that he would ask no more votes, but requesting all the votes that came to him might be given to Mr. Sheridan. He concluded by declaring that he would keep the Poll open to the last, and he would stand or fall with the Independence of the City of Westminster.

Mr. Sheridan's Dinner at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden, November 14.

THIS day, a select meeting of the friends of Mr. Sheridan dined at the Bedford Coffee-house, Covent-garden; Peter Moore, Esq. in the chair. After the cloth was removed, the chairman proposed a toast, to which he thought necessary, in the present crisis of affairs, and under the circumstances of the present times, to make some addition, out of the general custom: "The King; and may his crown be wreathed with laurels, and his throne surrounded by honest men, and patriotic ministers!" He next gave-" The Queen and Royal Family;" with three- The Prince of Wales;" with three times three, and loud applause" The Independent Electors of Westminster;" with three times three-"The immortal memory of Mr. Fox;" drunk in solemn silence. Next, "the health of Mr. Sheridan and sir S. Hood, and success to their Election."

Mr. SHERIDAN returned his most heartfelt thanks, for himself and sir S. Hood, who was absent. He repeated his intention of supplying

the

the place of the gallant Commodore, and doing his duty in Parliament, while he should be absent, fighting the battles of his country. Although some mistake had arisen, perhaps through his own inadvertence or neglect, he assured his friends, that the most cordial co-operation existed between himself and the gallant Commodore. He sincerely thanked his worthy friends for their exertions in his favour, and felt confident in their final triumph. He repeated his satisfaction at the brave Commodore's retaining the head of the Poll, which was his proper station. Their worthy Chairman had been prevented from attending the Hustings for a few days, through indisposition, which had given Mr. Paull the opportunity of saying that he had beat him out of the field, and he was afraid to make his appearance there again; but he could tell Mr. Paull, he would be on the Hustings again to-morrow, and he rather thought he would find him at least his match. He concluded by observing, that, however he might feel ashamed by being beaten by Mr. Paull, he should feel himself still more disgraced in being his colleague. He then gave "The health of Mr. Peter Moore." Mr. PETER MOORE said, he was well known to most of the gentlemen present, and appealed to them, whether he had ever been intimidated or prevented from doing that which he conceived to be his duty? and he was not to be deterred from it by the scurrilous attacks of such a man as Mr. Paull. He was well acquainted with the people of Westminster, and knew their sentiments; and, as

he

he had already ventured to prophesy, he would at last completely extinguish this little satellite, who was nothing more than a sort of meteor, blown about by every blast of wind.-The event of this day's poll had, in some measure, extinguished him; but before the week ended, as he had already promised, he would put such an extinguisher upon him, as would cover him even to the heel. He then adverted to the speech of colonel Britten, a day or two before, and highly complimented him on the simile he had used, namely, that to reject Mr. Sheridan, and elect Mr. Paull, would be extinguishing the light of the sun, and setting up a little farthing rush-light.

Colonel BRITTEN rose, and, in a very spirited and animated speech, refuted the attacks of Mr. Paull upon him, as false and malicious; he gloried in that sun, who, in the very face of Mr. Paull, gave the lie to his assertions (see p. 166.). He was the old and steady friend of Mr. Fox, and had worn blue and buff for these 27 years; and he dared any man to say that he would turn his coat."-After some excellent songs, and catches and glees, and a number of jovial, constitutional, and patriotic toasts, the company separated in the utmost harmony and good humour.

ST

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. COBBETT, MR. PAULL, AND MR. SHERIDAN,

[As published by Mr. Sheridan's Committee.]

Mr. P. Moore to Mr. Sheridan.

SIR; Thursday, Nov. 13. It is the unanimous opinion of the committee, that, in justice to yourself, to the great cause you are engaged in, and the honourable conduct of your friends, emulating yours, the papers submitted to their consideration, and your letter to me, should be forthwith made public, together with Mr. Finnerty's Statement, and the Resolutions which the committee have come to in consequence. As you have left this matter to our discretion, I have accordingly directed the whole to be published. I have the honour to be, &c. PETER MOORE.

Mr. Sheridan to Mr. P. Moore.

SIR; Somerset-place, Thursday, Nov. 13. In compliance with your request, I send you Mr. Cobbett's letters, and leave it to you and the committee to decide whether they should be published or not. I have never suffered Mr. Cobbett's first letter to me to pass from my desk; nor should I now consent to the publication of any letter, not avowedly meant to be published by the writer,

but that you will perceive that Mr. Cobbett himself calls for its publication; how discreetly for the cause he supports, is his affair. I need not tell you how decidedly I have disdained to allow this letter, or that from Mr. Paull to Mr. Finnerty, and by him placed in my hands, to be used for the purpose of gaining me a single vote from the supporters of Mr. Paull. What their object was, and what advantage I might have made of it, had I been base enough to have stooped to profit by their advances, is too evident to require a comment. My conduct has been without disguise or reserve. It is known to you, sir, and to the committee, and to you and them I leave the vindication of it. I have the honour to be, &c.

R. B. SHERIDAN.

SIR;

Mr. Cobbett to Mr. Sheridan.

No. 5, Panton-square, Tuesday Evening. To be direct and frank has always been my course, and I think it right to lose not a moment in informing you, that upon hearing that lord Percy had declined, that a Pittite was to be set up in his stead, and that Mr. Paull meant to offer himself, I immediately set off for town, to lend this latter gentleman all the assistance in my power, however trifling that may be; and, as the main object of this letter, I think it right to inform you, that I am well assured that Mr. PAULL does not mean to be considered as opposed to you,

and

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