[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 09 Mar 1816 - Election (7)

[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] 

 

On Friday morning polling commenced at ten o'clock, and ended at six, when Mr. CURWEN was declared duly elected. Mr. CURWEN
addressed the Freemen and the audience- 

 

[Mr. CURWEN'S victory speech not transcribed.] 

 

Mr. PEARSON rose and addressed the Meeting. He said that in consequence of the indisposition of Sir P. MUSGRAVE, he was deputed to
represent him, and as such, he begged to make a few observations.-Sir Philip MUSGRAVE had been characterized by Mr. CURWEN, as unfit
to represent the city of Carlisle. But he (Mr. P.) contended, that he was as fit, as capable, and as willing to promote the
interests of the city as Mr. CURWEN; and had he come forward at the same time that Mr. CURWEN did, he would have been returned by a
considerable majority. In consequence of the disgraceful retreat of Mr. STEPHENSON, numbers of the Freemen were disgusted, and when
he retired, went over and joined the banner of Mr. CURWEN, who had been indefatigable in his canvass. Mr. CURWEN called the majority
in his favour a triumphant one. It consisted of 86; then 45 would have secured to Sir Philip MUSGRAVE the Election; and he could
prove that more than 45 had gone over in disgust of Mr. STEPHENSON's conduct, to Mr. CURWEN's party, not supposing that any other
Candidate would have been brought forward at that late period. Where was the triumphant majority? He contended there was no ground
for exultation. 

 

Mr. PEARSON had authority say, that Sir P. MUSGRAVE from the first, had not merely looked to success in the present contest-he had a
more extended view-he looked to a future election, when he should offer himself to the Freemen of Carlisle to represent them, and
from the support on this occasion received, he could not allow himself to doubt of success. He should offer himself to represent
Carlisle, on perfectly independent principles, free from the influence of any party, of any powerful interest. He disclaimed any
political connection with the Earl of Lonsdale, or with any one whatever.

 

[Rest of speech not transcribed, nor Mr. CURWEN's brief response.] 

 

At the close of his speech, Mr. PEARSON proceeded to read the farewell address of Sir Philip MUSGRAVE, but which he was not able to
complete for want of light, in consequence of the lateness of the evening. We have obtained a correct copy of this address, which is
as follows:- 

 

BROTHER FREEMEN.-Being prevented by a severe cold and hoarseness, from addressing you in person, I have deputed Mr. PEARSON to
declare to you these sentiments. I need not now remind you of the manner in which I have been called forward. Could I expect that a
person, young, and till then personally unknown to any of you, could without a day or an hour's preparation, gain a majority against
a candidate who had the advantage of experience in these matters, and of ten days' previous canvass?-No! I did not expect it; and I
have throughout said, that I now offered myself, more to show my ambition of representing you to assert my pretensions to that
situation, which so many of my forefathers have filled, and of gaining your good will for a future occasion, than with the hope of
present success. When the opposite party called on me the other day, for a public declaration of my principles, the embarrassment
natural to a person in my situation, but not the slightest feeling of unwillingness, to be explicit on the subject, prevented me
from declaring them boldly; and I thank Mr. CURWEN, for putting a fair construction on my silence-at any rate this embarrassment,
though highly distressing to myself is complimentary to my audience, as it implies respect for them. If the short and explicit
declaration which I have made on this point does not convince you of my sincerity, I must remind you that my situation in life
raises me above being indebted to any thing but the approbation of my Constituents, for my seat in Parliament. 

 

Without throwing any reflections on Mr. STEPHENSON, I assert, that the lateness of his withdrawing himself, has cost me this
Election. I had not time to make my appearance before ninety voters, who had promised him their support went over to Mr. CURWEN,
merely because no other Candidate was visible to supply his place, and because, not knowing my character, and misled by the
representations of some of the opposite party, they supposed I should not come forward when called upon. I sincerely thank all my
friends and supporters, particularly those Mercantile and professional Gentlemen whom my opponents affect to hold cheap, but who, as
all of you know, are the chief means of the opulence and prosperity of the city of Carlisle. I am young, it is true, but not young
enough to be ashamed of any gentleman's acquaintance and support because he is contemptuously styled a calico weaver. Finally,
Gentlemen, as Mr. CURWEN has at present a majority in his favor, and as I have always promised him not to prolong a vain and
vexatious contest, I am willing to close the poll; and I here express my determination, that if I am so fortunate as to have behaved
in a manner satisfactory to my friends and well-wishers, I shall most decidedly come forward on the first opportunity, let who will
be my opponent. 

 

As I hear that Mr. PEARSON has been particularly attacked by Mr. CURWEN, I beg to state, that his conduct has, in all respects,
given me perfect satisfaction; and, I believe, that the sole reason why my opponents attack him is, that he has done so much for me.


 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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