Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-06-24

s1sS; esbaetedby tle l6smlsa of Wliysi. ras
undue uislls resurted 70 in Oedst TO obtain d
conviction excited popular odium, especially
against the Ministry. On change Of Minis-
try, WILKES returned to England in l76S, and
was elected to Parliament from the county OF
Middlesex by large majority. kC 'H
As soon as he returned, WILKES gave
himself up to the officers Of the law, who refus.
cd to commit him. He was, however, rear
rested, but rescued by q mob. As soon as the
disturbance was quelled, he voluntarily went
into confinement. When Parliament again met
on the 1otb of May, l76S, a large crowd as
aembled in front Of his prison for the purpose OF
conveying him in triumph to the House OF
Commons. A riot followed, the military were
ordered out. and several of the people were
shot, The populace gave it tho namo Of
" the massacre of St. Georges Fields"
Lord MANsyIELD afterwsrd reversed the sen.
terce Of outlawry, but WILKES, having charged
Lord WEYMOUTH with planning the horrid
massacre Of st, Georges Fields, was again ex-
PEELED from Parliament, and q new election was
ordered for the county of Middlesex. WILKES
was returned without opposition, and the House
declared him incapable Of taking hIs scat
Three other elections took place with the same
result /; and at last the House declared WiLKEs's
opponent, Col. LurRELL, elected, though he
had received but three hundred votes and
WILKES several thousands, on tho ground chat
the votes for The latter we're void from his in
capacity to sofve in Parliament
Tnese proceedings awakened intense indig-
nation throughout ell Eugland. The contest
between WILKES and tho Government became
contest Tor tbe preservation of the rights of
the people. WILKES, though 10 priaon, was at the
height Of bis popularity. Presents Of jeWelry,
furniture, wares and plate, were forced upon
him, and the sum Of hundred thousand dol
lars was raised 10 pay his debs.
Ia November, 1863, juiy awarded him
twenty thousand dollars DAMAGES against Lord
HALIFAX for false imprisonment and the seizure
OF his papers. 10 April Of the following year,
he was freed from imprisonment, aud elected
Alderman OF the city Of London. Daring his
msglslta:y, the House OF CGmmons offered D
reward for the arrest of certain printers who
had refused to sppssr az the bar of the House,
aud answer for publishing the speeches ot
members. Ons of these wris brought before
WILKES, who no! only discharged him as ille-
gaily arrested, bu. committed TO prison the off.
Ger who made the aTTe5t
Being twice summoned to appear Ut the bar
oil the House, he refused to appear except in his
place ss the member for Middcsex. In II II, he
was chosen Sheriff, aud In l774, Mayor Of Lon
don. In October Of thas year, be was elected
from Middlesex member OF the new Parlia-
mens, aud this time took his seat He did not
take conspicuous part, although he vigorously
opposed the proceedings that led to the AmeIi-
can rebellion or revolution.
10 l779, WILKES was elected Chamberlain
of London, and held that office during the res.
idue of his life. Several ineffsctusl efforts we're
made to have the resolution expeliiDg him
from the house of Commons expuuged from
the records Bat these efforts were crowned
with success in 1882, when the House voted
that the resolution passed Feb. II, 1863, declAr-
iDg JOHN WILKES incapable Of being reelected
should be expupged, sic being subversive Of
the rights Of the whole body of the cleo ors Of
the Kingdom" This was source of univer.
sal congratulations among the people, and vas
regarded as a decided ponular triumph.