Star.
London, England, 1820-11-03 00:00:00

INFLAMMATORY PLACARDS.

Mr. }'AVELL rose, for the purpose of calling the
attention of the Court to the inflammatory placards
that covered the walls of the Metropolis, and stated
his intention to submit a motion to the Court upon
the subject. A difficulty being started as to the ques-
tion of order, the worthy Member moved for leave
to make a motion. Leave being granted, Mr. Favell
moved, that the Court should recommend to the
Lord Mayor to offer a reward for the apprehension
of Franklin and others, who might be concerned in
posting up anonymous inflammatory placards. As
to the criminality of such proceedings, there could
be but one opinion. All present must recollect the
statement made at the time of the Smithfield Meet-
ing, by the late Lord Mayor ; and it was not un-
likely that that statement might have been made in
consequence of the seditious placards that were then
everywhere to be seen.. Independently of more im-
portant considerations, those placards tended to put
the City to considerable expense, by the swearing in
of extra Constables and other arrangements relative
to the Police. As to election squibs, John Bull, from
immemorial Usage, was apt to conceive that he bad
a legalized right to them ; bat that right was to be
carried no farther. In the motion he had submitted
to the Court, he was in unison with the Government
of the country, and also with the opinion of the City.
The worthy Member then moved a Resolution—
" That the Court, feeling deeply interested in the in-
flammatory placards, that both poisoned the public
mind, and struck at the comfort and security of ho-
nest individuals, recommended to the Lord Mayor
and the Magistrates to offer rewards for the appre-
hension of their authors."

The LORD MAYOR, in answer to a question put by
a Member, stated, that the Court of Aldermen had
not thought it necessary to offer any reward', on ac-
count of the large sum that had.been- offered by Go-
vernment ; but had given instructions to the City So-
licitor, in consequence of which, a true bill had been
found against Franklin, at the Old Bailey.
Mr. DIXON did not think it fair to allude to thei
late Lord Mayor in his absence. He could nht see
that election placards should experience more indul-
gence than any others. At a late Election he had been
(as he believed) in imminent hazard of his life. After
the statement just made by the Lord Mayor, he saw
no necessity for proceeding any further. •

Mr. FAVELL would agree to shape the motion so as
to make it palatable to all. He then moved, that the
Court, feeling deeply interested in the inflcmmatory
placards that struck so directly at the happiness and
the peace of the community, heard with great satis-
faction the statement of the Lord Mayor, relative to
the steps taken by the Court of Alderthen for the dis-
covery of their author. . .
After some observations from different' Members,
the Resolution was agreed to, and ordered to be pub-
lished in the usual manner.. . •
The LORD MAYOR adverted to a person That had
been brought before him on- the preceding day, for
printing a cditiotts hand-bill. He had not then fined
him, but would fine him £2O if he did not give up
the author.
Mr. Alderman ANSLEY vindicated himself from
having neglected his Magisterial duties for a week.
He had only been absent tor two days, and should
take care such a circumstance should not occur again.

Mr. PLitsurtk, who was lately elected a Metiibet
for the Ward of Farringdon-Within, was sworn into
his office.

Mr. Alderman RaTHWILL returned his acknow-
ledgements for the unanimous Vote of Thanks of the
last Court, for the manner in which he had dis-
charged the important duties of Sheriff.
The Committee appointed to consider the present
state of the London Workhouse, presented a Report
on their having inquired into the same, and recom;
mending some measures to be adopted for putting it
iu a more useful and beneficial condition, which
was agreed to, and afterwards. referred back to be
carried into execution.
The Watch Act was paned for the year ensuing.
The Court agreed with a Report from the Naviga-
tion Committee, for preventing alienations of the
City's Watermen's places in future.
The Court broke up at four o'clock.