the house of Commons, in the month of June last, in consequence of a motion made by Lord Cochrane, that there are in that house 78 placemen and pensioners, who, though part of what they receive was not stated, are in the said report stated to receive 178.9941. a year, out of the taxes paid by the people, and out of that money, to watch over the expenditure of which they themselves are appointed, That we obserse the names of all those placemen and pensioners toting against Mr. Wardle's motion. Althorpe, Lord Stanley, the hon. of the crown, and better securing T. Brand, the hon. W. H. Lyttleton," the rights and liberties of the subject, Sir S. Romilly, knt. Maj.-Gen Fer- it appears from a report laid before guson, S. Whitbread, T. Curwen, T. W. Coke, H Martin, T. Calcraft, and C. W. Wynne, esqrs. who, during such inquiry, stood forward the advocates of impartial justice, and also to the whole of the minority of 125, who divided in favour of Mr. Wardle's motion, amongst whom we, as Wiltshire men, observe with pleasure the name of that venerable and truly independent senator, William Hussey Esq. who, for nine successive parliaments, has represented the city of New Sarum with ability and perseverance, and with undeviating integrity and independence; of Thomas Goddard Esq. member for Cricklade, and of Benjamin Walsh Esq. member for Wootton-Basset, in this county; while we observe, with indignation and regret, that the name of neither of the members for this county does appear in that honourable list. And we also lament, that with the exception of Lord Folkestone, William Hussey, T. Goddard, and B. Walsh, Esqrs. we do not recognize in that list the name of any of the 34 members who are sent to parliament by the various boroughs in this county. That in adverting to the causes of the disgraceful acts revealed and demonstrated during this inquiry, this meeting cannot help observing, that in the act of parliament, commonly called the act of settlement, in virtue of which act only his Majesty's family were raised to the throne of this kingdom, it is declared, "That "no person who has an office or place of profit under the King, or receives a pension from the crown, "shall be capable of serving as a "member of the house of Commons." -But that, notwithstanding the wise precautions of this act, which is one of our great constitutional laws, and which, as its preamble expresses, was made for the further limitation That in the act called the bill of rights, it is declared, "That the " election of members of parliament "ought to be free;" and in the same act it is declared, "That the 66 violating the freedom of election of members to serve in parliament, "was one of the crimes of King "James II. and one of the grounds ་ upon which he was driven from the throne of this kingdom." But that, notwithstanding that law, this meeting have observed, that on the 11th instant, Mr. Madocks did, in the house of Commons, distinctly charge Mr. Perceval and Lord Cas tlereagh with having actually sold a seat in parliament to Mr. Dick, and with having endeavoured to prevail upon the said Mr. Dick to vote against Mr. Wardle in the case of the Duke of York; and that Mr. Madocks having made a motion for an inquiry into the said transactions, the house, by a very large majority, decided that there should be no such inquiry. That from these facts, as well as numerous others, notorwas to us, and to the whole nation, this meeting have a firm conviction, that it is in the house of Commons, as at present constituted, that exists the great and efficient cause of all such scandalous abuses, in various departments of the state, as have, in other countries, alienated the subject from the Sovereign, and eventually produced the downfal of the state. That therefore this meeting, anxjous alike for the preservation of his Majesty's throne and legitimate authority, and for the restoration of the rights and liberties bequeathed them by the wisdom, the fortitude, and the valour of their forefathers, hold it a duty which they owe to their Sovereign and his successors, to themselves, and to their children, and to the safety, happiness, and renown of their country, to declare their decided opinion and conviction, that no change for the better can be reasonably expected, without such a reform in the Commons' house of parliament, as shall make that house in reality, as well as in name, the representatives of the people, and not the instruments in the hands of a minister, And we further declare, that from the proof we have always had of his Majesty's love for his people, we have full confidence in his royal support and protection in our constitutional efforts, against a faction, not less hostile to the true dignity and just prerogatives of his Majesty's throne, than they are to the interest and feelings of his faithful, suffering, and insulted people. That Henry Penruddock Wyndham and Richard Long, Esqrs. the representatives of this county, have, by their late conduct in parliament, proved themselves undeserving the confidence of their constituents, and of the future support of this county, Resolved Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to the high sheriff for calling the same, and for his impartial conduct in the chair. COUNTY OF HEREFORD. At a General Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Hereford, convened in the Shire Hall, May 19th, by the Gentlemen, whose requisition for that purpose had been declined by the High Sheriff. --The right hon. the earl of Ox ford in the chair. It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, 1. That the thanks of the freehol ders of this county be given to G. L. Wardle, esq. for the zeal, courage, and patriotism with which (regardless of the threats of men in power) he persevered in bringing to light the corrupt practices in the of fice of commander in chief. 2. That the thanks of the free, holders of this county be given to Sir F. Burdett, bart. for having seconded, and to Lord Folkestone, for having so ably supported, Mr. Wardle. 3. That the thanks of the freehol ders 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 T. Foley, T. P, Symonds, and R.. P. Scudamore, esqs. 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 neces sity of a temperate reform in parlia ment. J. That the heavy pressure of public taxes (which have even reached the necessaries of life) renders it of the utmost importance, 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 178,9941. per annum, and to be received by 78 members of the house of Commons) continue to be gi ven to the members of that house, it is in vain for the people to expect their opinions to be there expressed. 8. That our only object in recommending a reform iu parliament is to obtain for the people their acknowledged share in the government, and thereby to secure the blessings of our invaluable constitution. 9. That the chairman be reques. ted to inform the members for this county, that the freeholders here assembled, expect them to support any motion having for its object a temperate reform of parliament. 10. That the chairman be also requested to inform Col. Wardle, Sir F. Burdett, and Lord Folke stone, of the resolutions thanking them. (Signed) 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. CITY OF BRISTOL. At a Meeting of the Citizens of Bristol, convened at the Guildhall, May 26. 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 high ness 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 consis tency 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 Gen. Ferguson, Lord Archibald Hamilton, Mr. Madocks, and such other members of the house of Commons, as by their virtuous co-operation proved them. selves to be the actual representatives of the people. 4. That during the late inquiry, "we observed with the deepest regret, that in an assembly of persons stiling themselves the 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 mi nisters 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 vir tuous 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 cor ruption; and in effecting that reform, we earnestly deprecate the insidious interference of those who are themselves profiting by the con tinuance of state abuses and rever sionary sinecures. 7. That we seek no other reform than such as shall insure to us the res H toration 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, Gen. Ferguson, Lord A. Hamilton, and Mr. Madocks. 13. That our acknowledgements are due to Mr. Matthew Mills Coates, for the resolutions this day adopted and for his zealous and able exertions on the present occasion. Whitbread, Sir S. Romilly, Gen. Fer guson, Adm. Markham, and the rest of the independent minority of 125, who, by the manly avowal of their sentiments, and their conscientious and unbiassed votes, in support of the said motion, have shown themselves at once the friends of the people and the enemies of corruption :-Also, to W. Wilber force, Esq. and Lord Milton, (members for this great and populous county,) for the support they gave to the said inquiry. 3. That ministers, by their conduct during the late investigation, in endea vouring to prevent the exposure and reform of abuses, and by ranging themof delinquents, have acted in direct selves as the defenders and supporters opposition to their duty, as servants of the nation. 4. That the patriotic exertions of the public, and their patient endurance of the enormous and extraordinary burdens imposed upon them, entitle them to expect the utmost vigilance and economy in the administration of the public money; and that delinquents do not escape the infamy and punishment their peculation so justly merits. TOWN OF HUDDERSFIELD, At a numerous and respectable Meet5. That it appears by a Report laid ing of the Inhabitants of the Town and on the table of the house of commons, Neighbourhood of Huddersfield held in June last, in consequence of a motion this day, May 30, 1809, (in pursuance made by Lord Cochrane, (for that purof public Notice given for that purpose,) that 78 of its members receive pose,) J. Ingham, Esq. in the Chair, It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, 1. That the grateful thanks of this meeting be given to G. L. Wardle, Esq. for the undaunted, firm, and patriotic manner in which he brought forward, and prosecuted the late inquiry into the conduct of his royal highness the Duke of York; as his exertions to develope the existence of abuses and corruption (during which the utmost influence of the whole phalanx of ministers, place men, and pensioners, was used to intimidate, futilise, and baffle the evidence brought forward by him) not only occa sioned 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. 2. That the thanks of this meeting be also given to Sir F. Burdett, bart. (who seconded and supported the motion of Mr. Wardle,) to Lord Folkestone, Mr. 178,9941. a year, out of the taxes raised upon the people, and of course out of the money to watch over the expenditure of which they are appointed; being in direct opposition to the act of parliament commonly called the act of settlement, and in virtue of which act, his Majesty's family was raised to the throne of this kingdom, and which expressly states, That no person who has an office, or place of profit under the King, or receives a pension from the crown, shall be capable of serving as a member of the house of commons :"--A radical reform in the representation of the commons house of parliament is, therefore, become absolutely necessary, to the restoration of the constitution; and this meeting highly approves of the resolutions passed for that purpose, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, London, on the first of May, 1809: believing that, without having recourse to theoretical speculations, or dangerous experiments in government, such a reform, by recurring to the principles handed down to us by the wisdom and virtue of our forefathers, will effectually extirpate most, and check all those abuses, the baneful effects of which are so widely extended, and so sensibly felt. 6. That it is, for the reasons abovementioned, the duty of the Inhabitants of Britain urgently, but temperately, to apply for the adoption of such measures as shall secure the reality and uses of representation, especially at this eventful moment, when all the nations that surround us have paid the forfeit of their corruption in the annihilation of their governments. 7. That the thanks of this meeting be given to those well tried friends of their country, Lord Cochrane, Mr. Madocks, Major Cartwright, and other truly re spectable characters, who are advocates for a full and fair representation of the people in the commons house of parlia ment; a remedy which is equally necessary to the safety of the throne and the happiness and independence of the people. 8. That the chairman be requested to sign these Resolutions as the act of this meeting, and to transmit copies thereof to G. L. Wardle, Esq. and to those gentlemen mentioned in the 2d and 7th Resolutions. JOSHUA INGHAM, Chairman. Resolved Unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to the Chairman, for his conduct in the Chair. CITY OF NORWICH. At a very numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City of Norwich, in Common Hall assembled, April 12.-J. Marsh, Esq. in the Chair. The following resolutions were moved by Sigismund Trafford, Esq. seconded by John Baseley Tooke, Esq. and were passed unanimously, 1. That however honest and independent men may differ in certain political opinions, all honest and independent men must agree in the reprobation of political corruption. 2. That this meeting having taken into their consideration the recent inquiry of the house of Commons into the conduct of the late commander in chief, vote their warmest thanks to G. L. Wardle, Esq. for the intrepidity and persevering zeal with which he has stood forward the foe of corruption and the friend of his country. 3. That the gratitude and admiration of the whole empire are due to the man, who neither awed by the menaces of one party, nor assured of support from the other, has, with consummate ability, and admirable coolness, completed an investigation which disclosed practices in the highest degree disgraceful to the perpetrators, and dangerous to the vital safety of the country. 4. That the hearty thanks of this meeting are due to the minority of 125 who divided in favour of Col. Wardle's motion, and to the minority of 137 who supported the amendment proposed by Sir T. Turton, from a conviction that, out-numbered as they were by place holders, and place hunters, they yet spoke the genuine sentiments of the people at large. 5. That the thanks of this meeting are more especially due to Sir F. Burdett, Bart. who seconded the motion for inquiry; to Lord Folkestone, for his firm and judicious support during the whole course of it; to T. W. Coke, Esq. to Sir S. Romilly, Bart. S. Whit bread, Esq. Major-Gen. Ferguson, Sir T. Turton, Bart, the Hon. T. Brand, the Hon. W. H. Lyttleton, Lord Stanley, Lord Althorpe, and J. C. Curwen, Esq. for the assistance which they respectively gave in bringing to light the public abuses, and the public culprits. 6. That in the opinion of this meeting, facts have been disclosed which prove that corruption has long existed in many public offices; that in consequence the taxes and the burthens of the people have been unnecessarily increased, and that no permanent good can arise from the commencement of this great measure of m quiry into abuses, unless it be followed by a general reform. 7. That the thanks of this meeting be given to our worthy representative, W. Smith, Esq. for his ready attendance upon his constituents in common hall assembled. JAMES MARSH, Chairman. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the chairman for his impartial conduct. |