HC Deb 12 April 1809 vol 14 cc16-8
Lord Folkestone

rose, in pusuance of the notice he gave yesterday, to move for copies of certain Proceedings instituted in the court of King's Bench by the Attorney-General against John Ogle, esq. in 1800 or 1801. He stated, that from the information he had received, he had understood that col. Ogle, in the year 1800 or 1801, had received a letter for raising a levy of men in Ireland; that he proceeded to carry the same into effect, in the course of which it appeared, that in many accounts presented at the War Office, col. Ogle had been found guilty of mal-practices, which rendered him liable to the charge of forgery and perjury. That in one of those years the Attorney-General had filed an information in the court of King's Bench against col. Ogle, to which he had entered a plea of not guilty, which plea was however withdrawn afterwards, and judgment by default went against him, so that he stood convicted of those crimes since 1801, and had never been brought up for judgment, nor had any further proceedings been heard on the subject. He therefore moved, for a Copy of the Information filed by the Attorney-General in the court of King's Bench against John Ogle, esq. in 1800 or 1801, and all legal proceedings had thereon.

Mr. Yorke

said that the affair of col. Ogle's levy took place while he was at the head of the War Office, and as far as he had a recollection of the circumstance at present, the accounts were forwarded to gen. Gwynn, who was the inspecting general. Why the law proceeding was stopt he did not know; but in the War Office he recollected that col. Ogle had been called on to enter into a bond of 10,000l. to pay such sums as should appear against him in the final passing of his accounts. He had no objection to the papers being produced.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

did not object to the motion, although he thought it unnecessary, as it would be found that Mr. Ogle had entered into some engagements to indemnify the public for the losses that had been sustained. It was not unusual in such cases to call for the payment of lines, and through motives of leniency to suspend the proceedings against individuals in that situation.

The motion was then agreed to, as was also a motion, "That there be laid before this house Copies of all Memorials presented or applications made, by John Ogle, esq. to the War Office, praying for a settlement of his Accounts since the beginning of the year 1801; together with Copies of such Answers as have been returned thereto, and all proceedings of the War Office, with reference to col. Ogle's Accounts."