than usual inquiries respecting colonel Brooke, before he could be recommended for the situation of major to a regiment of cavalry; when those inquiries were made, and I was satisfied that colonel Brooke was a fit and proper person, I made that report to the commander-in-chief; and, as I have said before, I believe it was upon my report so made, that the commander-in-chief acceded to the exchange. Between the first of July, when the application was made on behalf of colonel Brooke, and the 23d, when it received the sanction of the commander-in-chief, did any conversation pass between yourself and the commanderin-chief, otherwise than that which originated in your addressing yourself to the duke upon the subject in the ordinary course of office?-To the best of my recollection, certainly not; I speak more decidedly upon this point, because I am in the habit of laying numbers of papers before the commander-inchief, and of confining my conversation strictly and exclusively to the matter before us. Now, if any clear reason, sufficient to justify the departure from his first opinion by H. R. H. had been discovered, in this interval of three weeks, such asthe representation of some eminent service exploit, or, &c. not before adverted to, then this affair might have borne another aspect; but nothing accounts for this sudden conversion-the gratification proposed by Dr. Thynne, excepted; nevertheless, all the papers at the office, would appear regular, to those who had no suspicion of any private manoeuvring. But we are not to conclude that Mrs C. was competent to the management of petty matters, only; she could equally treat with general officers, and on regimental concerns. It appears that she had received proposals from general Clavering previous to August 24th, 1804: because, on that day, the duke of York writes to her in answer to such an application. This letter also proves the truth of what Mrs. C. had asserted, that when a proposal was disapproved of, she was to give the " wer, as from herself." ans and with what impatience do I look forward to the day after to-morrow; there are still, however, two whole nights before I shall clasp My Darling in my arms! "How happy am I to learn that you are better; I still, however, will not give up my hopes of the cause of your feeling uncomfortable. CLAVERING IS MISTAKEN, MY ANGEL, IN THINKING THAT ANY NEW REGIMENTS ARE TO BE RAISED; it is not intended, only second battalions to the existing corps; YOU HAD BETTER therefore, TELL HIM SO, and that You WERE SURE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO USE IN APPLY ING FOR HIM. "Ten thousand thanks, my love, for the handkerchiefs, which are delightful; and I need not, I trust, assure you of the pleasure I feel in wearing them, and thinking of the dear hands who made them for me. Nothing could be more satisfactory than the tour I made, and the state in which I have found every thing. The whole of the day before yesterday was employed in visiting the works at Dover; reviewing the troops there, and examining the coast as far as this place. From Folkstone I had a very good view of those of the French camp. "Yesterday I first reviewed the camp here, and afterwards the 14th Light Dragoons, who are certainly in very fine order; and from thence proceeded to Brabourne Lees, to see four regiments of Militia; which, altogether, took me up near thirteen hours. I am now setting off immediately to ride along corps as I pass, which will take me, at least, the coast to Hastings, reviewing the different as long. Adieu, therefore, My Sweetest, Dearest Love, till the day after to-morrow and be assured, that to my last hour I shall ever remain your's, and your's alone." Addressed: George Farquhar, Esq. No. 18, Gloucester-place, Portman-square. FOLKSTONE. 79. Indorsed: Gl. Clavering, &c. In what terms Mrs C. conveyed this refusal to general Clavering does not appear; but most likely she wrote to him, as from herself; stating his misconception. To this he must have replied, in explanation; but that explanation by no means elucidated his intentions, and the commander-in-chief, could not comprehend his proposal. Of this Mrs C. must have informed him, for such is the import of the general's answer. "Sandgate, August 24, 1804. "How can I sufficiently express to my darling love my thanks for her dear, dear letter, or the delight which the assurances of her love give me? Oh, My Angel! do me justice, and be convinced that there never was a woman adored as you are. Every day, every hour convinces me more and more, that my whole happiness depends upon you alone. What a time it appears to be since we parted," "Bishop's Waltham, 15th Sept. 1804. "My dear Mrs. C "You mention that his royal highness did not comprehend my proposal; my idea was this: the Defence Act, article 30, states, that men to be raised by that act, are not compellable to serve out of the united kingdom, and islands immediately attached." And in 32, that they shall not remain embodied for more than six months after the peace." We have already experienced the fatal necessity of disbanding corps at an apparent conclusion of war, and the mischief arising from holding out temptation to men to extend their services. "My proposal then was, to raise a battalion for general and unlimited service, by the yoluntary offers of a stipulated number of men from each regiment of militia, at a certain bounty, in the same manner as some of our regiments were augmented during the last war. The battalion to be solely officered from the half-pay list, by which government would at once acquire a certain effective and well-disciplined force, whose services they can to any period command: the half-pay to be lightened, and the militia colonels have no reason to growl, since it is determined that their establishment is to be reduced, towards which the men so volunteering would condace. "Should an opportunity occur, do submit the plan to his royal highness, without arguing too strongly upon it, as he must be tired to death with proposals; and as I would not appear, even through so circuitous a channel, to trespass on his patience, when so recently under an obligation for my present appoint ment. "If you approve of dry reading, get the Defence Act to refer to, and do communicate all the good things in the good town.Always very truly your's, H. M. CLAVERING." Whether this proposal be in itself good or bad, whether deserving or undeserving of attention, is not a question: but why it was made to the Duke by the channel of Mrs. C. why not by the Horse Guards, by a regular, official, and orderly proceedure? was the course of business at the Horse Guards unknown to this general officer ? and how coines it, that he places so great confidence in this woman, and even entrusts his honour in her hands,if he never had experienced her services on former occasions ?-Be this as it might, he continues his application, and maintains his confidence of success by her means: as appears from later letters. "Bishop's Waltham, 11 Nov. 1804. "My dear Mrs. C. "The purport of this is to thank you for your attempt to serve me tho' unsuccessful, the inclinati n being the same. On Sunday next I propose being in town, if possible, for one day only. Can you so contrive that we shall meet Your's very truly, H. M: CLAVERING." "Bishop's Waltham, 12 Dec. 1804. "My dear Mrs. C. "There is a strong report, that some new regiments are about to be raised, which, tho' incredible, I will be obliged to you to ascertain the truth of, and to acquaint me soon as possible. W.O. left me this morning for town, to return again next week. Very truly your's, H. M. CLAVERING." York to Mrs. Clarke, was not originally The foregoing letter of the Duke of brought forward by col. Wardle; but in consequence of having been hard pushed in cross examination, Mrs. C. communicated it. Thus it became a demonstrative evidence that H. R. H. had corresponded with his mistress on military subjects. Another evidence to the same effect was discovered and produced by the persevering interrogatory of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to capt. Huxley Sandon. It is a short note; only of consequence as it contains an officer's name; as it corroborates the proposition that the writer knew of Mrs. C's. interference in army business, and that he held an intercourse with her on the subject. This note has been raised into fame, by the prevari<< cation of capt. Sandon, who reported that he had destroyed it, and under the persuasion that it was destroyed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer urged the capt. on the subject, and thereby proved its existence. Had it not existed, the inference would have been that it was destroyed because it was a forgery: and if this paper, the nature of which was known by a copy taken, were a forgery, the conclusion to be drawn was, that many forgeries in the duke's name had existed, for obvious but very nefarious purposes. The attempt made to prove it a forgery, by the clerks of the bank and the post office, contributed to the celebrity of this "dirty" scrap of paper. I have just received your note, and Tonyn's business shall remain as it is- -God bless you.-Addressed.-George Farquhar, Esq. Mrs. C. had completely forgot this note; as indeed any body might have done ; `even the writer of it. She afterwards sent other notes of equal brevity, in support of its authenticity. The only oral testimony to prove that the duke conversed with Mrs. C. on military matters appears to be a Miss Taylor, the crabbed cross examination of whom, is supposed to have irritated Mrs. C. ex. tremely; and to have done much, to induce her to produce other letters and proofs. appear that and to impress upon you the necessity of the One of the most singular occurrences in this mass of military manœuvres, is, the expectation of a lady that she should be able to prevent an officer during so long a period as six months from quitting the army had it been for six weeks, or six days, the notion would have been sufficiently marked by boldness: and it must have been founded on some previous knowledge,or information. What relation an officer's private misbehaviour to a lady has to military secession, is not easily understood. Neither does it seem that the complaint was made to the office, although it was, in fact, properly official. The letter is a personal, a private application, to H. R. H. rather than to the commander-in-chief. We transcribe with pleasure the public orders given by authority of the command-mander-in-chief. er-in-chief, against the corrupt procuration of promotions. This has ever been a great evil in the British army, and may eventually prove fatal to its reputation, unless it be effectually counteracted. (Signed) J. W. GORDON." I beg leave to add, that that strong letter was found totally insufficient for the purpose; that it did come to my knowledge,--that I had proof, that those abuses did still exist; that E put that proof into the hands of the most In the year 1804, when a great augmenta- eminent counsel at the time, and they assured tion was added to the army of fifty battalions, me, that I could have no redress against the I did understand that very great abuses were parties, there was no law to the contrary, and practised with respect to the purchase and that it did not amount to a misdemeanour, sale of commissions; that people endeavoured Having mentioned it to the commander-into obtain commissions unduly; that they chief, I had frequent communications with endeavoured to impose upon the officers of the then secretary at war, now a right hon. the army in taking money under the pretence member of this house, and whom I see in his of obtaining commissions, and that this went place; and after frequent conferences with to a very great extent. I did represent this in this right honourable gentleman, he did the strongest manner to the commander-in-bring into this house, and submit to conside chief, who felt it very sensibly, and expressed the strongest indignation at it, and coinmaned me to frame an instrument, a copy of which I now hold in my hand, and which was circulated to all the corps of the army. With the permission of the house I will read it. "Horse-Guards, Sept. 28, 1804. "Gentlemen, "His royal highness the commander-inchief having the strongest reason to believe, (from the advertisements that have frequently appeared in the public papers) that an extensive correspondence is carried on with the officers of the army, by persons styling themselves army brokers, to induce them to enter into pecuniary engagements for the purpose of obtaining commissions, contrary to the established regulations; and it being the earnest desire of the commander-in-chief to check as much as possible a practice so extremely prejudicial to the service; I am commanded to call your attention to this important point, ration, a clause, which is now part of the mutiny act, inflicting a penalty upon all persons, not duly authorised, who shat negoci ate for the purchase or sale of any commission whatever. We also transcribe col. Gordon's explanation of the causes and effects of permitting the purchase of promotions; especially as this is but little understood by the public; and the very idea of military advancement except by merit, or seniority, is odious to many. I believe that the origin of the purchase and sale of commissions arises pretty much as follows: In every other service in Europe it is understood that the head of the army has the power of granting pensions to the officers of the army, in proportion to their rank and services: no such power exists in the head of the army in this country: therefore, when an officer is arrived at the command of a regiment, and is, from long service, sation I liad with a Lieutenant-Colonel of one of the best regiments in his Majesty's service, the late Lord Cornwallis's. Colonel York supplied me with a very strong instance, which was when the 33d regiment was about to return home from a foreign station. According to the articles of war, the commanding officer of each regiment so returning is to make known to his men, that any soldier who wishes to remain behind upon that station is at liberty so to do; the men of the 33d regiment informed Colonel York that it was their intention all to remain behind, and to continue abroad, because where they were' they had sufficient to eat, and if they came" to this country they should not have a dinner. His Royal Highness first got an allowance of bread to the soldiers, and afterwards of beer, and then their pay increased, and upon which the soldiers are very comfortable. infirmity, or wounds, totally incapable of General Norton states, that in former days, proceeding with that regiment upon service, those officers who had great weight of in it becomes necessary to place a more efficient terest might have got promoted very rapidly, officer in his stead. It is not possible for his much sooner perhaps than was right or majesty to increase the establishment of the proper;-his Royal Highness made, in my army at his pleasure, by appointing two opinion, very salutary regulations to prevent lieutenant-colonels where one only is fixed that. His Royal Highness, I believe, was upon the establishment; nor is it consistent the instrument and the means, through the with justice to place an old officer upon the medium of this house, of giving bread to half-pay, or deprive him altogether of his the soldier when he had little or nothing to commission; there is, therefore, no alterna-eat; and I will exemplify that, by a conver tire, but to allow him to retire, receiving a certain compensation for his former services; what that compensation should be, has been awarded upon due consideration, by a board of general officers, that sat, I think, forty or fifty years ago, somewhere about 1762 or 1763; they taking into consideration the rank, and the pay of each rank, awarded a certain sum that each officer, who was allowed to retire, should receive upon retiring; that sum is called, "the regulation price of commissions." The bearing that this has upon the army, is a very extensive question, but there can be no doubt that it is extremely advantageous for those officers who cannot purchase. I cannot better illustrate to the committee, than by stating an example: we will suppose, of the first regiment the third captain cannot purchase; the first and second can: if those two officers could not purchase, it is very evident that the third captain would remain much longer third captain, than if they were removed out of his way, by purchise in the great body of the army; and if no officer can be allowed to purchase, unless he is duly qualified for promotion without purchase, there cannot possibly be any objection to such regulation, nor can it be said that any unexperienced officer is appointed by purchase over the heads of others better qualined than himself, no officer being allowed to purchase, but such as is duly qualified by his majesty's regulations.—— The average amount for the last three years, annually, exceeds considerably four hundred thousand pounds. Every regiment in the service is ordered to transmit a return quarterly, of the number of officers in each regiment disposed to purchase, and to mention in such return where the purchase money is to be had; those returns are entered in a book in the commanderin-chief's office, and in the event of a vacancy those returns are invariably referred to, and the officer senior upon the list, if in all respects eligible, is invariably recommended, provided it does not interfere with other officers of greater pretensions.——————— The former state of the army, as to comfort and discipline, was certainly very deficient: its present state forms a happy contrast: on this, we subjoin the testinym fo severalvery competent judges. After the American war. I recollect a soldier in my own company (I was in the Coldstream regiment of guards) that came home, and had been very severely wounded; he was discharged from the regiment; the regiment had nothing further then to do with him; he was recommended to Chelsea, but Chelsea had no means of taking care of him; and the man would have been left to perish, if it had not been for the quarter-master of the Coldstream, who went to the officers at Chelsea, and the officers at Chelsea did get the man taken care of. Since that (I take for granted his Royal Highness was very much the means of doing it) the York Hospital was instituted, so that the men have not been left in that distressed situation since the American war. It is noto The Secretary at War observes, that preceding his Royal Highness's appointment, there was certainly great abuse. rious that rauk in commissions and rank in the army were got intirely by money, or, what was the same thing, by raising a certain number of men, indeed more generally by paying for it; there were many instances of officers who attained their rank of Major, I believe of Lieutenant-Colonel, in the space of one or two years. His Royal Highness, soon after he assumed the command, established a regulation, in consequence of which no officer could attain the rank of Captain, before he had served two years, nor that of field officer, before he had served six, and [ believe that those regulations have been rigidly adhered to, and have been of infinite service to the army. I certainly conceive that the condition of the army is very considerably improved, and I am certain that its discipline particularly (meaning the discipline in the field) has improved to a very great degree. I recollect when it was a matter of great difficulty to place five or six regiments upon the ground, sɔ, I mean, as to be enabled to act against an enemy; that operation is now performed with as much facility as that of placing a company; when those five or six regiments were so placed, it was a matter of great difficulty to make them move in an uniform line, that is now done with the utmost precision and facility; I therefore conceive, without going further, that the discipline of the army, and their power of action, have very considerably improved by the uniform system which has been produced under the auspices of the present Commander-in-Chief. Sir Arthur Wellesley says, I believe, from all 1 have heard, that a regulation which existed formerly, that no officer should be made a captain till he had served two years, was frequently broken through, and that much injustice was done to many old officers in the army. In respect of the state of the army, I can say from my own knowledge, as having been a Lieutenant-Colonel in the army when his Royal Highness was appointed to command it, and having a very intimate knowledge of it since, that it is materially improved in every respect; that the discipline of the soldiers is improved; that, owing to the establishments formed under the directions of his Royal Highness, the officers are improved in knowledge; that the staff of the army is much better than it was, and much more complete than it was; that the cavalry is improved; that the officers of the cavalry are better than they were; that the army is more complete in officers; that the system of subordination among the officers of the army is better than it was, and that the whole system of the management of the clothing of the army, the interior economy of the regiments, and every thing that relates to the military discipline of the soldiers, and the military efficiency of the army, has been greatly improved since his Royal Highness was appointed Commander-in-Chief. rank of lieutenant-colonel in three weeks o month, as fast as his separate appointme could be passed through each separate zette. But, whatever is wonderful in this R Port, the most wonderful is Mrs. Clark interference in ecclesiastical affairs. Wh she first hinted at this, the house w nearly convulsed with laughter; eve individual present believed that she w romancing. To this she alludes, who she says, To shew I did not tell a story about Do tor O'MEARA, I have a letter of recommend tion from the archbishop of Tuam, not me, but to the doctor himself. This she produced. The fact also a pears from the following letter of the I of Y. August 4, 180 How can I sufficiently express to m sweetest, my darling love, the delight whic her dear, her pretty letter gave me, or ho much I feel all the kind things she says to m in it? Millions and millons of thanks for i my angel! and be assured that my heart fully sensible of your affection, and that upo it alone its whole happiness depends. I ain, however, quite hurt that m love did not go to the Lewes races; how kin of her to think of me upon the occasion: bu I trust that she knows me too well not to b convinced that I cannot bear the idea of add ing to those sacrifices which I am too sen sible that she has made to me. News my angel cannot expect from hence; though the life led here, at least in the family I am in, is very hurrying, ther is a sameness in it which affords little sub ject for a letter; except lord Chesterfield family, there is not a single person excep ourselves that I know. Last night we wer at the play, which went off better than the first night. DR. O'MEARA called upon me yesterday morning, and delivered me your letter; h wishes much to preach before Royalty, and if I can put him in the way of it I will. What a time it appears to me already, my darling, since we parted! How impatiently I look forward to next Wednesday se'nnight! The improvements to which I have adverted, have been owing to the regulations of God bless you, my own dear dear love! I his Royal Highness, and to his personal su-shall miss the post if I add more. Oh, beperintendance and his personal exertions over lieve me ever, to my last hour, yours, and the general officers and others who were to see yours alone. those regulations carried into execution. Col. Gordon goes so far as to say, that, Prior to H. R. H. being appointed commander-in-chief of the army, an officer who had money might purchase up to the Addressed: "Mrs. Clarke, to be left at the Post-Office, Worthing." Indorsed: Dr. O'Meara.' In fact, Dr. O'Meara did preach before the royal family at Weymouth-against |