The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-03-16 00:00:00

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of some of the most material chines Ihat we
could he brought forwent I cawitt believe
Mrs.l larke told us about the Doke saying to her,
that if she were a deter woman, she need Atot want
money.: There is ampething imerolielale•in that ;
although it might. be possible that be himself
sal ht not be disposed to watch over his expenses
with that care whiOt a person of less income, or in
distressed eirt•mustsinces, might deem proper and
necessary. As to Knight's case, I think its im-
portance arises from its ehewipg elnit commis-
stone were to be obtained .by ' such corrupt
means as therein stated. :laid .can ant thiog he
more injurious to the general character ot the al my,
than a notion prevailing that ereferineat is not to
be obtained by doing duty well, but by condescend-
ing to every species of mealtimes to a woman of
this kind ? With regard to the case of Docker, I
think it invokes a serious charge, as it is evident
that a place in the Commissariat was obtained
through corrupt influence with the Duke of York.
1 do nut believe that such situation was in env de-
gree procured by the interference of Sir Brook
NVatben ; for it appears that Mr. Dowler's politics
were altogether contrary to those of that worthy
Baronet ; and, besides, it would be extraordinary
that Sir BrookWatsoti, haring a son, should think
of giving that place to a person who had been op-
posite.; him. As to French's levy, there is evi-
dently something very suspicious in it ; and, vil-
though it does not appear that the Duke partici-
pated in the corruption, yet, I must say, I ten
astonished he should have been so blind as not to
isee that which every man must have seen. Only
consider the evidence of Miss Taylor, confirmed as
it is by those letters and notes, especially. those
writteu to Captain Sander, which, whether lie
were the dupe or accomplice of Mrs. Clarke,
•hew there was a continual coutse of correspondence
carrying on between them, and that she was con-
Mantle- receiving information on militaey matters,
and you will find it exceedingly strong and corro-
borative 'of Mrs. Clarke's testimony. If Captain
Sautleii were actually the dupe, he could in a inn-
ment have proved Mrs. Clarke's stateincat as to
influence to be false, by applying to the Duke of•
York ; bit so far from it, Captain Sandeu kept
advancing money to her, from time to time, in
order, as be hoped, to effect Ins purpeee. Al-
though there be mine continuity in Mrs.
Clarke's statement of the 'etiaeeitsation with
the Duke, and that of Mies Th'eloi:,sl think it
is sufficient still to force me to come 'to the cotti
elusion, that the Duke of York was priry to that'
transaction, and theiefore a participatoriii it. As
to the case of Cape.Tonytt, I think the note pro-
duced relative to ii, I` it hail been a forget's"-, would
have had more Mit tar to it; in ' aider -to pro-
duce the couclusions iutenaed to be drawn from
it, without incurring 'the 'risk of -detection.—
Considering that Captain Sander, Rave exactly
the same account of it to Captai vflamiltou, tit
Portsmouth, originellve as he ' • 'artist gave at
do t.
the Bar, I cannot but suppose :I it was the
real fact, that the note was simun some way or
other, although we might easily conceive 'that
some other pretence had been made to the Duke
for obtaining it. As to Captain Turner's case, it
appears to nie to give an idea that Mrs. Sutherland,
at the time of the application, hail so great ate
inenetice over him, although in fact tot living
with hint, but with soother, as to induce hint to
refuse resignation to an officer, whose ruilituev cha-
racter was well known. , If then he were so with
led away by Mrs. Sutherland, whim not living with .
her, how much more probable was it, that he
would be led away by the fascinating charms of
the one with whom fie lived?' (h elsh! Hear!)
I own frankly dd. My • view of the case is this,
that ootwithstaii lirikeell that Lns Lem said by the
Right Flonourahle and Learned* Gentleman on
the other side, the amendment that has been pro-
posed by the flotiouiahle Member below me (Mr.
Bankes), does exactly shoe my conviction as to the
cosidert of' the Duke of York. , It is evident that
the Duke could not avoid suspecting that such
practices existed. It was a good deal like the general
conviction and feeling of a man, who kitties that
Lis affairs are going into a bad state; he is ala up
afraid that he is spending to• • much money,
but he dies not choose t• look into his affairs,
so that he almost persuades himself that he
can go on living as he bag dune. Any OUR
who 'mows the nature of the humeri mind must
know, that it is very possible for a permit' to have
that sort of sensation we are now speaking of.
I cannot say I know of all these corrupt practices
particularly ; but I go as far as I cast in acquitting
his Reptl leighneivs, and I should he rather led to
agree with the motion of my Ileitounthle Friend,
than acquit hen altogether. It has been said, that
it would he more flintily to come to a direct charge
of guilt ; but it is because they think it would be
more easy to persuade the Dense to retract.
I am as old a catcher as any of these Learned
(Gentlemen, soul am fully aware of the tricks that
are practised in this flonse.—e Hear ! hear !
Aeor .',/ That is most manly which really ex-
presses the conviction of our understanding. Ilia
Royal Highness buying put himself, by their ad-
vice, its the situation lie now stands before us, that
makes it impossible for me to do other.viee. It is
a sham.. which I, in common with all others, de-
plore. At one time, it was said to be a plot ; but
I cannot think there Is any proof whatever that
it has been so ; for it is remarkable that Mrs. C.
was upon bad terms with most of the witnesses

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brought to the Har, such us Donovan, Sondes',
Drawler, and Mrs. Sutherland. This cir-
,
ce instance dues away all suspirioa that it was a plot.
But the strongzst of all evidence in confirmation ni
Moe. Clarke's testimony, is to me the Duke's
letters, both bemuse they are it,species of evidence
justly esteemed, and were verdien at the time these
transactions were going on,—She did not know they
were in exiateneo.-01. Col. Gordon, Col. Brown-
rig, and Gen. Calvert, none can speak, more highly
than 1 am disposed to do. I enn never for-
get the effect produced when I saw Col. Gordon at
the bar, called upon to state whether that mys-
teriona note was° of the Duke of Yurk;s, hand writ-
ing. There wasve rtiguity, simplicity, arid deter-
mination Oil his part to 410 his duty, alarll conduct,
however painful it inight be to him, one could not
but in the highest degree respect. If the Duke of
York had stated to those Gentlemen, that he ap-
prehended Mrs. Clarke was irregularly interfering