The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-16 00:00:00

TOIiKSIIIRE.

THE FREEDOM OP TiiiCITT or YORK WU presented
to G. Hudson, Esq., M.P., on Monday last. This cam.
pliment was paid at the usual Michaelmas court of tee
ancient company of Merchant Adventurers of York,
held at their Hall, is Fossgate. A numerous party
was invited to a public breakfast, which, being con-
cluded, the Governor proceeded to the official chair,
and the formal proceedings connected with the admis-
sion of Mr. Hudson to the freedom of the company were
commenced. The silver box, containing a copy of the oath
of admission, was very massive and richly. chased. It was of
a very large size, and on the lid was the inscription :
" This box was pretemted by the Ancient Merchant Adveaturers of
the city of York, together with the freedom albeit company, to Goo.
Bottum, Esq., M.P., 34 a itinit of approval of his public conduct, and
of peat respect for hi...private character."
After a complimentary address from the chairman, Mr. Hud-
son, in reply, expressed his grateful thanks for the honor
done him, and in continuation said : I have now been for
thirty-three years a resident of this ancient city. I have re-
ceived from this city almost everything that 1 possess. and I
have enjoyed the affection and regard of my fellow-citizens
generally. And, gentlemen, if I know anything of my own
feelings and wishes, my utmost ambition and desire is that I
may continue to enjoy that confidence, regard, and respect
which I have so largely received from you up to the present
moment. (Applause.) The governor spoke quite right when
he said that my conduct had received the approbation of large
assemblies elsewhere. It has been my lot to enjoy the confi-
dence of many who have never seen me. I may have received
the raced of pilaw from many quarters, but nothing in
the whole course of my life has been so grateful to my feel-
ings—and I say this from the bottom of my heart—nothing
has been so gratifying to me as the flattering compliment
which you, my fellow-citizens, have paid to me this day.
(Applause.) Gentlemen, lam happy in becoming a mem-
ber of this ancient company—a company iirtituted for
houorable and benevolent purposes. I believe that this
company, if resuscitated, is yet able to render essential ser-
vices to the state and benefit to the city. This is a society
which happily is not mixed up with political affairs—such a
society is enabled to afford to the Minister of the day—be he
who he may—information which he will be anxious to re-
ceive on all occasions connected with the commerce of this
important locality. I feel proud in being connected with
this company—it forms another tie in my connexion with
the city of York. (Applause.) I hope that this city will
continue to progress as it has done before. There is a wide
field open for us. As corporatert, as commissioners, or as
member, of this company, we should unite for the benefit of
the city—in the improvement of its approaches—in the in-
crease of its conveniences—in the removal of everything
pernicious to its health—and in affording enlarged facilities
for its trade and commerce. (Applause.) If we, 011 members
of the different bodies entrusted with authority in this
ancient city, zealously co-operate' I doubt not that we may
raise it to a proud position—if not the first city—at least one
of the greatest cities in this kingdom—a city worthy of
being the metropolis of this great and mighty county.
hope I am not the man to recommend prodigal ezymili-
taire—l am not one who would run too fast; but we
must take care that we do not go too slow. The pro.
',putty of this city is increasing, and it is acquiring
the means fur carrying out improvements. I trust that
this Company of Merchants will ever evince an interest,
not only in the preservation of the antiquarian re-
mains which our city possesses, but also in the exten-
sion of its commercial prosperity. (Applause.) It I:aa
so happened that by the efforts of myself and these with
whom I am associated in a great commercial undertaking
that this city his become the centre in the great system of
the railway communication of this country. And, gen-
tlemen, I hope and trust that whin that undertaking shall,
in course of events, pass into other hands, that whoever
may be my successor, he will ever entertain the deepest
regard and consideration fur the city of York, to whose
inhabitants we are under the greatest obligations for the
kind rapport which we have ever received at their hands.
If, gentlemen, there is one injunction which 1 would
press more strongly than another upon those who shall
follow me, it will be, that they should on all OCCaajwlS
evidence by their conduct the debt of gratitude owing by
the York and North Midland Company for the zealous,
able, and kind support which its directors have t ver
received from the citizens of York. (Applause.) Gen-
tlemen, I said that the Company of Merchants was
capable of being resuscitated and of effecting much good in
our city. I hope that increased means will be placed at is
disposal for adding to the social benefits of its poorer mem-
bers ; and I trust that the day is gone by when such institu
tions shall have ceased to be regarded except with respect.
These ancient companies were instituted for good—let it he
our duty to see that that object is fully carried out. (Ap-
plause.) Gentlemen, everything and anything that I can
do to benefit the city of York, and to evince my gratitude to
my fellow-eitizens, shall be done so long as it pleases God to
give me health and energy. (Cheers.)
A FIRE occurred on Monday at Yarns, by which the
paper-mills of Messrs. Bainbridge and Co. were destroyed.
An adjoining inn was likewise burned down.