The Sun.
London, England, 1835-03-10 00:00:00

SIR FRANCIS BURDETT AND HIS

CONSTITUENTS.

(From aCorrespondent.)

A few days ago, and before any deputation had waited on Sir
Francis Burdett to complain of his Parliamentary conduct, Mr.
Devear was called on by Mr. Fonblanque and Mr. Perry to know
if he would take the task upon himself of convening a public meet-
ing for the purpose of preparing a requisition, calling on Sir Fran-
cis Burdett to resign, on the ground.of the dissatisfaction his con-
duct had given his constituency. Mr. Devear expressed his
personal opinion that Sir Francis Burdett, although appearances
might be against him, would be found unchanged, and offered to
wait on Sir Francis Burdett and represent to him the fears some of
his constituency had as to his intentions, and to report the result.
Mr. Devear added, that should he unhappily find himself deceived,
still under all the circumstances in which he stood, he should de-
cline having anything to do with the proposed meeting, but would
retire altogether from Westminster polities, in the belief that little
or no confidence could be placed in the professions of public men.
Mr. Devear accordingly sought and obtained an interview with
the Baronet. The following is the substance of what passed, ac-
cording to a note made by Mr. Devear shortly after, and while all
the circumstances were fresh and clear in his memory :
Mr. DEVEAR opened the business, by informing Sir Francis that
the Westminster people were alarmed at his not having voted for
the amendment to the Address, as well as his absenting himself from
the division on the Speakership.
Sir F. BUILDETT—I do not approve of the manner in which the
Opposition are trying their strength. It is not a manly straight-
forward mode of proceeding. They are attacking the leg, and not
the head. Ido not approve of doing anything, or seeking to gain
a point, by a side wind. The manly and proper way would be, to
try their strength on a question involving some public principle.
The amendment to the Address was puerile, and contained nothing.
Why, if they wished to strike a blow, did they not bring forward
some bold proposition ? The amendment was even worse than the
opposition to Sir Charles Sutton.
Mr. DEVEAR—Your constituents assert you are going to sup-
port the Tories, nor will my assurances to the contrary pacify them.
Sir F. BURDETT—Do they? Well, let them wait till a question
involving some public principle comes before the house, and they
shall then see that I can both speak and vote. Take, for instance,
the Irish church, or some such question of real importance.
Mr. DEVEAR—I wish you would state as much in writing, as it
would put an end to the ill feeling engendering among your con-
stituency.
Sir FRANCIS—No, there can be no necessity for my so doing,
for plenty of opportunities will soon occur, when they will learn
that my sentiments continue unchanged.
Mr. DEVEAR mentioned that Mr. Perry had called upon him
on the subject of getting up a public meeting to request Sir Francis
to resign.
Sir Fa/slam—lf they did, I should not resign. If my opinions
were altered, I should tell the electors so. I will not deceive them.
There are really so many parties, or, I may say, sections of parties,
among the Opposition, that they actually strengthen the Tories by
their speeches and conduct.
Mr. DEVEAR—If a meeting should be called, I will attend and
explain what you now state; but it was the impression of Mr.
Pouncey, Mr. Harrison, and myself, previous to the last election,
that you would oppose the Tories.
Sir Faasscrs—What I said was, that I would accept of good
measures from any party of men, and although I expressed a want
of confidence in the Tory Ministry, I would not give a factious or
party vote on the occasion. I think I shall vote against the Tories,
although 1 hardly like to say so, from the manner in which the
question is put to me.
Mr. DEVEAR—It places me in an unpleasant situation with the
electors, as papers, I understand, are handing about for signatures,
calling on you to resign.
Sir FRANCIS. —Well, they can do so; it will not -be a few
names that will comprise a majority of the Westminster electors.
The times are so critical, that one does hardly know what to do for
the best. I wish to keep aloof from all parties. I will do my duty,
depend upon it. The electors have net the least reason to fear me.
They will soon have reason enough to satsify themselves.
After some farther conversation, the Baronet alluded to the de-
putation that called on him on the 'morning of the election of
Speaker, and asked Mr. Devear if he know what had become of his
written answer to them? They had thought fit to publish a ver-
sion of the interview, but no letter was annexed.
Mr. DEVEAR said he knew nothing of the parties that formed
the deputation, and when he received the letter in question from Sir
Francis, with a request that he would forward it to the deputation,
he sent it to Mr. A'Beckett, through whom he understood it
reached the parties it was intended for.
The following is a copy of the letter alluded to :
" Gentlemen—Having taken time to weigh well and consider
the conduct which, under the peculiar circumstances.l am placed
in, I ought to pursue, respecting the party contests in the House
of Commons this evening for the Speaker's chair, I have come to
the conclusion that after the very strong feeling expressed by the
deputation from the several parishes of Westminster, I am justified
so far in sacrificing my own feelings and wishes to those of my con-
stituents to whom I am so much indebted, as to abstain on this oc-
casion from voting at all.
" I send this in haste, in order to relieve your minds from the
doubt and anxiety you were under on leaving me this morning.
" FRANCIS BURDETT."

In the course of the interview, the various caricatures of the day
were alluded to, and Sir Francis Burdett showed that he still re-
tained that equanimity of temper for which through life he had
been distinguished, and did not enjoy a good-tempered joke the
less because he happened to be wholly, or in part, its subject. The
new supporters of the Royal Arms by " H. 8.," afforded him a
hearty laugh.