This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822 edition. Excerpt: ...was resorted to which the varying occasions of the day seemed to require. No further observation therefore on this period of usurpation appears to be necessary, than that it fully justifies the assertion that no inference can be drawn from the transactions which occurred in it. In the next reign, after ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1822 edition. Excerpt: ...was resorted to which the varying occasions of the day seemed to require. No further observation therefore on this period of usurpation appears to be necessary, than that it fully justifies the assertion that no inference can be drawn from the transactions which occurred in it. In the next reign, after the restoration of Charles II., the same system of granting new charters of incorporation in a more methodized form was pursued, and it no longer remained doubtful what was the object of the crown in these grants. A disposition to guide the elections, and for that purpose to controul the corporations, was fully manifested. In no instance was it made more evident than by the quo warranto against the city of London, and the seizure of its charters and privileges. This also was but the prelude to the seizure of almost all the other corporations, which was followed by a re-grant of new charters, under which, and by pretence of the Corporation act, passed a few years before, all the persons objectionable to the crown were removed from the corporations, and the chief officers of state were introduced into the list of freemen in the greatest number of the boroughs. Nay, to mark distinctly the intention of the king, a clause was introduced in most of the charters, that none of the officers of the corporations should be elected without the consent of the crown. James II.. did all in his power to follow the example of his brother; but the weakness and insecurity of his government towards the close of his reign occasioned the abandonment of the charters of Charles II., and a re-grant of the surrendered charters. Stat. 13th Charles H. stat. 2. c. 1. Notwithstanding these efforts of the crown, it will be found that the Commons for a long time defeated...
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