Coutts's to-day, and found, from their books, that I received it on the 8th of May, 1806; and I perfectly recollect that I delivered it that day at Mrs. Clarke's door. Was this a remittance from Colonel Shaw from the Cape From Bath; he was then immediately to leave Bath for Portsmouth, to embark for the Cape; the letter, I perfectly recollect, stated, that though he had received his appointment through the influence of his friends Then you have got the letter? I unfortunately have it not, for I destroyed it soon after he embarked; but I perfectly recollect that he stated, that though he had received the appointment through the inЯuence of his own friend, Mrs. Clarke had shewn a disposition to serve him; that he had already paid her 300/. previous to this, and had received an application for the last sum by way of loan, and that he was loth to refuse her, because he believed there was a disposition to serve him, though the appointment came certainly through the influence of his friend, whom I knew to have been Sir Harry Burrard, who had interested himself very much upon all occasions for this gentleman, and that the appointment was got by him; but that, as this lady has shewn a disposition to serve him, he had in consequence sent this 3001. that it was expressly given by way of loan. In consequence of what I read to-day in the newspaper, that Mrs. Clarke declared in this House, that this gentleman had used her ill, and had not fulfilled all his engagements, I beg to declare from my own knowledge, and I am ready to bring evidence to the bar of this House, that Lieutenant-colonel Shaw is a man of as high honour and as good an officer as any man in the King's service, and is incapable of making any pecuniary promise that he has not literally, faithfully, and honourably supported. I beg pardon, if I have been too warm; but it is such a reflection upon this gentleman. I am willing to produce officers, from his Colonel downwards, who will state that he never forfeited an engagement he had made in his life; his services are well known. [The witness was directed to withdraw. Colonel GORDON was called in, and examined by the Committee, as follows: Can you state when Major Shaw was appointed to be Assistant Barrack-master-general and at what period he was put upon the half-pay? I beg to ask, whether you would wish me to answer that question as it is put to me, or to read the whole proceeding respecting Major Shaw's appointment, from the first to the last. Answer the question at first as it is put. I do not believe that I have got the document in my possession which can exactly answer that question; it must have been about the end of March 1800, or the beginning of April. Do you mean that it was the end of March 1806 or the beginning of April that he was appointed Barrack-master-general? I believe he was appointed Deputy Barrack-master-general, and placed upon half-pay immediately afterwards. Do you know how soon afterwards he was placed upon the halfpay? I cannot from my recollection at this moment ascertain the dates, but they are very easily ascertained; a reference to the army. list, or the documents in the office, or the Gazette, would ascertain it in a moment. Are there documents in your office that would ascertain it? Yes, there are. State any thing you know to the Committee respecting the applica tions that were made for Colonel Shaw's situation. With the permission of the House, 1 will read all the documents in my possession with respect to the appointment of Major Shaw, Lieutenant-colonel Shaw. The first document is a letter from Lieutenant-general Burrard to me, dated August the 11th, 1804; it is not dated where from, but it was most likely from the orderly-room in the guards. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] 66 "DEAR SIR, Aug. 11th, 1804, "I am so much employed on a board of clothing, that I cannot do myself the pleasure of waiting upon you. The enclosed will inform you of the situation of a friend of mine, whom I wish much to serve. If Col. Clinton is in London, he can tell you exactly how he stands; as can Col. Loraine. "If you can put me in the way of serving him, I shall be extremely obliged to you. He has served long, always abroad, and very gallantly, and his father was a brother captain and friend many years back. I request you to excuse the liberty I take and trouble I give you, and believe me truly, "Lt. Col. Gordon, &c. &c. "Your most obt. "HARRY BURRARD." The next document is my answer to that letter. [Colonel Gordon read the answer.] "DEAR GENERAL, (Copy.) "Horse Guards, 16th Aug. 1804. "I fear that your wishes in behalf of Major Shaw cannot be complied with, his Royal Highness being of opinion, that he must join his regiment before any further recommendation in his favour can be attended to. "Your's, &c. (Signed) "J. W. GORDON. "M. General Burrard, &c. &c.' The next document is Sir Harry Burrard's to me, August the 27th. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "MY DEAR SIR, Aug. 27th, 1804. "I shall be obliged to you if you will let me know whether Clinton has spoken to you about Major Shaw; and if you think he may be likely to see the Commander in Chief to-morrow. He has found a major of the 39th eager to go to Ceylon, but he is himself preparing as fast as he can, however distressing it is to him. "I am truly your's, The next is my answer to that letter. "H. BURRARD.” "Horse Guards, 28th Aug. 1804. "Clinton spoke to me with much warmth about Major Shaw, but haying twice mentioned his name and wishes to the Commander in Chief, I cannot again venture to do it. "I recommended Major Shaw to speak to his Royal Highness, and state his situation. "Your's, (Signed) "J. W. GORDON." “M. General Burrard, &c. &c." The next letter that appears upon this subject is from Sir Harry. Burrard to me, on the 27th of March, 1805. Put by. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "Private and confidential. "My Dear Sir, “ March 27th, 1805. "My friend Shaw's health is by no means re-established, and his family still in extreme distress from their recent losses and misfortune. I could therefore wish his leave to be extended for two months, and I am sure it would prevent infinite distress to him. If you can manage it for me I shall be extremely obliged to you. "I have heard it whispered, that it was possible rank could be obtained by raising men. If it is so, and this could be allowed him, it would most materially serve him, and do away the mortification I am afraid my want of skill has occasioned; and I should not have to reproach myself at any rate with want of success. "I am afraid his leave will be soon out, and his anxiety will, of course, be great. Pray excuse the trouble I give you, and be assured that nothing can afford me more pleasure than serving you, as I really am "Your obliged hum. serv. 66 HARRY BURRARD." The next is my answer to that letter, dated the 28th of March. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "Dear General, (Copy.) "Horse Guards, 28th March, 1805. "His Royal Highness has much pleasure in complying with your request for a prolongation of leave of absence for Major Shaw, which leave has been extended for two months, from the expiration of his present leave, and the same has been notified to the Adjutant-general. "At the same time it is but just to hint to Major Shaw, that there is a duty to the service, to which the Commander in Chief, however anxious his Royal Highness may be to relieve the distresses of individuals, must give attention; and, if the circumstances of Major Shaw are such as top eclude him from joining on so remote a service, he should retire upon the half-pay until some more favourable opportunity. (Signed) "Ever your's, &c. "J. W. GORDON. "P. S. There is no intention at present on the part of government to raise men for rank in the Infantry. "Lt. General Burrard, &c. &c." ing. The next is from General Burrard to me on the 10th of May follow "C. B. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "Speak to me. "My Dear Sir, "May 10th, 1805. "I cannot sufficiently acknowledge, in General Archer's name and my own, how much we feel obligation to his Royal Highness; I sincerely hope Archer will have opportunity of evincing his gratitude and zeal. "Since I spoke to you concerning Major Shaw, he has called upon me to inform me that he cannot, conditionally not to pay if he does not proceed to India, get a passage secured, and that the captains require 400/. Now, as he is led to have some hopes still, that an opportunity may offer to promote him, from what his Royal Highness so graciously said, he feels a reluctance to sink so large a sum, if there is a possibi lity to avoid it. If you could, therefore, soon again recall him to the Duke he would abide by whatever was the determination of his Royal Highness. "Excuse my troubling you, and believe me truly, "Lt. Colonel Gordon." The next is my answer to that letter. [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "Dear General, "Horse Guards, 13th May, 1805. "I have laid your letter of the 10th instant before the Commander in Chief, and am directed to acquaint you, that his Royal Highness sees no prospect of any early opportunity of complying with Major Shaw's wishes: and that, therefore, it is adviseable he should proceed to join his regiment by the earliest conveyance. "I have, &c. "J. W, GORDON. The next that I hold in my hand is March 1806, from Sir Harry Burrard to me. (Confidential.) [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] "My Dear Gordon, "March 26, 06. "I hope you will pardon the anxiety of a soldier to get promotion; and of his friend, and the very ancient one of his old father, to assist him in it, particularly as he is well assured of his zeal and general worth. Under this presumption I inclose a letter from Major Shaw, with my earnest hopes that should any thing turn up, in which you can bring his name forward, that he may not be forgotten. I inclose it for your private reading, and request at your leisure you will return it. I will at any time attend you, to prevent you the trouble of writing, or rather the time of it, for I know the former you do not mind. Your messen ger knows where to find me, as I am at this orderly room for two or three hours most days. "I am truly your's with great regard, Mr. D. "I shall be glad to speak to General Burrard this evening if possible, if not, about 2 to-morrow." The inclosed is from Major Shaw, to Sir Harry Burrard, dated Pevensey Barracks, 19th March, 1806. [Colonel Gordon read it.] "My Dear Sir, (Inclosure.) "Pevensey Barracks, 19th March, 1806. "I fear that you must think me presuming on your many kindnesses in again troubling you, and, being without apology, I must rely entirely on your goodness. In making, however, my present request, let me beg that, if attended with any circumstances unpleasant to you, that you bestow no further consideration, than pardoning the liberty of my having made it. "I shall premise with stating, that previously to my removal from the Ceylon regiment, his Royal Highness had been graciously pleased to promise me promotion, on a favourable opportunity offering; and on my joining the 40th Regiment, I repeated my desire of purchasing, to which I now stand noted by a letter from Colonel Gordon. Having had further assurances given to me of his Royal Highness's favourable intentions, in the admission of my services, being now nearly 23 years in his Majesty's army, that my cotemporaries are generally colonels or old lieutenant-colonels, aud that I experienced the mortification of being purchased over by an officer from another regiment, and by many years my junior in the profession; from these circumstances, I am induced to hope, that should Colonel Gordon favour me by bring. ing my case to his Royal Highness's notice, that I might benefit by some mark of favour in the military arrangements that are expected to take place. It is in this expectation that I venture to trouble you, and I shall feel myself sincerely obliged by your mentioning to Colonel Gordon (should a desirable opportunity offer) my services, disappointments, and present hopes; and I shall esteem it a particular favour his bringing my case at this period to his Royal Higness's remembrance. "I shall no longer tresspass on your time but in offering my best respects to Mrs. Burrard. I remain with sincere gratitude, "My dear Sir, "Your's most faithfully, and much obliged, "J. Shaw." The next letter is one from General Burrard, March 29th, 1806, [Colonel Gordon read the letter.] " (Private.) "My dear Sir, "March 29th, 06. "To shorten the business, I send you Shaw's letter, which is nothing more than to say, that he gratefully will accept, if the deputy barrack |