spite of the luke warmness of the leading members of opposition, and the open hostility and direct menaces of ministers. 3. (With only one dissentient), That C. S. Lefevre Esq. one of the representatives for this borough, has deserved well of his constituents, and conferred honour on their choice, by the plain, intelligible, independent, consistent, decisive manner in which he acted and voted during the whole course of the late inquiry. 4. Unanimously, That our thanks are due to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. who seconded Mr. Wardle; Lord Visc, Folkestone, Sir S. Romilly, Knt. S. Whitbread Esq. Adm. Markham; the gallant Gen. Fergusson, and the remainder of the 125 members who supported Mr. Wardle's motion. 5. (With only three dissentients), That the vote of the House of Commons upon the motion of the chancellor of the exchequer for the acquittal of his royal highness the Duke of York, from all knowledge of the corrupt practices proved, hath done violence both to the understanding and feelings of English men, and affords a prominent and striking example of the very imperfect representation of the people. 6. Unanimously, That the only effectual barrier against the inroads of corruption is to be found in the constitutional resort to obtain a fair and faithful representation of the people in the house of commons. 7. (With only one dissentient,) That the number of placemen and pensioners having seats in the house of Commons is a growing evil, contrary to an ancient resolution of that house, destructive of the independence of parliament, and that the number ought to be restricted to certain officers of state, whose presence may be expedient in the house of Commons. 8. Unanimously, That the state of the decayed boroughs in the United Kingdom, returning members to parliament, and which have become by lapse of time the private property of individuals, is one great cause of the present wide extended deplorable corruption, and demands the serious attention of parliament, as a mockery of representation. 9. (With only three dissentients), That the restoration of triennial parliaments agreeable to the statute 6th of William and Mary, would greatly check corruption, and in the words of the preamble to that memorable act, would" tend very much to the happy "union and good agreement of the king and people." 10. Unanimously, That the only way to have independent men in par liament, is to send them independent there, and that the example set by Westminster in the manner of electing Sir F. Burdett, cannot be too highly commended, and is worthy to be imitated by all the free boroughs throughout the kingdom. 11. (With only three dissentients), That during the present reign every successive administration has yielded either to the force or to the temptation of the present system of corruption, and the result of every change has been to hold the people in delusion, and not to remove, but perpetuate abuses. 12. (With only five dissentients), That we have no hopes that his Majesty's present ministers will ever seriously, and earnestly take in hund the work of reformation, as the late proceedings in parliament have fully proved them to be the ministers of the crown only, and not of the people-the stiflers of inquiry and the abettors of corruption. 要 A resolution being then put by the Rev. Dr. Valpy, and seconded by Rob. Harris, Esq. that the vote of J. Simeon Esq. one of the representatives of this borough, in favour of Mr. Bankes's motion, is highly deserving of the thanks of his constituents was negatived by a great majority. A resolution was then proposed by the Rev. Dr. Valpy, and seconded by T. Ring, Esq. "That in order to set "the example of purity of representa"tion, it is unfit for any elector of this "borough to accept a public dinner or any other gratuity, directly or in"directly, from his representatives," which was carried without opposition. Town of KINGSTON UPON HULL. Town and Neighbourhood of Kings- displayed by him in instituting and prosecuting his charges against the conduct of the Ex Commander in Chief: Andrew Hellingworth, Esq. Mayor, in the chair. RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, That it is the duty of this meeting to express their detestation of the corrupt practices proved to exist in the military administration of the country, and in various other departments of govern ment. That G. L. Wardle, Esq. by his intrepidity in preferring charges of corruption against his royal highness the late commander in chief, and by his ability and perseverance in establishing the same, is eminently entitled to the thanks of this meeting, and to the averlasting gratitude of his country. That the thanks of this meeting are also due to Lord Visc. Mahon and J. Staniforth, Esq. our representatives in parliament, to T. Thompson, Esq. our fellow townsman, and to Lord Milton, and W. Wilberforce, Esq. the representatives for the county of York, together with the rest of the independent minority, for their votes and exertions on this occasion. That this meeting, seeing the shameful venality that prevails in the different departments of the state, and also as has been recently evinced, in the disposal of East India patronage, feels it a duty to state their conviction of the necessity of a complete change of public measures, of the abolition of reversionary grants and unmerited pensions and sinecure places, and of the restoration of the purity of parliament, according to the genuine principles of the consti tution. That the chairman be requested to sign these resolutions as the act of this meeting, and to transmit copies thereof to Mr. Wardle, Lord Mahon, Mr. Staniforth, Mr. Thompson, Lord Milton, and Mr. Wilberforce. BOROUGH OF STAFFORD. At a General Meeting of the Inbabitants of this borough, convened by public advertisement, April 20, the following address was unanimously voted to G. L. Wardle, Esq. To G. L. Wardle, Esq. We the inhabitants of the borough of Stafford, have witnessed with sentiments of admiration and gratitude, the firm but tem perate manner, in which you have prosecuted a long and laborious inquiry into the conduct of the late commander in 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 pro mote the cause of truth, and the real interests of the nation.-Estimating your services therefore as the efforts 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. Resolved, that a copy of this address, signed by the chairman, be transmitted by him to G. L. Wardle, Esq. TOWN OF LIVERPOOL. At a Meeting of the Friends of Consti tutional Freedom, and Enemies of Political Corruption, held at the Globe Tavern Liverpool, April 21.G. WILLIAMS, Esq. in the Chair. IT WAS RESOLVED, That the grateful thanks of this meeting are due to G. L. Wardle, Esq. for the undaunted, firm and patriotic man ner in which he brought forward and prosecuted the late inquiry into the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York; a measure which has not only occasioned the removal of his royal highness from office, but by having opened the eyes of the country to the conduct of their representatives, is likely to be productive of the happiest and most important consequences to the nation at large. Resolved, That the practice of persons holding offices or enjoying pensions under the crown, and having at the same time a seat in the Commons house of parliament, as representativės of the people, although it has been guarded against by our ancestors with peculiar jealousy, has now arisen to an alarming excess; and that it is become highly expedient to resort to those methods for remedying the evil which have formerly been adopted by the legislature of this country, and to use our endea yours to obtain the entire exclusion of placemen and pensioners from the house of Commons. Resolved-That the sending of members to parliament by places where the population is so far diminished as to render them liable to corrupt practices and undue influence, whilst other towns and places of great importance and considerable population do not enjoy such right, is inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution, and a defect introduced by inattention and lapse of time, which ought to be speedily and effectually remedied. Resolved That a letter be written to Mr. Wardle, testifying the deep sense which this meeting entertains of his great and meritorious services, and that the same be signed by the persons now present, and be left for the signature of such other inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Liverpool as may think proper to subscribe the same. Resolved-That the thanks of this meeting are also due to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. who seconded and supported the motion of Mr. Wardle, to Lord Folke stone, and S. Whitbread, Esq. by whose able and strenuous exertions, through a long and intricate investigation, the nation is indebted for the fullest information on this subject; and to Lord Stanley, Sir S. Romilly, Gen. Ferguson, T. W. Coke, J. C. Curwen, Esqs. and the other members of the house of Commons, who by the manly avowal of their sentiments, and their conscientious and unbiassed votes, have evinced their integrity and independence. Resolved-That the thanks of this meeting are due to W. Roscoe, Esq. for proposing the address to G. L. Wardle Esq. and the above resolutions, which have been unanimously adopted by this meeting. Resolved, That this meeting views with great regret and with just indigna tion, the refusal of the mayor to call a meeting of the inhabitants to take into consideration those public proceedings in which the best interests and most valued rights of their country were deeply involved, and that it is the opinion of this meeting that the inhabitants be convened to exercise those privileges which are sccured to them by the laws of their country, without any further application to the mayor. TOWN OF MAIDSTONE. Smyth Esq. in the chair, the follow❤ ing resolutions were entered into:→→→ RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, 1. That the late inquiry by the house of commons into the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York, as coinmander in chief, has exposed the most flagrant abuses in the administration of public affairs, which tend to stain the honour of the British character and endanger the security of the empire. 2. Unanimously, That impressed with a deep sense of the service he has ren dered his country, the thanks of this meeting be given to G. L. Warole Esq. for that diligent perseverance, and temperate; but manly spirit, with which, undismayed by the menaces of power, or unsupported by the intrigues of par ty, he has brought into public view a system of corruption, equally dangerous to the liberties of the people, and the safety of the crown. 3 Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir F. Burdett Bart. for having seconded Mr. Wardle's motion, 4. Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be presented to G.Longman Esq, our worthy representative, for the faithful discharge of his public trust, in opposing abuse and corruption by dividing in favour of Mr. Wardle's motion, 5. Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Lord Folke stone, W. Honywood Esq. S. Whitbread Esq. Sir S. Romilly Kut. Gen. Fergus son, J. Calcraft Esq. J. Jackson' Esq. and the rest of the 125 honest members who voted for Mr. Wardie's motion. 6. Unanimously, That the decision of the majority of the house of commons on the abuses brought to light in the course of the late inquiry, is a subject of deep regret and concern to the peo ple of England, and must press conviction on the mind of every friend to his King and country that a radical reform in the representation of the people presents the only effectual means of putting a stop to those corrupt practices which undermine, and threaten to destroy our envied constitution. 7. With three dissentient voices, That this hall is gratified to hear that the re spectable names of Sir. W. Geary, bart. T. L. Hodges Esq. and T. Rider Esq. are given to a meeting, called for the express purpose of digesting a plan of a reform in parliament, and we trust that their efforts will conduce to the satis faction of the people, and the welfare norities on the late important ques of the country. TOWN AND COUNTY OF POOLE. At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town and County of Poole, pursuant to Public Notice, beld at the Town Hall, April 21st, Thomas Parr, in the Chair. RESOLVED, That the exposure of many transactions in several departments of the state, and the conduct of many persons connected therewith, are so many melancholy proofs that the constitution of the country has been endangered by gross and scandalous corruption. That it is the indispensible duty of every member of the house of commons, to guard with a watchful eye the expenditure of the public money; and as the faithful guardian of the people's rights, to exert every endeavour to detect, and bring to condign punishment, the agents of corruption in every department of the state. That it is to the true patriotism and undaunted zeal of G. L. Wardle, Esq. that the country is indebted for the exposure of many flagrant abuses in the military department; and to his unexampled courage and perseverance, (assisted by the virtuous and independent members of the house of commons) we look with confidence to the completion of the great work of reformation. Deeply impressed with these sentiments, we cannot but consider G. L. Wardle, Esq. intitled not only to our warmest thanks, but also to the gratitude of his country. That the thanks of this meeting be conveyed to G. L. Wardle, Esq. accordingly. That the thanks of this meeting be given to B. Lester Lester, Esq. the worthy representative of this town and county; to the member for the county of Dorset, and to all other the members of the house of commons who voted in the different mi tions. BOROUGH OF IPSWICH. The Portmen of the Borough of Ipswich, at whose instance a Great Court was held, April 21, for the purpose of returning thanks to G. L. Wardle Esq. for his meritorious conduct in parliament, feel it due to their own character to submit to their Brother-Freemen who were not present in Court, and to the public at large, a copy of the Resolution which they moved on the occassion, that the spirit and temper by which they were guided in the bringing forward of this measure, and that of their opponents, by whom it was defeated, may be perfectly understood. "That the thanks of this court be given to G. L. Wardle Esq. for his meritorious and patriotic exertions in the house of commons, by which, gross misconduct in the chief direc tion of the army has been detected and exposed, and an example set from which the most beneficial cons sequences may be expected by the loyal subjects of this realm, in a re form of those abuses which tarnish the lustre and impair the energies of our happy and glorious constitution."" Such was the resolution, and the only resolution of a public nature with which they were provided; and having scrupulously avoided in it every thought, and every expression which they supposed could possibly give offence to any personal or party feeling, they hoped to have concilia ted the concurrence and support of all their brother-freemen; and deemed it impossible that sentiments and wishes so perfectly congenial with those of the great body of the people, could be negatived at a Great Court of the Borough of Ipswich, till they found a party industriously formed there to frustrate altogether, by noise and tumult, the purpose for which it was convened. May their opponents longer enjoy the full credit of the victory they gained on the occasion. The portmen, on their part, are quite con. tent to take to themselves the whole obliquy of bringing forward a mea sure, which they are satisfied must meet the approbation of all but the miserable tools or dupes of those who thrive on that system of corruption and abuse against which it was levelled.-H. Seekamp, John Spooner, W. B. Clarke, W. Hammand, John Forest, F. F. Seekamp, Fred. Cornwallis, B. Brame. BOROUGH OF CHIPPING-WYCOMBE. At a Court of Common Council, held in the Guildhall of the said Borough, April 22. 1809. S. Manning Esq. Mayor, in the chair. RESOLVED, That the thanks of this meeting be transmitted to G. L. Wardle Esq. for his patriotic conduct in bringing forward and steadily persevering in an inquiry relative to certain abuses which appear to have existed in military promotions tending to the degradation of the army. Resolved, That G. L. Wardle Esq. be elected a burgess of this ancient corporation. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be presented to Sir. J. Dashwood King Bart. and T Baring Esq. the worthy representatives of this borough in parliament, for their independent conduct on the late investigation. Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir S. Romilly Knt. one of the burgesses of this borough, for his able defence of our constitutional rights on the late important question. Resolved, That such votes of thanks be communicated by the deputy town clerk. BOROUGH OF PLYMOUTH. At a very numerous and respectable VOL. V. Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Plymouth, convened at the Guildhall thereof, April 24th, 1809, by the Worshipful the Mayor, to consider the propriety of a Vote of Thanks to Mr. Wardle, for his exemplary and judicious arrangements, in a recent Investigation before Parliament respecting the Conduct of the late Commander in Chief of the Army. -The Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair. RESOLVED, That circumstances of public notoriety place beyond all doubt the long existence of nefarious and scandalous abuses in various branches of the government of the country, and that minute investigation is absolutely necessary into the several public departments. Resolved, That G. L. Wardle, Esq. has faithfully discharged the duties of a conscientious member of parliament, and is eminently entitled to the approbation and thanks of the inhabitants of this town, for the firm and manly manner and distinguished abilities evinced by him on the inquiry into the conduct of the late commander in chief of the army; and also that great praise is due to all those who supported him in his arduous and difficult undertaking. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this town regret that a much greater number of independent and unbiased members were not to be found in the house of commons anxious to promote such measures as might tend to annihilate corruption, which if not corrected must endanger the welfare of our enestimable and happy constitution. Resolved, That the Mayor be requested to communicate to G. L. Wardle, Esq. the sentiments and resolutions of this meeting. CITY OF COVENTRY. At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this City, held at the County Hall, April 25th, pursuant to notice gi 3 M |