A meeting was held at the Crown and Anchor, on
Monday, to peti- tion Parliament to take into consideration the claims of the officers end men lately serving in the British Auxiliary Legion, arid the suffer- tags of the widows and orphans of those who had fallen. Colonel Churchill was in the chair ; and spoke indignantly of the treatment
Which the Legion had received both from the Spanish Government and
the English Ministry. Colonel Churchill, in order to prove the pis- tice.of the claim made upon the British Government, quoted the fol.
lowing speech, delivered by Colonel Wylde, Lord Palmerston's autho- ond agent, to the men of the Eighth Regiment- lowing speech, delivered by Colonel Wylde, Lord Palmerston's autho- ond agent, to the men of the Eighth Regiment-
" NMI know you have suffered great hardships.—very severe hardships indeed bat you have also gained for yourselves great honour. I can assure you, in Eueland Your efficient military discipline in justly appreciated. Now, although you have het great hanlahips during part of the lint year of your service. the Spanish Government hate at last settled all your claims; or, If you have not been paid, you st be by to- pion". All other engagements, 1 um authorized to say, will be fulfilled. 1 can assure you. the BSItibll t MICS.1111.1.S with out Mak' your cactus to to oegiectee. a ana fully authorized to say SUP
Colonel Wylde also reminded them, that Colonel Evans was in Par- liament, and could be of great service to them. On the mention of Colonel Evans's name, there was loud groaning.
One of the resolutions declared-
" That the Spanish Government having failed to satisfy their claims, and having grossly violated repeated promises of payment. it is the linty of the British Govern- ment to entorce the fulfilment of those engagements limier which they authorial the raising of the auxiliary force."
Colonel Thompson spoke to this resolution, and was much cheered. He maintained that Ministers bad not fulfilled the engagement under which they virtually came when they authorized the levy of the Legion- " Hr begged pardon before all men for any Alone he might have had in inducing any person to engage in a service which had lwen left so miserably unsupported by an imbecile Government at home ; but he Callell tin all present to hold tip their hands, oho did not believe that in ignorance he did it. (toad cheers.) The Tories, we all knew, could fight ; and if ever the party to which he belonged were railed to try their hands, he trusted they would at least show they knew how to treat brave men houestly. He begged his bearers to be convinced that their country had a just appreciation of their services. As an ins; slurs of it, when news arrived of the battle of the 5th of May, a great man, at whose name most I rMh hearts would leap—why was loot be here now to speak to them himself?.-said to him in the Rouse of Common., " We never ueed go to war again; a few millions and a legion wilt do every Other we went."
Mn, Hine spoke with indignation of Colonel Evans's desertion of the men he should have protected— 'Where was General Evans? Why was he not there? it (hi appear to him some. what strange, that atter doing full justice to the gallant officer in the chair. and to his gallant companions, that General Evans S11011111 have refosed SO answer the letters of the gentlemen forming the committee on the subject of their claims. Ile had slunk away from Spain at the time alien he should have been the last man to go on ship. board. Ile supposed the General came over to save his sinking country. (Laughter.) His country must have been very far gone indeed to have required the help of such a (The speaker, bring here iaterrepred by the boisterous laughter of the nteetiv, did not conclude this sentence.) Ile did noi• houever, find fatal with the conduct of that gallant individual while at the head of his 11•001:. BA a hat mead could he not have gained fur himself had he preseitted himself before that no•ming, and assiated in pro- curing is settlement or their claims ? But he ennui probably account fur the gallant Geueral's absence from the meeting. lie had no doubt he was better employed; for the gallant General had got a title now, anti therefore lie was probably preparing his coronation rubes. (Laughter.)
The meeting broke up with three cheers for the Chairman and three groans for Colonel Evans.
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