JB_127_405.xml

Title: [[Copyist's hand] 1818 Aug. 19 '.3]

Description: [Copyist's hand]

1818 Aug. 19 '.3

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons Note

'.3. Annuality, or

'.2. Electors Who

{Universality}

Annuality

Extract from the Morning Chronicle dated Aug st 18= 1818 -

'Dinner to Colonel Gore Langton and Mr Dickinson, Members for the County of Somerset

Bath Aug. 17 th. On Saturday last the Members for this County, by invitation, met their friends of this City and its vicinity, at the White hart; a most sumptuous and elegant dinner was provided, consisting of the choicest viands, accompanied by the best of fruits and wines; and, perhaps on no public occasion, was ever a more handsome display exhibited. The company assembled about 5 O Clock, and J De Burgh Esq was unanimously called to the Chair. Messrs Dickinson and Langton found themselves seated with near 140 freeholders of this City and the immediate Neighbourhood, who had given their support to their Election. After the Cloth was removed, the Chairman, in a neat prefatory Speech, proposed the health of 'Our beloved Sovereign' - 'The Prince Regent' 'The Queen and Royal Familly' - 'The Duke of York and Army' - 'The Duke of Clarence and Navy'.

Mr Langton then addressed the Meeting. The pleasure he felt in being again elected for this County, was more than words could express: he had the honor of sitting in Parliament for these 12 years, and had never in one instance deviated from that path which is congenial to the feelings of Englishmen; and he should invariably adhere to those principles which would gain him the affection and eulogium of his Countrymen. He animadverted on the party ebullition, attendant on popular Elections, and he very happily contrasted the peaceful manner in which the Freeholders of this County exercised their franchise rights, while other Counties were involved in commotion. He concluded by observing, that all his aim would be to promote the welfare of his Country, and to oppose every infringement on the liberties of the people; there was nothing more particularly to discuss, every thing that he could say dwelt in the hearts of those present, and all the Inhabitants, who were free from the bonds of prejudice were enabled to judge from their impartial sentiments.

M r Dickinson felt himself highly flattered with the truly respectable and numerous attendance on this occasion, and said his whole wish was to dwell in the hearts of his Countrymen, as a lover of freedom, and truth its offspring; if he gained their approbation (which he could only do if by a strict adherence to his Parliamentary Duties by advocating the good old Laws of our forefathers, and striving to the utmost of his power to retrieve our lost liberties, and to support those we now possess) his desires were fulfilled. He should always admire an unrestricted Representative, an unbiased line of conduct in the discharge of those duties, and a constant zeal for the welfare of those they represent. He had had the honor of a seat in the British senate for the last 23 years, and he could safely say, he has never acted but in a manner, which he always deemed satisfactory and advantageous to his Country. M r Dickinson then proposed 'The health of his worthy friend the President', which he was sure would be drank in a bumper of three times three.

M r De Burgh in returning thanks for so flattering a mark of approbation, said that his only regret was, their selecting so humble and individual, to fill the Situation. (cries of no, no). That while it was the greatest source of gratification he could enjoy, it recalled to his mind those homely feelings, which renovates each nerve to join in the active zeal for the success of our worthy Members, and the love of every sentiment, that would trample despotic dynasties under foot, and be the sole influence to promote the happiness of his Countrymen; and he could safely say, there was nothing but Britons dwelt throughout the Empire. Mr De Burgh then proposed the health of Sir H.B. Guise.

The worthy Baronet said he could not express the gratitude he felt for the respectable manner in which his health was drank; and in a very appropriate speech passed some high encomiums on the Integrity of character which his worthy friends, Messrs Dickson and Langton, had always maintained.

The Chairman then proposed the health of the Members for the County of Gloucester.

Mr Webb expressed his gratitude for the honor, and said he felt extremely anxious to attend this meeting: the independent principles of the Members for the County of Somerset, he was fully aware, would be congenial to the principles and good of the Country.

Mr De Burgh then proposed 'The health of the Independent Electors of the County of Somerset', and animadverted on the wisdom of the County in returning our old Members: he did not regard their flattery as the value of the hammer in his hand, but as regarded their just discrimination, in their happy selection. After which was drank 'The health of Oliver Langford Esq the Vice-President', who appropriately returned thanks, and expressed himself in terms of the highest approbation in the choice which the County had made.

The whole was enlivened by the vocal Talents of Messrs Loder, Cole, Cripps, &c; and the business of the evening was conducted with the utmost harmony and order, and confined to the purposed for which it was assembled; not an ill-timed or improper allusion was made; no party spirit evinced, or any subject introduced, tending to create animosity; but the whole began, continued, and ended in a true Style of Sociality and good humour.

JB_111_288.xml

Title: [1820 Feb. 19 Radicalism not dangerous]

Description: 1820 Feb. 19

Radicalism not dangerous

III Experience

II Ireland

Radicalism - its origin?

Factitious dignity

King and President

23

12

1

Look here to the King /Monarch/ of Great Britain and Ireland! Look there to the President of the United States! Say then, which of the two is likely to be best disposed to do his utmost towards the bettering the condition of the people.

Look first to the Monarch: to the omnipresent all benevolent all-beneficent omnipresent impeccable all perfect immortal all powerful, irresponsible arbiter of our destiny, the fountain of all honour and all justice. + This political Emmanuel - this God with us - this factitious English God so much nearer to the true God than ever Greek or Roman God was, this idols of flesh and blood who made him? by whom is it that he was made? by whom but by yourselves. By your obedience you make his power - by your tongues and pens saying to him Lord most gracious most religious most excellent majesty and so forth you make his factitious dignity: by your money while /by that money for the many of which/ so many are starving you give to that factitious dignity the support that is said to be so necessary to it. And wherefore /for what/ is it that you do so? for fear of being embowelled or hanged, or banished, or imprisoned or fined or seeing your houses gutted, or being shot or cut to pieces. But for those motives /inducements/ motive of this complexion and this force, how long would that prostration that prostration of will at least if not of understanding last, that prostration which is necessary to so much /all this/ obedience /obsequiousness/ on the one part to so much /all this/ power and dignity on the other. To you the question is addressed: but it is so only for forms sake. The answer is given by other hands, it is given in by the Vote for the eleven thousand additional wielders of those musquets and sabres without which by the declaration of Blackstone’s earthly God he would not be secure in the throne which under the terror of these visitations your hands have /never cease[?] to/ built for him:

+  Refer to and perhaps quote Blackstone.

JB_115_122_001.xml

Title: [Journal of my Transactions with M r White]

Description: Journal of my Transactions with M r White, Solicitor to the Treasury, on the occasion of my Contract with the Treasury for the establishment and management of a Penitentiary House

Monday Aug 18. 1796

Called upon M r White at his Chambers in Lincolns Inn to enquire what had been done in relation to my Contract, understanding revised Draught to have been sent him upwards of a fortnight from the Treasury to be ingrossed.

M r White Nothing can be done in it till the Solicitor General returns to town. There is a passage in it that requires to be explained

M r B. Do you happen toknow, Sir, when he is expected. M r White - Not this fortnight.

M r B. The Soli r Gen l has been so obliging to me on this occasion in the article of dispatchthat if you will have the goodness to allow me to extract the passage that requires explanation, I would take the liberty of writing to him on the subject, and should make no doubt of his dispatching it by letter where he is.

M r White. I will look at it: perhaps we may be able to settle it without the Solicitor

General.