The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-03-28 00:00:00

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MEETING IN SOUTIIIVANK,
IN SUPPORT OF SLR ROBERT WILSON.
• On Thursday night a numerous and respectable
body of the Independent Voters of the Town and
'Borough of Southwark, met at ..the Nag's Head Inn
for the above purpose, when George Ault, Esq. was
unanimously voted to the Chair.
The Criatassmr, in a concise address, expressed his
• inability to preside over a public Meeting, and de-
• Blared that nothing but the cause, namely, the
Freedom of Election, could have induced him to ac.
opt of so arduous a titration. The purport of the
Meeting was so return Sir Robert Wilson. Every
person, he trusted, would obtain a candid hearing;
but be believed the most regular way of commencing
the proceeding was, by reading the Requisition
• Fite Meters of Southwark. Friends to Freedom of Election
and Parham/108ra Reform, will meet on Tliersday evening
west, at the Nag's }lend Inn, Bornugh, al six o'clock, for the
impose of inviting Sir Robert Witsme to become a Candidate
to represent this Borate' in Parliament, at the next General
Election.
• Sonthwark, Monday, March 23, 1818."
Mr. Rau. thought it necessary to inform the
Meeting. from the prominent part be had taken, in
conjunction with several of the independent enters of
the Borough, that a few months titre. he had handed
some Resolutions to Sir Robert Wilson res-ectittg
bin becoming a candidate-for Southw•i k. Sir Robert
at that 'wand thought himself bound to the elect..rs
of Maiditone. and therefore, in consequence, de-
dined the offer ; but circumstances having since
changed, and a meeting taken place at Sir Robert's
house, be bad most cheerfully accepted of their re.
quest. Mr. Hall stated, that in conversation with
Mr. Tiernr4 ••pon the sehject, this Gentleman had
expressed himself highly (securable to Sir Robert
NVilson, as a most eligible and independent character
to represent the Borough 'of Southwark. Mr. Hall
wished it to be most perfectly understood, that he
had not the slightest intention of injuring the interest
of Mr. Calvert; but, on the contrary, hetrusted that
the latter Gentleman week' be retorned with Sir
Robert. The representation would then be perfect;
at the present inomeut it was well known that they
voted in direct opposition to each other ; and, in
fact, it might be termed no representation at all. But,
in justice to Mr. Calvert, be felt it his ditty to observe,
that upon all great constitutional questions his vote
bed never deviated from the cause of independence.
Be hoped they would follow the glorious example of
the City of Westminster, in returning Sir Robert free
from espence; and which conduct might stimulate
other, places to do likewise He would no longer
delay the time of the Meeting, but propose the fol.
lowing Resolutions :-
1. That a dissolution of Parliament being at heed, it is es-
sential that the Electors adds Borough should I the into their
consideration the propriety of propounds. at tae PPM Grerrill
relKiiol3, it Gentleman of undoubted political imegri v. pus.
se..ing great talents and an intelligent ni,nd. who would .041
represent he interests of his constituents and the maims at large.
2 Thai this Sleeting are convinced that the inhabitants of
this Rortunth possess the means of relorniug two ledependest
Member. to Parliament.
"5. That in taking a view of Public men, Oeir proYessiousaad ,
their cosOuto, in a public capacity. thee do not hesitate so de. I
stare that Sir Robert Vt ikon it the individual the. look (erased
tq o its migraine expectations of becoming one of their Repre-
sAstatives, returned by the o ibought, uninterrupted, and dons-
_ terested votes of t remove; desirous of setting an example to the
coontry. hat they may he the weans of pesideting sheer pro-
wettings in other pans of the kingdom.
4. That this Nicotine do pledge I heesselvec severally to 'vitriol
bit Hubert Nikon at the next General Election, provided he
%overt. she present imitation. and declares himself a candidate
to repres-ni .his Borough, pledging himself so support the ques-
tion of Parliamentary Reform, and as ou his general future con-
dors if resumed to the Howse of Commons.
S That is the wooden duty of all Free and independent
Ileetors to return their Representatives free of expense: and
that this Meeting do recommend subvert wimp; to be opened for
the purpose of defraying the espeace atteuding tbr decant' of
Sir Robert St doin.
6. That the forego* Resolutions. signed ty the Chairman.
no the pars of this Meeting, who will without delay forward the
same to Sir Robert Wiliam. for his inspection.
Mr. WEATHEIWITONT., previous to the Resolutions
being put, wished to he informed respecting the po.
Utica of Sir Hubert Wilson, as be had published a
book concerning the poisoning of the troops at Jaffa,
by the order of Bonaparte.
Mr. lIALL wished to satisfy the mind of every
elector upon that subject. The book in question
was opposed to him on his trial for the escape of La. '
valette; hut Sir Robert had, with much manliness
end candour, declared he had been deceived. He
bad written it from no corrupt motive; and the in-
formation he then relied upon, hall since turned nut
erroneous. Sit Robert had declared himself for Par-
liamentary Reform, and that his exertions should be
directed to bring about so desired a benefit The
speech of Sir Robert t. the electors of Maidstone,
mot only contained some excellent principles, but
'what should be the political line of conduct he would
pursue if he was returned as their Representative.—
Sir Robert had always been a staunch Whig. The
error committed by Sir Robert Witten in publishing
the above book, Mr. Hall felt confident had been
completely obliterated by that event, which all Eu-
rope bad viewed with admiration—his generous, true
Englishman-like conduct towards the unfortunate
Lavalette.—(Hear. hear! and applause.)
• A person, who seemed disposed to create some
confusion in the Meeting, put a variety of questions
across the table to Mr. Halt.
•
Tile Cnaiatias requested his name, and desired
be would rise and address the Meeting ; but he po.
sitively refused to do either, and contitsoed to inter-
rupt the proceedings. He at length gave in the name
of Robert Lamb. It turned out he was a " col-
lector of copper" to Mr. Barclay, end retired under
marks of disapprobation. Mr. Lamb was requested
by a voter to inform his master of their proceedings.
Mr. Coorza seconded the Resolutions, which
were passed unanimously.
Mr. HALL apologised in again offering himself to
their notice, but be bad omitted to state, that, its
a conversation with Sir Francis Burdett, the lion.
Raronet observed, be bad known Sir Robert Wit-
son for thirty years, and be was extremely anxious
be should be a Member of the noose of Commons,
as Sir Robert was in favour of Parliamentary Re-
form. This character, he thought, was sufficient.—
(Hear, hear, hear!)—Sir Francis also wished the
Electors of the Borough would come toe resolution to
return Sir Robert Wilson free of expence, not merely
to save his pocket from a few pounds, but its order
that he should pot be liable to vexatious and litigious
expences hereafter. Lord Cochrane bad paid 90001.
for Honiton, although promised to be brought in
free. When be (Sir Francis) put up for Middlesex,
be did not Wen, to expend more than 15001., hot It
ultimately cost him 0030W1. A amber of persons