The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, January 2, 1769. The election of an Alderman for the ward of Farringdon Without, in the room of the late Sir Francis Gosling, Knt. comes on this day at St. Bride's church, Fleet-street. There never was a time perhaps when greater bustle was made for the office of Alderman. Most of the Common-council in the ward, are making all the interest possible among the inhabitants in favour of Mr. Bromwich, as is the Rev. Mr. Horne, and several other friends in favour of Mr. Wilkes. We are informed that Mr. Wilkes, if chosen, will as soon as possible, present his Reverend friend with a wand, as a Governor of St. Bartholomew's hospital. Upon the canvas of the inhabitants of the ward of Farringdon Without, made on Friday by several Gentlemen, in the interest, and friends of Mr. Wilkes, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Horne, there appeared to be ten to one in favour of the patriot. Considerable wagers have been offered to be laid, in many coffee-houses at the west end of the town, that Mr. Wilkes will be Lord Mayor of London, before the expiration of five years. We are informed, that the Rev. Mr. Horne will act as proxy for Mr. Wilkes, at St Bride's church this day, at the election of an Alderman for the ward of Farringdon Without. The court of Aldermen, we are informed, have a power of excepting against the return, but must assign a sufficient reason for it: the return was disputed when Alderman Blackiston was elected, and the court divided eleven against ten. Friday several members of a very numerous society, called the Lumber Troop, were sent to Mr. Wilkes to invite him to become a member of that body, which he politely accepted, and was admitted with the usual formalities. They assured him, in the name of the Troop, of their interest in favour of his election for Alderman of Farringdon ward Without. It is observable, that in city elections of every kind, the party espoused by this society always succeeds. A Gentleman, on having one of his friend's papers put into his hands, collected all he could y friend Wilkes may stand, to his t not a man in the kingdom who has so many friends the champion as he. A change in the Ministry is certainly in agitation; and it is believed, that the Earl Temple, the Earl of Chatham, the Right Hon. George Grenville, and other persons of known abilities, will shortly take upon them the reins of government. January 3. Yesterday a wardmote was held at St. Bride's church for electing an Alderman for the ward of Farringdon Without, in the room of the late Sir Francis Gosling, Knt. The candidates were, John Wilkes, Esq; and Thomas Bromwich, Esq; The show of hands were in favour of Mr. Wilkes, but a poll was demanded for Mr. Bromwich, on the closing of which at three o'clock, the numbers stood as follow, viz. 255 69 Majority 186 On which Mr. Bromwich declined giving his friends any farther trouble, and Mr. Wilkes was declared duly elected. King's Bench Prison, Monday, Jan. 2, 1769. To the worthy Inhabitants of the Ward of Farringdon Without. Gentlemen, Freemen and Fellow Citizens, and respectable ward. Every power I derive from that high office shall be employed in the preservation of the rights of the Livery of London, and of all the Freemen of this great metropolis. After the primary duty I owe to the county of Middlesex, I shall consider the claim which you now have upon me, as demanding the utmost exertion of my poor abilities. I promise you a faithful and zealous attachment to your service, a diligent attendance on your business, and a steady attention to the interests of our ward. From you, Gentlemen, I intreat on every occasion a full and early communication of whatever you judge of consequence to the prosperity of the ward, as well as to the welfare of this free city, and the support of its trade and commerce, which are of the utmost importance to its own greatness, and to the whole kingdom; I will always take a public spirited, decided and disinterested part, and I doubt not of support and assistance in all my undertakings, for they shall be directed solely by a regard of the interests of the people of England, of this city in general, and our ward in particular; the near relation in which I now stand to you, will, I hope, furnish me with frequent opportunities of knowing your sentiments in our common concerns, and every Gentleman of the ward shall have an easy access where they have lodged the power, for the just exercise of which I shall think myself in all instances accountable to my constituents. I am, Gentlemen, Freemen and Fellow Citizens, With gratitude and respect Your affectionate and obedient humble servant, JOHN WILKES.

For Mr. Wilkes,	Mr. Bromwich.
St. Bride's, - - - 72	- -