Mr. Lechmere Charlton. who for many years was the Whig
oppo- nent of the Clives in Ludlow, but at the election of 1835 joined his former foes, and professed himself a follower of Lord Stanley, has again become an assailant of the Tories and the Clives. In an address to the electors of Ludlow, Mr. Charlton bitterly reproaches Sir Ho- bert Peel, Sir James Graham, Lord Clive, and other Tories, for their ill-treatment of himself, their " schism," and cowardly conduct as Conservative statesmen. He certainly makes out a case against Peel, who used him shabbily in the breacli of privilege affair with Lord Cotteuham. This is Mr. Charhon's statement- " I cannot forbear mentioning one instance of the disreputable conduct of a great Conservative on this occasion, who was no less a pet sou than Sir Robert Peel ; nor can I forbear alluding to one other conNcqueutial gentleman, who I am delighted to perceive has been ousted limn his native county, and who, report says, is coming here in the event of a vacancy—I mean Sir James Graham. May Cod send him and Us a good delivetanee ! I could mention twenty other instances—give twenty other names; but as it may appear in- vidious, I would prefer (unless I am obli,,°ed to publish them) to bury in oblivion what I have witnessed. But to Sir Robert Peel—On Wednesday morning the I5th of Feln nary, while the Committee of Privileges was sitting, Sir Robert came out, and seeing me and my solicitor together, he asked me in bad ever read Lord Ferrers's case. I told him that I had, and I thought it was in my favour. He replied that he thought otherwise, and 'cad parts of it in support of his opinion. I begged him to read the latter part with attention, and I was persuaded he would see the clear distinction between what is called 'constructive contempt,' and 'contempt by force.' I told him that I thought Sir Charles Wetherell would take the same view of the case that I did. He asked me if I had consulted him on that particular case. I told Lim that Iliad not. Then,' said Sir Robert, 'be good enough to get his opinion; and if I Sad he holds the same opinion as you do, it will get over my scruples; for 1 confess this is the only case that appears to me can be brought to bear against you, and please to let me have it as soon as possible.' My solicitor and I instantly set to drawing out the case ; and the next morning, before the Committee met, we had Sir Charles Wetherell's opinion ; which was exactly as I represented it, asserting that Lord Ferrero's case, instead of being against me, was decidedly in my favour. I took the opinion to the Committee-room, but Sir Robert was out there. I took it to his house; amid, though he told me that he was very busy, he promised to attend as soon as possible. This was about eleven or twelve o'clock, and the Committee did not close their labours that day till near four. Sir Robert Peel never made his appearance, nor was the opinion produced by him !"
Mr. Char lton says that Mr. Parkes told him the Tories were making him a cars-paw, and he found Mr. Parkes right-
" It is well known that an offer of compromise was made to me' and that I refused it. It was made in confidence by Mr. Joseph Parkes, and I was given the liberty of consulting a legal friend or two before I decided. I did so; and I trusted one in particular, of whom I required a solenm pledge of silence. But the chance of exposing Mr. Parkes was too strong a temptation for him to tefuse. He cared nothing about me or my cause, but informed an out-and-out Tory with what I had intrusted him, who, influenced by similar considerations, greatly perplexed and irritated me by forcing me to divulge, before the Com- mittee of Privileges, what I felt myself bound to keep secret. • • • Iii fact, so long as there was a chance of showing up Mr. Nikes, the room was full (ride Report); but when I wrote, as I did, to entreat that such a line of examination might be discontinued, the room wits comparatively empty, and I was actually upbraided by mole than one influential Tory for hurting their cause by having any scruples on the occasion."
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