be Eguntrg.
Sir William Molesworth has addressed the following letter to the Editor of the Devonport Independent, in explanation of the course he intends to take at the next election for Cornwall. It will be seen that it accords with that which we anticipated that he would adopt.
Tetcott, 29th November 18311.
" Sir-1 perceive from the Falmouth Packet of last week that unfounded rumours are afloat with reference to my intended conduct in the contest be- tween Sir H. Vivian and Lord Eliot. I shall feel obliged by your inserting this letter for the purpose of giving them a contradiction. " At the present moment it is Tilt my intention to take any part in the struggle, or to afford any assistance, directly or indirectly, by act or wish, to either party. My reasons for this determination are grounded upon a cots
respondence wl ich his taken place between Sir H. Vivian and myself, and
which 1 will send you as soon as I receive permission to make it Vivian, i " I should have the greatest pleasure in supporting Sir H. Vivian, could I do ao in accordance with the principles which I have declared in my addresses to the electors. I was glad to had that be is not decidedly opposed to the Ballot, but open to conviction, and seemingly inclined to be convinced of the necessity for secret suffrage. I should, therefore, have little hesitation in trusting to the soundness of his judgment, could I consider him free, as a member of the Govern- ment, to make up his mind fairly and impartially on this subject, and to act in accordance with his convictions. But as a member of a Government which has declared itself hostile to the Ballot, I cannot support him without an assurance that Ministers will make the Ballot an open question. " This assurance, I regret to say, I have not yet obtained. The conduct of the Government in refusing their assent to this course is must preposterous and unjustifiable. A majority of their supporters are in favour of the Ballot, and dining the last two sessions it was only by the aid of the Tories that Ministers were enabled to defeat their friends. It is nonsense to talk about union, when Ministers set at defiance every principle of union by acting in this manner. The consequence is, that many of those who were most favourable to them are now becoming indifferent. I regret this conduct extremely, more especially as, if persisted in, it must prevent my supporting a gentleman for whom I have so high an esteem as Sir H. Vivian. " I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
" WILLIAM MOLESWOKTM."
The Liberal electors of Leeds having resolved to support Mr. Baines and Sir William Molesworth at the next election, an Invitation was sent to Sir William to become a candidate, and the following answer was returned by him.
" Telco% Launceston. aeth November.
" Dear Sir—I am now enabled to answer your letter, and to inform you that I shall be happy to stand for your borough, and comply with the wishes of the electors, provided that, on investigation, I find that my probability of success is a good one. . . . My opinion is, that Government will make the Ballot an open question almost immediately ; but nothing will tend so much to in- fluence them as a strong demonstration from a town of such consequence as
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