Star.
London, England, 1823-05-15 00:00:00

•
lIEYGATE, MAYOR.
A COMMON COUNCIL, holden in the Chamber
of the Guildhall of the City of London, on WEDNZSDAY,
the leth day of May, 1825, ,
RESOLVED UNANIMGCSLT,
That although this Court determined to prosecute the Bill for
rebuilding of London Bridge, they did so, not from a convic-
tion of the necessity or expediency of the measure, but merely
as Trustees for the Bridge, in compliance with the Resolutions of
a Committee of the Ilonourable the House of Commons.
Resolved unanimously—That this Court, in order to facilitate
the measure, in the event of the Legislature deciding upon its
expedierty, proposed that the funds, which may be necessary
beyond what could be raised on the credit of the Bridge House
Estates, should be raised by a continuance of the Duties of 4s.
per Tun upon Wine, and tOd. per Childron upon Coals, now
payable by the citizens of London, and the inhabiunts of the
adjoining Counties—a measure which appears to this Court to
be the best that can be adopted, since it falls equally upon the
'uhahitants of London and the adjoining Counties, and will not
operate as a Tax for many years to come ; nor until the full en-
'fly:l:ern of the adeant,gis to be derived from the 'proposed at.:
tendons will be ohtenied ; and at a time when, it is hoped, a
hurthen of the tectioit suggested will be less felt than it would be
at present; and this Court is strengthened in its opinion of the
expediency of this mode of raising the Supplies by a Report of
a Committee of the Honourable the House of Commons-, made
in the year ISt 2, seltreir. it is stated, that 0 had the Grants of
Money from the Orphans' Fund," to which the before-men-
tioned Duties are now payable," been confined to the executioo
of great Public Works of equal utility and ornament to the Ca-
pital, it might perhaps be difficult to devise a Fund, out of
which (when it should bare discharged its prior obligetions;,"
which it has since done, " such Worla could with more pro-
priety have been effected than thus; of which so large a portion
is contiibuted by the inhabitants themselves of the Metropolis,
and tilt rest by the Counties ionnediately adjacent thereto.
" Of this description are, in the opinion of your Committee,
the great and useful work of the Bridge erected at Blackfriars;
the purchase also of the Tolls on. London Bridge, thereby re-
nio‘irg an inconvenience greater even than the burthen of the
Tot!, :aid with either of which it was highly inexpedient that
the access to the Metropolis of a great Commercial Country
Mould be embarrassed. Such also are the improvements of
widening the streets within the City, and opening new and more
dignified, as well as more commodious, approaches to it in every
direction."

Resolved unanisnonsly—That the Committee of the Honour-
able the House of Commons having rejected the means proposed
by this Court for raising the necessary supplies for the approaches,
and suggested that the Corporation should proceed wh h the work,
and apply to Parliament at a future time for a grant from the.
Public Funds of the Country for the completion thereof, in the
event of the Bridge House Funds proeinz insufficient, thi; Court
• considering the magnitude of the work :tared by Mr. Telford,
Civil Engineer, to be oue " which, front ♦arious local circum-
stances, will he foundalmost unparallJed for difficulty and risk,"
the uncertainty of the undertaking, with reference to the expense,
and the obtaining the necessary supplies, and taking exrerience
for its guide, iv of opinion that It will be highly inexpedient for
this Court to undertake the work upon the terms suggested by
the Committee.

Resolved unanimously—That this Court is willing to under-
take the work, and to apply the proceeds of the Bridge House
Estates, to the extent of their capacity, towards the completion
thereof, after reserving sufficient to defray the charges onw ex-
isting upon the Estates, and the expenses of management, and to
form a Sinking Fund; but being convinced that they will prove
insufficient, this Court has uniformly determined not to proceed
until assured of ample Funds front just and equitable sources;
and the principle of providing the requisite means beyond the ex-
tent of the Bridge House Funds has been already recognised by
the ColtlMittee of the House of Commons, who, prior to making
the suggestion abovementtuned, held a conference with his Ma-
jesty's Ministers, and examined into sources from which the same
could be most conven:ently raised.
Resolved unanimously—That it be an instruction to the Com•
mittue fur Letting the Bridge .House,Estates, to urge the in-
troduction of Clauses in the Bill, fur securing, from the source
suggested by this Court, or by other just and equitable means,
such full and adequate supplies (to be resorted to in case of
need) as may be necessary to defray the expense of the requisite
approaches, and all other attendant charges ; and, in the event
of the Committee of the House of Commons refusing to aUow
the introduction of such Clauses, it is orderod, that the prose-
cution of the said Bill, on behalf of this Court, be abandoned,
and that it be an instruction to the Committee for Letting the
Bridge House Estates, to watch the progress of the Bill, if it
should then be further proceeded with, and take such mea►ures
as they shall see in, to protect the interests of this Court, and
the Citizens of London at large; and report from time to time
to this Court.

Resolved—That this Court cannot but express its ennoern,
tltit the said Committee of the Honourable House of Commons
should have directed a Clause to be prepared for insertion in the
to compel this Court to erect a Bridge, agreeably to a
Plan selected by the bald Committee, and to employ. particular
.individualsosamed by them, to erect the same—a measure to
which this Court cannot agree, considering it to be, in the
highest degree, derogatory from the character of this Court, anti
prejudicial to the interests of the Citizens of London.

Resolved—That a Petition be presented to the Honourable
the House of Commons, praying to be heard by Counsel, Agents,
and Witnesses, against such parts of the all as may be prejudi-
cial to the Rights, Interests, and Privileges, of this Court.