Star.
London, England, 1820-05-24 00:00:00

EtTMINSTER METING:

Yesterday a numerous and respectable assemblage
cf the Electors of Westminster met at the Croirn and
Anchor, in the Strand, to celebrate by a dinner the
'...hirteenth Anniversary of the return of Sir FRANCIS'
i'ORDETT to Parliament, which they entitle the Tri-
umph of Westminster ; Sir FRANCIS litYnnr.rr in the
Chair. After the cloth was removed, the following
toasts were drank with throe times three:

" The People, the only source of legitimate power."
0 The King : may he recollect the declaration of the Prince
cf Wales, that the Crown is held in trust for the benefit of the
Ikeple."—Tune, Rtee, Britannia.
" The only remedy for the unprecedented grievances, the
or:.eiralleled distresses, and the lamentable degradation of the
rople—a Radical Reform in the Commons house of Parlia-
rent."—Tune, Kick Me rdgiwi
The CHAIRMAN, at the rerp;est of a large portion
r: the company, begged leave to propose" the health
the Queen." The toast was drank with dim' times
',roe,and the- waving of handkerchiefs, beat,ig of
the tables, and other expressions of enthusiastic. ap-
prebation, continued for several min;:tes.
As soon as the applause subsiied, Mr. DEAL one
cf the Electors of the Parish of St. James, accompa-
nied by some of the Stewards, entered the room,
t raring an elegant Silver Vase, which had been-voted
to Sir FRANCIS BURDETT by the Electors of that
Parish. The following is a minute description of this
riece el plate:
It is formed after the design of Sir WILLIAM HA/lIT.TON'S, and
in size it i 3 sufficiently capacious to contain six gnarls, wine
measure. The base has a tidily embossed banded wreath of oak
leaves, immediately above the carat*, and the bottom and cover
of the vessel are entirely covered with intertwined roses,thistles,
and shamrocks of dead silver, richly chased in alto-relievo; the
c..p eirrounded by a torus, chased in imitation of thefasoet.—
Two t;. mall figures, each holding in one hand a cluster of grapes,
is the other a bowl, and terminating in a rich flowing acanthus
and honeysaekle, form the handles; and the cover is surmount-
ed by another winged female figure, emblematic of the guardian
genius of the liberties of England, presenting the civic wreath
to its champion in the Senate. On one side of the body of the
•sse is a group of figures, beautifully executed in bas-relief, re-
r resenting the worthy Baronet haLitcd in the Boman toga, and
riounted upon a rostrum ; from which he is haranguing an as-
sembly of Citizens, and pointing at the same time to the insignia
cf the British Constitution—the crown, the mace, the sword
red scales of Juoice, Magna Charts, and the Bill of Rights, en-
twined with chaplets, oak and laurel, and placed above his head.
Among the group of Chimps are seen two soldiers, in the act
et' applauding the speaker, 'by waving their helmets, and tram-
pling on the instrument of punishownt, in allusion to the Ho-
nourable Baronet's oppositien to the flogging system in the
Army. The epp.isite side of the vase bears the arms of the
honourable Baronet. richly embossed and chased ; and beneath
is the following inscription:—" 'l'n Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, her:.
frr four successive Parliaments, the fre. ly-chosen !Representative
of the City of Westminster, whose undaunted courage and per-
severing consistency, during a period of twAity-four years, in a
snuggle fig- the recovery of the Rights and Liberties of the
People, have long been the admiration, and now form the chief
hope of his oppressed countrymen, and will leave to all posterity
a rare example of disinterested patriotism, this cup is presented
a token of respect and gratitude by his Feltow-citizens and
Constituents of the Parish of St. Jsmes, Westminster."

In presenting it, Mr. DLAN spoke to the following
cfrect :—" Sit Francis Burden, I have the honour to
he deputed by a portion of your Constituents and
Parishione-s to present you with this cup,
which they request you will condescend to receive as
a pledge of their esteem and gratitude for your zeal-
els and magnanimous exertions in the furtherance
t the ohjest of their dearest wishes—Parliamentary
Reform.- Ile then proposed the following toast:
The. brave Supporter of our Civil Rights, and undaunted
I.:fender of the People against Milit try Execution—our beloved
Rtprestntative, Sir Frarcis Burdett."
Tie toast was drank with three times three,' and
followed by shouts, and other testimonies of approba-
tion, which lasted several minutes.
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT then rose and said, it was
Nvith feelings of unbounded satisfaction, and also, he
trusted, of'. justifiable pride, that he received this
token—this fresh mark of their esteem. There could
be nothing so gratifying to the feelings of a public
nnn, as the tbought, unbiassed approbation which
his co,intrynwn bestowed on him on account of his
pub conduct—(Applause); and he was proud to
say. that it was not in the power of any other person,
cr set of persons whatsoe?er, to convey to his mind,
er to the minds of patriotic men in general, greater
satisfaction than he derived from the mark of honour
svhich they had so often conferred upon him, and
particularly 'from that which they had bestowed on
the present occasion. They all knew that among
those natiorts which had been most renowned through
the world for arts and arms, the esteem of his coun-
trymen had always been considered the highest re-
':ard which it was in the power of a virtuous man
to cbtain—(slpplause).—On referring to the page
cf history, they found that among the Greeks and
Romans, it was for the applause of their fcllow-
citizens that heroes and patriots toiled. The hosours
snd the rewards of Governments, considered as Go-
vernments, and unconnected with public opinion,
were DElt CO be compared with the voluntary expres-
sten cf approbation from one's fellow-citizens—
( .4pplause).—He did not hesitate on the present oc-
casion to declare his rride at standing high, as he
felt he did, in their estimation; for the estimation of
the people of Westminster, certainly not the least
enlightened body of people in this enlightened na-
tion, was no mean subject of self-congratulation.—
flaring been so long engaged with them in labour.
nig for the recovery of their lost rights, and having
row an opportunity of making further exertions in
the same cause, he new incitement to persevere
in the course which his early judgment had pointed
cut to him ; and without mixing with the intrigues
piny, having his eye fixed on the day-star of
liberty—having Lis siews directed to the people, and
:ely in g on their assistance, he did anticipate the final
.siccc,ss a their cause, how discouraging soever pre-
,cia circumstances ;sight appear—( Applause ).—tle
had also the satisfaction to consider that this token

of :Ipprubatiou came from those who were best able
to judge of his conduct ; for it expre.sed the verdict
of Lis owa ne;ghbours, his own fellow-parishioners,
ho knew best, and were consequently the most able
tv :tppreciate Lis conduct and exertions. He consi-
;lend the Elcctors of Westminster as enlightened as
atrictic—pethaps he might have the arrogance to
cay, more patriotic than any other body of people 4,)
On.; country, and therefore the best judges of public
conduct ; and among them the Electors of the parish
cl St. Jame:, being immediately connected with him,
might be considered the best of the best of judges—
lpyause).—The honours of Courts were often not
tht rewards of good conduct., but of bad—(2lpp/ause)
--and some of those who wine coronets, bestowed
u; )1, them by Court favour, if treated according to
ti,, &cistern of public opinion, would have been re-
v at dcd with a halter Great Api9lau.cel.—Men in

power had generally lAA oassion2 to gratify, -and
while that was the case, it. was but proper that they
should highly reward those who made a sacrifice of
honour to gratify them ; but with the Public the case
was different. The Public had no bad passions to
mislead them ; their motives were always good; and
though they might be deceived by pretenders, still
their homage was paid to virtue, and if deceived,
the disgrace only attached to those Who deceived
them. So true was this, that it had been remarked
by an author of the most acme and penetrating
mind, that while the people were allowed•any share
in the Government, or had the election of those who
were to administer the Government, its measures
.were always directed to the promotion of the public
welfare. It had been justly observed, and the fact
was worthy of attention, that though the Roman
people had the power of appointing to all the execu-
tive offices of the State, yet, for a period of three
hundred years they had never made an appointment
which their country had cause to regret. It was
clear, therefore, on reviewing the histories of other
countries, that the more a people had to do with ap-
pointing to offices of Government—he did mean, the
more they were concerned in exercising immediately
the functions of the Executive, the happier that
people must he—(Applause).—Now all that they, the
Reformers, were contending for was, that every man
in this country should have that fractional share of
influence in the Government which coasisted in
choosing those who were to have the disposal of the
hard earnings of his industry, his life, and liber-
ties; and yet so degraded were the people of Eng-
land, that this claim, which he must call a rea-
sonable and modest claim, was treated as an im-
practicable scheme, and an insolent demand—
(Applause).—Yet, notwithstanding the resistance of
their enemies, the people would proceed steadily in
their course, and he was happy to say, that their
' cause had already gained so much ground, that
few assemblies of Englishmen would be found—he
meant without the walls of St. Stephen's—(A laugh)
—of whom a majority did not understand and ap-
prove the principle of Representation for which the
Re;Ormers contended—Wear, hear).—The present
system was, even in the House of Commons, acknow-
ledged to be corrupt; and he did think lust year
that Lord Castlereagh, *ho had himself been detect-
ed in an act of the Molest corruption—(A laugh),—
had admitted that he was favourable to a change, in!
those cases in which gross delinquency was proved.— I
But he now found that this was all a mistake, and
that Ministers were retracting their former conces-
sions, intending to withhold even that limited degree
which they had promised, since it might lead to the
admission of the principle of general Reform. It
would be improper at any Public Meeting not to
notice some of those ti ansactions which had lately
taken place—(Applausej—and though there now
could be hardly a company in England into which
spies and informers might not be introduced—and
though Sir Charles Wolseley had recently been com-
mitted to prison for words alleged to have been
spoken by him—yet, be that as it might, it would
not deter him from speaking or writing whatever
useful truths he felt it his duty to submit to his coun-
trymen ! The most remarkable feature in the pre-!
sent time was, that a Meeting having been held in
Manchester for Reform, and having been proved in '
' a Court ofJustice, and admitted by the Judge him-
self, to have been quiet and peaceable, though de-
clared illegal by the Jury, yet, for attending this
quiet, orderly, peaceable, and illegal Meeting, Mr.
Hunt, to the astonishment of all the Nation, had
been sentenced to two years and a half's imprison-
ment !—(Cries of Shante!)—He saw it stated also in
the Public Papers, that three other persons, who had
been convicted at the same time, had been marched
through the streets handcuffed, to be sent off to their
place of confinement—(Louslcriesef Manic! shame!)
He trusted that the Public would feel, whatever opi-
nion might be entertained of the individuals them-
selves, that in their persons justice and humanity had
been violated, and that they would not withhold any
means which would alleviate the sufferings which
they were doomed to undergo—(Loud applause).—
The offence for which these defendants were punished,
whatever might be the pretence, was one which he
and every honest man in the kingdom had commit-
ted—namely, opposing a Boroughmongering Oli-
garchy, which had oppressed and ruined the coun-
try, and who, though they had received the Petitions
of the People on the table, did not hold out even a
hope of alleviating the distress which they had occa-
sioned—(Applause).—Whatever opinion might be
entertained of Mr. Hunt, and none had less reason
personally.to be pleased with him than he (Sir Fran-
cis Burdett), yet he should be ashamed of himself, if
he so far forgot the principle of freedom and justice
(Applause) as, in the present situation of the country,
to be biassed by any feelings of his own, either of a
friendly or uniriendly nature, when every feeling
and every thought was required on the part of the
Public—(Applause).—There was no class of the Peo-
ple that was not now nearly driven to despair. The
great body of the Agriculturists said it was impossi-
ble for them to go on without a remedy; hut when
the only possible remedy was mentioned, they started
as if they saw a ghost; and when they were told that
corruption was the cause of all their distress, they
had not the courage to' look the evil in the face.—
Then the Capitalists, by whom the news of the De-
claration of War against the Liberties of France was
received on the Royal Exchange with three cheers,
they, too, had become quite chop-fallen !—(A laugh).
The Manufacturers, who by the war demand had
acquired large fortunes, were now astonished that
the Nation, which looked so well in the face, should
be so sick at heart. The state of the labouring classes
was deplorable, indeed; and, in short, he knew'no
class that could be said to be in a thriving condition,
but those who were feeding on the vitals of the coun-
try—he meant placemen and pensioners, whose in-
come, by the change in the currency, had been in-
' creased twenty-five per cent. Whatever measures
might he resorted to—and strong measures, both
financial and of a different description, would be ne-
' cessary, unless that parent-evil, the Borough-pro-
, prieturship, ss as reformed, no set of measures could
• give
effectual relief. This had always been the opi-
: Mon of the Clcctors of Westminster, and this opinion
had spread so widely, that now almost ninety-nine
out of every hundred were for a great and funda-
' mental Reform in Parliament. This principle, he
hoped, would still continue to extend itself. The
People of England surely would not witness the cf-

forts made in France for the restitution of liberty,
and those in Spaiii also, without endeavouring to
keep upon a level At least with those countries. The
claims of the Legitimates to govern were ridiculous,
when compared with the claims.of the People to Li-
berty. He trusted, that though there were appear-
ances of a disposition to erect a system of. military
government in the country, the peopl!! of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, would unite and support a
Radical Parliamentary Reform, which would give to
all equal rights, and civil and religious. eeclorn.—
The Honourable Baronet concluded by again assur-
ing the company, that he never felt more gratified
than on the present occasion, and that he thought he
was justified in being proud of the very.distinguished
honour they had conferred upon him—(Long conti-
nued applause).
The rollowing toasts were then given from the
Chair, and drank with three times three:
" Our brother Reformers in Scotland and Ireland and may
difference of religious opinions cease to be a ground of civil in-
capacity.—Tone—lit in go bragh.
" The able and intrepid opposer of the Botoughtrongering
Oligarchy, John Cam liobhuuse, Esq."—This toast was drank
with enthusiastic applause.
Mr. Hour-rouse, in returning thanks, said, that if
it had been so peculiarly ratifying to their long-
tried Representative, Sir 1. Burdett, to receive this
evening the testimony of the approbation of his fel-
low-countrymen and constituents, how much more
must he he gratified, when he considered how far
short he fell of the great merits of his distinguished
colleague, and when he, at the same time, found that
they did not altogether hold him in disregard ?
(Applause). He expressed a wish frequently to n-ieet
his Constituents, in order to account fur his Parlia-
mentary conduct. It was his anxious wish to do his
duty, and if his Constituents thought that he had not
done so, he should be always ready to surrender his
trust to more worthy hands. There was a time, as
that great man Mirabcau had observed, when words
were things, and the present Ministers appeared to
think so at the present time, for all their acts were
levelled against words. If a man spoke, he was
charged with intemperate haste; if he wrote, with
deliberate design ; but still he was determined to
' speak and write as he thought proper for the liberty
and interest of his country !—(Applause). After ani-
madverting upon what he considered the unconsti-
tutional and illegal doctrines laid down by the
Judges in discussing the motion for a new trial, upon
the case of his worthy Colleague, the Honourable
Gentleman strongly recommended a public subscrip-
tion for Mr. Hunt and his fellow-sufferers. Ile be.
hewed the Jury who found them guilty neve in-
tended that they should be subjected to such A Mea-
sure of punishment, as that to which they were sub-
jected. He did not approve of Mr. Hunt's conduct
in general—but he separated his conduct from his
present suffering. A public subscription was no
farce--rit shewed that they were in earnest. As to
Reform, he said he was re:tdy to ac^.ept whatever
he could get. He believed that a good deal of ad-
vantage would be. gained front Mr. Lambton's mo-
tion, by the effect it would have on the country. For
himself he would support it by his vote, and if ne-
cessary, by saying a few words. It would be opposed,
no doubt, in the House; but eventually it Was as
sure to rise as the sun was sure to return in the
morning. In spite of all obstacles it would ascend
at last, and tä the opposer of the great principle he
would say, in the language of the English Pindar—
" Presumptuous man! think not the envious cloud
4 Raied by thy breath can quench the orb of day :
" To-morrow he renews his golden flood,
" And warms the Nations with redoubled ray !"
Yes, he was convinced the principle would rise, and
shine with redoubled ray upon this unhappy na-
tion—(Applause).
Toast—" Renovated Spain! May every King who sets him-
self above law, be like Ferdinand—compelled to submission by
the people !"
This toast was drank with three times three, and
great applause.
The CHAIRMAN said he had a toast to give, which,
as it respected liberty, would be peculiarly interest-
ing to the Electors of Westminster.
" Lord Cochrane and South American Independence. Li-
berty and happiness to its brave asststors :"—Three times three,
and loud applause.
Mr. Reruns made a few observations in reproba-
tion of the spy-system, which, he said, was com-
menced is 1794, and was used against Mr. Hardy,
Mr. Thelwall, and others. Ile also alluded to the re-
cent prohibition issued by the Commissioners against
the publication of the ti ials as they proceeded. When
the trials in 1794 took place, no such prohibition was
made, and thus persons were enabled to conic for-
ward to speak to the characters of the witnesses. He
concluded with giving, as a toast—
" May spies and their employers and abettors meet the just
reward of their atrocious and detestable practices !"—Three
times three, and enthusiastic applause.
Mr. TrieLwar.r. made several observations on the
state of the country, which he said was governed by
two factions—the Borc.ighmongers and the Army.
He prophecied that a civil contest would ultimately
arise between the two parties, and that the latter,
Cromwell-like, would drive the former out of the
House. He referred to the ancient custom of having
the Courts of Law open to the Public ; they were
covered by no roof save the canopy of HEAVEN, and.
from this he argued the right of the Press to give
the proceedings in the Courts of Justice, without any
restraint. He concluded with giving the toast—
" The Libesey of the Press—it is like the air we breathe—
when we have it not we die."—Three times three, and loud
applause.
The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the health of Mr.
Lambton, and success to his intended motion for Par-
liamentary Reform, and in doing so he took an op-
portunity of stating, that it was the duty of the
friends of Reform to support any motion for Reform,
even if it did not go to the whole extent of the prin-
ciples of which they approved. He understood it
was Mr. Lambton's object to obtain, if possible, tri-
ennial Parliaments, and to extend the right of suf-
frage in counties to copyholders, and in towns to
householders. Such a measure, if carried, would
rid them at least of septennial Parliaments, which
were generally at the end cf their period affected by
a kind of memento mori, but never till then (Applause).
He observed, that the Ministers felt the last Parlia-
ment in a state of premature decrepitude, and for
that reason defecred their more inipurtant measures
until they should have " a young and vierous sinner
to deal with t"---(Applayse).llntintunately, he added,
the People were like the man in the Scripture, who,
being possesseclof a devil, got him cast out, but the
devil went and took to himself seven other devils,

and entered into chi man again—now, it Might f)
truly said, the latter state of that man was worse
than the first !- (i.ritigkiir and cippi;ru.'e). He cor.-;
eluded with giving—
" Mt. burtlato, and roccess. to Ms MlitiOn for Reform."—.-
Three times three, and great applause.
Mr. RITCHIE gave tue next and last toast i—
" Trial by Gur I?cers, and net by picked, or linked, or :per
vial Juries.' —Three time:: thiee, and t mliusia.tic appinise.
The Silve• va,.e was carried down between. the
middle tables, and shewn to the company, who hared
it with universal acclamations.—At o'clock the
Chairman left the room with similar honours, and
• soon after the whole of the company dispersed.

EDWARDS, THE SPY.

LETTER J.

FROM LORD SIDAIOUTII TO MR. ALDERMAN vroop.
• ‘lllitehall, Aril 26, Is,A).
Rut—l have to thank you for tht cf• 2.!ary Barktr,
Thomas Chambers, William Tur.t:idcr, and George
which you left, in my absence, in tie hands of Mr. Clive.
• " • " •- • • • •

You are probably aware, from the list of witnesses which hr.*
been delivered to the prisoner; now oil their trial, that George
Edwards, who is alluded to in tlitre starementN is named in
that list, and is liable to be called as a witness far the Crown ;
and there does not appear to me any sufficient ground for insti
tuting any proceedings against him.
I am, S;r, your must obedient humble servant,
Mr. Alderman Wood, Etc. &c. SIDNIOCTIL
LETTER It.
TO TILE RIGHT HON. viscousr SIDMOUTH.

blr Loau,-11aving brought a question respecting George
Edwards bufore the I ►ast evening, it is my barn:ion to
renew that vestion in a different ►urm. I have received coati..
derable information besides thus.: documents I left at your
Lordsbip's office, confirming the infamou!, conduct of Edwards.
I have, therefore, to request your Lordship wilt prevent Ld-
war.'s front leaving the country, as I have been this day et-
furmed he is preparing to leave England for America.-1 have
the honour to be, my Lord, your nu.st obedient servant,
May:,, 10.0. .M. WOOD.
_