| To |
| The Queens Most Excellent Majesty in Council |
| The humble Petition of the Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses
of the Borough of Birmingham |
| Sheweth as follows: |
| 1. |
That on the 31st. day of October 1838 your Majesty was
graciously pleased to confer a Charter of Incorporation upon the Borough
of Birmingham, which at that time contained a population of about
180,000 inhabitants |
| 2. |
That on the 31st. day of October 1888 the Corporation having then
completed 50 years of municipal life the population of the Borough
was estimated at 450,000 |
| 3. |
That excluding the Metropolis, Birmingham is now the second Town
in England in point of population, and is the largest Borough in England
that has not received the title of City |
| 4. |
That your Petitioners being desirous of commemorating the Jubilee
of the Corporation in a manner that may leave a permanent historical
record, venture very humbly to pray that your Majesty may be pleased,
by the advice of your Majestys Privy Council, to confer the title
and dignity of City upon the Borough of Birmingham |
| And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray |
| [signature] A. C. Barrow [Birmingham Crest]
2324. |
| Mayor |
| [signature] E. O. Smith |
| Town Clerk. |
