The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-04 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

On Wednesday the Town-council held their monthly meet-
ing at the Town-hall, for the despatch of business. It was
numerously attended. Immediately after the Mayor bad
taken the chair, and just as the deputy Town-clerk was
about to read the proceedings of the last meeting,
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE suggested, that as loyalty was the
first duty of the subject, and as it formed a distinguishing
characteristic of the Liverpool corporation, the motion of
which notice had been given for that day by Sir Joshua
Walmsley, of an address to the Queen on the occasion of her
hating given birth to a princess, might take precedence of
any other business. In his opinion a special meeting of the
council ought to have been called for the extraordinary pur-
pose ; but he would not cavil upon that account, and was
only anxious that a loyal and dutiful address of this nature
should not be brought on at the tail-end of the other pro-
ceedings. (Hear, hear.) He therefore begged to call on Sir
Joshua Walmsley to propose his address.
Mr. D. HODGSON thought they ought to start on the pre-
sent occasion with placid minds and united feelings, lest they
might endanger the unanimous adoption of the address after-
wards, when, perhaps, unpleasant feelings, sometimes inci-
dental to debates, might arise.
The MAYOR, understanding that it was the pleasure of the
council to adopt the course suggested, called upon Sir J.
Walmsley to proceed with the reading of bis address.
Mr. H. HORNBY suggested that it might be more advise-
able to have the proceedings of the last meeting of the coun-
cil read in the first instance, as they might then have a fuller
attendance of members than they had at present, as many
gentlemen were not in the habit of coming immediately after
the chamber was opened.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE had no objection to the course
suggested ; and
The DEPUTY TOWN-CLERK proceeded with the reading of
the minutes of the last council meeting. When thenames of
the several committees had been read,
Mr. J. SMITH said the proper officer had, in his opinion,
been guilty ,of a little irregularity in not inserting the christian
names of the different members of the committees instead of
the initials. It was a thing never done before.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE supposed Mr. Smith was afraid of
his being mistaken for another gentleman of that name who
was now a member of the council. (A laugh.)
Mr. EARLE suggested that they be distinguished one from
the other by the term, Smith No. l, and Smith No. 2. (Con-
tinued laughter.)
The conversation here dropped.
ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.
Sir J. WALMSLEY said, that if any apology were neces-
sary for taking the course he intended, he apprehended it
would be found in the fact that he had consulted the wishes
of every member of the council in giving the present notice.
(Hear.) He believed he was correct in saying that there
was but one feeling on this subject, that of joining iu loyalty
and affection to her Majesty and her illustrious consort, on
the occasion of an event having taken place that was calcu-
lated to increase her happiness, consolidate the succession to
the throne, and unite the affections of the people to a sove-
reign, not more illustrious from her high station than she
was from her public and private virtues. (Hear.) She had
evinced such a power, wisdom, and aptitude, beyond her
years, that be was sure there was not one who listened to
him that would not say we had great reason, indeed, to join
in expressions of loyalty and gratitude to that beloved
monarch. The wisdom and zeal she had already displayed
were worthy of the highest commendation, and gave abun-
dant promise that the good seed so well sown by her excel-
lent mother would issue in a luxuriant harvest, and that her
people would never have less cause than they had at pre-
sent to unite in expression of loyalty, gratitude, and affection
towards her. He begged, therefore, to move—" That a
dutiful and loyal address be presented to her Majesty, on
the occasion of the birth of a princess ; and also that an ap-
propriate address be presented to his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, and the Duchess of Kent."
Mr. H. LAWRENCE wished :the seconding the of motion
had fallen into abler hands, but as only one feeling could pre-
vail on the occasion, he would not detain them longer, after
the eloquent language they had just heard, than to second
Sir Joshua's proposition, which he did with great pleasure.
(Hear.)
The motion having been carried,
Sir J. WALMSLEY proposed the adoption of the following
address to the Queen :
" TO HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.
" The dutiful Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Bur-
gesses of the Borough of Liverpool.
" May it please your Majesty,—We, the mayor, alderman,
and burgesses of the borough of Liverpool, approach your
Majesty with the sincere expression of our dutiful attach-
ment to your Majesty's person and to the constitution, and
to offer our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations on
the happy event of the birth of a daughter, heiress presump-
tive to the throne of this realm.
" We pray the Great Disposer of Events that your Ma-
jesty's valuable life, and that of your illustrious consort, may
long be spared, and that the young Princess may have the
advantage of being. guided and directed in her infant and
riper years, by a sovereign distinguished for her domestic
virtues, proud of her country's happiness and glory, and
whose highest abmition is to reign in the hearts of her
people.
" Given under the seal of the borough," &c.
Mr. GLAtraToNE said it was as good an address as could
well be preferred. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. H. LAWRENCE seconded it adoption, after which it
was carried unanimously.
ADDRESS TO PRINCE ALBERT.
Sir J. WALMSLEY then proposed the adoption of an ad-
dress to Prince Albert.
Mr. H. LAWRENCE seconded the motion, which was
carried.
Alderman EARLE thought they were in the right in having
them all moved and seconded by the same individuals ' • other-
wise, there would be too large a party in London. (A laugh.)
Mr. CASE, hearing Prince Albert styled " Duke" in the
address, asked if he were Duke of Saxe Cobourg ?
Mr. H. LAWRENCE replied in the affimative, and said
" Duke" was a higher title than " Prince', in Germany.
The MAYOR thought they ought to be glad to have a gen-
tleman so well versed in German affairs among them as Mr.
Lawrence appeared to be. (A Laugh.)
ADDRESS TO THE DUCHESS OP KENT.
Sir J. WALMSLEY next proposed the adoption of an ad-
dress to the Duchess of Kent.
Mr. H. LAWRENCE seconded the adoption of the address,
which was also unanimously carried.
MODE OF PRESENTING THE ADDRESSES.
The MAYOR said, the next subject for the consideration
of the council was, the mode in which the addresses should
be presented, whether at a levee or at the home-office.
Mr. PLATT thought the usual plan ought not to be departed
from on the present occasion, but that they ought to be pre-
sented by the movers and seconders.
Sir J. WALMSLEY disclaimed, in proposed the addresses,
any wish upon his part to be sent on a deputation to Lon-
don.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE suggested that they be transmitted,
in the usual form, to the Secretary of State.

Mr. CASE agreed with Mr. L-awrence's suggestion, and
thought the mayor ought to affix the corporation seal to them
beforehand.

Mr. EVANS recommended a reconsideration of Prince
Albert's title. He was known in England as " Prince"
Albert, and when the Queen intimated her intention of
marrying him, no other term was made use of, but it was
announced that it was resolved to ally herself in marriage
with " Prince" Albert of Saxe Coburg. Why, then, were
they to go to Germany in search of a new term, particularly
when the popular feeling of England was, that the term
" Prince" was a higher honour than that of " Duke ?" This
was the feeling, he thought, that pervaded this country at
least, and besides, they had no precedent for the new term
in either the House of Commons or House of Lords.
Mr. H. LAWBENCE said the selection of " Duke" for
that of " Prince" was not attributable to either himself or
Sir Joshua Walmsley, and was quite willing that the term
Prince " should be substituted if it was deemed to be more
respectable.
Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY said that he was mentioned in
the address as " Prince" Albert, and, ,
in addition as the
" Duke" of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.

Mr. EVANS thought they had no occasion to make disco-
veries of this sort, but to adhere to his ordinary title.
The MAYOR said that if they could find a London paper
of the Tuesday subsequent to the birth, they would there
find the several addresses of the common council of the me-
tropolis, and see the manner in which he had been styled.
Mr. EVANS observed that the present was not the first
occasion upon which they had addressed him as " Prince,"
and, therefore, they had local as well as general precedent
for the term.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE had no doubt but Mr. Evans was
much more conversant with the practice of the German
courts than he (Mr. L.) could pretend to be—(a laugh)—but
he hoped they would not destroy their unanimity by having
any difference of opinion on so trifling a subject.
Sir J. WALMSLEY agreed with Mr. Evans that he was
styled " Prince" Albert in the former addresses from Liver-
pool, but also that he was gazetted as such.
The MAYOR said the motion then before the chair was,
that the corporation seal should be affixed, and that they be
transmitted for presentation to the secretary of state; but in
case the secretary of state, as was suggested to him by the
town-clerk, might have some difficulty in gaining an inter-
view with one of the royal personages, it was for the council
then to say what course should be adopted.
Mr. Amur; thought they ought not to depart from the
usual mode of presenting the present addresses, and moved
that the proposer and seconder be sent as a deputation to
London for the purpose;

Mr. EVANS thought they had had a great deal too much of
deputations to London, and that, under the peculiar circum-
stances of the Queen being in a delicate situation, it seemed
altogether out of place. However niggardly it might appear,
he confessed that he grudged the expense as unnecessary,
and, from his own observation of matters in London, he be-
lieved the mode they had determined on at first would be a
great deal more acceptable to the government. (Hear.) He
was, therefore, anxious to have the addresses to go in the re-
gular way, through the home department.
Mr. BOOTH said that whatever course they adopted in
Liverpool, would be likely to be followed as an example in
other places.

Mr. MELLOR seconded Mr. Aikin's amendment.
Mr. AMIN should be sorry to see Liverpool an exceptidn
to a general rule on the present.oceasion, and sorry also if any
parsimoniousness, or the saving of a small and paltry ex-
pense, should induce the usual course to be departed from.
He would, therefore, call for a division on his amendment.
Mr. EVANS asked whether the mover of the amendment
was
the desiroccasion us of ?
trund
(A laug ling uph)the mayor's carriage and horses
on o.
A division was then taken on Mr. Aikin's amendment,
when the numbers were as follows—
For it ........
Against it
The original resolution by Mr. H. Lawrence was then de-
clared to have been carried.
The following are the names of ti e gentlemen who' voted :
For—Messrs. J. Mellor, J. Aikin, J. Woollright, J. Priest-
ley, J. N. Wood, W. Slater, W. M`Kee, J. Platt, J. Horn-
by, and W. P. Freine-10.
Against—Messrs. J. Holmes, G. Quayle, D. Hodgson,
Isaac Holmes, It. Houghton, W. Thornhill, J. Case, H. R.
Sandbach, H. Copeland, It. B. B. H. Blundell, H. Holmes,
T. Sands, Sir J. Walmsley, H. Hornby, R. V. Yates, T.
Toulmin, J. Lawrence, T. Robinson, J. Cooper, H. Law-
rence, W. Birkett, It. Gladstone, C. Bushell, J. Proctor, T.
Morecroft, J. Kilshaw, T. Coglan, J, Smith, D. Mather, R.
Harbord, G. H. Lawrence, A, Smith, jun., R. Sheil, T. Bul-
ley, T. Booth, R. Roskell, T. Leathom, G. Holt, R. Benn,
J. MOOD, E; Evans, T. B. Barclay, T. Holt, and the Mayor
—44.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE—THE LATE MR. CURRIE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Finance
Committee having been read,
Mr. HUGH HORNEY (the chairman) said it was necessary,
according to the standing orders, that the vacancy in the
committee, occasioned by the death of Mr. William Wallace
Currie, should be filled up at the next meeting of the coun-
cil, and that notice of it be given on the present occasion ;
but he did not think they would be doing their duty if they
passed not some resolution expressive of their sincere regret
at the late melancholy event which removed Mr. Currie from
them—(hear)—and also expressive of the value of the ser-
vices which, during the long period of a quarter of a century,
he rendered to the town at large. (Hear.) He (Mr. H.)
would not detail those services even if he were capable of
doing so, he should shrink from the task ; but they were well
known and fully appreciated, as clearly proved by the uni-
versal sentiment of sorrow the announcement of his death
occasioned throughout the town—a sentiment which was not
confined to his friends and acquaintances merely, nor yet to
the party of which he was a firm supporter, but was felt by
many entertaining political opinions opposed to those he pro..
fessed. (Hear, hear.) If
c
there existed any sympathy inoses of this kind, Where the
hand of Providence bore most