The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-08 00:00:00

THE OFFICE OF CHAMBERLAIN.

The LORD MAYOR informed the court that he had
received the following letter from Sir John Key, Bart.,
the newly-elected Chamberlain --

" Guildhall, June 7, 1853.
" My dear Lord Mayor,—The office to which my brother
liverymen have lately elected me induces me to tender to
your lordship and my brother aldermen my resignation of
the seat I have had the honour of holding amongst them
for more than thirty years.
" I cannot perform so painful a duty as that of separat-
ing from those with whom I have for so many years lived
on terms of friendship and regard without sincerely thank-
ing them for the kind feeling they have manifested towards
me, and although on many occasions different views may
have been taken on public questions, the difference of opi-
nion has caused no diminution of private friendship, and I
hope I retire from the court, in the full possession of the
esteem and respect of its members. I am, moreover, com-
forted by the recollection that, although separated from
them in the relation in which we have hitherto stood, the
position to which I have been elected will afford me fre-
quent opportunities of meeting them ; and it will be my
constant endeavour, by every means in my power, both by
the manner in which I shall perform my public duties and
by all the courtesies of life, to cement and perpetuate that
esteem and friendship which it is the highest object of my
ambition to deserve.
I have the honour to be, my dear Lord Mayor,
Most truly yours,
(Signed) " JOHN KEY, Chamberlain.
" The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor."
Upon the motion of Alderman WIRE, the resignation
was accepted by the court, and Sir John Key's letter
was ordered to be entered on the minutes.
The LORD MAYOR then said that having ascertained
that Alderman Thompson, the senior alderman, was de-
termined not to accept the gown of BridgeWithoutWard,
vacant by the resignation of Sir John Key, it became
the duty of the chief magistrate to put the question to
the other aldermen, according to seniority.
Aldermen Sir Peter Laurie, Farebrother, Copeland,
and Kelly at once and peremptorily refused to leave
their wards except at the summons of death, or of the
almost as powerful authority of the law ; but Alderman
Wilson, the next in rotation to Alderman Kelly, upon
being asked whether he would accept the office, said,
without hesitation, " I do accept it."
Upon the motion of Alderman SIDNEY, a precept was
then issued for a wardmote, for the election of an alder-
man to serve in Castle Baynard. Ward, in the room of
Alderman Wilson, appointed alderman of the Ward o'
Bridge Without.

ANSWER OF THE QUEEN TO THE CORPORATION ADDRESS.
Her Majesty's most gracious answer to the address of
the corporation upon the birth of the infant prince was
read, and ordered, upon the motion of Sir P. LAURIE, to
be entered in the minutes of the court.
Sir J. KEY (the chamberlain of the city of London)
nominated Mr. B. Scott for his clerk, and Mr. W. W,
Walker for his cashier, and the court confirmed the no-
mination unanimously.

ELECTION OF t DISTRICT SURVEYOR.
Mr. Edmund Woodthorpe was elected surveyor for
the northern district of the city of London, in the room
of Mr. James Montague, deceased.
The election of a surveyor of the eastern district of the
city of London, in the room of Mr. Edmund Wood-
thorpe, was appointed to take place on the next court
day.

SURETIES FOR BROKERS.
Alderman WIRE presented a petition from Mr. Pike,
against whom the City Solicitor is proceeding for penal-
ties by the direction of the Court of Aldermen. The
petitioner states that when he became surety for John
Morgan, he had a full belief in his honour and in his in-
tegrity. That subsequently, when he heard that John
Morgan was in pecuniary difficulties, the petitioner
applied to him to be relieved from his bonds, but that he
could never induce John Morgan to grant that request.
The petition was referred to the General Purposes
Committee.

STEAM-BOATS.
The report of the committee, to which the question of
the overcrowding of steam-boats was referred, was
brought up and agreed to. It stated that the committee
were of opinion that the same officers who had so
efficiently performed the duties of inspectors during last
summer should be appointed to perform similar duties
(luring the present season, and that the City Solicitor be
instructed to proceed against all parties complained
against for overcrowding.
The report was unanimously agreed to, and ordered
to be acted upon.
The City Solicitor was instructed to defend the City
Commissioner of Police in an action brought against
him for interfering with the auction in the Poultry.
The court then adjourned.