The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-04-05 00:00:00

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or bad said that he (Mr. C.) had been in Parlie
usent 40 years. He wished lie could say that he had'
lint been there much longer ; for he had, in fact, been
in Parliament for upwards of 43 years.—(Applause.)
—He was in Parliament at the earliest period of the
America') War, and was then deemed a rebel for voting
against it.—(Applause, And hang hter.)--ile had conti.l
uued a rebel ever since, anal many oilier appellations
had been applied to him, which, he doubted not, had
mho been applied td,mene Gentlemen whom lie had
Ikow the honour to addibee. lie cause into Parliament
with a strong impression upon his mind of the neces-
sity of Reform. He bail always admired the talents
of Mr. Fox, and he believed that great man had nevi r
had a more consistent supporter than himself. That
he was a zealous advocate for Reform, he believed
no man could doubt who looked to his political
tonduct for the last 43 years; and, certainly,
the company he had kept in Parliament, during
teat time, had not contributed to alter his opi-
nions.—(Mark laughter and applause.)—lf lie were in
the House of Commons, instead of being among this
teileetable company, he might, perhaps, indulge him-
self in stating his opinions somewhat more freely, but
he did not like to speak disrespectfully of people in
tneir absence, though lie must confess that he wae a
tittle ashamed of the company he had kept. He had
represented the county of Norfolk for a long time, but,
as ',eland often assured his constituents, it was against
his „ern inclinations. He had no other object in life
out the liberty of the people—(apolauseS, aud if be
could see that county represented by a true Constitu-
tional Whig, he should retire with satisfaction to that
private life, which was most congenial to his feelings.
de had fought many battles in his earlier days for file
liberties and iudepeiadence of the people, anal lie trusted
be was still your enough to fight another.—(Applause.)
Nothing but Reform could save the country, for the ve-
nality and corruption of the House of Commons had ar-
rived at bitch a pass, that the fact could no longer he
uoubted or denied, even by those who were least willing
to admit. The Honourable Gentleman resumed his seat
amidst loud cheering.
The CHAIRMAN said, he rose to propose the health
of a known and tried friend of Refloat, who would have
been present had it not been for a verdict nhich had
hien pronounced against him for writing a letter to his
constituents. In the sentiments the great majority of the
people cordially concurred. lie hail received a letter
from Sir F. Burdett, which the Secretary would now
read,
followng letter wan then read by Mr. Gardner :--
" King's Bench Prison, April 1.
" slv Loan,—You will nut, I am sure, doubt the sin-
cerity with which I express my regret at being unavoid-
ably detained from the Meeting of this day. My.heart
is however amongst you, and my mind altogether in the
rreat cause which win are met to promote. That cause
has been supported by so much ability, acute reasoning
and profound learning, that it baffles ingenuity to offer
any thing importantly new upon the subject. Nor do I
ildw take up nay pen with the vain hope of doing any
thing more thou expressing nay respect for the Gentle.
u'cn assembled. Indeed, the question is itself so plain,
and has been so elaborately set forth and illustrated,
Chet to use the slang of the Honourable House, the
people out of doors, the profaiie vulgar, perfectly un-
deretaud it. For in this enlightened nee and country,
no one Is, I take it, so ignorant as not to know, that to
bare is to have, which is the whole of the subject ; that
it what 1 acquire, 2itlier by good fortune or the sweat of
my brow, an can
other ct take from me without toy own
courant, it is not my property, but his ; that in that case
I ant tenant at will ; and that if any man, or set of men,
ran make laws to imprison my person, to which I have
Weyer consented, my person is as insecure as my pro.
peaty, in other outdo, that Liberty and Property,' the
nateh-word of our forefathers, are sounds as sense-
less and empty its the heating of a drain—as sounding
bless or a toil:ling eymbol.' Gentleman, that Mr. Can-
ntng, I mention him as the champion of the party, a
patt fur the whole, should defend to the utmost a system
by the hocus pocus tricks by which he and his &wily
get so much public money, can cause neither use nor any
man. suspicion or anger.
For 'tis their they, all the learned think,
'ro espouse the cause b) which they eat and drink.'
Ile I therefore say the House of Commons is cor-
rupt? Nut I indeed, even though I should run no
risk of bring transported—no such thing ; they are true
to the interest of those who send them. "The ox know-
elle his owner, and the ass his master's crib," and they
at least equal the ox and the ass in knowledge and virtue,
and are, aureover, superior to the Jews, for they do
know their maker. I wall, however, boldly adduce their
example, as proof undeniable, of benefits the people
would derive front appointing their own representatives,
seeing that these gentlemen are ever true to their own
and patrons' interest. This identity of interest keeps
all smooth, and the public may rest assured that the
bailie cause will ever produce the same effect, and that
whenever the public shall have the appointment of their
own House of Commons, the public expenditure will be
vontrouled, the public burdens diminished, time public
money applied to public purposes, and the public happi-
etas and prosperity, in other words,' Liberty and Pro-
perty' secured, anal out till then. In the meau time I
take this opportunity of expressing my satisfaction at
die cause being in such good bands, and to add, that
the Reformers may always command, such as they are,
my services in any way or situation which they can think
useful. "I remain, Oeutletnen, your most obedient,
" FRANCIS BURDETT."
The CHAIRMAN gave the health of "Sir F. Bur-
dett, and success to his Motion for an Inquiry into the
Blanchester outrae." The toast was drank with ac-
clamations of applause.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of-
-43. Henhouse, Esq.." which was drank with load and

general applause.
Mr. Hounouse said that he could not think it neces
nary to echo the general congratulation which had been
expressed by the gentlemen who had preceded him as
to the object and character of this Meeting. But there
was one topic upon which he could not avoid uttering
the language of congratulation, and that was, with re-
spect to the complete union of the Reformers which be
bad the happiness to witness upon this occasion. That
union, marking, as it did, a forgetfulness of all minor
differences, and a resolution to co-operate in the pursuit
of one important object, which could only be attained by
unity of action, must be a source of joy to every man,
who sincerely desired its ultimate triumph. Parliamen-
tary Reform could only be obtained through tbe decisive
expression of public opinion, and therefore all its advo-
cates most be anxious to set that opinion in motion, in
order to produce a due Impression upon the House of
Commons. With respect to his Universally respected
and esteemed colleague, he wished that some one more
venerable in life, or more known to die people than
bitwsetf, had stood forward to return thanks for the sense
whisk the Meeting bad mauifested of his merits. He
siiiiuW only say, that be fully participated in the feel-
logs which the warmed answers of his Hon. Friend
mist enjoy. upon the lianas in which his health bad
been drank g sod be would add. that what his Hamer-
Ale Friend bad desogith his very 'mimes abilities, he
(Mr. lisiihaise) *Mold endsamsr to do M the utmost of
his own.—(hears.) —IN pursuit of Reform, be trusted
that the people wssld sever reins is their exertions, or
be daunted in their determination. The people right
lave nominalism' at times by the advocates' of arbitrary
pair, bet they were very sees sageesiveds lad (led

.. S'

knows, that of late years something hao taco--
almost every day to convince them of the Absolute
necessity of adopting Reform. He rose tinder renal-
derable disadvantages after the Gentlemen who bad
already addressed. the Meeting ; one of those Gentle-
men hid been forty-hve years in the House off:commons,
thiricg whit h he stated, that lie had WOO the uniform
advocate of Reform, thus challenging any snail to con-
tradict his statement. No one could, however, possibly
contradict that very respectable Gentleman; and what
an important advantage had any such veteran over
young politicians, or aspirants to public coufidence, who
liad little more than proles, ions anti promises to make,
too many of wliich veer. not borne not by their subse-
qnent conduct. l'or himself, however, he had only to
express a hope, that the professions which he had made
to his Constituents were not unsupported by his votes
in the House of Coinnions.—(Applause.)—He had, in-
deed, followed the course you 'tied by the Worthy Ba-
ronet with whom he had the honour to be assooiated.
and his ex•_,rtions o ere mainly directed to Reform. Of
the attainment of that Reform he always entertainedthe
Hirer ardent !lopes for lie had found that cause equally
triumphant over the hostility of its professed enemies,
and the treachery of its professed friends. Indeed.
neither the enmity of Rorke, nor the apostary of Pitt,
had been able to put it down. It was still chci alto' in
the hearts of the psople, and the general. he might Al-
most say (excluding the ranks of corruption the uni-
versal impression was, that without Reform their was
'no sectlitevhfor the stability of the throne, or for the li-
berties e people. But lest the people should not re-
tain this impression. the Ministers themselves seemed to
take care to convince them of the necessity of Retorts.
by putting them in it hurl of the subserviency whirls
they determined to niaititain in the House of CousiooSts.
A signal instance of the sort had occurred within a few
days, respecting the dismissal of a Lord of the Real-
dmiriber, who thought proper to vote against the Malt
'I :ix, in conformity with his conscience, anti the
desires of his constituents. He (Mr. llobliouse)
recollected, that when the Speaker of the House of
Commons, in 1393, applied to tl:r Lord Keeptr for
the privilege of speech. the agent of Elizabeth auswer-
ed " Yes, sir, you may have the privilege of a:tying aye
or no." But it appoartal from the case of the Noble
Lord to whom he referred, that lit the present days Nii-
'lister' were not disposed to allow even so much of pri-
vilege to the Members of the House of Conintuns.
a letter of the most extraordinary character had lately
been published lay the Duke of Newcastle, him hich his
Grace appeared rather more than a Radical Reformer,
for he stated, that if the Bill in favour of Catholic
Claims should be carried throueli bath Homes of Par-
liament, the Kiag should put his veto upon it, and (re-
ferring rather awkwardly to the reign of Charles I.)
should appeal to the sense of the people aissiest thede-
rision of Parlianiect ; the Noble Duke adding., that if
both Houses of Parliament should mist the will of the
King, he would support his Majesty against them. The
lion. Member referred to the motion of Mr. Pitt in
support of 11.eform, upon the 17th of April, 17,3, and
shewed the many additional forcible arguments in fa-
vour of that measure at the present day, front the
amount of our debt, our taxes, our standing army, as
well as from the increased restraints upon the freedom
of the Press, anti of Public Meetings. Since Mr. Pitt
brought forward his motion this nation had been con-
demned to pay one hundred anti forty millions a year
in taxation, which was equal to half a million a day upon
every working day in the year. Surely then the Hon.
Member fur Durham had somewhat stronger argusueots
to adduct:in favour of Reform, on the 17th instant,
than Mr. Pitt could bring forward in 1765. There
was a book abontto be published of Lord Waidecine's
upon the reign of George the Second, in which the
writer states, that his Majesty said to him, that the
people of England were eternally talking of Constitu-
tion, Laws and Liberty. That as to the Constitution;
he defied any one to pioduce a single instance in which
he had attempted to invade it—that as to Laws, Par-
liament passed 100 laws every Session merely for the
purpose of breaking them—and as to Liberty, it was
in itself comineodable, lint that it was singular that
time people who desired that liberty, should choose ra-
ther to be the slaves and dependents of a Duke of
Newcastle, or any other Peer, than to he the friends
and counsellors of their Sovereigns. But lie hoped
that the people of the present day had a different
feeling, and were ready to become rather the friends
and counsellors of their King, than the dependants of
any L:trd or Lords whatever, especially its time present
state of Parliament. I t they would pursue this course,
and resolutely go on in maintaining Reform, notwith-
standing all their present distress, he agreed with
Milton, that when time people engage is time solidest
and snblimest points of controversy, it betakes us,
not degenerated, not drooping to fatal decay, but cast-
ing off the old, wiinkled 'kin of corruption, to outlive
their pangs and grow young again.—(Applause.)
Upon the health of " Sir Robert Wilson and the Re-
-formers of Southwark" being drank.
Sir Roaraur took occasion, in returning thanks, to ex-
press a wish that the opponents of Reform, and the de-
famers of public meetings had been present that evening
to witness the conduct of the respectable assembly whom
lie had the honour to address; for if any thing could
make an impression upon their callous minds, such a
scene could not fail to do so. Adverting to the news
from Italy, which had so much surprised and disappoint-
ed the friends of liberty, lie had sufficient inteisigeoce
from that quarter to assure him that all that had bees
stated was by no means true. But if this news were eves
true to the eery letter, that would be no reason with him
la indulge desponding as to the success of freedom either
upon time Continent or at home. In consequence aeons@
renornrs afloat, he thought it necessary to state that he
had offered his services to the Neapolitans when he
beard that the Austrians were about to undertake a era-
Mille against their liberties, not as a Connuander, as hail
been stated, hut in any capacity that might be assigned
to itini. As to Reform, lie felt it to be essentially ne-
cessary, because the House of Commons never yielded
to the opinion Or interest of the people. The concession
of Ministers, indeed, in the rase of time Queen, was not
the effect of any apprehension that the Commons would
not adopt the Hill, which they carried to time last stage
in time Lords, hut because it was intimated to them, that
if they pressed that measure, the people were determined
to bring time question to issue between time governors and
time governed, and to resort to that appeal which io
rasps of extreme apprehension the Constitution warranted.
—(Clieers.)
Toast—" The formation of representative govern-
ments where they do not exist, and the reformation of
representative governments where they do exist bat ins-
perfectly."—(Cheers).
The air of " Scots wha has with Wallace bled," be-
ing played—
The Loan MATO' said, that after the national air
bad been played which recorded sentiments for which
men had been proud to die, he begged to propose
The Representatives for Scotland who were friends
to reform." The first of them was a gallant general,
whose deeds would always speak for him.—(Loup
plause). Another was one, who, if be Could not re-
form the Hesse of COMBIONDIU, was an excellent watch-
man, and kept a close look out.--(Great applanse).
Together with them he woad propose Lord Archibald
Hamilton, who lived la their esteem,—(Applause).

.•_ •-• -41••••4, • •
L._ -

AN.

411.
I The toast was drank with three times three. 1
Mr Romaen Fenottesnx said it devolved upon hint,i
in the abtence of the Noble Lord, to return thanks few
himself and the reformers Of Scotland whose health
they had drank with so mach enthusiasm. He could I
assure them that their brother reformers in Scotland
were not only auraerous, but sealous. On the subject
of Parliamentasy Reform he agreed with his Honour-
able Friend the member for Durham. On the charac-
ter of the House of (Ammons he entirely agreed with
his Honourable Friend the member for Norfolk.—
(Loud cheers). He would leave the other topics on'
which he might enlarge to his Honourable Friend who
had been in rather homely phrase called " a watch-
man ;" and though he was a Scotsman—and he did
sot like to stand up before them to praise a Scotsman—
he must say that such a watchman had never appeared
in his time.—(Very great applause.)
Mr. HUM r.—Owing it, is he did, to the first act of
vermin in Scotland that he had a seat in Parliament,
he must be ungrateful if he did nut fe-I himself in his
heart a friend to reform.—(Cheers.)--But be was a
friend to reform upon higher anal better grounds—upon
(he pa ineipleileat reform, and reform alone, was what
the (snooty wanted. Nothing else but reform was
wanted to make this country in every way the first
nation in the world. If they had been represented in
the House of Commons, would they now have hail an
army that cost I I millions sterling in the seventh year
of grace? The hick representatives in Parliament
were all subservient to the Minister; the Scottish, who
only represented sellelected juntas, were also sorb.
servient ; but gise Scotland a Reform of Parliament,
and he pledged himself that nut one dependent Mem-
ber wostlil be returned to that (louse.--(Applause.)
Upon the health of Lord Nugent, Messrs. F. Palmer.
and Monck, with the Reformers of Buckinghamshire
anal Berkshire, being drank,
Lord ;il7fiEN I expressed a confident hope of the
prsgrcss of Reform in that country with which he had
the honor to he connected, which boasted the birth of
Milton—which contained the grave of Ilatnpden—
aid which could never forget the Barons of Ruony-
tattle. Against Reform manyobjections were timed ;
hot the most singular was that advanced by the lien-
' tleman who was called the Champion of tho Anti.
Reformers.—That tiestleuran said, that the present
system worked well. Yes, truly it worked well for
the tort optionists—but it worked very ill for the peo-
ple; and therefore he should say to (Isis Chimed on in
the language of Hamlet's Oravediggers, " I like thy
wit well—the gallows works well for those who work
ill--ergal it works well for thee.--(A laugh, and
hear.)
Messrs. F. PA omit and MONCIi also spoke impres-
sively in favor of Reform.
The Loan Mayon next proposed the Honorable Mr.
0. Bennet, who had been so long known to the cons-
,
piny as the friend of humanity and of all who were in
distress.—(Shouts of applause.)—With him lie con-
nected Lord Ossulston, Sir C. Mooch, Mr. Curwen,
Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor, and the Reforteers of
Cumberland, Northumberland, and Durham.
Mr. Bessxerr said that for reform, he had given
one of the hest votes he had gives in Parliament, to-
gether nith the father of the friend on his right hand
(Mr. Whitbread), whose advice still rung in his ears.
From the present House of Commons they could expect
nothing good ; as well they might expect " grapes
from thorns, and figs from thistles."—(Applause.)—
Every advantage which the people gained they owed
not to the House of Commons, but had obtained in
spite of it. It was not now as in the reign of Charles
the S.cond, when the Lord Treasurer said that iesn-
hers of Parliament came to him at the end of the
session like jackdaws to cheese.—(Loud laughter.)—
Corruption was now concealed at the centre ; but
round about, it worked more than it had ever done
before. In the present decayed state of commerce,
nothing was so flourishing as the trade of Members of
Parliament. There WAS indeed scarcely a roan in the
country who had not something to fear or to hope
from the favour of the Crown. Bearing this in mind,
and looking at the pressure of taxation, when they
foluid an honest man acting in opposition to such
influence, they should treasure him up as the apple
of their eye—((heat applause.)—far he had been
purified in the fire ; he bad beers tempted, and had
resisted the temptation.
Mr. CURWEN had sat 40 years in parliament, and he
could say that it bad been a had trade, and one by whirls
no honest man would wish to make Isis livelihood. If
the people could be saved, it must be by the union of
the great and known friends of public liberty. Ile .
hoped the example set by the meeting would spread
through the country. He stood before them, he was
proud to say, the representative of a county indefisnee
of the aristocracy; that county was to meet to-morrow,
and for parliamentary reform, anal to say to the people
of England," Act as we do, and the country will be
saved,"—(lmmense applause.)
The LORD Mhos noel proposed Dr. Luslsington, Sir
Wiu. De Crespigny, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Houywooil,
sad
the reformers of Surrey and Kent.
Dr. 1.1;SIIINOTON considered earliamentary remits -as
the ail-important question. If it failed, every popialat
measure failed ; if st succeeded, all the prosperous events'
which they expected would be realized, anal, what was
above all other advantages, most valuable freedom of
writing and acting would result from it. There were
mow but two alternatives: the last remaining spark of
liberty must he quenched, or the people must be bean)
like thunder at a distance, and force reform in the 'louse
ler (Ammons.—(Applause.)—lt u as all mockery and de-
lusion to think that they would reform themselves
otherwise. For 30 years back a large minority in that
House had opposed the measures adopted by the govern-
talent; yet the House had never yielded to the voice of deal
people or listened to their prayers. They had, in.
deed, voted against the Property Tax, because it
touched their own pockets ; and they had given leave
to bring in a Bill against the Malt Tax. One member
for Norfolk anal one for Suffolk, who hail voted for
every harden upon the country, had voted against
that tax, which was only saying—" You may lay the
sax where else you. please." Conduct like this had
never bees exhibited in any other place save in the
Homo of Commons, where five and twenty instances
could be found of the same kind within a short time.'
Oa no occasion was that House found to feel with the
people--the people, he almost trembled when he ut-
tered the word--for it bad been rung in his ears, not
to speak of the people, but forsooth if his Majesty's
subjects, as if the term people were foreign to the ears
44 Englishmen—as if the terms and niceties of des-
potism were adopted In this country--as if such free-
dom was mot to be assumed is a land which boasted of
the stiffed's(' of their ancestors In the sense of Ii-

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