The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-25
From The Me4O YORK Evening Post.
DIXIE OF Y0RK


Mrs. Clarke begins TO excite as
much interest among our readers here as it
has in England. Not having the papers
which contain the charge as it was formally
preferred against the Duke in the House of
Commons, it can only be collected from the
evidence, which nearly engosses fourteen
papers now before us. The following may
be considered apretty correct summary state
ment.
The Duke of York had supported as a
mistress during three years Mrs Clarke,
who had before separated from her husband
and who is represented as fascinating as
well as a most artful and extravaganza wo-
man. His Royal Highness has been mar
ried for several years; his Duchess is a
live. Mark,thot =! )-She lived at Glouces
ter House in a. style Of great expence and
splendor, had her town house and country
house, Kept two carriages and nine servants S.
AT length the Duke became weary or dis
gsstcd and left her. She applied to him
still for more money and intmated he was
in her power if he did not Comply. He gave
more. She repeated her demands SO often
that he found IT would be impracticablc to
continue 20 supply them, and determined to
stop where he was and brave consequences.
She then offered that if he would pay all
her debts and settle an annuity for life of
4e0i. upon her, she would remain client and
give up his letters. He refused she went
to a member of the House of Commons and
accused the Duke of York, as commander
an chief, with disposing of appointments in
the army through her influence, for which
she received pccuniary presents from the
applicants. 500 guincas from one, 400 from
another, &c. adding that it was by these
sums OF money thus received, she was ena-
bl1d to suppoft!her establishment, the Duke
only allowing her 1,0OOl. year, and that
this was done with his knowledge and ap-
probation charge that certainly involves
the Dukes character very deeply, as it i'm
putes motives the most meal and scandal
lous, 1t not corrupt and mercenary But
finding himself in the power of this aban-
doned and shameless woman, (zvho more
shameless and abandoned than his Grace /? J
he resolved to abide the consequences of a
public investigation (; humblng himself by
a confession OF the connection, but denying
the whole of the charges.
Sine accordingly came forth in the face of
the nation, preferred the accusation an
the bar of the House of Commons. and
offered herself as the witness to criminate.
MANY whole days have been con-
sufned in her examination, as we'll as OF
some ether witnesses called in to support
her. Witnesses have also been EXAM
ined on the other side, to inyalidate her tes-
timony |; to shew that instead of three ,ho,,-
sand, twenty Ave thousand pounds have been
lavished on her, besides valuable presents .
(and whence did his Grace obtain mi,
money Where-but from tie ysoekets o,
me poor people Of Britain land that there
fore, the presumption set up against the
Duke, arising from the inadequacy of the
means he allowed her, must fail and last
ly, that she was so very worthless, that
while protesting fidelity TO the Duke. che
bestowed her fayors on some others, through
whose influence over her the promotions
were ebtained. The proceedings have closed
before the commons, but their decision has no,
yet TRANSFERRED. 1t is said the Duke has de.
termined to resign the Office Of Commando
IN Chief, and have the matter brought On.
lcmnly before the House Of Peers.
For the amusement of our fair readers.
whose curiosity, must, am sure, be broad
awake on subject that agitatcs the whole
British nation. now present two of the love
letters which Mrs. Clarke offered in ev;,
dcnce to the House Of Commons. fear
however, that our American ladies' espec;.
ally It they recolIcct the Duke of Cumber.
lands love letter to lady Grosvernor. will
iorm but a contemptuous opinion of the Ia
lent OF Princes in this way, or in any o.
ther, win an exception here or there sezrcl
1oorh tatttng about land that thew will
luther think that Mrs. Clarke must. ar a.
NY rate. be but a foolish hussey. il she conId
really esteem so very weak man az the
writer evidently is. Some If Mr.. CoIe.
mans fafrons mould have dishe;,sed min