these matters, with which, indeed, I have nothing to do. I see him in possession of what belongs to me, and I demand it from him; and, really, Mr. Curwen's bill does appear to me as being something like an action in such a case for misuse of the field, instead of an endeavour to recover the field itself. The people demand the right of choosing persons to fill the seats. They, in other words, demand possession of the seats, which they assert to be their own. The justice of the claim is not denied; but, says Mr. Curwen's bill: "let us be temperate. You must not "have your seats. That is too much to "demand. But, we will take care, that, "in future, those who have your seats "shall not sell them (except, perhaps, to "the minister) but shall give them away.” Pretty consolation, truly! Almost as good as if a man, when complaining of another for having stolen his horse, were told that the horse was never to be sold again, and only let out to hire once in a time. There may be persons; I do not positively aver, that there are not persons, who may expect some good from this bill; but, to me, I must confess that it appears to be capable of nothing which will not be injurious to the country. XII. There is one thing, however, which, supposing the bill to pass, may lead to good; and that is, a speedy dissolution of parliament; for, if it be true, that the present House of Commons have been returned in a manner that requires this bill; if the Speaker's description of the state of things be correct; if the provisions of the bill be necessary to insure proper members of parliament; if this be so, the King ought to be addressed to dissolve the House as soon as possible; because, in this very measure the people have wherewith to appeal to, in order to shew, that they were not fairly dealt by in the returning of this House of Commons. At any rate, the members of the House ought now to take the purgatory oath proposed by the bill. "No, no." Mr. Perceval will say, perhaps, "it is not a good "way to punish past offences." Very true, though you did not think so in the case of Hamlin; but, observe, we do not want to punish at all; we only want this House, which has still the power of making laws to bind us, and will have that power for four or five years yet to come, to take this oath, whence we are to derive such amazing security; for, it is a shocking thing, Mr. Curwen, to leave us four or five years to wait for the beginning of the operation of your measure. This is indeed, the most "temperate and moderate Reform" I ever heard of in my life. It is a sort of reversionary Reform. In short, it is a Reform that will never take place. The bill may pass into a law; but, long before the time for acting upon it shall come, either it will have been set aside by a real Reform of the House of Commons, or it will be too late to talk of Reform, or of any thing else whereby to preserve the liberties of the people and the independence of the country. Having, in this Letter, endeavoured to shew what sort of Reform we do not want, I shall, in my next, give you my opinion as to the sort of Reform that we do want. I am, Has, it is said, demanded a Court-martial, in consequence of certain opinions, said to have been expressed, relative to his conduct, by Lord Cochrane. The COURIER, one of the real hireling papers, has the following paragraph upon the subject: 66 Upon this interesting subject a circum"stance has come to our knowledge which "we are enabled to communicate without "the fear of contradiction. It has been a "matter of surprise to many, that the important consequences resulting to the ser"vice from the late display of skidd and gallantry in Basque Roads to which we "allude, were not sanctioned by the “thanks of Parliament to lord Gambier, " and the officers and men under his com"mand. This honourable and gratifying "mark of approbation was, however, cer"tainly intended to have been moved by "his majesty's ministers; but the design "having been communicated to lord "Cochrane, who distinguished himself "in so signal a way in Basque Roads, "his lordship declared, that he should, if he "stood alone in the House of Commons, op"6 pose the Motion. This declaration led of "course to further discussion, and lord "Gambier considered himself bound to appeal for the justification of his conduct "to the Court, which will be held with all "possible dispatch. Many of the officers "who served on the occasion, are now at "home, and they have been officially in"formed, that their presence will be ne"cessary."Now, can this possibly be true? What! would Lord Gambier have been thanked had it not been for the threat ened opposition of Lord Cochrane; Just as if a cabinet of great big ministers and statesmen need care for what this Scotch Lord could say; who, besides, is a notorious "Jacobin," and who, the very first week he was in parliament, made that mischievous motion about the gentlemen and ladies, who do us the honour to live upon our labour, under the names of sinecure and pension holders, including MR. and MRS. WARD. Just as if the threats of a person like this would prevent the great and mighty Lord Mulgrave from moving the Houses of Parliament to a vote of thanks to his friend! It cannot be. It is slander. And, yet, this is not the first time, that it has been said, that Lord Gambier has demanded a court-martial. There must be something in that. Well; he certainly is the best judge of whether he ought to be tried, or not; and all that I shall say upon the subject is, that I most sincerely wish he may have his due. AUSTRIA, SPAIN, and PORTUGAL. With respect to these countries the most remarkable thing is, that, if we do not assist "our allies,' as they are jocularly called, with any thing else, we do our share in the way of rejoicing. Not above six days ago, we fired the Park and Tower guns for what Mr. Whitbread says was no more than an attack upon SOULT's rear guard; for a victory,' in short such as would scarcely have been, in the French army, rewarded with a musket-of honour, given to some serjeant, commanding a detachment. We have wasted as much powder in honour of the Wellesley victories in Portugal as would, if properly employed, have gained a victory indeed. When Buonaparté gains victories, he sends home the standards he takes. Where are the standards taken in Portugal ? But, we are become a bragging nation; and we shall go on bragging to the end of the chapter. -What we are at in Spain and Portugal I cannot imagine. What is the use of any thing we can do, unless the Spaniards themselves can immediately drive out the French? Can any man, who has but half his senses left, imagine, that if the French remain in Spain, 'till Napoleon has settled Austria, Spain will not be soon afterwards subdued?. -We are told about the JUNTA's calling the Cortez together. But does not the reader clearly see, that the Junta will be guided by our ministers; and has he not recently heard MR. CANNING at a tavern dinner, with his rabble of contractors about him; standing up by the side of his brother poet and sinecure-placeman, FITZGERALD, and proclaiming to the blood-sucking crew, that war was still to be made for Ferdinand VII? Besides, is not Lord Wellesley gone to Spain?—It is nonsense, then, to talk of the Junta's making efforts for the liberties of the people of Spain. We are at war for Ferdinand VII, and so must the Junta be at war; and, so will not the people be at war. -We have, at this time, an army of 18,000 men in Sicily; and, for what? They may be reduced to 14 or 15,000, perhaps ; but, what do they do there? These men might be very usefully employed elsewhere; and, in Sicily they are doing nothing, and can do nothing, except it be to keep the people of the country in awe. But, will this save the country from the French? The French have three times the number of men in Calabria. The distance is a mere trifle. Is it wise to waste our means in this way? Is there much reason in keeping from 12,000 to 18,000 English troops to take care of Sicily, while we keep about as many foreign troops to assist us kindly in taking care of England? I should like to hear the answer, which either the late or the present ministry would have to this question. I should like to see them closely pressed upon this point, for it is one, relative to which the public wants, and has a right to have, information. It is surprising, but very pleasing to see, how little interest is excited, nowa-days, by the wars upon the continent. The battles between France and Austria really do not excite so much attention as a boxing match or an elopement of the Paget and Wellesly cut. This is very good. One of the purpose of Pitt's wars was to engage the attention of the people; to draw their eyes off from home. That cannot now be done We have fixed our eyes, thanks to Mr. Wardle, fast upon St. Stephen's. That is the scene that we have to look to. I do hope, that no crafty knave will be able to invent any thing to draw the people's attention from this point.- No; let us not be cheated again. THE COURT-MARTIAL. In my next, being a double number, I will take up this subject; and, if I do not shew those who have caused this publication to be made, and to be circulated at such immense expence; if I do not shew them to be the falsest, the most base, mean, and dirty, of mankind, I will confess myself to merit all those epithets. COBBETT'S 4. That during the late Inquiry, we observed with the deepest regret, that in an Parliamentary Debates: assembly of persons stiling themselves the The TWELFTH VOLUME of the above Work will be ready for delivery on the first of July. All communications, if sent to the Publisher's in due time, shall be carefully attended to. PROCEEDINGS IN COUNTIES, CITIES, BOROUGHS, &c. relative to the recent INQUIRY in the House of Commons, respecting the Conduct of the DUKE OF YORK. (Continued from p. 858.) CITY OF BRISTOL. At a Meeting of the Citizens of Bristol, convened at the Guildhall, the 20th day of May 1809.-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. 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 ministers 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 virtuous 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 corruption; and in effecting that Reform, we earnestly deprecate the insidious interference of those who are themselves profiting by the contintance of state abuses and reversionary sinecures. 7. That we seek no other Reform than such as shall insure to us the restoration 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. 2. That G. L. Wardle, esq. in his par- 8. That our Thanks are due to Mr. John liamentary exertions respecting the con- Winter, jun. and the other independent duct of his royal highness the late Com-citizens at whose instance this Meeting was mander in Chief, displayed that zealous convened. 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 consistency 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 general Ferguson, lord Archibald Hamilton, Mr. Madocks, and such other members of the house of commons, as by their virtuous co-operation proved themselves to be the actual representatives of the people. 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, general Ferguson, lord A. Hamilton, and Mr. Madocks. 10. That our acknowledgments are due to Mr. Matthew Mills Coates, for the Resolutions this day adopted, and for his zealous and able exertions on the present occasion, COUNTY OF HEREFORD. At a General Meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Hereford, convened in the Shire Hall, on Friday the 19th May, by the Gentlemen, whose Requisition for that purpose had been declined by the High Sheriff:-The right hon. the earl of Oxford in the Chair.-It was Resolved unanimously, 1. That the Thanks of the Freeholders 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 office of Commander in Chief. 2. That the Thanks of the Freeholders 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 Freeholders 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 Thomas Foley, Thomas Powel Symonds, and Richard Philip Scudamore, esquires, 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 necessity of a temperate Reform in Parliament. OFFICIAL PAPERS. FRENCH ARMY IN AUSTRIA.-Third Bulletin, dated Burghausen, April 30. The Emperor arrived in Muhldorf on the 27th inst. in the evening. His majesty detached the division of general Wrede to Lauffen on the Salza, in order to overtake the corps, which the enemy had in the Tyrol, and which was retreating by forced marches. General Wrede overtook the enemy's rear on the 25th, near Lautlen, took the baggage, and made many prisoners; but the enemy had sufficient time to cross the river and burn the bridge. On the 27th the duke of Dantzic arrived in Wanesburgh, and on the 28th in Altenmark. On the 29th gen. Wrede continued his march to Saltzburgh; about three leagues from the town he found the advanced posts of the enemy's army. The Bavarians pursued them closely and entered the town with them. General Wrede assures us that the division of general Jellachich is completely destroyed. That general has thus becn punished for the scandalous proclamation by which he put the dagger in the hands of the Tyrolese. The Bavarians have taken 5000 prisoners, and found conside 6. That the heavy pressure of public taxes (which have even reached the necessaries of life) renders it of the utmost im-rable magazines in Saltzburgh. On the portance, 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 178,991. per annum, and to be received by 78 members of the House of Commons) continue to be given to the members of that house, it is vain for the people to expect their opinions to be there expressed. 28th, at break of day, the duke of Istria arrived in Burghausen, and his advanced parties took post on the right bank of the Iun. The same day the duke of Montebello arrived in Burghausen. Count Bertrand exerted himself to the utmost to restore the bridge, which had been burnt by the enemy. It was completed on the 30th, and the whole army crossed the river. On the 28th a detachment of 50 horse chasseurs, commanded by captain Margaron, arrived in Dittmoning, where he fell in with a battalion of the famous militia, styled Landwhes, which, on his approach, retreated into a neighbouring wood. Capt. 9. That the Chairman be requested to Margaron summoned them to surrender; inform the members for this county, that after much deliberation, 1000 men of that the Freeholders here assembled, expect valiant militia, posted in a thick wood, them to support any motion having for its altogether inaccessible to cavalry, surrenobject a temperate Reform of Parliament. dered to 50 chasseurs. The Emperor wish10. That the Chairman be also requested to see them; they really excite comed to inform colonel Wardle, sir F. Burdett, and lord Folkestone, of the Resolutions thanking them. (Signed) s. That our only object in recommending a Reform in Parliament is to obtain for the people their acknowledged share in the government, and thereby to secure the blessings of our invaluable Constitution. 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. (To be continued.) passion; they are badly armed, worse accoutred, and commanded by superannuated officers of artillery. The cruel and overbearing temper of the Austrians fully displayed itself in the moment of apparent success, when they occupied Munich. The high bailiff of Muhldorf was arrested by them and shot. An inhabitant of Muhldorf, of the name of Starck, who had obtained a badge of dis-, tinction from the king of Bavaria, for the services which, during the last war, he rendered to the army, has been taken up and sent to Vienna, to stand his trial. The high bailiff of Burghausen, count Armansperg, has also been sent to Lintz, and from thence to Vienna, because in the year 1895 he did not comply with a requisition addressed to them on the part of the Austrians. The Bavarians will no doubt give a minute and faithful account of the acts of wanton cruelty committed by the Austrians in this country, that he memory thereof may be preserved by their most remote posterity, although it is extremely probable that this was the last insult which Austria will be able to offer to the allies of France. The Austrians have endeavoured, both in the Tyrol and Westphalia, to invite the inhabitants to rise in rebellion against their sovereigns. Austria has raised numerous armies, divided into corps like the French army; her troops are moving by forced marches, to imitate the French troops; her generais are publishing bulletins, proclamations, general orders-all in imitation of the French. But the ass is not ennobled to a lion because he is covered with a lion's skin; the long ears betray the ignobler beast. The Emperor of Austria has left Vienna, and on his departure published a proclamation, drawn up by Gentz, in the style and spirit of the most ridiculous performances of that kind. He is gone to Scharding, a position extremely well adapted for a sovereign, who neither wishes to be in his capital to govern his dominions, nor in the field, where he is known to be merely an incumbrance and dead weight. When he was informed of the result of the battle of Echmuhl, he judged it prudent to leave the banks of the Inn, and retire into the interior of his dominions. The town of Scharding, which is now occupied by the duke Rivoli, has suffered much. The Austrians on their retreat set fire to their magazines, and burnt half the town which belonged to them. They had no doubt some presentiment of their future fate, that what belonged to Austria shall no longer belong to her. · Fourth Bulletin, dated Brannau, 1st May. On the crossing of the bridge at Landshut, brigadier gen. Latour gave proots of valour and coolness. Col. Lauriston placed the artillery advantageously, and contributed much to the happy issue of this splendid affair. The bishop and the prin cipal public functionaries of Saltzburg repaired to Burghausen, to implore the clemency of the Emperor for the country. His Majesty gave them his assurance, that they should never again come under the dominion of the House of Austria. They engaged to take measures for recalling the four bastalions of the militia which the Circle had delivered, and of which part were dispersed and fled.-The head quar ters are to be this day removed to Ried. At Brannu, magazines were found with 200,000 ra ions of biscuit, and 6,000 sacks of oats. The Circle of Red has furnished three battalions for the militia, but the greater part of them are returned again to their habitations. The Emperor of Austria was three days at Brannau; he was at Scharding when he heard of the defeat of his army. The inhabi ants consider him as the principal cause of the war. The famous volunteers of Vienna passed through this place after their defeat at Landshut, throwing away their arms, and carrying with them in al haste their terror to Vieuna.-On the 21st of April an Imperial Decree was published in the capital, declaring the ports to be agun opened to the English, the treaties with this ancient ally renewed, and hostilities against the common enemy begun.-Gọn. Ou tinot has taken prisoners a batt dion of 1,000 men, between. Altham and Ried. This battalion was without cavalry and artillery. On the approach of our troops, they made an attempt to fire with their small arms, but being surrounded on all sides by the cavalry, were obliged to lay down their arms. His majesty caused several brigades of light cavalry to pass in review at Burghausen, and among others those of Hesse Darmstadt; at whose appearance he was pleased to express his satisfaction. Gen. Marulaz, under whose command the corps stands, presented several of them, to whom his majesty was pleased to grant decorations of the Legion of Honour. Gen. Wrede has intercepted a courier, on whom were found a number of letters, from which we may perceive the state of of confusion in which the kingdom is. Fifth Bulletin, dated Enns, 4th May. On the 1st of May gen. Oudinot, after having made 1,400 prisoners, penetrated beyond Ried, where he took 400 more, so that he this day took 1.500 men without firing a single gun.-The town of Brannau was a strong place of sufficient importance, since it commanded a bridge on the river, which forms the frontier of Austria. In |