Star.
London, England, 1821-11-16 00:00:00

COMMON COVNCIL

Yesterday, a Special Court of Common Council
was held at Guildhall, for the purpose of con-
sidering the propriety of voting a loyal and dutiful
Address to his MaJam, congratulating him on his
safe return from his tour to hiscontinenral dominions.

This' being the first Court of Common Council in
the new Mayoralty, his Lordship, on taking the Chair,
addressed the Court nearly as follows:—That on ap-
pearing before them, for the first time, in the diAin-
guished situation in which he had been placed by his
fellow,citizens, he should be wanting in justice to his
own feelings if he did not address the Court in terms
of the highest respect. He had to request their can-
did interpretation of his conduct. It was his ardent
wish, in all discussions, that the utmost liberty of sen-
timent should be exercised, consistent with the dig-
nity of the Court and the importance of its proceed-
' ings. In his humble endeavours to perpetuate its
character, as the first in the kingdom, and the leader
and example of all others, he should despair of suc-
cess, it he could not rety on the assistance of many
Gentlemen who have attained a knowledge of the
laws and constitution of this great Metropolis;- he,
therefore, looked forward to their advice and assist-
ance, as well as the candour of the Court at large,
and trusted he should not look in vain. His' Lord.
ship then stated, that he had convened them thus
early to consider the propriety of an Address of Con-
gratulation to his Majesty, on his safe arrival in these
realms, after his Majesty's visit to the Continent.

HIS MAJESTY S RETURN.

Mr. OLDHANI said, that if he could anticipate any
opposition to his motion, he could have wished it in
better hands ; but he thought those who differed most
would concur in an Address of personal congratula-
ti,,n to the Sovereign. He would-never give up his
right to animadvert on the conduct of Government,
but it was a fundamental part of our Constitution,
that the King could do no wrong. They had prece-
dent on precedent of concratolation to the Sovereign
on his return from his ilanoverian dominions, after
a long and perilous journey. There were no less
than three or four instances of this in the reign of
George IL He was sorry there had been more than one
Address on this occasion, because it might be thought
that the Court of Common Council would not go sal
far as the Court of Aldermen. They were not the
most loyal who professed so much, and last Lord
Mayor's-day wotrld shew to the Royal Family and'to
his Majesty's Ministers that there were no more loyal
subjects in the King's dominions than the Citizens of
London: lie then moved an Address of Congratu-
lation to his Majesty on his safe return.
Mr. Ex Sheriff IVILLIABIS seconded the motion;
and in doing so, he trusted to the manly candour of
the Court to allow that, whatever honours he might
have received from the Crown, he would never barter
kis political honours for pecuniary rewards. He
trusted that on this occasion there wool.] he no dif-
ference of opinion whatever, as it was merely a mark
of personal respect to the Sovereign, and consequently
involving no political question of any kind. He an•
ticipated the utmost unanimity with the more confi-
dence, as a similar vote had been carried in that
manner on his Majesty's late return Trom his visit to
his faithful subjects of the Sister Kingdom.
Mr. FAVELL said, that he agreed in the motion;
and while they yielded to none in true loyalty, he at
the same time hoped they would always exercise a
constitutional jealousy and vigilance over the conduct I
of Ministers. He was sure that the City of London
was as loyal when it was visited by Earl Grey, as
when they were honoured with the company of the
Marquis of Londonderry.
Mr. Davis hoped this question would be allowed
to stand on.its own merits, as a simple proof of their
loyalty and attachment to his Majesty's person.
Mr. FATTEN said, that, though he did not intend
to oppose the motion, he was of opinion that the
duty of the Court would be best performed by pre-
seining to his Majesty an Address of Condolence on
the late unfortunate events—(Loud disapprobation).
He had a right to express his feelings; and he would
boldly express them so long as he had a seat in that
Court. IlHr thought that the Court would best shew
its loyalty by voting such an Address as he had
alluded to.
The motion was carried unanimously, and a Com-
mittee appointed, consisting of all the Aldermen pre-
sent, and a Common Councilman from each Ward,
to prepare and bring in the Address.
The Committee then retired for a considerable
time; and on their return, strangers were ordered to
withdraw. This was done accordingly ; and during
their exclusion, which lasted for a considerable time,
it was understood that a discussion of some length
took place on the Address ; but it was ultimately
carried in the affirmative, with unanimity, and the
Sheriffs ordered to wait on Lord SIDMOUTII, to know
when the KING will receive the same. •
TIIANKS TO TILE LATE LORD. MAYOR.
Mr. Deputy WEDDELL moved the thanks of the
Court to the late Lord Mayor, for the wisdom and
hospitality, displayed by him during his Mayoralty.
(,See Advertisement in ourfront page.)
Mr. FAVELL felt it a great honour to have be-
longed to the Ward which had given such a Lord
Mayor to the City of London. He gave his assent
to the Address, as it contained a series of truisms.—
His Lordship had hhd to act in times of great pet it ;
but he had proved, beyond dispute, that a Constable's
staff would preserve the peace of the City much more
effectually than the broad-sword—(Hear, hear).
Mr. OLDHAM was in hopes that the Gentlemen
opposite would have given testimony to the impar-
tiality of the late Lord Mayor, who had never given
way to political prejudice during his Mayoralty.
Mr. S. Dixon said, if the worthy Gentleman would
have waited a few minutes, he would have heard it
said that the general conduct of the late Lord Mayor
er,titled him to the gratitude of his feilow-citizens.
Mr. T. N. WILLIAMS supported the motion. The
conduct of the late Lord Mayor had been throughout
impartial and praiseworthy.
The motion was then carried unanimously.
SPECIAL JURIgS.
Alderman WAITit took an opportunity of
mentioning, that some years ago an inquiry was made
into the constitution of Special Juries; when it was
found that they were appointed by the Sheriffs, or
Under-Sheriffs; and it was ordered that returns
should be made by the Common Councilmen of each
Ward. Some had culpably neglected to make those

morns, so that the lists remained filled up of persons'
called Merchants. Now his opinion was, that the
only qualifications for a Special Juryman were, in-
dependence and intelligence. • He hoped, after this,
no time would be lost in making out the prover re-
turns; if not, he should make a motion on the subject.
Mr. S. Dixox hoped that, after this admonition, the
Wards•would immediately make the returns of all the
persons capable of serving as Special Jurymen. There
were no men so capable as the brokers, and yet, in that
capacity, they were excluded.
Alderman WAITHMAN said that the Master of the
Crown Office had rejected a rag- merchant,as not being
sufficiently respectable, though he need not say that
some of the most respectable and 'intelligent man in
London were rag-merchants. On the contrary, a
wine-merchant was accepted.
Here the conversation dropped.
The Court were occupied at some length in the
consideration of a Report from the General Purposes
Committee, recommending the appropriation of pre-
mises in Aldermanbury as a temporary Court of
Requests, which was agreed to, and the expense not
to exceed £2oo.—Adjourned.