The Statesman.
London, England, 1822-05-24 00:00:00

THE STATES:

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first lie had the honour of a connexion with the people
of Westminster, he looked for no other reward of bi
humble exertions than the approval of his fellow-coun-
trymen, and he knew not in what assembly he could
better put his success or failure in that respect to tl..
test than in the assembly which be had now the honour
of addressing. It was Impossible for him not to feel
embarrassed in addressing a meeting so enlightened
upon such an occasion, and if any thing could add to his
embarrassment it was the terms in which the Noble,
Lord had been kind *slough to introduce him to their
notice. The Noble Lord had expressed a hope that at
no future time the friends of liberty would be divides! ;
he hoped so too—(Applause)—not from any motives
personal to himself, but in consideration of the import-
ant cause of Reform, which they had a common interest
in maintaining. He had no other wish to go into Par-
liament than that which was so natural to every Eng-
Hoboes, the wish to be in a situation to do good to his
country; (Cheers)—in such a case he would g lead ly lead
on • forlorn hope. If the Noble Lord, whose character en-
titled his opinions to so mach weight, felt himself justi-
fied in proposing( his health as he had done, and if they
who bad received that toast with so much satisfaction,
conceived that he was entitled to so high an honour, he
had surely much reason to be proud, not of Isis own
pretensions, but of their choice; if in Isis humble per-
son that union of the friends of liberty should take
place, then indeed lie must be proud. and stimulated by
that pride to the utmost efforts of which he was sopa.
Me. It was on the people alone that he depen•led, who
had proved themselves, In all ages, the hest jtulges and
rewarders of public virtue. The Noble Lord had stated
what might he done by the unanimity of the people of
Westminster; bus theirexample had already shown what
the people at large were capable of doing when the
shackles of corruption were taken off. If she holy
flames of liberty existed but in one corner of the coun-
try, it would be enough to keep hope alive. But that
was happily not the case. Look were they would the
same struggle was going on between the vices of
the Government and the virtues of the people. The
season why the Government was still so strong was,
that the people still looked op to those above them with
loomed) confidence. A sort of magical influence was
attributed generally to our great and glorious Constitu-
tion, as it was called ; but it was strange shat while Dr
Lolose and Blackstone, and man, foreigners represented
us as the happiest people in the world, we did not seem
to be aware of it ourselves. The situation in which
we were with respect to this great and glorious Consti-
tution of ours reminded him of an expression used by
the Lord Mayor of London at the time of the riots in
1780. Being asked by Lord North why lie did not call
upon the pos:e eonsitatis? he answered, " I would have
done so, but deuce take the fellow, I don't know where
he lives."—(Laughter and applause.) In the same
way Ise would wish to plate his dependence on the gift.
rious Constitution, but he did not know where to find it.
It was true that he had heard of the liberty of the Press
as being like the air we breathe. and without which we
die; bat the liberty of the Press, accompanied with
Lord Sidmouth's Circular, was no great things, he 'nest
own. Again, he had heard a great deal about Trial by
Jury; but there was something called a Special Jury
picked oat of the Guinea Men, as they were familiarly
called--.Qaughter)--or out of the Pitt Club.—(Ap-
plause) The only thing that could now remind us of this
invaluable right was the inscription upon Lord Erskine's
coach, where it wonld continue as a reproach to as, if
something was not done to restore and preserve its
purity. Yet. with all this, we were told, in language re-
sembling that of the Poet. that we were " Too happy if
if ear happiness we knew." Even that greet•lifie ask
ptoperty p . that insurance office, that third err
tate sad happy balance of the Constitution, our own
dear darling Howse of Commons, was liable to Still
greater abuses. And yet, Madame de Steel, soothe!,
writer on the English Constitution, bad asked wills al`
triumphant air, in 1815, whether it was possible that
any person could believe au English Member of Parlia-
ment capable of receiving money for his vote? It hap-
pened very curiously, about this very time, that Lord
Castlereagh was concerned in selling places in India
tor votes in that House.—(Applause.) They had beard
a great deal about the liberty of the Press, the glorielas
Constitution, and other topics of the same kind; let it
became them to chew that they were not pleased either
with special Juries or with packed Parliaments. Ile
might say of the Constitution what was said of Ilarle-
qusn's horse—
Thus Harlequin extolled his horse,
" Good in field, in road, and course :
" One fault he had—a fault indeed—
" And what was that? The horse was dead."

The late vote in the House of Commons was sufficient
to shew that Reform had made great progress ; hut what
ever way the struggle might end, there could be no
doubt bat it would redound to the honour of those who
were engaged in it, and to the electors of Westminster,
who had set the example to the rest of the kingdomo—
(Applause.)
The following toasts were then given with the usual
honours:—

"The Trial by Jury, unpicked and unpacked."
" The Liberty of the Press."
" The health of the Members for Middlesex."
" Mr. Lambton and the Reformers of Durham."

A letter was now read from Mr. Lambton, apologising
for his absence, on the ground of a domestic calamity—
tbe extreme indisposition and hourly expected death of
a relative, we understand the Countess Grey.
The next toast was, "Aldermen Wool: and Waith-
man, and the Reformers of the City of London."
These Gentlemen severall♦ returned thanks.
The next toast was—" Lord Nugent, Messrs. C. F.
Palmer and Mouck, and the Reformers of Aylesbury and
Reading."
Lord NUMMI', in an eloquent !reel', contended for
the necessity of complete Reform in conformity with the
rising spirit and genius of the people. Parliament could
not rob them of that right if they would, and ought not
if they could.—(Applause.)—He would have them to
elect no man, who did not pledge himself to Reform, by
which means they would bare the triumph in their own
hands in spite of corruption or alarm.
Mr. Mowca also returned thanks.

Ths next toast was—•" The Reformers of the Borough
of Southwark, and their Gallant Representative, Sir R.
Vinson."

Sir It. IVILION congratulated the Meeting on the tri-
umph of their cause. It was now iu vain tc stigmatize
them-as Jacobins and Revolutionists, when thousands of
those who were the first to revile them concurred in the
necessity of Reform.
The CHAIRMAN in proposing " The health* of the
Duke of Bedford, the Marquess of Tavistock, and Lord
J. Russell," observed, that the name of the illustrious
House of Russell was identified with the rights and li•
berties of Englishmen. lie regretted that Lord J. Itus•
sell had been prevented by intlisposition from attending
at the present meeting.
The CIIAIII3IAN then gave—" The Hon. G. Bennet,
and the Reformers of Shrewsbury."
Mr. B►atrec•r, in returning thanks, rap d hie
conviction that the only sound acts which ever emanated
from the House of Commons, were to be attributed to
the operation of public opinion. The 16. Members who
had recently voted for Parliamentary Reform, were
pledged to carry their votes into effect, and he doubted
sot of the ultimate success of the great CARS, iu which
they were engaged.
Th. CHAIRMA s ,hen gave—" Loral Ebrington, and the
Reformers of Devonshire."
Lord Esittxnvo.:4 returned Oxalis.

*

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The Cu*lnman gave—" The Hon. C. Mitchinson, D.
ltiesrdo, Esq. and the Reformers of Ireland."
The Hon. C. 11111THINSON declared his warm and
steadfast attachment to the cause of Parliamentary Re-
fortn.—(Applans...)
U. IticaßDO,Fol. sail, that there was not in that room
a more zealous friend to the cense of Reform than the
indis ideal who then addressed them.— (Applausr.)--Ile
meant not *sham, hut an effectual lieform, which would
give the people a majority and more than a majority in
the House of Commons. Such i Reform could, irs
opinion, he effected only in the House of Coinusons by
the exertions of the people out of the House of Com-
mons. He agreed with an Honourable Gentleman who
had addressed them that evening, that they were not
bound to point out the precise period in our history to
which the representation of the people was to be assimi-
lated; the people had a right to dem sod the very beet
Government that could be obtained, and if their ancestors
bad not obtained it, it was ne reason why their posterity
should not.—(Applause.)
The Cataittsta:s next gave—" Sir R. Fergusson, J.
Hume, Esq. the Hun. Douglas Kinnaird, and the Re-
formers of Scotland."

Sir R. Fancussox, in returning thanks, observed,
that his lion. Friend (Mr. Heine) 100 l done more good
in Parliament tl.att any Scotch Member had rest. done ;
though it was incorrect to talk of Scotch members, for
Scotland had in fact no representation at all.
Mr. Hems declared, that in his opinion, a Radical
Reform could alone place the country in that high and
commanding situation in which it was entitled to staml.
fly a Radical Reform, hr meant *mit a reform as had
been described by his lion. Friend, Mr. Ricardo, well a
change in the representation as should give the people a
paramount influence in the House of Commons.
Mr. BRUCL retnrned thanks in an appropriate speech,
on his health being drank by the meeting.
The nest toast was, " Dr. Lushington, and the Inte-
grity of the liar."
Dr. LUSHINGTON reprobated, in the strongest terms,
the conduct of the landed interest, whom he described
as basely deserting the cause of the people upon all oc-
casions. He confessed that in the present instance be
could expect nothing from their candour, as they• were
only influenced by their fears. lie could not forget the
transaction at Manchester nor the fact that this outrage
wascountenanced by magistrates and justified by Minis-
ters, who still enjoyed the support of the landed interest.
Neither could lie forget the case of the Queen and the
conduct of those Gentlemen upon that occasion. lie be-
lieved in his conscience that revolution must precede
reform ; he would caution every man I. avoid that en.
tremity. but if ever be should bare to chase between
revolution and despotism, lie would take the first.—
(Load applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the fol-
lowing Gentlemen, who severally returned thanks :
Mr. J. Williams, Sir 0. Robinson, Mr. W. Williams,
Col. Johnson, and Mr. Peter Moore.

The meeting broke up at a late hour this morning.

fr7StELLIGENCE.

COURT OF WINO'S BENCH, MAT 23.
London Siftings tfter Easter Term, before the LORD Cater
JUSTICA and Common Juries.

PIGS P. MAT AND °TIMIS.

This was an action on the case against M .
May, Norton and May, respectable attorneys, for al-
ledged negligence in putting in bail In a wrong coon•
ty, on behalf of the plaintiffs, fur whom they were
140tewed, lo defend en action from a bill of &-
change, to which be had a good defence, whereby he
was put to the expenee of debt and costs asnoanting to
31'

12/.
Mr. GIinNEY for the plaintiff, and Mr. SCAILLETT
for the defence.

The plaintiff bad been arrested at the suit of a Mr.
and Mrs. Nash, the latter of whom was administratria
to a former husband, upon a bill of exchange for 229/.1
accepted by the plaintiff in favour of her deceased hus-
band. The plaintiff retained the defendants to defend
the action on the ground of usury. Bail was put in
by mistake for the plaintiff In Middlesex, instead of
London, and, in consequence of the mistake, the She-
riff was attached for not bringing in the body. An
attempt had been made to set aside the attachment, but
it failed in consequence of the plaintiff not being able
to make a satisfactory affidavit of merits. The She-
riff, therefore, was fined, and the plaintiff's bail were
obliged to pay the debt and costs, which ultimately
fell upon the plaintiff. It appeared that on the very,
day the Sheriff was attached, the plaintiff is the suit
had offered to compromise the action, by accepting
100/. ; but the negotiation went off upon the disco-
very of the mistake.
Mr. SCaRLETT, for the defendants, contended that,
at the utmost, his clients were only liable for about
81. or 91. the expence of the attachment against the
Sheriff, inasmuch as the plaintiff could have no legal
defence, and must in the result have been liable for
debt and costs, if every thing had been done for him.
lie ascribed the action to unworthy feelings on the
part of persons behind the curtain. Mr. May, the de.
fendant, bad been Vestry clerk to St. Matthew's, Beth-
nal-green. His successor in that office wu the plain-
tiffs prevent attorney ; and the plaintiffs attorney in
the original action against the present plaintiff wat
i the son of Mr. Merceron, a gentleman of some noto-
riety. It was not difficult, therefore, to conceive un-
der what circumstances this action was batched.

The enter JUSTICE mimed up the case for the
Jury, and the Jury retired for a considerable time,
and found their verdict for the plaintiff—Damages
two hundred pound..
PRICE OF STOCKS, .+T ONS O'CLOCK, THIS

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•; A Second Edition of Tug Sre•reeMAX will Lr
published at half•past four o'clock this afternoon, con-
taining a fall account of the Oaks flare.

Lt/Alitfiti:
TItIDAT, KM:ISG, MAT 24, 1822.

STOCK EXCHANGE, TWELVE O'CLOCK.
Consols at pret-eut are fur the set:oust j9i 1, and
for Money 79 to 1. There is but little business doing
either in the British or

Spanish Old,
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• •

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