[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 02 Mar 1816 - Election (3)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 02 Mar 1816   (p. 3, col. 1-3)

 

THE ELECTION. 

 

[continued] 

 

After Mr. CURWEN sat down, Mr. Thomas STUBBS demanded a poll and an adjournment. Mr. Richard LOWRY here rose, and said, as Sir
Philip MUSGRAVE had been proposed, he wished to know if there was any certainty of his accepting the seat, supposing he should be
returned.-And as Mr. STUBBS had proposed the Hon. Baronet, he, of course would favour the company with a statement of his political
principles, otherwise Mr. L. nor any of the Freemen, could rationally support him with their votes, (violent laughter and
cheering).-Mr. STUBBS was called on for a statement, but did not favour the company with any remarks. 

 

Mr. CURWEN said, he hoped that some Gentleman would come forward on behalf of Sir Philip MUSGRAVE and settle with him in what manner
to conduct the poll. He could not think of communicating, after what had happened that day, with those whose conduct he so much
disapproved of. He wished some one to come forward in whose honour he could confide; and he appealed to several gentlemen around
him, but no one avowed himself. It was however finally settled that some persons should meet together and enter into the proper
arrangements.-The meeting then adjourned. 

 

During the remaining part of Thursday, the friends of Sir Philip MUSGRAVE were active; a committee of most respectable Gentlemen had
been formed in the morning, and resolutions were entered into, which will be found in the Advertisement. Through the whole of this
day the streets were completely crowded with people, who paraded about with flags and music, displaying the colours of their
favourite parties. The Bellman was sent around the town with the following jeu d'esprit:- 

 

"Wanted immediately, a Member of Parliament: no matter what his principles are, so that he have a long purse. No time must be lost,
as there is the UTMOST NECESSITY!" 

 

The Poll commenced on Friday morning.-During the whole of the day, as on Thursday, the streets were crowded to an excessive degree,
bands of music and the colours of the opposing parties paraded about, and all was bustle and gaiety. There never was a contest for
this city kept up with more, and a better spirit.* If there is any hostility, it is expressed only in hisses and cheers. This is as
it ought to be, and we should feel ourselves wanting to the public, were we not to record the fact. At the close of the Poll, Mr.
CURWEN shortly addressed the Freemen in nearly the following words:- 

 

FREEMEN!-I return you my best thanks for the support you have given me to day. I should not have come forward to have offered myself
to your notice, had I not been convinced that there was a triumphant majority in my favour. I feel assured that you will exert
yourselves; and if you wish to hear my voice in Parliament, it must only be through your unbiassed suffrages. For what trouble has
been given you by this vexatious opposition, I do not feel myself responsible, not being the author of it; and if through the
irritation of the moment any thing wayward has escaped me in reference to any here, I am sorry for it, and hope the circumstances
under which I am placed, will be found a sufficient excuse. Freemen! I again thank you, and request your attendance on my behalf
to-morrow. 

 

JAMES FORSTER, Esq. in the name of Sir Philip MUSGRAVE, returned thanks to the Freemen who had voted in his favour. He considered
the state of the poll highly gratifying, as until yesterday morning he had not canvassed for a single vote. 

 

                              FIRST DAY'S POLL.-March 1. 

 

                 Mr. CURWEN ................................................... 92 

                 Sir P. MUSGRAVE ........................................... 60 

 

It is expected that Sir Philip MUSGRAVE will arrive in Carlisle in the course of to-night (Friday). A chaise and four went off to
meet him about four o'clock in the afternoon; but his sentiments on the subject are not yet known.-His supporters appear to have no
doubt whatever as to his coming forward, and contesting the Election to the last moment.-Lady MUSGRAVE arrived here on Friday
evening about half-past four, amidst the acclamations of a great concourse of people. Mr. CURWEN's party are distinguished by blue,
and that of Sir Philip by orange and purple. 

 

In reverting to the singular conduct of Mr. STEPHENSON it is difficult to determine whether indignation or contempt is paramount in
our minds-indignation at the gross insult to a respectable and independent body of Freemen who ranged themselves under his
banner-contempt for the man whose pretensions were so wide apart from his public spirit. Mr. STEPHENSON, to judge from his conduct,
had set down the independent and honourable city of Carlisle, as a rotten borough.-He thought he had only to declare himself on the
interest of a most worthy but distant relative, and he should have been returned without any more trouble and expence. But when he
learned who his opponent was, he shrunk back. From that moment he appeared only to contemplate the means of retreat, and never was a
retreat more disastrous! From day to day he put off the appointment of committees, and entering into those measures which demanded
the assistance of his purse; although he had misled his supporters by statements respecting his pecuniary affairs, and even boasted
in his addresses of his "large landed property in Cumberland!"-But we forbear; the subject will afford neither triumph nor
gratification. After a perusal of the Resolutions respecting him, and his own Letters, only this will be necessary-No letter "of
credit" was sent down. In eadem re, utilitas et turpitudo esse non potest.-CIC.-"Utility and baseness cannot exist in the same
thing." 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

* Perhaps we should except from this, some disgracefully personal lampoons, which far exceed even the liberties of Election jokes,
and which can only injure the cause it is intended to support. There is a forcible adage-"Save me from my Friends and I will defend
myself against my enemies"-very applicable on this occasion. 

 

 

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