The Sun.
London, England, 1832-11-21 00:00:00

THE ELECTIONS.

WESTMINSTER. .
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE.

Waterloo-place, Nov. 20.

Sir,—You will oblige me by laying before the gentle-
men of the committee t'..e enclosed letter, which you will
be pleased afterwards to forward as directed.
I am yours, most faithfully,
D. L. EVANS.

Waterloo-place, Nov. 20.

My dear Sir Francis,—lf I had given you any just
cause of grief none would regret it more poignantly than
myself. lam not conscious of having done so. I was
certainly net prepared for the tone of your letter. I
should have answered it earlier were it not that a depu-
tation from Sir John Hobhouse's committee occupied me a
considerable part of the morning in discussion of this con-
test. The public spirit and disinterestedness of those who
some months past, have sought me as a candidate,
cannot, I think, he unknown to you. I have acceded ;
but in doing so, I see no propriety in the term " acqui-
escing in a plan to turn Hobhouse out of Westminster."
If he should prove less desired in Westminster than I am,
it will not be my fault. You desire to know who per-
suaded me? I answer, some of those who persuaded
you and him, and to whom, I believe, you were
both largely indebted for success. What public ad-
vantage, you ask, can be derived ? I answer, when
all the institutions are to be re-modelled,—when
now, for the first time, great relief to the people may
he practicable, it seems to me of. high advantage that
the weight and powerful influence belonging to the first I
electoral body of the empire should be brought to the
public aid, and, in full activity, should not be partly in
abeyance, through one of its members being' shackled by Mi-
nisterial office, and incapable of unconditionally supporting
timse measures of ...Max he himself was before the
earnest advocate. You speak of Sir John's long and ar
duous services, as if a contrast in that respect existed. I
trut, however, that I, too, have served my country, and
I hope with an equal zeal, and no less devotion. Of elo-
quence and literary attainment he is possessed. But of
what value are those accomplishments if the popular cham-
pion subside into the comparatively silent ornament of a
Treasury Bench ? You apprehend popular estimation's
being brought into contempt. In my humble opinion this
pre eminent city may fall into contempt, if, in order to
faaour the views (however honourable) of individuals it
shall cease to cause the unrestrained and undaunted ad-
eioeacy of those principles it has hitherto manintained so
triumphantly and so much to the advantage of the nation.
l3ot surely your distinguished colleague is well able to de-
fend as wed as to attack, and cannot need your broad
shield's being thus extended before him. Your last pas-
aage, I am sorry to say, is not marked by much courtesy,
but holding your character in the admiration and regard
do, you will be privileged to say much of which I may
only permit myself to complain. But in this last remark-
able passage you make the representation of Westminster
matter of personal feeling—if not of personal right. I
bought it was a matter of principle, and had hoped that
the ie,ooo electors might be permitted to have some voice
in the choice of your colleague.
I remain most truly, yours,
To Sir Francis Burdett, ALP., &c. D. L. EVANS.