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

C.I.IIBRIDG SU Itt E .11 E E TING.

Yesterday, pursuant to public requisition, presented
to the Melt Sheriff, Thomas Burgess. Esq. a meeting
of the fmelsolders and inhabitants of this county nal
held in the market-I:lace, to consider the propriety of
ioldressing his Majesty to dismiss his present Minis-
ters from his presence and conucils fur ever.
The Under Sheriff, Mr. Wexce, (the High SSeriff)
being **able to attend, than proceeded to the tem-
porary balcony, anti opened the business of the day by
reading the requisition which had been directed to his
principal. " Gentletateo, (continued the Under She,
riff) you are, in compliance with this requisition, now
assembled together. When the High Sheriff took
upon him the authority which he has thus exercised—
that of calling you together—be stated that it gave
hint great pleasure at all times to comply with the
wishes of the county.—(Cheers.)--It is not the ditty
4lf the presiding officer to deliver to you any senti-
ments of his own. It is his duty to do that which
**the representative of the High Sheriff, am deter-
mined to do—to observe the strictest impartiality. and
to hear every person who may think proper to address
you on this ocrasion.—(.lpplause.)--liefore we Ivo-
eyed to the business of the day, it is my duty to road
to you a letter which has been received from your
Noble Representative, Lord Francis Godolphin Os-
borne, apologising for his absence. [ln his letter the
Noble Lord expresses the extreme reluctance with
which be bad given up all hopes of being able to
attend the meeting ; but severe illness r .tolered him
totaly incapable of appearing. He hoped, however,
that the address which, had be been present, he wool.'
;lave proposed, would be ably suppoited Ity °them lie
was of opinion that it was by a legal awl constitutional
expressiun of popular keeling and sentiment at great
pnhiie meetings, that the country could aloue be bared.
Ile had applied fur the Town-ItaA, as a proper place
for bolding the meeting; but the Mayor had refused
to comply with the request, without the consent of the
corporation.] Since that letter was received (continued
the Under Sheriff) the Rawl of Hardwicke has notified
that illness alone bas prevented his attendance.
With respect to the refusal of the Town-hall, I have
only to observe, that we have a Shire-hall, over which
the Mayor has no power, hut it is too small for the
purposes of the meetine ; application was consequeutiv
math. fur the nat. of the Town-hall, but the Mayor bad.
thought fit to deny the requisitionists that boom"—
(Urty: t:s.)

Lord DACRE presented him-elf to the meeting amid
loud cheer... He said he rose to all•lress them under
circumstances of cow:Flee-able embarrassment. lie
was aware that, not being a resi lent at prevent in that
conntF, be might be accused of presumption in yen-
tur:-...g to address the freehuiders and inhabitants on
the present oecasiuti.—( o„ no). But, as be was pre-
sent, the sitirstiinie, if they would allow Om to Sit y.
so, of their Noble representative, whose presence was
denied them ii conseluenee of severe illtie;vs, he trust-
asil they woithl hear him with patience, however in-
adequs'e he might be to the task, while he expressed