The Sun.
London, England, 1834-12-20 00:00:00

REPRESENTATION OF WESTMINSTER.

Last night a numerous body of the electors of Westminster,
friendly to reform, assembled at the Crown and Anchor Tavern,
in the Strand, for the consideration, as stated in the circulars
sent generally round, of urgent and important business con-
nected with their representation in Parliament. The meeting
was held in one of the rooms of the tavern of second-rate
size, which was completely crowded.
The Chair was taken by Mr. A'BECKETT, who observed
that when the circulars were sent round it was fully expected
that Sir Francis Burdett would have returned to town before
this time, so that an answer might be obtained to a series of
questions which had been propounded to him in compliance
with a wish of a former meeting. _ _

Mr. DE YEAR had a duplicate sent to him some days back,
by Sir Francis Burdett, of the letter sent to the electors of
St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster, and which letter
the Baronet, in a brief note in the envelope, stated to'be such
a one as he supposed would prove satisfactory to the entire of
his supporters in Westminster.
The letter was read and received with loud cheering.
Colonel EVANS felt it his duty to avail himself of every
fitting oppottunity to present himself before his constituents,
and state his sentiments and opinions, and afford any explana-
tions they might require. He alluded to the publication made
by Sir Robert Peel. He must confess he was net sorry to see
the temper and moderation that pervaded the manifesto. Ho
felt also bound to say, that he saw nothing in the manner of
this address differing as to the temperance which marked the
conduct of Sir Robert Peel in Parliament. Thus much in
justice to Sir Robert as apolitical opponent he felt bound to
admit. So far as the measures of Sir Robert did not endanger
the tranquillity of the country be was satisfied, but in other
respects his opinion of Sir Robert was very different. He at-
tempted to show, that although he had opposed the Reform
Bill, still that it had now become law, he could very properly
hold office without suspicion of being likely to counteract its
natural action. Now, he thought this ret soning inconclusive,
and that he was not A fit person, but, however, this was a matter
more between the King and Sir Robert, than between him and
the people, whose attention ought rather to be directed to
what measures he announced it his design to introduce. Ho
says he was friendly to Lord J. Russell's measure for satisfy-
ing the Dissenters as to the church rate, and so far, there-
fore, he was as good as the late Whig Government; but this
would not satisfy the Dissenters. There were other points in
which he ( Sir Robert Peel) identified himself with the late
Whig Government, and may on that ground claim the sup-
port of certain portions of that party; but he felt satisfied that
it would not procure him the support of his Hon. Colleague.
Sir Robert Peel states most explicitly that he will in no way
seek to mutilate or destroy the Reform Bill. Now certain
Members, representing the metropolitan borough, had signed
a declaration, asserting a fear that the new Government would
attempt this ; and he also had been asked to sign, but had de-
clined, and the result certainly showed that, so far, he had
acted correctly. Differing, as he did, from Sir Robert Peel,
he thought his letter very satisfactory on that cardinal point.
Still he should not give him his support. He begged to
assure them that he had heard ten days ago, and that on
the best authority, that at one of the Clubs a plan was
formed for ousting either his Hon. Colleague or himself, the
party was indifferent which. This was to be attempted by
throwing some discredit or suspicion on either himself or their
old tried Representative ; and then, under colour of this, a
third candidate was to be proposed, and having by this means
gained the election of one Whig, they hoped eventually to
bring in a second, and to make the city of Westminster a pure
Whig borough under the perfect command of a party. He
felt sure they would never suffer themselves to be degraded
into a Whig borough, and still less a Tory one. He had not
been made a pet of by Sir F. Burdett; he owed nothing to
his patronage, but he must say that he saw nothing in his letter,
read that night, but what ought to satisfy every one.
Mr. BROWN thanked the Gallant Colonel for his explicit
speech at this most important crisis. He should like to ask
Colonel Evans how he purposed to act in respect of Sir
Robert's scheme for the relief of Dissenters ?

Colonel EVANS, said that when Lord Althorp proposed
his plan of relief, he had opposed it as a mockery and de-
lusion ; and still more should he, if chosen by them, oppose
Sir Robert Peel's measure whenever he might introduce
it—( Cheers. )
Dr. BAINBRIDGE thought the course for them to adopt clear.
Au anti-Reform Administration had been formed, and they
ought to unite their efforts to oppose it. He begged to submit
the following resolution :
" That it is the opinion of this meeting, from the long-tried
services of Sir Francis Burdett, and from the general tenor of his
letter to the inhabitants of St. Margaret and St. John, and from
the declaration of Colonel Evans this evening, as also from his
consistent, persevering, and talented conduct in the House of
Commons, as the Representative of Westminster, that those two
gentlemen are at this peculiar period, when an anti-Reform Ministry
has been called to power, deserving of the confidence and united
support of the electors of Westminster."
MIGIIE felt the importance of sinking all minor points
at the i.7resent, and, although not quite satisfied with the po-
sition in w:,-;ch Sir Francis stood, would support the motion.
Mr. Kro nosed the motion.
,11r. 3
d an amendment, declaring that in the \IRm.:N or
mov.c
ab-
sence of any declaration of the present sentiments of Sir
Francis, the meeting felt it.7elf unable to come to any expres-
sion of sentiment in his favour.
Mr. LAWFORD seconded the motion.
Several Gentlemen spoke.
Dr. BAINBRIDGE consented to withdraw his resolution.
The amendment of Mr. Brown was then made a substantive
motion, and carried unanimously.
Thanks 'were voted to Mr. Dc \rear for a spirited letter ad-
dressed by him to Sir Francis, and read to the meeting, but
which yet remains unanswered.
The usual thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and at
a late hour the meeting broke up.

A French Journal, in noticing a recent trial in the
Court of King's Bench, calls the Earl of Hillsborough " un
petit -Seigneur." His Lordship, we believe, is six feet two
inches in height, and stout in proportion.
Yesterday morning a crowd collected in front of
Carlile's shop, and occasioned considerable obstruction, in
consequence of his exhibiting placards, amongst which were
the following:—" The sentence of the Criminal Court on
Mr. Carlisle, for resisting the Church-rate, is three years'
imprisonment. The effigies will be exhibited every Sunday
during the imprisonment."