gratitude for your past and almost unsolicited support, I ventured to declare that I was not in the least dismayed by the then existing appearance of the Poll. The result of the two last days more than justifies the confidence I then expressed. That confidence was founded on my knowledge of the good sense, the honour, the loyalty, and the patriotism of the Electors of Westminster. Of the success of the pretensions of any gentlemen who appeared to assume that they did not possess these qualities, I really never entertained any serious apprehension. Such a Candidate could only obtain the appearance of a momentary triumph by other remissness. I am willing to take my full share of the blame on the present occasion, confident that a short perseverance will give complete success to our exertions, in a cause which deserves and demands the exertions of every man who desires the preservation of the British Constitution. I have the honour to be, with the utmost respect and gratitude, Somerset-Place, Nov. 9, 1806. Your faithful servant, R. B. SHERIDAN. Mr. Paull's Fifth Address to the Free and Independent Electors of Westminster. GENTLEMEN; Informed as you before were, of the Coalition of our enemies, you will not be surprised that they are using all possible exertions to make your disgrace the price of the scandalous compromise. Af ter ter lord Percy had openly shrunk with horror hom the touch of the Treasurer of the Navy, it might have been hoped, that an Officer of the British Fleet, covered over with stars and ribbons, would not have submitted to be forced into his embraces. The effects of this Coalition, Gentlemen, have been such as were to be expected. Against you have been marshalled all the placemen, clerks, pensioners, justices, tax-gatherers, beadles, and every other creature, composing that innumerable swarm of locusts, which are supported by the labour and the care of the industrious people. Seeing, however, after six days of most strenuous exertions on their part, that you were not to be overcome by threats of any sort, an attempt has been made to seduce. you by misrepresenting the principles of the man who, I am confident, you will convince our enemies is the object of your choice; and, though I have npon no occasion omitted,, either in private meetings, or at the Hustings, to declare in terms. the most explicit, that my attachment to the King and the Constitution, yielded to that of no man living, our enemies have had the meanness to resort to the exploded cry of "Jacobinism," in order to inveigle you from following the dictates of your reason. I shall conclude, Gentlemen, with an earnest exhortation to you to lose no time in pressing forward to the Poll, as the most effectual way of avenging this insult to your understandings; and I shall subjoin as an answer to all our calumniators, the Resolutions, which, at the outset of the contest, we unanimously passed, and which the candour of our enemies, has prevented them from noticing. Believe me to be, Gentlemen, Your obliged friend and servant, Charles-Street, JAMES PAULL. "At a numerous and most respectable Meeting of "the Electors of Westminster, held at the Crown "and Anchor Tavern, on Thursday, Oct. 30, "1806, the following Resolutions, moved from "the Chair, and seconded by Mr. Gibbons, were "unanimously agreed to: RESOLVED, I. "That, to be represented in the "Legislature by men sent thither by our own free "choice, is our undoubted right as Englishmen; "is the only security for the possession of our property, or the enjoyment of our personal "Freedom; and is, indeed, the only thing which distinguishes us from the subjects of a despot. II. " That, duly impressed with the value of "this our Constitutional Privilege, and percei"ving, with deep affliction, that, through the "influence of corruption and venality, this in"estimable privilege has, in numerous instances, "been undermined and annihilated, it is, at this "critical period, the duty of every body of men "having a right to vote, and particularly of the "Electors of this great and populous City, so to "exercise their Franchise as to exhibit to the rest "of the kingdom, an example of good sense, "of public spirit, of purity of principle, and of "resolution to maintain or recover those rights, "which, when constitutionally enjoyed, have al ways ways proved to be the greatest blessing to he 'people, and the surest foundation of the thron III.That we have observed, with unfeigned sorrow, that out of the 658 Members of the late "House of Commons, a comparatively very small "portion ever attended their duty; that nearly one half of the whole were placemen, depend"ent officers, and pensioners; that, it was but "too often evident, that the motive of action was private interest rather than public good; "and that, amongst those who were loudest in "their professions of devotion to the King, the "chief object was to render him, as well as his people, the slaves of a faction. 66 IV. "That in the Parliamentary conduct of Mr. "Paull, we have observed a constant attention "to his duty, a strict adherence to every promise "made to the Public, a virtuous abhorrence of oppressors and peculators, an inflexible perse in the prosecution of delinquency, a rare instance of resistance to those temptations, by which so many other men have been se"duced to betray their trust; and that, upon "these grounds, it is incumbent upon us, collec"tively, and individually, to use all the legal means within our power to secure his Election, " and therein to do all that rests with us to preserve our Country from a fate similar to that of so many European States which have fallen an easy conquest to the enemy, only because the people had neither property nor liberty to de"fend. (Signed) F. BURDETT." SIXTH DAY. Saturday, November 8. At the close of the Poll, the numbers for the respective Candidates stood thus: For Sir Samuel Hood. . . . . Mr. Paull.... 3102 2658 Mr. BRITTEN, in the absence of Mr. P. Moore, addressed the Electors in behalf of Mr. Sheridan. -Considerable opposition was made to him at first. He requested, however, to be heard.-It had been asserted, that no Court Candidate had a title to the votes of the Electors of Westminster. But he was no Court Candidate, nor was he in any degree influenced by the Court. They might, therefore, at least allow him a patient hearing.— He then spoke in the highest terms of the talents and public conduct of Mr. Sheridan, who, during the whole of his parliamentary career, had been the steady and determined supporter of the Constitution, and the Rights of the people. It had been said, that none were free men who did not vote for Mr. Paull. Such an assertion could only proceed upon the absurd supposition that men in office were to be opposed, whether right or wrong. But Mr. Sheridan had proved, in the course of an active life, that office was no consideration with him, when put in competition with his principles. Mr. Paull had little share on the score of experi ence, |