of the Conftitution, and with a bold precipitance to trample on the rights and freedom of Election. With this view the Westminster Bailiff is to be fupported through thick and thin. Quirks and quibbles are to ufurp the place of plain honeft principles; in fhort, all the dirty work of prerogative is to commence at the very onfet of our virgin Parliament. The Electors of Weftininfter are in as degraded a fituation as ever fell by way of punishment on a franchifed body. Their High Bailiff daringly tells them, that altho he could not difpute the validity of their fuffrages at the place of poll, yet the Reprefentative they have chofen fhall not be returned. His infult to the Houfe of Commons has ftill greater indignity in it; as he tells the Houfe, that a Member elected to fit among them fhall be with held his feat merely to anfwer the purpose of party, and to fhow how little he regards their importance! The fcrutiny promifed for Weftminster, and which will undoubtedly take place, will day open, it is generally believed, fuch fcenes of the most abandoned proceedings, as muft for ever difgrace the minifteria! party. They were open enough in many tranfactions fufficiently culpable; but others, ftill more heinous than thofe, remain yet behind the curtain. In the ruder Parliaments of former times, the poor decrepid High Bailiff of Weftminfter had no noubt been immured within the dreary manfions of Newgate, for an act which in thefe enlightened days will probably insure him, in this plentiful feafon, the full-blown honours of British Nobility! If Mr. Corbett is really called up to the House of Peers, an event generally expected to take place, it will be by the ftile and title of Lord Puzzle Vote, Baron Scrutiny, of the city of Westminster; with remainder, in default of iffue, to the nineteenth grandchild, male or female, of Hotspur, most high, most noble, and most puifant Duke of HURLO THRUMBO! A fcrutiny for Bedfordshire was refufed by the Returning Officer, because the whole Election had been a fcrutiny. The fame reafon was affigned for refufing a fcrutiny in Buckinghamshire. Let us fee what reafon the High Bailiff of Weftminfter had for granting a fcrutiny, if we allow his power of doing fo to be unquestionable. When Mr. Fox firft began to recover his loft ground, the Teft Oath was adminiftered becaufe Mr. Fox's voters were all Roman Catholics! When this proved no fufficient impediment to Mr. Fox's rifing majorities, the parish books were then produced, as Mr. Fox's Doters were all inhabitants of Spitalfields. This was still found by no means a fufficient check. The ruling powers then proceeded to fufpend till the next morning five or fix votes on a day, when they had any doubts of their validity; yet, after all this, when Mr. Fox finally clofes the poll with a majority of 236, the High Bailiff thinks himself in duty bound to grant a fcrutiny, even after the expiration of the writ, when he has no warrant to fhow for any further authority whatever! A minifterial paper contains an advertisement from Mrs. Caffon, relict of the constable, dated from Nightingale-lane, Wapping, in which, with most Ephefian piety, she offers 50l. reward for discovering her husband's affaffin, and adds, that " from her ideas "of constructive evidence," the conceives that Mr. Caffon was the victim of party vengeance. One would have thought it fcarcely credible that Mr. C— would have given his fanction to fo ridiculous a composition, purporting to iffue from the pen of Mrs. Caffon, of Nightingale-lane, Wapping. Minifters will have a very powerful majority in the new Parliament. To what is this to be attributed-to their weight of character, or their weight of metal? The The following is an official copy of the return made by the High Bailiff of Westminster For the Right Hon. Sir Samuel Hood, Baronet, Baron Hood For the Right Hon. Charles James Fox 6694 6234 5998 The faid Bailiff further fets forth, "That on the faid final close of the poll, a fcru-"tiny was duly demanded in behalf of Sir Cecil Wray; which fcrutiny the faid Bailiff has granted for the purpose of inveftigating the legality of the votes more accurately than could be done on the faid poll; and the faid fcrutiny fo granted is now pending and undetermined, and by reafon of the premifes, the faid Bailiff humbly conceives " he cannot make any other return to the faid precept than as herein before is con"tained, until the faid fcrutiny fhall be determined, which he fully intends to proceed. "upon with all practicable difpatch. In witnefs whereof, he, the faid Thomas Cor«bett, Bailiff of the faid liberty, hath hereunto fet his hand and feal, the 17th day of "May, in the year of our Lord, 1784. THO. CORBETT, Bailiff.” Having laid before the public authentic extracts refpecting the atrocious violation of the freedom of Election in the Westminster poll of 1741, we now fubjoin the memorable fpeech of the then Speaker of the Houfe of Commons (the illustrious Mr. Onflow) on the day appointed by the Houfe for reprimanding the Westminster Juftices who haddared to call out the military upon that occafion 15th Geo. II. Jan. 22, 1742. "You having at the bar of this Houfe yefterday confeffed, that you did fend for and "caufe to come on Friday the 8th day of May laft, a body of armed foldiers, headed. by officers, in a military manner, who did take poffeffion of the church-yard of St. Paul, Covent Garden, near the place where the poll for the Election of Citizens to "ferve in this prefent Parliament for the city of Westminster was taken, before the faid "Election was ended; and you having acknowledged your offence therein, the Houfe did order you to attend this morning, to be brought to the bar, to be reprimanded" on your knees by me for the faid offence. "I cannot better defcribe to you the nature of this offence you have been guilty of, than in the words of the refolutions this Houfe came to, upon their examination into. that matter, which are,, "Thar "That the prefence of a regular body of armed foldiers at an Election of Members to ferve "in Parliament, is an high infringement of the liberties of the fubject, a manifeft violation of the freedom of Elections, and in open defiance of the laws and conflitution of this kingdom. And it is impoffible, if you well confider the terms of this refolution, but that you must have in your breafts the deepest forrow and remorfe for this rafh act of yours, which if it had not been animadverted upon might have given the most dange66 rous wound to the conftitution of this free country that perhaps it had ever felt"This country free, because the Houfe is fo, which this Houfe can never be, but from the "freedom of Elections to it; and, amidft the too many ways for violating that, none "can be more pernicious, becaufe none more quick, decifive, and permanent, than "what you might have unhappily fet a precedent for, and which might have grown to an extremity, under the fpecious and ready pretences of fears and neceffity that fu"perfede all law-a precedent would have received an authority from the place it began irz -the feat of government, and the legislature of this kingdom. "But you have acknowledged your offence, and have afked pardon for it. This "has difpofed the Houfe to lenity; ufe it not to leffen the fenfe of your crime, but to raife in your hearts that fenfe of gratitude you have to the Houfe for that gentle treatment you have met with on this occafion." 66 In respect to the Westminster Election, we muft obferve, that if Sir Ceail Wray had polled 236 more than Mr. Fox, and that Mr. Fox had demanded a fcrutiny, we do moft firmly believe, let the circumftances of the cafe be what they might, the High Bailiff would not have granted a ferutiny, but on the contrary have returned the highest number as duly elected. In this opinion, we conceive every candid man in London will agree. The numbers being fo high above Sir Cecil, the Bailiff, who in fact gave his fanction to, and approved of thofe votes, ought to have fupported his own confequence by adhering to what he had admitted. We are therefore juftified in joining with the popular voice in difapproving the extraordinary conduct of the High Bailiff on this important occafion. 66 Extract of a letter from Derby. "The moment Mr. Fox's victory was announced, the principal inhabitants of this town affembled at Mr. Symond's, the Greyhound, in the Market Place, by "repeated huzzas; the bells in the five churches were immediately ordered to be rung, "and have continued ringing ever fince without the leaft intermiffion. In the even❝ing, an elegant fupper was given at the fame houfe, to a felect party of gentlemen, and this day a grand dinner was given at the George Inn, at which almost all the "principal inhabitants were prefent. Mr. Fox's health was drank with two hundred "and thirty-fix cheers, (his majority upon the poll) and the evening concluded with every poffible demonftration of joy, illuminations, bonfires, fireworks, &c. &c. &c." When the news arrived at Chesterfield of the Right Honourable Charles Fox being legally chofen Member of Parliament for Weftminster, the bells began to ring there, and continued at intervals till paft twelve o'clock at night. A large bonfire was made in the market-place, and feveral cannons were difcharged. In the evening Mr. Golling was chaired round the town in honour of the Member, having in his hat a cockade, on which was written, in letters of gold, FOX AND FREEDOM, attended by a great concourfe of people, chiefly compofed of the principal inhabitants of the town, who all wore laurels in their hats. It is fomewhat extraordinary that Lord Mountmorres fhould be at the head of thofe who have demanded a fcrutiny. Lord Mountmorres was certainly a lodger only when the poll began, and lived in ready furnished apartments. The title of Irish Peer gives no no fanétion to a name at a Westminster Election. Let juftice hold the fcale, and the weight be impartial. If Mr. Fox has polled improper perfons, he deferves to be turned out, and to be for ever reprobated for fuch conduct; and if Sir Cecil Wray has demanded a fcrutiny on weak and frivolous grounds, he is a character equally detestable; very improper means were no doubt ufed on this Election by both parties. The fervants of the Crown, and the Newcastle and Northumberland intereft began undue influence for the Court party, and the Devonshire and Portland family oppofed in favour of the other. This is very unconftitutional, and contrary to the right of Election. CARLETON HOUSE. RURAL FETE. May 19.] In confequence of the Morning Fete, his Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales propofed, in honour of Mr. Fox's victory over the prerogative Candidates, a company of near fix hundred of the firft perfons of fashion affembled yesterday at Carleton. Houfe. The fuite of rooms were laid out in the moft fuperb ftyle for their reception. Nine marquees were pitched in the gardens, and covers fpread in each, confifting of devices equally expreflive of the political principles and gallantry of his Highness. The Dejune difplayed two hundred and fifty covers of the most choice viands, confects, and ices: ftrawberries, grapes, and a variety of the choiceft fruits, made a part of the entertainment. Four Bands were difpofed at proper diftances in the gardens, two of which were compofed of wind inftruments; one was a regular orchestra, and one for country dances, at the head of which Werner prefided. The grotefque Italian, who is fo much diftinguifhed for his oddities, made his appearance in the character of a French Marquis, his wife affifted in this dramatis perfonæ, and occafioned much diversion. After the elapfe of a short period, a party was formed for country dances and cotillions. The ball was confined to the garden, and was opened on a spot chofen by the Prince. His Highness and the Duchefs of Devonshire were the first couple; Lady H. Walpole was next who was honoured by the royal hand. Among others who danced, were Lord Carlifle Mr. Greville Mr. Fitzroy Sir Harry Featherstone Mr. C. Wyndam Mr. Burrell Mr. St. John Mrs. Meynell. Lady Duncannon. Lord Berkley was particularly favoured, as Lady Beauchamp, Lady Derby, and Mifs Townshend, in the courfe of the dance, honoured him with their hands. The Mifs Norths, Lady A. Campbell, Lady Chewton, Lady Lewisham, Lady Julia Howard, and feveral other ladies as well as gentlemen alfo ftood up; but the frequent exchange of partners, puts it out of our power to give an exact account. This rural repaft was confidered as a revival of old English hofpitality, and fuch was the spirit of the meeting, that it may literally be faid the breakfaft was not over till fix in the evening. A felect party of about thirty gentlemen remained after the company departed, to dine with the Prince; among whom were Mr. Fox, Admiral Pigot, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Col. North, Lord Lewisham, Mr. Boothby, Sir Harry Featherstone, Colonel Onflow, Sir Thomas Gafcovne, Mr. P. Delme, Lord Berkeley, Lord Winchelfea, Mr. C. Wyndham, Mr. Fitzroy, Colonel Stephen on, and others. In the evening, the Carleton vifitants met at Mrs. Crewe's, who gave a Ball on the occafion. His Highnefs, after his dinner party broke up, attended the evening fcene of gaiety. Among the ladies particularly diftinguifhed by their drefs, was Lady Beanchamp in a white Palonefe of her own defign, ornamented with Spangles; Mrs. Anderfon, who wore a beautiful fancy Venetian drefs; and Mrs. Meynell, the elder, who was elegance itfelf. The gentlemen who vifited Carleton-house were dreffed almoft, without an exception, in blue and buff. The Prince was in uncommon fpirits at dinner, and befides finging feveral fongs in a very pleafing ftile, alfo joined in fome catches and gles. This entertainment was formed under the regulation of Mr. Weltje, and does him the highest honour for its elegance and tafte. A cu ious anecdote happened at the Prince of Wales's public breakfast. Some one, for the fake of a laugh, pinned a Fox's cockade on the tete of Lady Talbot, whofe partiality for the Court Candidates was known to be violent. Every body wondered at the Lady's fudden converfion, and the eyes of the whole company were directed to the ornamented head-drefs. At length, after thofe who were in the fecret had fully enjoyed the titter, they commiffioned a perfon to ftep up and compliment her Ladyfhip on her coming over to the ftandard of beauty and freedom. By this means fhe difcovered the caule of her being fo diftinguifhed, and fhe was fo enraged, that having employed the French Ambassador to unpin from her head drefs the party emblem, the courfed round the gardens till fhe came to the political groupe where Charles was ftanding, and here fhe threw the beau knot down, and trampled it under foot. Mrs. CRE W's BALL. Mrs. Crew's ball on Tuefday night, in honour of Mr. Fox's victory, was the most pleafant and jovial ever given in the circle of high life, and united all the charms of elegance, eafe, and conviviality. The company was felect though numerous, and affembled about ten o'clock in blue and buff uniforms; the dancing begun about eleven, and at half after the Prince's quadrille arrived, confifting of his Royal Highnefs, the Duchefs of Devonshire, Lady Duncannon, Lady Bamfield, Mifs Keppel, Mr. Stepney, Mr. Greville, &c. who, all dreffed in uniforms, fafhes, and feathers, danced the moit elegant figure dance that could be formed; the Prince then danced minuets with the Duchefs of Devonshire, Lady Bamfield, &c. and then followed country dances, led by the Prince and the Duchefs, till half after two, when the company defcended to a truly elegant and comfortable fupper. The fupper bufinefs was foon difpatched, and, at the unanimous requeft of the Ladies, Captain Morris was placed in the chair, and a general call enfued for the Baby and Nurfe; he fung it in his very beft ftile, and the fair circle choruffed with the most heart-felt fpirit. The Ladies then drank his health, and cheered him three times with true feftive glee; upon which Captain Morris after thanking the fair company for the honour of their charming approbation, gave as a toast buff and blue and Mrs. Crew, which Mrs. Crew very finartly returned in a glafs, with buff and blue and all of you. The toafts being drank, a party in another fupper-room, confifting of Lord North, the Duchefs of Portland, Lady Jerfey, and others, fent a deputation to Captain Morris, requefting him to come into their room, upon which he went, and gave that company the Baby and Nurfe, he then came back to the great room in a crafh of applaufe from the Ladies fair hands, and refumed the chair; the company from the other room foon followed, and he entertained them with a continual fucceffion of droll fongs, applicable to the times, and fung them with a fpirit that made every fair eye in the room dance with delight. In fhort, never was an evening spent with fo much true pleasure and comfort, and every tongue in the room was unanimous in their expreffions of fatisfaction and admiration. At four the company refumed the dance, and a wit in the room faid, Captain Morris had fet the Ladies fpirits into fuch motion, that he fuppofed there would be Morris-dancing till dinner-time. There were present, anong others, the Prince of Wales, Duke of Devonfhire, Earl Fitzwilliam, Earl of Jerley, |