The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-01-04 00:00:00

TO JOHN CAM MOIHIOUSE.

tits—We, the undersigned, inhabitants of Liverpool
and the environs. beg leave to address you, fur the por-
poise of expressing the indignation and regret with whiCh
we have heard of the new exercise of that undefined and
arbitrary power, by whirl', miscalling it privilege, the
lionse of Continuos have subjected you to forcible al--
rest, a,. I vast i)fi into prison.
.%rt assumption of power, which places the liberty of
the pliple at the discretion of that assembly, we should
regard with the utmost je 'lousy and uneasiness, even if
it 'mite :11 reality what tt professes to hr, a representa-
tion of the people: but, when the notorious fact that a
large majority obtain their seats by the nomination and
influence of a few individuals (some of whom arc mere
dealers :it the power which they thus abuse) is recorded
in our painfoil experience, anti esperially in the expe-
rience of the last and present Session, mien we see the
represmitations, the remonstrances, the prayers of a
peacefu! but greatly suffering people, altogether disre-
garded ; a profligate expenditure persisted in, and bur-
tbens largely increased which were already insupport-
able; when we are visited with further restraints, with
more fearful coercion, because we complain of existing
evils; and the national demand for inquiry into event..,
which have justly excited universal horror, has been
coldly and insultingly repelled; we shudder while we
contemplate the blinutl!ess hectic with which such a
power may he exercised
nut. Sir, even in cirmnstances so discouraging-, it
wind I ill become the descendants of men idol purchased
with their blood the rita.hts and liberties by m biro Eng.."
land became a Nall of freedom, to forget that onrs is a
Government, not of privilege, Lut of law! And, bearing
in mind the great Finelples of the Constitotion, we ask.
if "se one osegla it fro!!te im his torn eo,-.e," with
what proprlAy the !louse of Commons. professing to b..
the guardiaNs of our right-, when they accuse au Eng-
lishman of " scandalous libel," can presume al.o to de-
termine that be is gniity c We ask, it ",.o um, sioithr
imprisoned ;tot bji fonynljnagose.st of his peers, or by
thr lair of fLe loud," how he can lawfitily i.e ettitsigned
to gaol by the vote, the divided vote too, of twit assem-
iiiy ? And we ask, if "there is no trry.n.., n•ithout a re-
midi," where is he to seek a remedy fur the wrong
which he may sutler at their hands

flat the House, it seems, deemed it necessary to up-
hold " its dignity." If there be dignity in conifiniming
a man to liziprisonment without bearing hios, without
observing any of the essential forms, and in otter vio-
lation of the sacred spirit of I.iw, a despotism may be
Om most dignified of Governments! But, in our con-
ception, dignity is best maintained by a regular and up-
right diseliarge of appointed duties; and we are con-
vinjavd, tio at when the Members of the ;louse of Com-
mons shad shoe" themseltres the servants. nut the mas-
ters of the people ; when They shall listen to our just
complaints, redress onr manifold grievances, and pro-
tect us from the oppression of corrupt and audacious
Ministers, they will find abet no libel, however scanda-
lous, east shade O.:- lustre of that true dignity, which
would repose, in undisturbed serenity, on national re-
.pert and gratitude!
ri 'merely regret the personal inconvenience. Sir,
to n hi• h you are unjustly and unlawfully exposed ; but
regarditig the offence of which you are accused, as evi-
dence of your honest zeal fur your country; and anxious
that the public wrong sustained in your person may lead
to future benefit, we trust that, ere long, we shall
see ymi in a more Important station, where, by the side
of the illustrious Itur.lett, you way, like him, approve
yourselt the nide, eloquent, and undaunted assertor
of
our invaded rights; the faithful trustee of a faithful,
though injured people.
We are, with much respect, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
[nUE FOLLOW 7115 SIGN/ATI:RCS.]
Lircrpoof, 27th Drremher, ISI9.