of England choose to express their opinions at this particular crisis, it behoves me to remark on his public conduct, that it appears to me to have had real patriotism for its foundation, and to have been unexceptionably good. Had he been instigated by any motives of private pique, or personal hatred, against the Duke of York; had he been influenced by any rankling resentments; had he been in the hands of the notorious Mrs. Clarke, an instrument to glut and satiate her revenge, he certainly would have adopted a different course of proceedings: he would have scattered (as he plentifully possessed) the seeds of odium over the character of the Duke: he would have excited popular prejudices, and have kindled the public mind against him; that having first effected his general discredit with the people, he would have almost insured his condemnation with the Parliament. But Mr. Wardle acted upon other principles: he fairly, candidly, and constitutionally, brought before the House of Commons the facts he had to alledge, and, unterrified by all the Ministers, and unsupported by any party, rested his responsibility, his character, and his cause, on the evidence he had to adduce in support of them. Mr. Wardle, therefore, seems to have been solely actuated by the love of public justice, and, as such, is entitled to the admiration and gratitude of his country.

After the resolutions were read, the same in substance as those adopted at Hy the, Rochester, &c. &c. Mr. John Russel rose to second them, and spoke to the following effect :

Mr. Chairman-"I rise to second the resolutions of my worthy relative; but after the manly, firm, and energetic remarks he has made on the resolutions offered for the approbation of this respectable meeting, he has left little for me to say, that can throw new light on the subject; yet, sir, I cannot omit the opportunity of expressing my feelings on the occasion. Sir, when the honourable gentleman, Mr. Wardle, first brought forward his charges against His Royal Highness the Duke of York, I confess I was astonished, and could not help putting this plain question to myself,-who is this Mr. Wardle that has taken so great a responsibility upon himself? has he any thing to lose? Yes, sir, I find on inquiring, he is a gentleman of integrity and character, and, consequently, has to preserve that dearest gem that can be worn in the breast of a man, namely, his reputation. He pledged himself on the outset of his inquiry, that he would bring to light gross and foul corruptions! and which he has fully proved by the most uncontradictory evidence, notwithstanding every means that could be resorted to, to baffle his proceedings; still he per

seyered, coolly and deliberately, founding his cause in truth, which is the basis of all virtue, and must ultimately succeed. Sir, to the honourable Baronet, Sir F. Burdett, as seconder of the motion, he is entitled to our warmest thanks: he, sir, has always stood forward the avowed friend of the people, and consequently the declared enemy of corruption, and he has pledged himself to support inquiry, and by every constitutional means in his power, to root out corruption in whatever department it can be discovered; and he has by his uniform conduct in support of a Parliamentary Reform, so endeared himself to the people, that we see him selected and sent by a large majority of one of the first cities in Europe as their representative; would to God every county, city, and borough, in the United Kingdom would follow their example; then the people of England would be fairly represented, and meetings of this sort would not be required; for corruption, in attempting to rear its head, would be destroyed in its infancy. Gentlemen, for the attention with which you have heard me, I return my sincere thanks: I beg to give my decided approbation to every sentiment contained in the resolutions."

CANTERBURY.

A Court of Burghmote was held in this city, on Tuesday, March 21, for the purpose of hearing read the Thanks to Mr. Wardle, voted by the Corporation of Canterbury; with the Resolutions similar to those passed at Maidstone, Hythe, &c. To which being added the Freedom of that City, it gave rise to the following letter from Mr. Wardle:

London, March 23, 1809.

SIR, I have the favour of your letter, accompanying the Freedom of the City of Canterbury. That the Mayor and Commonalty of that ancient and loyal City should deem my parliamentary conduct worthy of so distinguished a mark of their approbation, is highly gratifying to my feelings; and I beg through you, sir, to offer them my warmest thanks and acknowledgments, for the high honour they have conferred on me.

I am, sir, with much respect,

Your obliged and obedient servant,

G. L. WARDLE.

Thomas Hammond, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

HYTHE.

The Resolutions adopted here on the 17th of April, do great credit to the framers of them.Richard Shipden, Esq. Mayor, in the chair:

It was resolved, That the notorious existence of flagrant abuses in various departments of the state, has long been the subject of serious regret : and this canker-worm of corruption, which preys on the vitals of industry, if not timely arrested in its destructive progress by an efficient reform, must ultimately absorb the resources of national prosperity, and involve the empire in irretrievable

ruin.

That we deplore, in common with every wellwisher to his native land, the galling privations daily experienced by all classes of the community, who groan under the onerous pressure of grinding taxation. While, on the other hand, morality is outraged by the profligate extravagance of exalted rank, and the afflicting consideration, that the resources so liberally granted, and so shamefully misapplied, are wrung from the toilsome exertions of a brave, generous, and loyal people.

Under these circumstances, as Britons, we wish to see constitutional remedies applied for the removal of such enormous evils, and to contribute to the salvation of our country, by rallying round