"is attempted to be passed upon you. gentlemen, with full assurance of "The watch-word of one party is, ' The " your integrity and spirit, your most "best of kings.' The watch-word of" faithful humble servant, "the other is, 'The best of patriots.'. "But neither of these parties will choose "FRANCIS BURDETT." "Sir Francis Burdett's Letter to the to descend to particulars, and inform 66 you what the best of kings and the "best of patriots have already done, or will hereafter do for you. What they "have done for themselves we all" who never was really with us, has le " 66 66 "Gentlemen,-At length Mr. Byng, know and feel; what farther they can "ceased to temporize; and, taking "do for us we can only conjecture. advantage of your undeserved comThey who have desired a new Parlia- pliment to him, has declared openly ment thus suddenly, in our present si- against us. It was always to be tuation, undoubtedly have their own expected, that such would be his strong reasons for it, which they are "conduct, whenever it should suit the "not likely to disclose. But I am "views of his party. This, gentlemen, thoroughly persuaded, that all our "is the short statement of our situation. 66 present burdens and restraints, vexa- "The politics of George Grenville, the "tious and galling as they are, will ap"father, lost us America; the politics pear but as trifles when compared "of George Grenville, the son, have "with what they will be at the close of "lost us all Europe. To these politics, "this now-coming Parliament. I would" and to assist in carrying them on, the willingly be instrumental in the "professing Whigs have lately joined rescue of my country at the certain" themselves, to their own great emoexpense of life and fortune; but it "lument, and the just dismay of the cannot be rescued, and would not de- [“ public. In this conjecture, it is not serve to be rescued, unless the ma- surprising that Mr. Byng, who bejority of the country be uncorrupt. It" longs to those Whigs, should play is fit that the experiment should be" into the hands of Mr. Mellish, who tried; and that at least the propor- belongs to that Grenville whom they "tion of remaining integrity should be" have joined. I am perfectly aware, "known. And I pledge my houour to "that if I had been silent, I might have you, gentlemen, that, upon the present" been returned for Middlesex without. 66 occasion, I do not desire the aid or a contest; but I will have no comcountenance of any of the parties, in" promise, nor suspected compromise, or out of power; that I will not dis-" with such shabby politics. I will not 46 tribute, nor consent to the distribution" by silence be guilty of the ruin which even of a single cockade; nor will I" appears to be fast approaching. Genfurnish, nor consent to the furnishing "tlemen, I will never consent to be re"of a single carriage. If the free-" turned by the connivance of any mi"holders of Middlesex feel the situation"nisters: for I will never connive at "of their country, and desire to redress" their plunder, I desire no seat but by "its grievances, they will do their easy "the unbiassed votes of intelligent and parts towards such redress, by an un- uncorrupt freeholders. If my princicorrupt vote. And if this spirit is not ples differ from theirs, I am not fit to be found in this country at this" to be their representative, and shall time, it is not likely to be found any- "not desire it; but I shall wait for "where else at any time. Let the free- "their decision, regardless of the in"holders of Middlesex do their easy "trigues, misrepresentation, and influduty, I will do mine, which will not 66 ence of the coalesced factions. I shall "be easy; and, if it shall be their un- ever remain, gentlemen, faithful to "biassed choice, I will prove my"the principles I avow, and to your "self their uncorrupt, disinterested," honest service. and zealous representative.-I am, "FRANCIS BURDETT." 66 86 66 "Sir Francis Burdett's Speech at Brentford.--Nov. 1506. 66 "Gentlemen, Freeholders of the county of Middlesex? Are they not "at the expense of maintaining it? Have they not suffered, and do they 6: county of Middlesex, I shall state to not still suffer, for the infamous pracyou, as shortly as I can upon this oc- "tices which, to the eternal disgrace of casion, and with the same plainness" the county, were and are permitted "and sincerity upon every occasion, as to take place within its dreary walls? I think myself bound to do when" (It was never proved, it's a stale "called upon by the public, my senti-" story). Freeholders, a gentleman ments with regard to the state of po- among the crowd says that the old "litics and party in this country. Mr." stale story of the Bastille is going Byng has told you that he offers him- " forward; I am sorry it is; I have "self to your notice on those principles "endeavoured to prevent it, but Mr. "which first recommended him to it." Byng has not. (Plaudits). Now, "It would have been well if Mr. Byng "gentlemen, permit me to ask you "had stated to you what those princi- "whether this great and principal claim ples were. (Great applause). Where" to the confidence of the county of 66 66 are we to look for them? Who knows" Middlesex has not been recently put "what are the principles of Mr. Byng?" forward by one of the courtly band to "Do any of you? (No, no, no). Gen-" which Mr. Byng belongs? I ask you "tlemen, I am neither surprised nor "whether it has not been stated by Mr. "displeased at the conduct of Mr. Byng" Sheridan, as the ground of that supon this day, but quite the contrary. It" port he expects from the electors of "is not inconsistent with the conduct" Westminster, that he alone stood for"he has all along professed. You"ward and supported me upon the "know that Mr. Byng is a SUMMER IN- question of the Cold-bath-fields priSECT, and LOVES THE SUN. (A general "son? Can these gentlemen, who at"burst of applause). But I must al-" tempt to interrupt me, think to bear "low that if Mr Byng has not stated" me down by saying that no abuses "his principles on this, any more than" existed, that they do not now exist, on any former occasion, he has stated" and that I have merely sought, by "his pretensions to your support with a raising a clamour and exciting the "degree of modesty which I suppose" popular feeling, to bring myself in you will hardly think entitles him to "for the county of Middlesex? It is, "it. For he calls for your support- 66 gentlemen, now plain and apparent, on what grounds? That you have" and happy I am to have this opportu "returned him three times to Parlia-" nity of proving what I at first asserted. ment, and that he never voted against 66 cr 66 "(It is untrue, exclaimed a person upon you. What! are members ever re- "the hustings). The gentleman behind turned to Parliament to vote against me denies the truth, even before he their constituents? Have we arrived" has heard it. I was going to state, that you have had in my present con at such a pitch of debasement, that" for a man not to have betrayed his duct a convincing proof, that if my "constituents, is to be put forth as a object had been personal-if I had "claim to the approbation of the county merely been ambitious of the honour "of Middlesex? It would be easy to" of becoming the representative of the "show, that, if Mr. Byng has not in-county of Middlesex, I might easily "curred the sin of commission, he has "have been so-nay, that I might have "at least incurred the sin of omission, "been brought in without any opposi "which is perhaps not less prejudicial" tion. (No, no! you could not, said se 66 to the public than the other. Where" veral). It has been stated as the opiwas Mr. Byng when the question was "nion of Mr. Byng, that I have perbrought forward relative to the abuses" formed the greatest possible service "in the Cold-bath-fields prison? Does" for Mr. Mellish. If I have, I declare "that or not interest the electors of the " solemnly I have no objection to it. "Gentlemen, let the consequence be" and prove, even to demonstration, "that it is as utterly destitute of "historical truth as it is of constitu"tional principles. (Loud and unanimous applause). Gentlemen, Mr. "Whitbread tells us that the administration, of which he is so conspicuous a supporter, have not yet formed their projected schemes of reform, internal "and external. Thus it appears they "have schemes in agitation. Now, "what it may, neither a seat in Parlia"ment for the county of Middlesex, nor anything else in the power of Go66 vernment to bestow, shall ever make me desert those principles which I am thoroughly convinced must ultimately" 66 prove the sole means of the salvation "of the country. (Loud plaudits were "re-echoed on all sides). Freeholders "of the county, I have besides another "confirmation of what some of the "what is the absurd outcry raised against 66 gentlemen around me think proper me? That I am a schemer; that I 66 66 66 66 66 "to deny. I have the official declara-" have schemes which I wish to exe"tion, for so I must call the letter of cute. Believe me, gentlemen, and it "Mr. Whitbread, the brother-in-law of" is the sacred assurance of an honest, "Lord Howick, one of his Majesty's" independent, and, I trust, virtuous principal secretaries of state, a man man, I have no schemes; I meditate "whom I think I may now venture to no innovation; I want nothing but "denominate the head of that band of "the constitution of England, my bepatriots to which Mr. Byng belongs, "loved country; I want the whole of "I have it from him, that he bad no "that constitution, and nothing but that "doubt I should be brought in for" constitution. (Universal plaudits). We "the county. But, gentlemen, I have the good fortune to live in a thought it my duty to disdain minis- country, which is pre-eminent over "terial support; I still think it so, and the rest of the world. That we have "I do not repent my determination, for "so invaluable an inheritance is to be "I look to no other object but to speak" attributed to our having a constitution "the truth, whenever the public inte- " traced out originally for ourselves. rest calls upon me. (Incessant plaudits)." To preserve it inviolable, we have "Gentlemen, the letter of Mr. Whit-" only to take care not to abandon it bread, I confess I at first thought a the principles which form its basis. "handsome mode of proceeding to"But I maintain, that our boasted con"wards me, and I wrote to him to stitution is an incongruity if the peo"thank him for justifying his conduct" ple have not their fair representation "in declining to support my cause. I" in Parliament. (Acclamations, and "was obliged to him, because I felt that, "shouts of approbation). It is asked, "if he did not approve of my principles, "what do I complain of in the conduct "I did not want his support, nor would" of the coalesced parties? Would I "I have accepted it. (Bravo! bravo!)." have no minister? Is the office of a "Now, gentlemen, since I have seen that" minister a disqualification which pre"letter, which I considered a personal "cludes his representing an uncorrupt "justification to me, published to the" people? Gentlemen, I have said no world, I must look at it in a very dif-" such thing. But I do object to a "ferent point of view; I consider it as "minister representing a free and inde"the official declaration of the late pa- pendent city or county. The question triot, but present Minister, against "is not whether Ministers should be in 66 me, and I regret to say, I think it al-Parliament, but whether the Parliatogether unworthy of the quarter from" ment should be composed entirely of "whence it came. But I trust, I shall," court pensioners and placemen? If "when I have somewhat more leisure," these men will accept of places and "state at large my opinion of that" offices under the crown, let them not "extraordinary publication, and of all" show themselves upon those hustings, "the matters it contains. I flatter" from whence the people look to be re"myself I shall expose its sophistry," presented by men as independent as 66 66 66 86 66 "themselves. (Bursts of applause). Let" lowed the same principles and motives "them go to court boroughs; let them" in his public capacity which actuate his "not throw every other man 66 out of private conduct. I find nothing of the some share of that representation" kind in his letter to me. What does he "which still remains uncorrupt. Gen-" do in his private concerns? He never "tlemen, there is another objection to pays his men till they have performed "this coalition administration. They" their labour. He sees the beer they say, they have not yet matured their" brew before he gives them the reward "schemes. True; but though they "for brewing it. I believe he rewards have done nothing for the public, "them liberally, but never till they "they have done something for them-"have done their duty. With respect "selves. They have matured their own "to Mr. Byng and his principles I can "pensions, ministerial offices, and sine- " say nothing, because it is a secret to "cure places. (Excessive plaudits). They" me what they are. If I could find "have matured all their objects of" them out and they appeared to me to party; but they say they have not" be likely to be of the least benefit to "matured anything for the public. I" the public, I should be the first man to "will tell you one thing they have done" withdraw and give Mr. Byng my -they have assigned a magnificent" vote. (You have not got a vote, ex"palace at the end of Catherine-street "claimed Mr. Byng). Mr. Byng does "to the manager of Drury-lane theatre; "not believe I have got a vote-he is they have given him no small share of "mistaken-he would find I have one. "the public money, and for what ser- Now, gentlemen, what is it that has "vices the devil only knows. (A mix-" called down on my head the coalesced "ture of excessive laughter and ap- powers of the coalescing parties? "plause). Gentlemen, in the short" What is it but my doing my duty to "period of time since this band of pa- you, and not conniving at what I con"triots have coalesced, they have re- "sider their mal-practices? (Loud "duced the country, internally and ex- plaudits). Gentlemen, I never will "ternally, to a more perilous situation" connive at them. I care not for a seat even than they found it. Yet they "in Parliament if it is so to be obtained. "have the barefaced impudence to tell" Gentlemen, when I am before the 86 you that they have not matured their " public I will do my duty, but I will "schemes. What do I complain of?" have no connivance with Ministers. I They allow they have performed no "will never consent to share in their services; but they have taken the re- guilt, or in their plunder. (Long and "ward of services. (Hear, hear, hear," repeated applause followed the speech, general acclamations). I say that "in which applause no small part of Mr. "they should not take the reward, un- "Mellish's friends joined; and they "less the service goes hand-in-hand" clearly appeared to prefer Sir Francis "with it. (True, exclaimed many "Burdett to Mr Byng"). "voices). These, gentlemen, are my "principles. They are applicable to "Sir Francis Burdett's Address to the "all governments, for the same abuses "must be inimical to every govern"Freeholders of Middlesex, after the ment, let their forms be what they "Close of the Election, on the 27. Nov., 1806. may. These, of whom I am been. speaking, are the best friends any of "Gentlemen,The moment before 66 our enemies can have; for if they "the commencement of the late elec"wantonly dissipate the resources of" tion for Middlesex, Mr. WHITBREAD, "the country, how are those resources to" in a manner most unbecoming his sta"be found when they are wanted for its" tion, connexions, and character, in"defence? (Incessant applause). Gen-"serted in the public newspapers the " tlemen, I observe that Mr. Whit-" following passage, signed with his "bread, in his manifesto, has not fol- name; addressed indeed nominally, 66 66 66 66 6 66.46 66 66 66 66 66 66 "with dissembled respect to me; but" choly experience of the necessity of "intended as a political electioneering" such a provision, which our honest manœuvre against you :-"I do not ancestors only foresaw, I maintain the ""perceive in your present address" opinion of those from whom his Ma(says Mr. Whitbread) any allusion jesty holds his crown, I am represent""to an opinion promulgated by you "ed, by these best of patriots, as an ""on the late election for Westminster, enemy to the constitution, and by ""which is, that a person holding an "some of their place-holding and place«office under the Crown, however “ hunting party, as a traitor to my """otherwise estimable, cannot at any country. The worst of traitors to "" time become the fit representative of "their country are those who cat up its "a free, uncorrupt, and independent- resources. Mr. Whitbread's judg""" people. If such opinion be" ment upon us who hold this opinion, ""founded in truth, which continues" is indeed something milder; he only "Mr. Whitbread) I utterly deny, a "concludes us to be either fools or ""law ought to be passed to exclude" rogues," either we have not the ""all the executive servants of Govern- " " power or the will to reason upon its ""ment from seats in either House of" 65 consequences."-I have reason to ""Parliament. I have not heard that" believe that Mr. Whitbread himself ""it was in the contemplation of any possesses both the will and the power 66.66 one to propose such a measure; "to obtain speedily a lucrative office "" and, if proposed, I am sure it would" under the crown, without much em""meet with resistance from all de- " barrassing himself with the conse""scriptions of persons, who have the " quences to the public.-Gentlemen, 66 66 power or the will to reason upon its" when the last additional taxes for consequences. The people, by the" the present year were lately imposed 48.66 acceptance of your doctrine, would" upon the people by these best of pa""reduce themselves to the hard" triots, it was undisguisedly and trannecessity of being governed by the "quilly acknowledged by them, with""worst of mankind."-These, Mr." out the least compunction, or com"Whitbread's sentiments, have like-" miseration of the people, that the "wise been recently paraded by Mr.“ necessary effect of these taxes would Windham, Secretary of State; by Mr. be, to drive the inhabitants of a house Tierney, Chairman of the Board of" into lodgings, and the lodgers of a "Controul; by Mr. Sheridan, Treasurer" first floor into the second. Here, in"of the Navy; and are now held, I pre- "deed they stopped; leaving us to sume, as the political creed of the " complete the miserable picture of na"whole party.-Gentlemen, in that act "tional calamity: viz. that the lodgers "of Parliament (12 and 13 Will. 3.)" of the second floor must mount up 66 which gave the throne of these king- "into the garret, the garretteer descend "doms to his present Majesty, and his" into the cellar; whose former wretchfamily, entitled-" An act for the "ed inhabitant must be thrust out upon ""further limitation of the crown, and the pavement, and from thence trans""better securing the rights and liber-" ferred to the workhouse or the grave. ""ties of the subject,"-it was wisely "And this process is to be repeated "and honestly thus enacted" That no "toties quoties: so that the best properson who has an office or place of "vided amongst us cannot tell where profit under the King, or receives a "himself and his family may be found pension from the Crown, shall be" at last. This is a hard lesson for capable of serving as a member of " Englishmen to hear. It is harder ““the House of Commons.”—But Mr.“ still to hear it enforced from the "Whitbread, it seems, never heard of "mouths of those, who themselves are "this provision" for better securing all the while creeping forward from ""the rights and liberties of the sub-" their original garrets into palaces. 'ject." And because, after a melan-"Such an unfeeling insult as this would 64 ་་་་ 66 66 66.66 66 66 66 |