The National Register.
London, England, 1819-11-22 00:00:00

MUTING AT GUILDIULL.

A Common Hall was held on Thursday. pursuant to
a Requisition addressed to the-J.4ml Mayor by several of
the Livery. fee the purpose of taking into consideration
the measures 'molted on by the Court of Alderintm. for
the prosecution of the individuals aileged to hate con-
spired together, to produce a riotons obstotction to the
election of a Lord Mayor, on last Nlichaelittas-tlay. and
Eta adopting such measures as might be deemed neces-
sary in consequence.
The doors were kept closed till past twelve o'clock. at
which time the livery were admitted. At five minutes
before one the Lord Mayor entered the BAIL attended
by his officers, amid the cheerings and applause of the
multitude. and retired to his chamber. in about ten
suinutcs his Lord?hip, Mr. Alderman 11'ooll, Nlr.Siteriff
ktrkins, M. Alderman Waithinan, appeared on
the hustings, and severally bowed to the Livery, who
manifested the strongest signs of respect fur each
Mr Sherilf Bothwell passed on to his seat.
svithout presenting himself before the Livery. The
12otionoti Crier then made proclamation. After which
the Lord Mayor came !toward anti said,
" Getit!eitieti of the Lively-1 have the honour to
Annotutcr that 1 have convened a Continuo Hall, in
konsequelice of a recpiisition addressed to me, eery nu-
merously and reapectahly ‘igned, amid which you will
shortly hear read by the proper officer. 'file only
request I have to make to you is, that you will most im-
partially hear every gem letnau who presents himself
before you ; and that in any remarks you may think
proper to offer, you will confine yourselves as strictly as
passible to the subject mitlzr consideration." (Cheering.)
Mr. Favell then presented himself to the attention of
the Hall, and was greeted with. the warmest expressions
of favour. He congratulated the Livery that he had the
pleasore of meeting them once more in their own anci-
ent Guildhall. Ile hoped they felt that they were once
wore assembled as free citizens in the metropolis, and
the heart of the British Empire.—(Applause.)-11 cell
lain people had their wishes, the doors of tht it Hall
would rust on their hinges.—(Applause.)—lf they had
time yo dry up tiseir tears for the loss of their late Mayor
—(A laugh)—he should with great pleasure offer his
congratulatton on their good i fortune n his successor—
iu chosen a Chief Magistrate of the most unsul-
lied character and honour, one who lied most readily
acceded to their wishes in convening them together.—
but, at the same time, he claimed it as the clear right of
his Lordship, that, in complying with their' desires, he
Should nut be held hound to give up any polttical sen-
timents of his own—that he should, equally with every
eitio.n be allowed to think for himself—and he (Mr.
ravel') pledged himself, that any resolution which thvy
might adopt on that clay,. should not be considered as
iiiiplicating his Lordslop's (minims. They had lately
arms, but he knitted it would be long before they should
see it again, that the political opinions of a Lord Mayor
had been bar to the discharge of his civic duties.—
lie w AS proud to lie able toot) that this;was not now time
case. They had had Lord Mayors- of every v..rious
but he recollected none except the
last two who suffered them to interfere with, or obstruct
the peiforionice of his duties to his fellow citizen.,—
Aidermatt Christophei Son t 11..f0r examplepholl presided
ewer them, but he hail never acted in that '13"1
were now suet on one of the most important qoestioTTl.
which could be solnisisted to their consideration-1
question peculiarly interesting to the Livery, which
comprehended one-third of the citizens of London a a
question deeply interesting to the citizens at large ; a
ituestiosi, he might add, deeply interesting to all English-
men. It was not a question of partial or priva o con-
cern, but one that intimately affected the es link body of
the Livery. They claimed the right of enacting into
the consideration of grievances, or of questions arising
out (tithe peculiar circumstances of the times, oat Mid-
summer day, oat Michaelmas day, and on every other
day, on which COOllllOll halls were usually held. • Et was
a claim founded oil their most ancient charters—it was
recognized in Alagna Charta—it was established by Acts
of Parliament—its exigency was deliberately acknows
'Aged by smite of the higheth legal authorities the au-
stale of England coukl produce ; he might nienti ssss the
name of Serjeatit Glynn—and it was confirmed by long
aad ancient usage—(Applause.)—Auld if tIWs right was
seriously menu to be called iii question and opposed,
lie knew of tio alternative, but that for all power and
opportunity of entertaining such questions, they should
be lest to depend on the arbitrary caprice of a Chief
:Magistrate, and then the Livery of London wanted no
snore Gagging Bills—(Great applause.)—But if any
doubt existed on the siatiject,it woo certainly extraordi-
nary that no other mean, could be found for deciding
the question but by the pubic prosecution of some of
the most respectable members of the corporation, and
some of their oldest and stesteetned advocates. Sonic
of them he saw present, and he doubted not bus that
they would shortly defend their own conduct with abi-
lity and spirit. He had been told there was a conspi-
racy on foot against the peace and property of the public.
He feared indeed that a conspiracy existed—a conspiracy
to overturn die rights and liberties of the great city of
London. lie hoped, however, for its overthrow, and
that the event would utterly disgrace the confederates.
lie was &ad to ford that the cheap brought against his
frtenils was no. for bribery and corruptiott.—(Laughter)
—They were indeed so well known for their. matibi
support of the rights of die Livery.; that such it'eharaCter
ethild nave gained nu belief. Theelleul and from nfotir
offending was, iii reality, the high and itidependrut man-
ner ti %%inch iney deleoded the privileges of metr brother
loverymen—thoac privileges which 11311 beet' secured to
the citizens through toe courage and virtue of their an-
cestors. He wasatunit to submit some rt'SOltiliOlib to
the spirit and character of nitwit, hedosibted not, would
Albeit twith their fibl crtricurrence. He invited Mote
arlao disapproved of them to come forward and publicly
titres. their teasoos for their dissent. He would read
Itlsx Resolutious...they would be seconded by a gentle.