The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-10-26 00:00:00

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a spirit of malignity which would never cool, and mitt-]
iog a storm which was not to be laid. But be kaew
that there was but one line for an honest man to take,
and he took it;—(Cheers.)—the consequences Are
such as he (lir. B.) need not further explain. He was
not to be dissuaded from paying the last honours to
remains of an injured and insulted woman ; he
h►d stood by her in her misfortunes•with the honesty
of a palriot, and the chivalry eta soldier, and in the
same spirit he followed her to the grate.—(hood up-
probation.)-11e (lir. B.) joined him in that
mournful procession, and though he was not himself as
active in his humanity as his Honourable Friend,
who put put himself in the front of the battle to stay
the effusion of blood, he could say, from his own know-
ledge, that he did no more than his dnty.—(Applause.)
Hovernment had not put forth their case, although

one of their agents had promised it; hut the fact ►vas
the►• had Do case to chew. They might, indeed, have
some such tale as that which had been deposed to be-
fore a Police Magistrate ; they miebt have affidavits,
snrh as had 'wren made before Sir R. Birnie, and
which all knew to be false, but which went near de-
priving an honest man of his bread and his license.
(Cries of " Simmer) No doubt the police offices
were crowded with such affidavits, but it was evident
that Ministers themselves did not believe them, as they

struck the blow before they heard the evidence.—
(Cheers.) They had punished Sir Robert Wilson,
be would not say on anonymous evidence, but
crrtainly on evidence the next to anonymous,

as they deed not bring it before the public, which
step they were bound to take on every principle ofjus-
lice. The victim of their oppression was a soldier,
covered with honours, of character untouched and un-
rallied one whom Providence in its wisdom had not
made rich, who had little but the profession in which
he vested his property, and who was by this act
turned out of his profession, and robbed of his pro-.

perty.—(Loud Cheering.) And in whose cause did
that happen? Was it in hia own? No, it was in

that of the people;—(declamations)—it was in the
rause of the hundreds and thousands who

might have perished like the unfortunate men Honey
and Fraticis—(Hear, hear !)—when the military, los-
ing all cos.trol, fired on the people; and be interfered
to check the soldiers, to shew them the duty which
they owed to their commanders and their country,
with the honest and glorious object of preventing the
wanton waste of innocent Lige. If any one doubted
that his punishment ;rose from his having checked
she abuse of military power, let him couple it with an-
oillet act that would give it a complete explanation,
Lc meant ti.. dismissal of Sir Robert Baker; that Ma-
xistrate, who, It might be fairly slated, hail been de-
prived of office, because he would not carry the fu-
llersl of the Queen over the dead bodies of his country-
men.—(itepeated Cheering.)--.Now, there was but
one part for Englishmen to act—let every person, ac-
cording to his means, lend his aid and eupport
to keep tiovernment and the Court in subordina-
tion to the wisdom of the country, and the honest and
just feeling of the people, and then they would not
deprive a 111111 of his property who did not deserve to
lose it. The people should, en thireeeasion,in the first in-
stance, open their purses, to make up theproperty unjust-
ly taken away ; and in the next, they should uaite to re-
sist, by every lawful means, the encroachment of Minis-
terial oppression. A subscription such as the present.
carried nothing discreditable with it to him who re-
ceived it, and they should be the last to call it discredit-
able, who always-had their hands in the public purse—
(Cheers and laughter!)—He did think that great meet-
ing would 'thew to the disingenuous and grovelling
persoils in power, for however high their stations, they
were of low minds ; they would shew that they had a
s?irit which would not brook military tyranny, or
allow one of their best friends to be oppressed,—
without ;riving their aid to succour, and defend him—
(Cries of '• bravo," and "we will!")—having said so
much un the immediate object of the Meeting, he would
beg leave to add one word, as an appeal to their benevo-
lence, on another subject. They all knew that there
were three or four persons, the relics and family of
the men who were slaughtered on the 14th of August.
--(Cheers.)--Atul the same might have been the lot of the
verson who was then speaking, or of any one who heard
him. Those unhappy persons of whom he hail now
spoke had lost, under Providence, their best, and per-
haps their only support, and were left in a state of beg-
pry and destitution. A subscription had been entered
Into by a few persons for their support, which amounted
but to a small sum, and it was not too 11111011 to ask them
to combine this object with their great work ; and while
they gave their honourable aid to an injured country-
man of theirs, as great as his Honourable Friend, they
would not forget the poor and humble, whom the public
calamity, which they all deplored, had brought to that
condition—(Applause.)—Had they witnessed what lie
(Ir. B.) saw on that day, they would not think it re-
quired any apology fur bringing this subject under their
notice. He had now to thank them for the attention
with which they hail heard him, and would conclude,
by reresting diem to bear steadily in mind, that they
lived in an order of things in which tiovernment was
ever ready to pounce on its prey; he requested them to
be temperate, vigilant, and disciplined, but zealous, and
never lose sight of the main object, which was to do
justice to themselves, to force tluvermnent to do sub-
stantial justice, and to defend the freedom of their
country with the last drop of their blood. The lion.
Cent. then sat down amid loud and continued cheering.
The Coati:scam then read the first Resolution, and.
was proceeding to collect the sense of the Altering
upon it, when Mr. Gale Jones sprung upon the table,
and endeavoured to obtain a bearing, but the cries of
" Off, off," were so strong and persevering, lie was
obliged to return to the bosom of the crowd ; on his
retiring, a person in a Quaker's garb, whose name we
understood is Walker, attempted to address the Meet-
ing, on some irrelevant subject, but was also con-
strained to silence. The Resolution was then carried
unanimously.

Upon the 6th Resolution being read,
Mr. Lastwros tone and said, that as he believed he
was, with the esception of Mr. Ellice and Mr. %Vie-
th:Toone, the only trustee present, be hoped they
would allow him to assure them, that be felt the trust
they were pleased to repose in him, as the greatest pus.
sible honour that could be conferred upon a public
man. He could assure them, that in considering the
simile of appropriating the sum which they had so
gloriously determined to give Sir Robert Wilson, to
indemnify him for the treatment he bad so unworthily
received, he should only consider the best manner of
laying it out fur the benefit of his Hallam Friend, and
of his family.—(Hear, lirar.).-Se that both Sir Kobt.
Wilson and his children should feel that the means
they so received were not less 'honourable to them.
selves, because they were not given by the King or his

THE STA'

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Ministers; but by a grateful aid applauding vanity.
—(Applause,)
1. loteir
On the motion.f Mr. Ream.. thanks tette
.
to the Chairman. for taking the chair at the desire of
I the Meeting.
Mr. Lansvo:4 again returned thanks, and said that
the gratifying reception be had met with from so re.
specteble a meeting, mach more than compensated
bite for any personal inconvenience he might suffer,
on account of his journey to town on Oil occasion
an occasion upon which he was most glad to contri-
bute his sincere and ardent co-operation.
On the motion that the thanks of the Meeting be
given to the Hon. Henry Grey Bennet, IL P., to Edw.
Ellice, Esq., M. P., Joseph Hume, 'Esq., M. P., Dr.
Lushineton, M. P.. the Hon. William Powlett, M. P..
T. S. Duncombe, Esq.' J. B. Monck, Esq., M. P., James i
Barnett, Esq., and T. 13. Beaumont, Esq., for their very
liberal support of this subscription, and for their attend-
tance his day, .
Mt. Hemit rose, and was received with loud ap-
plause. He said that he was in great hopes the gra-
tifyitte. business of the day would have been brought to
a conclusion without the necessity of intruding him-
self upon their attention ; but the call which they had
now made upon him necessarily compelled him to say i
a few words in returning thanks for the honour they]
hail conferred upon him. He could assure them thatl
there was no man in the community more anxious than
he was to support with his utmost power the rights and
liberties of Englisbineng—(Applause.)—Consideriag
himself as a man (indeenilmost the only one so elected
in Scotland) indebted to the people for the free votes of
his constituents, be should feel disgraced if be re-
frained upon such an occasion as this from giving his
humble support to their present object.—(Applause.)
—lle entirely approved of the step which they were
about to take, and be hoped that the right feelings of
the country would induce the people, from one end of
the kingdom to the other, to testify the universal alt.
horrenre with which they viewed the unjust and violent
act of Ministers, not only to one individual for his pub-
lic conduct, hut also for their repeated and outrageous
violations of the civil rights and liberties of English-
men.—(Applause.)—He could never look back at the
outrages at Manchester, or the scene of the 14th of
August at Cumberland-gate, without loudly complain.
ing of the infamous conduct of Ministers in violently
attempting to overawe politic opinion, and to keep
hack by force the unbiassed expression of the country
upon their unconstitutional and illegal acts. Ile re-
peated that be should never forget the Manchester
outrages nor those at Cumberland-gate.— (Hear,
bear.)—Let the people consider the magnitude of the
question which the treatment of Sir Robert Wilson in- I
volved. The act towards that gallant, individual af-
rested the situation of 30,000 officers, for that was the
number of officers in the service: he had taken the
pains to ascertain that number.— (Loud laughter and
applause.)—He knew not to what to attribute this ex-
pression of their feelings, but to the known habits of
his life, fur he was one of those who. thought,
that when there were certain propositions, the
proof of which was demonstrable by figures, it
e
was better to resort at once to facts, than rely u on
vague and tonjecteral reasoningrrefllfariltear, l r.)
—Much had been said upon the p eorogatiee as . the
practice as affecting military commissions, partialar-
ly when upon half-pay. There had been only one case
during the last 20 years, where an officer upon half-
pay had been dismissed, as Sir Robert Wilson had been,
without trial, and that case related to three indivi-
duals of the 55th regiment. and a garrison battalion.
The practice thus avowed immediately affected the pro-
perty of 12,000 officers of the army who were on half-
pay, every one of whom might be ruined in the same
summary manner, if the people did not interfere, and
by their voice restrain and annul such practices. It
was said, indeed, that the act was done according to
the prerogative of the Crown. Now he was prepared
to show that the Crown had no such prerogative to ex-
ercise.—(hear, hear.)—This was not perhaps the time
to argue that point, but he pledged himself to support
his opinion. by undoubted anthotity. He was not, in
deed, prepared to argue so important a question upon
the dry technicalities of a lawyer. but he would appeal
to plain reasoning anti comnsmatsei whether all au-
thorities did not concur in eat q'the proposition,
that the foundation of all government was for the
good of the many.—(llear, hear.)—Locke and Black-
stone, and all the most eminent expounders of the
laws and constitution of England,• had laid it down
that the King exercised no prerogative but for the
public good, and when the law of the land was silent
upon the case. In looking at the conduct of the pre-
sent Administration, and he was certain that every
good man, whether Whig or Tory. mast t I ke abhor
their outrageous conduct at Manchester and Cumber-
land-gate, lie must impress upon the attention of
the meeting the induence which such conduct,
if permitted with impunity, must have upon the
fate of soldiers whose arduous and severe pro-
fessional duties ought to entitle them to better
consideration from the Government which they had,
.served. When he spokubt military men, he begged
to speak of a class which he looked upon as the most
' honourable in society ; it should never be forgotten
that it was composed of men who had risked their lives
and properties for maintalaiug the honour and security
of their country; such men deserved especial pro-
tection, and when they retired on half-pay from the
active and perilous service, they ought not to be de.
Hied by their Government the possession of the rights of
citisens.—(Applause.)--He bad already said there were
1.2,000 army officers on half-pay, and about 7,500
naval officers similarly placed. Were all those to con-
sider themselves as slaves. dependent for their sub-
sistence upon the whim and caprice of Ministers ?
(Hear, hear.)--Were they to be thus the servile depend-
ents of Unseetnnens, and degraded from their proper
rank in society ? Wete they to forfeit the high honour
and independent feelings which characterise soldiers,
who ought to know, that so long as they discharged
their proper duties 'with seal and fidelity, they were en-
titled to the support and confidence of their country?,
How were such feelings to be inspired itt the soldier's
nsiatilf he sere liable. to professional degradation,
merely for acting the part of a good citizen ?
(Applause.)—lf the proceedings of the meeting
were to be ' strictly limited to one *abject, he
was perhaps digressing in alluding to general topics i
but nevertheless he could not refrain from calling
the attention of the country. in an especial mow. to.
the general conduct-of the present Administration. and
to this last daring attempt to make Mail half pay at:
fivers their slaves and depeadasts.—(Naar.)—Let Eng,

SMAN.

wheffelt as they ought redir4 those la
tied and privileges which made teem in
the r
Of the world, look well to those repeated &Usti(' Mall
10ministers upon their independence. See the dreadfo
uences to individuals which resulted from such a
sprees—look at the fate of Francis and Honey, and thee
where was the man who would not wish to crush the de•
testable principles which so much disgraced the charac-
ter of the nation that could tamely, submit to then. i
Englishmen knew that they ought to enjoy a civil con-
stitudon ; but see the situation in which the acts at Man-
Ichesternad Cumberland-gate placed them ; they had a
standing army larger than at any former period of their
history; but an army which, it seemed, was taught to
act like mere tools, incapable of any
.refiection—that
Imlay, which when acting on civil occasions, could not
legally act except in aid of the civil power, and under
he control and orders, was now it seemed to disregard
all such civil control; and when called out to assist the
ail authorities, was to take upon itself independently
to keep the public peace, and, contrary to the letter
and spirit of the law of the land, to take, as the judges
would say, the law into their own hands, and acting un-
der secret orders, to subvert all that was held sacred,
ender a free constitution.—(Hear, hear.)—Society
ought to testify its abhorrence at the principles which
prompted such a system : nothing could be more dan-
gerous than that the military should act, not only with-
out the orders of the magistracy, but, as he believed,
en the particular occasion expressly contrary to the
wishes and intentions of the magistrates whom they
weti bound to obey.—(llear, hear.)—It was impossi-
-14111 to avoid looking at the manner in which the civil
power was to be made subservient to the views of mi-
nisters. At a county meeting held not long since in
Dublin, and dispersed by military force, it was said
that the moment the sheriff appeared he could resort
es whatever means he pleased, to get rid of a public
aridity. When the Sheriff of London lately appeared
to keep the peace on a public occasion, he was to be
told lie had no business there, and to be assaulted for
venturing to appear where the military were, in dis-
charge of his duty.—(Hear, bear.)—He trusted that
ministers would not eventually be able to repel
that inqulry which the public voice loudly called for.
into all these scandalous transactions. IVith respect
to the conduct of Sir R. Wilson on the 14th of Aug.,
he (Mr. Hume) could say that he had never left his
side for ten minutes during the whole of_ that day.—
(Hear.)—He could positively declare, that the dis-
graceful attempt to inculpate Sir R. Wilson for con-
duct imputed to him at Kensington were altogether
false—(hear o—and he had no doubt that the other
stories respecting him were equally unfounded.—
(Hear, hear.)—The inquiry so pertinaciously denied
by ministers, must be hail at last : what the public
voice demanded must be granted ; it arcs for the peo-
ple firmly *to make the demand, and ministers nine,
obey.—(Hear, hear.)—The national call fur justice
could never be made in vain : see on a late occa-
sion, the people had but to speak, and the
cowards trembled.— (Applanse.)—He hoped that
meetings would be held throughout England to compel
Ministers to account for their unconstitutional acts.—
The country had obtained one verdict of wilful murder
from a Jury, and another of manslaughter; and yet no
step whatever hail been taken to bring the offenders to
hear.).---The eases of Francis and Honey,
who were so wantonly sacrificed, concerned the whole
people of the country, and the case ceased to affect in-
dividuals alone. If the country did not denounce such
contact, the profession of the military must become
degraded, and the officers no longer possess the
rights of citizens. The present subject reminded
him of the case of General Boyd in the year 17M, in
which the Judges declared that an officer on half pay
was not liable to military law; if so, sorely be was en-
titled to the rights of a citizen, and being so entitled,
were these rights not grossly violated in the case of Sir
Robert Wilson.—(Hear.)—Reverting to the subscrip-
tion, which it was the object of the present meeting to
promote, lie hoped they would not, if a surplui eventu-
ally appeared, confine the application of it to one object ;
but that they would see the necessity of extending some
relief to the equally sacrificed, though humble families,
of the unfortunate persons who were so wantonly killed
on the 14th of Augaist.—(,tear, hear.)—He trusted that
ample funds would be forthcoming to afford proper re-
lief to all the sufferers. It was dreadful to consider what
would be the situation of the country, if once consigned
to a military government ; they would then be in the
situation of !wine. their pockets picked to support a

force employed to undermine thei; liberties., tr,
hear.)—There was no man in the community who would
not raise his voice against so tyrannical a system, except
those who lived upon the taxes wrung from the people.
—(Near.)—Looking at the enormous expense of this
great military establishment, it was time for the atten-
tion of the country to he called to the propriety of revert-
ing to the old constitutional force of the county power :
that old constitutiouul force again reminded him of
the treatment of the Sheriff of London whilst endeavou r-
ing to preserve the public peace by the civil power alone.
bear.)—He considered the assault upon that
civil officer at Knightsbridge. without reference to the
individual who filled the shrievalty : it was quite enough
that A. 13., filling the office of Sheriff, had been so treated.
—Now, when the Sheriff was the Constitutional Conser-
vator of the public peace within his jurisdiction, and
when his authority was set at nought by the soldiery, it
became of great consequence to consider the situation
io which the civil magistracy of the country were placed
'by stab entwotinge.—(tfear, bear.)—He concluded by
again eetreatiog the people, from one end of the country
to another, to call upon Parliament to inquire into the
whole of the transactions of the 14th of August.
Dr. LUSHINOTON being loudly called for, then came
forward. He said that he should not have obtruded
any ofiaervations of his upon the notice of the meet-
ing had it not been for the resolution which had just
been read to it, so completely had the speech of their
worthy Chairman embraced all the topics for which it
had been convened. His Hon. Friend with great elo-
quence and great warmth had observed to them, that
the cause of Sir It. Wilson was the cause of the peo-
ple, and that to uphold it was the bounden duty of
every man who wished to support the *constitution.
and tosave front oppression and destruction the friends
of the people. To what a state would the country be
reduced, if the Officers of their army—numerous as
that army was at present. beyond all former precedent
in time of peace—were liable, without charge made,
accusation heard, or trial given,_ to forfeit all the
claims which they had acquired upon.tbe tiovernenent
and the nation, open the mere epic dixit of the Minis-
ter of the day ? The consequences to all of them were
as important in a political point of view as they were
is private- to Sir K. Wilson, whom they had 'mac the
.eictim of Ministerial malignity; for if once the coas-
t/ Gadd view them in silence and without a strong
expression of Its disgust and abhorrence. they must
themselves work the consequence. The example would
-take .root; a fear of similar treatment would operate
fe tw mindo of every Alter in the army, and they
would either become tioo abject slam of tioyeratiost.

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pr they would shrink from the public expreoehn of
heir sentiments to save themselves from ruin acid ue.
'struction. He knew not which of the two was to h
deprecated ar the greater evil: he knew not whst‘ei
the public avowal of opinions hostile to the people •,its
not more desirable, for open enemies could be goerd,a
against, than that secret silent acquieseence
left the people doObtfat of the opinions of indlfielci
and give to Ministers the strongest of all supports.
that of tranquil undeviating adherence. They mu
therefore bound in duty to restore Sir R. Wilms to
that estate of independence which, if the constitution pod
been sound, he ought to have enjoyed heft r • hisdisslolot
from the service. He said if theconstitntionhad bees
sound ; fur no man ought to say in England that 'same

ought not to be as independent as any other Wield/at
%rho derived his income from any source whatmeeto.
His political sentiments ought to be as free and Wet,
toted as thoseo f any other member of :he community;
rit was in his military capacity alone that be *sett to
007 ; in his civil capacity be ought to be exempt,
free all controul except such as his fellow citizen heists
himself obedient to. Why had Sir IL Wilson bees
the first officer selected for minieterial persecution?
The reason uas plain. When he considered whets/ere
the merits of Sir It. Wilson, he felt no surprise, bat
much indignation, at the malice of ministers. They
had selected hint for their victim whose fame shoos
bright in every quarter of the globe—(cheers)—who
had proved himself to be in battle bold, and at the
same time the kindest friend of a conquered foe—.
(cheers)—who in the extensive warfare to which be
had been engaged had ever been ready to raise his
hand to protect the fallen, and to give from his parse
to save his enemy from the depths of affiietion.—
(Cheers.) The Meeting must know that he alluded
to the efforts which Sir it. Wilson had made to procure
the release of the Physician-General to the French
forces in Russia, ansito the magnificent donation which
he bad given him to relieve the distresses of his com-
rades in captivity. Such conduct be (Dr. bushington)
hailed uith the warmest admiration; such conduct he
deemed equally worthy of the man and the Brim;
for what could be nobler than to show ourselves brave
to such as opposed us, and merciful to such as oar
prowess had subdued? When, without reward from
the government which be had served, with the mere
liberty of purchasing his different commissions, oar
donned with any orderaof his own country, he carnets
reside in peace in the bosom of his naae land, he
was elected as their representative in Parliament by
the unbought voices of the electors of Southwark ; and
when seated in Parliament, who was there more con-
scant in his attendance to his duty ? who was there
more indefatigable in his resistance to oppression?
who was there wore addicted to the great interests at
liberty and justice ?—(cheers)—and last of all, oa
the memorable question which had agitated the coun-
try from one end of it to the other—he meant the re-
moreless persecutions of the late injured Queen—who
came forward with more manliness ? who stood iu the
breach le greater constancy!—(Cheers)—All, yes,
all, wig ails been pardoned but this !—(Loud
Cheering. All might have heel
.1..
forgiven, aid bu-
rled in eternal oblivion, her this !--(Cheers.)'--This
it was that stirred up the dark visit of mihgaity
against his gallant Mend ! this it was that lighted Um
fire which was intended to consume him ! this it was
that led ministers, regardless of every principle of jus-
tice, honesty, liberty, and truth, to award to him what
they deemed punishment—to degrade him, as far as
degradation was in their power—and to ruin him, as
far as the deprivation of his commissions could effect
his ruin. God be praised, it had produced a very
contrary effect.--(Cheers.)—Against the oppression of
ministers, the power of public opinion arrayed itself—
againet degradation there stood up the honour of the
land—and against deprivation, a subscription to place
him and his family above want, and in a situation that
would still enable him to discharge his duties as a
faithful representative of the electors of Southwark.
He trusted that those electors would never forget what
Sir Robert Wilson had suffered in their cause, but
would. whenever another opportunity should" occur,
show how much they esteemed his condact by how
little they cared for the malice of ministers, and her
determined they were to support a faithful servant by
unanimously supporting his re-election.—(Cheers)--
He again desir. d the meeting to accept his thanks for
the honour which they had done him, and informed
them, that though he abstained from saying a Ironies
the occurrences of the 14th of August, be looked for-
ward with earnest anxiety to an boil which was now
rapidly approaching, u hen they would all be brought
before the proper tribunal, and after due examination
branded with their true and proper colours. He would
not mention them now, as he wished to refrain frost
all discussion upon them until he had an opponent is
combat and an enemy to subdue.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Et.t.tcc was loudly called for, and on coming
forward, said, that it would give him great pleasure.
pride. and satisfaction, to preside over the applicatios
oFthe funds which'had been subscribed, as well from
the private feeling of friendship which be bore to Sir
It. Wilson as from his firm reliance on his public prin-
ciples. He trussed that if there were any town'
who had come to that meeting with doubts of tie i"-
nocence of Sir Robert Wilson from the charges which
had been wade against him. they would dismiss tkell
now and for ever. They had hoard site of his Hon.
Friends (Air. Hume) state, that during the 14th of
August he had never been absent more thal 10 initiator
from the gallant General's side; and he (Mr. Ellice)
could infirm them, that be had himself been with him
for the four days previously on the road from Paris to
London, where they arrived at a quarter past five
o'clock un the evening of the 13:h. And yet there
were affidavits that charged the gallant General with
having attended a meeting at Kensington to arrange
the obstacles for the Queen's funeral on one of thew
flays when.he was actually traveling with him (Mr.
Ellice) on the road to Calais! The falsehood of this
a:ems:mon might convince him how little dependence
was to be placed in the ether lying assertions retsid*
hug the Oland tieneral.—(Cheers.)—The Hon. tent'
concluded by expressing his great satisfaction at seeing
so respectable a meeting assembled oi tie prom at itt.
casion, and by returning his thanks to Mr. Lembo"'
to whose exertions ke conceived they were growl/ in-
debted for the successful state of the. subscriptions.
Mr. F A VII I.L then moved the following resolution:
',At the follow Log gentlemen be added to the Coe'
mittee of the Riveters of Southwark :
Marquess of Tavistack. X. P., Hon. H. O. Mows,
M. P., Hon. Wm. Powlett, M. P., J. 0. Lawbiuti, l