assurances of confidence and support have precluded a doubt of my stability, in the event of any future contention.

That such a contention is contemplated, the public addresses to the freeholders, and the canvass already commenced, most clearly evince.

At a period, probably far distant from a general election, I have to regret that the repose of the county must be again disturbed. So early an appeal to your active exertions, I had hoped, might have been avoided. The declaration of my colleague impels me, however, from every feeling of duty and gratitude, to offer an immediate and explicit avowal of my own intentions.

Although assured of an auspicious result, should I again submit my pretensions to your suffrages, I have no reluctance to acknowledge that expence, without limit, continually recurring, would depress that liberal independence, which the duties of so elevated a station unequivocally demand.

While I announce my resolution, deliberately formed, of declining this contest, I retain the most grateful sense of my obligations to the gentry, clergy, yeomanry, and freeholders of Devon, for their generous exertions; encouraging the presumption, that the county at large will rather applaud than condemn a decision founded on motives of personal prudence, and of public honor.

I have the honor to be,

With the greatest respect,
GENTLEMEN,

Your most obliged and faithful servant,

EDMUND POLLEXFEN BASTARD,

Kitley, 13th November, 1816,

To the independent Freeholders of the South of the County of Devon.

GENTLEMEN,

Mr. BASTARD having, in his address of the 13th instant, declared his intention not to stand another contest for this county, and SIR THOMAS ACLAND having, by his late parliamentary conduct, proved unworthy of the confidence which has been reposed in him, your brother freeholders of the NORTH hope, that you will immediately consider of some independent gentleman, in your neighbourhood, worthy to be nominated, with LORD EBRINGTON, to represent this county at the next general election. SIGNED BY MANY FREEHOLDERS.

Tiverton, Nov. 14, 1816.

To the Gentlemen, Clergy, Yeomanry, & Freeholders of the County of Devon.

GENTLEMEN,

After the addresses which have appeared, both from Sir THOMAS ACLAND and Mr. BAStAkd, 1 might seem wanting in respect to you, if I delayed any longer to take the same mode of offering myself to your notice.

At a time when there is no immediate prospect of a dissolution of parliament, I should not of my own accord have intruded myself on the county; but invited as I have been, by a very large, and respectable portion of the freeholders, to become a candidate once more, for the honor of representing you, I could not hesitate to cbey so flattering a call; and after my declaration to that effect, still less could I do otherwise, than contribute, to the utmost, my perscral efforts, in aid of those making by my friends in my behalf,

I consider therefore, that the commencement of the canvass on my part has been matter not of choice,

but of necessity; a necessity which however I am far from regretting, as it will, I hope, afford me an opportunity, before the general election, to pay my respects in person to the freeholders in all parts of the county.

The spontaneous assurances of support which I have, even at this early period, so universally received, demand my most grateful acknowledgments, and encourage me confidently to anticipate my elevation to that distinguished situation, which it shall be my constant endeavour to deserve at your hands.

I have the honor to be,

With unfeigned respect,
GENTLEMEN,

Your obliged and faithful servant,

Exeter, Nov. 16, 1816.

EBRINGTON.

To the Gentlemen, Clergy, Yeomanry, & Freeholders, of the County of Devon.

It must have been evident to every intelligent observer, that the injudicious address of Sir Thomas Acland, and his premature canvass, would of necessity declare his colleague to make an immediate declaration of his future views, relative to the representation of the county of Devon in the next parliament.

That declaration is now before you :-and whether you consider his "personal prudence" and the high and manly character it displays; or compare it with the idle professions and unmeaning promises so common on these occasions; Mr. BASTARD's address exhibits, beyond the power of contradiction, that firm and liberal spirit which would revolt with indignation from the most remote insinuation of motives tending to diminish that independence, which should always characterize the man who aspires to the elevated situation of representing you in parliament.

It cannot escape your observation, that Mr. BASTARD does not pursue mere objects of individual influence and aggrandizement; for then he would eagerly embrace the numberless offers of powerful support which, however arduous the contest, can leave no doubt of his success; and he would be content to take on himself the duties of your representative, although he knows himself unable to maintain that station with "liberal independence." If a man possessing the most delicate feelings of "public honor," for which, from a sense of duty and respect towards you, he chearfully relinquishes the cherished objects of his ambition, have any claim on your attention-Mr. BASTARD IS THAT MAN.

Consider deliberately the alarming situation in which this populous and important county is placed -behold its independence tottering on the verge of ruin, and in imminent danger of being reduced to the degraded condition of a mere borough; where the representation depends on the dictation of an ambitious peer or a venal corporation, alike indifferent, whatever may be their professions, to the best interests and liberties of the people.

Rouse, then, from that supineness which must inevitably be fatal --THE CAUSE IS YOUR OWN. Exert yourselves to draw Mr. Bastard from the honorable retirement he meditates, and proclaim to the world by your bold and combined assertion of your just rights, that the freeholders of Devon have judgment to select, firmness to defend, and liberality to reward, his exalted sense of that honor which your FREE SUFFRAGES can alone bestow.

"Awake! arise! or be for ever fallen!" November 16, 1816.

Freeholders of Dawlish.

X. Z.

Firm attachment to our blessed constitution in church and state, has ever been the distinguished

characteristic of your loyal little village; and I am convinced, your loyalty and independence will ever remain unshaken and unimpaired, unless unintentionally surrendered by a hasty promise of your votes.

Listen, therefore, to this warning voice ; and let not your generous, unsuspecting minds be induced to pledge your votes, or to split them, in favor of Lord Ebrington. Conscious and certain as I am, that when the day of election shall arrive, you will be ashamed to give your suffrages to a man, who is the udvocate of the Papists-the instrument of a party— —the engine of a club---and the idol of a faction.

Freeholders beware!-and again, I say, beware! I understand Lord Ebrington is about to flatter you with the honor of a personal visit, in the hopes, nay in the expectation, to enroll your names among his votaries--whose principles are those of France in 1792; rekindling disturbance, at the present moment of unavoidable and only temporary distress.

But shall the same voices which lately made the air resound with cries of," Bastard for ever! church and king!" now engage themselves to sh u in the same breath, Ebrington and the sovereignty of the mob?

Forbid it heaven' forbid it loyalty! forbid it shame! Send back his Lordship's hope into the North, frost-bitten at your cold reception. . Mr. c Bastard and Sir Thomas Acland---Sir Thomas Acland and Mr. Bastard, are the men worthy of your support.

Freeholders beware!

To tear from the face of faction the mask under which it is concealed, is at all times an ungracious task but should these hasty lines prevent but one freeholder from being imposed upon, it will be grateful to the feelings of

AN ENGLISHMAN.