The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-07 00:00:00

REPRESENTATION OF DORSET

SHIRK
TO THE ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY OF DORSET.

16, Portmun-square, Jan. 31, 1846.
Gentlemen—The Bill affecting the agricultural and
other interests is now before the country.

My opinion respecting the justice of the corn-laws
has undergone no change, though I do not consider it
to be politic or wise to contend for their integrity un-
der existing circumstances, and it is useless, and it is
hopeless.
The corn-laws, however defensible in argument, re-
quire the general concurrence of the community. When
the country is divided into two masses, and when its in-
tellect is in opposite array, a law of this nature is no
longer tenable. Such is the state of things in this coun-
try at the present moment.
Sir Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, the whole
Cabinet, with the Crown, are among your opponents.
The fate of the corn-laws is thus sealed.

I was elected by you, an agricultural constituency, on
a full understanding that I would support the corn-laws.
I lately stated to you my opinion " that Parliament would
soon be dissolved, and that a measure involving the re-
peal of the corn-laws should be left to the decision of a
new Parliament," and I therefore assured you " that I
would oppose such a measure whatever my private judg-
ment might be thereon ; that had the Parliament been
younger, and a difference of opinion on the corn-laws
had arisen between us, I would in that case have resigned
my trust into your hands."
Parliament is not likely to be dissolved.
It has been my misfortune to differ from you on many
occasions,—on the relaxation of protective. duty in the
corn-law of 1840—on the tariff—on the Canada Corn
Bill—on the Dissenters Chapels sill—on the Maynooth
Bill, and now, as a climax, on the course to be pursued
with regard to the important measure now before the
country.
I now therefore redeem my pledge in its full spirit by
vacating my seat, thereby giving you the immediate
power of electing one who may more accurately repre-
sent your opinions, and more consonantly carry out your
objects.
With deep gratitude for the trust reposed in me, and
with great regret at its termination, I have the honour
to be, Gentlemen, your most faithful and obedient
servant, lIENRY CHARLES STURT.
A county meeting has been called by the High Sheriff
of Dorsetahire for Tuesday next, for the purpose of
eliciting public opinion, and adopting petitions against
Sir R. Peel's measures. It is expected that the two
Protectionist candidates will be announced at this
meeting.

REPRESENTATION OF EAST
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Mr. Charteris bus written a long letter to his consti-
tuents upon the subject of Sir R. Beers commercial
scheme, in which Mr. Charteris says :—" My own free
judgment would lead me to support the Government ;
and entertaining these sincere and honest convictions, as
to what is for your interest in common with those of
this great empire, I should feel myself, as your repre-
sentative, constitutionally entitled to do so, notwith-
standing my having been elected in 1841, by a constitu-
ency favourable to protection. But I have, to a certain de-
gree, divested myself of this unfettered right ofjudgment
which the Constitution confers upon a representative, in-