The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-02


would be clear but Mort. He had been led to
think that Lord Percy and Mr.. Sheridan were
ineligible, but having been corrected in that
opinion, he ihould as foon thiuk of oppofng
defendant of the Noble Lord Hotfpur, in the
command of an army. as of oppoiing him in the
approximation for Weftminter. With regard
to his Honorable Friend Mr.. Sheridan, he ihouid
have no difficulty in ceding TO him but un-
derltanding that Lord Percy WAS perfectly elisi-
bic he fhould propofe Lord Percy as Cand-
e.-(APplaufes.)
a gentleman, whole name we underftand to
ne COCKER, faid, that the object of the meeting
was not only to choofe fit perion, but To
chooie the mon fit. Of Lord Percy he knew
nothing but there were no traits that could
impreis any man with an idea that he was the
NOR fit perfon. He meant no reflection upon
Lord Percy, but he was an un;ried charaoer-
bis family had great influence in Parliament,
and ne might have had feat in Parliament elte
where. Mr.. Cocker then expreiled his deep
regard for Mr.. Fox, whom he had been attach
ed to for twenty years-he faid, that out of ref
pea for MIR. Fox, he would tell whom he tho't
the mott fit Perfon. He ihould look for him,
and lind him amonFf thofe who had fought on
the fame fide with Mr.. Fox--Mr. Sheridan was
the man, and therefore he Mould propofc Mr..
Sheridan.-Plaudits.)
Mr.. SHERIDAN" Gentlemen, in offering
the few feutences fhaIl addrefs TO you in the
preicnt inltance, fliall, l am afraid, require
your Indulgence, having but lately recovered
from hort but iharp illnefs. Upon the one
great topic, the lofts, the irreparablc lofs ofthat
great and luxurious character, Mr.. Fox, ihal!
fay but little. There mua PATS a long interval
ht'ween the heavy blow and the confederation
OF the fubje6t. to enable any man TO fpeak upon
It with compoiure. (App'aufes.) To fay any
thing would indeed he unnece!lary- he NUT be
!tiii Ewing before your eycs-his virtues mutt be
in your hearts, as his lofS is in your deipair.
have feen in public paper what has been
itated to be his lah words. They were fn---
die happy - but turning to the dearett OBJ
jet of his affection, he added, "I pity yon."
Gentlemen, if his modeRy would have allowed
him, he need not only have faid, az pity you,"
but he might have added, "I pity England !;
! | pity Europe; l pity human nature" He
| died in the fpirit of peace I; he died in creating
! and promoting the fpirit of univerfal peace. In
his heart, I fay, he was happy Becauie ne
fought 10 reeore the tranquility Of the world
| From this confederation pats to one compara-
lively infgni6caut it is to conGder of the pre-
tenrons of thofe who have the preiumption to
| iucceed him. have had friendly hint con-
veyed 70 me that may offend the electors o.
Stafford if offer myfe!t for Wenminher. am
obliged TO the authors of it for their foicitude
miniter was not 70 much the ohjeet of my with
as to have been chofen to fucceed MIR. Fox.
| My condiments, am fure, will feel that ii is
one thing TO reprelent Weftminaer, and another
70 be judged worthy OF fucceeding Mr.. Fox.
Having Rated thefe motives, | have but word
or two to fay: have followed Mr.. Fox tep
by Rep, through his whole political life, and in
| all thofe meaiures which recommended him to
| your reverence and affection. 1t is true have
f,tfNr IL
paints, ard there have moi been wanting
who have endeavourod to aggraYate thofc diff
fcrences. But his noble nature never filtered
any iuipicion to enter his heart for he knew
| me well, and knew that if | differed with him it
was from principle. His fficn6hip was the
rrf pride of my life confdered it as more
glory to flare in his EXECUTION from power, and
in his exile, than in any honours that kings or
governments could betow (paud;s y am I,
gentlemen, had to pats my life over again,
Ihou'd lti have thought il more honorable to
| have ihared in that EXECUTION, than TO have been
! the MOT fucceiaful infance of fertility to
have been loaded with titles, covered with diff
tinctions, and to have been hampered with
wealth obtained by the plumber of the people.
Loud applaufe. )--My anxious with s, that
while the corpfe of our revered friend lies un-
buried, not thing fhould be done to produce
difcord. If the remedy fhould be in my now
retiring, this objection might be made.l---it
might be f1id, as has been very fcandaIouly
obierved, that Irctired becaufe was afraid of
rfkng the lofs Of my official ituat; on.--- Gentle
men, Ihoud have thought my life would have
been a futficient anfner to fuch a charge. But
If any minifter expects to find in me fervile
vafal, my place ihalIcertainly be at the feryice
of that minifter. Independence, gentlemen, is
not in wealth, it is not in honours, it is not in
high birth but it is in the mind, or it is no
where. But NUT here do miniftcrs the iuRice
| to fay, that there is not one OF them who will
fee! inclined to rebuke or cenfure my conduit
If have failed in offering myfelf elrlier to your
notice, cannot lament il; for whih breath
quivered ON thofe lips, ihoud have felt it un-
becoming in me TO have expreHcd with or de-
fire to be his fuccefIor.
"BUt now, gentlemen, come 10 what feel
an Inpeaiant part of this Mort address to you,
namely, that notwithstanding what have faid,
and notwithstanding the manner in which you
have done me the honor of lii ening TO me,
NUT feel myfelf under the necefiity of retiring
from this confetti Cries efNo No !J.--There
was in friendlhip Ike ours this advantage, that
while living eonGdefed fuch man as Mr..
Fox kind of landmark aud his principles as
guide for our conduct after his death Yet
there is duty incumbent upon me, I mean
detife TO conider what would have been the
win Of that iIlulrious perfon, were it poiible
fur him to view what is going on at this mo-
ment. lam fure that if fuch TubieG could
have come acrofs him on his death bed, that A.
ny friend of bis fhould fart candidate for his