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COVENTRY

Public Meeting was held on the 28th of April, 1809. It was convened by Basil Goode, Esq. Mayor, in consequence of a requisition sent him by the inhabitants; Samuel Whitwell in the chair:

It was then Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that corrupt abuses appear to have existed to an alarming extent, in different departments of the State, and particularly in that of the army, as clearly substantiated by the evidence produced before the House of Commons, in the investigation of the conduct of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the late Commander-in-chief.

Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Gwyllim Llord Wardle, Esq. M.P. for his intrepid and patriotic conduct in bringing forward the charges before the House of Commons, and for his laudable and persevering exertions, in the face of the most powerful opposition, during the progress of this arduous business.

Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be also given to our worthy representatives, Peter Moore, Esq. and William Mills, Esq. for their independent conduct during this important investigation, and for which they are justly entitled to

the additional approbation and confidence of their constituents.

Resolved, That this meeting consider the conduct of the present administration, relative to the late inquiry respecting His Royal Highness the Duke of York, derogatory to their official duty, and renders them altogether undeserving that great trust with which they are invested.

With the friends of Mr. Wardle, the Mayor, also, received the thanks of the meeting.

WARWICK.

The meeting of the Burgesses and inhabitants of this place was on Tuesday, May 16, at the Court House; Thomas Collins, Esq. Mayor, in the chair.

Their resolutions, besides thanking Mr. Wardle, and the 125 upright members, expressed

That the late decision of the House of Commons, standing in direct opposition to the clear and decided opinion, and offering the grossest violence to all the best feelings of the nation, exhibits a most striking and melancholy proof of the present imperfect representation of the people in parlia

ment.

That, in the opinion of this meeting, a timely, temperate, and well-conducted, Plan of Parliamentary reform can alone afford an effectual se

curity against all great and dangerous abuses in the various departments of government; and that, by restoring to the House of Commons its constitutional and rightful character of being a fair and faithful representation of the people, such reform would render that body amiable and venerable in the estimation of their constituents--would contribute essentially to the happiness and true glory of the Sovereign -would give their due weight to property, talent, and virtue in the Senate-and promote the collective interest of a free, enlightened, and generous nation.

HUNTINGDON.

The freeholders of this county met at the Shire Hall, on Friday, May 6, under circumstances of some novelty, it being the first which has there assembled since the days of Sir Robert Bernard, without the previous approbation, and not under the immediate auspices, of one or other of the Noble Families which are supposed to divide the guidance of the county. Without consulting either, a number of respectable land-owners signed a requisition, to which the Sheriff, of course, acceded, desiring a meeting to be convened, for the purpose of paying a tribute of gratitude to

The resolutions intended to be proposed were drawn up by G.W. Leeds, Esq. of Croxton Hall; the task of moving them was assigned to J. E. Hovendon, Esq. and they were to have been seconded by Dr. Maltby; Mr. Leeds keeping back as a corps de reserve, to repel any attacks not forescen.

The object of the resolutions was probably misunderstood, as all the forces of the house of a Noble Lord were drawn up in array against them, headed by his Lordship, supported by W. H. Fellowes, Esq. and protected on each flank by Counsellors Swan and Torkington.

Fortunately, however, just before the hour of active hostility was about to begin, mutual proposals of accommodation were exchanged; and the leading friends of the original resolutions, on one part, with his Lordship, Mr. Fellowes, and the Counsel learned in law, on the other, retired to a private room, when the following compromise took place, viz. That the two first Resolutions should stand, and should also be seconded by Mr. Fellowes, provided the third, which conveyed an indirect censure on himself, was replaced by another of more general tendency. This candid concession was met by equal frankness; the reso lutions, thus modified, went first to state, “the benefit likely to arise from the recent inquiry into the conduct of the late Commander-in-chief, by

exciting the Hon. House of Commons to investigate and correct abuses in every department of the State; 2dly, to thank Mr. Wardle for his courage, perseverance, and candour; and, 3dly, to ap prove the steps now in contemplation of Parlia ment for the prevention of abuses, and urging it to the completion of the important work.”

After this arrangement, Mr. Leeds, instead of the more arduous task of watching and refuting misrepresentation, in a short manly speech, proposed, and Mr. Fellowes seconded, the resolutions; the latter gentleman thus giving a pledge, which he will doubtless redeem, that in checking the progress of corruption his future aid shall not be wanting.

All parties seemed pleased at the termination of the business: the friends of the resolutions gained every thing which was material, in the acknow. ledgment of the principle for which they contended, and the peace of the county was undisturbed.

The result of the day evinced, that, besides the thick and thin supporters or opponents of any particular party, there exists in this county another class of men, who equally despise party and faction; who desire to support the establishment, without sacrificing principle; who advocate no visionary scheme of theoretical perfection; but

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