DEFEAT OF THE HIGH AND MIGHTY BALISSIMO CORBETTINO AND HIS FAMED CECILIAN FORCES, ON THE PLAINS OF ST. MARTIN, ON THURSDAY, THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1785, BY THE CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE AND HIS CHOSEN BAND.
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Among the tactics of the Ministerialists may be reckoned the ominous “scrutiny,” which was threatened directly Fox’s votes began to outnumber those in favour of his rival, Wray. On Fox’s success this intention was carried out, the returning officer acting partially in order to connive at the manœuvre; a scrutiny being notoriously a tedious, lengthy, and costly affair, and hence more vexations to Fox than to the combined forces of his opponents. This circumstance is illustrated by the caricaturist, nearly a twelvemonth later; when the excitement of the protracted contest had cooled down, Fox secured another victory over his adversaries, which is commemorated in Rowlandson’s version of the affair (March 7, 1785), entitled:—
“Defeat of the high and mighty Balissimo Corbettino and his famed Cecilian forces, on the plains of St. Martin, on Thursday, the 3rd day of February, 1785, by the Champion of the People and his chosen band, after a smart skirmish, which lasted a considerable time, in which many men were lost on both sides. But their great ally at length losing ground, desertions took place, and notwithstanding their vast superiority in numbers and weight of metal at the first onset, this increased apace, altho’ often rallied by the ablest man in command, till at length the forces gave way in all quarters, and they were totally overthrown. This print is dedicated to the Electors of the City and Liberty of Westminster, who have so nobly stood forth and supported their champion upon this trying occasion, by an Independent Elector.”
Rowlandson has pictured the rival combatants at the head of their learned forces. Fox’s lawyers are triumphant, and armed with such legal weapons as “Eloquence,” “Truth,” “Perseverance,” and “Law;” the Whig chief, in person, is dealing vengeance upon the disconcerted figures of his antagonists, Wray and Corbett. Fox had successfully prosecuted his action and recovered heavy damages against the bailiff, who, as a courtier, had made himself the tool of the Ministerialists. Fox is defended by his buckler, “Majority 38;” he is wielding the keen sword of “Justice;” a laurel crown is placed on the chieftain’s brow by a celestial messenger, who is charged with the decision of the Law Court—“It is ordered that Thomas Corbett, Esq., do immediately return.” Fox is declaring:—
“The wrath of my indignation is kindled, and I will pursue them with a mighty hand and outstretched arm until justice is done to those who have so nobly supported me.”
Sir Cecil Wray’s defence of “Ingratitude” is a sorry shield for the protection of himself or of his fallen ally; his sword is broken; in despair he cries, “My knees wax feeble, and I sink beneath the weight of my own apostasy.” The high bailiff is cast down; he confesses, “My conscience is now at peace.” Another supporter of the returning officer is exclaiming, “Help, help! our chief is fallen. O conscience, support me!” Corbett’s lawyers have turned their abashed backs on their client and his cause: “Nor law, nor conscience, nor the aid of potent Ministers, can e’er support the contest ’gainst such a chief!” “Our support is gone, and we are fallen into a Pitt; yea, even into a deep Pitt!”—the premier having been unable to protect the guilty against the consequences of their act.
CHAPTER XI.
REMARKABLE ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL MEETINGS, 1788 TO 1807.
We have seen Admiral Lord Hood’s energetic canvass at the great Westminster election, when, with the powerful assistance of the Court, he fought the Whigs, but failed to hinder Fox’s election. In spite of the victory gained in 1784 by their opponents, four years later the ministerialists and the “king’s friends” were again forced into a fresh contest on the same field, and more ignominiously defeated; the popular Lord Hood, their chosen champion, having in July, 1788, been appointed to a seat at the Admiralty Board, as a recognition of his services to Government, a fresh election was necessary for the city of Westminster. The Whigs were still to the front, and Lord John Townshend came forward and canvassed in that interest, with such strong support from the Opposition that the ministers now experienced a more inglorious reverse, their candidate being unseated, although recourse was had to every expedient, lawful or otherwise, that could promote the return of Hood, the Government nominee. After the close of the poll, which showed Lord John Townshend with 6392 votes, to Lord Hood’s 5569, thus giving two Whig members for Westminster, Gillray exposed the corrupt practices of the Court agents in the caricature, published on August 14, 1788, entitled, “Election Troops Bringing in their Accounts to the Pay-Table.” The premier is seen behind the bars of the Treasury gates; the undisguised and direct applications of his quondam allies are so compromising that it is inexpedient to admit the claimants, or acknowledge an acquaintance with such disreputable connections; but a saving compromise is suggested. Pitt is made to plausibly protest, “I know nothing of you, my friends. Lord Hood pays all the expenses himself;” then, in a whisper, “Hush! go to the back-door in Great George Street, under the Rose.” Sir George Rose was Pitt’s secretary and factotum; he is chiefly seen in the contemporary satires as associated with what was called “back-stairs influence,” of which he may be accepted as chamberlain; his scene of operations was generally represented as the “back-door of the Treasury,” where he diplomatically carried out the stratagems of the premier—especially, as in the present instance—in the indirect recognition of secret services.