CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. Mr. Wilkes elected Alderman of the Ward of Far- Letters from Mr. Wilkes to his Daughter, aur- ing her Residence at Paris, in the Year 1770 Mr. Wilkes elected Sheriff of Lorn and Mid- dlesex, and Lord Mayor of London - 79 Letters from James Boswell, Esq. to Mr. Wilkes MEMOIRS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN WILKES, Esq. MR. WILKES ELECTED ALDERMAN OF THE WARD OF FARRINGDON WITHOUT. A VACANCY in the court of aldermen having happened by the death of sir Francis Gosling, a number of freemen of this ward immediately proposed to elect Mr. Wilkes. The design was warmly approved; and, on the 2d of January, 1769, he was elected: But some mistake, in point of form, having been made, the election was declared void; and another was appointed, which took place on the 27th of the same month, when Mr. Wilkes was unanimously rechosen. The ministerial party, who were the majority in the court of aldermen, affecting to doubt Mr. Wilkes's eligibility, resolved to take the opinion of counsel on that point. The recorder (Eyre), the common serjeant (Nugent), and sir Fletcher Norton, were of opinion that he was not eligible. In this they were opposed by the attorney-general (De Grey), the solicitor-general (Dunning), Mr. serjeant Glynn, and Mr. serjeant Leigh. To the latter opinion the court of aldermen were favourable: and it was moved to send notice to Mr. Wilkes of his being duly elected; but this motion was negatived, the aldermen apprehending that a mandamus might be the consequence. The election, however, gave Mr. Wilkes a natural and municipal connection with the city of London, and laid the foundation of that attachment which contributed so essentially to both his 1onour and his interest. |