and storm about, to bully at elections, and, in short, to do all those things which such an Aristocracy may be expected to do. them to ride fine horses, to hector and the Nobility; such, for instance, as compelling people to bake their bread at their ovens and to press their grapes at their wine-presses. But, was either of these more odious than the monopoly of our Brewers, and was it half so insulting to the people and dangerous to their health? Brewer? What does that word mean? A man that makes beer; and a Public Brewer means a man that makes beer to sell to the public. But, is there any law Is the monopoly any more beargiving a privilege to this class of able because it is carried on by men? Is there any reason for Brewers, and not by Lords and ¡ not making a law to take from Parsons? Can we swallow their them any thing that they may drugs with the greater pleasure, possess wrongfully to the injury because some of them profess to of the people at large? Nobody be "Patriots?" Does the word wishes to overhaul them for the "Patriot" serve the purpose of past; but, surely, they have had enough of gains, and we enough of their drugs. It is one of the first duties of the Government to protect the poor against the rich, and especially against the monopolies of the rich. One of the greatest grievances of the French, and one of the great causes of the Revolution was, the monopolies that were enjoyed by the Church covering and sanctifying the most grinding extortion? If it do, the sooner we get rid of the cheat the better. I think the very first thing is, to see, if possible, that the labouring classes live well; and all who would prevent that I deem enemies of the country. WM. COBBETT. VOL. 43.-No. 8.] LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1822. [Price Bd. Published every Saturday Morning, at Six o'Clock. TO THE BOROUGHMONGERS. On Castlereagh's cutting his bable Fate. Steyning, Sussex, 21 August 1822. BOROUGHMONGERS, THE last time I addressed you I did it from Long Island. It was hanging of the brave Cashman's It was in the year when the stern-path man said, that the funds had risen in consequence of the passing of the dungeon and the gagging bills. It was, in short, in the year of your most insolent triumph; though you have always been insolent when the people have been suffering from oppres sion. It was in the year when one of the most hardened and infamous of you said, that such a in a few months after I had fled across the sea to avoid the dun, fuss need not be made about the geons of Sidmouth. It was in dungeoning; for, what was it? the memorable year 1817, when It was, at most, the abstracting the Petitions for Reform were of a few dozen of individuals from answered by Bills to enable the society. The cold-blooded and Ministers to shut whom they insolent tyrant, who uttered those pleased up in any prison that words, is a fair specimen of the they pleased and for any length whole of you. i Your affairs are a little changed of time that they pleased. It was Read my letter, that Printed and published by C. CLEMENT, No. 183, Fleet Street. I have mentioned above. See this, doubt of the purity of that how truly I told your fortune thus body. The act was not complete. far. But, before I proceed to con- It had been contemplated; but it sider what will probably be your had not been done. The House fate, let me express to you my could not punish that which had satisfaction that Castlereagh has only been thought about. It did, cut his throat. Amongst the rea- indeed, go beyond the thought: sons that I have for this satisfac-it went so far as a bargain; but, tion is my thorough recollection the bargain had not been acted of the transactions of 1809. In upon the goods had not been the month of May of that year delivered. And, therefore, the (See Register) he was accused of House, always equally just and bargaining for a seat in Parlia- pure; full of purity, but not less ment in exchange for a post in full of justice; not less tender of India. The matter was brought the rights than of the purity of its before the Honourable House. Members, could not proceed to That Honourable body voted punishment; but, it took care to him an acquittal, because, though resolve most solemnly, that it the bargain had been made, would so have proceeded, if the the act had not been completed. act had been completed; that is But the Honourable House, in to say, if the swap or truck had order to impress on our minds actually taken place. a high notion of its purity, resolved at the same time, that the purity of the House ought to be most jealously watched over and most carefully preserved! This was very fine, and all was snug again, and all, if possible, purer than ever. But, as the evil genius of Boroughmongering would have it, in a very few Very well! This was doing a days afterwards, Mr. Maddocks good deal. Those must be incre- came to the House, and offered dulous indeed, who could, after to prove at the bar, that a seat in that House had been sold by Is on the young men that the fate Castlereagh to Mr. Quintin Dick, of the country must depend; a large part of the young men, who have seen Castlereagh cut his and, that the thing had been done by Castlereagh with the know ledge and concurrence and con-throat, were atttle boys when he nivance of Perceval, who was was accused of selling the seat then Chancellor of the Exche- to Quintin Dick. They, therequer. Mr. Maddocks was not to fore, ought to be told what the be bothered or browbeaten out Honourable House did when the of the thing; and, he, at last, completed act was offered to be made his charge in distinct terms, and then moved for leave to pro duce his evidence at the bar. Before he did this, however, he proved at their bar, and when a motion was made for that purpose. Castlereagh and Perceval, both moved the reading of the famous Privy Councillors as well as Mipurity-resolution, above-mention-nisters of the King and Members ed; which declared, that, it was of the Parliament, were present. only because the act was not completed, that the House did not then proceed to punishment. As soon as Mr. Maddocks had made his motion, Perceval rose. He said, that are should neither Well, then! There was now a acknowledge nor deny; but, he' completed act. And, what did submitted to the House, whether, the House do on the motion of at a time when the spirit of disMr. Maddocks for producing evi-affection was abroad, and when dence at the bar? I need not designs manifestly existed to pull tell you, Boroughmongers. You down all the institutions of the know well all about it. But, a country; whether, at such a time, part of the public niay have for-the House would lend itself to gotten it; and, a large part of the a proceeding like this, which young men of this day; and, it could have no other effects than those of gratifying the malignity | over and to preserve the purity of those who wished to subvert of the House! But, we must not social order and our holy reli- forget, that this was not only gion and of paving the way for done, but the occasion was made the ultimate success of that nefa- use of to revile the reformerss led low, rious wish! Having said this, whom Canning called, Perceval retired, amidst the cheer-degraded crew.' ing of his auditors! Then rose the motion, he called upon the Castlereagh, and said, that, agree-House" to make a stand against encroachment." ing, as he did most heartily, in all Democratical a In opposing that had been said by his Ho- Lord Milton said, that he should nourable friend, and confident not think at all the worse of the as he was that the House would accused parties even if the facts follow the advice which that Ho-were proved; and Mr. Ponsonby, nourable friend had given it, he the leader of the "Opposition," should not trouble the House said, that the things charged were with any thing on his own part! practised by all parties, and were Then he retired, and was also" as notorious as the sun at nooncheered! day," and, on that ground, he op And, now what did the nourable House do with Maddocks's motion for calling it is right that the young men of ༢ 《རྩྭ the present day should know; and, if they wish for further particulars, let them see the Register Then let of 11th May, 1809. evidence to the bar? Why, they megatived the motion; they refused to hear the evidence; they voted, about four to one, that they would not suffer evidence to the young men reflect on the end a come to the bar; though they had of Perceval and Castlereagh. voted only a few days before, They retired amidst cheers in that it was their duty to watch 1809! Did they retire amidst |
