MR. MACAULAY'S ADDRESS TO THE ELECTORS of Leeds, ON BEING APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL IN INDIA. GENTLEMEN,—It is well known to you that the great Corporation to which Parliament has entrusted the Government of our Indian Empire, has appointed me to one of the highest posts in its service; that his Majesty has been graciously pleased to confirm the appointment; that I have accepted it; and that in a very short time I shall proceed to the scene of my new labours.

I have lately enjoyed the pleasure of conversing with several of my most respected constituents, and I have been truly gratified to learn that my conduct on this occasion has obtained their approbation. They justly consider it as honourable to themselves that their representative should be freely selected, by a body which wants neither the spirit nor the power to resist unreasonable dictation on the part of the Crown, to fill one of the most important offices in the Empire.

I trust that I shall carry with me the esteem of my constituents, and that, in my new situation, I shall not forfeit that esteem. In Asia as in Europe, the principles which recommended me to your favour shall be constantly present to my mind. While legislating for a conquered race, to whom the blessings of our constitution cannot as yet be safely extended, and to whom the benignant influence of our religion is unknown, I shall never forget that I have been a legislator chosen by the unforced and uncorrupted views of a free, an enlightened, and a Christian people.

I this day return into your hands the high trust with which you have honoured me. It was obtained by no unworthy arts. It has been used for no unworthy ends. I owed it to your free and unsolicited choice. I have endeavoured to employ it for what appeared to me to be your real good. My conscience tells me that I have been an honest servant; and I owe to you this attestation, that you have been most indulgent and reasonable masters. You will bear me witness that I have never shrunk from speaking the truth; and I can bear witness that you have always been willing to hear it. When we have differed. I have never evaded your questions, nor have you clamoured down my answers. We have endeavoured to convince each other by a fair interchange of reason, and if we still continue to differ, we have differed as friends.

I can form no better wish for your Borough,-and it is well entitled to the best wishes that I can form,-than that it may maintain the honourable character which it has won. If, now that I have ceased to be your servant, and am only your sincere and grateful friend, I may presume to offer you advice, which must, at least, be allowed to be disinterested, I would say to you-Act towards your future representative as you have acted towards me. Choose them, as you chose me, without canvassing or expense. Encourage them, as you encouraged me, always to speak

to you fearlessly and plainly. Never suffer your great and independent town to be turned into an East Retford or a Newark. Reject, as you have hitherto rejected, the wages of dishonour. Defy, as you have hitherto defied, the threats of petty tyrants. Never forget that the worst and most degrading species of corruption is the corruption which operates not by hopes, but by fears. Cherish those noble and virtuous principles for which we have struggled together, the principles of liberty and toleration, of justice and order. Support, as you have steadily supported, the cause of good government, and may all the blessings which are the natural fruits of good government descend upon you, and be multiplied to you an hundred fold. May your manufactures flourish; may your trade be extended; may your riches increase. May the works of your skill, and the signs of your prosperity, meet me in the farthest regions of the East, and give me fresh cause to be proud of the intelligence, the industry, and the spirit of my constituents.

And now, Gentlemen, it remains for me only to bid you farewell-to wish to you all, to my supporters and to my opponents, health, prosperity, and happiness, and to assure you that to the latest day of my life I shall look back with pride and pleasure on the honourable connection which has subsisted between us.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,

London, Feb. 4, 1831.

Your faithful friend and servant,

T. B. MACAULAY.