tiving the queftion than Mr. Pitt's fpeech, although that gentleman himself voted for the queftion. This, however, was not done with a view to make the friends of the Minister vote against the motion, for they had already received their inftructions how to act. No ---It was done for the purpofe of forcing the friends of Lord North to keep up confiftency, and give their negative as they had hitherto done. Every art of argument, every nerve of elocution was exerted to colour the right honourable gentleman's fpeech fo as to make it have that effect, and yet gave it that femblance and outward form of a contrary intention. Indeed the fate of the motion, and the conduct of the immediate fervants of the Crown, proved this in the ftrongeft view of demonftration. He added, that he had not on his mind one fingle doubt of the PARLIAMENTARY REFORM taking place, if the Miniftry had not laid their commands of interdiction. The device of Mr. Pitt's voting FOR IT, when the great body of Administration voted AGAINST IT, was too poor a fubterfuge not to be difcerned by the meaneft capacity. But fuppofing Mr. Pitt to have acted from principle, yet here was a proof that he held in ESTIMATION and CONFIDENCE that very Cabinet who oppofed him in one of the most effential requifites to the benefit of the nation. Lord Surrey informed the company, that the gentleman, named Jack Robinfon, had, with a chofen band, mustered up ftairs, during almoft the whole of the debate, from whence he brought down his troops juft previous to the divifion. His Lordship faid the matter was clear as noon-day, that if the Minifter chofe, the motion for a PARLIAMENTARY REFORM would have been carried. Every man in the House did perceive, and he hoped every man out of the Houfe would fee that Mr. Pitt, who talked fo much of REFORM, was the very perfon who put a stop to it. It would be in. vain for his friends to urge that he himself voted for it, when all mankind faw that his influence was against it. After this the meeting grew extremely convivial, and Captain Morris was requested again to fing his Pitt-nurfing compofition, which, if poffible, was received with louder plaudits than before. WESTMINSTER MEEETING.. WILLIS'S ROOMS, KING-STREET.. March 19.] This day there was the most refpectable affemblage of the Electors of Westminster that ever yet were convened on any public occafion. The gentlemen began to affemble at about half paft three, and were ufhered up into the great ball room, which at four o'clock was nearly filled; and before five the overflow filled the ftair-cafe down to the hall in fuch a manner, that it was impoffible to pafs. The number amounted to Five Hundred and Forty, almoft the whole of whom were what may be called very refpectable and independent inhabitants of Westminster. At half paft five the dinner room was opened, and nearly five hundred perfons fat down at fix tables, covered in a ftile of public entertainment far beyond any thing of the kind that has ever before appeared for the accommodation of fuch a number of people. There was no confufion, no irregularity, and no want of any thing that could please the palate. The company did not come down until dinner was announced to be on the table, which created regularity and that polite etiquette, which are the diftinguished characteristics of a meeting of gentlemen. When the covers were taken off, there appeared a variety of every thing, fish in abundance of all forts, falmon, cods heads, &c. trout, foles, smelts, craw fish, &c. &c. roast beef, fhoulders and legs of excellent house "lamb, lamb, plentifully difperfed and fashionably fet out, chickens, tongues, mock turtle, foups of all kinds, jellies, blanche mange, and apple pies, turkies, wild fowl, fallads, &c. As foon as dinner was over the following toafts were drank: Mr. Fox gave "the Independent Electors of the city of Weftminfter;" "the Majefty "of the People of England;" "the cause of freedom all over the world;"" the glorious "and immortal memory of King William the Third;" "the Conftitution as established "at the Revolution;"" the Champion of the Houfe of Commons, and may the people emulate his example;" (the name of Fox here refounded throughout the room); all these toasts were drank with fhouts of applause. The Stewards propofed, and Mr. Fitzherbert read the motion, "That it is the opi"nion of this meeting, that the Right Hon. Charles James Fox fhould be supported at "the next election for Westminster." There was not a diffenting voice---all joined in their wishes, and each feemed fure of fuccefs. Mr. Fox rofe to thank the meeting for this diftinguished mark of their favour: he faid he had long experienced their friendship, and he hoped his conduct would continue. to him that fupport which firit gave to him their efteem and their good wifhes; his endeavours had been for the public benefit; he became their reprefentative avowedly to leffen the undue influence of the Crown; the Electors gave him their fuffrages for that purpofe, as one great feature of their countenance. He asked if he had departed from that fyftem; if he had done any thing unconftitutional, or that militated against his own and against his Conftituents principles. He had no view but that of ferving his country. Idle reports had gone abroad, and every influence was used to make him obnoxious to the people, but there was no reafon, no argument to fupport fuch accufations. He had ever dealt candidly by his conftituents, and he hoped they would do fo by him. He meant to stand a candidate for their favour on the next vacancy, unless the fenfe of his prefent Conftituents was against him; and that he not only hoped, but had every reason to imagine was not the cafe. The refpectable meeting prefent, the numerous friends he faw among thein, a conscious and open uprightnefs in his conduct, and that zeal which he had ever poffeffed, and which he was refolved to maintain for the well-being of the empire, convinced him that he had not loft the confidence of his Constituents. He was their friend now, and let his fituation be what it might, he should ever continue fo. The Stewards gave "Succefs to Mr. Fox's Election;" it was drank with una voce applaufe. Mr. Fox gave" Alderman Sawbridge, and Succefs to a Parliamentary Reform." Mr. Withey faid, he could not pafs by this opportunity of publicly returning thanks to Mr. Fox for his conduct on that occafion; and for the great though unsuccessful fupport he gave to that most defirable object. Mr. Sawbridge explained to the meeting in what manner Mr. Pitt acted on the motion for a Parliamentary Reform, and clearly pointed out, that although the Minifter voted for the question himfelf, yet he used every influence in his power with all his friends to vote against it. Mr. Fox thought it neceffary here to explain that his fentiments and his conduct were what they ever had been on the Reform Bill. He wifhed it from his heart; and had fome hopes that as Mr. Pitt was Minifter, and had got over to him one hundred and thirty of Lord North's friends, the measure might have been carried. But the matter was otherwife; and all the world now faw that there was no real intention to have fuch a plan accomplished. Mr. Sawbridge, he faid, did not take up the motion until the question had been asked, whether Mr. Pitt meant really to purfue his Plan of Reform; and until an answer, amounting to a negative, was given. Then indeed he did propofe it, and it met that fate of which the public were already advertited. He averred, that if Mr. Pitt really meant to fupport the motion, it would have been carried. He again repeated that L 2 1 that his conduct was open, that his principles were known to every man, that he had not a thought of which the kingdom was not fully poffeffed, and that he hoped if there was any part of what he had done that was wrong, it might be made an open charge against him, and permiffion given him to explain his conduct. All his prefent, all his former life were public. As long as his conflituents thought him deferving their favour, they would fupport him; but if ever they deferted him, he hoped they would explain their conduct for fo doing, and point out where he had erred. The next toafts were, "The Rights of the Commons, Conftitutional Councils, and Refponfible Advifers." "The Majority of the Houfe of Commons, and the Virtuous Minority in the Lords." Captain Morris fung his Conftitutional Song, which got fo much applaufe at the Shakespeare. It is epigrammatic in every line, and, without exception, one of the best pieces of political fatire that ever was compofed. The meeting were fo pleafed, that they returned him public thanks for it, and he in return thanked them in terms of politenefs and refpect. Mr. Bannifter next fung. It is unneceffary to publish panegyric on a man who is ufually esteemed, applauded, and in the higheft reputation as a man of conviviality, as an actor, and as a finger. Mr. Moody was next called upon. Mr. Moody fung an Irish fong. Every body knew him---and in knowing it confequently followed they muft applaud. The next was a duet, "How Sweet in the Woodlands," by Bannister and Johnstone. This indeed was a mufical treat. It received fuch applaufe as it deferved, the hearty thanks of the company. The next toast was, "the Duke of Portland and the Whig Intereft," after which followed Lord Derby's fong of " Liberty Hall.” "Lord Derby and Liberty Hall." Lord Derby rofe, and very politely drank the health of the company in return, affuring them, that their applaufe would act as a fpur to him to perfevere in their caufe. "His Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales, and may the Princes of the House of "Brunfwick ever countenance thofe principles that feated their family on the Throne "of England." "The Duke of Devonshire, and the whole Houfe of Cavendifh." "Mr. Byng, and the independent Electors of Middlefex." Mr. Byng returned thanks for the honour done him, and affured them that he felt a double fatisfaction in finding his name coupled with fo refpectable a body as his Conftituents. "May the County of Stafford ever return Whig Members, and the Town of Staf"ford perfons of equal virtue and abilities of Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Monckton." Mr. Sheridan returned thanks for himfelf and his worthy colleague, and remarked, that the company being fo numerous, fo happy, and fo convivial, he hoped they would meet again foon at the fame place. "The Caufe for which Hampden bled in the field, and Sydney and Ruffell on the "fcaffold." "Lord Keppel and the Navy of England." Mr. Fox acquainted the meeting, that Thurfday next was appointed for the meeting at York, when it was to be decided whether that refpectable county were for the Prerogative of the Crown in preference to the Rights of the People; after which he gave, "Lord Fitzwilliam and Mr. Foljambe, with the reft of the real, and not the pre"tended, friends of the caufe of Freedom in the county of York." "A long pull, a ftrong pull, and a pull all together.' Lord Lord Maitland politely returned thanks for the honour conferred on him; was happy that his conduct had met with their approbation, and affured them, that he knew of no better way to enfure it in future, than by a steady fupport of their worthy Reprefentative, Mr. Fox. "General Conway, the late Commander in Chief in England.” "General Burgoyne, late Commander in Chief in Ireland." General Burgoyne remarked, that if relinquifhing (for he could not call it facrificing) power and emolument, to fupport a caufe and a man, both of which he was attached. to, no recompence could be half fo flattering to him, as the honour he had received by the approbation of the company. "Colonel Fitzpatrick, the late Secretary at War.” Colonel Fitzpatrick very politely returned thanks. "Colonel Stanhope, a tried friend to the rights of the people of this country." Colonel Stanhope affured the company, that he always fhould be happy to give every affiftance in his power to fecure the rights of mankind in general, and of his country in particular. "Colonel Hartley, a tried friend to the liberties of the people, and fuccefs to his "election in the county of Berks." Colonel Hartley returned thanks, and affured the company, that he should always be happy to fupport Mr. Fox, who, he was confident, would never either betray or defert the caufe of Freedom. Several other toafts were given, many good fongs were fung, and the following Gene tlemen were chofe Stewards for the next dinner. The Lofs of the Great Seal of England, on the Eve of the Diffolution of Parliament, having caufed various Speculations, we have felected the following Particulars from the different Papers of the Day, for the Satisfaction of our Readers. March 26.] In the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, one of the most extraordinary burglaries took place that has been known within this century. Some daring. villains broke into the houfe of the Lord Chancellor, in Great Ormond-ftreet, and carried off, undifcovered, the Great Seal of England, the Mace, and the Purfe, befides feveral articles of plate, and about forty guineas. This uncommon robbery created the greatest confternation in town; for that an event fo fingular fhould happen at fo critical a moment as on the eve of a diffolution of Parliament, when the Great Seal was neceffary to the Proclamation, naturally gives rife to conjecture, and induces men, lefs prone to judge from conftructive evidence than the English people confeffedly are, to imagine that the robbery was a political manoeuvre on one part or the other. The Seals, Purfe, and Mace, were not, as it has been reported, in the Seal Office, or as moft most of our formner Chancellors were accustomed to fecure them, during the night, in the chamber where he flept, but in a back room, the windows of which look into the fields, and where no watchman is within fight. The Great Seal and Mace are made of filver; the first is about the fize of a fmall trencher, one part folds on the other, and it makes the impreffion on both fides of the wax. The Purie is the bag in which the Seals are kept; it refembles the ancient pouch of the Britons, and is ftill an appendage of the Highland drefs. The whole intrinfic value of the Great Seal and Mace is perhaps about 401. but the cost of the workmanship will be more than 2001. Several curious queftions arife on this extraordinare 'circumftance. Can a Proclamation be iffued without the Great Seal? Certainly not: But cannot the King, in his Council, conftitute any feal, for the time being, the Great Seal of England---the head of Cæfar, or a Maid of Honour's thimble? Several lawyers yefteday delivered it as their opinion that he could; while others faid, that this could only be done by the power of an act of Parliament. When James II. threw the Great Seal into the Thames, expedition was used in having another made. Another question arifes---Have we at this inftant any Lord Chancellor at all? The act fays, that "taking away the Seals deter"mines the office."---Will the robbery be, in the legal conftruétion, taking away the Seal Muft he not be again fworn into office, and the ceremonies be repeated on delivering to him his new Seal? The ceremony that conftitutes any Seal the Great Seal of England is, that the King delivers the Seal into his hand before certain officers, and he is required to use it as the inftrument of the King's pleafure. The mere impreffion cannot make it fo, for that is in any engraver's power. The ceremony originally ufed in making any other Seal the Great Seal may now be ufed without requiring the particular figure of that which is loft; but perhaps the Chancellor muft again be fworn. Yesterday morning the Lord Chancellor went early to Buckingham Houfe, to communicate the ftrange circumftance, and a Council was held on the occafion. The laft attempt of this nature was made by the famous Colonel Blood, who, in the year 1671, formed the daring plan of carrying off the Crown from the Tower. Blood went with a woman, whom he called his wife, to fee the regalia; he was habited like a clergyman, and having by various arts infinuated himfelf into the good graces of Mr. Edwards, the Keeper, he made propofals of marrying his nephew to the old man's daughter, and the 9th of March was fixed for an interview. At that time he went with three companions all armed with rapier-blades in their canes, and each with a dagger and a pair of piftols. The old man was ready to receive his guefts, and the daughter her gallant---Two of his companions went in with him, and the third ftaid at the door to watch. As foon as they had entered the room where the Crown was kept, and the door, as ufual, fhut behind them, they threw a cloak over the old man's head, and gagged his mouth. Having fecured him from crying out, they plainly told him they were determined to have the Crown, Globe, and Sceptre, and if he would fubmit to it, they would fpare his life, otherwise he might expect no mercy. The old man making what noife he could, they knocked him down with a mallet, and as he still struggled, they gave him nine or ten strokes more on the head with the mallet, and ftabbed him in the belly. Concluding him dead, they omitted to tie his hands behind him ; but proceeded immediately to the objects of their robbery. Parret, one of the companions, put the Globe into his pocket, Blood took the Crown under his cloak, and the third was beginning to file the Sceptre in two, when the fon of Mr. Edwards, that inftant on his retuta from Flanders, came to the door. Being thus difturbed, they went off without the Sceptre; and the old man recovering his fenfes, though dreadfully wounded, got up and called out "trea"fon! murder!" The daughter feeing him rufhed out after the plunderers and called out "treafon! ftop thief! the Crown is ftolen !" On this the alarm was given; but the defperate |