sariat department, in which he still continued. He had obtained that situation by purchase, but it had been suggested to him by Mrs Clarke. She invited the witness and a deceased friend of his, a Captain Sullen, to dine with her. She had a small musical party in the evening, and at that moment she made the proposal to the wit ness he had just described. She said she was exceedingly distressed for money, as the Duke of York was very irregular and unpunctual in his payments to her. The witness in these circumstances had recourse to his father, who supplied him with momey sufficient to gratify Mrs Clarke, upon an express proviso by old Mr Dowler, that his son should not be disappointed. He, however, did not obtain the witness's appointment so soon as she expected, as there was a Captain Mandeville, of the 11th dragoons, who, by a stipulation with Mrs Clarke, was to be provided for before the witness. She, however, strictly kept her word with the witness. He underwent a cross-examination by Colonel Wardle and the Attorney-General, who asked him whether he did not know that Mrs Clarke was a woman of loose morals and description. He replied, he did not know; he heard such things currently reported of her, but with regard to his own knowledge and observation of Mrs Clarke's general conduct, for the long time he had known her, he could not help thinking these insinuations were almost totally, if not entirely groundless. Of this, however, he was not certain.

The next witness called was Mrs Clarke. She came to the bar in considerable agitation, and stated that she had been insulted, and having no one to protect her, had sent for the Serjeant at Arms for that purpose. She stated, that Col. French had applied to her to use her influence with the Commander in Chief, for the purpose of procuring a levy for the British army; that she applied to the Commander in Chief, told him she was to receive a reward, and that he had promised, in consequence, that Colonel French should have the levy; that she received one sum of 500 guineas, which was paid to Burney the jeweller for a service of plate, and that his Royal Highness paid the remainder by his own bill, as he told her so; that Colonel French told her, if his Royal Highness would pass his accounts, which were correct, he and his agent would accommodate him with a loan of L. 5000 on proper security and legal interest. She had seen Mr Dowler only twice since his return from the Continent; that she had received money from him repeatedly; L. 1000 for his commission, and other sums; that she applied to him for a carriage, which he sent her in two hours,

and the Duke of York told her he would pay him, or recollect him in some way. that she saw Mr Corri twice in January; first she wrote him to procure her a ticket for the opera, and he called so near dinnertime, that she asked him; a young gentleman, a relation, dined with them, and Mr Wardle came in afterwards.-She declined answering when asked who were present the second time Mr Corri came to her; but, after some altercation, it was agreed upon that she should answer the question. She said, Captain Thomson, Mr Wardle, and a Mr M'Callum, a newspaper writer; that she had called Mr Wardle a Member of the House of Commons, and that Mr Corri was mistaken in supposing that she called him Mr Mellish; that she had been acquainted with Mr Dowler about ten years; that Mr Dowler paid himself for the carriage he sent her; that he sometimes gave money to her housekeeper when she was distressed; that she had seen him after his examination in the House; that he had complained that his feelings had been harassed, and that he would rather give every thing he was worth than sub. mit to a second similar examination. She stated, that she had been under the protection of the Duke of York since 1802; that her establishment commenced in 1804 in Gloucester Place; that she had two carriages, six or eight horses, and nine men servants; that the house belonged to the Duke of York; that his Royal Highness promised her L. 1000 a year, to be paid monthly; that she received the money from the Duke himself, but that, for the last three months, he had given her nothing, though they were together every day: The money she received was barely sufficient to pay her servants their wages and their liveries; that she stated this to the Duke, who, after some time, said, that if she was clever, she should not ask him for money; that she had a house at Weybridge, where she kept two footmen and a gardener; that she first applied to the Duke about military promotions after she was settled in Gloucester Place; that her applications were very numerous; that she' stated them to the Duke, who told her which were proper and which improper; sometimes the applications on her part were verbal, and sometimes she gave the Duke written lists; that she once gave the Duke a very long list, in which was Capt. Tucker's name; that she received it from Capt. Sanden or Mr Donovan. Being interrogated by Sir George Warrender, she stated, that she got the L. 1000 from Mr Dowler for the appointment in the Commissariat; that she applied to the Duke of York, and that the Duke told her he had

spoken

spoken to Mr Charles Long, and that the appointment was settled at last.

She stated that she had represented Mr Dowler to the Duke as a friend; that she had told the Duke the sum she was to get for his appointment; that Mr Dowler had not represented himself as having any interest with Sir Brook Watson, but said Sir Brook did not like him on account of his father's way of voting; that she did not recollect from whom she got lists for promotions; and that she had never circulated a table of the price of commissions. Here she burst into tears, and stated that she had this moment received a very interesting letter, urging her not to go on. The let ter was demanded, and read by one of the clerks; it was signed William Williams, and contained a request to see Mrs Clarke about the Duke of York's business. Mrs Clarke stated, that the same person had written to her yesterday, and that he had told her in it that he had particular business with her. She sent word that she should be happy to see him. He came, and was shown into the drawing-room. He asked her how she was disposed to the Duke of York, and if any sum could induce her to take her children with her, and abandon her country for ever; promising, if she should follow the course he would point out, that she would be bountifully provided for life.

The witness was ordered to withdraw, and it was resolved to take the most prompt steps to secure Mr Williams. The House was resumed, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that the Serjeant at Arms have orders to take into custody William Williams, wherever he could be found ;carried unanimously. The Serjeant was then ordered by the Speaker to do his duty. Mr Williams was soon taken into custody; the Committee was resumed, and Mr Williams brought for examination.He called himself a clergyman, and his answers were quite incoherent and absurd. When he had withdrawn, it appeared from the account of Mr Kenrick and Mr Adam, that Mr Williams was a madman, and as such he was dismissed without paying the fees.

Mrs Clarke's examination was resumed. She stated that Dr O'Meara had applied to her in order to be made a Bishop, and that she had applications of a similar nature lately, but could not state particulars. That she had stated Dr O'Meara's application to the Duke of York, who said that his Víajesty did not like him because his name began with O. The Duke of York, besides the L. 1000 a year, once paid L. 1800 for Mer, and at another time gave her a landau.

The next witness examined was Miss Taylor; she had known Mrs Clarke for ten years, and her brother was married to Mrs Clarke's sister. She and her sister kept a boarding-school at Chelsea. She had seen the Duke of York often with Mrs Clarke. She had likewise seen Colonel French there. She refused to give information where her father lived, but admitted that he was under pecuniary embarassments; and not being married to her mother, she was in jail for debt.

The last witness examined was Mr Donovan. He admitted that he offered a writer-ship in India to Mr O'Hara, who was to pay for it 3000l. and odd pounds; that Mr Tahourden authorized him to offer it; but that the negotiation was broken off by the party refusing to deposit the money in the banking-house named; that he solicited Mrs Clarke for two deaneries in November last, through the supposed influence of the Duke of Portland, but that they were not obtained. Mrs Clarke's letters to him, urging him to state the whole truth, were read. He stated that he had never applied to Mrs Clarke for promotions till November last. He allowed that he had made several applications, and that money had been taken; and admitted that he had negotiated a writership in India, for which 3500l. was paid; that he got 2201. and Mr Tahourden the rest.

The letters from Mr Donovan to Mrs Clarke, in the possession of Mr Wardle, were then read. They consisted of applications for various offices, with offers of pecuniary rewards for each in case of success.

The Attorney General read a letter he had just received from General Clavering, requesting to be examined at the bar of the House. He was called in, and stated that he had called on Mrs Clarke, urging her not to bring forward his name, as it would only impeach her own veracity; that he had never applied to her to use her interest to procure military promotions; that she had applied to him to recommend a Mr Sumner; but that he had reason to believe no such person existed.

Mr Donovan was examined relative to Major Tonyn's promotion, and stated that Mrs Clarke had received 5001, in consequence of it from Captain Sanden. Capt. Sanden being examined, admitted the same thing, and stated besides that Mr Donovan had received 251. He did not suppose the promotion was procured by Mrs Clarke, but it had been stipulated to give that sum, when Major Tonyn's name appeared in the Gazette.

Mrs Clarke was again called and stated, that she recommended Major Tonyn to the

Duke

ed to her by Mr Donovan. She gave him a letter of introduction to Mrs Clarke. The negotiation failed. Major Shaw made her a present of 101. She acknowledged, with great reluctance, that she had recommended others to Mrs Clarke for places, but that they had all failed of success. U pon being urged to give the names of the persons, she mentioned Johnsen and Williamson, two old acquaintances of hers, and said, that she did not recollect the names of the rest. A number of questions were put to her respecting Miss Taylor. Miss Taylor had called upon her, but, from motives of delicacy, in consequence of reports she heard, she could not return her visit. Would not say, whether she would credit Miss Taylor's testimony or not.

She

The next witness was Mrs Clarke. stated, that Major Shaw applied to her to procure him a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, promising 10001. in case of success. She applied to the Duke of York, but he had already given him a situation in the Isle of Man, where his father was Deputy-Gover

nor.

She afterwards applied to the Com mander in Chief for the situation of Depu ty Barrack-Master at the Cape of Good Hope for Major Shaw, the situation which he now holds. He gave her only 5001. with which she was not satisfied. She complained to the Duke of York, who said to her, that he had told her over and over again to be more careful, and not allow herself to be duped, and then immediately put Col. Shaw on half-pay.

Being cross-examined, she said, that she had never represented herself as a widow, except at the trial of Captain Thompson: she admitted that she had called herself Mrs Dowler by way of joke; but never so as to deceive, as all those about her knew her real name and situation. She admitted likewise, that she had seen Mr Dowler privately once besides the twice she mentioned on her former examination, having gone to his hotel the first night after his return from Portugal.

She declared that she received very little more from the Duke of York, except the 1000l. a-year. He had given her up the lease of her house, for which she got 44001.; he had paid for her plate, given her a set of jewels, and a few hundred pounds besides.

She acknowledged that she had a footboy, of the name of Samuel Carter, who lived with her about a year; that he had been before with Captain Sutton; that he waited on her at table, and sometimes attended on the carriage: that she applied to the Duke of York, and got him a con mission in the 16th foot, and that he is at present in the West Indies. He went first

to the Isle of Wight, but afterwards returned to her, because in want of money. He was about the age of 18, and very short, and therefore she called him a boy.

Some questions were then put to Mr Adam, about the annuity promised to Mrs Clarke by the Duke of York; but he referred to his former answers, and declined saying any more on the subject.

The next witness examined was Colonel Gordon. He stated at great length the circumstances attending the promotion of Major Shaw. Sir H. Burrard had applied to Colonel Gordon on the subject, and recommended Major Shaw in very high terms. At first Major Shaw was ordered to join the regiment in Ceylon, but after several letters had passed, Colonel Gordon suggested the place of Deputy Barrack Master General at the Cape, which was asked and procured. Colonel Gordon sta ted that it was usual to put all officers in permanent staff situations abroad upon halfpay, unless their regiment be with them, or some very meritorious services entitle them to full-pay. He then read a long list of officers in such situations, and showed that most of them were upon half-pay as well as Colonel Shaw. General Loftus next asked Col. Gordon about Col. Merrick Shaw. He said he knew him; that he had served long in India: that he had been recommended by Lord Wellesley to the Commander-in-Chief; that he had been put on half-pay formerly, because he had purchased a Lieutenant-Colonelcy in a regiment not in India ; that he had been lately transferred to the 76th regiment, where the Lieutenant-Colonelcy was vacant by the death of Colonel St John. He admit ted that Major Covell of that regiment was an older officer than Colonel Merrick Shaw, but, in the opinion of the Comman der-in-Chief, not so well fitted for comi manding a regiment.

Colonel Gordon next stated, that he understood in 1804 that there were great abuses in the sale and purchase of commissions; he made inquiry, found the accounts he had received correct; applied to counsel for advice; and communicated on the subject with the Secretary at War, who introduced a clause into the mutiny act, pro hibiting the traffic in commissions under a heavy penalty, The original source of his information was an anonymous letter. He traced the business to Mr Frome, an army broker, and Mr Hendon, an army clothier in Parliament-Street. He sent for Mr Frome, who said that he was negotiating for a Paymastership in the German Legion, for which about 1000l. was to be gi

- ven.

Mr Hendon informed him, that he had received money for commissions, bur

add

added, that he would not tell any more about it. The name of Mrs Clarke was never mentioned. Colonel Gordon stated to the Duke of York, what he learned from Frome and Hendon. His Royal Highness desired him to search the thing to the bottom, and said, that let it fall on whom it might, he would make an example of him. Colonel Gordon then stated, that Samuel Carter was recommended to the Duke of York by Lieutenant Sutton of the Royal Artillery, who wrote a letter to his Royal Highness, dated December 7, 1803, entreating him to give an ensigncy to an orphan lad of the name of Samuel Carter, whose father had lost his life in the service of his country, and who had been taken care of and educated by Mr Sutton himself. Mr Sutton entreated this as the only favour he had asked during a life of service and suffering. Lieutenant Sutton's acknowledgment of the notification of Carter's appoint. ment is dated the 29th March 1804.

Colonel Gordon was next examined about Major Turner's resignation. A letter from Greenwood and Cox, dated 26th August 1808, enclosing Major Turner's resignation as Captain of the 3d Dragoon Guards, the application of Lieutenant Sitwell for the company, and reconimendation of General Cartwright in his favour, was first read; then a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, signed Lucy Sinclair Sutherland, that she thought his Royal High. ness would consent to the trifling request it contained, not to accept of the resignation of Major Turner till the ensuing month of March; assigning as a reason, that Major Turner had behaved ill to a deserving lady, and, if allowed to resign, would secret himself, and it would be impossible for the lady to find him out, which was necessary for six months.-The Duke of York had given this letter to Colonel Gordon, and desired him to make inquiry. He wrote to General Cartwright, who promised to make inquiry, and said that Major Turner had unfortunately attached himself to a woman of moderate reputation, which was the cause of all the misrepresentations of his conduct. On the 22d September 1808, General Cartwright wrote to Col. Gordon, enclosing an extract of a letter from Col. Munday, which he trusted would do away the impression against Major Turner. The extract stated, that Colonel Munday had in no one instance ever had occasion to be dissatisfied with the conduct of Major Turner, while under his command in the 3d Dragoons. His behaviour had ever been gentleman-like and unblameable; that he was unfortunately connected with an artful woman, which, however, could be no obstacle to his resignation being received.

The next letter read was from Major Tur ner to Colonel Gordon, dated Canterbury, 3d September 1808. He had heard from Colonel Munday that his resignation was accepted. He had passed 40 years without having his name aspersed, till it was done by Mrs Sinclair, the circumstance of whose enmity he would explain on his arrival in town. He expressed an earnest wish to be allowed to retain his rank, as he wanted no half-pay or any indulgence. Next a letter from Major Turner, dated Ipswich, 7th November. It states that Major Turner was in possession of facts to prove that his Royal Highness was influenced by Mrs Sinclair to retard his retirement. He appealed whether this unjust interference was fair, and craved leave to wait on Colonel Gordon when he came to town, to explain the circumstances alluded to in his former letter. Next a letter from Colonel Gordon in answer to the preceding. He had laid Major Turner's letter before the Commander-in-Chief. On the complaint of Mrs Sutherland, an inquiry had been made, which having turned out favourably to Major Turner, his resignation was accepted, but the request to retain his rank could not be acceded to. Next a letter from Major Turner, dated 15th December 1808, stating that he was preparing to lay before the public a statement of the conduct of the Commander-in-Chief. When he mentioned Col. Gordon's name in that publication, it would be with as much delicacy as possible. Mrs Sinclair had offered to join with him in the publication, but he had declined, having discovered that she had written that letter to the Duke of York which related to his resignation. The last letter was an answer from Colonel Gordon to the preceding, thanking Major Turner for the promise of using his name in the publication as seldom and delicately as possible, but absolving him from all delicacy on the subject, and giving him liberty to mention him with all freedom, and to publish all the letters he had received from him.

The next witness examined was Mr Nicholls. He lived at Hampstead Mrs Clarke lodged with him from October 1807 to July 1808. She represented herself as a widow; and that her husband had died three years before. Mr Dowler came frequently to the house She gave herself out as married to him, and retained the name of Clarke, lest the Duke of York should send Mr Dowler abroad. He stated, that he had a great many letters of Mrs Clarke's, which she had sent down to light the fire; that a good many had been preserved; and that he had refused to give them up to Mr Wardle or Mrs Clarke.

They