“That this corporation not only by such order, but also by subsequently permitting oral evidence to be given by their members and officers, now feel themselves the more imperatively called upon to express their mingled sentiments of regret and disapproval at the course of examination pursued, an examination governed by no rules of evidence recognised in any English courts of law, but carried on in a manner irregular, vague, and arbitrary, precluding the slightest hope of arrival at such a conclusion as can possibly conduce to the ends of truth and justice, still less such as can prove congenial to the good feelings of any well-regulated, candid, and impartial mind.” “That this assembly, considering that the great mass of information received by the commissioners, emanated from the most decided and unscrupulous partizans; that many of them were intimately connected with, and implicated in the transactions to which allusions were made; that those allusions involved charges against highly respected and honourable individuals, since deceased, whose representatives had no means of refuting the aspersions cast upon their memories; that many also of those who came forward as the most material witnesses to impugn the conduct and character of the corporate body, stand self-convicted as the active unblushing agents of gross corruption, and by their own admissions have proved themselves unworthy of credit—considering all these things, and looking moreover to the incontrovertible fact, that not one farthing of the corporate funds has been either appropriated to electioneering purposes or diverted from its originally destined and legitimate, object”— “Do PROTEST against any report being made by the municipal commissioners respecting the corporation of Norwich, based on statements so utterly unfit to justify parliament in legislating on so important a subject, and do most respectfully towards the crown, but with firmness and fidelity to the obligation of their oaths as corporators, deem it their duty to resist every attempt to exact from them a surrender of the charters of the city and, therewith, of the rights and privileges of the freemen of Norwich.” “That this assembly invite the various corporations throughout the kingdom to make common cause with them in endeavouring by every lawful and constitutional means of resistance to defeat any design that may be in contemplation for wresting from them their ancient charters, franchises, and liberties.” A committee was appointed for this purpose, and to devise means for protecting the charters, rights, and privileges of the corporation. But all this opposition proved to be of no avail, and the Municipal Reform Act came into operation in 1835. * * * * *