Star.
London, England, 1822-02-14 00:00:00

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.a 44

tory the best enoru.... -
voluntvil come before that House on this occasion.
He had. lied to the Commander-in-Chief, and to,
Jr
the Ho Department, and be.did not know, until
that time, that persons swearing maliciously and
falsely were protected by the rules of office. He would
now state the u uth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. There were several Hon. Members who
could bear testimony to the truth, and he called upon
them to correct him if he said anything not warranted
by the facts. He believed he need not state to the
House that his removal from the Army was connected
with some imputed act at the funeral of the late
Queen, or at some time immediately before it. On
the 9th of August, being at Paris, he was informed
in a public office, by the English Ambassador, Sir
Charles Stewart, of the death of the Queen of Eng-
land. It was necessary for him to state this particu-
lar, as it had been reported that he had heard the
news whilst at dinner, and that his expression on re-
ceiving it shocked two or three Officers present.
The Honourable Member for Coventry (Mr. Ellice)
who wits'then at Paris, and himself, agreed to return
to Englaid immediately, and accordingly left Paris
on the morning of the 11th. That Hon. Member
could support him in the assertion, that up to that
moment no other information reached him on the sub-
ject than the simple fact of her Majesty's death. One
or two posts beyond Boulogne they met a courier,
and he told them that the remains were to be removed
to Hanover. On the 12th he wrote to Dr. Lushing-
ton from France, understanding that the funeral was
to take place on the 14th, offering to place himself
at the disposal of the executors in any way they should
think fit. He at the sametiine wrote to his son to
wait on the executors for their answer. He and his
Hon. Friend arrived in London between two and three
o'clock on the 13th. By the direction of his son be
went over to her late Majesty's house, in South And-
ley-street, where Dr. Lushington and Mr. Wilde, he
was informed, were sitting, but was too late. He then
crossed over to his friend Alderman Wood's, and they
all three proceeded to Brandenburgh House. He
would appeal to his Hon. Friend (the Member foe
Coventry) if he had not reason to know that it was
his (Sir Robert's) intention, from the first moment, to
attend her Majesty's funeral ? At Brandenburgh
House they waited till five o'clock, and there, he could
solemnly state, he had no interview with any one ac-
cept the persons immediately employed in making
arrangements. This particularity was necessary, be-
cause it was said that he had attended a Meeting at
Hammersmith, where the arrangements were planned
for the obstruction of the progress of the funeral--
Having returned to town, they found Dr. Lushington
and Mr. Wilde at South Audlerstreet, engaged in a
correspondence about the funeral with Lordlaverpool.
They said they did net know if the funeral would
take place next day; but Dr. Lushington told him I
that the Hon. Member for Aberdeen would meet him
that evening at nine o'clock, and state the arrange-
ment, which he was sure by that time would be com-
pleted. He then begged of Mr. Hume to call on
him on his way to the Freemasons' Tavern; but
having waited in vain for that Gentleman, he went
to the Freemasons Tavern, where Mr. Hume had not
arrived. The time he was absent was so very short,
that his rapidity excited the surprise of his brother-
in-law, Lieutenant-General Burrowes. He then pro-
ceeded to 13rookes's, to see the Hon. Member for
Winchelsea, and there Dr. Lushington and Mr.
Wilde came also, some time after eleven o'clock.
Up to that time no arrangement bad taken place;
they did not even know if the funeral was to take place
next day. However, between five and six o'clock next
morning he proceeded to Alderman Wood's, and
finding that he had gone, went on to Brandenburgh
House, and on his way overtook the worthy Alder-
man. It was necessary for him to state, that he was
mounted on a handsome little chesnut horse, orthe
worthy Alderman's, and not on a tall, grey, thin one,
as was stated in the information which-he had reason
to believe was laid before Government. Oa the way
he had no conversation with any one except Alder-
man Wood. There was not the least indication of
any obstacle on the road. They remained at Bran-
tlenburgh House for some time, and during that pe-
riod had no conversation with any one except the
persons employed about the funeral ; indeed, they
could not have any, on account of the strictness with
which the police officers kept everybody from the
door. At length, at the desire of Dr. Lushington, he
and his Hon. Friend came down to be present at his
protest against the proceedings of the undertaker,
and the demand made for the authority under which
he acted. Instead of an instrument signed by a Se-
cretary or Under-Secretary of State, he could chew
nothing but the programme of the funeral. How-
ever, the executors did not choose to resist the ar-
rangements of the undertaker. He (Sir Robert) ad-
dressed himself to Sir George Nayler, who was there
he believed in some heraldic character. He said to
Sir George, that he and some of his friends wished,
as much as possible, to testify their respect for the me-
mory of the Queen, and wished, if it were permitted, to
ride by the side of her hearse. The answer was that
it was contrary to the rules, and that their proper
station was behind the last mourning-coach. This
answer he conveyed to his friends, and accordingly
they posted themselves behind the last mourning-coach.
The procession advanced as far as half-way to Ken-
sington Church, where it remained above an hour.
A man who had apparently passed the line of pro-
cession, said that it was obstructed; he was immedi-
ately checked by the Hon. Member for. Shrewsbury.
After about half an hour more, he and his Honour-
able Friends went on : some of he horsemen proposed
to accompany them, but they would not permit them
to be of the party. They went as far as the head of
the procession; and there be posted himself near the
Blues, and got into conversation with an Officer, who*
countenance was familiar to . him, but whose name
(which he afterwards found to be Captain Bouverie)
lie did not then know. He asked this Officer the
question if the procession was to pass through the
City ? The Officer replied, that lie did not know—
that he was commanding a guard of honour, and
must be guided entirely by instructions: he observed,
at the same time, that the people were doing very

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.4: procession, .-
bridge, until they came to a part of the road
appeared to him- to have a dead wall on one side.
Here a slight halt was made, and some one came up
to him, and seeing he was wet, asked him to have.
some refreshment. The procession had not advanced.
far, when a Gentleman came riding by from he di-
rection of Hyde Park Corner, ind stated that he was
authorized by Sir Robert Baker to state that the pro-
cession would go through the City ; but to their asto-,
nishment they found, on reaching Hyde Park Cor-,
ner, that the procession turned up through the Park.
It proceeded rapidly through the Park, until they'
reached Stanhope-gate. He stopped there, and in a
little time saw an Hon. Member of the House, who
commanded that day, tiding dcwn, and the instant
suggestion was, that he was going for more troops.,
The head of the procession having passed through
Cemberland-gate, it appeared to stop, and somecon
fusion ensued. There was a rush of the people, and
he (Sir Robert Wilson) saw at the time the Guardsi
cutting at the people, but was certain that it was nol
more than the flourishing of their swords. A second
and a third rush took place. He then proceeded to
the place, and by the time he arrived there the lead-
ing,
horses of the first coach had passed the gate,
and the hearse was surrounded with the Blues. The
Guards were all in disorder and confusion, such as
he was in the habit of seeing cavalry bodies in when
suddenly repulsed in the field. He saw at once that
the conduct of the Guards, and their continued firing
only tended to break the peace. He addressed him-
self to one of the parties, and asked if they had or-
ders to fire, They said they had not, but that they
were exceedingly ill-treated by the populace. He
then rode up to another party, who made him the
same answer. He said to them, " Now that the at-
tacks of the populace are over, now that they have
ceased to throw stones, for Gon's sake, have done!"
One of the men said that the Guards were firing only
blank cartridges ; but the fact was otherwise, as was
but too well proved. At the moment that he was
speaking to the man, a shot was fired from behind
him, which grazed his cheek so nearly, that he put
up his hand to-feel if any part of his face, was in-
jured. He immediately turned round, and saw three
men in the act of reloading their pistols. He ad-
dressed them, observing that this was most disgrace-
ful; that they were soldiers of Waterloo, and should
not disgrace themselves; that they had stood before
cannon-shots, and should not mind these paltry stones.
This was all that passed. He was as cool at the
time as he was at that moment—not an oath had
escaped from his lips during the time, so help him
Goa ! At this time he saw a Gentleman in coloured
clothes, mounted on a dragoon horse, approach,
whom he immediately took to be a Magistrate. He
said to him, "-Sir, you, as a Magistrate, ought to
have been here; this is the place for the Magistrate
to be." The Magistrate replied, " I have been oc-:
cupied in removing the obstructions to the progress
of the funeral, and that was my place." He (Sir
Robert Wilson) observed that he (the Magistrate)
must have been aware of the disorders which had
just taken place at that spot, and how necessary wan
his presence in order to check them. The Magistrate,
in answer, made a remark which he (Sir R.lWilson)
would much rather bear repeated by that Gentleman
at the bar. In fact, as he would not wish to become
the accuser of any person, he would rather decline
repeating that remark at present—(Cries of " State
it I")—At that moment he saw an Officer come up,
who he believed was the Commanding Officer (whose
name he afterwards discovered was Major Oakes), to
whom he (Sir Robert Wilson) communicated what
had taken place. This Gentleman said he gave no
orders to fire, and distinctly declared that he was
sorry the firing had taken place. He (Sir R.Wilson)
then presented the Magistrate to Major Oakes, who
received him with the usual courtesies and acknow-
ledgments. He repeated to them the propriety of
their remaining near each other, and how beneficial
it would be if they kept constantly near the men.—
He ought to say, that the men generally felt the
rebuke, and said, let us give up and form. There
was at this time a considerable pause. He then re-
presented to Major Oakes that the Guards had made
themselves so obnoxious to the people, that so long
as they accompanied the procession there could be
no expectation of tranquillity. He (Major Oakes)
observed that he and his men had now done the duty
appointed for them, and that it would be no longer
necessary for them to stay, and he would go to the
Commanding Officer for further orders. Seeing that
the Guards were to be drawn off, lie (Sir R. Wilson)
suggested to Major Oakes, that it would be proper
for him, in order to the safety of the soldiers and the
preservation of the peace, to order the men to advance
in frontof the procession, and take the part turning
to the right. He agreed in the-propriety of this sug-
gestion. On turning the corner one of the soldiers
was violently struck with a stone, and he (Sir Robert)
must say, that he never saw a man behave with more
temper and forbearance than the soldier. In fact, up
to this time, there was nothing like that alarming
throwing of stones which would justify the Guards
in having recourse to their loaded pistols. The pro-
cession having advanced a little, an Officer with six
men, came up with an order from Lord Liverpool. He
(Sir It.) said to him, as he had only six men, it might
beimproper for him to remain with 'the' procession,
and inconsequence he did withdraw. *After this tome
confusion ensued, in consequence of one of the horsis
of the hearse becoming entangled in the traces, and
some of the people, taking advantage of this disorder,
attempted to impede the procession. But this attempt
he (Sir Robert) laboured, and successfully, to prevent.
He then returned to his station in the procession, after
having conversed with Sir Robert Baker, who entirely
agreed with him upon the propriety of whathad been
done, and never left that station until the procession
arrived at Ilford. He then returned to town, and
could solemnly say that he took no refreshment ex-
cept at his own house. This he was the more anxious
to impress on the pause? asite.was given to under-
slandthat Government were in possesSiiniolinforpki-
tio n, in which it was stated that he (Sir Robert) had
dined witk a certain Gentleman, and after dinner had
given a most vulgar, if not a tlta .0 %Ale toast. He

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day to Colchester, and *re be atteadoi
•in the capacity of a mourner. Re the%
to Harwich, and returned to town. Some
after, one Of his friends met him, and said
s to be misled, as it was *wen out that be
head of a plan for the obstruction of die
He heard the story repeated so often, tut
at length to Lord Harrington, who
the Guards, and the honotir of whose friend.
ship he could boast. Mis Lordship was not at he s%
but he (Sir Robert) saw his son, and explained mint
the object of his visit. He then took the advice of his
friends and colleagues, and they agreed that it woad
be .premature in him to send in any statement an the
Government upon the subject. On the 27th ',wpm
be went to the office of the Commander-in-Chief, bra
his Royal Highness was not there. He saw Sir Fier.
bert Taylor, the Secretary, and explained to him due
he had waked on his Royal Highness in consequence
of certain reports that he had heard, imputing coo;
duct of a very serious nature to him—that he did
think it necessary to send in any statement, but that
be was ready at a moment s warning to meet any
rilleCUSatiOn which might be }sought against him...—
He added, that he was aboet to retura 'to Parig, and
that if he received no official communication froth
his Royal Highness, he should consider that thine
was no foundation for the report that it was in the
contemplation of Government to bring forward ter-
tails heavy charges against him.—(Here the Honour-
able Member read site minutes of what had passed,
and which was to the above effect, signed by Sir
Herbert Taylor.)—He should add, that he offered to
'give Sir Herbert Taylor the perusal of a statement
' which he had drawn up in his own justification, to be
used by him in whatever manner he should think Sr.
He waited until the .sth September, and, receiving no
answer, he returned to Paris. On the 19th of that
month he received a note from Sir C. Stewart, the A-
mbassador there, requesting him to call upon him, as he
had a communication for him from his Majesty's Minis-
ters. lie determined to wait on his Excellency next dm
—ln the meantime he happened to go into a public
coffee-room, and there saw, in one of the French
papers, an extract from the Courier newspaper. an-
nouncing his removal from the Army, in almost the
terms of the Commander-in-Chief's letter to him._
He waited on Sir Charles Stewart on the 20th, who
gave him the scaled letter, declaring that he was ig-
norant of its contents. The letter was couched in
these words:—" Sir, I have it in command from hit
Majesty to inform you, that his Majesty has no further
occasion for your services." This letter was signed
by the Commander-in-Chief. Thus, in two lines and
a half, did he find himself deprived, absolutely plun-
dered, of his rank and emoluments—the benefits of
so many years service, and a stain endeavoured to be
affixed to his character which the lowest and basest
dereliction of duty only deserved. The name of the
Commander-in Chief was signed to this letter. To
that illustrious person he begged to say he should
ever feel grateful for the acts of kindness bestowed
on him by his Royal Highness. Headdressed a let-
ter immediately to the Commander-in-Chief, and his
Royal Highness returned an answer, dated the 23th
of September.—(This correspondence has been al-
ready published in this Paper). He came to England
on the 7th of October, and was still determined, if
possible, to obtain redress entirely through the me-
dium of the Military Authorities. He again, on the
Bth of October, wrote a letter to the Commander-ia-
Chief. He ayes satisfied that he was entitled to a
Court Martial, not only on the authority of Lal
George Sackville's case, but on that of many others,
which, if necessary, he could produce. His Royal
Highness's answer conveyed the expression his re-
solution not to take any further steps. Thus he found
the avenues to justice completely shut up : he had
hoped, however, that by establishing the talsehocd of
the imputations which he believed to be the ground
of the hostile proceedings against him, he mils:at be
able to make some impression in his favour. He
therefore wrote to the Secretary for the Home Depart-
ment, stating that he had heard that information was
in his possession, charging him with being pesent
at a secret meeting, whete a plan was organised
for the obstruction of the Queen's funeral. His
Lordship replied_ that he was not the proper channel
through which the application was to be made.—
He then applied to Sir Richard Birnie, in whose
hands the depositions were, and after several inter-
views, he admitted that the information to which he
had alluded was proved, at the very first n:eeting of
the Magistrates, to be entirely groundless.—He
then understood the depositions were in the hands
of the Secretary for the Home Department, in which
was stated that he was seen, on the 14th of August,
with a pot of porter in his hand, encouraging the
people to pull up the pavement, for the purpose of
obstructing the procession. He demanded the name
of the deponent, in order that he might be prosecuted
for perjury. But Lord Sidmouth replied, that he did
not consider himself justified in giving the informa-
tion required. He should now state that a corre-
spondence took place between him and Major Oakes,
which had never yet appeared Before the Public, and
to which he begged the attention of the House. He
wrote to Major Oakes from Paris, on the 21th of
September. The Hon. Member read the letter, which
was to this effect—He said he had just seen in t:te
Public Papers the statement of a reported convey:-
tion between himself and Major Oakes, and tl.'at he.
addressed him at that moment for the purpose
having his correction of the erroneous statem-n, and
his evidence as to what really did take plice. He
'then reminded him that, instead of approaching hint
in a hostile manner, he had addressed him in a most
amicable way—that he had asked him (Major Oaks ,l
if he had. ordered the men to fire? on whic:i he de-
clared that he had not, and that he was sorry that it
had taken place; and that he had presented to hint
the Nlap,istrate, whoM he received with the usual
civilities, and that he had suggested to him that Par-
ticular movement of the troops when they wereabour
to withdraw from the procession, in the propriety of
which he(Major Oakes) fully coincided. Major Oakes,.
in his reply,. first of all declined to be the organ ot
contradiction of the statement alluded to. lie had
no hesitation in saying the report of the cctiversation
did not originate with him, nor did he know who
was the author of it. He said it was distinctly in
his recollection that he (Sir Robert Wilson) a.ked
.
him,. on the day and on the' occasion alluded to, it
he had given orders for the soldier's' filing ? and that
lie had replied he had not. He also admitted that 'le
(Sir Robt. Wilson) suggested the flank nanveincnt

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label was rated to the WO etattlatented otiatinnis ikiabotenetina titt
.13 -'rt• went next d
smiting Vs crime; but such a came at was pinged dost • vomit Two • • ) remains
,
with regarirto him, seemed to llttaie•pmeunor of •• -refitiliat.aie people weillactiag `g,. mod alicuripproceeded to
military government. The Offieeis, if slick were to otily, aceritupenied by Ni gin. Friend, IHr.alltrate, short elan a
be the system, would become bliatinettwnents in the went up to th! place, arid, after alittleremonstrance, that he was
hands of the Sovereign, would enable him to destroy they suffered the horses to be yoked and- tbe Waggon was at the 1.
all the institutions or the country, and reader nuga- to proceed. They then returned to their station in funeral. H
tar.' the best effortsii their ancestors. He did not the procession, which now advanced towards Knights- be went at
....... 1....4.1~._ until thoir cattle to a Dart of the road which minded the