The Sun.
London, England, 1826-05-11 00:00:00

WESTMORLAND ELECTION.

Enrron—A requisition, 'signed by -certain
freeholder, of the county of Westmorland, addressed
to Mr. Brougham, requesting him to offer hiinself
again as a candidate for the county at the approaching
dissolution, to which is• subjoined that Gentleman s
reply, has appeared in some of the Public Journals.
In both the requisition and the answer there are
observations which are inconsistent with truth and fair
dealing ; and I crave to be permitted, in a corner of
the Sun, which is a paper much read, as it deserves to
be, in the county, to contradict or explain them as they
merit. lam a freeholder of the county, but no par-
tizan ; I have alWays taken warm interest in the con-
duct of the two. parties, who are now, for the third
time, going to contest the county ;. but never
so much as to have suffered myself to be
drawn from my obscurity to give; , a vote
to either
.party, though the misrepresentation of
the requisitionists, and the disingenuousness of their
idol, will induce me to exercise my privilege at the
approaching election.
The Requisitionists state,. that they are firmly re-
solved to resist the " nomination of
.both Members
"by the Earl of Lonsdale." Now, without wasting
a word on the impossibility of one nian or one party,
or any number of men or, parties, who. could be brought
to unite for such a purpose, nominating two Mem-
bers for the County of Westmorland, every gen-
tleman who maintains an occasional intercourse
with the county, which is not the case with every
requisitionist, knows that the Earl. of Lonsdale is sip-
' gularly,and wholly` guiltless of such a Charge. Those
who, know that Nobleman, either as a public cha-
racter, or by social intercourse, or as a landlord,
know that believer uses the influence derived from
any of , their
,Characters for 'the purpose of pro-
pagating political doctrines, or advancing the
electioneering interests ,of the party of which he
is considered the head. If there is a restrictive
feature in: hiff'character, as it is shewn in the county,
it is One" marked by the' urbanity and courtesy of a
gentleman towards individuals of both parties, and by
a perfect absence'of allusion to any topic which can
offend individuals, 'or even spew that he has
a feeling on the subject of the questions that •
now divide aritl hatass the county. I know that the
princely fortuneiwhich the Earl of Lonsdale possesses
in the county,. gives' a consequence to what may be
thought to be his wishes in any question which would
make that question triumphant in the county ; and I
maintain, that property has its influence in every
'county, and has a right, as well as individuals,,
to be virtually, represented and protected it]: the
Senate. I know also that property, and the influence
arising from it,' without the interference or even wishes
of the owner, will attract partizans, whose zeal may be
excessive in degree, though honest in principle ;. and
that men are often influenced, not. to say bribed, by
their own expectations to say and dO that 'for
the pOisesSor of such a fortune as that of the
Muse of. Lowther, which, to an indifferent observer,
would. appear indiscreet and absurd. But these ad-
Missions authorize no man, particularly in a document
prepared for general circulation, to attempt to fix upon
a lsi,obleman of singularly mild and conciliatory car-
riage, the 'offensive and unconstitutional charge of
personally dictating to a county 'in the nomination of
its representatives.
'ln the, few lines in which Mr. Brougham expr6sei4
his readiness to ‘i obey the summons to conic:forward:
at the approaching election," he disingenuously says,
that at the "last contest, his adversaries polled: out
the ik,iiiverfially known that hiS.adver-.
caries did not poll out the county, but that, When'
the advantages which he had, in having the, returning,
officer his partizan, failed to keep him above his rival
on the poll, the election Was closed. As he re
tired discomfited, I presume his strength: Was ex
hausted ; but I deny what'he wishes to insinuate that
the Lovvthers had 'polled all their supporters, and he,
knows that they were &tied an opportunity of doing
so as soon as his own success became hopeless. •
,••

It may be thought that Mr. Brougham's assertion
hardly deserves this public notice ; but, as it is meant
to deceive, and animate his friends to fresh exertions,
I. scruple not to give it this public contradiction.
I readily subscribe to any fair claim that can be
made in favour of Mr. Brougham. I acknowledge
that his talents are transcendent, and his industry mar-
vellous ; but I deny that he has made a judicious use
of those qualities in his public career. I tremble when
think of the extent to which he is endeavouring to
carry his innovating ideas on questions of the most'
vital importance to the tranquillity and prosperity of
the country.
A WESTMORLAND FREHOLDEER.

The sale.of'straw plat, which is the chief depenil-
ence of the greater part of the poor of Bedfordshire, is sadly on
the decline. In • the market at Shefford, some plot of inferior
quality ,old for lose than lid• the score yards, which formerly
would sell for 641. The consequence is, hundreds of fainilie4 are
suffering, and are likely
to auNer longer, as there is no prospect Of
its being dearer at present/

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, IlrzwritsDar, MAT lb.
CORN..

Lrytor, from. the- Superintendent of Corn's Office, prea
rented an account of the average prices of Corn for the last two
months.—Laid on the table.
PETITIONS.

The Bishop of FERNS presented a Petition from the town and
♦icinity or Enniscorthy, against the continuation of Negro Sia-
very.—Laid on the table.
Lord CALTITORYE presented a similar Petition from Dover.—
Laid on the table.

The Earl of LAUDICIIDALIC presented a Petition from the town
of Hadleigh, praying that a grant of public money might be
made to the distressed manufacturers, instead of any interference
with the Corn Laws.—L►id on the tahle.—Adjourned.