brought famine upon the land; and, in order to ftifle the cries and remonftrances of the oppressed, paffed thofe unconftitutional acts,-the Pitt and Grenville, or the gagging bill. The wretched were hereby debarred the melancholy privilege of imparting their griefs to each other; or to thofe from whom redrefs might reasonably have been expected. He voted a bill of indemnity for the minifters who brought the country to the very precipice of ruin, and from whofe folly and obftinacy fhe now fuffers the greatest evils.

Mr. COKE has openly infulted your legislative rights, he has audaciously declared, that only in local matters does he think himself bound to attend to the wishes of his conftituents, that in matters of national import he does not think himself under any obligation of that nature, but that he should act exclufively on his own judgment; in other words, Gentlemen, as far as relates to fticking a lamp against a wall, paving a street, or putting down a post, he would attend to your wishes; but, that in cafes of national and political importance, he in his unbounded fapience, knows better what is good for you, than your united and collective wifdom can point out to him. A more glaring infult, or a more daring violation of the legislative rights of the people, never was offered; it is telling you in direct terms, that you are beafts of burthen formed to hear the weight of taxes, but that for political deliberation, and discernment you are wholly dis

qualified. The man who can advance such a political heresy is only worthy to receive the suf frages of slaves. Lord Mulgrave in 1692, advanced a more constitutional doctrine. Speaking against Placemen sitting in Parliament, he exclaimed "For God's sake consider the meaning of the word Representative. Can Representatives do any thing contrary to the minds of their Constituents? It would be absurd to propose it, and yet how can it be otherwise, if Representatives, after being chosen, may change their dependency and engage themselves in employments plainly inconsisteut with the great trust reposed in them?" Such, Gentlemen, was the sound doctrine advanced by a Peer of the Realm, above a century ago; a doctrine that will be cherished by every lover of true constitutional liberty, although opposed by the sagacious and penetrating Mr. Daniel Parker Coke, of Derby; and yet this is the man who comes forward to solicit those very votes which he contemns, and sets at naught the instant they have passed your lips! This is the man, Gentlemen, in support of whose petition and future election, a STOCK PURSE is formed against your independence. The neighbouring Aristocracy, not content with seating whom they please in Parliament for the COUNTY, have now combined by their subscriptions to this fund, to subvert the independence of the TOWN; and nothing can prevent their

success but your united and immediate exertions. It remains for you to convince them that manly independence still exists on British ground: this glorious task is become yours, the eyes of the whole Island are fixed upon you, and your conduct in the ensuing contest will degrade you in the estimation of your countrymen, or exalt you therein in a most eminent degree. From past experience the working class of electors must expect coercion of every base and oppressive species. Let them associate, and by periodical small subscriptions, form a fund to which the oppressed may have recourse. A plan will next week be submitted to your consideration, for the attainment of this desirable end, and it is a refuge, to which men of the most independent spirit, may apply without exciting one feeling repugnant to the most manly mind.

Mr. Birch is expected in Nottingham early next week, the day is not yet certain, you will be informed of it, and in the mean tirne, animate each other to exertion in the cause of civil and religious liberty, which you have espoused, and which now imperiously demands at your hands the firmest support. Let not however your zeal hurry you into acts of intemperance, nor the remembrance of the atrocities and wrongs you have previously received from mobs in Mr. Coke's interest excite in you a spirit of retaliation.--Be firm--be united--be active, and

convince the " BOUGHT AND BUYING TRIBE" that opposed to your PRINCIPLE their PURSE will prove unavailing.

Nottingham, March, 1803.

A BURGESS.

D. P. COKE, ESQ.

It having been industriously reported that the above Gentleman is an Enemy to all Religious Persuasions, except the established Church, the following Speech of his, on the Trials of the Rioters for the Outrages committed on Dr. Priestley, and the Dissenters, at Birmingham, in the Year, 1791, will best refute such ungrateful calumny.

JOHN GREEN, JOHN CLIFTON, and BARTHOLEMEW FISHER were indicted, for that they, in company of Fifty others, on the 15th of July last, assembled unlawfully, tumultuously, riotously, and by force, began to demolish the Dwelling House of JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, Doctor of Laus, against the Statute, and against the King's Peace.

Mr. COKE (Member of Parliament for Nottingham) opened this Case; he said, that in the absence of Mr. NEWMAN, the leading Counsel for the Crown, it became his duty, as senior Barrister, to open the circumstances of this Case

There never was any occasion, he said, on which Government had acted more laudably, than in taking up the Prosecution of these Prisoners. Government had done its duty in the very best manner, by bringing forward the best evidence against the persons charged with having acted in these disgraceful scenes, having done so, their task was at an end; and if, after this, Juries should acquit, it was not the fault of Government. In this case, said he, "Government have done their duty, and you are now to do yours; for if, after the clearest evidence of the guilt of these men, you are determined at all events to acquit-if men are to be sacrificed to the fury of the vilest wretches, for opinion-we live in a Country that is not worth living in. If DR. PRIESTLEY is to have his house pulled down, because the vilest of the rabble think him wrong in his opinion, he lives in a Country in which he is not safe for a moment; he ought to leave it immediately. DR. PRIESTLEY is a man of learning, and exemplary manners, and although in points of Religion, or Political Opinions, I may, and certainly do, differ from him; yet had I been at Birmingham when his property was attacked, I would have lost my life in his defence; and this sentiment I hold the more strongly, because I do differ from him. Every man who loves the Constitution of this Country, ought always to be careful not to give countenance to any sort of persecution, to any set of