Star.
London, England, 1818-07-01 00:00:00

DINNER y* SIR R. WILSON': FRIENDS.

The friends of Sir ROBERT WILSON met yesterday
at the Horns Tavern, Kennington, to celebrate his
electson for the Boroogh of Southwark. The com-
pany was very numerous, sr. least four.,huntlred ; Mr.
ROBERT HALL in the chair.

The first toast was—" The King."
The next toast was—" The Prince Regent and the Royal Vi-
mily, and may they never forget t tat a flee people are the b. st
support of the British Throne."
May the British Constituti in be secured by a Reform in
the 'Commons House of Parlia.n:t.n."—(t7reat ten,latts..)
The CHAIRMAN next pr.iposed the heath of Sir
Robert Wilson, their este 2med Representative, the
enlightened and intrepid advocate of freedom and
humanity—(Long continu 11 applause.)
Sir ROBERT \NILSON i t returning thanks said, that
if vanity could ever be j Asti y, usefully, and philoso-
phically indulged, it m ist be either in consequence
of past services that sere signally beneficial, or in
confidence of acting in future conformably to the ex-
pectations that might be entertained by one's friends.
The honour which they had conferred on him was at
once a reward for his past services, and a claim for
his future exertiors—(applause.) He had swept away
the flag of their subjection, and erected in its stead
that banner of independence which now waved at the
bottoin of the room, (having inscribed in large let-
ters " Purity of Election.") That independence he
had solemnly engaged to protect, he now renewed
that engagement ; and pledged himself before Goo
and his country, to protect it, if necessary, at the ex-
of his tortane, and by the sacrifice of his life.
(Imme i "n>in'ause.) The insignia of their indepen-
dence he shof .1 d -fend with the same 7nal with
which he had won the which he now wore—
(aelause.) When his energy in that cause ce.ixed,
might his name fade •like the nosegay which was
now sent to him irons the hands of oeauty—!Greer
applause was given for this happy use of a compli-
ment paid to the gallant Officer by the Ladies in
the orchestra.)—They were calum slated as persons
who were against all Governm nits. Those who
penned and promulgated such c dumnies knew that
'they were not enemies to authorLy legally exercised.
(applause.) But they were enem es to that system of
Government which laid snares for the wretched and,
the unwary, and had recourse to frequent suspen-
sions of the Constitution; they were enemies to that
system which, nutwithstandin the vigilance of the
people, led on to temptation, Ind seduced to crime ;
they were enemies to that syst. m which deprived an
Englishman of his castle, aid declared that inno-
cence was no protection; the./ were enemies to that
system which converted responsibility on the part of
.linisters into indemnity, and impoverished the
lower classes so as to disfranchise all electors among
them bohe pressure of taxation, of which they had
seen iwttancss during their late contest. To this
system he was a determined enemy. Rather would
he cat grass like the ox, and be wet with the de)vs
of Heaven, than he should see this land tenanted,
with slaves—(.llqst rapturous irgasise.) Their de-,
cisive conduct, the unprecedented success of city
of London, and the efforts now making in Westmin
ster, which excited their anxiety and engaged their
hope, had already shaken the colossus of corruption,
whose legs bestrcd our narrow land, obliging us to
walk under, or to peep out to find dishonourable
graves—(Great applause.) They had by their con-
duct conquered the respect of their enemies. The
Committees still preserved the principle of lift;
time could not destroy their energy, disunion: would
never weaken their force—(applause.) Not less than
2,400 were in their canvas books, of these 1400 had
actually polled. On the very day that the poll ceased
600 more were in readiness. But the opposition they
had met with would be buried in total oblivion—'
(applause.) This was not to diminish his gratitude to '
his friends, hut to avoid prejudice against his oppo-
nents—(Great applayse.) Surroundedas he was with
so many ,:spectable,-sincere, and zealous friends, he
had only one regret, and that was a very consider-
able regret— that many of their friends were absent ;
but it was a comfort to know that all' their friends
could not .be assembled within the four walls of any
room in the kinedem --(appla use.) He concluded
by proposing the 'heath of Mr. C. Calvert and their
4bsent friends—(Great applause.)
" The Liberty of the Press, and Trial by Jury."
" Mr. Alderman Thorp, and the IndeFvidant Citizens of
London."

Mr. THORP returned thanks. Ile was proud to
have his name connected with the independent citi-
zens of London. Ile was but the humble instrument
in their hands ; he was happy to be that instrument.
Upon an appeal to the people, it appeared, wherever
the people's voice could be heard, that they consi-
dered those who had been calumniated as persons
who wished to ove: turn the ccuntry, as persons fit
to support the country--(Great applause.) Ile hoped
the example of Load.in would be -followed in all ,
parts of the kingdom Ile had formerly given a
pledge of his principles, he now renewed it. lie

would always support reform, without which every
other measure would be vain and ineffectual—((}rent
applause.) This reform the good sense and enlight-
ened understanding of the people could not fail to
accomplish soon. But until this object could be ob-
tained, he should encourage every possible retrench-
ment of public expenditure, as the best alleviation of
the present system—(lmmense applause.)
" Sir Francis Burdett And Sir Samuel Romiily, and may they
be returned for Westminster, in deface of the art, -power, and
corruption opposed to them."—(l.A.iid and Le/omens applause. )
" The Ladies of Southwark who assured our triumph by the
nude of beauty."
Sir ROBERT Wttsom proposed the health of their
chairman. He should never have presumed to hope
for their support, but for the encouragement of Mr.
Hall. If they valued resolution as well as integrity,
private as well as public worth, they would drink
this healt► with the same ardent feelings as he drank
it—(Great applause.)
Mr. liALr. would have returned thanks; but the
'assembly had become individually too e:oquent to
listen to the eloquence even of their Chairman.
Sir ROBERT WILSON withdrew a few minutes be-
fore ten, amidst the shouts of the company. lie was
covered with all the honours and badges of distinc-
tion which he had gained by his gallant services.