Page images
PDF
EPUB

COBBETT'S

4. That during the late Inquiry, we observed with the deepest regret, that in an

Parliamentary Debates: assembly of persons stiling themselves the

The TWELFTH VOLUME of the above Work will be ready for delivery on the first of July. All communications, if sent to the Publisher's in due time, shall be carefully attended to.`

PROCEEDINGS

IN COUNTIES, CITIES, BOROUGHS, &C. relative to the recent INQUIRY in the House of Commons, respecting the Conduct of the DUKE OF YORK. (Continued from p. 858.)

CITY OF BRISTOL.

At a Meeting of the Citizens of Bristol, convened at the Guildhall, the 26th day of May 1809.-William Coates, esq. in the Chair. It was Resolved,

1. That at this momentous period, when the people are testifying the high sense they entertain of their superior rights as Britons by the sacrifices they daily make of many of the comforts, if not of the necessaries of life, for the maintenance and defence of the state, they have an undoubted right to insist, that those who are entrusted with the administration of public affairs, should at least abstain from undisguised profligacy and notorious corruption.

2. That G. L. Wardle, esq. in his parliamentary exertions respecting the conduct of his royal highness the late Commander in Chief, displayed that zealous vigilance for the public welfare, that clear discernment, that pure disinterestedness, that inextinguishable ardour, and that unshaken constancy, which characterise the true patriot. That he has thereby justly acquired the admiration and gratitude of every uncorrupted member of the community, and he is requested to accept this heartfelt acknowledgement from the citizens of Bristol now assembled.

3. That our Thanks are due to sir F. Burdett, bart. for the consistency of his conduct in seconding Mr. Wardle's motion for inquiry; to lord Folkestone for his early and steady support of the measure; to Mr. Whitbread and sir S. Romilly, for their able exertions during its progress; and to general Ferguson, lord Archibald Hamilton, Mr. Madocks, and such other members of the house of commons, as by their virtuous co-operation proved themselves to be the actual representatives of the people.

representatives of the people, the influence of public opinion was unblushingly contemned, and its legitimacy openly denied; but we triumph in the reflection, that the authority which his majesty's ministers dared to revile, they have found themselves compelled to obey.

5. That we consider the late happy detection of lord Castlereagh in his foul attempt on the Constitution, as a pledge on the part of the virtuous representatives of the people, that they will not slumber at their posts until our formidable enemy, corruption, be completely subdued.

6. That we look with confidence to a speedy and effectual Reform of the Commons House of Parliament, as the only means of rooting out corruption; and in effecting that Reform, we earnestly deprecate the insidious interference of those who are themselves profiting by the continuance of state abuses and reversionary sinecures.

7. That we seek no other Reform than such as shall insure to us the restoration of that free and glorious Constitution which our forefathers so bravely acquired; which they again and again so manfully asserted, and which they so religiously transmitted to their posterity as their best, their inalienable birthright.

8. That our 'Thanks are due to Mr. John Winter, jun. and the other independent citizens at whose instance this Meeting was convened.

9. That copies of these Resolutions be subscribed by the Chairman in the name of the Meeting, and be transmitted by him to Mr. Wardle, sir F. Burdett, lord Folkestone, sir S. Romilly, Mr. Whitbread, general Ferguson, lord A. Hamilton, and Mr. Madocks.

10. That our acknowledgments are due to Mr. Matthew Mills Coates, for the Resolutions this day adopted, and for his zealous and able exertions on the present occasion.

COUNTY OF HEREFORD.

At a General Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Hereford, convened in the Shire Hall, on Friday the 19th May, by the Gentlemen, whose Requisition for that purpose had been declined by the High Sheriff.-The right hon. the earl of Oxford in the Chair.-It was Resolved unanimously,

1. That the Thanks of the Freeholders

[blocks in formation]

3. That the Thanks of the Freeholders of this county be given to the 125 members of the House of Commons, who formed the Minority on Mr. Wardle's motion.

4. That with pleasure and gratitude we have observed the names of Thomas Foley, Thomas Powel Symonds, and Richard Philip Scudamore, esquires, in that honourable list.

5. That the Vote of the House of Commons on that occasion (which appears to us to be equally opposite to the Evidence adduced, and to the sentiments of the people of England), adds to our conviction of the necessity of a temperate Reform in Parliament.

OFFICIAL PAPERS. FRENCH ARMY IN AUSTRIA.Third Bulletin, dated Burghausen, April 30.

The Emperor arrived in Muhldorf on the 27th inst. in the evening. His majesty detached the division of general Wrede to Lauffen on the Salza, in order to overtake the corps, which the enemy had in the Tyrol, and which was retreating by forced marches. General Wrede overtook the enemy's rear on the 28th, near Lauflen, took the baggage, and made many prisoners; but the enemy had sufficient time to cross the river and burn the bridge. On the 27th the duke of Dantzic arrived in Wanesburgh, and on the 28th in Altenmark. On the 29th gen. Wrede continued his march to Saltzburgh; about three leagues from the town he found the advanced posts of the enemy's army. The Bavarians pursued them closely and entered the town with them. General Wrede assures us that the division of general Jellachich is completely destroyed. That general has thus been punished for the scandalous proclamation by which he put the dagger in the hands of the Tyrolese. The Bavarians have taken 5000 prisoners, and found conside

6. That the heavy pressure of public taxes (which have even reached the necessaries of life) renders it of the utmost im-rable magazines in Saltzburgh. On the portance, that faithful representatives should watch with jealousy the expenditure of the public revenue.

7. That if pensions and lucrative places (which are represented to amount to 178,994. per annum, and to be received by 78 members of the House of Commons) continue to be given to the members of that house, it is vain for the people to expect their opinions to be there expressed.

28th, at break of day, the duke of Istria arrived in Burghausen, and his advanced parties took post on the right bank of the Inn. The same day the duke of Montebello arrived in Burghausen. Count Bertrand exerted himself to the utmost to restore the bridge, which had been burnt by the enemy. It was completed on the 30th, and the whole army crossed the river. On the 28th a detachment of 50 horse chasseurs, commanded by captain Margaron, arrived in Dittmoning, where he fell in with a battalion of the famous militia, styled Landwhes, which, on his approach, retreated into a neighbouring wood. Capt. 9. That the Chairman be requested to Margaron summoned them to surrender; inform the members for this county, that after much deliberation, 1000 men of that the Freeholders here assembled, expect valiant militia, posted in a thick wood, them to support any motion having for its altogether inaccessible to cavalry, surrenobject a temperate Reform of Parliament. dered to 50 chasseurs. The Emperor wish10. That the Chairman be also request- ed to see them; they really excite comed to inform colonel Wardle, sir F. Bur-passion; they are badly armed, worse dett, and lord Folkestone, of the Resolutions thanking them. (Signed)

8. That our only object in recommending a Reform in Parliament is to obtain for the people their acknowledged share in the government, and thereby to secure the blessings of our invaluable Constitution.

OXFORD, Chairman. The earl of Oxford having quitted the Chair, the Thanks of the Meeting were unanimously voted to his lordship for taking the Chair, and for his able conduct in it. (To be continued.)

accoutred, and commanded by superannuated officers of artillery. The cruel and overbearing temper of the Austrians fully displayed itself in the moment of apparent success, when they occupied Munich. The high bailiff of Muhldorf was arrested by them and shot. An inhabitant of Muhldorf, of the name of

[ocr errors]

Starck, who had obtained a badge of distinction from the king of Bavaria, for the services which, during the last war, he rendered to the army, has been taken up and sent to Vienna, to stand his trial. The high bailiff of Burghausen, count Armansperg, has also been sent to Lintz, and from thence to Vienna, because in the year 1805 he did not comply with a requisition addressed to them on the part of the Austrians. The Bavarians will no doubt give a minute and faithful account of the acts of wanton cruelty committed by the Austrians in this country, that the memory thereof may be preserved by their most remote posterity, although it is extremely probable that this was the last insult which Austria will be able to offer to the allies of France. The Austrians have endeavoured, both in the Tyrol and Westphalia, to invite the inhabitants to rise in rebellion against their sovereigns. Austria has raised numerous armies, divided into corps like the French army; her troops are moving by forced marches, to imitate the French troops; her generals are publishing bulletins, proclamations, general orders-all in imitation of the French. But the ass is not ennobled to a lion because he is covered with a lion's skin; the long ears betray the ignobler beast. The Emperor of Austria has left Vienna, and on his departure published a proclamation, drawn up by Gentz, in the style and spirit of the most ridiculous performances of that kind. He is gone to Scharding, a position extremely well adapted for a sovereign, who neither wishes to be in his capital to govern his dominions, nor in the field, where he is known to be merely an incumbrance and dead weight. When he was informed of the result of the battle of Echmuhl, he judged it prudent to leave the banks of the Inn, and retire into the interior of his dominions. The town of Scharding, which is now occupied by the duke Rivoli, has suffered much. The Austrians on their retreat set fire to their magazines, and burnt half the town which belonged to them. They had no doubt some presentiment of their future fate, that what belonged to Austria shall no longer belong to her.

Fourth Bulletin, dated Brannau, 1st May. On the crossing of the bridge at Landshat, brigadier gon. Latour gave proofs of valour and coolness. Col. Lauriston placed the artillery advantageously, and contributed much to the happy issue of this splendid affair. The bishon and the prin

cipal public functionaries of Saltzburg repaired to Burghausen, to implore the clemency of the Emperor for the country. His Majesty gave them his assurance, that they should never again come under the dominion of the House of Austria. They engaged to take measures for recalling the four battalions of the militia which the Circle had delivered, and of which part were dispersed and fled.—The head quarters are to be this day removed to Ried. At Brannau, magazines were found with 200,000 rations of biscuit, and 6,000 sacks of oats. The Circle of Ried has furnished three battalions for the militia, but the greater part of them are returned again to their habitations. The Emperor of Austria was three days at Brannau; he was at Scharding when he heard of the defeat of his army. The inhabitants consider him as the principal cause of the war. The famous volunteers of Vienna passed through this place after their defeat at Landshut, throwing away their arms, and carrying with them in all haste their terror to Vienna.-On the 21st of April an Imperial Decree was published in the capital, declaring the ports to be again opened to the English, the treaties with this ancient ally renewed, and hostilities against the common enemy begun.-Gen. Oudinot has taken prisoners a battalion of 1,000 men, between Altham and Ried. This battalion was without cavalry and artillery. On the approach of our troops, they made an attempt to fire with their small arms, but being surrounded on all sides by the cavalry, were obliged to lay down their arms. His majesty caused several brigades of light cavalry to pass in review at Burghausen, and among others those of Hesse Darmstadt; at whose appearance he was pleased to express his satisfaction. Gen. Marulaz, under whose command the corps stands, presented several of them, to whom his majesty was pleased to grant decorations of the Legion of Honour. Gen. Wrede has intercepted a courier, on whom were found a number of letters, from which we may perceive the state of of confusion in which the kingdom is.

Fifth Bulletin, dated Enns, 4th May.

On the 1st of May gen. Oudinot, after having made 1,400 prisoners, penetrated beyond Ried, where he took 400 more, so that he this day took 1,500 men without firing a single gun.-The town of Brannau was a strong place of sufficient importance, since it commanded a bridge on the river, which forms the frontier of Austria. In

met the Austrian rear-guard before Ebersberg. The intrepid battalions of the tirailleurs of the Po, and the Corsican tirailleurs, pursued the enemy, who was passing the bridge, drove into the river the cannon, waggons, and from eight to nine hundred men, and took in the town from three to four thousand men, whom the enemy had left there for its defence. Gen. Claparede, whose advanced guard was these battalions, pursued them. He halted at Ebersberg, and found 30,000 Austrians occupying a superb position. The duke of Istria passed the bridge with his cavalry, in order to support the division, and the duke of Rivoli ordered his advanced guard to be strengthened by the main body of the army. The remains of the corps of prince Lewis and gen. Hiller were lost without resource. In this extreme danger the enemy set fire to the town, which was built of wood. The fire spread in an instant in every direction. The bridge was soon enveloped, and the flames seized the joists, which it was necessary to cut. -Nei

a spirit of inconsistency worthy this weak cabinet, it destroyed a fortress situated on a frontier where it might be of great utility, in order to build one at Comorn, in the midst of Hungary. Posterity will with difficulty credit this excess of inconsistency and folly.-The Emperor arrived at Ried on the 2d of May, at one of the morning, and at Lambach, at one of the afternoon of the same day.-At Ried were found an establishment of eight sets of military ovens, and magazines containing 20,000 quintals of flour. The bridge of Lambach, on the Traun, had been cut by the enemy; it was re-established during the day.-On the same day the duke of Istria commanding the cavalry, and the duke of Montebello, with the corps of Oudinot, entered Wels. In this town were found a bakery, 12 or 15,000 quintals of flour, and magazines of wine and brandy.-The duke of Dantzic, who arrived, the 30th April at Saltzburg, instantly caused one brigade to march towards Kurstein and another towards Rastadt, in the direction of the Italian roads. His advanced guard, pur-ther cavalry nor infantry was able to act; suing gen. Jellachich, forced him from the and the division of Claparede alone, with strong post at Colling. On the 1st of only four pieces of cannon, fought during May, the head-quarters of the duke of Ri- three hours against 30,000 men. This voli were at Scharding. Adj. gen. Trin-battle of Ebersberg is one of the finest miqualye, commanding the advanced guard of the division of St. Cyr, met at Riedau, on the road to Neumarck, with the advanced guard of the enemy. The Wurtemburg light horse, the Baden dragoons, and three companies of voltigeurs of the 4th regiment of the French line, as soon as they perceived the enemy, attacked, and pursued him to Neumarck. They killed 50 men, and took 500 prisoners.-The Baden dragoons valiantly charged an halfbattalion of the regiment of Jordis, and compelled them to lay down their arms. Lieut. col. D'Emmerade, who commanded them, had his horse pierced with stabs from the bayonet, major Sainte Croix took with his own hand a flag from the enemy. Our loss consists of three men killed, and 50 wounded. The duke of Rivoli continued his march on the 2d, and arrived at Lintz on the 3d. The archduke Lewis and gen. Hiller, with the remains of their corps, reinforced by a reserve of grenadiers, and by all that the country could afford them, were before the Traun with 35,000 men; but menaced with being turned by the duke of Montebello, they proceeded to Ebersberg, in order to pass the river.-On the 3d, the duke of Istria and gen. Oudinot marched towards Ebersberg, and effected a junction with the duke of Rivoli, They

litary occurrences, the memory of which can be preserved by history. The enemy seeing the division of Claparede cut off without any communication, advanced three times against it, and was always received and stopped by the bayonet. At length after a labour of three hours, the flames were turned aside, and a passage opened. The gen. of division, Legrand, with the 26th light infantry and the 18th of the line, marched towards the castle, which the enemy had occupied with 800 men. The sappers broke in the doors, and the flames having reached the castle, all who were within perished there. Gen. Legrand afterwards marched to the assistance of Claparede's division. Gen. Durosnel, who advanced to the right shore, with 1,000 horse, joined himself to him, and the enemy was obliged to retreat with great haste. On the first report of these events, the Emperor had himself marched up the right shore, with the divisions of Nansoutz and Moliter.-The enemy, who retreated with the greatest rapidity, arrived at night at Enns, burnt the bridge, and continued his flight on the road to Vienna. His loss consists of 12,000 men, of which 7,500 are prisoners. We also possess four pieces of cannon and two standards. The division of Claparede, which consti

tutes a part of the grenadiers of Oudinot, covered itself with glory. It has lost 300 men killed and 600 wounded. The impetuosity of the tirailleurs of the Po, and the Corsican tirailleurs, attracted the attention of our army. The bridge, the town, and the position at Ebersberg, will be lasting monuments of their courage. The traveller will stop and say, "It is here, from these superb positions, from this long bridge, and this castle so strong from its situation, that an army of 35,000 Austrians was driven into fight by 7,000 Frenchmen."-Cohorn, general of brigade, an officer of singular intrepidity, had his horse killed under him. Colonels Cardenan and Lendy were killed.-A company of the Corsican battalion pursuing the enemy into the woods, made alone 700 prisoners. -During the affair of Ebersberg, the duke of Montebello arrived at Steyer, where he rebuilt the bridge which the enemy had cut.-The Emperor sleeps to-day at Enns, in the castle of Prince Auersperg: tomorrow will be spent in rebuilding the bridge. The Deputies of the States of Upper Austria were presented to his Majesty at his bivouac at Ebersberg. The citizens of all classes, and from all the provinces, allow that the emperor Francis II. is the aggressor: they expect great changes, and admit that the House of Austria has merited all its misfortunes. They accuse, even openly, the feeble, obstinate, and perfidious character of their sovereign, as the author of their afflictions: they manifest the deepest gratitude for the generosity which the emperor Napoleon shewed towards the capital and countries he had conquered. In common with all Europe, they are indignant at the resentment and hatred which the emperor Francis has not ceased to nourish against a nation which had been so noble and magnanimous towards him. Thus, in the opinion even of the subjects of our enemy, victory is on the side of the good cause. Sixth Bulletin, dated Saint Polten, May 9. The prince of Ponte Corvo, who commands the 9th corps, composed in a great measure of the Saxon army, and which has marched near the Bohemian frontier, spreading disquietude every where, has caused the Saxon general Gutschmitt to march to Egra. This general has been well received by the inhabitants, whom he has ordered to dismiss the landwher

(militia.) On the 6th the head-quarters of the prince of Ponte Corvo were at Retz, between Bohemia and Ratisbon. — One Schill, a sort of robber, who was covered with crimes during the last campaign of Prussia, and who had obtained the rank of colonel, has deserted from Berlin with his whole regiment, and repaired to Wittemberg, on the Saxon frontier. He has environed that town. General Lestocq has issued a Proclamation against him as a deserter. This ridiculous movement was concerted with the party which wished to send fire and blood through Germany.His Majesty has ordered the formation of a corps of observation of the Elbe, which will be commanded by the duke of Walmy, and composed of 60,000 men. The advanced guard is ordered to proceed to Hanau.--The duke of Montebello crossed the Enns at Steyer on the 4th, and arrived on the 5th at Amstetten, where he met the enemy's advanced guard. Colbert, gen. of brigade, caused the 20th regiment of horse chasseurs to charge a regiment of Ulans, of whom 500 were taken. The young Lauriston, 18 years of age, and who but six months ago was a page, after a singular combat, vanquished the commander of the Ulans, and took him prisoner. His Majesty has granted him the decoration of the Legion of Honour.-On the 6th, the duke of Montebello arrived at Molck, the duke of Rivoli at Amstetten, and the duke of Auerstadt at Lintz.-The remains of the corps of the archduke Lewis and general Hiller quitted Saint Polten on the 7th. Two-thirds passed the Danube at Crems; they were pursued to Mautern, where the bridge was found broken: the other third took the direction of Vienna.-On the 8th, the head-quarters of the Emperor were at St. Polten.-The head-quarters of the duke of Montebello are to-day at Sigartskirchen. The duke of Dantzic is marching from Saltsburgh to Inspruck, in order to attack in the rear the detachment which the enemy has still in the Tyrol, and which troubled the frontiers of Bavaria.-In the cellars of the abbey of Molck, were found several thousand bottles of wine, which are very useful for the army. It is not till beyond Molck that the wine country begins. It foliows from the accounts delivered in, that the army has found, since the passage of the Inn, in the different magazines of (To be continued.)

LONDON :-Printed by T. C. HANSARD, Peterborough - Court, Fleet - Street; Published by R. BAGSHAW, Brydges-Street, Covent - Garden :-Sold also by J. BUDD, Pall-Mall.

« PreviousContinue »