MBVOfRd and CORRESPONDENCE of JAMES ACLAND, Proprietor and Editor- written h. U inn elf. " I LIKE HONESTY IN ALL PLACES."— Judge BujUp. I » ri* ED soil Published by JAMES ACLAND ( SOL* PBOPRIKTO* EOITOH; at No. 4, A5f SaittU' » » • « , 8rt » « jt.. i [ VOL. I.— NO. XXVII. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1630. '• Awake, arhe, Br be for ever fallen ." » — MILTOM. BRISTOL ELECTION. • TO TftS INDEPENDENT FREEMEN or THE C / T r. OF Ji TO L, BKHTOLlAKf. You will shortly be culled upon to exercise your elective franchise in the appointment of your Representatives in Parliament. Pause before you pledge yourselves to support men of unknown intcgiity and untried indepen- dtnce. Hesitate not to reject the solicitations of incompetent men, whom, on trial, you have found " wanting.'' A growing spirit « f rational liberty is abroid ; freedom is no longer stigmatised as the mere rallying cry of a faction ; the con- temptible few who would monopolise the power, as they have long monopolised the wealth of m llions, shake in the gale of that public opinion which has been renovated, and which must gather strength with its e » , creasing energy and influence. Let the Citizens of Bristol throw their str. ngth into the scale, and they will entitle themselves to the gratitude of their Country aod of posterity. In order to the honest and fai hful dis- charge of your duties as Freemen, you have only to think for yourselves— to seek by an impartial examination, the formation of a just judgment— and to dare to suppor t that judg' ment by your unbought and unbiassed suf- frages. ¥ oji may be sure that if yon allow yourselves to bi purchased, you ra8y expect that you will heieafter be sold. lie who sells you today that your privilege of voting is but an article of barter, will shew you to morrow that the interest* you have confided to his care are of no value beyond ' hat which they may produce Inrn in the poll, ticul bazaar in which he has purchased u | standing. Are you then prepared to sail your liber- ties to any hjixter who may bid for them ? Can yo^ j deliberately determine er » this saeri. fice of your proportion of the Constitutional well- being of our Gotmnton country? Can you thus yield the Standard of your Indepen- dance at the bidding of an enemy to British Liberty? Perish the thought! The people of Bristol owe it to themselves to vindicate their ancient and loyal City, from the aspei- sions which the misconduct a few have drawn upon it. The glorious opportunity is about to be offered ( hem. His Majesty's message to the Houses of Parliament, announ the immediate dissolution of the Commons, and the tibcral and enlightened friends of Free- j dom, rejoice at the approach of an occasion! for the noble display of the progress of the! principles of Constitutional liberty.- if you would secure to yourselves and to your children the remnant of ihose privileges which your anctUors purchased with their blood, and of wbteh privileges but a remnant, Bias 1 remains; act as men who value that without which lift we. e comparatively valueless, should act. ll you wauld regain lor yourselves and bestow on your children that much greater portion of your rights which servil* representatives have relin quishrd for a mess of ministerial pottage, shew t » y your regard for purity of election that you are not padies ' to the impurity of coiruption wbicb has fed ami fattened on the heart's core of the British Constitution. 11 you would shake from yourselves, and avert from your children tbe ( fliers of oppressive laws, and the tyranny •>! unprincipled legislators, rally around the flap of fr* ei » « ni ar. « i fight ihe battle like rtieri — like Englishmen. . Is it neeesshry that I delail to you the almbst innumerable instances in which you hav « been robbed, piecemeal, of your birthright ? It may be well to enter somewhat irito the detail, if but to undeceive or to enlighten one of the thousands who will h* ve in a very few days, to aid either in the achievement of honor, or the perpetration] of infamy .' 94 Our ancestors contended to the death for a Kingly recognition of their and our alienable rights, and succeeded in obtaining from one monarch the grant, and from another ihe con- formation of those rights, which in the « g& re- gate, presents to our view that boast of our Country— the British Constitution. That Constitution is guaranteed to us in- violate by the oaths of monarchy— for them selves and their successors. That Constitution declares, " that m. mey shall not be taken oat of the packets of the peo- ple in the shape » f taxes, without their consent or the consent of their ttprttenftlives; that every man in England is entitled to be present in Parliament, either by himself or by his repre- sentative ; that representation shall be co- exten- five with taxation, and that tUcliotit thai I be free and unbiased." To these things, then yo « are entitled of right, Do y< u pos- ess then ? If not, their deprivation can alone be attiihuted to the anti- national subserviency of your Parliament- You have often heard the necessity of a reform in Parliament advocated. Nonsense! I tell you that it is out of Parliament that the reform is needed— a reform among those who elect— not among those who ate elccted. If those with whom the election tests were true to themselves, they would have thei' [ epreseu tatives true to them. If Freemen will not be free— they have no right to expect ( hat their representatives in Parliament w. ll be honest Un; il they know, the real value of the privi- leges they seem to despise, let them not prate of the servility of the House of Commons They would do well to take that lesson from Christianity, which teaches that we should do as we would be done unto," and the application of which precept must lead u « to the conclusion, that if electors discharge no^ their duties with integrity, it is they, and not their unworthy agents who are justly censur able for the thousand evils which . oust of necessity be engendered by the pestiferous vapours of covyardice and corruption. THE BRISTOL! AN With this corrected view of ihe necessity of reform, look, Citizens of Brislol to the digress which surrounds you ; in that disliesi recognise the consequence of your political defalcation & s freemen. Ihe taxes imposed on this country in the fifteenth \ ear of peace are more than ten times greater than those levied throughou; the United States < f America. Would this have been if the electors ofihe national legislators had been true to them « elve » ? Look to the state of your laws. Can a poor man obtain justice ? Cannot a rich man oppress a | nor man with impunity ? Is not " legal right" a mere lottery in which the prises are property in its various deteriorated proportions, and the blanks ruin at d incarceration ? Not less than one third of the land of the United Kingdom ij in the p<- ss? ssion of t'nse who have no right to it beyond its wrongful possession, and who employ its procaeds in the maintai nance of that to which they have no legal claim, and in • he oppression and persecution of ihe ligniful owner. Would these things be if the, electors of the national legislators were true to them seWen ? In most of the instances of suffering con- sequent on the disgrace of our laws, the re- medy is worse than ihe disease. Look f., r instance at my. case. One, presided at mv trial, who was either a fool or a knave, and in despiteof la< v & of justice, I was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of .£ 10, I shall ceitainly reverse the judgment—. but already i have been ten weeks in gaol! I shall certainly save my fine, but the costs will exceed to double the mount of such fine ! 1 mention this case, because it is one within jour recent obseivation, and of the truth of ujiich you may eas. ly satisfy your- selves. Look again to the case of poor old Mrs. Hodge, who is now in this gaol in the name of Pallin ; the has been here for some months, and for months she would have re » l mained, without my interference, f. r she has! no money. It is true, the expence for which j f doubt not to effect h: r liberation on Monday! next, will not amount to SOs — but it might as well have been thirty pounds, for, she was just as likely to have spare pounds as cparc pence, to give the iocusts of our law courts— and this expence be it observed is without the lawyer's profit. I mention this second ea. e not because it is either uncommon or unusu ally oppressive— but, because the parries, and ] the facts aie ali within ) our observation.! Would these evils be peimitted, think ) ou( j if the electors of the representative legislators thought for themselves, and acted in support of the principle; of the Brilish C< nstitution ? Bris'oliam— lock to your precious Corpora- I lion— that guileless body by whom I— and 1 only, have bt> en refused the privilege of my free- dom ! There mutt be rnncli that medi eoi>- ce » lmcn', when now, for the first lime, ( tele monopolists of wealth, power, and influence— these destroyers of the commerce and trade of the once second City in the Umpire— deem ill necessary tosxcludc me fiom citiacnship, be. cause as they tvell'know 5 walk * uh myey « * open. Think you, tha; wilh hon- sl represent r lives, Bristol would not I; ng since have been * free pori ? Would you have bteti for so man * years oppressed by civic tyrants under the ustirped authority of pretend - d charters — ol i charters often vitiated by the few m> n who have riatlen to power on the backs of their pauperised townsmen— if you had been enabled to find one man in the House of Commons who would have lo call ihe attention of the legislature to your oppressed situation r Look my friends at the Clifton Suspension! Bridge Bill. A sum of money is left by wil I for the building of a Bridge, but the testator! gives such money for such purpose, on the- condition [ that it shall be toll- fre*— and dis tinctly directs such money to be lent to yt. u, interest free, if such condition be not fulfilled. Some wealthy men desiring lo invest their money to advantage, refuse to contribute to wards the erection of the Bridge, unless a heavy toll be exacted from you. Your rej piesentatives in Parliament volunteer their assistance to impose th s toll on their consti- tuents, in older that you may be deprived of the loans, interest free, ani thai the burthen of taxa'ion Tor bastard children may still he continued! You know that I petitioned against this i'niqui y. You know that, never theless, this robbery was sanctioned by both Houses of Parliament, without a single voice having been heard on behalf of your interest* — or in support of justice! Alas ! for moral feeling— personal integrity— political princi pie! Where are they? Assuredly not in a House of Commons, the benches of which < re filled by representative* of their own mo- ney, or of those whom they have purchased with that money, or by the exercise of a cor- rupt and detestable influence. Will any one have the hardihood to assert that Bristol has not been reduced below the level of a third, rate port, by the avarice of the Corporate monopolists? Is there a man amang you, who doubts the possibility of a lenovation of » our City, by the exertion of independent • ad bov. cst representatives in Parliament? Look then to yourselves. Act as f e. men ought to act in the approachii g election, am) jou may rescue the thousands from the in- terested demination of the few men who roll in power— and who ther fore think them selves entitled t* demand that you sacrifice yourselves for the advancement of their questionable puroosef. There are but three parties in Bristol, viz. 1st. A fete merchant!, representing' the WEALTH wrung from the decaying commerce of the Port. Sndly. A jtvi Curporaton, re" presenting the POWER, under which \ o: i have so long groaned by reason of its illegal and oppressive exercise, and Srdly. Tin PEOPLE — the source of power antl of opinion - the poor— ihe oppressed— the persecuted | people ! 1! Against this third party, there has always Iexisted either an open or secret— either an eutire or partial coalition of the two former. Tint IMISIOLIAN t The merchan's are well aware that they, in- deed, constitute the most iifl- ietitial. portion of. the Corpora!? party. They are not ignorant thit | their monopoly of the Commerce of Bristol en- 1 iirely depends on the continuance of that system by which Corporate Taxation has closed the Port of our City against all but Coiporate Mer- chants or the Commercial Allies of Corporate Mushrooms » nd the Mercantile abettors of Cor- porate imposition, Oa the other hand the Corporator are alive to the ncossiiy of answering a tegular supply of convenient candidates for c vie hortout and pre- ferment, and ihey look for such tools among ihe merchant monopolism. ilence this natural coalition. Bat » f what avail would it be as opposed to the public voice and the public strength—( seeing that it is des- tructive to our popular rights and interests) if the Citizens of Bristol were but true to them- selves ? Public opinion, if enforced by tbe energy of acts, becoming every man who boasts that he is a freeman, would be as destructive to this moral and political density as the inorein; rays of the great luminary of nature to the vtiurdly vapours of the darkest night. The choice is with you. Choose then whe; her you will be fully represented in Parliament or not. Whether you will have— fearless advocate* ol your interests or the creatures of weahb and p> » wer in the House of C immoris, to uphold or lo sacrifice your dearest principles. . Electors, be undeceived ; the countless miseries of a people fcho call themselves Tree and affect to fancy that they are so— who are offended if suspected to be indifferent to the supremacy of tru'h and justice— but who in reality act as servilely as the poor instruments of the veriest despot— the countless miseries endured by such a people need be borne no longer than the sufferers please to bask in the unwholesome blaze of self- deception. Ask a man to lift a 28- ponnd weight ; if he reply ihat he eahnot, tell him he is self- deceived, if a child offer pjrfot'. n the sair. c feat of strengl » t, spare hitn by the information th. lt he too is self- deceived. Such is also the case, my friends, with those wbuthink that abused & dcgradedBristol cannot retrieve its character in the House of Commons by u renovation of its c iectoral power?, and a re- organization of its representative force. Bristol has long been the laughing- su ck of our Law- Courts and of the Senate. Rescue the nam? ol your City from such dishonourable stigma. The means shall be afforded you. I offer you my services. You have known me for three years I tball not flinch from my laborious duties iri an rltctioneering contest, I can have no hesitation in apprising y. ou of my determination to keep the poll open to the latest possible moment. My object is, the jood of the people of Bristol, and it is but right that I sh. uid afford the wealthy candidates to whom I may be opposed, every opportunity © f disburtheuing themselves of a liberal portion of their spare cash for the be- nefit of the thousands from whom by direct or indirect means it has been extorted.— I know not with whom I shall l ave to contend, and, with one exception, I care not. It is reported that Richard Hart Davis, Esq., will not again solicit your suffrages — that his increasing age, with its consequent infirmity, tenders his retirement from public life a mat- ter of personal necessity. 1 hope this is not true— for however, I may object t;> some portion of his Parliamentary career— or differ with him on abstract political principles. I avail myself of this eailiest opportunity to avow my belief that lhat gentlemen has been n. ost active, most indefatigable, and most successful in his endeavors to serve any and j^ ery inhabitant of our City, of whatever party who might have occasion f:> r his influential services. Had 1 a vote, and Mr. Davis were to stand a ( Kill be should most certainly receive my support. If the* report therefore should be unfounded— or if the worthy member should be persuaded to change his mind on the subject, 1 shall esteem those of my supporters, wo may 196. THE BKISTOI. IAM split ( heir vole* between diat get. itlenr. au and friend to- day, will call you an impudent f< How Imysetf the best entitled to my gratitude, as the it you presume to speak to then* to- worrow. gtnost decided friends to the community at large, : As you see me the first to take the field, so As to Mr. Bii^ ht, there arc but few who yon shall find me the last to leave the hustings irould again give him their support and fewer ' ue aware of your own strength and the victory • still who think he can s'snd a contest with any „ jU be ours. I have done your city some ser- char. cc of success. The only means wheieby vice— and you know it, Accept my past as an scan hope to obtain even a respectable position earnest of ray future labours. I am not rich— Jon ( he poll are corruption and bribery, but that j ,„. t ,„ rici, a, | mig( u have bee , „- j hjui b,)(, n [ is an expensive process, as he well knows End honest, less covetous, or le,* enamored of as his father has said to have very frequently declared. I do not therefore think it now neces- sary to enter at any greater length into the re- presentative qualifications for Parliamentary Conduct of this gentleman. It would not be becoming in too to an icipMe Ithe possibility of any new candidate presenting Ihim elf to your notice, so Icr g as his intention S-. hdl be una vowed. At the same time I may i permitted to express my belief that ihe mt>- jr. opotistfc will not allow themselves to be ousted Iwithoiit a struggle IUHI that if Mr. Bright should sretite they will put up some other namr for lyour amusetnen.. Nor have f any desire that lit should be otherwise I these enemies <> f the Tradesmen,. Mechanics aad Labouring ( classes of. the Citizens vi Bristol to be, tauji.' independence. Bat many a man has lived on less than the qualifies ion for a Member of Par- liament, 9c why should not I—& e yit be a gainer in your good opinion > At all even's, Briitnlians, you will lose nothing by a contested election ; trade is at its worst; poverty stalks abroad throaghout the land; the laws are abused by the wealthy, evaded by the canning and accursed by the poor! The taxes are at a war height! Paupers are sued by wicked parsons for their tithes ! Hypocrites cheat and thrive under the cloak of religion! Ludlow pretends to be « iawytr and your magistrates profess justice ! In the names of common sense and con- sistency then, what can T" U lose i » y voting according to your con* ciet> ce » at a contested election for th? honourable < Rice of attempting thai there ? i an ad vance of mind and that lh « j such % c|, ange „„ lnay ameliorate the condition | W? it n » longer atlow themstlves to be „ f all honest und industrious men ? Aujrtd by a few Crafty and . designing men. t |.' or . hut office yon have at lea'st a pers; vering {'. t t) juv< presenting myself before yon in lite , camlidiite in Your'fc faithfully J A M ICS ACLANO. TO THE EDITORS or THE G A zr. TT E A . V D M E R C U R 1". Sapient Sirs, Piay be peaceable. Let not your Editorial I middles be knocked against each other for the hope that you will- thiolc me worthy your sap- j poit. I im anxious to manifest my opinion of line course which it is becoming in a candidate lo putsue, by the conduct it it tny intention *', idupi. Yon must not expect m « to call aptm. j ls, a< j severally to bow and cringe before you as; la ssrvilfc supplicant. 1 h< hi mj self a candidate tor your confidence— and having endeavored to , benefit the Citizens of Bristol ask them to place in a situation which will enable me to serve ! vain glorious consideration of a few lines of eri. them more effectually. Tour own good feeling ginal matter. Else, you may find out which kill. I am confident, render it unnecessary that > s lhe ™ ore *> rt of lhe two- and <* her folks I should beg your suffrages. Besides, I have may call you noodles. To be sure you aei- not accus'omed myself to carry two faces under ther of you can write a paragraph without hood and you may rely upon it that they who great mental exertion, but then you should | do so, however, they may call you thei: dear recollect that your few readers can skim them without the least { lustration, and are never puaj'ed— until they attempt to understand them' On this consideration, therefore, it would be wise in you to pilch from each other, at often as either of you may have any thing worth the transfer, and not io expose yourselves before a discerning public by you; squabbles about nothing. JAMES ACLANI)[ To Mr. JAMES OICKET, Dtalcr m Emit, fyc. Aloamou'A. Sir, Did you not sometime aince induce Mr] Enoch Jorteg, of your Town, also dealer iiJ fruit, nnder pretence of friendship for him,| tc| take his fruit of you instead of sending tc Bristol for it, as he was accustomed to do ? Did you not agree with him that he shouldl pay you the carriage and tid. pet chest onlyl ahove the price charged you by the Bristoll dealer ? Did you not after this, charge him, soi « e- l times 5s. sometimes IDs— and in one instance! at least, 20s, more than the « . mc stands! charged to you on the books of Messrs. David and Peacock, of this City ? Did you not during his absence, serve some| of kis customers with fruit purchased by hin of jou at 2 » . per dozen, and paid him onivj Is. ( Id. p Did not setir kept . lady self one dozen andf half of Civil Oranges for 4s. ( id. out of the! chest overcharged 20s, and never account! for it, until it was found out by information! of the purchaser f Do you not boast of being acquainted withj all the forms and points of law i1 Did not this Enock Jones teach you a cost- ly lesson on this subject, when you attempted to charge him 5s. for warehouse room, after he had settled every thing and received from you a receipt in full for all demands ? Did not this business cost you J5 > JAMES ACLAND| Edited by JAMES ACI, ANi> ( Soe Proprietor) ill Bristol Gaol, ami Published by him ( through hoi scrV3: it « J at the Bristoliaa Office, Nq. 4, Aii| Smuts' Street, Brittui.