended with the interests of public freedom, with
the c•utse of reform—the reduction of shuses—the
cleansing and restoration of the constitution in all
its branches, that he must always be ready to obey
any call made by his countrymen to resume his la-
bours in that glorious struggle.—(Applause.)
Mr. CURTIS moved a vote of thanks to the She-
rdls, for their polite and impartial conduct during
*lie t•ontest.—Carried unanimously.
the tilieriffs rt.turned thanks, and the meeting
dispersed.

FOREIGN IhTELLIGZNCE.