Chapter XXIX: Appendix: XIV

ADDRESSES FROM PAISLEY.

Canal Street, Paisley, Aug. 18th, 1814.

SIR,—By inserting the following addresses to Lord Cochrane and the
electors of Westminster, you will oblige your readers in this place.
Accustomed as we have been to the acts of the abettors of corruption,
it is with a mixture of pity and contempt we have witnessed the
eagerness with which they have endeavoured to heap every sort of
contumely upon Lord Cochrane’s head. Thanks to his numerous friends,
they have in this instance been wretchedly disappointed, and though he
has been stripped of those honours which “the breath of kings can
bestow,” he still retains what they have not the power to give or take
away—the applause and admiration of his grateful countrymen.

Yours, with great respect,
JOHN M’NAUGHT.

W. Cobbett, Esq.

At a meeting of a number of inhabitants of Paisley, in the Salutation Inn, upon August the 5th, 1814, for the purpose of celebrating the triumph of Lord Cochrane, the following addresses to the Electors of Westminster, and to Lord Cochrane, were agreed to:—

TO THE ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER.

GENTLEMEN,—The times in which we live have been denominated a new era.
They have produced so many extraordinary and marvellous events, that
we cannot help thinking the designation just; but such has been their
effect on the public mind, that we almost cease to wonder at anything,
however extraordinary. Were it not for this apathy, this callous
effect, scarcely anything in modern times would have made a deeper
impression than the trial and condemnation of your representative,
Lord Cochrane. In spite, however, of this disadvantage, we rejoice to
find that this event has produced the very impression it ought to have
made; it has produced an impression at once calculated to confound the
malice of his enemies, to cheer the heart of every patriot, and to
cherish that spirit of justice and independence which has long been
dear to every Briton.

Allow us, therefore, to congratulate you and our country on the signal
triumph which justice has obtained in your re-election of Lord
Cochrane,—an election which could only proceed from a universal
consciousness of the innocence of his Lordship, and which has placed
that innocence on an immovable foundation. You have had many struggles
with corruption, in all of which you have appeared as illustrious
examples to mankind. In this last instance you have, if possible,
surpassed yourselves; you have appeared as the focus of justice; it
has been your prerogative to give the public feeling effect.

We would by no means be understood to insinuate anything to the
prejudice of the jury which tried his Lordship. Trial by jury we hold
so sacred and invaluable that we deprecate any reflection that would
seem to throw a shade on so glorious an institution; but we may freely
observe that, like every other human institution, it must be liable to
abuse. We can easily imagine that a jury may be placed in such
circumstances as to be rendered absolutely incapable of knowing the
truth; a villanous arrangement of the evidence to be produced, a
malicious and undue influence on the part of the judge, &c. may
deceive a jury, and produce as much evil under the forms of law, as
private vengeance could inflict. But while it is said that Lord
Cochrane was tried and condemned by a special jury, it will also be
said that he was tried by the electors of Westminster; he was tried by
his country and acquitted.

We conclude by expressing our hope that whenever the hydra of
corruption shall put forth her head, you will be found at your posts,
ready to strike it off, or inflict a mortal wound; the times are still
ominous, and the nation has its eyes fixed on you; we trust that you
will not relax in your vigilance till malice and injustice hide their
diminished heads, and innocence no longer find its only solace in
heart corroding grief.

We are, gentlemen, &c.
JOHN M’NAUGHT, _Chairman_.

--------------

TO LORD COCHRANE.

MY LORD,—There is such a dissonance between conscious innocence and
imputed guilt, that an upright mind must necessarily be confounded on
receiving an atrocious charge; and even when the falsehood of the
charge is made apparent, the recollection of it is often so bitter,
and its consequences so injurious, as almost to equal the pangs and
the deserved punishment of real guilt. Your case, my Lord, is one of a
singular complexion. Trained in the paths of honour, habituated to
patriotic deeds and high exploits, and possessing in an eminent degree
that noble disinterestedness, that open frankness peculiar to a naval
life, to you the recent charge must have been extremely galling.
Convinced of your innocence, permit us to approach your Lordship to
express the interest we have taken in that extraordinary affair. When
the charge was first preferred, we considered its improbability so
great as to require the strongest evidence to make it good. We rejoice
to find such evidence was wanting; nay, more, the lofty spirit of
independence, the keen sense of honour, which you manifested
throughout the whole affair; your astonishing address before the House
of Commons, and subsequent illustrations, has destroyed every vestige
of guilt, and placed your Lordship’s innocence in the most
advantageous point of view. The universal sentiment in your favour,
but especially the admirable conduct of the electors of Westminster,
have raised you to a higher eminence than that from which you had
fallen. You were, indeed, guilty of a crime,—a crime unpardonable in
the eyes of corruption; you had dictated energy and efficiency to
warlike measures; you sought the glory and happiness of your country,
you sought for justice to your associates in war; was it then to be
wondered at that malice should make you a favourite mark? No, my Lord;
but thanks to this enlightened age, her shafts have been diverted in
their course, and by their obliquity have centred in herself.

My Lord, allow us to conclude by expressing our confidence that the
circumstances which have called forth this address will, if possible,
strengthen your habits, and elevate your patriotic views, that when
the time arrives for resuming public functions, you will be found the
same intrepid, fearless champion of public and private right you have
ever been.

Accept, my Lord, the assurance of our regard,
JOHN M’NAUGHT, _Chairman_.

------------------------------------