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

April 29. James Geddes, C
de% en, at Gui
April 24. John Mahlon, Grafton-street, St. Pancras, gro,vr, at one, at Gntld-
hall.

Fitiro)--quarr, flour-dealer, at

May 6. Robert Marsh, Old Halley, oilman. at twelve, at Guildhall.
May 2. James Chapple, Grace's-Alley, Wellclose-square, 110.-irr, at ten, at
Guildhall.
April :es. Samuel Maleolm,Old Broad-strert, baker, at eleven, at Guildhall.
CERTIFICATES—APRIL 22.

John Carter, Bisllopsgate-treet, merchant. William Gl.Pntort, .1.1rn”.:1-ctreet •
St. Jame?, taylor. Simon Davi, Upper St. Martin\ -lane, cabinet-inal.,.t. John
J,inies, Bristol, cooper. John Harrison, WorkinOon, Ciimlwriantl,

The Gazette also contains a Letter from Capt. Dashwood, of his Majest)'c ship
Franchise, Kiving an account of the capture of the Fo-rich letter of Icor-Tie
itrix -enie, Ignind from Bayonne to Guadalupe, with naval Atorp; and
pro% Wow, ; and a (Ater from Capt. Corhett, of his Maj, -tis ship Nereide, state
the capture of the French Lnprial corvette La Cohn Mouche.

JONES •. JoNEs.---.lt Shrewsbury Assizes an action was
brought against the defendant, who keeps the Feathers Inn,
at reysham, for the recovery of 4001. the amount of the Bank-
notes stolen from an inside waistcoat pocket of Plaintiff's ser-
vain, while asleep at the above inn, in the month of .November
Int.t. The jury, under the dire lion of the Learned Judge, as to
the law of the case, found a verdict for the plaintif to the full
amount of the los:4) 400 f,

TO OUR READERS.

pOPULJR PRRACH'BRS.

APRIL 2.

We have to announce, for the gratification of the Readers
of this Department of our Newspaper, that ONEstmus pur-
poses entering upon a critical review of DR. A NDREN% S'S
LUCA URES UN THE LITURGY ; which commenced, in St.
James's Church, on Sunday, Feb. 19th, and terminated on Fri•
day, the 31st of March.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Lontion,

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1809.

POLITICAL EVENTS OP THE WEEK.

CITY MEETING.

VOTE OF THANKS TO COLONEL WARDLE AND HIS

SUPPORTERS; AND

VOTE OF CENStRE ON THE LORD MAYOR, SIR WILLIAM
crwris,silt CHARLES PRICE,AND MR.ALDERMAN SIIAW.

At one o'clock, the multitude of Liverymen assembled at
Guildhall was immense. Immediately on the LORD AlAYOft
having ascended the Hustings,
Mr. WAITHMAN, in a clear, nervous, and manly speech,
opened the business of the Meeting, and concluded by submitting
the following very spirited Resolutions to the consideration of
the Livery.

I. Resolved, That it long been a matter of notoriety, and
has lately been proved beyond the possibility of doubt, that
Abuses of a most corrupt nature and ruinous tendency have ex-
isted, and still exist, in the various branches of the administra-
tion of Public Affairs.

11. Resolved, That to detect such Abuses, and expose to de
testation those Men who have wickedly connived at, or partici-
pated in them, requires no small degree of Virtue, Independence,
and Patriotism ; all of which have been eminently displayed by
Gwillim Lloyd Wardle, r:q. in instituting and conducting the
late Inquiry into the Conduct of his Royal Highness the Duke
of York.

111. Resolved, That he is, therefore, entitled to the Thanks
and Gratitude of this Common Hall, for his persevering and in-
dependent EflOrts, which have already produced beneficial Fl-
eets, and arc likely to lead to still more ad% antageous Results—
and they express their confidence, that having so manfully and
ably commenced this arduous task, no difficulty or danger will
damp his ardour, or impede his progress, in a cause so honour-
able to himself, and so essential to the best Interests of his
Country.
IV. Resolved, That upon the same principles, and for the
same reasons, they do highly approve of the conduct of Sir
Francis Burdett, Bart. (the Seconder), Lord V iscount Folk-
stone, Samuel Whitbread, Esq. Sir Samuel Romilly, Knt. and
the rest of the One Hundred and Twenty-five honest and inde-
pendent Members, who supported Mr. Wardle's Proposition oo
the 15th of March, 1809, and trust, that uninfldenced by Party,
or feelings of Interest, they will support every Measure calcu-
lated to remove and root out Corruption.
V. Resolved, That these Abuses form only a part of a wick-
ed and corrupt System, which has been long acted upon, and no
permanent good can arise from the late Investigation, unless fol-
lowed up by a general Reformation of public Abuses in every
Department of the Slate.

cI. keenl ved, That the Corporation of London did, in peti-
tions, unanimously agreed to, and presented to both !louses of
Parliament during the I&.t Sessions state, "That their bnrthens
" had been con:;iderably augmented by gross abuses, in the ma-
" rtagement and expenditure of the Public Money,—by a profit-
" siim of sinceure Places and Pcnsio►is,—which hate not only
" added to the sutferinl:s of the People, bnt created a pernicious
" influence, corrupting and undermining the free principles of
" the British Constitution."

N. 11. Resolved, That no measures calculated to remove theFe
opprebsicc a:►d alarming evil, ltme been 'et ,olopted, CUR

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