THE PROCEEDINGS upon the Debates, Relating to the late CHARTER OF THE CITY of LONDON, As also the Entering up of judgement against it. Giving an account of the most Remarkable Transactions Relating to that Affair.  
THE Liberties, Franchises, &c. of the City of London, being adjudged forfeited and liable to be Seized into the King's hands the last Term, by the Judges of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench; his majesty Ordered his Attorney General to stay the entering up of judgement till further Orders; and upon receiving the Humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in Common Council Assembled, was pleased, by the Lord Keeper, to require their Submission to divers Regulations of their Charter, relating to his approving of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Chamberlain, townclerk, Aldermen, &c. upon their Elections; to consider of which a Common-Council was called; and after divers debates it was resolved by the Maj●rity of Votes, that it was altogether Necessary and Expedient for the preventing the Fatal Consequences, that might ensue upon judgement being entred up,( if they refused) to comply with his Majesties Demands, that so the Old Charter might be continued without any other alteration; of which their ready compliance they assured his majesty, by the Recorder, and Sheriffs: but so it happened that when they came to Seal to the Instrument drawn up for that purpose many seemed unsatisfied, and were rather inclinable to the Surrender of the whole, than to have it abridged in part; the which on the 28th of September was debated in Common-Council, where divers Speeches were made by the Aldermen & Commons, debating the matter earnestly. After which Mr. Recorder was desired to deliver his Opinion, who at the instance of the Lord Mayor, did to this Effect, Viz. That he had made it his business for some time past, to consider seriously the matter in debate, and had therein consulted the Attorney General and divers other Learned Council, and that thereupon, it did not appear to him, but that the Charter would be much weakened by restriction, and he could not see how afterward they could pled prescription; therefore in his opinion it was necessary, well to Consider what was to be done, and that it was convenient to consult council further therein, and then proceeded, to relate divers particulars that had passed in former debates upon the occasion of the Charter; insomuch although Sr. Dudley North, and divers other Aldermen, and a great number of the Commoners were for complying with his Majesties Demands, saying, that they could not in point of Honour go from their Word and Obligation: It was Resolved that a Committee should be chosen to consider of the Affair, and an other Common Council to be Assembled on the 2d. of October 1683. to hear the Reports of those entrusted to debate the Matter: Who were also to have Council allowed them &c. These things passing: although Peter Daniel Esq: & Francis Dashwood Esq: were sworn Sheriffs at Guild Hall; yet upon their going to Westminster to be present at the swearing the Old Sheriffs to their Accounts, before the Puissne baron that Ceremony was deferred; yet Mr. Recorder in the Name of the said Sheriffs invited the barons and officers of the Court to dinner with them as is usual.  
The 2d. of October, being come, the Court of Aldermen Assembled: As likewise did the Commons in Council, to hear the reports of the Committe, where divers debates passed Pro & Contra; and many Speeches were made, some for sealing to the Regulations, others for the Surrender of the entire Charter, without any further consideration; insomuch, that some hot or hasty words passed, but in the end, after Mr, Recorder had made a long Speech, wherein he declared at large the whole Proceedings from Point to Point, opening the matter, reciting some Presidents of the like Nature, in the Reign of former Kings aquiescing in the Opinion of the Committe as to a Surrender, it was put to the Vote, though not without some difficulty; many alleging that divers of the Common-Council and some of the Aldermen were out of foreshown and absent; and this matter was no other then a surprise, yet so it was ordered that in the end, it being concluded on; The Pole run thus 83 were for sealing to the Regulation required by his Majesty, and 105. against it, after which many debates happened, insomuch that they broken not up till Eleven of the Clock in the Evening.  
Upon Notice of what had been resolved, and the Retraction of what had formerly been agreed to, Mr. Attorney General caused, as we are credibly informed, judgement to be entred up, so that the Charter being Actually Seized, His majesty was pleased, by commission to appoint the present Lord Mayor, to continue as Custos of this City, &c. and that the late Elected Sheriffs by Commission likewise are, or suddenly will be sworn. Mr John Genner likewise to be Recorder in the Room of Sr. George Trebie, and that divers Aldermen will be appointed in the Room of such, as his Majesty is pleased to displace, whose Nomination will be very suddenly; and on the 3d. Instant in the Evening the Lord Mayor went to White-Hall in his Coach, attended by his Officers to wait upon his majesty, to know his further pleasure,( not being accompanied with any of the Aldermen,) where he was received: And after some conference about the present Juncture of Affairs relating to the City, was dismissed and according to Order, Went again this Morning accompanied by the new Recorder and the two Sherriffs, when being introduced he had the Charge and care of the City recommended to him, his Lordship promising to do all that in him lay to serve his majesty therein: after which Mr. Recorder being introduced into the Bed-Chamber was Commanded to kneel, which he doing, had therewith the usual Ceremonies, the honour of Knight-hood conferred on him by his Majesty. Afterwhich he with the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, returned to their charge.   

Entred according to Order.   

LONDON Printed for Largley Curtiss. 1683