The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-07-10 00:00:00

'll I E S',

[;bSll .L. to
•

ever haying tbpitabt-.of -.1t.--Vienderi of op.
plows.]
Mr. Collier again rose, but could • not obtain a
hearing, on wilds
Sir FRANCIS BURDETT 11111d---Gllfltle/11e11, r am
quite sure that it will fall to your recpllection, how
often it has been stated in this room, that it is our
duty to hear the sentiments and opinions of every'
man, conducting himself with propriety and decorum.
We have no packed Jury here, or guy false Repre-
sentatives ; but are in company with thuskindependent
men, who *lll give every individual a, fair and
im-
Paftial hearing. Mr. Cobbett Is not afraid of any
thing which mar be said respecting 'him. lie will
staud the shot of every man who chases to take aim'
at him. It is bat fair to Mr. Cobbett and ourselves,
that we should know whothe Gentleman is,and then
we shall he acting with equal justice.
M'r. COLLIER then stated, that his name west as
he had been befole described ; that he had never ad-
essed a larger number than fifty persons. Raving
stated thus muoh, he hoped the company would now
indulge him with a hearing, he having been publicly'
accused. With regard to the Paper, he had nothing
t) do with such a calumnious publication. lie only
desirod an explanation from Mr. Cobbett—that ex-
planation he had received, and he was sure there was
not a Gentleman in the room, who would refuse to
thank him for producing such a satisfactory explana-
tion,—[Applause.]
Thom CHAIRMAN nest gave-
401arerm t., th.! `4lnith American Patriots,
which wett. very favourably received, as was also the
Jot lowing—
; may the oppression, of the People of Ireland be speedily re-
. movri.

Vudi be spelt, for, the support ,of those who write
boldly In behalf of tfie peoplenl
Sir Franellßordett left the Chair about bait-past
sloe' o'clocki amidct the reiterated plaudits of a com-
pany of nearly 600 persons, who Vied with each
other as to who should show the greatest attachnient
to the Hon. Hart. and !pow who accompanied him.
Every thing was conducted with order and propriety,
a►id the compai!y quitted, at a.n early hour, highly
gratified with another trhueph over the domestic cue-
plies of the country.

.
. entj criterion of the existence of liberty. It
,:i; be that, at some future period, we might melt
. e. who, like Daniel, rather than resign his opi-
:l4, would submit to be cast into a lion's den ;
„sever, Daniel hod a choke of escaping, of which
tts individual in this case would not have the he-
re% In modern times, if a man came into the
. eel of the Attorney-General, it was indeed
r„. if 'he escemed from his fangs. The wish
~( fu pprequin4 the• freedom of discussion was
etilsiiiely evident in the case of Mr. Cobbett,
sense lieeration they had met at this time to cele-
bele. lie had suffered imprisonment and phi a
erase fine. merely for deprecating the practice of
eeseeitie Eeelisemen from the plough to have their
thehforti 'Jive from their bents, and that too in the
tee•eeee 01 (:".nl3" woo brought into this coo-
le e Lich, in former times, would have, been enough
,„ see eevered th , kingdom with a forest of arms,
set enh their hearts attached to the cause,
eet eh se honour has not yet been flogged dowit.--e
fSi, Gentleman will be, to the hour of his death,
roue -
f hiving suffered in this cause ; and
o eittff
seen be rellerts, with the dignity of his own
maul, will meter think that, tot fall for his coun-
ts, ought to be avoided ; but rather, if ho-
„mem:, to be done, to be envied mod ad.
arel. The fate of II envie') and of Sydney was
re to him, in such a Case, an olijest of terror, but
flier to be desired. To conclude, Gentlemen, I ,
a,t call your attention to I ho:se unfortunate Gets.'
I DOW ie prison for the poblicai ion of their sen.
i es era velitical and religious sulajcts, but
reeteary the case of Mr. Neon, n ho, at his ad-
aced eeriod of life, had ,nob another conviction
o eosin, Ih. , i),l !. *Met ding will be done for the
and I am sure it will be
import of this Geetleman,
endless for me to trespass am longer upon your
inte to stimulate' you to such a etudable act. I
hank von, Gentlemen, for your expression of
riendshi;). I hope always to meet it---miser to be
efusid it—but, at any rate, I am determined to de-
When British hearts in Union glow
rre it. With Sisters of tbe Sod.
The ellAtimxx then gave the fallowing toast : To mitigate a Nation's woe,
A R-visioa of roe Penal rode—Vay it tw 'emirs-eft mem se- And break the Trod Rod ;
• again Pabl! Depredators, and less severe against Starr- I '7ls then iho Tree of Liberty
Nmaufacturcrs. Shall spread around on every hand,
"rm. following to&l was then given, and drank _ And Shamrock wen, with Thistle green,
ith great applensee ." . - Twining the Oak of Britain's Land.
Civil and Religious Liberty all over the World It.
On ibis, the ilev. Mr. Nteiertsreeer rose, and When Justice, from her mercy seat,
4,14) commend's! the propriety with which those Shall equal right dispenic.
so sootiments had been connected. In his opi- , And hear the claim, however great,
ion, religion endeivil liberty went hand in hand. From Peasant to his Prin.e ;
. 'Ti, then the Tree of Liberty
.Ipplosses]. And, upon • enquiry, it 'would be
Shall spread arour.d •on ev'ry hand,
sued, that the "'No Popery" Gentlemen, to use
• And &sawing( seen; with Thistle green,
'algae expressiiin, ethd "the enemies of the mew- 1
Twining the Oak of Briton's land.
we for' extending .toleration to Dissenters, were I
:Le friends of courtly corruption.---[ Loud up- I ITT.
When Patriots, onallued by gold,
Poort.3-11c then oilverted. to Mr. Eaton's case, 1
Oppn.sssion's Faction rend,
ad, as an headdesepporter of Christianity, as far 1 And prison walls no longer hold
1 his powereetent, as a Christian,. he would en. ' An injur'd country's friend;
re his protest agaitist the unchristian-ae punish- Tis then the Tree of Liberty,
mit to whkh that flentleman had beee . con- Shall spread around on every band,
mined.' The Revs. Gentl....ats Maintained that it And Shamrock seen, with Thistle green,
the duty of. every mate who had attended the Twining the Oak of Briton's Land.
ming her the present oceasion, to support Me. - When Mr. Dignum had finished, the following
l'etne, and to abs w that pillory, in such a case, was toast was drank, with great expressions of appro.
.% d:sgracite—. [ Loaf repplaase.] 1 balon, the timid playing—The Rogue's March.
A Mr. Cowmen the* rose, and complained, that ! May Foreign Mercenaries beam back to their own country,
I r. C obbett • hid . not satisprtOrity answered the' whin they did not defend; and may Eugland return to its Con-
, stitational Defence—Aron in tile hands of Free-men.
• 'is le in The Pees Nes striper of that day, vi.%icli
aro! him; fireteatrith tutvtl attempted to procure I Major Ce tenement then addressed the room, and
'ley from the Rothe in an thilitiece. manner ; and, described in forcible terms the lamentable state in
molts"- in olierisig. to reliequish the publication of ' which a great part of the Electors of this kingdom
he Re riikr. IC- dittoot 'lisitsit dot suca accusations t ore situated. They have not the liberty, said the ves
lee to lows unnoticed.. • Ti. best proof of his ' nerable Patriot, of the Electors of Westminster. But
rivistisidpeowerds,le..Celliestt eras, his neskieg this ' how great the contrast ; they are obliged to vote for
.e!!!e* retieettOn Ord• r thar Mr. Cohlreit might i certain men. When we speak of the Liberty of the
elle that calutnnY Gad *'t himself right e ell the . Press—Religious Liberty—of Trial by Jury—and 1
s e .To sAmur.t. BROOKS, Esq.
Olie: . • • •• •• I of the Law, we are apt to forget that these are only ! Chairman of a Meeting of Friends to a Free Press, held at the
Mr.Cluiteirtimmetlistely Dose, end delivered him- pins of that Liberty to which we are so justly en- i • Crown and Anchor Tosere, on the Sd July, 181!.
e;i4sreiliows t--'' The Qt`ntierfillo think% that I ought titled. %%lien we speak of the corruptions of the . State Prison, Newgate, Sth Judy
ti r hot ianee char: .it =ea have been a role . Moose of Commons, and of other abuses, they are i SIR,—In answer to the letter, which, pursuant to
'•r• fair, if the Mites Nestesetaser would have given only coneeeumices of our wanting a free and inile- the resolution of the Meeting of the 3d instant, you,
.t iimeeto earteepiled through the same meiliem. peudent Beprelentalion. A requisition is now sign-
r
' accompanied by a deputation of that Ileeting, have
..e -first itemisation is, thnt I did net ask a sub- hog for convening a Meeting to take into consklera-
done me the honour to put into my, hands, I have, in
lieien. but endeer.eired to obtain money its an Lion the necessity of that Reform, sad of proposing
+“iir.:" niy; Now, (;eetlemen, I will state to you measures to effect it. i ersons are about to meet in the first place, to beg the Meeting, through you, to
..e femme:sere: I had certain books of my , the country for the same purpose. The people receive my thankful acceptance of the invitation
iting anti .f my own publishing, which were for will shortly publish a Declaration of Rights. • therein mentioned; and, in the next place, to assure
:e. AVltee I was iii the Kieg's Bench prison, cer-.1 We have no doubt that our Worthy Chairman will the Meeting, that how far soever they may have over-
... tlesplemen offeied to commence a subscription, I shortly renew his motion on Parliamentaty Reform ;
ILA titemincil, oeceuse I did not want to raise and propose a standard of reform to which every Eng- rated my abi.ity, they cannot over-rate my will, to
. e is' eta way for the suppert of my family. As' lishmen will cheerfully resort. The Worthy Major render services to that country, which, whatever
; may be my fate in it, will always be dear to my
la' l• before, I had certainpublications which I : concluded by giving the following toast :
heart.
C..ett for setts, and does iho Gentleman The Parione Electors of Weaminster—may their example
mean to say, i I
' *t, b4CII"e I had pervert's, I ought not to have 'in reboiling Memlwrs to Parliament, frce of e% le be fol. While, Sir, I entertain the same sentiments as the
'l.l ms' 1;1)4s ? If 1 had property ; a little more than Mired throughout the Kioivlotn. 1 erseapptawseil Meeting; relative to the nature of the practice of flog-
:Ye ,thaui to lose by Generaneent—it was money ; A Gentlemin now rose, and after three fruitless , ging.soldiers ; and while I will not affect to disguise
hoe I had, ensued by my Industry. I solemnly attempts to obtain the attention of the Chair, gained ;the belief, that my efforts have had some share in
,
T'alte riit t diva directly, Or indireMly, received a hearing by the Company immediately near him.— producing the steps which now seem to tend towards
• !Ingle teething of the public money, though I had He talked much about his conversion to the " broad' the total abolition of that punishment, I cannot res..;
en repeetedly 'offered it. I never even solicited principles" of Mr. Cobbett, professed his warm train from expressing my thorough conviction, that ,
1
eis favour from Government. What I had gained friendship to the cause; and concluded, amidst the • those steps never would have been taken, had it not
ashy my own industry. I did not men ask the laugh of the surrounding compel's., by stating, that, been for the exertions of
Sr
_ V RANCIS BURDETT,. '
i'Lli!ir fur any thug.- 1 said, here I am, I have ' any opposition which was offered him,- would turn ' who, in spite of the malice and the calumnies of core
h siks to sell : it may .partly indemnify me for the out to be " all fudge !" reption, has so long persevered, and is still per'.
semices deem prosecution and. imprisonment, if severing, jn this best work of humanity.
Sir Fiteecis &muter then proposed
1 offer my hnoks to sell. I have a little more mo- If an expression of the gratitude and sympathy of
ate thee some verso/tato have been piaosecuted, and ! The Navy and Ar my—may Promotion lie gained by Merit, the Meeting—if even this, although so consoling to
CA, tray he a merit. I hi'V'e been a private soldier 'wind d t:ot by 13.1"ttgli interest. 1
_.ipplatist..] me, should be insufficient to obliterate from my mind
Aldermen Wood and Goodbchere, and the Friends of Liberty
" tat' a:m0). al ire I served my coontry eight years. • . the recollection, that I was sentenced to endure two
.
on the City of [Amami,
tCroif srmlans:l I have 'seen men ill-treated there, 1 years' imprisonment in a common gaol; to find sure-
snif leech to love them for their sufferings. I thank was the next toast. •• •• ties for seven years,, in the sum eef fire thousand
seleely for my property. Ido net even thank the' Mr. Alderman WOOD then rose, add in the pounds, besides paying down a fine of a thousand
euhlie for it, n.e did I even says in my adcartisement, name of himself and Alderman Goodbehere, ex- I pounds to the King, for having strongly expressed
hat I w 01,01 ihrtnk them tie buy my books. I do' pressed the high sense of honour they entelsffined my'indignation at the.flogging of English militiamen,
le mean .".‘a) but tout Ico hl have wished the for the respect which had been paid the ',Kris an the,ensploying German troops upon the oc-
-bac to have parolitised thmte copies. The second highly gratifying, continued Alderman ' s-Itekattsion, and that my prison-door did not fly open
'ad of ace eerie's is, O. a alter the conviction had retied on the proceedings of this day. My bd is! till-the last moment of the time had expired, and the
' ken place i proposed to discontiece my &Oster, made up to do the utmost iirmy pewee for the pub-1 uttermost farthing of
,-the money hail :been paid ; if,
tl that I advert:eel it. Gentlemen, I surely had • tic cause. It fell to my lot to be in office when Mr. I Sir, these tbjogs are net to be obliterated Crete-my
tight to di‘colitinue the -1 I* t'of this work.—' Cobbett entered the dreary walls of Newpte. Major I mind, even by an • expression of the gratitude end
pl. I tea 100
l ler.e rm..: eel int'. tiemixed 1
engagement with the public . Cartwright came to me and said,—" be is to be t sympathy of the Meeting, I beg you to assurelltem,
to emainue the II gisler lute any stated time. Sup- , with felons and persons confined for .unnatural l that it is only by doing all that, lam able in the cause of
pow 1 colict.iveill luid gained eu9ugh, I had a right erimes."—l immediately took him to Mr. Newman's ' the enslaved andeoppressed—that I shall eudoavour 1
~ max, iabeuring, ,if I chose. If I had said to parlour, where he could not have continued, but for Ito obtain revenge upon. those who,
.as you ,Olnerve) 1
. to
TerllMPllt. I will dieenntinue that publication, if: the expence of accommodations which he was luckily ' have enjoyed gratification et my
,sufferings.
'3ll sill remit part of IV punishment sou are about : able to pay. Let me appeal to emit all, Gentlemen, I In -requesting you, Sir, to Lave thogoodness. to
to iellict, or if the Attorney-Genetat had made such' as basbands and fathers, what must have been the „convey these vor sentiments to the Ifeetlagighl areal-. 11
a or'Pusition, and 1 had accepted it, then, indeed,' feelings of Mrs. Cobbett to visit her huiband In soch :.bappy in having an occasion to express the h
. eight be
it te.which I re.
ifi lied eileserted both the cause and a state of' misery. It was the greatest comfort I had' specteand sincere _personal regard 'with
the pee pie.
nre We having made such a pro- ;in my life to bring him from that place. I shall re- main year friend, . - • - •
04; ogle: link" leek .Proposal made to sae; or ' spect .the man So long u I live. My last shilling To Itemelltrooks, Estke W14413.145TZ
...e.
. .• . . .
. •

.At a Meeting of Friends to a Free Press, held on
Friday July 3, 1812,
sAmfm. BROOKS, Esq. in the.Chnir,
Resolved—That the following Letter, signed by
our Chairman, be written to Mr. Cobbetr: - -

Crown and Anchor Tavern, July 3, Isl 2.
Flrst,—The same day on which the enemies of
English Liberty shall cease to enjoy the gratification
of your imprisonment, the Friends of Free Discus-
sion, a sacred right inherent in the rational nature of
mae, have selected for socially rejoicing in your en-
largement.
It will greatly add to their enjoyment, if, on that
occasion, you will do them the favour of being their
guest at dinner, together with such of your family
or intimates as you may wish, should accompany
you.
Those, Sir, from whom you receive this invitation,
are anxious to express to you, in person, the sense
they entertain of the obligations your country, in
their judgment, owes you for the various services to
•
i, which talent, of a superior order, is alone compe-
-1 tent.

11!. DIGNUM then sang, in excellent slyle, the
following

S N
TtNe—The Oven of Ganpbwder.

They more particularly desire to couratulnte you
on the conscious shame already manifested, of hay-
ing foreign hirelings, 'who never knew what liberty
was, to defend England and her freedom ; as well as
on the great degree of reformation alieadv produced,
touching that inhuman and degrading punishment to'
which English soldiere.bad been subject, until Sir
Francis Burdett, in Parliament, and yourself, through
the potent medium of the Presi, so successfully ex-
posed n practice, alike unwarranted by the EngliSh
Constitution, add uncongenial with English feeling;
for, by the immemorial law of the land (a land in
which bondmen are no longer known) freemen only
formerly bore arms, slaves only were whipped.
AVe lament, that when shame began to operate,
and that reforming commenced, your prison door,
Sir, did not fly open, that an immediate period might
have been put to that punishment you had suffered I
for having only expressed what every enlightened
Englishman indignantly felt, on seeing foreign sol-
diers superintending and enforcing the whipping of
the native Defenders of the Land.
Come, Sir, among us ; and if the tribute of our
gratitude for your eminent services in the cause of
freedom, and our sympathy for what you have suf-
fered, can in any degree obliterate the impression of
that sabering, receive that tribute warm from the
hearts of Englishmen.

By command of the Meeting, and uith a lively
participation in their sentiments towards you, AaFe.
the honour to subscribe myself,
Sir, "It
Your obliged and affectionate countryman,
To W. Cubbett, Esq. SAM. BROOKS, Chairmen.

',