The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-20 00:00:00

CITY ELECTION.

THE OFFICIAL RETURN.
At one o'clock in the afternoon of yesterday., Common Hatt
was held for the declaration of the four succesaful Candidates for
the Representation of the City of London. The official return of
the Sheriffs, to which they had been sworn in the usual manner,
stated the number of votes to be—for

Thompson

. 6486

Wood .

,
efibl
Waitbman - 5043 hoed Mayor esta
Ward - 4992 Garrett
- - MO
The four first Candidates on the list were accordingly declared t„,
be elected to represent the City of London in Parliament.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON then returned thanks for the honour
which the Livery had been pleased to confer on him. Other inc
viduals unquestionably might have been chosen who were his su.
periors in point of talent, but he could assure the Livery that n-,
the independence, activity, and zeal which should characterize Ott
Representatives, he would not yield to any man who had ever ob.
tained their suffrages. Every question and matter connected wan
the commercial and other interests of London. should meet with Ins
most cordial attention. He would not spare either his time or his
personal exertions to promme their prosperity in trade, and would
not neglect any opportunity to confirm and secure to them th. tn..
joyment of all those municipal rights to which they were entitled,
"Cheers.) He would he always found accessible, and equally ready
to listen to the suggestions of the less affluent as to the more wed
thy individuals of his constituents. (Loud applause.)
%Ir. Alderman IVAITHMAN assured the Livery, that he felt
himself totally inadequate to express the sense which he eroci-
tained of the high honour to which he had been elevated oy th,:ir
Total. It was a proud consideration to him to think that het +
been elected by their voluntary and unpurchased favour. He •
in a situation different from the other Candidates, for he had bee
nominated on principles of independence, and wits aceordirgy
placed in that high state which he occupied on the poll, without in
curring any expense ; and that circumstance afforded a sure test oil
the view in which the gentlemen of the Livery regarded hit prim'.
elides and hit conduct. Had he, however, been at the bottom rt.
the poll, it would be more gratifying to him to hold that position,
procured by their spontaneous indulgence, than to aspire to &Mel
place by resorting to practices and artifices which it had been deemed
expedient to adopt and pursue in other quarters. (Cheers.) 7t
great and numerous body of traders ought certainly to confide tit 1
protection of their rights and privileges to some person of their ow I
body, who, by particular acquaintance with the nature of their of !
fairs, would be more competent than an inexperienced individual
to maintain and to promote their interests. But it was not tricorn-
patible with the purpose of such a trust that their Representative
should attend to other branches of the community ; on them.
trary. lie conceived that any such limitation of the services of a
Member of Parliament would include a dereliction of his duty,
which was co-extensive with the rights and privileges of all classes
of the community. (Applause.) It was also requisite and indis.
pensable for a Representative of the people to be aware of the mt.
turn of the British Constitution. Without that knowledge, his ex.
ertions, however well intended, would frequently prove fruitiest
and abortive ; but the practical knowledge necessary to tt hold ye.
pular rights, and prevent any encroachments on the great bulwark
which the Constitution provided for the liberties of the nation, was
not of very difficult acquisition. Its principles might be found :n
the Bill of Rights, and the deviations front the letter or [Tinto!.
that Bill were innovations introduced by the venality of Parlia-
ment. The Worthy Alderman having made some additional ob-
servations on the duty of a 41Iember of Parliament, concluded by
expressing his gratification at the extinction of many prejudices
which had so long prevailed as to be considered inveterate, bet
which had been dispelled by the just modes of thinking that dia.
tinguiet si this enlightened age. (Lcud and continued cheers.)
Mr. WARD thanked his brethren of the Livery for the situation
which lie held on the poll, and begged leave to remind them, that
when he first submitted to their notice his pretensions to represent
them, he relied on commercial grounds. Ile was still as anxious as nt
that time to uphold their commercial interests; but he wished t 0
explain that it was not necessary that be should be exclusively
devoted to that object, for they were not derogatory from the wel-
fare of other portions of the public weal. He would, therefore. be
always sedulously alive to preserve the corporate rights aid 'nisi.
leges of the citizens of London. Other opportunities mi:ht oc,.i
in which he could prove that he participated in the welfire i. 4 alf
classes of the community. On some popular topics, as his seat:.
menu were known, he did not think rt necessary to dwell ; L.:
there was one point which he wished briefly to explain. As
they knew his sentiments on those subjects to which he &decor'',
it would be out of his power to deceive them by his subseqult
conduct. Right or wrong, his opinion was pledged in that respect.
He wished, however, to correct an error which prevailed as to I:'t
refusal of an Alderrnanic gown, if it should be offered to him. N..
one had more respect than he felt for the body and Court of Alder-
man. He had indeed entered into life by marrying the daughter o:
an Alderman, which furnished • proof that he was not averse ro