Mr. Swan

wick's

letter.

22d. I received a letter dated Chester, the 20th, from Mr. Joseph Swanwick, describing himself as chairman of the committee, and which, except as to what is complimentary to me, is as follows: "You have probably noticed the conduct of this city on the late suspension acts, and the fact of Sir John Egerton's resignation in consequence of the acknowledged displeasure of his constituents for his conduct on that question. Sir John was seated after a very severe struggle with the Grosvenor interest, and it was generally imagined that the influence of that family would be again exerted in its full force to carry two members for Chester. But some of those who, while they admired his Lordship's political conduct, were still strongly attached to the independence of the city, have had a most satisfactory explanation with his Lordship upon the subject; and he has pledged himself not to oppose the introduction of a member of liberal principles, but, on the contrary, if he should appear to meet the approbation of the citizens, to give him his decided support. In these circumstances our eyes were naturally directed towards yourself," &c. He then goes on to say that Sir John Egerton's friends had begun a brisk canvass in his favour, and that therefore they had had no choice but to announce my name, or to allow many votes to be engaged; that they wished to know my sentiments on the subject, and hoped that there did not exist any irremovable obstacle to my representing Chester in Parliament. I returned an answer in these words:

"Russell Square, Dec. 23. 1817.

"Sir, I received yesterday, but too late to answer it by return of post, the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 20th instant. I can hardly express to you how much I am gratified at finding my public conduct approved and applauded by the citizens of Chester. To represent so very respectable a body of constituents in Parliament, I should consider as one of the highest honors that could be conferred on me, and as the best reward I could receive for any endeavours that I may have used to serve the public; and yet that honor and that reward, highly as I should prize them, I shall find myself obliged most respectfully and reluctantly to decline, if, as I fear is the case, it cannot be obtained without offering myself as a candidate and soliciting the votes of the electors. I have the honour to be, Sir," &c.

I afterwards received another letter from Mr. Swanwick in these words:

"

My an

swer.

Chester, Dec. 29. 1817. Mr. Swanwick's

"Sir, I am directed to acknowledge the second receipt of your very obliging communication of letter. the 23d inst., and to say how much we should have deemed ourselves honoured to have returned you member for Chester on strictly constitutional principles, and by constitutional means. We conceived that the foreground was perfectly clear; that all parties fully understood each other; and that the only opponent we had to contend with, was the ministerial interest in the city. In this it appears

that we have been mistaken, and that it is not impossible a second member of the Grosvenor family may be brought forward at the ensuing election. We cannot express to you, Sir, the chagrin and disappointment with which this turn of affairs has affected us, not only as it immediately interferes with our flattering prospect of connexion with yourself, but as it involves the character of our city for principle and consistency. We can assure you, that we have not acted upon light grounds: direct interviews with Lord Grosvenor, in the presence of his confidential agents, convinced both them and us, that the General was not to be brought forward, and that our nomination was perfectly agreeable to his Lordship; but, owing to unpleasant rumours, we again saw Lord Grosvenor on Saturday evening last, when it appeared by no means so certain, that General Grosvenor would be withdrawn. Under these circumstances, with the detail of which we will not trouble you, we thought ourselves called upon to close our intercourse on this subject with his Lordship. We have cautiously abstained from implicating you in the transaction any further than as the object of our best hopes and most deliberate choice. We shall ourselves look closely to events, but cannot be guilty of the injustice of exciting expectation which we cannot fairly hope to realize, and which may prevent you from paying attention to applications from other quarters, where the esteem and admiration of your fellow citizens may have fewer obstacles to contend with in showing themselves. With the most fervent wishes that health and vigour of

mind may long enable you to serve and adorn our

common country,

"I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, "JOSEPH SWANWICK,

"Chairman of the Committee."

My answer to this letter was as follows:

"Russell Square, Jan. 1. 1818.

"Sir, My last letter will undoubtedly have apprized you that, though nothing would be more gratifying to me than to represent the city of Chester in Parliament, I had formed no sanguine expectation that that honour would ever be conferred upon me. Your favour of the 29th of last month, therefore, has caused me no disappointment. For the very kind manner in which you have addressed me on this occasion, I beg, Sir, you would accept my best acknowledgments. I am proud of the good opinions of those citizens of Chester who were desirous that I should be their representative, and I shall be always most grateful for their good wishes. I have the honour to be," &c.

My answer.

Article on Bentham on codification in the Edin

view.

1818.

8th, Jan. WHILE I was on my visit to Bentham last autumn, at Ford Abbey, he gave me a little work he had just printed, and to which he has burgh Re- affixed one of his quaint titles, - Papers relative to codification and public instruction; including correspondences with the Russian Emperor, and divers constituted authorities in the American United States." I amused myself, after my return to Tanhurst, with writing a paper on this work, which I have since given to Brougham, to insert in the Edinburgh Review, and it has accordingly appeared in the number which has just been published, and which is the Review for November last. My principal object in writing it was to draw the attention of the public to those evils which appear to me to be inseparable from an unwritten law, such as is the Common Law of England. I have spoken in it of Bentham with all the respect and admiration which I entertain of him, but I have thought myself bound not to disguise his faults. I shall be extremely concerned if what I have said should give him any offence.

Sir Wil

liam Grant's

23rd. Sir William Grant has resigned the office of Master of the Rolls, to the extreme regret resignation of all those who practised in his court, and to the great misfortune of the public. His eminent qualities as a judge, his patience, his impartiality,

as Master

of the

Rolls.