The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-04-08 00:00:00

,TFS.MAN.

stiff iii/g-ffia expreised their abhorrence of that
%my right for whik h'ttti. Common Hall this day con-
tendett ; not only did ditty dp so, but they ventured
ryes, to go op to the Throne, and to tell the King,
that those who stood up for the right ,sere dk!oyal.
'Pc was sorry to think that there were individuals at
the present moment, who would destroy this right
kltogether. At the ppriod Of the year 1773, when
the first check deriog period
piesent reign was given to
t%is right, as previously exercised by the city of Lou.don, we were about to en tave jtva dreadful War with
Arnerica—a.iiar which might have been avoided, had
trio Petition of the Commonalty of Loudon been at-
fmal.el :a, and received its die lie shopld
fie ettremely happy if any .9 those indiridnals, who
thought that listening to Petitions or Addresses of
this kind would do injury, would have .the goodness
itv)w to step forward, and show the Me:,ting
iyils'could possibly hare resulted from the circurn-
*nonce of the advice of-the Livery of kndon having
been attended to ; and if, on the other hand, by.at-
temling to it, the dreadful War which -terminated in
'the disuniting America from this country might not
hare been prevented ?—To a similar obstinacyr and
to a similar perversity of council. he &artentlesl,,were
to be attributid the calarnit.us war in which for the
last 20 years we had been engaged-3 war which
promised no boon& to 'its endurance' whici 'had
ft-aped incalculable evils on the conntiV, and which
threatened it even whit eventual ruin. Ile should be
ghni to see any of thoseGentlere;,n, it such there were
• in ~at step forward, and shot any thing bad
which cou]d have -e4ulted 'from tltc reteivi-ig of those
Vetitions, which could, by possibility, be firrured, at
all calculated fO prodnee-Nnal evits from those
which had actually resulted from the rejecting them?
=--.[lnterruptions, clamours,' and cries of turn out.
One person, in consequence, was taken into custody
by the Marshal.}—On another occasion, when the

Common Hall, In thi! year ISOO, craved that the
Overture or Bonaparte to this •rountry for Peace,
should not be rejeeed, their Address and Petition
ivas 'once more refused to be received. He only
sished to ask, was there a man in the country who
could 'read the proceediugs of. the Livery on the oc-
casions to which he bad referred; end not agree that
•it would have been more wise to have received the
Peltioas than to have rejected theca He should
how only beg leave to read the Resolutions.
Having read the Resolutions, Mr. Waithman then
proceeded. • The fact of two Addresses to his Majes-
ty from the Court cf Lieutenancy of the City of
London which, in no respect leas a Corporate
1 .
Body, being received by the. King on the Throne,
tithe Addrtises from the Mayor and-Commonalty of
the City Were refused to be received in the same man-
ner,' was fo notorious, that it' would be unnecessary
for ifini tO' say a ii-urd more on the subject. The
prefencesils, that the Livery was Rot a. Body Cor-
porate. Be (Mr. Waithmait)• would be one of the
last to deny to the Com Mon .Council those privi-
leges to *which they were justly entitled ; but, he
must say, that each of the Common Council and
Common flail had distinct and separate privileges,
and, though the acts of the Common Hall might not
strictly be considered as Corporate acts, yet it was to
be considered that the Common Hall wits composed
_ of Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, who united
consfittited the great Corporate Body of the City, or
the Lord Mayor and Commonalty. This Body existed
long before the Common Council had ever, been heara
61. They alone could sue or be sued, even at this mo-
ment. it was not tlll the Livery became too numerous
to be resorted to on every occasion, that the Coin-
'ion, Council was thought' of. Tit: I.lvery did
themselv:s originally appoint the Memiot,rs of the
Common Council ; and it was by the. Livery wild
Common Hall asse!Abled that the alterations in the
mod:• of their 'appointment were agreed to. Any
Man, Iv, ventured to assert, who dared now, in such
clre:enstances, to recommend to the Prince Regent,
to trespass on the rights of such a body ae the great
Corporate Body of the City of London, after by to
doing one King had forfeited for himself and for his
family for ever, the Throne of these kingdoms, was
deserving of the detestation, not of every Liveryman
alone, but of every honest min in the country—[re-'
vi fitted cpA. Wai there an invirlual, he asked,
Who would net wl, that cri-h rights should be held
sacred; and, if v.!.:q.cotild the Livery say of any
than who migh' of that Ball and afterwards
vilify their pro,:' 'di a ? Was there any way in.which
the access of persc'es mot of the Livery, Into the
MI, during the meetings of the Livery, could be
•ntore effectually prevented than that which was now
adopted ? If so, why was it not resorted to ? Or,
ifGentlemen objected that the sense Of the Livery
was not fairly taken, let them call anotter Common
to reconsider the matter. But let them• not
go into holes and cntiers, for the purpose of cast-
irig.obloaei; as far as in them Inv on 'their own

THE ST,

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to state our grievances. Ile had ,at a IVI- eating of. the
Livery within these•few days, pointed-`:nit a satiety
of circumstances occurring within the last 9i) years,'
which, iii his opinion, 'went to chew, a growing con-
tempi for public opinion ; and he was sorry to she,
in the inftance.now before them, a striking etempli-
hcation of this,.as applieOle to the [Averred -Lou-
don. •It had biten said, in some. of the venal prints
•of the.day, that if the, Livery expected that their
Addresses should he received at Court, theyashould be
framed in other 'swage. Ire did not doubt that-
this was the fact; and if the Livery, adopting the
language.of sycophaucy and flattery, and abstaining
from the statement of facts. whieh caused them, to
complain of grievances, would approach the Throne
with their Addresses, he did suspect they would find
the way to St. James's strewed a little with roses.
When they witnessed, however, ugh a dreadful se-
ries of acts of •malradministration, as that which' for
the last twenty years had presented itself, he must
say, that he would rather see the flagstaff 'of British
t Liberty nailed to the mast-head, eed that we should
.perish with the Constitution, than yield to the op-
pressions daily accumulating aiotind us.. If the de-
ports of the' Debates hi Parliament were correctly
given to the Public, of which he had not a doubt,
then had a Member of one of the Houser stated in
t his plaie, that the Mover and secender .of certain
Resolutions, lately come to by the Livery, ought to
hrve been. sent to Newgate. if this 'was not like
runniug down public opinion, he did not know what
it was. Of the practices resorted to for the purpose
pfciying down the Livery in Common Hall assembled,
he had a peetty eatlskeiory instance comatunietited•
to him some tune ago, by a Liveryman, who inform-
ed him, that after he'had been present in this Hall,
and given. his assent to certain Resolutions then
passed, he received a letter from, a certain Gentle-
man, informing him that if he_ did not go.te the
_ _

London Tavern, and sign the Counter-Resolutions
lying there, lie should no longer have his employ-
meet. This the Liveryman had the courage tq refuse,
being prouder in the approba• ion of his own conscience,
and thinking that the Poet was correct in his descrip-
Bon when he said, • -
" More true content Mareellas exiled feels, -
• than Csesor _with a senate st his heels."
Being-so near the monument of the great Lord Chat-
ham, he could not forbear calling the recollection of
the Meeting to an observation of his in the House
of Lords, respecting the City ofLoodon. Lord-
; ship remarked, that when he mentioned the City of
London, he thought he saw a sneer on the faces of
some of their Lordships; he was proud, however, of
associating Ms name with theirs c The City Of Lou.!
don had, from the earliest period of our history,
been of high consideration in the country. The Lord I
Mayor of London was one of thoft.legates who re-
ceived Magna Charta from the hand of John; but i
t.
' ho* had the City of London been treated now ?
They had been sent, sorely afflicted, from the pre-
sence of his Majesty, and had been reprimanded.—
Such were'Lord Chatham's sentiments as.to the City
of • London many years ago ; and such he (Mr.
' Favell)thoUght was no very unfair representation of
her situation af-the present moment [applauset].
The first nine ilesolutions were then 'successively
put, and almost unanimously carried. -
Mr. WaititAtAN then came forward and said, that
he had to propose-a series of Resolutions nearly
similar to what had usually been adopted on former
occasions--[Here he read that part of the R.esolu.l
lions containing instructions to the City'Representa-
lives' sec Aduertiscmentj. .It was not necessary for I
I .
htm to make many observations on the subject of !
the motion. One of the Resolutions, he.believed,
if carried, would not be attended witirany good
effect—be' meant that which related to the vote of
their meritorious Representatives. it was 'one of
the privileges of a meeting like the preient, that it
afforded them an opportunity of investigating the con-
duct of their' Representatives.
.A,t the last meeting 1,
he had put a question to the gentlemen, which,'
ix his humble opinion, was by no means invidious,
respecting their vote, when the appointment of Co-
lonel M'Alahott came under dismission in the House
of Commons. He hoped that if these Gentlemen
came forward that day, that • every' word they said
would hi, patiently heard--they• might' rely Omit- that
whatever thes should say would be against titsimselvea.
[Applause.) lle then adverted
.to. Flint :had been
said by the several ,Representatives at the last Hall. A
worthy Baronet (Sir Wm.. Curtisp• we believe) had
disclaimed all instructions—he wished !else bound.by
nothing but his owo conscience. Surely the woreity
Baronet must have hid some reason or other for acting
as he did on the oceasien alluded to: HiS conscience
would not allow him to give his reason. He wished to
make a short observation en this subject of con-
science. When the House of Commons thought prli.
per to change the period of their citting from threeto

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Ai. How t ey could reconcile these contradictions,
and get out of those he left to themselves.
But he hoped the Livery of Lpnclon would not be
cajoled by declarations of purity of conscience, when
they shoutd hear reason. The specimens of conscica4e
he had witnessed, retuitided him -of that of Launcclot
Gobboi it appeared to be a very hard sort-of. con-
science Indeed. [Much laughing and applause.] • •
Sir WILLIAM Ludy's, after a sltotitt interruption
obtained a hearing, He did not know that he was
Wand to answer every question that might be put to
him respecting his conduct; but he was ready, how.
ever, to give such explanation. _What! was. be to
go into the House of ConunOtts, and without paying
the least attention to any arguments which might be
used there, to sap bore are my instructions and
from these I can in no ease deviate ? He had told
'them over and over again, that he would never con.
sent to be so tied dOwn. lie meant no disresirect to
theM, but he would discharge the duty wr -h his
Constituents bad entrusted to Mm to the best of his
own judgment. lie had been called on for expla-
nation respecting his conduct on the night when Col.
-11I'Mahon's case came before the House of Com-
inottS--It might appear invidious, hut he thought
he was entiVed to say, that he was o.ie who was
posed to act fairly and oiontly on every occasion.—
That nigh', he would assure them, that he was con-
fined to his house. If his health had permitted him
to go to the House of Commons, lie would have
voted with the majority that night. He recollected
at the beginning of the Regency, that the great
Orator whom they had ja3t heard [hissing], told
them that the Prince would now be enabled to re.
word those who were really deserving of it. Pro.
bably that Gentleman expected the rewards would
be bestowed only on his own friends [hisses]. There
were.places which ought to be given up, and when
these places were pointed-out to him he would tote
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for their abolition Loplouse]. -By cutting down the
Regent, they would only reduce themselves, and
make themselves less than they were. With respett •
to what had been said about the change of the dura- :
tion of Parliament to seven years, he 'would tell
thole, whether the time should be seven' or. three
years, it would have no effect on his mind. Ile
would do exactly what he thought fit, and they I
would have an opportunity very shortly of judging
of hireonduct. •
Alderman Comas declared he continued to main-
tain
the principles which he had always hitherto pro-
fessed,
.respecting the duty of a Member of Parte-
meut'. On that vubject he differed entirely from his
colleagues.
Sii `CHARLES Pater came forward, amidst loud 4
hisses and cries of Off! He obtained at last a•hear-
lag, but the iuterruptions were so loud and frequent,
that we could understand het little of what be said.
He explained the motives for his conduct in the
House of Commons, on the night so often alluded
to, and began to state the principles he would at all
times follow in Parliament ; but the cries of Off! ,
became so loud, that he was obliged to withdraw.
Sir dawns Saki, attempted ineffectually to speak
for some time.
The LORD MAYOR then came forward and
observed, that. as one side had been so pattently
heard, what would the public think if the other was
prevented from being so? Every man ought to have
an opportunity of_ explaining his conduct, without
interruption.
Sir JAMES SHAW resumed speaking:--Whenever'
the.local interests of the City of London were con-
cerned, he held the instructions of his Constituents
to be imperative; but whenever a great hatiOnal
question nos under discussion, he •conceired be
ought to go into Parliament with a free and
unbiassed judgment. These, weft his sentiments,:
and WWI always publicly declared them.—He saw
from this Resolutions, which be now held in his
hands, that one of the ibstfinctions was for the abo-
lition
of useless places. .The whole of his conduct in
Parliament was fairly and Telly-before thong-; and he
mould- ask any man if' he • could _say that he had
notever voted in Parliament, from the first day to
the last, for the abolition of -useless places?—He
would shortly state to them the motives on
which lie acted when the appointment of Colonel
M‘Mabon was discussed in the House of Commons.
He wished to do this in 114. few words as poilible, as
he was at present labouring undet an indisposition,
which would have prevented him from coming there
that day, had he not been anxious to attend the
lhll. Be considered Colonel M'Mahou's appoint-
ment an insulated question. It was not the inten-
tion of.-the Mover, Mr. Bankes, than whom, he be-
lieved, there was not a man of a purer mind in the
conntry, bet it was the intention of a party in the
Muse. that night,•to *give a slap in the face to the
Prince Regent. He could not vote in favour Of the
Motion, and he- could not allow- hietself fo vote

body,,and 'Of "`it
.EI: 1
palling. down those tights which it seven years, the people ought to have something be-1 against: it., Such were his motives. It was not ne-
stles, 'AA du to maintain.. Ois a former cm. sides theconselences of their Representatives to-look Icessary for Mm to go into the_ -Petition which
eision—tp Live 'bad declared that . they would to. ConscienCe was ne doubt a very good thing; b6t i was voted in the Hall some time ago. The only
stand by4helr Representatives, and 'defend them might notconscience be violated occasionally. Lieeifiglit . Question' was, whether the Petition should be re-
with their Hires: but now, where ' here the. Repre..inot a place, or pension, or contract, or -the et- ceived by the Regent on the Throne, or as Petitions
sentativesiby.'whin theX could stamht. Persons out pectation of them give, now and then, 4 bias to it ? ' from. other parts of the country. The Ilonaprible
of &lora hidiaht of the f.iverethit:they could met iLA laughj—The_ltipresentatives were sent to Pir-.j Mover, however, had put the question on Qmother
and pass reaeltitions `•, but, if an elitkloo cling, and i Kamera for the express purpose of doing the hnsiness 1 footing, namely,. the Right to Petition. ". Who tie
the Bankeriekike to aolkitibeliVotl:lok,t&s,fteshoie..Of their*CenStituents- 'rherwere thidippiies of the :vied the right to petition/ The only question was,
COndUit they professed to disapprere qfv:4hey
.emsktipeople, and bound to :speak their sentinients: No whether the Petition was to be received "on 'the
not move kitty, hut mijit epgaN at.,Theihustiageond i'sktubt there were innumerable cases where it would Throne, or at the Levee. • The Prince Regent 'said
vote as the were desired. TheiN,as4‘ eitoketir3rW.l be neiessary, for these Representatives, to act before . very.fairly and honestly, 'he would receive it as his
he complaitietrof, that tht jilvell.weitt. not lOWA. `they possibly could receive instructions; but in all , fattier had, received 'petitions. Allusions had teen
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to give freesia uttliatehd.rettit.' But ifaceenprec,, cases where they did receive instructions, he held it ; made to the period of 1775. He way sorry to day that
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time were resorte44 fer.the,purdose of . . Q ..
I,tobi their 4ounden they to comply with them. one'l the very factious proceedings which took piece thsii
eiettlbfili of 'those *6 wcie.,.omsni4f,y_tucir Ben. Baronet (Sir C. Price) had assigned the most had lowered the character of the Common Hall very
st
stetatisell, sred that; . tee, WfthrthO 4lKtWie
approbation of those Brie Itepresentatives ~.theM4 rth .He iold.them he.saw a faction in the House,: end " Hear!"] It was a most serious thios, that
selves, he wishedto know ou what pretence they the aid therefore he went away, Now, if be observed
,a), a few factious men should have the powei of leading
Representatives) flared to complain of being'asksd to .14 fiction there, he should have staid, and voted against i,that assembly in the way that was done. [Cries qf.
s4rifice their consciences' when at any tine 'tithed on" it. • But, because he could not 'vote with the faction, I " Off !"] In the present Resolntions'erery thing
to obey' the instructions of the Livery ?--lye hoped; he. sacrificed his conscience and retreated.. .But this that had been done since the Accession to this day
the Livery would, 'in future, see thgkirqpropriety of . faction, it appeared, was no other than a majority of , was jumbled together. Could any thing rook more
thkis sat:niacin& themselves and thofs.country, ,and ' the House• of_Cotmnons. And then came another , factiottthan such a mode of proceeding ? * rcries I,
would pursue a different lino of conduct, even at the : lion. Baronet (Sir J. Shaw), for
-they were all Ho- ! " Off! uhich ai length became s 0 load that Su.
hazard of the workhouse. He 1440 to see the day ; neural:lle Baronets, nimbly treading on thegheels of James retired.]
when they would be prepared, soonert`han thus seed,. , the former, and what did he say ? Why he told I Mr. DUNKIN advance 'to, the front of the. hest-
lice themselies, to surreuder,their lire
,(Loud and . them 'that tills faction, as hik Hen. Colleague had de- ings, and having obtained. ah attdiiince, obheri9d,
repealed cheers.) :_. i sigaated them, were the wisest and. purest Base of that after the orders the Livery had received from
111-r FA iELL SeCOEded flupitegolutiOns. ke need, Commons the country ever saw--[Much laughter]— their General, he shoelditot now have offered -hire.
hardly inform the present Meetieg, that one of the ' although it was notorious that seats in that House self tto their notice, (especially as bep never. be. fiy
niost important privileges which the people of this; were made the subject of barter. That was the had had the impudence to do so) if he hid'not cis'
country enjoyed, and for whielli our ancestors hadi House which one Hon. Baronet called a faction, and to statehis reaSous for holding up his hand ap
Tin:ended, was an easy and free acc.ese to iheThrime which another panegyrited for its wisdom and pee all the Resolutions.—The Speaker was . here
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