[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 09 Mar 1816 - Election (4)

Wed Feb 9 15:48:44 UTC 2022

Saturday 09 Mar 1816   (p. 2, col. 4 - p. 3, col. 4)

[Extracts only - there were too many lengthy speeches, some of which I have left out.] 

THE ELECTION. 

The hot contest for this city closed on Friday evening by the Election of Mr. CURWEN.-We shall resume our detail from the period of
leaving off in our last, and present to our readers an impartial report of all the occurrences in the order which they took place:- 

Polling commenced at the usual hour on Saturday morning, but which about ten o'clock met with considerable interruption.- 

Mr. JAMES FORSTER arose to address the Freemen. He said he wished to expose some of the artifices that had been resorted to by Mr.
CURWEN's party. When Lady MUSGRAVE was on her road hither, she was met by Mr. BROUGHAM (brother of Mr. BROUGHAM, M. P.) who
persuaded her to return, as it was useless to come to Carlisle, for the call on Sir Philip was only the last efforts of an expiring
faction. But her Ladyship was not to be cajoled by any such representations; she was determined to proceed, which she carried into
effect, and from her reception had no reason to regret her journey. Mr. FORSTER had also to complain of a disingenuous hand-bill
issued on Friday evening by the same party, which was so artfully worded that no common capacity would have supposed it to have been
written by any other than the friends of Sir Philip, (if it had not been for the three last lines), the intention of which was to
create a belief that Sir Philip MUSGRAVE would not come to Carlisle, and that the expectations of the Freemen who supported his
cause would be disappointed. Mr. FORSTER next brought a series of personal charges against Mr. CURWEN:-He accused him of possessing
an iron heart, insensible to the calls of humanity-that he had withdrawn his subscriptions from all the public charities and
institutions of this city, and amongst others, the schools, the dispensary, and the blanket society; and Mr. F. contended that Mr.
CURWEN had no claim whatever to represent this city, and if he had not possessed more than ordinary bluntness of human feeling he
never would have shewn himself for the purpose of standing as a Candidate for the City of Carlisle. Mr. FORSTER also accused Mr.
CURWEN of ignorance of the commercial interests of the community, and insinuated that he was a party man-an admirer of BONAPARTE. 

Mr. CURWEN heard this series of charges with much coolness, and rising he said, that if any one circumstance could have happened
more agreeable than another, it was this opportunity given him, of defending himself before the Freemen of Carlisle, from the
charges which had been made against him of not being a contributor to their public institutions-some of which he had never heard of
before that moment. In the first place he was called a "heartless man"-a man of an iron heart, one whom the voice of humanity could
seldom reach. Whatever might have been his faults, an inattention to the wants of the poor could never be charged to him, whose hand
in their relief "was always as open as daylight."-It was disagreeable for Mr. CURWEN to speak of himself; but in this instance he
was forced to do it in his own defence, and he must plead that as his excuse. In the first place then, he would tell the gentleman
who had brought these accusations against him, that at the time of the great scarcity and dearth of corn, he expended three thousand
pounds on the poor, in buying corn, and selling it out again at a very reduced price.-At the time of the riots at Carlisle, and the
weavers were in distress, he sent one hundred guineas for their relief.* As to the institutions of Carlisle, he subscribed to them
as Member for the city, and when he was not returned he withdrew them, naturally conceiving that the successful Candidate would
supply his place, which he understood was the case. He thought it very hard if the institutions of Carlisle could not be maintained
by the citizens without going round the county with a begging box. But if he was returned as the member for the city he would
immediately become a subscriber, not only to the existing institutions, but to as many more as the fertile brain of the gentleman
(Mr. F.) could devise. Mr. CURWEN said he should wish to see the introduction of a Saving Bank in this city, an institution of the
first importance. He had established one at Workington with the best prospects, and the effects were likely to be very beneficial.
When he withdrew his subscriptions he felt assured that the small sum he gave could make no material difference in their efficiency;
and it behoved him to look around him, for at Workington he had a whole town looking up to him as a head, and he defied any one to
say that a poor man ever was kept waiting half an hour to see him in his life, if he was apprised of the circumstance. In the long
list of charges against him was one that he did not support the schools-that poor children, what he cared to the contrary, might go
without education! Those present would be judges how far this was true, when he told them at Workington he had one of the largest
schools in the Kingdom, in which were educated daily, at his expence, three hundred children, and the school was open to all that
chose to come. At Harrington, near Whitehaven, he had also a school capable of containing two hundred children. These were all
educated at his expence, and he made no distinction as to religious persuasions. They were taught the Gospel in its pure state: the
interpretation he left to themselves, for this he considered a matter of conscience, and he contended every one had a right to
choose his creed. So much then for his being uncharitable-an enemy to education-so much for his iron heart! He was really sorry to
say so much of himself, but he had been driven to it. He now came to his political opinions, and in this Mr. F. had totally
misunderstood him; but he could not help it if Mr. F. had not understanding. As to the charge of ignorance, that was not for him to
decide; the gentlemen present would be the best judges to whom that belonged, (laughter.) Mr. CURWEN repeated what he before had
said-which was, that the Agricultural and Commercial Interests and prosperity were interwoven in each other, and if one fell to the
ground, both must fall. The pressure on the manufacturers was mainly owing to the annihilation of the home market, brought about by
the distress of the Agricultural Interest. But he should be one to hail this very distress after it was gone by; for he was
convinced that it would ultimately do much good by abolishing those jealousies hitherto subsisting between the two interests: it
would open men's eyes, and convince them that the support of one was the support of each. As to his being a party man, he utterly
denied the charge. If he was returned to Parliament he should not blindly go there to vote with the Opposition or with Ministers; he
should vote according to his conscience and to the instructions of his constituents. This was the duty of a member of Parliament;
and if he found he could not conscientiously do this, he would resign his seat (much applause.) He denied the charge of being an
admirer of BONAPARTE; on the contrary he always beheld his unprincipled career with detestation. He execrated his injustice and
ambition. Mr. CURWEN concluded with expressing his sorrow for the interruption that had been given to the business of the day, but
it was not of his seeking-he was obliged to stand up in his own defence when so grossly attacked. 

Mr. FORSTER again attempted to say a few words, and the Rev. Mr. BENSON of Cockermouth insisted on the same privilege in behalf of
Mr. CURWEN, on the score of "artifices," but both were over-ruled by the Mayor, who could not allow the polling to be any further
interrupted. 

___________________________________________________________________________

* Mr. FORSTER said this was the first time he had ever heard of the circumstance, and he should like to know to whom the sum was
sent. Mr. CURWEN expressed displeasure that his word should be doubted for one hundred guineas, but said the money was sent to Mr.
JACKSON for distribution, and that there were many gentlemen who knew the circumstance, and who could speak to it. 

[to be continued] 

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