Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-17
From late Enghsh Papers
LORD coCHRANE.

eochrane, addressed TO the Electors of West.
minister, in justification ofhis conduc, and mo-
tves for leaving the Kings Bench Prison It is
cheap and interesting publication, and should
be read by all who desirous of forming clear
opinion ofhis Loriship's ease---lYe make the fo,.
lowing extracts from il:
sit the Press were as easy OF resort TO those
who suffer, as to the advocates of those who ex-.
srcise oppression, nv reasons (of which the
state of the press is one) for contending with in
justice by action well as argument, would
have bees, sooner submitted to your attention.
=" have heard much about the duty OF sub.
uniting 20 the laws, but not enough to inspire
she with reverence for iniquity exercised under
legal Appearances. 1t is not by him who ressts
injustice commitl>d under the forms ofla1v,
but by him who makes those forms the instru-
Slcnts and the cloak of injustice, that the laws
IRE violated did not, however, quit these
walls to escsne from personal oppression, but at
abe hazard of my lie to assert that right to lib
erty, which as member Of the community,
baye never forfeited, and that f,ght which re-
ceiyed from you, 10 attack in its very den the
corruption which threaten to annihilate the Il
berries ofus all. did not quit them to fly from
the justice of my country; but to expose the
wlcketlness, fraud, and hypocrisy of those who
elude that justice by committing their enorpni-
ties under die color OF Its name. did not quit
them from the ca ldish motive Of mpatience I'M
der suffering staid long enough here 20 evince
siiat could endure restraint as pain, but not
IS penalty. Istaid long enough to be certain
that my Prosecutors were conscious of their in
justice and to feel that my submission to their
unmerited infections was losing the dignity of
resignation, and sinking into the ignominious en-
durance of an insult
Conference.-The had not been for the com.
motion excited by that obnoxious, injurious, and
arbitrary measure, the Corn Bill, which began to
evInce Itselfon the day of my departure from
prison (Which was on the anniversary of my es-
cape from similar oppression at Malta four years
Setore)I should have lost no time in proceeding
10 the House of Commons but coniecmring
mat the spirit or disturbance might derive some
encouragement from my unexpected appearance
1t that time. and having no inclination to pro-
note tumult, resolved to defer my appearance
tthe House, and ifPossbie, to conceal my de-
rartrre from the prison, until the order of the
Metropolis should be restored. had, however,
been out but few days when received init
nation that Committee of the House of Com.
mons, appointed TO enquire into the state of the
prison, had discovered that was absent. Con-
ceivmg that they would communicate the Cir
cnmstance, and anxious to obviate any false i'm
preston rs to my motives and intentions, i'm
Irediately addressed the following letter to the
Speaker, which fully expected he would have
read TO the HouGe
"LoSnoS, March 9.
to TIE honorable house of commons, that should
immediately and personally communicate to them
my departure from t custody of Lord Ellerrs
borough, by whom have been long most un-
5ustly detained but Judged it better to endea.
your 10 conceal my absence, and defer my APP
Pearance IA the House until the public agitation
excited by the Corn Bill should subside And
have further 70 request that you win also COM
Jnunicate TO the House that it is my intention on
IN early day 70 present myself for the purpose of
taking my seat, and moving an enquiry into the
conduct OF Lord marlborough. I have the hon.
~ TO be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant
CoCHRANE."
Gentlemen-F the right honorable the Spea.
ber had thought proper to comply with my re-
quest, ifhe had read my letter TO the House, as
be afterwards read that which he received from
the Marshal ofthe Kings Bench relative to nv
apprehension the scandalous reports which ap-
peared in the hireling Journals, attributing my
conduct TO criminal or contemplate motives
could not have been invented or propagated
did not go to the House of Commons to
complain about losses or sufferings about fine or
imprisonment or ofproperty to the amount Of
ten times the fine, of which have been cheated
by this malicious prosecution.-I did not go to
the house 10 complain of the mockery of having
been heard in my defence, and answered by a re-
ference to that decision from which that defence
was an appeal. j did not go there to complain
ofthose VINO expelled me from my profession
for if could have stoore ed 20 The enemies of nv
country at home, might still have been instru-
mentalin humbling its enemies abroad. did
cot go 10 the house to complain generally, of the
advisers of the crown but went there to COM
plain OF the conduct of him, who has indeed the
right ofrecommending to mercy, but whose pri-
Vileges as q Privy Councillor Of advising the
confirmation of his own condemnations, is spIri-
Gus and demonstrations"
[His Lordship here states some curious par.
ticulars regarding certain endeavors which he
says were made when it was discovered that he
vas at large, TO intimidate and lure him back to
the custody Of the Marshal and he goes the
length Of asserting, that assurances were given
him that the doors Of the prison should be kept
open to him for admission at any hour Of the
hight, and that he should be received with Sc
erecy, courtesy and indemnity After animad-
yerting OH that breach of Parliamentary privi-
iege" which admitted the intrusion Of tipstahs,
&c. INTO the House Of Commons to seize the per-
son Of an individual, elected to serve as mem
Der ofthst House, and after endeaVoring TO ac-
sount for this wayering of its authority on the
part Of the House; his Lordship proceeds thus u
Gentlemen, it is my intention, if survive that
combat with oppression in which am engaged,
20 lay before you detail the motions which At
various times have made in the House of Com.
aons and the proofs in my possession Of estab-
fishing the reality Of those frauds and abuses
which IL was the object Of those motions TO re
dire 5. In the mean time ! submit TO YOU whether