Kirkaldy, Sept. 8th, 1814.
In consequence of previous intimation, a considerable number of the
well-disposed and respectable inhabitants of Kirkaldy assembled at the
Wellington Inn here, for the purpose of forming a congratulatory
address to the honourable, free and independent electors of
Westminster, on their re-election of the Right Honourable Lord
Cochrane; when the following was publicly read and approved of;
ordered to be signed by the chairman in the name of the meeting, and
transmitted by the secretary to the Honourable Sir Francis Burdett,
Baronet.
WILLIAM DAVIDSON _in the Chair_.
GENTLEMEN,—In imitation of the very respectable inhabitants of
Paisley, we now presume to step forward to congratulate you on the
laudable and praiseworthy step you have lately taken in re-electing
the Right Honourable Lord Cochrane as one of your members for
Westminster, whom the base time-servers of the day had, through wicked
and deceitful means, unwarrantably deprived of his seat in Parliament.
Not satisfied with this, his Lordship’s enemies pushed matters so far
as to obtain a sentence of pillory, fine, and imprisonment, as if he
had been a common felon; nay, more,—deprive him of those laurels he
had so magnanimously won, and so justly merited at the hand of his
country. His Lordship’s firmness and praiseworthy resignation under
these uncommon sufferings we cannot too much admire and respect; and
we fondly hope that, notwithstanding all these afflictions, his
innocence will soon be confirmed by the exposure of those base
intriguers and their intrigues, to the utter confusion of all
time-serving placemen and their confederate hirelings. We rejoice that
his Lordship possesses laurels more noble and lasting, which it is not
in the power of princes nor their advisers to bestow or take away. We
also trust that when his Lordship shall assume his honourable seat he
will be more emboldened than heretofore, in conjunction with your
other Honourable Member Sir Francis Burdett, in opposing corruption
and its abettors, till the nation, roused from its lethargy, shall
unite in behalf of all those who have been unjustly wronged; and thus
will our little happy island outvie and triumph over all her enemies,
both at home and abroad.
Gentlemen, we hope and flatter ourselves that you will have no cause
to lament the re-election of your Right Honourable Member; we have no
doubt his Lordship will be proud of the honour you have done him, as
it cannot but attach him more closely to you and to the interests of
the nation. We know that many thousands in Great Britain rejoice at
the step you have taken, and the victory obtained by his Lordship, who
nevertheless are afraid to show themselves lest, like some of old,
they are put out of the Synagogue. We still hope, however, that the
stigma cast on his Lordship’s friends, instead of intimidating them
will rather embolden them to come forward and publicly declare the
sense they have of his Lordship’s innocence. That the honourable and
praiseworthy electors of Westminster may prosper and succeed in all
their laudable undertakings, and long enjoy the distinguished services
of their able and truly honourable representatives; and when they
shall have done their duty in their day and generation, that others in
succession may fill their place who shall equal them in abilities and
fortitude, is the ardent wish of this meeting.
Signed by appointment,
WILLIAM DAVIDSON, _Chairman_.
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