Page:Sketch of the life and character of His Royal Highness the late Duke of York (1).pdf/17

 17 Col. French. The last case related to Capt. Mal- fing, who, through the influence of Mrs Clarke, was appointed to an ensigncy, and to the rank of Lieut. and Capt., he being all the while acting as Clerk in a public office, without ever having handled a sword even for the sake of form. The present Duke of Wellington was then a member of the house, and warmly espoused the cause of the Duke. Af- ter some Debate the House agreed to receive the evidence that might be adduced by the accuser, in a committee of the whole House. On the 9th of March, the case being closed, Mr Wardle moved an address, in which, after reciting substantially the nature of the evidence, and the inference to be drawn from it, he expressed an opinion that the Duke ought to be removed from his office. This motion gave rise to a long debate. Several amend- ments were proposed, one by the Chancellor of the - Exchequer, declaring the innocence of the Duke: another by Mr B. Bathurst, declaring him to be guilty, at the same time acknowledging his great official services. On the 17th, the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed some amendment. How- ever, whilst these debates were about to close, his R H. waited on the King, and tendered his resig- nation in a written document, which commences in these terms;- The House of Commons, alter a long and full investigation of the merits of certain allegations against him, passed a resolution of his innocence; he might now approach his Majesty, and venture to tender to him his resignation of the chief command of his Majesty's army, as he could no longer be suspected of acting from any apprehension of the result, or be accused of having shrunk from the extent of an inquiry, from which, painful as it had been, he trusted he should appear,