Star.
London, England, 1822-08-24 00:00:00

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oar energies and resources, and in that load of a Na-
tional Debt, the interest of which cannot be raised
without the risk of a national convulsion—a debt
which never can be reduced without some arrange- I
merit between the public creditor and debtor, but
which, I trust, never shall be made, without a Par-
liamentary Reform being at the same time effected.
I would further say, that my answer is to be found
in the increased and increasing influence of the
Crown; in the infringement on the liberties of the
People by the Aristocracy ; and in the Corruption
of the Howe of Commons, through the influence of
Boroughmongers ;—These, indeed, ate evils which
ere, unhappily, too apparent—they are evils which
we gave for a long time endured, and which, I
fear, we are still to endure, without alleviation.—
My answer must be found in that curious Report
presented to the House of Commons by a Committee
of its own appointment, which states that 109 of its
own Members are receiving of the public money
£209,843 annually, 'exclusive of the fees of those
offices which many of them hold. What can the,
country chill when they see this meipey taken from
their industry by those persons they have appointed
as the guardians of the public purse ?—( Loud cheers}.
A perusal of that document would shew that a majo-
rity of the house were returned by the Peers, by the
Aristocracy, and by those who were connected with
them. I ask, is there any man who can here lay his
hand to his heart, and without prejudice say it is
fitting that the lives, the fortunes, and the interests
of the People of England should be committed to the
care of such a House of Commons?—( Hear)—
My answer must be read in that Alliance falsely and
impiously called Tidy, to which this country bad
joined, and then became the enemies of freedom at
home and the dread and abhorrence of every coun-
try in Europe:--in a Ministry, treating with unde-
viating contempt all the wishes or suggestions of
the People, and treating their Petitions with studied
and cold neglect, and in their measures of weak-
ness and of vacillation, and in their intolerance, to
which we are the unfortunate victims—(Cheering).
I have, perhaps, sufficiently afforded reasons to war-
rant the step I have taken in calling you together;
b.it as I have been accused of intentions to disturb
the tranquillity of the County, I will say, that a mo-
ment of quiet is that which a wise statesman would
select for the discussion of any great and important
question. Without danger from abroad, without in-
testine commotion, we may safely, and without any
imputation on our motives, agitate the great subject
of Reformation—(Dear).—Men any country is sur-
rounded with danger, it looks naturally for relief to
fie wisdom of its Representative Body; but we have
been suffering under want and privations—we are
threatened with dangers of the most fatal kind, and
have been looking for the last six months to Parlia-
ment for relief. We, however, find that nothing is
done for our advantage—nothing but doctrines
which are broached, contrary to the great and fun-
damental enactments of our ancestors, and to those
principles which they defended with their blood, and
gave to us as their last and most invaluable legacy—
(llear).—lt will not be necessary to bewilder our-
selves in antiquarian research; we have only to look
to that glorious Revolution, which we have been
taught to venerate horn our very cradle—(Hear)—
and the anniversary of which great and necessary mea-
sure I have seen celebrated within this very room
with 4, all the pomp and pride of circumstance."—
As the late Speaker of the House said, would not our
ancestors start from their graves with indignation, if
they could know that the principles which they had
nourished and regarded with homage were at this
day trodden under foot? It was reserved for us to
lee an English house of Commons, not obliquely,
but directly, avowing its belief, that it is not at all
essential to the safety of the Constitution that the Re-
presentation should be for, and not with the People.
I must express surprise to hear a Gentleman give his
support to those doctrines in that House. But had I
been, like the eloquent Member I allude to, the Re-
pre,entwive of the Burgesses of the second town in
the kingdom, I would take my stand on constitu-
tional ground, and let Corfe Castle and Old Sarum,
shift fur themselves--(alpidause).--If we are not really
Milling to see the House of Commons not made the
reflection of the public mind, and allow the Bill of
Rights to be thrown into the fire as a bundle of waste
paper, we must act with spirit and with firmness, to
save ourselves from the consequences which must in-
evitably follow the measures at this day adopted—
(Hear, hear).—There was a time when an Act of
Parliament recognized the principle that placemen
should not be permitted as Members of the House
of Commons; but what is the doctrine of Parliament
at the present time?—that places and pensions are
necessary to keep the King of this country upon
his Throne. Ate the supporters of this doctrine
aware of the consequences following upon it ?
From its admission, it appears as a matter of course
that the King cannot support the security or dignity
of his Throne without the aid of corruption—(Dear),
or his power be upheld, without bribing and cor-
rupting the Representatiites of hie People. Is it not
by that argument at once admitted that the House
of Commons are devoid of all sense of public duty or
responsibility, and that they are only to be swayed by
motives of profit or emolument. I find that every
thing is altered. There was a time when taxation
was dreaded as the greatest evil i for, according to
the old adage, there were no evils in life certain
but taxation and debt." But how do they speak now
on the subject? To take off taxation, one says, is
only to aggravate distress—another holds that it is
dangerous to interfere with the. GRRAT AUTHOR 01
NATUItE ; a third maintains that taxation is a provi-
dential dispensation ; and a fourth will find a re-
medy for it on the principles of resurrection. If,
indeed, under all this oppression, we are humble,
our Rulers are pleased to be satisfied; but if we
complain, we are proud and are arrogant. If we
grumbled, we were called impatient—(Hear, hear).
'There was a time, when in this country, a standing
army was dreaded as inimical to the Constitution.
When knowledge was looked upon as the source of
power and of public happiness, bringing with it wealth
and tranquillity; but it was reserved for this day, to
have it considered as a nuisance, and only to be met
by the counterpoise of influence and corruption—
(Llear, hear).—lt was reserved for the present day,
ta hear a Nliiiister of the Crown declaic, that if the
Petitions to the Howe of Commons dare use language
which it might consider as insulting, the Executive

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bad the power to punish every one of them. Rut he
well knew that no Minister of the Crown dare utter
such doctrines to a House whose Members were
chosen from the People; not would Such a House of
I Commons suffer Ministers to tell it so. I have thus
I endeavoured to explain to you my opinion on the sub-
ject of Reform. " I have nothing extenuated, or set
down aught in malice." I can say with Pope—
.. Whoever's in or nut who moves the state machine,
Don't raise my envy, or excite nay spleen ;"
provided the country is free, contented, and happy.
Which of us, I will say, that does not think that, un-
der the present specious language of those in power,
there does not look some dangerous design to govern
for the future without responsibility and without con-
trail ? No, Gentlemen, the domination under which
we suffer has nothing to do with the Constitution ; it
is the offspring of fraud and cunning ; it was begot
by the Septennial Act, nursed by Walpole, and reared;
to giant strength under the Pelhams—(Applarise).—
All the evils we endure, and have endured, both the
past and the present, are connected with the want
of Reform. We cannot live without it, I maintain,
though Mr. Vansittart says we can govern without
Reform—(Hear, hear). Gentlemen, if lam asked
what description of people I should wish to admit
as Members of the House of Commons, I will an-
Awer, men who will determine to act on principles
consistent with the great estates of the realm, and
who would preserve the purity and, power of each.—
[Here Mr. STAPLETON interrupted the speaker, and
proposed an adjournment to a larger room, or to the
open air.—Loud cries of " Go on 11—Mr. FAwees
resumed. I wish a King, clothed with all the splen-
dour becoming his high station, with power to enable
him to carry all measures into execution with promp-
titude and effect—a King, who governs by the law,
with whom the most solemn of alI contracts were
made, and the greatest of all trusts confided to him ,
with his sceptre—(Hear, hear I); a House of Lords,
an Oligarchy, acting as a balance of power, wisely
placed between the Crown and the People, to protect
the one and defend the other—content with their
own peculiar privileges, and not inclined to infringe
on the liberties of the people, and who could act for
their own and the country's good without the corn-
' mission of crime. I would also wish to see a House
of Commons fairly sympathizing with the feelings of
the people in every enactment, in the imposition of
every tax, and the removal of every oppression ; who
would prefer their country's to their own advantage,
and who would neither obey the call of the Treasury,
nor bow to the dictates of a Minister—(Loud cheers).
I fear I have detained you too long—(Hear, hear)—
but I have redeemed my pledge in this perilous mo-
ment; and I have given every man in this country an
opportunity of expressing his opinions on the great
subject of Reform. I have devoted a great part of
my life to that cause. I shall still support it ; but to
your keeping I now commit it—(Plear). Allow me
to think that the opposition I have met has been more
owing to the agent than to the cause. The germ of
Reform is still warm and budding, and I hope that
it will yet quicken, and the tree of liberty spring
from it, exalt itself, and flourish—(Hear). Let me
hope that this great measure will not be delayed until
all precautions are useless, and until all wisdom, talent,
and virtue, shall be of no avail—(Applause).
Mr. CHALONER said that a Chairman was neces-
sary, and he would beg leave to propose that Mr.
Fawkes do take the Chair.

Sir WILLIAM INGLEBY seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.
Mr. FAWKES took the Chair amid acclamation.

Mr. STAPLETON again proposed an adjournment
to the open air, as the room was not sufficiently large
—(Cries of Go on, go on).
Mr. DALTRY said, after the eloquent and able
speech of the Chairman, he would not detain the
Meeting. He would merely propose the Resolutions
he held in his hand, for their adoption.
The Resolutions were seconded by Sir W. INot.say.
Mr. CHALONER supported the Resolutions, which
were then put seriatim, as follows :
Resolved, Ist. That it is the opinion of this Meeting, that a
Reform in the Commons House of Parliament--such a Reform
as would render it the real rather than the virtual Representation
of the People—is become a measure of urgent necessity.
2d. That this Meeting collects the truth of this fact from the
recorded history of the House itself, where it is found that every
successive Administration. of whatever party, can, with a few
solitary exceptions—of which the interested spirit has been too
manifest—at all times command the majority.
3d. And this Meeting is willing to believe that the numerous
body of Placemen and Pensioners, which a Committee of the
House of Commons has reported to exist in its body, has greatly
tended to produce this spirit of dependence on the one hand, and
of unbounded power on the other.
4th. Further, that the return of Members to the Commons
I kuse of Parliament, as appears from numerous statements made
in the House itself, bring effected through the influence of Peers
of the realm, as well as of the Lords of the Treasury, is another
cause why the votes of the House so implicitly follow the dic-
tates of successive Administrations, and frequently with the sacri-
fice of the best interests of the country.
sth. Convinced of this great truth, this Meeting thinks it right
to watch the opportunity of adopting the steps necessary to rouse
this great country to their exertions, which may be wanted to
effect such a Reform as shall restore our Representation to a
state of Conuitutir ial purity, calculated at once to protect the
of the P- and the Cro,-

rights _'eople )wn.
6th. Further, that to bring abouttliat great object, it Is the
opinion of this Meeting that a Committee be immediately ap-
pointed, with power to add to their numbers, who shall meet on
the first Monday in November, to originate a County Alerting,
or to adopt such other measures u they may conceive requisite
to promote a Reform in the Commons House of Parliament.
The Resolutions were unanimously agreed to; and
the following Gentlemen appointed as the Committee,
with power to add to their numbers:

Mr. Fawkes ; R. Chaloner, Esq. M.P. Sir W. Ingleby, But.
Mr. Sykes, M. P. Colonel Cradock ; Mr. G. Wentworth, of
Wentworth Park ; Sir H. Vavasour, Bart. Sir 6. Cayley, Bart.
M. WyviU, M.P. Mr. Cholmeley ; S. Crompton, Esq. M.P. G.
Crompton, Esq. of Wood End; and Lord Milton, (who was ab-
sent from the Meeting, on account of the indisposition of his
Noble Father.)
Mr. WirviLL, M. P. strongly urged the necessity
of Parliamentary Reform, and concluded by moving
that the thanks of the Meeting be given to Walter
Fawkes Esq. for his conduct in the Chair, and for his
indefatigable exertions in the cause of Reform.
The question was put, and carried by acclamation.
Mr. FAWKES expressed his grateful acknowledg-
ments for the honour which had been conferred on
him ; and assured the Meeting that they might de-
pend on the best of his humble exertions at all times
in that great cause.—The Meeting then separated.

A SINGULAR COINCIDENCL—'Tuesday morning an
old Lady went into a shop at Tonhridge Welk, to
change a penny for four farthings, when she received
bur pieces of that description of ct.in, severally of
the reign of GEORG& I. 11. 111. IV. and in all which
reigns the old Lady had lived.

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LoN DON'.
SATURDA Y, AUGUST 24, 1822.

Amovitass ow or Sr. Dessnotostre.--Heliday at the Bask.
STOCK KXCIIANG IS, TWELVA O'CLOCK.
Both the Bank and Stock Eachange are shut to-dap, It being
a holiday. Consols have been done on 'Change at Sul I ; and,
fur October, at 110 j 81.
Fonluau Funds.—Rosslan and Prussian Bonds seem to be in
great demand; Chilian Bonds retrain rather flat. la Banish
Bonds there is some business doing. All foreign securities seem
to be on the rise.—Chiliau 831 to / ; New Spanish 641; Oid
65j; New Prussian 871; Old 891; Danish 81,3 ; Neapolitan
701 I ; Colombian 86i ; Scrip 861 ; French Funds 941.—The
Portuguese Loan is talked of as making its appearance soon.

We believe we may now state with confidence that II
Wednesday next is fixed for the day on which his
MAJESTY will take leave of his Scottish subjects. On
Tuesday his .MAJISTY held a Drawing Room at
Holyrood House, when nearly five hundred Ladies
were presented to his MAJESTY ; and, says one (4 the
Edinburgh Papers, " a finer array of lovelier women
no country could produce." The Peers Ball was to
take place last evening. The Grand Procession from
Holyrood House to the Castle, which was fixed for
Thursday, has been deferred to this day ; but it was
doubtful whether it would take place at all or not,
notwithstanding the •ast preparations which have
been made. One of our letters from Edinburgh, re-
ceived this morning, says, " the rumour is that the
parties who formed the idea of that pageant had no
authority for what they did ; and a Deputation has,
it is said, been sent to Dalkeith, to represent to his
MAJESTY the great disappointment that would ensue
were the Procession not to take place."

To-morrow his MAJerry hears Divine Service in
the High Church. The Moderator of the General
Assembly, Dr. LAMONT, has been appointed to the
honourable office of preaching on that occasion.
On Tuesday the KING attends the Theatre; and,
on ♦Wednesday, his MAJESTY leaves his loving
Northern subjects for London,where his attention will
be first called to filling up the blank left in the
Administration by the death of the late Marquis
Of LONDONDERRY.

It appears now pretty certain that the Duke of
WELLINGTON will represent this country at the ap-
proaching Congress. It is said his Grace will meet
the Emperor of RUSSIA at Vienna on the 15th of
September, and that Mr. PLANTA will accompany
his Grace as Secretary to the mission. Were the Duke
of WELLINGTON as skilful a Diplomatist as he is a
General, there could be no fear of his being a match
for the Russian and Austrian politicians, with whom
he will come in contact ; but we have had little
proof of the diplomatic talents of his Grace, and that ,1
little has, unfortunately, not been in his favour.
Mr. PEEL is now confidently spoken of as the new
Foreign Secretary, though to make such whimsical
transfers of office as we sometimes see, would induce
the opinion that less talents are required than the
world generally gives statesmen the credit of pos-
' sessing. Lord COLCHESTER is spoken of as the suc-
cessor of Mr. Putt in the Home Department. Should
these appointments take place, the No Popery party
will strongly predominate in the Cabinet.

It has been already stated that the KING had in'
contemplation to restore the forfeited titles of the
Scottish Peers. Among those particularly likely to
receive this proof of his NIAJESTY'S favour, we hear,
are the Dukedom of Perth, and the Earldom of Mar ;
the former to be given to Lord GWYDYR, in right of
his wife, and the latter to Mr. ERSKINE, of Mar. It
is also rumoured that there will be some new crea-
tions, when Sir WALTER Sco•rT will be raised to the
Peerage, with the title of Baron ABBOTSFORD.

The French Papers of Wednesday have been re-
ceived. They contain intelligence from Spain, Rus-
sia, and Greece, which, though not of great import-
ance, is not destitute of interest. A private letter
from Warsaw states, that the Emperor ALEXANDER
will not hold a Diet there, as the last Diet incurred
his displeasure; and, from the circumstance of the
Grand Duke CONSTANTINE being nominated to the
command of Lithuania, it is feared that Poland,
which has already lost its Constitution, will be united
to Russia, notwithstanding the Congress of Vienna
has guaranteed its existence as a Kingdom. The
following are extracts:
PARIS COURT OF ASSIZE, AUGUST 21.

The trial of the affair called the conspiracy of La
Rochelle commences this day, before the Court of
Assize of the Seine. The persons charged with con-
spiring are twelve in number, and the first on the
list is Jean Marie Remand Bardere, an Advocate
residing in Paris. These twelve are accused of having
participated in a plot to destroy or change the Go-
vernment, or the order of succession to the throne,
'br to excite citizens to arm themselves against the
Royal authority, &c. Thirteen others are charged
with misprision, or concealing the plot during twenty-
four hours after it came to their knowledge.
The Procureur•General, according to the act of
accusation or indictment, described the offence of
the prisoners to be a conspiracy of vast extent against
social order and Thrones ; but against every family
of citizens, threatened to be again plunged into,
anarchy, even more than against the dynasties of
Sovereigns. This con piracy is the woz kof the sect;-

~‘7"771!

'of Cailonari, spread through Italy, Germany, *wit.
:Leyland, and Greece, and which has also penetrated
France, beginning with Corsica. The oath of the
affiliated is conceived in these terms:
& I swear to vase liberty atom al Mop, to face death to
an oraasioas for the Carbooari—to abaodoo, as the drat sigh ,4
the brothers at sty ewe blood to aid arid aurae owlerotbars (Ile
Carboaaro
tt The indictment then statei Paris to art (Om
of insurrection, by the influence of whi h, plots have
broken out in all parts of France,