The Daily Advertiser

Mr. CHILDS,

In looking over your paper of this day, I was a good deal surprised to see a paragraph, intimating that a committee of gentlemen had waited on Mr. Maxwell, to inform him that it would be agreeable to many gentlemen of the North Ward, that Col. Lewis, should be elected Alderman of it. It appears, that the design of the embassy was to obtain from Mr. Maxwell, a relinquishment of his pretensions to the votes of the Electors of the North-Ward: The result was exactly such as must have been expected. Mr. Maxwell assured the gentlemen, that he not only willingly resigned in favor of Mr. Lewis, but that he would give him his vote and interest. I can easily believe that Mr. Maxwell would not be anxious to be placed in a situation, which, tho' honorable, must be very troublesome, where no profit is intended to be made by it. I believe also, that so far from being desirous of the appointment, he rather submits in this instance to the judgment and wishes of his fellow-citizens, than solicits their support. I consider the assurances given by Mr. Maxwell to the committee who waited on him, to have been in some measure extorted, since no gentleman, circumstanced as he then was, could argue on the propriety of the change which they proposed. Every gentleman who met at Sardini's on the 15th, pledged himself expressly to support the list, as it was published with the signature of Nicholas Low. I apprehend therefore, none who were present at that meeting can countenance any change. If it be practicable to change the Aldermen, it must be effected, not by the undisputed necessity of the measure, nor by lazy wishes—but by the active and united exertions of all those freemen and freeholders, who view the reputation of the city, as affected by the choice of its Magistracy.—If there be a single Alderman in the city, who is deemed unworthy of that station, it matters not in what ward he is placed, whether in the North or in the South, he equally discredits the citizens at large, and dishonors the appointment—If the list published by the authority of the meeting on the fifteenth instant, be altered, it will have a direct tendency to continue the evil which we seem disposed to remedy; it will render some discontented and others indifferent; it will divide that interest which can alone introduce reform; I mean the union of all those citizens who think it of importance to see the bench supported by the most respectable character, amongst us. Upon the whole, unless Mr. Maxwell formally resigns (which by the bye I hope he will not) it would be not less improper than indelicate to attempt an alteration.