Star. — London, England, 1809-03-30 00:00:00

India ~,, e and proeeeded to India previous to its being &m over- undergohe in . a certain Asses the facts them- yield ib what unequivocally appeared to be the public' fj' - ch t s \ r - ,on shall be dismissed the Company's service, and selves a re su ffi ciently before the public. The ques- sense on the occasion. This inquiry has proved more 1 and shall also be rendered incapable of • - non of guilty or re ee • er k t o England, c:Jored bar . not guilty is abundantly apparent than a thousand volumes could have done, the neces arn i' 11 at ion whatsoever In the Company's service." to the meanest capacity; and if the decision of that sit f y o Parliamentary reform. When we see a band ' el l i t itig i s - ro . . I: . e observed, that abuses in the disposal of Assembly be not altogether satisfactor y, against than in that l of placemen and pensioners voting in a body, who is ri d L oers are better guarded p ._ . the reason is sufficiently apparent. Look at the division on the 1 7 \ ,,, te lipc, since the present form of certificate has there can wonder at the effect produced ? Nay even 15th March, and the secret, if a secret it can be called; among those very men who would be happy to re b,:c,,,, e eplied to them ; for in the Writetthips the Di ,is out. We see in that glorious Minority, an host sign their seat's, *hen they were conscious they were ,or i•imself only declares, that, to the best of his of independent men, who fear no frowns, and Who not free in their decisions, and who could say, ` k ; i c e . ,, T i e :l ge or belief, no pecuniary consideration has court no smiles !--eWhat have we on the other side ? " My PLACE, and not my will, consented." • to be, received ; hut with regard to every . e Borough of Oakha• nipton has long been distin bto,or is of Exchequer, who doubtless must A Chancel lor Th c d e t, the parent or next of kin makes a similar de- . ;Inn en for himself. The cases which are exhibited wish to continue Chancellor of Exchequer ; a Secretary guished by the struggles it has made in opposing 'c:tlos Report. demonstrate that such declarations are of State, who as certainly would choose to remain' I tie corruption with which it has been overwhelmed ; r ' n ' t e t - sufficient force to prevent a very extensive traf- Secretary of State. Can any one doubt but that an : for forty years it has been striving to bring in one at ji, :: in those nominations, which are apparently the Attorney-General would choose to become a Chief ; least of its Representatives, and it at last succeeded b - et secured by a positive denial of all undue practices. Justice, or Lord Chancellor ? 'When we see a gen- iin returning Colonel Wardle. Much as the electors .1n inquiry was set on fbot by the Court of Direr- tleman make his son a Colonel, at the age of 20 years, lof that borough suffered in the course of so protract tee, in 1798, upon the allegation and suspicion of must we not believe he is anxious to, provide for the ed a struggle, little were they aware of the good a wes in the nomination of Writers •; the origin, pro- rest of his numerous family in the like manner ? For the y h ad done by sending such a man into Parlia- . ant} failure of which, it may be proper to • give my own part, lam satisfied there is not a man who ment, who, without noise, had obliged persons how roe a . doubts, from the able and eloquent speech of the ever near the throne, to relinquish their ill-retained is some detail. ()je t April, 1795.--A Committee of the Directors 1 wet - thy Baronet who stands near me, (Sir F. Burdett), s ' • .twetions •• there b y proving, that if we were but true „ s appointed to investigate into the truth of the al- that, if the Ministerial phalanx hadlcft theHoute upon • to ourselves, and if the body of electors throughout id gs ,l practice of the sale of patronage, and to con- that discussion, the decision would have been highly the Kingdom would but imitate the examples so glori satisfactory to the country ; and I have no hesitation ously s et them by Oakhampton end Westminster, it side" of etch means as may appear likely to prevent , tie same in future, if such practices have occurred. iin saying, that if the whole of the representation were . would do more than any other measure towards the edi July.—Each Director's nomination of Writers . chosen upon the same pure and independent principles attainment of that most desirable object, Parliamen which dictated the choice of that Hon. Baronet, that a u y reform. With respect to the Resolutions before was I„id before the Committee, who resolved that ' decision would have been nearly unanimous. After us, I think we are called upon in a peculiar manner tad' Member of the Committee should state in writing all that has passed, it is neither my wish nor intention to express our thanks to the worthy Baronet (Sir the names of the parties to whom he has given the to trouble you with a speech of any great length, be- ' Francis Burdett) who risked his life in our seri, eceinarion, together with the reasons which induced cause you have already paid every attention to the by his attendance on his Parliamentary duties, and * hie to give the same ; and that the - several parties subject, and you must have already decided on it ; who made so able a speech upon that occasion ; and elio have received such nominations for their sons, and lam most thoroughly convinced in my own mind I hope and trust we shall keep him in mind on a fu t. be required to produce satisfactory information to that, in offering to you the Resolutions lam about to tore occasion. There are likewise three other Gen the Committe e u p on oath, or in such manner as the Committee shall deem most expedient, that neither propose, I am not bringing forward any new ideas, , tlemen whom I cannot but consider as p articula r l y thoyenor any person on their account , or with their but merely expressing the feelings of nine hundred entitled to our a pp robation, I mean Sir S. Romill y , and ninety-nine nut of each thousand of all the inhabi- . and Mr. H. Martin, who, lawyers themselves, so • ' or knowledge, have given, or promised to privity i nobly opposed themselves to the host of legal abili tants of Great Britain and Ireland." give, an, v consideration on account of such nomiva- . • 1 eit ler to the Directors from whom they obtain- The following Resolutions - were then read : • ! ties that was ranged on the other side. 'rile other tics , aasotvee—ist, " That the Inhabitants of this City, from the Gentleman to whom I allude is General Fergusson, ed the same, or to any person on his behalf ; and it , means of information which their local situation affords them, who, after gloriously fighting our battles abroad, so en agreed to recommend to the Court to direct each I h.tve long teen aware cf the eX;fielICC of scandalous and corrupt practices ably contended against our enemies at home. Im individual Member of the Court to do the same. ien various Departments o f the State; and by the late investigation . these sentiments, I shall pressed with not trespass Ist August, 1798. The Court approved this Re. iin the Honourable the House of Commons, the fact has been made 1 manifest to I every part of the United Kingdom. ' further on your patience or your time. You wily pert ; and (15th August) each Director in office, as d .d .. liat Gwylliin Lloyd . Wardle, Esq.. by his singular in- • have the several Resolutions read to you separately, well as those out of office by rotation, (except Mr. I - I trept . ity and integrity . in instituting an inquiry into the 'conduct and you will decide upon them as you shall think Devavnes) gave explanations in writing. of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and by persevering in proper. ( It ' ll February, 1'199. It was resolved, That every , that Inquiry, in spite of the greatest difficulties, and the most ' ! formidable discouragements, has rendered an important service The Resolutions were then put separately and un appointment made in consequence of corrupt prac ;to his Country,. and merits . the grateful thanks and warmest ap- : animously agreed to. On the putting of the third tires be null and void, unless the parties to whom the ; probation of this Meeting. ! Resolution, in which the Thanks of the Meeting appointment is given shall, upon examination before ; 3d. "T hat the Thanks of this Meeeting be given to our i were voted to Sir Francis Burdett, the Hon. Baronet the Committee, make a fair and candid disclosure of ! worthy Representative, Sir F. Burdett, Bart. for the independent rose, and addressed them nearly as follows : all the circumstances attending the same. It was : manner in which, at a very important moment, and under very critical circumstances, fir he seconded the Motion for Inquiry; for " GENTLEMEN ELECTOAS OF WESTM!NSTER, lkewise resolved, that each Director should, in future, the ' assistance w as as h is health permitted, be afforded " This is the first opportunity that I have had, en the petition of the Writer whom he nominates, during its progress, and for the aisle and patriotic Speech which, y ou conferred upon 8, d ec l ar e upon his honour to whom he has given 1 under the pressure of great bodily pain, lie delivered en the result ; your Representatives, of returning you my sincere the appointment, and that he neither has received o f the Investi g aticn ; Cats adding one more to the many proofs he ! has alre ady given, that he is the faithful strward of that body, by i and heartfelt thanks. If I forbear from saying much himself, nor is he to receive, - nor has any other per son, to the best of his knowledge or belief, received, i w h ose 4t h Thatr free of this voice he wan Meeting b so e l g io i n vt o .n ura te bly L e e i r e d ct N et s. ! of your conduct at the last Election, it is from fear that I should be supposed to be praising myself in nor is to receive, any pecuniary consideration, nor any ' count Folkstone, for the active, judicious, and firm support he thing convertible, in any mode, into a pecuniary be. I afforded to Colonel Wardle during the Investigation ; and for his : praising you ; but at the same time, if I were to say 1 manly, able, and perspicuous Speech on the Conduct of the Corn. I nothing, I fear it might by some be considered as in refit on this account." I mander in Chief, i gratitude and, insensibility of the honour you have The direction being changed in April, on the 1-1111 I st h . ++ the That . Thanks of this Meeting are particularly due j done me. As to the Resolutions which have been cf August, 1799, a new Committee to investigate the : to Samuel Whitbread, Esq. Sir Samuel Romilly, Knt. Major Ge- I read to )(xi, in general they meet my most perfect truth cf the sale of patronage, &c. was appointed. I neral Ferguson, Henry Martin, Esq. Sir Thomas Turton, Bart. i Thomas William Esq. John Christian Curwen, Esq. the I approbation : but, if there is any one to which I can 17th January, 1800.—The draft of a letter pro- 1 : Honourable Thomas Coke,B rand, the Honontable H. W. Lyttleton , I not give such entire assent, it is to that in which your peseta to to be sent to the parents, &c. of persons appoin - Viscount Althorp, Charles Watkia Lord Viscount Milton, Lord 1 kindness to me has induced you to return me parti ted Writers since 1798, requesting them to declare 1 Williams Wynne, Esq. Lord Stanley, and the Minority of 105 . cular thanks for the share I took in the discussion of whether the appointments were given ' without any who dividedin favour of Colonel Wardle's Motion for an Address ' those transactions, which have zecently occupied the pecuniary or other consideration, was considered by to the Kin g , on the Conduct of the Duke of York, and the Mi no , rity of 137, who supported the Amendment proposed by Sir I attention of Parliament and of the Public. The share to Committee ; when a discussion arose, whether it 'Thomas 1 , urton, Bart. that I took,was certainly not more than what my du thould he on oath ; when it was adjourned till the 6th. _.+ That the Thanks of this Meeting be also given to the 1 ty required ; and there were several other Members 21st of January : and it being then suggested, wise- Minority, on the motion of Henry Bankes, Esq. ; and also to the fully as forward in discharging their duty as I was. they it would be proper for the Committee to proceed I Minority who opposed the motions of the Right Hon. the Chan- 1 cellor of the Exchequer; and it is their unanimous opinion, that,) As to the Resolution of returning your thanks to Co il. their inquiry, it was decided in the affirmative. i 1 after the concurring declaration of so many Independent Repro-' looel 'Wardle, this is most undoubtedly his due ; for suntatives of the People, whoever shall,at any future time, advise I I I am well convinced, that out of the 658 Members his Majesty to reinstate his Royal Highness the Duke of York in ' who compose the House of Commons, there is not the situation of Commander-in-Chief, will, by such advice, prove I himself an Enemy to the Country. i another man who would have undertaken what he has 7th. "'That it is the opinion of this Meeting, that the disco- i undertaken, or would have gone through it as well veries made by this Inquiry, as well as the attention which has las he has done. There nes •er was, perhaps, a busi been paid in the House of Commons to the investigation of the 1 , ness of such a nature brought forward, where the Charges brought in this particular instance, ought to animate the people to prosecute Inquiry and Reform in all the departments of i Mover was so little liable to any imputation. Other the State ; and they recommend to every County, City, and Bo- i public prosecutions may be supposed to originate from rough of the United Kingdom, in which the present state of the I disappointed hopes or personal resentment ; but Co- Elective Franchise will admit, to follow the example which it has ! lon 1 Wardle had eno personal disappointments or been the duty and pride of the City of Westminster to set them,' mortifications to resent, he had no promotion to look of returning, free of expellee, honest and independent Represen tatives, who shall have no interest but that of restoring what is : for, no hopes to gratify, and had brought the mea obviously wanted—integrity and ceconomy, in the receipt and sure fbrward solely for the public good. His whole expenditure of the public money, and of preserving inviolate the conduct of the business evinced the utmost coolness, rights and privileges of the people." I candour, and impartiality. I should be very happy, ten, wi s see t ee_ , We are now called upon to de-: indeed, have able ' to been to give the same praise of dare our opinions upon the late transactions : and I ' candour and impartiality to all the Members of that have no doubt hut when this shall be done with a pro- ! House who were the judges on that occasion. Those per degree offirmness,every goodeffect willresult from : qualities which the judges ought to have possessed, it. Should these opinions be treated with contempt, ! i (;olonel Wardie I can only say, it will chew the departing spirit of , : ll a owances would have been made to the zeal, the country, and lament, while expressing my fears, i and even the pariial bias, which an accuser may be 'that it will end in those sensations, bordering on com- ' supposed generall to entertain. In this case, how : motion, or else equivalent. te despotic monarchy.— l ev p er p the d n y. a our, impartiality, and all the qualities Wide and fortunate are the distinctions between Chet i which were to be looked for in judges, were with the and the blessin g s of a limited monarchy. In the fat-1 accuser, and very little of those qualities was to be ter we approach the throne with confidence; we lay I our sentiments at its foot, without fear—ln despotic 1 I preceded me, have told you very truly, 'that these Governments, the slave broods over his wrongs, till; abuses arise from the imperfect state of our Parlia they burst like thunder over the head of the tyrant, . i mentary representation. lam fully convinced, that and teach him the awful lesson, that from the throne 1 there is not, at the present moment, any subject to the prison -house, and to death, short indeed is the worthy of • linterval. Russia, Turkey, and Sweden have in sac- I fish n • ation, except the necessity of a Reform in Par-, cession prayed this melancholy truth ; and I cannot i liament. This sentiment has been always entertained but think those the worst and greatest foes to the mo- and always avowed by me, and I do flatter myself march, who advise him to neglect the wishes of his 1 that it was this sentiment which first recommended people, and to consider those who presume to offer ,me to your notice. We have heard of late of a great wholesome counsel as his enemies. You have all ! many heard the charges and their proofs ; you have like- sider about the growing abuses of Administration ; wise heard the defence made against them, and that but how does it happen that, withall their inquiries by a host of lawyers, all drawn up on one side ; you and all their discoveries, none of the public pecula must have made up your minds on them, and I shall tors have been brought to punishment ? (Loud afi not waste your time by entering into a minute inves- plause.) They may bring forward Commission after tigation of them. No doubt the public hope has been Commission, and Act of Parliament after Act of Patlia disappointed ; for wino could suppose the son of a ment, and yet peculation goes on, and the authors of it just and pious King could be capable of such prac- are not punished. Instead of the guilty being punished, tices ? And even though the charges should be pro- all manner of imputations are always thrown upon wed, we cannot suppose him capable of participation. those who detect their guilt. The Chancellor of the Ex- Strong, however, as was the proof, it cannot be de- chequer has lately brought in one of those Bills. If my tried, that 'the decision has disappointed those health had allowed me to have been in the House at the " Who look, with equal eyes, like Goo, on all— time, i shouldhave certainlyopposed the introduction of " Who sees a hero perish—or a sparrow fall:' it. I should have objected to that or any other :ham however it may prove that— and ridiculous plan, which professed what it was evi " One man may steal a horse, when another may not dare to look over the hedge." dently impossible that it could accomplish. Of bills of The decision, drilled as it was by a leader of experi- this sort we have abundance. Lord Melville himself enced ability, I cannot but consider as a substantial brought in a bill to prevent corruption in his office, victory ; and the feelings of the people have effected and it was afterwards found that his bill was so in the work, aidedby a virtuous minority. Althbugh every geniously worded that it did not apply to his parti pains weretaken that human ingenuity and industry cular case. You have had pet sons of all ranks and could devise, yet was his Royal Highness obliged to degrees in life brought to the bar of the House of WESTMINSTER MEETING. Yesterday a Meeting was held, in Westminster- Hall, of the Inhabitants of Westminster, convened by the High Bailiff, pursuant to a requisition to him fCr that purpose, signed by a number of the most re spectable inhabitants. _ _ About one o'clock, the High Bailiff, attended by a number of Gentlemen (at the head of whom was Sir Francis Burdett, who, on hit; appearance, was cheered by the most cordial and unanimous applauses of the largest assemblage of Freeholders we ever ri..ressed on. a similar occasion), took the Chair. — After silence was obtained, he addressed the Meeting, r.a:l informed them, that, in consequence of the Re qaH:ion presented to him, he had called them toge tltr ; that he should leave the discussion of the sub . *: to such Gentlemen as thought proper to offer thtmselves to the attention of the Meeting. Mr. STURCII then addressed them as follows : " Gentlemen—The very extraordinary discussions r.l:cit have so lately occupied the almost exclusive ;:iition of the House of Commons, having excited t:.e strongest sensations throughout the country, and meetings on the subiect being known to be in. :ended, it was considered that the City of Westmin ster, foremost as she is in consequence and import aue, should not be amongst the last in coming for vara for the purpose of expressing her feelings on the business. The requisition which you have just heard t.'.1,1 was accordingly presented, and the High Bailiff b•••ing most promptly acceded to the public wish, I I ..ae new to congratulate myself, and you, at the ve.y numerous as well as respectable assemblage, has obeyed the call. The first idea that pa:sents ascii to our consideration, is the vast impor of the subject that calls for our discussion.—lf tv•': - there was any occasion which imperiously made 1 , a der.and upon public feeling, it is the present ; if , 'y-'r-i)lic voi c e was ever lo u dly called for, it is now ; t... , nergies and sympathies of an indignant public ever to be excited, this is the period ; because .t.lt cannot exist any thing more important to the Pesperity, the vital existence of the State, titan the P"!::Y of the executive Government. If the public are to become but funds for extravagance ; if Our Commanders are to be diverted from the pure un , ullied discharge of their public duties, by the v - I,n or the rapacity of kept mistresses, then I hesi t4 not to say that the spirit of our army is b ro k en •(,- • -11 and fled, and that we are left to contend with a hi, ody and ferocious foe in vain. These are truths no man could attempt to contend against, who was 1, (1 prepared, at the same time, to maintain that the P-vpie had nothing to do with their own existence.-- !'- it, not my intention to enter into any detail of the suliject now brought under our consideration, after tilt very ample and patient discussion it has so lately 4! ~,. Commons, froni the high rank of the person who was the subject of the late inquiry, down to the governs* of the prison at Cold-bath-fields ; and yet, *as there an instance of any one of them having been punishedi You have already bills enough to prevent those abuses; but the bills are a mere dead letter, and the abuses still continue, and are perpetually increasing. Yost have now upon your statute book the Bill of Rights, which was expressly calculated for the prevention of such abuses ; and yet this bill is no longer a protec-. tion to the country, for the abuses continue. If the family of the Stuarts had but possessed that know- . ledge which every body possesses now, the knowledge of managing a Parliament, they never would have been expelled the throne of this country. When the Bill of Rights stated that standing aemies were on no account to be kept up without the consent of Parlia ment, it had not anticipated the time that Parliaments could be brought to consent to any thing that the King's Ministers should require. At the time in which the Bill of Rights was passed, a standing army was con ceived so unconstitutional and so dangerous to civil liberty, that it was not supposed that Parliament could grant it, except on some case of great emer gency. It was a distinct charge against James 11. that he kept up a standing army contrary to law ; but if he had known the modern art of managing a Par liament, that and much more could easily have been done according to law. What, however, is the most cruel and afflicting consideration, is, that those very men to whom the people should naturally look up as their protectors from those abuses, have become the principal cause of them. Among the bills, of which I have been speaking, the e is one which is called v.agna Charta. This has now grown almost obsolete, and WAS certainly never mentioned in . the Courts of Law. By this law no man was to be iinprisoned,.except by the due course of law. There was no exception in favour of Attorney Generals granting their informa tions ex officio, and having the King's subjects impri soned contrary to the due course of law. We had an Habeas Corpus Act too, but our ancestors had not , calculated on its being suspended, whenever Mi n i s ters I should ask Parliament so to do. If those laws are now permitted to remain on our statute book, they only stand to shew us in what a degrading situation we are now placed, and from what an eminence we have fsillen. It is now high time that the country 'should 'call for such a reform as will give us a House of Commons really looking to the interests of the people, and not to the emoluments which are to be derived from the favour of the Crown.—(Loud Ap plause!. " TLre is another sentiment which I feel it neces. sary for me to express, and in which I differ from many persons. I have heard that spirit much ap plauded which induces the Nobility and Gentry of this country to turn farmers, and give their principal attention to the cultivation of their estates. Now it appears to me that it forbodes no good to the coun try, i'n its present critical situation, to see those who ought to be considered as its natural defenders, desert its cause at such a time as this, indifferent about those abuses which may lead to its utter destruction, and only anxious about fattening sheep and oxen. These cares are in themselves very proper; but they should be only of secondary importance to those whose rank and consideration should rather call them to rescue their country from oppression, than to spend their lives and devote their whole minds to the considera tion of the best manner of fattening cattle. 46 I would really wish that those Noblemen and Gentlemen would learn how dangerous it is to them and to the security of their property, to be neglectful of the situation of the country in general. If the country is lost, what will become of their properties ? I do really believe that if better measures of defence for the country are not provided, the country will be lost. If then, some General Junot or Duke of Abran• tes becomes the master of it, perhaps indeed these No. blemen or Gentlemen may be still allowed to follow their agricultural experiments (only accounting to him for the profits), and he may be obliged to them for their diligence, and pleased with the discoveries they may make. (Laughter and applause:.) I see but two measures for the salvation of the country. The first is, to get rid of that intolerable grinding corruption which devours the country, which has placed it in the state of the fabled Prometheu s , who was chained to a rock; on whose liver a vulture was constantly prey ins, but which perpetually grew again. It was in this manner, that notwithstanding the sums which were lavished by corruption, the unexampled indus try of the people of this country re-produced the means to supply the constant waste of this infernal corrup tion. (Loud applause:. " We hear perpetually of the wonderful beauty and contrivance of the Constitution. Now, if we are to judge from the practice, we must suppose that it is a thing too beautrful to be made use of. The country is overrun with numerous - tax-gatherers (armed with excessive powers), besides supervisors, and a number of other revenue officers whose titles I do not recollect, but who swarm over the face of the land like insects on the banks of the Nile, and, like them, raised and fattened by corruption. The bill of the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, like other bills, be soon a dead letter. Need 'I mention to you the conduct of Judger, who, for offences committed and tried in this city, send men for years to Dorchester gaol,'and to solitary imprisonment ? Need I describe to you the horrible cruelty of the punishment of solitary, imprisonment ? The day that introduced that system into England should stand \ 1 ' Fur aye accursed in the calem'ar.' Did you think, however, that such things are to be remedied by any bills to be brought in to prevent Judges from acting in this manner ? No : they would be effectually prevented by an honest House of Com mons, who would call to account Judges or any other public Officers that should abuse the trust reposed in them. Without a House of Commons which really represents the people of England, the country is like a ship without a rudder, which, however it may ap pear upon the water, is in perpetual danger of ship wreck. We may remember an instance some years ago, of a youth, about sixteen or seventeen years of age (Mr. Le Maitre) being sent to solitary imprison ment, where he was left for near seven years, without being brought to trial. He had been charged with intending to kill the King, by blowing something out of a reel. It was generally called the Pop-gun Plot, and yet when it was recollected that upon a charge which was probably void of all foundation, as well as probability, a man was kept in solitary imprisonment seven years without a trial, I must ask what is the use i ~...iiimilooo