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

SIR ROBERT PEEL'S RECEPTION AT

tA3IWORTH.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sta,—As many misrepresentations have been inserted
respecting the reception of poor Sir Robert Peel in his
.nonopolised Borough of Tamworth, I, who was an eye-
vitne-s of the whole afftir, have taken the liberty of ad-
Iressiog to you these few lines on the subject. Cn enter-
mg the town I was miuh s'arpi•ised to see such a gloom
'retailing amongst the people, as on electioneering occa-
tions all appears life. I entered into conversation with
me of the respectable inhabitants, and enquired the reason
if this want of usual gaiety. His answer was that no
Reform candidate had offered himself in opposition to the
abominable Tory who had so long nornopolised the free
rights of their representation in the House of Commons,
trid that they feared that he would once more have the
reins in his hands. This proved too true ; for no gentle-.
man offered himself in opposition to the Hon. Baronet, and
the general cry was, as the two candidates proceeded to
the Hall, " Where is Attwood ? Where is Robbins ?
Good God ! what ! are we again to have Peel thr- borough-
monger—the enemy to cur King, his Ministers, and the
people—the opposte. of all liberal principles ?" When he
entered the Hall he was received with groans and hisses,
with a few faint cheers only from his own party ; but on
Lord Townshend presenting himself the cheers and
plaudits were most deafening, and the true feeling of the
people then demonstrated itself. But Peel looked in a
trembling manner when lie addressed the voters ; and,
something like Hunt, thought the only way to get over,
or at least to humbug the people, was, to exclaim against
Ministers, and that it was unjust that five or six hundred
burgesses who hail enjoyed the right of voting since the
time of Queen Eliztbeth to the present day, should be
deprived of that right for ever, and their privileges trans-
ferred to the inhabitants of Bonehill, Fazeley, Comherford,
and other places in the neighbourhood. This poor would- '
be oration did not meet with cheers of " Peel for ever !"
as the Baronet expected. He then began complaining of
the " balls" that seemed to have been fired against him
from London. At this expression a respectable tradesman
exclaimed—" You know you are the enemy of the Press;
you are afraid of it, though you say you care not a
farthing for their slanders; it exposes you, and brings
your actions home to you. Your party prosecuted the
Times. The Press is too much fur you and your aristo-
cratic party ; but Reform will and must come in spite of
you."—(Great cheers.) The Hon. Baronet heard, but
could not answer; and I am confident had any respectable
gentleman or tradesman offered himself for the borough,
he would have been triumphantly returned, for the feeling
was at its highest possible pitch against the Ex-Minister.
When the two Members paraded the streets after the chair-
ing, again the real feeling of the people expressed itself.
Lord Townshend was cheered in the most enthusiastic
manner, and many a fair lady's handkerchief waved over

the head of this liberal and staunch Reformer, whilst the
poor Ex-Minister received groans, and but a few cheers
from his tenants and ignorant oppressed party.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,