The National Register.
London, England, 1808-10-30 00:00:00

THE CONVENTION.

the Common Council of London assembled on Thursday, to
receive the Answer to their Address, on the subject of the Con-
wution Which terminated the Campaign in Portugal. The Re-
(-order having read the Answer,
Mr. Waithinan rose and addressed the Court—Tie could, he
:aid, not allow this Answer to pass without some observations,
stating it at the same time to be his intention to propose such a
Itesolutiou founded upon it as theiiature of the case appeared to
demand. Ile conceived the Corporation of London had a right
to approach the Throne with petitions ;old remonstrances, even
although his Majesty might have expressed an intention of adopt-
ing such proceedings as they might recommend. It was pro-
per that the King should be acquainted with the state of public
opinion on all occasions, whether for or against the measures of
his Ministers, and it was the duty, as well a; the privilege of
the subject to give that information to the Crown. It was the
mode established by the Constitution, for convey iog the truth to
tht• ear of the Sovereign, in spite of the machinations of those
:mould him who might wish to keep him in darkness. This was
nut a right conceded by the Crown as a favour ; but one requir-
ed and demanded at the Revolution as essential to our civil !User-
tics, and to be exercised without obstruction or censure. ( Hear!
Hear!) It appeared from the Records of the Court, that they
had often gone up with petitions and remon-trances to the Throne,
drao o up in a style and spirit much less humble than their late
Address, and Set the answers had tint been of so repulsive a de-
tiptiun. I'sta the degrading reply which they had just heard
road, they had drawn upon themselves; and if it had been merely
a severe lecture upon Moir past conduct, he owned he would
not have !ken sorry. Duriog the last t %%cloy years, a period
distinguished for the most momentous occurrences that ever
called for the interpwition of any body of men, the Court of
(ononon Council had scareel) ever exercised its right of peti-
tioning or remonstrating, except some years alio on the high
pt ice of provisions, when they petitioned fur convening the
arliament. But during all t hat time they not only did not Omit,
lilt eagerly sought for occasions of congratulation. They were
ever torsard to shew their zeal for prerogative and the rights
of. the Crown; but no anxiety appeared to guard the privileges
of the other branches of the Constitution. Occasion was taken
11.1 the Answer, to remind the Corporation, " that it was incon-
%went with the principles of British justice, to pronounce judg-
ment without previous investigation." How it was possible to
,t,ostrue the Address, so as to imagine that it had pronounced
.11idtiutcot previous to investigation, he did not know. It called
Jut inquiry certainly—it called for punishment on the guilty,

ing such proceed
per that the Kin?,
opnnon on all net
his ;Ministers, aut
the subject to giv
mode extahlished
rht. ear of the Sov
around him who I
not a right cowed
ed and demanded
nos, and to be exl
llrut ) t appe
had often gone up
draun up in a st
Address, and 3 et
lint t 1
road, they had dril
a severe lecture u
'IA have heen sor
distim,uished for
called fur the in
Common Council
rioting or retnonst
pt ice of provith
Parliament. But
lat eagerly sough
ever foruard to
of the Crown; Ist
of the other bran<
ru the Aniwer, to
uitent with the p
anent without pre
coastrue the Addi
judgment previou
tut inquiry rertait