The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-02-15 00:00:00

COLt %NEL Gaftuov.

Q. Iffy strso- T.E.) iwish )ost to state
when Shaw wsisainertisstol Assiptant Bireatk-
Matter, and put uu half-pay ?
The Witness here asked whether the BMW
swished Isita to Involver ill, que..tion as. it was pat.
area reel a statement of the whole trammetiust sis it
took plave ?
The CRAIIWAN dcairtd him to ;loaner it as it
was post.
Colonel GoimoN alpoor.:!icti" 1 110 not • believe
I have documents in my possession that will readily
answer the qiiestion ; but I think it must bail.
been about the end of March, of beginning of
April. 1801 i. and I believe he was appointed Or-
puty-Barraek-Master, and placed on half-pay im-
mediately a:le-ward-."
Q. Do yo can.. I.ow 60111 afterwards I
cannot from my ret-t!!ertion at this moment but
rs very easily :ascertained by a reference to The
Army List. or Gemelfe.
Mr. PERCEVAL" You may now state any thing
you have to communicate as to the applications
and appointment in siestim•."
Colonel Onstuna--.. %With respect to the ap-
po:r.tment of Lieutenant-Coloisel Shaw, the first
docsimerst is a letter from Lieutenant-t:esseral
Ilurrard to use, dated the Inth of August, limo
recommending Colonel Shaw, Isis friend, fur pia-
'notion."
Here the Witness lead that letter, together with
his answers, and the wishes of General Itarr.,.-.1, all
of which latter were hiJily mcossissis odutory of
Colonel Shaw. Ile also mad a neaten paper,
which he bad received from Cienerd Burrard,
dated the 30th of Jvisuary lest. stating the origin
of that Officer's aciptaisitinice with Lieutenant-Co-
lonel Shaw, his uscrit,., and the Circumstances
under which he was placed, and retiring the de-
tail of the application he had formerly made on his
behalf.

On the motion of Mr. CnARt.F.•I ADAMS, the Wit-
Deal was ordered t • withdraw, slid that Gentleman
stated the propriety :if these letters being pursed
to be Lieut.-General Ilurranl•s hand-writing, be-
fore they •'uuld he produce,: as evidence.
Mr. Pritco. at. he had some doubts as to
the propriety of receiviie4 these letters us eiiilence
at all ; probably the hest courae would be ro
di-
rect them to be put out thr minutes.
The Watarts was recalled. Q. (ny Mr. Vt. AR-
DLL). In the first letter you read, then; was nue
inclosed from Lieut.-Col. &haw, au winch he id-
ludts to some pmmises made to him by the Cow.
marider-iii-Chief, de you know shut those promises
were ?—A. I cannot state exactly that I de know ;
but I suppose they were the usual answers made to
Officers washing promotion, namely, that their
manses were noted, a•ad they would receive intiuta.
tiou us sums as opportunity offcretl to comply with
their requests.
Q. 1)o you know of any other promise which
Mary Shaw received ?—A. I do not.
Q. Is it usual for Fig.' Officer', on the Staff to

be put upon half pay ?—A. When a I. cell Officer
accepts a permanent staff appointment 'broad, it
is usual fur hint to he placed on half pay. This is
ate general rule ; but there are souse exceptions.
Q. State those exceptions?—A. The best way
would be to read a list of the permanent appoint-
ments abroad.
Q. 11.4 fore you do so-, state whether the officer
who bad the appointment of deputy !wrack-mas-
ter before Major Shaw, WWI upon half or full
r•st ?—A. If 1 recollect right, Major ;haw was
t first person appoints-d to that situutiou upon the
snipttire of the colony.
[Here the Witness, v ith the permission of the
ll,suse„ reed u lung list of Stall (thiccrs, uppoi wed
on foreign stations, souse or whom, it thuore up -
pearert weer plnced neon half-pay, and stone oleos
Lull pay, according to the mealier circumstances
of their respective situations.)
Q. (Ry Itr GEOROB W ARREN DrIl: —4 wish to
lamw bow many of the Officers who hold tho,e si-
tuations now were upon half pay, precious te, and
at the time they were so appointed to the Stuff?
Speaking to the best of my recollect' of
tour respective situatious, there was only one not on
frill rue.
Q. Woo Sir William Ker on half-Pei ?—A. I
believe, with. the exception of Sir William Ker,
tisey were st:l nu :all pay.

Q. My 11iF. Aliteteinsulst.) Is Sit Willians
Ker receiving ins half-pay at this time ?—A. That
is a financial question which 1 can only answer by
reference to documents. 1 believe lie has applied
for it ; bat he bas not yet received it.
Q. Am I correct that Colonel Kemp was ap-
pointed Quarter-Master-General in Canada, on the
recommendation of Sir James Crai„,,, Colonel
Kemp being then in Sicily?—A. Yes, he was; he
had no 'lotion of his appointment until after it had
taken place.
Q. Am I correct in supposing Colonel Kemp
would hove declined that situation, if it had inter.
feted with his Lieutenant-Coloneley of the Slat
Regiment ?—A. I um quite positive of it, from the
repeated assurance* that were made.
Q. (By another Member.) Is the situation of
Deputy Quarter-blaster, in Sicily. upon full pay,
or does he receive any pay besides that from hiaStati'
situatioa ?—A. I believe lie does not, but at pre-
seat lie must feel aggrieved at not having it.
Q. (By Lord FOLKSTON E.) Are these Officers
on Stallappoiuhucuta, always receiving half-pay,
over and alone what belongs to these appoint-
*news beheie I hare stated to the floimo.,
that, to the hest of my recollection, they were all
upon full pay, but put on half pay on receiving their
appointments ; but there must be al vacancy iii the
half-pay establishments, the Coininander-iii-Chief
not having it in his power to plaice I /nicer* on it as
hr prliwies.
Q. Do you know en Officer of' the name of
Bowyer. upon full pay in the West Indies, who was
sprinted Deputy Adjutant-General in Nova
Seolut ; what situation does he now hold ?—A. lie
is the eldest Captain of the trttli Regiment, *mil
has beets ordered to join his Regiment, or be placed
on half pay.
Q. What regiment did Colonel Shaw belong to
before he received his Staff appointment 3--A. I
think it was the 40111 regiment.
Q. Did Sir Harry Burford command the Bri-
gade of Guam's at that time 3—A. Yes ; he cum-
mauled them iii Loudon.

Q. Ditl you state those &earnests yea have
heard read, Ns being ell the documents relative to
the appoisstment of Major Slasw?—A. I believe
so ; they are all diet are m the office.
Q. 1. it muul to place an officer open a stall'
appostitiow a, eithout:squiring of the Cotnurantler
of the ftel4stisesst, shat have been his merits or ge-
neral essisdnet That has been usual.
Major Shaw hail wit been its that regiment above
six months.

Q. it slot etlstriiiiiiry to apply to the Officer
n 1.45 to Colonel oh tlu Heyksuent in such * case 1—
A. No. I caucot bay it is; for in unsay eases the
Colonel not being with his Regiment, cannot he
'opposed to brio, good a judges's any other Officer
with *haul a person may have aervwd.
44. lu poiat of filet 0445 110 application tootle
to any person a. to Nlszir Shaw, but to (;enerul
flurr.ird Geocral Darnall iII one
of hi, letters, that Major Shaw had a friend in Sir
James Craig. it is iiiipo.shle to recollect 'whether
nay mention ass made of any applica:ion to any
oilier.

Q. Di I Colonel Shaw ever serve under Sir
James Craig ?—A. 1 really know no more of it
than what Sir Harry Hurrara stated in Isis letter.
Q. (By (:ess. Lorrus.) Do you know Col. Mey-
rick Shaw ?—A. Yes.l do.
. _ _

Q. you recollect his being appointed confi-
dential fitieretary to Lord %Vt.Healey in India i-
-1. rather think that be did hold some appniut-
niesit in India._

Q. Do )uu know that in consequence of his
purcintsitiq u Lieutenant-Colonelry, oat in Italia,
I.e wo, put aping half-par ?—A. I recollect he pur-
chased the Lieutetisut-eolonelcy of the 3ist, but
i cannot vitae the particulars alluded to.
Q. (Lig .11r. munt.) I wish to know whether
Col. :11. "L.; was a senior officer to the Major of
the ^tith Iteg;inerit,tu winch he has been fc •ed ?
—A. When lie was removed he was a Lietiteuant-
Colonel, although he had Mitt served so musty years
as the Major of the Regitoeut to which he was re-
loured.

Q. Do you know that Col. M. Shaw had cr.rvill
as a Captain la 11w 7rith Regiment, under Aiajor
Covell ?—A. No, I do not.

Q. From what re gno,•nt au* he removed to the
Lieutenant-Cohnt. Icy of the 7111, I—A. lie war
reninvcd frotu one of the gArrhpoto battalions in Ire-
land.

Q. is it not customary. in the rvent of death,
particidurly when a n•a. •iit is 00 sere lee, that the
splicer next to seniority is appointed to the *tuff?
—A. That depends very lunch on the merits of
the officer. . .

Q. Did not Major Covell command the 76th
Regiment, during the Spanish expedition, in con-
tr./oracle of Colonel Spaces had health, or some
other circumstance a—A. The 71ith Regiment
sailed from this county under the command of
Major Covell, in consequence of Colonel Sy Ines's
indisposition, end he continued to command it du-
ring the Colonel's partial ill health.
Q. Is not Major Covell en officer of longer
stawling su the army than Lieut.-Culogiel
rick Simi. 1 think it is very likely he 1114 S,
for he is a very old experienced officer ; lint his
Royal Highness did not think him an competent as
Lieutenant.4l.7olouel Sliew.—/ .11ernisirs.)
Q. What had been the recent services of Lieu.
tenant-Colonel Shaw 1

This gyestion wascohieeted tn by Mr. I'LactvaL,
and the Witnes.ordrret to. withdraw.

Mr. Precritat then observed. that the lion.
Gentleman seemed now to be inquiring into the
mei its of several officers, and whether there had
been a proper caereise of the judgment of the Coin-
mandc;-.iii-Chiel in making ',coliseum's. Ile did
nut think any charge justified this consislera-
tuns, or should lead them into an inquiry how
far the existing regulations should be altered.
Tliii.slitl not seem to into to lie the proper course,
as it would reliably tarry the House into a very
unpleasant ifirestigation, and draw answers from
the sitnesisra, which might be totally irreletant to
the question.'
:11r. W1(111111FAn ilia, he did not at all
the ii:ipleadantiiess of the investigate'''.
but i.t the same tiine be did pot doubt the
propriety and competency of the question.
He wt,lud the (louse to consider what they
Were really ;earebttgotilitr. This Col. Gerdes'
bad stated. that there were particular inks ia re-

gird to army prontotions. It was therefore corn*
patent to the lbw. Gentleman to ask, whether
those rules had been complied with 1 For, without
that, it was impossible for hint to prosecute his in-
qujry. It was very probable that Col. (iordou
would be able to state some great services, for
those various aypoiutmruts lie hail alluded to. lie
apprehended this was a particular case iu point,
iii which a Lient.-Culonel had been appointed to
the COI 1111 l and of a regiment, in a maimer not coil-
sistent with the distinct line of practice that had
been stated by Colonel Coulon. Upon that
ground he found himself under the itecessity of de-
fending the question now proposed. It was true,
if no beneficial consequerices weir likely to result
from such a question, every man must wish to sup-
press it, and particularly after such au nos% er
as that which the Witness hat iimv giVI•11. The
House was altogether engaged in a most
investigation, but it was such au flue that they inust
discharge their duty in every part of it.
Mr. Meet:vet. still thought that it lied not
been stated in tiny of the charges that a anode of
appointment had Irwin adopted contrary to the
established course, and therefore lie would recom-
mend to the flonmirable Geritlenuni, that he
would first of all introduce the inquiry, by ask-
ing the Officer of the Bar, whether or not the up-
pointosent had been contrary to the regulations ?
Upon these srounds he should Hot oppose the
pros. Emboli of the mode of inquiry.
Mr. Wt.creet:an said, he entirely concurred in
what the Right Hon. Gentleman had suggested.
Mr. ‘VARDLi also expressed himself satistied
with the line of proceeding pointed out; but it
was a po.itive ussertiou of Colonel Gordon, some
tinie ago, that if Colonel Shaw was a junior Officer,
his appointment was (lathery to the ordinary regu-
lab of the service.

Colonel Gorilou was then recalled, and inter-
rogated I.y Mr. %Vaunt:.
Q. Was there any deviation from the ordinary
practice of the army in the appointment of Col.
hleyrick Shaw to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the
pith Regiment?—A. None whatever; 1 stated, I
believe, in my former evidence, that it was the
practice in the army that a junior Officer should
not be placed over a senior Officer of another re-
giment of the same rank.
Q. What recommendation had Mr. Samuel Car-
ter, of the IGtl► Regiment, for his promotion in the
army

This 'question was objected to ; the V:itriess
withdrew, mid it wits agreed by the House that se-
veral of the preceding; questions and answer* be
expunged.
Q. IBy Mr. WELLESLEY POLE.) What is the
date of Alajor Cuvell's Commission as a Major
iu the army I—A. A*lgust, 18u7.
Q. Do you know that Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw
WWI iu the E:iat 1111113 Company's service before he
received his appoi.itinent I—A. I do not exactly
know ; but 1 have all along heard the best charac-
ter of hito.

Q. Is it tint understood that when n General
Officer is placed en half-pay, without receiving any
difference, it is the intent to restore him again to
full pay, on the first opportunity ?--.1. The Com-
mander-in-Chief has been universally governed by
that rule.

Q. (By die SECRETARY at Watt.) Do you
know that the Secretary at War mule some impli-
cation to you on behalf of Lieut.-Colonel Muter ?
A. With the greatest deference to that Right
Hon. Gent. I may even nay he importuned me.
Q. Did 1 importune you to solicit his Royal
Highness to keep that officer on full pay as long as
he could possibly remits his situation ?—A. You
certainly did.
Q. !low long was Covell a Captain in the 76th
regiment I do not know.
Q. Do you not believe he was one of the oldest
Captains in the ariny I think it is very pro-
bable.

A question WWI then put to Wittles% whether he
knew sits instance of a private in the Dragoons,
from lila great merit. having been promoted to the
rank of a Copt: t i ttt and having in consequence
commanded officers whom he hid formerly obeyed,
when Colonel Woon spoke to order.—lle said, if
mirk inquiries a% these were proceeded in, the
business of the Committee would never end : be-
sides, in pursuing this line of conduct. the house
were trenching upon the prerogative of the Crown;
and, he supposed, no one would assert, that the
right of appointing officers was not vested in the
Crown.

Mr. SMITH said, if his recollection did not fail
him, Colonel Gordan, on a former examination' in
g' stating the regulations of the Kins army, lied
said that which the present inquiry made doubt-
ful, and threw doubts upon his consistency, if
these regulations hail been attended to.
Sir G. ‘V ARID:Nina observed, that he could net
help noticing the objections to questions from that
side, while others were terrupted ; he par-
ticularly alluded to questions which had heels re-
Celltly put by a Right Honourable Gentleman on
the other side.

General %Vit.:maws, said, as the questions lie
had put had been so pointedly alluded to, he must
&nerve, that he only wished to chew Lieut. Co.
I .1 Shaw had been ■ Lieut. Colonel before
Major Caleinti had attained the mid: of a Major.
Mr. Srutucs Boum and Mr. Yoaxx, dis-
claimed all idea of partiality ; and an Ihni. Mem-
ber, tinder the sallery, raid, he recoltected, that
when Colonel Gordon stated the regulations of
the army, he made exceptions for special
MI, and should be very sorry any wrung impres-
„Xion of that Gentleman's conduct should he re-
ceived while it was iii his power to vindicate him.
Colonel Gordon was again called in aud exa-
mined by Mr. SMITH.
Q. Do you know whether Captain Brunker was
ever Quarter-Master of the sth Regiment of Dra-
goons ?—A. I cannot recollect that I ever heard
his name.

Q. Du you know whether ha was ever a private ?
—A. 1 h:u•e bated 1 do not know of having ever
hutrd of him.

Q. Do you know Mrs. Clarke ?---A. I never hsd
the pleasure of seeing her till within these few days,
whim attending bete :I;; a Witness. •
Q. lu the cmirm: of the correspondence between
poi -elf dud (:eurial Iturraril, • letter of the 28th
• espresael a desire of that (;enerel to ~co•
• OKI you see biw iu ecnasepence ?-4. I

• .
think I must have seen him. Indeed lam alntrsut
certain 1 did.
Q. On that occasion did you suggest to General
Burrard that the appointment at the Cape 01C0
Hope was attainable ?—A. I caisitot recollect ; but
think it is most likely I did.
Q. Had you any couier.astion with the Corn.
utader-iii-Chief on the subject of Colonel Shan's
appoiutineist, and did he empress a desire to s.!rve
him ?—A. I do not recollect the Costionsuslyr-ii,
Chief so expressing himself; but I most haw
spoken upon the subject.
Q. Did the Commander-in-Chief ever speak to
you on the subject, sinless you first mentsai,..se it
—A. I cannot say by did ; but I wish, with drat'_
elite, to inform the Comiuittee, that there ate tel,
ur eleven thousand Officvni in the army with silos'
I oils expected either to own-sponse or address.
Q. Did you ever 'oar of Mrs Clarke sellin;
ernmuissioiss before this discuss t miasmic. d
A. Never, before, except through the iiitunsous
b. Is shiell appeared.
Q. Did you ever set on foot iinpiiiies to leer'
whether cominissimis were ever sold, or netret the
authors of those libels?—A. the ;ear IrGi I
rumours, and even rim...nest te.o. ft of
stall iilmws, but could riot tret redrew., a. t un-
(:(1411,4.11 tlwre aay iso method of punislain4 the
offenders. l spoke to the Secretsiy %1, ar 111.,111
the sithjeet, and letters sere waled cautiolosig
Otileers agaii.st such practiet s.
Q. From whence, at that time, slid you ;.:et you
information ?—A. I believe the little I revealed
was anonymous. The vase it alluded to wt s a
jaiyanastership, fur which iouol. had been Or. r.
It had beta negociated between a petits,' of the
MUMS of Fro,)))'. an army broker, mid au army
clothier, Hauled Herniates', who resides, I think.
Parliament-street;ils it was for the first battalion
of the German Legion. I sent for Prom, who
said he hail only received a commission upon the
lunch and he refer red use to Ilemptlyii; and bey
I cannot help mentioning what 1 term the gross
impudence of this Ceistlemeu ; he at kisowledged
plainly that lie got the money ; as plainly told
sue that he should give rue no further ialormatioit
about it.
Q. Was the name of Mrs. Clarke ever mention.
eJ in that business N....A. Certainly me-
g. Did you ever tell the Duke of York strata
it.?—A. Yes. I did.

Q. What did he ►sy to you on that occasion ?
A. fie desired me to sift it to the bottom. and
said, that whoever might be concerned should be
punished in an exemplary mataier.
Q. Yon delivered in a paper, iu which the names
of Loraine end Brooke are 'motioned, how dues it
happen, that part of your remarks upon that
paper :ire. written with a pen and part with a pen-
cil .—A. Whim his Royal Highness objectxd to the
first application, 1 marked "C. L." with a pencil;
upon objection• to the second application, I made
the other remarks with a pencil.
Q. Is it usual to make such remarks with a pelt-
ed ?—A. Sometimes it is.
Q. (By 11r. WHIT/READ). Did you know any
thing of VI omit before that transaction, in which
you mentioned him to be concerned ?—A. I knew
him us a reputed army-broker—l um at open war
with suvli characters.

Q. What steps did you take to prevent his bur-
in., future agency with the army I—A. I do not
understand lie ever had permission; but he con-
tinued to act as a broker in spite of me; he acted
as a broker, not US army agent.
Q. (By Mr. PRIMEVAL.) Was it not in conse-
quence of the nicortnation yoe had thus obtained,
that the circular letters were issued, cautioning the
army against such transactious ?—A. It was.
Q. (By Mr. WARDLE.) IVA, there ever any
entry made of Colonel Knight not being approved ?
A. gertainly not.
Q. (By a Member.) Through what recom-
mendation did Mr. Samuel Carter obtain his com-
mission of Eusign, in the 16th regiment of Foot
A. It was through the recomineudatiou of Lieut.
Sutton, of the Royal Artillery. (Here the Witness*
gave in a letter, dated Dec. 7, lito6, which stated
that the Lieutenant took the liberty of recoil'.
risentling Samuel Curter, from his Royal Highness
haring on former occusious honoured him (the
Lieutenant) with his notice • the letter then stated.
that Carter was au orphan lad, that his lather had
been an old soldier, and that lie died in the service.]
Q. Do you recollect when he was appointed ?
A. Hereis Coll-oil Chiding's answer to a letter of
Lieut. Sutton, dated Mareli 29. 1804. from which
it may be inferred that the appointment took plus
about that time. Ido not know the precise date.
Q. Can you tell whether Lieut. Sutton is lising ?
A. He is dead. I did not know this till I searched
for the papers.
`,J. Is it customary for applications to be made
for Ensign's commissious, two or threeyears before
appointed ?-.A.That depends upoucircuiustances.
Q. Have you known officers, without bring dis-
qualified, remaining two or three years without an
appointment?—A. Certainly • I dare *ay there
are a hundred at the present time.
Q. (By Mr. 1% AIMI.e.) DO you koovr whether
filr. Carter had any solsorywrnt recommendation ?--
A. I know of no uthcr thanswhat 1 have stated.

Q. (By Lord FuLas.rous).- Do you know the
precise date of Ensign Carter's commission ?—A.
I think it must lie between the 17th and 21st of
March, 1804.
Q. In the affairs between Colonel Brooke a, .1
Coltinel Knight, had not the latter expressed *
with to exchange with another ?—A. Yes.
Q. Was that objected to ?-1. Yes.
Q. Are those documents an the War.Oke ?—A.
I think they are.
Q. (8., .I.Airiater.) You have stated in your
former exatnitianon, that you have been several
times in the West Indies; iiray were you born in
the Wtst Indies t--A. No, I have the honour to
be a Ilan ; I wa. born in Wales.
Q. (1.4 ~;Iderwean Comet.) Was the Paymaster-
ship ever oinaitierl fur which the 10001. was paid?
—A. Yes it was; tbsvcircumstance struck me very
forcibly.
Q. Are you compo.mt to produce the docu-
ments of that appoontneut ?—.A. Yes, I can ; and
it will give nae groat satisfaction if the Committee
will go into it. .
Q. (By 11,e SEutairLnir at WAR.! At imbue cf•
commendation are puyaimater,' appointments given
A. By the Colonels ot the reguneots.