The Sun.
London, England, 1809-12-19 00:00:00

k7I3SCRIPTION io relieve COL. WAR]E.

A Meeting of the Friends of ColOtiel Wardle took
place yesterday at the Crown and Anchor Tavern,
in the. Strand. There Are present from .140 to
lan Persons. Among them we hOced Mr. Place,
the tailor, at Charing-Cross, Mr. Gate/ Jones, and
a Tew other GOaleMen of the Burdett school.
About half' past One o'clock a Gentleman
tered the room, whom we understand to be Mr.
Philip Mallet. This Gentleman Immediately
mounted the table, andseated himself in the Chair.
The thin assemblage having gathered themselves to-
gether round the table,
Mr. MALLET then arose from his chair; and ad-
dressed them upon the subject of the Advertisement.
Mr. M'. began with observing, that it would be un-
necessary for him to occupy their time, as they were
well acquainted with the objet for which they were
assembled, and therefore were prepared to a&. He
should not become the eulogist of Colonel Wardle,
nor should he condemn him, although he Would not
hesitate to declare that he had acted indiscreetly.—
He was aware that Col.. Wardle, in placing himself
in the situation of public accuser, had become highly.
responsible; he had not only to encounter, with the
opposition of every person in power, but he 'had
also to meet with opposition from those persons who
were not in power. The people had complained
of the abuses and corruptions Which were going
on in the State ; but though they wished a remedy
to be found for them, they were-not fond of hero-
vation. He had stepped forward to preserve their
riahts, and in so doing he had used the only means
in his power. by which these rights could be pre-
served. It was unfortunate for the Duke of York
that he was the victim of public justice, but it be-
came necessary that an example should be made,
and his Royal Highness being at, the head of the de-
partment in which abuses existed, it was the lot of
Colonel Wardle to stand forward to prove the feet.
The Colonel .had to encounter not only the talents of
the whole • House •of Commons, but had also to
combat with the golden eloquence of the Chan- I
cellor of the Exchequer. The illustrious Duke's
case was a hard one, butit was by no means a singu-
lar one, and therefore he was the less criminal. •
Mr. M. in adverting to the bonus which the Colonel
had given for the evidence of Mrs. Clarke, observed,
'that it was the pradtice of law every clay in bring- 1
ing forward cases of criminality. When the gift of
a bonus was alleged against the Colonel as suffi-
cient to overthrow the charges which were made
against the Commander in Chief, he saw nothing in
it. Having commented on the general objections
.which have been urged against the Colonel, and de-
clared that he saw nothing in his condna to alter
the good opinion which he had originally entertained
of his public services, he proceeded to maintain that
a system of corruption had taken root, of which no
man knew the beginning nor could tell the end.—
It:vas that sort of system, however, which had laid
the Continent of Europe' prostrate at the feet of Buo-
naparte. After descanting at some length upon
thew topics; he concluded with expressing his hopes
that as Colonel Wardle had stepped forward in the
public cause, the people would not suffer his private
fortune to be injured by advocating their rights.—
He declared that hefrad,net seen Colonel Wardle,
was not acquainted with him, and indeed scarcely
knew his person, but he'considered he had a lair
claiM upon the liberality of his countrymen.
• Mr. WAITHINIAN then stepped forward amidst an
universal cheer. He ?greed with the worthy Chair-
man in all he had stated, particularly as to that
point in which he had dwelt on the necessity of re-
inThursing the Colonel in the expences he had been
at. It was neither just. nor liberal that'a private in-
dividual standing forward to advocate the pedple's
rights, having to contend with all the disadvantages
Which had been enumerated, should from his private
fortune be obliged to pay the piper. . Mr. Waith- '
Man said he could state a thousand instances in
Which_ corruption had reared its hydra head ; was
it wonderful that Colonel Wardle should-be mark-
ed as its enemy, when • such an humble indi-
vidual as himself was made the object of ca-
lumny ? nay, a reward of 'fifty guineas had been
ordered to a person (who had fled to -America
to avoid the laws of her country) to give evidence as
to his (Mr. Waithmen's) private charader. Mr.
W. in noticing the conduct of the Jury and Judge in
the late conspiracy trial,'was satisfied that the Jury,
in givirg their verdict, had discharged their con-
sciences honestly. Far be it from him therefore, to
reflect either on the conduct of the Judge or Jury.
With this opinion he, :however, could Out a‘ did ob-
serving and stating his hope that he should never see
a political Judge or Chief Justice a Cabinet Minis-
ter. In summing up the case it was extraordinary
that the Judge had forgotten some of the evidence
which appeared to him (Mr. W.) to bear in favour
of the prosecution. This omission perhaps proceed-
ed from the negle& in the Judge referring to his
notes. Upon the whole, however, he (Mi'. W.)
had no hesitation in saying that Colonel Wardle rose
from the Inquiry. without a shadow of blame. He
had done his duty in meritoriously dragging forth a
great public delinquent to justice, it was therefore
the duty of the Puoiic to take care that in his private
fortune he should not be ruined. Mt. W. concluded
with reading certain Resolutions, which he handed
to the Chairman.
The following are the Resolutions, which were
carried

Resolved,. That G. L. Wardle, Esq. by bringing the In-
(pity respecting the " late Commander in Chiet beture the
Commons house of Parliament, anti by the manly, firm, and
independent manner in which he conducted it, amidst great
uiseouragernents, Undaunted by threats of infamy and heavy
responsibility, equally unconnected with and unsupported
by party," and fur which lie received the thanks of upwards
of tiny counties, cities, borough, and towns, has merited the
'gratitude of his tellow.citizens.
'That G. L. tVardle, Esq. in his endeavours to obtain sub- .
stunt ial justice for the People of England, has, in addition to
the anxiety caused by an unprincipled and harassing oppusi-
tion, sustained many heavy losses.
Tna: G. L. Wardle, Esq. besides hazarding his private
fortune, has given nuttier us proofs of the purity of the MU-
tives by which he has been actuated, and is now more than
ever intitled to the praise and support of every huhest and
independent man.
Tnat G. L. Wardle, F sq. having honourably persevered in
performing his part towards the People, this Nicetitig declare
it to be their nuuriden duty to call upon the Public tu indem-
nify him against all losses, charges, and expellees he way nave
incurred, or be liable to in consequence thereof.
That a Subscription for this purpose be immediately en;
tered into.
That the following Gentlemen be requested to form a Com-
mittee (‘, it h power to a:ld to their number), to manage the
Sirbseripti,n, • winch they are direded to pay, from tine to
time, into the ha its of Messrs. Drummonds, hankers, in the
• name anti tor the u,s of Colonel Wardle.