The National Register. — London, England, 1820-09-24 00:00:00

I COURT OF , C OMMON COUNCIL. ••••••• • Yesterday a Court of Common Council was held for the dispatch ot a great deal of important business. It was rather numerously attended. Mr. Ckaussa said, he bad observed in the newspapers, that ootwithstanding the notice taken in that Court of the delay 'of the courts of justice in the Justices/loom, Guild ball, Alderman Annesley was represented as having ne glected his public duties for • whole week, and that Alderman Heygate, .who was appointed to attend, as the deputy of Sir Claude Hunter, had not attended the Justice-Room until nearly ball past two o'clock. The Sheriff bad upon a former occasion stated, in contradiction to him, (Mr. Oldham), that no neglect existed on the part of the Aldermen. He wished to ask the Lord Mayor whe ther the Court of Aldermen had taken any steps to render the administration of justice more punctual and regular than it now was. He wished an answer to this question before be adopted any proceedings upon this subject. The Loan MAYOR said be was not aware that Alderman Heygate absented himself, and as to Alderman Annesley, the Sheriff was present, and could probably explain. His Lordship observed, that the duties of Aldermen had in creased so much, as toarnder it very diSicult to procure Magistrates to perform them with the required effect. Sheriff ROTSWFLL said be was not aware that Alderman Annesley bad neglected his duties. Alderman Harmers came in in the course of the day, and staled, that the delay *scribed to him arose from a defect in his memory. He generally performed more than Ist was bound to do and be wished those who bad complained would take Into consideration the very hard duties which the Aldermen had to perform. Delays of this kind were certainly preferable in the opinion of the City to the em ployment of Police Magistrates. Mr. OLDHAM Mid the City could not afford to have their Aldermen about the country in militias. If Gentlemen could not do their duty, they ought to resign their gowns, and not be the means of causing confusion and incense ahem amongst tboa who had to apply to them in their official capacity. Alderman Sir WM. Corers said there was no place in which justice was better administered than in the City. Ile did his duty, and he despised the opii. , -Ar. of the crowd. PRADSOM said it was the observation of a Lady, that a Mee who began by despising the opinion of the Publile. ended by deserving their contempt.—( Loud laughter.) COPRIUMICATION note INC COMM. Alderman WAITRICION said, he bad • communication to leste to the Court ham her Majesty. lie had received a letter from a Magistrate, • Member of that Court, who was mow absent, enclosing a paper, signed "Matthew Wood." lle then reed the letter, which was to the following eSket:— N I am evenhanded by her Majesty the Queen, to request rrtthe Corporation of the City of London will accept bee it, as a testimony of the gratitude she feels towards tbeffrat City in the world, for the sincere and zealous loyalty they have ever manifested in the cause bf the Queen."— (Cries of hea r, ___ bear.) Alderman WAITSMAN DOkl.tbat be bad waited on the Lord Mayor to make the communication, but his Lordship not being at home, he left a vote enclosing it, and requesting i that his Lordship would disclose the circumstance to the Court. In answer to this be received a letter from the Lord Nagar, which be should now read. It was as follows : " The Lord Mayor presents his compliments to Alderman Waithman, and returns the Paper,signed " Matthew Wood." The Lord Mayor declines presenting the paper to the Court, because, wider existing circumstances, he think« it incon sistent with his duty to intermeddle with affairs of such ions potence." Now, whether the Lord Mayor was right or wrong in re feting to make the communication, was nut for him to say, but his Lordship having given the refusal, helAlderrnali Widthwise) should move, that the offer of the Portrait of berMajesty be most gratefully accepted, and that the thauks of the Court be returned to her Majesty, fox so condescend lag and gracious a mark of regard to the Corporatiun. The worthy Alderman assured the Court, that nothing was more near to the heart of her Majesty than the welfate of the City of Leedom Nothing, in Ms opinion, was a stronger proof of it than this way of allowing bee regard. It was the only mods in her power, Mr. OLDHAM seconded the motion. The offer of the por trait must at once be teceived. The Court must, however, feel, at this period of the investigation, some dlffieulty in acting. He hoped that her Majesty would come out pure and unsullied. The Court sould rejoice at that event • but it was their misfortunethat they could not now go so far int they could wish. He was glad the motion of the sorthy Alderman had stepped where it did stop. lie certainly would be one of the first to reject it, if it had proceeded further. Mr. &eau, did not wish to promote a debate, bat for the character of the Corporation be wished that the offer should be received with the greatest respect. The present urotion was consistent with what had been formerly dooc by the Court, who had twice expressed their feelings to her Ma jeep, and had been twice received in the handsomest manure. The Lord Mayor; in his magisterial situation, should here communicated the paper to thu Court. It could nut have degraded him; •eitber would it have pledged him to the support of any particular opinions. Mr. Dixon hoped her Majesty would appear after the investigation pure and unsullied. No mart would be more ready than himself to testify upon such an occa►ion. He was one of those who held the opinion that the Court had formerly acted unwisely in meddling with the subject, and be thought they ought not to interfere now. If she came pure from the inquiry, it would be the duty of the Court to request her portrait. He should not hold up his hand against the proposition, but he should nut support it. Mr. F. N. Wit LIMAS wished to pay every' tribute of re spect to her Majesty, lon he thought it too much, ',ending the investigation, to ask the Corporation to accept her 'tor- trait.—( Laughter. )—The nation would say the Court had ' accepted the prracut with gratitude and satisfaction; that they had accepted it after they bad heard the charge and 1 the evidence in support of that charge, without hearing th. evidence on the other bide, (Ikar, brat.)-:-so convinced were the.. of her innocence. —(Chews and infighter.) Would they OA such an impression to go forth. If the Qitcen should be degraded after her portrait ass accepted, what a lamentable situation would the Court be in! Mr. °Risen PO said he should be glad to know upon what grounds the portrait could be refused. Alderman WA 17 'MAN said, the Corporation had supported her Majesty against seta of u great oppression as ever es. Lilted. She slow made au idler of a mark of gratitude and affection. The Corporation, so far from being degraded, THE NATIONAL REGISTER would be honoured by it. Witte prosecution ended by what would be called an establishment of the charges against the Queen, the situation of the Court would be one of dignity and honour, and those who attempted to degrade her would be themselves degraded. The motion was then carried without a division. Alderman WAITMINAM then moved, that the Lord Mayor should convey the thanks of the Court to ber Majesty. The Loan MAYOR rose, in much agitation, and requested that the Court 'mild excuse him from performing that duty. Alderman WAITIIIIA 14 did not wish to pot any unnecessary trouble upon his Lordship, but it was through his Lordship that all communications of the kind must be made. If he had proposed any other way, he would be highly censura ble. Had his Lordship been called upon to go with thanks upon the Walcheren Expedition he no doubt would do so, because it was his duty. His L ordship could then have so objection to sot upon this occasion. The Loss Maaca said, be was as mach against a spirit of disaffection towards ber Majesty as any man could be. No man more approved of what had been done in favour of the Queen than be did, but still he trusted the Court would excuse him. The motion was carried. Alderman WAI MIA Nilsen moved, that it be referred to the Committee of City Lands to decide upon the most pro. per place in the Chambek of the Common Council to hang up her Majesty's portrait in. Mr. WILIAM*/ (of Smithfield) seconded the motion. Mr. OLDNAII could not agree to the proposition pending the proceedings in the Lords, to place the picture of the Queen in the Council Chamber. The better plan would be to leave it to a Committee to decide upon the most appro. priate place. Although he believed there was a vast deal of conspiracy against the Quecn, and that she had been most cruelly treated, he was not prepared to say that there was not a prima facie case, which required en answer from her Majesty. lie moved an amendment, that in the former motion the words "Chamber of the Common Council" be omitted. • Mr. FAVIISS said, that a Committee might put the portrait in the most degrading situation in Guildhall, and that degrade the Court that had accepted the honour. Mr. PArrao said, he hoped the Court would not disgrace themselves by asking the opinion of a Committee, after having accepted the portrait of the Queen. Mr. CLAIMS disapproved of the mode of prosecuting the Queen, but what had been done required an answer. Would it not be most lamentable to be obliged to pull down the picture at a future period. It ought to be remembered' that the Report of the Committee was to come before the Court, end that the Court could object to it. Mr. Pamison denied that a prima/fele case had been made out.against the Qiieen, and contended that the verdict of the Tribunal who were now trying her could be of no consequence, that Tribunal being unconstitutional. The Lone Mavon said he never would tit in that Court to bear the highest Tribunal in the kingdom called uncon stitutional. Mr. PEARSON mid, the Court bad already declared it so, sad called to the Clerk to read the proceedings of the last . Court. He declared that when any Court took upon kitelf to exercise functions that were not recognized by the Con stitution, that Court was acting unconstitutionally. (Hein.) 'fhe Lotto Marna.—" That is different from your first statement." Alderman Werrineett said, that the order of that Court could not be maintained, nor the business of it carried au, if the Lord Mayor took upon himself perpetually the cha racter of arbitrater arid commentator. He would deciarc that the tribunal by which Pier Majesty's case was to be de cided was unknown to the Constitution. a mere Mr. Duro? , said, the Lord Mayor w, nullity if be had not noticed the words. After some further conversation, a division took place, when there appeared For the Atnendment t Alderman, 41 Commoners, 2 Tellers. Apainvt it. 2 Aldermen, 26 Commoner), 'fellers. 4.1 D 44 40 Several Reports and Petition! for leafs, irtre presented and agreed to. The Bridge House Lands' Committee made a Report of the proceedings of the Cummittee'of the House uf Com mons in the last Session relative to London Bridge, which was ordered th be printed for the information of the Mem bers. The Navigation Committee presented a Report relative to the City ■nd the Water Bailiff's Watermen, which was read, and the consideration adjourned. The sum of 1001. was ordered to be paid fbr the espentes of the Auditors. The Bill for regulating the Company of Poulterers was read a third time, and passed as an act of the Court. Una Report from tho General Purposes' Committee, re lative to the Court of Rfqueats, a long discussion ensued as to the propriety of a reference to the Committee relative to the eligibility and qualification of Candidates for the 'office of Araistant Clerk ot that Court. }boa TRgAiox.—The following is a statemens of the commutation in the awes of the nineteen pri soners who were condemned at Stirling. James Cleland's respite is for one month : Ta A lIIIIPORTIL /OR Litt.--.A lien Mumble, waitb.Glas Row; Robert Gray, weaver, ditto; Thomas Milefarlime, eater, Comlorrat ; Andrew Dawson, nailer. Camelot'; Jahn Macmillan, nailer, ditto; John Andetwo, weaver, St. N Wan's. TuausrouTau TOR FOU TT EBB TERRl.—Thomas Mc. as stuckiog-weaver, Gla►nost ; tiesijansin Muir, labourer, ditto ; Andrew Lit Wilier, weaver. ditto ; Aachen Johnston, weaver, ditto g Andrew "Si tote. bookbinder, ditto; David Thomson, wearer, ditto; James %V rollit„ laden, ditto ; Hillman Mikan' or Clarlomil, shoemnki ditto; Thonias Poke or Pioh, musliai-sinner, ditto; Andrew Hurt, Cisbiliet-entiker, ditto; John Barr, beaver, Combo at ; %Villain Soot en%er, dit to. - I' Doti To.— W illium Crawford, weaver. Beltran. The king of France has resolved that the birth of the• infant didii of the Duchess of Berry 51101, it a son, be unnouncal by a discharge of tweuty-tuur pieces of cannon in Paris, and in all the fortified places :n the kingdom, Lut if a daughter, the birth shall be ammunced by only twelve pieces, in Paris alone. The Portuguese Regency have issued a Prods ' maim, convoking the Cortes, at the same time that they designate the gallant Patriots at Oporto Insurgents. The Members of the Regency bow• ever content themselves with treading in their track, and following them as their leaders. The coquetry of indirectly aspersing the Patriots of Oporto, is probably to conciliate, in some degree, the Court of the Brazils, as it very probable the Regents will ultimately be sent of to the Brazils, as Portugal will dispense with their future services. fhe Junta of the Supreme Government of the Kingdom have ;dirtied an animating address to the people of Lisbon, and the spirit of Liberty is extending itself in every direction. The powerful voice of a nation cannot be resisted, and they are determined to be free.— Portugal is tranquil, and whether the Cortes are' assembled by the Regency or the Constitutionalists, they must produce an important change. Portugal is our ancient ally, and we must rejoice in every circumstance that adds to her happiness, or improves her condition. The revolution, like that of Spain and Naples, recognizes the sovereign, and it is likely succeed without a civil commotion, which seldom ends otherwise than in military tyranny,. or some fatal change for the worse. When her Majesty went ashore at Greenwich.. after her aquatic excursion to Weolwicb, the plate used on board her barge was put into a basket and given in charge to her black servant Lugano. The .crowd on the bech was so great, that he was sepa rated from the rest of the suite, and in the general bustle the Royal carriages left Greenwich without him. Poor Lugano could speak no English; and he wandered about the place in his oriental coking*, perfectly bewildered. At length, however, he met :with a pensioner who had some knowledge of the Portuguese language, a talk took place between them, when it was agreed they should sot out logo ', 'her for liraudenburgh House on foot; and there !they arrived safe at four o'clock the following morn. ~iag, to the great delight of Lugano. The veteran pensioner was liberally rewarded by her Majesty. Some of the papers have, for months past, from time to time amerted, that the Bank had relinquished its intention of issuing the new notes in preparation. The fact is,: the machinery is so very_ complicated, that it has taken much longer time than was ex• pected to complete it, and no time is yet specified for the issuing the new notes, though every hour's delay is to be lamented, as no dread of punishment prevents the forgery and utterance of the present notes, which are unfortuately easily imitated. A gentleman who returned to Bristol the other day filen Cheltenham, says he was present when Mr. Denman arrived there. It was intended_ to greet his eutry by a merry peal on the bells; but the clergyman got possession of the keys, and locked the church-door. An immense concourse of people ,assembled, and met him at some distance front the town, with laud and repeated cheers; the homes were taken from.-his carriage, and he was dragged in triumph tbluugh the town. At the entreaty df the crowd he addressed them, though it was Lite in 'the evening.' He stated Me own aonviction ads Innocence of the Queen, and said it was impossible for such a woman to be guilty off the crime imputed to her as it would be for hint to pluck the then shin ing stars from the firmament. He implored the per sons then assembled to disperse peaceably to their homes; he said the Queen derived the highest gratification from the circumstance that, notwith standing the numerous meetings that had recently taken place in consequence of the unmerited persecutions, not one had been attended by any improper conduct. In this instance, however, instead of obeying Mr. Denmim's instructions, they proceeded to the house of the clergyman • but se he persisted in refusing the key; they brae all his windows, and then went to the church, which they broke open, rang a merry peal, and then quietly dispersed to their homes, without attempting any further mischief. Tea ITALIAN WITNIIIIVII.—The rear-`nerd of the corps of Italian witnesses against the Qneen, which arrived in town on Monday, received orders to hold itself in rea diness to wheel about, as the sets ices of the men who composed it were no longer wanted. These personages were accordingly pat in motion on Wednesday, sod sent down the 'Zimmerli' a sloop to a transport, which waited at the Sore to convey them to Hoiland. roily-six re main still iii Cotton garden, and • hen any ur them want to go out, the application is transmitted in Lord Sidinurith's °lice, and a Messenger from the .IlietiOlher is K. timidly dispatched with those who have to quit their present residcnce. Mojireci has, heavy( • gittilic betty than others—lie gin.% in and nut with Si•ly lilt a ceremony. The only pi ramps iii att. infancy Nina Hue stilitesses now, except the t ii.. aniesers ants, are tbie its eiecer and gal e. keeper, who as c alas), at their Nut. The seniiiiet at the Pinata is also at lea place, and Ifii.4 as nu one to pass flown the pouch leading b. C.ll it.S•gAl lit a. except tinier %lively privileged. The guards still motiots guard iii the Klie,. Bell, h ()Wee, aiiil the bat tiers at. 11.•iritetined as timing the (liad. Ai, ni ters to the Italian wiincailea ate sent lo the The lovers ufe piatulary have been :dread) a 5, .41,11,g their sooatteits, Altd sonic I iiiii "roils lett, as is. the li4liatt bast; been directed by the post in Tide udort at Ilia Ite.td-roarteia. s '. , c.