The Sun.
London, England, 1838-02-14 00:00:00

ROXBURGH ELECTION COMMITTEE.

had been stated by the other witnesses. He stated, in addition,
that in endeavouring to rescue the last witness he had him_
self been pushed into the water.
In reply to questions from Mr. Sergeant MEHEWETHER, the
witness said that he had been sworn in along with other con-
stables. Did not recollect Bailie Goodfellow giving them
orders not to wear any party colours. In point of fact, none
of them had worn colours ; saw Bailie Goodfellow frequently,
but cannot recollect ever having seen him wear colours.
To the LORD-ADVOCATE—The mob conducted themselves
in a very tumultuous manner. Saw no attack made on any of
Mr. Elliott's voters.

Robert Burgess stated, that he lived in Haa ick. Remem-
bers the mail-coach coming into the town the night before
the polling commenced. The crowd surrounded it when it
stopped, and called out Mr. Homes's name, saying they would
kill him. They got Mr. Berwick into their hands, and struck
him. Witness interfered to save hiai, and was himself assaulted.
Had great difficulty in getting him into the inn. Saw
several assaults committed on Mr. Scutt's voters on the
first day of polling. The mob was very violent. Witness was
sworn in a constable, and was stationed at the Tower doors.
Heard them utter threats towards the voters who were inside.
Did not think it would be safe for them to venture out.
Cross-examined—There were a good many constables sworn
in with witness. There were more than thirty of them sta-
tioned between the Tower door and the booth, to protect the
voters going in.
John Turnbull stated that he was a stocking manufacto:;.r.
was working with Mr. Peter Wilson, at flawick-, d-uring the
laelection. There were about thirty lads working in the
drop with him. Whilst at work, heard conversation that
was going on two days before the 2.lection. The approaching
election was the subject
Mr. AUSTIN-`vas any thing said as to the part which they
were to take at the election?
Mr.. Sergeant MEREWETIII/R objected to the question.
Until it assumed something of the character of legal evi-
dence—until his Learned Friend was able to cite some autho-
rity for the course. he was now pursuing, he would content
himself with simply objecting to it.
Mr. AUSTIN said that the- allegation in the petition was,
that the election, was void, because of the rioting which had
taken place, and surely it was most important. to that issue
that they should have the evidence of the conversation, in order
to hive a character to those riots, to show that they were pre-
meditated and planned for some days previous to the election.
Unless the Committee were determined to shut out the truth,
he apprehended they were bound to admit the evidence.
Mr. Sergeant MEREWETIIER contended that even if the
question were a legal one, which it was uot, the evidence could
not be received until it were first proved that the parties who
held this conversation were in some way or other connected
with the sitting Member, or that they had even polled at the
election.

The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee were of opinion
the question ought not to be put.
Mr. AUSTIN said that he would wish to have a resolution of
the Committee to that effect ; and the loom was accordingly
ordered to be cleared,

On our re-admissic,n, a formal resolution was read by the
Chairman, to the effect before verbally stated.
•Mr. SNIITII observed, that the resoiution would have the
effect of shutting out a good deal of the evidence for the
petitioner.

Rutherford Shields was then called, and stated that he was
a farmer, living near Hawick. Attempted to go to the poll,
but was met by three men, who told him that if ho attempted
to vote he would be torn to pieces. Was frightened by this,
and returned home. Did not make any other attempt to poll.
Cross-examined—Saw constables, but made no application
tthoethsealmnotowia)yrolticecetahm Saw
mie..
\vas no person
notmole ttateadbcked
yany.
oNnt back
one. 'They
cried out " Tory, Tory," but that was all. Had not previously
he
ea(dle up
did
dnoht his
mean
itd
Ittonot to,
vote,
as his
leNaseevewr toaslndoNa
aVrlter Wilson that
out.
John Brown, son of the landlord of the Tower Inn, was
next examined, and stated that he remembered the arrival of
the coach the evening before the polling commenced. Saw
Mr. Berwick in the hands of the mob. Made an attempt to
assist him, but could not do so, as the mob would not let him
go near him. Mr. Bewick seemed greatly exhausted, and when
witness succeeded in getting him into the inn, he appeared
much agitated, and complained of the bruises which he had
received. Nearly all the windows in the inn were broken
that evening. Mr. Oliver and Mr. Home ordered horses
to go out to Jedburgh that evening, but the order was coun-
termanded, as it was considered dangerous to go out on horse-
back. They then ordered a chaise, but witness would not
aw
nd
psebaeota:riiiansottnohaetflrlllit dnfi.:tsrot
but the
e
voters.
Cross-examined—Lord John Scott and Mr. Home left the
give them one, as h
Inn in one of the chaises about six o'clock, on the evening of the
consta-
bles Scott's
round Committeediitthe
oit,iaop,
second day. Several of the voters went away after. Could
only see the constables from the west-end of the inn. The
mail is not in the habit of driving into the inn-yard.
To Mr. AUSTIN—The chaises iu which Lord John Scott
and the voters left did not depart until after the poll closed.
The mail did not stop where it usually stopped.
Angus Barton was next examined, and stated that
To the Loan ADVOCATE—The booth in a great measure
Castletown.
He arrived in Havvick by the
prevented it from stopping in its usual place.
'clock in the morning of the first day
as amongst the fist who polled. Deter-
mined to leave the same evening by the mail, but was
afraid to do so in consequence of the rioting which ho saw.
Observed from the windows of the Tower inn several of Mr.
Scott's voters attacked ; saw several who had been assaulted
m
before the poll, amongst whom Was Mr. Scott, of Wood-
feali hhe
ae
polling.tdß e four" at.n
house. While witness was looking out of the Tower win-
dows, stones were thrown at him ; every time he looked out,
this
was repeated. Thomas Ilill, a parishioner of his, and a
very old man, near eighty, together with Mitchell and Nicholl,
also old men and parishioners of his, were attacked by
the mob, their clothes torn, and their persons abused.
After the close of the poll on the first day, he heard Admiral
Elliott addressing the mob. Heard him congratulate them on
their prospects of success. Ile said they had received great
provocation, but that they ought to observe moderation to-
wards their opponents. He recommended them to go home
quietly, and that there would be no doubt of the result. Dur-
ing the evening, at the close of the poll, the mob appeared
very much excited. There were some other clergymen in the
inn beside witness. There were the Rev. Messrs. Strachan,
Nelson, and Robinson. They were electors, but did not poll, as
they appeared afraid to venture out. Mr. Strachan seemed very
anxious to go home, but was dissuaded front it by his medical
attendant, and by witness. Saw Mr. Oliver in the hands of
the mob. During the night there was great confusion in the
street, and the gentlemen in the inn were in groat alarm lest
the mob should break in. It was proposed to arm the persons
in the inn, in consequence of their want of confidence in the
constables ; but it was not carried into effect, as there
was no magistrate amongst them. There were several of
witness's parishioners in the inn; saw the military come into
the town immediately after the close of the poll : witness left
the inn in a.chaise, with some other gentlemen, on their arri-
val; the military were in the streets, but notwithstanding that
the door of the chaise was opened, and an attempt was made
to pull one of the gentlemen out, but it failed.
The direct examination of the witness being concluded, and
it being now twenty minutes to four o'clock', the Committee
adjourned to eleven o'clock to morrow morning.

e regret to hear that Lord Stanley is suffering
under a most painful disorder. His Lordship has been afflicted
with purulent gatherings, or abscesses, in his legs and thighs
to such an extent, and of such a character, as to excite con-
siderable alarm ; but we understand that the accounts received
yesterday and on Miday from Knowsley, where Lord Stanley
now is, are highly favourable.—Sunday Paper.
Charles Kemble, accompanied by his daughter,
Miss Adelaide Kemble, left town last Tuesday evening for
Paris, where, we understand, most advantageous offers have
been made to Miss Kemble to perform in the grand opera.
This young lady received her musical education under the im-
mediate superintendence of Rossini, in the French capital ;
and during a very extended tow in Germany last year, in the
society of her father, attracted, in various fashionable soirees,
universal admiration, by the power and brilliancy of her vocal
accomplishments.
On Sunday morning a carol with a new-born child
in it was found exposed in the Oanopgate Burying-ground,
having been dropped over the wall durin-g
Lurglt Couranc, •

Lord AIRLIE presented a petition from the town of
Witham, in Essex, praying their Lordships to put an end
to Negro Apprenticeship on or before the 3d of August next.
Lord IL CH E STE R presented petitions from the town of
Bridgwater, and from congregations assembling in different
chapels in Sonicrsetshire, praying for the immediate abolition
of Negro Slavery ; also a petition from the Poor-law Union
of Axminster, praying for an alteration in the Beer Act.
Mr. BERNAL and others brought up Joint Stock Banking
Companies' Bill.
Lord ELLENBOROUG II said it might be very neee:o.
sary this Bill should pass, but it brought tr.-“'Lters of a
very serious nature under their Lort'ilips,
Ile would venture to suggest i‘nat their Lordships pro-
ceed with this Bill until the; ha:, consideration.
some facts before them,
showing the evil that w~•
their arise from the circumstance of
• ' not passing this Bill, which had been sent
1",:y the Commons. Probably the Noble and Learned
Lord on the Woolsack might turn his attention to it.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that their Lordships had
the fact before them, that the Court of Exchequer had decided
that the fact of any clergyman being a member of those Joint
Stock Establishments rendered such establishments invalid.
If such a circumstance was to affect those Joint Stock Com-
panies or banking concerns, so as to render them invalid, the
House would readily perceive the extent of mischief that must
accrue to society if this Bill did not pass. He hoped their
Lordships would at once, therefore, let the Bill proceed.
The Bill was then read a first time, and ordered to be read
a second time on Thursday next.
The Marquis of L A NSD 0 WNE presented a petition from
Chipping Wycombe, praying for the immediate abolition o
Slavery.
The House then adjourned to Thursday.

-
HOUSE OF com-Afoivs, F. 13.
In consequence of the ballots for the Belfast and Peters-
field Election C';;Jmtnittees, the gallery was not opened for
strangers twenty-five minutes to five o'clock. We then
I"2—lerstood that the petition against the return for Bridgenorth,
(a ballot upon which was also fixed for this evening), had been
withdrawn.

PRIVATE BILLS.
Several petitions were presented for, and reports brought
up upon Private Bills, but from the confusion in the House,
we could not catch the particulars of one. There were at the
time much more than 500 Members present.
Sir S. W H ALL EY presented a petition from Nlarylebone,
the object of which we could not hear, owing to the noise and
confusion in the House; we think it was against the repaving
of Oxford- street. It was referred to the Committee on Pri-
vate Bills.

NEW POOR-LAW.
An HON. MEMBER on the Oppos;tion side of the House pre-
sented a petition, sshich he said was deserving of the attention
of the House hi a more than ordinary degree. It was from
the town of Leicester, and signed by 33 of the most respect-
able gentlemen of the town, twelve of them resident clergy.
The petitioners stated that they were the Committee of the
Leicester General Provident and Benevolent Society, the ob-
ject of which was to distribute funds raised by voluntary sub-
scription for the relief of the distressed manufacturers during
the late commercial embarrassments: that they had had op-
portunities of witnessing the operation of the New Poor Law,
and that they considered various of its provisions injurious and
oppressive. They prayed the House that power might be given
to the Poor Law Guardians in the manufacturing districts, to
grant temporary out-door relief to persons unable to obtain em-
ployment. Although he had been himself a supporter of the
present Poor-law, and was opposed to any modification of it, he
nevertheless thought this petition deserving the special atten-
tion of the House.
[About this time (five o'clock) the House was lighted up,
in the usual manner, by wax candles.]
Lord EBR.INGTON brought up the Report of the Com-
mittee on Standing Orders.
BELFAST ELECTION.
The Clerk of the Committee appeared at the bar, with the
reduced list of the Members appointed to try the merits of the
Belfast Election petition. The Clerk called over the names
as follows :—Launcelot Rolleston, H. Logan, P. W. M.
Miles, W. B. Hughes, H. Milford, Lord Viscount Villiers,
W. L. W. Chute, Lord Viscount Grimstone, Richard Jefferson
Eaton, Horace St. Paul—Tories. Lord Alfred H. Paget—
Liberal

Mr. HOLLAND presentod a petition from 339 electors of
Grinstead, praying for:Vote by Ballot.
Mr. PARKER presented a petition from Sheffield to the
same effect .• and one frcm Leamington, complaining of the
high rate of postage.

Petitions were presented by several other Hon. Members,
but the noise in the body of the House prevented our hearing
the name of the place whence they came, or their purport.
Lord CLEMENTS presented several petitions from dif-
ferent parts of Ireland, praying for a Reform in the Tithe
System of that country.
Mr. SANFORD presented a petition from Somerset
against the Negro Apprenticeship system.
DORCHESTER LABOURERS.
Mr. WARD presented a petition from Sheffield, complain-
ing of the conduct of her Majesty's Government, in having
allowed so long a period to elapse before measures were taken
for the return of the Dorchester labourers to this coui,t-y;
and praying for a Committee to inquire into the cause of that
extraordinary delay.--( Cries of " Hear, hear, hear.") As
he (Mr. W.) observed the Under Secretary for the Colonies
in his place, lie trusted that he would be enabled to give some
account of' the cause of that delay.
Sir G. G REY said that no delay whatever had taken place
in carrying into effect the intentions of her Majesty's Govern-
ment, which had been announced some tints back. In 1836
the pardon of the different prisoners had been sent out to the
Colonies. He could only account for the delay in their re-
turn upon the ground which so frequently occurred, that they
found that they were enabled to do much better for
themselves in that country than they could in England.
Mr. WA RD had anothert petition to present, to which
he entreated the attention of the House, as it, in some mea-
sure, impugned the conduct of one of the Hon. Members of the
House. The petitioner was Mr. C. E. Smith, who stated
that he was a candidate at thelate election for Pontefract, which
borough he had represented on a former occasion. Ho stated
that it had ling been the practice in that borough for the can-
didate to give 3/. 3s. for a split vote, and 61. Os. for a plumper.
He had upon former occasions complied with the custom ;
but that in 1831 he refused to represent the borough cm the
same terms, and was defeated. At the last election he stood upon
pure principles—he refused to conform to the custom, and he
was again defeated. He had been told by many during the
progress of the election that the rent of houses was greatly
raised in consequence of the practice alluded to, and many
of the voters would readily give up the practice of receiving
head money, if the landlords would reduce their rents. He
prayed for a Committee of Inquiry into the whole system
of bribery, and before that Committee he would prove the
allegations contained in his petition, with a view to the intro-
dection into that borough of Household Suffrage and the
Vote by Ballot.
Mr. M I L NE S believed that if he were anxious to bring forward
reasons why the petition should not be presented at all--why it
should not appear upon the Journals of that House, he thought
he would have no difficult task; but he preferred acquiescing
in the printing of the petition, at the same time asking leave
of the House to make a few remarks upon it. He, for one,
could have no o)jection to the fullest inquiry into the sub•
ject, having individually upon no occasion given head-money.
He begged the House to remark that the petition came for-
ward under two aspects—in one it brought Is holesale allegations
against the individuals whom he had the honour to represent, and
in the other it was one of those petitions against the Reform
Bill which ern7nated so very freely from the other side of the
House. —( Hear, hear, and laughter.) The House was per-
fectly aware that the Reform Act reserved a life-interest to
the scot and lot voters. And those voters had been reduced
since the Reform Bill from 800 to below 400, and the petition
now before them was invidiously and unjistly silent with respect
to that. Any one hearing the allegations of that petition
would suppose that the whole constituency of Pontefract
had received head-money.—( Hear, hear.) One of the
allegations in the petition was, that the petitioner bad lest his
election in consequence of refusing to give head money.
'The SPEAKER said that if the Hon. Member wished to
go into the whole merits of the question, a day was fixed on
which he might do so.—(Cries of " Hear" from the Minis-
terial Benches.)

Mr. MILNE S felt very much the inconvenience of
troubling the House at that moment ; but ha did not
like the petition going abroad on the Journals of
the House, without being allowed to say something no the
subject, and his remarks would be as short as possible.--
(Cries of " Order, order.") Sir Culling Smith had de-
clared that his election filed because he did not give bead-
,c,oney ; hut he (Mr. Milnes) could tell hove it was
his election had failed. Sir Cullime ;irnith first went
dean to Pontefract under clikiit:er;Ative principles and
Conservative bannes, and he was then elected. In 1833 he
went dean unfier Radical principles and Radical colows, and
very naturally; therefore, he •,-as not( ol,ected,—( Cheers from the
Opposition )—and lAE‘d
given -head-money, or whatever he
might,,bakje otterA, %bare \VOA no probability of Sir C. Smith
00rig into Ilarlitunent for Pontefract.--( Renewed clicTriAg.
tupposed they would soon have the Dtkli.9A 44, witoaded