The Sun.
London, England, 1831-05-12 00:00:00

BRECONSHIRE.

This county ha', like every other in the kingdom, come
forward to show an enthusiastic feeling in favour of the
Reform Bill introduced by our enlightened Ministers, sup-
ported by rear patriotic King, and appreciated by a loyal
people. Colonel Wood, the Member for this county,
greatly displeased a large proportion of his constituents by
voting for General Ga•coyne's motion, and thereby enda-
vouring by a side-wind to get rid of the " Bill of Rights."
As soon as the dissolution of Parliament took place, the
freeholders became exceedingly anxious to return a repre-
sentative that would, with he at and hand. assist our noble
King and his Ministers in carrying the Reform Bill.
As late as Saturday morning, the 30th ult., Lloyd
Vaughan Watkins, Esq., of Pennoyre (a native and a re•
silent of the county), a spirited and staunch Reformer,
was prevailed on to offer himself a candidate for the repre-
sentation of the county. An active canvass was com-
menced, and it was soon ascertained that the freeholders
of Breconshire, as well as those of other counties, were
determined to regain their lost rights, and to return as their
representative (not a milk-and-water, but) a thorough Re-
former, and an advocate for retrenchment. No sooner was
it known to the friends of corruption that Mr. Watkins had
started with a fur prospect of success, than the agents of
the Duke of Beaufort, Marquis Camden, and Sir Charles
Morgan, were instantly employed to " turn the coats"
of those within their power who had promised to vote
for Mr. Watkins, and to command all who were at their
heck to the Anti-Reform banner of General Gascoyne's
friend, Colonel Wood. The Duke of Beaufort is pos-
sessed of nearly the whole hundred of Crickhowel, in
which the greatest number of voters live, on small tene-
ments leased for lives by the Duke. The Rev. Lord
William Somerset resides in that hundred ; and, to con-
vince the public that the present system " works well,"
, Lord William has the five livings of Cwmdu, Crickhowel,
Llangattock, Llanelly, and Llangenny, each very extensive
parishes, and all in that hundred. Lord Hereford's eldest
son appeared at the head of the list of Colonel Wood's
supporters. If Breconshire will thus be prevented from
doing its duty, the kingdom generally has and is doing it,
duty, Sir Charles Morgan was obliged to give up Mon-
mouthshire, and the Marquis of Worcester has found that
the Beaufort family had lost their influence over the good
people of Monmouth.
At half-past nine o'clock on Friday morning (the day
appointed for the election), a vast number of respectable
gentlemen proceeded to meet Mr. Lloyd Vaughan Watkins,
in order to escort him into Brecon, among whom were
Penry Williams, Esq., Rev. Archdeacon Davies, Hugh
Bold, Esq., John Lloyd, Esq., Rev. Canon Williams,
Hugh Price, Esq., Samuel Church, Earl , Major Rice,
Rev, David Jones, and a great number of other influential
gentlemen, followed by a host of respectable freeholders
on horseback. The horses were taken from Mr. Watkins's
carriage about a mile out of Flrecon, and drawn into the
town by an immense number of young men, who appeared
anxious to testify their respect to Mr. Watkins, and grate-
ful to the King for the boon now offered to his loyal people.
This county has not been represented by a native nor a
resident for upwards of eighty years.
The Iii!;11 Sheriff, EBENEZER FULLER MAITLAND,
Esq., having opened the proceedings,
Colonel Wood was proposed by Colonel ALLEN, 111 a
powerful speech, seconded by Colonel GWYN NE.
Mr. Watkins was proposed by Huciii Bobo, Esq., (Re-
corder of Brecon), in an able and eloquent manner, Be.
conded by JOHN LLOYD, Esq., in an excellent speech.
After the candidates bad delivered their sentiments,
several other gentlemen addressed the crowded assembly.
On the show of hands being declared in favour of Colonel
Wood, a poll was demanded by Mra Watkins, and the
Court was adjourned to nine o'clock the following morn-
ing ; at which time the candidates and their friends were
at the hustings, but the booths not being ready, the poll-
ing did not commence until after ten o'clock, and conti-
nued going on briskly until five o'clock in the afternoon,
when the poll was adjourned, and the numbers in each
booth were nearly equal, except in the Anti-Reform booth
of the Duke of Beaufort (Crickhowel booth).
As Mr. Watkins had but five days to canvass the county,
during which he could only go over it partially, together
with the total want of preparation so necessary for the
conduct of a county contest, Mr. Watkins't Committee
advised him to s'aithdratv from the poll, which he an-
nul:need from the hustings in an excellent sp,ech, and
pledged himself to come forward at the next opportunity,
which he hoped would be the ensuing autumn.
Colonel Wood was declared duly elected, and chaired
the same ev'ening. Soon after several freeholders and an
immense concourse of persons accompanied Mr. Watkins
home, preceded by a band of music; his carriage was
drawn by his friends from the town to the gate of his
lodge, a distance of two miles. The cheering of the po-
pulace was incessant add deafening. Mr. Watkins did
not employ a single tonstable, not distribute any beer ;
yet such wan the enthusiasm of the people for " Watkins
and Reform," that they freely and most cordially showed
him every demonstration of respect and approbation.