The Sun.
London, England, 1837-12-06 00:00:00

country ? He could cite another flagrant instance that had
occurred since he was Chief Justice. A Portuguese Duke,
having landed at Falmouth, was put in prison. He was
obliged to pay a large sum in order to purchase his release.
He also brought an action for false imprisonment, and re-
covered some damages. But the party who had injured him
was never able to pay any damages.—(Hear, hear.) And
what damages, if paid, could be any compensation for
such an outrage 1 It was absurd to suppose that either party
in these cases could be prepared with the money to purchase
their release. It was very often the case that parties could
not command money to purchase their release, and they
must suffer imprisonment. Let them reflect upon the
injury which an imprisonment did to the trade and to the
credit of the party arrested, and let them say whether there
was any action for false imprisonment which could afford com-
pensation. An action for ills() imprisonment was no remedy,
and often a party so arrested was injured for life. He trusted
that a law which gave rise to acts of such great injustice,
as the law of arrest upon mesne process, would not be conti-
nued in this free and enlightened country.—(Loud cheers.)
He observed that these arrests generally took place for small
sums. Two-thirds of those arrested had been arrested for
sums under 301. He observed that parties were placed at
the mercy not only of the creditor, but of the low practi-
tioners of the law, who had no regard, except for their own
interests. He trusted that, whatever alterations they
might make in this Bill in Committee, and whatever sub-
stitute they might adopt for arrest—whether what was
proposed by the Bill in its present shape, or any other substi-
tute, he trusted that by the second reading of the Bill that night,
it would stand recognized that the principle of arrest was abo-
lished.—( Hear.) In regard to exempting Members of Par-
liament from the operation of the Bill, be trusted that no
clause to any such effect would find its way into the Bill, be-
cause the abolition of arrest did away with the reason which
had given rise to the privilege of Parliament.
Lord A BING E R said he was willing that the Bill should
be committed ; and he was ready to give every assistance in
his power towards improving the Bill ; but as the Bill now
stood, it did not contain one single clause which had his ap-
probation. He observed that the Bill would throw additional
labour upon the Judges without any additional remuneration.
Lord BROUGHAM explained.
The LORD CHANCE LLOR said, after the course which
the discussion had taken, it would not be necessary for him to
say much. In regard to a Select Committee, if that was
considered the most effectual means of considering and im-
proving the details of the Bill, he should offer no objection to
such Committee, but he hoped that such Committee was not
for the purpose of obtzining further evidence, when they had
such a mass of evidence now.—( Hear.) Ha thought that
Members of Parliament should be liable to the operation of
this Bill, because the abolition of arrest did away with the
privilege of Parliament.
Lord BROUGHAM explained.

Wadsley, Yorkshire, at the Town-hall, Sheffield, Jan. 2, at one—
E. Read, cordwainer, Laxfield, Suffolk, at the King's Head Inn,
Beccles, Jan. 2, at two—J. Roberts, linendraper, Llandilo, Car -
marthenshire, at the Commercial-rooms, Bristol, Dec. 29, at
twelve—H. Cobb, farmer, Graveney, Kent, at the Guildhall, Can-
terbury, Dec. 26, at eleven.
CERTIFICATES, Due. 26.
J. W. Ringer, victualler, Great Yarmouth—S. H. Jonas, sugar
refiner, Well-street, Wellclose-square— S. Eadson and R. Kilvert,
fustian-manufacturers, Manchester—AL Andrew, grocer, Sheffield.

Lord LYNDHURST explained.
The Duke of WELLINGTON was willing that the
traders of this country should have some security other than
the arrest on mesne process, if any substitute could be found.
He hoped that the Committee would be able to find some
substitute for the arrest in question, that would be satisfactory
to the traders : but if neither the Select Committee nor the
Committee of the whole House, could find such substitute,
then he should oppose the bill at a future stage. He agreed
with the Noble and Learned Lord, that one of the causes of
incurring debts was this very power of arrest, but he believed
it was also both the cause and the consequence of the great
prosperity of this country. The enormous transactions that
were carried on in this country did require other and
stronger means of recovering debts than existed in other
countries. There must, he said, be some strong security for
the traders.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE agreed with the Noble
Duke, that some satisfactory substitute for arrest must be
found ; but he could not agree with him that every species of
credit which existed at present should be preserved.--( Hear,
hear.) Part of the credit was far from beneficial—it was, in-
deed, most noxious to society. There was one species of
credit which was disastrous to the country. There were
many tradesmen who entered into it, which created a species
of gambling transactions ; and there were many who, by
watching the feeling of the sons of men of wealth, took
advantage of it. He called this the most unjust method
of encouraging the unwary, particularly when the cre-
ditor is perfectly aware of the circumstances of the debtor.
The Legislature ought to prevent this state of things.
It did not require an attorney to seek for and by his in-
terference to adjudicate these matters of credit ; in fact, to
do that unequally which ought to be left to the Legislature
to determine. The Noble Duke who had preceded him had
made reference to the nature and description of credit given
in foreirm countries ; Lut in those countries, France in par-
ticular does not rely on arrest. The merchants of Bout-
deaux, Marseilles, and Rouen, still observe the old law of
arrest more than in other places, but still it had been found
to be ineffective. He ( Lord Lansdowne) was anxious to go
into Committee on this Bill, feeling assured that the less
credit there was given would ultimately tend to the benefit of
the country.
After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM, who said,
after what had passed he hoped the second reading would
take place.
The Bill was read a second time, the Committee was ap-
pointed, and the House adjourned until ten o'clock on
Thursday text.

PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.

J. Pitcairn and D. Pitcairn, brewers, Maldon, Essex—J. Butter
and P. Dent, surgeons and apothecaries, Kenninghall, Norfolk—
G. Osborn and S. Nash, dyers, Liverpool—W. Marriott and W.
Watkins, hat-manufacturers, Southwark—W. D. Hawson and G.
T. Hawson, maltsters and common brewers, Yorkshire—T. Hyde
and W. Ward, cotton brokers, Liverpool—G. W. Anstie and W.
Waylen, attorne7fs and solicitors, Devizes—J. Heap and T. Shar-
ratt, coach builders, Lichfield—J. Palmer and M. Gardiner, beer
and porter, cider, and perry merchants, Cheltenham—E. Williams
and G. Kerr, c, ibinet makers, Liverpool—S. Hicks and ill. Ald-
ridge, millers al id farmers, Knapp, Southampton-t-D. Moginie and
J. Chikaldy, dealers in East and West India produce, and spice
merchants, St. Mary-at-Hill, London—G. Blakeley and J. Geldard,
plasterers, Leedr—L. Rostron and R. Rostron, Manchester and
Rio de Janeiro—T. W. Woolfe, G. J. Woolfe, and J. B. Woolfe,
boat builders, Lower Shadwell—R. Ray and J. Tideswell, earthen-
ware and china manufacturers, Lane-end, Stoke-upon-Trent—
E. Silva, sen., E. Silva, jun., and T. P. Silva, wharfingers and
insurance brokers (so far as regards E. Silva, jun.) Morgan's-lane,
Tooley-street-- W. H. Somerton, C. E. Coote, and Sarah Coote,
newspaper proprietors, Bristol—J. Heeps and J. Heaps, black-
smiths, Maidwell, Northamptonshire.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.
WILLIAM GRAHAM, haberdasher, Leith, Dec. 8 and 23, at
twelve, at the Exchange Hotel.
J. GRAY, Dundee, merchant, to meet Dec. 9, and Dec. 27, at
twelve, within the Royal Hotel, Dundee.

PRICES OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
B tnk Stock.
-
3 per Cent. Red. 92%54% i Ditto Bonds .. `6 30 otr.
3 per Cent, Cons. —lSouth Sea Stoi k -,-
3i, per Cent..........- ........... \ Old .kiinnities ......... ...... —
Ditto Re:l. 99% T5.)41.,,i , Nc w Ditto '
New 3.4 per Cent ... —i 3 pe-.; Cent. Annuttirit. 17,0... —.—
New 5 per Cent... — F.,eti. Bills, .Elp44i 43 50 47 49 um
Bank Long Annuttiestoeitorp Ditto 5OO 43 50 47 49 pm.
Jan. 5, 1800 14 13-15 N, Ditto Small ... ...... 48 51 43 49 pm.
Oct. 10, 1859 14 11-16 Ditto C0mmercia1......... pra.
Jan. 5, 1860 l5 1-16 Ditto Advertised 44 43 pm
Jan. 5, 1/39n
April 5, itiN
Jan. 5, 1870 — Co.ntiols for Account 93% Ts
Om nium pr.i.

FROM LAST NIGILFS GAZETTE.

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, OCT. 28, 1837.

The Queen has been pleased, on the nomination of Lord Foley,
to appoint Henry Larkin3 Ewart, Esq. one of her Majesty's
nourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, by purchase, vice H,
Weir, retired.

PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS
Aiistrian Bonds
Belgian .....
Ditto Account
Brazilian Bonds
Ditto Account
Buenos Ayres Bone-
Acc-i)unt
hiilian
i3onds
Ditto Account ........
';o!urribian 80nd5............. .....
Ditto Aecoulit
C)lunioian 80nd5,1324...
Ditto Account
l)tnish Bonds .....
Ditto Accouut
Greek Bonds ............
Ditto Bonds, 1825
Ditto Account ..«..........« —
Mexican BantAs, 5 pi,,r cent —
Ditto Account
Ditto, 6 per cent.
--
Ditto Account
Neapolitsn,.... ........ ........

PRICES OF SHARES THIS

I'HIS DAY AT OSE O'CLOCK.
Peruvian nonds
Ditto Account ........
Vcrtuguese Bones ll
Acconnt
Pitto New Bonslv 2l
Ditto Account 29
D‘tto, 3 per cer, 19,A%
entlsian Bonds

Great Western Railway Company
Brighton Railway company
Brighton Railway"( Rennie's)
L cledon and Birmingham Railway CE
Ditto Shares
Ijintion and Croydon Railway Corn

Itusatan Bon4s, 18'2'2 ......

Ditto Account

nut. Metallic ...... ••••••
Spanish Bands
Ditto Account_.

Ditto Bonde.lB2l 1936
Ditto Account
French, 5 per cent —f —c.
--'---- 4 per cent —l —.7,
—1 per cent. —l. —..c.
Exchange —C....,
Dutch, '46 per cent. 541%4
Ditto Account —
Ditto, 5 rer cent lo2tAli
Ditto Account —

DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK
Paid. pir Share
651 i%
7s.
149 9

many 9O

ipany

Ditto Scrip
I ontloa and Westminster Bank
National Bank ot Ireland
National Prorincial Bank of England

COURSE OF EXCH.
Amsterdam C.F. 12 4
Ditto, at sight
2 U. 12
Antwerp...
Hamburg.

Al tona..-.

17g

Paris, 3 days' sight 25 60

Ditto- 3 Ms. 25 90
Marseilles.
t3ourdcaux
Frankfort on Maine, Ex. M 52!.4
Peternbuigh, ruble 3 Us. 10
Berlin

Vienna, effective El 2 M. 10 10
rrieste ditto lO 11
Madrid 34

Cadiz.-- 35
Bilboa

Barcelona

II wille 34

7 fi
I,IV.
32Y,

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1837.

the childishness to swagger about " Magna Charta," "the
Land of Liberty," and so forth !
The present Bill is a praiseworthy attempt to wipe off
this disgrace which is unknown in other countries from
our land, and to substitute a law more in unison
with reason, humanity, and justice. Instead of giving
the creditor an almost unlimited power over the per-
son of his debtor and hardly any over his pro-
perty, it gives him a more efficacious remedy against
the property, and takes away—except in cases of fraud,
which are in fact cases of crime—the power of imprisoning
the person.
The chief argument upon which Lord LYNDHURST
seemed to depend was this, that many traders had repre-
sented to him that the Bill would be very detrimental to
their interests. It is possible that some of the clauses
may tend to clog commercial transactions, and may,
therefore, require consideration but is the whole ma-
sure to be sacrificed on that account ? There is ano-
ther class of traders whose opposition to the Bill is, we
believe, implacable, and who are striving tooth and nail
to defeat it—we mean the petty tradesmen who encourage
and entice their customers to take goods on credit, and
then pounce upon them either with an arrest or with a
threat of arrest, and screw the payment, if not out of the
debtor, out of his friends. Now one most important be-
nefit to the community from this measure will be that there
will be-much less credit given, and those who are now tempted
by long credit to contract debts which they cannot pay, will
be compelled to exercise more economy in their expendi-
ture. The objections made by Baron LYNDHURST were
satisfactorily and ably answered by Lord BROUGHAM, to
whose admirable speech we beg to refer our readers. They
will there see an admirable illustration of the working of
the present abominable law, and of the sufferings which it
may inflict on the innocent, when set in motion by unprin-
cipled persons.

The Irish Municipal Reform Bill was, on the motion of
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, read a first time in the House of
Commons last night. We congratulate the Government
on the early redemption of its pledges to the people of Ire-
land ; and we trust its influence will be employed in
accelerating the progress of the more important Bills,
for improving the laws and institutions of that
country—in order to prevent their rejection by the Lords
under the plea of the advanced state of the Parliamentary
Session, and the pressure of other public business. Ire-
land is as much entitled to Municipal Institutions as either
England or Scotland, and it is high time that she ob-
tained them.

The " Battle of the Diamond" was re-fought in the
House of Commons last night and terminated—if not in
the reversion of the victory toasted for upwards of forty
years by the Orange Magistracy of Armagh, Derry, and
Tyrone—at all events, in the total discomfiture of the
Hon. and Gallant Orange Representative of the first-
named of these counties. Colonel VERNER, in the excess
of his zealous adherence to the Protestant-Ascendancy-
principle, justified to Parliament and to the country the
conduct of the Government in dismissing him from the
magistracy. His defence of his own conduct was a bold
one ; but at the same time it was one which confirms Mr.
O'CoNNELL's oft-repeated declaration, that " the present
Government is the only one that ever zealously exerted
itself to do justice to Ireland." The Gallant Colonel ad-
mitted at once that he had toasted the " Battle of the
Diamond"—that he had not done so for the first or the
fiftieth time—that it was a toast which had been given and
cheered, at public and private dinners, i❑ the Coun-
ties of Armagh and Tyrone, for nearly half a
century—that the fact of its having been so given
was known to every Government in Ireland since 1795, but
that no notice had ever been taken of it before the month
of August last. This open admission of so startling a
fact alarmed the Tories who had come dawn to the House
to fight under the banners of the Orange ex-Deputy, Lord-
Lieutenant. The Hon. Member for Kilmarnock, who has
recently been exhibiting his ignorance of every thing con-
nected with Ireland, admitted that th 9 toast was " ill-
judged ;" Mr. LITTON complained of the espionage of the
Government which interfered to prevent country gentlemen
from hiccupping Orangeism over their cups ; Mr. SHAW
rose to tell the House that he did not mean to justify the
toast ; and Mr. Et.ms, who was present when the toast,
was given, declared that he knew nothing of what it
was about, or to what previous transaction it referred.
Thus there was not a Tory in the House, with the
exception of Colonel VERNER, who did.not either openly
or tacitly condemn the conduct of the Irish Magis-
trates during the whole period so boastingly referred
to by the dismissed Orange functionary. The speech of
Lord MORPETH was masterly in the extreme ; and the
earnestness with which he declared that a " Magistrate
who could give such a toast was unworthy of the confidence
of his neighbours," elicited shouts of applause. The
CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER dealt some bard blows
at the Irish Magistracy, which told amazingly well. The
motion was not opppsed by the Government.

The German Papers received this morning announce
that the metropolitan chapter of Cologne has elected the
Vicar-General of the Archdiocese (HUIGSEN) to perform
the episcopal functions until the Court of Rome has decided
whether the Prussian Government was justified in com-
manding the removal of the Archbishop. For this act
some of the canons of the chapter had their houses attacked
by the populace, but the appearance of the military served
to restore order, before any material damage was done.
We regret to learn that the Government of Austria, irri-
tated at the harsh treatment of the Catholics by Prussia,
has adopted a retaliatory policy, and has even proceeded so
far as to expel from her territory the small community of
Zillervale, for declaring themselves converts from the
Church of Rome to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.
These exiles have been received with raptures of applause
by Prussia ; and thus, by a fatal error on both sides, are
the seeds of religious feuds, for centuries to come, now
sowing in Germany.
Hallovint, Nov. 27.—(From a letter in the Hamburgh Cor-
respondent.)—" We learn that the Gottingen Professors have re-
ceived from the Curatorium of the University, in reply to their
remonstrance respecting the Royal Patent of Ist November, that
it was of such a nature that it could not be received. At the same
time, it is said, the Oath of Allegiance was tendered to them for
their signature, with an intimation that in case of their refusal, they
would be discharged from their functions as professors of the
Universisy. If this is so, we may look forward with certainty to a
great, almost irreparable loss to the University.
Great sensation has been excited by a report that the Supreme
Court of Appeal at Celle has declared against the Royal Patent,
and the reported steps of the Dukes of Sussex and Cambridge, in
favour of the Constitution of 1833, appear to be confirmed.
The Leipzig Allgerneine Zeitung has an article from Bruns-
wick, dated Nov. 23, which says—" The Assembly of the Estates,
in its sitting yesterday, unanimously adopted the motion of a
member to insert in the Journals of the Chamber a declaration,
That the Estates confidently trusted that the Ducal Government
would take such measures, in its relation with the German Confe-
deration, as might effect the restoration of the Constitution in the
kingdom of Hanover.' "

The whole of the Paris Journals of Monday have been
received. They contain no domestic news of the slightest
interest. &dykes from Pamplona of the 20th ult. state
that nothing can be more deplorable than the condition of
the Carlists. The Curd MORENo is reported to have
been killed by his own men-the Infante Don SEBASTIAN
has been imprisoned for conspiring against the Pretender-
VILLAREAL and SIMON DE LA TORRE have been exiled-
and eighteen Carlist officers have fallen into the hands of
BUEREN'S division, in an attempt to re-cross the Ebro,
after the failure of the late expedition. On the other
hand, ESPARTERO is taking his ease at Pamplona, nor is
there any appearance of his troubling his head about the
proceedings of the rebels during the winter, provided the
Madrid Government will allow him to act as he may deem
most convenient. Instead of striking a final blow, now
that the enemy is in some degree in his power, he busies
himself with intrigues which he has neither the brains to
unravel nor the ability to profit by. We have no intelli-
gence from Madrid.
Baron Allege de Cepry, Minister Plenipotentiary of France to
the German Diet, has been for some days in Paris. It is said that
he has been summoned to Paris to give his opinion on the prevail-
ing opinion of Southern Germany, and in particular on the spirit
of the Members of the Diet with respect to the affairs of Hanover.
Another subject of his coming is said to be to receive instructions,
which may be necessary for him to act upon, in case, as is highly
probable this affair should be brought before the Representatives of
the Confederation.-Messager.
FRENCH FUNDS.-Pests,DEc. 4.
Five per Cents., 107 f. sc.
Four and a Half per Cents., 104 E 75c.;
Four per Cents., 100 f. 75c. SOc. 90c.
Three per Cents., 80f. 25c. 35c. 25c.
Bank Actions, 2,580 f.
Rente de Naples, 99E 50c. 40c.
Roman Five per Cents., 101 100%.
Spanish Actives, 20%%.
Spanish Passives, 414.
Belgian Loan, 10214.
Brussels Society, 1,680 E
Belgian Bank, 1,525 f. 1,527 E 50c. 1,530 f.
Portuguese Three per Cents., 18%% ‘il/6.
Dutch Two and a halfper,Cents., 54% 14 .
Haytlan Loan, 355 E
EXCHANGE ON LONDON.
One month, paper, 25f. 42%c. i • money, 25f. 40c.
Three months, paper, 25E 2736 c.; money, 25E 2714 c
-(;ours Authentioue.
LAST PRICES,
Five per Cents. 107 f. 25c.
Three per Cents., SOf. 40c.
Bank Actions, 2,560 f.
Romans, 100%.
Belgian Loan, 102 k.
Belgian Bank, 1,530 f.
Brussels Society, 1,680 E
Portuguese Three per Cents., 18%.
Spanish Actives, 20:X.
Spanish Passives, 4A.
Haytian Loan, 355 f.
Dutch Two and a Half per Cents., 54141'.

We are happy to observe that the Chancellor of the
Exchequer intends to move for a Committee to consider the
propriety of increasing the number of parochial schools in the
Highlands. There is, we believe, a population in the High-
lands of about 80,000 unable to read or write i—lnverness
Courier.

CITY OF LONDON ELECTION.

(THIS DAY.)

A Public Meeting took place this day at the London Tavern,
Bishopsgate-street, of the Reform Electors of the City of London,
for the purpose of considering the steps necessary to be taken in
consequence of the petition presented by the Tories against the
return of the four sitting Members. Among those on the platform
we observed W. J. Denison, Esq., M.P. ; W. Kingscote, Esq. ;
G. Hibbert, Esq. ; A. Hastie, Esq., M.P. ; Currie, Esq. ;
J. Pattison, Esq., M.P. ; G. Grote, Esq., M.P. ; F. Ladbroke,
Esq. ; Thompson Hankey, Esq. ; G. H. Larpent, Esq. ;
M' caggart, Esq., M.P. ; J. Warre, Esq. ; G. Calvert, Esq. ;
Hon. T. Denham ; Sir Matthew Wood, Bart., M.P. ; W. Craw-
ford, Esq., M.P. ; Bourdieu, Esq. ; Hervey, Esq. :
Thomas Christy, Esq. ; A. Alexander Hankey, Esq. ; John Tra-
vers, Esq. ; Bassett Colvin, Esq. ; H. Forsyth, Esq. ; B. Wood,
Esq. ; W. Drane, Esq. ; E. Ellice, Esq. ; F. Wakefield, Esq. ;
J. J. Barton, Esq. ; G. Rew, Esq. ; S. Amorey, Esq. ; G.
Moreland, Esq. ; J. L. Jones, Esq. ; W. Pritchard, Esq. ;.G. W.
Edwards, Esq. ; S. Baylis, Esq. ; and many other mercantile men
of great eminence.
On the motion of Mr. TRAVERS, seconded by Mr. HEPPEL,
W. J. Denison, Esq., M.P., was called to the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN said, flattered and gratified as I must be by the
honour of presiding over so numerous and so respectable a body of
gentlemen as I now have the honour of seeing before me, I should
make an ill return for that kindness if I were to tresspass long on
your time, or occupy any part of that portion of the day which
will be devoted to other, and I trust better purposes. —( Cheers. )
Still I think it is a duty incumbent on me, before we
proceed to the business of the day, to state to you in as few words
as I possibly can, the object, and intent, and purposes of this meet-
ing. I trust that every Gentleman will have a fair hearing, what-
ever his political opinions are—whether he is Whig, Tory, or Ra-
dical. Every Gentleman should have a candid and fair hearing.—
(Cheers. ) Gentlemen, I have no report to make to you from any
Secret Committee ; we are not met in close divan or secret
conclave, but in the face of day, and by public advertisement.
We are fairly met to consider the extraordinary conduct
of our political opponents, for . such I must call them,
and how best to support the return of my Honourable Friend on
my right. I trust, Gentlemen, that no party heat will occur to-
day, but that. with calmness, moderation, and discretion, we shall
discuss the best mode of effecting that purpose. It must be per-
fectly well known to all of you, what took place at the last election.
You had been represented in the last Parliament by four Gentle-
men whom I have the honour to call my friends—three of them
were returned by large majorities on the poll—they are all men of
most unexceptionable private character, against whom the finger of
calumny has never been pointed. You had, Gentlemen, in the
first place, your venerable Magistrate on my right, who I think has
been returned ten times for your City—( Loud cheers)—whose
whole life has been passed in a steady and consistent course in the
popular cause.—( Continued cheering.) If he has been wrong
I must plead guilty to the charge. He has lately been rewarded
by our youthful, illustrious, and beloved Queen, who has conferred
on him an honour he well deserves, and, I trust, may long wear.—
( Applause.) Next upon the poll is my respected friend, Mr.
Crawford, whom I had the honour of proposing first of all at a
Common Hall in the Guildhall. Of him I will only say, that as
a friend and neighbour knowing his worth, that while he most stre-
nuously attends to all his Parliamentary and metropolitan duties,
he does not omit those of a county magistrate and country gentleman.
My next Hon. Friend is Mr. Pattison, the ex-Governor of the
Bank of England, who, I am sure an earthquake would not remove
from his principles.—(Great cheering.) Of the last gentleman,
whom I lament to see so low upon the poll, my Hon. Friend, Mr.
Grote, I shall only say, from his talents, from his literary acquire.
ments, and steady attachment to the popular cause, from his un-
wearied efforts to obtain for the humbler classes. of society that pro-
tection for their vote without which their suffrage becomes a
burthen—l can only say of him, that there is no constituency in
the three kingdoms that ought not to be proud of having him as
their Representative. The fifth candidate was a gentleman with
whom I have the honour of being acquainted. He is a gentleman
perfectly qualified to represent this great city in Parliament, though
I differ from him toto edo in his principles. He is a gentleman of
great talent, unsullied worth, and extensive knowledge. Over
that Gentleman my Hon. Friend, Mr. Grote, had a majority of
six. If that Gentleman or his Committee thought he hada fair chance
of success, he would have done right to petition against the return of
Mr. Grote only, but I contend that the most extraordinary course has
been adopted by his Committee, for 1 entirely acquit Mr. H. Palmer
of their acts. Any gentleman who knows anything about elections,
must know that when a candidate is started his hands are tied, and
all that is done in his name is done by his Committee. The course
the Committee has taken in this case is the most extraordinary
which, in rather a long political life, I ever witnessed. It hes been
my lot to be engaged in many contests. I have known the reverse
of fortune ; I have been triumphantly borne on the tide of success,
and I have known the cold hour of defeat and distress ; but we have
always fought the contest with the spirit of men and the language
of gentlemen—(Cheers);—and when that contest has been con-
cluded we have always shaken hands and been the best of friends.—
( Cheers.) But I rather think that was not the case here.—
( Cheers.) We all know the angry feeling that is engendered by
an election, and we know also how bitter is party feeling upon de-
feat. But this petition is got up when those feelings have in some
degree subsided.—( Cheers.) Now what can be the object of this ?
I will tell you, gentlemen, what I think the object is. It is two-
fold : one is, to wear down the popular party by expense.—
( Cheers.) But there is another cause. You all know, gentlemen, as
well as myself how nearly the two great parties in the country are
divided in the House of Commons. You all know the number of
petitions presented, and you all know bow those petitions arc to be
supported..--(Cheers.) By petitioning against three of my Hon.
Friends they deprived the country in the House of Commons of
their services upon Committees. I make no reflections upon Com-
mittees of theHouze of Commons ; but we all know how an able, elo-
quent, and artful advocate will often make the worst appear the better
cause ; and certainly if I was so circumstanced, I should prefer
having a Whig Committee—(Laughter)—as no doubt the
gentlemen on the other side would prefer a Tory one. Now, gen-
tlemen, a few words more, and! shall trouble you no longer. You
all know the wealth and power of our political opponents. They are
composed of the most opulent of the wealthiest aristocracy that Eu
rope ever saw, and they are not very scrupulous in the use of that
wealth.—( Hear, hear.) Think not that I say this for the purpose
of alarming you. No, but in order to stimulate you to more ardent
and strenuous exertions. Besides, I believe that the wealth and

power opposed to us can no more stem the tide of impoo7ement, of
civilization and reform, than the celebrated Saxon Monarch of the
Heptarcby could stem the tide of the ocean.—( Great cheering. )
I shall now, gentlemen, trespass on your attention no farther than
to express a hope that every gentleman will not only obtain a fair
hearing, but that the discussion shall be carried on with temper,
moderation, and above all that there shall be no discussion amongst
us Reformers. Let us recollect that the object of our assembling
to. day is for the purpose of dereating the petition—l was about to
say conspiracy—which has been got up against the return ; to that
object, and that object alone, I hope that the discussion will be
confined. I thank you most gratefully for the atten-
tion with which you have listened to me—(cheers)—
GEORGE LARPENT, Esq., said—Not having taken a prominent
part in the election for the City of London,. a resolution had been
put into his hands, which he felt much pleasure in laying before the
meeting. The resolution was-
1. That the electors of London here assembled regard the peti-
tion presented to Parliament against the return of the four present
Representatives as an attempt to coerce the majority of the con-
stituency, and to deprive them of the services of those who have
been elected their Members by a fair and open election.
This proposition would not require much argument from him to
enforce it, particularly after the luminous exposition entered into
by their respected Chairman ; and as he was to be followed by a
gentleman who was much more conversant with its details than he was.
But he felt so strongly upon this occasion that he would make one
or two observations upon this extraordinary attempt. That there
should be an inquiry when the majority was only six between two
of the candidates was to be expected; but he did not expect, when
he looked to the respectable character of their opponent, that they
should have petitioned against the three others, when there could
not be a shadow of doubt as to their election.—(Hear, hear.)
Besides, it was impossible that out of the four any one but Mr.
Palmer could sit, supposing his petition to be successful.—(Hear,
hear, hear.) Why, therefore, should the expenses be brought
to such an enormous extent, as probably they would be, but
to dial' the purses of the constituency who supported the
Reform candidates.—(Cheers.) Unless, indeed (which he should
be sorry to imagine) it arose from personal pique.—( Hear, hear.)
There was certainly an allegation of bribery in the petition, but
from all that he had heard, and from the inquiries that he had
made, he was satisfied that the accusation would recoil on those
who made it.—(Loud cheers.) What! bribe the electors of the
city of London ? The thing was an absurdity—an impossibility.
—(Cheers.) But God forbid that if there had been bribery com-
mitted it should not be inquired into.—(Loud cheers.) Much po-
litical morality was yet to be learned by public men with regard to
bribery at elections—(Cheers)—but the electors of the city of Lon-
don would never support men who could be guilty of each a crime.
—(Cheers.) The gravamen of this attempt, however, was, that the
parties against whom the petition had been presented were united,
and it was now endeavoured to make them pay the penalty of their
union. Holding, however, as he did, opinions differing somewhat
from those entertained by some of his Hon. Friends, he would
state why he came in this manner to support all the four Metribers.
The country was divided into two great parties—he might almost
say two great columns—there was the Blue from the deepest down
to the lightest Curalian ; and there were all shades of yellow, from
the brigbtest orange to the lightest possible tint.—(Laughtcr, and
Hear; hear.) Now, if he had seen upon the other side any
such scrupulousness as to coming forward to assist their
Candidate, because there was some difference of opinion
_

between them, he might, perhaps, from a slight difference of ()Pinion
between him and some of his Hon. Friends, have been induced to
stay away. But though Mr. Palmer on a former occasion had de-
clared himself to be no Tory, all shades of Tories have come for-
ward to support him.—(Hear, hear.) Therefore did he (Mr. L.)
come forward at the election, and therefore did he come forward
now to support all his Hon, Friends.—(Cheers.) He considered
it to be the duty of all Reformers to support reforming principles
and a reforming Government—(Cheers)—and on great occasions
like the present to forget al 'minor distinctions—(Loud cheers)—
and he had no doubt that their united exertions would prove ulti-
mately successful.—(Cheers. ) He would conclude by moving the
resolution.
Join; TRAVERS. Esq., then came forward and said—Gentle-
men I have great pleasure in seconding this resolution, and of
coming among you early in this business, because it so happens
that I am acquainted more than those that surround me at this
time with the circumstances which have induced us to call you
together on the present occasion. We are assembled here, Gen-
tlemen, as you have heard, in consequence of a petition just pre-
sented to the House of Commons against the return of our four
present Members, and that petition has been presented by our
old friends the Tories.—(Great laughter.) Gentlemen,l have
read the petition somewhat carefully, and I state without hesita-
tion, that it is full of allegations •as false as they are absurd
and scandalous.—( Tremendous cheering, and a few hisses.)
Gentlemen, this petition, perhaps, is couched in the usual form of
such petitions ; but nevertheless I recommend you, uninitiated as I
am in such circumstances, to read it. It is a curious document,
and will amply repay your perusal.—(Laughter.) W e are there
charged with bribery and intimidation—with perjury and the
subornation of perjury—with false personation, and everything
that is black in the catalogue of political crimes—and this, gentle-
men, to come from the Tories at any time.—( Great cheering and
laughter.) But I think I can solve the riddle for you. Our
friends the Tories having been at the late election somewhat
more intimate with such practices than they ought to have
been, are willing to anticipate a difficulty that may fall back on
themselves ; and therefore they accuse you first with those things
with which they are, I believe, themselves exclusively chargeable.
--(Cheers.) I had the honour at the late election of filling a cer-
tain post among you, and had a pretty fair and full view of the
whole matter ; and I tell you, Gentlemen, I know of no such evil
doings on ou r side ; but that upon every occasion, during that
election, when certain proposals were made to me—and be it
marked, Gentlemen, that those proposals generally came from men
who were strangers to me, and whom I considered at the time were
spiesfrom the enemy's camp wanting to entrap me, and whom I still
believe to be so—when such proposals were made to me, I repelled