The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-01 00:00:00

MANDATE FROM THE MAYOR.

" SIR-I do hereby give you notice not to act, represent, or
perform, or cause to be performed, any interlude or enter-
tainment, or entertainments of the stage, or any part or parts
therein, at, or within the town and port of Sandwich, in the
county of Kent, from and after the day of the date hereof; you
not being authorized by law so to do. And that in case you
shall, from and after the period aforesaid, act, represent, or
perform, or cause to be performed, any interlude or entertain-
ment, or entertainments of the stage, or any part or parts there-
in, at or within the said town and port ; you will be proceeded
against according to the form of the statute in that case made
and provided. Hereof fail not at your peril. Given under my
hand, at the town and port of Sandwich aforesaid, this twentieth
day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-three.
" DANIEL HODGSON, Mayor.

" To Mr. FAUCIT SAVILL.
•
In which legal notice there is a manifest want of the proper
formality, and the main point Secundum form= Statuti is left
out. That no one shall act for " hire, gain, or reward." There
is no law, (which perhaps may not he Known to the framer er
this notice) against persons acting gratis, nor is it in the power
of any Mayor, however authoritatiye, to prevent it. Many
Schools are at this period getting up plays which they will act
without asking his permission, and this, as well as many other
private Theatres, could have been opened, as such, without fear
of his authority ; those words therefore should have been in-
serted, as they constitute the sole point of illegality in the Act ;
this lapsus however in legal technicalities the Performers excuse
in others, which candour was not extended to them, in the al-
leged want of talent in their profession.
The Mayor, it is understood, asserts that they had not his
authority ; in reply to which it is stated that it was asked, even
before he entered into office, and not refused. Nay, the very
time discussed of the Company's stay, including the Christmas
holiday's. It is true his remarks -during that conversation
tended to prejudge their efforts, and before they arrived in the
town he made use of the expression —" That they would not be
patronized." They have been patronized—were nightly pa-
tronized. Is it then because they are not approved ?—or, be-
cause they were too highly so ? or to make room for anothr
Company, their efforts are prematurely closed ?—These are
questions must be left the town to answer,—as the writer has
been taught to beware of the wealth and influence he has to
contend with,—he must therefore be on his guard, for " Truth
is a Libel, and not to be spoken at all times."
The Mayor was petsonally applied to by me for the honour
of his name and customary patronage on some particular even-
ing best suited to his convenience ; among many other
expressions, he remarked--" I shall give you my name out of
charity to the poor wretches you have about you." To those
who have with unbiassed judgments witnessed the efforts of
these poor wretches, I would refer,—was this remark Liberal,
Gentlemanly, or ? This is another question I must
leave, as I cannot myself reply to it. However, from these
remarks I addressed the following letter :
" WoItSHIPFLIL SlR—Enclosed, 1 send as you desired, a
List of Plays and Farces for your selection, and beg to express
my sense of acknowledgment for the honour of your patronage, if
granted (as has been annually given by the preceding Mayors
of this town,) as a customary compliment to the legitimate
Drama; which even his Majesty does not think it beneath
him to sanction.

But, if as expressed yesterday, it was merely from motives
of charity to the poor creatures so destitute of merit which com-
prised my company, (and whose efforts were prejudged, 'ere
they themselves arrived,) I beg in their name, and in my own,
most respectfully to decline any patronage dictated by pity,
and elicited by charity.
" With regard to the private characters of the persons com-
prising the Sandwich Dramatic Corps, as far as my knowledge
extends, they arc unexceptionable ; nor can the profession de-
grade the inherent principle of the individual ; for their public
merits as actors 'tic for the town to judge, after witnessing their
efforts'".

" As to myself and my capabilities to conduct a Theatre, 1
was several years a Member of the Covent-garden Company,—
have had the Management of a London Theatre ;—am now the
Patentee, and have conducting one in the neighbourhood
instituted by Act of the Legislature, and under the authority
of the King's Letters Patent ;—hisve yearly also the sanction
of the Bench of Magistrates at Maidstone, granting a license
for one at Greenwich, &c. &c.

" The manner of your addressing me yesterday compels me
to add, that in birth, education, and I hope more,—in feelings
and conduct—l shall always define the gentleman.
I conclude by trusting that you will not misinterpret my fore-
going sentiments, which are only dictated by those Peelings
which induce the very worm to turn when trodden on.'
"If I have given offence—l regret it.—lf my Company
really fails in talent, I trust that your liberality and candour
will induce you to judge them by that infallible rule by which we
should all judge each other, with charity to human failings.
" With every sentiment of respect,
I subscribe myself your obedient Servant,
" J. FAUCIT S4VILL."
To the Corporation, and the decision of those Justices who
have since sanctioned the Mayor's Mandate, Mr. F. Swill most
respectfully also submits; though lie regrets it was formed
without allowing him the honor of being heard ; yet he firmly
believes from no individual among them should he have re-
ceived that language which called forth his Letter to the pre-
sent Mayor. Indeed he has reason to believe that it was done as a
point of form, and to uphold the office which no one venerates
more than himself; yet he has been personally assured by one
Magistrate at least, that he " approved of that his, Mr. F. Sa-

• The Town has seen,--has judged,—and has approved,
therefore, though driven from it prematurely, Mr. F: S. has
the satisfaction of knowing, he bears with
.him the general
approval of the inhabitants ; and bows to the tjgt he has not
deserved.