place private soldiers; consider, too, that means the old governments of Europe, inthere is one commissioned officer to about cluding the Inquisition of Spain, which, every twenty privates; and then you will, as our own news-papers informed us, was I am persuaded, agree with me, that each re-established at Madrid in a few days conscript puts his services into a pretty after our army got possession of the place. good lottery.Mr. Canning forgot these And, is our lot cast with the Inquisition; things; or he was too ignorant of the af- are we to stand or fall with that; and are fairs of France to know any thing of them; those to be denominated enemies of their or, which is full as likely, he wished to country, who refuse to act upon such a put a false picture before the people of notion? My opinion is, that, if our reEngland. If, indeed, all the commis- sources were well and honestly managed, sions, all the honours, all the emoluments we, alone, might set the world at defiance, of the service were swallowed up by the if the world, which is not to be believed, sons of the rich, and if nothing but hard- should, in that case, be resolved to act ships and the knocking out of brains were unjustly towards us; and, therefore, I left for the sons of the poor; if promotion would have treated with Napoleon upon did not proceed from the ranks; then I the basis of his last proposition. If we should be ready to believe, that the con- adopt Mr. Canning's notion, which, disscription in France must of necessity create guise it however he may, is that of a negreat discontents; but, where the chance cessity of continuing the contest till we of promotion is so fair; where the lottery have restored the old governments of Eu is so rich and the blanks so few, I am not rope, our case is, indeed, desperate.to be made believe, that the conscription, We have now done with the first speech of though still a heavy burden, is viewed with Mr. Canning at this dinner; but, there any thing approaching to feelings of hor- was a second, made upon the arrival of the ror.It is to be observed, besides, that Boroughreeve of Manchester, accompanied the genius of the French people is military; by certain persons of that town, who begthat it always was so; that to become even ged to be permitted to partake of the hoa private soldier always raised a man in nours of the sitting, and one of whom, it the scale of public estimation; that to have would seem, gave, as a toast, "the imserved was, in all times, a matter of boast- "mortal memory of the Rt. Hon. WILing in France, and a settled title to a larger "LIAM PITT;" whereupon, it is reshare of respect than the party would ported, Mr. Canning rose and said, "That otherwise have put in a claim to.- -These it was expected of them who were preare considerations which escape us in this sent that they should return thanks for country, and this is the reason why we any honour conferred on their absent hear so many persons, otherwise well-in"friends. It might be pardonable in him formed, expressing their astonishment at "if he expressed his acknowledgment for the zeal and fidelity of the French soldiers" the honour they had done to the meand at the submission of the people to the laws of the couscription. We will now leave Mr. Canning to condole with the lying-in mothers in France, while we observe upon the false and malignant conclusion of the passage last quoted, where he " "mory of Mr. Pitt, and in doing which 66 they had not the sense of Liverpool only, "but of England; not of England only, 66 but of Europe, of posterity, and of the "world. He said, he had always been "true to his principles. But there had says, that we, who are for treating for "been instances where his principles had peace, "are willing to purchase it at the "been misunderstood, but he knew that 66 expense of the honour of our country."" in this place they had always found able He does not pretend to produce any "advocates.-There was one point on proof of this assertion, which is, indeed, no "which, in the course of the recent conmore than a repetition of the old stale catest, his memory had been called in lumny, which has been in use by him and question, and his principles misrepre his like for the last twenty years. But, he "sented-that he was the advocate and au lays it down as an axiom, that we cannot "thor of war. If there lived a statesman have peace with the security of peace." in the world whose interests, indiviThis he does not attempt to prove, and it" dually, were founded in peace,e-if there is also an old battered assertion. He af-" was ever a statesman of whom it might terwards observes, that we cannot be safe" be presumed, that in conducting his alone; that our lot is cast with that of the country into war he was led by a sense civilized world, by which he, doubtless, of irresistible necessity, it must have "been in the foundation of his firm judg- it is not quite enough to say, that "it still 66 ment, and laid on the same basis with "lives in our breasts unimpaired." It is "that of the prosperity of his country. in our purses; in our purses, good Clerk "When posterity should look back upon of the Hanaper; it is there that system "the memory of that great man, they would of finance ought to be unimpaired; but, "discriminate two different eras in his you deal so much in rhetorical figures, life. The one on his succession to the that, perhaps, by breasts you may mean government of the country, he found the purses, as the things nearest to the hearts "state dilapidated, and its resources ener- of your hearers. If so, your assertion was "vated by an ill-conducted war. He laid merely false, it being perfectly notorious, "the foundation of that SOLID SYSTEM that the system, so far from being solid, "of which it was enough to say that it was the most hollow and deceitful that ever "lived in our breasts unimpaired, and was invented by man, and that it has pro"had endured amid the storms which had duced and is producing all the ruinous ❝assailed it since that time. Whether it effects that were anticipated from its adop"were the fault of Mr. Pitt or not the tion.-Indeed, a man must be possessed "fault (he meant of his judgment, and of a surprising stock of impudence to be "which would afford a fair test of histo- able to stand up in the midst of some hun"rical controversy,) whether he began dreds of persons, and applaud the system "the war which has continued with little of Pitt for its solidity, at a time when the ❝intermission to the present time--whe-paper-money, created by that system, is "ther that were his fault or not, it had so depreciated as to require acts of partia"been by his plans that the country had ment and severe penalties to prevent it "been enabled to continue it. But he did from being openly exchanged at a great "not think even without his councils war discount against the legal coin of the king❝ could have been deferred. A second dom. The late parliament did, indeed, "era of his political life began at the pe- declare by solemn resolution, that the ❝riod, when from the centre of Europe Bank paper was equal in value to gold and "burst forth that volcanic eruption of de- silver coin in the estimation of the people, "solating principles, which threatened to and they, in a few weeks afterwards, pass"overwhelm the civilized world: these ed an act, making it a misdemeanor in "principles, he observed, he had success- any one to exchange the paper against coin "fully resisted. After some further re- at a discount! These two proceedings "marks he observed, that he trusted that will immortalize that parliament; but, for "into whatever hands the Government of an individual, outside of the walls of St. this great country should be committed, Stephen, to have the impudence to assert, they would ever keep his example before that the paper system is unimpaired, "their eyes; and that they would learn when the regular Price Currents tell us, "from his example, exertion abroad." that Guinea Gold will sell for Five pounds -Any thing more empty, more com-eight shillings an ounce, in paper, while pletely devoid of sense than this latter- it is well known, that it will sell for no birth harangue, I do not remember to have more than Three pounds seventeen shillings met with even in the reports of the debates and ten pence halfpenny, in the legal coin in the Honourable House.- -The reader of the kingdom; for a man, unprotected will perceive, that, even in the face of by privilege, to insult, in this outrageous this crew of war-mongers, Mr. Canning manner, the understanding of his hearers did not think it proper to attempt a justi- would surpass belief, if we did not know, fication of the beginning of the late war that those hearers were amongst the most against France. Yet, that must be jus- stupid as well as the most servile and base tified, or the memory of Pitt must stand of mankind.-Pitt's plans, we are here blasted in the sight of posterity. But, told, have enabled us to continue the contest. he was, it seems, the author of "a That is to say, they have enabled our go"SOLID SYSTEM, of which it was vernment to carry on the war by the means "ENOUGH to say, that it lived in our of loans, taxation, and bank notes. Real"BREASTS unimpaired, and had en- ly, to hear this man of froth, one would "dured amidst the storms that had as-imagine, that it was good for a nation to "sailed it since that time."- -What did be exhausted; for its paper to become dehe mean? What system? I suppose, preciated; for its gold and silver to quit that the system he alludes to must be the the land. Continue the contest! So much funding system; and, if so, Mr. Canning, the worse. It would have been good if 66 the government had been reduced to the necessity of discontinuing the contest many years ago. But, the question is, will Pitt's plans enable us to get safe out of this contest? And this question every man is ready to answer in the negative.- Mr. Canning concludes with the old cheat, which, though threadbare long ago, has, it seems, still its uses. He told the crew, that Pitt had "successfully resisted that "volcanic eruption of desolating principles "which, at one time, threatened to over"whelm the civilized world."- -He alludes here to the principles of the French revolution; and, if they did actually threaten to overwhelm the civilized world, is it true, reader, that Pitt successfully resisted them? How were they expected to operate in the work of overwhelming? This flashy orator delights in figures; but, at last, we must, if we can, reduce his words to some plain meaning. What, then, does he mean by the overwhelming of the civilized world by principles? Why he must mean, that those principles tended, not to the producing of a real deluge, or flood, in the civilized world, but that they clearly tended to the subversion of the settled order of things in the civilized world; that they tended to the oversetting of establishments in religion, in law, in ranks and degrees, and, especially to the pulling down of sovereigns and of thrones. That this is the only rational sense in which the words can be taken is, I think, evident; and, that being the case, what impudence, what brass, how hardened the front or how empty the skull, of the man who could stand up and assert, that Pitt had successfully resisted those principles, when, at the same moment, it was a notorious fact, that scarcely a throne remain. ed unoverset in the civilized world, and that all the establishments, connected with regal or aristocratical sway, had shared the same fate? Perhaps Mr. Canning meant to say, that Pitt had successfully resisted the principles of the first French revolutionists; that is to say, the principles of freedom; and, if that were his meaning, it must be confessed that his patron and the -object of his praise was but too successful. Nevertheless, there is much which he left -undone. He was unable, and so have been and will be, his followers, to restore the ecclesiastical and feudal and aristocra-tical tyranny in France and Italy, in Switzerland and in Germany. To give a pithy instance or two: Pitt was unable to reestablish Lettres-de-cachet, the Gabelle, the Corvée, and the Tithes, in France. He was able by the aid of that system which has made the English guinea worth 29 shillings in Bank Paper; by such means he was able to plunge France into a state that called for the government of a single man; but, he was, with all the hundreds of mil lions of our money that he squandered, un able to re-establish any one of those oppressions by which the people of France were induced to revolt against their old government.Through the war of Pitt and millions of our money the people of France were deprived of the sort of govern ment that they at first contemplated; but, they were not deprived of a very large part of the advantages which they expected from such a government. They revolted to get rid of Lettres-de-cachet, the Ga belle, the Corvée, the Tithes, and nume rous degrading and cruel feudal rights; they revolted to get rid of a corrupt and partial administration of justice; they revolted to get rid of a clergy and nobility who in sulted and oppressed them without mercy. This was the grand principle of their revo lution, and this principle has not been resisted. However, if the merchants and traders of Liverpool and of the rest of the kingdom are satisfied with what has been done in the way of resistance to French principles, I congratulate them thereon with all my heart, and leave them and Mr. Canning to the enjoyment of all the tranquillity and security which that resist ance is, of course, calculated to afford them. WM. GOBBETT. London, 5th Nov. 1812. P. S. Since writing the above I have seen a Speech of Mr. Canning, made at Manchester. This speech I shall notice in my next. WESTMINSTER ELECTION. Lellers of Sir Francis Burdett and Lord Cochrane, upon their being returned for the City of Westminster, in 1812. The following Letters have passed between the Committee appointed to conduct the Election for this City and their Representatives. The Resolutions of the General Meeting on the 5th inst. at the Crown and Anchor, had been previously transmitted to Sir Francis Burdett and Lord Cochrane. power which they may think advantageous. The enclosed Answer you will have the goodness to communicate. -Your's, very sincerely, F. BURDETTt. To Sir Francis Burdett, Barl. Sir,-In announcing to you that you have been again returned to Parliament for the City of Westminster, we cannot suppress the satisfaction we feel in observing the steady, though slow advance of public opinion, manifested in the disposition of To the Electors of Westminster.. the Electors of Westminster to do their GENTLEMEN,It is impossible for me to duty to themselves and to their country be insensible to the extraordinary mark of to the utter dismay of all Parties, and the confidence with which you have recently destruction of the formerly overwhelming honoured me. And although I am thereby influence of base, corrupt, and infamous again placed in an arduous and difficult Administrations, who have merely regard- situation, from which I should gladly have ed the ruling, not the benefiting the nation : withdrawn, I cannot, under such auspices, -who have considered power as every refuse to undertake the forlorn hope of comthing, the peace, prosperity, and happiness bating that wide-spreading corruption, of the people as nothing.We would which seems almost to convert the severity willingly "spare you the mortification of of satire, "that not to be corrupted is the "passing a painful life in undignified ef-"shame," into mere matter of fact; or, "forts to stem the torrent of corruption." at least, to give room to suppose such to be But when we contemplate the effects pro- the prevailing opinion Nothing, thereduced in this great City, exemplified as fore, remains for the friends of their counthey now are, in the return of yourself and try, but to stand it out as long as they can, your late worthy colleague, without expense prepared, at all times, to make as decent an or personal trouble; without communica- exit as their enemies will permit.-Gention with either, and without a struggle-tlemen, the small portion which remains of when we hear from various places, that the the real Representation of the People (the People, rousing from their apathy, are en- sole Constitutional Guardian of our Liberty deavouring to imitate the example of West- and Property) is now confined to the Counminster, we cannot but indulge the hope, ties and great Towns: and even in them, that at the next Election, better informed for the most part, Government patronage, by precept, by example, and by experi- places, pensions, promises, threats, and the ence, they will so exert themselves, that various methods practised at Elections, the" torrent of corruption" may no longer render an uncorrupt body of Electors no be irresistible, nor your honourable and more to be expected than an uncorrupt Parmanly efforts be "unavailing" in promot-liament.I may, however, Gentlemen, ing the happiness of your country. be allowed to say, without incurring the By Order of the Committee for con- 1812. SAMUEL BROOKS, Chairman. Commillee Room, 38, King-street, Covent Garden, 9th Oct. 1812. (A Letter to the same effect was written to Lord Cochrane.) -Gentlemen, at the Revolution one honest line, securing to the People freedom of Election, would have been worth more than all that tedious and ostentatious display of principles and objects set forth, but never really provided for, by the Bill of Rights. I would fain hope, that the example given by the Electors of Westminster, might encourage other places still to contend for that small portion of Independ ence which yet remains in the country; and thereby keep alive, at least in the remembrance of their countrymen, their ancient constitutional right to a full, fair, and free Representation of the People in Parliament, their only quiet and peaceable security at all times for their rights and property, against the despotism and plunder of the few. For these purposes you shall always find me, either in or out of Parliament, READY TO LAY DOWN MY LIFE.- -Gentlemen, I have received the highest honour I can receive, and the best reward-the approbation of those who trusted me, on the expiration of the trust. the PRINCE REGENT: and being fully convinced that dissolutions of Parliament contribute to the emancipation of the Crown, even more (in the present state of the Representation) than to the Liberty of the Subject, I confess that I am not one of those who anticipate that the late constitu tional measure will be followed by a breach of the law. -Gentlemen, no part of the cant of the times seems to me more absurd and hypocritical, than the declamation by party men against what they term the overwhelming influence of the Crown," when the fact is notorious to us all, that the ruling Faction in Parliament seize the offices of State, and share them amongst themselves. If a doubt as to this truth is entertained by any one, let him reflect on the language of the Parties themselves, 66 -That I should have, and that the Electors of Westminster should think, that I have conducted myself in it with honour and integrity, will be a never-failing source of satisfaction to me, as long as the powers" Such an Administration cannot stand." of recollection shall remain to,- -Gentlemen, your most affectionate and devoted Servant, FRANCIS BURDETT. Oxford, Oct. 16, 1812. 12, Portman-square, Oct. 14, 1812. DEAR SIR,-You will oblige me by handing the enclosed to the Committee for conducting the Election for Westminster. Believe me sincerely yours, To Mr. Saml. Brooks. COCHRANE. And why, Gentlemen? not because the Royal protection has been withdrawn, but because a sufficient number do not agree as to the division of the spoil. What motive has the Crown for supporting scandalous. abuses that are hostile to the interests of the public? As far as the question regards those who fatten on the plunder of their Country, it is needless for me to put it. Our liberties in these days are not in danger from violent and open exercise of Regal Authority; such acts being free from the deception practised by the mock Represen tatives of the People, would not be tolerated for an instant. No, Gentlemen, it is by the House of Commons alone that the ConTo the Electors of Westminster. stitution is subverted, the prerogatives of GENTLEMEN,-Being unable to convey the Crown usurped, the Rights of the Peoin words the sensations I experience in re- ple trampled upon.—Gentlemen, I shall flecting on the manner in which you have not attempt to enumerate the decisions of returned me to Parliament, I shall leave it the late House of Commons, that will stamp to you, who are capable of such acts, to indelible disgrace on the memory of the estimate my feelings.- -Permit me, how-principal actors, who cannot escape ever, in acknowledging the receipt of your the contempt and execration of posterity, Letter of the 10th inst., and transmitted like the nameless individuals who composed to me through your Committee, to trespass their corrupt majorities. The effects, howa little on your attention, to offer my con- ever, of the system of corruption can be gratulations on the effect which has already more briefly stated-the prolongation of war been produced by the example set by you, on a former occasion, to the Electors of the United Kingdom, and to anticipate, that on every future recurrence to the elective franchise, the noble principle for which you are contending will be felt more strongly, and that "the People, rousing from their apathy," will imitate the City of Westminster in the purity of their Elections. In this view of the subject, Gentle men, I cannot but congratulate you on the recent exercise of the Royal prerogative by from the increase of the National Debt-the depreciation of our currency-the disap pearance of our coin-the stagnation of our commerce, and the consequent unexampled embarrassment of our manufacturers. These are the result for all which evils, Gentlemen, there is no remedy but in the control that would be exercised over the public expenditure, by an honest House of Commons, and in the attention that such a House would pay to the interest of the State. Without a change in the principle |