The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-01-10 00:00:00

Mr. CcittliallAlit said, that he would not with-
drew his motion; and the Prises, in conformity to
his declaration, refused to ptit it from the Chair.
Mr. STCART, younger. of Dunearn, wished to in-
terfere as little u possible in the business of a county
in which he was only • freeholder, but he was sur-
prised that the Preen should for a moment hesitate as
to the propriety of putting the motion for adjourn-
ment to the vote. We were met not to vote an sae
dress to the Throne, but to consider the propriety of
doing so, and to consider the terms of that address.
'I his was therefore a meeting for discussion, which
was quite qut of the question, if gentlemen were
squeezed up into such constrained and uncomfortable
postures, without seats, as the appearance of so many
now presented. It was impossible fur any man, but
the very few a Vie table, to take a note of what was
said. The object for which they had met could not
Ii? attained, and therefore he saw no alternative but
to accede to the motion of his learned friend. Ile
begged to aid, that one peculiar circumstance had
marked the proceedings of that dap A Supreme
Judge of the land was now in the room, and had
taken a considerable share in their deliberations. He
could not tell with what feelings his honourable friend
(Mr. Spits) had received the cantiiittgainat calling
snore popular meetings, which that learned person
Lad given hits ; but for himself, he was bound to say,
that the last person in the room from whom lie would
be disposed to take advice at this, a political meeting,
sral e Sweats Joel; e. It was always to be regretted,
when the- political and judicial characters were
blended together, but most of all at such a meeting
es this, the objects of which he in his conscience be
lieved to he, to endeavour to support an administra-
tion which hail lost the confidence of the country.—
• (bond cheers.)—The political and judicial functions
incompatible, and ought always to be kept sepa-
rate and distinct.
Lord S.:merit did not consider this a political
meeting, but one expressly convened fur the purpose
of setting forth their attachment to the constitution
and family of the King ; and he doubted not but such
an address would be proposed as would obtain this
satisfactory end, without producing any difference of
opinion. Surely Judges of the land were not to form
that only portion of the community that were to he
excluded from entertaining and adopting such senti-
ments of attachment and loyalty : and this meeting
hcd nothing to do with approving of the conduct of
Ministry.
Mr. Sruarr added, that this was a meeting of a
p ilitiral character, constituted with a view to poli-
tical discussion, and having for its end a poiitical ex-
pressien of opinion ; and he need only impress on the
meeting' that such is the Learned Lord's view of their
entracte'• and disposition, from the observations he
ma le upon possible inflamtnatory sp eches bring else-
where pronounced, and the opinion of the country be-
ing best obtained in the present assembly. The
Learned Lord hail professed himself ready to hear
what might be said respecting the descriptions of
persons included in the requisition, and lie therefore
tool: the liberty of stating, that lie believed the Con-
vener of the county was entitled to call together the
Cotatnissi:iners of Supply. The Sheriff had the right
to convene the Justices ; but there was no right to '
convene any other description of persons except what
might be derived from usage. The practice through-
out Scotland had been, until the Ministers had found
heritors not so complying on the l'roperty Taras on f
ir-
'ner occasions to call heritors. That practice was now
discoittitmed; and it was fur his Lordship therefore
now to consider whether a requisition, proceeding
troll the Convener alone, omitting heritors, and call-
ing, besides Commissioners of Supply, .Justices, Free-
holders, and Magistrates of towns alone, wits, or was
not, a regular mode of proceeding.
Mr. Seztas rose (much confusion expressed on all
sides), and after thanking Lord Succoth for his lecture,
id down.
• Mr. Ce,II,IOIIAME then mores, "That it be the re-1
s dation of this meeting, that since the church was
refused fur their accommodating', and the To n hall
at Paisley equally ill adapted for their delibWations,
twat a Committee be appointed to provide proper ac-
couom 'station for them : and for that purpose the
meeting do adjourn fur 11 (lava."
The Prises *aid, that the ipie,tion was, whether the
• meeting should proceed in their business, or do now
aljourn ?
On which the vote being called, there appeared—
For prneeudi - - - 63
For adjourniti.; - - 44
Majority - —l9

Mr. lfaxsvieu,, N. P. conceived it to be the duty of
every man in the present agitated state of the public
mind, to enlarge 'as Ear as possible the sphere of pub-
lic discussion, for br this means alone could the opi-
nions of the people he obtained—add that in as far as
expressions of loyalty and attachment to the Throne
and Constitution wore concerned. all feelings were
alike, and all expressions on:mimeos. But that it
must be plain that the introduction of any other con-
sideration connected with views of political adminis-
tration, trust produce differences of opinion, and that
if these were &Mini:de& lie conceived it indispensable
that-the people should be Peruiitted in mingle in their
discussions, as it was only through this medium that
the opinion of the public could be obtained, and the
language of truth, alike with effusions of loyalty, con-
veyed to the royal ear.
Sir W. NAPlita here loudly cried " proceed."
Mr.hfsxweit. said, he would read a protest from a
portion of the respectable inhabitants of Paisley,
against the contemplated proceedings of this day, from
perticipsting in which they had been unjustly de-
hatred. It was however suggested that this be de-
layed till after the address was discussed.
The Preset; then read letters of apology from Lord
Glasgow, Sir M. R. Stewart, Mr. George Itirrell, and
other gentlemen, expressing their regret at not haring
it in their power to attend, and their concurrence with
e address to be submitted.
• Mr. Musa, of Caldwell, Chairman.---tt bad fallen to
his lot to propose to this respectable meeting the ad-
dress to his Majesty; and he trusted, that in doing
so lie would receive the Indulgence of all the gentle-
sits present. .He thought that the present times were
such as required the loyal to. comm fenny' and avow
their attachment to his Majesty's person aid govern-
ment. The Constitution was walled by she arts sad