Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-03

" That, about the time of this election, numbers
Of pensions, offices, and releases of debts due to
the Crown, were granted TO Peers who concurred
in voting for this list, or to their near relations
a. These instances Of undue practices we now
humbly mention, and pray your Lnrdships 10 take
the same into your SERIOUS consideration. and pro
vide such remedy may be effeciual for pieserv
ing the right and freedom of elections
Upon a motion TO dismiss this petition, a long |
anil earnes' debate ensued. in which the Duke of
Bedford, the EaIis of Abingdon and Chesterfield,
and other English Peers, friendly the liberty of
the subject, spoke as follows:
The grievance now complained of, my Lords,
IS Tar from being new or unexpected; even at the
'iine Of the Union it apprehended that the
election of the sixteen Peers for Scotland would
always be under the direction of the Minister for
The time beng: what has since happened has sufh
GENTLY -hewn that those appprehensons were not
without foundation; and if this petition should be
rejected. it may be expected ,ha, the election of
the sixteen Peers for Scotland, will soon come %
be like the election OF Bishops; Congo
a. fciire will issue, and will be a punc,ually com.
piled with in in the other; ard he
member returned will be strpt of his honours a,
The next election, If he ever presumes TO vote con-
trary IL Ministerial direction"
" Unianted streams. my Lords, can hardly be
expected to flow from corrupted source; and if
the election of sixteen Peers from Scotland, should
ever. by he foul acts of corruption, d., indie into
a Ministerial nomination, instead of persons of
the greatest merit. we may expect, in future Par
liamenis, 10 see such only returned wh no, owing
their election TO the influence of the Minister, may
purchase he continuance of their precarious seats
| by fatal and unanimous submission to all his
dictates"
We are filled with Indignation, my Lord,
10 see the name of the King prosi,uted 10 the
purposes Of electoneering. A list of candidates.
shewn as the Kings, is scandalous rrofana,ion
of the Royal dignity, and dangerous infrac,ion
| of the rights of the subject The Minister 1, ho
has used the of his So ereign j. guilty oi
he greatest crime, and deserves the severest pun
| shment. Could you suppose th. any Minister
W uld have been audacious as TO make u-e .,f
his Maj.sty's name to influence the election OF
members TO this body? that they would have
dared to say, that his Majesty even intermeddl-
in elections, or approved of one list, or of one
candidate, more han another. BY the British
Constitution, Parliament is the maker, and the
King the executor Of the laws; but by this practic.
he would become both maker and executor. and
there would be end OF the constitution and Of the
liberty of The subject. 1t is alleged in the pe,tion
that lii OF Candidates has been given out as his
and shall we hear proof OF the fact, In m,
opinion II Is an act OF the dangerous and
criminal nature. The acts OF private malice O,
revenge might have been used, and even he max
Ing of such voud have been high msdemeanor
bu in matters OF election TO threaten Royok re-
1
opinion, high treason. Such a prsc ice canno
but speak OF with awe, because of the grea, name
which was usedi bui II IS = practice will speak
OF with 1t dIsnation, berause of The great name
that was thereby abused To mske use of ,h,
| Kings name for Importing, or recommending ;
list OF candidates, most abominaie and :
most IRRESPONSIBLE practice. Ii is alleged to hav,
been done, and the petitioners demand enquiry
the honor aud dignity of this House call upon us
Tor an enquiry; the preservation of he constitu
ton, and the general voice of the People, call upo
US for an enquiry; the whole Peerage of Scotland
which has been SO much injured, call upon US fo
enquiry; and if we have regard Tor ourselves
our country, we mus, immediately enter upon EN-
quiry!"
Blu, the influence of the Minister prevailed in
the House AZ il had done at the election No en-
curry was had The petition rejected 10 "a
80, and since that time the KINGS LIST is sen,
into every county and borough own in e gland
Scotland and Ireland on the approach OF each gen.
er'i election, and supported by such mass of pow
er and patronage; such corps of disciplined re
tainers; and such multitude OF presses, that i,
rarely fails TO succeed.)