Star.
London, England, 1819-12-09 00:00:00

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A letter having been sent to Mr. Hour, signed
by twenty-nine persons, calling themselves house-
keepers, requesting him to take the Chair yesterday
at twelve o'clock, a waggon drew up opposite Cloth
Fair, into which twenty or thirty dirty looking fel-
lows immediately jumped, and proceeded to unfurl
New fags. with the usual " Texts" of Radicalism.—
About one o'clock Huirr arrived in a hackney-coach,
with several friends, and was received with loud and
universal acclamations. He was preceded by a-num-
ber of men carrying Rags, among which was the fol-
lowing one, pctly new. It was a ref flag, the devise
three ban& linked, with the following inseriAion:
easw.isoAse mem
'llds thins deal Ise when tracts are dead;
This Union, so bens, them with dread.;
This Union's so frigidly, it joins band snd heart, .
No downs use lam this Union &A Part."
Mr. HOST haying been called tu the Chair, he pro.
Cieded to open the imsMou of the day. by stating it
was for the purpose of petitioning the Regent against
the present proceedings in Parliament. He con-
trested the cdndoct of the late and present Lord
Mayors, the latter of whom bad promised not to in.
mfere with the present Meeting, if all went peace-
ably en, and requested his audience to. prevent, by
their. peaceable and orderly conduct, any pretence
for calling in the military to cut them down : after
which he proceeded to enforce the purpose of the
Meeting. He concluded by proposing a series of
Resolutions.
Mr. Lewis (of Coventry) read the Resolutions.
which, after deprecating the measures of Government,
pledged themselves, and to prevail on ethers, to ab-
stain from the use of tea, porter, spirits, tobacco, kc.
, Mr. Posaasten seconded them, and they wets
tarried. ' A Petition, praying the Prince Regent te
withhold his Assent to the Bills now pending in Par*
Bement was then moved.
A Mr. Putuars approved of the Petition, and
concluded his speech by saying, " I heartily s;corstts
this here Pdition:
At this moment, an 111-leoking fellow mounted
waggon, and unfurled the son of Galen's death's head
flag, vsciferating. curies du those who would not lie
in its defence.
The CHAIRMAN called on the Meeting to aid him
is supporting order, and to hand'over all disturbers
to the Civil Power—(Cries,f..We will, we sear).
The Resolutions were then carried.
Mr. HUNT said he would present the Petition, and
observed that this would be the last Meeting, per-
haps, that he or they would be able to attend of the
present nature.
Mr. Lawns proposed a Vote of Menke t Mt.
Hunt for his conduct in the Chair, when dirty
ragged'fellow, in a leather apron, was seen clamber-
ing up one corner of the waggon with a letter in his
hand, which he held towards Mr. How:. It was west
ascertained that this letter was from Doctor Watson,
in his doleful prison in Whitecrbss-street, and the
bearer said it was the Doctor's wish that it should be
read to the Meeting.
Mr. Lewis observed, that the business for which
they met having been concluded, the reading the let-
ter would be irregular.
A few persons, however, were for having i; read,
and a considerable clamour ensued, but stlength it
subsided, and the Vote of Thanks to the Chairman,
was carried.
Mr. Hunt and hie friends iremediately left the
scene of action in a hackney coach, and all the flags
were taken away, ucept the death's-bead ; and the
moment they were gone, the ragged mad, who bad
brought the letter from Doctor Watson, mounted the
vacant chair, and attempted to read it, the gage
bearer waving his death's head over him with fero-
cious glee. ne crowd, beweter, refuted to bear the
letter read, ANd loud cries of " Ofi sir resounded
on every side. The death's-head Nifovi lricanekgee

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perate ; he grasped the heavy cudgel he carried, and
grinned horribly r at the same time Muttering
execrations. This conduct only excited louder cries
of OEI off!" mingled with shouts .of laughter, and
he then tried t touch of the pathetic, by seising his
,sable banner, and affecting to tear it, but it would not
do ; another roar of laughter folloseed, and at length
he leaped off the waggon, flourished his cudgel round
his head, and left the.market-place alone, amidst the
hisses and groans of the crowd.
Every precaution was taken by the Civil Authori-
ties for the preservation of the public peati;.a =op
of Horse Guards were stationed in the Curtain-road;
the City Light Horse were in attendance at their bar..
racks in Gray's Inn-lane ; and the entire Police of tho
City, With a large accession especial Constables, we: e
in readiness to-act at a moment's notice, ifnecessary.
The crowd, however, dispersed without commuting!
any breach of the pence.
WESTWINSTER MEETING. •
Yesterday, pursuant to a Requisition presented to
the High Bailiff, a Meeting of Electors of Westmin-
ster was held in Covent. garden, for the purpose of
considering the propriety of presenting a Petition to
Parliament against the measures now pending in the
two Houses. The place fixed on for the Meeting,
was the North-west corner bf the Garden, in front of
the building called Covent-garden Chambers, and of.
Richardson s Hotel, where a temporary hustings were
erected for the accommodation of those who were to
take a part in the business of the Meeting.
A little after one o'clock, the Mon Bawer pro-
Ceeded from Richardson's Hotel to the hustings : he
was followed by Sir FRANCIS Boinerr and Mr.
LAMa, the Represelatatives for Westminster ; by
Lord ALTHORP', Lord Ntinnii; Mr. LAMBTON, Mr.
FYSHE Pimmaa, • Honourable H. GREY BIINVRTT,
Lord GEORGIC WILLIAM RUSSAL, Mr. HOBHOWSR,
Mr. D. .IEINNAIRD, MajOf CARTWRIGHT, and se-
veral other Gentlemen. The .HIGN Bemire then
opened the business by reading the Requisition, and
at the sane time observed, that no person except
those who were Electors of Westminster, could have
a right to take a part in the business of the Meeting.,,,
Sir FAA wen Bunnarr 'now came forward in front
of the hustings Amidst loud shouts of applause. He
said, before he addressed the Meeting on the business
for which they had been called together, be should
say a few words upon, what just fell from the High
Bailiff, who had laid down a doctrine with which it
was impossible for him to agree. He saw no reason
why Englishmen should not have the liberty of ad-
dressing their countsymen hi any place where they
might happen to Meet them: The Blectoirt ofliftue.
asiassow had always bath in this habit otbiti= '
of their countrymen who chose to ladies'
Itnd the liberty of doing so was never restricted. *ite
would be sorry if such a rule were ton+ laid down,
from any apprehension that the practice was likely'
to encourage traitorous Meetings. No such result, he
was confident, would take place, and all they now
asked for was a clear stage and no favour. He should
now proceed to address them on the subject of the
Measures that were before Parliament, for abridging
their liberties. On there melancholy' topics he hardly
knew how to address them or what to say ; for Weiss
dangerous to speak truly, and to speak falsely was
impossible...(Loud applause). The present was a new
era : a new system, which had often been protested
against, but which the wisest men in the country had
foreseen, was now about to take place ; and when
the Bills, for the consideration of which they had met
that day, wire passed into laws, a new system of go-
vernment, such as had never been contemplated by our
forefathers, would be established in England---a sys.
tem which it would require the patience of lob to'
endure—(Applastses). It therefore became the duty
of the People to arrest the tyranny that was impend-
ing over them, and not to give the enemies of the
country an opportunity of exercising those powers
which they sought for. The object of the Bills new
Wore Parliament vas to entrench on the undoubted
and unalienable right which Englishmen had always
exercised—tb entrench on the right 'of holding Pyb-
lic right which Nature had given to ill
men, independent Of any Government; for-When GOD
gave men the means ofcommunicating their thoughts
to each *the, he sanctioned the right of such com-
munication. It was a right not derived from any
Constitution or Government, but from same and rai-
son. He must say, that be was jealous of those
rights, and would net give up an iota of them. No,
mars reason existed no*, than ever there did for
giving up those rights ; whiletheriWES more reason
ban rear fair the exercise of than. Having thus g-
imlet*. the 818 that went toil:event the People from
welaburbs public, Ise *heed next call their uttOt.io6
' that. tent ta•dulany one of the most un.
• tights of Baglishrisethe right of a Vie,
'',power alp ady exercised by the Amon%
• • • wits mere than sulSciest to cash *hat wa*
maid the lieentioninese of the Press ; and safer Bray
fresrestraints being necessary; he cooaelved that
the roirOod, at this time, to be freed frim
cities under which it laboured. Wlth respect to
the Other Bills before Parliament, duty all tended to
the same end. He dig not care whether thesis laws
were to be limited
to be pennants*,
•lay mach restraints on
however lire
with end.
qualm-whether
raanent ; far .
Nina. had to contend
grievance of which'
lumber Act sew
dewed still worse s.
isent to comma* u.
that rimy Esstiehsestf
had a "
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But this ancient which eristea • liunt tini;
mmemorial, was now to be taken -away,. by the
power which the Bill in erOUld gibe to the
Officers of Government to break into, atiy
house, in the dead of night, in search of anti and -
that, tit), on the information of any cotatinn
former(Shrsere, skews). He 'tread now tell thbrri, .
that the People of England had a right to be armed •
for the preservation of their property, and that every,
titan ought to be armedfor the preservation of die
`public peace. 'This was the, first, time any attempt
had been made in England to deprive men of the
-tight of keeping arms. Some years ago the .rigfit
was taken away from the People of Ireland: Their
houses were entered. at all hours' and their arms
forciblf taken allay ; and he must be a dolt wh0:04.41
not know what. the ditelhl effects would be; if such a
'prtwer was to exist ia-Engiand. He hoped, however.,
that every -B would tias' e his Tina
the talansity r was neiiitteriipted tai. be i
on the, Country. The Members of both Houses df
,Parliament were new endeavouring to hurry the Bills
through with such expedition, that the People of the
Country would have no time to meet and petition
'against their eakettnent. There could be no pretence
for such precipitation. as this; the storm which terri-
fied the Minister! was blown over.and no danger
now presented itself. If the Ministers were so much
afraid of danger that not a moment was to be lost fit
taking measures against it, why did they Mx 'tall
Parliament sooner ? Why was not Parliament calls
immediately after the events which excited so hinted
alarm? Instead of that, Parliament was called
at a late period, and Bills unheard of in the history
of the Country were introduced, -and hurried on
in a manner which deprived .the. People of an op,
portunity of meeting for the ',impose of petitioning
against them—Lk/Aid cheers). He hoped, however,
that were the- Bills even to pass with precipitation,
and is their present odious form, the_ People *meld
still :nett; and demand the restoration of their Con-
stitution—,(Bravo). He hoped, iwthis tat:Ming
crisisishat men of all descriptions would be impressed
with the necesity of adopting some principle of
legal and constitutional resistance to the system of
Administration that Was intended to be fastened cli
;the Country; that they *otild lay aside every kind cif
politkal irritation, andunite in their efforts to obtain
one great object, 'throat which, no good•could ever
be done—he meant a fair and equal Representatich
of the People in the House of Commons—(Loed end
repeated a*esse—with cries tf gg We will, we rsilC j.
—lt was their duty to try for something practicable,
which resold be permanently beneficial to the People.
'He should not now presume to lay down any specifle •
plan of Retbrm; but there must be a Refem whit It
silseuld set. ridof the monstrous system of Bottnigh
Ildereseetadtat that now prevailed in the country, and
which should plate the elective franchise in thrthandt
of men) who, from their numbers, and stations in life,
would not be liable to the influence of corruption',
such as was now known to exist in many parts of the
kingdom : such a Reform as should make the Menti.
bers of the House of Commons the vigilant guardians
of the People's rights—(Loud shouts of applause"). A
disposition should exist every where to pay respect
only to men who were distinguished for their honest,/
and integrity, whatever their rank in life might be
and to treat none with disdain but those who had
disgraced themselves by their political apoitacy and
their corruption. The ptactice, however, with me*
in power was, to set one part of the People against
;mother, acting Upon the old maxim, that they sild
'divide in order r subjugate. Ain& and discord
were excited rftpecdng those called Radical Refottais
ors; and if . the best friends of the Constitution
could be .set: at Variance with those persons, and Mader
to neglect Axe rights of the 'People, the Ministers
would sit secure in the polseision of thArpoweriand
laugh at all whom they had divided and deluded.a..
Therehed been a great .deal of talk about tumultni.
ous Meeting's ; the Law Officers of the Crown, etid
several woIMU Law Officers of the,Crtiwn.—Olortd. .
dinghter)—had said, that all large Meeting), of the
People were illegal : if this doctrine was. correct in
point of law,. the very Meetipg yipith belied the
honour of addressing might bektreated in the same .
manner as the People wend treated at Manchester on
the 16th of Aogust ; for he believed in his conscience,
and from all the informadon he had been able to
collect, that the present Meeting was not less peace-
able, or more tumultuous, than that which had taken
place-at Manchester; it the moment it was attacked
by a military force—(Tstatallsoess applause). This
he firmly believed on his conscience t it was confirmed
by a masiof evidence, and lie should not set app the
aseadons of Ministers in opposititin to too; •
Wog weeki not defer thew P edillfeiated sees ell
pergola 1 allarrowd)r—lio, it would net do; for the
Minister, LA *Mee to support their *ern power, were
Milted tin-rojett lroideace, sad depend on their own
It rad for davenport of their own Otani'
that they' esepleyed art hod asets to Mack- the nor
amadheiladiullseised Pisides The Peopja ogee,
4f deli disalV wise legether in yet! ina
anddlVOtte egabletaCorn Bill ; they aught Oven to
with •ef Ithiliiess fury,. elod pull down aid
deseliffiralhie !etal,4lllBla. wadi* tad.all these
.:._::thiltre2Liviltsapie..4x;villidev as, serf
a
ffiige=t ;•"I"iia.! ea* 0014/41144triltele,fd to

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is GIS 'cm _ _
spitair
d tit their duration to nee rent( or finger es, pit est awe snisvrea
640 t, for the same Sttidltegt coblit emelt theileroosittoottger eyithei‘i4Dreire time./ •
to
ea the People of Pretty ,-.Trowilfja-then their moembliag tegethei was '
r limited, mould be te-.oideett deekillibitirbe %ohm I—(Lotel maromays,..
IRL Therefore) it Was 4, . came, somallthetieke of Pulliam bad declared it as be • -
measures were
IZieta4 ler ea aceitiblertriortoi for•aaort mem together to
the
was the tower " the peddrealerLYediamentatillethem oo the OW*
r it
mead ettelaet, TIME weeihetteet erilelekthet _ sod . &tol Pirli4lllllll4l4-4 •
they Red to compbdo. There We (Skim theme. ) -.4l4..maintekted, that
w Witt Parliament, Aid bride& woe moos Ellehe to hegfook ash •
tken AI allover( it vies ihiliiktdot doettio, ). sled if k was trauma So ail •
NW the **awn And telblialla*C- leo yea •bri.delerood te Immeeted dee* • •
r EnglithamaN boos. Iri4t, co" ea one 1111:thit'eteiteteHitoOte4 tieveit rte.
wad * 10,0 Mak 40.4111111 144 ditidedtWerivs*, to bito;isamid4 •
hod 4 dtrakeso. 144.411traPealr10 lifyliglArVlllMMltyos •
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