The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-29 00:00:00

_x`‘__

N 0.16,883. LONDON, THURSDAY EVENI G SUN y OCTOBER 29, 1846.

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—The prin-
ciple of this valuable invention is clearly demonstrated by
Professor Bachhoffner in his Morning and Evening LECTURES at
the ROTA L POL Y TECHNIC INSTITUTION. Dr. Ryan's CHEMI-
CAL LECTURES, daily, and on the Evenings of Mondays, Wed-
nesdays, and Fridays. The principles and uses of the WORKING
MODELS, and other specimens of the Useful Arts, are explained to
the visitors. The OPAQUE MICROSCOPE. The OXY-HYDROGEN
MICROSCOPE, by CART, re-produced with the most interesting
objects. The latest DISSOLVING VIEWS, by Charles Smith, are
of great beauty. _ _ _

MR. CHRISTIE AND THE
ELECTORS OF WEYMOUTH.

with which they received me was, that from tie first day
that your kindness placed me in Parliamentl have lost
no opportunity of voting for free trade—(Cleers)—that
I have voted annually for Mr. Villiers's coition ; that
early in that great struggle for commercial freedom,
which has been crowned with triumphant siccess—the
voice of one of the Members for Weymouti has been
heard at the meetings of the Anti-Corn-lay League—
(Cheers)—that I joined that body before tae summer
cause
birdse the ho af dl
freeu rfl oaf' nt
itsa dt oet
.r
ui t(m,
ohaandat
cathht auet r
nI
gmd.sli o
tt t wr
theuasitt
I
I may remind you ou this occasion of the exer-
tions I have made for opening the Universities of this
country to all religious denominations. Those exertions
have not been crowned with success, but ] venture to
say I have made Foma progress ; and when I compare
the large minorities which have supported my motion
with the small numbers that within a few years sup-
ported Mr. Villiers—when I reflect that we lave now a
Government entirely opposed to education or. exclusive
principles—and when I avow my intention of persever-
ing in my motion as long as Icontinue one ofyour Mem-
bers, I trust I am not too sanguine in supposing that the
time is not far distant when dissenters of every kind
from the Establishment will participate in the benefits of
reformed Universities.—(Loud cheers.) And, gentle-
men, I know also the active part which I took in the
last session of Parliament in the Andover Committee,
in exposing the mal-administration of the poor-laws, by
the present Commissioners, has, not diminished my hold
on the affections of my constituents.—(Loud cheers.)
Some exceptions have been taken, gentlemen, I believe,
to my appearance, on one occasion, at a Chartist meet-
ing. I am not, and never was, and as far as I can
answer for myself, I never shall be a Chartist. I re-
ceived last winter an invitation to attend a meeting of
the working classes to do honour to Mr. Duncombe.
Since I-have been in Parliament I have seen Mr. Dun-
combe the zealous advocate of every liberal measure.
Differing from him on sonic points, I have always ad-
mired his ability, his straightfordwardness, and courage;
and when I have desired his assistance in any liberal
measure, I have found him ever ready to give a helping
hand. When, therefore, I received an invitation to a
meeting,. to do honour to him, without,,, any
statement as to the character of Ilia meet-
ing, my feelings of respect and gratitude to
Mr. Duncombe led me to accept it, and it
was not until I came to the meeting, that I found it
was to be made the occasion for proposing a series of
Chartist toasts. It was then too late to retire. I might
have erred, but I thought the best course to pursue—
certainly it was the boldest—was to stay, and as soon
as I had an opportunity of expressing my sentiments, I
told that meeting (as ycu may have read in any of the
papers of the time) that I was no Chartist—that I did
not come there as a Chartist, but simply to do honour to
Mr. Duncombe—that though I agreed with them in
some of their opinions—l was an advocate for the ballot,
for instance, and for an extension of the suffrage, though
I could not go the length they went—l differed from
them in others, and I particularly excepted to a toast in-
tended to do honour to Frost, Williams, and Jones.
Within a month after Mr. Duncombe made a motion for
an address to have Frost, Williams, and Jones brought
back from transportation. I voted against this motion,
and my reward for attending the Chartist meeting was,
that I was favoured with special abuse for this adverse
vote in the Chartist newspapers.—(Hear, hear, and
cheers.) Gentlemen, I am not here to say that during
my career in Parliamer;t I have committed no error, but
I can say this, that I have always acted honestly and
independently. There are votes which, if I had thought
more of my interest and less of my duty, I should not
have given, but the course which I have from the first
determined to pursue, was to form my own opinion as to
what was right, and to vote for what I thought right,
without caring for any man.—(Cheers.) And now,
gentlemen, the question arises, why am I to be got
rid of—(Voices, " No! No! No!")—and who
are they, and how many are they who wish to get rid of
me, and why do they wish it? Mr. Philip Dodson had
taken great pains to convince my friends that if they
will get rid of me, he—he (with a particular emphasis on
the pronoun, which caused roars of laughter) can bring
down here some person occupying an influential position
in the Government. He can bring down Mr. Tufnell,
the Secretary of the Treasury.—(Laughter.) He can
bring down Lord Stavordale.—(Renewed laughter.)
Gentlemen, Mr. Tufnell is my friend. I have had no
communication with him upon the subject, but I take
upon myself here to say publicly what, through the
public newspapers, shall become known to him before I
say a word to him on the subject, that if he has been a
party to an attempt to oust me from this borough, he has
been imposed on by statements coming from parties
whom he believed to be my friends, and whom he would
not suspect of falsehood.—(Cheers.) Mr. Philip Dodson
can bring Lord Stavordale here! I saw Lord Stavordale
yesterday at Dorchester, and I have the fullest authority
from him for saying that he never thought and would
not think of interferinc, with me at Weymouth.—
(Cheers.) I have also heard that Admiral Dundas, as
one of the Lords of the Admiralty, is to come here.
Gentlemen, I can speak of Admiral Dundas. He
is my intimate friend. I have been in correspondence
with him since I came here, and to make it obvious
to you what his sentiments are, I will mention that
he concludes a letter dated the 11th of this month,
thus " success to you at Weymouth in Is47."—Hear,
hear, and loud cheers.) I have since written to him to
state that I have taken upon myself to contradict the
rumour—one of the many extraordinary rumours that I
hare heard since I was here—that Admiral Dundas was
going to displace Mr. Christie at Weymouth.—(Cheers.)
I am quite certain of this—that the electors of Wey-
mouth—the honest and independent electors of Wey-
mouth—those who returned Mr. Bernal and myself in
1841, on principle, will not allow themselves to be made
the dupes of any such intrigues as these.—(No, no.) I
speak now to all the electors of Weymouth, without re-
ference to party. There are many now, perhaps, in this
room who differ from me in political opinion—l am pre-
pared to receive from them, as I have received before, an
honest and manly opposition, which I respect.—(Loud
cheers.) But I appeal to them, I appeal to them as men
and Englishmen, and I know they will not touch treason,
or be parties to any foul play towards one who diligently,
faithfully, and honestly, to the best of his ability and
judgment, has done his duty.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen,
speaking again to those who differ from me as well as
to those who agree with me, I say here fearlessly,
that whatever may be our differences of opinion—
I feel none of you can say, during the five years
I have been your Member, I have done discredit to
the representation of Weymouth—(Hear, and cheers)—
and after the enthusiastic reception I have met with, and
arising from your kindness, to-night—l feel that I may
say that, come an election when it may, I can trust en-
tirely to the honest, independent hearts of my consti-
tuents, and I have not the slightest fear for the result.—
(Loud cheering.) I have made no solicitations, but I
have had offers of votes in abundance. At least a hun-
dred plumpers have been offered me if there should be
any intrigue against me. My answer has been, I trust
that your plumpers will not be necessary. Yes, gentle-
men, come an election when it may, I am certain to be
again your Member, against all the opposition of those
who differ from me in opinion and against all the das-
tardly intrigues of traitorous friends.—(The Hon. Mem-
ber retired amidst overwhelming applause.)
dress, because, literally what I have to say is so totally
enduomNe— toI
saywish,
one
word gentlemen,
before
gra. n Chhi rs i satdi
e
which has been made, that it would have saved him
ihrarMdelaerlv.laoGnt to his political conduct, or to any arrangement w°
much indignation; and he seems angry—he seems angry,
gentlemen, but I can't tell why.—(Mr. Christie—" Can't
you?") Now, gentlemen, the events of the last ten days
have given me much pain; and I find it necessary daily
to consider the change in the relations that have hitherto
existed between myself and the liberal interests of Wey-
mouth.—(Hear.) Four years and a half have elapsed
since, in this very room, I presided at a dinner with Mr.
Bernal on my right hand, and with Mr. Christie on my left,
to celebrate the return of those gentlemen to Parliament.
My health, gentlemen, on that occasion was proposed
in terms so flattering that I almost feel a blush at this

have voted for the ballot) ;—I say, I don't want it.
Well, then they say, we'll bring you in without any
trouble. My reply was—(l said this about three months
ago)—l shall be very glad to have the honour of repre-
senting Weymouth, but I don't want to be the repre-
sentative of a part, in Weymouth ; I wish to be the
representative, if I can, of a very large majority of all
the parties.—(Applause.) If all the parties in Wey-
mouth, or a large majority, think that it is advan-
tageous that I should be sent to Parliament, I'll go.
But on one condition—l will not come in for Weymouth
if I'm to be mixed up with any other gentleman ; I
know there are many wbo would kick violently if I
brought any other candidate in my hand. And, gentle-
men, if I'm mistrusted by my Liberal friends, my Con-
servative friends have also had their doubts. One came
to me the other day and said, this is a very pretty
piece of acting ; we know that in early life you " smelt
the lamps and trod the boards ;" you do it capitally ;
it is a very pretty quarrel got up between you and Mr.
Christie. But it's all humbug. Here is the differt nee
of my position—the Liberals doubt me.—(Voices—
" No, they never did.") What has happened to the
Liberal party ? If I must tell the truth, they are get-
ting too powerful, and when parties get too powerful
they are very apt to quarrel among themselves.—
(Laughter.) Now, I would say to the Liberal interest,
though you are very triumphant, don't be too bold. Re-
collect that as you got up by degrees, so you may go
down. Why, gentlemen, I'll give you an instance—l
belonged to the Whig Administration when we had two
hundred and forty majority. How we did throw up
our caps in the air—what fine fellows we were ! We
thought we could carry everything and everybody—no
man was to interfere with us. Gentlemen, I belonged
to the Whig Administration when we were kept
tremblingly alive by a majority of eight.—(Hear,
hear.) Now, I have a remedy for the settlement
of all these things, and that remedy is—(A voice—
"To bring in Mr. Dodson !"—Great laughter.)—
That remedy is, I beg to suggest, that the first
person to be got rid of is myself.—(No, no.) I
beg leave to say that having been induced much against
my inclination to come forward as a candidate fur the
representation of the mass of the constituency of Wey-
mouth, T now withdrftw.—(A voice—"No you shant,
you shant, you shant.")—(Great laughter.) You must
consider that from this moment my Parliamentary con-
nexion with you is at an end—(No, no)—that as far as
Weymouth is concerned I am politically dead. That,
gentlemen, is a sombre word. At my time of life I may
I be summoned by death from the hustings to the grave,
and the honour of represeating you, which I might think
a feather in my cap, may be in truth the plumes upon
my hearse.—(No, no.) I say, gentlemen, that if I
am to live peaceably and happily I had better have
nothing to do with the representation of Weymouth.—
(No, no.) You are a very excellent people; I've a great
regard for you, but I think you've occasionally got a
knack of being very troublesome.—(Laughter.) Now
don't you imagine that because I give up all idea of
standing for Weymouth—(No, no)—I do give it up,
gentlemen.—(No, no.) But don't imagine because I re-
linquish the idea, that I mean to give up living here.
No such thing. I shall live here the more. I like your
town, it was the habitation of my boyhood. Don't
imagine, because I don't think fit to be your represen-
tative, that lam going to run away. I shall still take a
great interest in your harbour, your breakwater, and
your railroad. I am going to work the harder. Be-
cause you won't then be able to say "He did this be-
cause he wanted to be a Parliament man."—(Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I bid you farewell.—(No, no.) Yes, gentle-
men, I don't want to go to Parliament; I have no object to
serve; I was nine years in office, and I don't sec why I
should not live quiet now, and enjoy your good will. That is
all I desire, and I tell you again I will not represent a party
in this town ; I will not break through the condition
which I said I would adhere to, viz., that I would not,
directly or indirectly, by my suffrage, by my vote, by
any interest on my part, interfere in the return of any-
body else. I will strictly maintain the course which I
have pointed out ; I know you will say it is a difficult
one, but I will endeavour to keep to it; and now, gentle-
men, I wish you all health and happiness, and I assure
you, in bidding you good night, that I shall be always
most happy to see how I can best promote the interests
—the real interests of Woymouth.—(Cheers.)

The town of Weymouth was considerably excited on
the first three days of the present week by three an-
nouncements that were made by printed bills—we give
them in the order in which they were issued:—
"A public meeting of the electors of Weymouth and
Melcombe Regis will be held on Wednesday evening
next, at the Royal Hotel, at which W. D. Christie, Esq.,
M.P., will attend. The chair will be taken at seven

Admission, le.; Schools, Half-price.

o'clock.—Weymouth, Oct. 19, 1846."
"To W. D. Christie, Esq., M.P. Sir,—Observing by
a handbill this morning, that a public meeting will be
held at the Royal Hotel, on Wednesday next, at which
' you intend to be present, I take leave to acquaint you
that I also intend to be present at that meeting. I am
. fully aware of the license which is usually allowed
during a canvass, but statements have been repeated to
me as originating from you, which it is due to my cha-
racter should be repeated in my presence.—l am, Sir,
your obedient servant, Planar DODSON.—Weymouth,
Oct. 19, 1846."
" To the electors of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.
Gentlemen,—As my name and conduct may be involved
in the discussions which will take place at the proposed
meeting to-morrow evening, at the Royal Hotel, I shall
be present; and I earnestly hope that all my friends and
neighbours, without reference to any party distinctions,
will do me the kindness to attend.—l have the honour to
be, Gentlemen, your obedient bumble servant, ROBERT
GORDON.—Weymouth, Oct. 20, 1846."
At the appointed hour persons of all classes of political
opinions began to assemble at the place of meeting, and
before the proceedings closed the largo room of the
Royal Hotel, which is calculated to hold 800 persons,
was entirely filled.
W. Rolfe, Esq., was voted to the chair, and at the time
he took it, we noticed on the platform and in the room,
the following :—J. Rolph, Esq., W. D. Christie, Esq.,
m.r., Robert Gordon, Esq., Admiral Ferris, A. Lith-
gow, Esq., A. Devenish, Esq., R. Swaffield, Esq.,
C. Penny, Esq., W. Devenish, pun., Esq., W. Turton,
Esq., Rev. 11. G. Urquhart, Rev. Frederick Urquhart,
W. Ferris, Esq., M. Vertue, Esq., Dr. Boyd, Mr. Tasker,
Mr. HaTris, Mr. Atherton, S. Scriven,Esq., Mr. Thomas,
Colonel' Hudson, Captain Stephenson, and most of the
principal inhabitants of the town.
Mr. CHRISTIE, advancing to the front of the platform
amidst loud cheers, addressed the chairman, when—.
Mr. GORDON rose and said—Mr. Christie, I took the
liberty of suggesting to you that if I had an opportunity
of saying a few words first, perhaps what I had to say
might influence your proceedings.
Mr. CHRISTIE—Perhaps you will allow me to say this
in reply—that this meeting has been called by me—that
I have engaged this room—that I have issued a bill
stating my purpose of meeting my constituents on this
occasion—(Cheers)—and,:without intending any offence
to the Honourable Gentleman whose claims upon your
attention I readily admit, I trust I may say that it ap-
pears to me the most convenient course that I, who have
called this meeting, should be allowed to commence. It
is my wish to commence, and I trust that when I tell
him that I have called this meeting for the purpose of
addressing my constituents, that he will acquiesce in my
right to begin. I can assure him that anything he may
say in the course of the evening I am prepared to an-
swer; and I trust he is not reluctant to receive an oppor-
tunity of answering me.—(Cheers.) Now, Mr. Chair-
men and gentlemen, I wish to say that I called this
meeting for no other purpose than that, after having
served you faithfully and diligently--7served you to the
best of my ability, during five sessions of Parliament, as
your representative, I might have the opportunity of ren-
dering to my constituents what, in this free country,
Members of Parliament are in the habit of rendering to
their constituents—an account of my stewardship. In
calling this meeting I had no other intention whatever;
but since this meeting was announced two handbills have
appeared—one, an address from Mr. Gordon to the
electors of Weymouth ; the other, an address from Mr.
Philip Dodson to myself—which render it utterly im-
possible that I should adhere to the course which I had
originally intended to pursue ; and make it necessary
that the unfortunate subjects of difference—deeply pain-
ful, I can assure you, they are to me, and deeply dis-
graceful, I fear, they are to others—(Loud cheers)—
subjects of difference which, within the last ten days,
have agitated and bewildered this constituency—should
be brought forward by me on this occasion. Mr. Gor-
don's handbill contains no direct allusion to myself. It
is now a matter of public notoriety that a misunder-
standing has arisen between him and me. That being
so, no good can be obtained from my alluding to it here,
and I wish to allude to it to this extent, and to this ex
tent only—to say that, after what has passed between
us before, any misunderstanding with Mr. Gordon is
deeply painful to me ; that it will probably expose me
to imputations of ingratitude. That imputation I am
prepared to meet ; and I am not without a hope (and if
it can be so I shall be delighted), that this night's meet-
ing may afford an opening for the removal of our mis-
understanding—(Hear, hear, and cheers)—and for an
agreement perfectly satisfactory to myself and to my
friends.—(Cheers.) But Mr. Philip Dodson's hand-
bill is in the form of a letter from him to me, and with
regard to him I have something more to say. Mr. Dod-
son has thought it necessary to announce his intention
of being present at this meeting, and ha challenges me
to repeat in his presence statements which, he is in-
formed, I made elsewhere, when he was not present to
meet them. He says he is " fully aware of the license
which is usually allowed during a canvass." Now I must
be permitted to remark, that I have been making no
canvass. I came here to pay a visit of compliment and
respect to any constituents.—(Cheers.) During the last
week I was engaged in calling upon all of them, without
reference to politics or party ; I intended, at least, to
call on all, and if I have made any omission, it has been
accidental, and I trust will be forgiven. I have, how-
ever, taken the opportunity (though it cannot be called a
canvass) of contradicting a number of false rumours
which I find have been circulated in this town to my
prejudice, and of assuring my constitutents that if they
approved of my political conduct, and would stand by
me, it was my, wish and intention to stand by them—
whatever certain parties, for purposes of their own, had
asserted to the coutrary.—(Loud cheers.) Well, Mr. Dod-
son says, " he is fully aware of the license allowed during
canvass," and challenges me to say to his face what I
have stated in his absence! Now, I tell Mr. Philip Dod- .
son that he little understands my character (and he has
had more opportunities of knowing it than most people),
if ho thinks that during my canvass, or on any other
occasion, I would allow my tongue a license to depart
from truth—(Loud cheers)—or if he thinks that I shall
shrink from charging him to his face with the treason
to me, of which I have accused him elsewhere.—(lm-
mense sensation, followed by loud bravos, and three
rounds of cheers.) And now, gentlemen, I proceed to
state, in the presence of Mr. Philip Dodson, who knows
it, and in the presence of you, the electors of Weymouth,
who will be as much astounded by it as I have been,
that up to the time of my arrival on Monday week last,
I believed, with many strong reasons for my belief,
that Mr. Dodson was my most zealous and attached
friend ; that he was entirely in my confidence up to
that time, and that I believed I was entirely in his ;
that I consulted him as I have done since the •begin-
ning of my connexion with you—(making no secret
of it)—on all matters connected with the consti-
tuency, and that I was advised by him ; that latterly
I consulted him on the propriety of issuing an ad-
dress, stating my intention to be again a candidate
for
m.r.
u ern
alto
hisof l thisd
turn
constituency
of Rochester;
that only one week before I came hero (last Monday
fortnight), I met him at his own request at Dorchester;
the
f
that then, for the first time, he expressed his strong
wish that I should not come here at present, saying that
my return was so certain that there was no occasion for
my presence, which might create political excitement,
and disturb the harmony of the municipal elections;
that on my coming here I discovered—for three days I
struggled against the belief—(a warning which I had
previously disregarded, and showed my confidence in
him so much that I even sent it to him)—for three days
I struggled against the belief—but I discovered that,
while in my confidence and professing himself my friend,
he has been doing his utmost with some of my
staunchest friends (who, all praise be to them, re-
sisted his attempts), to get them to tell me
that I had no chance here—that I mast leave this
constituency, and that he will get some influental
member of the Government to displace me, or some
person of rank and wealth ' • for which, gentlemen, in
the first instance, you did not elect me, and for
the want of which I know you will not desert me,—
(Tremendous cheering). And now, gentlemen, I have
repeated, in his presence, what 1 stated elsewhere. Let ,
me observe that I have not stated anything, to any one,
since I came here, without giving him full liberty to
state it to bis face. Now, " it is due to his character,"
he says, "that these statements should bo repeated in
his presence." I think you will say with me, that there
is something else due to his character, and that is—that
these statements should, in your presence, electors of
Weymouth, be refuted. Your love of fair play will give
him that opportunity. I give him only one word of
warning—my witnesses of his treachery are in the room.
And now,
.gentlemen, that I have been forced, contrary
to my original intention, to enter into this most painful
statement, I feel that you are not likely to listen with
patience and composure to that account of my conduct in
Parliament, as your representative, which I had other-
wise intended to render to you—(Go on)—but there are
one or two points to which I should be obliged to you
to listen to me, and I will promise you, under the cir-
cumstances of the moment, to be extremely brief.
When you elected me in 1841, the question on
which all the constituencies of the country, and
Weymouth amongst the number, were divided, was
the question of free trade or protection.—(Hear, hear.)
I appeared before you on the hustings as a free-trader—
as a free-trader you returned me to Parliament, and as
a free-trader in Parliament I have acted. I have been
told that there are one or two persons among you who
have taken great offence at the part I have taken in sup-
port of free-trade principles.—(A Voice—" They are very
few.") I can only say that if they have been offended
with me they should never have voted for me. I did not
appear before ycu under false colours.—(Hear, hear.)
If they supported me as a free-trader, the fault is with
them and not with me. But after the enthusiastic recep-
tion with which I met from my constituents in the course
of last week, I am sure of this—that the great bulk of
the constituency are not displeased at the course I have
pursued ; and that me great ream of the eutimiasat

Mr. DonsoN then rose; but
Mr. CamsTrE requested that Mr. Gordon would not
go away, as, after what had fallen from him, he wished
to say something more about him.
Mr. DODSON, after an apology on account of being
roused to public speaking, said he was charged by Mr.
Christie with having betrayed him, being in his confi-
dence. That he denied. As usual there must be a scape
goat, and it appeared to him very likely that he was to
be one that night. Ile saw people in that room who
would not say what they thought, but would make
other people the vehicle of expressing their thoughts ;
and knowing that he was never afraid of expressing
what he felt, they had made him their vehicle. He
asserted that up to that moment he had the most
perfect good feeling for Mr. Christie. He had been
asked by one, and by another, " Well, Mr. Dodson, who
are we to have?" He had said, " Why, there's Mr.
Christie, and there's Mr. Gordon, I suppose he'll be
the other. He looks as if he was working for it." Then
they had said, "Mr. Christie! don't you think we might
have a better man?" He had said, "Perhaps not;" but
he had no objection to hear what they had to say about
it. He only knew this, that the bigger the man the less
he would have to do; for there was hardly a day but
he had applications for places. Then I mentioned to
two gentlemen in strict confidence, that it had been sug-
gested to me that we were to have a bigger and better
man than Mr. Christie. (A Voice—So we will.—Loud
cries of " No, no.'s) He did not think so. A con-
ference took place with reference to the selection of a
bigger and better man, in strict confidence, as he be-
lieved, but he said, " Lst it be as it may—let Mr.
Christie come to this place, I will vote for him." Well,
then it was said again, " We ought to have a better
man." He replied, "I don't know, but I will look
round." Being on strict confidential terms a ith Mr.
Christie, he could have sold him at any time. (Mr.
Christie—" Do it now." A Voice—" And get your
price.") Yes, and he could have got his price. Well,
there were a variety ofpersons named, and amongst others,
Mr. Tufnell, Admiral Dundas, Lord Stavordale, and—( A
Voice—" And who besides ?")—and a bigger man, too,
if lie was to be got ; and ho confessed, that
if this had been carried out, he should have been
the first to have gone to Mr. Christie and told him of
it. It was a strictly confidential conversation. He did
not hesitlite to avow it. Mr. Christe had cleverly, inge-
niously, and artfully, at this moment, introduced this
subject, knowing that he was a candidate for the office of
counsellor on the other side of the water. He denied
that he ever intended to bring Admiral Dundas. He
never a
attempted
to buy a e
dtoiaterfere withvote
; h
thee wouldvote appealsandhe had
never to
those who knew him best. He had been consulted by
influential men of both parties, and his offence had been
that he had stated his mind. If, however, Mr. Christie
came there, he should vote for him. It was true that
he had some reasons for wishing that Mr. Christie
should not come there just at that juncture. (A Voice
—What were they ?) He would tell them :—men of all
shades of politics had united within the last four years
for the benefit of the town, in an attempt to purge the
Municipal Corporation. The present would have been
the climax of their efforts, and he feared that if Mr.
Christie did come there it might create a disunion
among elements—discordant enough already, God knew.
They were Whig and Tory united, but he was afraid
that if Mr. Christie came it would be, " Every man to
his tent." There was also a private reason of his own,
and if Mr. Christie wished him to state it, why he sup-
posed he must.—(No, :no.) It had nothing to do
with public affairs, but affected him pecuniarily. Mr.
Christie came at a time, perhaps, not altogether expected
by him, but at a time when he was very cross. He said,
" Well, here I am, and now I want so know whether
you'll support me at the next election, and where are all
the men I got places for ?" He replied, " Where are
they ; do you suppose I keep them in my office ?"
" Where are they ?" said he, " Well then," he replied,
" You must go and fetch them."—(Laughter.) He was
the dispenser of the places which Mr. Christie got (but
how he knew not), but Mr. Christie never got a place
for him. He then said to him, " I don't like your coming
here ; you know what I told you at Dorchester." At
the same time he (Mr. Dodson) freely confessed that he
said, " If you like to go to Weymouth and take Mr.
Christie as a private individual, I don't see that any one
has anything to do with it." Well, he confessed that
he was annoyed and vexed ; and he said, " Well, now
you are come I think I've done with you, and it is very
probable that at the next election I may vote for two
Tories."—(lronical cries of " Hear, hear," and much
hissing.) They might hiss. He allowed to every one
the perfect right to do as he pleased, and he would take
that same right himself ; and what was more, there was
not a man in that assembly who should say, " You
shant."—(A little laughter.) Therefore, if he chose to
vote for two Tories he would. He did'nt care for Mr.
Christie any more than Mr. Christie cared for him.
They parted on the same terms as two men who had
been so intimate might be expected to part. Mr. Christie
said, " I very much regret it," and be replied " So do
I." Mr. Christie said, " I hope yet to have your sup-
port." He replied, "Perhaps you may." That was
the finish. He had heard that Mr. Christie had said, he
dared him to appear in any place where there were the
fiftieth part so many people as there were then. (Mr.
Christie—l never said it.) It was that which in-
duced him to issue the handbill. He feared that if
he came there without stating his intention to be pre-
sent, that Mr. Christie might plead that he was taken by
surprise. He, therefore, gave him the opportunity of
knowing that he intended to allude to what people said
about him. And what did it all amount to? Mr. Christie
had chosen to brand him with treason. He had yet to
learn how far his conduct could be called treason,
when he had stated to the very men who might have
been Mr. Christie's informants—" If he comes here
111
vote for him." But if it were treason—if he had deceived
or misled Mr. Christie, or been the means of his taking
a false step, or doing what was wrong, or invalidating
his position with those around him—he was very sorry
for it, for it was not his intention to do him serious or
hisep
er ri private
n i'apn,ej
rwusrheyon. s
,Butk
hadn et hmweianwdgeh
to eei
mtkhnitna
ehgekhshae dea
pollee
.ac
gud
°rear
fet d
for
othroughwhat
g
h
they dared not meet themselves.
Mr. RODENS —Gentlemen, I stand to-night in a very
painful position—l assure you I never felt to embar-

„,
time at the recollection of them. "I had been the great
person who had been the means of returning these two
Members--I had brought about such a desirable result—
an eternity of gratitude was owing to me,” and so forth.
This was not from Mr. Christie, and certainly my friend
has been cherished
Bernal laid it on very thick—(Laughter)—and the toast
was received, according to newspaper phraseology, with
" enthusiastic applause"—such applause that I can
aswliamnscomes tyt
hhpae
toasrdi
ittnihonene
rcahtt ehoeenr
Les
i nowtbiea.
linterest
How comes it changed?
ringing in my ears. That
and increased, and its influence very considerably ex-
tended. I admit it, and you all know it has been effected
with very considerable exertion and labour. Now, gen-
tlemen, I have:lived here—for at least five years I have
lived here—l hope in peace and amity with all tho world.
,
It has:been my earliest endeavours, however strongly I
may feel on politics, never, when the excitement of the
moment has passed, to allow a political spirit to be
carried further.—(Cheers.) I have been told of such
mustn't deal deia? hwithheh'sim. a'
Why, gentlemen,
tradesman ;
there'you
s a
Conservative tradesman i emen n
this town—he and his father
have served me and my father for this last sixty years.
—(Cheers.) It was not to he supposed that, for any
party spirit, I was to desert a tradesman who had
served us so long. No; Iv'e always been an enemy to
exclusive interests; I think it most destructive to all
boroughs. Well, gentlemen, I have been received with
great kindness in this town by a number of Conser•
vatives as well as by Liberals. Take the Belvidere,
the Terrace, the Crescent—why, at one time hardly a
Liberal resided there, and yet I've not been excluded
from those houses ; I have lived in the most kindly
feeling with all. Well, now, I am come to the point.
What causes the differece of my position with regard
to the old Liberal interest ? I admit it—l feel that I
am not in the same position as years ago. What has
been said within the last ten days ? They- say, gen-
tlemen. that I'm not to be trusted--that they have a
shrewd fancy, somehow or other, that I am concocting
all sorts of schemes.—(Voices—" No ; not you.") Be.
forelwwenats
on much
to my satisfaction, until some gen-
tleman peace and quietness, and every-
thingtlemau comes up and says, " Why, you are residing
here, and I really think you are the best person to re-
present the place." And a Conservative friend re-
being .
c
been accused, 0 well as others, of a Radical--I
peats it, and then a Radical—(for, gentlemen, I have

~.7„,
..;,...:4,....'r ::-..:
J, - 'Ali, votr,..
- ...,..,
ir'
- " Arr, .. 4
''... lif
. ''''....''''it-' i_ :14 ...i- 4 .*),c......"4 .fi/i4.,...t.'ktf;;;
avittlev,i7;s4iiir.- :44- 1 :, , :::: .4:2.,7z1ref.7:7.,::;;;c:14:::c......,:.,:rz' \
_.,,,
~,,,,,,
„:
itc-Q::
~x , L::.,,, I ".
'%lliiminium•
..--
...; ~...f 74
( ',.i,,,:
lir
...
. . ...-
. I 4
~. ,
..:, ~..
-,,_. _. -is It
~....
_,.. ...!,-
_,...,„,
t..... ..,5, ;:. -, .
';',..".:•';",;' ...[.-
4 _,41,', t"., ....: ~,iin,`''
1 ' '
, : ... _ : :_.___:,..'‘. ~. .P44:44
, ti. I
_ '
- ''''' ;',. • 04, .. ~?M ~, ~..*- ''''''.. -- Y, •""f* 'IV 'i '\
''''c'-`*--'-' l''',,i'' ' ..,' ' ','

PRICE SD.

rassed in all my life in addressing a public assembly as
Ido on this occasion; and I entreat your kind consi-
deration—for, seeing myself surrounded by so many of
my fellow-townsmen, by so many gentlemen of far
greater influence and standing than I am. and standing
among such a scene of disclosures as must take place on
this occasion—l must be made of adamant if I did not
feel. Mr. Dodson has referred to individuals who say
in private what they dare not avow openly. I beg to ask
him if he thinks me one of those individual?—
(Mr. Dodson—" No, Robens, you are no!.") Now,
gentlemen, I was one of the persons who went to Mr.
Dodson, and I put myself on my trial before you to-
night. I have been charged with creating all the noise
and confusion in the town upon this occasion. Now,
gentlemen, I will state the whole circumstances of this
matter as far us I have been concerned. Yeti recollect
that about December, 1845, Sir Robert Peel's Ministry,
then upon the subject of the corn-laws, was likely to be
dissolved. Indeed, it was siezpended for a time, and Lord
John Russell took office. At that time it was thought
that a dissolution would occur, and I then spoke to Mr.
Dodeon and asked him who the parties were that were
to represent us. Several individuals had spoken to me on
the subject, but I could not inform them, and therefore
I applied to Mr. Dodson. I could get no direct answer
from him, I don't blame him for that; but because I
could not get the information, I thought it no harm to
address one of your representatives, to ask him, on the
occasion of a vacancy, if he would stand as a candidate
for the representation of the borough. Mr. Christie, in
reply, wrote me a letter, which I destroyed, because I did
not wish it to be blazed abroad that I was in correspon-
dence with a Member of Parliament; but the substance
was this, "situated as I am at present, it is impossible to
state what my condition rosy be. If Mr. Gordon stands
for Weymouth, as a gentleman I am bound not to oppose
him.—(Cheers.) If Mr. Bernal—such is the kindness
which 1 have received at his hands—thatl will not oppose
him. But if Mr. Bernal or Mr. Gordon do not come
forward, and the electors would choose to have my sers
vices, they are at their disposal." I did not publish this
about because I did not wish it to be thought that I had
assumed a position which I did not wish to occupy—
that of having much to do with Members of Parliament.
But about two months since Mr. Christie informed me
that he had heard from Mr. Bernal that he meant to go
to Rochester, and he wrote talus:to this effect: "I hup
not forgotten your letter of last December, and now tf'
sume the subject. You will have seen by the papers
that Mr. Bernal's old constituents at Rochester are getting
up a requisition to him, and I have very little doubt that
he will accept it. 'When he has done this the difficulty
which I told you in December stood in the way of my
declaring myself disappears, and I can stand without
opposing Mr. Bernal or Mr. Gordon ; I should propose
them as soon as Mr. Bernal has settled to issue some
such address as the enclosed, but before taking any
step, the least I can do after your previous kindness,
is to consult you. Tell me what you think about it,
and do me the further favour of consulting those other
friends whose opinions you communicated to me
in December, and who will not now, I am sure, take it
amiss that I ask you to communicate with them for me.
I will only add that I shall be entirely in the hands of
my friends at Weymouth as to coming there this autumn.
Hitherto I have of course felt it a point of honour to-
wards Mr. Bernal not to move without him." I wrote
back to tell him that he had mistaken the influence
which I had in Weymouth, and therefore recommended
him to write to Mr. Dodson, and hear what he had to
say. In return to that he said, " You go to Mr. Dod-
son—he is all right;" and I went to Mr. Dodson. I call
Mr. Dodson to witness that never since Mr. Christie has
represented this borough have I ever said I was dissatis-
fied. I have never said there was a more influential or
more substantial man necessary to represent this bo-
rough. (Mr. Dodson—" Certainly not.") Very well.
I went to him, thinking he was as hearty
in the cause as I was. I forgot to mention that before
he told me "heis my pet man.' I shall support him
whenever he comes." Well, as soon as I went to Mr.
Dodson and showed him the letter, he showed me a note
which he had received, asking him what he thought of
Mr. Christie. He immediately suggested that a man
of greater influence should be had. Well, I-said if you
are not sincere in your attachment to Mr. Christie, don't
bring him down here, for if he comes here and can-
vasses there will be a split, for you'll get no one else to
represent you (turning to Mr. Dodson)—Did I say so
or not? (Mr. Dodson—" I've no recollection.")—(oh,
oh.) Well, then, solemnly as I stand before you and
my God, I used those words.—(Loud cheers.) When
I got home I called to mind all that had passed
and I felt in a very painful situation ; I thought Mr.
Christie has reposed confidence in me, end I see where
he has placed confidence ho has not got it returned ; I
assure you I felt pain, but I felt also a strong sense of
duty, and I wrote to Mr. Christie, and told him there
was not such confidence to be placed as he thought for.
—(Loud cheers.) So fully was Mr. Dodson in his con-
fidence, that that letter was returned into his hands
and I will ask him whether in that letter, and in all my
correspondence with him, I have not said that Mr. Gor-
don and Mr. Christie were two fit men, and the men
whom I should vote for. I mention this because it has
been rumoured that I have done all I can to injure Mr.
Gordon. I challenge any one to say that I ever acted
thu.i or ever said anythingcalculated to wound his feelings ;
I did say this to Mr. Dodeon—lf Mr. Gordon comes I'll
support him ; but if he comes with a nominee, whoever
raises the standard of revolt, I'll stand under it. Well,
I wrote to Mr. Christie again, and I tell you why I did
so. If it had been an affair between prrivate individuals
nothing should have induced me to have divulged what
I did ;but I looked upon Mr. Christie as a young man
starting into business, with bright prospects before him
—with the hopes of his constituency upon him—he him-
self looking for that period when he should acquire
well-earned honours as a statesman, and I thought it
would he most painful if he came here at the eleventh
hour with all these bright prospects before him, and
found them all illusions.—(Cheers.) That was the sole
end only reason which induced me to act as I did. Mr.
Christie replied:—
" When I find Dodson to be a traitor, I will give up
the world, and go into a convent. Rest assured that
your suspicions are unfounded. I have heard from him
to-day. He propozes having a meeting of the Liberal
party in a day or two, and reading them my letter."
I wrote back to Mnl Christie ; I begged him to sus-
pend his judgment, promising to suspend mine. I spoke
to one and the other of the leading Liberals of Wey-
mouth. I requested Mr. Christie not to correspond with
me, but with those individuals. I spoke to two of them,
and found that the same impressions that were endea-
voured to be fixed in my mind were endeavoured to be
conveyed to theirs. 'What was Itodo ? As an honest
man, I told of it. I said " I really cannot understand it,
hut suspend your judgment ; wait till you come amongst
us." I saw Mr. Christie at Dorchester, and there de-
sired him to act just as if he had heard nothing of what
Mr. Dodson had done—to leave it all to time, and to
see what the result would be. I'm not afraid to say that
I had strong suspicions, from what I had heard, that
Mr. Christie was sought to be got rid of. He told me
to go to Mr. Dodson and tell him that he should be at
Weymouth on Monday, and that, according to his sug-
gestion, he should bring Mr. Christie with him. I met
Mr. Dodson and told him this ; he demurred at first,
but said, " If I had told him not to come he would
not have come." Now, it has been said that lam the
'party who brought Mr. Christie here. I say that Mr.
Dodson told me, in his office, that he would write and
bring him down, and afterwards that he would be down
in a few days. This is all I have to say. Whatever 1
have done has been done with the purest and sincerest
intentions. I have acted as before my God—l have
acted with a clear conscience, and whether your verdict
be one of acquittal or one of condemnation, it will matter
very little to me. I wish to retain the good opinions of
my fellow-townsmen. I desire to be in the estimation
of the wise and good ; but these things will be lightly
held by we, a...put-ea wILli We ofteLardantinn r Pao! in my
own conscience that I have done nothing as a man—and
as a Christian man—inconsistent with my duty. (On
retiring, Mr. Robens was honoured with three rounds of
cheers.)
Mr. CHRlSTlE—Gentlemen, you have heard from Mr.
Robens, and. doubtless observed, as I did, that Mr. Dod-
son took care not to name the parties with whom he
conversed on the subject, and whom he represents to
have come to him and suggested that I should be got rid
of. I hope Mr. Dodson, before he goes further, will
name those parties.
Mr. DODSON—I can tell Mr. Christie this—(" Name,
name")—that, whatever opinion he may have of a con-
fidential communication, whatever is given me in con-
fidence I keep so.
Mr. CHRISTIE—Mr. Dodson refuses to name the par-
ties. I know well the sanctity of a confidential commu-
nication, but I cannot understand a person being at the
same time in the confidence of two different parties,
getting each to intrigue against the other.—(Applause.)
And if Mr. Do&bn tells me here that it is out of regard
to a confidential communication that he refuses to de-
clare the name of the parties, I tell him openly, and to
his face, that his conduct has been such that I regard
that merely as an excuse. I trust that Mr. Tasker and
Mr. Raggeett will tell this meeting of the conversation
which they have had.—(Loud cries of " Bravo.")
Mr. TASKER, having ascended the platform during
much cheering, said that he 'met Mr. Dodson in St. Mary-
street, and he thought he asked his opinion whether or
not they had not better have two influential men.
believed he was a little in fault himself, lle
fort hereplied
hthaavte,hbeutthaotught
that quitetimiteh
a esirablethpate
they should
he certainty d
was
u
Mr. Dodson had held out any hopes to Mr. Christieh. ofl
being returned for Weymouth, neither could he himself
suppose it from Mr. Dodson's asking him in the matter.
As ho was called on, he thought it best to state the facts.
Mr. Raggett was called for by the meeting, but he de-
clined to give information, unless Mr. Dodson desired it,
and Mr. Dodson replying " Oh, no," Mr. Raggett de-
clined to come forward.
Mr. CHRlSTlE—Gentlemen, I commenced by stating
that it had not been my intention to bring these matters
before a public meeting, but I was forced into tho course
by the handbills which Mr. Dodson and Mr. Gordon
have issued. I stated, also, that the subject was to mo
a most painful one. I hope my friend Mr. Tasker will
believe me, when I assure him that I take no offence at
any part of the statements which dle has so candidly
made.

Mr. TABRER said, he should wish to add to what he
had said this—he believed Mr. Christie did not hear
through him the conversation. with Mr. Dodson ; he