The Statesman.
London, England, 1810-04-10 00:00:00

drawing.room un the first floor, with Lady Burdett,
the Countess of Guilford, ion% Lady Maria, Lady
Jane, Lady Georgina North, Mra. Coasts, his
son, Robert Burdett, his brother, sod Mr. O'Con.
nor. Mr. Coitus had just retired. Breakfast
was finished, and Sic Francis was employed in
hearing his son (who hail just come from Eton
School) read and translate Magna (Adria, when
Mr. O'Connor ob,crved a man's face at one of
the windows ; he had mounted by a ladder, had
already thrown up the sash, and was in the act of
entering, in the atteiupt to do which he broke two
panes of glass. Mr. O'Connor ran up.to
Sir Francis Burdett called out nut to hurt theme'',
it would have beeu easy at that moment for Mr.
O'Connor, by the mere shifting of the Madder,
to have precipitated the person into the area. a
height of at least 20 feet ; but he contented him.
self with putting nee hand to his breast, and with the
other shutting the window. Sir Francis, his son,
and brother, shut down all the other windows—
while they saw an immense hotly of trout's drawn
up in the front of the house. During this me-
i ment, so alareting to the delicacy of the sex, and
to the affection of a wife i nd mother, seeing her
loishatiti and only son exposed to the possible dis-
charge of artillery and musketry, yet both she and
all the Ladies maintained the most perfect con-
-I.stency of. mind ; and both in this moment, and in
tie scene tied ensued, displayed a courage that did
honour to their understandings and their hearts.
Mr. O'Connor ran down stairs to see if all was
sal. below. Ile rnet &boat twenty men with con.
stibl?s' staves in their hands. They had descended
the area., nod had burst open a windoy, sashes,
frame and all, by which they entered Through a
small servant's room. Ile asked them what they
wanted? They answered---Sir Francis Burdett;
was heat home ? lle replied, that Sir Francis was
at home, hint did they want with him ?---They
rushed up to the drawing room, where Sir Francis
and his family, with the ladies, stilt was. At this
time there were constables only; the Serjeant at
Arms did not show himself, nor was there any
magi,trate ; but the Serjeant at Arms; IVIr. Col-
man, followed the posse of constables up stairs,
and said,
Silts. Cs iiir Francis; you arc my prisoner.".
Sir FRANCTS. " By whet authority do you
act, Mr. Serjeant? By what power, Sir, have you
broken into my house in violation of the laws of
the laud ?"
Senreetra. " Sir Francis, lam authorized by
the warrant of Mr. Speaker of the 'Rouse of Cum.
mons."
Sir Fitsuctt. "1 contest the authority of such
a warrant. Exhibit to me the legal warned up**
which you have dared to violate my house. Where
is the Sheriff? Where is the Magistrate?" (At
this time there was. no Magistrate, but he after-
wards appeared).
gIEILYEA " Sir Francis, my authority is in
my hand—l will read it to you ;it is the warrant
of the Right lion. the Speaker of the Molise of
Coteinone;" (and hero Mr. Colman attempted to
read the Warrant ; but. * bich he did with great
trepidation.)
. Sir Fit.t sets. " I repeat to you, that is nn suffi-
cient warrant. No—nut to west my person iwthe.
open street--hooch less to break open my house,
in violation of all law. If you have a warreek
from hie Majesty, or front a proper Officer of the
•KiWg, I will pay instant obettie.itco to it; but I
wilt not yield to an illegal order."
SEMI rata?. " Sir Francis, I demand yen to
yield in the name Of the ....01111M0113 IlnliSe or Par-
li‘iiient, nod I .trust you will not compel me to
nit force. I entreat you to believe that I wish to
show you every respect."
Sir FRAVete. " I tell you distinctly, that 1
wi!l not voluntarily sub nit to an unlawful order ;
and I demand in the King's name, flit' in the name
of the laws, that )en forthwith retire from my
house."
SEILIZANT. 64 Then, Sir, I must call lir its.
sistalec and force you to yield."
Upon which the constables laid hold of Sir
Francis. Mr. Jones Burdett and Mr. O'Connor
immediately slept up and each took him under an
arm. The constables closed in on all three, and
drew them down stairs.

Sir FHA 'cis then'saiil, "I protest in the Xing's'
name against this violation of my person and of
my house. It is superior fore only that hurries
me out of it, and you do it at your peril."
The ladies were still present, and betrayed no
symptoms of alarm, no doubt from the confidence
which they had in Sir Francis's temper, and in
their persuasion that no outrage beyond the actual
arrest would he committed.
In descending the stairs, Sir Francis hoped that
his brother and his friend might be allowed to ac.
company him, which Mr. Colman promised.
A coach was drawn up at the door. It was in.
stantly eurrouuded by cavalry. 'l'ho Daruner
stepped iu fqllo Wed by the Serjeant and a
Constable. Mr. Jones Burdett, and Mr. O'Connor
also got in ; but the latter was teken out, sand the
cavalcade instantly sot oil at a rapid pace.
The procession uioved from tile Francis
dett's house in the following order 41 squat.
Ikons of the 15th I,ilht Dragoons, two troops of
Life Gearitp, with Mr. Read, the Magistrate, at
their the coach With Sir Francis, tn u more
troops of Life GUM ds, a troop of the 15th latglit
Dragoons two battalions of Feat Guards,
marching iu open order ; and a party of the 15th
Light Dragoons forming the roar. In this order
they proceeded to Albemarle-street, whore they
halted, and then turgid up that street, with the
eaceptiun of two hat aline of Foot Guards, who
march-0 forward through Piccadilly, the Haymar-
ket, and Strand, to the Tower.
The escort pruceeded along Albemarle.strect,
Bond-street, Conduit-street, across Hanover.
square into Oxford-street, along John.street,
Great Portlatadatreet, Portlauil.:road, the New.
road, hlary.le.bone, by Penton ills, across
liogton, steno the City-road to Moorfielde, from
thence by Sun..steket Ws) A !dote Hish•streell,
and along the Minuries to the Tower.
The procession went on at its outset at w geick
rate; anti the capture having been nra4e at au cosio