The National Register.
London, England, 1820-03-27 00:00:00

No. 1,230 —VoL. XIII.]

TRIAL OF SIR FRANCIS BURDETT.

LEICESTER, THURSDAY, MARCH 23.
This being the day fixed for the trial of Sir Francis
Bode', on a charge of libel alleged to he contained in a
letter written by the Hon. Baronet, on the 22d Atmust
last addressed to the Electors of Westminster, respecting
the transaction; at Manchester, the court was crowded
to excess at a very early hour. About nine o'clock a
loud shout was heard front the multitude without, aml
immediately afterwards Sir Francis Burdett appeared in
cowl, and took a seat next to the Associate, under the
bench. Several of his friends advanced to the table,
and paid their compliments to him : among them were
Sir George Robinson, Mr. Otway Cave, Mr. Godfrey
Nlundav, Mr. Pack, and Mr. Gishorne. Iu ditforott
arts of the court wee rerognized Lord R. Manner., Lady
Noel (the mother of Lady Byron), and Lady Elizabeth
Norman. At 10 o'clock Mr. Justice Best, who is
much indisposed, took his seat on the bench. The fol.
lowite! i.:,etitlenten were then called and sworn, as a
special jury, to try the ease:
Edward Farnham. of Qttorndon, Esq.
Henry Green, of Holleman, Esq.
Thomas Wri'tht, of Lubbenham. Esq.
John Haycock, of Crosston and Newbold, Esq.
Henry Davte Coleman, of ("Why. Esq.
Valentine Green. of Normsnton Heath, Esq.
Frederick W. Woollaston, of Shenten. Esq.
Clement Winstanley, of Bratinstime, Esq.
Francis Forrester, of Somerhy, Esq.
John Adams, of Loddington, Esq.
James Pickering Ord, of West Langton, Esq.
John Goodacre, of Ullesthorpc, Esq.
The Counsel for the prosecution were, Mr. Sergeant
Vaughan. Mt. Clarke, Mr. Reader, and Mr. Balguy ;
for the defendant, NIT.. Denman and Mr. Phillips.
Mr. lialguy opened the proceedings. He stated, that
this was an inhumation lied by his Majesty's Attorney-
General alL3.lllil the defend int, Ser Francis Burdett, for
a libel. The first count charged, that the defendant,
being cu person, and intending to excite
hatred :Ind contempt of his INlairsty's Government, and
particularly among the soldiers of the King, and wishing
to have it that certain troops of the King, rim
the 16th of A tiutist. 1819, wantonly and cruelly cut
down ceri Ain of his Majesty's subjerts, did, on the 2211
of the same month of August, publish a certain
The count then set out the libel vertraim, which was in
these word:
:
`• TO THE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER.
•• Gentlemen,--On reading the newspaper this morning,
having arrived hue yesterday evening, I was filled with shame,
grief, and indignation at the account of the blood spilt at Man-
thester. This, then, is the answer of the boroughmongers to the
petitioning people—this is the practical moot' of our standing in
no need of reform—these the practical blessings of our glorious
boroughtnonger domination—this the use of a standing army in
time of peace. It seems our fathers were nut such fools as some
would make us believe• in opposing the establishment of a stand-
ing army, and sending King William's flinch Guards out of the
country. Yet, would to Heaven they had been Dutchmen. or
Switzers, or Hessians, or Hanoverians, or any thing rather than
Englishmen, who have done such deeds. What ! kill men un-
armed, unresisting!—and, gracious God, women mu, disfigured.
maimed, cut down. and trampled upon by dragoons ! Is this
England ? This a Christian land ? A lateil heet111111? Can
such things he, and pass its by like a smuttier cloud unheeded ?
Forbid it every drop of I:nglish blood, in every vein• that does
not proclaim its owner bastard! Will the gentlemen of England
support or wink at such proceedings ? They have a groat stake
in their country. They hold great estates. and they are hound
in duty, and in honour, to consider them as retaining tees um the
part or their country for upholding its rights anti liberties.—
Surely, they will in leiigth awake! and find they have other
duties to perform besides fattening bullocks and planting cab.
Images. They never can slant! noisily by, as lookers-on, while
bloody Nemo% rip open their mothers' wombs ! They must join
the general voice, loudly demanding itistice and redress; and
head public 'meetings throughout the United Kingdom, to put a
stop in its commenceno nt, to a reign of terrier and cut blood. To
atherd corecelatiiin. as far as it can he afforded. and legal reiliai,s
to the widows tend orphans snd mutilated vielints ofthis unparal-
leled and barbarons outrage. For this purpose. I propose that a
!netting should be called in W estmin der. a hide thee gentlemen
of the conoteittee will arrange, and a hose summons I will hold
myself in reatliewss to attend. Whether the penalty of our
ii citing yin be destle, by military execution. I know not but
this I ithOW. a Ulan fall 111 • bell once; and never better, than m
vindicating thee laws mid liberties of his country.
66 Excuse this hasty address. I can scarcely tell what I have
written. It may be a libi I; or the Attorney-General may call it
so--gust as he pleases. Wiwi, the seven bishops were tried for a
libel. the Rimy or James H., then encamped on I loonslow-beath.
for supporting arhittary power, gave three cheers on hearing of
their acquittal: the King startled at the noise, asked • What's
that ?' ' Nothing. Sir !' was the answer, • but the soldiers
shouting at the acquittal of the seven bishops.' Ho ve call that
nothing ?' replied thee misgiving tyrant ; and shortly atter Mali-
CUP-1i the government. 'Tis true, James could not inflict the
torture on his soidiets lag tear the living lb sh 111411 their
bones wide a cat-of nine tails !--coold not flay them alive!-11e
the., as it nlity, our duty is to Meet and • Ehgland expiats every
man to do has duty P
" I remain. Gitalcraen, most truly and faithfully.
" Your most Ms dieter servant.
•• Kirby-park, Aug. 22, 1818. E. nuitnErr."
that the litrOrlllailnit MOM
Mined other ciands, laying the charge in a flatlet met man-
ner.
Mr. Sergeant VtectlAty then addressed the Jury at
great It ugth. Alter which,