New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
FREEDOM OF THE CITY,
ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM WHICH WILL
BE OBSERVED WHEN PRINCE
HENRY COMES HERE

Rhich will be presented to him by the municipal
authorities. In taking this course New-York
will follow the example of London, where note
worthy men have been honored in that way
br many years.
In London this distinction was once looked
tpon as a solid power" II carried the right
10 trade within the city. No man not holding a
document showing that he had the freedom Of
The city could keep a shop. All vehicles for the
transportation OF merchandise marked
free" If owned by freemen. and all those not
branded in that way had TO pay toll on enter
ng the city bounds In 1886 the custom OF
irving this honorary privilege 10 distinguished
men was introduced. but the members of the
Common Council seemed to regret having be-
Itowed so important gift on foreigners" with
out naming any restrictions and seven years
later they passed law TO the effect that free
men must buy goods only from other freemen.
In 1886 Henry VIII and the Queen recon-
hended two persons honorary freemen, but
the citizens refused to admit them because they
feared that some of the requirements would not
be fulfilled.
But when the rights and privileges OF free
men became modified, and citizens Of London |
outside OF the guilds and corporations were not
restricted to trade advantages. the freedom
OF the city became purely honorary matter.
md it is regarded so at this time.
A book is kept at the GuildhaIl in which the
names OF the persons thus honored are recorded
and this roll of honor contains the names OF
many distinguished The first woman to
receive this distinction the Baroness Bur
dett-COutts. who was honOred with the free
dom OF the City OF London on January Is, 1877
fhe freedom of the City of London is presented
In the form OF document engrossed and IL
Illuminated on parchment bearing the great seal
OF the municipality and the signature OF the
Mayor. This document was considered sufficient
in the early days of the custom, but in the last
century it has become a secondary consdera-
ton, the prime feature being the casket in which
the document is Incosed. These caskets are
usually elaborately carved and engraved gold
boxes. and in many instances have been made
additionally valuable by being decorated with
gems. Among the artistic caskets presented
with the freedom OF the City of London
those given TO Henry NJ. Stanley and to General
Grant
While the freedom OF the City has always been
considered a great honor there are instances
In which "freemen' have failed to appreciate
distinction having intrinsic value. In
Bwer to a query, George Ellis wrote to a friend
'In 1856 1 was presented with the freedom OF
Ne City. What l had done to merit this dis
fnction never knew, and suppose / never shall
bow, any more than have ever been able to
ascertain what earthly advantage it confers. 1t
S true paid nothing for it, but that far
as | am capable of judging, is its full value"
The custom, which at first had a great com
mercal value and later became empty
but much coveted honor was followed by other
cities in the British Empire, and now, although
the cities free for all the freedom" is con
fcrred whenever persons of distinction visit
them. On his recent trip TO Australia and
America the Prince OF Wales made a cOnsidera-
bic collection of gold and silver caskets in which
the freedom of many cities to the young
lrince and his consOrt.
Andrew Carnegie also has shelf full of fancy
boxes in which he has received the freedom of
English and Scotch cities.
There has been much criticism of the custom
by which one receives with much pomp and
ceremony useless privilege. But. the other
hand. it is urged that the presentation Of the
freedom Of the city is the only way in which
municipality may convince a visitor that he is
welcome and that the latchstring is out for
him.
The bestowaI Of the freedom OF the city of
NcW-Nork was once in the power of the Mayor
and four or more Aldermen on payment of a fee
not exceeding g. Ito the of the corporation"
Of sui stantial benefit. BY making person
freeman OF the city. he became entitled to all its
municipal privileges; and among others to "the
right Of voting for and of being elected to cor
porate Offices which. according to the old char
ter belonged only to "freemen and freeholders."