BURTON, Robert (?1738-1810), of Gray’s Inn.

Burton contested Wendover in 1784 with John Ord against Lord Verney’s interest; their election is said to have cost them £6000. Burton was classed by William Adam as a supporter of Opposition, and voted with them over Richmond’s fortifications plan, 27 Feb. 1786, and the Regency.

All the same he opposed the impeachment of Warren Hastings, in which all the prominent Opposition leaders took part; and voted against the impeachment of Impey, 9 May 1788. Four out of the eight speeches he is known to have made in the House were in defence of Hastings. On 26 Mar. 17861Stockdale, viii. 462.

he reprobated the sort of evidence which had been received in the course of the prosecution, and which, he said, the lowest courts of law would not have suffered to have been entertained a moment. He censured Mr. Burke for the intemperate manner in which throughout the prosecution he had talked of Mr. Hastings; a style of description, he said, which could only be justifiably held to convicts.

For this he was attacked by both Fox and Burke.

He did not stand in 1790, and died 2 Mar. 1810, aged 71.