Westminster (London, England) - Elections - History - 18th century

A letter to the electors of Westminster. Gentlemen, An Advertisement being handed about, subscribed with the Name of a noble Lord, no doubt maliciously intending to impose on the worthy Inhabitants, and prejudice him in their Favour at this Time, I thought it incumbent on me as a Lover of Truth, to submit the following Remarks on that Piece. - Is it to be supposed, that noble Person, so remarkable for his shining abilities as well as hereditary Honour, would have suffered Nonsense and Quibble to flow from his Pen? Would he, when charged with being active at the French Theatre, have thought it a sufficient Justification to plead, his not being particularly in the Pit or Gallery, just at such a particular Time?-Would he, when accused of being aiding in an Attack upon his Fellow Citizens, have foolishly imagined that denying his Presence in a first or chief Disturbance, acquitted him of All-No. I am persuaded his Lordship would have proved himself an Englishman, by shewing that he was so far from abetting such foreign Vagabonds, that his utmost Endeavours were excrted in discouraging their Subscriptions, opposing their Licence, and disapproving their Performance. - Such doubtless would have been his Lordship's Defence to the Publick, had he thought it necessary to make one. Indeed it is alledged, that many of his own Constituents were Witnesses of his Heroism on this Occasion, but may they not be subject to a personal Mistake?-It is no uncommon Case for the Member of a Borough to be the greatest Stranger in it, and indeed I do not remember to have seen or heard any Thing material of this noble Lord 'till this heroic Adventure, since his last Election. Upon the whole, I think it is manifest this Advertisement was maliciously levelled at the Head and Heart of our noble Candidate, in order to make his Electors believe, neither of them are properly qualified for their Service. I am, Gentlemen, Yours, An Elector.