"

to the men.

know them only by the sums we pay for their support? This letter of Sir John Moore is very valuable. It will be an answer to all those, who talk of the Duke of York's discipline. Sir Arthur Wellesley said, that the Duke of York merited his full share of the thanks that were given for the "victory" of Vimiera; let him, then, take his full share of whatever is due to the conduct of the army in its Spanish retreat.But, reader, after what we have seen of the appointment of officers, upon whom all discipline must depend, need we wonder at what the unfortunate General says? Could we have heard the true history of many other of our famous expeditions, we should not have been astounded by the letter of Sir John Moore, who, observe, gives the account, we have been reading, in a letter which he considers as private, and the ministers have, very evidently, consented to its publication, with a view of throwing the blame upon the army, or, at least, removing to the army a part of the blame, attached, before, solely to themselves. But, theirs is the blame of the original cause of all this evil. They should have known, that the people of Spain had neither force nor inclination to assist themselves; or, rather, to assist king Ferdinand, the design of making war for whom was first announced to the world in a toast, given by Mr. Canning, at the feast of the Turtle Patriots. This is what I charge them with. Their military blunders are nothing when compared to this, which is a fault that admits not of excuse or of palliation. Was there ever any thing so mad? Did ever any scheme bear upon the front of it such marks of genuine folly, as this scheme of fighting, and making the people of Spain fight, for a government, which they themselves had termed "infamous ?". Besides, there was the rule of the priests. The existence of that alone must, one would think, have convinced any sane person, that the people of Spain were not prepared for any exertion, proceeding from public spirit. Why, the mass of the people in Spain have never heard, their ears have never received even the sound of the words freedom and independence. They have never entertained the idea of liberty or of property. Need you, then, wonder at the "apathy "and indifference," of which Sir John Moore speaks? A people in such a state think about how they are to get enough to eat and drink and to keep their bodies from the inclemency of the weather; but, what, in the name of reason, should they

to be a jacobin and an enemy of the throne and the church; a man wishing for anarchy and confusion, for the destruction of all property, and for universal plunder and massacre.- -I insert the whole of Sir John Moore's letter, in a subsequent page of this sheet; but there is one more passage in it, which is worthy of particular attention. He says: "I am sorry to say, "that the army, whose conduct I had such "reason to extol on its march through Portugal, and on its arrival in Spain, has totally changed its character since it began to retreat. I can say nothing in its favour, "but that when there was a prospect of "fighting the enemy, the MEN were then "orderly, and seemed pleased and determined "to do their duty." The "MEN," observe. He does not say the officers and the men. The whole army has his censure, and the applauding exception applies only -Now, then, what are become of all the evidence to character, which Mr. Yorke called forth, from Gen. Fitzpatrick, Sir James Pulteney and others, in favour of the Duke of York, and about that non-pareil of discipline, which the wisdom of that gallant Chieftain had introduced into the army? Where are we now to look for the excellence of that discipline? When I ventured to doubt of its existence, there were persons to say, that Iought to have fifty swords run through my body at once. But, here we have it under the General's own hand, that the army was bad in every respect, except in the native courage of the men. Indeed, as to this latter point, not only were the men pleased when there was a prospect of fighting the enemy; but, I state, upon the word of an eye and ear witness, that the men, during the whole of the retreat, blamed the precipitancy of the retreat, asked aloud," what are we running away "from?" and were by no means sparing of their execrations upon this score. Some of the public prints have expressed their regret, that this letter has been published. After all, it is, as the reader will see, but an extract of the letter; and, if the whole had been published, it is probable we should have had a pretty view of the situation of Spain. But, what harm can the publication do? Or, are there men so wedded to error, that they are sorry to be undeceived? Was it wrong to let us see, that we had been deceived with regard to the inclination of the people in Spain?" But, the army!" Well, what of the army? Are we not to know the truth about the army? Or are we to

fight for?

Where, unless you first enlighten them, and break their chains, and give them motives, are they to see an inducement for sacrificing their lives? The same game, however, is, it seems, to be played in Portugal, whither, if the newspapers be correct, another expedition is going or gone. One would have thought, that we had had enough, in all conscience, of this work. But, there will be no end to it, as long as there is a spot of earth whereon for us to play our miserable pranks.In Sicily, we have, I think, from 12 to 18 thousand men pent up; and, for what? In order to know that well, you must read a pamphlet, not long ago published by Mr. Lekie. In that you will see very clearly the reason for keeping 18 thousand English troops in that Island. The Prince Regent of Portugal has, it seems, appointed one of our Generals (Beresford) to be Field Marshal of Portugal. This act speaks pretty plainly for itself. It clearly shews what the Prince Regent thinks of the attachment of his own subjects. The Portuguese Gereral FREIRE is said to have been butchered by his troops, on an accusation of treachery; while the French were advancing towards Oporto. And, this is the country, to which we are sending another army, at an expence enormous! One of the news-papers complains, that, since the retreat of Sir John Moore's army, the people of England are become cool as to the cause in Spain; the reason is, that they now understand what that cause really is; that they now know something of the situation of the people of Spain; in short, they are become cool, because they are no longer duped; because they see, that the war, if it had terminated successfully, would have only served to rivet the chains of the enslaved. The people of England are no longer to be made believe, that Ferdinand is to be got out of the clutches of Napoleon by the Spaniards, any more than, by the exertions of a pigeon, the cuckoo is to be wrested from the talons of a kite. It is quite enough, I think, for the people of England to stand patiently and see their earnings wasted in these expeditions, without calling on them to huzza and make bonfires for joy.There are hundreds upon hundreds, who fatten upon these enterprizes; who hail them with shouts of triumph; to whom an expedition is a dead fortune. That such persons should be enthusigsc se is natural enough; but hat rose who pay at those whose comforts and whose necessarms are so much

abridged by the expeditions; that such persons should rejoice at them would be unnatural indeed. Besides, the people of England are now convinced, that a remedy for these and all other political evils is to be found no where but at home. They know, that it matters to them not a straw what is done in Sicily or in any other country but England; and, 'they do really seem to be resolved, that nothing shall any longer delude them, or draw off their attention.

MR. WARDLE.In the news-papers of Wednesday, the 12th instant, it is stated, that, at the WHIG CLUB, held on the 11th, Mr. WARDLE was proposed, as a candidate for the honour of being a member, which proposition was, it is said, received with enthusiasm.-Now, I, from authority, state, that this proposition was made with out the approbation, and even without the knowledge of Mr. Wardle; and, I must say, that it was taking an unwarrantable liberty with a name, no small part of the praises attached to which have arisen from the circumstance of his belonging to neither of the two parties.With this exception, I see nothing to be disapproved of in the proceedings of the CLUB, upon this occa sion; their Resolutions being very good, and their speeches too. But, why keep the Club up at all? The very existence of it is a mischief. It reminds people of what ought now to be forgotten; besides which, I defy any man to shew me, that a Club, of any sort, ever did any good. How many hundreds of Clubs and Associations have we seen! And, have they, all put together, done a hundredth part so much as we have this last winter, seen done by ONE MAN? It seems to be in the nature of the people of England (and they are a people of good sober sense) to suspect; to view with a sus picious eye every thing done by a political association. They regard such associations as only another sort of rulers; men combined for the furtherance of their own private views; and they turn a deaf ear to them accordingly. As to this Club in particular, it is notorious that it was established for the purpose of keeping together a body of parliamentary interest, for the purpose of getting possession of the power and emoluments of the state. To suppose, that the people will ever have any confidence in such a Club is folly in the highest degree.There are people, who are for taking the support of the Whigs. They will never give any support to any thing that is good. No: they are a body of politicians and the people will not hear,

-46

!

corruption.

Botley, 13th of April, 1809.

The Subscription for the MISS TAYLORS will be closed on the first of May, when a sum will have been obtained quite sullicient for their future comfortable support. The Public has, upon this occasion, shown its humanity as well as its justice; and, I hope, that the objects of its liberality will derive lasting benefit from it. It is intended to purchase annuities secured upon land, of the particulars of which the Subscribers shall be duly informed.

them. Are not Lord Erskine and General | of one of the books of one of the volumes of Fitzpatrick members of this Club? Oh! it What we have yet got a can do no good. It must do harm; and sight of is as a blade of grass to a whole I should not be at all surprized if that was meadow. Let us have Mrs. Clarke's the real intention of a far greater part of little book by all means. Why should the members. Is not Mr. Sheridan a mem- we not know what is passing and what ber of this club? In short, have we not has passed? She must be a woman divestseen the Club in place? When in place, ed of all sentiments of honour, if she supdid they not vow they would carry on press this book. It will be a compromise everlasting war for Hanover; did they not from such base motives. I cannot believe double the Income Tax; did they not aug- it. ment the number of foreign troops; did they not pass a law to enable Lord Grenville to hold a sinecure of £.4,000 with a place of £. 6,000 a year; and did they not end their career by withdrawing a bill from before the House of Commons, avowedly because the said bill was not approved of by the king? No, no; let us have nothing to do with Whig Clubs. If good cannot be done without them, it cannot be done with them. Three or four honest and able and persevering men, with the people at their back, will easily do all that is wanted to be done; but, if these men join a Club, not only the Whig Club, but a Club of any sort, nothing will be done. There will be a great deal of noise; a great deal of toasting and flattering one another to their faces; but there will be no work; there will be no redress obtained for the nation. It is impossible that men, who meet to cat and drink and to make speeches, flattering one another to their faces, can do any good. We shall have Mr. Sheridan, who told Mr. Wardle he was imposed upon by a "foul conspiracy," shewing his face again soon. Ile will be at the next meeting of the Club, and will make us a flaming speech about liberty, and Mr. For. It is too much to tolerate this farce any longer. The best way is for this Club and the Pitt Club to meet, at their different stations, and fire off their toasts at one another, to the amusement of the nation; but, for shame's sake, let not the former attempt to impose upon us with any of its old, stale, rotten professions of patriotism. How Mr. Whitbread can lend his name to the proceedings of this Club is astonishing

to me.

*

**From the List of the Minority on Mr. Wardle's Motion, which is given at p. 419, the reader will please to strike out the Name of Mr. Whitmore; and instead of G. N. Noel it ought to be Charles Noel Noel. With these corrections, this ever-memorable List, is, I believe, perfectly correct.

COBBETT'S

Parliamentary History

OF

ENGLAND,

Which, in the compass of Sixteen Volumes, Royal Octavo, will contain a full and accurate Report of all the recorded Proceedings, and of all the Speeches in both Houses of Parliament, from the earliest times to the year 1803, when the publication of "Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates" commenced.

The Subscribers to the above work are respectfully informed, that the Fifth Volume will be delivered to them on Saturday next the 22nd instant. It embraces the period from the Revolution, in 1688,

to the Accession of QUEEN ANNE, in the year 1702. For this period, the materials, as well for the Proceedings as the Debates, have been, for the most part, collected from the following Works: 1. The Journals of the House of Lords; 2. The Journals of the House of Commons; 3. The Debates of the House of Commons,

for their honourable support of Colonel Wardle in Parliament.

Resolved, That the above Resolutions be inserted in two Morning and two Evening London Papers, and also in the Glocester Journal and Glocester Herald.

R. P. WILTON, Dep. Town Clerk.

TOWN OF CALNE.

of Kent, holden at the Guildhall there, the 30th March, 1809, it was resolved,

"That the Thanks of this Court be voted to Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle, esq., M. P. for the very manly, spirited, and patriotic manner in which he has called the attention of the House of Commons to the Conduct of the Commander in Chief.

"That the Thanks of this Court be voted to William Honywood, esq., one of the Representatives in Parliament for this county, and likewise to Mr. Whitbread, and the several other Members of the House lord Folkestone, and sir Francis Burdett, of Commons who gave Mr. Wardle their assistance and support.

At a meeting of the Guild, Stewards, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the Borough and Town of Calne, convened for the purpose of considering the propriety of Thanking Colonel Wardle for his patriotic conduct in Parliament, the following Address being proposed and seconded, was unanimously carried, and signed by all present: To G. L. Wardle, esq., M. P. the Mover of the Charges in the House of Commons, against his royal highness the Duke they cannot forbear to express that, as of York:-We, the Guild, Stewards, Bur-long as public abuses exist, the Country

firm attachment to their Sovereign and to "That this Court beg to declare their the Constitution, but at the same time

and happy effect of that constitution, which can never expect to enjoy the beneficial is the pride of Englishmen and the admiration of the world. This Court therefore

gesses, and Inhabitants of the Town and Borough of Calne, assembled, feel it our duty, as members of a free country, to express our sense of your public conduct.We admire alike your courage and manli-humbly hopes that the honourable House

of Commons will persevere in the investigation and reform of such abuses till cor

make are for the public good, and not perverted to base or improper purposes.

That those Resolutions be signed by the Town Clerk, and copies sent to G. L. Wardle, esq., and William Honywood, esq., M. P. and that the Resolutions be inserted in the Sun and Morning Chronicle, and in the county newspapers.

ness, in standing forward, singly and unaided, and laying your Charges "in a "tangible shape" before the Representa-ruption, which has been the downfall of tives of the People; your firmness and other states, is fully rooted out, and the judgment in supporting them; and your people may have the satisfaction of knowmoderation, when truth had silenced theing and feeling that the sacrifices they warnings of responsibility, and threats of infamy, from Ministerial arrogance. We consider that no efforts of genius nor any feats of heroism can, at this time, render the country such essential service as the honest exertions of independent Members of Parliament, to expose and exterminate corruption. And we most unfeignedly give you our cordial, sincere, and grateful Meeting be given to James Sharp, esq., "Resolved, That the Thanks of this thanks.We love our King and Constitu- Meeting be given to James Sharp, esq., tion, and complain of no sacrifices that weputy Mayor, for his readiness in calling are called upon to make for their security Mayor, who is from home) and for his imthis Assembly (in the absence of the and support; but we cannot be insensible that too much of our treasure is diverted partial conduct in the Chair. from the proper channels of national benefit, and lavished on party adherents and sleeping placemen. We however confidently trust that through the course of your political career, so vigorously and usefully began, you will maintain your independence, and suffer no attachment to party to warp you from the people's cause." Guildhall, Čalne, March 30, 1809.

TOWN AND BOROUGH OF DEAL.
At a Common Assembly of the Deputy,
Mayor, Jurats, and Commonalty of the
Town and Borough of Deal, in the County

SAMPSON, Town Clerk."

CITY OF DURHAM.

At a Meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said City, holden day of April, 1809. at the Guildhall of the said City, the 5th

Resolved-That this Meeting having taken into consideration the patriotic and meritorious exertions of Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle, esq: Member of Parliament, in honourable House of Commons, the recent originating and steadily supporting, in the Investigation of the Conduct of his Royal Highness, the late Commander in Chief, do