The National Register. — London, England, 1809-04-02 00:00:00

APIA L 1. any rational expectation be formed, that such measures will be adopted, while the management of public affairs is in the hands of persons, w his are themselves the greatest Pensioners and Re versionists in the kingdom. Resolved, That it has since appeared by a Report of a Com mittee of the house of Commons, that Seventy-eight Members of that House are in the receipt of 178,9941. per annum, out of the public money, who, with their Relations and the Naval and Military Officers in that House, must give a most preponderat ing and destructive influence to the Ministers of the Crown. IX. Resolved, That if any doubt could remain as to the bane ful effect of such influence, it has been utliciently exemplified by the rejection of Mr. Wardle's late proposition in Parliament against the most conclusive evidence, and unequivocal cmse of the country ; and where it appeared, that all his Majesty's Minis ters, all the Placemen, and all the Pensioners then present, (stated to be eighty-two in number), voted against the said Proposition; while of course in the minority of 125, not one Minister—not one Placeman—not one Pensioner--and only one Naval and one Military Commander was to be fonfld. X. Resolved, That other Governments have crumbled into ruin—other States have been subverted, and their antient and venerable Institutions overthrown by the folly, profligacy, and vices of their Rulers : and in the opinion of this Common Hall, unless this overwhelming tide of Corruption is resisted by temper ate and timely Reformation, it must inevitably lead to the ruin and subjugation of this Country. XI. Resolved, That it will he highly expedient for the Livery of London, sometime during the present Session, to meet for the purpose of laying a faithful statement of their Grievances before Parliament, and pray for redress of the same. XII. Resolved, That the Thanlcs of this Common Hall be given to Alderman Coombe, one of the Representatives for this City, in Parliament, for supporting Mr. Wardle's Motion, and general ineorruptable comduct. XIII. Resolved, That Sir William Curtis, Bart. Sir Charles Price, Bart. and James Shaw, Esq. three of the representatives for this City in Parliament, have by their recent Conduct therein, sliewn a contempt and disregard for the Opinions and Interests of t`teir Constituents, a bare subserviency to the will of Ministers, and are therefore unworthy the confidence of their fellow citizens. XIV. That the Thanks of this Common Hall he given to Robert Waithman, Esq. for his manly Conduct in this instance; and for his zeal and firmness on all occasions where the interests of the Livery are in question. XV. Resolved, That the Lord Mayor has, by refusing to con vene a Common Hall on three different Requisitions, by pre suming to dictate the Terms and Object of the present Reqtti ;Rion, and the trouble and delay he created, shewn a contempt and disregard for the Rights and Privileges of the Livery, and is therefore unworthy the Confidence of his fellow Citizens. Mr. ALDERMAN CURTIS came forward to offer himself to the Livery, but the disapprobation was so loud and so universal, that he was obliged to sit down. The Lour) M IYOR intreated the Livery to listen with pa tience to what every Gentleman might have to offer ; on which, Mr. Alderman CURTIS again came forward—The clamour and interruption were again renewed; and, after a few obser vations, expressive of the consciousness of his motives, he retired, amidst an universal his 3, accompanied with groaning. Mr. Quist, in a very able speech, next addressed the Livery, and was heard with profonnd attention—he concluded by con gratulating the Meeting on their having an opportunity of ex pressing their sentiments. Mr. WA mist A N rose again, in reply to an observation that had been made with respect to the 'name of Mr. HA av Coster, not having been included in the Vote of Thanks, which he proposed to introduce in a distinct Resolution. A Motion was then made to thank Mr. Harvey Combe, which was carried with acclamation.—Mr. Alderman Combe then presented himself to the Livery, and was received with the loudest cheering and applause. On the Motion by Mr.WAITHMAN % that in consequence of the refusal and delay of the Lord Mayor in calling a Common Hall, lie had lost the confidence of his fellow Citizens, his Lordship declared his disapprobation of the Resolation, and at down without putting the question. • 211 Mr. WA ifiIMAN addressed the Meeting with great auiina ion, and stated that the Lord Mayor refused to put the guts- [on. Mr. Thiav EV CooMuC expressed extreme indignation at the conduct of his LOrdship. Mr. RoWCROt , T addressed the :11ecting—but being of opi. nion, that it was correct that the Lord Mayor should decide on the propriety of a Common Hall, was not suffered to proceed. The tumult and clamour were here excessive. At length the Loan MA YO rt consented to put the question, which he read himself'; and the Vote of Censure passed with the dissent of about four hands, amongst almost as many thousands. The huzas and acclamations were extreme ; and on a Vote of Thanks being proposed to Mr. W A LIIIII A N it was several k minutes before the acclamations ceased. We will make few observations on this subject. It speaks for itself, eloquently, impressively ; and comes home to the heart of every Briton. There is not a chord in the breast of a freeman, which does not vibrate, in har monious unison, to similar sentiments. They are the native language of a community, which, for a century and a half, possessed the highest advantages of practical freedom. How we glory in our country, where similar principles arc prevalent—where similar sentiments may be expressed, without detriment to the public order, without flange; to. the Speaker ! This is the practical ditrerence between free states and nations writhing under the lash of Despotism. In Petersburgh or Paris, similar proceedings in their Town Halls would be the signal of general disorder ; the immediate precursors of the overthrow of the Govern►nent, In London, they consolidate the throne, anii establiof on, an immutable basis the public security. The city of London, in every great and national concerti formerly played a pre-eminent and an honourable h;►rt. Their precut proceedings testify that the ancient spirit, the tOrmer independence preside in a [fall, where BEc►:eunu is immortalised for the zeal, spirit, and patriotism be dis played there. If the sl►irit of a patriot hovers occasionally round the edifices where a monument is consecrated to his virtues, with what complacency must that generous citizen have viewed this new refulgence of public spirit in a place. where his own was so conspicuous, so beneficial ! Mr. -WArrumAs merits the thanks of his country. lie is a disinterested, intelligent, and zealous citizen. 1,l i 4 conduct on this, and on most other occasions,_ is worthy of the highest panegyric. lie proceeds manfully and honestly to the discharge of his public duties; fearless of calumny, unawed by the frown of power, and regardless of the cen sure of folly. Ills fellow citizens cannot reward his exer tions with too much confidence or gratitude. We wish it were in our power to use the same language on the conduct of the present LORD MA TOR ! Ile has re sisted, with inconceivable obstinacy, the wishes of the Li very to convene a Meeting; and his objections were so un accountable, loose, and undefined, that we were at a loss to unravel their meaning. We abhor party feelings; we hate popular licentiousness 1. but his heart must be as callous, as his intellects are li►nit. ed, who does not hail the spirit and thr principle on %%hick this meeting. was convened. It went to thank a patrotie individual, an bone3t representative, for the 7Cal, co;rage THE NATIONAL REGISTEIt