Great exertions were made by the Ministerial party in the
Cifito procure a full attendance of members at the Court of Common Council, specially summoned, for Thursday, to address the Queen on her Wad to dismiss the Bedchamber-women. The following circular was nu round on Wednesday- "GiiitilumU, mad
" Dear Sir—It being understood that strong efforts are making to induce members to vote against the address to her Majesty, I am requested by a nume- rous meeting of the requisitionists to urge your punctual attendance at the Court on Thursday. next.
" I ans Sir, yours very truly, . W. A. PEACOCK," The Lord Mayor took his seat at twelve o'clock; and the requisitions having been read, Mr. Ashurst moved the address. It expressed admiration of her Majesty's conduct " in the trying circumstances in which she had bees recently placed," and a desire that her responsible advisers would is future, "by a steady and progressive course of rational reform, coin mand the support of such a majority of her people and of the House of Commons, as will effectually prevent the recurrence of a crisis simi• lar to that in which her Majesty and the country have recently been involved." In moving this address, Mr. Ashurst declared that 'meld not wish to aid either of the two factions in the House of Commons both of whom had justly forfeited the respect and confidence of the People.
Mr. Norris seconded the motion.
Mr. Anderton moved the previous question. He disapproved of the policy of meddling with matters which he thought had better be left to the ladies to settle— Whenever any mischief wins goinr, on, a woman Was always at the bottom of it. Speaking for himself, he could say that he had never got into any mis- chief but where it might be attributed to a woman. Suppose the Tones, no stead of the Whigs, had been in office for the last five or six years, oldest the Whigs, on taking office, found Lady Lyndhurst, instead of the Marchioness of Normally, the companion of the Queen, would not Lord Melbourne, with all his, knowledge of the female sex—[Loughter, and cries If "Orderr would not Lord Melbourne, he would ask, have wished to have removed Idly Lyndhurst ? And what would have been the opinion of his Liberal fried had her Majesty shown the same firnmess in such a case as she had shorn now ? He admired firtnneos in to female:as much as he did in any person; ba sometimes what was called firmness was obstinacy. What was the firmaessof her Majesty's grandfather, whose statue was at present behind the chair tithe Lord Mayor? It was nothing more nor less than obstinacy, which lost this country America, and threw us into an expensive war, the dtects of whichau still felt.
He thought it would be wisest to send up an address to the Quante dismiss hoer Ministers, who held disappointed the expectations of the People, and arid especially of the citizens of London. Sir Peter Laurie seconded the amendment ; for the address was no- thina but an attempt to strengthen Ministers.
Mcr. Stevens supported the address.
Alderman Brown attacked Ministers, especially for their attempt to " cut up" the privileges of the citizens of London. Deputy Conley, Mr. Bower, Sir William Heygate, and other mem. bers, supported the amendment. Mr. Baylis, Mr. Richard Taylor, Mr. Lawrence, and Sir Matthew Wood, the address. Towards them' elusion of the discussion, the Court became very disorderly. Alto man Copeland said he "felt ashamed of the whole discussion."
A division was called for ; when there appeared—
For the addremr— • 4 Aldermen.
69 Common Councilmen.
2 Tellers.
75 For the previous question- 13 Aldermen.
106 Common Councilmen. 2 Tellers.
121 Majority against the address 46
Previous page
