The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-05-24 00:00:00

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eats duceateat it 4 I reland:. be could non•pat that in com-
petition with the ancient valtudde privileges of that
Hoe*.
Mr. BRIGHT said a few words, which were
iaaafdi-
Ile id the gallery.•
dOULDVILN considered that the witness, by his
last answer, had made himself directly obnoxious to the
privileges of the House; and, in that rase, there could
toe no hesitation se to the course they must pursue. He
hail, hoarier, no ollectieu to his belug called In and re-
exandoed.
Mr. BROUGHAM thought that the best coarse. He
egreecdwith the Right Hon. Gentleman who hail just sat
down, but he hoped the witness would not oblige them
to go to extreniity. In the latter cafe, however, be
Legged ,to (observe, that% these times the laurel of vie.
tory would be at least as dangerous as the palm of mar-
tyrdom
Afire% few words from Mr. K. Doorman, Sir JOHN
Nsieeturr,.Mr. o..thitifouas, aid Mr. IL SMITH, in ex-
planation,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought that the im-
portance of the question should he well considered before
it was pressed. He oljected to the counnival of the
witness.
Mr. WILLIAMS considered that the .witness had
brought himself into difficulties by his prolix explana-
tion.
hie. Secretary CANNING observed, that it ought not
to be forgotten that their proceedings on this question
roaid go forth to the worl I and be.oriticised. How, if
it should turn out that in the whole Book of Joshua the
Anialekites were not mentioned (a langh)?
Ur. BUTTERWORTH said, he bad been ahove stairs,
and he had been ridable to find the Ainalekites mention-
ed in the Rook of Joshua (a laugh).
ejir J. NEWPOR r referred the Honourable Gentleman "
to the 10th chapter of Joshua, the 19th verse, in which
the. Israelitei were exhorted to root out the Amtlekites.
Mr. LIUTTERIVORTH replied, that he would go up
stairs aitain, and examine the passage pointed out to bias
by the Hon. Baronet.
Sir J. NEWPORT repeated, that the only matter for
the Committee to decide upon was, whether they would
allow a witness to refuse to answer a question, on the
ground that, by the obligation of an oatb, he was pre-
cluded from doing so?
Mr. BUTTERWORTH appeared at the bar with a
Bible, and said that he had examined the 10th chapter
of Joshua, the 19th verse, and found no such passage as
that quoted by the lion. Baronet (read, read, read) The
verse Ws as follows :
" And stay yaii not, but pursue after your enemies,
and smite the hindermost of them soiree them not to en-
ter Into their cities, for the Lord your God Imtli deli- i
tired them into your hand."
Witness was again- called in.
The CHAIRMAN—Witness; I now ask you whe.
ther, after having ha I time for consideration, yon
will persist in declining to answer the question last put
to •you
Here the question was read by the Short-han 1 writer.
• Witness said he °Sleeted to answer, because be thought
that answer would lead, to other questions which he
roust oblett to, end so it would in the end come, to the
some thing (crirs of no, no.)
The CliA IRMA'S told the Witness that it would be
time enouth to object to such questions when they were
pat to him.
Witness went on to say that the words in question
were used solely as signs and symbols, by whichOmnge-
men were enahledlo distinguish each other, and were
to Is: found in the. Old Testament.
tly.Mr..PEF.L,—Those words were solely led exclosive-
ty for the purpose* stated, and had no reference to the Meth=
eoutalsed in any text of Scripture.
Witness was ordered lb withdraw.
Mr.PEEL said it now appeared that the words in question
were need. 'solely es signs by which Oraegemeu knew each
ether, and were not at all relevant to the inquiry before them.
e could not, thetefore, consent to press the inquiry into
the nature of them.
Ur. WETHERELL was of the same opinion ; he could
net consent Id send a man to Nestgate for not answering ir-
relevant questions ; questions which the very order of refer.
teceto the-Committee excluded.
. Sir J. NEW PORT said, it was rather odd no person had
itiscovered the Irrelevancy of the question until witness had
refused to answer it. He was determined to take the sense
of the Committee upon it.
Mr. CANNING said, it certainty was competent to the
Hon. Baronet to pursue-the inquiry through the Old Tests-
meta, until he came to th it rid friends the Aselekites. (A
laugh.) Rut the question was, whether It would be expe-
divot to de so.—(Dear.) •
After a few words from Mr. Clotilbourn, Mr. Plunkett, and
Col. Barry.
Mr. J. SMITH observed that the question had not been
'neartered.
Mr. PEEL dlbserved that it was too late to proceed fur-
... User in the Inquiry that night; they had before confined them-
Aches to 19 o'clock, and it was now near two.
Sir. GRATTAN said there were only two or three tines-
}lons more to be put to the witness.
Mr. CALCRAFT said, two or-three questions would
lead to many more ; he therefore moved that the
Chairman should report progress, and ask 4eave to sit
again.
Mr. BROUGHAM seconded the motion, and expressed a
hope that the Committee would never again suttee itself to
be reduced to a situation so humiliating as that in which it
would appear to the world when their proceedings went forth
le-morrow morning. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. CALL:RAFT protested against the meaning put
upon his motion by his lion. and Leaned Friend. tie
thought the Committee had really got well out consider-
lag the difficulty of his situation. He should therefore
Pees his motion.
' Mr. BROUGHAM seconded it with pleasure, and al-
Thoegti his Honourable Friend's Parliamentary good ea-
. filer itnloreil him to say the Committee had got well out
of thiscrape, he knew in his heart be felt it was far
•• lOhereise. It was very well for him to skin over the
wosods which the dignity of the House bad received, and
army up his cep in honour of its triumph ; but he (Mt.
• Brougham) only hoped the public would view the matter
in the saute good-natured light that iris Hon. Friend did.
They had demanded from the witness the text of certain
references to Scripture, and the satisfactory answer they
ptt Was a general reference to the Old Testament. That
clOi what his Hon. Friend thought so great a relief.
Mr. Secretary CANNING agreed with the lion. Member
Werebam (Mr. Calera ft). that cronsiderkg the difficulty
of their situation they had got well out of it. But he could
'not wee with his lion. sail Learned Friend, that a general
reference to the ad Testament was not a good end to the
evening, especially when it had begun by wilco ling apart
int.—(lloer, and laughter.)
Mr. BENNE r thought they had had a proof of the pro-
piny awing rid of this inquiry ellogether. and suggest-
ill that some Hon. Member should move its resumption that
Air *ix isonths.,—(Cries of " Move.")
Ible. J. SMITH. said, that fie ettald not but consider the
*Woe for adjournment as part of the pion of protection to
he witness. and as he Shown net was an evasion of that
.Polonrdeference due to the dignity and privileges of the
Arouse as an honest man. be could not 'assent to it, end
Mold take the sense of the House on the question.
The Committee then divided, when the numbers were—
For the falatonthat the Chairman report progress, 72
Against It l9 -
Mejority
Ills Reese toile/ resumed, the Chairman reported pro-
ps and obtained leave to sit again.
T,.nthees.nivrs ;gibe stay were thee-tn.:, and thellopse
14140..116c.! at Half-past Two, to Monday.

THE,-

. , ,
The Anniversary Dinner of thir' Electors of Westroin•
iter; in eirirdentorathin albs, establrthent of theieln-
dependenceln the election of it F. Burdett; took place
yesterday at titt.Creten and. Anchor. 3:aversh At kW
o'clock upwards of 400 persona Ist down to a very sub.
'Untie! dinner. The ((Mewing Gentlemen wire among
the company:—J. C. Hobhonse, M.P., Lerd .R1)0110404
Lord- Nugent, Joseph Hume, Esq. M.P., ,E. Entice,
Esq. ALP... Jones Burdett, Esq., Hare Townsend, Bstl.i
S. C. Whitbread, M.P., M. Wood, Esq. M.P,, T. Den-
man, M.P., H. Cooper, Esq.. R. Bernal, M.P., J. Wil-
liams, Esq. M.P., Thomas Coke, .Esq. M.P., U. Ri-
cardo, Esq. bI.P., J.O. Lainbton, Esq:•bLP.,J. Pringle,
Esq. of liainingi • N. 8,, J.• B. 'Nona, M.P., C. H.,
'Hutchinson, M.P.,J. B. blench, Sir a Robiasith, M.P.,
Hon. 0. Bennet, M.P.; Hon. D. Kinnaird, J. Ariams,ll
Blackburn, Esq., Joshua &ens; 111., Col. Torrents; D.
W. Harvey, E. Baynes, of Leeds, --Marsh; of Read-
ing, J. Bowriag, , Dr. ht`Lkin, and a number of
Gentlemen from distant liana of the country.
When this cloth was removed, the Citaiastai, Mr,
Hobhouse, said, before lie proposed any of the toasts
which he should have to bring before them, be should
appeal to the company for their indulgence in eupport-
ing him in the important duty which had devolved upon
him in the absence of one who would have mach better
performed it, their Worthy Representative, Sir'Francis
Burdett—(Applause,)
The first toast proposed was " The People, the only
source of legitimate power."—(Applause)
.The next toast was, I, The King, and may he always
recollect his declaration, that he holds the Crown in
trust and for. the beards of use people," with three
times three. .1•? • • • • . .
. Mr. Attain said, he had proposed a toast, which
'tinder presowentireaesstanees would-he received with
interest greatePthan usual. He proposed the health of
" the able opponent of tyranny and oppression, the con-
stant advocate of Parliamentary Reform, Sir Francis
Burdett [applause] "
Mr..HDIBHOUSE said, before the toast proposed by
their worthy brother.Eleetor was drank, it was necessary
fur him to say, that he had thatday seen Sir F. Burdett,
:Anti be was requested by him to express his deep and
heartfelt regret at not having been able to meet the
Electars that day. At the risk of his health (and it
would bare been very imminent) he should have that
day met them them for the sixteenth time, having never
be:ore missed a day, except -on one occasion, which he
might bare occasion to refer to ; but his Physician,
whceie letter he hehl in his hand, stated that it was ut.
terly impossible; and that if lie had come, or rather had
been brought into the room, be could not answer for soy
five minutes that he would not faint in the Chair. He
bad, therefore, only to pray for their kind consideration,
in supplying the place which would have been so muck
better tit led.

The health of Sir R Burdett was then drank with
three attars three and entliusiastit applause.
Mr. Jot es &entre expressed the gratification he
felt at the manner in which Sir Francis's health bad
been received. lie alluded to the conduct of Sir Francis
in the performance of his Parliamentary duty; he men-
tioned the representation of Edinburgh. and laid the
saute was the state of many parte-of England. The let-
ter of Sir Francis MU here read .;

"St. Jular's-plaee, May 23.

" Gentlemen—, It is hard to kick aphid the pricks,
and impossible against the gout.' Otherwise, nottsitis.
standing the strung remonstrances of my excellent friend
and physician; Dr. Pearson, • I should have come, or rather
have caused myself to bebr. ught amongst you, in order to
partake of your justand honest triumph, and to aid in the
anneal celebration of your ividePendence ; nor have I
ceased to cling to this bbpe up t• this last moment. I am,
however, now that la is arrived, most fetlingly convinced
ofthe 'impossibility of i•esiliting it. Mach as I regret this
an rayon n and on eery account, I regret it particularly
on account of being deprived of the pleasure of meeting
some of the mist staunch friends of Reform, who, from
different parts of the country, 'eye to join us in the celt►
bration of this anniversary. The ca-operation of these
Friends of Reform, and the,union of all Friends of Re-
form, is upon every occasion most anxiously to be desired.
as it is duly by Union and firm faith, and 6rm accord,
and mutual agreements, that we can ever hope to carry
into effect this great and necessary measure. At a time
when so many interesting views present themselves to
the notice of mankind,—so many topics challenging the
attentiOn of an enlightened public—when Spain, un-
daunted by a foul confederacy of despots, seems nobly
prepared to endure every esteem; rather than yield tap
tier independence and national tights, in upholding,
which she is also upholding the independence and rights
of other nations, shd on the successful issue of 'who's
exertion' the liberties of all other people, and especially
stlie peitple of France, greatly depenu—when (Reece, to
the wonder and admiration of the world, bas burst bee
ignominious (mugs, and achieved deeds of heroistas
equally, if not surpassing her former renown, and accents
Wished, as it were, impossibilities, under circumstances
the most heartless and discouraging, eliciting hope from
the deepest gloom of despair, and bidding fair to stutri-
val her former glories in the same cause. When every
people in Europe panting fur rational freedom, is anal-
only casting about fur an opportunity of shaking off
the load of despotism that oppresses them ; when out
great and gallant countryman, your late Representative.
(Lord Cochrane) with little other resources than his owe
genius and courage can supply, having unfurled the bas-
hers of liberty in another hemisphere, is augmenting the
renown of his country, and combating for the happi:
ness of mankind—when turning our eyes homewards' we
behold the march and progress of those principles of Re-
form, the adoption of which alone can gine fair chance
of developing all the energies of England; can alone
give a chance of redress to the manifold grievinces of
Scotland, and the still more intolerable sufferings of Ire-
land; when an opportunity presents itself like the pet,-
Mitt for exhorting the people of Scotland and Ireland
fo lay aside all partial; unworthy pursuits of redress, and
to join the honest voice of the liteerty-loving people of
England fOr that measure, which wilt do equal justice to
all—which will admit all men within the pale of the
Constitution—which serit exclude no man on pretence of
religious opinions from the enjoyment of civil rights,but
will, with an equal hand, administer to all espial justice,
and thereby bind together the whole united empire in
One boini,•strong as the axle on which the heavens ride!'
a bond of mutual affection and mutual interest, by means
of a fair Representation of the whole people in Farlia-
"neut.
' " Relieve rrre, Gentlemen, at such a time, and under
such riteminitances, to be tomp,lied to forego the gratiti-
*Cation of meetcbg my constituents, the independent and
enlightened citizens of W,stiiiiiister, is a' great a amen-
lication as the p rwer of Fate euttlo w, ll have inftited
upon n.e, and that nothing short of absolute necessity.
Could balm forced me t.) yield to. Gentlemen, with deep
regret, but with most unfeigned sincerity, f subscribe
myself, " lout most faithful and devoted servant,
" MAXUS HURDE'IT."
The " Health of Mr. Hobboute" being then proposed,
lie retry-tied thanks, and in a strain of manly eloquence
and vivid arguswing, represented the cause or Reform
as triumplimit: Ile alluded to the cause of the-SPitniaids
mud ti.e.,bduct of British Ministers respecting th..t
Waii ~rkwhich they were contending fur all that was dear.
to itiviliseil man. When France; in the arrogance .ot
tyranny. said to Spain, " we think your liberty incom-
patible iith oar despotism ;" then should England have
a plant oar standards in defence of theirjusi
grigt:w ae stilt
disitruggles to sustain theta." lint England