Lac elattitrn.
Sir George Clerk has been elected for Stamford, in the room of Colonel Chaplin. Of the Baronet's election there can be no doubt, as he took his seat in the House of Commons on Thursday ; but we find no account of the proceedings on his return, which must have been snugly managed, in the old rotten borough style.
Mr. Peyton, the Tory Member for Woodstock, has resigned his seat, rather than resist a petition against his return. His acceptance of the Chiltern Hundreds was announced, and a new writ for Wood- stock moved for, on Tuesday. Previously to this announcement, Lord John Churchill, (the Duke of Sussex's crony,) who appears to have been in the secret of Mr. Peyton's intentions, addressed the fol- lowing handbill to the " independent" electors-
- Woodstock, April .27, 1838. " gentlemen —The result of the petition now pending against the return of Mr. Peytou, must end either in seating my brother as your Representative, or iu causing a fresh election. In the latter event I offer myself as a candidate for your suffrages, and respectfully solicit the honour of your votes and interest. " Feeling the deepest concern iu sour welfare, and connected with your borough by family ties, I am no stranger to ion. My political principles are well known; and
whilst I would uphold all our ancient iastitutions, I would correct and reform every abase.
" 1 shall hope personally to canvass every elector ; and if I attain the object of my ambition, let me assure you that 1 will attend to your interests in every way that is iu lay power,
I base the honour to be, gentlemen, your very obedient servant, "J. S. CHURCUILLP The attempt made at the last general election to job the seat for "John" will not be forgotten—the exemption of the Duke of Marl- borough's large pension from certain duties was the consideration of a Whig being returned for Woodstock. The scheme was then marred by the Marquis of Blandford—a rather difficult person to manage; and the BIarquis seems now disposed to interfere in the arrangement, for he put forth the following letter the day after reading brother John's hand- MU to the electors-- e Woodstock, April 28, 1838.
"Gentlemen—A handbill, dated April 27, signed ' J. S. Churchill,' and addressed as abovri informs you somewhat dogmatically, that the result of the petition against the return of Mr. Pe) tutu must end either in seating Lord Churchill as your Representative, or in causing a fresh election.
41.11. le uo matter for surprise, therefore, that any person, who can so prejudice the ISIS a of a Committee. should adopt the rather unusual course of commencing an aelive canvam amung the electors prior ems to the coustitutiou of that Committee; but I think, gentlemen, that when you are told that Lord J. S. Churchill knew volt well that It was my design to offer myself to your notice in the posaible event of a fresh election, you will be disposed to look with no very favourable eye up o . the pre. tensions of one who seeks to preengage .voar promises by assuring you that if We brother puts up he will not oppose him, and that you will inquire, before you promise. which brother his Lordship means. " I repeat, gentlemen, that it is my fall determination to solicit your suffrages, II and when, n vacancy occurs. But this is still in the womb of time.
" I have the honour to be, geutlemen, your very obedient servant.
" BLAND/911W.
" John" guessed beforehand what the fruit of Time's womb would be, and stole a match on Lord Blandford.
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