The Sun.
London, England, 1832-11-27 00:00:00

ST. MARGARET AND ST. JOHN.

Yesterday evening, a meeting of the electors of the pa-
rishes of St. Margaret and St. John, was held in Miller's
Ivery- stables, in the Horseferry-road, being the largest
;dace of meeting that could be procured. The meeting
vas very numerous and respectable.
Colonel EvANs, on entering with his friends, was
loudly cheered.
Mr. ARBER was unanimously called to the chair, and
stated the object of the meeting to he to promote the elec.
Tion of Colonel Evans as one of their representatives, in-
s'ead of Sir John Cam Hobhouse, who bad shown him-
Self a different man in office from what he was out of
,ffice.—(Hear, bear.) Westminster had laid the foun-
dation on which the superstructure of Reform was built,
end they should not send representatives to Parliament
who would not promise to give them the full benefit of
that Reform they had mainly contributed to gain.—
(Hear, hear, bear.) Wht n Colonel Evans proposed to
reduce the standing army ten thousand men, Sir John
Cam Hohhonse, who, out of office, had always exclaimed
against standing armies, opposed the motion.—(Hear.)
How often had their hearts leaped with exultation at Sir
John Hobltouse's speeches against the degrading practice
of flogging in the army, yet when he became Secretary
of War, be voted against a motion for the abolition of
flogging, and contented himself with changing the num-
ber of lashes from 500 to 300.—(Hear.) The repeal
of the house and window tax was the bobby on which
he rode through Westminster, and now be refused tnpro-
inise to support it.—(Hear, hear ) Had he done so when
'‘e proposed himself for their representative, would they
have e!ected hint ?—(No, no.) He Loped they werenow
,!onvinced that Sir John Hobhouse was not a fit repre-
sentative for Westminster. —(Hear, hear.) Col. Evans's
principles were similar to their own ; they had already re-
ceived the approbation of a large meeting of e'ectors at the
Crown and Anchor, and he was confident would receive
theirs.—(Great applause.)
Mr. McKie said he had'a resolution to propose, which
he hoped would meet their approbation, as it was to sup-
port a candidwe worthy of Westminster.—(Hear, hear.)
The electors of Westminster did not ask Sir F. Burdett
for a pledge because he was always an honest man, though
not a working man , but Sir John Hobbouse had placed
himself in a different situation.—(Hear.) In 1819 he said
to the electors of Westminster, above all things
demand pledges ; he is not an honest man that will not
pledge himself. He is now asked to pledge himself, and
refuses.—(Hear, hear.) In 1822 he moved for a repeal
of the house and window tax. He is now asked, not
to move for the repeal, but whether, if it were moved by
another he would support it, and he says, " I cannot pro-
mise." Was that a representative for Westminster ?
(No, no.) Sir John Hobbouse was a changed man since
he joined the Ministry. Colonel Evans was a man that
w.ould not tell himself to any Ministry.—(Hear, hear.)
He moved a resolution pledging the meeting to support
Colonel Evans's election for 'Westminster.
Colonel EvANs rose, and was received with long-con-
tinued cheers. He said he did not appear before them for
the mere purpose of obtaining a seat in Parliament, for
that he could have received in other places ; but he was
anxious to represent the great city of Westminster, be-
cause it would give greater effect to his efforts in favour of
the liberty of the people.—(Hear, hear.) Sir J. Hob-
house bad only been asked by his constituents whether he

- - -
had V changed his views on points on which he had re-
peatedly Pledged himself, and this question he refused to
answer.—(Hear, hear.) He (Colonel Evans) did not ap-
pear before them to make an oration, but to answer any
questions that might be put to him. —(Hear, hear ) He
had, at a meeting at the Crown and Anchor, stated his
principles very fully, and the consequence wa., that Sir
John Hobbouse's supporters now say that he would pro.
mise every thing; but he had not promised en much as
Sir John Hobbouse, though certainly he should not shrink
from the performance.—(Hear, hear.) Colonel Evans
proceeded to give a statement of the principal measures
he should support in Parliament. He should support a
Bill for shortening the duration of Parliaments, which
was now more necessary than ever, because the Parliament
would now be so powerful that it would both make the
laws and appoint the executive Government, instead of
the great aristocratic families, which formerly did both.—
(Hear, hear.) On the subject of the ballot Sir John

Hobbouse used to he elyquent, but now he refuses to
make any promise.—(Hear, hear.) Lord Althorp, indeed,
and Lord John Russell, had said, that if the present prac-
tices of terrifying electors were continued they would sup-
port the vote by ballot—that meant, if they lost their
electicn.—( A laugh.) He should support the vote by
ballot as necessary to the freedom of election, and the
security of the electors.—(Hear, hear.) Sir John Hob-
house refused to pledge himself to the repeal of the house
and window 'tax. .

An ELECTOR—He says that Government can't do with.
out them. . . .

Colonel EvaNs—Then I suppose yon can do without
him.—(Great applause.) The taxes on knowledge must
be repealed either by Ministers or without them.—(Long-
continued cheering.) He might be permitted to say
something of Church Reform.—(Great applause and
laughter.) They could do without Bishops in Parliament,
and tithes must be abolished ; the wonder was that they
were allowed to continue so long.—(lmmense applause.)
He should vote against all monopolies, by which tea and
sugar were doubled in price.—(Hear, bear.) When be
heard Sir John Hohbouse oppose the reduction of the
army, and say that he and Mr. Hutne were as wide as the
poles asunder, he thought that he was drawing near his
doom in Westminster.—(Hear, hear.) Sir Francis Bur-
dett appeared to say that he would not represent West-
minster unless he were allowed to appoint his colleague.
This reminded him of the 111, of Algiers, who, when he
played at cards with his courtiers, always insisted on
naming the trump card.—(Great applause and laughter.)
If he should be returned by the electors of Westminster,
I every exertion of which he was capable, mental and phy-
sical, should be devoted to the service of the people.—
(Long.continued applause.)
Mr. BUTT seconded the resolution, which was carried
by acclamation ; not a single hand was held up against it.
A Committee was then appointed for promoting Colonel
Evans's election.
Thanks were voted to the Chairman; and after giving
three hearty cheers for Colonel Evans, the meeting
separated.

SIR F. B URDETT and COL. E VANS.
SIR FRANCIS BURDETT'S SECOND LETTER.

At a meeting of the Central Committee for conducting
the re-election of Sir Francis Bolden and Sir John Hob-
house, the following copy of Sir F. Burdett's second letter
to Colonel Evans was read :
" Dear Evans,—l take the earliest opportunity, on
arriving at Brighton, to acknowledge the receipt of your
last letter, which appears to me to be founded on a com-
plete misapprehension, and owing thereto to a comple'e
misstatement of all the circumstances and all the feelings
connected with this case. You complain of want of
courtesy towards you ; in what respect, however, you do
not point out, and I can only say, that on my part it was
never intended. You do, however, specify the last pas-
sage of my letter as ' not marked by much courtesy, but
that, in consideration of your regard to me, you only per-
mit yourself to complain.' Believe me, this would be felt
much by me if I thought there was any cause for the oh-
servation,
except misapprehension, in the same manner as
ynu suppose I make the representation of Westminster
a matter of personal feeling ;' this last observation re-
lieves me much from the pain the first might occasion, as
both are equally without any just foundation. Give me
leave to ask where is the want of courtesy in my stating
that I would rather be turned out of Westminster with
Holidouse, than returned to Parliament with any one
else? In this there is nothing personal or of private feel-
ing ; it is entirely on public grounds, and were you the
best friend I had in the world, I should say the same. To
the best of my recollection, there is not a single sentence,
or even a word, in my letter, having reference to any con
sideration except of a public nature.
" There is no question either between us as to the
'disinterestedness 'and puldic spirit of those who, you in-
form me, have ' during some months sought you as a can-
didate.' These words, 'during some months,' are very
important; they give rise to new ideas and thoughts;
they seem to prove, as Othello says, a foregone con-
clusion.. May I ask whether these persons who had
been soliciting you for many months, whether they were
the same persons who went to Hobhouse for pledges?
If so, was not that a poor contrivance? Or is it
not now, to use a significant phrase, the ' cat out of
the bag ?' And is this, supposing the case to be so, can-
did dealing, or conduct such as the electors of Westmin-
ster have hitherto observed on similar occasions? I think

not, and, if it is to be in future adopted, nn doubt it is
high time to look out for new persons to repre,ent them.
" You then object to my making use of the words, as
applied to you, of acquiescing in a plan to turn Hobhouse
out of Westminster : you say you see no propriety in the
term. I must confess I see no propriety in the act; but
am totally at a loss to find the impropriety of the term.
You are pleased to suppose me to ask you Who the per-
sons were who persuaded yeu to come forward ?' lam
net aware of having asked any such question ; you, how-
ever, suppose so ; then comes the answer, ' Those,' you
say, ' who persuaded me and Hobhouse, to whom we are
so largely indebted for success.' It was hardly worth
while to suppose the question for the sake of the answer,
for, though smart, it is not correct. The fact, as all the
world knows is, that I was elected without knowing
anything of the matter myself. I was confined to
my bed owing to the unfortunate affair with Mr.
Paul, Mr. Cline forbidding every one, excepting the
necessary attendants, entering my room. As to Hob-
house, he cannot be said to have undergone any pro-
cess of persuasion. He stood forward on pubic grounds
and public principles. He has never quitted the one, or
abandoned the other. He stands so still intact; for as to
the objection started of his being in office, it is too childish
to deserve notice; besides which, it has already been dis-
posed of by the electors of Westminster themselves. It
is easy,' says the proverb, ' to find a stick to beat a dog;'
hut it is not so easy to find a valid reason for opposing an
honest man. I hope it is not necessary for me here to say
I am not drawing comparisons, or speaking, as you call
it, in contrast with Mr. Hobhouse. To disclaim such an
intention would be too humiliating to us both, and I can
only express my surprise that you should have entertained
such a thought before. I am fully aware of your great
merits as well as his, and have pleasure in acknowledging
them ; hut, with reference to the present case—the matter
in hand—l cannot entertain any doubt, if they were to
he weighed, whose scale would kick the beam. The ques-
tion now is, not which is the best man, but what is the
best conduct, the most becoming, and the most useful, in
a public point of view, for the people of Westminster to
follow? It is the character of the e'ectors of Westminster
ar.d of the people, by one of the best specimens that is
wing to be tried at the ensuing election, whether popular
support and opinion shall be raised or sunk in the estimate
of wise men, whether the reproach of inconstancy and levity
in the people, so often with effect cast upon them by the ene-
mies of popular rights, shall be he confuted in this instance or
confirmed. This is the stake now about tube played for, and it
is on this account, and on this account chiefly, if not solely,
that I feel so deep an interest in the game. This west
question, therefore, will be tried, I trust, on its true
grounds, that all personal preferences or dislikes will be
lost sight of, and the result be such as will uphold in the
eyes of the country the high character, sound principles,
sound judgment, and steadiness of conduct which the
electors of Westminster have so long sustained.
" I cannot conclode without assuring you that the
grief and sorrow I before expressed is real, and not mere
words; I cannot but feel how uncomfortable this inter-
ruption is, thus given to an intimacy I so much valued,
nor can I part with it without a pang.
" I remain yours sincerely,
" Brighton, Nov. 23. " F. BURDETT."

COLONEL EVANS'S ANSWER.

Waterloo•place, 26th Nov., 1832.

" My Dear Sir Francis,—l am glad to find, by your
letter this day published in the Times, that you intended
me no personal discourtesy. That mistake was, I believe,
entertained as well by the public as myself. The forbear-
ance I had to exercise was greater than you seem to have
been aware of, for your. Chairman, in delivering your first
letter, gave me an interpretation of your meaning, which,
if credited, could hardly have borne the mild epithet of dis-
courtesy.

" Encouraged, perhaps, by the restraint I put upon
my ferlings, yair Committee followed it up by passing a
resolution, aspersing in the strongest manner, and without
a shadow of foundation, my public and private character.
I thought it then beneath me to notice, and I now think
it beneath you to permit this conduct on the part of your
supporters.
" I regret that this explanation was accompanied by
reiteriaion of an expression which has given rise to the
unpleasant notion among the electors of Westminster,
that you would rather not represent them, unless with a
colleague of your own choice.
" Had you not been absent from London, you would, I
think, have learned that the electors are at issue with you
on this point, as they believe themselves qualified to judge,
and claim to be allowed to vote for whom they please.
Your remark hum Othello, " of a foregone conclusion"
is, 1 beg to assure you, entirely imaginary.
" You speak ofthe " levity" attributed to popular bodies,
and seem to indicate that it is not your colleague (he hav-
ing changed his relative position), but the distinguished
constituency of this city (although they have not changed
at all) that now are to be put on their trial ! This seems
to me reversing the order of things. Fur my own part, re-
collecting in your instance, the conspicuous proof they
have given of their constancy, for more than a quarter of
a century, I conclude they will do now as they always have
done, nobly for their country.
" You appear to me to mistake the position in which
we are placed. Westminster has not, for a considerable
time past, been, as far as I can learn, in a state either sa-
tisfactory to itself or to the country, whose eyes are fre-
quently directed towards this on several accounts. The
most important borough constituency men, such as West-
minster has always possessed, have again come forward,
resolved that, in ttie great and salutary changes which
oughtl to be, 'and must be effected, they will have a re-
presentative who, on all proper occasions, will sedu-
lously attend to their business, instead of that of any
Administration; one who, on some leading matters, will
pledge his service to them and his country, in preference
to any Government, let who may compose it. This your
colleague has refused to do. The electors of Westminster,
thinking WITH YOU—
" That candidates and their supporters, representa-
tives and their constituents, should come to a cle,•ir
understanding.
" That no mystery ought to hang over their intercourse.
" That every one should be ready to give a reason for
his faith, and to answer any questions that may be
thought necessary for the satisfitction of his constituents.'
" The electors, thinking thus, sent a deputation to your
colleague to ask four plain questions, who, if not actually
rebuffed, are represented to have been sent away with a re-
fusal to answer any questi, ns to give any satisfaction :
thus one of two things was forced upon them—either the
nomination of another candidate or quiet submission,_
either stepping forward at once, as on great emergencies
they have been accustomed to do, or of exhibiting to the
country an example of pusillanimity utterly unworthy of
them. The country expects that on this, as on former
occasions, they will do their duty manfully, and it will
not, you may be assured be disappointed.—l remain, yours
sincerely, "D. L. EVANS."
" Tu Sir Francis Burdett, M. P. &c. &e. &c."

DREADFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE,
MORNING.-This morning, about three o'clock, a
fire broke out in the back premises of Messrs. Tunamt.,
coach-makers, of Long-acre, and spread with dreadful ►ury
to the furriers in that street, from thence communicating
to the adjoining houses. The stabling of Messrs. BEAaIES,
the public-house, and two other houses in Lazenby-court,
at once burst out with one immense body of flame,
the appearance of which was terrifically magnificent. On
the arrival of the engines, by the active exertions of the
firemen and police, the progress of the devouring element
was stopped, but not got completely under until about
eight o'clock. Some of the poor creatur,s in Lazenby-
court have lost their all. A subscription is about to be
raised for their relief.

EXTENSIVE AND MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
—This morning, early, the premises of Mr. HICKMAN,
jeweller and silversmith, near St. Margaret's-hill, borough,
were entered by burglars, by the following ingenious and
extraordinary means :—Between his premises and Mr.
HAantsores, the grocer, is a very ext.•nsive yard, belong-
ing to Messrs. MUNN and WILDE, spirit-merchants. On
Mr. MtJNN entering the yard, this morning, he discovered
his dog prostrate on the ground, poisoned by the means of
administering some active poison on a piece of liver. The
supposition is, that the thieves were secreted in a lumber
room at the rear of Mr. HARRISON'S premises, from
whence they intended to proceed to commit the robbery,
but finding an obstacle .in the. dog, they disposed of it in
the way described. Having so tar succeeded, they proceeded
to ascend a high wall at the back of Mr. Ilicintax's pre-
mises, there
they d
re was
tuck fromskylight,a by means of a pulley
the
adjoining
premises.
The opening they made in the skylight was only sufficient
to admit a small boy ; and what Is extraordinary is, that
rope, wherel which
property to the amount of about 4001. could have been
taken through so small an aperture, which it must have
t
taken a considerable time to do without disturbing any of
iANto openinghe above
amount had
his shop this
baen taken away.
themorning
foundOn At
ihra.tipropertyic3