Page images
PDF
EPUB

STAFFORD.

The Meeting of this town was very numerous and respectable, and was held there on the 20th of April; M. J. Wright, Esq. Mayor, in the Chair.

W. Horton, Esq. observed, that it was unnecessary for him to enter at any length into the nature of the meeting. Every Englishman, who had suffered his mind to be fairly acted upon by the late memorable proceedings in Parliament, must be aware that Mr. Wardle had rendered a very important service to his country. Every man capable of appreciating the true principles of liberty, and the courage and public spirit by which they were preserved to the State, must be convinced that Mr. Wardle's conduct was precisely of that bold and marked nature which men in general would shrink from. In proportion therefore as he had deviated from the common track of equivocal and shuffling parliamentary patriotism, he was entitled to some distinguished mode of approbation. To this the country ́seemed to have unanimously agreed, wherever a powerful aristocracy did not stretch forth its arm to shield the delinquent from public censure. He concluded by moving an address to Mr. Wardle.

Mr. Somerville seconded the motion, and entered at considerable length into the merits of Mr. Wardle's conduct.

Mr. Drewry moved an adjournment of the meeting sine die, and talked of a licentious press: he thought Mr. Wardle had been already sufficiently rewarded. Mr. Drewry's motion was negatived without a division. Mr. Keen's amendment, also, for saying We, the Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, &c. instead of We, the Inhabitants, was also lost, and the following Address and Resolutions, at length, passed unanimously:

"To Gwyllim Lloyd Wardle, Esq.

"We, the Inhabitants of the Borough of Stafford, have witnessed, with sentiments of admiration and gratitude, the firm but temperate manner in which you have prosecuted a long and laborious inquiry into the conduct of the late Commanderin-chief.

"The victory which you have obtained over the abuses disclosed in that high official situation, is a noble instance of the self-renovating power of our glorious Constitution.

"You have shewn, that any virtuous and independent member of the House of Commons, unconnected with party, but supported by the public voice, is enabled to promote the cause of truth, and the real interests of the nation.

P

"Estimating your services, therefore, as the effects of an honest and courageous mind, we offer to you our ardent thanks, as a part of that community which you have so eminently benefited."

DERBY.

A Meeting was held at the Town-Hall, on the 18th of April, convened pursuant to a requisition; H. Brown, Esq. Mayor, in the chair; when the following resolutions were almost unanimously adopted, viz ;

That this Meeting, actuated by the purest motives, is desirous of expressing to Gwyllim Lloyd Wardle, Esq. its grateful thanks for the firm and independent manner in which, unconnected with party, he instituted, and the temper and perseverance which he displayed in the prosecution of the late arduous inquiry into the conduct of His Royal Highness the Duke of York.

That this meeting, believing that gross abuses and shameful corruption have been fully proved to exist in various departments of the State, and in the general administration of Public Affairs, is thoroughly convinced of the necessity of timely and temperate, but strict and effectual, inquiry and correction.

That after the distinguished proof which has been given by Mr. Wardle, of what, under the

forms of our excellent Constitution, may be accomplished by the honest exertions of an individual member of the House of Commons, this meeting trusts that the fatal consequences to which‍ such corruption, and abuses must inevitably lead, will be averted by the united efforts of all good men, and of such representatives of the people in particular, as, with abilities equal to the task, shall have the courage, probity, and independence to step forward on an occasion so pregnant with honour to themselves, and safety to their country.

WORCESTER.

This was a meeting of the freemen and inhabitants in Common Hall assembled, and took place on Thursday, April 12, in compliance with a public requisition. The thanks of the meeting were voted to Mr. Wardle, for "his dauntless · intrepidity in proposing the recent investigation in the House of Commons, which disclosed the existence of gross abuses and corruptions in the conduct of the Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's land forces, and other departments of the State." Thanks were at the same time voted to W. Gordon and A. Robarts, Esqrs. members for. Worcester; the Hon. W. II. Lyttleton, member for the county; the Hon. A. Foley and Sir T.

Winnington, Bart. members for Droitwich; H. Howorth, Esq. member for Eversham; and to the other members composing the minority of 125, who divided with Mr. Wardle. Among other resolutions adopted by the meeting, which was very numerously and respectfully attended, were the following:

"That His Royal Highness the Duke of York, by resigning his situation of Commander-in-chief, has acted in conformity with the wishes of the people, in opposition to the majority of the House of Commons; and it is the opinion of this meeting, that if any person at any future period should advise His Majesty to reinstate him, he will prove himself an enemy to his country. That the late decision in the House of Commons has disappointed the hopes and expectations of the people, and convinces us of the necessity of a speedy and effectual reform in the representation of the Commons in Parliament, as a security to the throne, a support to the nobility, and a safeguard to the people, against that tide of corruption, which has laid so many nations of Europe prostrate at the 'feet of the ruler of France."

Herbert Rogers, Esq. as Mayor, was in the chair, and likewise received the thanks of the meeting.

« PreviousContinue »