CITY OF LONDON, COMMON

COUNCIL.

At a Common Council, hølden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the city of London, on Thursday the 6th day of April, 1809.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, That this court has, on frequent occasions, evinced its detestation of the public abuses, which have been found to exist in various departments of the state, and it cannot but equally condemn the corrupt practices developed by the late investigation be fore the house of Commons.

Resolved --That G. L. Wardle, Esq. having, unawed by ministerial threats, exhibited serious charges against the late commander in chief, which have been clearly substantiated, and which have, in fact, induced his royal highness to resign a situation of which he is unworthy, is entitled to the esteem and gratitude of this court and the country.

Resolved Unanimously: That the thanks of this court, and the freedom of this city in a Gold Box, of the value of one hundred guineas, be presented to G. L. Wardle, Esq. in grateful testimony of the high sense they entertain of the zeal, intrepidity, and patriotism, which is so eminently evinced in that arduous and laudable undertaking.

Resolved: That the thanks of this court be presented (to Sir F. Burdett, bart. (Seconder), Lord Eolke stone, S. Whitbread, Esq. Sir S. Romilly, knt. Gen. Ferguson, Har vey Christian Combe, Esq. Alderman, and one of the representatives of this city in parliament, and the rest of the 125 independent members who, upon the important question on the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York, attempted to stem the torrent of corruption.

Resolved: That as a considerable number of those who voted in favour of the late commander in chief, on the 18th of March last, hold lucrative appointments at the pleasure of

the crown, a vote of acquittal under such circumstances must at all times appear extremely equivocal, but when given, as in the present instance, in direct contradiction to the evidence produced, which led to a decision so contrary to the legitimate expectations of the people, affords ground for apprehending that the decision has arisen from that prepon→ derating influence of which this court before has complained.

Resolved: That these and other public abuses call loudly for constitutional correction and redress, and evince the necessity of a radical and speedy reform, as essential to the safety and security of the just prerogative of the crown, as to the ancient and unalienable rights of the people.

Resolved: That the foregoing resolutions be signed by the town clerk, and published in the morning and evening papers.

WOODTHORPE.

TowN AND Port or SANDWICH. At a General Meeting of the Free

men and Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Sandwich, in the county of Kent, held in the Guildhall in the same Town and Port, on Friday, April 7.-J. HARRISON, Esq. Mayor, in the Chair.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, On the motion of Mr. J. Fowle, seconded by Mr. R. Carling, that the thanks of this meeting be presented to G. L. Wardle, Esq. member of parliament for Oakhampton, for having brought forward in the hon. house of Commons an enquiry into the conduct of his royal highness the late commander in chief, for his firm and unremitting perseverance in establishing the charges, and for his strenuous endeavours to check the further progress of improperinfluence and corruption.-That we think it our duty on this occasion to express ourselves firm in our loyalty and attachment to our King and constitution.

Resolved Unanimously-That the thanks of this meeting be given to the mayor, for his readiness in calling the meeting, and his impartiality in the chair. By order of the meeting.

G. GARRETT, Clerk. COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. At a numerous meeting of the freeholders of the county of Middlesex, convened by the Sheriff, at the Mermaid at Hackney, the 11th day of April instant, pursuant to a requisition, "For the purpose of expressing the sentiments of the county on the abuses which have been disclosed by the investigation into the "conduct of the late commander "in chief;" the following Resolutions were adopted.

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1. That circumstances of public notoriety have, for a considerable time past, placed beyond all doubt the existence of gross and scandalous abuses in various branches of the executive government of the country. Carried unanimously.

2. That the abuses which have been found to prevail in all those departments of the government in which inquiries have been instituted, have fully satisfied the freeholders of this county of the necessity of further strict investigation into the remaining public departments of the state.-Carried unanimously.

3. That G. L. Wardle, Esq. by the unexampled courage, ability, and perseverance, with which he has pursued and completed an inquiry into the conduct of the late Commander in Chief, has faithfully discharged the duties of a member of parliament; and has in an high degree merited the thanks and approbation of his country.-Carried unanimously.

4. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir F. Burdett, bart. who seconded Col. Wardle's motion; to Lord Folkestone, for the active,

uniform and able support which he afforded Mr. Wardle during the whole of the above inquiry.-Carried unanimously.

5. That the thanks of this meeting be given to S. Whitbread, Esq. Sir S. Romilly, H, Martin, Esq. Sir T. Turton, Major-Gen. Ferguson, T. W. Coke, Esq. J. C. Curwen, Esq. the hon. T. Brand. hon. W. H. Lyttleton, Lord Viscount Milton, Lord Viscount Althorpe, C. W. W. Wynne, Esq. Lord Stanley, and the minority of 125, who divided in favour of Mr. Wardle's motion for an address to the King on the subject of the late inquiry.Carried unanimously.

6. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the minority of 137, who on the above occasion suppor ted the amendment proposed by Sir T. Turton, bart.-Carried unanimously.

7. That George Byng, Esq. by the uniform, upright, and independent conduct which he has observed during the time he has represented the county of Middlesex, and more particularly by the support he gave Mr. Wardle on this occasion, bas highly merited the the thanks and approbation of this meeting.-Car ried unanimously.

8. That the conduct of ministers in the House of Commons, during the course of the late inquiry, has been a complete dereliction of that duty, which, as representatives of the people, they owe to their constituents, and has proved them wholly unworthy of the confidence of the country.-Carried unanimously.

9. That from the part which mi nisters appear to have taken on the above occasion, no hopes can be reasonably entertained of any ef fectual reformation of evils so generally and loudly complained of, until the executive departments of the state shall be entrusted to men who will honestly endeavour to detect, not shield abuses, and to whom the

10. That it is the fervent hope of this meeting that the people of the United Kingdom will be animated by the result of the late inquiry to prosecute a reform in all the departments of the state, by returning honest and independent representa tives, who shall faithfully and zea lously exert themselves to correct and annihilate corruptions, which weaken and even endanger the existence of the empire.-Carried unanimously.

11. That William Mellish, Esq. one of the representatives of this county, by his conduct in the late inquiry, and generally since his election, has proved himself unworthy of the confidence of his constituents. Carried.

12. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the sheriffs, for their prompt and constitutional compliance with the requisition of the freeholders to assemble this meeting, and for their impartial conduct this day. Carried unanimously.

13. That these resolutions be published in the public newspapers. J. J. SMITH. C. S. HUNTER, Sheriffs.

WHIG CLUB.

At a numerous Meeting of the London Club, held at the Freemasons Tavern, on Tuesday, the 11th day of April,-SAMUEL WHITBREAD, Esq. M.P. in the Chair, -It was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, 1. That the Whig Club of England, feeling it their duty to maintain the genuine principles of the British constitution, as asserted at the glorious Revolution of 1688, have long observed with the deepest regret, that the purity of the constitution has been sullied, and its principles violated by gross, scandalous, and increasing corruption in various departments of

2. That the recent pariamentary inquiry into the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York, as commander in chief of the British army, has exhibited instances of corruption in the military department, alike degrading to the high and honourable character of the British soldier, and derogatory from the principles and privileges of the British sub, ject, clearly manifesting to every part of the United Kingdom, at once, the existence of the evil, and the necessity of a speedy and effectual remedy.

3. That G. L. Wardle, Esq. has by his marked intrepidity and integrity, in originating and persevering in this inquiry throughout, in spite of the greatest difficulties and discouragements, rendered an important service to his country, and merits the warmest thanks and most cordial approbation of this club.

4. That the thanks of this club be given to S. Whitbread, Esq. H. Martin, Esq. G. Byng, Esq. the Hon. T. Brand, the Hon. W. Maule, T. W. Coke, Esq. W. Honywood, Esq. H. C. Combe, Esq. J. C. Curwen, Esq. W. A. Maddocks, Esq. Lord Stanley, Lord J. Townshend, J. Wharton, Esq. R. Lambton, Esq. Sir R. Milbank, Bart. Lord Milton, Major-Gen. Ferguson, H. Howarth, Esq. J. Halsey, Esq. and the other members of this club, who, in the house of Commons gave Mr. Wardle their support in the minority of 125, or who, in the minority of 137, voted for the motion of Sir T. Turton, Bart.

5. That the thanks of the club be given to Sir. F. Burdett, Bart. Lord Folkstone, Sir S. Romilly, Sir T. Turton, Bart. C. W. Wynne, Esq. the Hon. W. H. Lyttelton, Lord Althorp, J. Calcraft, Esq. C. W. W. Wynne, Esq. Admiral Markham,

6. Resolved unanimously. That these resolutions be signed by the chairman, and inserted in a London newspaper, and in such of the provincial papers as will give sufficient publicity to the sentiments they contain.

JAMES SCOTT, Chairman.

TOWN OF SHeffield. At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Sheffield (at which not less than Five Thousand Persons were assembled), convened by public advertisement, and held this day April 12, at the Cutlers'-hall, and adjourned from thence to Paradise-square, Mr. E. Rhodes, Master Cutler in the Chair:-It was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: 1. That, ardently as we wish 'to promote the welfare and prosperity of our country, and warmly at tached as we are to its true constitutional government, we cannot but deeply lament, that such shameful instances of corruption, such undue influence, and such unwarrantable practices, should ever have existed, as have been developed by the late proceedings of the house of Com

stone, Mr. Whitbread, Sir S. Romilly, Gen. Ferguson, Adm. Markham, and all those members of the house of Commons who voted in the minorities on the several questions which arose in the course of this most interesting investigation.

Resolved Unanimously:-4. That the particular thanks of this meeting be given to W. Wilberforce, Esq. and the Righ. Hon. Lord Milton, the two representatives of this extensive and populous county, for the discriminating and independent sanction and support afforded by them to Mr. Wardle, in his meritorious efforts to detect and counteract abuses so injurious to the real interests of the government, and so detrimental to the welfare of the people.

Resolved Unanimously:-5. That we thus openly express our sentiments, conceiving it to be the duty of a free people, when strongly urged by transactions which materially affect the essential interests of the whole community, to declare their opinions, unbiassed by party consideration, in order that independent men may be thereby encouraged steadily to pursue those just, rational, and constitutional measures which will eventually root out every species of corruption, and prevent the repetition of similar evil practi ces, and which will also prove an effectual security against a profuse and unnecessary expenditure of public money.

Resolved Unanimously:-6. That these resolutions be transcribed on parchment, and remain for signatures at the Cutler's-hall, for 14 days from the date hereof.

Resolved Unanimously-7. That these resloutions be printed and published in hand-bills, in the Sheffield papers, and otherwise, as the chairman and the gentlemen who moved the resolutions may direct. E. RHODES. [These resolutions were signed by nearly 16,000 persons!]