etc Countrn.
In conveying to Sir William Molesworth the resolutions by which the Leeds Reformers pledged themselves to support Mr. Baines and Sir William at the next election, Mr. Goodman, the Mayor of Leeds, and Chairman of the meeting of electors, used certain expressions which implied an expectation that both Members would support the existing Ministry. This was more than Sir William Molesworth was inclined to promise ; and he has accordingly written the following letter to Mr. Goodman, in order that the Liberal electors of that borough may know distinctly on what terms he is willing to become their can- didate. "Union Hotel, Cockspur Street, Jan. 11. lS37. " Sir—I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 3d, contain. ing a copy of certain resolutions. With reference to my support of the present Administration. I beg leave to inform you, that, undoubtedly, I should support their measures if approve of them. If, how-
ever, -
ever, they do not make the Ballot and other questions open questions, my firm belief is that their tenure of office will be short. In case of their nut assenting to open ques- tions, I consider it would be the duty of the Radical party to steadily mastic an inde. prudent line of policy, whatever the consequences may be. I should grieve, undoubt- edly, to see the Ministers out of office; but for this result they would be to blame them. selves—the cause would be their dogged obstinacy on the Ballot. " I write thus plainly to you. order that there may be no misunderstanding with reference to my feelings ou the subject of supporting Ministers, If by supporting Ministers you mean that I will support them in opposition to the Tories—undoubtedly I will. If you mean that I must abstain from expressing my opinions in speeches, motions. or by amendments, throng!) fear of indirectly destroying the present Admi- nistration—then I must you distinctly that I. will not give that species of support. I undoubtedly should prefer, under any circumstances, a Whig to a Tory Administra- tion ; but I think, for this purpose. the Radicals have made already far too many sa- critices—to such sacrifices I mean no longer to assent. As reference to toy support of Ministers was inserted to meet the views of influential gentlemen of the Whig party, before I conic to Leeds I must distinctl!, understand whether I am invited under the expectation that I will act iu acconlatnee with the opinions stated in this letter, and which are but the repetition of what I had previously stated, both iu my speeches and writings. I request this explanation, because, both in your letter and iu that of the Chairman of the Committee of Delegates, I find that my support of Miaisters is rules. lated upon. If it be in any way intended to bind me iu my future conduct to pursue a course different from that which I have stated my intention of following, I must pro. test against the attempt, and assure you that I will assent to no compromise of ally kind, Until I receive such an expl.watiou. 1 cannot accept the imitation at preseut. Moreover, business of considerable importance, together with indisp asiton, arising from fatigue and over.exertion, would render it excessively incouvenient for me to take to long at journey lust before the meeting of Parliameut : at a more favourable period of the year I should have much pleasure in visiting Leeds, and then toy voradoet in the next session of Parliament will enable you to determine whether nay views, with refe- rence to support of Ministers, are the Sallie as those insisted upon in year letter, and iu that of the Chairman of the Committee of the Delegates. " 1 have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, a. %S.M. Moi.ksWOR CH."
Mr. Goodman and the Chairman of the Committee of Delegates seem to have exceeded their powers, in intimating to Sir William Molesworth that he would be expected to support Ministers. Such is certainly not the wish of the Leeds Radicals, to whom Sir William is particularly acceptable on account of his independent bearing and freedom from Whig trammels.
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