The National Register.
London, England, 1809-03-19 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

I IR~

was natural to suppose she would, in comiequence of his libera-
lity, have made greater exertions in his behalf: But this was
not the case : he was at last gazetted, hut she had no share in his
promotion. She declared that she had a list containing more
than two hundred naines of persons who wanted situations,
either in the military or the civil line. But was it not strange
that a woman, svho boasted more influeace in the disposal of
places than the Queen herself, should, in the space of three
months be able to do nothing for any one of those who de-
pended on her interest with the Commander in Chief? Who
Can believe after the proofs that have been adduced, that
Mrs. CLr ke ever possessed any influence? On Speding's case
rests the measure of that boasted influence; because she certain-
ly exerted herself to the utmost of her ability. Yet, after six
months of fruitless expectations he found himself disappointed in
his warmest hopes. Were this case such as Mrs. Clarke re-
presented it, true, had his Royal Highnie-s given the cheating
instructions which her lips delivered, lie must be the most infa-
mous, detestable, woman-ridden ru4jiau. She was asked whether
she could recollect any of the names w hick composed the long
list which she tied mentioned ; and that of Major Tucker
was the in:ly one she did remember. She must have paid
an equal degree of attention to them all, and yet the name
of Major Tucker alone remained imprinted on her mind.
After a life spent in the service of his country, after distin-
guishing himself wherever valour and great talents could rend
distinction, this officer was carried in sight of his native
shore, oa his return from glorious labours, v hen his vessel was.
'wrecked, and his invaluable life sun! a prey to the %valves. lie
could not now contradict the tales in w filch Mrs. Clarke had
cnwoven his name. His tongue was cold in death, and hie
country wept over his corpse. All her actions seemed to
the. Honourable :leather to he stained with the deepest guilt
and corruption. The Duke of York was not only said to have
sold an appointment, but to have gratified the revenge of his
coueubine by diminishing its revenue. Mrs. Clarke com-
plained, according to her own account, of baying been dis-
appointed by Colonel Shaw, after she had obtained for him the
promotion which she hat promised to get ; and requested his
Royal !lightness to reduce that officer to half pay. Witli this
request the Duke complied, and Colonel Shaw was under the
necessity of apologizing to Mrs. Clarke, and offering her some
additional bribe, in order to reg;;!ii his full pay. The tale was
plausible ; but its falsehood would be easily detected, through
the very means that bad been employed to insure safe conceal-
ment. A letter from Co'inel Shaw stated, that •she was-to re-
ceive 3031. a clerk from Coutes bank paid her 200!. and in-
formed her that she was not to receive any more moue:;. Aftk.r
examining Coutes hooks, it appeared that the sum of:200/. had
been paid on the sith day of Mardi, 1896; and, from the pay
rolls, that Colonel Shaw was reduced to half-pay the day be-
fore. Although the Honourable Member thought the Duke of
York innocent of any connivance in Mrs. Clarke's canna deal-
ings, yet he deemed hitu hizhly culpable for havingaanswered
Clavering's applications. He differed in some degree- front the
sentiments expressed in both Addresses. The country was
in anxious expectation of the result of this Inquary, and he
thought the fairest way of sat;sfying the ntoiou as to the
conduct of its representatives, was to let. the country know how
every Member voted. ( Loud cries of approbation from goer,;
part of the House.) Let the question therefore be put, whether II
toe Duke he guilty of corruption and connivance or not, whether-
he ought to be removed i• or, let an Address, if preferred, be
presented to his Majesty.
Sir FRANcis licani..:TT rose to explain. He would not re-
pel, with asperity, an imputation, which, if true, only tended
to prove that he had offered to sacrifice -lOW/. in order to ex-
pose secret corruption to the condemning eye of the uatien, and
the scourge of justice. • He, however, denied having eve e made
Bach a propos3l.
Mr. (sour, (ofNorfolk)--T shall not trouble the House, which
has so patiently endured the ropetitioo of loog speeches on
the ev ides ce ; hut, as au independent • man, and as an Eug-
lishman, j shall not hesitate to declare my opinion fully,
plainly, and without reserve. Sir, to the the case, taking it al-
together, is -so strong ;—the conourreot testimony so clear;—and
the cetiaan;ratine; cireumstances, tOe eirculostawial es idence, so
conclu:ive, that it (lees not leave the smallest doubt on my mind
-ttor, as I *should think., ran it ou ttiat of the public, of tl:e con-
nivance awl corruptimi of. the Duke of York—( /icor! *or!)
—I do ittl'icve aim to havebeen corrupt at theextrrrue-(!!gar!
hear
,4efir! )--.;:r; to all Court; orihsvlice witoN,-..,-may come
duo S4't':!r" it, di I etli circituistvlinl evideocr has pro-

frviD.; ;0.15 Fell :lore crimoisali Sv tnieg:tr.

• 7 •

MARCH 19.

lows—than any otherspecies of testimony whatever.—From the
evidence in this case—direct and circumstantial—T, for my own
part, do believe that the Duke of York knew of the whole of
these proceedings of Mrs. Clarke—of this inertil's traffic in
military and other promotions—from the beginning to the
end of his connection with her--( !fear! hear ! hear ! )
—I rise, Sir, as the determined enemy of corruption, which
I am revolved to the last moment of my life to oppose, in
every person of whatever rank or station even though
he should be supported by all the eloquewe of those who
may choose to reap the fruits of it.—l shall therefore most
certainly vote for the original Address, as proposed by the Ho-
nourable Mover, whom I think, deserves the thanks of this
House, and of the whole Country.—When I look at the
situation of some of the Gentlemen who have spoken last,
and who have made long speeches on the Ministerial
side of the House ; it does not, I think, become me to
pay much attention to what they say.—Their arguments. though
triumphantly delivered, are not, in my mind, worthy of ;men,
tion or credit, when consideration of the motives are taken into
the account, ( Hear ! Meer: and Order ! Chair I! ) Sir, I
could not, consistently with my principles as an independent
and honest man ;—and with my duty, as one of the reprrlen-
tati yes of the people of this kingdom, forbear delivering my
opinion on so important an occasion. 1 have stated my senti,
ments plaiolv, and without reserve, and shall conclude, by of,
fering my sincere and hearty thanks to the lion. Gentleman who
has had the independence to bring forward this Inquiry ; for
the inaffiv firmness tt ith which he has persevered in bringing to
light these extraordinary !ransactions.
WYNI)II.IM thought it difficult to make the distinction
beta een connivance and corruption. That House must determine
whether connivance had been proved ; it must determine as to the
Duke's ionocence or guilt; but. however it might be. he could
ntake no degrees of acquittal. The evidence of a suspicious wit-
ness could not he taken so fully as that of a witness without sus-
picion. As to Mrs. Clarke, there was a pertness and a flip-
pancy, which showed she had lost that part of virtue a hich
carried with it shame. There was nothing in het evidence that
seemed to be premeditated. She furnished answers to all that
was asked her, with the greatest facility. It was this facility
that ought to make them caution,, as it had so much the appear-
ance of truth. But then again there was this that recommended
her evidence to our notice, that circumstances had come up in
the course of the examination to corroborate what Mrs. Clarke
had previously stated. lie could not approve of the manner in
which it had been endeavoured to impeach the credibility or Miss
Taylor.. Mrs. Clarke's character was bad, but her evidence was
good; the character of Miss Taylor was good, but her evidence
wa had. Miss Taylor came with a ready-answered question :
she had had her memory refreshed. lie then stated that he wish-
ed the decision as to persons to be like the grave, which made
no distinederns. Ile concluded by approving of the Honourable
Member's (Mr. Banks) amendment, •but that must be with an
explanation.
Lord CAsvit.Enr %GI! rose, amid loud and repeated cries of
Question ! Questio►i and after noticing some parts of the Hon.
ik.utletnan's ( Mr. Wyndham) speech as to the mode of proceed-
ing, he defended that of his Right lion. Friend (the Chancellor,
of the Exchequer.) The Noble Lord commented at considerable
length on various parts of the evidence against the Royal Duke,
and concluded' n ith expressing his firm conviction of Itl intro.
cence.--Adjourned to Wednesday.. • •

Wednecday, ✓)lurch 15.

If E DUKE OF yttn.K.

Lord MILTON begged leave to traeble the House with a
few words on what secured to him rather a curious argument,
which had fallen from a Learned Judge who spoke second in the
debat., (Mr. Burton). That Learned Person had said, that be-
cause'Mrs.'Clarke was an immoral character, and had contra,-
dieted hersef in several parts- of her evidence, he would have
the whole of her evidence expunge=d from the Al buttes. Now the
Noble Lord could not help thinking, that if that doctrine were
to be admitted, it would go to sweep away the evidence of al-
most every 4itle who had been heard at the Bar. From the most
deliberate view that he had been able to take of Airs. Clarke's
testimony, and from the facts in support of her testimony, which
had appenred ia evidence at the Bar, it was his mnscienf loos opi-
nion, tlial the p.resent Commander in Chief coutd,not :with safety
to the intblie he permitted to retain his situation. (Hear ! hear!)
They Ntid, that ; it was impossible for the Royal Duke so CI
commit .hiniselisi But WileWhe reflected lkuw far he,had coot.