Exeter and the Crimean War

 Exeter and the Crimean War 1855-2025

As Exeter commemorated the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, an event with which the Ukraine is also closely involved, the City of Exeter acquired this unique historical document relating to an earlier war in Ukraine raging 170 years ago, thanks to the assistance of the Kent Kingdon Bequest, a grant-making charity established in 1889 to enable the Royal Albert Memorial to acquire books for the Free Library and works of art for the Museum. The poster, of which no other copies are known to survive, reads:

To the RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF EXETER. We, the undersigned inhabitants of the City of Exeter and its vicinity, request that you call a public MEETING to take into consideration the present position of the country, owing to the MISMANAGEMENT of the WAR WITH RUSSIA

There follows a list of 181 signatories in four columns and below it the Mayor responds:

In pursuance of the above requisition, I hereby appoint a public meeting to be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, the eleventh day of April next at 12 o’clock at noon, John Daw, Mayor.

Dated March 27th 1855.

The poster is splendidly printed, with a range of display types, by Norton, Printer, (Gutta Percha Dépôt,) St. Sidwell’s, and the same text was also printed in the Exeter weekly newspapers of the day. The newspapers later carried lengthy accounts of the meeting in the Guildhall, which was attended by between 300 and 400 persons. Each newspaper sent a shorthand reporter who took down the words of speakers and noted the reactions of the audience. Speakers mention the work of “Miss Nightingale” and there is also mention of Odesa, which is now, like Exeter, a UNESCO City of Literature, where the Odesa Literary Museum and many other cultural sites have been damaged in Russia's “special military operation”. 

The text of the Western Times report has been transcribed below, and it is intended to show a printed copy of this transcript, together with the poster, at a location in the centre of Exeter. It was received in Exeter on 9 May, the day Russia celebrated VE Day, and is a vivid testimony to the political engagement of the citizens of Exeter over the centuries, particularly of the radical journalist Thomas Latimer, proprietor of the Western Times, which at that time had a circulation of around 4,000, by far the highest of the half-dozen weekly papers published in Exeter in the 1850s. Among the issues raised at the meeting, Latimer campaigned for the reform of the civil service by the recruitment through competitive examinations, against the evils of “secret diplomacy” which committed the country to treaties and foreign policies without the knowledge of Parliament and the electorate, and also against the snobbery, corruption in the Army, centring around the purchase of commissions rather than promotion on merit.  

THE WESTERN TIMES, EXETER, SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1855

Page 6

MISMANAGEMENT OF THE WAR

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An important public meeting of the inhabitants of this city and its vicinity, to take into consideration “the present position of the country in reference to the mismanagement of the war with Russia,” was convened by the Right Worshipful the Mayor (John Daw, Esq.), in compliance with a requisition, numerously signed at the Guildhall, on Wednesday. As the requisition had emanated from ’Squire Peters and other Tory gentlemen belonging to the county, the Liberals of Exeter very naturally looked with suspicion thereon; and were prepared to oppose any factious opposition to the Government which, from the antecedents of the gentleman referred to, they were justified in expecting might be offered. The promoters of the meeting, however, disclaimed any such intention, and having expressed a determination to address themselves to the subject in no party spirit, and to be desirous of uniting with all parties in condemnation of the manner in which the war had been managed, the representatives of the Liberal Party expressed themselves satisfied with this declaration, and very cordially accepted the offer to take part in the proceedings of the meeting.

Between three and four hundred persons attended; there being present several county gentleman, and a number of the respectable inhabitant inhabitants of the city. Among them was Sir Trayton Drake; Messrs L.V. Palk, M.P., M Kennaway, B Fulford, R. S. Gard, J. Jerwood, T. Latimer, W. D. Moore, W. Buckingham, E. P. Pridham, J. C. Sercombe, W. H. Peters, W. Porter, C. Bird, J. Sayell, S. Davies, J. D. Osborne, J. Trehane, J. Laidman, J. Porter, C. Pridham, W. Mackenzie, C. Gordon, S. Southcott, G. Ferris, F. Franklin, &c.; Col. Harding; and Cap. Tanner. Sir W. Frazer, Barnstaple, was also present on the bench.

The Mayor was called to the chair, and having stated that he had convened the present meeting in compliance with the requisition very numerously signed, said he should be glad to hear any gentleman who was prepared to address the meeting.

Mr. R. S. Gard said that, in introducing the business of the day to the meeting, he felt it incumbent on him to say, as one of the parties promoting the requisition, that it had been the desire and wish of all parties whom he had had the honour of consulting, that all party feeling should be thrown aside– (hear, hear). They had met on a very solemn occasion, such as he hoped they would never see again; and he did trust that all party feeling would be merged in one general principle–that of a condemnation of the management of the war with Russia – (cheers). He trusted that they would unite with one mind and heart in condemnation of this management, without reference to any set of men who might be in power, and show to the brave soldiers who were fighting their battles in the Crimea that their sympathies were with them – (cheers). This sympathy would not avail those who had died of disease or starvation, but it was right it should be accorded to those who survived, and he hoped, that when the committee should have reported, those persons who might be found to be involved in this mismanagement would be brought to justice– (hear, hear). He concluded by proposing the first resolution:–

“That the position of this country was seriously prejudiced by the gross mismanagement of the war with Russia.”

These were few words, but they were very expressive–(cheers).

Mr. W. Porter, a county magistrate, of Hembury Fort, near Honiton, said he had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. It was a pleasure in as much as they had all a duty to perform, and the performance of a duty should be esteemed a pleasure. He was convinced, however, that it was with the greatest pain and regret that they met here on this occasion, because they were called upon not simply to express their sympathy with their army, but also to express regret at the mismanagement which had characterised the present war– (hear, hear). It was on account of this that the meeting had been called, and although some might think it not exactly right to assemble for such a purpose as the present, when a committee of the House of Commons was sitting to inquire into it, yet he believed that there was this was the time when they should show the members of Parliament how deeply the feelings of the country were awakened; how much they sympathise with their government soldiers and how deeply they regretted the inefficiency of the Ministry at home,. In reading the public journals, he was sure that everyone must feel the disasters which had resulted from the shortcomings of the commissariat department, the want of experience in the hospitals, and the want of everything which was capable of rendering an army efficient – (hear, hear). He had recently seen an instance which showed how much the government needed stirring up. An officer who had suffered in the late war, by a bullet having passed through his mouth, had a certain gratuity given to him for this melancholy wound. The sum, he believed, amounted to £120, but the government he perceived had actually taken out of it the income tax to the amount of £5–(cries of “shame.”) He was sure that when they saw such niggardly parsimony as this, there was not a man in this Hall who would not condemn the government that offered it – (hear, hear). He was sure there was no withholding funds from the government, and all that they wanted was to see that the money should be properly expended, which was for the very purpose of sustaining and comforting the army abroad.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Latimer said that he had been called upon unexpectedly to submit to this important meeting one of, he thought, the most important resolutions of the day. That resolution had been confided to a gentleman (Mr Mark Kennaway) who was perfectly competent to do it justice. From some cause, unknown to him (the speaker), that gentleman had not arrived, and the resolution had therefore been placed in his hands, wholly unprepared and incompetent as he was to do justice to it. If the gentleman who are consented to speak to it would have been present, he was sure that the meeting will be satisfied with the way in which he would deal with the momentous theme which this resolution contained. He considered it highly becoming, on an occasion of this kind, that Exeter, in common with the other citizens of the Empire, should raise its voice against the mismanagement of the war. They were not to suppose that he was there to be a party to an attack upon the government, nor did he think that the government was so much to blame as the “system” which belonged to any government, and was not to be altered by a change in the administration. Supposing the country should change the government to-day; if the same system was still to be pursued, the same evils will be found to result. Unless they went to the root of the evil,–unless the axe was laid to the root of the tree,he evils would could not be remedied – (cheers). The resolution was as follows :-

“That this meeting deeply deplores the sufferings and privations to which our brave army in the Crimea have been wantonly subjected. It tenders to our heroic soldiers the heartfelt sympathy of the citizens of Exeter, and relies upon the Justice of Parliament to promote the pending inquiry to the utmost, in order that those public servants who have been the authors and administrators of the deplorable mischiefs complained of, may be brought bo the bar of public Justice, and punished according to law.”

The resolution spoke for itself so sufficiently, that he had no hesitation in placing it before them on its own merits. He could assure them he had no intention of putting himself so prominently forward today, as he thought the arrangements had amply provided for the presentation of each resolution to them on grounds free from party–on grounds common to them as fellow-citizens and as Englishman. The discussion of the great evils which had bought, if not disgrace, certainly great misfortune, upon the country, should be carried on in a spirit of forbearance, and should not be accompanied by imputations of factious proceedings from one side or the other. It was necessary that the whole country should speak out. For the imperfection of our institutions, they know that changes of ministry necessarily involved a very limited circle of persons; it was merely a change from A. to B., or from C. to D.; and if there are was any hitch in the ministry that might be formed, they had just to go back again to A. or C., and ring the changes with D. and B. As long as that system remained, so long would they have an imperfect administration of the affairs of the country He took for granted that, as to the first clause of this resolution the meeting would have no difficulty whatever–all deplored the sufferings and privations of our soldiers. Perhaps, however, the term “wantonly” might appear too severe, as something like an extreme one. But he contended that, when proper means, but not adopted to secure the object in view, they might fairly speak of the results of carelessness and negligence as a thing wantonly done. As to the sufferings of our soldiers, there was one present whose heart had not bled to read of what they had been called to endure? of the sufferings to which they had been subjected, because of the maladministration of our military affairs? – (cheers). He believed, then, that in placing that passage of the resolution before them, it would have their cordial approbation. – (cheers). As to the next clause, that the city of Exeter tenders its heartfelt sympathy to the brave men who have gone to the East, and endured so heroically all the privations to which they have been exposed, he believed that passage also would meet with their hearty approval. In his humble capacity as one of their borough magistrates, it had been his lot to attest upwards of 106 recruits during the past year; he had been a party to sending these men forth to encounter the horrors of a system of of mismanagement, the exposure of which he felt imperatively called upon him to do his best to secure a remedy. With respect to the brave army, he asked, was there a man whose blood had not boiled with indignation, whose frame had not thrilled with horror, at the perusal of the dreadful narrative of the sufferings to which it had been exposed? Exeter had felt–Exeter had cheered the army on its way–Exeter had approved of all its heroism–and he was sure that this meeting would accord the thanks of Exeter for its heroic services, and its sympathy with the sufferings and privations to which it had been so needlessly subjected. After a few more words on the resolution, he concluded by expressing his conviction that it would be carried unanimously.

Mr. Baldwin Fulford seconded the resolution He fully concurred with Mr. Latimer, that we should not lay the whole blame of the mismanagement, which he felt convinced was the cause of the evils which had taken place, upon individuals, but rather upon that “system” which had been the source of difficulty and confusion throughout the whole war. He did think that part, a great part of that difficulty had arisen through the late administration not being a unanimous administration – (hear, hear)–from difficulties among themselves, arising from their not having the unanimity or the power to remove those evils which interfered with the administration of the affairs of the ministry – (cheers). His belief was that the community itself had been the occasion of the present conditions in which this nation was found. And he thought so, because formerly the fear was that if the country sustained a disciplined army, the sovereign might be able, by the age of that army, to suppress liberty, and hence the community itself had ever been jealous of a standing army. He believed no one now thought it possible For a King, Queen, or any sovereign in this country to employ the army for the suppression of liberty – (cheers). In the first place, there was not a large enough army to do it; and in the second place he did not believe the army would consent to do it – (cheers). When he had considered that for more than two years it was almost certain that this country would be involved in a squabble with Russia, if not in a serious fight, it appeared to him to be the bounden duty of the government to look to the arrangements which were necessary; to have made those changes in the administration which would have enabled them to carry on the war with vigour – (cheers). They ought to have made such changes that it would not have been necessary to go through six or eight offices for that supply of every want; that it would not have been necessary to have the army moved by one authority, the transports provided by another authority, the provisioning provided by a third, and no one responsible, and no one having power to put anything right. That was the system which had been carried on throughout the whole war. The gallant army had been sent forth, and abundance of necessaries had also been dispatched for their support; but there had been no power to distribute the necessaries properly, and hence the army had suffered from want. He was a supporter of the present government. When he saw that government formed, he hoped, and he still did hope, that a unanimous government would manage the war very much better than one made-up from all parties in the nation; who would have no unity of action and no unity of feeling – (cheers). At the same time, knowing that so many of the present government were members of the last, and certainly blameworthy, though not perhaps to the same extent as their late colleagues who had retired, for the mismanagement of the war, he was glad that a committee was carrying on the investigation into the state of the army; that the noble lord at the head of her Majesty's government Had consented to its appointment; and he hoped that the investigation would be carried out to the fullest extent. It was necessary that this investigation should be in the hands of a committee and not of the government; for they could hardly believe that the government itself would press with much vigour and investigation which tended to throw blame on its proceedings. He did hope, from the well known energy of the noble lord at the head of the administration, that the present government will carry on the war with far more vigour than the last. There was no doubt of the ability of several of these noblemen and gentlemen who had left the government; but he believed strongly that a unanimous government- a government acting upon one principle, although he differed from them in politics, will carry on the war with increased vigour and to a successful issue – (cheers). He would not detain them longer because he believed the resolution which he begged cordially to second, will be received by the meeting in such a way as to render further remark unnecessary.

The resolution being put from the chair was carried unanimously.

Mr. Osborne thought he should begin by telling them that when this meeting was called, he expressed disapprobation of it, and to clear the ground before them he would state his reason. He considered at first that it was rather interfering with the function of the Committee of Inquiry and he thought also it had a party bias. A consideration of the subject, however, had convinced him it would rather forward and impede the labours of the committee, and hence he consented to move the resolution he held in his hand; and he was happy in being able to say that he was now satisfied the promoters, gentlemen for whom he had the highest esteem, had no party purpose to serve in the matter, and did not design that the meeting should have a party character. The resolution he had to propose was as follows:

“That this meeting, while relying on the heroism of the British army to sustain–as it ever has done–the honour of the country, is bound to call for a searching Investigation and a thorough amendment of the system which has wasted the resources of the nation, and destroyed more brave soldiers than have fallen by the sword of the enemy.”

Now he thought it highly proper, especially on a solemn occasion like this present, that a meaning should be given to the expressions which were indulged in. In presenting resolutions to be adopted by the meeting, it became them to tell what was meant by the terms employed. Gentlemen were repeatedly saying the term “system;” attributing to “system” the mismanagement, and its consequent evils, which all deplored, but hardly any one condescended to say what that system was. He would take the liberty of doing that in discussing The resolution which he had just read, and he hoped that they would bear with him, and that nothing which he said would be distasteful to the meeting – (cheers). The resolution referred to the conduct of our army in the field, to their having sustained the honour of their country; and then it went on to speak of the necessity of a searching investigation into the disasters of the war. As to the courage displayed by the army in the field, no one entertained the slightest doubt. That was a truism which could not be disputed, which no one will call in question – (cheers). He had no misgivings upon that question, and did not want to express an opinion for it was a self-evident proposition. But, on the other hand, when he saw that British army neglected in the manner it had been–the cruelties inflicted upon it–when they saw, after all its efforts for the sake of its country, the return which had been made to it, did not a blush rise to the cheek of every Englishman, at the thought of the way in which the poor men who compose it were treated? – (cheers). And how had those evils been caused? In the first place, he believed them to arise from the constitution of the army, which had been in existence in this country for a vast number of years, and which constitution, strange to say, differed from that which prevailed in almost every country in Europe and made the army, as a profession, different from every other profession in the country, in this country. It was impossible for a man without money to obtain that advancement which should be held out to him as an encouragement to the performance of his duty. There was no way of getting promotion in the army but by purchase: in other words, a man might do his duty as well as he may, be esteemed by all who knew him for his personal courage, and for all the qualities which constitute a good soldier–but if one thing he had not, the want of that one thing prevented him from taking his station in the situation he was fairly entitled to hold–and that one thing was money – (cheers). Therefore it was that a man, who could command a certain amount of money, could step over the head of an officer much more deserving than himself, and might take a place he never ought to have taken. The command of the army was exclusively in the hands of one class, It was a fact that almost every officer in the army was the scion of some great name, who obtained his position by the strength of his pocket, and not exclusively by merit. But notwithstanding that selection, he would ask where there had been shown any want of courage by the officers of the army? Although bought up In the use of every luxury and in the enjoyments of every indulgence which w supplied, they freely relinquished all for the hardships and privations of the field and there none excelled them in bravery. He need not refer them to that unfortunate, but gallant, affair at Balaclava, in which one from the highest ranks of life, against his own judgment and in the face of almost certain destruction, submitted to that discipline which the army imposed upon its soldiers, and went bravely forward – (cheers). He came out comparatively unscathed, but few men could have shown greater courage, let them be from what rank they might. He (Mr. Osborn) was not talking against the higher classes taking the command of the army–what he complained of was, that the poor men were overlooked; and he believed that they would agree with him that the system ought to be altered. There were cases, indeed, in which promotion was obtained without purchase, but they were so few as scarcely to be worth notice. In every other profession, a man might rise to the highest station, though he might have sprung from the humblest walks of life. Look at bishops in the church–they were there on account of their learning and fitness for the offices they filled; look at lawyers–many of them sprung from the lowest ranks of life, but they were enabled, because they had the opportunity of attaining to the highest stations; but the soldier, no matter what his merits, could only reach a certain point, and beyond that he could not move. Now, he thought that every man who fought the battles of the country should be placed in the same position for increasing and bettering his position, and should be eligible to the best positions, the same as in every other profession – (cheers). Then as to the evils which they all deplored, he did not mean to say, but rather the contrary, that these great evils were to be attributed to the government at home. He believed the government had provided all that was necessary, that they had made ample provisions for every contingency if these had only been carried out. The great evil lay in the civil service, in that department of it which had charge of the commissariat of the army. – (cheers). And how would these civil service men appointed? Was it on account of their talent? Was it because of their fitness to carry into effect the arrangements necessary for provisioning the troops? . Almost every man in the civil department of the commissariat were men put in by favour, and with very regard to their fitness for the office. They were men, not conversant with business, and not trained in business habits. He was bound to say that in the city of Exeter a sufficient number of men could have been found to manage the victualling of the army efficiently. Had the commissariat stuff being formed of working men, men who had been trained to business and in business habits, it would have been managed differently. But there was one matter of even still more important than that, that was routine – (cheers). All the miss management was caused by this, as everyone, from the Prime Minister down to the man who held the lowest office in the kingdom was the subject of routine. He was a mere machine, he had certain duties to perform, and these he had to do, but he must not exercise any discretion. He had to do a certain thing–nothing more, and nothing less. It was said that that was necessary; and that it was part of the perfection of our institutions, but he doubted it. If they had a machine for the performance of certain work, they never expected it to work by itself. It was not a perpetual motion; it needed superintendence, it needed repairs and constant attention. But in this commissariat machine nothing of this sort was thought to be required. A man’s discretion might tell him that something was necessary to be done, but if it did not come within the sphere of his prescribed duties, he must not do it. Such was the effect of that miserable system of routine, that one man could not give a loaf to another who might be starving, because the requisite forms had not been complied with. He had heard, and he gloried in it, that that noble minded lady, Miss Nightingale had had the courage to breakthrough that system, and take possession of necessaries for the patients in the hospitals, which the routine officials attempted to prevent her obtaining – (cheers). He knew that was dangerous ground. He knew that to allow everyone to do as he chose, would be to inflict incalculable mischief; but the remedy was to be found in having a proper persons to superintend and direct the whole, and that they had not at the present moment in the British army. They had not the right men in the right places – (cheers). Many of these gentlemen were fitted to attend to a ball soirée or such like, but they were not fitted to attend to the sick, and wounded – (cheers). He felt that he had perhaps had more than he ought, but he had said so much because he could hardly read without a blush, that mismanagement had destroyed more of our army than the foe had done. It was a shame; it was a shame and disgraceful that it was so. – (cheers). He hoped, however that the lesson they had so painfully learnt by experience would teach them to condemn that system, which had been the author of the evils, and he earnestly and solemnly urged them, as individuals to use their efforts for that object – (cheers). He concluded by cordially moving the resolution.

Mr. W. H. Peters rose to second the resolution. He congratulated the citizens in having overcome their apathy, and timidity which had been the means of chaining down the tongues of so many of their fellow countrymen who were equally anxious for a searching investigation into the present war, but who had not yet come forward from not having any one to lead them. It was their duty and privilege, as free men, when the state was in danger, to come forward in this way and pronounce an opinion upon the matter in hand. Freedom of discussion and the freedom of the press were perhaps the only two guarantees left them for the continued prosperity and liberty which this country had so long enjoyed – (cheers). He believed that it had been laid to his charge that he had been instrumental to a great extent in convening this meeting, and that it was got up for factitious purposes,. He admitted the first part of the charge, but denied the second. He had for the last eight or nine years used his efforts for the benefit of his country. He had forseen the danger that was coming upon the state, and he had endeavoured to enlighten those around him in reference thereto, who had not the same opportunities and the same the time to consider and reflect as he had; nd it was only about twelve months ago, when the late administration came into office, that he said at a public meeting in this very city, that if they continued the time-serving policy which they had begun to pursue, that this country would be involved in a revolution or a war within twelve months from that time. – (laughter). He did not think he was far wrong in that prediction. He had been challenged by a certain editor in this town to express his opinion to the working men upon two points, which points were so intimately connected with the resolution that he was happy to accept the challenge. It was very rare that he had the opportunity of meeting the working men on such occasions; he wished he could meet them oftener, and then they would understand each other better, and perhaps if they were to do so, he should incur a little of the jealousy of a certain editor of a certain paper–(laughter). The two points on which he had been called upon to remark were the subject of promotion in the army, and secret diplomacy. With respect to the army he was asked whether he purchased a commission and whether he sold it?–(laughter). Yes; he did purchase a commission in her Majesty's cavalry, and sold it at the same cost – (hear, hear). Mr. Osborn was wrong in thinking that a private soldier had not the opportunity of rising from the ranks. He had such an opportunity, but not certainly to any great extent; and he (Mr. Peters) was always of the opinion that if a non-commissioned officer from every company, or every troop, had the promise given to him of a commission without purchase, it would prove of great encouragement to the private soldier, and very advantageous to the service. Still they might depend upon it, that it was as necessary for an officer to have a stake in the country as it was for a magistrate to have such a stake; for if all commissions were given without purchase, the consequence would be that if a revolution should occur in this country (nd he believed the time was not far distant if they allowed time-serving politicians to go on as they had been) it was natural to think that those who had not a stake in the country would be more likely to follow their own party than they would the Crown which they were called upon to defend. – (hear, hear and laughter). He fully concurred with the mover of the resolution that it was in the commissariat department that they had most to amend, and from which they had Suffered the most. It was most harrowing to the feelings of Englishmen to read the accounts in the papers, which had been confirmed by the facts elicited at the commission of inquiry, that poor famishing soldiers should be suffering within a stone’s throw of a vessel laden with food, and be informed that they could not have it because the additional order to give it to them could not be obtained. The very vessel to which he referred, was then costing the government £100 a day expenses, which came out of the taxation of the country. With respect to secret diplomacy, he believed it to be a most un-English and intriguing system. – (cheers). That the State secrets should be divulged to foreign courts before they were known to their own people, and that an individual should be able to bring calamities upon the nation before the people could canvas the subject, ought not to be permitted – (cheers). He considered that it was to secret diplomacy in some measure, that the origin of the present war was owing.–(hear, hear). It was by means of signing treaties in former years, in favour of Russia and against free countries–such as Poland and Hungary – (cheers)–that had reduced to the dust those states which might in conjunction with Turkey have been sufficient to keep Russia in check; and it was by this means that the war would have been prevented. This secret diplomacy must be petitioned against by the citizens of Exeter. He should be glad to see the foreign office turned inside out and a searching inquiry be instituted into everything.–(hear, hear). The evils which they were now suffering from, were from within and not from without, and he contended that the war would not be conducted with any success unless they raised up those free states to that position which they once occupied. – hear, hear). As a soldier, he declared that it was necessary to invest Sebastopol before they could take it, and they would want a hundred thousand men more for that purpose. He hoped that Odessa would one day be taken; as it ought and would have been, had it not been for the private interest of private individuals – (hear, hear). With respect to Austria, he felt that they were acting the very worst part in sending out a minister who ought to be employed at home in the colonial department, and who was perhaps not so much in favour of his country as he was in favour of his party. In conclusion he appealed to the meeting to make a promise that no peace should be made which did not insure to Europe, the Black Sea and the Danube, and that if Lord John Russell or any one else dared to do the contrary, the ancient constitutional punishment of impeachment should be again restored to them, – (cheers and laughter).

Mr. C. Bird rose to speak to the resolution. This learned and venerable gentleman claimed the indulgence of the meeting, inasmuch as perhaps this might be the last time that he should ever have the honour of addressing them. He had, in common with others, expressed himself very strongly in reference to the heart rending calamities which had befallen their brave army. Whatever they might be called in political or party nomenclature, whether Whigs or Tories; Conservatives or Liberal Conservatives; or Radicals if they liked (which meant going to the root of evils)–he thought they ought to do justice to each other and say “We are all lovers of our country” – (cheers). They had certainly at times a singular way of showing their love to it, but he believed that when their hearts were examined they will be found to be truly patriotic – (cheers). They all agreed as to the fact that the evils had occured, and he hoped that when it should be ascertained how and by whom these errors had arisen that they would adopt means of preventing them in the future He had hard words used against the ministers of the day, and he believed that some of them had been called traitors. He condemned them, but he could not call them traitors – (hear, hear). He believed they had erred from want of precaution; and that they were ignorant of the country to which they were sending the army. Had these things never occurred before? Had the meeting overlook the first army in the world, which was commanded by the renowned general, the Duke of Brunswick. At the time of the French Revolution nearly the same circumstances as those which they now complained of had occurred. The French emigrants led the army in question to suppose that when they marched into France, they were going to do it almost like a hunting party,–and when 52,000 men were reviewed near Potsdam, they forgot that in the country which they were going to fight against, every man was imbued with the true spirit of liberty to resist aggression. The army marched; they got into France and they remain sometime manoeuvring. But they actually went without hospitals, and without anything necessary for the welfare of an army – (hear, hear). The soldiers took to eating French grapes and ten thousand men were brought down in a few days by this grape shot – (laughter)–they had not the common medicines to counteract it; and what was the result? Why, that army of 52,000 men gave the French general Dumourier an opportunity, with about 17,000 men, to hold them in check whilst reinforcements came up to him, and then that army of 52,000 men retreated, and it was said that they got off by purchasing their retreat – (hear, hear). Now, he did not state this for the purpose of excusing the ministry; they ought to have known and provided all that was necessary; but he denied that the conditions of the country arose from the mismanagement of the war. Did their existence depend upon 20,000 men merely? Why, they had hundreds of thousands of men–levies en masse–who were ready to meet and do battle with their country’s foes – (cheers). He agreed with his friend Mr. Osborn that the evils of the present war arose from their bad system of civil administration. He referred to the speech of Lord Ebrington before his constituents at Marylebone the other day, when his lordship said –“Put your house in order; it is the civil service which you must reform.” That was speaking out as an honest man, and as a man of note [?] – (hear, hear). The learned gentleman then, by way of illustration, referred to the visit of Julius Caesar to this country, and to the evacuation of Britain by the Romans, whose legions were required at home to look after and protect their territories from the barbarians. Now here was England calling her legions from India, and the French were calling theirs from Africa, to protect them from the barbarians – (hear). He then referred to the Emperor of Russia, who gave each of his soldiers, who had been a certain period in his service, twenty acres of ground. It was true, as it might be said, that he, being a despot, could take it away from them when he liked. But it had been said that an officer should have a stake in the in the country. He (Mr. Bird) contended that the meanest soldier should also have a stake in the country. – (cheers). He would ask them whether an old soldier, after escaping the dangers of the battle field, was rewarded with twenty acres of land? No! He wished he was; and if that was so, then they should have men indeed, who had a stake in the country. But the time is coming when they would have it – (cheers). He would tell them why he had introduced this topic. He was a lover of peace, but here he stood, an advocate of war–of war to the last man among them–because he believed that upon their success in this war depended not their lives merely, but their nationality – (hear, hear). He was, however, a lover of peace, and he wished to substitute the spade for the sword. That was what he hoped mankind would come to, and when they did so, the world would be but a second round of universal carnage–which Providence never intended it should be – (cheers). He apologised for trespassing so long upon the meeting, but he felt that as this might be the last time he should ever address his country, that it was his duty to speak as he had done. He would have said mor, but he could not, with the feelings of a man, have said less upon this auspicious occasion – (cheers).

Mr. Mark Kennaway, who on rising was greeted with loud cheers, said he wished to say a few words before the resolution was passed, inasmuch as he had acted with some friends in reference to this meeting, and had been prevented by unavoidable circumstances from being present to perform the part which have been assigned to him. He was still more anxious, after what he had heard today, to address a few words to the meeting, which he believed was nearly the first that had been held in reference to this subject in the kingdom. He was rather jealous for the honour of the old city that it should go out to the nation that they had assembled in public meeting to consider a subject which had been referred to a Committee of the House of Commons; and he believed that they should not be misrepresented to the Nation at large,. His name was not to the requisition; but still when he saw it he very soon came to the conclusion that it was a just and proper occasion for the nation to assemble – (hear, hear). He gave no weight whatever to the argument that there was a committee sitting of the House of Commons and therefore it was not necessary or right that they should meet in this way. There were great occasions when all must admit it was desirable that the people should assemble and pronounce their opinions–(hear, hear). They sometimes assembled to discuss questions of labour, questions of Protection, and questions of property–of very inferior consideration–and were they not to assemble when the property of the country to the extent of millions, and when human lives to the extent of tens of thousands were at stake – (cries of “yes, yes” and loud cheers). He was glad the committee was appointed; he was glad the Prime Minister of the country was backed by a very considerable majority of the House of Commons; he rejoiced at the bold course which the noble lord took, regardless of his own situation, and of the high position in which he had been recently placed, and that he had the magnanimity and courage to throw overboard all selfish considerations, and notwithstanding the embarrassments necessarily caused by the defection of five or six of the cleverest men the nation could produce, he boldly met the point and consented to the appointment of the committee – (cheers). But surely the power and authority of this committee could never be compared to, nor was it to set aside the power and authority of the great body of the nation–the people–which made the House of Commons ,and which had made the committee also. Surely they had a right, when such stakes as these were presented to them–stakes which he contended were fit matters for their consideration today–to assemble in public meeting, and declare that the verdict of the nation alone should direct such matters – (cheers). Did they want to interfere with the functions and office of that committee? No. That committee was appointed upon a division–a successful division he admitted–but the nation wished the minority to understand that there should be no blinking this question – (cheers). He hoped and trusted that through the length and breadth of the land, the nation will prevent any further doubt on this question in the House of Commons –(hear, hear). They would have a searching and final inquiry that should lay open before every intelligent mind in this country, the full and fair, and real causes of the evils – (cheers). They they should then know how and where to apply an efficient remedy–so that their children, and those who came after them, should never–if they by, their united voices could prevent it–hear the horrors that had been dinned into their ears. – (cheers). They wished also to see whether the evils complained of were attributable to the system, or to individuals? If to the former, then they trusted to the intelligence of those who represented them to mend that system; and if they did not make these amendments, then they would use all constitutional means by which to effect it – (cheers).  If the responsibility of the mismanagement rested with individuals, then let them be held up to the reprobation which they deserved, and he would ask that this should be done for the sake of all good servants in the medical, the commissariat, and transport departments of the service–(hear, hear). Did they not believe that those departments were filled by good and intelligent men and active officers? He firmly believed they were, with thousands and tens of thousands of them; and ought those to be mingled with the inefficient men who had committed the evils which they detested, and in respect to which they now demanded justice. Surely it was but justice to the service that the black should be distinguished from the white, and he trusted that the committee–if they should find out that the responsibilities of the mismanagement complained of fairly rested on individuals, would give them over to the hands of Justice to be dealt with accordingly. – (cheers). No man who had done right need be apprehensive of justice in this country; and no man who had done wrong need fear that he will get more than he deserved. Whilst the sceptre of these realms was wielded by the hand of a lady, of such an excellent heart, as now grasped it, they need not fear, but there would always be plenty of consideration, mercy, and forbearance for those who have been at fault. He, (Mr. Kennaway) had seen a most honourable and excellent man–(who had been a captain in the navy, but who took a civil office without pay or reward, and in the exercise of his duties as overseer, had conveyed a pauper afflicted with cholera, in a cart from Dawlish to Exeter)–he had seen this man hold his hand at the bar before Mr. Justice Coleridge, on a charge of murder, and was thus tried for an act of unsound judgement towards the meanest of her Majesty's subjects. If, therefore, a civil officer with nothing but his pains for his labour, was to be placed at the bar of justice for endangering the life of one whose existence, no doubt, was as valuable as the greatest among them; should those escape who had been the means of causing such a wholesale waste of human life; and should there be no reparation for them? – (cheers). Surely they were entitled to it; and surely they were bound in gratitude, in sympathy, and in honour to those who had endured such sufferings to cry aloud for it –(hear, hear). He never admired the man whose unhappy duty it was to declare war, but he did think that Lord Aberdeen was entitled to their thanks for the conspicuous forbearance which he manifested, to the glory of this land, in hesitating to declare war until he could no longer do so with safety to the honour of the country– (hear, hear). He would sacrifice a great deal to proclaim to the nations of the world that England's happiness was her love of peace– (hear, hear). Peace, however, could not be held any longer with honour, and the noble lord at length was obliged to take the step which, although they deeply deplored, still there was not one among them who would not give the last sixpence they possessed in order to carry on the war vigorously, and terminate it in a manner honourable to the country, and to the distinguished nation which was their ally in this great war – (cheers). Nor would they separate upon this occasion without some recollection of those who had bled and suffered in this great conflict? Was not old Exeter full of gratitude, and did she not admire and honour the heroism of their gallant soldiers? Had not many of their neighbours and friends fallen in the fight? Could they remember General Strangways–the brother of our respected neighbour – who, from his high command was entitled to a place of comparative protection on the battlefield, yet sought the hottest of the fight and their dyed with life's crimson current the hairs which had grown grey in the service of his country,–and not declare that they honoured and loved him, as he was honoured and loved by his country. – (cheers). Could they forget an officer, the relative of an old friend present, who, when the government General Cathcart was struck down on the battle field, fell across his body and was stabbed in several places until he died, covered with wounds, in order to protect the remains of his gallant chief. Could they forget that a neighbouring family sent their son, whose dauntless courage knew no restriction, with but little time for preparation, to the battle field; and that his existence was prolonged enough to show how freely he poured out his blood for his country – (hear, hear). When he named the family of Kekewich – (cheers)–they would remember this brave youth, for he was the son of their neighbour and friend. And last, though not least, they should remember one, who born to a noble inheritance, having selected the army for his profession, faced the dangers of the malignant fevers of the Western Indies, and when his much-honoured father died, found himself enlisted to the position of all but a palace, surrounded with every blandishment that contributed to ease and luxury – yet, at the call of his country, left this whole to face the foe on the battle field of Alma, and again at Balaklava; and last, on that glorious day–Inkerman–where every soldier was a hero, and he, conspicuous among the brilliant band fell, covered with wounds and glory; and, though brave as his sword, yet had cultivated every benign feeling of the heart–was a blessing to the poor, and the centre of attraction in that highly refined circle which had the happiness to possess his influence. [This reference to the death of Sir Robert Newman was received with a generous burst of feeling by the hall.] Should not their sympathies fall upon the biers of these brave men, and should they not proclaim to the nation how much they honoured and revered their memories? Should they not tell the foe that they had thousands and tens of thousands, left such as they, who never went to battle with any other banner than that of “conquest or death” – (cheers). If, as a nation, they could send this unanimous voice throughout the land, and if other places in the country would re-echo the sound, did they not think that the foe would feel that, with such a combination at home, and such an alliance abroad, that they were invincible? He was very glad to have the opportunity of expressing his feelings on this occasion. He thought that he never should have deserted old Franklin's maxim, that “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” He was almost afraid, however, that he loved war; at all events, he never, as an Englishman, would rest until justice had been done to this forbearing, this magnanimous nation, for which they were now fighting – (cheers). He concluded by expressing a hope that the military system of this country might be thoroughly reformed where it was found to be defective.

 Mr. E. P. Pridam moved –

“That this meeting earnestly desires peace But such peace only as shall be consistent with the dignity of the Crown and the honour of the nation; and shall entirely maintain in all their integrity the principles on which Great Britain felt herself compelled to enter upon the war.”

It was true that they were now allied with the Turks and with France, but the chief question now involved was that the maintenance in their fair proportion of the integrity and interests of Europe at large. They were, doubtless all in favour of peace, but no one in this country would ever consent to any peace which did not secure the honour and integrity to the country in the full accomplishment of the purpose for which they went to war.

Capt. Tanner briefly seconded the resolution, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of a gentleman, who was appointed to discharge the duty which now devolved upon him. The gallant captain expressed his concurrence in the objects and sentiments of the present meeting, and congratulated the citizens on having made so important a demonstration as they had that day.

Dr. Rookes, a maniac, here ascended the Bench, to address the meeting. He was proceeding to descant upon his favourite subject of the restoration of the Jews, when he was greeted with peals of laughter and cries of “order.”

The Mayor ruled that the Doctor was out of order, but notwithstanding that, he preceded with his remarks saying that the Prince of Peace had foretold wars and rumours of wars; and, therefore, the present war was a visitation of Providence, and all things would work together for good. They must love one another and set a good example in their houses. This latter observation excited roars of laughter and cries of “oh! oh!” He expressed that what he had would conduce to their moral good – (shouts of laughter). He could not speak of moral conduct without speaking on spiritual matters – (confusion and cries of “order.”)

The Mayor rose to order.

Mr. Rookes – Hold hard now – (laughter).

The Mayor – I declare Mr Rookes out of order. His worship then put the resolution which were carried unanimously.

Mr. W. D. Moore said that neither himself nor anyone else could have expected such an interlude as they had just witnessed. The great Napoleon never uttered a remark more pregnant with truth than when he said “there was but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous – (hear, hear, and laughter.) – After the impressive speeches they had just listened to, no man could have supposed that anything would interfere with the solemnity of the occasion on which they were met; and certainly no one but the individual who had just sat down could have made such an exhibition as he had done. He then read the following petition : –

“The humble petition of the Right Worshipful the Mayor and Citizens of the city and county and borough of the city of Exeter and its neighbourhood, in Public Hall assembled,

“Humbly Sheweth, –

“That your Petitioners, feeling the deepest interest in maintenance of the honour and the high political ascendancy of her Majesty's realms, desire to express to your honourable Houses their reluctant and strong convention conviction that the country is seriously prejudiced by the gross mismanagement of the war with Russia,

“That while the dire calamities which have attended the war demand the earnest sympathy of the nation with the sufferings of its heroic soldiers, it is the bounden duty of the country to prevent the recurrence of such miseries; and in performance of that duty your petitioners, with the utmost confidence in the wisdom and firmness of your honourable Houses, earnestly hope that the pending enquiry into the conduct of the war will be prosecuted to the fullest extent, that the defects of the system may be discovered and amended; and that in the exercise of the high Privileges of your honourable House the immediate authors of the recent calamities, wherever ascertained, may be placed upon their trial, and punished according to the laws of the land.

“And while your petitioners, in common with all their fellow subjects, earnestly desire the restoration of peace, yet they desire no peace which is not entirely consistent with the dignity of the Crown and honour and welfare of the country, and which will not maintain and fully guarantee in all their integrity the principles upon which Great Britain entered on the war

“Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that subjects of such vital importance to the honour and order of the kingdom may stand most prominently in the deliberate considerations of your honourable House.

“And your petitioners will ever pray.

Addressing himself to the subject of the day, Mr. Moore said he hoped the example that day set by the citizens of Exeter would be followed in other parts of the country. Most important remedies were required for the great mischief that had been entailed, and by which the country had been damnified in the eyes of Europe; and the best way to secure those remiedies was by the full and free expression of public opinion at meetings such as the present. The conduct of the war had caused an impression to go abroad in other countries that England does not so strong in her resources, and so unflinching in her resolves, as she was understood to be. Such meetings would, however, do much to destroy that illusion, and show Europe that, notwithstanding the unfortunate calamities which had befallen our army, that their hearts were whole – that their means were still abundant – and that they were determined to repair the mischief which had been done – (cheers) – The nation demanded a strict and searching inquiry into the management of the war; so that the ground might be cut from under the feet of those who had committed the errors, and that they might be held up to that just reprobation which they so richly merited – (hear, hear) – As for the future, although England was but a small speck on the map of this world, yet great things were expected of her; and he was sure that in the end she would fulfil these expectation. As for peace, that would never be obtained with dishonour; the nation would never submit to the loss of a single gem from the Crown of England – (cheers). Through blundering or mismanagement great evils had arisen, in the loss of our fine army and in the delays that had been occasioned, but the nation had energies yet in store which were now being called into action; and he looked forward confidently to the termination of the war,– distant it might be, but still its conclusion would redound to the honour of England and her brave and noble ally. – (cheers).– He concluded by moving the adoption of the petition, and that the members for the city and county be requested to present it to the House of Commons and support the prayer thereof. He was glad to see one of the members of the county (Mr. Palk) present, and he hoped he, in conjunction with his colleagues, would kindly support the petition. – (cheers).

Mr. Fulford having communicated with Mr. Moore that gentleman said he begged to make an alteration in the resolution, which was to the effect that the city members be requested to present the petition, and the county members be invited to support the prayer thereof.

Mr. Latimer wished it to be understood that this was a city meeting; and he believed it would be departing from its character, as such, if the services of the county members were imported into the petition. He was more desirous that this should not be, inasmuch as it had been said by Mr. Moore “that a member of Parliament for the county was present at the meeting.” and this might be taken, though he knew it was not so meant, as a reflection upon the city members for their absence. He had no doubt that both the city members if they had received an intimation that their presence was desirable would have gladly attended – (hear, hear). But they had not been invited, and therefore it could not be expected that they would attend. He was quite sure that both Mr. Divett and Sir John Duckworth would readily present the petition, and do all that was necessary, in that respect. He repeated that he was unwilling that anything should be done to destroy the character of this meeting as a city meeting – (hear).

Mr. Fulford explained that he had the same object in view as Mr. Latimer and that was why he had suggested the alteration in the resolution.

Mr. Moore thought Mr. Latimer had misunderstood the nature of the alteration, and then proceded to read it again.

Mr. Latimer said that he perfectly understood the resolution. He did not, however, wish to give any party complexion to the meeting, and therefore he should not divide it. But it must be remembered that the county members did not, unfortunately for them, the Liberal Party) sympathise in their views – (laughter) – and hence his jealousy that nothing of a party character should be given to the meeting by an undue prominence of their names in the proceedings – (hear, hear).

Mr. Jerwood, in seconding the resolution which had be moved by Mr. Moore, said he might congratulate the promoters of the meeting on the unanimity that prevailed. He trusted the resolutions which had been so unanimously passed would have the desired effect, by tending to assist the Committee of the House of Commons in vigorously prosecuting their investigations until they had traced out the gross mismanagement of the war to the culpable participant parties. He was sure it required no persuasive arguments to induce them to pass the resolution in his hand, which was to request the Members for the City to present their address to the House of Commons, and to give it their support. He would add that he hoped their members would have the address read to the house, and that the opinions of the citizens of Exeter on the subject might be made known.

Mr. L. Palk m.p. then rose, and said that he should not have ventured to obtrude himself on the meeting, had he not been requested to sign the requisition to the Mayor. He signed it not in the official capacity he had the honour of holding in the county, but merely as a resident in the vicinity of Exeter; and having taken part in the House of Commons in favour of the investigation which was so loudly demanded by the country, he felt that he could not with any degree of correctness absent himself from the meeting that day – (hear, hear). He felt certain that the other members connected with the city would also have been present had they not been prevented by business. His immediate colleagues lived at too great a distance to be considered as being within the vicinity of Exeter. He had watched the proceedings of the meeting with very great pleasure, because he thought they would materially strengthen the hands, not only of government but also of parliament, by the unanimity which had prevailed amongst them – (hear). They must recollect that they were in the midst of great vicissitudes, and that they lived in disastrous times; for war, even though it be a just war, was always disastrous, bringing with it much misery as well to the castles of the rich as to the dwellings of the poor – (hear, hear). It was at such times more particularly that it was their duty to rally round the throne, – to sink all minor differences, and give to the government that efficient support which would enable them to carry on the war so as to ensure a safe, glorious, and lasting peace – (cheers). It was not his duty on that occasion to enlarge upon the disasters that had resulted from the mismanagement of the war. It would be wrong in him to prejudge the questions that might hereafter arise. The labours of the committee would be soon finished, and their report would be before the public; then, supported by their assistance and approbation, he would be able to lend his humble efforts to carry out the verdict of the country – (hear, hear). Turning from subjects which were much to be regretted and deplored, he alluded to the proud position which England at this time occupied in sending out the finest fleet the world ever saw to blockade the ports, destroy the commerce, and ruin the credits of their great enemy; whilst her own merchantmen were traversing the seas without interruption, spreading the blessing of commerce and civilization over the globe – (cheers). He then alluded to the intended visit of their friend, the Emperor of the French to this country. Much as this war was to be deplored, they would always have this great fact to remember – that the antipathy of the two greatest and most civilised nations in the world had been removed; that we had stood side by side in strict alliance with that nation, with which for years they were unhappily at war. Long might the alliance continue, for he felt convinced that it was by that alliance that they had the best chance of obtaining and maintaining a great and glorious peace – (hear, hear). It would be his duty to support this petition in the House and he should do it most heartily. In conclusion, he congratulated the meeting on the unanimity which had prevailed.

Sir. T. E. Drake proposed a vote of thanks to the mayor for his readiness in calling the meeting and for his conduct in the chair.

Lieut-Col. Harding seconded the motion, which was put to the meeting by Mr Fulford and carried unanimously.

His Worship briefly returned thanks and the meeting separated.