A new-years-gift for the tories, alias rapperrees, alias petitioners of London Representing, in a few particulars, a comparison of the administration of some publick affairs (especially in the City) in the mayoralty of Sir Thomas Pilkington, the present lord mayor, with the administration in the mayoralty of Sir John Moore, Sir William Pritchard, &c in the latter end of the reign of K. Charles II., and in the late K. James's reign.

1690

A New-Years-Gift for the Tories, ALIAS RAPPERREES, ALIAS Petitioners of London.
Representing, in a few Particulars, a Comparison of the Administration of some Publick Affairs (especially in the City) in the Mayoralty of Sir Thomas Pilkington, the present Lord Mayor, with the Administration in the Mayoralty of Sir John Moore, Sir William Pritchard, &c in the latter end of the Reign of K. Charles II, and in the Late K. James's Reign.

I. SIR John Moore, Mayor in 1682. By Colour of his assumed Authority and Illegal Proceedings, dissolved the Common-Hall-Court, assembled for the Election of Sheriffs; when Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Shute, then Sheriffs, according to the Right and Duty of their Office, were taking the Poll for Sheriffs; and did afterwards (by the Direction of Sir Leoline Jenkins then Secretary for the Whig Plot) with Force and Arms, and in a Hostile Manner, constitute North and Rich Sheriffs; tho' not duly returned by the Common Hall, according to the Usage of the City. Sir Peter Rich, Alderman of Aldersgate Ward, did, after the Example of Sir John Moore, upon the 22th of December 1690. dissolve the Ward-Mote-Court of his Ward, when assembled to elect Common-Council-Men; tho' the Inhabitants insisted, according to their Right, to proceed to the Election.	I. Sir Thomas Pilkington, the present Lord Mayor, hath indeed been maliciously charged, for Dissolving the Court of Common Council: But it hath been made out beyond Contradiction, that his Adversaries and Accusers were so clamarous and rude in the Court, that no Business could be proceeded upon; and for that reason, as also because it was late in the Evening, upon Motion of several Members, his Lordship dissolved the Court.
II. Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois, being, according to the City Charter, duely elected Sheriffs in 1682. and being kept out by Sir John Moore and some of the Aldermen; they, by the Advice of Counsel, brought Writs out of the Court of King's-Bench, directed to the Coroner of London (Mr. John Brome) against Sir William Pritchard, the succeeding Lord Mayor, in order to bring the Matter to a Legal Tryal: Whereupon the Coroner, in a very respectful Manner, waited upon Sir William, desiring him to appear to the Actions; but the same being refused, the Coroner having forborn the Execution of two Writs, and a third being brought to him, he made Warrants thereupon, and Sir William Pritchard was Arrested and Deteined some Hours in the Coroner's Custody: Hereupon Sir William brought his Actions against Mr. Papillon and Mr. Dubois, for arresting my Lord Mayor; and the Matter being represented to come little short of Treason, a Tory Jury gave Pritchard 10000 l. Damages, tho' not one Penny-worth of Damage proved or done; and most undoubtedly Mr. Dubois would have had the same Fate, had not he dyed before the Tryal against him could be brought on.	II. Sir Peter Rich, in this year (1690.) pretending to have Cause of Action against Sir Thomas Pilkington, Lord Mayor, commences his State against him; his Lordship, without laying Pritchard's Trap for him, by refusing to appear till arrested, gave Sir Peter a Voluntary Appearance to his Action, and Liberty to make his best of it.
III. Four Tory Juries gave the Duke of York 400000 l. in four several Actions, against Sir Thomas Pilkington, Dr. Otes, Mr. Covert of Chichester, and Mr. Culliford, for saying the Duke was a Papist, or Words to that effect: whereas, (if I remember right) the Pensienary Long Parliament gave him but 100000 l. Damages for being Assaulted and Beaten by the Dutch; And such another Jury gave B [...]lsworth 800 l. Damages, in an Action against my Lord Mayor that now is, for bidding the stinking Fellow (when he was insolently disturbing the Ward-Mote-Court) go home and pay his Debts.	III. Sir P. Rich brought his Action (1690) agaist one Mr. [...] Bellamy, for saying Sir Peter (one of the Ʋsurping Sheriffs in 1683.) murdered my Lord Russel: Bellamy not pleading a justification of the Words, according to the best advice; and it being proved that he spake them, an honest Jury gave Sir Peter full as much as he deserved, 26s, 8d. Damages
IV. Alderman Cornish was murdered for asserting the City Rights, and defending its Charters: And for no other Crime Sir Thomas Pilkington, Sir Patience Ward, Mr. Bethel, Mr. Papillon, and many other eminent and well-deserving Citizens, were drove into Exile or thrust into Gaols.	IV. Sir John Moore, with a multitude more of the Tory Crew, were guilty of the most High and Notorious Violations of the Rights of the City, and are come off with Impunity.

V. Mr. Samuel

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