TOWN AND BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK. At a Meeting of the inhabitants of the ancient town and borough of Southwark, April 12, 1809, John Townshend, Esq. Deputy Bailiff, in the chair, in the absence of, and at the request of Sir Watkin Lewes, knt. High Bailiff. 1. Resolved: That the late inquiry before the house of Commons, into the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York, as commander in chief, has exposed the most flagrant abuses in the administration of public affairs. It appears peculiarly alarming, that at a time when the continent of Europe has been nearly overwhelmed by military power, such facts have been proved as tend to sully the honour and damp the ardour of our trave soldiers, and thereby threaten the safety and existence of the British Empire. -Passed unanimously. 2. That the independence and patriotism of G. L. Wardle, Esq. in the institution and conduct of the inquiry, have eminently intitied him to the thanks of this meeting, and the gratitude of his country; and they trust that the result of such singular perseverance will encourage him, and every other honest member, to detect and bring to question the agents of corruption in every department of the state.-Passed unanimously. 3. That the thanks of this meet ing be given to Sir F. Burdett, Lord Viscount Folkstone, Lord Milton, Lord Althorpe, S. Whitbread, Esq. J. C. Curwen, Esq. T. W. Coke, Esq. Sir S. Romilly, knt. Gen. Ferguson, and the rest of the 125 honest members who voted in the minority on Mr. Wardle's motion.Passed unanimously. 4. That the hostile conduct of ministers; threats of infamy against the hon. member who proposed the inquiry; and all the large majority who voted for the acquittal of the duke, have convinced the meeting, and, we trust, will convince the people of England, that a substantial reform in the representation of parliament is the only barrier against corruption, and may afford some indemnity for the past, and security for the future.-Passed unanimously. 5. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir T. Turton, bart. and the 137 members who voted for his amendment. We observe, with plea sure that he manifested an open hostility to corruption, in which, if he steadily and uniformly perseveres, he will insure the confidence and support of his constituents.-Passed with only five dissentient. 6. That from a conviction that ar honest representation of the people in parliament, is the best and only security against the existence of abuses similar to those which have now been brought to light, we will, whenever we shall be called upon to exercise an elective franchise, support those only who shall pledge themselves worthy by a steady op position to corruption, and a firm attachment to the pure and uncon taminated principles of the British constitution.-Passed by a great ma jority. 7. That these resolutions be prin ted in the morning and evening papers.-Passed unanimously. 8. That the thanks of the meeting be given to Sir Watkin Lewes, the high bailiff, for his readiness in convening the town hall.-Passed unanimously. 9. That the thanks of the meeting be given to John Townshend, Esq. deputy bailiff, for his able and im partial conduct in the chair.-Pas sed unanimously. J. TOWNSHEND, dep. bailiff. CITY OF WORCESTER. At a very numerous and respectable Meeting of the Freemen and other Inhabitants of this City in Com mon Hall assembled, pursuant to Public Notice, April 13, in order to consider of the propriety of coming to certain Resolutions relative to the late Investigation into the conduct of the Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Land Forces. Herbert Rogers, Esq. Mayor, in the Chair.-The following resolutions were agreed to ; RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY! 1. That it is the opinion of this meeting that the late investigation into the conduct of the commander in chief of his Majesty's land forces, has disclosed the existence of gross abuses and corruption in that and other departments of the state. 2. Resolved Unanimously-That G. L. Wardle, Esq. for the dauntless intrepidity displayed by him in proposing the said investigation, and for the cool, yet steady perseverance with which he conducted himself to the termination thereof, is entitled to the thanks of this meeting, and in their estimation to the gratitude of his country. 3. Resolved Unanimously-That the thanks of this meeting are in a special manner due to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. to Lord Visc. Folkestone, to Lord Visc. Althorpe, to S. Whitbread, Esq. to Sir S. Romilly, to Major Gen. Ferguson, and to C. W. Wynne, Esq. for their able "manly, and patriotic exertion on the above occasion. 4. Resolved Unanimously--That the thanks of this meeting be given to our worthy representatives, W. Gordon, Esq. and A. Robarts, Esq. to the first for the vote which he so honourably gave with Mr. Wardle: and the latter for the conscientious and correct view, which it appears by a letter now produced from him, he held upon the occasion, but which we are sorry to learn his ill state of health prevented him from following up with his vote. 5. Resolved Unanimously-That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Hon. W. H. Lyttleton, M.P. VOL. V. for this county, to the Hon. A Foley and Sir T. Winnington, Bart. M. P. for the Borough of Droitwich, and to H. Haworth, Esq. M. P. for the borough of Evesham, both within this county, and to the other members composing the minority of 125 who divided with Mr. Wardle. 6. Resolved Unanimously-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, by such advice, prove himself an enemy to his country. 7. Resolved-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 safe-guard 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. The above resolution was carried by a large majority. H. ROGERS, Chairman and Mayor. matter of infinite importance to the country, inasmuch as by having brought to light an infamous system of trafficking in commissions, promotions and appointments, carried on to an alarming extent, it has af forded an opportunity, and furnished a strong incitement, to the independent members of the house of Com mons, to exert themselves to defend the throne and people from the de. structive effects of corruption in every department of the state. That the most cordial thanks of this meeting, be given to G. L. Wardle, Esq. for his intrepidity and patriotism in instituting the said investigation, and for his candour and perseverance in conducting the same to its termination, through all the discouragements and difficulties which he had to encounter. That the thanks of this meeting be also given to every other member of the house of Commons, who, either by active co-operation supported Mr. Wardle in his arduous undertaking, or who voted in any of the several minorities which divided against the defenders of the conduct of the commander in chief. That the thanks of the meeting be given to the Mayor for his conduct in the chair; and to William Smith, Esq. for calling the meeting. LOXDALE, Town Clerk. At the above meeting Mr. MoRHALL rose to propose several resolutions: The first was a vote of censure upon the parliamentary con duct of Sir Thomas Jones, one of the members for this borough; the second, on the subject of a thorough reform in the representation of the people: But the Mayor refused to take the sense of the meeting on either, as no notice had been given in the requisition thereof. COUNTY OF BERKS. "At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the County of Berks, held at the Town Hall in Reading, in the same County, on Monday, the 17th day of April, 1809, RESOLVED, 1. That the recent investigation into the conduct of the Com mander in Chief, and the result of other late inquiries, fully satisfy this meeting of the existence of the most scandalous abuses in the several departments of the executive government of the country. 2. That G. L. Wardle, esq. by his unexampled courage, ability and perseverance in the inquiry into the conduct of the Duke of York, has faithfully discharged his duty as a member of parliament, and has in a high degree nerited the thanks and approbation of his country. 3. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir F. Burdett, who seconded Mr. Wardle's motion; to Lord Viscount Folkestone, for the active, uniform and able support which he afforded to Mr. Wardle during the whole of the above inquiry; to Charles Shaw Lefevre, Wm. Lewis Hughes, and Geo. Knapp, esqrs this county); and to the remainder of (members representing Boroughs within the 125, members who divided with Mr. Wardle on his motion for an address to his Majesty;-in fall confidence that they will persevere in the investigation and reform of abuses, till corruption be fully rooted out, and the people have the they make for the public good are not satisfaction of knowing that the sacrifices perverted to base and improper purposes! 4. That this meeting is convinced, that the abuses which we lament would not so long have existed, without that culpa ble negligence and dereliction of duty which the late majorities in the house of "commons have evinced. 5. That in order to secure in future due vigilance and attention to the rights and interests of the people, so essential to the welfare of a free government, it is requisite that the duration of parliaments should be shortened, and that no parlia"ments should have any continuance longër than for three years, as enacted by a law passed in the reign of King William the third. 6. That George Vansittart, esq. representative of this county, has by his conduct on the late inquiry, proved himself unworthy of the confidence of his constituents. 7. That the conduct of Charles Dubdas, esq. representative of this county, Addresses, Resolutions &c.-Northampton.-Derby. on the late inquiry, has not in this instance met with the approbation of his constituents! 8. That from the part which ministers have taken on the late inquiry, no hope can be reasonably entertained of any effectual reformation of evils so generally and loudly complained of, until the executive department of the state shall be entrusted to men, who well honestly endeavour to detect, not shield abuses, and to whom the people look as the avengers, not the up may abettors of corruption. 9. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir John Throckmorton, bart. William Hallet, esq. and the other gentlemen who have brought forward these resolutions, and for their able support of the same. TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON. The Mayor having declined to accede to a Requisition, sigued by seventeen respectable Householders, to call a Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town, to take into consideration the propriety of thanking G. L. Wardle, Esq. M. P. for his recent patriotic exertions in Parliament respecting the conduct of the late Commander in Chief, a numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants was held April 17th, pursuant to public advertisement, at the Angel Inn, when, for want of room, the company adjourned to the Yard, and the following Resolutions were then proposed and agreed to, viz, 1. RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY,That the sincere and cordial thanks of this meeting be given to G. L. Wardle, Esq. M. P. for Oakhampton, in the county of Devon, for his manly, independent and patriotic exertions, in instituting and conducting the charges against the late Commander in Chief. 2: Resolved Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir F. Burdett, bart, for having seconded the motion of Mr. Wardle. 3. Resolved Unanimously,-That the thanks of this meeting be given to Lord Viscount Althorp, one of the representatives of this county, for his public spirited conduct during the late investigation, and particularly for his constitutional speech with which he prefaced the amendment to Mr. B. Bathurst's motion. 459 thanks of this meeting be given to the 5. Resolved (with only six dissen- 6. Resolved Unanimously, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman, and that copies thereof Burdett, Bart, and Lord Viscount Albe sent to G. L. Wardle, Esq. Sir F. thorp. BOROUGH OF DERBY. At a General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Derby, at the Town Hall, on the 18th. April, convened by the Mayor, pursuant to a Requisition, to consider the propriety of "returning thanks to G. L. Wardle, "Esq. for having instituted and pro"secuted the late Inquiry into the "Conduct of his royal highness the "Duke of York," H. Browne, Esq. Mayor, in the chair, the following Resolutions were alınost unanimously adopted, viz. That this meeting, actuated by the purest motives, is desirous of expressing to G.L. Wardle, Esq. its grateful thanks for the firm and independent manner in which, unconnected with party, he inrance which he displayed, in the prose stituted, and the temper and persevecution 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 deral administration of public affairs, is partments of the state, and in the genethoroughly 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 member of the house of commons, this the honest, exertions of an individual 4. Resolved Unanimously,―That the meeting trusts that the fatal conse quences to which such corruption and abuse 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 forwards on an occasion so pregnant with honour to themselves aud safety to their country. That a copy of these resolutions be signed by the chairman, and transmitted by him to G. L. Wardle, Esq. BOROUGH OF LEWES. At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the said Borough, holden at the Town Hall, in Lewes, April 18th. 1809, in conformity to a requisition signed by a great number of the Inhabitants, Mr. Henry Pawson, Senior Constable, in the chair. RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, That the thanks of this meeting be given to G. L. Wardle Esq. for his patriotic and firm conduct in preferring and prosecuting certain charges of corrupt practices against his royal highness the Duke of York, in his office of com mander in chief. Resolved Unanimously, That in the opinion of this meeting, the evidence adduced before the house of commons, fully proved abuses to have existed with the knowledge of his royal highness, to the great detriment of the army, and which must, if persevered in, have been 'ultimately injurious to the best and dearest interest of the nation at large. Resolved, That this meeting feels great mortification, that the house of commons (notwithstanding the resignation of his royal highness the commander in chief,) did not place upon their journals some resolution that should have recorded their sense of his misconduct, and which might have been handed down to posterity as a valuable lesson of reproof; and that this meeting cannot fail to observe, that the conduct of the majority of the house of commons during the whole of the late proceedings, has but added one more to the many instances that might be adduced, in which similar majorities appear to have acted under an influence directly opposed to the feelings and opinions of the people. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the representatives who cease to feel a common interest with the people on the subject of abuses, can afford no security to the people against the increase of those abuses; and that therefore the only effectual remedy which can be applied to so great and alarming an evil, is such a reform in the election of representatives as will enable them sufficiently to speak the sentiments of the people. Resolved Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to T. Kemp and H. Shelley Esquires, the independent representatives of this independent borough, for their steady and uniform conduct in voting in the minority upon each motion, that tended to censure his royal highness the commander in chief. Resolved Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be also given to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. the seconder; to Lord Folkestone, Mr. Whitbread, Sir S. Romilly, Adm. Markham, Gen. Fergusson, Mr. H. Martin, Mr. Coke, and Mr. C. W. Wynne, who so ably supported it; to those members who represent places in this county, and the rest of the 125 representatives who formed the independent minority on the important question produced by Mr. War dle's motion. Resolved Unanimously, That the constables be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to G. L. Wardle, T. Kemp, and Henry Shelley, Esqs. BOROUGH OF READING. At a very numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Borough, convened by Thomas Gleed Esq. Mayor of the said Borough, in pursuance of a Requisition to consider of the corrupt practices lately proved in the House of Commons, and holden in the Town Hall, April 19, 1809. the twelve following resolutions having been moved by J. B. Monck Esq. and seconded by II. Marsh Esq. were carried as follows: RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, 1. That corrupt practices have been found to exist in the grant of commissions and appointments in the army, no less disgraceful to the character of the late commander in chief as a soldier, than ruinous to the public service. 2. Unanimously, That G. L. Wardle Esq. is entitled to the thanks of his country, for the zeal, integrity and intrepidity, with which he maintained the charges of corruption brought against his royal highness the Duke of York, in |