The Sun.
London, England, 1806-11-15 00:00:00

AIIDDLESEX ELECTION.

At the conclusion of the poll yesterday, the num-
bers were,

for Mr. MELLISII 17R5
Beyra. - - 1456
Sir F. BURDETT . 298
Mr. BYNo.—Gentlemen, I beg leave to return
you my thanks.
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT.—Gentlemen, I took the
yesterday -of addressing a question or two to
the Gentleman 'next tile, who seemed to think it
was rather unwarrantable in. me to do so : but I
trilst, as one of the Freeholders of the county, he
Will not think the question was altogether mis-
placed. Gentlemen, I can only say, that, if the
County and the Freeholders are content with the
general declaration to which the Candidate near me
has confined himself, I have no reason to find fault
with their being satisfied : but I always think it
n&6ssary, and more fair towards the public, to state
at least my own principles ; and it is the more ne-
Ciis'ary or die, because I see them so frequently, I
may ss uniformly, either misunderstood or mis-
representM. Gentlemen, I beg leave first of all to
observe, that I have seen in the Papers to-day an
advertiseMent of certain Freeholders who wish to
Support my interest : now I take this, the first op-
portunity I have, of solemnly declaring, that the ad-
yertisement has appeared without my Knowledge,
aiid even without any consent given on my part.
Gentlemen, much has been, said during this Elec-
tion, here and at other places, concerning the prin-
ciples 1 profess ; •but no reason has been shewn,
no person has bad the charity to point out wherein,
those principles are defective, or - wherein they are
inconsistent with the old and true Constitution of
England ; therefore,-.Gentlemen, if I should adhere
to those principles until the error is pointed out to
me, I trust I shall meet with your approbation. Gen-
tlemen, there has been an attack Made on me and
my principles by a respectable Gentleman—l mean
Mr. Whitbread, who states, on his part, and peN
baps of the party with whom he ads, such priti
ciples as are not reconcilable to mine, and of course
cannot. look to his support. His principles are
those which, 1 will be bold to say, are-. neither ra-
tional or consistont with the genuine principles of
the Constitution of the country. Not to detain you
With going through this long. letter of Mr. Whit-
bread, I will mention one passage so inconsistent, un-
constitutional, and mischievous to the country, that
it is impossible fir me to pass it over without no-
tice.. It is, Gentlemen, therein stated, thit the
Ministers of this country are appointed to rule over
Us, And that we are to look to them for protection.
This appears to me a dodrine too monstrous to be
adopted by any man of common sense, because I
do not, nor can I, consider any Minister, or. any
Administration, entitled to exercise an uncontrouled
authority over the people of this. Country. I con-
sider the Constitution as having appointed the Kina
to rule, and his Ministers; each in his department, to
do his duty. But the Constitution has protected •
the People With art impenetrable shield against offi-
cial abuse, by appointing for them a fair Represen-
tation in Parliament. These, Gentlemen, are short-
ly and plainly broad constitutional grounds, on
which I have, and ever intend to a& ; and I defy
any man to find in any part of my conduct, or any
word or sentence written by me, inconsistence with
this declaration ; for I hold it to be as pernicious to
the public interest Zis prejudicial to the people, that
any party of men or coalition of parties should take
possession of the King, and tole the People in his
name, or rather misrule the people, by usurping his
name and his prerogatives. This, I say, I hold to be
as illegal and pernicious as preventing the People
• from having the benefit of their fair Constitutional
Representatives. in Parliament. One principle also
maintained by me seems to have given universal
alarm, and that is, that it is a maxim with me that
• no man who does not perform a service should re-
ceive a reward—that no badge of honour should be
conferred, nor, in the present situation of the Coun-
try, a single shilling or our resources applied to
any man without his being able to shew his me-
rits. Now, Gentlemen, I have never thought as
many have seemed to imagine, that those who have
performed public duties and services should not meat
with ample reward. On the contrary, it is my sin-
cere opinion, that they hardly meet wi:h that remu-
neration theydeserve; but, at the same time, I think,
that those who have perforMed no services run away
with the rewards which should only belong to the he-
roes who have achieved them. To instance the case
of Lord Nelson, alluded to by Mr. Whitbread. It
was a case with regard to which I am,free to admit
no national reward could be too high. But to shew
how mean and inadequate are the rewards for pub-
lic merits, I would instance thecase ofthat brave man,
Mr. Scott, who fell gloriously by the side of the iru
;\'‘‘D

. • . • •
mortal Lora. Iql3on, nd 'whose gallant.condui.t ex-
posed him to, a danger his duty aid 'not comp ti him
to encounter. It is with regret I state that this .brave
man haying fallen in the cause of his country, it was
with great difficulty his friends, by tlieir utmost ex-
- ertions, could obtain for -his widow and helpless chil-
dren the small pittance of tool. a year. At the same
time, Gentlemen, we see Mr. R. B. Sheridan, for in-
stance, who was not at the baffle of Trafalgar, who
was never any where serving the public, rewarded
with several thousands a year out of the purse of an.
oppressed and exhausted People. These are the
abuses of which I complain, abuses which I fear will
terminate in the destruction of the country, and de-
stroy its resources both with regard to honours and
emoluments. It.is the men wrio are the authors of
them who are the best allies of our enemies, and the
real traitors of die country. These are the persons
who to enrich themselves despoil thecoun try of those
sacred resources which ought to be treasured up
against the hour of danger. Gentlemen, having
stated to you thus plainly and broadly my sentiments
on those few topics which have lately been brought
before the Public, I can only say, that no alteration
is likely to take place in my mind either by any cir-
cumstance of the poll at this election, or any other
cause, unless any one should be able to impress me
with a conviction that I am acting upon principles
not beneficial to the people.
Mr. HELLlSH—Gentlemen Freeholders, for the
third 'time I must appeal to your generosity to hear
me. It is impossible I can say much, and I have
so bad a cold that I am sure you will not, hear half
what Ido say.. It would undoubtedly give me the
greatest pleasure if the explanation of my principles
had met with the unanimous approbation of the Free-
holders. lam sorry it has not ; but lam sure if you
will look to the poll you will find it has been ap-
proved by a decided Wiajority. I cannot say much.
I thank you for what you have done, and I request
you to continue your exertions to the last day of the
Election. '•