The National Register. — London, England, 1819-11-21 00:00:00

MEETING AT GUILDHALL. A Common flail was held On Thursday, pursuant to a Requisitiu.. addressed to the,Lord Mayor by several of t!re Liven, for the purpose of taking into cunisideration site measures resoked on by the Court of Aldermen, for the prosreirtion of the individuals alleged to li.tee Coll togeith-r, to produce a riotous ObblIM:11011 to the election Of J 1.ur,l Mayer, on last Miellarlllias-thy, anti lor adopting skirl] measures as might be deemed ueccs aary in coosequence. The doors were kept closed till past twelve o'clock, at which tithe the livery were admitted. At live minutes before one the Lord Mayor entered the Hall, attended by his officers, amid the eireeringsand alt of the multitude, and retired to his chamber. In about ten minutes his Lordship, Mr. Alderman ‘Vood, Mr.Sheriti Parkins, and Mr. Alderman Waithuran, appeared on she hisstiogs, and severally bowed to the Livery, who manifested the strongest signs of respect tot each indi vidual. Mr Sheriff Rodin ell passed on to his seat, without presetatiog himself before the Livery. The Common Crier then made proclamation. After which the Lord Mayor came forward anti said, " Gentleinen of the Livery-1 have the honour to amounice that 1 have convened a Cominort Ilall, ill comeq•;ence of a requisition addressed to site, very no ustrously and respectably signed, and which von shortly hear read by the proper officer. The only ruqueat I have to make to you is, that you will most nit >artially hear every gentleman who presents hinisch Before you ; and that io any remarks vim may think Koper to oiler, you will confine yonrselves 33 strictly as passible to the subject under consideration." (Cheering.) Mr. Ewell then presorted himself to the attention of the Hall, a'rul was greeted with the warmest expressions of favour. lie congratulated the Livery th it he had the pleasure of meeting them once more in their own encl. otit GmIJhaIL lie hoped they felt that they were once more assembled as.free citizens in the metropolis, and the heart of the British Empire.—(Applause )—lf cet trio people had their wishes, the doors of th it Hall woold rust on their hinges.—(Applause.)—lf they had time to thy up their tears for the loss of their late Mayor —(A laugh)—he should with great pleasure offer his oongratulation on their good tintune its his setecesswr— in having chosen a Chief Magistrate of the most tumid bed character and. honour, one who had most readily acceded to their wishes in convening them together.— at the same time,lie claimed it as the clear right of his Lordship, that, in complying..with their clesiree, he should not be held bound to give up any political sen timents of his own—that he should, equally with every uitizni be allowed- to• think for hituself--and he (Mr. la Veil) pledged- himself, that any resolution which they might adopt:on that day, should not be considered as implicating his Lordship's opinion. They had lately seen, but he trusted it would be long befnre they should see it again, that the political opinions of a Lord Mayor had been a bar to the discharge of his civic duties.— He was proud to be able to say that this:was not now the case. They had had Lord Mayors of every various Ipolitical sentiments, but he recollected none except th e ast two who suffered them to•interfere with, or obstruct the petrormanee of his duties to his fellow citizens, — Alderman Christopher Smith, for example, had presided user them, but he had never acted in that way. They were now met on one of the most important questions which cook he submitted to their consideration—a question peculiarly interesting. to the Livery, which comprehended one-third of the citizens of London ; a question deeply interesting to the citizens at large; a question, he might add, deeply interesting to all English men. it was not a qoestion of partial or pulsate con cern, hut one that intimately affected the whole body of the Livery. They claimed the right of entering Imo the consideration of grievances, or of questions arising out of the peculiar circumstances of the times,. on M stuniner clay, Ott Michaelmas day, and on every other day, on which common halls were usually held. 11 was a claim founded on their most ancient charters—it was recognized in Magna Charta—it was established by Acts el Parliament—its exigency was deliberately acknow ledger' by some of the highest legal authorities the an nals of England could produce; he might mention the name of Serjeant Glynn—and it was confirmed by lone and ancient usa6e—(ApplatLe.)—A.nd if this right was seriously meant to be ealleil in question and opposed, he knew of no alternative, but that for all power and opportunity of entertaining such Inestions, they should Le left to depend en the arbitrary eupriee of a Chief :.lagistrate, and then the Livery of London wanted no more Gagging Bills—(Great applause.)—lint if • any doubt existed on the solve:, i, was etrtainly extraordi nary that Ito other modus could be found tor deciding the question but by tile public I:rosecutian of some (11 the most re.i.ectable members of the corporation, and >me of their o!dest and most esteemed alk'klea tes. Sin lie a them he saw preset'', and lie doubted not but that they would shortly defend their men conduct with abi lity and spirit. lie had been told there was a con.ini racy on foot against the peace and property of the piddle. lie feared that a cwt.:piracy t sled—a conspiracy to overturn the rights and liberties oldie great city of London. Ile hoped, hors ever, for its overthrow, and that the event would utterly disgrace the confederates. Ile was glad to find that the charge brought against his ;tends as lull for bribery and corruntion.—(Laughter) —They wile indeed so well kilow . n for their manly support of the rights of the Livery, that such a character wail ha, e gained nu belief. The head and front of their uffendiu b was, in reality, tile high and independent man ner ix, tvlikii tuey def.tided the p; ivileges of their brother Liver) men—those privileges w hich bad been secured to the citizens through the courage and virtue of their an cestors. He was about to submit sonic resolutions to them, the spirit and character of which, he doubted nut, would saver `with their full concurrence. lie invited those who disapproved of them to come forward and publicly Express their reasons for their dissent. lie would read tie I3LSOIII61)3•••4:iVy would be sccouded by a gentle- TIIE NATIONAL REGISTia malt of great honour and ability. o.e of the Itesulti tions pledged the Livery to the 1.11111)(41 or 'how rwineut and spirited persons will, had oroltig.lll 1110SeC 0110115 os er their heath ut tit:lending tt.r rights ut the Litcry ; lie ner.l wtx reiiihrd them, as lie knew 111C01 10 comply, that the assistance of their np►acs might to their grititl wishes. lie thcu read the Kew s.t.re Resolved—That the Livery of London, in Common Hail assembled, have an undoubted right, on Midst" 11111 l er, Mi chatlenas,ol any other day, to discuss auy matter of pub ' tie grievant •e. Resoli ed —That this Common Hall have rearm with surprise,that atitanpts are now making to deprive tlu•nt ut this established and constitutional tight; anti that the Conti of Aides 11/VII, without any pies.tins ititimation of such intention, have direr Is II I. 4 . * I proceedings to be commenced against weveial Liverymen, aniong w hoin is one of the magistrates and represeulatives in Parliament fur this city, and also against one of its sheittis. Itesolved,—Thas the- IL:Wilt of ALlettnen, Common Council, and Livery of London, are separate and distort bullies, possessed of separate and distinct posse's ; that the Court of Aldermen have lIU authority or jut isdictiout over the privileges of the Livery, sr Ito conceive the nand ,proceedings to be an tttttttt rant•ble attack oot only opun their pris item.. a. Liverymen, but upon their lights as El.gii.llllllll . ll ; and, if the same should be Callird into el reel, must tend to the total subvessioti of !Hell rights and leave them without any means of discussing or l'etitio tt ill g against public grievances, subject entirely to the cap' ice and arbitrary n ill of a Chief Magistrate, however he may 'be unduly or rot ropily influenced; and that it is thereto' e 'the imperious duty of every Liveryman and every citizen of Loudon to watch with it-Murray and alarm this utipre cedentril and niswasiaillatale attack Hoot' their rights .and privileges, and to use their sti miaow' exertions to resist ever) Mission thereof. Resolved, 'floss the Court of Common Council, as re. presentative, of London, are bound, by their oaths as well as their duty, to protect their rights, and prevent any misapplication of the fonds of the Cut poration, for which purpose■ the Common Hall Jo therefore earuestly request their co-operation and support ; and the Right Hun. the Lord Mayor is most respectfully requested to lay the►e Resolutions before the Coust of Common Council. Resolved,—That the Chamberlain of this City be di rected nut to pay oily expences that may have been, ur may he incurred, in such pi ostentions ; and that the Au ditors be directed not to allow any sorb expenses. Rm.)lved,—That a Committee, consisting of 26 Live rymen, be now appointed to watch over the rights of the Livery, n kit power to add 10 their numbers, and to take such measures as they shall be advised. Resolved,—That the thaisks of this Common Hall be given to Mr. Sheriff Parkin., for his manly, independent, and impartial conduct at the Common Hail, on Michael mas-day last. Resolved—That John Atkins, Esq., late Lord Mayor, by refusing to summon Common Halls, on three several occasions, when required so to do by respectable mem bets of the Livery; by abruptly dissolving tau COlUaioll Halls, when Liverymen were shout to exeress their opi nion. on subjects of great public. lance ; and by now attempting to deprive throat of their ancient rights of incethig to discuss and petition against public gi ter itUCCA, has skuwit a disitgard to the constitutional Notts of Euglislinsen, and a marked contempt for the feelings and uptmuua of his ltilon citizens, and Cali 110 longer be entitled to their ontidrnee and esteem. Resolved,—That the mauls of this Hall he given to Sa ttttt el Fayell, Esq., the Move*, and Mitts Perring, Lsq , the Seconder ; for the able end judicious throne' in which brought tot wand the Resolutions agreed to this day. Resolved unanimously—That the thanksof this Hail be given to the Right Hun. the Lord Mayor, for in calling this Hall, and for his uptight and iiiipartiai conduct iu the Chair this dab. Mr. PER I G advanced. flaying on the . 29111 !sepleiii her list, expressed his W:1110 and cordial appun.al iii ol the Resolutions from which die present procet twigs nail arisen, it was not surprising that he shown leel great pleasure in seconding those helm,: them ; ttiey were, ;pan, the same, having alike for their object the suppoi of the rights and liberties of the Livery. Mr. IVaithinan stood forward as the first resolution was about to be pin, and was received w itii very I I applause. He at. oil, he said, in a peculiar condition, as the question before them W3S in a great measure per sonal' to him. He felt more difficulty than usual nn addressing them, not from the scantiness, but the ton great abundance of topics. He might, liowet er, very truly say, hat lie was not more interested than the other Liverymen. lloweier harassed and oppressed he might be by the proceedings which had been nistituted aphis% him, he could not but be gratified at the proud and elevated posilino in which those proceedings had waved him, not to defend his own rights, but those of it e- Li s ery. They (the Livery) laid placed limi high in the etuoyinent of Cn is honours; if lie cool feel fur a 1110• talent that lie had forfeited their confidence and former good opinion. lie would inmiediaiely lay those honours again at their feet; but as lie had sill the saute estima tion with thew,. lie was determined lii .1t . %01e all Ins time and. energies, and all those advant.igts which their has our had placed within his reach, for iheir te.e auei service. 'They ought to allow something for t he ircitati d feelings of their oHionents. when the Liter, chose him as the instrument for destroying the abuses of the Cor poration, a was to lie supposed thin the defeat would rankle ill the hearts of their ettemits. Hence, as he supposed, the present prosecutions, which were directed equally against him, and to quash the rights of the City ' together. They (the Livery) ought to extend pay in this tiot to say humble, but de6ratliil siaialiuti ul adversaries. As those persons were not present, lie would forbear as much as possible to coninent on their conduct. He had differed iron moss 111 the Corp n...two its to the duties of the Magnuracy lie had proiesteii su Alderman Combe's case against ...iy I K 'meal ixidusion from the civic chair ; he had I 000000 114 e moue t 01 opposition to that principle, done all in bts ; owes in secure thetlection of that exee.lerii man. H.sad al ways, as far as he could, assisted in maintaining th dignity of tin Chicf.Magistrate, and lied ior that purpose Nal. er ---..- made a point ol nut notteritg any enure or dintrences of opinion as to polities, Lut when he saw an attem p t springing out trons politicalfeeling, to crush the liberties of the City, he felt hiaireell bound to stand knit:nil in their detract. . (Applause.). By some extratodostary 'strain, Walt sulitinlatwal agency, the Keret pOseeet:illtif Or a Court of Aldermen hail been divulged. . 11e would leave it avith the Nleisthera to settle %% heater the facts were rightly stated or no, and - if truly stated, whether their proceedings were or were not proper.' lie had to opittion to give; but throughout the mho, of them he had not beets allowed :my opportunity of defence. Ile ca lie to the COLIO, alit! 11011 to answer to ChStrgrs w liteli he could not prey twisty hones ; the Aidernien them selt es evete equally iu the dark; aid hi the exp.:mite proceedings which had been instituted, they actually did nut kiluW 011 what charge their case shout(' be loutided. lu the ease ol the meanest offu•er of tile Coon, etch if they had a complaint against their • 1 11itslial, they could ion proceed wit hoot calling on lihn for his deli:lice, and every N iliclt lie Colliti u.7.e for himself. Hut It ttasuut so with him; lie ee as allowed 1.1) defence, nor even an injwatioll of WA; ail the proceeentas %%cr.; conducted ill the dark, and u huh: they knew that he nos lyiuoon a SI. k Led. (Shame, shame.) lie w sold tell inert' the cause of all this haste and injustice; the pro secutiott against Morsel: aim ;Abell, was consmeneed on the tith day of November; he said against others, but in fact, it was against all of them; they were all impli cated—(Cries. of )fts, we are all iii it—all, all.) lie. was, as he before sail, ab.;eiis ; now it was so late , ens- Friday, below the legal opinions could no; be procur e d for that purpose, that the summoning officer was knocked up out of his bed, at eleven o'clock at night, to receive instructions for calling the Committee at ten • tire next morning, they having. toquake their report byt one o'clock the next day. Ihe reason for it was Litii: Alderman Atkins inthight the ellarge—Groatis)—Al deritiati Curtis seconded ii—((;roans and hisses)—atiel Alderman Cox supported al d losses again). if they had waned till the 9 ii of No%rinber, Atkins., according to custom, must hate been snuck off the Committee, and the seutor Aldermen must hare made way fot others. Then !tow would the plot have gone utii They had no less titan mite legal °dicers of their whose s lanes were tiolible the alUUlnlll ttlileh Lid been enjoyed by their ablest reduces:ors, and yet they thouglit tit to go out of the usual road to engage the Attorney and itticitor-Cierteral, and several others, to conduct three proceedings. 'twits odd that the persona' who. toad thus undertake') to charge him with prennoting . disorder, were among the WWI turbulent its the proceed- • togs of that .day. He would, however, ask any mats then watts' to ea), if ever a Cootnum Hall was seen in •• which the subject of debate was contested, uheie there was less riot or Olintlit. For himself, no MAO ever heard him illss or groats ; it was his pride to come for ward amid declare his optimum, and it he could notineet his oppottente its the held 01 argument, be was always. ready give up the cuntest.-..Alter sonic fualter re- • marks, be rreumitucuded the Livery to he firm and tem perate w support. of their hurries, and promised his humble co-operation w elidea‘ouring to support them. Atter Alt. Titumsnat had apoken at great length, the seeerat Resolutions were put and ca.rted al at mend. thete being tout 'our !semis in the tutee assent'. lily 'telt! up J&AlLIIIL thesu. Nlr. Caustic Allen taint forward to propose three Re solutions.... lat. A Vito ef Thisaiss to Mr. Sheriff Perkins, for his manly and independent Conduct on Michaelmas-day. 2d. A Vote Censure, nu the tale Lord Mayor. 3.1. A Vote of Thorans so me present Load Mayor, for his mono, and issitepes.deut euudaet ae • Chief Magis- - trate, ...id sue assembling the pressor eirrasooss Hail. Mr.°Liv am seconded 'nese Resolutions. The two hist ssere edified by acclamation. Mr. Suerill Parkins stood forward to return thanks. lie ,'aid he 11.111110 wish to trouble the Meeting with any - observant/us of would rather wait until he saw witJt Ins antagonists bad to say against him. Was it a crime to du fun duty honestly and independently? In. their eyes was. But it ‘l/311 a crime they could not Cli,rges were lomight against bias by a certain fict.on. Ile was ca lled a Radical: it was 311 ambiguous tern,. (I..au d ,hter.) A 111311 may be radically good or ra- Jiwhy oad. He believed that that laction were Radicals in the latter WNW. He was a Radical reformer of ab uses—lie was a Radical supporter of the Constitution he was a Radical friend to the chartered rights of the citizens of London—he was, in short, a Radical Eng- Isthman, who loved liberty and hated oppression. (Ap plause.) He thanked them from his heart for the sole they had bestowed on him ;. he fek honoured and happy, and every hour of his life should be des oted to the holiest and independent discharge of his duly. Mr. HUIII.IIOW came forward, and perAsted for a long time in addressing she Livery amid tremendous hissing, mingled with partial applause. He was proceediug at 41 great length to censure sonic observations made in the rally part of the proceedings, and which seemed to be ton orderly, too psoper, and not Radical enough for his taste, vs lien the increased tumult obliged him to desist. Tile vote of thanks to the Lord .Mayor was then car ried wish acclamation. l'he Lord Mayor, in returning thanks, said he did not conceive himself entitled to their thanks,: because he felt. he only discharged his duty—that duty he should be always most happy and most reauy to discharge. Ai the commencement of the proceedings lie entreated Gentlemen to confine diemselves to the business of the day—and not, as the lawyers say, to travel out of record. lie was sorry that gentlemen did not observe that. Ile was sorry pant cuiasly to see his friend Alderman Atkins, censored.— (A laugh.)—He assured the Livery he was serious — Alderman Atkins was his friend, and he regarded bum. (App.aus..)—As a Alrgistrate, the A14%1111311 might .1011 k at least lilat tie was acting right, and he was sorry 0 btC htu► crown:l.l.-0 ies 01 " But we are trey gladm of it, though we should be very sorry to censure you. lle had opinions perhaps different in some respect (rurally