The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-06-08
SlH--Op my return from Wimbledon, found
your polite letter. and shall be happy to receive
you here at II o'clock TO. morrow.
] remain your obeSIient serv,t

-
. FRANCIS BURDETT.
F. ]. Colman, Esq.
Piefadiiy. df.U 6.
Before this letter could oe delivered. Mr.. Col.
man came himself and told him he had a warrant
to arrest him, Sir Francis said he had received
ms letter, and had written al, ans wer, in which
he told him, that he would be ready to receive
him the next day at twelve o'clock, upon which,
Mt Coirnan politely bowed and withdrew
hooutT O'Clock in the evening, his friend. Mr..
- Connor, went 10 the tower to see that prepare
ions should be made to receive him, as Sir Fran
CHS entertained no doubt but that the next day
the Sergeant at Arms would come with force to
compel him to surrender--Mr. O'Connor saw
Col. Smith, who told him that every preparation
mad been made for his reception that the house
next to his own had been we'll aired and that
from sense of duty as we'll as respect, he might
els.
About o'clock the same evening, Mr. Col
man and messenger came back to Sir Frsncis's
house, and the SERGEANT told him he had receiv.
ed severe reprimand from the speaker for not
executing the warrant in the morning, and re.
naming with Sir Francis and he hoped he would
now submit to be his prisoner.
SIR Francis answered, that he was sure the
speaker would not upon consideration, think him
TO blame; Tor that 1t would not have been in his
power TO remain with him as, without any per
sonai offence to him, he (Sir Francis) would not
nave permitted him 10 remain,
The SERGEANT at Arms said, ssI shall be obi
ged, SIR to resort to force, as it is my duty to
ec,ite the warrant"
SIR Francis answered, 3" if you bring an OYER
wheiming force, mu st submit but / dare no,
from my allegiance to the king, and my respect to
MS AVS yietd voluntary submission to such
warrant-it is illegal"
The SERGEANT again urged him to permit him
TO remain with him. =
Sir Francis said, " You must leave nv house
but have written letter to the Speaker, which.
IT you please, you may take with YOU and deli
'er lit Contains my resolution as to your war
rant"
The SERGEANT begged leave to decline taking
charge OF any such letter he said he had alres
dy incurred blame by not executing the warrant,
and he should be considered as more criminal If
he carried any letter in contradiction to it & he
with drew.
Sir Francis then sent the following letter hy his
own son, Robert Burdett, youth of Ia, and his
brother, Mr. Jones Burdett, to the Speaker, and
It was accordingly delivered at ten O'Clock, at
night: :"
SIR-Whenl was returned, in due form by
he electors OF Westminster, they imagined they
had chosen me rs their trustee in the House OF
CoHmons, to maintain the laws and liberty of the
land, Having accepted that trust, never will
betray it.
sc have also, as dutiful subject. taken an
oath OF allegiance to the king to obey his laws
and never will consent by any act of mine, TO o.
bey any set OF men, who, contrary to those laws,
snail under any Pretence whatsoever, assume the
power of the king
" Power and PRIVILEGE are NOT The son,e ,b;,
anu ought not at any time, te be confounded TO.
gether Privilege is an exemption from power.
and was by law secured to the third branch of the
legislature, IN order TO protect them that thew
might safely protect the people not to give them
power TO destroy the people.
Your warrant, sir, believe you know to be
Illegal. L know IT to be so. To superior force
must submit l will not and dare not incur the
danger OF continuing voluntarily to make one of
any set OF men who shall ASSUME Illegally the
whole power ofthe realm, and who have no more
right to take myself, or one of my constituents by
iorce, than or they possess to take any of those
who are now guilty of this usurpation; and /
would coudescend to accept the meanest Office
tnat would yacate my seat, being more desirous
OF getting out OF my present association than o.
ther men may be DESTROYS ofgetting proftably in
to it.
7" Sir, this is not letter in answer to vote
OF thanks it is in answer to q vote of very DIFF
ferent kind. know not what TO call it but since
you nave begun this correspondence with me. /
must beg you to read this my answer, to those
under whose orders you have commenced it.
:" remain, Sir,
&c Your most obd't. humble serr't.
FRANCIS BURDETT.
In the course of this night, as we have stated,
much tumultuary indignation was expressed by
the people windows were broken, AND very
general disposition toriot and excess was mani
tested. The particulars of the mischief we rave
in Yesterdays paper.
On Sunday morning Sir Francis breakfasted at
the house OF his friend, MIR. O'Connor in Mad
doX: Street, Hanover Square after breakfast thew
walked TO Haf Moon Street, where Sir Francis
mouhted has horse and took ride in the park, aca
companled by his groom. On Mr.. O'Connor's
return to Sir Fs house in Pccadilly he found one
OF tlie messengers of the House of Commons
waiting tor Sir Francis Burdett He said he had
the warrant of arrest in his pocket, and he wish.
cd to see him. On Sir Frsnciss return, he found in
his room number Of his friends waiting for him
and he was told of the messenger in waiting -
He desired him to be shewn up.
Well, my good friend, (said Sir Francis) what
is your business
Mess" Sir, am desired to show YOU the
order the House of Commons, upon which the
warrant is issued-to serve the warrant upon Won
and to remain with you"
lie delivered the warrant 20 Sir Francis, which
he read, and put in his pocket.-I For which see
the last Enquirer
Sir FranCis-" My friend, this is not a snfici
eht warTant--you may return & inform the spea-
ker that will not obey it,"
Mess" SIR, it is my orders to remain with
you, and must obey, unless l am forced TO with.
draw"
Sir Francis" You must instantly withdraw"
lie was accordingly shown down stairs by Mr.
O'Connor. The person wished force to be used
mr OC. said, " There is the door open for Won
you must go but it is not my practice to be so