The Sun.
London, England, 1826-09-26 00:00:00

JOHN WICKS, JUN. ESQ., M. P.

Yesterday evening a Meeting of the Committee and Freemen of
Sudbury, lately engaged in securing the return of Mr. Wilks, as a
Member of Parliament for that borough, was held at the Atigel
and Crown, Whitechapel. The purpose of their assembling was
to take into consideration the conduct. of that gentleman, in re-
fusing to'realise the expectations of the freemen, as regards the pay-
ment of their expenses to and from the place of election. The
Meeting, it appeared, had not been called by advertisement, but by
individual application, and consisted of about 50 persons.
The Chair was taken about eight o'clock, by Mr. John Duce.
The CHAIRMAN, in his opening speech, proceeded to comment
upon the conduct of Mr. Wilks during the election. In a speech
at the Black Boy, Sudbury, destitute of argument and reason, and
calculated only to raise the torch of discord, he commenced by
setting forth his own religious impressions and prejudices. He
was every thing by turns ; and, in the exercise of his piety, at-
tended high church, low church, and meeting-house. He ap-
peared, indeed, a very religious young man, such as could not
fail to draw down the blessings of all the old women of Sudbury.
Indeed, it was almost a sin to say any thing to the prejudice of
John Wilke ; but he would now proceed to the question more im-
mediately before them. They had seen hoW, after advocating
Toryism, Whiggism, and Radicalism, he dwelt much on the reli-
gious principles which he wished to see promulgated through the
country ; and, in the midst of this, he promised to take every man
down to see him triumphantly chaired in Sudbury. The inference
they all drew was, of course, that he would supply the customary
mode of conveyance ; but Mr. Wilke now put in a plea that he
could not adhere to the system they were accustomed to, because
Mr. Uotch, the other candidate, would not agree to it, and that,
therefore, if he did so, it would endanger his scat in Parliament ;
but he said, if any of the candidates would take the lead, and ad-
vance money, he would directly follow the example. But now
let them mark the proceeding in all its bearings. Mr. Wilke and
Mr. Rotch go to Sudbury, and on the Sunday preceding the day
of election, Mr. Botch takes his flight. There was then no longer
any obstacle in the way of Mr. Wilke ; for the candidates that
stood the poll had already advanced a portion of the expellee, with
a determination to pay the remainder as soon as the electors had
polled. There was no longer any plea for Mr. Wilke to decei►e
them, as it was never known that a return had been petitioned
against for the mere payment of actual expellees. Such a petition
would not for a moment be entertained. In conclusion, the Chair-
man said, the members of the Committee were present, and no
doubt they were ready to give a candid explanation, or• to answer
any question that the electors might feel disposed to put; so that,
to use a homely expression, the saddle might be put on the right
horse.

An ELECTOa asked if any of the Committee knew that Mr. W.'s
plate was in pledge at the time, for the purpose of defraying the
expellees of coach hire, &c.

Mr. Joxis (one of the Committee) said that he did not. Mr.
W. knew nothing of it at the time ; but Mrs. W. might have
done so.

ELECTOR—Do you believe that Mrs. W. would send a chest of
plate from Mill Hill to Mr. Cross's, without the knowledge of her
husband ? Ido not believe that she knew any thing of it.
ELECTOR—Do you believe that Mr. Wilke intended to act he-
nourably to all ?
Mr. Isaac Duce (another member of the Committee) rose to
answer this question. It happened on the first Monday in June,
he said, that he unfortunately became Mr. Wilks's liar; but he.de-
dared to God he hail never received a shilling of Mr. W.'s money.
He had been accused and threatened in the streets ; but he hoped
his character was still untouched. Previous to the election, Mr.
Jones requested him to call on Mr. Wilks, and he did so, in com-
pany with Mr. Arbut. Mr. W. told him he had been advised by
Counsel that if he secured the coach hire previously, he would be
unseated, and he was satisfied that no friend would wish hnn to
incur that risk. He afterwards saw a Mr. Score there, who had
since been gazetted ; and he said that if any man entering Sud-
bury had received 2s. 6d. only, the election would be petitioned
against. Afterwards a letter was written to him ; and, in reply,
he offered to pay the expencee. But, in the meantime, grand
subterfuge had been found in Lord John Russell's motion. After
that, however, he said he put aside 6,500/. to pay the expeucet.
He (Mr. Duce) would ask the Committee if those expressions were
not used ? Under these circumstances, he submitted that the
Committee were justified in acting as they had done.
[Mr. Duce here read a note, informing the electors that car-
riages were prepared for their conveyance to ifi'd from Sudbury,
and stating that any elector, not preferring that mode of convey-
/wee, should, on his return to town, be paid his expellees.]
In continuance, he said that the delusion had been kept up.
They were told that 2,0001. had been sent down. When he and
Mr. Broderip went down on the Sunday, they found Mr. Wilks
just going to church. Mr. Score informed him of their tuission ;
hut he said he would not enter upon the subject with the Lon-
doners that day. Mr. Score afterwards informed them that their
Hills niiiet be made out and sworn to. That was done ; but, after
a delay of three days, Mr. Score told them he had to attend a
grand trial in Yorkshire, in which seven Counsel were engaged ;
and he could do nothing with them for three weeks. Being worn
out by Score, they went to Mr. Wilke, who said that if Score did
not pay, he would employ another. They again went to Mr.
Score, who told them that any man might have Sudbury, and
leave the Londoners to their own candidate. But he (Mr. Duce)
appealed to them as Englishmen, could any Member do au with-
out their consent ?--(No, no !).—So, between Mr. Wilks and Mr.
Score, the business was settled.

Mr. "awls said, that understanding a Meeting was to be held,
he wrote to Mr. Wilke on the subject, and had received an answer
from him.—(Cries of " read, read.")
A warm discussion then ensued as to the propriety of mailing
this correspondence. It was at length put to the vote, and de-
cided that the letter should be read.

Mr. Lawis then read the following
" London, Sept. 17, 1826.
" Sic--Whatever may be your opinion, I consider it my duty
to acquaint yeu, that I attended a Meeting of Freemen lastleven-
ing, at which it was proposed and agreed that a General Meeting
of Freemen should take place at Whitechapel, on Monday the 25th
instant. The freemen are so much disappointed, that general dis-
satisfaction prevails, and they are determined, if passible, to ascer-
tain from you at what time they may depend on receiving their
actual expellees. It therefore rests with you to afford them that
information. They have been told by us, and that from your
own instructions, that, in a week after the election, every man
should be satisfied ; and next, immediately after your return at the
Crown Office, and we gave three days attendance to receive from
every voter his bill of actual expenses incurred. By us they were
received, but they remain where they were, locked up in our box
at Whitechapel. The promises held forth are therefore considered
illusory, and, as at the meeting it is determined upon to call your
Committee to give a just and true account for this unusual way
of proceeding, it must therefore appear to you, that we stand in
need of instructions from you. It is necessary therefore to see
you, or by your- putting us in possession, in writing, of your real
sontimcnte, that we may read it to the whole when assembled toge-
tker. - (Signed) " LEWIS."

In reply to this the followings wea received
‘, Ste—The style and tone of your letter are not such as either
please or satisfy me. It contains statements which are incorrect,
Lid inferences which cannot be supported. I have ahvays said,
and now say again most distinctly, that whenever.' am apprised
of any legal claims against me, I am ready and willing to ipeet
them. But, before the meeting of Parliament, before I ace what
course Mr. Ogilvy, or any other parties, may take as to the peti-
tion in the election, it would surely be madness in me to throw
away any chances, or to supply, by imprudent payments, grounds
which, up to this time, do not exist.
fA'frtearthteisiiotinn against
nmoneystme, have honourably and legally paid and
expended,
amounting to several thousand pounds, I am sure the
committee and freemen, on consideration, will believe me, when I
say, that I will in the end take care that every thing shall be set-
tled to the perfect satisfaction of all parties.—l
ant,SlirK,B".lB.26.
" JOHN WIL.KS, Junior,
" New Broad-street, Sept.

Whitehapel.,,
c . .
" To Dlr. Lewis, '19.,
ix ;Iva talk of legal claims as a
Mr. !ciao DUCE viewed Mr. •?--- L...., Was perfectly right,
mere evasion. He said that Mr.
whoLa
wished
when, in answer to Mr. O'Connell' said Mr. Wilks woe not
for enlisting Mr. Wilks in their cause, ne .
q te right : Mr. Wilks,
' to call a meeting
however, had claeft:eire'efiMperrs.
worth looking
poor Bethnal-Green
olaim no great merit in having betrayed a few
reeolutious,
weaver like him (Duce). He had prepared a
which he would submit to the meeting.
ho introduced
oLnsawinl"hsigwheagrra-nukie of life, and he could
Mr. Jorit s asked if it not Duce himself w . the
this Ott el to them
Sudbury, and
trumpet of fonle—throwing plum-pudding into Su
He thought
leaving the lam y-paste covered with his addressee ?--
Wwaasshe not represented as bearing 1
that every communication came through the committee' b
At this time Mr. Arbut entered the room, and was asked!
Mr. HIBBIL, the Vice-Clutirman, whether or not he knew that.
Mr. Wilks's plate had been Pledged as security for ;the horse, and
titoion.
carriages?
His answer was deemed evasive.
• ,
Mr. The AC nit
na
tit repeatedurlaithavhave
ill
i:I rtchree d i
it.
The CHAIRIAAN requested a (bred answer, either affirmative
or negative.
Mr. AIFBUr decliutd.

The Vicz-CstatastaN said he was quite satisfied with the an..
icver tiiren.—(Applaiise.)
It was then decided by vote (7 to 2) that the Committee Ind
not done their duty. It was suggested, however, that five mem-
bers out of the sit had fairly answered the question respecting the
plate, and it was hard that they should be tensured for the other
one. The five were, therefore, unanimously exempted from the
vote of censure.

The Vwx-eitAtustAN declared that it was not for the sake of
the Si. due to them, but with the general conduct of Mr. Wilke,
that they felt dissatisfied. For his own part, if Mr. W. came
into the room and offered him the Si., he would, before he re-
ceived it, ask him how he became possessed of it.
Mr. WALOItON said Mr. Wilke had offered to sell himself for
7,400/. He said so in a chemist's shop, in the borough of Sud-
bury. lie hoped the press would do its duty and expose such
doings.

The propriety of introducing the subject of the Mining transac-
tion now became the object of discussion. Some objected to it
u irregular, others thought it perfectly regular, and thought the
thanks of electors were due to Mr. Clarke.

The VIOL-CIKAIRMAN asked if they were met solely to discuss
the question of the expellee, was it not rather on the manner in
which they had been deceived by Mr. Wilke generally ? What was
his conduct, when he bought Mines for 79,000!. and sold them
to the Company for 121,000/. ? Many Members had been
expail-
ad from Parliament for leas breaches of confidence. Many a girl
who walked the town, had been received into a house of refuge on
repenting of her conduct, and he hoped the Electors would now
lay aside the consideration of the Si. and would petition the House
of Commons against the return of Mr. Wilks. He trusted they
would never receive his three sovereigns...—(Cries of no, no, we
never will.)

Mr. Isaac Duct again protested against the general conduct of
Mr. Wilke, and regretted that the electors had been duped by
him. He then proceeded to read a string of resolutions, to thu
fulloiving effect :—.

That the payment by the candidates of the lawful expences of
voters travelling to and from the place of election, is sanctioned by
universal custom, and recognisett*by the laws.
That the warm and affectionate manner of Mr. Wilks's reception
by the electors of Sudbury, and the triumphant manner in which
he was brought in at the kead'of the poll, ought to have excited
in his mind a desire to fulfil promises and engagements..
The meeting regretted that the expenses of London voters were
not discharged ; that several drafts given at Sudbury had been dis-
honoured ; that many still remained unpaid ; and that several of the
ummittee, in addition to their loss of time, are unable to pay ex-
pellees out of their pockets on his account.

That the Meeting deeply deplored as a stain upon the
age and the country, that Mr. Wilke should have been counte-
nanced and supported in many of his Joint-Stock schemes by a
Minister of State, by several Members of both Houses of Parlia-
ment, and by eminent Bankers and Merchants of the City of Lon-
don ; by which means the electors of Sudbury were induced to
believe him to be a gentleman & honour and independent fortune,
and for that reason to give biro their support. Ansi they the
more deeply regret this, as hitherto the Borough of Sudbury has
been represented by honourable and respectable men.
The next Resolution was, that a petition should be presented to
the House of Commons, praying that a rigorous inquiry should be
instituted into Mr. Wilke' qualifications, and also into the various
joint-stock schemes devised by him, which appear to the meeting
to have been of a more censurable description than those for which
in former times, several Members were expelled from their seats in
the House.

Mr. BRAYBROOK disclaimed all knowledge of the resolution
previous to the present reading, and he felt alarmed at their intro-
duction.

The resolutions were then put seriatim, and carried unani-
mously.

Mr. Jowls then moved the appointment *of a Committee, for
carrying the resolution into effect, and that the present Chairman
be Chairman of the Committee ids°.
Carried unanimously.
Six persons were then appointed as the Committee, and thanks
having been voted to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

BOW-STREET.-(Mt DAy.)

John Allerton, of 36, Norfolk-street, was brought up on a
warrant, for having committed an aimault, under the following
circumstances.

The complainant stated that he was servant of the Baroness de
Gove,loll Gem-my, who had taken lodgings of the prisoner for tlirm
guineas a week, or nine shillings a day. After his mistress had stopped
there one day, she disagreed with prisoner and was about to leave,
having offered him nine shillings as par agreement, but the pri-
soner was not content with this, and insisted on being paid for a
week, whereupon the Baroness sent the complainant for an officer,
in order to have her person and property carried off vi and armia,
Whilethe complainant was about to perform the commandos of his
mistress, the prisoner shoved him out of doors, and would not
permit him to re-enter until such times as the Baroness had paid
him 31. 3s.

Sir RICHARD BIRNIE—WhO is the &MIMS ?
Complainant--She was lately Lady Douglas, daughter of Ad-
miral Douglas.

The prisoner stated that the Baroness had engaged his lodgings
on Friday last by the week, and not by the day ; they disagreed
on Saturday morning, on account of her whimsicalities. That
she was difficult to please, might easily be inferred from her hav-
ing been in four different lodgings within them three weeks.
—She had lately come from the Continent, in order to
dispose of an elastie metres., and was accompanied by
a French lady, whom she locked up in her absence. Thera
was something mysterious in her conduct altogether which the
prisoner could not put up with, and because he would not humour
her oddities, she took it in her bead to leave hint, after having
stopped one night ; and because he insisted on being paid for a
week, the complainant treated him with insolence, whereupon he
shut him out of his house.

Sir RICHARD BIRNIR said he was warranted in putting him
out if he had conducted himself in an insolent manner, awl dis-
missed the warrant. '

MARLBOROUGH-STREET—(Teris DAT.)
Phrebt North, a curious looking woman, was charged by an
elderly operative with having robbed him of a 6/. note and five
sovereigns on Wednesday last,
at the Castle, Duke-street, Blooms-
bury. He appeared before the Magistrate in a state of intoxica-
tion, attended by his sou and several friends, who seemed parti-
cularly anxious for the charge to he substantiated, and prevented
his running out of theoffice, which lie otherwise would have done.
Mr. CONANT questioned him as to the manner of the robbery,
and his previous knowledge of the woman. He first said that he
had never seen her before the above night, but afterward; ad-
mitted that he met her there by appointment ; that he had left
his wife to live with her ; and that he allowed her to take the
money out of his poeket, though be was quite sober., '
The Magistrates remarked on the flippant manner in which he
made the charge, and his apparent inebriety. He answered them
in a most insolent manner, and was ordered to be locked up till
sober, or pay a fine ofbs.

The woman declared that she had not seen the money, and that
it was a charge made up by his friends, who did not possess the
same affection for her u himself. She was, however, detained.

MARYLEBONE.—(Tanis Day.)
William Brads was placed at the bar, charged with being
drunk, and threatening to kill his wife laat night.
Henry Duckbridge, an officer, stated, that as he was walking
along Little °James-street last night, he met the watchman, who
told him there was a cry of murder at a little distance from where
they stood, but that he was afraid of goiug there. Witness then
said that he would go, and went accordingly. He found the pri •
soner in a state of intoxication, surrounded by a crowd, who
seemed determined that no watchman should apprehend him.
prisoner,:and gave him in chug&
Witness, however, went up to the
The mob then put out the lamps, and one ot them *frock the wit-
ness, knocked him dowse, and took his staff from him. He got up
however and took the prisoner to the watch-house.
the prisoner, but ordered him and
good character, and ae-
The prisoner's wife gave her husband a
whgettir.h- eG7tr:it
knowkdged that he had been uniformly kind to her till last night,
a fair Cyprian, was accused by John
p:prdaiundhatihlrestaitened to kill her.
his wife to get the officer'. staff.
Elizaeth •lionchc/(#;
Jones, a stout good-natured looking fellow, of detaining half a
sovereign for sixpence.

. -
Jones stated, that he had meant to give her only 6d. for drink,
whereas he gave her half a sovereign- Upon discovering which
mistake, he asked her to return it, but she refitted. He then
gave her in charge, and upon coming to the watchhouse she de-
livered the half sovereign to the watchhouse-keeper.
The prisoner stated, that the half sovereign was what she ought
to have had. She therefore strenuously contended, that it should
be restored to her.

The Magistrate, however, dismissed 411 putiek and ordered the
kid eovereigu to be delivered to Jones,