Star.
London, England, 1820-03-17 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER ELECTION.

SEVENTH DAY.
At the close of the Poll this day, the numbers were,
Sir Fitaaicu 13cism - 2657
Mr. Homo= - - 2675
Mr. Law - - 1904
_ _ _

The acclamations of Mr. LAMB'S friends on ac-
count of the majority which he had obtained on the
day's Poll having subsided,
Mr. Join Bummr, in the absence of Sir Francis,
came forward to address the Electors. He felt the
necessity of claiming their indulgence, and of
throwing himself entirely on their generous feelings,
while he attempted to perform the arduous teak
which he had undertaken. Accustomed as they were
to hear the eloquent addresses of their late worthy
Representative from these hustings, he felt his own
inadequacy to supply the place of the worthy Baro-
net; and if he had not been conscious that they•had
such a feeling for the independence of Westminster
as would induce them to extend their indulgence to
any advocate of that cause, he Ahould not have been
able to stand in that place to address thefn—( Cheers).
It was nut unexpected that their friend should be a
little behind on this day's poll, for there had hitherto
been very heavy polling, and it was reasonable to
expect that, when a man had ran for some time at a
rapid pace, he should require to stop, and breathe a
little. But this circumstance should, and he was
sure it would, animate them to make fresh exertions,
and to bring a greater force up to the poll to-morrow
(Cheers). In the course of the Canvass he had met
1
with a great number of voters who had expressed
their intention of coming to poll, but who said they
.must have their own time. Many, in fact, thought ,
that their assistance would not be required, and
therefore they had hitherto stayed away from the
toll. It had been said, that they should be content
with thu Constitution as it was—with the present
practice of the Constitution. Now he, for one,
avowed his dissatisfaction vi ith the present practice
.f it, because it appeared to his mind that they had
not that real ancient Constitution of England which
gave the People a fair representation in the House
of Commons—(.Applause). In order to illustrate this
opinion, he should take the liberty of making a few
remarks on that period of our history in which the
Revolution of 1688 was accomplished. It was
founded then on Magna Charta, on the law of Ha-
beas Corpus, and on all the other great laws of jus-i
tice and freedom. It was made and carried en by
the People, and for the People, to protect their in-
terests, and to give them weight in the government
of time country ; and the consequence of that was, to
secure for them an independent House of Commons.
At that time the People were, by the Constitution,
entitled to new and frequent Parliaments ; and it was
an express provision in the declaration of the Prince
of Orange, that he was to give them free Parlia
silents. It was also for the purpose of seeming the
independence of Parliament that the Act of Willieen
and Mary was passed, to prevent persons who held
pensions or places under Government from having a
place in the House of • Commons. He mentioned
these things merely to prove that our ancestors had
in view, at the time of the Revolution, the establish-
ment of the independence of the House of Commons.
The People now required no more than the Consti-
tution as it was established in 1688 ; they wanted
only a free, independent House of Commons, in
which they should be fairly represented. In the year
1793, it was offered to be proved, in a Petition drawn
up by Mr. Grey and Mr. Erskine, that the People
were not represented in the. House of Commons, con-
stituted as it then was ; and, in support of this alle•
scion, it was shewn that 84 individuals returned
•
157 Member:, that 70 others returned SO more, and
that altogether upwards of 300 Members were re-
turned to the House of Cernmons by individuals. A
House so constituted could not be called a free House
of Commons. The answer, therefore, to those who
said that the People were discontented, was, " We want
only the ancient and real Constitution, composed of,
King, Lords, and Commons ; but we wish the House
of Commons to be freely elected." It had been said
on a former day that, if Mr, Hobhouse had wished
it, lie might have been called to the bit of the House'.
of Commons to plead his own cause ; and this, he
supposed, had been advanced in mitigatioe of that
oppressive power of arbitrery imprisonment, which
was almost the greatest grievance that the Fcople
suffered—(Applause). But of what consequence would
it have been to Mr. Hobhouse if he had been called
to the bar of the House? He would have been called
before an assembly who had themselves accused him,
who were both Judge and Jury, and who were to in-
flict the punishment. The treatment which Mr.
Hobhouse had experienced on that occasion in the
cause of the People, ought to recommend him to
their favour ; and when the Electors considered also
that Gentleman's independence of principles, he was
• convinced they would see the propriety of returning
him as their Representative in the House of Com-
mons—( Cheers).
Mr. LAMB then presented himself, and was re-
ceived with loud expressions of applause on the part
of his friends, while many of the supporters of his
opponents very successfully exercised their vocal
organs in imitating the bleating of sheep. The noise
at length having partially subsided, the Hon. Gen-
tleman said he might be allowed to express some
satisfaction at being ninety-two a-head on the day's
poll,-(Applause and groans). He had on a former
occasion proposed a bargain, to which he thought
they had assented, that if he kept in good humour
when Mr. Hobhouse was a-head, they would in their
turn preserve their good humour when he should
leave Mr. Hobhouse behind, This proposal he un-
derstood to have been assented to on their part, and

.tie now only asset Lie 1.ci.:•....36;:1t.0 C•I :44 .'.:f..-
inint—(iimidtaiss).-11;ey had bees told by the other
side, that is advantage was owing to his opponents"
voters wanting breathing time. He thought they
did, indeed, want something of that sort, and that
they could not even find breath enough to make
their way to the hustings—(Luughter andapplause).
—lie had told them that his friends were beginning
to bestir themselves; and it now appeared that he
was not broken down or broken-winded, and that
the horse opposed to him was not so likely to keep
the lead as his jockey had represented to them—
(Laughter—a person on the hustings—" is the letter
from the Treasury issued yet?" 111 r. Lamb, turning
round, " No, Sir."—" There's one from the Board
of Works, though").—He had only two or three sen-
tences more to trouble them with ; and indeed it was
the less necessary for him to say much, as his poll
now began to speak for itself—(Applause).—The tor-
toise, to which he had been compared, appeared now
to have put forth its paws, and to have advanced
beyond the hare ; and though the hare had not fallen
asleep, it seemed it had become tired, and was obli-
ged to relax its speed. Like the hare in another
fable, when it most wanted assistance, it was ne-
glected by all its friends—(Laughter and applause).
They found that his predictions-had at last been ve-
rified. They had to lament to-day the absence of
the Honourable Baronet, -Sir Francis Burdett ; but
he did not think that the Gentleman who had ad-
dressed them in his stead, had any reason to make
the apology with which he commenced his speech.
Tkat Gentleman had done him the honour to com-
pliment him, and in return he was bound to say that,
in his opinion, that Gentleman seemed to possess as
much knowledge of the Constitution as any Elector
should possess. He begged to ask them if he was
not worthy of their approbation on one account ?.
(A laugh).—For all the speeches which the Honour-
able Baronet had made to them, at the last Election
and during the present contest, they were obliged to
him (Mr. Lamb).—(Laughter and applause).-13etire
he had come forward as a Candidate for the P.epre-
sentation of 'Westminster, they would recollect that
the Honourable Baronet had never appeared in per-
son before them during any Election. He did not
mention this from any invidious reason, but merely
to spew that they were indebted to him for bringing
before them that person whom they most loved and
adored—(Gres: applause).—lt was difficult for him
to lay claim to their favour, because they and he did
not agree; but, having stated this one claim, he
hoped they would think of it till to-morrow, and
meet Ern again in the same good humour in which
he now left them—(Applause).
Mr. Hoistioose was ioudly cheered, but there were
a few hisses from Mr. LamVs quarter. He began
by observing, that Mr. Lamb had told them, that this
day's poll spoke little for him. It was but very little,
howf:ver, it spoke for him. The commencement of
the poll this morning, which was, as they knew,
-cold and very cloudy,' had been less favourable to
them; but as the sun shone forth, their friends
crowded to the poll, and they had polled better this
dur than he had expected in the morning. The tor-
t( i"c, however, had done very well for a tortoise.—
(..././-7,il.::_s_ci—and considering the natural weight it
had to carry—considering how equipped it was alto-
gether for the course—he hoped they would throw
no other impediment in its way .han what it felt from
its patural capacity. He had to lameat with them
the absence of Sit Francis Burdett. But as his jockey,
as Mr. Lamb had been pleased to call Sir Francis
Burdett, was absent, they must allow the horse to
address them !—(Loud applause).—lt was lucky that
it was a horse. That animal, to which his opponent
had done him the honour to compare him, was an
animal of a noble and generous nature—(Appiause).
It was with very peculiar satisfaction he had ob.'
served, that Sir Francis Burdett was now spoken of
from his opponent's board in a very different tone
from that which had been assumed at the last Elec •
tion—(Applause). He had no intention to rip up old'
sores, nor would he call back their memories to old
quarrels, but when the public good and the cause of
their independence might require it. But the cause
of the difference of tone to which he had alluded
they could very easily understand, without diving
deep into the minds of men. If they looked at the
state of the poll, they could understand why Sir
Francis Burdett's conduct was not now represented
in the colours in which it had been adorned, and
with no sparing hand, by his opponents at the last
Election—(Cheers). Among the many shapes in
which Mr. Lamb was recommended by his friends,
one was, that he agreed with Sir Francis Burdett in
his principles. He had heard Electors thus addressed,
Vote for Burdett and Lamb, for they axe both of
the same principles." In some parts of Westminster,
those were the, colours which Mr. Lamb's friends
carried. Other colours were, indeed, used in other
parts; but as votes were solicited in some parts on
the ground of agreement with Sir Francis Burdett,
it was obviously not convenient to use different lan-
guage respecting him from the hustings—(" Well,
Lamb, what think you of the horsey"). He was fully
aware of, and lie was proud to acknowledge, the ad-
vantages which he derived from what he would call
the patronage of Sir Francis Burdett—(Applause).
To be indebted to an honest man was no dishonesty.
To have been introduced to them by so distinguished
a character, who preferred him to his opponent, was
a high honour in itself, and was a source of the
greatest satisfaction to hint—(Applause), He hoped
he should always prove himself deserving of such
distinguished support. He would not nowan his ab-
sence speak of that great man in terms of fulsome
praise, but he would say, that the mere he thought
of Sir Francis Burdett's career, the more thoroughly
was he convinced, that it was the only one which any
man pretending to patriotism could pursue—(Loud
11 and repeated cheers). • Whatever might have been the
merits of great men before him, it war the high and
distinguished let of Sir Francis Burdett to have
struck out a line for himself, in which he moved
really independent, under all circumstances, and in
all changes— .(Applause). Although he would not be
tied down to any individual's opinions or conduct,
yet lie would avow, that to Sir Francis Burdett he
looked as his " guide, philosopher, and friend." In
many cases, where doubt existed, he woold look to
him for assistance and direction. The Electors of
Westminster, he was sure, and every distinguished
man in the country, conformed to this opinion of his.
Let him now turn to Mr. Lamb and his friends, and
let him ask whether they had any hopes of 'going

Lan.;, ::tarred to Parliament, upon the intelc.::
on which they pretended to stand ? Could he, he
Asked, be returned without Ministerial influence ?
lie did not ask this as a captious question, but fairly
put it to than to say, whether they thought of carry-
ing a Candidate into Parliament for—Westminster,
against the Reformers of Westminster ?—(Chcers).
There were a number of Ministerialists who had not
voted for Sir Samuel Romilly, and who had voted
for Mr. Lamb, at the last Election ; 1700 plumpers
had been given for Sir M. Maxwell, and all those who
had voted for Mr. Lamb ; besides, 2600 fslinisteri:ll-
- who had voted ibr Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir
Murray Maxwell, had also voted for Mr. Lamb.--
1 Without these Ministerial votes, Mr. Lamb would
poll very few votes more at this Election. He asked,
then, what satisfaction it could afford to Mr. Lamb
if he were so returned ? Excepting on the great
question of Parliamentary Reform, which was the
main ground on which he appeared there opposed to
Mr. Lamb—excepting on that question, no man in
the House of Commons had beers so decidedly
against those who sat on the Ministerial Benches as
Mr. Lamb. With what consistency, with what de-
cency, then, would he be returned to Parliament by
the assistance of those whom he had held out to the
disgust and abhorrence of the country ?—(Cheers).
Mr. Lamb had said, that be looked at Lord Castle-
reagh's restrictive measures with horror. How could
he now come forward for the assistance of those
whose measures excited his horror ? He coxid ncr
conceive how Mr. Lainb and his friends could no;:
be suitors for the favour of those whom they bad
held out to the indignation of the country—(Lcid
rleeer3). Mr. Lamb had always opposed Minister-,
and for this he had contributed to thank him. If 1:•!
were again returned, he would again, from part...-
honour, oppose Ministers. What then did he pro-
pose to himself by his present opposition ?
could only propose to spew that the Reformers of
Westminster, could not oppose Ministers and Mr.
Lamb's party. If, therefore, Mr. Lamb cortsnited iis
own better feelings, he would view a triumph in such
circumstances, could he obtain his object, as no tri-
umph at all. How could men of Mr. Lamb's own
party view such a contest ? He did not see him now
surrounded by those persons who had formerly at-
tended him on the hustings. Perhaps their presence
I was supposed to deter Ministerialists from polling.—
Certain it was that those who now arrayed them-
' selves around him were very different from those
who ushered him for ward at the first Election. Ile
would now repeat his question to him, with the as-
surance that he felt desirous of hearing his answer to
fit, not now, but at some future period of the Election.
Did he expect to be returned without the help, and
the very active help, of Ministerialists ?—(Cheers).--
1 If Mr. Lamb wished so well to popular rights, if he
was friendly to the cause which lie had advocated in
Parliament, how could he now ask the helping hand
of those whom he had held up as the enemies of the
country ? If a Ministerial Candidate stood on that
board on which Mi. Lamb stood, would Mr. Lamb's
party come forward to assist him ? He did not
know that they would ; but, if one good turn de-
served another, certainly Mr. Lamb's friends should
give their assistance--(Cheers). By the dissectioaof
the poll of 1818, it appeared that 2800 had voted
for Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir Murray Maxwell.
Under what aspect Mr. Lamb presented himself it
was impossible to know. He was not a Minis-
ter ialist ; he was 'not a Whig, at least he was not one
of the Whigs of 1798; he certainly was not a Re-
former such as they all were ; he was there before
them only, as his Committee stated, to be re-elected
(Much laughter). If their cause was the good cause,
the advance of 92 on this day's poll would not dis-
courage them—(Cheers). They would continue their
exertions in support of this cause, which was indeed
' their own cause. As Mr. Lamb had told them that
their sentiments and his did not agree, they should
take care that they did not send. him to Parlia-
ment to speak sentiments which they did not feel or
profess—(Great applause).

The Meeting, which was not quite so crowded as on
former days, then quietly dispersed.

RIOT IN ROSS-SHIRE.

INVERNESS, MARCH 10.

The wanton violation of the law of the land in
Ross-shire, which it was our painful duty to an.-
nounce last week, has, as might be expected, excited
a strong 'sensation in this quarter, where such out-
rages are so 'uncommon. There are various anec-
dotes related of the bold daring and insensibility to
pain and danger which anfroated the females en-
gaged in it, and which would have done credit w
the ancient Amazons ; but, as they savour too much
of romance, we shall confine our notice of the par-
ticulars this week to the following extract of a letter
from a respectable correspondent in Tain, dated the
6th of March, 1820:
" The following are the facts, as reported to me on good
authority:--The proprietor of Culmin, anxious, I presume, to
improve his property, let it to Major Forbes at bielness ; and,
to clear the ground, gave orders to warn out the tenants, core-
doting of about eighty faffillies. The officer who was sent to
serve the removing. was met by nearly two hundred women,
who took from him and destroyed all the warrants. This
being reported to the Sheriff, a precognition was taken and scn:
'to the Lord Advocate; who ordered the Staff of the Iloss-shire
Militia to repair to the spot, and assist in serving the sum-
monses. On the let instant, twenty-two of the Staff, provided
with ball-cartridges, and accompanied by the Sheriff Depute,
his substitute, a number of country gentlemen, and a pare of
special constables, proceeded to the West, and were met at the
March between Invercarron and Oulrain, by at least 200 women,
who were collected by the sound of horns placed on differeti:
eminences to give the alarm, and ordered the Sheriff's party to
return, as they were determined, at all hazards, to prevent their
going further; but this being declined, the women let fiy seve-
ral showers of stones, which did some injury. The skull of one
of the Staff was nearly fractured, and several others were se-
verely hurt ; the Sheriff Depute received several stones an the
breast. The women rushed on the bayonets, and a few slug
shots being fired, several men (s. me of them from Sutherland)
made their appearance to support the women, and so desperately
determined were they, that it was with difficulty, and at the risk
of their lives, the party escaped; closely pursued by the rabble.
Too much praise cannot be given to Otanies (the Sheriff Depute)
for his conduct on this occasion ; be headed the Staff, and though
his life was in the griatest danger, be could not be got to retire,
until he was ictually forced from the ground by two of his party ;
his carriage, and two others, were almost literally dashed :o
pieces by the mob. Ido not hear that any livettwere loit. T:te
mob was quite infuriated, and determined, at the risk of th•
lives, to maintain their post. A Report of the whole was pt-
pared by Geanies, ar.d sent to the Lord Advocate."

IHE EVENING STA It,

LON DON.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1820.
THE FUNDS.
TRICE OF STUCK'S THIS DAY AT ONE 0-CLOCK :
S per Cent. Consols 68.14 I 3/8
5 per Cent. Navy 103% 78
Imperial 3 per Cent. Arms. 677/8
India Bonds 16s. pr.
Exchequer Bills (2d.) Is. dis. par, 2s. dis.
Consols for Account 683/4 1.4 Vs.
Bank Stoc!i, 3 per Cents. Reduced, 37 per Cents. 4 per
C•nts. India Stock, and Bank Long Anns. are all shut.

The Paris Papers cf Tuesday arrived this morning.
The Chamber of Deputies proceeded on Monday
6th the discussion of the Project of Law on ludivi-

d;:al Liberty.

Article 2J was passed with the Amendments pro
posed by the Commission.
A long debate ensued on an additional provision
presented by the Commission, anj which becomes
Article 3d of the Law. It provides, that after pre-

cognition has been taken of the charge on which an
individual is arrested, the Council shall be obliged
to•decide, within three months, either as to bringing
him to trial or setting him at liberty.
M. TOVPET DE BEVAUX moved, that the delay
should be limited to two months.
The latter Amendment was put to the vote, and
rejected by a large majority ; but the former, limiting
the maximum-of detention to three months, though

opposed by all the force of Ministers, was adopted.
M. DEVAUX moved to add to the Article, that
every detention beyond the three months, should be
i.t.!(.1 to be an illegal detention, and afford to the
....,fferer a ground for damages against those con-

ctrned in the wrong.
This p;oposition gave rise to a very stormy discus•
sion, and was finally rejected, by a majority consist•

ing of two-thirds at least of the Assembly.
M. BENJAMIN CONSTA'NT proposed, as another
Amendment, that a person detained, should, at the
end of three days, be allowed the society of soma
person of his fainily.
This gave rise to another keen debate, distinguish-
ed by some very gross personalities. General FM
speaking of the Reign of Terror of 1815, observed,
that France was indebted for it to foreigners, and to
them alone. " If France," said he, " had not been
occupied by foreigners, there would have been ten
thousand insurrections—(Great murmurs). Do you
believe that we would have basely supported the in-
sults, the atrocities, the outrages, of a handful of
wretches, whom we despise, whom we have seen for
thirty years in the mire?'
This appears to have been too much for the Ultra-
Iloyalist portion of the Chamber. The right side re-
sounded with cries of indignation ; and M. DE SALA-
DERRY, in a loud voice, thus addressed the speaker,
" Vous des um insolent!"
The PRESIDENT called M. de Salaberry to order,
and General Foy went on in a strain no ways dimi-
nished in vehemence by the coarse interruption he
had received.
M. Cossrarir's Amendment was then put to the
vote, and rejected ; after which the Chamber again
adjourned.
The Moniteur contains a translation of a Royal
Ordnance by FERDINAND, addressed to the Duke
de SAN FoRNANIX4 in which, after a long preamble
full of professions of his MAJESTT.S good wishes
for his People, he directs his Council of State to
divide themselves into seven different Boards, and
to propose to him whatever Reforms they shall
judge proper for the good of the State. The
cause of this appointment is sufficiently obvious.—
• Reform is no longer a matter of choice with FEE-
DINAND, and he wants now to affect the merit of
doing spontaneously what his measures for years past
shew he hates from the bottom of his soul.
We will venture to predict that no good will come
of this Royal Council of Reform. It is 'the great
Council of the Nation that FIRDIRAND must appeal
to, and until he does, there will be no permanent
prosperity for Spain.
French .5 per Cents, Monday, 74 fr. 75 c.

It is reported that the Coronation of KING GEORGE
the FOIiRTH is at present fixed to take place in the
month of August next, the month in which our
SOVEREIGN was born.

The Queen of ENGLAND arrived, on the 22d of
February, at Rome, where she alighted at the Palace I
of Luc:lEN BostarmsTE, which she had engaged for
a month. The Government has not sent her any
gcat d of honour ; and neither the Minister of Ha-
rover, nor the Consul-General of England, have
waited upon her MAJESTY. It is true that she travels
with a passport, containing only the name of Coma-
: •ss (&li, but she is everywhere announced, on her
Arrney, as the QUEEN Of ENGLA ED.—French Journal.
.tu Evening Paper of last night, has a ridiculous
story about a certain Illustrious Female, whose ab-
s,:nce abroad, when she might have been, so long
ado, at home, is not very satisfactory. The fact is,
that her MAJESTY, in some of her Levant rambles,
saw, among other curiosities, probably, the dancing-
boys, who exhibit at the public places ,in Turkey.
If we ire not misinformed, Lady HESTER STANiiOPE,
and many other English Ladies, have been present
at similar exhibitions. They are to be stile, ;record-
jag to travellers, very shameful sbews ; but when we
sit all the world rf ftshion applauding the lewd dis-
pla)s of Opera dancers, it is worse that: couternp-
ti'oif to make a serious charge of this.

. _