Queen Elizabeth incorporated West Looe 14th February 1574, in the
sixteenth year of her reign, by the name of Mayor and Burgesses of the
Borough of Portbyhan, otherwise West Looe, in the county of Cornwall.
Twelve chief burgesses were appointed by this charter. The mayor is
elected from the Chief Burgesses, by their votes and the votes of the
Free Burgesses, on Michaelmas-day annually, between nine and twelve of
the clock in the forenoon, and then sworn into office. The mayor is
also a Justice of the Peace, as is likewise the steward. The mayor has
no power to appoint a deputy. The steward, however, has such an
authority; but his deputy is not a Justice of the Peace.