The Sun.
London, England, 1810-06-18 00:00:00

•TLtE DUKE OP

The Duke of Kent having seen a recent puhlica
tion, entitled the " RivolPritice.t,7 in which he is
charged with having sanctiotted and enconraged the
adoption and prosecution of measurts tending to the
manifest leov of a brother's honour and interests,
it is irnpossaile that he should not feel anxious to
counteradiMmediaiely the impression which most
dwell, with the county, while such foul and unme-
aspersiuns remain .unnoticed. To remove,
therefore, from his character moat stigma which
tVould justly attach to it, •it it were not in his tower
to prove that there has nut at any time existed the
smallest foundation for a charge, at the very idea of
Which every honest naan must recoil with horror and
inflignation—
The Duke of Kent has determined to lay before
the Public the following Declaration, which was
made and committed to paper by Captain Dodd, on
the 26th day of J':ty last, in the presence of the
Earl of Harrington and Colonel Vesey, and which
Was delivered to him, to be used at his discietion.—
Jtt that period the D'ekeiwas induced to require this
Declaration, with a view to his own satisfaCtion, in
consequerice of various reports and insinuations
-which have gained circulation. The communication
of it was consequently confined to his own family,
and to some of his friends; and he had flatteted
iihnself that it would be unnecesiary to make any
-appeal to the Public on a matter which riff:et-led
4naself exclusively,: nor is it without sincere con-
Cern, that he nos finds himself under the neces,ity
of entering thus publicly into a vindication of his
conduct. He is, however, confident that every
liberal mind will give him credit for taking a step
'which he feels to be due to his character, to the
honour and dignity of his family, and which
, marks his anxiety to stand well with the country in
general.
QUERIES PUT TO CAPTAIN DODD BY HIS ROYAL
HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT, AND HIS AN-
SWERS THERETO, 26TH. JULY., 1809..
Q. Have I either direCtly or indirectly sanctioned,
advised, or encouraged any attack upon the Duke
of York.—A. Never. (Signed. T. Dodd.)
Q. Have I had to your kiowledge any acquaint-
ance or communication with Colonel Wardle, or any
of the persons concerned in bringing forward the
investigation respecting the, Duke of York's con-
duii, which took place in Parliament last winter,
tither dired or indireot ?—A. I. feel confident that
your !royal Highness has no such knowledge or ac-
quaintance. (T. Dodd.)
Q. Have I, to your knowledge, ever had any
4equaintancelwith, or knowledge of Mrs. Clarke, or
any communication. w ith her dired or indirect, upon
the subject above-named, or any other ?---A. I am
confident your Royal Highness never had. (Signed
T. Dodd.)
' Q. Have I ever expressed to you any sentiment
Which could induce you to believe that I approved
Vf what was brought forward in Parliament against
the Duke of York,_ or of any proceeding that would
tend to his obloquy or disgrace ?—A. Never. I' have
heard your Royal Highness lament the business
viva voce, and you made the same communication
to me in writing: (Signed T. Dodd.)
Q, Have yOu ever, to your recollection, express-
ed yourself, either by word or in writing, either•to
Colonel Wardle or Mrs. Clarke, or to any other
Person conne&ed with the investigation on the Duke
of York's contract, in any way that could,gire them
reason to suppose that I approved of the measure,
or would countenance those concerned ,in bringing
it forward ?—A. Never. But have, On the con-
trary, expressed myself, that your Royal Highness
Would have a very different feeling. (Signed T.
boild•)
Q. What were my expressions on the subjea of
the Pamphlet which appeared, passing censure on
the conduct of the Duke of York, and others of
Thy family, and holding up my chargter to praise ;
mod what have been the sentiments which I have
,boitormly expressed on similar publications, whether
In the newspapers or otherwise I have inva-
riably heard your Royal Highness regret that any
Person should attempt to do justice to your own
V2araCler at the expence of that of the Duke of
York, or any other member of your famdy. (Signed
4.-• Dodd.)
CI During the ten years you haVe been my Pri-
Vale Secretary, when, in the most confidential mo-
!bents, I have given vent to my wounded feelings_
t'P'-'n professional subjects, did you ever hear me
tlcPress myself inimical to the Duke of York, or
that I entertained an expeEtation of raising myself
his fall?—A. Never; on the contrary, I have
equently heard your Royal Highness express your-
(letf Very differently. (I'. Dodd.)
The above questions,l.vrit ten in Colonel. Vesey's
!land, were all dictated by me,
(Signed)
LI the presepce of'Lord HARRINGTON.

(Signed)

EDWARD.

HARRINGTON,
J. A. VESEY.

liespeeling the affairs of Spain, the Paris Papers
Of the loth contain the following articles, which are
IsOrtleWh3t interesting :
PAnis, JUNE 10.—Letters from Bayonne of the
ad inst. speak of the uninterrupted passage of troops
lhrough that town for Spain. Among those rein-
:oreernents are about 500 artillerymen, who were
lrhttiedhately tollowed by a number of cannon, cais.
N, &c. We daily expect the arrival of 8000 fu-
tqeers of the Imperial Guard, who are to proceed
46 Burgos, where they are to remain till further or-
ers• The sharp-shooters and chasseuts of the Im-
cella! Guard "begin to arrive here. They have .been
eviewed, and their fine military air and discipline
'excite the admiration of all who see them.
Acc:,rding to letters from Spain, his Majesty
ix-i)g JOSEPH will not remain long in that city, but
to eon thiapoint of setting out on the Expedition
Valenc.
T• he army of MASSENA for Portugal is daily rein-
?reed. It is said to amount to more than• 80,0001.
is further said to be in motion for Ciudad Rod-
:Igo. where the Anglo Portuguese Army have col-
ec•
ted almost the whole of their force. It is not
:beaTtllie. k
ohed that tim English will. rid; the issue of a
We expeA in a w clip to receive very in-
' 1 esl ing intelligence from that quarter.
t.BY biters Crow Biiboa we are informed, that
!I"rai liosiNgT foil in with a band of insurgenti
t 4 ittt ()Vied°, ahich he mock Otto prisoners, and
th
reraba4cer to

REPORT.

COURT OF KING'S LIENGH, IvNe 16.

LEE V. BLAQUIE'RE.
ABBOTT otlened the case. This was an' ac-
Lion. of damage. for Criminal Conversation with the
wife of 'lie plaintiff; &c. &c.
Mr. GARliow addressed the Jury.—°r Gentlemen,
this is one of those unhappy cases which unfortu-
nately appear too often in Courts of Justice, and
justice cannot be more laudably or usefully exerted
than in chastising to the utterinost the crime of
which I have now to complain. I shall shortly
stale the circumstances : The plaintiff. is a clergy-
man of the most respedable character; a man of
distinguished learning and morals, and one of the
chaplains of the Prince of Wales. In 1804 he
married; and, if it were riot presurnptubus in any
man to think that his happiness was • within his
own power, he might have been said to have se-
cured, by ilia' aa, no common chance of happiness,
I have not- seen Its wife, but I am told she is a, wo-
man of exquisite beauty. The marriage was alto-
' gether a union, of affection, and it promised the
'•
rnoq fortunate results to his future life. They,con-
- tinned lb live 'for some years in the most perfect
harmony. In this I speak advisedly, for it is quite
certain that if any thing to the disadvantage of the
Plaintiff can be alleged, you will hear it. The
wife of the Plaintiff is now living with the adulterer ;
and it is not to be expected that any surviving feel-
ing of delicacy will prevent her from publishing all
that she can remember to defeat this action. I pro-
ceed to the narrative. While they lived is this
peEt union, the Plaintiff and his wife went down
to Ramsgate, and Mrs. Lee, an interesting and ele-
gant young woman, joined with the natural spirit
of youth in the amusements of that place, and it
has many amusements. Clergymen, yon know,
Gentlemen, do not frequently attend balls, or,
when there, make it a pradice to dance with their
wives. Mrs.. Lee soon found partners and admira-
tion ; but the Honourable Colonel Blaquiere, a
younger son of Lord de ,Blaquiere, was the most as-
siduous, and the most favoured. He visited an the
plaintiff's 'house, ..and .was received with frank and
kind hospitality. The colonel's attentions were at
length observed ; and Mr. Lee received some ano•
nyioods letters on the subject. On receiving the first
of those letters, the plaintiff was only indignant at
the insolence and meddling of the writer. He
shelved it to his wife; she laughed contemptuously
at the,charge, and tpld it to Colonel Blaquiere.—
Another and another letter followed. Mr. Lee, as-
sured of the purity Of his wife, and incensed' at the
pertinacious malice of the informer, aetually took
legal advice as to the mode in which he should
punish his spirit of meddling. It was, however,
becoming so painfnl to attraa the obserVat ion which •
had been evidently produced, that the plaintiff and
his wife returned to London. And here (said Mr.
Garrow) began the first effect of that unfortunate
intercourse with the defendant. The amity and
aftedion of husband and wife gradually subsided on
her part into coldness, and from coldriesS into aliena-
tion. Her husband, pained by this sudden inter-
ruption of his better prospects;, naturally remon-
strated, and endeavoured to reclaim hers but this woe
now beyond his reach—his 'fortune was injured,
and his peace put in danger • The danger was not
long doubtful. Colonel Blaquiere went abroad with
his regiment ; and on his return, with the honours
of war thick upon him, was ambiOotis of other dis-
tinctions. He signalized his return to this country
by breaking in upon the peace of an- innocent and
honourable man, a fond father, and a most atTec-
tionate husband. Mrs. Lee and Colonel Blaquiere
now live together; they go by the same name, and
the shameless and wicked deserter of her legitimate
child is now become pregnant by her adulterer.
Gentlemen, this is a case which calls for no common
punishment. The confidence of the husband—the
lenity, the long suffering, the generous frankness
which he exhibited in the commencement of a
transaEtion, which has ended in making him miser
able beyond all the power of your verdid fully to
Compensate, call for exemplury damages. •
The Rev. B. Lawrence was called to prove the
marriage of Francis Lee, bachelor, with Catherine
Ball, in July, 1804..

Sculthorp-e, the plaintiff's footman, was then
called. He deposed, that he had attended his etas-
ter to Mary bone Chapel in 1804 ; they met . a
young Lady in the street ; his master took her under
his arm, and they walked together to the Chapel,
where they were married. On his cross-examina-
tion, he admitted that he had ,acted as father, and
given Mrs. Lee away; that, he wore plain cloaths,
and that his master had desired him to take the live-
ry lace off his hat. He could not swear that his
master wore black clothes, or the-usual dress of a
/Clergyman on that day. The Lady appeared to he
between sixteen and seventeen,

The Rev. D. Evans knew the plaintiff and his wife
since their marriage, and believed them to have
lived in perfect. harmony until after their return
from Ramsgateln 1806 ; flour that time he observ!.
• ed a coolness ; and for nearly six months before the
elopement, he (the witness) almost ceased going
to Mrs. Lee's house. She Was very young, very
beautiful, and very interesting. She was, as tar as
he could judge, rather fond of admiration ; and,
from the high circle in which she moved, 'rather
too apt to adOpt the fashionable style of dress, and
expose her person more than he (the witness) would
wish to see his wife do. Her manner was lively
and animated, With somewhat of flight and levity,
but without the least, tendency to any improper or
unfeminine allusion. He saw Mrs. Lee in Hamp-
shire, in 1805. There was no want of affection in
her condo&at that time. In September, 1808, Mr.
Lee went to Spain (" What," said Mr. ;arrow,
Lee in Spain !") he remained ther. till January,
1809 ; witness did nut believe that he had any
official situation, or precise duty, but he brought
back dispatches from Mr. Frere. Witness had
heard, that in 1807, during a temporary absence of.
the plaintiff, Mrs. Lee left her house, and went to
her mother's, Mrs. Johnson, in Portland-place, but
• returned. , Witness could not be sure that Colonel
Blaquiere was in Spain while Mr. Lee was there,
but rather thought be Was:
Mr. Saunderson, the friend and schoolfellow of
the plaintiff, admitted that, during the absence of
Mi. Lee. his wife ha-I applied to witness for money,
as a loan, till the return of her husband, which,
however, -he thought proper not to give.
klis. Jima*, ti .• wilt, of the Rev. D. ,:vans, was

the 2nd early friend of Mrs. Lee. The Cold:
ness which grew between the plaintiff and his wife
' commenc, d after the Ramsgate excursion, anti was
frequently exhibited in little Wei cations about extra:-
vagance in dress, and other efyminon matters ; but
no charge of infidelity, or any thing ten:ling to gross=
• ness was, ever brought. Mrs. Lee's general man-
ners were those of the-highly fashionable society in
which she lived. She was an extremely el.-gant and
handsome young creature. Her conversation never
touched upon indelicacy; she was, on the Whole,
rather reserved and dignified..
Mrs. Evans was then questioned whether Mrs.
Lee had alleged any cause of complaint to her against
Mr. Lee. She answered, that the perfect intimacy
'in which she lived with Mrs. Lee of course allowed
her many Confidences which she Could not betray
with propriety; but; on being further questioned,
whether the plaintiff and his wife had cohabited for
some time before'lBo9, she said that they had sepa-
rate apartments for at least two \years before.
A clerk from Messrs. Cox and Greenwood's of-
five proved) that Colonel Blaquiere was a Major in
the tooth regiment, but could not say whether he
wills about Ito sell his commission.
Colour l Blaquiere's letters already alluded to were
put in and read. They were unimportant, and con-
sisted, merely of general expressions of resentment
against the writer of the anonytrious letters at Rams-
gate; and regret that the name of a Mrs. Ramoge
had been. introduced in the correspondence.
The person who let the lodgings in which Col.
Blaquiere and Mrs. Lee lived after their elopement,
proved that they lived together with all the appear-
ance of man and wile.

Sarah Salisbury, the housemaid at Mr. Lee's,
proved that, they were then living together; and
admitted, in a question put to her by Mr. Pit;'
that Mr. Lee and his wife had, separate beds for
three years before the elopement. The case here
dosed on the part of the prosecution.';
Mr. PARK, for the Defendant, would not ofrerid
the Jury by going into any of the painful and itn=
proper detail which the case seemed to invite. But
where it was not an injury that was:required to be
punished, but damages sought, the actual circum-
stances of the parties were to be taken primarily into
consideration. " I will not," said Mr. Park, ",press
upon the circumstances of the marriage itself.. But
there was a most improper levity, a most ominous
indelicacy in the form of that marriage. I speak as
a father:—as the father of daughters, and in that dear
and tender relation I say, that nothing could be
more injurious to the steadiness and purity of a wo-
man's, a young and attractive woman's mind, than
the lightness and look of intrigue with which that
most solemn obligation to obey her husband, was
contracted.. No parent presentmet as if by acci-.
dent in the street—inveigled to the' altar—a servant
brought in m the mirnickry of father; the lace
plucked of his hat to disguise him for the moment
—the master throwing off the garb of a clergyman,
signing himself in the registry asa lay Man, not clerk,
but bachelor. And all this the manceuvie of a cler-
gyman ; a man of forty-five, to impress the sandity
of the marriage state, on the mind of a child of six-
teem! What had been pardonable in a boy of one and:
twenty, who carried' ort-the girl of his affectiOns, be-
comes absurd and,childish, and utterly unbecoming
in a grave and elderly man. it was remarkable, that
on this trial none of Mrs. Lee's relatives were called
forward
,to prove the cordiality of the parties'at any
period of their marriage. • We are told that the
plaintiff absented hitus'..ll from the bed of his wife
for three years before the 'elopement. Gentlemen;
I wish to speak it .with the most genuine respect.
for morality and decency; but a man who con-
demns a most lovely, innocent, affectionate young
creature, a girl then of eighteen, to celibacy and so-
litude, deserves no damages. There is no colour in
the evidence for her having.known Col. Blaquiere at
Ramsgate. But it her husband valued her ;if he had
the common feeling of a man for that most precious
and exquisite jewel, a wife's love, how did he cherish
her heart, how did he guard the jewel ? I do not
' mean, said Mr. Park, that he should have used re-
straint ; that be should have become an Argus, or at-
tempted to oppress the soft and yielding spirit of a
woman. But. diid he bring her into the society of her
female relatives ? Did he try to win upon her'
by gentleness, and leniency, and love ? No! he left
her to negled on his port, and admiration on that
of the world. He lef,t- her to ask money of his.
friends. He went to Spain to amuse his curiosity;
this fad came like a surprtze upon my learned
friend (Mr. GARRow) and thus left his young'and
blooming wife to the first seduction that ventured
to approach her. Colonel Blaquiere, a young,
and as I understand, 'a handsome and accomplish-
ed man, met hei ; he suffered himself to give
way to the admiration, which I am the last man in
the world, to praise him for indulging. The ardour
of an admirer was unfortunately capable of too strong
a contrast with the coldness and contempt of a bus-
band. After a long lapse of time the admirer be-
came the seducer.' Ido not defend, Ido not lessen
the great crime which he committed. But you
cannot give vindictive damages."
NO witnesses were called on the part of the de-
fendant.

Lord ELLENBOROUGH, in charging the Jury,
stated the principal shapes in which the crime of
adultery might be supposed to come before them,
and concluded a charge of great dignity and elo-
quence, by leaving the matter to the Jury.
The Jury, without leaving the box, returned a
verdid for the plaintiff.—Damages 5001. •