[368] Journal 66, fos. 170-172, 178, 179. [369] The king to Lord North, 18 June, 1774.--Correspondence, i, 192. [370] Walpole, Journal, i, 380-382. [371] Walpole, Journal, i, 420. [372] Gentleman's Magazine, xliv, 491. [373] Gentleman's Magazine, xliv, 444. [374] Walpole, Journal, i, 427. [375] Journal House of Commons, xxxviii, 977. CHAPTER XXXIX. [Sidenote: Wilkes and the Court of Aldermen.] Wilkes had not long occupied the mayoralty chair before he came into serious collision with the Court of Aldermen. In November (1774) an election of an alderman for the Ward of Bridge Within took place, and John Hart, one of the sheriffs, was returned at the head of the poll, defeating his opponent, William Neate, by four votes. A scrutiny was demanded, and, in spite of an objection raised by Hart on technical grounds, was allowed to proceed. Whilst the scrutiny was proceeding Hart appeared before the Court of Aldermen and claimed to be admitted to his seat. Neate was also in attendance, but the Court declined to hear him. Wilkes thereupon adjourned the Court until after the result of the scrutiny was known. On the 24th November the votes were cast up in the presence of Wilkes and his predecessor in office (under whom the original wardmote for the election had been held), when there appeared 95 votes for Neate, as against 84 for Hart. The result of the poll was thus reversed. Nevertheless, when the Court of Aldermen met the next day they insisted upon Wilkes putting the question for Hart to be called in and sworn, whilst they persistently refused to hear Neate or his attorney, Reynolds--Wilkes's own friend and election agent. This he positively refused to do, and the matter was allowed to stand over, both parties having in the meantime applied to the King's Bench for writs of _mandamus_.[376] [Sidenote: Comments of the _Public Advertiser_, 28 Nov., 1774.]