The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-01-17 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX MEETING FOR REFORM.

Yesterday at 1 o'clock, the large room at the Mer-
maid Tavern, in Hackuy, was quite full, and Mr. P.
Moore, Mr. Byng, Mr. S. Whitbread, Major Cart-
wright, and several other gentlemen, entered on the
hustings, which were erected in one end of the room.
Mr. P. Moose, being unanimously called to the
Chair, read the requisition to the Duke of Portland,
as Lord-Lieutenant, and his brace's answer, appoint-
ing this day for the Meeting. It would not ha►e dis-
graced or dishonoured the Duke of Portland to preside
at the meeting, hut he neither attended nor sent any
explanation.---(Shan►e.)---They had called hie (Mr.
Moore) to the Chair, and he would obey.
Major CARTWKIGR r moved three resolutions, and a
petition to the House of Commons, in favour of re-
form. The worthy Major !:as so long and so uni-
formly advocated his favourite subject, that he has
quite outlived his own novelties. and therefore it
most be unnecessary to give his Hackney edition
of this day.

Dr. DH;PER said that Ministers, while they charged
the nation with blasphemy, had themselves taken the
faith of every good old woman in the kitigdom.--(4-
platise.)—A very pious old woman had told him, with
grievous sorrow and lamentation, that she had proved
for Queen Caroline in the relit of King George 11.
that she had prayed for Queen Charlotte till every
word flowed by rote, but that when she prayed fut
George IV. avid instinetively proceeded to pray fur his
Queen, the clerk held his hand on her mouth, and
cried, " frhols :"---(lmmense laughter.)
The resolutions were carried unanimously.
The petition, which occupied 25 minutes in the
reading, was received with great approh.ition. It was
seconded by Mr. Mills.

The Cii.visswi having pat the piestion, " that the
petition now read be adopted."
Mr. BI'NG came fo:ward amid lou I cheers. and said,
that before the question put from the choir w.is decided
un. he thought it his duty to state, that he atfreed
most cordially in the purpose for which the present
meeting had been convened. At the same time, how-
ever, he felt it right to state to the meeti.ig. that to-
wards the end or the petition words were ititrodutod
which, if lie was not deceived, it was tint safe or pro-
per for them to adopt. They had uniliinhteillv a right
to say that such anal such things were not constitu-
tional ; but while the House of Commons continued
as it was at present constituted, lie apprehended that
its members must be acknowledged as the lezal repre-
sentatives of the people.—(Disapprobation and cries
of " No, no.") Every gentleman present had a right
to judge **himself on this subject ; but as the peti-
tion had biltS read rather rapidly, he thought it his
duty, as their representative, to apprise them that
such words were introduced—(Applause) ; for if it
were presented in that form, he apprehended it was
doubtful whether the House of Commons would re-
ceive it. Before the business of the meeting drew
to a Conclusion, it was his intention to state more

fully his opinions on the subject of Parliamentary re-
form ; but at present he did think that these words
would only weaken the effect of the truths stated in
the petition, and give a handle to the euemies of re-
form.—(Loud applause.)

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At the request of Mr. Ryng, the Chairman reattthe
objectionable part the petition. It prayed the Howe
of Commons not to agree to any future taxes Imposed
by the rotes of persons who were " not legal and sun•
stitutional members" of the house.
Major CARTWRIGHT explained the distinction be-
tween de Act(' and de jure, and contended that tbs.
House of Commons Jr fiz...to was not the House m
Commons de jure.