In this enlightened age, when the advantages of local position are justly esteemed paramount to those of intellectual superiority or public eminence, I come forward boldly to claim your suffrages on grounds altogether independent of my political principles or of my mental qualifications. I have spent my life in occupations which have secured my inefficiency and yet cherished self-esteem; and have carefully avoided any intercourse or pursuits which, by enlarging my views, or enlightening my mind, might have assimilated me to my opponents, and prevented my appealing to you, as I now do, On the sole ground of residence within the Burgh of Edinburgh. for more click here
