[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 09 Mar 1816 - Election (5)

[Petra Mitchinson]

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. 

 

[continued] 

 

About ten o'clock Sir Philip MUSGRAVE arrived in Carlisle, amidst the loudest applause. His horses were taken out of his carriage a
mile out of town by the populace, and they drew him, escorted with flags and music, to the committee room at the Blue Bell. Soon
after his arrival, he issued the address inserted in our front page. 

 

In the morning Lady MUSGRAVE commenced a very active canvass in favour of her son, and met with great success. The accomplished
manners, and winning graces of this admirable lady, had an electric effect, and did much for the cause she espoused. About half-past
three o'clock Sir Philip MUSGRAVE appeared in the Hall amidst the loudest applause from his friends. The poll soon after closing he
addressed a few words to the Freemen. He said having only arrived in Carlisle that morning, he had not had an apportunity [sic] to
canvass much: but as far as he had gone, the reception he met with, gave him very confident hopes of success.-Mr. CURWEN also
shortly addressed the freemen. He congratulated them on the appearance of Sir Philip, and said he felt convinced, that nothing would
be sanctioned by him, which was not strictly honourable; but the liberal manner in which the Freemen came forward in his behalf left
him no doubt whatever of being returned with a great majority. 

 

The Mayor took his seat on the Hustings on Monday morning at the usual hour, and in consequence of the indecorous conduct of many
persons in the croud [sic] on Saturday, several special Constables were sworn in, and received orders to be vigilant in ensuring the
peace of the assembly, and a free ingress and egress to the voters of each party. Dr. BLAMIRE, in a neat speech, enforced the
propriety of the strictest order and decorum, and expressed his determination to use his authority as a Magistrate against any
persons whatever, who should behave improperly. In this he was supported by the worthy Mayor, Mr. CURWEN, and Sir Philip MUSGRAVE,
and each charged his respective friends (of the lower orders of course) to behave with decorum.-Mr. CURWEN took occasion, in the
course of the day, to prove to Mr. FORSTER, that he had sent the hundred guineas mentioned on Saturday, producing a file of
Newspapers, wherein the fact is recorded. As it will be observed by the rapid increase of the poll, each party were very active in
bringing up their voters on this day; and in the evening Sir Philip MUSGRAVE declared that he would continue the poll to the last;
he said he was not a man to abandon a cause he had once espoused, and from the support he had met with in the canvass, he did not
doubt but he should be successful. 

 

On Tuesday a very small number polled on either side, but the day could not be called an idle one, as there was a hot "wordy war"
waged on the Hustings, to the no small amusement of the numerous audience, who at times were not very delicate in the expression of
their feelings, notwithstanding every endeavour was made to keep silence, and ensure attention. Mr. FORSTER detailed at great length
many particulars relative to an affray which had taken place on the preceding night, between certain adherents of the adverse
parties, and that he himself had been threatened to be knocked down by a freeman in the interest of Mr. CURWEN. This called forth
answers, which were in turn productive of replications and recriminations. Mr. FORSTER characterized the person who threatened him
as an assassin. This occasioned Mr. CURWEN's rising with strong feeling, and he in a very ardent manner deprecated the idea. He
would not believe that Englishmen could be guilty of such an act as assassination; they might be turbulent, but they were generous
and would resort to no such means-their anger did not extend beyond the moment of irritation. In reference to this, he related the
following anecdote:-"During the peace of Amiens, when Charles FOX was in Paris, he was invited with many other Englishmen and
Foreigners to dine with BONAPARTE. During the repast, the First Consul in speaking of the conduct of Mr. WYNDHAM, expressed opinion
that he endeavoured all in his power to get him (BONAPARTE) assassinated. On hearing this charge, Mr. FOX dropped his knife and
fork, and warmly exclaimed, that however much he was opposed to Mr. WYNDHAM in political sentiments, he would not believe it; it was
not in the character of Englishmen; and he did not think that an assassin could be found in the whole country."-At the close of this
day's poll, Mr. CURWEN rose to address the Hall, principally in reference to what had passed during the day:- 

 

[Speech not transcribed] 

 

Sir P. MUSGRAVE rose. He was extremely sorry that any unpleasant discussions had taken place during his unavoidable absence in the
earlier part of the day, but as he was unacquainted with their nature, or bearing, of course he could say nothing on the subject.
>From intelligence which he had received that day from various quarters, he had the best hopes of success yet in this struggle,
notwithstanding the great majority of Mr. CURWEN; and he should keep the poll open as long as there was any rational hope of his
succeeding. He could not but complain of the arts which had been resorted to, in order to deter him from coming forward. He was told
that it would be of no service for him to come forward, for there was nothing but a rabble to support him. He found to the
contrary-he was happy to say that he met with the most respectable support from all quarters, and had he been fortunate enough to be
earlier, success would have been beyond a doubt. He concluded with thanking those freemen who had voted in his favour. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

 

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