A Court of Common Council was held on Monday, for
the purpose . of considering the report of the Committee appointed to make inqui- ries relative to the Court of Aldermen, and also relative to Municipal Corporations. The Committee stated, that they had had a conference with Sir Francis Palgrave ; who had informed them that the period for vied wee examination had not arrived, and that his present inquiry extended only to documentary evidence. He subsequently delivered in the following list of points, upon which he desired information from the corporation.
1. All by-laws or acts of Common Council, now considered as in force, and regulating or concerning the election, appointment, duties, or functions of the corporate magistrates, members of the Common Council, or officers, or other- wise to the government of the city. 2. Resolutions or orders of the Court of Aldermen or Common Council, appointing the different standing committees. 3. Reports upon the duties or functions of corporate officers. 4. Oaths taken by the magistrates, members of the Common Council, or officers. 5. A table of all customs and dues to which the Corporation are entitled upon the importa- tion of goods, wares, or merchandise. 6. A similar table of all street or gate tolls. 7. A similar table of all fair and market tolls and dues. 8. Forms of precepts issued for the summoning of courts or election of corporate officers. 9. Forms of process in the Mayor's Court, Court of Hustings, sheriff's Court, and the Borough Court of Southwark, and all other courts belonging or inci- dent to the Corporation. 10. An accurate statement, as well as a map or maps of the wards, with the returns of the number of freemen resident in each ward, and the number of dwellinghouses. 11. A similar statement, as well as a map of the boundaries of the city, distinguishing London within the walls from London without the walls. 12. A specification of such districts locally in- cluded within the city boundaries, but exempt or claiming to be exempt, from the city's jurisdiction. 13. The present duties of the judicial and ministerial officers of the Corporation.
The report stated, that upon receiving this communication, the Com- mittee referred it to a Select Committee to prepare the answers and re- turns, and that Committee had given instructions accordingly. It further stated, that directions having some time ago been given to make extensive extracts from the City records, charters, and other do- cuments, with translations of them, they were now nearly complete, and a collection of highly valuable and useful information had been ob- tained; and that as expenses had naturally arisen and must naturally arise from the investigation, the Committee should draw upon the Chamber for a sum of money amounting to 500/.
Mr. Charles Pearson objected to the expenditure for the translations. Mr. Parkes, the Secretary to the Commission, had told him that six pounds was all that the Commissioners had hitherto allowed for trans- lations all over the kingdom, and that they had absolutely set their faces against expense. Mr. Pritchard justified the Committee. They had found the civic records in the greatest possible confusion, and had forty different sits tings in order to arrange and methodize them properly. Mr. Galloway, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. Richard Taylor, spoke a few
words ; and a motion for agreeing to the report of the Committee was unanimously carried.
It is mentioned as a remarkable and most creditable fart, that this laborious Committee have not once dined together at the public expense. . Yesterday, the Lord Mayor Elect directed the Remembrancer to address an invitation to the grand civic banquet on the 9th of November to the intrepid explorer of the Polar regions. A Committee was also appointed, as usual, to make arrangements for the entertainment. [Captain Ross will doubtless be the chief point of attraction for some time to come ; and the Lord Mayor Elect has wisely taken precaution that the worthy citizens of London shall enjoy a sight of the Lion of the day at a cheap rate.] It appears that there has been for some time a considerable difference of opinion between the inhabitants and Common Councilmen of Langhourn Ward, on the subject of their Most Worshipful Represen- tative in the Court of Aldermen. The Common Council fully agree with the inhabitants that Sir John Key is totally unfit for the office he still holds, but thought that they were not the proper parties to move in the business. The disgust of the inhabitants, however, became so strong at the daring effrontery of the Alderman, that the Common Council considered it prudent to interfere, lest they might come in for a share of the general feeling when St. Thomas's Day came round. They ac- cordingly met last week, and unanimously agreed to a resolution that the conduct of Sir John Key was highly disgraceful, and such as in- capacitated him from exercising the office of a Magistrate; and that they therefore, on behalf of the Ward, requested him to resign his seat forthwith. On the next morning, this resolution was presented to Sir John Key by nine of the Common Council (the tenth being out of town, but cognizant of and approving the proceeding), accompanied with the expression of their regret at the unavoidable necessity of the step they had taken, and of their opinion that it was advisable for him to comply with Lais resolution at once, rather than wait for a public meeting. Sir John, to the amazement of the Deputation, stated that his resigning was quite out of the question ; that nothing be had done could be considered dishonourable, or as affecting his magisterial cha- racter; and that he should retain his gown until he was compelled (if that were possible) to vacate it. He added, that he was much sur- prised at the extraordinary conduct of the Common Council, some of whom he understood had made use of very strong language respecting him. To this one of the Deputation replied, that if Sir John alluded to him, he was perfectly correct ; that he had designated him as a scoundrel, an opinion which be believed was entertained by eleven out of twelve persons in the city of London. Sir John reiterated his determi- nation to retain his magisterial office, and the Common Council bating again warned him of the probable consequences of his obstinacy, the interview terminated. It is now understood, that such steps will be taken by the Ward on the 21st of December (St. Thomas's Day), that the Honourable Magistrate will be compelled to retire. It is, how- ever, suspected, that prior to that period, he will follow the example of certain well-bred dogs, who, &c. --Morning Post.
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