Star.
London, England, 1818-06-17 00:00:00

CITY ELECTIOY.

The election of four persons to serve in the ensuing
Parliament, as Representatives of the City of Lon-
don, commenced yesterday, and we believe a fuller
attendance of Liverymen has not been known on any
former occasion. The heat. of the weather had no
effect in abating the ardour of curiosity excited by
the novelty of the appearance of so many Candidates
for their favour. At one o'clock the LORD MAYOR
and Sheriffs, accompanied by several Aldermen,
came upon the hustings. The Proclamation for the ,
Election was then read, and the Sheriffs sworn in
the usual form.
Sir W. CURTIS was the first ivho came forward to
address the Livery. He observed, that the Consti-
tution had again placed in their hands the power of
choosing their Representatives, and they were now
assembled for the purpose of executing-their duty.
He once more stood before them as a Candidate for
their suffrages, and was ready to state to them not
only what he had done, but what he intended to do.
He had already served in six Parliaments as a Re=
presentative of this great City, and now, when he
came before his Constituents to ask them to re-elect
him, he could tell them that he had discharged his
duty fully, fairly, and fearlessly. If he should be
rechosen, he assured them that he would pursue the
same course he had hitherto done—( Marks of dis-
approbation.)—He requested of the Gentlemen of
the Livery that they would hear him out, and not
let their anger carry them away too fast. He could
ssert, thatle had always discharged his duty fairly
and conscientiously, and he was determined to con-
tinue to do so. He should now say one word en the
doctrine of the right of Constituents to instruct their
Representatives, which had lately been brought for.
ward, and much insisted on. With regard to that
question, he assured the Livery, that whenever the
rights and privileges of the City of London came un- 1
der the consideration of Parliament, he should con-
stantly stand up for them, and would only on such
occasions attend strictly to the interests and wishes',
of the Livery. On questions, however, which re-
lated to the interests of the Nation at large, he claim-
ed the right of judging for himself. In all such cases
he was determined not to be bound by any opinion
before he went into Parliament. The House of Com-
mons was a deliberative assembly ; but it would en-
tirely cease to be so, .if the Members made up their
opinions before they went into it—( Hisses.)—He'
perceived that what he said was displeasing to some,
but he did not quarrel with any Gentleman for his
political sentiments. Every one had a right to his
own opinion on these subjects, but that right which
he allowed to others he claimed for himself. He
stated plainly and openly what he thought. If any
who had voted for him on former elections believed
he had been actuated by motives of self-interest or
ambition, they would of course withhold their votes
on the present occasion ; but if that did not appear
to be the case, he was entitled to their support, for
his principles and conduct had been what they ori-
[ginally approved. Notwithstanding that some of
' them appeared to be dissatisfied with him at present,
he expected to see ma ly of their good-natured faces
coming up to the poll, and voting for him. He felt
confident that, as they had already chosen him to
represent them six times, they would on this occa-
sion return him for the seventh time, and they might
rely on his discharging his duty faithfully—(A mix-
Iture of applause and disapprobation.)
Alerman Sir C. S. HuNrEit said, that when he
last had the honour of addressing them, he occupied
the chair of first Magistrate. At that time he had
expressed his solicitilde to receive their votes, and
I ventured to offer himself to their notice ;'lint cir-
cumstances then prevented him from coming for-
ward in the way he wished, and he retired. Thk
lapse of six years had not diminished, his wishes and
ambition to serve them, but the experience of six
years had convinced him of the necessity of having
in their representation some gentleman intimately
connected with 'the commercial interests, on which
the prosperity of the city of London chiefly depends.
In making this observation he did not speak for him-
self; but he intended to propose to them a gentle-
man, from his character, truly worthy of their. suf-
frages ; and, from his commercial experience_ and
connexions, in every way qualified to represent for,
the City those great interests which formed the bul-
wark of the nation. Though that gentleman did not
himself belong to the Magistracy, he was of a fa-
mily which had obtained considerable honours in the
,' city. He was not yet a member of the Corporation,
but if the Livery now chose hinvfor their Represen-
tative, he would doubtless be willing, on a future
occasion, to take upon himself the duties of a Ma-
gistrate, if they should consider him worthy of that
additional trust. He should detain them no longer;
, but would move that Thomas Wilson, Esq. be one
, of the Representatives of the City.
Mr. &aim seconded the motion. 1

Mr. Alderman ATKINS then came forsard, but
was received with strong marks of disapprobation. He
begged leave to assure the Livery that he entertained
a deep sense of gratitude for the honour which they
had on former occasions conferred upon him. The
duties which belonged to their Representative he had
always endeavoured faithfully to discharge. What-
ever shades of difference there might be between his,
views and those entertained by others, his vote had
never been given but on conscientious grounds.—
Haring always discharged hii duty to the best of

his ability, he relied With confidence on the appro- ,
bation of his fellow citizens, which he trusted they
would take this opportunity of shewing, by azaia
returning him their Representative.
Mr. Alderman WOOD next presented himself, and
was greeted with considerable applause, mired how-
ever with some tokens of hostility. This partial dis-
approbation manifested itself several times during
his short address, which he commencectby observing
that he felt highly gratified in once more soliciting
the suffrages of the Electors. He had endeavoured
to discharge the trust with which they had not long
since honoured him with diligence and integrity. He
was fully sensible of its importance, and was not
conscious of havi shrunk from any of the labour
performance
which the due of its duties necessarily
imposed. He had devoted himself almost exclu-
sively to their service, and had never been absent
from his post in the House of Commons for a single
day. It was for them to appreciate his exertions,
and the value which might belong to them. If they
met with the approbation of the Livery, they would
probably once more confide in him, and they might
Vest-assured that his attention to their rights and in-
terests should never be relaxed. He had certainly
experienced a most flattering reception on his canvass,
and this encouragement left but little doubt of his
success; -even if he failed, this kindness would be an
ample reward. He perceived that he had enemies
in the Hall—he knew not whether they were Livery-
men, but if their opposition was of a political nature,
they might shew it in a more decent manner than
by interrupting him, and preventing a Candidate
from being heard. With regard to his own political
principles and conduct, he was of no party in the
State; and if he had opposed the measures of Go•
vernment, it was because he conscientiously disap-
proved of them. He threw himself on the opinion of
the Livery, and could asssure them, that if their opi-
nion was favourable, he should never, refuse to obey
their instructions, unless he felt on any such occasion
that he could not couscii ntiously do so ! and that
then he would resign his seat. He should always be
anxious to do his duty, to maintain their privileger,
ana to su port the great interests of mankin
ri•
(Loud a ause.)
p
Mr. A derman Buten nest came forward amidst
very general approbation. He had been induced to
offer himself to their notice as a Candidate for the
honour of becoming one of their Representatives,
from a recollection of their former confidence and
kindness in raising him to the highest offices they
could bestow. It was not for him under that roof
to inform them who he was, or on what grounds he
rested his pretensions. They must have been long
since satisfied of his ardent loyalty to the best of
Kings, his firm attachment to those principles upon
which our ancestors had raised the glorious Consti-
tution under which we lived, and his teal in the
maintenance of their own rights and interests. It
appeared to hith that the execution of the high, re-1
sponsible, and arduous offices connected with their
Magistracy, gave a peculiar claim to the honour of
their representation. He hoped they would be on
their guard against other kinds of influence—the in-
fluence of those who, however respectable their cha-
racter, were hardly members of their own body, and
could have but a very slender title therefore to their
confidence. It was of importance that they should
well consider what a trust they were now about to
repose ; that their interests were various ; that there
r
was a Protestant interest to be upheld, as well as a
' commercial and a manufacturing interest. ne well
knew the value of their time, and that it would be
improper to trifle with it at the present moment.—
They would form their own estimate of his fitness
for their service, and he should feel certain that their
choice would be dictated by candour and impartiality.
Mr. Alderman 'Norte came forward, and was re-
ceived with applause. He had always venerated the
Constitution of our country as it had been established
by our ancestors, and he had reprobated the en-
croachments that had been made upon it. A full
and free representation of the people in Parliament
he considered to be essential to the excellence of the
Constitution. He should therefore never cease in his
exertions till such a reform could be obtained as
would restore representation to its ancient and con-
stitutional purity—(applause). This must appear in-
dispensable to all who regarded the future prosperity
'of the country. Economy and retrenchment alone
could enable the Government of this country to re-
trieve its resources, to alleviate the distressed situation
of the people, and to perform those sacred engage-
.ments into which they had entered with the Public
--(great applause). For himself he begged leave to
say, that he had been born among them • that he
had been bred in mercantile habits ; that he had al-
ways felt a. deep interest in the public interests of his
fellow-citizens and of the nation ; and should be
have the honour of being elected to be one of their
repreientatives in Parliament, he should have no
other object in view but to promote their prosperity,
and to assert the rights of the people—( Shouts
~
applause).
Mr. Alderman GOODEEHERE said, he came before
them under great disadvantages, but he trusted to
their usual indulgence—(anneure). He had heard
a great deal said of the glorious Constitution of our
.country. It was for them to judge who had and
rho had not acted according to the spirit of the
, Constitution. Their object in coming to that Hail
was to exercise the franchise which belonged to them
as the Livery of London. They were aware of the
importance of that duty. If any of their represenu-
fives had been blameable or reprehensible in their
Parliamentary conduct, it was their glorious privi-
lege this day, not indeed to remedy the evil that
might have been done, but to prevent any future in-
jury from their hands, and to give their support to
men who were incapable of betraying their interests
--(great applause). He was proud to propose for
their choice a friend congenial to their hears—
(peat and long continued applause)--a man of known
diligence, principle, energy, and talent, whose exer-
tions on behalf of the Livery they were all aware of
--(applause). He proposed Mr.
Waithman—frenemed
shouts). He had been before them for 20 years, and
they were quite competent to judge of his merits or
demerits. The result of their judgment would be,
his triumphant election to represent their interests,
and to vindicate their sights. They would have as
much pride in bestowing this honour upon him, as
1
he now had in proposing him for their choice—
. (applause). All the candidates were before them,
and they had the means of forming their judgment

of their.merits. If they 1W the same lapin]
had of them, their decision would be r.
complete—(great applause).
_ _

Mr. FAvatt seconded the
propos; emr
brought before them a great and honest Ci•i
would never be brow-beaten by their adver
He rejoiced in the opportunity of props,,
Waithman to the brave, respectable and fret
of London ; and he hoped that their • voices t
and their votes afterwards, would rapport ti
advocate of British Liberty—(tipplateej.
Mr. WAITIIMAN now came fooward, but e
speak for some minutes, on account of the I
repeated shouts that resounded through the
He felt it impossible to describe the K •
that reception had recalled to his mind. H
they would make aliowan..es for h;rn; for
might be his deficieocies, they knee hot ne
tote of courage in maintaining their fights at
ties, or in contending against corruption (A,
He would not now toLch on the conduct 01,
He had done so on other occasions, when
been himself no candidate. Every Livery
a right to consider well the character of
date, and it was his duty to ozercUe that
(Applause.) They could he at no loss to 1
merits or demerits. WI :en they looked bac;
conduct of those whom they had formerlj
they could determine whether they would
those who should represent their feeling?
doctrine of instructions, he would not push
He would not be for fettering Represent
(Great applause.) They must nececsarilv Et
they must be left to exercise their ono ;ad,
questions as they presented themselves to ti
if they were deficient in judgment, or
worse, if they ve:e deficient in integrity.
hisses)—the Li.. cry had now an opportnntu
holding from them a trust of which they.
worthy. When they had met and deliber
given to their Representatives their sole:a
tams as to a particular subject, where was
wbo had spurned their instructions, and
called for their rlffrage--(t!fach applaaz)
heard some of those gentferart speak of
and veneration of the constitution, and Fr,
they had uniformly defended the consort
during the time they had been in Parlia
Habeas Corpus Act, the great billwark of
constitution— [Here he was interrupted
derable hissing, which called forth the le
plause from his friends]—that great bulwai,
suspended no less than seven er eight time
gentlemen had alwa;-s supported our glci
stitution, and yet they had always stirring
nister in suspending the Constitution—(Sit
plause.) They had often heard it boasted
right of petitioning was free and tinimpai
House of Commons had Itovever been cm,
petitions, complaining of gi c::: injwiec
tug for redress ; yet a motion for inquir
truth of those petitions had been refused
they again return those men to Parliament
many elections had come under his obsery
he had never known a candidate prop
who had not been a Liveryman. A than,
could not be opened without a licence. '
bers of the Common Council had many
and compulsory duties to perform; yet no
ding all this, they were unworthy of the
representing them. The Livery had not,
talent enough among themselves—they mi
debted for protection to others--(Appla
they would, he trusted, depend upon them
not delegate their representation to those
for the first time, came upon their hustime
had lately been hunting through the City
lification. Were the Corporation of Londc
to none in the kingdom, to have the:r
upheld? He had only furthor to say du
teracting influence had ever, and woUId re
erted against them. But the influence of
nion was the only influence on which he
To prevent undue pressureand intimidation
. Livery would poll early—(Very great :

Mr. WiLsosi next addressed the Livery
sequence of the solicitations of a great nun
spectahle individuals, he had come forwa
himself as a candidate for the representati
great and ancient city. He hoped he shoe
accused of intruding, on the ground thatl
belong to the Corporation. He was convi
to be a member of that body was not at
qualification, and that if he should be cow
respects worthy of their choice, they wou
ject him on account of that deficiency. ]
present necessarily little known to some
him : there were, however, many to whot
racter was well known, and at whose requ
stood before them. If they honoured him
suffrages, they would soon, from themanni
he should discharge his Parliamentary dutie
his strict adherence to those principles on
great interests of the country depend, I
fully to appreciate 'his character. With rem
principles, he should only say that he wouli
support the constitution of King, Lords,
mons, as established at the glorious Rel
1688. He appeared before them, as he h;
the solicitation of many respectable citizen
don, who were pleased to consider him a
to supply the place of their late highly-T
Member, Sir James Shaw. If a majority
very should be of the same opinion, and h
with their votes, they might be assured this
exert every faculty; of body and mind to
He had said, that his not being a member
gistracy could be no disqualification ; but
did not belong to the Corporation, his
been a freeman, and he had taken op du
his successor. With respect to the expect
Representative being also a Magistrate o
he declared that he should have no object
that arduous task to his Parliamentary di
could do so after the consideration of wh
to his family, or consistently with his or
strength. The Livery saw him, and m
whether his personal strength would be s
sustain him in the efficient discharge of t]
All he could say was, that whatever I
might be reposed in him, he would ezett
the best of his ability in performing the d
belonged to it.--[The noise occasioned
tention of applause and disapprobation
Wilsols was speaking. was so great as to

heat d, except by those who happened'
to he very near him.j
Rowcnorr begged leave to trespass for a few
moments on the attention of the Meeting, while be
e/plained the reason that induced him to offer as a
Candidate in the first instance, an honour which he
thould now decline. On the retirement of Sir James
Shaw, no Candidate having offered who was quali-
Eedby his knowledge of commercial subjects to re-
resent that great City, he was indaced, by the ad-
;ice ef many respectable friends, to declare himself.
Accordingly he did so on Monday week last. Since
that period, however, individuals better qualified
had come forward ; it was clear from what had
passed that day, that they were in no want of Candi-
am, and, therefore, with the advice of his friends,
he thought proper to resign. If at any future period,
either age or infirmity should deprive them of the
s2rvites of these upon whom their present choice
might fall, in that case he might again solicit their
mirages, but now he had nothing more to offer,
tley did not want him—(4 laugh.)—He had no-
thing to propose, and nothing to do but to conclude.
The shew of hands for the, different Candidates
was now called for, when a person in the midst of
tb^ cr3wd in the Hall got up on one of the posts,
and proceeded to harangue the Livery. After some
opposition he gained a hearing. On being called on
to declare who he was, he said his name was Dowx-
No, and that he was an advocate for Parliamentary
Reform, and all the rights and privileges of the Cor-
P° ratioa of the City. He wished his fellow Livery-
men to choose good Representatives, for there never
was a time when they were so burdened with taxis.
Ile wished them to turn out the old Members, who
bad not done their duty. He had been much over
the country, and knew the sentiments of the people
well; and the factious party that or posed Reform
were driving at Revolution. In this sort of strain,
the orator continued for some time, until either the
uneasiness of the situation in which he stood, or the
interrsptions of those near him, induced him to de-
send from his elevation.
The shew of hands now commenced. All the Al-
dermen were, according to the usual practice, put
hanination first ; and on the name of Alderman
ls:;:tw being put up, there was great applause. The
2v: of hands for SirW. Curtis and Alderman Atkins
wit less than for any of the other candidates, and
that for the latter was very inconsiderable. At last
the City Remembrancer, by order of the Sheriffs,
declared that the choice of the Livery had fallen on
Mr. Waithman, Alderman Wood, Alderman Thorp
and Mr. Wilson. This was the order in which judg-
ing front the shew of hands, the Candidates appeared
to be favoured by the Livery.
A poll was then demanded for Sir William Curtis
and Alderman Atkins. At half-past three the poll
commenced, and continued till half-past four. The
numbers were declared to stand as follows :

F:r Mr. Alderman Wood 176 For Mr. Wilson llOl
Mr. Waithman 159 Ald. Sir W. Curtis... 91
Mr. Alderman Thorp 156 Mr. Alderman Atkins 57
Br this it appeared that Mr. Alderman Birch had
reared from the poll.
Upon the numbers being 'declared, the most en.'
thasiastic shouts of approbation filled the 1611, and.
the cries of " Wood" and " Waithman," resounded
from every part. . . _

Mclennan' Woon expressed his deep obligation for
the invaluable honour the Livery had conferred upon
him by placing him at the head of the Poll. It was
an Innour, in fact, of so exalted a nature, that in his'
opinion it was eves more to be prized than the very
seat in the Legislative body, to which it would lead
Lim—(shouts (2/applause.) He conjured his friends,
however, not to relax in their exertions, or cease to
keep him in that eminent situation in which he had
been placed—{cries of "we rug/.") It would be im-
possible for him to express his obligations, his sense
of duty, and his gratitude, if this were the case ; but
be would now only declare, that he was ready to
make any sacrifice, whiCh man could make, in sup-
porting the rights of the people, maintaining the in-
terests of his fellow-citizens, and promoting the hap-
piness of the human race.

Mr. WAITIMAN next came forward, and was re-
ceived with an universal burst of applause. He re-
eiced at the ebullition of public feeling which had
en the present occasion manifested itself, and whe-
ther he was at the top or bottom of the poll, it afford-.
ed him the most heartfelt satisfaction to feel that an
humble individual, like himself, should be the in-
trament, in a great measure, of calling forth that
feeling which had been so unequivocally expressed—
(Gnat applause.)—Grateful as he was for the
days which had crowned the efforts of the day, he
could not, however, but intreat that the independent
Lavery of London would press forward, and " make
assurance double sure," by their presence at the poll
in-morrow morning. The Electors shod figure to
themselves the situation of an individual fighting, not
his own, but the battles of his countrymen. Should
not the public, in such a case, manfully rush forward
end aid in the contest ? If the public did not fight
the ha-les of cormption, the efforts of an individual
TVOLd be weak indeed—(Applause.)—He therefore
again implored them to use all their exertions, indi-
vidually and colleclively, to secure to him the ho-
noorab:e pest to which they had already so nobly
and so rapidly led him, and to seize the opportunity
1'.7; offered them of returning to Parliament men
ni.o might yet labour successfully in procuring a
redress of grievances, and in maintaining their lost
rights--(Loud opplauze.)
Mr. Alderman THORN next came forward. He
thanked the Livery, most sincerely, for the elevated
situation in which they had placed his name on the
Poll, and besought them to persevere in his favour.
%clic! they esteem him worthy of being their Re-
pasemative in Parliament, all his powers should be
exercised in their interests, and in the interests of his
tnittry.
lilr. Wu.sor: next appeared ; but he was received
6,•ne party with such violence and confusion, and
ther with such approbation, that it was nearly
ilepe.s.ole to collect any thing which fell from him.
emanned thanks for the honour which had been
lam, and assured the Livery, that although they
think him at present a stranger, they would
..hirn much bev.er, and approve him, he had no
wt, the more they knew him.--(Applause.)
W. Cuter's and Alderman ATKINS severally
IJe their appearance, but were received amid such
t'lnzult of kroans, yells, and hisses, that they were
11'44'Ae to '3l:taia a hearing. After be'.ng c::poscd cach