A true account of the irregular proceedings at Gvild-Hall, about the swearing the two pretended sheriffs Mr. North and Mr. Rich, September 28, 1682 1682 Approx. 15 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 3 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A63326 Wing T2377 ESTC R6034 11965015 ocm 11965015 51679 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A63326) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51679) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 519:29) A true account of the irregular proceedings at Gvild-Hall, about the swearing the two pretended sheriffs Mr. North and Mr. Rich, September 28, 1682 Papillon, Thomas, 1623-1702. Dubois, John. 4 p. Printed for John Johnson, [London : 1682] Caption title. "To the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen: the humble declaration of Thomas Papillon, mercer, and John Dubois, weaver ...": p. 3. Reproduction of original in University of Pennsylvania Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng North, Dudley, -- Sir, 1641-1691. Rich, Peter, -- Sir, 1630-1692. London (England) -- History -- 17th century. 2006-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-11 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2006-11 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE Irregular Proceedings At GVILD-HALL , About the Swearing the TWO Pretended SHERIFFS Mr. NORTH and Mr. RICH. September 28. 1682 THE last Night my Lord Mayor issued out Tickets to the Aldermen in these Words : Sir ; Your Worship is desired to be at a Court of Aldermen at Guild-Hall on Thursday next at nine of the Clock in the forenoon , in your violet Gown and Cloak , being the twenty eighth of September . Accordingly several Aldermen appeared at Guild-hall , and it being the day appointed for the Swearing of Sheriffs , they attended Thomas Papillon and John Dubois Esquires into the Guild-Hall at the hour appointed by the Lord Mayor , which they found guarded by Foot-Companies of the Trained-Bands ( a thing expresly contrary to the English Constitutions , which hath been jealous of nothing more than the preserving Elections free from force or terrour ; ) Some whereof were posted at the Doors and presented their Muskets : But yet there was no refusal of entrance , but rather an opening of the Files , and some respect shewn . So all the aforesaid Aldermen passed into the Council-Chamber , where having staid a little while , and supposing my Lord Mayor might go up to the Hustings directly , they went down into the Hall towards the Hustings-door , and there abode some time , attending his Lordships coming , the Souldiers with respect giving way . But Lieutenant Collonel Quiney who was absent at their entry , came up to them very much concerned , and made several turns without speaking to them , but commanded the Souldiers several times to stand to their Arms , and so withdrew . But after a quarter of an hour he came back again and commanded the Souldiers to face about ( and so alter'd their Figure ) and to advance so as to encompass or imprison the Aldermen , for there was not six foot square left them to stand upon . Whereupon Quiney said to the Aldermen , I have a command from the Lieutenancy to keep the Hall clear , and suffer none to be here till my Lord Mayor comes . Upon this , several Aldermen demanded to see the Order , being ready to obey all ▪ Legal commands ; and asked him , whether he did not know that they were Magistrates of the City ; and could believe it reached them ? To which he answered , I have none , but it is with the Major of the Regiment , and I do know you , and you must remove . Further , the Aldermen declared , they were summoned to wait on my Lord Mayor at the Guild-Hall , and there attended in all peaceableness . Whereupon he withdrew again for some time , but returning , said , Gentlemen You must withdraw , I have a command to require it . But being again demanded to shew his Warrant or Order , he answered in a great heat , That he would shew none , nor to none such as they . Then laying hands first on Sir P. W's . shoulder who stood next to him , he said , Sir You must remove ; and called on his Souldiers to advance close to the Bar , so as to thrust them away ; Sir P. W. only replied to him , We are in a lawful place , and on our Duty , desiring the other Aldermen that were present , and the Souldiers , to take notice of the violence offered . And surely it was such as is scarcely to be Parallell'd , especially in a well-governed City ; that their Civil Magistrates should be so affronted in their own Room . But Quiney answered , he cared not for Witness , he would justifie what he did , having Orders from the Lieutenancy so to do . Then he took hold on Sir J. L. who was leaning on the Bar , and with very great and repeated violence pulled him from off the step , and had like to have thrown him down ; who demanded still by what Order he did it ? and that he would shew the same . But he replied again , he would shew none : Then he took hold of Sir J. S. and Sir T. G. and Ald. C. who likewise demanding to see his Orders , were answered to the same purpose as aforesaid . Hereupon all the Aldermen desiring the Souldiers who were present to take notice of the Assaults and Misdemeanours of the said Quiney , they withdrew into the West part of the Hall , where divers persons were walking , viz. Withers , Wiseman , Nicols , Steventon , &c. some of them being of the Lieutenancy , and others not . To whom it was said , Did not you see the Misdem●anours of Quiney ? But they instead of resenting the indignities offered to those worthy Aldermen , who had served the City to so great a degree that the mouth of malice it self may be stopt , answered , He followed but the Orders of the Lieutenancy . Then it was asked them ( being Acquaintance ) How they came by that Freedom in the Hall , when the Aldermen were so ill treated there ? Whereunto they answered , they were of the Lieutenancy , and attended the coming of my Lord Mayor : The which the Aldermen told them they also did , but had not the same civil treatment . Not long after came my Lord Mayor , to whom these Aldermen joined themselves , and went up out of the Great Hall into the Council-Chamber , and Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois with them : where being entred , the first words my Lord Mayor said , were these , viz : Gentlemen , here are fine doings , to go and Swear Sheriffs , and I not present ! Whereunto Sir J. L. answer'd , Whoever told your Lordship so , misinform'd your Lordship ; we came very peaceably to the Hall to perform our duty , and know well what it is to administer an Oath , and had not the least intention of such a thing , but to lay our claim by presenting Sheriffs . Sir R. C. also told his Lordship , he ought to be angry with those that had given him false Information , rather than with those he was misinformed of ; and that nothing was intended or designed contrary to his Lordships frequent and publick Declaration , which was , that the matter should be determin'd by Law ; and it was advised that could not be done , unless Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois did present themselves to be sworn . Whereupon his Lordship seemed to rest satisfied ; and immediately the rest of the Aldermen with the other Sheriffs coming in , Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois presented themselves to his Lordship , and Mr. Papillon read a Paper the contents whereof were as followes . To the Right Honourable , the LORD MAYOR and Court of ALDERMEN : The humble Declaration of Thomas Papillon Mercer , and John Dubois Weaver , Citizens of London . OVR Absence in the Countrey on Midsummer-day last , and for some time before and since , and our being personally Strangers to , and no way appearing or concerning our selves with any of the Transactions or Proceedings then , or since Vsed in the Choice of Sheriffs for this Honourable City and County of Middlesex for the ensuing Year , would have Excused our Attendance upon your Lordship and this Honourable Court at this time , and upon this Occasion , had we not been Informed by divers , that by the Suffrages of the Majority of the Citizens in Common-Hall , We were , and stand duly Elected Sheriffs for this City and the County of Middlesex for the Ensuing Year . Now though our Personal Vnacquaintance with the Proceedings used in that Affair hath been such , and that we have not received any Intimation or Command concerning the same from your Lordship or this Honourable Court , whereby we might have had an Opportunity of declaring our selves either ready to Accept , or desirous to be Excused from that Office , as hath been usual in former Cases of the like Nature ; yet in regard of the aforesaid Information , and that the time for such Declaration , as well as for any further Election , is now Elapsed , and not knowing of what Consequence it may be to us , nor what Inconveniencies or hazard we might be Obnoxious , or Exposed unto , if we should continue Silent or Passive in that Affair : Therefore for the avoiding all Prejudices and Inconveniencies , we have thought it a Duty Incumbent on us , to appear at this time before your Lordship and this Honourable Court , not to Debate or question any the Proceedings or Transactions in this matter , nor Officiously to Court an Office so Chargeable in it self , and so Inconvenient to Vs ; But as being Citizens of London , and so under Obligation to Serve the King and Countrey , when duely Called thereto ; and desirous to Excuse our selves from all Imputation of Crime or neglect of Duty that might be Charged upon Vs ; We do with all Submission hereby Declare unto your Lordship and this Honourable Court , that we are Ready , and do now tender our selves to take upon us the Office of Sheriffs for the City of London and County of Middlesex for the ensuing Year , and to be Sworn and Admitted into that Office according to our Election ; And in Order thereunto , to Attend your Lordship and the Aldermen to the Hustings or elsewhere , and either there , or in any other proper Place and manner to take the Oaths of the said Office , and such other Oaths as the Law requires , and further to do and perform whatsoever the Law , or the Rights and Customs of this City Require of Vs concerning the said Office , and We humbly beg your Lordships and the Courts Answer therein . Guild-Hall , 28 Septemb. 1682. Thomas Papillon , John Dubois . The which having read , Mr. Papillon Presented it to my Lord Mayor , but he refusing to take it , Mr. Papillon gave it to a Member of the Court , who Accepted it , to prove the Tender of themselves . And his Lordship being Pressed to take the matter into Debate , for that the Aldermen had been Summoned to a Court , he Answered , There was no Business : To which it was Replyed , We have much to say , for the Citizens seem to be thrown out of Possession of the Sheriffwick , which they have enjoyed so many Azes by Free Election : We desire fairly to tender our Sheriffs , in order to have the Business more fairly determin'd at Law , according to your Lordships Promise , and Answer to the many Addresses made , that the Law should determine it ; and it is the only way left us , though Troublesome and Chargeable . And we also desire the matter may be Debated , that an Answer may be given to the Sheriffs who have tender'd themselves . Sir P. W. then moved that the aforesaid Paper , and his Lordship● ▪ Refusal of it might be Recorded ; then Sir R. C. whisper'd to his Lordship , and told him , that if he took a Vote of the Court , he would engage them in it , and their averseness to it , ought to alarm him not to take it upon himself , upon which he did Hesitate some time , but yet at length was prevailed with to go to the Hustings without further adoe , taking Mr. North , and Calling Mr. Rich to go with him ; Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois went along with him also , and did prepare themselves to have spoken to his Lordship and the Court on the Hustings , and so did several of the Aldermen , the Lord Mayor and several Aldermen having declared in the Council-Chamber , that they might say what they had to say when they came on the Hustings ; But his Lordship would not hear them when they came thither . But the Military Guards after admitting a few Persons , closed again , so that the Liveries attending could not come near ; and then his Lordship called Mr. North and Mr. Rich to the Book to be Sworn ; Mr. Papillon being on the H●sting● , pressed the Lord Mayor that he might be heard ; but my Lord refusing to hear him , Mr. Papillon Presented a Paper Signed by himself and Mr. Dubois as follows , the Substance of which he designed to have spoke . To the Right Honourable the LORD MAYOR and ALDERMEN at the Court of Hustings , in the Guild-Hall , London , Assembled for the Admission and Swearing the Sheriffs for the City of London and County of Middlesex for the ensuing Year , this 28 th of Septemb. 1682. WE do here present our selves , and are ready to take upon us the Office of Sheriffs of this Honourable City of London and County of Middlesex , for the ensuing Year , to which , as we are Informed , we are Chosen by the Majority of the Citizens , at the Common-Hall of this City ; And we are here ready , and do tender our selves to be Admitted thereunto , and to take the Oath of Office , and such other Oaths as the Law requires , and to do and perform whatsoever the Law , or the Rights and Customs of this City require of us , relating to that Office. But this Paper being rejected by his Lordship with great heat , it was delivered to Sir John Lawrence as an Evidence of their tender ; Upon which Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois went to the Book with Mr. North and Rich , and Mr. Papillon laid his Hand on the Book , and continued it there for some time , until the Lord Mayor and some of the Aldermen Commanded them To forbear , and to keep the Peace , and be gone ; which they complied with , and retired : Having before earnestly pressed to be heard , for that they had something of Importance to say ; and some of the Aldermen said , My Lord , when we came out of the Council-Chamber , you said , what we had to say on this Subject , we might speak on the Hustings , and therefore we claim it of Right to be heard : But he refused all , and Order'd to Proceed in Administring the Oath to North and Rich , whereupon the duely Elected Sheriffs and six Aldermen withdrew , Protesting against all the Irregular and Illegal Proceedings . Printed for John Johnson