The Mayor of Seaford, who seconded the motion, thought that by abolishing the court, they would be treating the Lord Warden with contempt.
One of the Faversham Deputation moved that the Court of Brotherhood be not summoned again. This was seconded by the Mayor of Dover.
The Speaker said the question involved in the amendment was a very serious one, and he did not know that it was a proper motion for him to put. It seemed to him a most extraordinary thing that gentlemen should propose a motion that would sacrifice the rights of those who would come after them [Cheers]; for gentlemen to sit there and destroy those charters which they had been enjoying for centuries.
Ultimately the original motion was carried by 29 to 10 to adjourn at the close of the present meeting.
The next proceeding was to take out the famous Black Book, charters, and an old silk flag, the last named being one that used to be taken by the appointed bailiffs.
The Solicitor said that since the last meeting an iron box had been substituted for the wooden one, and the contents transferred in the presence of witnesses. The box had been once since opened at the request of the Mayor of Hastings to allow Mr. Mark Antony Lower to inspect its contents.
Motions were now made authorising the Speaker for the time being to allow the Record Commissioners to have access to the contents, with a view to publish them.
Finally, a committee was formed to consist of all members of the court who could remain in New Romney, to meet at ten o'clock next morning, to inspect the records. A dinner was provided in the evening at the Assembly Rooms, which was partaken of by many of the members, and a pleasant evening was the result.
Local Records
It will have been seen that Mr. Ross as Speaker of the Cinque Ports for the time being held the Court of Brotherhood and Guestling on the 29th of October, a few days before his mayoralty expired. The same gentleman on the 22nd of January in the same year sent to the Hastings News some records copied, as he said, from the oldest parish book of All Saints, which appeared to have been bought immediately after the passing of the Act 39th of Elizabeth, 1598. The -
