New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-07-28

THE LATE Mrs CLARKE-This once fair, frail,
and famous woman, died about a fortnight since
at Boulogne The events of 1909, in which she
figured, now almost forgotten, are revived by the
London Weekly News:
In the January Of that year Col. Wardle. an
officer of the militia, brought forward in the
House of Commons a series of charges against
the Commander in chief, his royal Highness of
York, to the effect that Mrs Mary Ann
Clarke who had been in favor, but was now out
of favor, with the Duke, had long carried on n
traffic in military commissions, not only with
the knowledge, but with the participation of his
royal Highness.
He concluded by moving for n committee OF
inquiry, which, on the suggestion of the Cham
cellor ofthe Exchequer, it was determined should
be of the whole House. The inquiry, therefore,
begun at the bar of the House, and lasted above
two months, during which numerous witnesses
were examined, amongst whom was Mrs. Clarke
herself, and the most extraordinary disclosures
ensued 1t appeared that this woman had not
only considerable influence in the military, but
also in the ecclesiastical concerns of the king
dom; having, on one occasion, placed her own
footman as commissioned officer in the army,
and upon another, procured the honor of preach
ing before the King for O'Meara, an Irish cler-
gyman.
In short there was hardly any department OF
the state to which her brokership did not ex-
tend and the list of aspirants upon her ledger
| included persons of almost every station IN So
ciety. So far, Colonel Wardle established his
ease but he failed in showing that the Duke
had derived any pecuniary benefit from the
traffickings Of his mistress; he had, however,
been clearly guilty Of the almost equivalent and
| reprebensible part Of knowingly suffering her to
barter the patronage of his office, for the sup
port Of herself and establishment. Public at
| tention was entirely engrossed with the inquiry
| and the House was never so well attended as
during its progress, many Of the members ap-
penring highly edited by the sprightly salles Of
| the artful courtesan, who was the principal
| witness Intercepted.
Though the Duke was acquitted Of personal
corruption by vote of the House, the impress
sion Of culpability among many independent
| members, and the public in general, was such
that he found it necessary to resign his employ.
ment This seems to have been considered suf-
fcient atonement, and the whole business was
got rid IL on the Goth Of March, by Lord Al
| thorp moving that the House did not think pro-
lper further to prosecute the inquiry after the
| resignation of his Royal Highness, which was
carried by 235 to 112, Sir Robert Dundas sue
ceeded the Duke at the Horse-Guards. Subse
quently the fair one quarreled with this War
| die, against whom an upholsterer recovered
e1400 for furniture supplied her at the Colo
i nel's instance, whilst the charges against thu
Duke were going on.
4 As sample Of her extravaganza, Mr.. Whit
i bread mentioned in the House that service o
gold plate she had purchased originally be
| longed to prince Of Che Bourbon family. Sh,
libelled one 81 her opponents, the Chancellor 0
| the Irish Exchequer, and received confinement
Of nine months for the offence, period which
gave rise to many pleasantries at the expense o
1 the Judge, the famous Lord Peterborough
father Of the present peer, The severity of tn
Judgment was said to have been provoked by tn
ijudge having been foiled in his attempt to bull.
Ilher; for on his asking her insultingiy, q Unde
whose protection are you now living, madame !.
n" i had hoped under Lord Ellenborough's,' wa
the reply On being asked who delivered a Ger
tain message to her, she replied, pointing to
shoemaker present, Sc That ambassador Of Mo
rocco"