The Sun.
London, England, 1831-04-21 00:00:00

INTRIGUES AT WINDSOR.

(From the Windsor Express of Saturday last,)
It was our painful duty last week to expose one of the
most scandalous and unconstitutional attempts to controul
the free expression of public opinion that has been brought
to light for some time past, even in these days of political
profligacy and corruption ; and this duty was the more
painful, inasmuch as it obliged us to connect with this
exposure the name of an individual (Sir Herbert Taylor),
whose character, both in public and private life, Las

hitherto commanded universal respect and esteem.
But Sir Herbert Taylor mistakes egregiously, if he
supposes, for an instant, that the course he is now repre-
sentel as pursuing is calculated to augment his fame or
advance his interests. Be be whom he may, the tool of
a party is a contemptible character at all times; but surely
some notice beyond the mere expression of contempt
should attach to the individual who busily puts himself
forward as the tool of a party, which, to promote an
illegal and unconstitutional object—namely, to obstruct
the legal exercise of their rights by the people—hesitates
not to snake an unwarrantable use of the King's name
and authority, and that, too, in direct opposition to the
King's sentiments and wishes. Let us suppose a case.
Let us suppose, as an hypothesis, that a member of the
Royal Household, in defiance of the solemn oath be has
taken not to abuse the power placed in his hands by virtue
of his office, should, notwithstanding, be so unmindful of
what is owing to his character, and sa forgetful of his duty
to his Sovereign, as not only openly to exercise the power
he may enjoy from his proximity to the King's person,
but even to make use of the King's name itself, for the
purpose of controulling, by such conjoint influence, the
sentiments of a portion of his Majesty's subjects ;--let us
suppose such a ease, and we will defy Sir Herbert Taylor.
or anybody else, to justify the conduct of such an indi •
vidual. When Sir Herbert Taylor told our Town Clerk
that it would not be consonant kith the wishes of the
King for the town of Windsor to put itself forward in
advocating the Reform measure-when Sir Herbert after-
wards wrote to our townsman, Mr. Legh, desiring him to
suppress the requisition then in progress—it does appear
to us that he exercised a power very analogous, indeed, to
that which we have above described. It may be readily
supposed, that what was represented to be the wish of his
Majesty was to the people of Windsor their mandate; and
therefore, although, when the message from the Castle was
delivered to the requisitionists, the disappointment of the
townspeople was unbounded, it gradually subsided into a
feeling of resignation to what they were informed was the
will of their Sovereign. " However, it will never do"
(said they), " for the Town to' go in opposition to the
Castle—we must submit." We do not hesitate to say
that such a course was a direct tampering with the King's
name, for the purpose of effectuating an object contrary
to the avowed wishes of the Sovereign. It is not for us
to suggest what course ought to be taken under such sir-
cumstsnces ; but that so atrocious an attempt at dictation
should not be allowed to pass with impunity, must be con-
ceded by every one.
Having disposed of this branch of the subject, there is
another to Nv h;eh it will be necessary shortly to advert—
we allude to the gross and disgusting use which has, from
time to time, been made of the names of their Majesties,
in relation to the Reform Bill, for the purpose of ad-
vancing the unhallowed views of a particular party. It
will no longer, we presume, be deemed necessary to show
that the King is not a Tory, after having been the
first to give his sanction to the Reform Bill, and after
having acquiesced, at least, in the dismissal of two old and
valued servants connected with his Household, on the spe-
cific ground of their having voted against that measure in
the House of Commons. If further proof were wanting,
which,
at dinner, the other day, in
it might be fonnd in an extremely wise and judicious ob-
servation,
we understand, Majesty to have made
I hove no t out f myachkesre:l's
answer to a individual who
appeared disposed to
direction—. point the conversationnin this parti-
cular'
was the Monarch's dignifiel and happy reproof.o

no fear, we repeat, that King William will yield a jot to
any party or any power, either before or behind tl e
Throne. With respect to our amiable and beloved Queen,
of whose name a most improper—not to say an almost
criminal—usc has been made in this matter ; with re-
spect to her Majesty, we say, the public have not such
positive data on which to form an opinion as to the truth
or falsehood of what has been so shamelessly advanced
against her. But the public have beard of Queen Ade-
laide's amiable qualities, and of her scrupulous and just
sen'e of her duties in her exalted station ; and their belief
in their existence of these amiable feelings will at once
enable them to disregard the atrociously impertinent re-
ports which have been so rife of late as to an interference
on the part of our beloved Queen with respect to the im-
portant measure which at present engrosses public atten-
tion. Her Majesty—we believe the fact we are ahout to
state can be attested by every individual who has been
afforded an opportunity of judging of its truth—her Ma-
jesty, we ray, so far from interfering in political strife, or
advocating party measures, at all times, sedulously and
scrupulously avoids the discussion of politics, or any sub-
ject which m.y a.sume even a political aspect. Thus far
we can take upon ourselves confidently to assert, and we
therefore feel warranted in guarding not only the inhabi-
tants of Windsor, but the public generally, against the
base anti illiberal insinuations of a faction, who, in their
blind career, recklessly convert truth into falsehood when
the former militates against their narrow-minded views of
their own interest.

The proceedings in this borough on the subject of this
mysterious affair have, as might be expected, created much
speculation and mistrust in the public mind; and it be-
hoves the respectable inhabitants of Windsor, therefore, as
they regard both their own character and that of their
Sivereign, to come boldly and promptly forward, and
give the best possible explanation that such a matter ad-
mits of; and they may trust with implicit confidence to
having the approbation and support of King William.

WESTMINSTER REFORM PETITION.

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE UNDERSIGNED
INHABITANTS OF WESTMINSTER,

SIIEWETH,—That the unwillingness of your petitioners to de-
lay the expression of their opinions at the present awful moment,
until a public meeting could be called has induced your peti-
tioners to address your most excellent 'Majesty.
Your petitioners believe that the continuance of order and
tranquillity throughout the empire depend entirely on the passing
of the Reform Bill brought forward by your Majesty's Ministers.
That the astounding unanimity displayed by the great body of
the people on the subject, testifies how inseparably they think
their dearest rights and liberties are connected with the success
of the measure. _ _ _ _ _

That your petitioners further believe, that if the principle of
the Reform Bill be nullified or invaded, the moat awful conse-
quences will ensue, commencing either in the tumultuous pro-
ceedings of a resolute Scotch, or famished Irish, multitude, or
In the more gradual, but not less complete, convulsion which the
refusal to pay taxes by large bodies in England will inevitably
bring about.
Your petitioners therefore earnestly pray your most excellent
Majesty to insure success to the Reform Bill, and to avert revo-
lution, bloodshed, and anarchy from the land, by commanding
an instant dissolution of the Commons' House of Parliament.
And your petitioners, as iii duty bound, will ever pray.