_Accession of George III.--The fall of Pitt.--Alderman Beckford.--Unpopularity of Bute.--The King and Queen at the Guildhall.--John Wilkes.--War with Spain.--The Peace of Paris.--Resignation of Bute.--Wilkes and the "North Briton."--No. 45 burnt at the Royal Exchange.--Conduct of the Lord Mayor.--Wilkes's "Essay on Woman."--Wilkes Expelled the House.--Is outlawed.--Pitt created Earl of Chatham, proposes to bring in an East India Bill.--Wilkes's letters to the Duke of Grafton, is elected M.P. for Middlesex.--Committed to the King's Bench.--Sentence pronounced.--Wilkes elected Alderman.--Again expelled the House.--Is thrice elected for Middlesex and thrice rejected.--Colonel Luttrell usurps his Seat.--Remonstrance of the Livery.--The City and Lord Holland.--Beckford's second Mayoralty.--Another remonstrance of the Livery.--The remonstrance approved by "Junius."--Condemned by the Goldsmiths, Weavers and Grocers.--The King hesitates to receive it as being "entirely new."--Consults Lord North.--Consents to receive it on the Throne.--The remonstrance condemned by Parliament.--Beckford entertains the Opposition at the Mansion House.--Wilkes regains his liberty.--City address to the King.--Beckford's famous Speech.--Chatham's approval.--Vote of thanks to Chatham.--Beckford's death._ _Page 66_ CHAPTER XXXVIII. _Brass Crosby, Mayor.--The legality of Press Warrants.--The Freedom of the Press.--The Messenger of the_ _House of Commons arrested in the City.--His recognizance ordered to be expunged.--Crosby and Oliver before the House.--Committed to the Tower.--Chatham's opinion as to the conduct of the civic magistrates.-- Bitter feeling against the Ministry.--Crosby and Oliver regain their liberty.--Another remonstrance of the Livery.--Received on the Throne.--Wilkes and Bull, Sheriffs.--Wilkes and Junius join forces.-- Parson Horne.--Nash elected Mayor.--Refuses to summon a Common Hall.--Sawbridge and Short Parliaments.--Townshend elected Mayor.--Riot at the Guildhall.--Address of the Livery in favour of Short Parliaments.--Wilkes declines to attend its presentation.-- Claims his seat in the House.--The Recorder's opinion touching the rights of the Livery in Common Hall.--Plumbe's case.--Alderman Bull elected M.P. for the City.--England and America.--The Quebec Bill.--Wilkes elected Mayor.--Takes his seat as Member for Middlesex._ _Page 106_ CHAPTER XXXIX.