The Sun.
London, England, 1831-05-06 00:00:00

establish the Throne of that patriotic Monarch whom
the whole people love and venerate.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BRISCOE next addressed the Court. He as-
sured his brother freeholders that it was with nc
ordinw y feelings, and he would truly add, with no
ordinary pleasure, that he then stood before them.
ne was the more gratified on that occas;on, because
it was to be inferred, from the distinguished renewal
of their confidence, that his conduct during the
short period of his probation was sanctioned by their
approving voice ; which he valued next to the appro-
bation of God and of his conscience. It was, indeed,
a high gratification to him that his conduct had the
approval of his Hon. Friend, Mr. Drummond,
although on that question of Reform he (Mr
Briscoe) did not participate in the apprehensions of
danger which that gentleman entertained. He would

now repeat what he had said some months ago, that
that gentleman was more highly qualified, in every
respect, than he himself was to be the representa-
tive of the county of Surrey. But he felt that Mr.
Drummond, by cordially supporting him, had mani-
fested a greatness of mind such as was rarely to be
seen—(Hear)—whereas they must ail know that
if he (Mr. Drummond) were a candidate, his return
would be certain.—(Hear.) He had that day acted
with the same magnanimity by which he had ever
been distinguished. The freeholders had that day
conferred upon him (Mr. B.) the highest honour
which they could bestow, or he receive. He was
happy that when the time had come for his giving
them an account of his stewardship, they had nor
thought him an unfruitful servant; and although
he himself might form a less favourable esti-
mate of his own services, vet he would say,
with truth, that he had employed his humble exer-
tions sedulously to promote their intFrest. He would
not-have thought of making any reference to his votes
in the House of Commons, had not his lion. Col-
league felt it to be his duty to refer to those which
he (Va. Denison) had given, and thereby reminded

..
him of what he also ought to do. On every occa-
sion but oite, his vote had been in accordance with
that of his Hon. Colleague; and he trusted that
his conduct in that one exception would not be mis-
taken; for he agreed with Mr. Denison, that much
was due from the people of England to their pre-
sent patriotic Sovereign. It was his wish, as it was
the wish of the whole community, that every thing
necessary to support the King's dignity and per-
sonal convenience should be granted by the people.
—(Hear.) Still he hail thought it his duty to vote
that the Pension List should be separated from the
personal expettces- of the Crown. It hail been al-
ways, and was still his fixed opinion, that no pen-
sion should be wanted, except for public services,
and with the sanction, and under the conirotil of the
House of Commons. He considered that, in giving
that vote, he was consulting the honour and dignity
of the Crown, as well as the interests of the people,
although his Hon. Colleague held a different opinion.
Mr. DENtsoes- explained to Mr. Briscoe, that he
did not differ from him; and that he (Mr. D.) far
from voting as Mr. I3riscoe supposed, we.s not in
the House at all on ;hat occasion.—( Hear.)
Mr. BRIsCoE said, that nothing could give him
greater pain, than that he should be supposed to
have introduced the subject of that vote, for the
purpose of making an invidious distinction between
himself and his colleague. Entering the Hall, he
had not the slightest intention of making any allu-
sion to that topic.—(Hear.) He had great hopes
that the abuse against which he voted would be
soon removed, as the nation had embarked irrevc-
cably in the cause of Parliamentary Reform. It was
his fixed determination to support the Reform Bill
of his Majesty's Ministers. It MU not then neces-
sary for him to enlarge upon that subject, because
he bad attended no less than five public meetings at
which it was discussed in that county, and at each
of them he had explained his sentiments, lie could
then only repeat, that his opinion had not been
changed by anything which he had heard or read.
He considered the measure one of the most conser-
vative description, and far from being of a doubtful
or dangerous tendency.—(Hear.) Nay, he would
not hesitate to say more—the measure was, in his
opinion, pacific, conservative, and economical ; and
while the movers of it set to work for the purpose
of remedying abuses and rooting out corruption, the
Bill would impart fresh rigour and strength to the
sounder parts of the 'Constitution, as at present by
law established. Many of the institutions of the ,
country were in the utmost peril, and were hasten-
ing to decay, but the present Bill would remove that
peril, and arrest the progress of that decay. For
his own part, he had not the slightest doubt that
the injurious consequences, which some persons ap-
prehended, would not take place. He set out with
assuring them that he would only occupy their time
for a few moments, and he was resolved to keep his
word. He would give his support to the present
Administration, so long as their government was
conducted upon these three great principles—Re-
trenchment at home, non-intervention abroad, and
Reform ; not alone Reform in Parliament, but Re-
form in every department of the State—Reform in i
the criminal code, a sanguinary code abhor: ent anti
revolting to the best feelings of the human breast—a
Reform too in the Game Laws—a Reform as respected
Slavery, that foul stain upon the British character—a
Reform, in short, he would urge and support wherever
corruption existed. He would keep his eye upon
these and similar objects, and he would earnestly
labour to secure them to the country, in the hope
that they would be crowned by the blessing of God,
" without which the strength of man was weakness,
and his wisdom folly." He hoped that tine new
Bill would have the effect of producing peace, una-
nimity, and emifidence throughout the empire—that
it would give due security to the privileges of the
people, impart strength to legitimate rank and
station, and fresh stability to the Crown, by inducing
the people to rally round the throne. In conclusion
he would assure them that they might fully rely
upon his best and most zealous services—(Cheers.)
The Return and Proclamation were then made in
due form, and the new Members "girt with swords"
as Knights of the Shire.
Mr. DENISON moved the thanks of the meeting to
the High Sheriff for his conduct during the election.
Mr. BRIsCOE seconded the motion.
The HIGH SHERIFF acknowledged the com-
pliment.
Three cheers were then, on the proposition of Mr.
BRISCOE, given for the King, and the meeting ad-
journed.

No election that we ever witnessed, was conducted
with so little enthusiasm. Though the Town-ha
was full, the business which called the county to-
gether appeared to be so nie,-ely formal, that it was
proceeded to with great indifference, and the cheers
and applause~ occasionally given were very faint.
Immediately after the election, the ceremony of
chairing the new Members took place, which was
conducted with all the usual accompaniments of
music, banners, and a long procession ; but, as we
before stated, it was utterly destitute of the excite-
ment and interest which belong to a contested election.

KENT.
RESIGNATION' OF SIR EDWARD KNATCIIBUI.L.

Yesterday forenoon a very numerous arid highly
respectable meeting of the freeholders, parishioners,
and other friends of Reform, belonging to the divi-
sion of Blackheat h, assembled at the Green Man Ta-
vern on Blackheath, for the purpose of meeting the
two Reform candidates, Mr. Hodges and Mr. Rider,
the latter gentleman having started in opposition to
Sir Edward Knatclibull. _ _ .

—J.J;;;;;;,E.sq.,;tte of the county Magistrates,
was unanimously called to the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN felt happy in announcing to the
meeting that the two gentlemen he had the honour
of alluding to, Mr. Hodges and Mr. Rider, were
then present ; and he felt that two better men—
men more calculated to fulfil their Parliamentary
duties could not be found throughout the county
of Kent, as had been clearly demonstrated in their
canvass, it being thereupon ascertained, upon a fair
calculation, that 7-10ths of the population had ac-
tually promised them their votea.—(Loud applause.)
Here the Learned Chairman entered into a long ex-
planation of Lord John Russell's plan of Reform,