And after a considerable Delay, (on account of a pretended Loss of the Rolls or Records) the general Errors being assigned by the Plaintiffs in Error, came to be argued; and no Council appearing for them, the Judgment of the Court of King's Bench was affirmed, with Costs.

This, with other things reported by the said Lords to the House, and Consideration had thereof, and Debate thereupon, the House came to the following Resolution. "Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled, that it is the Opinion of this House, That the Common Council of London, having issued great Sums of Money out of the Chamber of London, in maintaining several Suits of Law between Citizen and Citizen, relating to controverted Elections, have abused their Trust, and been guilty of great Partiality, and of a gross Mismanagement of the City Treasure, and a Violation of the Freedom of Elections in the City."

I may subjoin here the ancient Meetings of the Citizens, called Folkmotes. Concerning the Folkmotes, there were three chief Folkmotes in the Year, according to the City Books. One, at the Feast of St. Michael, to know who is Sheriff, and to hear the Commandment. The second at Christmas, to make the Wards, [called Wardmotes.] The third at the Festival of St. John, [i.e. Midsummer] to guard the City.

THE Chamberlainship of London was anciently in the King's Power. Thus Chamberlaria London, i.e. the Office of Chamberlain of London, was granted to William Jermer by King Henry III.

And when King Henry granted the Citizens the Choice of their Maior, it was Salva Skambergeria nostra.]

This is an Office of great Honour, Power, and Trust. He receiveth the Rents, and other Revenues of the City, as the Orphans Money, and keeps his Office in the Chamber of Guild-Hall, where he gives his Attendance in the Forenoons every Day, to enroll and turn over Apprentices, and to make them Free, having duly served their Times. The Place being of such Importance, he is chosen yearly, and must give good Security to the Court of Aldermen, to pay and make good whatsoever Cash shall be delivered unto him: and once every Year he gives up his Account to Auditors appointed on purpose to inspect the same.

Besides the Orphans and City Cash, he is instrusted also with the City Leases, and all Bonds and Securities taken by the Court of Aldermen, for Orphans Monies.

To this Officer belongeth the letting of the City Lands. Which is commonly done by a Committee, after this manner: When any such Lands or other Properties of the City, by expiration of Leases, or otherwise, are to be disposed of to Tenants, Notice thereof is given in the Gazette. As in the Year 1717: "The Committee for letting the City Lands, in the Account of the Chamberlain of the City, give Notice, that they intend to let by Lease, the Profits arising by the Monument on New Fish-street Hill: and also two Tenements, and four Shops or Sheds without Aldgate, in the Possession of . And that the Committee will set in the Council Chamber of the Guild-Hall, London, on Wednesday the 9th instant, at four of the Clock in the Afternoon, to receive Proposals for the Premisses severally. Of which more particular Information may be had at the Comptroller's Office in the Guild-Hall aforesaid."

Such Notice likewise was given from the said Committee in the Gazette, Sept. 21. the same Year, concerning three Tenements in Hounsditch, in the Possession of P. B. &c. And that the said Committee would sit in the Council Chamber in Guild-Hall on Day of at four of the Clock, to receive Proposals. Of which more particular Information might be had at the Comptroller's Office, &c.

To which I add, the Committee for letting out the Bridgehouse Lands, gave the like Notice in the Gazette, that they intended to let by Lease the new built Messuage or Tenement, situate at the South-West End of London Bridge, near adjoining to the Bear Alehouse. And the said Committee would sit at the Guild-Hall, London, on to receive Proposals, &c. And particular Information should be had at the Comptroller's Office, at the Bridgehouse, Southwark.

The like Notice was given near the same time, for letting the Lay-Stall at Mile End, in the Possession of W. W.]

Before him, the said Chamberlain, all Apprentices are enrolled, and made free; insomuch that none can set up Shop nor follow a Trade within the City and Liberties, if not a Freeman, and sworn before him: neither can any one turn over an Apprentice, but by his License. To him all Complaints are brought for Differences betwixt Apprentices and their Masters: who reconciles their Differences, and may punish, by Imprisonment, those that disobey his Summons, or any Apprentice that misdemeans himself to his Master or Mistress: But upon the Apprentices acknowledging his Fault, and begging Pardon, with Promise not to offend any more, his Fault is forgiven.

Such Apprentices as have justly served their Term of seven Years, and not broken their Indentures by marrying, &c. are made Free.

Upon the Admission of every Person into the Freedom of this City, the Chamberlain causeth an Oath to be administred unto him, to be true to the King, the Government, and observe and keep the Customs of the City; which said Oath hath been mentioned before, Chap. XXIV.

If any Master shall refuse to make his Apprentice Free, when the Term of his Indenture is expired, upon Complaint made to the Chamberlain, he will cause such Master to be summoned before him, and if he cannot shew good Cause to the contrary, will make the Apprentice Free. And if an Apprentice shall be unruly or disorderly in his Masters House, or commit any notorious Fault, upon Complaint made thereof, the Chamberlain will send one of his Officers for such Apprentice, and send him to Bridewel, or otherwise punish him according to the Nature of the Offence.

If any Master shall misuse his Apprentice, by unreasonable beating, not allowing him Necessaries, or by neglecting to instruct him, or the like, upon Complaint thereof made, the Chamberlain will send a Summons for the Master to appear before him; and upon due hearing both Parties, will relieve the Apprentice, if his Allegations be proved to be just; or else leave the Apprentice to take his Remedy against his Master in the Lord Maior's Court. And if the Master refuse to appear according to his Summons, the Lord Maior and Recorder, upon Complaint thereof made to them, will grant a Warrant to take him and compel him to appear.

When an Apprentice, by the consent of his Master, is to be turned over to another Master of the same Trade, it must be done before the Chamberlain. And it is observed, that if an