AN ACCOUNT OF THE Proceedings at the GUILD-HALL, September the 29th. 1681.
Upon the Choice of a LORD-MAYOR, Together with the present Lord-Mayor's Speech.
THe Lord Mayor, and Court of Aldermen being met at Guild-Hall, went in a Body to St. Laurence Church, to hear a Sermon, where were great Numbers of the Liveries; and after Sermon the Lord Mayor went up to the Court of Hustings, where the Recorder made a Speech to the Common-Hall, acquainting them with the Work of the Day, and the Priviledges granted by their Charter, for Elections; and in the close acquainted them, that whereas it had been reported, that there had been a Scandal or Reflection, made on Sir John Moore, that he had said, he would be neither Clayton or Ward, and that he did not believe there had been, or were any Popish Plot; that he thought he ought to do him right therein, that he declared he never had such Thought, or said any thing tending thereto, or could bear any such Construction; but as he had a great Esteem of those worthy Persons, so had always exprest his Sence of, and Zeal against the Popish Plot, as any other Person whatsoever.
Whereupon the Lord Mayor, &c. retiring to the Council Chamber, part of the Aldermen under the Chair were put in Nomination; and in fine, a Poll was agreed on, betwixt Sir John Moore, Sir John Shorter, and Sir Thomas Gold, which continued till seven a Clock, when my Lord Mayor returning to Guild-Hall, had Report from the Sheriffs of the Poll, which was, viz. That
- Sir John Moore had—1831
- Sir John Shorter—1560
- Sir Thomas Gold—1523
And declaring to the Hall that the Election fell on Sir John Moore, by the Scrutiny in the Court of the two which was returned.
Sir John Moore made a short Speech pressing to Unity, &c.
After which the Present Lord Mayor made a Speech as followeth.
THE SPEECH Of the Right Honourable Sir PATIENCE VVARD Kt. The Present Lord Mayor of London.
THrough the Conduct of Providence, I am arrived to a happy Prospect of my Harbour, having had (besides my great Sickness) a time to exercise all the Faculties that God hath endowed me with. I charged my self, at my entry into this Service, with Resolutions of Endeavours according to the best of my Understanding to make the Laws of the Land, and the Constitutions and Usages of this City, my Rule; the Glory of God, the Honour of the King, the Maintenance of the Protestant Religion, and the particular Concerns of this City, the End of all my Administrations: Concerning which, my Conscience doth not [...]se me of any wilful Neglect, however I refer my self to the Things themselves, hoping of a favourable Construction, and that my worthy Successor will supply or repair all my Defects.
I thank God for my Support, my Brethren the Aldermen for their Assistance, and every one of you, for your Love in your several Stations exprest and experienced.
And what have I now to say, but to repeat my Requests? As I have earnestly endeavoured the abating of all Heats and Animosities; So I desire you will have the best Thoughts of one another, and allow the fairest Interpretation, that Words and Things will admit, and that those little Diversities about Circumstances of Religion, make no difference of Affection, considering the Charity of our Church esteems the controverted things amongst us but things Indifferent; and I pray God Almighty to open our Eyes, to see the things which belong to our Peace, that a mutual Forbearance may beget in us Good Will to, and Considence in, each other.
We have both at home and abroad a common Enemy, the Papists, who blow the Coal, and what they could not effect in burning the City, and manifold Conspiracies, would by promoting Divisions and furious Passions, make us our own Executioners: every one almost saith it, and own it, and therefore I hope will labour to defeat it, by practising that excellent Rule, Fear God, Honour the King, and love one another: to which let us all with heartiness say, Amen.