A week later (27 July) the mayor made the following reply to the petitioners, by advice of the court:—"Gentlemen, this court hath considered of your petition, and will take care that such persons shall take the office of sheriffs upon them as are duly elected according to law and the ancient customs of this city; and in this and all other things this court will endeavour to maintain the rights and privileges of the chair and of the whole city; and wherein you think that we do otherwise the law must judge between us."(1505) This was little to the liking of the petitioners, who complained that it was no answer to their petition; but they were summarily dismissed.(1506) (M769) Thus the matter was allowed to rest until the 5th September, when the Court of Aldermen were again prayed that Papillon and Du Bois might be called upon to enter into bond according to custom. The only answer returned was that Box, who in the opinion of the court had been duly elected one of the sheriffs, had been discharged from service on payment of a fine, and that another election would shortly take place. Thereupon murmurs arose. There had been too many Common Halls already over this affair, cried some, and their choice of sheriffs had been made. The mayor bade them begone in the king’s name, or they would be looked upon as tumultuous.(1507) (M770) The court sat again on the 12th September, when, we are told, a petition similar to those before presented being again brought forward, a debate arose which occasioned some sharp words, and the mayor ordered the sword to be taken up and so dissolved the court; but nothing of this is recorded in the minutes of the court.(1508) Two days later (14 Sept.), several petitions were presented to the court, one being from the free-holders of Middlesex.(1509) To these the same reply was made as had been given to the petitioners of the 27th July. The petitioners were further told that it was the mayor’s intention to call a Common Hall on Tuesday, the 19th September, to elect one to serve in the place of Box.(1510) (M771) (M772)