did this poor vain man, though amply him up in a ludicrous light; to get a supplied with brass, know; what did, laugh set up against him; or they will what could, he know about the various suppress what he says, as they have important matters that came before done with regard to O'Connell. Howhim? What knew he about the causes ever, they will not, and they shall not, of the public decline and distress? succeed in any of these things. There What knew he about the relative in- is nothing like resolutions, single or in terests and power of foreign, states? sets, moved and seconded, and put into What knew he about the effects of our print; and they may be treated to a colonial system? And, did he really stinger of this sort every three or four know what colonies we had! The days. In this manner the good things boroughmongers say, that if we had a got by all their families may be exradical reform, we should choose none posed, and some subject of indignation but such men as this. Several such may constantly be kept before the pubmight be chosen at first; but the lic. In the course of a Session, the people would quickly discover their whole thing may be, by two men, laid error; they would soon feel that a fool's as bare as a callow mouse. I do hope friendship is more dangerous than his that a second man will be found; but wrath; and Waithman never would I know that one man can do much; have been elected a second time, if the aye, and very nearly break up the conpeople of London had been free to cern, or make them break it up themchoose whom they pleased. The man selves. And now'I dismiss the matter in the fable, who had set up a wooden for the present, leaving Baring and god, prayed to him a long while for Scarlett to call Mr. Hunt" honourable various purposes and in various emer- gentleman." Come, come; open your gencies, but finding that god did no-shoulders, and swallow the bolus with thing for him, he took his axe and a good grace! And, there is one chopped him up for fuel. We could Baring in office too! Just making a not chop Waithman up without a vio-beginning; a little nibble at us. Oh! lation of the law; but his talk has what a pity to mar so fair a prospect! long been of no more consequence than However, down the thing must come. the rattle of the hackney coaches.

Let us hope that we are now to have better things. At any rate, my friends, you have done your duty, and you, particularly Messrs. IRVIN and MITCHELL, have the hearty thanks of

Your faithful Friend
And most obedient Servant,

WM. COBBETT.

THE PRESTON ELECTION. THE Radical Reformers put out a placard, calling upon the electors to return Mr. Hunt; besides that nothing occurred till Sunday, when we observed posted on the walls two papers, one being the transcript of a letter from Mr. Baines, of the Leeds Mercury, headed "Mr. Mitchell, the companion of Oliver, the Spy," and the other, a notice requesting the meet him at the Bull Inn at ten o'clock the supporters of the right hon. E. G. Stanley to following morning. Mr. Stanley arrived on

Sunday evening. MONDAY.

Bull Inn, in the course of the morning, and Mr. Stanley's friends made their calls at the handbills were issued stating that the right hon. Gentleman had signified his intention of speaking at one o'clock. At that hour some and shortly after the right hon. candidate ap thousands had assembled in front of the inn, peared at one of the windows, and spoke as

P. S.-I have, from the PRESTON PILOT, inserted, at full length, an account of all the proceedings at this election, which no London paper has done. No, no: they see the blow falling, and they know where it will alight. They will, when Mr. HUNT takes his seat, do every thing that they can to sink him, and to render his efforts of no avail; because, if our cause triumph, they fall; their foul follows:monopoly is extinguished. They will, from this place I certainly had very little exGentlemen,-When I last addressed you therefore, make use of their base Re-pectation that, in so short a time, I should porthers to misrepresent him; to hold have occasion to address you again. We meet

vulsion. I hoped that, on altered principles, they might have remained in power, but on the very first division of the House of Commons it was shaken to pieces, That event was so far beyond my anticipation, that I confess I I dared not look to it. I did not venture to hope that on the very first occasion public opinion would so prevail against the govern

here, gentlemen, under circumstances, as they regard the country, materially altered, but with my sentiments, my opinions, and my principles remaining, as they were then, unchanged and unchangeable. Such as they were then, such they are now; such as my principles were out of office, such are they now that I am in office. Such as has been my conduct while in opposition to the late government that in one moment the whole fabric ment, such shall be my conduct as a supporter should fall to the ground, or that another of the present administration. Gentlemen, i should be formed in a week after, solely upon will be unnecessary to trouble you with enter- the support of public opinion, and that such is ing very much at length respecting those the case with the present government I do not principles and professions which I have uni- hesitate to express my most perfect conviction, formly made with one mind, and which have nay more, with public opinion only to look to actuated my public conduct. I feel it due to to support them. They do know that they you, under the present circumstances, so have against them all those gentlemen who short a period elapsing previous to the com- were returned to the House in the interest of mencement of the election as to prevent me the administration, but, in defiance of that, from offering myself to you on a personal can- they know no doubt that, if they set conscienvass, and submitting myself to such investi- tiously to their work, they will be supported gation as you might think fit, and as you have by public opinion, and be enabled to carry a right to demand, under such circumstances; their measures into effect. My object in be I say, I have felt it due to you to request your coming a member of the existing administraattendance here, in order that I may have an tion was because 1 felt it to be an administra opportunity of justifying my conduct in actionfounded on those principles which, through cepting office. The principles under which evil report and good report, 1 have honestly the new administration has been formed are advocated, and I ventured to hope that in well known, and they are such that I can give taking office under it I might be enabled to to them my pledged and cordial support. give it more effectual support than I could as Gentlemen, when I last met you here I told a mere member of parliament. Gentlemen, the you my opinion, on both the principal ques-questions on which I opposed the late admitions which were then likely to engage the nistration were shortly three, and I support the attention of parliament on its meeting. I present administration because it holds opposite told you my sentiments both with respect to opinions upon these three. Those were, our our relations with foreign powers, and to policy with relation to foreign powers, parliaaffairs at home. I called on you to watch the mentary reform, and retrenchment in the exconduct of your representatives in parliameut penditure of the government. Gentlemen, on that first and most important question, the when the Duke of Wellington put into the consideration of the civil list. Gentlemen, I. mouth of his royal Master that most unfortuthen felt that the administration of the Duke of nate speech, in which there was not only no Wellington had for a year previous been totter- sympathy expressed towards those great and ing to its foundation; and that it had been glorious events which had occurred in Paris tottering, not from any factious and party vio- and at Brussels, but, from what was to be imlence, from no combination of parties, but that plied, rather a regret that those things had tait was tottering from its own adherent weak- ken place, public opinion was loudly expressed; ness, because it was not relying on that which still the feeling was not strong enough to recould alone give it strength, namely, the great move him from office, but when, in defiance of strength of public opinion. Gentlemen, I public opinion, so lately and so generally extold you then that to expect any more good pressed, he ventured to declare in his place in from that administration was so hopeless, that the House of Peers, that under no circumI determined, however reluctantly, to enter stances whatever should the smallest alterainto uncompromising opposition to the go- tion take pisce in the representation of the vernment. Gentlemen, I may say as candidly House of Commons, in an instant his power as I ever said any thing in my life, that it was at an end, his supporters shrunk from was my ardent and my anxious hope that the him, and his government fell to ruin. (ApDuke of Wellington would see his error in plause.) Gentlemen, the existing government time; and that the administration would carry has at least this claim to your kind indul into operation those principles which we had gence and favourable consideration, that it is recommended to them Such I hoped would a government, the members of which have be the case, and for this reason, because if lately been, or are, the representatives of great the Duke of Wellington, proceeding in oppo- and populous places, and if any of you here sition to public opinion, should still refuse present will take the trouble of availing yourthose salutary reforms that public opinion re-selves of those means which are within every quires, I felt great alarm lest, in the present state of the House of Commous, he would have been able to support himself against public opinion, and to bring about a public con

man's reach, and of looking to the places which the members of the late adinitistration and the present represented, you will find that to be the case, while not one of the mem

J

bers of the late government sat for any place of interfered in the affairs of Belgium. They more consequence than a rotten borough, hoped that England would remain at all events such places merely to which the right of free neuter, and so give them support in opposition election has not extended. I will now recite to liberated France and liberated Belgium; to you a few of the places for which the mem- but when the change took place they knew bers of the new government sit, and, having they had no such hopes. They know the predone so, I think I may venture to appeal to sent administration is not one to take up the public opinion for its support. Amongst the cause of despotism against the cause of the first, I need scarcely state that the highest people. They knew that if they press that office is filled by a man too well known to re- circumstance they will have against them, quire any observation here. When I say the heart and hand together, the people and goLord Chancellor is Mr. Brougham, who has vernment of England. They know that Engbeen more distinguished for his exertions in land and France are united, and they know the cause of the people than any other man, that if France and England he combined, they and that he was gratuitously returned as one may defy the efforts of Europe and the world. of the members for Yorkshire, I need say (Applause.) I say by the great and cordial nothing more to convince you that public union which exists between France and Eug opinion is at least here on the side of the peo- land, but which would not have been the case ple and the government. Next there is Lord with the late government, we have the means Althorp, the member for Northamptonshire; of restoring the repose of Europe. Gentlemen, Sir James Graham, one of the members I will now address you on the important and for the county of Cumberland; Mr. Wynne, difficult question of parliamentary reform. member for the county of Montgomery; Mr. Gentlemen, it may be known to you that aCharles Grant, member for the county of In- mongst those who support the doctrines of verness; Lord Palmerston, one of the mem- parliamentary reform there are some who go bers for the University of Cambridge; Mr. further than I can, others who stop short, and Poulett Thomson, one of the members for some who wish to confine their reform within Dover; Mr. Ellice, one of the members for such limits that I can consider it no reform at the city of Coventry; Mr. Robert Grant, one all; again, there are those who stand pledged of the members for the city of Norwich; Mr. to oppose all reform. Now, the present goSpring Rice, member for the city of Limerick; vernment are pledged to bring forward a speci and I hope to be able to add Mr. Stanley, the fic measure. They are pledged to bring it member for Preston. (Hear, and laughter.) forward; and if so, it may be considered carNow, gentlemen, when I tell you these are all ried, and it can only be delayed or defeated by men in whom the great towns and counties discord and disunion. This is the time when have placed the confidence to return them at the government has a right to call on all re the last election, I have not stated above half formers to give them their hearts and hands in the case, because in all the elections that have carrying this measure. since taken place not only has not one been opportunity for reform as never before occur There is now such an turned out, but every one has been re-elected red, and it will be the fault of all Reformers by his constituents, without the administra- themselves if by their dissensions they prevent tion being offered the shadow of opposition. the carrying the great principle into effect. I say it is a proud gratification to this adminis- Gentlemen, I hold in my hand an address, tration that it can so appeal to public opinion. which I believe has been circulated and is With regard to the measures on which the signed by individuals of no very high pretensions, present administration are pledged, they stand calling upon you not to support me, and bringpledged to maintain peace by all means in ing forward two charges against me, which, their power, consistently with the safety of the though insignificant, and contemptible as I state, to keep at peace with all foreign pow-may think this paper to be, I shall, in deference ers; they stand pledged to bring forward a to you, say a few words upon. You are told decided, sound, and effectual measure of par- that since you elected me I have sold you. liamentary reform; they stand pledged to the You have.") I am told that I am unwor strictest economy and retrenchment, and thy of being returned by you to begin that retrenchment in the higher called a placeman. There are, gentlemen, a because I am situations of the government. It is my earnest certain number of persons who learn certain and anxious wish, as it must be the most aux- terms by heart, and who can apply them with ous and earnest wish of all who feel it impos- about as much understanding as a parrot sible that the burdens of the country can be taught to repeat the same words.. I meet added to, that peace, at whatever hazard, with these expressions in this paper, and I shall be maintained; and I think I may say ask them what they mean? Sell you? How? that it is chiefly owing to the change of admi. You elected me as your representative at the nistration that peace has been maintained. last election: I went to Parliament, and carPrevious to the declaration of the late govern- ried into effect the principles I ayowed here: ment, we have reason to believe that Russia, I accepted office under a government whose Prussia, and Austria, frightened at the turn principles I uniformly supported; and then I of affairs in France, alarmed at the pro- resigned my seat and came back to ask you gress of better opinions, and fearing for the to exercise again your privilege, and return me safety of all despotic governments, would have or not. I say the man when he wrote this, un

words to say with respect to economy and retreuchment. It is further earnest of the future, that in the short fortnight since the present Government have beeu in office inany places of amount have been suppressed; places not bestowed upon the lower ranks, or supporting poor clerks, but places giving power to the holders and influence to Ministers. I may enumerate a few. There is the office of Post-master General of Ireland, lately held by Lord Rosse, has now been abolished; and the Vice-treasurer and Deputy Vice-treasurer of Ireland, the two mak35001. a-year, have been abolished, and the duties are to be performed by a clerk receiv ing 2001. a year. The office of Master of the Mint has also been added to another office, and the duties of both are performed for one

is in like manner held with that of Vice-president of the Board of Trade, and one gentleman performs the duties of the two departments. Now, thus far the Government affords pretty safe evidence of its intentions with regard to economy and retrenchment. Naming the gentleman who fills the office of Vice-president of the Board of Trade leads me to another question of importance to you who live in manufacturing districts. I mean freetrade, the question of removing all those burdens and shackles which hang upon trade without producing any benefit. Although no specific measures have as yet been taken, the appointment of Mr. Powlett Thomson is a sufficient security, for amongst the many able advocates of free-trade, there is no man who has expressed himself more strongly or more ably than that gentleman. Gentlemen, I believe I have now called your attention to all the principal features in which the present govern

derstood no more what he was writing about than a parrot would. Now, Gentlemen, one word abou place. That I hold one under the Government is very true: that I hope to do some good is my humble but very confident feeling. I am not much absent from my duty; never I hope when wanted, but, whenever I can, I do get away to enjoy the pleasures and amusements of a country life, and a person with those feelings is not very likely to prefer the auxieties of a responsible and laborious office, which requires my attendance not merely during the sitting of Parliament, but for the remainder of the year. I should be open to low abuse and obnoxious to the charges generally made against placemen if I were one of those who took the money of the country and did nothing for it. This paper desires you to beware of a Whig ad-salary. The office of Treasurer of the Navy ministration, that it will bring forward no practical reform. How they obtained knowledge of this I know not; because I believe it impossible that the Cabinet could have agreed upon what they are going to propose. But so far as the general scheme and substance is to be collected from what has been said by Lord Grey, a man, by the way, not in the habit of saying one thing and meaning another, he said that reform would be carried to the extent of satisfying the wishes of the pub. lic, consistent with the safety of the existing establishments of the country. I am told in this paper, that by those establishments are meant the rotten boroughs. It is really ludicrous so to pervert the plainest terms. Lord Grey only wishes to limit his reform to that point which shall be necessary to preserve to each of the three estates of King, Lords and Commons, its due share of power, and those who wish to throw into any one of them such a preponderating influence that may destroyment is materially at variance with the late. the balance, seek not reform but revolution. Such reform and such revolution will never, I am confident, be supported by the good sense of the people; and I trust there is not one in ten thousand who would not resist by every means in their power a revolutionary reform. (Applause.) Lord Grey has a right to demand that you will not condemn bim unheard, and that you ought to consider the difficulties of carrying an extended measure through Parliament; and to rely on his sincerity to do every thing consistently with the safety of the institutions of the country. Not three nights ago, the Duke of Newcastle appealed to Lord Grey, and counselled that noble Lord to see the propriety, in the present disturbed state of the country, of not pressing the question just now, something intimating that his conduct and that of other noble Lords would be regulated accordingly. Without one moment's delay his Lordship said the state of the country was one reason why it should be done, and that the question must be brought forward now. I hope that this declaration given in such a place and at such a time will be taken as further evidence of the siucerity of Lord Grey. Gentlemen, I have a very few

I have only to say, that as the present govern meut rests exclusively on public opinion, it can only hope to carry its wise and salutary measures by the aid of the members of large places confident that, as those places will institute inquiry into the conduct of those they send, their members become so many testimonials in favour of the conduct of the Government. (The right hon. Gentleman here again alluded to his political principles, and repeated his explanations respecting his appointment to office; after which he proceeded as follows :) I do not understand that any real and substantive opposition will be offered. (A cry of "Hunt" was here raised.) Those who called out " Hunt" mast remember that he said the time was not come when the people of Preston could elect him. He has. therefore, no hope of success, and you will not see him here. If he does come here, it will not be as a candidate, and I feel assured that this putting him in nomination is done merely with a view of creating some trifling disturbance in the town, and for the disgraceful purpose of occasioning that expense which it is my firm determination to avoid if possible. I hope the good sense of

resigned accordingly and again appeared before the electors to ask them for a renewal of their confidence. Mr. Shawe proceeded, amid considerable interruption, to eulogise the prinproposed the right hon. Gentleman as a fit and proper person to be one of the representatives of Prestou. (The nomination was received with approbation from the galleries, and much displeasure from the area.)

Preston will come forward as one man to scout this silly opposition, and I hope it will be put down by a strong expression of that opinion which, I am sure, the respectable part of the people entertain. The right hou. Gentle-ciples and conduct of Mr. Stanley, and finally man then thanked the electors for the attention they had bestowed, and was about to retire, when he returned to say that he heard that sotne notion was entertained that votes might be split upon Mr. Hunt and himself. He was shortly going to attend to his duties in Ireland, and if the proposition-had come from natives of that country he should not have been surprised. He begged to remind the electors that there were no split votes on the occasion. The contest was between himself and a nameless candidate, and to split votes was only throwing away the exercise of the franchise.

The crowd heard the right hon. Gentieman with the most respectful attention, and when he had concluded, they dispersed. Nothing particular transpired during the day.

TUESDAY. THE NOMINATION, This being the day of nomination, there was much burrying towards the Corn Exchange at an early hour, and by about half-past nine half the area was closely occupied with electors. Just after ten, the Returning Officers (Nicho las Grimshaw, the Mayor, and Mr. S. R. Grimshaw, and Mr. H. P. Fleetwood, Bailiffs), accompanied by the members of the corporation, arrived, and took their places just in the centre of the gallery on the western side. On the right stood the right hon. E. G. Stanley and his friends, and on the left. we observed Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Irvin, Mr. Johnston, and other known supporters of Mr. Hunt.

The court was then opened, and the proclamation, act of parliament, &c., read by R. Palmer, Esq., the Town-clerk. These forms being disposed of, there was nothing left to do but to proceed with the more interesting matters of the day.

J. LAWE, Esq., briefly seconded the nomination.

The MAYOR-Is any other candidate proposed?

Mr. Irvin rose to address the electors. The MAYOR said it was his duty to inform Mr. Irvin, that if he nominated a candidate in his absence, and that candidate refused to undertake the expenses of the booths, &c., he (Mr. Irvin) made himself liable to be called on for payment of half.

Mr. IHVIN. I understand that is the case, sir. Gentlemen: I am here once more before you, this is the fourth time I am come to nominate a man for your adoption or rejection. He is, in my opinion and belief, the mau most eligible, if you are masters of your own minds. (From the crowd, "We are not.") He is a man who will serve you honestly and faithfully. The man I mean to nominate always stood forward honestly and disinterestediy in behalf of the rights and liberties of the people, He has always advocated them on constitu tional grounds. Mr. Stanley says the Govern ment have adopted temperate reform. Now, gentlemen, what is temperate reform? (A voice, "To fill the pockets full of gold.") Temperate reform amounts to this: to moderation a moderate thing. Now, I will just ask him in the way of a little annumalay. (Loud Laughter.) If I use bad grammar, 1 trust the reporters will screen me. I was not bred up classically like some of the gentlemen on my right hand, but if I speak plain English that will do for you. (Cheers.) Now to the The MAYOR. If any gentleman has a can-word moderate. Now, if either of you had a didate to offer he must offer him now; and I bad wife, in need of reform, would you have have to request that you will all keep silence, her moderately or really good? (“Good, and conduct yourselves decently and orderly good," and laughter.) Now, if you want the during this election." parliament changed, would you have it mode W. SHAWE, Esq.-The electors had so re-rately good or really good? ("Really good.") cently exercised their privilege in the elec- I should think so. That is plain sense. And tion of representatives for the borough, that he if you can get a really good person it is better trusted he should not be deemed presumptuous than a moderately good person, and so we in soliciting a renewal of their confidence in would have real reform instead of moderate favour of the sante individual whom he had reform. That is plain sense. The other 1 the honour of proposing so short a time ago. call nominal reform. And yet after that he Mr. Stanley had been called by his sovereign says it is to be effectual. Now, if I underto assist in the councils of the state: he had stand grammar (much laughter), effectual obeyed that call, and came forward to give his means that we have obstacles to surmount, talents and his services to his King and coun- and efficacious means that some obstacle has try at this important crisis. He was destined been surmounted. Now, I wish to know this to assist in the Government of an important from the right hon. Gentleman. I wish to part of the empire, and to fulfil the duties of ask him a few questions. Mr. Stanley says an office of great importance, and which would he is for moderate reform. When he sat for occupy a considerable portion of his time. In Woodbridge, no, Stockbridge, I believe it accepting office, he was bound by the practice was. As learned Divines read their sermons, of the constitution to resign his seat. He had I may refer to my paper, I suppose. (Mr.