The National Register.
London, England, 1811-06-09 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF YORK.

Lord MILTON, pursuant to notice, brought forward his mo-
tion relative to the appointment of the Duke of York to the
Chief command of the army. His Lordship, after going over
the circumstances that occurred at the time of the Inquiry into
the Duke's conduct, said that Ministers dared not advise that
any other person in similar circumstances to his Royal Highness
should he re-appointed ; Lord Melville had not been restored
to his office, nor should the Duke of York. He would have his
Majesty's Ministers to know, that no man is so exalted that he
is out of the reach of Parliamentary inquiry. It secured the
country in the obedience of Officers. He could not foresee any
one sound argument which could b- advanced against the
motion he meant to make. Little was it his inclination to offer
injury to private feelings ; but his public duty impelled hill to
adventure on such an unpleasant task. That which often
wounded individual feeling, public duty called upon the perfor-
mance of ; and he srtasted the House would join with him its
repelling the insult which he deemed had been offered them, and
support the motion he would propose. He concluded with oli•
serving that the conduct of Ministers in advising his re-appoint-
ment was an insult to the House of Commons, and went directly
in the teeth of the resolution, in consequence of which his
Royal Highness had resigned. He then submitted his motion,
which was, " that after a deliberate consideration of the recent
circumstances under which the Duke of York retired from the
command of the army in March, 1809,it appeared to the Flonse
to be highly indecorous in the Ministers to recommend to the
Prince Regent to reinstate him in the office of Commander in
Chief."
The CIA sternum of the EXCITEQUER contended, that there
was nothing in the former resolution which precluded the
House from the right of exercising its judgment on a future oc-
casion. This combined with the circUmstnoces which had since
transpired, induced him to resist the motion. The House was
aware that the great and eminent Officer whit had lately filled
the office of Commander in Chief (Sir David Dundas) was
grown venerable with age in the service of his country. He had
for nearly half a cnntury contended for the good of his country
at home and abroad. In the course of an illness:Me represented
the utter impossibility of discharging the duties of his office, and
urged his resignation to his Royal Highness the Prince Regnt
on public and private-reasons. The resignation being accepted
the office became vacant ; the question naturally arose on the
propriety of the person to be chosen. It soon occurred on a
consideration of the state of the war, that the office should he
filled by one who was not required to leave it for any leOgth of
time. The question then resolved itself into exceedingly narrow
bounds, who was the properest person to ap,ioint ; and the
opinions a every one with whom he could converse on the sub•
ject, were given to prefer the Duke of York to the re-appoints
mutt in • his office. When they considered his great abilities—
the advantages his country had received from his exertions—and
when lie looked to those who could enter into competition wl:h
him for the office, he could only say there was no reason to hesi-
tate whatever by the comparison. During the long debates and
painful inquiries which they had made formerly concerning his
Royal Highness, the result of all was, to convince them to pro.
flounce without difficulty that he was eminently distinguished
fin- ability in the service. Many important arrangements were
made for the Natter comfort ..cif the Officers tied the soldiers, by
the direction and under the guidance of his Royal Highness,
and many enactments were made to destroy those practical
; which the inquiry was made ou.—(Hear, Isearl)--From al