Star.
London, England, 1809-02-04 00:00:00

•
He then flitted &ache tai received thmie ptagter,, •
sively rising. commissions in, the *pace of two, ytart
and three quarters, the last of Whith was t Cap!
taincy ; and this while many- subalterns, who could
boast of seniority and service, were unsuccessful ap.
plicants. Captain Maling was too; at the cornitteme-
. ent of this promotion, a clerk in Mr. Greenwood's
office. He did not mean to state that Captain Ma-
ling was during the entire time a Clerk in the Aim—
[Loud cheers from the Ministerial Benches.] His
grand foundation, however, for the charge was the
total neglect of a great body of meritorious subal-
terns, while Captain Maling was advanced without
any merit of his.
Mr. STURGES BOURNE stated with soma
watmth the difference made in the statement to-night,
and that in the opening of the charges. It had been
first asserted, that Captain Maling was unduly, pro-
moted without the claim of one hour's service (Hear,
hear ) The complexion which it that night assumed
was, that his promotion was granted over the heads
of manysenior and meritorious Officers.
,If such had
been the ground on which the original statement was
introduced, he believed the House would pause be-
fore it admitted of a question, whose discussion em-
braced the comparative merit of many Officers in the
service. Indeed, if such au option was not entrusted
to the Commander in Chief., he was at a loss to un-
derstand what was the discretion of such a situation.
But at all events, there was no very high mid distin-
guished favour conferred by apromotion in the Afri-
can regiment, a corps principally composed of Con-
victeand deserters.

Mr. WORTLEY thought it the duty of any
Member, in bringing such serious charges, previously
to ascertain the facts on which he intended to procetd.
..He had to complain that this was not the only in-
stance in which the Hon. Member (Mr.Wardle) had
shewn himself deficient in the necessary information.
he instance in the case of Colonel French was more
aggravated ; that officer the Hon. Member had never
seen, and though his evidence was most material, he'
was now out of the reach either of him dr of that
House. It was' cruelty to attack persons so distin-
guished in rank and office, on points where it was
impossible to bring the proofs forward which were
necessary to substantiate the accusation.
Mr. CROAKER restated the observations of the
last Speaker.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
conceived that the charge ought to be proceeded on
by the Committee. It might probably become a fu..1
tare question, and a serious consideration, to know
when and on what grounds the House was originally
called upon to entertain it ?. It was to be recollected
that from the manner in which it was introduced, it

was possible that an impression unfavourable to the
Commander in Chief might have been made on the
public mind.- 'Tn.& justice to that illustrious perso-
nage he thought it the duty of the Committee to pro-
ceed. ( Hear, hear—Go on !)
Mr. WARDLE wishad to acquiesce in the general
wishes of the Committee, either to withdraw or to
proceed with the charge. It was possible that in the
warmth of discussion he might have stated in this
charge something stronger than the case admitted.'
But on referring to Iris own notes he had no idea to,
make any other impression than that which heliimselt
felt on the rapid promotion of Captain Maling over
deserVing Officers, his seniors in the army. Ile 1/va.,
certain that he did never assert that that Officer was
promoted la ithout having ever served, because he well
recollected that lie alluded to his having been a Pay-
niaster in Ireland.
A long conversation then ensued, in which Mr.
Dennis Browne, Mr. Lascelles, and Mr. Ellison,
urged the necessity of proceeding in the discussion of
the charge.
Colonel Gordon (gamine(' ly Mr. Wardle.
• Colonel Goal:ON stated, that Captain Milling Was,
in November, 1805, on the recommendation of Sit
Jdhn Doyle, appointed to an Ensigncy in the S7:111
Regiment. In November 18(16, when the men en-1
listed for limited service were formed into separate
battalions, he was appointed, with four other officers,i
to Lieutenancies in the.lth Garrison Battalion, but at
the period of his promotion be was fully entitled to be
advanced to the same rank in any other corps, accord-
ing to his Majesty's regulations. On the 24th of July,
IEOS, an application was made by Major-Get.dral
Fraser to the Commander in Chief, requesting his
Royal,Highness that he might be allowed to appoint 1
Lieutenant Maling his Aid-de-Camp. The Regi.
ment in which that officer was being under orders for I
embarkation, and as it was inconsistent with the ho-
nour of the service, he did not quit his regiment. But
soon after when the African Corps was aurrmented
from four to six companies, Licutepant Mal mg was',
recommended for one of the new companies. Colonel
Gordon, however, first had an interview with Captain
Malirsg's brother, in which-he intimated to him, that
if the appointment of his brother to the vacant com-
pany took place, he should go with his regiment to'
Goree. Captain Maling did join a detachment nf the
African corps, who we.e doing duty aboard a prison
ship, but was subsequently sent to Guernsey. At
this time a second' pplication was made by Major-
General Fraser to have Captain Maling appointed his
Aid-de-Camp. The answer of the Comtnander in
Chief was, that he approved of Captain Maling being
employed in that capacity, so long as a- detachment
of his corps remained in that island.
Mr. WARDLE—Were not many subalterns, with
stronger claims and longer services than Captain'
Maling, refused, at the period of his appointment to
the company, permission to purchase according to his
Majesty's regulation ?
Colonel Gordon was ordered to witidraw.' anand!
after a long conversation between Sir Francis Burrldtt,.
Lord Folkestone, Mr. Whitbread, Sir Arthur Wel—
lesley, Mr. Tierney, and the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, that part of the question, which refetred to'
the opinion On the respective claims of 'offices, was
omitted. The question then stbod *3 follows :
Q. Is it within your knowledge, that a number of
subalterns, who had served longer than Captain 'Ma-:
ling, were passed by, althouzh they had- signified
their wish to purchase ?—.A. UnqUestitaiably.st very
considerable number. Mar.' .ha‘4" theperitisalaa
explain.—lt is the invariable. praetict-ia-theitriny, it
least It has been the ireraliable prof/Oct,. sinee*.the-.
rind when his Royal ifighaelaVay.alloilated
mander m Chief, that-no jos* eialitikbold;ba pro:
moted-over the head *fa awdefin-thtaatoperogO. e!W
This ;regulation did got -extvad to s
**hole atop sny &Arta iepaet, thietheAro'