inan.

There is an obvious and fair remedy for this hardship, which however it is not necessary to describe here, and I am desirous to avoid too much intrusion on your useful paper. The necessity to which the brewers have been driven to make the beer so much weaker, has the effect to lessen the general repute of the whole trade in the estimation of the public, and even to excite the reproaches of many. How severely unjust this is may be submitted to the candid and intelligent part of the community. Every considerate mind must perceive that there is no other alternative in the case, than an advance in the retail price of the beer, or submitting to the use of a liquor more deserving the appellation of table beer than any better description.- -I am, Sir, yours respectfully,

He could have wished that an earlier day had been fixed for the present Meeting; but the delay had this advantage,

that

Which, when duly considered, points out a most cruel partiality in taxation, inasmuch as the poor man, who has not the means, because he does not possess the ne-whatever they did would appear the result cessary utensils, to brew, if he drinks beer, of cool and deliberate consideration. It must buy it of the brewer or the publican, was hardly necessary to say a word on and, thus, he pays twice as much tax for the the subject of the Address: if it had been same quantity as his wealthy master, the a question which could excite any dispute, landed gentleman, or the splendid noble- he would not have brought it forward. He knew that it had been in the contemplation of some worthy members of the Corporation to have agitated this matter some time ago; but before the documents which had now appeared were generally known, whatever sympathy might have been felt and expressed for the unmerited sufferings of the illustrious Princess, yet the decision of the Council would not have that weight which it must carry, now that it was supported by proof. The public were now in the possession of the whole,-they had seen her sufferings,-they knew her innocence,they had witnessed her patience, forbearance, and dignity; and it was a great consolation to see that the country expressed an unanimous and unequivocal feeling as to the purity of her Royal Highness's character. If the case had been that of a private individual, such persecution, and such conduct under it, would have excited universal sympathy; how much more, then, when it was the case of so high a personage, and its consequences were connected with the peace and tranquillity of the realm, the nation in civil war? it was, therefore, and its tendency might have been to involve a question particularly demanding attention. There would be nothing in the Address but what, he hoped, would meet the approbation of every Member of that Assembly: he trusted there would be no opposition to it. He then moved, first, "That a loyal and dutiful Address be presented to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, to congratulate her on her signal triumph over a foul and atrocious conspiracy against her life and honour."

ADDRESSES, &c.

X. Y. Z.

Relating to the Princess of Walės. London.--COMMON COUNCIL, Thursday, April 22.

A Special Court of Common Council was held yesterday. The requisition being

read

MR. WAITHMAN began by saying, that in bringing forward his Address, very little need be said. He was one who felt it his duty, on all occasions, to uphold the character of the Livery, and the Corporation of London; and therefore, though he concurred in every sentiment expressed in the Address of the Livery, he had thought the Corporation of London the fittest body to interfere on such an occasion. It was not that he thought the subject an unfit one for the Livery to discuss; it was one of vital importance to the state, and therefore highly proper for their consideration: but he thought as the Corporation, and not the Livery, had addressed her Royal Highness on her arrival and on other occasions, the Corporation was more particularly called upon on this occasion. These had been his sentiments, and these his only motives.

MR. FAVELL said, the question was one of great interest, and had been met with honour and spirit by the people. They had shewn that they were not untouched by what affected the diguity of Royalty. He was happy to say that some of the Royal Family followed the illustrious example of their Royal Father, by assisting to disseminate religious instruction, and by plans of benevolence and charity. This was the more important, because it was well known that in the French Revolution the profligacy of the French Princes had

led to their ruin. If the people should once hold their Governors in contempt, the Constitution would be in danger. But the conduct of the people during the present business, had manifested that they did not wish to degrade Royalty. He confessed, that when the question was first brought forward, he had thought it better to be quiet: he thought, that if public meetings were assembled, while the matter was yet before Parliament, it would appear like a design to shelter the Princess with their protection. Now, however, there was but one voice as to the innocence of the Princess.

people would lead to that pleasing result. Now it was different. The Princess of Wales had appealed to the Lords and Commons: neither of those bodies could interfere: one, because its judicial character prevented such interference; the other, because, to use its own language, the subject was in an untangible shape. What! then, was the Princess of Wales to be the only person in the kingdom whose wrongs were to be without remedy? Private persons, if slandered, had their remedy at common law; they might indict, or bring their actions for damages: the Princess of Wales would be without redress, but for MR. GRIFFITHS hoped the present Ad- the manifestation of public opinion. The dress would be as unanimous as that passed extraordinary proceedings of the four Comon the marriage of her Royal Highness. missioners, in giving credit to evidence He said he had had it in contemplation, to which had been refuted, the unparalleled pay the respects of the Court to the hus-effrontery of Sir John and Lady Douglas, band as well as the wife (a laugh), as it in offering to re-swear their assertions,— might be awkward to address one and not left the Princess in a situation from which the other. He was sorry this Court had she was without means of refuge, unless not taken the precedence of the Livery. the public interfered: their opinion must be her protection; and miserable, indeed, would be the state of the country, if the Princess should be destitute even of this remedy against the evils which oppressed her.

MR. JACKS said, he was one of those who had thought at first, that it was better not to interfere, on the ground mentioned by a worthy Baronet, that such interference might widen the breach between man and wife; but as the Livery of London had thought, that some public manifestation of its sentiments should be made, he thought that the Common Council ought not to be behind. He was anxious, however, that while justice was done to the Princess, injustice should not be done to the Prince. There was no evidence which could induce any one to suppose that he was at the bottom of the conspiracy, whatever persons might choose to surmise. He wished, therefore, to add, after the word "conspiracy," these words" entered into by persons admitted to her society and confidence, and abusing it to the destruction of her life and honour.'

MR. ALDERMAN WooD rose to express his grateful feelings, that the Livery of London had been followed by other public bodies, and now by the Common Council. When he first brought the matter forward, his usual friends seemed to object to its principle; and he had no reason to suppose that he should have experienced their support, if he had brought it forward in Common Council.

MR. QUIN had thought the last time of moving this business not precisely the moment for interfering: because there was a prospect of reconciliation; there was some hope, that the general sentiment of the

MR. WAITHMAN, in his reply, said, that a Gentleman (Mr. Jacks) who had given up his opinion to the general voice of the public, appeared to him to come forward because he was not wanted. His worthy Friend (Mr. Alderman Wood) had warmly commended him for so doing. For his part, he was an enemy to every species of tyranny, and to none more than the tyranny over the mind; and he should therefore always maintain his own opinions, whether they were likely to be popular or unpopular. He should much rather retire for ever from public life than adopt opinions merely from their popularity. As all men were liable to errors, the public sentiment was often the best criterion of what was right; but still every Englishman who had formed opinions on any subject, was fully justified in maintaining those opinions, whatever might be the public voice. He had through the last twenty years of his life given pretty strong proofs, that he was not to be prevented from speaking his opinions from any consideration of their being unpopular. He was sorry that his worthy Friend (Mr. Alderman Wood) had entered so much into subjects which, as they rested on private conversations, it was not easy to explain. A difference of opinion had existed, at a former time, among several of his friends,

"that he would, with the best of his endeavours, support the peace and good order of the City." He had, therefore, not conceived himself justified in bringing the procession through the streets where there were great assemblages of people, who might (for aught he then knew) be riotously inclined. He must say, however, that he had afterwards seen, that there was no riotous disposition on the part of the people assembled, and that he never saw a multitude more peaceable or orderly than those whom he saw assembled in the Park.

not as to the innocence of the Princess, but
as to the propriety of the time and the place
for bringing the subject forward publicly.
One of his friends had supposed that such a
motion would, in all probability, not be
successful in that Court. He, however,
had never doubted of its success. He
thought, however, that the present time
most peculiarly called for the interference
of that Court. After the innocence of the
Princess of Wales had been manifested to
the world, and confessed in the House of
Commons, it was natural to have expected
that she would, at least, have been restor-
ed to the society of her child; and yet we
had not heard of more than one interview
for the last ten weeks, and that partly by
stealth. It, therefore, appeared as if even
her innocence was still doubted in some
quarters; for, if innocent, why should she
still be punished? It appeared to him, that
whatever unfortunate differences might still
exist, yet that the Prince ought to be joyful
at hearing that the mother of his child was
free from guilt. It seemed, however, that
there was an opinion somewhere, that this
would not be agreeable to the Prince; for,
otherwise, how could they account for go-
ing all the way through St. Giles's and by
Tyburn, when the Livery went up with
their Address? He hoped that this Addressing
would be carried unanimously, and that it
would be presented in the most respectful
manner by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Al-
dermen, and Law Officers. He thought
that the City could not endure to have its
Address presented in any other manner but
the most respectful.

MR. JACKS complained of having been misrepresented as to his giving up his opiInions because they were unpopular. He never doubted of the innocence of the Princess, but he did not wish to throw any imputation on the Prince. On the face of the evidence there appeared no proof that the Prince was at all at the bottom of it. He wished that the saddle should be put on the right horse, and that the City of London should not have the appearance of implying any charge of guilt against the first Magistrate of the country. It was only with this view he had proposed the amendment, and he should not withdraw it.

The LORD MAYOR thought it necessary to declare, that in the manner in which he had judged proper to go up with the Address, he had not acted in consequence of any communications with others. He had acted in conformity to the sacred oath which he had taken, when he entered into office,

MR. ALDERMAN WOOD declared, that it never was his intention, or that of the friends with whom he acted, either there, or in the Common-Hall, to offer any insult to the Prince Regent. He could not, however, see that there was any necessity for the Lord Mayor turning off the Livery at Tyburn, (a laugh,) as he had done. He himself, on his return, passed by Carltonhouse, but no insult was there offered to the Prince. He hoped that the Address would be presented in the most respectful manner.

The question being then put, the Amendment was rejected by a very great majority; and the original proposition, for an Address, was carried nearly unanimously, there beonly one hand held up against it.A Committee was then appointed to prepare such Address.

COMMON HALL.

A Common Hall was held yesterday,

The LORD MAYOR stated, that the Hall was assembled to receive the Report of the Address to the Princess of Wales, and the Answer of her Royal Highness. He had not himself thought it necessary to convene a Special Hall for this purpose, as the Address and Answer had appeared in all the public papers, but he had yielded to the expostulation of a worthy Alderman. If it were necessary to call them from their homes and business, he had no objection to call a Common Hall or Common Council every day.The Report was then read; towards the end of which it was stated, that the Address and Answer not appearing in the London Gazette, the Remembrancer wrote to the Publisher on the subject, who returned for answer, that he was not au> thorized to make such insertions, unless they were transmitted to him through the Office of the Secretary for the Home Department.-(Hisses.) The Remembrancer then wrote to Lord Sidmouth, stating what

had passed, and hoping the Address, &c. would have an early insertion. To this Lord Sidmouth answered, that in the exercise of his discretion, in his official Situation, he did not think it proper to make the required insertions.-(Hisses.)

A letter from MR. WHITBREAD was then read, expressing his grateful acknowledgment of their vote of Thanks; after which, the LORD MAYOR came forward, thanked them for their attendance, and said the Hall was now dissolved. (Cries of No! No!)

MR. ALDERMAN WOOD came forward to speak, but the Lord Mayor left the Hall amid loud hisses.-Great confusion prevailed, but Mr. Alderman J. J. Smith coming in, there was a shout for him to take the Chair.

MR. WAITHMAN addressed the Meeting. He said they were not altogether in a new situation they had, on former occasions, been deserted by their Chief Magistrate, and the practice had been for some Alderman to take the Chair. In Mr. Wilkes's time, something similar had happened: an Alderman, after the Lord Mayor left the Hall, presided merely as Chairman of the Livery.

MR. ALDERMAN SMITH said he had scruples in his mind, which had not been removed by what had fallen from his worthy friend. The present was a meeting, consisting of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery; this had been dissolved by the Lord Mayor, which he lamented; but still he was afraid, under such circumstances, he could not legally take the Chair. His legal friends advised him against it.

Mr. ALDERMAN WOOD then proposed that as it was now merely a meeting of the Livery, Sir William Rawlins should take the Chair, which he did immediately.

sters must have some feelings against the Princess, or the Address would have appeared in the Gazette. He had wished to abstain from all remarks on the Regent and his Government; especially as he had no reason to believe, that the Lord Mayor, in turning them off at Tyburn (a laugh), had any instructions from head-quarters. He had made inquiries, but had not found any reason to think any influence had been exerted. Indeed, he could not be brought to think that such an Address could have been any way displeasing to the Husband of the injured Princess. He had, however, been informed, that the Lord Mayor had, within a few days, waited on Lord Sidmouth, and asked his advice, whether he should convene a Hall to-day. Lord Sidmouth told him, that he must be the best judge, but that he himself should advise against calling a Meeting; to which the Lord Mayor replied, that he had promised a Hall to some Gentlemen, and must call it, (a laugh.)

MR. WAITHMAN then addressed the Livery. He said, it had not at first been his intention to pass a censure on the conduct of the Lord Mayor. A difference of opinion. had prevailed, as to the propriety of the first Hall; but after the resolutions then made, there could be but one sentiment, that as much weight as possible ought to be given to the decision of the Livery of London, He therefore went himself in the procession, and even regarded it as a fortunate circumstance, that the Address had been carried. Considering the conduct of the Lord Mayor and Lord Sidmouth, they seemed to him to have acted under an erroneous impression, that the Prince could be displeased at the discovery of the foul conspiracy against his own wife: that her triumphant rescue from atrocious calumny would be ungrateful to the feelings of a husband, (Huzzas.) His own opinion was far different; he had no doubt that the Prince MR. ALDERMAN Woop came forward. Regent must be delighted at the triumph of He said it had always been the practice to one so dear to him by birth, as well as marconvene a Common-Hall to receive the an- riage, (Loud applause.) How, then, had swer to their Address. The Lord Mayor Lord Sidmouth dared, by his conduct, to called the purpose of their meeting trivial, countenance an opinion, that the Address but his dissolving the Hall shewed that he would be unpleasing to his Royal Highness? attached some importance to it. It was (Applause. As to the conduct of the Lord right that the Hall should make some re- Mayor, why had he carried the Livery of marks on Lord Sidmouth's Letter, Ad- London by a circuitous route? Why had dresses had hitherto been always printed in he presumed to think that the triumpha the London Gazette; he was afraid the of-which the City were celebrating would give fice had been contaminated since its removal from Shoe-lane to the West end of the town (a laugh). It was evident, that the Mini

MR. ALDERMAN SMITH said he had no objection to attend, and address them merely as a Liveryman. (He and Alderman WOOD then pulled off their gowns.)

displeasure in any particular quarter? The Lord Mayor had yesterday excused himself by saying, that his oath compelled him to

keep the peace of the city. What! was preserve the peace of the City that the Livery of London were carried to St. Giles's? (A laugh.) He thought that a public procession should go through all the most crowded streets where the people were assembled to demonstrate their joy. It was not proper that the conduct of the Chief Magistrate should be passed over without disapprobation. He had dissolved the Hall, because he knew he deserved their censure. He had abandoned them, because he felt that he should meet with their execration instead of their thanks.- -He then moved a Resolution, that the Lord Mayor, by the circuitous route taken in the procession, and by other conduct, had shewn disrespect to the Prince Regent, by countenancing an opinion, that the triumph of the Princess would be offensive to his feelings; and that his conduct this day, in dissolving the Hall, rendered him unworthy of the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He could not sit down, without expressing his disapprobation of the non-attendance of the Legal Advisers of the City, on occasions when their opinions might be wanted.

MR. THOMPSON Said, it had been the object in all their proceedings to keep his Royal Highness the Prince Regent out of the question; but it seemed that Ministers, by their conduct, and the Lord Mayor by his, were determined to implicate his Royal Highness, as far as they could.

The Resolution of Censure was then put and carried with one dissentient voice, and was ordered to be published in the papers.

MR. WAITHMAN then moved the Thanks of the Meeting to Sir W. Rawlins.

The Thanks of the Meeting were then voted to Sir W. RAWLINS, who returned thanks, and the Meeting dispersed.

Mr. Hunt, the late Candidate for Bristol, presented the following Address from the Freemen, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of that City, to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, at Montague House, Blackheath, by appointment, at two o'clock yesterday: "To Her Royal Highness Caroline, Princess of Wales.

habitants of the ancient City of Bristol, in public meeting assembled, beg leave to approach your Royal Highness, not in the language of unmeaning adulation, which would be as disgusting to the dignified mind. of your Royal Highness to accept, as it would be degrading and disgraceful in us as Englishmen to offer; but we beg to be permitted, in the language of truth and sincerity, humbly, though zealously and firmly, to assure your Royal Highness that we are actuated solely with the love of justice, when we declare that we entertain the most profound respect and veneration for the Character, as well as the most invincible attachment for the Person, of your Royal Highness.We should inflict the greatest torture upon our feelings if we were to neglect upon this occasion to congratulate your Royal Highness, in terms the most unequivocal, upon the developement of that Conspiracy against your Royal Highness, which has terminated in the most glaring exposure of the wicked intentions of your suborned Accusers, the discomfiture of your abandoned and perjured Traducers, and, at the same time, the most unbounded acquittal of your Royal Highness in the eyes and hearts of every unprejudiced person in the universe. But it would be impossible to govern our feelings if we were to endeavour to express our abhorrence in terms adequate to the resentment we entertain for those who were the promoters and instigators of the false, detestable, and groundless accusations against your Character, for the base, cowardly, and cruel purpose of bringing your Illustrious Person to an untimely and ignominious death.-We were delighted with that conscientious rectitude of soul which inspired your Royal Highness with the virtuous courage to demand of the House of Commons, that

you may be treated as innocent, or proved to be guilty.' But we are far more delighted with the result, which has proved to the whole world that the Character of your Royal Highness was impregnable to the deadly and poisonous shafts of the most have only to add, that by this severe trial malignant and cowardly Slander.--We we are convinced that your Royal Highness "The Dutiful and Loyal Address of a nu- has secured the love, the veneration, and merous and respectable Public Meet- the esteem of every manly and feeling heart ing of the Freemen, Burgesses, and in the Empire; long may your Royal HighInhabitants of the City of Bristol, heldness live to receive their willing homage; on the Public Exchange, the 22d day long may you enjoy the uninterrupted soof March, 1813. ciety of your Illustrious Daughter; and that you may always succeed in frustrating the "We, the Freemen, Burgesses, and In-machinations of all your Enemies, is the

"May it please your Royal Highness,