involved the dearest rights of the, were then put down, as being People (applause). He consider-ready to receive subscriptions for ed that Mr. Cobbett was the most Mr. Cobbett's election. proper man they could choose, because he boldly avowed his principles.

There was one thing which he had almost forgot, and that was, that infamous measure the Apprentice Bill was supported by Mr. Butterworth; he then alluded to the advertisement of Mr. Butterworth, and proved that he had not done what he professed. He then moved a resolution, which was put and carried unanimously.

Mr. DYALL said, he had another resolution concerning the absence of Mr. Cobbett, which he should move they adopt. The resolution was seconded; and on Mr. HUNT rising to put it,

Mr. HUNT said, a placard had been put into his hand, which contained an advertisement of the intention of Sir Henry Wright Wilson to put up as a candidate for Coventry, and it was his duty to tell them who this gentleman was; he resided in Hampshire, and had been in the army, but he had not come forward at any public meeting to oppose the system of corruption, though now he stated his dislike to that system; but, if the gentleman who had handed him the bill wished to propose Sir Henry, he (Mr. H.) begged they would listen to him.-(Cries of "forward.")

Mr. M'REA (the associate of De A Gentleman said, he thought Berenger in the Stock Exchange the arrival of Mr. Cobbett impos- hoax) said it was far from his exsible, and he hoped the same mis- pectation to have been called. take would not be committed as in upon this night; but, as he had the case of Mr. Marriott. been, he must say that he went to Mr. BRYANT declared in the the above gentleman, who deevent of Mr. Cobbett's non-arri-clared in the most express terms. val, he would stand for him.-his disapprobation of the system; (Cheers.) he should therefore propose Sir H. W. Wilson as a fit person to represent Coventry. This was seconded; and, on being put, was negatived by about 100 to 2..

Mr. DYALL moved that the sense of the meeting should be taken as to whether the offer of Mr. Bryant would be accepted. This was seconded, and on being put, it was carried unanimously. It was then resolved that sub-contest for Mr. Cobbett. scriptions be entered into, to defray the expences of Mr. Cobbett's Election.

Thanks were then voted to Mr. Bryant for his offer to stand the

Mr. BRYANT said, his services were at their command whenever they would favour the public cause. He then thanked them for The names of five gentlemen the honour they had done him.

1

A vote of thanks was then moved "ten wards of the City contain 1,686 to Mr. Hunt, and carried unani-"-London, 377-Country, 358nimously. Army, 21. The right to vote con❝sists in all those who have served seven

Mr. HUNT, in returning thanks, said, he was proud of the honour" years' apprenticeship to one and

of presiding when called to that station by his fellow countrymen. He never had and never would refuse to serve them; the Spa Fields meetings had done much good. In the first place they had kindled the spark of Reform; and, secondly, they had been the cause of the Prince Regent ordering 5000l. to be paid to the Soup Committee (a laugh). ́ ́ He then alluded to the treatment of the

prisoners under the Suspension Act, and the Trials at Derby. He had been present at those trials, and had witnessed how they were conducted; and he had beheld men convicted of High Treason, who had only been guilty of a paltry riot; and so convinced was the Prince Regent of this (as he had been informed) that the Prince sent a reprieve to Whitehall which could not be put in force, because Lord Sidmouth (puss, as Mr. Cob

"the same trade---they, of course, are "those which Corruption calls the "lower classes; this may be a feature "in Mr. Cobbett's favour, but the pria"ciple obstacle is, the out-voters, 754, "who must be fetched, well fed, well "paid, and, in some instances, clothed "at some one's expense, and it generally happens, that those who will do this have their suffrages.

"The Aristocrats, a higher race of men than the Corporation (the Cor"veriest ****) compose a body "poration, individually, being the

called the Drapers' Company (being an ancient place there are many of these whimsical bodies) these men

bett had called him) was at Clare-"have rarely votes, but have extensive

mont (shame). He begged them to accept his sincere thanks for the honour they had done him and his wishes for their success.

influence, which, with their purses, I expect would be materially against Mr. Cobbett. I have thus given you

as concisely as I can, a view of The meeting then separated. "the voters, and the influence which The following is an Extract of a "will be brought to bear against him. Letter from Coventry, read by Mr. "Something may also be said of the HUNT, at the aforementioned meet-two members. Butterworth is a

of

At a Meeting of the Freemen Coventry, resident in London, held at the Eagle Tavern, City Road, HENRY HUNT, Esq. in the Chair, it was unanimously Resolved,

1. That the Freemen of the above City, having experienced and supported an expensive and destructive war, and a system of unparalleled taxation, they, on the return of peace, expected some alleviation from their burthens; and that Reform in the Commons House of Parliament, petitions for which have flowed from all parts of the kingdom in vain.

7. That the Thanks of this Meeting, are due, and are her by given to Henry Hunt, Esq. for his able and impartial Conduct in presiding over this Meeting.

An Elector of Coventry rose and proposed a Sir Henry Wright Wilson, which was negatived (nearly unanimously,) two hands only being scen in favour of him.

TO THE WORTHY AND INDEPENDENT

my friends, who were denied a fair and impartial bearing; and that, too, chiefly by a party who hypocritically pretend to be Friends to Universal Liberty, and advocates of free discussion! I know them all, and will expose. their duplicity on the Hustings of Covent Garden. We are not thus to be put down by senseless clamours, and scurrilous abuse. The infamous com bination that has been long formed against me, to blast my character, and injure me in your estimation, thanks to your generous spirit and discern. ment, has been completely met and subdued. Like cowards, my enemies shrink into holes and corners, and there, with the aid of a partial and corrupt Press, they mutilate and misrepresent those manly arguments they have neither the courage nor ability to refute. Gentlemen, my cause is in your hands, and therefore perfectly safe. Whatever you may think of my policy, or worldly prudence, you know me open, determined, and sincere. Upon the impregnable rock of your support, and the strength of those great consti

MENTS, UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, and VOTE by BALLOT, I rest with perfect confidence of final and complete success.

ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER. GENTLEMEN-The mask is removed, and the plans of the Secret Junto, who have so long presumed to dictate the choice of your Representatives to this free and public-spirited City, are developed to their fullest extent. After having been twice unanimously nominated, as a fit and proper Person to, represent you in the ensuing Parliament, at Meetings regularly convened by Public Advertisement, the pretend-tutional principles ANNUAL PARLIA ed friends to freedom, finding themselves beaten out of the field, retired into a corner, and, disagreeing among themselves, have separated into parties, each claiming the superior right of nominating their favourite Candidate. And this they have the modest assur- June 6, 1818. ance to hold forth as "Resolutions of the Electors of Westminster at the Crown and Anchor." But the charm is dissolved, and neither the People of Westminster, nor any other part of the Kingdom, will any longer submit to be controuled in the free exercise of their judgments, and rendered the positive instruments of any man's caprice or ambition. The charge is false, and you who were present know it to be so, that "the tumult and interruption which took place was occasioned by Mr. Hunt and his followers." It was en tirely produced by the illiberal and disgraceful opposition made to me and

I remain, Gentlemen,
Your faithful and devoted Servant,
HENRY IIUNT.

N. B. Subscriptions in Support of Mr. HUNT's Election, are received by the following Persons :-Mr.. DOLBY, 34, Wardour-Street, Soho; Mr. CARLISLE, 183, Flect-Street; Mr. HULME, 11, Bow-Street, Bloomsbury; Mr. J. G. JONES, Union-Street, Somer's Town; Mr. SHERWIN, 6, Lower Smith-Street, Northampton Square; Mr. BIRT, Linen Draper, 8, Little Russell-Street, Covent Garden; Mr GILLS, 5, and Mr. WEST, 54, WychStreet, Drury Lane; where any Com munications will be thankfully receiv ed.-All Letters must be post paid.

From the works in quarto, at the price of several pounds, down to ballads and childrens' books, at the price of a halfpenny each, the authors and venders come under the notice, and feel the influence, more or less direct, of the all-powerful hand of the Treasury, the members of whose bench are continually boasting of the freedom. of the press being the birthright of Englishmen. This is a fact notorious amongst literary men in London. It is the subject of every day's conversation, and not unfrequently a topic of mirth amongst those who participate in these wages of infamy. To state all the particular instances that have come within my own knowledge would require a moderate sized volume : I will, therefore, confine myself to a few, and, indeed, much fewer than I should, were I not, at this moment, at a distance from my books, and from the pension and sinecure Lists, in which the names of many of the present and late hack writers are inscribed.

Although the power which the English government derives from the creative industry of the most laborious and persevering and stur. dy race of men that ever lived, would be immense, even if only fair means were used in the acquirement of that power; yet, it would have been impossible for that government to have done what it has done, unless it had been able to corrupt and persecute the press; because, if Truth had had her fair chance, the people would long ago have seen, that instead of their sacrifices tending to the aggrandisement of their country, they really tended, as they now, have begun to perceive, to its ultimate feebleness, and, perhaps, temporary fall. There have been men, and a great many men, who have all along, for the last twenty-five years, clearly perceived, and have been anxious to prove to the people, this important truth. But, by the means that I am now about to The people in America, followspeak of, their voices have boening the apparent opinions of some drowned, or silenced. of their newspapers and magazines, seem to read what they find in English books and periodical publications, as matter flowing from the author's mind. I perceive, from reading a work, called the Analectic Magazine, published in a very neat and correct manner by a Mr. THOMAS, at Philadelphia, that the editor appears to look upon our Reviews, extracts from which form no inconsiderable part

These means naturally divide themselves into two branches: the means by Corruption; and the means by Persecution. The first has been the shield, the other the sword; and thus has a war been carried on against truth, such, as I am fully convinced, the world never before witnessed.

As an object of corruption, nothing is too high, or too low.