efic factrupoliO.

A meeting of the Committee for conducting the reelection of Sir John Hobhouse, was held at Richardson's Hotel on Saturday evening last. Mr. De Veer was called to the chair. The minutes of the. meeting at the Crown and Anchor were read ; and Mr. Brown asked whether Sir John Hobhouse would, if elected, accept the seat ? Mr. De Vear replied, that he had seen Sir John Hobhouse, previously to the meeting at the Crown and Anchor; and that Sir John had ex- pressly said, that although he would take no part in the election, be should certainly accept the seat if elected. Mr. Brown hoped Sir John would come among them. Many of the electors were firm in the belief that the whole of the late transaction—that of his resignation—. was a mere trick, a plan devised to deceive them. Mr. Fearon thought that they were placed in a most difficult situation : it was desirable the matter should be cleared up, and a public meeting held, at which Sir John should be requested to stand. Several gentlemen declared that they felt great difficulty in canvassing, owing to the obscurity in which Sir John's conduct was involved. At length a requisition to him was agreed upon, and signed by all the electors present ; and he was further requested to come personally among the electors, and aid them in pro- curing his return.

On Monday, the Committee again met. Mr. De Vear stated, that Sir John Hobhouse had expressed his willingness to come forward per- sonally, and give any, explanation to the electors of any part of his con- duct. Sir John then came forward, and defended himself against the calumnious insinuations which were abroad, that his late resignation was a trick, and that he was still in possession of his office. He vin- dicated his refusal to vote for Sir John Key's motion at considerable length, on the ground that to have voted for it would have been to vote for the dismissal of Ministers. Several other gentlemen ad- dressed the meeting ; and resolutions were passed approving of Sir John Hobhouse's conduct in resigning his seat, and also expressive of their regret at the vote of the House of Commons for the continuance of the House and Window tax.

Tuesday was the day appointed for the nomination of candidates. The hustings were erected in front of St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden. At an early. hour, the crowd was unusually great, several thousand

persons having assembled. About half-past twelve, Colonel Evans, attended by Mr. Harvey, Mr. Gillon, and other gentlemen, made

his appearance, and was greeted with hearty cheers. Soon afterwards, Mr. Bickham Escott, with Mr. R. A. Dundas, late member for Edin- burgh, took his station on the hustings. He was received with groans

and hisses, and pelted with cabbage-leaves and dirt ; which, however,

he did not appear to regard. Sir John Hobhouse and his party arrived the last; but being on the back part of the hustings, their presence at first did not excite much notice. There was a large party of coal- heavers in the crowd, who wore Mr. Escott's colours, and who exerted themselves to get up boxing-matches and create confusion.

After the Precept and Bribery Act had been read, Mr. De Year proposed Sir John Hobhouse; but was quite inaudible. The crowd pelted him with cabbage-leaves. Mr. T. Duncombe seconded Sir John's nomination. He was not much better received than Mr. De Year, and nearly all that he said was inaudible.

Dr. Bainbridge, amidst great cheering, nominated Colonel Evans ; whose talents and independence be highly eulogized. He alluded to

the general and bitter disappointment which, all classes felt at the non- fulfilment of their reasonable expectations of the reduction of taxation by the Reformed Parliament. They had got nothing from that Par- liament but the Irish Coercion Bill, and the beautiful Budget. He

reminded the electors, that Sir John Hobhouse had very recently neg- lected his duty, by not voting for Sir John Key's motion ; that he had sanctioned the most extravagant Army Estimates—bad voted against the Ballot—against the abolition of military Sinecures; and now was only waiting to he borne back to office on the shoulders of the people. He concluded by saying, that if they wished the Tories to be reinstated in power, they should vote for Lawyer Escott ; if to remain as they were, for Sir John Hobhouse ; if to have their rights and liberties protected, for Colonel Evans.

Mr. Simpson seconded the nomination of Colonel Evans. Dr. Golding nominated Mr. Escott, amidst shouts, groans, and hisses.

Mr. R. A. Dundas seconded the nomination, and met with a similar reception. Sir John Hobhouse then came forward to the front of the hustings ; and was immediately assailed with groans and shouts of execration, and pelted with mud and cabbage-leaves. He endured this reception, not with a good grace, as Mr. Escott had done, but with a scowling and ferocious aspect.

Colonel Evans begged the crowd, for God's sake, to act like reason- able beings, and hear Sir John's explanation. Mr. lVakley also inter- fered for the same purpose. Both were unsuccessful ; for the only sentences which Sir John was heard to utter were—" Is it your pleasure to hear me ? If so, I will address you. .It is not me you disgrace, but yourselves. I will make no more efforts." The cabbages now came very thick upon him, and he retired amidst great uproar.

Colonel Evans addressed the meeting at considerable length. He said he was almost ashamed to ask a hearing from them, since they had refused to hear his opponent. He commented upon the refusal of Go- vernment to give the relief which the country expected as regarded the Assessed Taxes. He could neither comprehend the Budget of Lord Althorp, nor the resignation of Sir John Hobhouse. The principles of one of his opponents (Mr. Escott) were intelligible enough,—they were of the High Tory stamp ; but he could find nothing approaching to principle in the conduct of Sir John Hobhouse. His own opinions coincided with those of Mr. Grote and Sir Henry Parnell. He held, in fact, the same opinions as most of the present Ministry when they were in Opposition. As to Sir John Hobhouse's re- signation of his office, he hoped it was true that he had resigned ; but had they seen any denial of the statement that his resignation was not accepted? He described the manoeuvres of 'Mr. De Vear, in conjunction with some of the Whig Aristocracy, to force Sir John once more upon the electors ; and commented upon the ab- surdity of the member for Westminster resigning his seat in the House of Commons because he could not support Ministers. He concluded by saying, that if Sir John Hobbouse could give a satisfac- tory explanation of his late extraordinary conduct, he would retire from the contest : otherwise, he trusted that the electors would do their duty and return him.

Mr. Escott then came forward, and was pelted as before. While this was going on, Mr. E. J. Stanley, member for Cheshire, asked Colonel tinet answer as to his complete conviction one way or the other. exertions ; but it was evident that they were fighting for a desperate Mr. Escott then again came forward. The Deputy Bailiff, who cause. The poll finally closed at four o'clock ; when the numbers presided, and some other gentlemen, endeavoured to obtain him a were stated to be—

hearing ; which was at last procured for him by Mr. Wakley. He For Colonel Evan 1,99 said, the electors of Westminster were called upon to decide the pre- M Sir John Hobhouse 1,r. Escott 7830

sent contest, not by the promises which some men may have formerly given and basely broken, but by the public principle of those who put Co onel Evans came forward, amidst loud cheering. He said that it themselves forward ; and upon those public principles it was to be a fair was delightful to see the undaunted spirit which animated the electors stand-up fight. He considered the present Government the most of Westminster—which now indeed was itself again. It was his duty profligate one which had ever existed ; and that Sir John Hobhouse to make one or two remarks respecting what he had stated the day be- fore on the hustings relative to the conduct of Lord Exeter's steward. denied that the question as to the repeal of the House and Window had deserted his duty in not retaining his' seat and opposing them. He e

That gentleman had assured him, that Lord Exeter had taken no part whatever in the election ; and that he, iedividually, bad tried to secure tax was mixed up with other questions, as Sir John Hobhouse had those votes for the Colonel which lie could not get for Mr. Escott:asserted. It stood by itself, plain and simple. But the fact was, Sir John preferred serving the Government to serving his constituents. As for their enemies, they had done their best and worst : he would

What had that Government done ? now leave them to their own reflections,—to chew the cud of their ows The pledge which it gave to support the liberties of the people, had been re-

deemed by the most despotic law that was ever passed in this country, or was If ever I become a recreant to the eminent distinction which you have now ever introduced by the most Tory Government. How had it economized ? In- bestowed on me,—if I appear to hesitate in my straightforward duty,—all that stead of doing so, it had from first to last added to the public expenditure ; and I wish, and I sincerely wish it, i- that you will serve me in the very same way as when motions were brought forward to repeal distinct taxes, they were met you have done my opponent." by " Oh! you are too early; only wait till you see our excellent budget, and Mr. Escott also came forward. He said lie would defer his full. then you will see what relief there will be from taxation." At last the Budget declaration of political opinions till the next day, when the state of the came; and the relief it afforded was about sixpence a hundred from tiles, and poll would be made known officially. But it was imperative on him tok that the exciseman was permitted to go round to the market-town in an un- explain one or two circumstance which had occurred in the course of the taxed cart. Other motions for the reduction of taxes had subsequently been day. brought forward; but then the people and their representatives were told, "It was stated tg me in the early part of this day, that a report was in very " Oh! you are too late; our Budget is propounded ; don't disturb the Chan- general circulation that I had resigned the contest ; I was told also that the ,cellor of the Exchequer's Budget ; don't disturb that honest and honourable man, report had been put up in large and conspicuous letters in one of Sir Job Lord Althorp,"—though, by the by, that honest, honourable man, Lord Althorp, Hobliouse's Committee-rooms. However that may be, it is certain that those was twice flatly contradicted in the course of last week. persons who made such a charge, either made it from malicious motives, or, ir Mr. Escott concluded a speech which was well delivered, and by no they had an honest intention, they bad little knowlege of my character."

means ill received on the whole, by declaring his conviction that he He was satisfied that Colonel Evans would never forfeit' the cons

should be triumphantly returned. fidence of the electors. He thought that the most destructive of az Mr. Wakley then put three questions to the candidates,—whether principles were those which urged a man to sacrifice his pledges and his they would support the vote by Ballot, and the repeal of the Septennial promises, and having excited the hopes and expectations of the peoplei, Act, and of the Corn-laws? to disappoint them. He thanked them for the good-humoured attend= To these three questions Colonel. Evans answered in the affirmative. with which they heard him. ( Cries of "Remember the cabbages!")

He also said, in reply to another question, that he would resign his seat Mr. George Dawson came forward as the friend of Mr. Escott. He

if called upon to do so by a majority of his constituents. congratulated the electors in having returned Colonel Evans in pre— deliberative assembly after giving those pledges? Grey nor to his constituents. His duty was pledged to the Crown and Colonel Evans replied, that it did not become Mr. Escott, who had the People, but he had degraded himself by doing his duty to neither...- committed himself by an unconditional pledge against the Assessed He ought to have told Lord Grey, that, however much he regretted its Taxes, to impugn pledges in others. he must give up his paltry office, and do his duty to those who elected If he were to be asked whether, if the Russians were to take Constantinople, him. Colonel Evans was an honest statesman and an honest Britisk or if the French were to march an army to the Pyrenees, he would pledge him- officer. He concluded by hinting, that when Sir Francis Burdett sent self to vote for war, he should say that he would not; the subject being mixed in his resignation, a Tory would come before them again. (Loud cries up with so many different circumstances as to require great consideration. But of " No Tory, no Tory !"f these now put to him were great questions, which had aghated the country for years; and, without meaning any offence to Mr. Escott, he would say, that any Mr. T. Duncombe endeavoured to address the crowd, but they gentleman who had not made ups his mind upon these questions, was unfit to represent them. He must con...,, however, that he did think that Mr. Escott Mr. D. W. Harvey, Mr. Finn, and Dr. Wade, also addressed the

had made up his mind, and that he could tell it if he liked. assembly; which then peaceably dispersed. Mr. Wakley then made a short speech, and the crowd dispersed.

Evans, whether as a man of honour he could doubt that Sir John On Friday, the polling recommenced at eight o'clock. Very great Hobhouse had resigned, and that his resignation bad been accepted ? exertions were matle by the friends of Sir John Hobhouse to recover Colonel Evans replied, that it was a very fair question ; but the whole their lost ground ; but their efforts were attended with little sue-. transaction was so enveloped in mystery, that he could not see through cess, as Colonel Evans still maintained a decided majority. During it; and be declared, as a man of honour, that he could not give a dis- the last hour, the Hobhouse party were particularly strenuous in theft tinet answer as to his complete conviction one way or the other. exertions ; but it was evident that they were fighting for a desperate Mr. Escott then again came forward. The Deputy Bailiff, who cause. The poll finally closed at four o'clock ; when the numbers presided, and some other gentlemen, endeavoured to obtain him a were stated to be— 3

10

l dissatisfaction as long as they pleased. He concluded in these words-..- Mr. Escott asked Colonel Evans, how he could .do his duty in a ference to Sir John Hobhouse, who had neither done his duty to Lord refused to hear rim. Mr. Wakley then addressed the electors at considerable length. ridiculed the Ministry, Sir John Hobbouse, and his friend It De Vear; and exhorted the electors not to be cheated by Whigs and Tories, but to prove themselves the friends of their country by voting

for Colonel Evans. He believed him to be as honest in his politics as: skilful in his profession ; and as the Tories had their Great Captaiss,

he did not see why the Radicals should not have theirs. If Govern- ment went on in the present way, they might before long have some red-coat business to do on their own account.

The Deputy High Bailiff then called for a show of hands. Not it single hand was held up for Sir John Hobhouse ; a complete forest fot Colonel Evans ; and not more than twenty for Mr. Emma. He thee declared the show of hands to be in favour of Colonel Evans. A pall. was demanded on the part of Sir John Hobhouse and Mr. Escottf, which was fixed for Thursday, at nine o'clock in the morning.

The crowd then peaceably dispersed.

Sir John Hobhouse, after he retired (under a strong escort of Po+ lice) from the hustings, was attended by a large body of his friends to Richardson's Hotel ; where he addressed them with great earnestness. He stated most emphatically, that he was totally out of office, and did not mean to go back again ; that he should never go back unless he were persuaded, and his friends the electors were persuaded also, that he could serve the people better in office than out.

Resolutions were then passed, pledging those present to redouble their exertions in order to insure his return.

Both the candidates and their friends were engaged on Wednesday in an active canvass. In the evening, Sir John Hobhouse attended me fewer than three meetings, at which he made electioneering speecher, which were duly reported in the next day's papers.

On Thursday, the polling commenced at nine o'clock ; Colonel Evans takir, the lead, Sir John Hobhouse next, and Mr. Bickhaut Escott far behind. The Colonel's majority increased pretty regularly as the voting went on ; and at the close of the first day, the numbers were—

For Colonel Evans 1,034 Sir John Hobhouse 784 Mr. Escott

494

Colonel Evans, who was the only candidate on the hustings at four o'clock, returned thanks to the electors. In allusion to attacks up= him in the Government newspapers, he denied that he was a Destruce. five : on the contrary, he was a Conservative of the rights of property and all other legitimate rights. He had been told, but he hoped it was not true, that the Marquis of Exeter's steward had been canvaser in favour of Sir John Hobhouse. ing The following curious correspondence, which appeared in the Evening Papers last night, headed ".Affair of Honour," forms part of the history of the election. We do not think that Sir John Hobhouse appears to much advantage in the affair to which it relates. There seems no good reason why herabould not have said " Yes," or " No," to the question in Colonel Evans's letter No. 3, and thus saved Admiral Fleming the trouble of running half over Westminster to find some person who had heard what he really did say. Two notes would then have answered the purpose of eleven.

(No. I.)

Thursday Morning, Waterloo Place.

My Dear Lord—I have this moment semi the enclosed passage in the Times news- paper. Will your Lordship permit me to solicit your advice under the circumstances?

Most faithfully yours, D. L. EVANS. Lord Dunboyne, Batt's Hotel, Davies Street.

(No. II.) Half-past ten o'clock, p. m.. 9th May W33.

My Dear Colonel —I have attentively read the passage in the 'limes, and should re- commend your immediately addressing Sir Johu flobliouse to the fillowing effect.

Yours very &Mildly, Colonel Evans. (No. III.) DUNSUYNE. (From Colonel Evans to Sir J.,Hobhouse.)

Sir—Having read in the Times newspaper of this morning the following passage at- tributed to you. viz.-

" In allusion to the charge brought against him of being a paid servant of the Cmwn, he asked the meeting who now was the most paid servant of the Crown of the three candidates for their suffrages ? Why, the very man who had brought the charge against him, and whom he could, when he held his late office, have deprived of his pensiou, at a moment's notice, by a mere scratch of his pen. Ile appealed to them. if they did not return him, at least not to return one who had so basely calumniated him," You will therefore, Sir, I am convinced, perceive the necessity of my requesting to know if these words have been really used by you. and with reference to me.

I have the honour to be, &c. &e.

To the Right Honourable Sir J. Hobhouse. &c. &c. D. L. EVAN'S.

(No. IV.) Sir—I request you will have the goodness to inform me when it will be convenient for you to allow me to have the honour of wafting on you. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, No. 11, Park Place, St. James's, Thursday. C. FLEMING.

(No. V.) Colonel Evans presents his compliments, and regrets he was not at home when Ad- miral Fleming did him the honour to call on him. Should Admiral Fleming have any particular wish to see Colonel Evans. Colonel E. will remain at home till 7 o'clock —after which. other engagements will revise his attendance. Ile regrets the Admiral las nut been so good as to mention the object of his visit. Thursday Evening, quarter to six.

6, Waterloo Place.

To Admiral Fleming, 11, Park Place, St. James's.

(No. VI.) 11, Park Place. St. James's. Thursday, 9 o'clock.

My Lord—In consequence of the communication I had the honour of having with your Lordship this evening, I have called on Sir John Hobhouse reganliw, the report to the Times uewspoper of what he said at a Meeting of the Westminster electors, which forms the subject of a letter from Colonel Evans to him this day.

AS it is most essential, in such eases, to avoid misunderstanding, I am desirous of bearing from some persons who were at the meeting what was actually said betnre I can :.dvise Sir John as to the steps lie should take. 1 shall endeavour to inferni myself without a moment's delay, and you shall hear from me accordingly.

Pray excuse this hurried note.

I have the hews= to be, my Lord, Your most obedient humble servant, To the Lord Dunboyne. C. FLEMING. (No. VII., received at haltpast eleven.) May 9.

Sir John Hobhouse, understanding that Lord Dunboyne has done him the honour to call twice this evening, begs to say that Admiral Fleming has been kind enough to undertake to confer with his Lordship on the business to which, most probably, his visit refers.

(No. VIII.) 6, Waterloo Place. Thursday Night, 12 o'clock. May 9.

Sir—When you left this house at six o'clock this afternoon, 1 understood I should hear from you in about a quarter of an hour. in explanation of the words attributed to Sir J. Hobhunse. Several hours have elapsed. Intermediately I have twice called upon Sir J. Hobhouse, and once on you, without being successful in finding either at home. Your letter since received, in my opinion, leaves the matter as it stood this morning.

I consider Colonel Evans thus doubly aggrieved by this long omission of Sir J. nob- house to reply in writing to his letter delivered at twelve o'clock this day. Under these circumstances, I trust you will perceive the necessity of at length bring- ing the matter to issue.

I shall, therefore, hope most earnestly to receive, without further delay, an answer, disavowing (if they have not been used), under the signature of Sir J. Hoblionse, the words " basely calumniated." as applied to Colonel Evans, or their retraction ; or that you will appoint an hour for the parties to meet as early as you can possibly lix on.

The expressions referred to have now been before the public the whole of this day, and I had led myself to hope that afavourable result would have followed, long ere this, from our interview ; and I now feel it to be a painful duty I owe to my friend, to im- press upon you. what I trust you will agree with me in, that this unpleasant affair should be settled before nine o'clock tomorrow morning.

I have the honour to be, &c. Sze. &c.. DUNBOYNE. P.S. A note has just reached me from Sir J. Ilobliouse, which merely states his having referred the matter to you.

To Admiral Fleming, &c. Sc. &c. No. IX.

Received at half-past nine, Friday Morning.

11, Park Place, Friday Morning, S o'clock. My Lord—In reply io your letter, which you put into my hand this morning, I have to acquaint you, that in consequence of their being no House of Commons, and the canvass going on, I found it difficult to see any person who had been at the meeting alluded to in Colonel Evanes letter, after I left you for that purpose, at past swell o'clock.

I and that the expressions attributed to Sir John Hobhouse are misstated. He never did make use of the word " base" or " basely," and he applied " calumniated" to those who had asserted that he was still in office, after lie had repeatedly stated that that was nut the case.

With regard to the expression " That he could have deprived him of his pension at a moment's notice, by a scratch of his pen." what he really did say was. " I might have been called on at a moment's warning to strike off his name by a mere sc.-atch of the iien," meaning that Colonel Evans was on the list of the Army.

Any delay that has taken place since the communication was first made to me. at half past two o'clock yesterday, is mutual, and entirely owing to the circumstances I have alluded to. I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your most obedient humble servant, C. Fr.astiNCh (No. X.) Ten o'clock Friday Morning. 10th May, 6, Waterloo Place.

Sir—Your letter, received half an hour ago, disavowing that Sir John Hohhouse ever did make nut of the words " base," or " basely," and understanding from it that he ap- plied the word " calumniated " not to Colonel Evans, but to those who asserted that be was still in office, I beg leave to inform you that your communication is perfectly satis-

factory. I have the honour to he Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,

To Admiral Fleming. DtINHOYNE.

(No, XL)

• - • • 11, Park Place, Friday. My Lord—I have just received your Lordship's note. and have only one observation to make on your interpretation of the one I had the honour of addressing to you. Con- ceiving your note to convey a clear intimation that Colonel Evans was not one of those who asserted Sir John Hobhouse to be still in office, after he had declared that was not the case, I readily acquiesce in the additional words "not to Colonel Evans," and ma, happy that the affair has terminated to the satisfaction of both parties.

I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your most obedient humble servant,

To the Lord Dunboyne, Ste. C. Frssurra.