Star.
London, England, 1807-02-21 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER ELECTION.

Mr. SHERIDAN rofe to move that the order for
taking into confideration the Petition complaining of
an undue EleEtion for the City of Weßminfter, fhould
be deferred from Tuefday next for a further time.—
He was extremely furptifed to learn, that his motion
was to be oppofed by a Noble Lord (Folkflone),
whom, if he had not learned from his own)ips that
he was to oppofe it, he would have expeaed to be
the firll to fecund it. He Mould be afhamed to afk
the delay he wifhed fur, on the bare Ratement that
his Counfel would be abfent on Circuit. On a for-
mer day, be had contented to the delay of fix weeks
to accommodate the Petitioners, and the Noble Lord
perfonally, who Rated, that he had at precipitate
ly, and contrary to the wifhes of the Petitioners, in
expreffing a defire that their petition fhculd be
brought to trial as early as poffible, though the Peti-
tioners themfelves had fince repented their aflertion
of an anxiety for early trial. He conceived that
there was a perfat and exprefs undertianding that a
further delay fhould take place, in confequence of
the proximity of the Circuit, which would com-
mence in a few days after the day then used. It
could not he fuppofed that, without fuels an under.
(landing, he would have agreed to a motion which
went to deprive him of the aid of able Counfel, who
had for thirteen weeks before been giving their atten-
tion to the cafe. He had learned lately that the
Counfel for the Petition •did not go Circuit. It was
unteafonahle that he (hould be well expeCted to go
tin now, when the Petitioners were aware, in making
the appcintment, that they would have the benefit
of their Counfel, while he would be deptived of his.
Lord FOLKSTONE denied that there had been
any underflanditlg, or that he had given any pledge
for further delay. The Honourable Gentleman him.
fell fuppofed, in a jocular way, that the Petitioners
would apply themfelves for flintier delay, and that
they would at length let the Petition fall to the
ground. With refped to the abfence of Counfel on
Circuit, he had laid, that would be matter ter Cub-
fequent contderatirm.
Lord HOWICK f.tid, the jealouly with which the
Houle viewed any unnecelLtry delay of the trial of
Controverted EleCtions was vety *pit. It was moll
material, that every feat fhould as early as piAble
be filled beyond difpute, by dr: perfon er titled to
it. The abfence of Counfel was not in itfelf a to&
cient gror.nd for delay ; but, coupled with an un-
derltanding on a former day that loch farther delay
would be granted, and with the &a that the Peti-
tioners' Counfel would not be abfeni, it was a throng
claim. From his recolleCton of what paired on the
fortrier day, lie conceived there was fuch an tinder-
finding.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL contended that
there bad been an underaanding that further delay
would be requifite. He himfelf had fuggefted to his
Honourable friend the probable ahfence of his Coun-
fel (Mr. Serjeant Lens and Mr. Scarlett) on Circuit
at the time then fired by the Noble Lord, while the
Counfel for the Petitioners, one of the ablell and bell
converfant with the Elation Laws (Mr. Plomer).
never did go Circuit. The Noble Lord himfdf al-
lowed that the fubjed of the Circuit was mentioned.
If it was, no other undertianciing confillent with pro-
priety or common fenfe, could have prevailed.
Mr. PERCEVAL conceived the idea of further
delay to have been thrown out by the Right Honour.
abe Gentleman rather in a tone of triumph than a%
a pledge of underftanding. It was as if the Hon.
Gentleman meant to fay the Petitioners would always
put off the bufinefs, and never bring it to trial.
Mr. SHERIDAN Paid, if he had not underflood
there was a compad for further delay beyond the
Circuit, he would not, in the former intiance, have
contented to a delay of an hour.
Mr. PETER MOORE Paid he bad advifed his
Right Hon. Friend on the former occafion, not to
affent to the delay propofed by the Noble Lnrd on
any conditions. It was impoftible he could have af-
fented without the compad now claimed.

Lord FOLK F.STO/4E offered fome obfervations
in vindication of the charaEter of Mr. Paull from the
imputation of intending to entrap Mr. Sheridan, by
bringing on the trial with all the benefit of his own
Counfel'a afilaance, while the fitting Member's Coun-
fel would be on Circuit.

After a few words in explanation between Mr.
Moots and Mr. PERCEVAL, relative to the extent of
the delay now w;fhed for, a divifion took place,
For Mr. SHERIDAN'S Motion t67—Againli it 12.
The day for which the Petition now Elands for con-
fideration, we underflood to be Tuefday, April 21.

On the fuggeftion of Lord HOWICK, the other public bufinefs
not being likely to take up much time, was proceeded upon prior
to the hearing of Counfel againft the Bill for aboliling the Slave
Trade.
The SPEAKFR Informed the Houfe, that as Monday fe'n•
night would be the laft day on which Petitions for private Bills
could be received, and as two days in the next week would be
taken up in Come degree with Eledtion Mots, &e. be would come
down to the Houfe on Monday, and the other days, at three
o'clock, for the convenience of fuch Gentlemen as may have Pe-
titions to prefcnr,
Lord TEMPLE prdented a petition from certain Perfons con-
cerned in the Welt India Trade, againft the Bill for Abolifh:ng the
Slave Trade.

Mr. MANNING prefented a Petition from certain Ship Owncn
againit the continuance of the TonnageDuty,according to the new
plan of Finance.
Mr. Alderman COMBE prefented a Petition from certain
Perfons concerned in the African Trade, againli. the Sierra Ltone
Bill.

A Petition was Rif° prefented from the South Sea Company
againft the South American Trade Bill.
All thefe Petitions were ordered to lie on the table.

The Turkey Tobacco Bill was read a third time and paffed.
Mr. HOBHOUSE brought up the Report of tSe Committee of
the whole Houfe for the Relief of the Weft India Trade, and the
Refolutions were agreed to.
The Irina Sugar Drawback Bill was orderei to be recommitted
on Monday next.
Ordered, on the motion of Mr. HOBHOUSE, that the Houfe
at iu riling do adjourn to Monday next.