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fers of service to me, on the part of the ministry at home. The offer was put as of service to any relations that I might have in England, and my answer was, that if I could earn any thing myself wherewith to assist my relations, I should assist them, but that I would not be the cause of their receiving any thing out of the public purse. Mr. LISTON, then our minister in America, can bear testimony to the truth of this state

And was this the conduct of a man, who sought after "base lucre?" Is this the conduct which is now fashionable among those, who call themselves the

of baseness attached to his gains. The ar- | ticle is offered to the public; those who do not choose to purchase let it alone; there is no compulsion; there is no monopoly in the way of purchasing elsewhere, and there is nothing of baseness belonging to the transaction; the gain is fair and honourable, it is the right of the possessor, and more perfectly his right, perhaps, than gain of any other sort can possibly be.After these general observations, it is hard-ment. ly necessary for me to say much upon my particular case, it being impossible that the reader should not have already perceived clearly, that the charge of seeking after" loyal," and the "King's friends;" Do "base lucre" is quite inapplicable to me. they reject offers of the public purse? Do But, I cannot, upon such an occasion, re- they take care to keep their poor relations frain from stating some facts, calculated to out of their own earnings or property; or show the injustice and falsehood of this do they throw them, neck and heels, upon charge, when preferred against me as pro- the public, to be maintained out of the taxes, prietor of a public print. I have now as a higher order of paupers? I have acted been, either in America or England, sole up to my professions. I have, at this time, proprietor of a public print for upwards of dependent upon me, for almost every thing, fourteen years, with the intermission of nearly twenty children besides my own. I about a year of that time, and I never did, walk on foot, where others would ride in a upon any occasion whatever, take money or coach, that I may have the means of yieldmoney's worth, for the insertion or the sup-ing them support; that I may have the pression of any paragraph or article whatsoever, though it is well known, that the practice is as common as any other branch of the business belonging to news-papers in general. Many hundreds of pounds have been offered to me in this way, as my several clerks and agents can bear witness; and, had I hankered after "base lucre," the reader will readily believe, that I should have received all that was so offered. From the daily news-paper, which I published after my return to England, I excluded all Quack-Advertisements, because I looked upon them as indecent, and having a mis-happened to me, though the offer, on each chievous tendency, and because to insert occasion, was made in the most delicate them appeared to me to be assisting impos- manner, though the service had been alture. These advertisements are, it is well ready performed, though the thing was known, a great source of profit to the pro- done with, and the offer could not have a prietors of news-papers; and, if I had prospective view, and though the service been attached to "base lucre," should I had been performed without any previous have rejected my share of that profit? I application. I wonder whether Sir Vicary lost many hundreds of pounds by my daily Gibbs did ever reject an offer of this sort? news-paper, which failed, not for want of And I do wonder, how many there are readers, but solely because I would not amongst the whole tribe of "learned take money in the same way that other pro-" friends," who have, or ever will have prietors did. Whether this were wise or to accuse themselves of such an act? Yet foolish is now of no consequence; but, the has he the assurance to impute my writings fact is, at any rate, quite sufficient to repel to motives of "base lucre." The truth is, the charge of seeking after "base lucre." that I am hated by the pretended "loyal,' because I am proof against all the temptations of base lucre. I have spoken of the offer made me, while in America. Upon my return home the ministers made me

From any out-set as a writer to the present hour I have always preferred principle to gain. In America the King's minister made, and not at all improperly, of

means of preventing every one belonging to me from seeking support from the public, in any shape whatever. Is this the fashion of the loyal?" Do "the loyal" act thus? Do they make sacrifices in order that their poor relations may not become a charge to the public? Let that public answer this question, and say to whom the charge of seeking after "base lucre" belongs. I wonder whether it has ever happened to the Attorney General to reject the offer of two services of plate, tendered him for the successful exertion of his talents? This has

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other offers, and, amongst the rest, they way or another, of the means of making such offered me a share of the True Briton news- provision? Was it not manly and brave paper, conducted and nominally owned by for the Attorney General, when he knew Mr. Herriot. I, who was what the that I should not be permitted to answer country people call a green-horn, as to such him, to make such an attack, not only upon matters, and who was gull enough to think, me, but upon the future comfort of those, that it was principle that actuated every who depend upon me for support? Verily, writer on what I then deemed the right this is not to be forgotten presently. As side; I was quite astonished to find, that long as I or my children are able to rememthe Treasury was able to offer me a share ber, this will be borne in mind; and, I in a news-paper. I rejected the offer in have not the smallest doubt of seeing the the most delicate manner that I could; but, day, when Sir Vicary Gibbs, and those I never was forgiven. I have experienced, who belong to him, will not think of any as might have been expected, every species such thing as that of reproaching us with of abuse since that time; but, I did not, I the possession of our own earnings.-Durmust confess, expect ever to be accused of ing the time that I was absent from home writing for "base lucre." This is a charge, for the purpose of giving bail, as before which, as I shewed upon the trial, origi- stated, a man, dressed like a gentleman, nated with the very scum of the press, and went upon my land in the neighbourhood of had its foundation in the worst and most Botley, got into conversation with my servillainous of passions.-In general it is a vants, asked them how much property I topic of exultation, that industry and talent had, where it lay, of whom I had purchasare rewarded with the possession of wealth. ed it, what I had given for it, whether I The great object of the teachers of youth, was upon the point of purchasing any more, in this country, seems always to have been and a great many other questions of the the instilling into their minds, that wealth same sort. When he went away from one was the sure reward of industry and ability. of them, he told him: "You will not have Upon what ground, then, is it, that the Cobbett here again for one while;" or "amassing of wealth," the "making of a words to that effect. I leave the public to "fortune," by the use of industry and ta- form their opinions as to the object of this lents, is to be considered as meriting re- visit, and of the person who made it. proach in me? The fact is not true. I The truth of the fact can, at any time, be have not amassed wealth, and have not verified upon oath. If this scoundrel had made a fortune, in any fair sense of those been put to the test, I wonder what account phrases. I do not possess a quarter part he could have rendered of the source of his as much as I should, in all probability, means; of the money which had purchased have gained, by the use of the same degree the clothes upon his back. Not long before of industry and ability, in trade or com- the time just mentioned, another person of merce. But, if the fact were otherwise, a similar description went to another man and if I rode in a coach and four instead of who works for me, asked him what sort of keeping one pleasure horse, and that one a man I was, what he had ever heard me only because it is thought necessary to the say about the King or the government, and health of my wife; if I had really a fortune told him that some people thought me a very worthy of being so called, what right great enemy of the government. The perwould any one have to reproach me with son went into a little public house in the the possession of it? I have been labour-neighbourhood of my farm, where he got ing seventeen years, since I quitted the army. I have never known what it was to enjoy any of that which the world calls pleasure. From a beginning with nothing, I have acquired the means of making some little provision for a family of six children (the remains of thirteen), besides having, for several years, maintained almost wholly, three times as many children of my relations. And, am I to be reproached as a lover of "base lucre," because I begin to have a prospect (for it is nothing more) of making such provision? And, am I now, upon such a charge, to be stripped, in one

into conversation with those whom he found there, and contrived soon to make that conversation turn upon me. He heard nothing but good of me as a neighbour and a master; and, as to politics, not a soul that he talked to knew what he meant, never having in their lives heard me utter a word upon any subject of that sort. Of the two servants, whom I have alluded to above, the name of the former is JoHN DEAN, and that of the latter JAMES COWHERD; both of them men, upon whose word I can rely, and who, as I said before, are ready to verify this statement upon their oaths.The

modesty and good manners of my men in- | wretches like these I was destined by my duced them to give answers to the questions sentence to dwell for two years; I, who had of these base rascals, without suspecting never even seen the inside of a jail in my any thing of their real character or design; whole life-time, and who, amidst all the nor had either of them the smallest notion temptations of youth, had been eight years of that design, until my return home, and in a regular regiment without ever being, in until I had acquainted them with the nature a single instance, confined for a single moof my situation. If the design (which ment! One fact will enable the reader to must, I think, be manifest enough to the judge of the society I was sentenced to reader) had been known, their bones, or, keep for two years: there was a man taken at least, their skin, would, I am afraid, out and sent to Botany Bay two days after I have carried off a testimonial of their base- entered the prison. He was taken out of ness and of the indignation of my servants. the same part of the prison, and, perhaps, The base miscreants would then have had a out of the very room, in which I was to feeling proof of the sentiments, entertained have slept for two years, if I lived so long. towards me by those who know me best Here was I, then, sentenced to live for two and have had the greatest experience of my years amongst felons and men guilty of undisposition.- -I leave the public to rumi- natural crimes, and to pay a thousand nate upon what I have here stated, relative pounds to the King; aye, to the King, at to the inquiries of these villains. The mis- the end of that time! I have three sons; creant, who went to make the inquiries and, if any one of them ever forgets this, about the extent of my property, did not, may he that instant be....... not it seems, go to Botley, but appeared to go stricken dead; but, worse than that: befrom, and to return to, some town or vil- reft of his senses. May he become both lage upon the Gosport road, fearing, appa- rotten and mad. May he, after having rently, to be known, or, at least, traced, if been a gabbling, slavering half-idiot all the he put up at the inn at Botley.I leave prime of his life, become, in his last days, the public, I say, to form their opinion loathsome to the sight and stinking in the upon these facts. It is, I think, quite un- nostril! I am, however, not at all afraid, necessary for me to give any opinion of my that any child of mine will merit this curse; for, they have all been shown the horrid place where their father was sentenced to be imprisoned, and, I am satisfied that nothing more will be necessary.

own.

THIRD.-The nature and effect of the imprisonment are now to be particularly noticed. I was well aware, that a prison, though I had never seen the inside of one in -From the place and the society here my life, must differ very materially from a described I was ransomed by my purse; dwelling-house. I was aware of many of but, while I say this, I must beg to be unthe disagreeable circumstances attendant on derstood as hinting no complaint against the such a state; but, I had no idea of the keeper, who gave up the best part of his reality. That part of the prison, to which own house to me, from whom I and my I was committed, consisted of a yard and family and friends always received the most of divers rooms. The rooms were nume- civil and kind treatment, and whom I berous, the yard about 35 feet by 25 feet. lieve to be a very honest and humane man. Each room contained, or was intended to I can speak, from my own knowledge, that contain, two, three, or more, beds. Each he is constantly endeavouring to obtain, and bed-room was locked up at about 9 o'clock frequently does it, relief and assistance of at night, and kept locked till about 7 o'clock various sorts for those of his unfortunate in the morning. The door-way leading prisoners who stand most in need of it. from the passage of the rooms to the yard He is strict in adherence to his rules and rewas also locked. The windows were barred gulations; but, I am persuaded, that it with iron. The walls that surrounded the would be very difficult to find a more fit yard were the sides of houses; and, of man for such a situation. Having formed course, there could be very little of sun or this opinion during two years of actual obair. But, the companions! What com- servation, I think it, now that I am no panions had I? Men guilty of some of the longer in the power of Mr. Newman, my most odious and detestable crimes. Swind- duty to declare it.During my impriling, Fraud, Embezzlement, and even of sonment the conduct of my friends was those crimes which are too horrid to name, such as was naturally to be expected from but which have been committed by so many men who regarded me as suffering in the within the last two or three years. With public cause. The attentions of all sorts;

the acts of real, solid service, were as numerous and as great, perhaps, as any man ever received in a like space of time. But, the circumstance of this sort which gave me the most pleasure, was, that, during the two years, I was visited by persons, whom I had never seen before, from one hundred and ninety-seven cities and towns of England, Scotland, and Ireland; the greatest part of whom came to me as the deputies of some society, club, or circle of people in their respective places of residence. I had the infinite satisfaction to learn from the gentlemen who thus visited me, that my writings had induced those who had read them to think. This fact, indeed, of being visited by persons from almost every considerable town in the kingdom, speaks a language that cannot be misunderstood.Within these ten years I have dealt Corruption many a heavy blow; but, in no two years did I ever deal her so many and such deadly blows as during the two years that I was in Newgate. I am not vain enough to suppose, that it was I who made her reel as she now does; but, I trust that nobody will deny that I pretty largely contributed towards it. When I compare her state at my coming out of Newgate with her state at my going into Newgate, I see as much difference as I now see in one of the old ewes, which were full-mouthed at my leaving home. She has been pulled down with out violence. She has been exposed to a degree that has deprived her of all power longer to deceive. She is, in short, now come to that pass, where neither impudence nor hypocrisy will serve her turn; where, if she could any longer deceive, it would be of no use to her. -The long faces of the children and champions of Corruption show us what is passing in their minds. They yet enjoy the fruit of their corrupt practices, but they seem to be in hourly dread of losing them. There is, in this respect, a great change since I was put into Newgate; and, if I could persuade myself, that my being imprisoned another two years would totally destroy Corruption; that it would root her and all her infamous brood out of the land, I would cheerfully endure it, taking my chance of foul air and jail distempers.

FOURTH, as to what has taken place at the expiration of my imprisonment, and to the time of my arrival at Botley, where I now am, it will not be necessary to be very particular. I do not want to have it believed, that I am caressed by the public. I have no ambitious purposes to answer. I

am resolved to do all that lies in my power to destroy Corruption in all her branches and all her fibres; and, to do this, or any thing towards it, I know that I must leave all selfgratifications out of my account. I am aware of this, and Corruption may be assured that I am quite prepared for it. I laugh at all the alarms of ENVY. They are wholly groundless. I only want to see Corruption destroyed, without caring a straw who has the honour of doing it. In the desire of seeing this accomplished, I overlook all minor considerations.-It is, however, due to the nation to state here, for the information of foreigners, that, on the 9th of July, the day on which my imprisonment ceased, I was invited to a grand dinner at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, at which dinner upwards of 600 persons were present, and, which bespoke the character of the whole, SIR FRANCIS BURDETT was in the Chair. I have no desire to draw a picture here; no desire to swell out any of the circumstances. The bare fact is enough; that this dinner, as large an one, I believe, as ever was known upon any occasion even in London, took place in approbation of my writings; and especially in approbation of that particular writing, for which I was imprisoned.At this dinner there arose some circumstances not less important than the dinner itself. It was not to be supposed, that such an occasion would pass without an attempt to do something to aunoy me. Accordingly it was, in the shape of news-paper paragraphs of the same day, and in the shape of handbills distributed at the door of the Tavern as the gentlemen went in; in vehicles of this sort, it was shown, or asserted, 1st, That I had, ten years ago, expressed my decided disappro bation of the conduct and even of the principles of Sir Francis Burdett; 2nd, That, in the time between my conviction and my being brought up to judgment, I formed the design of dropping my Register, to announce which design I had prepared and actually caused to be printed an advertisement; 3rd, That this design was coupled with a negociation with the government for making the dropping of the Register a condition upon which forgiveness was to be obtained; 4th, That this offer on my part having been refused by the government, I next offered to turn about and write for them; 5th, That on account of this having been rejected, I abandoned the design, and continued the Register.I shall answer these one by one. As to the FIRST, I had

as much right to express my disapprobation | gentlemen, whom I had never seen, who of the conduct and principles of Sir Francis had come thirty miles to meet me; and, Burdett ten years ago as I have now to ex- above all, in the kindness, the warmth of press my approbation of them. Whether affection, with which I was received at the change has been produced by conviction, Botley, into which the young men of the or proceeded from some selfish motive, the village (without even a hint from any one reader must be the judge, though I must belonging to me) drew my carriage from say, that I think it would be very difficult the distance of more than a mile. When to make out the probability of the latter. we got into the village, about nine o'clock At any rate, it was impossible that the in the evening of the 11th of July, there change should arise out of a desire to get at was a sight for Sir Vicary Gibbs, and Lord any share in the public money; and that is Ellenborough, and his brother judges to see! the great point to keep in view.- -As to The inhabitants of the village gathered the SECOND, it is perfectly true; and, round me; the young men and the boys surely, I had a perfect right to cease writing and their fathers and mothers, listening to whenever I pleased. That man must have but my account of the CAUSE of my absence; little consideration who does not see many hearing me speaking of the Local Militia good reasons for my adopting such a course; and the German Troops at the town of Ely; but, my answer to the charge is this; that hearing me calling upon fathers and mothers I had, and have, a right to cease writing to reflect on what I said, and on their sons whenever I pleased or shall please; and to bear it in mind to the last hour of their that, if I were to give up this right, I lives.—In short, the thing ended preshould, while I am endeavouring to ensure cisely as it ought to end, in a plain appeal freedom to my country, be myself a slave. to the understanding of the inhabitants of a village; to young countrymen and boys, and their fathers and mothers. -To express my feelings upon this occasion is quite impossible. Suffice it to say, that the good behaviour, the civility and kindness of all the people of the village to my family during my absence; and their most affectionate reception of myself at my return, will never be effaced from my recollection. If there had wanted a motive in me to love my country, here would have been motive sufficient. That nation cannot be otherwise than good, where the inhabitants of a whole parish are so honest, so just, and so kind. For my part, born and bred amongst the farmers and labourers of England, I have ever entertained towards them feelings of kindness; but, I have now to add the feeling of gratitude, and of that feeling I shall, I hope, never fail to give proof, when it is in my power to defend any of my poorer neighbours against the oppressions of the more powerful.

As to the third, fourth, and fifth propositions, all that I can say of them is, that they are FALSE; that they are wholly destitute of truth; that they have been invented as much as any fairy tale ever was invented; and, indeed, their falsehood is proved by the advertisement itself, which says, that I intended to discontinue the Register; because.... what? Why, because I feared, that it would be impossible for me to continue it WITHOUT SOFTENING MY TONE. This was stated as the reason; it was so to be stated in print; who, then, will believe either of the three last propositions to contain a single word of truth? Having made this denial, I make it once for all. I shall always insist upon my right to cease writing whenever I please; and, while I continue to write, the reader will always be able to judge of the value of what I write. If he finds it useful, he will continue to supply himself with it; if not, he will cease so to do; and thus, he and I shall never be under obligations to each other.That I should be pursued with the same envy, hatred, and malice, out of prison that I was pursued with into prison, I naturally expected. Had I not been, I should have feared that I had lost To send written answers to the numemy sting. For all the falsehoods, for all rous letters of congratulation that I have the blows that baseness of all kinds has received upon my enlargement would be aimed at me, I have found more than suf-impossible. I, therefore, here beg leave ficient compensation in the applause of the to return my sincere thanks to all those who Meeting at the Crown and Anchor; in the have written me such letters.—An address, cordial reception I met with, upon my re- this day received from a great town in the turn, at Winchester, where there were North, is entitled to my particular thanks.

Botley, Wednesday,
15th July, 1812.

WM. COBBETT.

To CORRESPONDENTS.

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