The National Register.
London, England, 1809-02-12 00:00:00

DUKE OF YORK.

Mr. SLITAIIDA N rose, and said, that he had in his hand a Pe-
tition from an individual whOse name had been repeatedly men-
tioned and called in question by an Honourable Gentleman (Mr.
Beresford), when Mr. Corri was interrogated by him. He
concluded by bringing up the Petition, which was in substance,
that Mr. Peter Finnerty had heard with."&urprize and regret, that
in the course of the examination now earr. ing on befw•e the
House relative to the Duke of York, questions had been put
implying suspicions which might produce an impression injuri-
ous to him upon a prosecution instituted against him by his Ma-
jesty's Attorney-General. He expressed his willingness to be
called as a witness tl.the Bar of the house, and answer any
questions that might be put to him, which answers should be
frank, full, and explicit.—Ordered toile on the table.

Examination of Mrs. Clarke.—When.this Lady was directed
to he called in, an unusual interest appeared to be excited
through the House, and it wa3 some time before she appeared at
the Bar, and then evidently in a state of considerable embarrass-
ment and perturbation. Mrs. Clarke, as we understood, for she
spoke in a very low tone of voice, complained either of insult,
or of some other -unpleasant circumstance that had occurred on
her approach to the House.
. _

Q. -bid Colonel French apply to you, in the year 1804, to
procure, through your influence, the permission of the Com-
mander in Chief for the raising a levy of men ? A. Ile did apply
to me for that purpose, hut I really cannot tell in what year.—
Q. Does the witness recollect any part of the offers which Col.
French made, and which induced her to mention his name to the
Commander in Chief? A. I recollect some of the offers which
he made, and if I were to see the papers belonging to them I
could recojlect more.--Q. Did the witness state to the Com-
mander in 'Chief any pecuniary advantage which she was to de-
rive in case his Royal _Highness gave Colonel French the levy ?
A. Yes, certainly.,--Q. Did the Commander in Chief make any
promise to the witness of giving the levy to Colonel French after
this application ? A. Yes, he did.—Q. Did the witness in conse-
quence of this receive from Colonel French, or from any other
person on his account, any sum of money on. that account? A.
Yes.—Q. What particular sun? A. I received 5001. or guineas,
I can't recollect well which, from Captain Sandon, according to
the best of my memory, and I immediately went to Birkett, the
silversmith, and paid it to himou account, for some plate sent.hy
hint to Gloucester Place, and his Royal Highness paid the re-
mainder of thevaltie oft hat plate by his hills.— Q. Does witness
know of any alteration having been made in the original terms
of the leipy ? A. 'I kept no account of them. The notes respect-
ing them and memorandums I instantly gave to his Royal h igh-
ness.---Q.. Does witness know of any loan to be granted con-
nected with the Circumstances of the levy ? A. I understood that
if Colonel French could get his accounts passed at the War-
Office, where he stated there was a considerable balance due to
him, that a loan of 1)000/. would be procured fur his Royal
Highness upon security, and at the legal interest.
Interrogated by Mr. CRO What Gentlemen called
At the witness's honse since her last examination here? A.
Only two Gentlemen.--Q. has witness ever received any
sums of money :10111 Mr. Dow ler ? A. I received 1.000/. from
him for procuring fur him the appointment of Deputy Commis-
sary..Q. Does
_witness owe Mr. yowler now tiny money, h