The Sun.
London, England, 1842-03-07 00:00:00

OFFICE OF TOWN CLERK.

On Saturday a numerous meeting of the Common
Council was held at the Guildhall Coffee-house, to con-
sider what steps it would be desirable to take in refer:
ence to the vacant office of Town-clerk. J. T. Norris,
Esq., was called to the Chair.
Mr. NORRIS said that the attendance of gentlemen at
that meeting was not to be considered as pledging them
to the support of any particular individual who might
become a candidate. The meeting was convened rather
fur the purpose of deliberation than action. He invited
. every gentleman to the free expression of his opinion in
order that steps might be taken to fill this most important
office in the most' efficient manner.—(Hear.)
Mr. WIRE considered it was the duty of Members of
the Corporation to weigh well the importance of the si-
tuation vacant by the decease of the able and excellent
gentleman who had recently filled it, before they pledged
themselves to support any individual. For his own part
he had no hesitation in saying that, however respectable
other gentlemen might be who had offered themselves
as candidates, he was of opinion that the present City
. Solicitor, was the person pre-eminently qualified for the
appomtment.—(Hear.)
Mr. Deputy STEVENS felt it right to observe that he
did not entirely approve of this meeting. He was of
opinion that the Court of Common Council ought first
to refer the question to a Committee, to fix the duties
and the emoluments, and when they made a repeat if
would be time enough to look out for a person to fill it.
It was highly probable that some alterations might be
made in the amount of salary, and if that were the case,
the City Solicitor might suffer from the change. That
officer was universally respected in the place he filled
to the entire satisfaction of every Member of the Court,
and merely because the office of Town-clerk was more
elevated in rank than that which he already held, he
thought it no sufficient reason for the change.
Mr. CHARLES PEARSON being tailed upon, said he
was obliged by the consideration which his friend
Stevens had expressed for the welfare of himself and
family, but he thought that as 47 summers had passed
Over his head, he might be safely trusted not to sacrifice
the pecuniary interest of his family in a romantic pursuit
of honorary distinction.—(Hear, hear.) He was free to
admit that he coveted the high distinction of filling the
highest office in the greatest corporation in the world,
but he did so only upon the presumption that it
could be honourably obtained, and usefully applied.—
(Hear, hear.) He felt highly flattered by the testimony
borne to the manner in which be had conducted him-
self in the office he already filled.—(Hear.)
hoped, however, that he might say without offence that
some portion cithose labours which had obtained for him
such complimentary notice had rather reference to the
functions of Town-clerk than City Solicitor.—(Hear.)
He had cheerfully rendered every assistance in his power
during the illness of his friend the late Town-clerk, and
whoever might be elected he should be proud to continue
to make himself useful to the Corporatton in any capa
city. If, however, the Court thought he could be usefully
placed in a higher situation than that which he now held,
it was a legitimate object of ambition.—(Hear.) He re-
quested the gentlemen present to act upon the principle
recommended by their Chairman, and by Mr. Stevens,
and to withhold their promises of support until they could
ascertain with certainty what would be the future posi-
tion of the office.—(Hear.) Ile considered himself, like
the gentlemen present, unpledged as to the future ; but
there was one thing upon which every one might rely,
that, if he should announce himself as a candidate, as re-
quested by his friends, he should consider himself bound
in honour to continue to the end, and not to retire in
favour of any other gentleman who might solicit their
support.—(Hear.)
Mr. JOHNSON and other gentlemen addressed the
meeting, and the members then retired to the Council
Chamber.

ADVENTURES OF SIR HENRY MORGAN TIIE BUC-
CANEER, BY THE AUTHOR OF " RATTLIN THE RxxrEst.'l
This new work, from Mr. Howard's able and fertile pen, has
the advantage of a meat happily chosen subject, combining the
intense interest of historical truth with the popular attractions
of fiction ; no wonder, therefore, that it should he, as it un-
doubtedly is, the best production of its taler ted writer. 'w-
here was, enquestionably, one of the most extraordinary per
sons that ever lived in any country, and his adventures as extra-
ordinary as extraordinary as the character ef which they were
the fruit. Sir Henry Morgan the Buccaneer, is a personage
so litile known to the ordinary readers of English history that
this book will not produce its due effect, unless it be expressly
borne in mind that every leading incident related in it is strictly
true. Some of these incidents are, indeed, of such a nature as
to be much too strange and wonderful for reception in a work
of fiction, without excing the incredulus odi, unless this were
premised. But, being true, as a record of human action, cha-
racter, and passion, they are invaluable.—Naval and Military
Gazette,

PonTsmounr, FRIDAY.— The Vindictive, 50, Cap-
tain J. T. Nicolas, with the flag of Rear-Admiral ;Sir Thomas
Cochrane, was taken out of harbour yesterday afternoon, by
the Driver and Stvx steam- hips. The steamers were
lashed alongside of her, anctook her along very well
until they got out to the Spit, where, as it was
blowing •( fresh, there was a heavy swell, so that the
weathermost steamer (the Driver) was compelled to cast ete,
as she was injuring both her own and the Vindictive's side.
No sooner had she cast off than the wind and tide took the
Vindictive on the bow and 'dewed her round, so that she was
nearly on shore on the Spit, and only prevented such a catas-
trophe by letting go her anchor, the remaining steam-ship,
the Styx, being unable to control her. Many persons who
witnessed the occurrence, believed she was on shore, and a re-
port to that effect was rapidly circulated believed through-
out the town, and caused a great sensation. Fortunately, how-
ever, this was not the case, and having got sail upon her, she
slipped her cable, and ran for the most eastern part of Spit-
head, where she is now at anchor