The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-01-17 00:00:00

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sures were ever, so ardently exposed,
lic Emancipation and Parliamentary Re.
two great men, Mr, Pitt and Mr. Fox. _
basis, I ask, will rest the ,memory of Mr. Pitt, I( the
grounds of those. two measure. be taken ainy ?
dHear, bear.) Is it on.the tyrenny and coital-ea
isplayed towards Ireland ? Is it on his opposition is
the abolition of the slave..trade?—(Hpar, bear.)—Or
will his friends rest his fame on that celebrated mea-
sure, the suspension of cash payments?—(Cheers.)—
for I am one who do not conceive that his successors can
claim any meth for measures of which that was the
precedent.—(Hear, hear,)—lt is with grief, 'gentlemen,
I reflect on the memory of a great man, when I consider
that his successor, in twelve months, abated that mon-
strous mischief, the slave trade—a mischief which that
great man (Mr. Pitt) in the height of his popularity,
and armed with all the power of the Goverment. de-
clared his inability to abolish.—(Hear, hear.)—lt is
with shame, Gentlemen, I investigate the character of a
great statesman, when I find in his policy such a blot
of injustice, as a law which occasioned one half of the
community to sustain the burdens of the other—(Cheers.)
a law, gentlemen. from the effects of which many of you
are still the sufferers.—(Hear, hear )—No, gentlemen,
the political character of Mr. Pitt has not another prop
than the ones which his pretended admirers are so anx-
ious to remove. Yet for advocating these two measures
Catholic Emancipation and Parliamentary Reform, are
the followerd of Mr. Fox procribed as being naworthy
the confidence of their Sovereign. There were those
who insinuated that latterly Mr. Fox was not a sincere
• reformer ; Mr. Fox, however, gave his sanction to the
principle of reform in the last year of his administra-
tion. The question of Catholic Emancipation called
forth all his energy and zeal; and he left it to his
friends to charge him with insincerity on that sub-
ject, if they could : as for this he forfeited his power.
Yet, for this, we are charged by some of his followers
with carrying his principles too far. If you need an
argument in favour of emancipation, I have only to
say, Look around you. Can the Catholic subjects
of Ireland obtain justice? Can the laws be executed
against Irish Protestants? I will only refer you to that
flagrant abuse of the law, by which the late daring as.
sault upon his Majesty's Representative passes on.
punished, through an unwarranted and unauthorised
construction of law by a Protestant Grand Jury ; and
I say, that there is no happiness for Ireland, until you
limit the tyranny of that oppressive caste, and restore
the great majority of the Irish to that equality of which
they ought never to have been deprived.—(Load and
unanimous cheers)—On the qn non of Parliamentary
Morin, I trust there is occasion to say little in an as.
'nobly of true Whigs.—(Cheers,)-11, however, any,
shall ask the grounds on which I approve of that tee
long neglected measure, I say, both because Scotland
most needs a refortn,—(Vehement applause)—and be-
cause the principle of reform was once sanctioned in
Scotland by law, Before the Revolution, the National
Convention, which was not then so slavish as the Con-
vention of England, presented a petition to the English
Goveri.ment ; and the 14th of a list of grievances which
it detailed, complained bitterly of the conduct of the
Scotch Representatives in Parliament.—(Hear, hear,
and a laugh.)—So earnest, indeed, was this remon-
strance, that it was actually attended to by the Go-
vernment of King William; and that great monarch,
whose " glorious and immortal memory" I revere
more than those who have his name in their mouths,
but whose principles are foreign to their hearts, did
actually assent to a measure for giving a better repre-
sentation to Scotland. (Cheers.) This was the doc-
trine of Parliamentary -Reform at one time unction-
ed by the law of Scotland; and it doubtless would
have been carried into effect, but for insuffirient care
having been taken of it at the Revolution. Unwilling
as I am, Gentlemen, to suspend any longer your social
pleasure (Hear, hear, hear; and cries of "Go on,") I
will yet trespass another minute on your attention, in
order to implore your more earnest aid and assistance
in a cause, in which we have so deep an interest. (Hear,
hear.) Gentlemen, there are certain political philcso•
pliers, who teach that, the more enlightened we become,
the less we have to do with liberty ; (Laughter, and cries
of " Hear ;") and that it is not the people of this intelli-
gent nation, but those of Siuscovy and Siberia who are
the proper objects of freedom. (Alucli laughter and
applause.) It is no longer an enlightened population,
but hordes of desperate barbarians, who are fit fur self
govermitena This is the proposition which, plainly
stated, is calculated to terrify and astonish even the
stages from whom it originated. Yet is this so glaring
an absurdity, so monstrous an oddity in logic, pat in the
van of all political arguments again.t Parliamentary
Reform. But; gentlemen, what i have seen of this
meeting, what I recollect of the national character, au•
thorises me to conclude, that you will not abstain from
the use of all constitutional means, in order to obtain
for every individual of the commaaity an equal share in
the privileges of the constitution. (Loud cheering.)
Gentlemen, I propose that we now drink
•" To the Immortal Memory of the Right Hon. Charles
'James Fox"—ln silence. and the company standing, while
a solemn dirge was performed by the band.
From the Chair—
" His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, the strenu-
ous supporter of those principles which placed his fa-
mily on the Throne.—(Cheers.)—Air, Joy to Great
Cse.ar.

The CHAlRMAN.—Gentlemeo, when assembled in the
cause of freedom, 1 hope we shall never forget that we
are Scotchmen.-1 give—
•' The Dukes of Hamilton, Argyll, and Roxburgh:
and the Whigs ot Scotland."—(Applause.)—Air.--Three
good fellows.
The CHAlRMAN.—Oentlemen, I give you the natural
defence of the country, and of which Scotland is not
without its share—

• The British N'a►y."—Air. Rule Britannia.
The CUAIRMAN.—I now propose another part of the
defence of the country, and of wield) also Scotland claims
SD equal share—
•• I'he British Army."—Air, The Grenadier.
The CHAIIINAL—The nest toast is the favourite toast
of all' of you, and so well expresses the sentiments of the
Statesman whom we are met to celebrate, that it might
almeat stand in place of his creed—
•• The Rights of the People, as established at the Re.
volution 'of 16$8."—Three times three. and long con-
tinned applause.)—Air, A man's a man for a' that.

The CROUPIL:R (Mr. CSANSTOUN) now rose [and after
a very eloquent speech, which our limits oblige us to
omit, gave]
Sir James Macintosh," with all the honours.—
(Three times three, and enthusiastic appla2se.)
[Sir James, after a speech highly complimentary to
Mr. Cranstoun, having proposed the health of the Crou•
pier, which was drank with 3 times 3. and deafening ap
plausr. that Gentleman returned thanks, and proposed]
with all the honours.

" Earl Orey and the Whigs of England."-3 times 3,
and loud applause.
Mr. Jsert.cv.-1 wish, with your pt.rnsission, Sir, to
propose a toast, in:which, from what I have already seen,
I entertain no doubt but that we shall all most cordially
agree, although it is one which has given rise to many
shades of difference, even among those by whom it is,
i n general terms, approved. I must be understood, Sir,
to allude to the cause of Parliamentary Reform. (Long
continued cheering.) In undertaking to introduce this
subject, it is some consolation to me that 1 shall thereby
atone fur some not to say hostility to the measure, yet
tor many years of Indifference towards it, and for having
sometimes approached it with considerable reluctance

time when many heal.
elothat by 4* was termed
thbile interests might be
suffielentljr secured; and the, any change, though mo-
derate and Safe, would at best but give rise to a new
machinery, which world not operate more beneficially
on the eouatry than the present. Sit,from there prim.
dices tisise Ass reclaimed es all. ,
(This avowal was met by the most nnanimous,cheen
of the company.] Sir, it is my opinion, ant) I believe the
grin* of an immense Majority of the country,.' that
some bhange in the representation of the people I! 001
only life, but necessary to preserve the stability of Ow
Constitution.—(Cheers.) rite facts on which this op,-
don is founded are. the disposition of the people *
large, and the conduct of the Parliament itself.—(Hear.
bear.) The cause of Parliamentary reform has, set
without reason, multiplied its advocates to an unpremi-
dented degree.—(Cheers.) Many who once looked epee
reform as a monstrous and incredible propositioe; hive
gone over to. that cause which they formerly regarded
with disifedit and distrust. This change is mainly owing
to the recent paltry attempts of the Legislature to aim
borate the, condition of the country.—(Hear, hear.)
The conduct of Parliament has shown that it no longer
represents the people of Great Baitain. (Cheers.)—
But for the cause of this antipathy—this divergence or
feeling and opinion; we must look to the manner in
which the House of Commons is constituted. Where
scan be the difficulty id obtaining a corrupt majority.
when four out of eicht of its members are placed there
by the Treasury? That the Commons do not represent
the sense, the wishes, and the general spirit of the coin-
siihreky, is made evident, by the People at large dissent.
log in the proportion of nine out of ten, from the opiel.
ons of Parliament. When this is the ease, it is plain
that its functions mast constitutionally cease.—(Cheena)
The benefits of representation, in tranquillizing tie,
public mind, may be inferred from the fact, that while
Leeds and Manchester were the seeds of insurrection,
Bristol and Liverpool were comparatively quiet.—Peace
and tranquillity, however, are not theonly advantagespro.
raised by reform. We require something better than
House of Comruons only capable of putting down rebel-
lion. (Cheers.)—lt must control the Royal Prerogati re.
Such a House of Commons may be obtained by the
exertions of the friends of the people. The only admoni-
tion which those friends can require is, to sacrifice
something of individual opinion for the advantage of
union among the friends of Reform. That it might not
be alledged that the true character of your measure is
not to ameliorate, but to destroy ; let it vary as little
as possible from those forms and institutions which were
found sufficient in the early stages of society. Sir, I
give you—
" A cordial union of all the friends of freedom, in the
cause of Parliamentary Reform." This toast was drank
with 3 times 3, and the most decisive maks of approba-
tion,—Air, " Scots wha hae." &r:

Lord GLENORCHT, in a spirited address, proposed the
health of Sir Ronald Pergussoo, and may the British
soldier never forget the duties of a citizen.
Sir RONALD FERGcSSON expressed his gratitude to his
treble friend and the meeting, for the manner in %%bleb
his health hail been received. That his humble efforts
in Parliament had met with the approbation of such a
respectable meeting as this, was a greater honour than
the crown could bestow. It gave him the greatest satis-
faction that the subject of Parliamentary Reform had
been so well received—convinced as he was that the
tfety of bis country could not exist unless that measure
was adopted. He trusted that the last sentence of their
chairman was still on their lips—to do their utmost
efforts to make Scot:and independent. He would con-
clude by proposing as a toast, u A real Representation
of the people of Scotland in Parliament."—(3 times 3,)
JA number of other toasts followed for which we
have not room, and] the meeting broke up at half-past
one on Tuesday morning.

• :rt fc'te.r.,!l•2ol,lo •N. • I:. 0./ Yank •r. :21...../.."1"14 •

SPOR rim INTELLWENCE.

Lt) . , - .

.. •
Inuan.R. Timothy liehiee was indicted for the wilful
ieturder of Michael Flood, by Kiwis's bine ri mond! bruise
or contusion with a stump arm, °treble# be died. „
William Murray deposed Thar re lived ae OM Emit-
ford„ eight dt6 October. He knew Michael Me 1, bet
did oot recegnise the features of the priestlier. Un ti set
morning Ilhich was a Sunday, he wae/standinCin th
toad and saw a person come upend 'Hike Flood a iielen(
blow in the faces which mule him stagger.. As,soortas
be recovered from the blow and was making toveiside
the curbstone, a woman caught the man tlia; stisicit
him' ,by the collar, turned him round and encialaiis
foklorl's sake don't kill the man," or "have you killed
the man ?" As soon as that' was said, deceased , Made
a kind of a rim. When *lie woman turned the person,
round, be was mahing towards the deceased to strike
him again. The man who struck the deceased ran
after blu,, but several persons got round them to that
ha only saw them on the ground struggling together,
but he could not tell how they got on the ground,
whether by being knocked down or tripped, or by
falling only. He saw no more pass, ,as they were
then parted, hut he saw deceased i times
afterwayds. His face was much covered with blood.—
The blow was directly over the temple, the blood from.-
which streamed down very copiously. Flood himself
went for the coustal,le, and was able to go about for a
week or so afterwards.
John Morris Banner, house surge n of St. George's
Hospitil, deposed that the deceased was brought to the
Hospital on tke 14th of October. The witness described
the appearance and progress of the wound, with its
effects on the deceased, till the 20th of October, when
be died. IVitness believed the wound to be the cause of
his death, and thought also that if proper niediesl atten-
tion had been paid him at first, be might have been
saved..
. John Walker stated the circumstances similar to the
last witness, and was quite sure the prisoner was the mart
who was striking at Flood. Prisoner afterwards tient
into a lodging house, where be was apprehended.
Ann Woodward (the woman above referred to) coo-
-1 firmed what had been, previously stated respecting Ler.
William Watson, a constable, apprehenee I the prison-
er, het saw nothing of the affray; and only gave an
account of what passed before the Magistrate!, when a
compromise was agreed on bet Nero the parties.
a • Thos. Brooks, a Chelsea penstoeer, saw part of the
affray, but took little notice of it.
Pri•oner, when called on for his defence, said he was
in liquor at the time he met deceased. He asked de-
ceased to take sausething to drink, which deceased
refused, and told him to go to H—ll. Words ensued,
and be might have struck deceased, but bad no wish to
do him an injury so as to cause Iris death. He had no
persona to appear for him, but Almighty God, and his
Lordship, who would do for him what was just and
right.
The LORD Cater BARON then summed up, and the
Jury, after a short deliberation, found toe prisoner
guilty of—Manslaughter.
In the matter of Duncan *Callum who was remanded
front last Sessions on a charge of forging a certain
warrant for the delivery of seven bales of Cotton Wool,
with intent to defraud llamas Sterling,
Mr. WALFt/RD. applied to the Court for Able purpose
of respiting the recognisance* of the %haggises fur the
Prosecution.
Lord Cater BARON—•" Ayr, but Is his case to stand
over for ever ?"
Mr. WALVORD—" That is for your Lordship's decision
—the East India Company have done all in their power
to procure the attendance of lit. Stirlieg, bat without
recces., as they were informed Mow is France."
Lord I nice Beaori—" Then the °Visit of your appli.
cation is, not to F o ut the Court of Exchequer."
Mr. W Ammon —•• I es, my Lord."
Lord Cater OA —" Be it so then."

Mr. WALPORD said be could say nothing as to the 31.
t joists fate of the prisoner, as his Counsel was then ab-
sent.

Very little betting at Tattersall's yesterday. No al•
teration of any consequence took place.
Ma. ABILUNCTIIT'S GREAT Marce.—This amateur
pedestrian started yesterday from St. Giles's Church to
go to Huntingdon and back, a hundred and twenty-four
wiles from the place of starting, in thirty hours, for a
trifling sum, but heavy bets were pending on the issue
of the event. He did six miles the firrt hoar, five, the
second, and five and half the third, when he halted to
breakfast of a roast fowl and wine and water. H•
started again. and travelled for three hours at the rate of
something less than five miles an hour. When our in-
formant left him he was resting at forty two miles, after
eight hours and a half work, which appeared a pleasure
to him rather than toil. He travels in flannels, with
thick shoes. _

Cvntaxo.—Yesterday se'nnight, a match betwixt two
amateurs, for a considerable bet, took place in the
neighbourhood of Auchincruive. The game was 21, fee
stones each, which after a very close and keen contest of
three hours and a half, was gained by one shot only, the
shots being tie and tie to the very last. •
A curling match, between some of the married ,and
unmarried curlers in the parish of Penicuik, proposel
by Mr. Kenton on the part of the latter, and accepted
by Mr. Brown, Broadwood, on that of the former, w.te
played on Thursday, the 9th curt., upon one of the
Penicuik house ponds. The weather and ice were ex-
tremely favourable for the bonspeill, which ;vas won.by
the single gentlemen by a majority of 13 shots.—
(Edia. Observer)
The projected curling match, between the counties
of slid Lothian and Tweeddale, is to take place, if the
frost continues on Tuesday first (the 14th current)—
.According to arrangements which bare been made upon
the part of Mid Lothian, the curlers from the parishes
of Penicuik, Lasswade, and Corstorphine, and from the
Roslin and Duililingston clubs, will play upon the
Whim pond; while those belonging to the Merchieton
club, and to the parishes of Currie and Mid Calder,
will play upon iho lower Panicnik House pond, at tga
o'clock —(ibid.)

BRutsraox►t Boxl%o.—A battle was fought last week. on
Moseley Wake Green, between Ben Preston and Bill Mole,
two Brummagem men. They were amongst the list of Weld
weights, neither of them being more than lOst. 71b. Though
unknown to the ring, and mere infants in science, they kkd
both dabbled a little in the art, and had each the reputation
of having beaten his man. This was something at least to
begin with, as Josh. !Wotan would say: and coopled with
that conceit which a single victory never fails to give a man.
they were expected to show some sport. It is absursitely
impossible to deeeribe the battle, or the uproar by whietsit
was attended. Preston, when he peeled, showed melt"'
condition, and had decidedly the advantage both in weight
and length of reach; from his superior action he omOst to
have licked his man in one-third of the time. Pres Vii, da-
ring the whole of the battle, showed considerable judgment
in defending his head, but left his body completely sniff&
teeted ; he got severely punished on bis heft side% Geoid
being a right handed hitter. Preston's ambitious. from the
beginning of the fight, evident.y was to deface the upper-
s% oras of Geoid; and certainly it must be acknowledged
that he succeeded to his soul's wish, for no man's head ever
presented a more woful and terrific appearance—ft Was sae
complete imam of claret, that even his own mother would
not have known him. Stil, in spite of this punialinient, pad
of came dreadfully severe hitting collet be recelOrd on his
jugular. he stood up one hour and thirty minutes, while
more than WO rounds were (mufti ; when Preston, by a
knock down Now, rendered his °warn! incapable of coining
again.

..... • • . ,s. 1 ••••••P -, • • ~..,
llif* " firra#o4ll4l r .. •...
d.- 1 . ,
1, as were Ceiba.' -411ear, bear.) There was n t
r Reform by those gent Melds of liberty belle v 0 t
.:
Fox. • Oa what • virtual representation the $t
P LI. Ma. 21 •L.— --11E—I__.%,