Star.
London, England, 1814-07-12 00:00:00

. SYSSIMINSTER IffEETllia

yesterday they was a s ery nnmerons Merritt*
at MACE Yard, of the Electors of Westriii•isirr The
apace in front of Westminster Hall eias 11;1.-sl a. an
karly hopr. Soon after torelve ck t!:e HAI
appeared on t'e Hustings, accompanied by
sir BUIIPV.'T, Mr. JON VS 111:1CDC1T, Mr A 'a
derman WOAD, Major CA ATwI44O4IT, an I a lit"; lir
of Gentlemen who usually attend „inn. h •s.• o c
sions. He opened the boon. s. f,f the d.sy t y tra,'et
mg the requisition, adding, than it was a new prece.
dent to call the Electors in that loonier together to
put a candidate in nom's IV >n ; but the peculiar cif-
cumstances of the case w. ul.l, he tru d, plead his
justification. (Lend npidaole.) H. hcl.f in his hand
two le ters, one of there Iron) Lord Cochrane—.
(Loud ekeere.) —die other Isom Mr. Sli..r.d .n. [Here
the High Bailiff was for a considerahle t me ifori top.
tad by the clines Aim of noptil d`ti ipprohavon-j--
The former contained an uninutilati .1 cony of Lord
Cochrane's defence, with a recpi at th ir it should he
read to the Electors—with this req-est he teas iorry
he could not comply, having he. rd that some pat is of
it were exposed to a libellous visitation. The H gb
Bailiff then proceeded to read Mr. Sheridan's hitter,
the substance or which was as follows t - N ann.
ring, that you have called a Mee ing of the Electors
of Westminster, for the purpose of considering of It
fit and proper person to represent them hi Parlia.
meet, and hiring been solicited to offer myself as a
.eandiliote upon this occasion, I big leave to acquaint
you, that I absolutely decline this honour at present,
and that I do so without any c•immunication with
those persons who hsve favoured me with the tender
of their support. (Bursts of aNdaule4 I should be
proud to re-enter Parliament as the Representative of
Westminster, after a public lite of 31 years, doting
which time I can conscient'ously declare that my vote
w.ss always in the maintenance of the cause of civil
liberty." (490/aare ) It was not his intention, he
added, to make any commentary ei•her upon the ja.
dicial authorities of the land, or on the subsequent
proceedings in Parliament, in the case of Lord Coch-
rane ; at the same time be could not refrain from rx.
pressing his own opinion, that the Noble Lard Wig
entitled to the benefit of an appeal to his constituents
for the protection of his character. Under inch cit..
cumstances he felt it but just to wave his claim to the
consideration of the Electors of Westminster, beg.
ging it to be understood that he did so merely in the
case of Lord Cochrane. (Lord and continued elven.)
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT then came forward, and was,
for several minutes, prevented from addressing the
Mechlin by the most unbounded and continued ac-
clamation. The Hon. Baronet commenced by de.
claring, that he had had many opportunities of wit.
nessing the proud and manly spirit of independence
which actuated the Electors of Westminster, but
upon no former occasion waphe so impressed with its
value and its setnght, because it was never before of
so much importance to the country. (Great alyshoual.)
The questien roe at issue was pl only, whether they
would alloer an innocent mad to he destroyed by core
rnption and power, or, whether, in their characters
as Electors of Westminstso-, they would come for.
ward and support a man, once chosen by 'hem for
his character, and which he (Sir Francis) conceived
he had never subsequently f irreited. (Reiterant
deem.) indeed, it seemed by the display of it. arm.
tress to have become more elevated by persecution...
(Lasdchters.) Mr. Sheridan, it appeared, had d
to put forth what he called liiitchaim. to their auto.
lion, in this proceeding; that Gentleman only acted
a proper, a graceful, and a polite pert. (Applause
and some bulkier.) Ot those claims, i.e was
and at the same time giai, that it sort OA be unneces-
sary now to discuss theni, w (he amount
of their intrinsic character. (ifisp.,Jre ) The h
Bailiff had expressed to them has to•uil•ty to comply
.
with the request of Lord Cochrane, lc.. I as I I o
volve himself in the m.-te of lilielious consitlictions.
He was not surprised at this cautiue, for owing to the
vague and indefinite nature ut this otTeacet ale.) a'
n libel," no man knew when he was %% iihin • r %nth.
out the range of pidici iereoreln j tt was imerasaitsle„
in speaking or its writing, to see one's way ; tot otaiat
he knew, lie might be then liino-rif incur. his the
heavy visitation, and though heeditss ist• tlw conse-
quences in the JischaNe of his July, he was yet wh by
isinorant of the bounds prosci ibes: in viis enaction of
nudes n law. (lAnd chow.) L r 1 Cochrane in the
conscious integrity of his sun crow wads at f• ittitu
bzc.iming that heitat!, anal of w de copool highs,
consi,kuotos,. as his dent ast.itot became m re mar&
ferly sought f ir, veil:lord to speak troth ; lie came
forward in the face of Parliament and asserted 1114
innocence, in a situ ition where it was impossible the
Minister of the Crown, as he was called, the . . .
of the illusuious re:soilage designated . s his master,
could apply the go-Aging experiment to his lips ; out
to prevent dint appeal from being mad,- :o the Pro.
ple of England, which was ingest t i those c shed its
Representatives, the NoEle Lind the Minister of the
Crown, with his blushing ribband over his breast,
thought proper to denounce the publication id Land
Cochrane's statement even in the public press, where,
from the venality of the times, it could a it hive ex-
pected a very ready or ample reception ; thus, u. she
very act of adding a heavier punishment, and of in.
flitting a deeper stigma upon Lord Co:firane'.
cha-
racter, refusing his real defence to that people to mill In
he had then to make, unheard, his last and fiaal ap.
peal.—( Loud curl.)—!n despite, however, of I ms er,
of . and . . . Lord Cochrane would stoiie
at the infliction of punishment, and would encounter
every risk of his fair fame, and spotless reputation,
when buoyed up by the unpacked, the unerring and
conclusive criterion of public opinion.— (Loyd b&rrb of
aftidaule )—To you he has sent the defence of l.'s
wounded honour; but, alas, under existinst circtini-
stances, no man has the hardihood to read it. —( : ohd
cheer:.)—The High Bailiff has never swerved Irmo
the performance of his duty, at the same woe it is
right he should be left to the exercise 01 1115.0%11 joilg-
tnent ; whatever be his decision, it }qua's 1,0,'. pare
motives, and is intitled to respect, trice when it differs
from yours—it would be, therefore, iiiinaods..me int
sour part to press hint to read aloud a paper %Inch he
i
Conceives would involve hint n ulterior ctoisequ hues.
icL—too'nfrudi-dguohCcuttd°a:seothArZine.es_J)' rsH;ll,etbrk.:4l:4;2l ih
Meet 'llitVuse.loatitrPlisrlieainayrd:A.Bervi :baisip.ls:;:be7retetcc°l:4,Areksli nt
as
a:
extended view of the cataract's:is of biwcsal Jams, .u 4

either branches of modern jurisdiction, he also advert-
ed, in contradistinction, by way of comparison, to the ••
ability manifested by the prosecutors, and the strange,
inertness of those entrusted with the defence.]—He
commented at considerable length upon the Rule of ,
Court, which required the entire party in a conspiracy
to be present in an application for a re.hearing, and
pronounced this decision to be wholly at variance with
the just maxim. of ancient law, which never compel.
led a man to that which it was an itaposaibility he
should perfono.—(l,ord .4,4ldauti.)—Another essen-
tial view of hardships of Lord Cochrane's case
was this--I.ioCounsel rihji:cted iii the beginning to the
too general terms of the indictment. The Court over
soiled this tio:o..ctioto by stating the impossibility of its
being worded othervise, from the nature of the case;
and yet, IVhen any impossibility was urged by Lord
Cochrane, in his objection to the Rule of Court, it was '
ti,ouolit prep( to anive at a decision quilt at variance
with the previ.:us orinion of the 5.41-71 e party.—(Con.
*eyed cheerin,.)—Mark again the anomaly of convict.
inva man before his trial. The Stuck Exchange
published a long statement, evidently prejudicial to
the accused, before any legal investigation was at all
introduced.—( &oasts of aftldatue.)—The hardships of
the case welt. as numerous as they were extraordinary.
The worthy Baronet here canvassed in vet y warm
terms, the view taken by the Judge in his charge
to the Jury.--It remained, then, for the electors
to say, if they would consign a brave and upright
man who deserved well of his country, to the de-
grading faze of the most infamous in society. (Lord
shouts of No, so,)—or whether they would not defeat
the malice of his enemies, and, by drawing the 'sting
from that which was meant to inflict die wound, con-
yen the contemplated. and, as he heard, the decided
punishment into a day of vii tuous triumph, and ho-
nourable and deserved protection. (Loud aNdurse.)
If they so decided, what some considered a stigma
would at once assume a different station, and in
place of effecting the irrevocable overthrow of Lord
Cochrane's fair fame, would in the event appear
the most honourable ottiament of his numerous attn.
butes, and the most consolatory incentive to a patrio-
tic conduct, by the protecting consequences of salu-
tary example. (Great afrplause). For my part, con-
tinued the Hon. Baronet, I shall be found at the
pest of Amour, alongside Lord Cochrane at the pil-
lory. This will be a duty which I shall feel it a
pride to discharge ; it benefits an honest man, and
will meet an honest interpretation.—[Here Sir F.
Burdett was interrupted by acclamations which con-
tinued near ten minutes.] —The feelings of the elec-
tors of Westminster in, this, respect will have a fur-
tior operation, it will not only cast its protecting
mantic over Lord Cotbrane, but it will give a new tone
to the us,uong attendant :upon the penishnient it-
seri ; for in fir we, whenever the pillory is prescribed
as fiLe yoke of a culprit, it will be a station of.
'ho-
nour, not 01 suffering ; for that man cattiest tread
in the Ago ot, disgrace Who. retraces the expo-
Sure be, whlth Lhrd Cochrane has been trium-
OW, . (Burnt of aptdati IA) To follow his steps
will here, as elsewhere, lead to honour and glory,
arid he will fiad repose in the hearts of his consti-
tucnts from the many machinations of the enemies
who always follow a life of honour and patriotism;
and you, the proud electors cf an independent city,
will add to your well-earned fame by the just sup-
port of oppressed innocence. The worthy Baronet
here entered into a review of the comparative sen-
tences which were inflicted for offences of quite an
eggravated nature . in the peculation of the public
money. These defaulters were merely condemned
to refund a prom of the spoils, like the Scotch gas-.
dener; who grew rich as his iteipa hours grew poor,
but who was one morning discovered in the act of
carrying away some wall! uit from the adjoining
ground, and when callei upon to know whither lie
was bending his steps, cunningly said—" I'm ga'en
back wi' them man."—(Coreideratle laujht:r.)—So
were the defaulters, they were only returning a little
of that which they had stolen, a d this fersooth in
their sputa! cases was considered ample punishment.
(Renewal apldattit.) The Hon. Ban. expatiated with
much torceou the hither to uni mpeached menu of Lord
Cochrane. and the incredibility of his at once merging
his great name in the vile and deliberate association of
swindlers—added-to these his strong claims in favour
of his brave and oppressed companions in arms, as
Well as his firm support of popular rights in the
House of Commons. This career h.was true embo-
died his enemies, but it also ought to arm in his de-
fence the best energies of a free people, in whose
cause he had been assailed. To such a man as Lord
Cochrane, the mere indulgence of extent:. ag life alone,
the mere protection from fine and punishment were
as nothing in the scale ; Lord Cochrane's life had
been a thousand times prodigally exposed in his
country's cause, it was not in itself of any value un-
less fairly appreciated. From all his injuries be looked
to one point, an open admission of his defence in the
minds of his constituents, and a fair and full hearing
of his case, where alone it could be effective. It this
was gtanted, though power should command the ex-
posuse, with the view to what it called the disgrace,
of the person of Lord Cochrane, his immortal part
would yet survive the shock, and become more vi-
&vets by the efforts which were directed at its ruin,
and it weuld establish this protection of innocence, as
well as the assertion of popular rights against the ve-
nality of corruption be its supporter who they may,
no matter in what investmeue. The Honourable
Baronet concluded an able speech, amid loud and
continued acclemations, and proposed the following
resolution
" '1 du it is the opinion elf this Meeting that Lord C:oelsrane is
perfectly inno:.vnt of the charge for ethic's he has been sentenced
to an in:arnous punishruent."l.4Cvniaad applawa
Mr. WISHART seconded the res,.ltuion. He (As-
sayed, that the able and luminous speech of the Hon.
Baronet had rendered it utterly uniiecessary fur him
to detain them any length of time. Strong, however,
as the conviction was upon 11,s mind of the innocence
of Lord Cochrane, be yet wished to make a few roe
marks upon the evideue.e.(here Mr. Wishart exa-
mined the supposed connexion of Bereriger, or the
pretended Do Bourg, with his Lordship, which he
contended was rebutted by every presumption which
could arise front the facts as stated at the trial by the
witnesses.]—He washed the saute pains had been
Woo to ;race Berenger to Dover as had been em-
ployed to trace him back. The rule of Court by which
ei stcon,i trial had been refused was one of which he
Lad uovcr bcf 're heard, it rule unknown to better
times, in the times of William 111, of George I, or

George 11. It appeared to him ti be assuming a
Legislative rather than exercising a judicial province.
It wits a kind anew law, and of course only within
the competence of Parliament. It had been the first
ict of a good Parliament, of the first Parliament
tof King William, to reverse two iniquitous. judg-
ments of a Cietxt of Justice, and to hand down,
ansulliedy to posterity the names of those vener-
able patriots and martyrs to liberty, the names
of Russell and of Sydney. (Loud applaisse.) He
meant no reflections on the Noble and Learned Judge
who tried the cause, or on the character of Judges in
eeneral. There were many who deserved gratitude
ind idmiretion, there had been an Hales and a Holt,
but, on the other side, there bad been a Jefferies.—
(Loud applause.) He trusted that all who concurred I
with him in thinking Lord Cochrane innocent, would,
like him, feel it his duty to come forward and offer'
him his support. (Apft/awe.)
Major Cavern RIGHT next presented himself. He
entirely agreed with all that had been said by the too
preceding Speakers as to the entire innocence of Lord
Cochrane. In allusion to Lord Ellenborough's ex-
pression of hunting down, lie must declare that Lord
Cochrane appeared to have been hunted by deer
mouthed hounds of the blond breed; but he would ra-
ther be in his akin than in that of any one of his pur-
suers. He wished, however, to offer an apology for
the Chief Justice ; he had, perhaps, trusted too much
to his own memory, and mistaken what had been said
by the counsel for the prosecution, as that which
had been said in evidence. There were two pas-
seges in his Lordship's charge, which were, in per-
ticular, almost echoes of what had been said by Mr.
Gurney ; the one in which, his Lordship observed,
that Berenger went to Lord Cochrane's " blazoned
in the costume of his crime," which was a mere re.
petition of the Counsel's assertion, that he went " in
the dress of his fraud," and another which related
to the star and the medallion. As to Lord Coch-
rane's eul:sequent condemnation in the House of Com-
mons, it could not have been otherwise; he had RS
little chance as a grain of dust in the balance against
Westminster Abbey. He had, however, another, and
that appeal be trusted would not be made in vain.—
( Applause.)
Mr.Weeeee expressed his conviction that it would
be found, the further the business was enquired into,
that respecting the dress of Berrenger, something
was taken for granted, which was not established by
evidence.—(Much apploure.)— Every thing, (said
Mr. W.) when investigated, proved the complete
innocence of Lord Cochrane, and that the verdict of
the Jury was founded on error and not on facts. It
was consequently the duty of the Noble Lord's con.
stituents to replace him in his situetien as Member
for Westminster.—( Shouts of applause).
Mr. Alderman W, cus said, he should not have pre.
sumed to trouble the Meeting for one moment, only
that he felt particularly anxious to address them upon
two points. After the speech of the Honourable
Baronet, which he was sure they all knew how to ap.
predate, and which did the highest honour to his
heart, it would be absurd in him to attempt to go
over the same ground as the Heaourable Baronet,.
and he should, therefore, confine himself within very
narrow limits. One of the points to which he wished
to call teeir attention related to Lord Cochrane, and
the other to the Elector's of Westminster. With re-
gard to Lord. Cochrane, the very first moment tint
he (Mr. Wood) had heard his 'name implicated in
the fraud on the Stock Exchange, he pronounced
him innocent—(applatue,)—tor he was certain he
had not a heart or disposition to commit such 'an ofs
fence—(applasue.)— After the tri4l, also, and after
hearing the whole ef the evidunce, he still thought
the same—(applause,)—but the point he chiefly
wished to dwell. upon was this :—he had had a con-
versation with several of the Jurymen before whom
Lord Cochrane was tried ; one of them most so-
lemnly affirmed, not as his own feeling merely, but
as the feeling of many of his brother Jurymen, that
if the evidence which had sitrce come out, had been
produced before them at the time, and if Lord Cuch.
rane bad defended himself in Court, as he had done
in the House of Commons, it would have been im.
possible for them to find him guilty. (Applause.)—
. He could bring that person forward on his oath, ilk
were necessary—(Cries of No, no,)—but he did not
himself think ehat it was necessary. Independent of
that, however, he had himself put such questions to
' Lord Cochrane, and had received answers to them
from his Lordship of such a nature, as it was impos-
' Bible a nature. framed like his could have given had
he been guilty. He had but one more observation
to make. At the time he heard of the probable ex-
pulsion Lord Cochrane from the House of Com-
' mons, he (Mr. Wood) as an Elector of Westminster,
began to think of some proper person to Represent
that City in Parliament. His choice, if be had not
' been anticipated, would undoubtedly have fallen on
Lord Cochrane, and he should have called upon the
Electors of Westminster to come forward and support
an old and tried patriot. (Applause.) He rejoiced,
however, to find that they were all anxious to do jus-
tice to an injured character, and be hoped they would
succeed in returning Lord Cochrane, which would
• then be their verdict upon his Lordship's case. (Loud
' applause.)
The first Resolution was then put and carried with
' unanimous applause..
Sir FaUcts Bu DU T.—ln consequence of this Re.
solution being carried, I have ,tow another to pro-
' pose, necessarily arising out of the former Re-
solved, That .it is, therefore, the opinion of this
Meeting, that Lord Cochrane is a proper Person to
represent the City of Westminster in Parliament, and
thshe be put in nomination at the ensuing Election."
This was seconded by Mr. Spouts, and carried
unanimously, and with great applisussi.
The lullpwing resolupou was then proposed said
carried unanimously:
" That a Committee be appointed for the purpose of carrying
into effect the foregoing Resuiutions, with pouts to add to their
numbers.

Sir F. BURDETT proposed
, " hat a Subscription be entered into to defray the expences
of the ensuing Ekcison, toward which it is the bounden duty of
every El.cor, and Friend to Purity 01 Liectut, to cum/dime.
Mr. WJSUART seconded it. and strongly recom-
mended the. Electors to enable the-Committee to re-
turn Lord Cochrane free of every expence.
Mr. WisliAßT then proposed
" That the Thaidts of flys Meeting be given to Sir Prancis '
Burdett, and the fortyathree Honutirahle Members, who soled
against the expulsion of Lord Cochrane.
Sir FRANC!' retuned his umnlcs in a very few
words; and moved

" *1 la.;1, the Thauks of the Meeting be given to Arthur Mort*

Egg. High TWEE, for his attention to the vihhes of toe Electors—
and for his upright and impartial conduct hi thii Chair this day."
Mr. Mottais expressed his satisfaction at the testi-
mony of their approbation which he had jai,. recei-
ved ; and hoped his conduct at the en3iiini.T Election
would entitle him to a continuance of their cone
dente.—The Meeting was then dissolved.

NAVAL PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Captain Z Mudge is appointed to the Vallaitt ; Car, Bwaln,,,
to the Statira ; lieutenant W. licidry. of the Argo, to the rank
of Commander, and to command the Forrester, %I:* Captain
Alex. Ktnnedy, dismissed from thr enmma-►d, far I, airinl the
station appointed fur Lint ; Lieutenant Conliffe OWea, of the
gun-boat strike on the Lake., an I Lieut. Grey Grace, to the
rank of Commander; Lleutesants W. 5.4-tr.an, to Vie D.:sterol's.
John I.ew, Belle row.; G. G. Willa, Chaf barn ; H. guddi, ILN
.told); Mr. W. Richard, to the rank of Lieutenabt ; Lieutenant
Ashley, of the Creole, to command the Astrea, vice Copula
Eveleigh, dead of his wounds; Mr. Mitchell, Purser ut the
Aigle, to the Brilliant (late Genoa), 74.
-151S:1;RIBUTION OF PRIZE-146%TV.
hlenelaus, for the San Juan Bupdsta, the 14th instant, at L'3,
::,rfolk-street, Strand.
Magicienne, for the Leo and Tickler, on board ; recalled at
Essex-street, Strand.
Nita), for the Joel Barlow; and Divatch, for Napoleon,
Zebra, and Reek:tip*, the 15tb, at 9, New I+ns:tit-street.