Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
3rd January 1835
WINDSOR POLITICS.
UNDER this head we have but little more to add this week, to what we felt it our duty to publish last Saturday. During the last few days the Borough has been marked by a calm that is generally the forerunner of a storm. The Candidates have in the meantime been silently but assiduously canvassing the Electors, each with a seeing confidence of success. To judge of their own declarations one would think that Windsor was to be honoured with three Members, but let us take the evidence before us, and then judge of the probabilities of success which each Candidate has.
We will first take Mr RAMSBOTTOM. We certainly as well wishers of this Gentleman, desire to see him again in that station to which his tried principles entitle him; and we hope that through injudicious advice he may not be compelled to give way to a Tory Nominee. The cause of DE BEAUVOIR is his and the People's cause, and we regret that there is not such a legitimate and fair Coalition between them as would e'er now have driven Sir JOHN ELLEY from the field, and have spared the Borough from further domination, as well as saved themselves a vast expence, to say nothing of the inconvenience attending the agitation of a Town by a needless contest. However Mr. RAMSBOTTOM chooses to side with no one, and upon that declaration the main prop of the Conservatives rests. The content, we believe, will be chiefly between him and Sir JOHN ELLEY.
Then for the gallant Major-General. On Monday morning it was rumoured that Sir JOHN ELLEY had "bolted" from the Town, and reigned the contest on Saturday night; that he was not to be found, and the name of a Gentleman holding a situation in the Castle was given our as a new Candidate; but on Monday night Sir JOHN again made his appearance, having in the interim been, as we understand, to Brighton. His opponents had not been idle during that short interval, and several squibs upon the "lost" Candidate were put forth : his Committee too speak confidently of success, but we have reason to believe that that confidence is merely assumed, and rests upon no firm foundation. We have heard of several more devices to induce Electors to vote for Sir JOHN ELLEY, and also of the manoeuvres that have been practised to win over votes that had been solemnly pledged to Sir JOHN DE BEAUVOIR. We had hoped that our remarks in last Saturday's Express accompanied by the statements of Mr.WELLS and Mr. WELLMAN, would have had the effect of preventing a recurrence of such practices; but we regret to say that it has not. But although the same impudent and audacious conduct has been ....., the parties have used a little more caution and have not gone to work so boldly : we regret that we are unable at present to lay all the particulars with the names of the offenders before the public; but this we can assure Sir JOHN ELLEY, that such conduct has been practised by some of his Committee as completely to justify those who have actually promised their vote to him in transferring their votes from other candidates. In one instance we know of one of his over zealous partizans writing to an Elector who he knew and had promised to vote for DE BEAUVOIR and RAMSBOTTOM, and trying will all the eloquence he was master of - but in vain - to induce him to forfeit his solemn promise to Mr.RAMSBOTTOM and to vote for ELLEY; to that it appears to be a matter of perfect indifference to the party how they get votes so that they do get them - like the old man's advice to his son, "Get money - honestly if you can - but at all events get money." Their cry against Sir JOHN DE BEAUVOIR, his supporters, and alleged want of those qualifications necessary for a senator, they must perceive is indeed pointless when they resort to such stratagems to obtain votes as the latter would be ashamed of. We hesitate not to denounce such tampering as most unconstitutional - as entirely destructive of that freedom of conscience, and that exercise of principle, which it ought to be the inherent duty of every honourable man to encourage. We acquit Sir JOHN ELLEY, personally, of any knowledge of, or participation in, such malpractices, but we do accuse some of his over zealous and not very scrupulously supporters of having, in the most deliberate manner, so acted. Sir JOHN ELLEY, unfortunately for himself, has those around him who keep his eyes shut to the truth, and who are infact but making him their puppet. We know that he has not a chance of success if the Reformers be but firm, and defy alike the threats, intimidations, and allurements of his party, and therefore his continuing the contest will only create an excitement which will burst out, and probably in a degree not to be so easily allayed, should he venture to the poll.
With regard to Sir JOHN DE BEAUVOIR, we are happy, for the sake of the cause in which he is embarked, to say, that without that legitimate assistance which he and Mr. RAMSBOTTOM might render each other by co-operation, and notwithstanding the artifices practised by the ELLEY party, he is sure of being returned; and indeed it is more than probable that he will be at the head of the poll. His principles are well known, and he has no earthly inducement - as we firmly believe he has no intention - to deviate from them. Added to which, he is now a resident in the Borough, and, if elected, intends to continue so; in that respect he is unlike Sir JOHN ELLEY, who, if he be elected, will probably not be seen again until the inauguration dinner of our next Mayor; we feel pretty confident at all events he will not show himself at another Election for the Borough.
The Electors have now only to do their duty. By returning the two Reform Candidates, they secure two Votes in the National Councils in favour of a valuable and extensive Reform, whereas by returning Sir JOHN ELLEY the Representation of the Borough will be rendered perfectly neutral.
We again repeat our advice to Sir JOHN ELLEY, to withdraw from a contest in which he can have no prospect of success; he can yet do so with honour and credit to himself, whereas by keeping up a fruitless contest he will embroil the town in a needless struggle, and at last be subjected to the ignominy of defeat.
Should the contest go on, we implore the Electors to be at their posts, and by their Votes for DE BEAUVOIR and RAMSBOTTOM prove to the country that even in the strong hold of Royalty the Electors will submit to no domination, but that they will reject all Candidates but those who are determined to reform our institutions, and to eradicate all those abuses and corruptions which time and Tory mis-rule have permitted to creep into and deface our glorious Constitution.
MR. J. POPE STEVENS AND MR THOMAS WELLS
WE are sorry that, in consequence of the extraordinary course which has been adopted by Mr.STEVENS since, and in consequence of the publication of a paragraph in our last number, we are compelled to advert to it, the more so that as Mr STEVENS has thought fit to impugn the veracity of our statement, and to have put a construction upon it which it is not capable of bearing.
Our readers will remember, that in our desire to expose all the unfair attempts which have been made to catch votes, we mentioned, last Saturday, the case of Mr WELLS, of Peascod-street, cheesemonger, who, when he was solicited by Mr STEVENS to vote for Sir JOHN ELLEY, was told that "he should vote for Sir J ELLEY; by doing so he might get to supply the Castle." Mr STEVENS, it seems, felt annoyed at finding the fact, made so public, particularly as it was copied from our paper into the Courier, and, putting a misconstruction upon our statement, determined to give it a flat contradiction - not be it observed by writing to us - and he must know that our columns are always open to a correction of any error into which we may inadvertently fall - not by writing to the Courier, but to a Journal in which that paragraph has never appeared - the Times. On Thursday the following letter appeared in that Journal :-
(COPY)
Windsor, Dec. 31, 1834.
To the Editor of The Times
Sir, - A paragraph from the Windsor Express has been copied into the Courier on the 30th inst, stating that I had attempted to coerce a Windsor voter, and promising him that he should supply the Castle if he would vote for Sir J. Elley.
Nobody in the circulation of the Windsor Express attaches the slightest belief to the paragraph in question; but as it has been copied into the Courier and is likely to be inserted into other London papers I have thought it right to contradict in your widely circulated journal, which if extensively propagated without being contradicted my add to the false and malicious calumnies at present industriously circulated to the disparagement of our Gracious Queen. I beg to deny in most qualified terms the truth of the paragraph in question. The voter, Wells, cheesemonger, asked me if he voted for Sir John Elley whether he was likely to be employed to supply the Castle, I distinctly stated that I had nothing whatever to do with any thing of the kind, but added "If it is your desire to benefit yourself by voting you are more likely to increase your connection by voting for Sir John Elley who is supported by the most influential and respectable inhabitants of Windsor and its neighbourhood.
J. POPE STEVENS.
If our readers will take the trouble to compare our paragraph with that which Mr STEVENS assumes it to have been, it will instantly be perceived that none but a purblind man, or one of a mere childish capacity - and no one who knows that gentleman will class him under either of those designations - could have committed such a blunder. He says the paragraph charges him with "promising" Mr WELLS that he should supply the Castle, whereas it will be seen that we only charged him with saying that by voting for Sir JOHN ELLEY "he might get to supply the Castle." The distinction is too obvious to need further comment. As to his assertion that "nobody in the circulation of the Windsor Express attaches the slightest belief to the paragraph in question," we can only say it would be well for Mr STEVENS if that were true, but we happen to know that it excites universal belief in Windsor and its vicinity, where the credit of this journal for its accuracy is well known, and where also Mr STEVENS is better known than within the compass of the Times circulation. Had he wished the contradiction (even supposing it to be worth any thing) to have been circulated among those who had read the original article he would not have flown to the Times, of all other journals, for it so happens that its circulation in this town is of the most limited number.
With respect to the taste displayed in dragging the name of HER MAJESTY into a letter regarding electioneering canvassing we leave him all the honour and credit due to so judicious a step.
That portion of the letter which states that Mr WELLS asked, "whether" if he voted for Sir JOHN ELLEY "he was likely to be employed to supply the Castle," and the subsequent part of it, we are informed by Mr. WELLS are decidedly untrue. For ourselves, we have no desire beyond that of arriving at the truth, and we have only thought it necessary to dilate upon this subject so much in order to substantiate the accuracy of our information. Whether Mr STEVENS or Mr WELLS is to be believed is a matter that lies between them, and also between Sir JOHN ELLEY's partizans and the Electors. We will proceed to give now corroborative evidence - proof "strong as holy writ" - to show what we dare say every person (excepting Mr STEVENS himself), is already convinced of, viz.- that every word in the article complained of is literally and substantially correct. Mr. WELLS, upon reading the letter in the Times, wrote a letter himself to that journal (which is inserted to day) of which the following is a copy :-
(COPY)
Windsor, Jan. 1, 1835.
To the Editor of The Times
Sir, - I have read in your paper of to-day a statement purporting to be from Mr Stevens of this town, respecting a paragraph which was inserted in the Courier, from the Windsor Express, viz., "That Mr. Wells having promised one of his votes to Sir John E. de Beauvoir was afterwards called upon by Sir John Elley, who as a matter of course received a negative, and was succeeded by Mr J.P. Stevens, the Queen's Apothecary, who said he should vote for Sir John Elley, by so doing he might get to supply the Castle." Mr Stevens has thought fit to say, that nobody in the circulation of the Windsor Express attaches the slightest belief to such paragraph and begs to contradict it in the most positive terms. Mr Stevens further says that I asked him if I voted for Sir John Elley whether it was likely I should be employed to supply the Castle. Now, Sir, I should have taken no notice of Mr Stevens's letter had he not stated that I asked him such a question. If he really is serious in what he says all I can say is that a greater falsehood never escaped the lips of man. The paragraph as it appeared in the Windsor Express is perfectly true. Hoping you will give this the same publicity as the one which called it forth, I am &c.
THOMAS WELLS.
Should there by any one so sceptical as to doubt our accuracy after perusing the above, we hope that the following affidavit of Mr WELLS - a man whose love of truth is as strongly engrafted in his breast as is that of any many in this town - will remove all doubt.
BOROUGH OF NEW WINDSOR TO WIT } I, THOMAS WELLS, Cheesemonger, of Peascod-street, in the Borough of New Windsor, make oath that the statement of which the following is a copy, inserted in the Windsor Express newspaper of Saturday, December the Twenty-seventh, 1834, is substantially and essentially true.
"Mr Wells having promised one of his votes to De Beauvoir was afterwards called upon by Elley, who, as a matter of course, received a negative. One Capt. Cumming, however, soon followed up the attack, and was succeeded by Mr John Pope Stevens, the Queen's Apothecary, who said he should vote for Sir John Elley; by so doing he might get to supply the Castle."
THOS. WELLS.
Sworn before me, this 3d day of January, 1835 } WM. LEGH, Mayor.
We here dismiss the case of Mr. WELLS and Mr. STEVENS, leaving the Electors to form a proper estimate of the declaration of Mr STEVENS and the twice-told statement, supported by affidavit, of Mr WELLS.
As in some measure connected with the above case we may mention a circumstance in reference to that part of the article in our last week's number, wherein the very strong declarations of Sir JOHN ELLEY to several of the most influential Dissenters of this town are given. The publication of the circumstance having become so much a matter of discussion, particularly among Sir JOHN ELLEY'S Committee, Mr. RAY (who was at once recognized as our informant) sought an interview with some of those gentlemen in order to substantiate in person the truth of the statement which he had furnished to us. They could not however succeed in persuading Mr.R. that he was in error, or that he at all misunderstood Sir JOHN ELLEY. Mr. R. states that he certainly attributes the expressions of zeal of the Gallant Major-General in endeavouring to conciliate the Dissenters, and to an overflow of that courteous matter to which Sir JOHN E. appears to be habituated.
We have not yet heard that Sir JOHN ELLEY's Committee have published any answer to the statement in question, while, on the other hand, Mr. RAY has expressed his readiness to make an affidavit to the truth of it. In this case also we leave the Electors to decide to which party credit is due.
WINDSOR AND ETON.
WINDSOR SESSIONS - It will be seen, by an Advertisement in our second page, that the Sessions for this Borough will take place next Friday.
Our readers will perceive that so much room is now occupied, not only in our paper but in almost every paper in the country, with the topic which is now considered paramount to every other - we mean the General Election - that is impossible for us to give such a miscellany of all other information as at any other time. Next week we shall be in the same situation, as we shall feel it our duty to devote a very considerable space to the report of the speeches, &c. at our Borough Election, but after that time we hope to be able to return to our usual course.
The Rev. Thomas Weldon Champnes, rector of Fulmer, Bucks, greatly to his credit, on Wednesday last, returned 15 per cent at his tithe audit.
ELECTION FOR WINDSOR - The Writ for the Election of two Members for this Borough, was received by the Mayor from the High Sheriff of the County on Wednesday night. On Thursday the Mayor, Town Clerk, Aldermen and Burgesses, went in procession to the market cross where the Town Clerk, after reading the writ and precept, announced that the election would take place at Guildhall on Monday next at 10 o'clock. During the ceremony Sir John de Beauvoir drove past in his phaeton and bowed to the Corporation.
FOX HOUNDS, - On Saturday last, notwithstanding the extreme fog that was so prevalent within 20 miles of the metropolis, the Berkeley Fox Hounds had a good run from Culvaton, Renard ran in the direction of West Wycombe, Stokenchurch, and down the Flats across the "Champagne Country" to Sherborne Castle, the seat of Earl Macclesfield : here the pace was too severe for him, so back he came to the original haunt, the hounds hunting a cold scent till night fall when they whipped off. It was the Bitch Pack (Osbaldeston's), which professed sportsmen state to be the first in the kingdom.
An account of the baptisms, marriages, and burials for the parish of New Windsor, for the year 1834, - Baptisms, 203; Marriages, 32; Burials, 137.
BIRTH.
At Sunninghill on New-year's day that lady of N. Tinmouth, Esq, of a daughter.
MARRIED.
On the 30th ult, at Clapham, the Rev. E. Hayes Pickering, of Eton, to Ann Maria, fifth daughter of T. Stephenson, Esq., of Clapham Common.
DIED.
A few days ago, at No.9, Lancaster-place, Strand, James Collins, third son of Dr. McChristie, aged 5 months, of bronchitis, after one day's illness.
On the 28th ult at Horton, Frances Mary, youngest daughter of Wm. Willson Yeates, Esq aged 13 months.
Lately, Mrs Frances Serace, of Harefield, aged 96.
WHEREAS, JOSEPH JOHNSON, the Elder, of Uxbridge, in the county of Middlesex, Carrier, having this day taken his Son, JOSEPH JOHNSON, the Younger in a Partnership, Notice is hereby given, that all persons indebted to the said Joseph Johnson, the Elder, are requested forthwith to pay their respective debts to Mr Charles Morris, of Uxbridge Moor, who is authorised to receive the same; and all persons to whom the said Joseph Johnson the Elder, is indebted are requested also to sent in their accounts to the said Charles Morris, in order that they may be examined and discharged.
Uxbridge, January 1, 1835.
COAL TRADE.
S. THORRINGTON,
NORTHUMBERLAND WHARF, BIER-LANE, WINDSOR.
IN returning thanks to his friends for the very liberal support he has received since he commenced business having been the first in his line who broke up the monopoly of many years standing, and thus caused a saving to the public at least 10s per ton, pledges himself to deliver weight and quantity as purchased, and he is able to compete with any establishment in the trade. S.T. continues to deliver best coals, viz. Stewart's Hetton's and Lambton's Wallsend at 34s per ton; seconds, from 28s to 32s, including every expense.
FIVE POUNDS REWARD.
WHEREAS, unfounded and malicious reports have been circulated that I, Epharim Hoose, Gamekeeper to Sir Henry Watson, have, contrary to his positive orders, destroyed foxes on the Manor of Shottesbrook, &c. and thus taking from me the means whereby I gain my bread. This is to give notice, that any person who will give information to enable me to prosecute and convict such slanderer, shall receive the above reward.
BUCKS TO WIT.
FOR What has G.H. DASHWOOD Voted ?
Answer He has Voted among others for the following important measures (See the Parliamentary Reports)
For Abolition of Slavery.
For the Revision of the Pension List.
For the Abolition of the Malt Tax.
For the Abolition of Church Rates.
For Mitigation of Criminal Punishments
For enquiry into the state of Agriculture, as proposed by Lord Chandos
Against Military Flogging.
Against charging �250,000 upon the Land Tax, for Repairs of Churches.
There are only a few of his leading measures. Ye Liberals be up and moving. Go to the Poll and Vote for DASHWOOD - DASHWOOD, Remember ! Above all DASHWOOD.