The Enquirer

LONDON, March 6.

Government are reported to have received accounts from France, through a special channel, by which it appears that a great show of preparation is again making at all the principal ports in the Channel, indicative of some speedy attempt at invasion, which the army was assured should not be delayed beyond three months after the coronation, and which should be preceded by the payment of all arrears, as also by a largess, the peculiar gift of the Empress!

Report states that the Emperor arrived at Boulogne on Monday last.

We congratulate the freeholders of Middlesex and the public at large, on the decision of the committee of the house of commons, by which Sir Francis Burdett is seated in the room of Mr. Mainwaring. Thus, notwithstanding the unwearied efforts of calumny and misrepresentation, a committee has impartially investigated and fairly decided a question of the utmost importance to the freedom of election.

Our readers will recollect, that on the glaring and unexpected issue of the contest, we stated the opinion of Mr. Erskine, as given in a friendly communication to Mr. Clifford. That great constitutional lawyer had no hesitation as to the duty and course of the sheriff—'It appears to me,' said Mr. Erskine, 'that if persons have tendered themselves to be admitted to vote for any of the candidates, during the legal continuance of the poll, and the sheriff has not rejected them, but has put them aside for consideration, he ought to decide upon their rights, by admitting or rejecting them, before he makes his return, as far as the time prescribed by the act of parliament will reasonably admit.' This was Mr. Erskine's opinion, given on the spur of the occasion; and, though rashly questioned and stigmatized at the time by the abettors of the sheriff, is now demonstrated to be the law of the case. If it were not, the election for every county in the kingdom would be taken out of the hands of the freeholders, and be made to depend on the caprice, or the partiality of the returning officer.

Sir Francis Burdett has for some time been indisposed, but he will take his seat as soon as his health permits him to go abroad.

A vast concourse of people filled the passages to the house of commons, and crowded the doors yesterday forenoon to hear the decision of the committee, and when it was announced, after a loud demonstration of their joy, they quietly dispersed.

Mr. Mainwaring, or the freeholders in his interest may now, within fourteen days, petition against Sir Francis, and bring the merits of the Election before a new committee; but this is a step which we have no doubt they will think it prudent to decline.