HISTORY
OF THE
BOROUGHS
OF
GREAT BRITAIN.
[<£ntereb at Stationery Wafl.]
AN
ENTIRE AND COMPLETE
HISTORY,
POLITICAL AND PERSONAL,
OF THE
BOROUGHS
OF
GREAT BRITAIN;
TOGETHER WITH THE
CINQUE. RORTS.
THE SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUME II.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR B. CROSBY, NO. 4, STATIONERS COURT, LUDCATE STREET.
M.DCC.XCIV.
ay
CONTENTS.
VOL. II.
Page
Page
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
STAFFORDSHIRE;
Nottingham County . .
I Stafford County .
. 91
T^'ntt'ino'hrim
2 Stsfford Town •
Eaft Retford . . .
5 Litchfield
. 94
Town of Newark . . .
9 Newcaftle under Line .
• 97
Tamworth
• IOI
OXFORDSHIRE.
Oxford County . . .
12 SUFFOLK.
1 6 Suffolk County .
Oxford Univerfity . . .
22 Ipfwich ...
1 02
104
Woodftock
JIT
24 Orford - . . .
1 */
Aldborough .
119
121
RUTLANDSHIRF. .
26 Sudbury . . .
122
Eye ... .
125
SHROPSHIRE.
St. Edmundfbury : .
126
Salop County . .
27
Shrewfbury
29 SURREY.
Bridgenorth . . :
37 Surrey County
127
Ludlow ....
39 South wark . ; ,
129
Wenlock
4 1 Bletchingly .
134
Bifhop's Caflle . . .
43 Ryegate
'35
SOMERSETSHIRE.
Guildford .
136
Somerfet County . . .
44 Gatton
Briftol ....
45* Haflemere . . ,
140
Bath ....
49
Wells ....
50 SUSSEX.
Taunton ....
53 Suffex County . .
142
Bridgwater . . •
59 Chichefter
Minehead . .
61 Horfham
147
Ikhefter ....
63 Midhurft
148
Milborne Port .
73 Lewes »
150
CONTENTS.
Page Page
Shoreham •
152 YORKSHIRE.
Bramber . ; .
1 60 York County . . . 26 j
Steyning .
162 York ..... 267
Eaft Grinftead .
166 Hull : . . .268
Arundel . . .
167 Knarefborough . . .272
Scarborough . . .274
WARWICKSHIRE.
Rippon . . -275
Warwick County
170 Richmond .... 276
171 Hey don . • .277
Coventry . . .
173 Aldborough ... . 278
Boroughbridge . .279
WESTMORELAND.
Malton ... . . 280
Weftmoreland County .
185 Thirfk 281
Appleby . .
187 Beverley ib.
Northallerton . . .283
WI LTSHI RE.
Pomfret 285
Wilts County .
188
Salifbury . .
190 HISTORY OF THE CINQUE
Wilton
191 PORTS.
Downton
192 Introduction . . . 289
Hindon .
197 Haftings . . . 294.
Heytefbury . . .
215 Lift of the Electors of
Weftbury .
216 HalUngs . . . 308
Calne ....
218 Dover 311
Devizes ...
219 Sandwich . . -313
Chippenham ....
220 Hythe . . . . 320
Malmfbury .
222 New Romney . . 323
Cricklade
223 Lift of the Freemen of
Great Bedwin . .
234 New Romney . . 32$
Lug?erfhall r . • .
OldSarum .
236 Winchelfea . . .338
Wotton Bafiet
238 Seaford . . 348
Marlborough
239
WORCESTERSHIRE.
WELCH BOROUGHS.
Worcefter County .
240 Introduction . . . 39 j
Worcefter . .
247
Droithwich ....
261 ANGLESEA.
262 Anglefea County . . 397
264 Bcautnaris , ib.
CONTENTS.
Page
BRECONSH1RE.
Brecon County .
Brecon . . .
RADNORSHIRE,
398 Radnor County
399 Radnor .
Page
416
ib.
CARDIGANSHIRE.
Cardigan County . . 399
Cardigan .... 400
CAERMARTHEN SHIRE.
Caermarthen County . 401
Caermarthen . ib.
CAERNARVONSHIRE.
Caernarvon County . . 404
Caernarvon . . . 405
DENBIGHSHIRE.
Denbigh County . . 405
Denbigh . . . 406
FLINTSHIRE.
Flint County . . . 407
Flint . ib.
GLAMORGANSHIRE.
Glamorgan County . . 408
Cardiff .... 409
MERIONETHSHIRE.
Merioneth County . . 410
MONTGOMERYSHIRE.
Montgomery County . 411
Montgomery . . .412
PEMBROKESHIRE.
Pembroke County . .413
Pembroke . . . 414
Haverfordweft . . .415
SCOTLAND.
Introduction . . . 419
Report of the Committee
of the Friends of the
People, on the Repre-
fer.tation of Scotland . 421
Table, &c. of Number of
Electors in the Coun-
ties, &c. No. I. . . 438
Table of the Number of
Electors in the Royal
Burghs, No. II. . . 439
COUNTIES OF SCOTLAND.
Aberdeenfliire . . . 440
Argylefliire . ; ib.
Ayrlhire . . . 441
BamffVhire . . : ib.
Berwickfhire .... ib.
Caithnefsfhire . . . 442
Cromartyfhire . . . ib.
Dumbartonihire . . ^4
Dumfriesshire ib.
Edinburghfhire ... ib.
Fifefhire . . . 44^
Forfarfhire . . . ib.
Haddingtonmire . . 446
Invernefsfhire . . . ib.
Kincardinelhire . . ib.
Kinrofslhire
447
Kirkcudbright Stewartry ib.
Lanerkfhire . . ib.
Linlithgowmire . . 448
Elginfhire . . . jb.
Orkneylhire . . .
CONTENTS.
Peeblesfhire .
Perthfhire .
Page
449
450
ib
DiftriaVII. . . .
VIII. . . .
IX
Page
460
461
ib
Rofsfhire . ;
451
ib
xr
ib.
^62
Selkirkfhire
XII
4Ui
ib
Stirlingfhire ....
Sutherlandfhire
Wigtonftiire .
Butelhire
Clackmannanftiire .
Nairnlhire
SCOTCH BOROUGHS.
T>*
ib.
ib.
453
ib.
454
ib.
4.CC
XIII. .
XIV. . . %
Table of the Counties,
Cities, and Boroughs of
Great Britain
Correa Table of Parlia-
mentary Patronage
Patronage of Peers . .
463
ib.
465
477
ib
Diftridt I
4.80
HI
457
ily.
A cK
of the Treafury
483
IV
45°
ib
ib
VI.
459
ib.
of Commoners
in Scotland
484
ERRATA.
Page 16, line 24, omit enrl of Abingdon.
22, — 10, omit ditto.
35, — 24, omit, but neither, &c. to the end of the paragraph.
37, add, after line 15, William Pulteney, Efq. partially.
39> I2> Patron — T. Whitmore, E(q. partially.
52, line 24, read Number of Voters — 115.
119, — 15, for earl read marquis.
148, — 18, omit duke of Norfolk and
i 276, — 9, for Mr. run! Mr:.. «
HISTORY
OF THE
BOROUGHS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
T,
NOTTINGHAM COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
HIS county is entirely under the influence
of ariftocracy. The duke of Portland, the duke
of Newcaftle, lord Middleton, and Mr. Pierre-
pont, have large eftates in this part of the coun-
try. Thefe four, or a majority of them, can
always dictate to the county who mail be its
members. If an attempt, therefore, of the few
independent party, mould be made to exert their
own rights in the choice of their reprefentatives,
it would, we fear, be unfuccefsful.
Major Cartwright, who is the father of the
Conftitutipnal Society, and author of a plan of
Parliamentary Reform, made an effort to reftore
VOL. II. B this
2 NOTTINGHAM..
this county to its natural independence ; for
•which purpofe he offered himfclf a candidate ;
but neither the eminent talents of this gentle-
man, nor the fervice he rendered his country,
by the great number of perfons which he em-
ployed in its manufactures, could avail any thing
•when weighed in the balance againfl that undue
influence which has been fo long complained of
in this country.
This county is divided into eight hundreds,
or rather fix wapentakes and two liberties. It
lies in the province and diocefe of York, and
has one hundred and fixty-eight parifhes, and
nine market towns, which are Nottingham, New-
ark, Mansfield, Blith, Bingham, Workfop, Tux-
ford, Southwell, and Eaft Retford. It fends
eight members to parliament, that is, two knights
of the mire for the county, and two rcprcfen-
tatives for each of the boroughs of Nottingham,
Newark, and Eaft Retford.
NOTTINGHAM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. This town is not
under immediate influence of any kind; arifin<;
principally from the great number of inhabitants
who are voters, and the increafe of its commerce
and
KOTtlNGHAM. 3
ahd manufa&ures. It is fubjecl to the fame in-
conveniences that Weftminfter, Briftol and Lei-
cefter are, owing to a coalition of the leading
men of each party, who, to avoid the expences
which would necerTarily attend an oppofition,
agree that each fhould return one member. Thefe
unconflitutional unions, which owe their origin
to avarice, and the ambition of a few, who call
themfelves the great men of the place, virtually
deprive the people of any reprefentation at all,
becaufe, upon every fubjecl of importance which
is debated in the fenate, the numbers, thus con-
ftituted, always vote on oppofite fides of the
queftion. The only effectual prevention of this
grievance that can be devifed, is, that each dif-
tricl mould choofe either one or three reprefen-
tatives, by which their influence muft be necef-
farily felt in every decifion that takes place in
the legiflature of their country.
The right of election in this town was anci-
ently, according to Dr. Browne Willis, in the
inhabitant houfekeepers paying fcot and lot;
but, -by a refolution of the houfe of co*mmons of
10 June, 1701, this right is made fo complicat-
ed, and open to fraud and litigation, that every
freeman of this town, by a furreptitious indenture
B 2 of
4 NOTTINGHAM.
of apprenticeship, executed in any part 01 the
kingdom, may qualify any number of electors
that may fuit his convenience or his intcrcft.
This town was incorporated long before king
Henry II. gave it a charter; for in Edward the
Confeflbr's time it had a hundred and fcvcnty-
three burgeffcs. Many of our kings have in this
town kept their court, and aflcmblcd here fcvc-
ral parliaments. It was anciently governed by
two bailiffs, coroners, and. a common council.
King Edward I. impowered them to choofe a
mayor annually. Henry VI. in the twenty-
fcventh year of his reign, made it a county of
itfelf, changed the bailiffs into meriffs, and ap-
pointed it to be governed by a mayor, and bur-
geffes. The town is divided into fcvcn wards,
anfwering the number of aldermen, each of thefc
having one of them committed to his care, though
he is not confined to live in it; and, as a juftice
of peace, his power extends throughout all the
liberties of the town.
CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor,
6 aldermen, a recorder, 2 meriffs, and 24 com-
mon councilmcn.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — June 10, 1701. Agreed,
that the right was in the mayor, freemen, and
freeholders
EAST RETFORD. 5
freeholders of forty (hillings a year; and that
the eldcft fons of freemen by birth, and the
youngefl fons of freemen, who have ferved feven
years apprcmicefhip, whether at Nottingham or
elfewhere, and alfo fuch perfons as ferved appren-
ticelhips to any freeman of Nottingham, were
well entitled to demand their freedom.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 1700.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The fheriffs.
EAST RETFORD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec-
tion in this borough is in the bailiffs, aldermen,
and an indefinite number of freemen, in whom
the qualification ofrtfidence within the town is not
neceffary. The freedom is obtained either by
patrimony, as being the eldeft fon of a freeman
born within the borough; by fervitude,inconfe-
quence of having ferved feven years apprentice-
fliip to a freeman within the fame limits; or by
redemption, which is by gift of the bailiffs and
aldermen. Thofe who obtain their franchife by
this fpecial favour of the junto of aldermen, mud
be inhabitant houfeholders at the time they are
made free, but may leave their habitations the
nexjt day; and by this method of qualification,
B 3 a fingle
6 EAST RETFORD.
a fingle houfe may, by the court of aldermen, be-
made the inftrument of doubling the whole num-
ber of electors between one election and another,
or of multiplying their own party, fo as to fecure
the return of any candidate whole interefi. they
may think proper to efpoufe. In every charter
granted by the crown we find the lame power
has been invefted in the/ezy, to control the inde-
pendence of the many, where a monopoly of the
election right in the corporation does not exclude
the people altogether from a mare in the choice
of their reprefentatives.
The aldermen of Retford have not, however,
been under the neceflity of having recourfe to
the exercife of this power, like their brethren at
Carlifle, Durham, Seaford, and many other places,
\vho have incurred the correction of parliament,
and the cenfure of the public, a mutual agree-
ment between the aldermen and freemen, each
to nominate a member, and a concurrence in the
eleclion of them, rendering this meafure unne-
ceflary.
The aldermen, being in the interefl of the
duke of Newcaflle, receive with implicit con-
dcfcenfion his grace's inftru&ions for regulating
their political conduct; and the freemen, with
a fcrupulous
EAST RETFORD. J
a fcrupulous attention to eftablijhedcujloms, feleft
fome neighbouring gentleman for their repre-
Tentative.
In juftice to the freemen, and in conformity
to that line of impartiality which it is our anxi-
ous endeavour to keep, we cannot conclude our
account of this borough without relating that,
under the impreffion of gratitude to major Cart-
wright, who employs upwards of fix hundred of
the inhabitants of this place in the manufacture
of woollens, and out of refpeft to that eftimation
in which his public character and private vir-
tues are univerfally held, they made him an offer
of their unbiaffed fuffrages at the laft election j
but whether that gentleman conceived it inex-
pedient to wafte his time in mock-harangues,
and dividing againft decifive majorities, or whe-
ther he confidered the poft of honour in the
prefent ftate of things to be a private flation,
we cannot take upon us to determine; he de-
clined the honour they intended him, but has
not abated that patriotic zeal which he has fo
eminently difplayed in the caufe of liberty.
CORPORATION. By a charter of 5 James I.
it is governed by 2 bailiffs and 12 aldermen.
The bailiffs are diftingufhed by the titles of
B 4 fenior
8 EAST RETFORD.
fenior and junior ; the former of whom is cho-
fen out of the aldermen, and the junior out of
fuch freemen as have been chamberlains. The
bailiffs and fteward for the time being are juf-
tices of the peace, and of the quorum within
the borough.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1700, 15th April. Is
as well in the burgeffes non-refidcnts, as in
the burgeffes refident within the faid borough.
Agreed to by the houfe.
1701, i7th JMarch. The younger fons of
freemen of the borough of Eaft-Retford, have
not a right to demand their freedom of the faid
borough.
1702, 28th November. Perfons not inhabit-
ing the faid borough, are incapable of being
made free of the fame by redemption. All the
fons of freemen have a right to the freedom of
the faid borough.
1705, 17th January. Is in fuch freemen only
as have a right to their freedom by birth, as
eldeft fons of freemen, or by ferving feven
years apprenticefhip, or have it by redemption,
whether inhabiting or not inhabiting in the
faid borough, at the time of their being made
free.
1710,
TOWN OF NEWARK. g
1710, i ith January. Is in fuch freemen only
as have a right to their freedom by birth, as
deleft fons of freemen, or by ferving feven
years apprenticefhip, or have it by redemption,
inhabiting in the faid borough at the time of
their being made free.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 112.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The two bailiffs.
PATRON — Duke of Newcaftle.
TOWN OF NEWARK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. A contefl has ex-
ifted here above a century, between thofe who
were taxed, and thofe who were not taxed, but
were of fufficient ability, and of courfe had a
right to be fo, as in the cafes of Leominfter and
Seaford.
The houfe of cgmmons, in 1699, came to a
refolution, that all who paid, or ought to pay
fcot and lot, had a right to vote at elections of
members of parliament ; but a contrary one has
fmcc been pafled in 1791, which ftates the right
to be in the mayor, aldermen, and inhabitants
paying fcot and lot. In this refolution, the
words " ought to pay," are omitted. The in-,
habitants who were not rated, have appealed to
this
1O TOWN OF NEWARK.
I
this laft decifion, and their appeal is now before
the houfe.
If this laft refolution fhould not be amended,
the choice of the members of parliament will,
in a great meafure, depend upon the overfeers,
\vho will always be the creatures of the corpo-
ration, and who will put no perfons in the poor
rates, but thofe who are friendly to their own
party. By thefc means a majority of the town,
if inimical to their parliamentry connections,
may be deprived of their legal franchife.
The influence here is chiefly that of the duke
of Newcaftle and the duke of Rutland. The
intereft of the former' arifes from the great
number of houfes which he has in this town;
and that of the latter from the eftates and prin-
cipal manfion which he has in its neighbour-
hood. The leader of the ^oppofition to thefe
interefts is William Dickenfon Raftal, Efq. who
fupported William Paxton, Efq. the petitioner
to the houfe, the laft year, againft the return of
John Sutton Manners, Efq. and William Crofbie,
Efq. and was unfuccefsful on account of the laft
refolution'which we dated above. Several ac-
tions for bribery were brought, the laft Lent af-
fizcs at Nottingham, againft Mr. Raftal, but be-
ing
TOWN OF NEWARK. 11
ing unfupported by fafcls, a verdift was given
in his favour upon each of them.
This borough is the laft in England that re-
ceived the privilege of fending members to par-
liament, by charter^ granted April the 24th, 29
Charles II.
The borough of Wenlock, in Shropfhire, was
the firft that ever obtained the fame privilege
by fimilar authority, 29th November, 1478, in
the reign of Edward IV.
CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor,
twelve aldermen, and as many afiiftants.
RIGHT OF ELECTION. 1676, 2ift March.
By virtue of a charter granted to the town of
Newark upon Trent, in the county of Notting-
ham, the town of Newark hath a right to fend
burgefles to parliament.
1699-1700, i ith January. The mayor, alder-
men, and all the inhabitants within the borough
of Newark upon Trent, who pay, or ought to
pay, fcot and lot within the faid borough, have
a right to vote at the election of members to
ferve in parliament for the faid borough.
1791, March 22d. The right of voting for
members to ferve in parliament for the borough
of Newark, is in the mayor, aldermen, and all
the
12 OXFOPDSHIRE.
the inhabitants, paying fcot and lot within the
faid borough.
NUMBER of VOTERS — 700.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRONS— The dujce of Rutland and duke
of Newcaftle.
OXFORDSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
HIS county is entirely under the influence
of ariftocracy. The duke of Marlborough al-
ways returns one of the members, and the earl
of Abingdon, the earl of Macclesficld, lord vif-
count Wenman, Sir Henry Watkin Dafhwood,
and Sir Gregory Page Turner, the other. The
great conteft, in the adminiftration of the duke
of Newcaftle, in 1754, between lord vifcount
Parker, now carl of Macclesficld, and Sir Ed-
ward Turner, on the miniilerial, and lord vif-
count Wenham, and Sir James Dafhwood, on the
fide of oppofition, firft brought the famous Mr.
Charles Jenkinfon, now lord Hawkefbury, into
political
OXFORDSIIIRF. 1JJ
political notice. Since that period the above
noblemen have fettled the members among
themfelves, without appealing to the freehold-
ers. The above four candidates being returned
members by the fheriff, inftead of two of them,
there was no fitting member for the county.
Any member might have moved the houfe upon
this, the very firft day of the fcffion ; and the
fheriff might have been ordered to attend, and
give an account of his proceeding; however,
no notice was taken of it till Nov. 18, fo that
the houfe was not legally fuch, till the county
of Oxford was reprefented, though it met on
the 14th, and did bufinefs. All the four candi-
dates petitioned, viz. lord Parker, Sir Edward
Turner, lord Wenham, and Sir James Dam-
wood.
The friends of the two former moved, that
the matter of the petitions mould be heard im-
mediately ; but thofe on the other fide infifted,
that the merits of the return ought to be firfl
heard and determined, which was certainly rea-
fonable. They therefore moved for the previ-
ous queflion, whether the queflion upon tbis
motion fliould now be put? Becaufe, if the
previous queflion had been carried in the ne-
gative,
14 OXFORDSHIRE.
gative, they would have had an opportunity to
move for appointing a fhort day to confider of
the return, and ordering the high fheriff to at-
tend. But this the court party -were againft,
and carried their point, that the matter of the
petition mould be heard on the third of De-
cember following. It was afterwards moved,
by the oppofition, that the high meriff fhould
attend on the day of hearing ; but this was
carried in the negative. It appeared that the
fheriff had given a very unfair advantage to the
court gentlemen, by allowing them to make
their objections to all the voters through the
whole poll, before the oppofition gentlemen
fliould object to one individual ; of which it
was impoflible to go through half before the
end of the month, when the writ was return-
able. The latter therefore infifted, that they
were fairly elected, becaufe they had an ac-
knowledged majority, which could not be fct
afide by fuch an unfinifhed fcrutiny, in which
fcrutiny befides they had not an equal chance.
It was therefore incumbent on the court gen-
tlemen's counfel to endeavour to overthrow the
majority claimed by their antagoniih. It was
carried, that the oppofition counfel ihould pro-
ceed
OXFORDSHIRE. I£
ceed to mew the general merits of their caufe.
They did fo, and propofed to disqualify no lefs
than 540 voters for the court gentlemen. Then
witnefles were examined for proving the par-
tiality of the fheriff, and for " proving lord
Parker, and Sir Edward Turner, and their
agents, guilty of bribery; for which purpofe
they likewife produced letters, which they
proved to be the hand-writing of the faid two
gentlemen. Nine days were fpent in proving
voters on the court fide difqualified. Lord
Parker and Sir Edward Turner anfwcred ob-
jections againft the meriff, and endeavoured to
clear themfelves of the accufation of bribery,
which they retorted upon their antagonifts.
They then fpent ten days more in endeavouring
to clear their voters. After this they propofed
to fet afide 522 of the oppofite voters, in which
they fpent eleven days. Finally, the oppofition
counfel fpent nine days in the reply. Many
feparate queftions were debated, " moil, if not
all of which, were determined, by a great ma-
jority, in favour of lord Parker and Sir Edward.
Turner, the court gentlemen."
A motion was made by the oppofition, that
all copyholders, holding by court- Toll, and not
at
l6 OXFORD CITY.
at the will of .the lord, have right of voting for
county members. This motion was made on
purpofe to have a negative put upon it ; but it
was put afide by the previous queftion ; when
lord Parker and Sir Edward Turner were de-
clared duly elected.
This county is divided into fourteen hun-
dreds : it lies in the province of Canterbury
and diocefe of York, and contains two hundred
and eighty parifhes, one city, and twelve market
towns ; namely, the city of Oxford, Bampton, Bur-
ford, Banbury, Bicefter, Deddington, Chipping
Norton, Iflep, Thame, Henley upon Thames,
Woodftock, Whitney, and Watlington; and fends
nine members to parliament, viz. two knights
of the fhire for the county, two citizens for
Oxford, two reprefentatives for that univerfity,
two burgeffes for the borough of Woodftockj
and one for Banbury.
OXFORD CITY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. The corporation-
and freemen at large are almoft all under the
influence of the duke of Maryborough and the
carl of Abingdon, each of whom has a fufficient
intereft to return one of the members. This
city
OXFORD CITY. 17
City is remarkable for an aft of bribery, com-
mitted by almoft all the members of the corpo-
ration. In 1767 Philip Ward, Efq. then mayor,
in conjunction with Thomas Robinfon and John
Brown, the bailiffs of the faid city, and feveral
of the aldermen, wrote a letter to Sir Thomas
Staplcton, Bart, and the honourable Mr. Lee,
their members, ftating, that they would cleft
them again at the next general election for a
certain fum of money, ftipulated in that letter,
and acquainting them, that unlefs they complied
with that condition, they certainly mould not
meet with their fupport. This letter was pro-
duced in the houfe of commons by the honour-
able members who received it, when, upon be-
ing read, it was agreed, that the perfons con-
cerned in writing that letter mould be taken
forthwith into the cuftody of the ferjeant at
arms. They were accordingly taken and
brought to the houfe of commons, and were
by them committed to Newgate; but after a
confinement of fome confiderable time, upon
their petitioning, and fetting forth to the houfe
their hearty forrow and fincere contrition for
their offence, they were difcharged, after being
VOL. II. C repri-
l8 OXFORD CITY.
reprimanded on their knees, by the fpeaker, in
the following words :
" Philip Ward, John Treacher, Sir Thomas
Munday, Thomas Wife, John Nicholcs, John
Philips, Ifaac Lawrence, Richard Tawney, Tho-
mas Robinfon, and John Brown ;
" The offence, of which you have been guilty,
has juftly brought you under the fevere difplea-
fure of this houfe. A more enormous crime
you could not well commit, fmce a deeper wound
could not have been given to the conftitution
itfelf, than by the open and dangerous attempt
which you have made to fubvert the freedom
and independence of this houfe. The freedom
of this houfe is the freedom of this country,
which can continue no longer than while the
voices of the electors are uninfluenced by any
bafe or venal motive. For if abilities and in-
tegrity are no recommendation to the electors,
if thofe who bid higheft for their voices are to
obtain them from fuch deteftable confidera-
tions, this houfe will not be the reprefentatives
of the people of Great Britain. Inftead of be-
ing the guardians and protectors of their liber-
ties, inftead of redreffing the grievances of the
fubjeft,
\
OXFORD CITY. ig
fubjeft, this houfe itfelf will be the author of
the worft of grievances ; it will become the ve-
nal inftrument of power to reduce this happy
nation, the envy and admiration of the world,
to the lowefl ftate of mifery and fervitude.
This is the abje£t condition to which you have
attempted to bring your fellow-citizens.
" Many circumftances concur to aggravate
your offence. The place of your refidencewas
a fingular advantage. You had at all times the
example of one of the moft learned and refpec-
table bodies in Europe before your eyes. Their
conduft in every inftance, but efpecially in the
choice of their reprefentatives in parliament,
was well worthy your imitation.
" You are magiftrates of a great city. In fuch
a ftation, it was a duty peculiarly incumbent on
you to watch over the morals of your fellow-
citizens ; to keep yourfelves pure from ven-
ality; and to prevent, by your influence, thofe
under your government from being tainted by
this growing and peftilential vice. How have
you abufed this tfuft? You yourfelves have fet
the infamous example of proftitution in the
moft public and daring manner: furely you
muft have felt fome remorfe from the generous
C 2 difdain
2O OXFORD CITY.
difdain with which your corrupt offer was re-
jected by your reprefentatives. They thought,
and juftly thought, that a feat in this houfe,
obtained by a free and independent choice of
their conftituents, was the high eft honour to
which a fubjecl can afpire ; and that difcharging
their duty, as fuch reprefentatives, was the
nobleft oF fervices. Sorry I am to fay, that
thefe confiderations do not appear to have had
the leaft weight with you. However, you have
at laft acknowledged your guilt, and, by your
petition yefterday, you feem confcious of the
enormity of your offence. This houfe, in the
terror of its judgments, always thinks upon
mercy; nor do they ever inflict punifhment but
for the fake of example, and to prevent others
from becoming the objefts of their refentment.
" The cenfure paffed upon you will, they
hope, have that effe£l. You are now the objccl
of their mercy, and are brought to the bar to
be difcharged.
" May you be penetrated with a due fenfe of
their juftice and lenity! — May you atone for
your paft offence, by a conftant endeavour to
make a right ufe of the invaluable privileges
which you enjoy as electors! — Conlider thcfc
privileges
OXFORD CITY. 41
privileges as a facred truft repofed in you.
JDifcharge it with integrity. But before you
rife from your prefent pofture, I do, in obedi-
ence of the commands of this houfe, Reprimand
you.
" I am now to acquaint you, that you are
difcharged, paying your fees."
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
four aldermen, eight afiiftants, two bailiffs, and
twenty-four common council-men. The mayor
for the time being officiates at the coronation of
our kings in the buttery, and has a large gilt
bowl and cover for his fee. The magiftracy of
the city is fubjed to the chancellor and vice-
chancellor of the univerfity, in all affairs of
moment, even in thofe relating to the city; and
every year the vice-chancellor adminifters an
oath to the magiftrates and fheriffs, that they
will maintain the privileges of the univerfity :
befides, on the loth of February, the mayor,
*nd fixty-two of the chief citizens, in a folemn
manner, pay each one penny at St. Mary's
church, in lieu of a great fine laid upon the
city, in the reign of king Edward III. when
fixty-two of the ftudents were murdered by the
citizens.
C 3 RIGHT
22 OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1621, 19. Feb. Stated,
that the right was in the mayor, fifteen more,
called the magiftrates, and common-council,
making in all forty-eight, together with the
freemen of the faid city.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS — About 14,000.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 650.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The mayor and
bailiffs.
PATRONS — Duke of Marlborough and earl
of Abingdon.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. The political prin-
ciples of the members of this uni verfity are, with
a few exceptions, thofe of toryifm. They have
always affifted and given fhelter to royalty,
whenever it was diftreffed by the parliament or
people. So little are they, however, to be in-
fluenced in the choice of their reprefentatives,
that they do not fuffer any canvas to be made>
nor either of the candidates to be, at the time
of election, within ten miles of the jurifdiclion
of the univerfity. Their reprefentatives are
men pofleffing the fame fentiments refpeciing
civil and religious government that they them-
fclvcs
WOODSTOCK. 23
fclvcs do, fo that in all probability, their prefent
members will be continued in the fame Honour-
able fituation, as long as they are able to per-
form the duties annexed to it.
This place was firft imprivileged to fend
members to parliament by king James I. by
diploma, dated March 12, anno 1603.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the doftors and
aftual mafters of the univerfity.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 600.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The vice-chancellor
and heads of colleges.
WOODSTOCK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough, which
is adjoining to the wall of Blenheim park, is
wholly under the patronage of the duke of
Marlborough. There having been no oppofition
to fo potent an intereft, the right of voting has
never come under the adjudication of a com-
mittee of the houfe of commons, but it is ad-
mitted to be in a mayor, four aldermen, fixteen
burgefles, and the freemen at large.
The honour and manor of the town and hun-
dred of Woodftock, were, in the reign of the late
queen Anne, fettled by parliament upon John
Churchill, duke of Marlborough, who com-
C 4 mandcd
24 BANBURY.
manded the army of the grand alliance, formed
by Great Britain, Holland, Portugal, and other
powers, againft France and Spain, and upon his
defcendants male and female, as a monument of
national gratitude for his bravery and conduft.
A palace was alfo creeled for him at the public
expence, in a very delightful fituation, about
half a mile diftant from Woodftock, which, to
commemorate the important viclory he obtained
over the French and Bavarians at Blenheim, was
called Blenheirn-houfe. It was built by Sir John
Vanbrugh, and though a. heavy building, like
the reft of that architect's performances, muft
be acknowledged to be a magnificent ftruclure.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a lord high ftew-
ard, recorder, town clerk, five aldermen, one of
\vhqm is always mayor, and fcvcnteen common
council-men.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the corporation
and freemen.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 160.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Duke of Maryborough.
BANBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough, in
common with Abingdon and Higham Ferrers,
which
BAN'BURY. 2C
which were alfo incorporated by queen Mary,
Bewdley, which was incorporated by James I.
and Monmouth which was imprivileged to fend
members in the reign of Henry VIII. have only
the eleclion of one member each. The right
of voting in this populous town is confined, by
a refolution of the houfe of commons, to a
mayor, fix aldermen, and twelve burgeffes, who
like all other corporations, are under the in-
fluence and direction of an individual.
The number of inhabitant houfekeepers in
this town, who, like Bath, Winchefter, Salifbury,
Andover, Poole, &c. have only a nominal re-
prefentation, are at leaft fix hundred.
CORPORATION. This borough was firft in-
corporated in the firft year of queen Mary, and
then imprivileged to return one member to
parliament ; by which charter it was governed
by a bailiff, twelve aldermen, and twelve bur-
geffes. In the reign of king James I., it was
made a mayor town, with twelve aldermen and
fix capital burgeffes; and it had a new charter
from king George I. in the year 1718, by which
it is now governed by a mayor, high fteward, re-
corder, fix capital burgeffes, twelve affiftants, a
town-clerk, and a ferjeant at mace.
RIGHT
26 RUTLAND COUNTY.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the mayor, alder-
men, and capital burgefles only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 19.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Earl of Guildford.
RUTLAND COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS is the only county in England which
has no reprefentatives, except the two knights
of the fhirc; and, confequently, the inhabitant
houfekeepers, like thofe of the city of Ely, and
the opulent and populous towns of Manchefter,
Sheffield, Birmingham, Leeds, Woolverhampton,
Halifax, &c. are without any reprefentation.
Ninety-nine parts out of a hundred of the empire
of Great Britain are in a fimilar fituation; but
the obfervation applies with peculiar force, when
thefe places prefent themfelves to our view, and
are compared with Cattle Rifing, or Gatton,
which have only two houfes each, or with Old
Sarum, which has not a houfe remaining, or with
the
SALOP COUNTY. 27
the nominal reprefentation of thofe cities and
towns, where the right of election is confined to
a corporation of nineteen, twenty-four, or thirty,
as is the cafe at Banbury, Andover, and Bath.
To complete the deformity of this fhadow of
reprefentation, the influence in this county is,
like moft others, in a few individuals, the earl of
Exeter, earl of Cardigan, earl of Winchelfea,
and earl of Gainfborough.
This county is divided into five hundreds, but
has no city, and contains only two market towns,
namely, Okeham and Uppingham. It is in the
province of Canterbury, and diocefe of Peterbo-
rough, and contains forty-eight parifhes, but
fends only two members to parliament, who are
the knights of the mire.
SALOP COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county is not under ariftocratic influ-
ence, which maybe imputed, in fome degree, to
the fmall number of nobility who refide here.
There are many gentlemen of comfortable for-
tunes, who like their anceftors of old, poflefs
independent
2$ SALOP COUNTY.
independent fpirits, and have not as yet learnt
to bow their neck to a yoke fabricated by defpo-
tic power.
They have, on this account, been branded by
their enemies with the epithet of the proud Salo-
pians ; but if the definition of that pride be inde-
pendence, in its fuileft and completed fenfe, our
wifh is that all our fellow-citizens were in pof-
feffion of it; ariftocratic oppreffion would then
ceafe, and cheerfulnefs and plenty would fuc-
ceed in its room.
This county is feated in the province of Can-
terbury; and that part of it which lies fouth of
the Severn, is under the jurifdiclion of the bifhop
of Hereford; that which lies north, is under the
bifhop of Coventry and Litchfield, except Of-
•weftry, and a few other places, which are under
the bifhoprick of St. Afaph: the archdeacon of
Shrewfbury is archdeacon for the three dio-
cefes.
It is divided into fifteen hundreds, containing
one hundred and feventy parifhes, and fifteen
market towns: it fends twelve members to par-
liament, two knights of the mire for the county,
andtwoburgeffes for each of the following towns;
viz. Shrewfbury, Bridgenorth, Bifhop's Caftle,
Wcnlock, and Ludlow.
SHREWS-
SHREWSBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec-
tion in this town was anciently popular and free;
fo late as the year 1709, we find by the journals
of the houfe of commons, the franchife extended
not only to the burgeffes inhabiting within the
town, paying fcot and lot, but alfo to thofe inha-
biting fix other parifhes, and forty-fix vills in its
fuburbs and neighbourhood. Thefe were how-
ever disfranchifed by a fubfequent refolution of
the houfe, on the gth of April 1723, and the
right was limited to the burgeffes inhabiting the
precinft of the borough only.
The corporation afterwards attempted to con-
fine this right ftill further, as will appear by the
following cafe, on the petition of certain electors
in the intereft of William Pulteney, Efq. tried
by a committee of the houfe of commons, on the
7th of March 1775.
The queftion was, whether a clafs of men,
coming under the two following defcriptions,
who had been refufed admiffion to their free-
dom by the mayor, were entitled to vote at
that eleftion?
ift, All perfons of the age of one-and-twenty,
and who have ferved a feven years apprentice-
» ibip
3O SHREWSBURY.
{hip to one of the trades, which form fourteen
ancient companies by prefcription or incorpora-
tion in this borough, have a right to demand,
and be admitted to, their freedom, on paying
five pounds and all the ufual fees.
2d, All perfons born within the borough, are,
at the age of one-and-twenty, entitled in like
manner to demand, and be admitted to, their
freedom, on payment of five pounds and the
ufual fees.
The fa&, that the rejected voters came under
the defcription of one or other of thofe two
cuftoms, was not difputed.
It was proved, that more than a year before
the election, they had tendered the fees to the
perfons whofe province it is, by the law of the
place, to admit freemen; that they had claimed
to be admitted, and were refufed. It was like-
wife proved, that they had tendered their votes
at the eleftion. But the two cuftoms were called
in queftion.
In 1771, one Baxter, claiming his freedom
under thofe cuftoms, had brought a mandamus
in the court of King's Bench ; on the trial of
that caufe, the corporation contended, that the
two cuftoms, which the plaintiff alledged to be
immemorial, were only introduced by a bye-law
of
SHREWSBURY. 31
of 1642, which bye-law was repealed in 1733.
The plaintiff maintained, that the bye-law was
only declaratory of the ancient cuftom, which
could not therefore be affe&ed by the repeal
of fuch a bye-law. The jury found for the
plaintiff.
BAXTER, in confequence of the judgment in
his favour, fued out a peremptory mandamus,
and was admitted to his freedom. But the cor-
poration, after that decifion, ftill refufed to ad-
mit the other perfons who claimed under the
fame cuftoms.
IN the cafe of Baxter they had moved for a
new trial, which was refufed; but a fecond man-
damus being obtained againft them, they moved
that this new caufe might be tried at bar; this
was granted by the court ; and, on that occafion,
the judge who tried the firft, faid, he thought,
that on the trial it had not been properly under-
ftood.
This fecond mandamus was depending, in the
court of King's Bench, at the time of ele&ion.
It was tried in Michaelmas term, 19 November,
1774, and determined in like manner as the for-
mer; and there was no application for a new
trial.
On
32 SHREWSBURY.
On this ftate of facts, the counfel for the
fitting member infilled, that the right of the
controverted votes were flill open to the dif-
cuffion of the committee ; that the two manda-
mufes were only conclufive amongft the parties,
and that on the trial of new mandamufes, the
two former verdifts, although they might have
great weight as evidence, would not conclude
the jury. They fuggefted, that fince the laft
trial, and after the four days had elapfed, which
the court allows for moving for a new trial, they
had difcovered freih evidence, which if laid be-
fore the committee, would overturn the cuf-
toms.
The counfel for the petitioners contended, on
the contrary, that under circumftances like thofe
of the prefent cafe, two verdi&s, free from all
fufpicion of collufion (the two mayors againft
•whom both the verdifts had been found, having
continued to be warm partizans of the fitting
members at the election, unimpeached and not
difapproved of by the judge) would be conclu-
five evidence as to the cuflomsy even in a court of
law, becaufe the parties to be bound by them
on a new mandamus would be the fame ; viz.
the corporation of Shrewfbury ; that on two
fuel
SHREWSBURY,' 33
fuch verdicts, a court of equity would make a
decree to eftablifh a cuftom, and would not grant
a third trial ; but that if this were otherwife, a
committee of the houfe of commons would ne-
ver fuffer two folemn verdifts, and confequent
judgments, of the only court competent to fuch
caufes, to be called in queftion before them.
They faid, that even in the Middlefex cafe, no-
body had ever attempted to impeach the verdict,
finding Mr. Wilkes guilty of the libel.
The counfel for the fitting members cited fe-
veral cafes, where courts of law had granted new
trials after two concordant verdicts, and others,
where courts of equity had done the fame. But
they were all fliewn to be cafes where the judge,
who tried the caufe, fignified his difapprobation
of the verdict; and befides it was faid, that a
verdict before judgment , once fet afide, is confi-
dered as if it never had exifted.
On the other fide, the cafes of the duke of
Beaufort, and of Manchefter Mills, were cited
among others. The latter came on in the duchy
court before lord Kinnoul, affifted by lord Mans-
field, who faid on that occafion, that a verdict
in the time of Charles I. (which was produced
in the caufe) was conclufive evidence of the cuf-
tom. After this point had been argued, and the
VOL. II. D counfel
34 SHREWSBURY.
counfel direfted to withdraw, the committee,
after a fhort deliberation,
Refolvedy Not to admit any evidence to im-
peach the two verdi&s, but to confidcr them as
conclufive evidence of the cuftoms.
The fitting members' counfel then endea-
voured to prove,
That the rejected voters had not applied in
the proper manner, and according to the eftab-
lifhed ufage, to be admitted to their freedom.
But it came out from the evidence, that the
mode of their application was regular.
They then contended, That> as the title of
thofe men to their freedom was in fufpenfe, and
under litigation in Weftminfter-Hall, when their
votes were rejected, they could not be of any
avail as to this election; for that in inftanccs
where the votes of men, who had applied for
their freedom and were refufcd, and have been
allowed on proving their titles, the cafe had
been always fuch as to fatisfy the committee, or
the houfe, that there was no juft ground for re-
fufing them, and that it was done by concert
with a candidate, and in order to affecl the elec-
tion.
The committee, however, on the fame day,
(Wednefday the 8th of March) informed the
houfc,
SHREWSBURY. 35
houfe, by their chairman, that they had deter-
mined, that William Pulteney, Efq. was duly
elefted, and ought to have been returned.
The burgefles and freemen, who ele£l the
members for this town, are compofed of three
clafTes — gentlemen of fortune, independent
tradefmen, and mechanics and labourers ; the
latter defcription are the mofl numerous, and
being the mofl dependant, are provided with
houfes by the two former, and depend upon the
feptennial harveft of an eleclion for the pay-
ment of rent and arrears.
The two great defers in the reprefentatiorf
of this place are, thofe of many of the mofl re-
fpeftable houfekeepers being excluded from the
birth-right of Englifhmen, by the odious limita-
tion of corporate rights ; and feveral parifhes in
the town being deprived even of the corporate
privileges by the refolution of the houfe of
1723.
Mr. Pulteney poffefTes the caftle of Shrewf-
bury, which commands a profpeft of twenty
miles, and is defervedly an objecl of pride and
admiration to its owner ; but neither he, or any
other individual, has yet obtained poflfeflion of
the political influence which can command its
reprefentation.
D 2 CORPO-
36 SHREWSBURY.
CORPORATION — ConGfts of a mayor, recorder,
fleward, town clerk, 24 aldermen, and 48 com-
mon councilmen, who have a fword-bearer, 3
ferjeants at mace, and other inferior officers.
They have the power of trying caufcs within
themfelves, even in capital cafes, high treafon
excepted.
RIGHT OF ELECTION. — i 709,20 December. Is
only in the burgefles inhabiting within the faid
borough, or in the fuburbs thereof, paying fcot
and lot, and not receiving alms or chanty.
1714, 27 May. Is in the mayor, aldermen,
and burgefles of the faid borough,
1723, 9 April. Is only in the burgefles in-
habiting in the faid borough, or in the fuburbs
thereof, paying fcot and lot, and not receiving
alms or charity.
That the whole parifhes of St. Chad, St.
Mary, St. Alkmond, St. Julian, the Holy Crofs,
and St. Giles, and the feveral vills of Hadnal,
Afta, Reynold, Meriden, Hanwood, Grimfell,
Ollerton, Onflow, Prefton, Gubald Pimley, and
Merival, are not within the borough of Shrewf-
bury, or the fuburbs thereof.
That the feveral vills of Birton, Betton, Alk-
mear, Lcngwar, Calcot, \Vhitley, Wtlbeck, Up-
per and Lower Roffal, Shelton, Oxon, Woodcot,
Ilorton,
BRIDGENORTIf. 37
Horton, Munkmeal, and Goofehill, in the parifli
of St. Chad; Great and Little Berwick, Almond
Park, Newton Albright Hufley, Cotton Hill,
Leaton, Afley, Merrington, Wollafcot, Sanfaw,
and Clive, in the parifh of St. Mary ; Hencot,
Albright Lee, Prefton Montford, Dintle, and
Arlefcot, in the parifli of St. Alkmond; and
Pully and Shelton, in the parifh of St. Julian ;
are not part of the ancient borough of Shrew f-
bury, or the fuburbs thereof.
That the parifh of Holy Crofs and St. Giles,
is no part of the ancient borough of Shrewfbury,
or the fuburbs thereof.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 600.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor,
BRIDGENORTH,
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — The family of Whit-
more, of Apley, a feat in the neighbourhood of
this borough, have reprefented it in different par-
liaments ever fince the i8th of James I. and the
attachment of the people to the prefent repre-
fentative of his anceftors' independence, is not
diminifhed at this day.
His interefl with the electors is permanent;
but is neither cftablifhed by undue means, nor
exercifed by compulfory ones. The town gave
03 a proof
38 BRIDGENORTH.
a proof of its independence, when they difplaced
their old favourite reprefentative, admiral Pigot,
1784, for voting in fupport of the coalition,
and electing in his room a gentleman, whofe po-
litical fentiments were congenial with their
own.
The right of election in this town is in
the freemen, refident and non-refident, the ma-
jority of whom are of the latter defcription.
Voters are therefore brought from every part
of the kingdom to an election, at a moft enor-
mous expence, and carried home again at the
charge of the candidates. This is an imperfec-
tion in our reprefentative fyftem, that can only
be cured by a radical reform. The ruinous ex-
pences attending the removal of electors, from
the moft remote parts of the country to the place
of election, is deftruclive of the freedom of
choice, and precludes any but a corrupt, or a
very rich man, from offering his fervices to the
people.
Bridgenorth had feveral privileges granted it,
by charters from Henry II. and King John.
The greateft part of it Hands upon a rock, on
thcwcitern bank of the Severn, which has here a
very great fall. Thefe two parts are called the
Upper and Lower towns, which are feparated by
the
LUDLOW. 39
the river Severn, but uriited by a ftone bridge of
feven arches, upon which is a gate and gate-
houfe, with feveral other houfes.
CORPORATION. — It is governed by two bai-
liffs, annually elected out of twenty-four alder-
men, by a jury of fourteen men, together with
a recorder, forty-eight common-councilmen, a
town-clerk, and other officers.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgcffes and
freemen, within and without the borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 700.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
LUDLOW.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This town is not
under the abfolute controul of a patron; but
Lord Clive has the Corporation attached to him,
and poffeffes an intcreft fufficiently powerful to
fecure the election of one of its members, ce-
mented to that of Mr. Knight, the other member,
who originally became a candidate on the inde-
pendent intereft of the town, that they might
affume the dictatorial influence of patrons ; but
as the burgeffes are fufficiently numerous to af-
fert their own independence, this place cannot
be ranked amongft thofe boroughs which are at
the private difpofal of an individual.
D 4 CORPO-
40 LUDLOW.
CORPORATION. — By charter, anno 3 Charles I.
confifts of 2 bailiffs, 20 aldermen, and 48 com-
mon councilmen; but by charter of James II.
it confifts of 2 bailiffs, 12 aldermen, 25 com-
mon councilmen, a recorder, town clerk, ftew-
ard, chamberlain, and other officers, under which
it now a£ts.
RIGHT OF ELECTION. — 1661, 26 February.
Is in all the refident common burgefles, as well
as the twelve and twenty-five.
1690, 22 December. The new charter, granted
to the town of Ludlow by the late King James,
•whereby the antient method of electing burgelfes
for parliament is altered, is illegal and void.
1698, i March. The fons of burgefles of
Ludlow, and thofe that marry the daughters of
burgefles, have a right to be made burgefles of
the faid borough.
Every perfon having a right to be made a
burgefs of the borough of Ludlow, ought to de-
mand fuch his right by petition, figned by the
petitioner, according to the bye-law made in
the year 1663, and not otherwifc.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS — 6000.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Nearly 500.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The two bailiffs.
PATRON — Lord Clivc, partially.
WENLOCK.
WENLOCK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This town is alfo
called Much-Wenlock ; but from its being an
ill-built, dirty little place, confiding only of two
ordinary ftreets, it is called Mz^-Wenlock, by
way of derifion.
The villages of Little Wenlock and Brofeley
are within the limits of this borough, the whole
of which are the property of Sir Henry Bridg-
man, Bart, and Mr. Forrefter, the prefent mem-
bers. The advowfon of the living belongs to
Sir Watkin Williams Wynne.
This infignificant borough is the firft that
ever fent members to parliament, by virtue of a
charter from the crown, which was granted by
king Edward IV. 29111 November, 1478, who,
by his authority, delegated to them the power
of fending one member to parliament.
This monarch was feated upon a throne, tot-
tering with the uncertainty of its poffeflbr, who
had been obliged, in his paflage to it, to wade
through a fea of blood. An a£l committed in
that day of danger and perplexity, could not be
a precedent fufficiently refpe&able to veft fu-
ture kings with an authority to grant the fame
privileges, when and where it mould feem expe-
dient
,|2 WENLOCtf.
dient to them, and particularly when no fiich
power was committed to them by the conftitu-
tion of this country. The acl of union having
limited the number of members of parliament
for England to five hundred and thirteen, and
that of Scotland to forty-five, has now prevented
the future exercife of this extraordinary prero-
gative.
The buildings in this borough are fmall, moftly
raifed with limeftone, and covered with thatch.
The members are chofen by the refident burgeffes,
who are between fifty and fixty in number, and
are all tenants of the patrons. Mr. Forrefter,
who owns the greateft part of the borough, has a
feat in the neighbourhood, where the eleclors
often repair to exchange their birthright for a
mefs of porridge.
CORPORATION. — By charter, anno 7 Char. I.
confifts of a bailiff, recorder, two other juftices,
and twelve bailiff peers, or capital burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgeffes.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 60.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRONS — Sir Henry Bridgman, bart. and
Cecil Forrefter, efq.
BISHOP'S
( 43 )
BISHOP'S CASTLE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This borough is
entirely under the direction of lord Clive, who
is proprietor of the greateft part of it. The
right of voting is in the burgeffes who are inha-
bitants.
WEN LOCK and this are the only two places
which come under the defcription of proprietory
boroughs in this county. The rights are nearly
the fame in each, only that refidence is not a
requifite qualification in a burgefs of Wenlock.
The general part of the inhabitants of this
borough are very poor, having no manufactory
or trade, except that of electioneering, which is
equally profitable here as in all the other fources
of legiflative authority.
CORPORATION — Confifls of a bailiff, recorder,
and fifteen aldermen, out of whom the bailiff is
annually chofen, and is juftice of the peace and
quorum for that and the enfuing year.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the bailiff and all
the burgeffes within the faid borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 50.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRON — Lord Clivc.
SOMER-
( 44 )
SOMERSETSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HE freeholders of this county have, in their
political character of elc&ing their reprefenta-
tives, held out to all the people of England -an
example the moft worthy of their imitation. At
a county meeting, convened for the purpofe of
nominating the members, previous to the day of
election, they refolved, and agreed unanimously,
not to give their votes either to the brother or
fon of a peer of the realm, nor to any candidate
fupported by fuch an intercft. By this conduct
they have manifefled their knowledge of the con- N
flitution of their country, and their zeal for its
profperity, in keeping the democratic part inde-
pendent of, and unmixed, as it certainly ought
to be, with the ariftocratic. If this doftrine was
uniyerfally underftood, and generally praclifed,
our reprefentatives would be elected by, and out
of, ourfelves, who are better acquainted with our
own interefts, and neceffarily more anxious to pro-
mote it, than thofe who are conftitutionally fe-
paratcd from us ; and who, from that and other
circumftances,
BRISTOL CITY. 45
circumliances, confider the people as an order
of beings diftinft from themfelves, and value
them only in proportion as they are ferviceable
or inftrumental to their own confequence, pride,
and ambition.
This county, which is feated in the province
of Canterbury, and diocefe of Bath and Wells,
is divided into forty-two hundreds, containing
.three cities, thirty-two market towns, and three
hundred and eighty-five parimes. It fends eigh-
teen members to parliment, viz. two knights of
the mire for the county, two citizens for each of
the cities of Briftol, Bath, and Wells, and two
burgefTes for each of the following boroughs, viz.
Taunton, Ilchefler, Milbourne-p6rt, and Mine-
head.
BRISTOL CITY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This city was for-
merly confidcrcd a part of Gloucefterfhire. The
return of its members to ferve in parliament was
made by the fheriff of that county; but after-
wards, to dignify the county of Somerfet with
three cities, it was placed there before Bath and
Wells, as the firft of the three. In the 4yth of
Edward III. it was diflevered from Gloucefter
and Somerfet, and made a county of itfelf. This
city
46 BRISTOL CITY.
city is certainly the fecond in England, with re-
fpe£t to the number and riches of its merchants.
It is entirely free from ariftocratic and miniftc-
rial controul; but it is at prefcnt reprefented by
- a coalition formed by the leaders of the two con-
tending parties. One of its reprefentatives votes
uniformly with adminiflration, and the other
with oppofition ; fo that the fix thoufand per-
fons, to whom the right of eleclion is fuppofed
to be confined, have virtually no reprefentation
at all.
This city alfo labours under the intolerable
grievance of having its right of eleelion fo com-
plicated, and fo expofed to fraud and impofition,
as to render it absolutely impofliblc for them to
accomplifh a fair choice of their reprefentatives.
This right being in the freeholders and freemen ;
and the latter qualification extending to free-
mens' fons, and to the hufbands of freemens'
daughters, it is not unufual for a number of
perfons to be brought here at an election to per-
fonate the fons of freemen, whofe abfence may
afford an opportunity of fubftituting a proxy ;
and others, to fwear themfelvcs the fons of pa-
rents to whom they have no other affinity than
that .of recording their names on the fame
parchment in the indenture of admiflion. Free-
men's
BRISTOL CITY. 47
men's daughters have alfo been married for the
exprefs purpofe of qualifying their hufbands to
vote, and the hufband fele&ed for the occafion,
after fulfilling the purpofe of the marriage, ap-
pears to have provided by anticipation againft
the evils that might arife from the inconveni-
ence of a bad partner, by difcovering that the
marriage has no validity, from the circumftance
of his having a former wife living.
Thefe, and innumerable other impofitions,
have been known to have been pra6lifedat elec-
tions for this city, and we may defy the inge-
nuity of law to prevent them till one fyftem of
right is eflablifhed, and that fyftem the conftitu-
tional one of extending the election franchife
to every houfekeeper in the kingdom.
The tradefmen of this city are incorporated
into feveral companies, each of which has a hall,
or a large room hired for their meeting; and
by a charter of queen Elizabeth, every man that
marries the daughter of a citizen of Briftol be-
comes free of the city. Here is a Guildhall, in
which are held the afllzes and feffions, with the
mayor's and meriffs courts ; and adjoining to it
is a fpacious lofty room, called St. George's Cha-
pel, in which the mayor and fheriffs are annually
chofen. Here is alfo a large council-room, in
which
48 BRISTOL CITY.
•which the mayor and fome of the aldermen meet
every day, except Sundays, for the adminiftra-
tion of juftice. The Royal Exchange is a fine
ftruclure, built in the manner of that at London,
and is about two-thirds as large. It is all of free-
ftone, and the ground upon which it {lands, coft
the chamber of the city 20,000 1. It has four
entrances to the fquare within, and above are
rooms for (hops. Behind the building is an ex-
tenfive piece of ground laid out for the markets.
In Wine-ftreet is a large ftrufture, called the
Corn-market; adjoining to which is a guard-
room, with barracks for foldiers.
This place, which was made a mayor town at
the beginning of the reign of Hen. III. was,
anno 1452, 34 Hen. VIII. made a bifhop's fee
and city.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
eleven aldermen, two fheriffs, and forty-eight
common-councilmcn.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the freeholders, hav-
ing freeholds of forty millings a year, and the
free burgeffes.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS — 60,000.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Near 6000.
RETURNING OFFICERS— The fherifFs.
BATH.
( 49 )
BATH,
POLITICAL CHARACTER.— This city, which is
the moil elegant, and one of the firft with refpeft
to population in the kingdom, is under the fame
political exelufion, as the inhabitants of Shore-
ham and Cricklade, who have deeh convi&ed of
the grofieft venality, corruption, and bribery ; a
crime, which the late Sir John Cuft, when fpeaker
of the houfe of commons, in reprimanding the
mayor and aldermen of Oxford, calls the moft
enormous that men can well commit. The pu-
nifhment infli&ed by the houfe of commons on
fuch as they have deemed it expedient to make
examples of their juftice, has been difqualijlcation
from -voting in the election of members of parliament.
All the inhabitants of Bath, the corporation only
excepted, are exaftly in the fame fituation, with
only the mental confolation, of not having com-
mitted a fimilar offence againft the liberty of
their country to deferve it.
The reprefentation of this city is as complete
a political farce as that of Old Sarum ; for if
thirty-two individuals are to eleft two reprefen-
tatives for the people of England, it is of very little
confequence whether they are chofen by that
number of burgage-holders, or by the fame num-
Voi. II. E ber
£O WELLS CITY.
ber of aldermen and common-council. We,
however, truft, that we may hail them with the
profpecl of a fpeedy reform, which will reftore
men to their rights, and die nation to its true
dignity and independence.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a m?.yor, nine
aldermen, a recorder, two bailiffs, and twenty
common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION- — 1706, 26th January.
In the mayor, aldermen, and common-counciU
men only.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS — 30,000.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 22.
PATRONS — Marquis of Bath, and earl Camden,
WELLS CITY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — The influence pre-
vailing in this city, is that of Clement Tudway,
Efq. one of its prefent reprefentatives. This
gentleman has a fufficient intereft always to pro-
cure a return for himfelf without expence; and
the corporation, &c. compliment fome parti-
cular friend, or neighbouring gentleman with the
other feat. There have been feveral refolutions
of the houfe of commons refpe6ling the right of
eleftion in this city.
In
WELLS CITY. IJ1
In one refolution, it is agreed to be in the
mayor, matters, and burgefles, and in fuch per-
fons as are, by confcnt of the mayor, admitted to
their freedom; this would have left the ele&ion
of members, in a great meafure, in the corpora-
tion; as the mayor, with fuch a difcretionary
power, would admit only thofe who were of his
own party; the laft refolution has, however, de-
termined it to be in the mayor, mailers, burgef-
fes, and freemen, without the word confcnt being
included in it.
Wells was firft made a free borough in the
reign of Hen. II. by the intereft of Fitz-
Joceline, its bifhop. It afterwards received a
charter from king John, by which it was made a
market-town, and was raifed into a city by queen
Elizabeth. In 1738, a dreadful fire broke out,
which confumed above a hundred dwelling-
houfes, in fix hours time ; fo that very few had
time to fave their goods.
This is a very neat city, confifting of broad
ftreets with handfome buildings. It has a cathe-
dral, and only one pariih church. The cathedral
is faid to have been firft built by king Ina, about
the year 704, but was afterwards fo effectually re-
paired by bifhop Fitz-Joceline, that it was confi-
dercd as a new work. The front, which has been
E 2 built
52 WELLS CITY.
built upwards of five hundred years, is admired
for its imagery and carved work in ilone, and
particularly for a window moft curioufiy painted.
Adjoining to the church are fpacious cloyflers,
and a chapter-houfe of a circular form, fupport-
ed by one pillar in the middle.
This city fent to parliament db originc.
CORPORATION. — By charter, anno 16 Eliz. it
confifts of a mayor, recorder, feven mailers, and
fixteen common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1695, 18 Feb. Is only
in the mayor, mafters, and burgefTes of the faid
city, and in fuch perfons, as are (by confent of
the mayor and common-council of the faid city)
admitted to their freedom in any of the feven
trading companies of the faid city, on account
of birth, fervitude, or marriage.
1723,- May 2. "I Is in the mayor, mafters,
1729, Apr. 18. J burgeffes, and freemen of
the faid city, who are admitted to their freedom
in any of the feven companies within the faid
city, being thereunto entitled by birth, fervitude,
or marriage.
NUMBER OF VOTERS— About 500.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Clement Tudway, efq. partially.
TAUNTOX.
( 53 )
TAUNTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — The borough of
Taunton does not comprehend the whole of the
town of that name, only part of the parifli of St.
Mary Magdalen being within its limits. The
right of election, according to the laft refolution
of the houfe of commons, is in the inhabitants,
pot-wallers, not receiving alms or charity. This
qualification is defined to mean, all the refident
male inhabitants, who have obtained a parochial
fettlement, whether they are occupiers of a houfe,
or lodgers ; and gives occafion to fuch innumer-
able objections at an election, as to leave in the
returning officer, who is umpire between the
parties, the power of deciding in favour of
whichever he pleafes.
A parochial fettlement being acquired, and
forfeited by fuch a variety of legal methods, wit-
neffes to qualify and difqualify every perfon
voting under that claim, are produced, and a
decifion is made in a court which has no autho-
rity, and before a returning officer who has not a
power to examine on oath. The minifterial
duties of his office, are thereby exercifed judici-
ally, and he admits or rejects votes at his own
ejifcretion.
£3 The
54 TAUNTON".
The want of an univerfally eftablifhed right
of ele&ion, muft ever be produ&ive of thefe im-
perfections in a popular inftitution ; exclufive
rights, and local qualifications, have ever been
the caufe of difpute and litigation, of which the
numerous petitions from the corporation and
burgage-tenure boroughs, bear a difgraceful tef-
timony : even the peerage of Scotland, where
the election is vefted in not more than eighty in-
dividuals, is expqfedto the fame inconvenience.
Two years out of the feven for which they are
elected, are now nearly elapfed, and yet only thir-
teen out of fixteen, which is the number of their
reprefentatives, can take their feats in the houfe
of lords, owing to the length of time occupied
in the inveftigation of partial rights ; and a com-
mittee of the houfe of commons is fometimes
engaged ten times as long in afcertaining the
right of franchife in a rotten borough, as they
would be in digefting and eftabliming a form for
a fair, equal, and univerfal reprefentation of the
people.
The influence of this borough is at prefent
difputed between Sir Benjamin Hamet, one of
its members, and Mr. Morland, the banker.
The corporation, which, according to its charter,
Ihould confift of a mayor, recorder, two alder-
men,
TAUNTOtt. 55
men, and twenty common-council, has at pre-
fent twelve vacancies ; but, as a majority of thofe
which remain are in the intereft of Mr. Mor-
land, it is probable they will foon be filled with
that gentleman's friends.
Sir Benjamin Hamet has founded a very
powerful intereft in this place, by building a new
ftreet, and purchafing the caftle in which the
county affizes are held. The latter will enable
him, in cafe a fpirit of difobcdience mould mani-
feft itfelf amongft the electors, to refufe the ufe
of it to the public, and, of courfe, to remove the
affizes to fome other place in the county.
A petition of Alexander Popham, Efq. and
John Halliday, Efq. was tried on the 24th of
February, 1775, againft the return of the Hon.
Edward Stafford, and Nathaniel Webb, Efq.
complaining of the partiality of the returning
officer, in protracting the poll, by unneceffary ad-
j ournments, from the i oth of October, when it be-
gan, to the i8th of the fame month, and, that he
had rejected many legal votes which were tender-
ed for the petitioners, Popham and Halliday, and
admitted many illegal votes for the fitting mem-
bers.
That the fitting members, previous to, and
during the poll, were guilty of divers afts
E 4 of
5^ TAUNTON.
of bribery and corruption by themfelves and
agents.
One hundred and fixteen voters were objefted
to as having received charity : the words " alms,''
and " charity," in this borough are admitted not
to be fynominous j the resolution of the houfe of
commons having rendered all thofe receiving beT
refit, in either way, incapable of voting. There
are a great many charitable funds in this place,
fuch as the Town charity, Saunders's charity,
Meridith's charity, &c.
Three Chelfea penfioners were objected to on
the part of the petitioners ;
Nineteen, as not having parochial fettlcments;
Sixteen, as not anfwering the defcription of
potwallers j
Two, as certificate-men ; and
Two, as bribery agents.
The counfel for the fitting members thought,
that gentlemen of fortune were not under the ne-
ceflity of gaining a legal parochial fettlement to
intitle them to vote ; but this was over-ruled,
there not appearing to be any principle upon
which fuch a diftin&ion could be fupported.
They likewife contended, that the journals of
the houfe have recognized, that apprentices can-
not
TAUXTON. 57
not be potwallcrs qualified to vote ; but of this
queftion Mr. Douglas makes a query.
It was determined, that Chelfea penfioners had
a right to vote.
That, by the lex loci, certificate men cannot
vote for this borough.
That thofe who had received charity had .no
right to vote.
The counfel for the petitioners undertook to
prove the charge of bribery fo direclly and pal-
pably, as to difqualify the fitting members.
On Thurfday the i6th of March, the commit-
tee determined,
That the petitioners were duly elefted.
State of the poll at the lafl election :
Sir Benjamin Hamet, - - 291
Alexander Popham, efq. - - 257
John Halliday, efq. - - - 239
John Morland, efq. - - - 183
This town fuffered greatly by the cruelty of
major general Kirk, immediately after the duke
of Monmouth's defeat, in the year 1685, who
being fent hither, caufed nineteen perfons, by his
own authority, without any trial or procefs, and
without fuffering their wives" or children to fpeak
with them, to be hanged, with pipes playing,
drums
58 TAUNTON.
drums beating, and trumpets founding. The
fame inhuman monfter, having invited his offi-
cers to dinner, ordered thirty perfons, condemn-
ed here by Jeffries, to be hanged while they
were at table ; namely, ten, in a health to the
king ; ten, while the health went round to the
queen ; and ten, while the health paffed to Jef-
fries.
This borough fent to parliament 23 Edw. I.
CORPORATION. — By charter of Cha. II. it
confifts of a mayor, recorder, two aldermen, and
twenty capital burgefies. The mayor and alder-
men are annually chofen out of the burgefles.
It is remarkable, that the mayor's officers
have no power to arreft, and that there is no
prifon here, except a Bridewell for vagrants ;
debtors and criminals being fent to the county
jail at Ilchefter. Though this is one of the moft
flourifhing towns in the county, it is the meaneft
corporation, having neither lands, houfes, nor
joint-ftock of money.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1715, 28 July. Is in
the inhabitants within the faid borough, being
potwallers, and not receiving alms or charity.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — At a poll taken in the
year 1722, was 727 ; but at a poll taken in 1774,
the number was only 456.
RETURNING
jjRIDGWATEH. /jg
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Sir Benjamin Hamet.
BRIDGWATER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This borough for-
merly acknowledged the patronage of the famous
Bubb Dcddington, of political memory, who was
oppofed by the late earl of Egmont, when they
were leaders of the tory faftion of the late reign.
Earl Poulett had then the lead of the minifterial
party in this place, and by coalefcing with lord
Egmont, contrived at laft to po fiefs himfelf of the
controling influence. It has fince been con-
tcfted with earl Poulett, by the late Mr. Allen,
member for this town, by Mr. Fox, and, at the
laft general election, by lord Percival, fon of the
prefent earl of Egmont. Earl Poulett's intereft,
however, had the fuperiority, the numbers on the
poll being,
For the Hon. Vere Poulett - 186
John Langton, efq. - - - 161
Lord Percival 87
This town was made a free borough by king
John, a mayor town by Henry IV. and fent to
parliament 23 Edw. I. ; and is faid to have been
re-incorporated by queen Eliz. in the 29th year
of her reign.
CORPORATION
6O J5RIDGWATER.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
two aldermen, who are juftices of the peace, and
twenty-four common-councilmen.
There are annually chofen out of the com-
mon-council, two bailiffs, who are inveiled with
a power equal to that of a fheriff ; for the (he-
riffs of the county cannot fend any procefs into
the borough. A receiver is alfo annually chofen
out of the common-council, to collect the town
rents, and make payments.
The revenues of the corporation, confifting of
the manor of the borough, the great and fmall
tithes, and fome eftales in Dorfetfhire, are valued
at 1 0,000! . a year ; and the freemen are free of
all the ports in England and Ireland, except
London and Dublin,
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1669, yth Dec. Is in
the majority of the corporation, confifting of a
mayor, aldermen, and twenty-four capital bur-
geffes, being inhabitants of that divifion of the
faid parifli of Brj.dgwater, which is commonly-
called the borough, paying fcot and lot within
the faid divifion; and in them only.
1692, loth Dec. Agreed to be in thofc that
pay fcot and lot, inhabiting in the faid borough.
1769, gth March. If the mayor, aldermen,
and capital burgeffes, are not inhabitants, though
they
MINEHEAD. 6l
they pay fcot and lot, yet they have no right to
vote.
1769, i4th March. The inhabitants of the
eaftern and weftern divifion of the parilh of
Bridgwater have no right to vote for reprefen-
tatives ; but the right of election is in the inhabi-
tants of that divifion of the faid parilh, which is
commonly called the borough, paying fcot and
lot within the faid divifion, and in them only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 300.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Earl Poulett.
MINEHEAD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This borough was
originally a feudal tenure, annexed to the caflle
of Dunfler, which was given by William the Con-
queror to William de Mohun, in whofe family
it continued till Sir John de Mohun, one of the
firft knights of the garter, having no male iflue,
conveyed it to truftees, for the ufe of his wife,
who, after his deceafe, fold it, in the reign of
king Edward III. to the lady Elizabeth Luttrell,
daughter of Hugh Courtenay, earl of Devonfhire,
and widow of Sir Andrew Luttrell, Knt. Her
fon, Sir Henry Luttrell, Knt. who was lieutenant
of Harfleur, and fteward of the houfhold to
Henry
62 MINEHEAD*
Henry V s queen, added feveral buildings, now
Handing, and left the caftle and honour to his
pofterity, by whom it is ftill pofleffed, and who
is the prefent owner and patron of this borough,
and at whofe court-leet the returning officers are
chofen.
The right of election is in the parifhioners of
Dunfter and Minehead, being housekeepers in the
borough of Minehead.
This borough has been lately nearly deftroyed
by fire, together with moft of the property of the
unhappy fufferers. A very liberal fubfcription
has been made for the relief of the late occupiers,
which does honour to the liberality and philan-
thropy of its promoters ; and will, we hope, be
equivalent to the heavy lofies which they have
iuftained.
The brother of the patron, Mr. Luttrell, is a
commiffioner of the tax office.
This borough was imprivileged to return mem-
bers to parliament, anno i Eliz.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1717, 24th Feb. Is
in the parifhioners of Minehead and Dunfter,
being houfckeepers in the borough of Minehead,
and not receiving alms.
RKTUUXING OFFICERS — 1717, 13 June. The
precept
JLCHESTER. 63
precept to be direded to the two conftables, and
they to make the return.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 160.
PATRON — John Fownes Luttrell, Efq.
ILCHESTER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This borough lately
came under the patronage of John Harcourt,
efq. of this place, one of its prefent members,
by the purchafe of a majority of its houfes,
which we underftand he has fince difpofed of
to Mr. Troward, the attorney of Norfolk-ftreeU
Previous to its becoming the property of Mr.
Harcourt, it was under the control of the late
Mr. Peregrine Cuft, who rcprefented it many
years. It was then, however, fubje£t to continual
contefls and petitions.
The firft, under the Grenville aft, came be-
fore a committee of the houfe of commons, on
Saturday the 25111 of November 1775, when the
petitioners were Richard Brown, Efq. and Inigo
William Jones, Efq. and the fitting members were
Peregrine Cuft, Efq. and William Innes, Efq.
The petition ftated,
That Mr. Chriftopher Lockyer, bailiff, and
returning officer of the borough of Ivelchefter,
a known friend to the fitting members,
had
64 llCHESTEfci
had fhewn great partiality in their favour, arid
had admitted many perfons to poll for them who
had no right to vote, and rejected feveral perfons
who had a right to vote, and had tendered their
votes for the petitioners ; that the fitting mem-
bers, by themfelves, their friends, and agents^
•were guilty of bribing and treating ; and that
the petitioners had a majority of legal votes^
and ought to have been returned.
There is no laft determination of the right of
election in Ilchefter. The conilitution of the
place is as follows : it is a borough by prefcrip- •
tion ; and, according to Willis, fent members to
parliament from the time of Edward I. till 34
Edward III. From which time it did not choofe
reprefentatives till 12 Edward IV. nor after that I
year till 12 Jac. I. when it was rcftored to its
ancient privileges. By a charter granted 3 and.
4 Phil, and Mary, the inhabitants were incor-
porated, by the name of the bailiff and burgeffes
of Ilchefter. There were to be a bailiff and'
twelve capital burgeffes, who were to choofe an-
nually, on the Monday before Michaelmas, one
ofthemfelv.es to be bailiff for the enfuing year j
on the death of any of the capital burgeffes, hisj
or their place to be fupplied out of the common-
burgeffes, by the elcBion of the remaining ca-
pital
ILCHESTER. 65
burgeffes. The charter fays nothing of
the qualification necefiary vto common bur-
gefles; nor of the mode of electing the members
of parliament.
The numbers on the poll were,
For Mr. Innes 103
Mr. Cuft 102
Mr. Brown 53
Mr. Jones 53
The counfel for the petitioners undertook to
prove, that fuch number of the votes for Cuft
and Innes had been bribed, as, when deducted
from the poll, would leave the majority of legal
votes in favour of Brown and Jones, fo as to
entitle them to be declared duly elected. And,
if they mould not fucceed in affecting a fuffi-
cient number of the votes for the fitting mem-
bers to anfwer that end, ftill, they faid, they
would prove a£ls of bribery, by them or their
agents, fo as to avoid the ele£tion, by rendering
them incapable of retaining their feats.
The counfel for the fitting members, after at-
tempting, by evidence and argument, to over-
turn the cafe which had been made againft
them, endeavoured to .prove, that Brown and
Jones, by bribery, or promifes, had difqualified
VOL. II. F themfelves,
66 ILCHESTER.
themfelves, even if the majority of legal vote*
had been in their favour; and confequently,
that at all events they could not be declared
duly elected.
All the a£ts of bribery, and the corrupt pro-
mifes charged on the two fitting members, were,
by the intervention of agents, and long before
the tefte of the writ. It appeared, that when the
gifts and promifes were made, Mr. Cuft and
" his partner" were mentioned to the voters, but
Mr. Innes's name was not fpecified, and was
not at all known in the borough till a few days
before the election, when he canvafled along
with Mr. Cuft and his friends. All thofe who
had engaged their votes for Cuft and " his part-
ner" voted for Innes as the partner.
The promifes, imputed by fome of the wit-
nefies, called on the part of the fitting members,
to Brown and Jones, were faid to have been
made direftly by themfelves, during their can-
vas on the election week.
ift. The counfel for the petitioners having
began to examine John Lloyd, concerning a
converfation with certain voters, in which the
voters had acknowledged that they had been
bribed in order to vote for the fitting members;
the
ILCHESTER, 6/
tlie counfel on the other fide obje&ed to their
purfuing their queftions, fo as to charge the fit-
ting members themfelves with bribery, by fuch
evidence. After fome argument, the counfel
for the petitioners agreed, that evidence of the
declarations of the voters could only be admit-
ted to affe6l the voters themfelves, and not third
perfons. — The queftion firft put, objected to,
and given up, was, " Whofe money did you
" underftand it to be, which the voters faid they
" had received?" The queftion, which it was
agreed might be put, and which was put, in lieu
of the other, was, " Did the voters when they
" faid they had received the election money, fay
" in whofe intereft they were to vote, in confe-
<c quence of their taking this money?"
2. One William Handover, a witnefs called
on the part of the petitioners, was going to re-
late a converfation which palfed between him
and one James Pitman, alledged to be an agent
for the fitting members, and dead fince the
election.
This was objected to.
It was contended, that evidence of any acts of
a fuppofed agent could not be admitted, until
proof of his being an agent had been previoufty
F 3 produced
68 ILCHESTER.
produced to the committee; that the propriety
of fuch a rule is obvious, becaufe, otherwife,
many days might be employed in hearing evi--
dence againft a perfon, who might appear after-
wards to have no connexion with the caufe;
that, by the printed hiftory of the two cafes of
Hindon and Shaftefbury, it appeared that fuch
a rule had been laid down in both thofe cafes.
On the other fide the counfel infifted,
That it would be found impracticable to ad-
here to this rule ; for that the circumftances
which were to prove that a perfon had bribed,
and that, in fo doing, he had acled as the agent
of another, were very often the fame, or, at leaft,
fo complicated together, that they could not be
feparated ; and that the committee, in the cafe
ofBriftol, had, on that account, over-ruled an
objection like the prefent.
When the counfel had argued the point, the
chairman faid, That he had enquired into what
had been done by the committee in the cafe of
Shaftefbury ; and that* he had been informed by
the gentlemen who had fat in that committee,
as well as by fome of the counfel in the caufe,
that, although on the firft day of the trial, a
refolution had been come to, agreeable to what
is
ILCHESTER. £g
is dated in the printed report of the cafe, yet
they had afterwards found fuch inconvenience
attending the rule, that it was agreed on all
hands not to abide byut ; that, accordingly, in
the courfe of the trial, it was not adhered tq
after the firft day.
Upon this obfervation from the chairman, the
counfel for the fitting members defifted from
the objection.
3. One John Tiptree, a witnefs called on the
part of the fitting members, fwofe, That fome
days before the election, Mr. Jones afked him
for his vote, and faid, that if he would vote for
him, he would give him fifty guineas after the
election: That, until he came to town in confe-
quence of the fpeaker's warrant, he had never
mentioned this circumftance, but to one Target,
a perfon who had been a witnefs in the begin-
ning of the caufe, but who had died pending the
trial, and before this evidence was given by
Tiptree: That fince he had been in town, and
before Target died, he had mentioned it to fe-
veral perfons, of whom he named three.
4. James Corry being called, was rejected,
becaufe he was one of the two perfons who had
figned the petition on behalf of the electors.
F His
JO ILCHESTER.
His inadmiffibility was on all hands agreed on.
Similar inftances^ have occurred before feveral
other committees, during this and the laft fef-
fions.
5. One Charles Gillet was proved to have re-
ceived ten guineas, in order to vote for the
fitting members, and it was admitted on the part
of the fitting members, that by this aft, .his vote
was deftroyed.
The committee, after hearing the evidence of
one James Rogers, and fome other witneffes,
having cleared the court, refolved,
" That the chairman do report to the houfe,
" that James Rogers being called as a witnefs
" before the committee, has grofsly prevaricat-
" ed in giving his evidence."
And, accordingly, on the fame day, Monday
27 November, 1775, agreeably to the 26th fec-
tion of 10 George III. cap 16, the chairman did
report to that effeft; and the houfe being i
moved, that the entry in the journal of the
houfe, of the nth May 1772, of the proceedings
of the houfe, in relation to Mary HofTe, might j
be read; and the fame being read, the follow-
ing orders were made:
Ordered, '? That the faid James Rogers,
" having
ILCHESTEH. 71
" having grofsly prevaricated in giving his evi-
•* dence before the felccl committee, appointed
t( to try and determine the merits of the petition
" of Richard Brown, and Inigo William Jones,
" Efqrs. and alfo the petition of James Corry
" and John Cox, on behalf of themfelves and
" others, being inhabitant houfeholders, parifhi-
" oners, and others, within the borough of
" Ivelchefter in the county of Somerfet, feve-
" rally complaining of an undue election and
n return for the faid borough, be, for his faid
" offence, committed to his majefty's gaol of
" Newgate.
Ordered, " That Mr. Speaker do iffue his
*c warrant accordingly."
On Friday the ift of December following, the
chairman prefented to the houfe, in confequence
of a motion for that purpofe, a petition of
Rogers, fetting forth, " That he was extremely
tf forry for having incurred the difpleafure of
<c the houfe, by prevaricating in his evidence
" before the committee; that he was fenfible o£
<f his great offence, and of the juftice of the
" houfe; and hoping, as his farther confinement
*f would be prejudicial to his health, that the
l[ houfe would order him to be releafed."
F On
72 ILCHESTER.
On this petition it was ordered,
That he fhould be brought to the bar of the
houfe, on the Monday morning following, in
order that he fhould be difcharged, and that the
fpeaker fhould iffue his warrant accordingly.
On Monday, December 4, he was, according
to order, brought to the bar; where he re-
ceived a reprimand from the fpeaker, and was
ordered to be difcharged out of cuftody, paying
his fees.
During the whole courfe of this caufe, the
committee made it a rule, to order the clerk to
read over to every witnefs the minutes of his
evidence, that he might fet right any miftakes
made in fetting it down.
They alfo made it a rule, where one witnefs
dire6lly contradicted what another had fworn,
to call in fuch other witnefs, and confront them
together.
On Monday, December 4, the committee, by
their chairman, informed the houfe, that they
had determined,
That none of the four candidates were duly
And that the lafl election for the borough of
Ilchefter, was a void election.
On
ILCHESTER. 73
On which a warrant for a new writ was im-
mediately ordered.
This town having fent to parliament in the
reign of Edward I. Edward II. and to 34 Ed-
ward III. ceafed fending till 12 Edward IV.
when it again intermitted fending till 18 James
I. at which time it was reftored to this privilege.
CORPORATION.— Confifts of a bailiff and 12
burgefles.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1689, 7 May. Al-
ledged to be in the inhabitants of the faid town,
paying fcot and lot, which the town called Pot-
wallers.
1702, 28 January. Agreed to be in the
bailiff, capital burgeffes, and inhabitants not
receiving alms.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 155.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRON — Mr. Troward.
MILBORNE PORT.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This borough, which
confifts of nine parcels of burgage lands, each
of which gives a right of voting at elections for
members of parliament, is the fole property of
Mr.
74 LIILBORNE PORT.
Mr. Medlycott and the Earl of Uxbridge. In
the year 1747> Michael Harvey and Jeffry
Finch, Efqrs. and Thomas Medlycott and Charles
Churchill, Efqrs. were returned. This being a
borough by prefcription, there have always
been in it nine capital bailiffs, who hold their
refpeclive offices by virtue of deputations, grant-
ed by the proprietors of nine ancient parcels of
borough lands. Two of them prefide yearly, by
rotation, as head officers; and thefe two prefid-
ing capital bailiffs may, if they pleafe (at a
court-leet held in October yearly) appoint fub-
ftitutes to execute the menial offices of the
borough, who are called fub-bailiffs. This
borough difcontinued fending members to par-
liament for many years; but was reftored to its
ancient privileges in the 4th of Charles I. fince
which time it has continued to fend two mem-
bers to every parliament; and the fheriffs pre-
cept for chufing members is always directed to
the bailiffs thereof.
For feveral years after the borough was
reftored to its privileges, the two prefiding
capital bailiffs, when prefent, or one of them
vhen the other was abfent, enjoyed the folc
right
MILROR.NE PORT. 75
right of making the return to the fherifF's pre-
cept, that is to fay, of returning the members
they thought legally chofen.
But fmce the reftoration thefe nine ancient
parcels of borough lands having been all en-
groffed, and become the property of two neigh-
bouring gentlemen, by agreement between them-
felves, they, or fome of their friends, were
generally chofen, and returned without oppofi-
tion; and, as it often happened, that neither of
the capital prefiding bailiffs were prefent, the
return was often made by their fubftitutes or
fub-bailiffs, but fometimes by the capital bailiff
or bailiffs, and moft frequently by the bailiffs
and burgeffes of the faid borough. This was
the conftitution of the borough at an election,
when Thomas Medlycott, Efq. and William
Bifhop, were the prefiding bailiffs, and one
Arthur Anfty, faid to be a common day-labour-
er, and fervant to the faid Thomas Medlycott,
was the fub-bailiff, appointed by the faid Med-
lycott. The candidates were, Michael Harvey,
and Jcffry Finch, Efqrs. on one fide, and the
faid Thomas Medlycott and Charles Churchill,
Efqrs. on the other fide; and when the election
over, the return of the two former were
made
76 MILBORNE PORT.
made to the fheriff by the faid WiUiam Bifhop,
which he accepted and annexed to his precept;
but fome days after, another return of the two
latter was made to the fheritf by the faid Arthur
Anfty, whkh he likewife accepted and annexed
to his precept; fo that his writ was returned
with a double return for the faid borough.
Which was the legal return, was the queftion;
and the only queftion that by order came to be
determined on Thurfday the ift of December
laft.
As to the return made by William Bifhop, it
was objected, firft, that the fub-bailiffs, and
not the capital bailiffs, were, by the cuftom
of that borough, the returning officers ; and
fecondly, that the faid William Bifhop was
not properly qualified to aft, becaufe he had
not previoufly taken an oath of office. To the
firft objection it was anfwered, that by the cuf-
tom of the borough, the fub-bailiffs never acled
but in the abfence, or by the order or permiflion
of their principals; and when either of the
capital bailiffs was prefent, neither of the fub-
bailiffs could a&as a principal, the capital bailiffs
being then fole prefiding officers. To the fe-
cond objection it was anfwered, that William
Bifhop
MILBORNE PORT. 77
Bifhop had taken all the oaths requifite by law ;
but that an oath of office was not requifite either
by law, or the cuftom of that borough, as had
been admitted by the faid Thomas Medlycott
himfelf. Then, as to the return made by the
faid Arthur Anfty, it was objected, firft, That as
he was only a fub-bailifF, and both the capital
prefiding bailiffs not only prefent, but afting as
prefiding officers, he could not aft as a prefi-
ding officer, in any cafe whatfoever, much lefs
in fuch a principal one as that of returning
members to parliament; and fecondly, That
the return made by the faid" Arthur Anfty was
void, by virtue of a refolution of that houfe,
of the 2d of June 1685; by which it was refolv-
ed, That no mayor, bailiff, or other officer to
whom the precept ought to be directed, is capa-
ble of being elected to ferve in parliament for
the fame borough, of which he is mayor, bailiff,
or other officer, at the time of election. And as
the return made by the faid Arthur Anfty, muft
be fuppofed to be a return made by the faid
Thomas Medlycott, whpfe fubftitute and fervant
he was, according to the axiom in law, qui fecit
per aliumy fecit per fe; therefore, by this refolu-
tion it ought to be void. To the firft objection
it
PORT.
it was anfwered, That by the cuftom of the!
borough, the fub-bailiffs were the only proper
returning officers, confequently the return made
by Arthur Anfly was the only legal return; and
to the fecond it was anfwered, That if the
axiom of law were to be applied to the election
for this borough, neither of the two proprietors
of the nine ancient parcels of borough lands,
could ever be chofen or returned as reprefenta-
tives for this borough ; becaufe, both the capi-
tal and fub-bailifFs are but their deputies; and
as this would be inconfiftent with common law, as
•well as contrary to the cuftom of the borough ever
fince the above-mentioned refolution, it could
not be fuppofed, that the houfe thereby intended
to render the fub-bailiffs of this borough inca-
pable of returning, either their immediate prin-
cipals, the capital bailiffs, or their remote prin-
cipals, the proprietors of thefe ancient parcels of
borough lands. Upon the whole, the houfe,
after having fpent two days in hearing counfel,
reading former returns, &c. and examining
witneffes, came to a refolution, That the execu-
tion of a precept for eleciing burgeffes to ferve
in parliament for the borough of Mil borne
Port, and the making the return thereof, are
only
WILBORNE PORT. "]§
only in the two fub-bailiffs of the faid borough,
or in one fub-bailiff, if there are not two, (one
fub-bailijf is undoubtedly more likely to be
bribed than two capital bailiffs,) in confequence
of which, the clerk of the crown, by order, took
off the file the return made by William Bijhopi
and the faid Thomas Medlycott, and Charles*
Churchill, Efqrs. became thereby the only fitting
members.
ANOTHER CASE.
On the 20th of January, 1775, the petition
C)f Edward Walter, Efq. and Ifaac Hawkins
Browne, Efq. againfl the return of the Hon.
Temple Luttrell, and Charles Wolfely, Efq.
came on to be tried by a committee of the houfe
of commons.
There were three petitions read; when it ap-
peared, that there were, in this cafe, three re-
turns made by different perfons claiming to be
returning officers, all of which had been annex-
ed to the writ by the fheriff, and returned into
the office of the clerk of the crown; by one,
Walter and Browne, by the other two, Luttrell
Wolfely, were returned.
The petitions likewife contained a claim made
by
8O MILBORNE PORT.
by each party, of the majority of legal votesj
and mutual allegations of bribery. In the peti-
tion of Walter and Browne, it was alfo alledged,
that Luttrell, at the time of his election and
return, <f had by himfelf, or fome perfon in trufl
(t for him, an office, place, or employment,
" touching or concerning the farming, colleft-
" ing, or managing his Majefty's cuftoms,"
whereby he was incapable of being elefted. It
•was agreed firft, to proceed upon the legality of
the different returns, feparately from the other
queftions; and the return of Waller and £rowne>
being immediately annexed to the precept, their
counfel began:
Mr. Medlycott's property is fo intermixed
with Mr. Walter's, that, in following the eftab-
lifhed rotation, in fome years one of the reign-
ing bailiffs is in the appointment of Medlycott,
and the other in the appointment of Walter; in
fome years they are both appointed by Medly-
cott, and in others, both by Walter. In 1773,
one of them was appointed by Medlyrott, who
nominated one Elias Oliver to be his fub-bailiff;
the other by Walter, who nominated one Robert
Baunton to be his fub-bailiff. In 1774, it
was Mr. Medlycott's turn to appoint both
the i
MILBORN'E PORT. 8l
the reigning bailiffs. The Tub-bailiffs have
always been appointed at a court-leet after
Michaelmas-day, holden by a ftcward, named
by the former fub-bailiff. Since the interefts
have been divided, there have been two ftew-
ards, who have holden feparate courts, but al-
ways on the fame day. It appeared by the wit-
neffes, that the court-leet for appointing fub-bai-
liffs had always been holden, before and fince the
ftyle was altered, on the firft Tuefday after a fair
at Sherborne, called Pack-Monday fair ; and
that there were entries to this purpofe in the mi-
nute book of the fteward of the court ; but in
none of the court-books or rolls, was there any
entry referring the holding of the court to the
Tuefday after Sherborne fair; it only appeared
to have been always holden on the firft Tuefday
of October, before the change of the ftyle took
place.
On the third of O£lober, 1774, the precept for
the election was delivered to Robert Baunton,
who gave his receipt for it; and having commu-
nicated with the other fub-bailiff (Oliver), they
concurred in appointing the day of election to be
on the tenth, (the fourth being the firft Tuefday
in Otlober, N.S. ). Oliver, together with Medly-
cott and others, broke open the Town-hall, the
VOL. II. G perfon
82 MILBORNE PORT.
perfon who had the key not being found ; and
Mr. Medlycott having nominated his brother, the
Rev. George Hutching, and Robert Curtis, to be
the reigning capital bailiffs for the year enfuing,
they came into the court-lect (which was opened
according to form), and appointed John Newton,
jun. and John Peckham, to be their fub-bailiffs.
The reigning bailiffs and the fub-bailiffs, enter on
their offices immediately after their appointment.
At the fame court, Oliver was appointed a con-
ftable by the jury, and fworn into that office.
On the loth, the election came on, and there were
three polls taken ; one by Baunton, who declar-
ed the majority of legal votes to be in favour of
Walter and Browne, and accordingly annexed a
return of them to the precept ; one by Oliver,
and a third by Newton and Peckham. By each of
the two laft, Luttrell and Wolfeley had the ma-
jority of votes; and accordingly there were two
returns made of them. Counter parts of all the
three were executed by the under meriff, and
they were all annexed to the writ. If Newton
and Peckham were the legal bailiffs at the time of
election, their return only was valid; if they
were not, it was void ; and in fuch cafe, the quef-
tion would be, Whether the return of Baunton,
or of Oliver, was the legal return? or whether
they
MIL BORNE PORT. 8g
they were both void? If the court-leet, holden
on the 4th of Oclober, was the legal court for the
appointment of the annual fub-bailiffs, Newton
and Peckham were the legal fub-bailifFs and re-
turning officers on the loth. The queftion con-
cerning the legality of the court-leet turned
chiefly upon the ftatute for altering the ftyle.
The counfel for Walter and Browne contend-
ed, That the court in queftion, was <c a court ufu~
" ally holden with a fair > and to be holden on the
" fame natural day as formerly, that is, according
" to the Old Style." That this was evident from
the conftant practice fince the change of the ftyle,
and the general fenfe of the place, and from the
Reward's book.
That if it were not fo, yet the holding it laft
year according to the New Style, for the firft
time, immediately on the eve of the election, con-
trary to the ufage ever fmce the ftatute of 24
George II. without any notice being given of
fuch an intended innovation, till the precept for
the election came to the borough, (hewed, that the
intention of holding it- then was occafional, and
evidently only taken up on account of the diflb-
lution of the parliament, which brought on the
eleclion before Mr. Medlycott's two fab-bailiffs
could have come into office, if he had waited till
G 2 the
8| MILBORNE PORT.
the ufual time; confequcntly, that on this ground,
the appointment of Newton and Peckham was
fraudulent and void.
That if they were legally appointed, ftill the
former fub-bailiffs, being the returning officers at
the time when the precept was delivered, and one
of them having received, and given his receipt
for it, they were the only perfons competent to
make the return, according to the yth and 8th of
William III. cap. 25.
That if the queltion came to be argued between
the returns made by Baunton and Oliver, it was
clear that Oliver, by accepting the office of con-
ftable at the court-leet,. holden on the 4th of Oc-
tober, had abdicated his former office, and could
not afterwards pretend to excrcife it; fo that
Baunton was the only fub-bailiff at the time of
cleclion, and muft of courfe be the only legal re-
turning officer.
The counfcl for Luttrell and Wolfeley argued,
That though it did appear that the Michaelmas
court-leet had ufually been holden on the Tuef-
day after Sherborne, or Pack-Monday fair, yet
that was merely accidental ; becaufe it happens,
that the firfl Tuefday in Oftober muft of nccef-
fity be the day immediately following the firft
Monday after Michaelmas. — That the entries in
the
1III.BORNE PORT. 8/J
the minute or memorandum book of the ftcward,
prove only that he aflifted his memory in recol-
lecling the time of holding the court, by refer-
ring it to Pack-Monday. — That it was natural,
from this accidental conneclion between the two
days, for the people of Milborne Port to call the
court-day Pack-Tuefday. — That if they had any
necejfary connection, it would have appeared by
entries in the court books, in fome fuch terms as
thefe: " At a court holden on the firft Tuefday
after Pack-Monday, or Sherborne fair ;" but no
fuch entry could be found.
That it did not appear, that the office of con-
{table and that of fab-bailiff were incompatible.
The counfcl for Walter and Browne, in reply,
infifted, that there was nothing abfurd in fuppof-
ing an original conneclion between Sherborne
fair and the court-leet at Milborne Port, although
the two places are in different counties. — That,
in former times, the grants of the crown ufcd to
extend very commonly into different counties,
and the fair and court, at firft, might have made
part of the fame grant. — That it is not true, that
if a fair were forfeited, a court vfually holden milk
it, but belonging to another perfon, would be fo
Hkcwife. — That the old prefcriptivc day for hold-
G 3 ing
86 M1LBORNE PO1VT.
ing the fair would dill continue to be the guide
for fixing the prefcriptive day for the court-
leet.
The committee having cleared the court, deli-
berated among themfelves ; and the counfel be-
ing again called in, the chairman acquainted them,
that the committee had refolved,
" That the return made by John Newton, jun. !
and John Peckham, of Mr. Luttrell and Mr.
Wolfeley, was an illegal return.
<f And that the other two returns appeared to
the committee to be fo complicated together, that
they thought it their duty to go upon the merits
of the election, without previoufly deciding be-
tween them."
The counfel for Walter and Browne now went
into the whole that remained of their part, the
bribery by Luttrell and Wolfeley, or their agents,
and Luttrell's ineligibility. When they had
finifhed and fummed up their evidence, the coun-
fel on the other fide proceeded to remove the im-
putation of bribery from Luttrell and Wolfeley,
and to fix bribery on the other two candidates.
Laftly, they anfwered the objections to Luttrell1
eligibility ; and after they had fummed up theii
cafe, the counfel on the other fide replied.
Durim
MILBORNE PORT. 8j
During the trial of this petition, the committee
thought fit to propofe, that the following queftion
ihould be urged by the counfel, viz.
" Whether perfons rateable, and having paid
to the rate, though that rate was made and col-
lecled by officers illegal and doubtful, may vote
as inhabitants paying fcot and lot."
The counfel for Walter and Browne contend-
ed, that they might. They faid that fcot and lot
exifted long before overfeers of the poor, or
poor rates, were known in England, and for this
they appealed to the definitions in Spelman's
Gloffary. — That the poor-rate indeed was, in
common cafes, very properly taken to be the
rule for difcovering who are to be coniidered as
perfons paying fcot and lot, but that the right of
fuch perfons to vote is fo far from being created
by the poor-rate, that it is neither neceffarily
connected with, nor altered by it.
The committee, after hearing the counfel on
the other fide, cleared the court, and refolved,
" That perfons rateable, and having faid to the
rate, though that rate be made by officers illegal
or doubtful, have a right to vote, as inhabitants
paying fcot and lot."
On the head of Mr. Luttrell's ineligibility, it
appeared, from the evidence of Mr. Charles
Hartford,
88 MILBORNE PORT.
Hartford, ihe perfon who executes the office he
was fuppofed to hold as deputy, that it is the
place of Cu/loriier inwards in the port of Brijlol. —
That it flands in the name of one Mr. Smith,
who refides in Ireland, and the accounts are
always made out in his name. He faid, he paid
profits (amounting to between three and four
hundred pounds a year) to Luttrell, confidering
him as agent for Smith. That he had feen a
power of attorney from Smith to Luttrell, autho-
rizing him to appoint a deputy for him ; and
that he had received a deputation from Luttrell,
as attorney for Smith, but that afterwards, that
deputation being found to be improper, he had
deftroyed it, and had received his deputation
(which was produced and read) direftly from
Smith. That he thought, from this tranfaftion,
that there was fuch a conne£tion between Smith
and Luttrell, as made it fafe for him to pay the
money to Luttrell; but that he never had con-
fidered, whether the payments he had made to
Luttrell were ftri£lly legal, and he thought, that
if Smith were to die, he would be liable to-pay
the arrears of the profits to his executors. — He
faid he was appointed by Mr. Luttrell's in-
tereft.
On the part of Walter and Browne it was con-
tended,
MILBORNE PORT. 89
tended, that Smith's holding the office was mere-
ly colourable. — That Luttrell received the pro-
fits, and was in fubftance the perfon who pof,
fefled the office; and that he was thereby inca-
pable of being elected, fince the ftatute of the
i2th and 13th of William III.
Mr. LuttrelPs counfel contended, it was un-
neceffary to urge this point, as no evidence had
been given to fhew that he had any beneficial
intereft in the place. John Coxe Hippefley,
Efq. barrifter, being called on the fubje6l of
Mr. Luttrell's office, refufed toanfwer any quef-
tions which might affect him, as he had con-
ftantly a£led as his confidential advifer and
counfel.
The committee took feveral days to confider
of the merits of this election, after the counfel
had clofed their evidence and their arguments.
On Friday, the loth of February, their chair-
man informed the houfe, that the committee had
determined,
" That Edward Walter, Efq. is not duly elcB-
ed a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parliament,
for the borough of Milborne Port, in the county
of Somerfet.
" That Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq. is not
duly eledcd.
" That
£0 MILBORNE PORT,
" That the honourable Temple Luttrell, and
Charles Wolfeley, Efq. are duly returned bur-
geffes to ferve in this prefent parliament, by the
return executed by Elias Oliver."
There was alfo a petition, in 1773, of George
Prefect, Efq. againft Richard Combe, Efq. the
fitting member, when the petitioner was declar-
ed duly elefted; but as there is nothing in that
cafe but what is reported in the above, we ffcall
not trouble our readers with a repetition of it.
A very ferious charge of corruption was
brought againft lord North, in the houfe of
commons, during his adminiftration, by the
honourable Temple Luttrell, for inducing Tho-
mas Hutchins Medlycott, Efq. one of the proprie-
tors of this borough, to oppofe the re-eleclion of
Mr. Luttrell at the enfuing diffolution of parlia-
ment, in 1780; when, after a full hearing, the
houfe got rid of the bufmefs in a manner nearly
fimilar to that of Mr. Rofe's, in Weftminfter.
The property of Mr. Walter has been fome
time fince purchafed by Lord Uxbridgc, who
js now joint proprietor of this borough.
This borough having fent, anno 26, 28, 33,
35 Edward I. ccafed fending till 15 Charles I.
when it was fummoned to return members to
parliament.
CORPORATION
fHLBORNE PORT. QJ.
CORPORATION — It is governed by two bailiffs
and two fiib-bailiffs. #
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, 8th Dec. — Is
only in the capital bailiffs and their deputies, irt
the commonalty ftcwards, and inhabitants there-
of, paying fcot and lot.
NUMBER OF ACTUAL VOTERS — 9. NOMI-
NALLY— 114.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The two fub-bailiffs.
PATRONS — William Coles Medlycott, Efq.
and the Earl of Uxbridge.
STAFFORDSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county is completely under the direc-
tion of ariftocratic influence. The marquis of
Stafford and lord Bagot, have the commanding
intereft. The marquis of Bath, earl of Stam-
ford, earl of Uxbridge, earl Talbot, the earl of
Dartmouth, and lord Vernon, have alfo a power-
ful weight in this county; but the arrangement
of parties, always throwing the preponderance
of it into the fcale of the two firft, they have
generally the dictation in the choice of the re-
prefentatives.
It
£2 STAFFORD TOWN.
It is feated in the province of Canterbury, and
diocefe <tf Litchfield and Coventry, and has one
hundred and fifty pariflies. It is divided into
five hundreds, containing the city of Litchfield,
and feventeen market-towns ; and fends ten
members to parliament, viz. two knights of the
fiiire for the county, two citizens for the city of
Litchfield, and two reprefentatives for each of
the following boroughs, Stafford, Tamwortb,
and Newcaftle under Line.
STAFFROD TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This town acknow-
ledges no patron ; but how far. it may (land
clear of corruption, we do not take upon us to
determine. As there has been no public accu-
fation of that crime before the houfe of com-
mons, or any other tribunal, it is far from our
purpofe to ftep out of our way to explore its
reccflcs. We confine ourfelves to a£ts of noto-
riety, and fuch as have provoked the interpofi-
tion of the legiflature, or incurred the chaflife-
ment of national jufticc. The electors have at
prefent the honour of giving a feat to one of
the mod fhining ornaments of the Britifli fenatc,
who poffefles thofc genuine principles of liberty
which have ever diftinguifhed his great political
leader,
STAFFORD TOWN. £3
leader, Mr. Fox, and which were never difplayed
to greater advantage, than when his eloquence
difpclled the cloud of prejudice, which was art-
fully and malignantly intended to envelop the
luftre of the French revolution. The family of
"lord vifcount Chetwynd, of Ingeftre, in this
county, had formerly a confiderable intereft in
this town; but that has ceafed fince the eftates
became the property of earl Talbot, the prefent
poffeifor.
The ancient cuftom, called Borough Englifh,
prevails here, by which, if the father dies intef-
tate, the youngeft fon inherits the lands lying
within the liberties of the town.
This borough fent anno 23 Edward I. and
was incorporated anno 3 Edward VI.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
a recorder, ten aldermen, and twenty common-
councilmen. Here the county affizes and quar-
ter-fefiions are always kept.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1710, 25th Jan. — The
fons of burgefles, and thofe who have ferved
apprentices feven years in the borough, have a
right (upon demand thereof) to be made bur-
geffcs of the faid borough.
1722, 27th Nov. — Is in the mayor, aldermen,
and burgefTes, refident within the faid borough.
1724,
<J4 LITCHFIELD.
1724, 4th Feb. — Perfons made burgefTes of
the faid borough, fmce the death of John Dol-
phin, Efq. late member of parliament for the
faid borough, (not being fons of burgefles, or
not having ferved feven years apprenticefhip
•within the faid borough) had not a right to vote
in the late election of a burgefs to ferve in this
prefent parliament for the faid borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 400.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
LITCHFIELD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER. — This city, -which in
conjunction -with Coventry, is a bilhop's fee, is
under the moft dictatorial influence in the elec-
tion of its members of parliament. The right
of election is of a very complex kind, being in
the bailiff, magiftrates, freeholders of forty mil-
lings a year, and all that hold by burgage
tenure, together with fuch freemen only as are
inrollcd, and pay fcot and lot. It is a county
of itfelf, and contains a jurifdi£lion of about ten
or twelve miles in compafs; on which account
the mcriff, on the igth of September, rides
round the bounds, and gives a feaft to the cor-
poration and neighbouring gentry.
That part of the town which is on the fouth
fide
LITCHFIELD.' fj£
fide of a ftream that falls into the river
Trent, is termed the City, and that on the
north fide is called the Clofe, from its being
encompafled with a wall and dry ditch on
every fide, except that next the City, which
is much the largeft part, and is joined to the
Clofe by two bridges. The Clofe is not includ-
ed in the jurifdiBion or privilege of the City,
and is confequently deprived of all (hare in the
elective franchife.
This City was made a metropolitan fee by king
OfFa ; and, together with Coventry, is the fee of
a bifliop. About the year 789, king Offa, by
the favour of pope Adrian, conftituted it art
archi-epifcopal fee; but Litchfield, about ten
years after, loft this honour, and its church arid
diocefe were again rendered fubje6l to the
metropolitan fee of Canterbury. In 1075, this
fee was tranflated to Chefter, and from thence,
in 1 102, to Coventry ; but foon after the bifhops
fettled here again.
The right of clcftion here being in freeholders
of forty (hillings per annum, as well as in the^ur-
gage-holders and enrolled freemen. The marquis
i)f Staiford, and Thomas Anfon, Efq. of Shugbo-
rough, the patrons of this City, have contrived by
the moll admirable fineffe to make the burgage-
9 LITCHFIELD.
holds, which they have been careful to purchafe
up at an immoderate expcnce, give two votes
each, or in the election phrafe to carry double.
The mode by which this mafter-piece of craft
has been effected is as follows : The marquis of
Stafford, and Mr. Anfon, poffeffing the fee fimple
of the burgage-holds, convey them to certain
friends and dependents on the eve of an elec-
tion, by which they create as many electors as
they have burgage tenures to qualify. They
then caufe an annuity of forty (hillings per an-
num to be granted upon each tenement, by
•which means they eftablifh juft the fame number
of freeholders. Thefe furrepticious electors out
number the enrolled freemen, and forming a
majority, depute two delegates to the Britifh
Senate.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a high and
low bailiff, a recorder, fheriff, and twenty-four
burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1701, 10 Mar. — The
bailiff, magiftrates, freeholders of forty millings
a year, and all that hold by burgage tenun
have a right to vote.
Such freemen only of the faid city as are in-
rolled, and pay fcot and lot, have a right to vote.
Such freemen of the taylors company as ai
enroll*
NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE. 97
Enrolled in the old book of the conftitutions of
the taylors company, in the faid city, have not a
right to vote.
Such freemen only of the taylors company as
are enrolled in the new book of the conftitutions
of the taylors company, in the city of Litchfield,
have a right to vote.
To thefe refolutions the houfe agreed.
1718, 10 Dec. Is in the bailiff, magiftrates,
freeholders of forty millings per annum, and all
that hold by burgage tenure, and in fuch free-
men only of the faid city as are enrolled, paying
fcot and lot there.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 600.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The fheriff and bai-
liffs.
PATRONS — Marquis of Stafford and Thomas
Anfon, Efq.
NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-
tion in this brr^ugh has been attended with that
fmgularity which diftinguifhes the abfurdity and
.folly of the prefent deranged fyftem of partial
reprefentation.
This right has three times been the fubjeft of
VOL. II. H parlia-
C)8 NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE.
parliamentary inveftigation; viz. in 1624, 1705,
and, laftly, in 1792; the firft determination was
in favour of ancient cuftom, which was that of
the freemen refidents, who did not forfeit their
claim till a year and a day after they had left
the town; the fecond, and laft, have been
confined to the queftion of refidence for the
year and day that they had actually ceafcd to
refide; which, in both cafes, was decided againft
this ridiculous claim.
In the trial of the laft petition, which was
that of Thomas Fletcher, Efq. and Clement
Kynnerfley, Efq. againfl Sir Archibald Mac-
donald and the Hon. John Levefon Gower, the
fitting members, it appeared in evidence, that
a great part of this borough was the property of
the marquis of Stafford, whofe influence direfts
the choice of the eleclors; and that it is
very cuftomary for the burgeffcs, who are the
electors, to live ten, fifteen, and twenty years, in
their houfes, -without paying any rent.
Upon the trial of the abov^.petition, the
counfel for the petitioners ftated the right of
election to be in the mayor, bailiffs, and bur-
geffes or freemen, whofe place of refidence, at
the time of their giving their votes, was in the
faid
NEWCASTLE UNDEk LlN'E. 0,9
faid borough; or who, at fuch time, have no
place of refidence elfewhere; and who have
never been abfent from the borough for the
fpace of a year and a day, without interruption,
fince they were admitted to the freedom there-
of; or whofe families (if they were matters of
families) have not been abfent for the fpace of
time aforefaidj without interruption, after the
time of the admiffion of fuch burgefles or free-
men, having families, to the freedom of the faid
borough.
The counfel for the fitting members, flated
the right of election to be in the freemen refid-
ing in the borough of Newcaftle, and not re-
ceiving alms or church-bread; and that perfons
living a year and a day out of the borough loft
their freedom.
The committee determined, that neither of
the ftatements delivered in by the petitioners, or
fitting members, were the fpecific right of voting
for this borough ; but that the right was, " In
" the freemen refiding in the borough of New-
" caftle under Line."
Admiral Gower dying in 1792, Mr. Fletcher
was again invited, by the independent part of
the electors, to affert the independence of the
town a fecond time, in oppofition to the arifto-
H 2 cratic
1OO NEWCASTLE UNDER LINE.
cratic influence of the marquis of Stafford; at the
clofe of the poll the caufe of the people was fuc-
cefsful, the numbers being,
For Mr. Fletcher, 256
Mr. Egerton, 254
A fcrutiny being demanded by Mr. Egerton,
and the returning officer being in that gentle-
man's intereft, Mr. Fletcher's majority was foon
reduced to a minority, when he declined proceed-
ing any further before thofe judges; but declar-
ed his determination of making a fecond appeal
to the houfe of commons.
This borough was incorporated by king Hen-
ry I. and again, by queen Elizabeth and king
Charles II. and began to fend members anno 27
Edward III.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
two bailiffs, and twenty-four common-council-
men.
The corporation has a court for holding pleas,
for any fum under 40!.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1624, 9 April. Was
(before the charter) in the mayor, bailiffs, and
common-councilmen ; and it was refolved, That
the late conftitution altered not the former cuf-
tom.
1705, 27 February. The right was agreed to
be
TAMWORTH. 1O1
be in the mayor, burgeffes, and freemen, refident
within the borough.
1792, March 21. In the freemen refiding in
the borough of Newcaftle under Line.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 664.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Marquis of Stafford.
TAMWORTH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough was
the joint property of the marquis Townfhend,
and the marquis of Bath ; but the latter having
fold his mare to Mr. Peel, the banker, that gen-
tleman has eftablifhed a confiderable manufac-
tory here, and is one of its prefent members.
The freeholders had formerly votes, in com-
mon with the inhabitant houfeholders ; but they
loft that privilege by a refolution of the houfe of
commons, 1722.
This town appears to have been incorporated
by queen Elizabeth, and firft fent to parliament
in the fifth year of her reign.
CORPORATION — Confifts of two bailiffs, a re-
corder, and twenty-four principal burgeffes.
The corporation have power to keep a three-
.;eeks court of record, and a court-lcet twice a
year ; they have alfo a jail, and a common fcal.
H 3 RIGHT
1O2 TAMWORTH.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1698, 17 March. Is
in the inhabitants paying fcot and lot, and in
fuch perfons as have freeholds within the faid
borough, whether refident in the faid borough or
not.
1722, 23 January. Is in the inhabitants be-
ing houfeholders, paying fcot and lot, and not
receiving alms.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 250.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The two bailiffs.
PATRONS— Marquis Townfhend and Robert
Peel, Efq,
SUFFOLK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county poffeffes much independent fpirit,,;
which it never fails to exert when called forth into
aftion. Ini784,thepeople, inconfcquencc of the
conneaions of Sir T . C. Bunbury, Bart, with the
coalition formed by lord North and Mr. Fox,
propofed, as a candidate for their rcprcfentation, j
Jofhua Grigby, Efq. with whofe attachment to
the caufe of liberty in all its branches, and aver-
fion to ariftocratic influence, they were well ac-
quainted : and their exertions in his favour were
finally
SUFFOLK. 1O3
finally fuccefsful. At the laft election, in 1790,
Mr. Grigby declined the honour that was intend-
ed him, when Sir Gerard Vanneck was thought
the beft fubflitute to fupply the place of that gen-
tleman. The fuccefs of the independent yeo-
manry would in this inftance, as well as the for-
mer one, have been certain, but for the union of
fo many heterogeneous fubftances, as adminiftra-
tion, oppofition, and ariftocracy. The junction
of all thefe parties, and the interefl arifmg from
it, was hardly fufficient to overthrow and fubduc
the laudable efforts which were ufed againft it,
as appears by the poll ; when the numbers were,
For Sir T . C. Bunbury, Bart, 3065
Sir J. Rous, Bart.- 2755
Sir Gerard Vanneck, Bart. 2047
This county is divided into two parts ; the
firlt, called the franchife or liberty of St. Ed-
mund, which contains the weflern part of the
county ; and the fecond, called the geldable land,
contains the eaftern 'part. Each of thefe fur-
nifhes a diftincl: grand jury at the county affizes. In
the franchifes, the i flues and forfeitures are paid
to the lords of the liberties, and in the geldable
part, they are paid to the king. There are like-
\vifc two other general divifions of this county,
into High Suffolk and Low Suffolk, which is
Ii 4 fubdivided
1O4 IPSWICH.
fubdivided into twenty-two hundreds. It is fitu^
ated in the province of Canterbury and diocefe
of Norwich; has 575 parifhes, 29 market towns,
and fends fixtcen members to parliament.
IPSWICH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough is in-
dependent of influence, except what may be cor-
ruptly eftablifhed by the candidates, or their
agents, at the time of ele&ion, as the following
cafe, which was tried before a committee of the
houfe of commons, in 1780, will explain : the pe-
tition of Charles Alexander Crickitt, Efq. ftated,
that Mr. Cator,the fitting member, had, by him-
felf or his agents, after the tefte of the writ, been
guilty of a moft notorious and flagrant attempt
to bribe the corporation of Ipfwich to ele£t him,
by offering a large fum of money to them for
that purpofe ; that he had, in the fame manner,
been guilty of bribing the electors of the bo-
rough, by promifes of prcfents, and by treat-
ing? that one of the returning officers was
an avowed agent of Mr. Cator, and did, by his
direction, corrupt the electors to vote for him j
in confequence whereof, many of them did vote
for him ; that by thefe means Mr. Cator had pro-
cured an illegal majority of votes over the peti-
IPSWICH. 1O5
lioner, who would otherwife have been ele&ed
and returned.
No objeclion was made to the election of Mr.
Middleton. By the opening of the cafe it ap-
peared, that the petitioner endeavoured to avoid
the election of Mr. Cator, by proceeding upon
all the charges in the petition; and accordingly
evidence was produced upon all of them.
Upon the firft point, the following fafts were
given in evidence :
The eleftors of this borough are, two bailiffs,
ten portmen, twenty-four common-council men,
and an indefinite number of freemen; they have
been for a long time divided into two parties,
diftinguifhed by the names of Blues and Yellows;
at the head of the former are the common-coun-,
cilmen ; the latter is headed by the portmen.
The Yellows had teen predominant at the late
elections ; Mr. Wollafton, one of the late mem-
bers, had been fupported by them, and being
abroad at the time of the late election, his bro-
ther, the Rev. Dr. Wollafton, propofed him as a
candidate upon that intereft. Mr. Staunton, the
other late member, declined this election. Mr.
JVliddleton was fupported by the Blues, on which
intereft he had failed in the laft conteft.
The laft election happened on Saturday, the 3^
of
io6 IPSWICH.
of April : in the preceding week, the Blues had
propofed to the Yellows to fupport Wollafton, if
the Yellows would fupport Middleton, and thus
fettle their differences; but this was rejected by
the Yellows, who then had hopes of carrying
both members ; and they perfuaded Dr. Wollaf-
ton, againfl his own inclination, to join with Ca-
tor, <whom they had invited to ftand : about the
fame time, the portmen, who were told by Dr.
Wollafton that he would fpend no money in the
election, afked him to withdraw his brother;
which he refufed. Cator was at this time a ftran-
ger to the borough. On the Monday before the
election, Dr. Wollafton, by appointment, met Mr.
Cator at the houfe of Mr. Cornwall, a banker in
Ipfwich, and partner in that bufmefs with the bai-
liff Spooner. Herethefe three held a convcrfa-
tion about the election : Cornwall, who had be-
fore been told by Dr. Wollafton, that he would
not fpend more than 300!. on the election, and
had communicated this to Mr. Cator, in this con-
verfation faid to Dr. Wollafton, " he had eftimat-
<f ed the expence at "about 2000!. ; that Cator
<c was willing to advance 1700!. of this fum, if
" Wollafton would anfwer for the remaining
" 300!." This being agreed to by the latter, Corn-
wall faid, " if the expences were to be paid at
" his
IPSWICH. lOJ
" his bank, he fhould expeft a depofit of the mo-
" ney befqre hand." This was likewife agreed
to, and then they went about the town on a joint
canvas for Wollafton and Cator. On the fame
day Cator paid ryool. into Cornwall's banking*
houfe ; on the next day, at Gator's defire, the
above agreement was put in writing and figned;
it is as follows :
« Mr. Wollafton, by Dr. Wollafton, depofits
" 300!. in the hands of Meffrs. Alexander, Corn-
*f wall, and Spooner ,- and John Cator having
" depofited 1700!. in the fame hands, for the pur-
" pofe of paying the expences already incurred,
" and which may be incurred, for their election ;
" and it is agreed, if the expence is lefs than
" 2000!. all the money remaining fliall be return-
" ed to John Cator; and if the expences exceed
" 2000!. all above that fum is to be paid in equal
" portions by Dr. Wollafton and John Cator.
" In witnefs whereof, they have fet their names
" this 3Qth March, 1784.
" FRED. WOLLASTOX.
" JOHN CATOR.
" N..B. If the expence does not amount to
" 1200!. Dr. Wollafton is to have returned the
** proportion of one to four."
Dr. Wollafton in his evidence faid, he had no
knowledge
1OS IPSWICH.
knowledge of election matters, nor of the parti-
cular expences, or the manner in which they
were incurred, in an election at Ipfwich ; he had
heard that a great deal was incurred on account
of the out-voters ; and being told by Cornwall,
that the expences of the former election had ex-
ceeded the above fum, he relied on his eftimate,
as he made it, without knowing how, in particu-
lar, the money was to be applied; but he under-
flood it was for neceflary joint expences of the
election, and not to be ufed for any purpofes in
which both parties were not concerned ; and that
no unlawful ufe would be made of it. Cornwall
was to difburfe the money, and to return the re-
mainder, if any, with an account. He wifhed
the tranfa&ion to have been kept fecret, though
not from any notion of its being wrong; but
found it was known to all his principal friends in
the corporation.
In the courfe of the canvas, he perceived his
brother's intereft to have declined confiderabjy,
and hereupon determined, after confulting one
or two private friends, to withdraw his name,
on being indemnified the expences at that time
incurred. On the Thurfday before the election,
at Cornwall's houfe, in the prefence of Cator,
Cornwall, Spooncr, Notcote the town clerk, and
one
IPSWICH. lO^
one or two more of the corporation, he faid, he
feared his brother might fail, and afked them,
." If Middleton fhould be at the head of the poll,
" whom they would defert, Cator or his bro-
" ther?" To this queftion no anfwer was made;
upon which he faid to them, " I now fee you
" would defert my brother and fupport Cator;"
hereupon Notcote came forward and faid,
" What would our enemies fay of us if we
" mould not, as he pays fo much more than
" you." No more was faid on the fubjecl;. In
the afternoon of that day, Dr. Wollafton offered
to withdraw his brother, according to his firfl re-
folution, and Mr. Cator agreed to repay him what
he had laid out upon his canvas : as to the 300!.
he had not paid it into the bank.
Mr. Cornwall in his evidence faid, that he
had known Mr. Cator before, and would have
trufted him with any fum, but would not have
given credit to the parties jointly ; for which rea-
fon he defired a depofit, as he had before found
difficulties in getting the money advanced; that
he believed the 1700!. was intended for the com-
mon expences of the eleftion, jointly with the
300!. but that it was liable to fuch ufes as Cator
might think proper, and he might have drawn for
it without defraying the expences. On being
afked,
IPSWICH.
afked, " Where then was the fecurity of the de^
" pofit?" he faid, it was fo, notwithftanding, in
his mind. Being afked if he did not know, be-
fore the meeting of Cator and Wollafton, that the
former was to make a depofit ? he faid, he could
not recollect this with certainty ; he was not fure,
but believed not. He delivered in an account
current of his houfe with Cator for the 1700!. of
•which, about nool. was fpent, the reft was re-
paid to him on a draught of the 24th of May ;
the difburfement of the money was made under
the direction of Spooner. Mr. Cornwall faid,
he himfelf was no corporator.
All the expences were paid out of his fund.
In order to mew that the lawful expences of
the election, particularly the travelling charges
of the out-voters, could not require fuch a fum
as Mr. Cator placed in Cornwall's hands, the
counfel for the petitioner gave in evidence the
following account of the fituation of the voters
for him, which had been examined with the poll,
and the diftances proved ;
LIST
IPSWICH* Ht
LIST of the OUT-VOTERS for Cator, and of the
diftances of their refidence from Ipfwich.
Miles. Voters.
Refident at Harwich, diftant 11 - 37
Ditto, within - - 5 » 8
Ditto, between - - 5 & 10 - 13
Ditto _ 10 & 15 - 12
Ditto - - - 15 & 20 - 12
Ditto - - 20 & 30 - 10
Ditto - - 30 & 40 - 5
Ditto - - 40 & 50 - 4
Ditto - - 50 & 60 - i
Ditto (including London and
its environs) - 60 & 70 - 39
Ditto, between - 70 & 80 - 17
158
Voters for Cator refident at Ipfwich
Total 2 Q7
C7/
Upon the charge of corrupting the eleftors,
the facls proved were as follow :
An extenfive diftribution of money was made,
after the election, to many of the out-voters for
lofs of time, with the approbation of Mr. Cator,
out of the fum in the bankers hands ; thirteen
voters, refident in London or its neighbourhood,
who
Ill IPSWICH,
who were examined before the committee, were
paid three guineas each, immediately after the1
election ; they had all their travelling expences
paid befides ; this fum was given without enqui-
ry into their circumftances, or the profits of their
feveral employments, which were various ; fome
being capable of earning five or feven {hillings a
day, and others two millings ; they were abfent
from their bufinefs, fome four days, fome five ;
to none of them was any dire£l expectation given
of a reward for their votes ; two or three were ;
told, when canvafled by Gator's agent, Prigg,
whom he had employed to canvas and convey
voters to Ipfwich, that " they mould be fatisfied
" for lofs of time." Some of them had voted
at former elections, and had received a fimtlar
gratuity, and faid they expe6led it at this. One
man faid to the committee, " he could not tell
" what the three guineas were for, unlefs for his
vote." One, when canvafled by Gator's agent,
bargained that his fon mould go and take up his
freedom, and was afterwards paid five guineas by
the fame perfon, for himfelf and his fon, though
his fon did not vote.
The greater number of thefe thirteen did not
promiic their votes to Cator before they went to
« Ipfwich,
IPSWICH.
Ipfwich, though they travelled there at his ex-
JDence. They voted for Middleton and Cator.
Five voters, refident at Harwich, likewife gave
their evidence to the committee : thefe men, in
the fame circumftances as the others from Lon-
don, had in the fame manner received a guinea
and a half a-piece ; and it appeared that the fame
fum was given to mod of the Harwich voters.
Harwich is eleven miles diftant from Ipfwich,
and the paffage by water (their ufual way of go-
ing thither) cofts fixpence : they were abfent on
Saturday and Sunday. To all thefe Cator was a
ftranger at the time of the election, and fome of
them came to Ipfwich intending to vote for Wol-
lafton.
It was admitted by the counfel on both fides,
that Middleton and Cator had .no joint expences
in the eleciion. And it was either proved or ad-
mitted, that all the London voters generally re-
ceived three guineas a-piece after the eleciion,
out of the money depofited.
Upon the charge againft Spooner, thefe facls
appeared in evidence :
That1 he had a very extenfive influence in Ipf-
wich ; that he canvafled the town for Wollafton
and Cator, and afterwards for Cator fingly ;
wrote letters folieiting votes for him, and in par-
VOL. II. I ticular
n4
ticular to Prigg, before-mentioned, in London*,
to canvas for him and Wollafton, \vhofe bills of :
cxpenccs he paid, and to whom he gave, or fent
money to pay fame of the London voters the
three guineas ; he likewife told Prigg, that he
had given one Burney one hundred and fifty gui-
neas for paying expences. In Cator's prefence
he fent an agent to London, in order to accom-
pany the freemen to Ipfwich, and afterwards paid
him for his trouble. He gave orders at two inns
for entertaining fomc of the London voters, and
afterwards paid the bills. He paid fome of the
Harwich voters a guinea and a half for lofs of '
time ; in Cator's prefence he told one who had
voted, that he mould have three guineas when he
came to London ; and paid fevcral' bills of the !
election expences.
Being examined himfelf, he laid he had done
every thing in the election which one friend
<loesfor another; had voted for Cator, and, as a
banker, paid his draughts for the expences.
The following evidence was given of one par- •
ticular charge of bribery by Spooner.
One Reynolds, who had voted in the election %
in 1780, for Staunton and Wollafton, had been
employed at the fame time in fome election bufi-
nefs for that party, upon whom he now had a de-
mand
IPSWICHk
mandof4l. 16 s* forexpences then i ncuf fed, and
hot paid* He met Spooner at Ipfwich at this
laft election, and alked him, why this demand had
not been paid according to his (Spooner's) pro-
mife ? Spooner told him, " it mould be fettled;
" that Wollafton had declined, Cator was in his
intereft :" whereupon he went to the poll, and
voted for Cator and Middleton. Reynolds faid
in his evidence, he mould not have voted for the
Yellows, if he had not been eafy on this demand.
This man went to Ipfwich on the part of Middle-
ton, and was paid three guineas by his agent after
the election.
Uponthefe fafts, the counfel for the petitioner
agreed, That the election of Mr. Cator had been
obtained by corrupt influence, and muft be de-
clared void.
June 18. The committee determined, " That
" neither the fitting member nor the petitioner
" were duly elected, and that the laft election
<f was void as to Mr. Cator."
A new writ was accordingly iflued, and Mr.
Crickitt was unanimoufly elected.
At the laft general election in 1790. Mr.
Middleton and Mr. Crickitt were oppofed by Sir
John Hadley D'Oyley and major Rochfort. At
the clofe of the poll the numbers were, for
I 2 Sir
Sir John Hadley D'Oyley 323
C. A. Crickitt, Efq. 312
William Middleton, Efq. 299
Major Rochfort 243
By the event of this poll, the borough loft, ir*
Mr. Middleton, a reprefcritative, whofe indepen-
dence was an ornament to the Britifli fenate.
CORPORATION — By charter of Charles II. it
is governed by two bailiffs, a recorder, ten port-
men, and twenty-four common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1710, 3d February. Is
in the bailiffs, portmen, common-councilmen,
and freemen at large, not receiving alms.
1714, 31(1 March. Portmen are an cffential
conftituent part of the great court for making
freemen of the faid borough ; without fome of
which portmen being prefent, the faid court
fannot be held.
1714, ift April. A motion beingjnade, and"
the queflion being put, that the perfons voted
freemen at the pretended great courts, held in
the corporation of Ipfwich, 15 June, 7 Auguft,
25 and 28 September, 1711, without any legal
portmen then prefent, were duly made, and have
a right to vote for members to ferve in parlia-
ment for the borough of Ipfwich; it paffed in
die negative.
NUMBER
DUNWICII. liy
NUMBER or VOTERS — 623.
RETURNING OFFICERS-*— The two bailiffs.
DUNWICH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town, which
was formerly the moft considerable in the coun-
ty of Suffolk, and the fee of a bifhop, is now re-
duced to a mean village of about thirty houfes,
with only one church left, and that in part demo-
limed. It ftill, however, retains the name of a
corporation, having two bailiffs, and twelve capi-
tal burgeffes, all of whom refide in other parifh-
es, and never affemble here but upon election
purpofes, for the choice of bailiffs, or members
of parliament.
The definition of this borough was occafion-
cd by the incurfion of the fea, feven of its pari fli-
es out of eight having been deftroyed : and the
encroachment that is ftill making, will probably,
in a few years, oblige the conftituent body to be-
take themfelves to a boat, whenever the king's
writ (hall fummon them to the exercife of their
elective functions; as the neceflity of adhering
10 forms , in the farcical folemnity of borough
elections, is not to be difpenfed with.
This is one of thofe places which, with Orford,
in this county; CaftleRifing, in Norfolk; Gatton,
13 in
Il DUNWICH.
in Surrey ; Old Sarum, in Wiltfhire ; with many
others, which have fcarcely the appearance of
having ever been the feat of population, eleft a
majority of the houfe of commons, while the
towns of Birmingham, Manchefter, Sheffield,
JLeeds, Halifax, and Wolverhampton, which are
the iirft in opulence, manufacture, and popula-
tion, are as much excluded from all mare in the
legiflature of their country as Pekin or Con-
ilantinople.
The right of election in this borough (if we
may-be allowed to call it by fuch a name) is in
the freemen, inhabiting within the remains of
the borough, and not receiving alms.
CORPORATION — Confifts of two bailiffs, ancl
twelve capital burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1691, 8th and 22d De-
cember. Is not in the freemen of the faid bo-
rough, commonly called out-fitters, as well as in
the freemen inhabiting within the faid borough.
Is only in the freemen inhabiting within the
faid borough.
1795, 25th November. Is in the freemen of
the faid borough, commonly called out-fitters, as
well as in the freemen inhabiting within the faid
borough.
1708* 5th February. Is only in the freemen
inhabiting
ORFORD. ljg
inhabiting within the faid borough, not receiving,
alms.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 14.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
PATRONS — Sir Jofhua Vanneck and Mr.
JBarne.
ORFORD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The corporation of
this'borough confifts of a mayor, recorder, eight
portmen, and twelve capital burgeffes, in all
twenty- two, in whom the right of election is
veiled. The number is feldom complete, there
being fcarcely ever more than ten or twelve,
vho are chiefly compofed of the fons and rela-
tions of the earl of Hertford. It was formerly
a town of great commerce, but it is now only a
decayed village, owing to the fea having for
forne time paft, withdrawn itfelf from it. The
conftituent and reprefentative body being made
up of this nobleman's family, the ufual mode
of canvafiing is laid alide, and the election
made among themfelves without trouble or cx-
pcnce.
The earlieft account we hear of this borough
is in the reign of Hen. I. when Bartholomew
Glanville was governor. It was once the capi-
I 4 tal
12O ORFORD.
tal feat of Peter de la Valoines, and was lately
jn the pofleflion of Price Devereux, lord vif-
count Hereford, whofe executors fold it to the
right honourable the earl of Hertford, who now
poffeffes it. It had a charter, with great privi-
leges, granted to it by Rich. III. and was cer-
tainly a much larger place formerly than it is at
prefeht, as it fent three mips, and fixty-two men,
to the fiege of Calais, in the year 1359.
This town having fent to all the parliaments
in the reign of Edward I. difcontinued fending
till the reign of Hen. VIII.
CORPORATION — Confifls of a mayor, eight
portmen, and twelve capital burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1699, loth Feb. Is
in the mayor, portmen, capital burgeffes, and
freemen, of the faid borough.
1708, 29111 Jan. Is inr the mayor, portmen,
capital burgeffes and freemen, not receiving
alms.
NUMBER OE VOTERS — 12
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Earl of Hertford.
ALDBOROUGH.
( 121 ;;
ALDBOROUGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elecr
jtion was anciently in the inhabitants paying fcot
and lot within this borough; but, by the refolu-
tion'of 1709, it is confined to the bailiffs, bur-
geffes, and freemen, not receiving alms ; which
right is again further limited, by a fubfequent
refolution of 1715, omitting the wordfree?nen,
and adding that of refident, by which it is now
underftood to be in the bailiffs and burgeffes,
refident within the faid borough, and not re-
ceiving alms.
The corporation confifls of twenty-two bur-
geffes, and two bailiffs, who are the returning
officers. Mr. Crefpigny, who has the influence
of the corporation of Sudbury, is alfo patron of
this borough.
CORPORATION— Confifts of twelve fuperior,
and twelve inferior burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1709, 23d Dec. Is in
the bailiffsj burgcffes, and freemen not receiv-
ing alms.
1715, i6th June. Is in the bailiffs and bur-
geffes refident within the faid borough, and not
receiving alms ; to which the houfe difagreed.
NUMBER or VOTERS — 24.
RETURNING
122 IIJDBURY."
RETURNING OFFICERS — The two bailiffs.
PATRON— -P. C. Crefpigny, Efq.
SUDBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough has
freen for many years under the influence of the
Crefpigny family, of Hontlemam-hall, in this
county, although their intereft in the borough is
not deemed by any means fecure; it having
"been defeated in 1774, by Sir Walden Hanmer
end Sir Patrick Blake, baronets; and again, in
1784, by William Smith, Efq. of Pardon-hall,
in Eflex, and John Langfton, Efq. a banker in
J^ondon.
Mr, Smith petitioned againft the return of
Thomas Champion Crefpigny, Efq. and John
Coxe Hippefley, Efq. the prefent fitting mem-
bers, which was decided in their favour.
In the year 1774, a petition was prefented by
Sir Walden Hanmer, and Sir Patrick Blake,
againft the return of Philip Champion Cref-
pigny, and Thomas Fonnereau, Efqrs. The '.;
petition complained, that a great many legal
voters, who tendered their voices for Hanmer g
and Blake, had been rejcfted, although they had I
been for many years in poffcflion and exercife
pf their rights, to the knowledge of the mayor,
and
SUDBURY. J23
and of Fonnereau, one of the fitting members ;
that others, who were not legally qualified, had
alfo been admitted to vote for them ; that the
Fair majority of legal votes was in favour of the
Detitioners; but that William Strutt, the mayor
and returning officer, had acled partially and
corruptly, before and during the poll, and had
declared the fitting members duly elecled, and
lad returned them ; and that money was given
)y the fitting members, or their agents, by way
of bribe or reward, to perfons who voted for
:hem at the election.
Upon the hearing of the petition, it appeared,
that the corporation confiits of a mayor, recor-
der, fix aldermen, twenty-four capital burgeffes,
and an indefinite number of freemen. The
freedom in this borough is acquired by birth,
fervitude, or redemption. There have been a
few inftances of making what are called hono-
rary freemen, or faggots ; but they have never
been allowed to excrcife any franchife, as mem-
bers of the body corporate.
The point upon which the petition turned
was, the partiality of the corporation, who were
in the intereft of Mr. Crefpigny, in refuling
freemen, duly qualified by the cuftom of the
borough, to their admiflion and enrollment.
The
124 SUDBURY.
The decifion of the committee, according to
Douglas, was,
" That perfons \\Tho derived their claim to]
their freedom, from the antecedent title of:
birth, who had cxercifed all the rights of free- !
men, and that of voting for members of parlia-<
ment among the reft, for twenty years and]
upwards, before the laft election, who ha.d de-
manded to be enrolled (and offered to prove,;
that at their birth, their fathers exercifed and!
enjoyed the rights and franchifes of freemen)]
but were refufed, had a right to vote, though!
they could not produce evidence of their ad-J
miffion, enrolled upon (lamps. "
And they afterwards informed the houfc, thai {
they had determined, " That Sir Waldcn Han-S
mer, Bart, and Sir Patrick Blake, Bart, were y
duly elected, and ought to have been returned."!
The duke of Giafton takes the title of baron|j
from this place.
This being made a mayor town, and incor-p
porated by queen Mary, firft began to return
members to parliament, anno 1559, i Eliz.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
recorder, fix aldermen, and twenty-four capital
burgeflfcs, or common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, igth Jan. — The
EYE* 125
foris of freemen born after their fathers were
made free, and thofe that have ferved appren-
ticefhips in the faid borough, have a right to
vote, without an admiffion in form to their
freedom, or taking the oath of freemen.
1703, 6th Dec. Is only in the fons of free-'
men, born after their fathers were made free,
and in fuch as have ferved feven years appren-
licefhip, or are made fieemen by redemption.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 725.
PATRON— T. C. Crefpigny, Efq.
EYE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-.
tion in this borough extends to the corporation,
eonfifting of two bailiffs, a recorder, ten fupe-
rior* and twenty-four inferior burgeffcs, and to
the inhabitants paying fcot and lot.
The greateft part of the town is the property
of marquis Cornwallis, who is alfo lord of the
manor, and poffeffes the parliamentary in-
fluence.
CORPORATION — Confifts of two bailiffs, a
recorder, ten principal or fuperior, and twenty-
four inferior burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the free burgeffes
and
ST. EDMUNDSBURV.
and corporation, together with the inhabitants
paying fcot and lot.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 200.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRON — Marquis Cornwallis.
ST. EDMUXDSBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — Although this town
is the principal one in the county, both in ex-
tent, antiquity, and number of inhabitants, yet
the right of voting, as in the cities of Bath,
Winchefter, and Salifbury, and in the towns of
Andover, Banbury, Tiverton, and Dartmouth, is
confined to the corporation only. That the
privilege of returning the members mould be
placed in this fmall body of men, to the exclu-
fion of the reft of the inhabitants, is as unjuft as
it is definitive of that adequate reprefentation,
which the conftitution fuppofes the people to
poflefs.
The influence prevailing here, is that of the
duke of Grafton, whofe fervices in the caufe of
religion and liberty, as well as his known at-
tachment to a parliamentary reform, merit the
thanks of his fellow-citizens.
This place was firfl imprivileged to fci
members to parliament by king James I. who
incorporated
ST. EDMUNfiSBURY. 12^
incorporated it in the fourth year of his reign,
and by two other charters in the fixth and
twelfth years of his reign.
CORPORATION — Confifts of an alderman, re-
corder, twelve capital burgefles, and twenty-four
common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the alderman,
burgefles, and common-councilmen.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 37.
RETURNING OFFICER — The alderman,
PATRON — Duke of Grafton.
SURREY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J. HIS county is independent of abfolute
controul ; and, although it is at prefent repre-
fented by the brothers of peers, it is not under
the immediate influence of either. In the year
1775, Sir Jofeph Mawbey, bart. upon the death
of Mr. Scawen, one of their reprcfentatives,
became a candidate, in the intereft of the yeo-
mcnry. He was oppofed by the late Sir Francis
Vincent, who had the fupport of the ariftocracy,
and
SURREY:
and by the Hon. William Norton, now Lord
Grantley, who had the countenance of the ad-
miniftration of that day; but, notwithstanding
thefe powerful exertions, which were ufed againft
him, he was finally victorious. The next in-
flance that the freeholders gave of their indepen-
dance, was, in the conteft between Admiral Keppel
and the Hon. Thomas Onflow, when the former
.gentleman was returned by a majority of fix
hundred. Upon the admiral's being called up
to the houfe of lords, lord Althorp, now earl
Spencer, was chofcn in his Head. The death of
this nobleman's father occafioncd another va-
cancy for this county, when Sir Robert Clayton
was eleftcd. This gentleman however gave fo
much umbrage to the people, and became fa
unpopular, from the fupport which he gave the
coalition, that in the year 1784 the Hon. Wil-
liam Norton was the objecl of their choice, and
Sir Robert was thrown out. At the laft eleftion
there was a crofs poll; the three candidates
oppofed each other; when lord William Ruflell
and captain Finch were eleclcd by a confidera-
ble majority.
Surrey is divided into thirteen hundreds. It
lies in the province of Canterbury, and diocefe
of Winchefter, and has one hundred and forty
pari flies ;
SOUTHWARK. 129
i fries, in which are thirteen market-towns ;
Viz. Chertfcy, Croydon, Dorking, Epfom, Ewel,
Farnham, Godalming, Giiildford, Haflemcrc,
Kingftori, Ryegate, Southwark, and Woking, be-
fides two ancient boroughs, which have no
markets ; viz. Bletchingly and Gatton. It fends
fourteen members to parliament ; viz. two
knights of the mire for the county, and two
members for each of the following boroughs;
Southwark, Guildford, Ryegate, Haflcmere,
Bletchingly, and Gatton.
SOUTHWARK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER- — This borough is not
under influence in any degree, or of any kind,
ov:ing to its great population and opulence, and
the right of elecllon being vefted in the in-
habitants, housekeepers, paying fcot and lot.—
It confifts of five pariflles, St. John's, St.
Olavc's, St. Thomas's, St. George's, and St.
Saviour's. Chrift-church parifh formed a part
of this borough by the charter of Edward VI.
but owing to difufe it has loft the privilege of
voting, as well as great part of the parifh of St.
Saviour, which is called the Clink Liberty.
The parifh of Chrift-church is on the fouth-fide
of Blackfriarg-bridge, and was formerly part of
VOL. II. K the
l^O SOUTHWARK.
the parifh of St. Saviour, but has been feparated
by aft of parliament. This parilh, in conjunc-
tion with the Clink Liberty, has undoubtedly a
right to fuffra.'vs, in common with the other
parifhcs of the borough ; and it is in agitation
to petition parliament, at a future eleclion, for
a rc-eftablifhment of thofe rights which have
been loft for want of ufage. Southwark is
one of the twenty-fix wards of the city o'f
London, and is called in the city records,
the ward of Bridge Without, though it has not,
in common with the other wards of the city,
the eleclion either of an alderman, or common
council; the former being chofen by the court
of aldermen, from amongft fuch of that body as
have ferved the office of lord-mayor; and the
choice ufually falls upon the fenior.
The inhabitants have lately petitioned the
corporation of London, for the fame liberty
'which is exercifed by all the other wards, of
electing their own aldermen and common-coun-
cil; and as the city of London have lately ob-
tained a decifion, in the court of Common
Pleas, which confirms to them the privilege of
an exclufive jurifdi6lion over this borough, it is
preliimcd that this ancient right will be ex-
tended to them: a right which has its foun-
dation
SOUTHWARD. igi
dation in juftice, and which ought to be a
leading feature in every conftitution which has
for its obje&the liberty, fecurity, and profperity
of the community at large.
The borough of Southwark was governed by
its own bailiff, till the year 1327, when the city
of London finding great inconvenience from the
efcape of the malefaclors thither, out of the
reach and cognizance of the city magiftrates,
obtained a grant, by which the mayor of Lon-
don was conftituted bailiff of Southwark, and
impowered to govern it by his deputy. How-
ever, the inhabitants, fome time after, recovered
their former privileges, which they enjoyed till
King Edward VI. granted Southwark to the
city of London, for the fum of 647!. 2s. id.;
and about a month after the pafling of this
patent, Southwark was made one of the city
wards, named Bridge Ward Without, in confi-
deration of the city's paying to the crown an
additional fum of 500 marks ; upon which, the
number of aldermen was increafed from twenty-
five to twenty-fix, a new one being chofen to
govern that borough. Hence Southwark has
ever fince been confidered as fubjeft to the
lord-mayor, who has under him a fteward and
bailiff, the former of whom regularly holds a
K 2 court
13$ SOUTHWARK.
court of record, in the hall, on St. Margaret's
Hill, for all debts, damages, and'trcfpaffes within
his limits ; and the lord-mayor proclaims a
fair, held at Southwark, on the igth of Sep-
tember.
It is divided into two parts ; the Borough
Liberty, in which the lord-mayor's Reward or
bailiff holds the above courts; and the Clink,
or Manor of Southwark, which is fubdividcd
into the Great Liberty, the Guildhall, and the ,
King's Manor; for each of which fubdivifions a
court-leet is held, where the conflablcs, ale-
conners, and flefh-tafters, are chofen, and other
bufinefs tranfafted. The Clink Liberty is un-
der the jurifdi&ion of the bifhop of Winchefter,
who, befides a court-lect, keeps a court of
record here, by his fteward and bailiff, for pleas
of debt, damages, and trefpaffes. Court-lect*
are alfo kept at Bermondfey and Rotherhithe.
The military government of Southwark is
under the lord-lieutenant of the county of Sur-
rey, and eleven deputy-lieutenants.
Oppofitc the weft end of St. George's church
was anciently a magnificent ftrufture, belonging
to -the duke of Suffolk, which coming to Henry
VIII. he creeled a mint in* it for the coining of
money ; it being afterwards pulled down and con-
verted
SOUTHWARK. 133
verted into ftreets, they dill retained the name ;
and it being a privileged place, it became a har-
bour for bankrupts and debtors, to which they
fled, in order to defraud their creditors.
Though the privilege of this place was taken
away in the reign of William III. they ftill kept
their (ladon, in defiance of the laws, and of the
civil power, till an a6l of parliament was made, in
the latter end of the reign of king George I.
which obliged them to difperfe.
In this borough were anciently a number of
brothels, called the Stews, fituated on the Bank-
fide, Southwark, and licenfed by the bifliop of
\Vinchefter. At firft there were eighteen of
thefe houfes, but afterwards twelve were only al-
lowed. They ftood in a row, and had figns on
their fronts facing the Thames, which were not
nung out, but painted on the walls ; as the Car-
dinal's Hat, the Crofs Keys, the Bell, the Cattle,
the Swan, the Boar's Head, &c. Thefe houfes
\vere under very {trie! regulations, confirmed by
a£l of parliament in the reign of Henry II. which
ivere to be obferved, under the penalty of fufFer-
ng great pains and punifhments. No fingle wo-
•nan, defirous of forfaking her fins, was to be
•tept againft her will; and every lewd woman
,vas forbidden the rites of the church, and deni-
K 3 ed
134 BLETCHINGLY.
ed Chriftian burial, if fhe was not reconciled to
the church before her death. Hence there was
a plot of ground, termed the fingle woman's
church-yard, appointed for thefe lewd women, at
a diftance from the parifh-church. Thefe lewd
houfes were put down by order of King Henry
VIII. in the year 1546, when it was proclaimed,
by found of trumpet, that the (lews mould be no
longer privileged and ufed as common brothels.
CORPORATION — It is under the jurifdiclion of
the corporation of London.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, 10 Nov. Is only
in the inhabitants thereof paying fcot and lot.
1714, 29 June. " That the perfons inhabiting
in the Mint, or rules of the Queen's-Bench, in
the borough of Southwark, and paying a rent of
ten pounds per annum, or upwards, have not a
right to vote, though they do pay fcot and lot
within the faid borough."
It pafled in the negative.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff,
DUMBER OF% VOTERS — 1900.
BLETCHINGLY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, which
confifts of about fixty fmall houfes, is a propel
companion to Gatton, from which it is not more
tha)
RYECATE. 135
than three miles diftant. The right of voting is
burfT'ige-tenure, and the lord of the manor's bai-
liff was the returning officer; but by the laft
refolution of the houfe of commons, in 1723, he
was deprived of that office ; and the borough has
now the Mm -<il -rhy of fending two members to
parliament, without a mayor, conftablc, or any
other legal officer, who can claim the exclufive
exercife of that authority. We have feveral in-
ftances of boroughs without electors, but this is
the only one that prefents itfelf without a return-
ing officer.
Sir Robert Clayton is fole proprietor of the
majority of burgage-tenures, and of courfe-has
the appointment of the reprefcntatives.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the borough-hol-
ders only, without the bailiff.
RETURNING OFFICER — None.
NUMBER OF VOTERS.
The number of burgage-holds are 90, but are
all the property of an individual.
PROPRIETOR — Sir Robert Clayton.
RYEGATE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of voting
is in the freeholders of the borough. The earl
of Hardwicke and lord Somers have bought up
K all
136 CUILDFORD.
all the freeholds in it, each of whom appoints an
attorney in the town as their agents, as well in
elections as other bufinefs. The property being
nearly equally divided between thefe two noble-
men, each procures the return of one member
for a near relation or a particular friend. The
former nobleman's brother, the Hon. Jofeph
Sydney Yorke, and the latter's fon, the Hon. John
Somers Cocks, are the prefent members. This
circumflance alone is fufficient to prove where,
and in what degree, influence and authority pre-
vail here, and how far the electors are fuffered to
exercife their judgment and their choice in the
election of their representatives.
RIGHT OF ELECTION-— In the freeholders.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 200 freeholds;
now the property of the earl qf Hard wi eke ancj
lord Somers.
PROPRIETORS — Earl of Hardwicke and lord
Somers.
GU1LDFORD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough is of a very peculiar kind, and
differs from all others in the kingdom, being in
the
GUILDFORD. 137
the freemen and freeholders paying fcot and lot,
and refident in the town.
The majority of the freeholds are the property
of lord Onflow and lord Grantley, and the num-
ber of voters not exceeding one hundred. They
have been confidered for fome years pad to have
had the nomination of its members, until the laft
general election, when Mr. Sumner'oppofed the
brother of the latter, and was fuccefsful only by
a majority of three votes ; but it is fuppofed that,
at a future election, lord Grantley will regain
his former intereft. The corporation of this
town, which confifts of a mayor, recorder, feven
aldermen, and an indefinite number of bailiffs, is
in the intereft of lord Onflow, who has very li-
berally provided for feveral of them in different
departments under government. This place,
like Cirencefter, Shrewfbury, Lewes, &c. &c. is
not more than half of it within the limits of the
borough.
This being the county-town, the affizes are
frequently held here, and always the eleclion for
knights of the mire.
This borough fent members to parliament
23 Ed. I.
CORPORATION — By charter of Henry VIII. it
is
13 CATIONS
is governed by a mayor, feven magiflrates, and
fixteen bailiffs.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1699, 24 April. Is
Only in the freemen and freeholders paying fcot
and lot, and refident in the town:
1710, 3 Feb. It, was agreed that one who
had fervcd feven years to a freeman, was, ipfo
JaRoy a freeman.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 120.
PATRONS — Lord Onflow and lord Grant! cy.
GAXTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, which
now confifts only of two houfes, was the pro-
perty of the unfortunate Sir George Cole-
brooke : at the time of his failure, it was fold
by the afllgnees, under his commiflion, to lord
Ncwhaven, who afterwards difpofed of it to
Meffrs. Percy and Graham. Since the year
1786, it has been purchafed and re-purchafed by
three or four different perfons, and is now the
property of William Currie, Efq. one of its
prefent members, and Robert Ladbrokc, Efq.
•who obtained poflefnon of it, at an expence of
fevcnty-four thoufand pounds. The returning
oiliccr
CATTON. 139
officer is the conftable appointed at the court-
leet of the two proprietors. In this cafe, the
conftituent and reprefentative body, who are
the fame in number, may alfo poflibly be the
fame perfons, as they would have the power to
cleft each other. This, among many others, is
a ftriking inftance of the prefent fallacious and
inadequate ftate of reprefentation, and mews the
indifpenfable neceflity of applying fome imme-
diate remedy to an evil of fuch an enormous
magnitude.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1628, 26 March. Is
in the inhabitants ; and the return made by
them being adjudged good, was (by the then
petitioner) infilled to be in the inhabitants not
receiving alms, and in the freeholders having
fuch freehold in their own occupation.
1696, December 15. Was (by the then fit-
ting member) infifted to be in the freeholders
and inhabitants paying fcot and lot ; and he was
adjudged duly elected.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's conftable.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 2.
PROPRIETORS — Robert Ladbroke, Efq. and
William Currie, Efcj.
HASLEMERE.
HASLEMERE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-
tion here is in the freeholders of mefluages,
lands, or tenements, lying within the borough
and manor of Haflemere. Thefe freeholds, in
which the right is vefted, were formerly the
property of the families of Oglethorpe and
Molyneux ; of whom they were purchafed by
Mr. Chandler, an attorney of Guildford, who
fold them to the earl of Lonfdale, the prefent
proprietor of the borough.
There exifts however here, as in mod other
boroughs, a difputed right, between what is
called the (hort, and long poll. The firft con-
fifts of fifty-two votes, and the latter of fixty-
two. The laft ten votes arofe originally from
fplitting one or two freeholds into twelve, and
are deemed doubtful votes.
The right of eletlion is not in fuch freeholds
as vote at a county election, but in fuch as pay
a part of the fum of twelve JJi tilings and one penny
three farthings burgage rent, per annum, to the
earl of Lonfdale, lord of the manor and bo-
rough. This arbitrary and ridiculous limita-
tion of right, has been the caufe of litigation,
and
(
I1ASLEMERE. 1^1
and produced the refolution of April 24,
»755-
A fecond petition of William Burke, Efq. and
Henry Kelly, Efq. was tried by a committee of
the houfe of commons, in 1775, againft the return
of Thomas More Molyncux, Efq. and Sir Mer-
rick Burrel, bart. The complaint was then
againft fplitting and dividing freeholds, when the
committee determined in favour of the fitting
members.
Lord Lonfdale has, however, prevented the
neceflity of future litigation, by a purchafe of
the whole, and attaching this borough to his
parliamentary intereft.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1661, May 20. The
inhabitant freeholders in the borough have onlv
o
votes in elections.
1698, Feb. 9. Was agreed to be in the free-
holders refidcnt within the borough.
1755, April 24. In the determination of
1661, by the word "freeholders" is r'eant only
freeholders of mefluages, lands, or tenements,
lying within the borough and manor of Hafle-
mere, whether the fame pay to the lord of the
faid borough and manor or not, exclufive of
any lands or tenements which are, or have
been, parcel of the wafte ground of the faid
borough
j£2 HASLEMEftE.
borough and manor, or any mefluages of
buildings, which are- or fhall be {landing, or
being thereon.
1713, March 3 and 4. Petition of Mr. Ogle-
thorpe rejeded, for not being figned by himfelf.
The like relating to Wigan..
RETURNING OFFICER— The bailiff, who is
annually chofcn at the lord's leet.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 52.
PROPRIETOR — Earl of Lonfdale.
SUSSEX.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county was confidered formerly as en-
tirely under the influence of ariftocracy ; but
the contrary to this was evinced in 1774. The
independent part of the county, being at that
time much diflatisfied with the conduci of admi-
niftration, in attempting to procure a return for
a candidate of their own nomination, contrary
to the wifhes of the people, exerted themfelves
in fuch a manner as convinced them that their
unanimity and abilities, when called forth into
aclion, would, when fimilar encroachments were
made,
SUSSEX. 143,
made upon their rights, be equally certain, as
well as deferving, of fimilar fuccefs.
They entered into voluntary fubfcriptions,
for the fupport of their caufe, and propofed Sir
Thomas Spencer Wilfon, Bart, in oppofition
to Sir James Peachy, the court candidate. The
conteft was carried on with unabating diligence
and vigour on both fides, for a continuation of
twenty-eight days ; when a great majority was
declared in favour of Sir Thomas Spencer Wil-
fon, in whofe perfon the honeft and independent
yeomen of the county obtained an entire and
complete viclory over the mandates of minifte-
rial defpotifm. There is, however, much arifto-
cratical influence prevailing here^ arifing from
the refidencies and eflates of the duke of Rich-
mond and duke of Dorfet, the earl of Afhburn-
ham, earl of Abergavenny, the earl of Egremont,
and lord Pelham. There has been no conteft-
ed cle&ion for this county fmcc 1774. The
reprefcntation at prefent is divided; the Right
Hon. Thomas Pelham voting uniformly with
the oppofition, and Charles Lenox, Efq. with
adminiftration.
Suflex is divided into fix rapes, which are
general divifions peculiar to this county; and
each of thefe rapes is faid to have anciently had
its
144 SUSSEX".
its particular river, foreft, and cattle. Theft
rapes are fubdivided into fixty-five hun-
dreds; in which are contained one city, fixteen
market-towns, and two ancient boroughs, which
are ancient corporations, but have no mar-
ket. Thefe are the city of Chichefter, with
the market-towns of Arundel, Battel, Bright-
helmftone, Cuckfield, Eaft Grinflead, Haftings,
Hailfham, Horfham, Lewes, Midhurft, Pet-
worth, Rye, New Shoreham, Steyning, Ter-
Hng, and Winchelfea, with the boroughs of
Bramber and Seaford, that have no markets.
It is feated in the province of Canterbury,
and diocefe of Chichefter, contains three
hundred and forty-two parimes, and fends
twenty-eight members to parliament; namely,
two representatives for the county, two citizens
for the city of Chichefter, two burgefies for
each of the following boroughs, Lewes, Hor-
fham, New Shoreham, Midhurft, Arundel, Eaft
Grinftead, Steyning, Bramber, and two barons
for each of the cinque-ports of Rye, Haftings,
Winchelfea, and Seaford.
CHICHESTER,
( 145 )
CHICHESTER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER— This city was many
years under the dictation of the duke of Rich-
mond, whofe political interference was fubmit-
ted to with much reluctance by the electors.
Upon the death of General Keppel, in 1782, an
attempt was made to oppofe the duke's nomina-
tion of the Hon. Percy Windham, brother to
the earl of Egremont, but without fuccefs.
Mr. Brian Edwards, who was the candidate in
oppofition to Mr. Windham, however, loft his
election, by being in a minority of only eight
votes. At the enfuing general election of 1784,
the independent ele&orj triumphed in the
choice of George White Thomas, Efq. one of
the prefent reprefentatives ; and, at the lafl
diflblution of parliament, in 1790, the^fcecame
powerful enough to carry both the members.
Mr. Steele, the reprefentative of the duke of
Richmond's intcrcft, attempted to divide the
phalanx of uninfluenced electors, by canvafling
upon his own interejl, without the appearance of
ariftocratical fupport i but this was found to be
too infignificant, even to countenance the ma-
noeuvre. The friends of Mr. Thomas, who
were now become a decifive majority of the in-
VOL. II. L habitants,
146
habitants, for the fake of preferving the peace
and harmony of the city, and to avoid thofc
ruinous expences which generally attend a con-
teft with influence and'power, made a voluntary
cfffer of admitting the duke of Richmond to re-
jcornmend one of the members, if he would en-
gage to leave the other to their own choice.
-This offef was accepted by his grace: and Mr.
tSteete published a letter difcla-iming all preten-
.fions to the honour he afpired at, upon the
• foundation of his own merits, arid mqdeftly ac-
iJkno'wledged his gratitude to thofe of a fuperior
-fourcc.
The corporation are all in the intereft of the
duke of Richmond, who is high Reward; and
his brother, lord George Henry Lenox, is one of
Jlh'e aldermen.
COM*KATION^- By charter of king James II.
it is governed by a mayor, recorder, and 38
common-couneilmen.
RIGHT or L LECTION — In the inhabitants pay-
ing fcot and lot,
RKTLTRNINO OFFICER — The mayor.
NUMBER OF VOTKRS — 620.
PATRON— -Duke of Richmond, partially.
HORSHAM.
147
HORSHAM.
POLITICAL CHAR ACT ER-^-This town is amOfig
the firft in the county in trade and number of
inhabitants ; but the right of eleclion here, as
in many other towns of much larger extent in
this country, is exclufively in the bufgage-
holders. 3 The number of thefe biirgage-holds
is twenty-five, fourteen of which are the proper-
ty of lady Irvine, and eleven are the duke of
Norfolk's. At the laft general election, Timo-
thy Shelley, Efq. and Wilfon Braddyll, Efq.
were candidates in the duke's intereft, and lord
William Gordon, and James Baillie, Efq. were
fupported by lady Irvine. The numbers on the
poll were,
For Timothy Shelley, Efq. 25
Wilfon Braddyll, Efq. 24
Lord William Gordon 20
James Baillie, Efq. 9
In cdnfequence of which the two former were
feturncd. jrfT _ ^3^
Lord William Gordon and Mr. Baillie prer.
..fentcd a petition to the houfe of commons ; the
merits of which being tried in the late feffion,
before a committee of the whole houfe, the
petitioners were declared to be duly elecled,
L 2 and
148 MIDHURST.
and ought to have been returned ; and they ac*
cordingly took their feats.
The votes allowed to be legal by the commit-
tee were,
For Lord William Gordon 15
James Baillie, Efq. 14
Timothy Shelley, Efq. 10
Wilfon Braddyll, Efq. 9
The two bailiffs, who are the returning of-
ficers, are annually, chofen at the court-leet of
the duke of Norfolk, who is lord of the manor.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1715* 16 June. Is in
all fuch perfons as have an eftate of inheritance,
or for life, in burgage-houfes or burgage-lands,
lying within the faid borough.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twenty-five.
PROPRIETORS — Duke of Norfolk, and lady
vifcountefs Irvine.
MIDHURST.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This is a borough,
which has the privilege of fending two members
to parliament, although there is not a fingle houfe
{landing within the limits of it. The right of
election is in one hundred and twenty burgage- •
holds, the fituation of which is diftinftly marked!
at;
MIDHURST.
at prefent by the pofition of a large ftone upon
each of them. There is no part of the town of
Midhurft built upon thefe tenures; they were
the property of the" late lord vifcount Montagu,
who made, at the time of an ele&ion, a tempora-
ry aflignment of a part of them, either to fome of
his domeftics or particular friends, for the pur-
pofe of having thofe members returned that he
fhould nominate. The truftees of the eftates of
the prefent lord fold thefe burgage-holds to the
earl of Egremont, for forty thoufand guineas ;
whofe brothers were returned for this borough at
the laft general election. How can thefe gentle-
men be called reprefentatives, when there is not
fo much as one folitary individual exifting with-
in the precincls of the place, to make a conftitu-
ent body ? If the voice of the nation is only to
be heard in the houfe of commons, how can that
poffibly happen, unlefs it be its real reprefenta-
tives ? And whether we are governed contrary to
our inclinations, or by perfons to whom we have
given no fuch commiffion, we are equally an en-
flaved people. The above inftance is a fufficient
conviction of the mockery of our representation,
and of the want of fome immediate radical cure
for fo great an evil.
L 3 RIGHT
LEWES.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders*
RETURNING OFFICERS — The fteward and bai-
liff.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — One.
PROPRIETOR — The earl of Egremont.
LEWES.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town was never
incorporated ; and the right of voting here is in
the inhabitants houfekeepers paying fcot and lot.
This borough was formerly under the abfolute
controul of the late duke of Newcaftle. This
influence his grace acquired from the weight of
property which he pofieffed here, and from the
distribution of employments under government,
of which he was at that time fole manager. In
1768, the late Colonel Hay, of Glynde Bourne,
near this town, was recommended by the duke,
as one of the candidates for its reprefentation ;
in confequence of which he obtained from the
voters a promife of their fuffrages. Immediately
after this tranfaclion, the duke thought proper
to countermand his former recommendation, and
accordingly withdrew his fan£lion from Colonel
Iliiy, and gave it to Sir Thomas Miller. The
people however thought themfclves bound in ho-,
fipur to abide by their promifes : and Colonel
Hay,
- 15$
Hay, conceiving himfelf ill treated in the bufiw
nefs, refolved to ftand the poll. Upon the day
of eleclion, he was firmly fupported by his friends,
who gave him fixty fingle votes, and obtained for
him fo great a majority over his opponent, as to
make him finally fuccefsful. In 1780 there was
a crofs poll, when the Hon. Henry Pelham, Co-
lonel Hay, and Thomas Kemp, Efq. of this bo--
rough, were candidates, each of whom flood upJ
on his own feparate intereft. In this conteft Mr.
Hay was unfuccefsful ; and Mr. Kemp was return-
ed by the intereft which had always fhewn itfelf
hoftile to that of Lord Pelham. In 1784 Sir?
Henry Blackman, Knt. was put in nomination,
to reprefent this town, by the famous Mr. Har-
ben, of upflart notoriety, who, notwithftanding
this profeifion of friendfhip, on the day of elee-4
tion deferred and cruelly betrayed him : upon
which Sir Henry reprcfented to the people the
fituation into which he had been led by the arti-
fices of this man, in fo pathetic and convincing
a manner, that Mr. Harben was obliged inftaittly
to quit the hall, amidft the hiffes and execrations
of his fellow townfmen.
At the laft general eleclion there was an union
between the leading men in the independent par*
ty, and thofe in the imcrcft of Lord Pelhami
L 4 which
SHOREHAM.
which Mr. Shelly, who was countenanced by acU
miniftration, oppofed.
At the clofe of the poll the numbers were,
For the Hon. Henry Pelham — 154
Thomas Kemp, Efq. — 149
Henry Shelly, jun. Efq. — 88
Mr. Kemp, when he firft offered himfelf a can-
didate, agreeable to the principles of the conftU
tution, pledged himfelf to the electors, as the late
alderman Bull did to the city of London, that he
would accept of neither place, penfion, gratuity,
nor reward of any kind from any adminiftration,
V7hile he mould have the honour of reprefenting
them in parliament.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1735, 8 May. Is in the
inhabitants, being houfeholders, paying fcot and
lot.
Agreed to by the houfe, ncm. con.
RETURNING OTFICERS — The conflables.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About two hundred and
forty.
PATRON — Lord Pelham, partially.
SHOREHAM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough has
rendered itfelf more confpicuous than moll
others, by a remarkable fcene of corruption,
which
SHOREHAM. 153
which v/as brought to light before a committee
in the houfe of commons, in the year 1771. The
returning officer had returned a candidate with
only 37 votes, in prejudice to another v/ho had
87 ; of which he had queried 76, and made his
return without examining the validity of the
votes he had fo queried.
It appeared, from the defence made by the of-
ficer, that a majority of freemen of that borough
had formed themfelves into a fociety, under the
name of the Chriftian Club ; the apparent ends
of which inftitution were to promote afts of cha-
rity and benevolence, and to anfwer fuch olker
purpofcs as were fuitable to the import of its
name. Under this fanclion of piety and religion,
and the cover of occr.fional acls of charity, they
profaned that facred name, by making it a cloak
for carrying on the worft purpofes ; making a
traffic of their oaths and confciences, and fetting
their borough to fale to the higheft bidder ; while
the reft of the freemen were deprived of every
legal benefit from their votes.
The members of this fociety were bound to
fecrecy, and to each other, by oaths, writings,
bonds with large penalties, and all the ties that
could ftrengthen their compact ; and carried on
ihis traffic by the means of a felect committee,
who,
*54 SHOREHAM.
•who, under pretence of- Temples of r.onfcience,-
nev.er appeared or voted at any elections them-
felves; but, having notwithftanding fold the bo-
rough, and received the ftipulated price, they
gave directions to the reft how to vote; and by
this complicated .evafion, the employers and their
agents, having fully fatisfied their consciences,
ftiared the money as foon as the election was
over, without any fcruple.
The returning officer had belonged to this fo-
ciety ; and having taken fome difguft to his affo-
ciates, he quitted the party. The majority of le-
gal voters which he objected to, was, he laid, in.
part owing to his experimental knowledge of their
corruption, and partly founded upon fcvcral im-r
proper acts which had come within his knowledge
as magiftrate upon the late election ; particular-;
!y an affidavit of a very confidcrable fum of mo-
ney which had been diftributed among them.
Upon thefe grounds, though they had the hardi-
nefs to take the oath againfl bribery and corrnp-
tion, he looked upon them as di (qualified ; and
having, bcu'cles, taken the opinion of counf^l,
which, it fecms, coincided with his own, he re-
turned the candidate who had the finaller number
pf votes, a - : •(• free from thefe obji&iorrs.
:;i thefe principles, and his not acting in*
SHORE HAM,
Ccntionally wrong, the officer reded his plea of
juflification for the illegality of his conduft. As
the affumption of fuch an aft of power by a re-
turning officer, upon whatever principle it was
founded, would, however, have been a precedent
of the moft dangerous tendency, he was accord-
ingly taken into cuflody ; but, in confide/ation
of the circumftances in his favour, and of his
bringing fo infamous a combination to light, he
was difcharged, after receiving a reprimand, up-
on his kne^s, from the fpeaker, in theprefence of
the houfe,
As this combination was of too flagrant a na»
ture to be overlooked, and the felecl committee^
had not power to proceed any further in it, they
reported the whole matter to the houfe, and mov-
^d, that they would make a further inquiry into
it. Though this met with an oppofition from
fome of thole who, having no good wifhes for the
late acl for regulating the trial of controverted
cle&ions, were glad of fo early an opportunity to
point out its inefficacy, and depreciate its merits ;
yet the general excellency of that law, notwith-
(landing any of its prefent deficiencies, which
every day's experience would give new opportu-
nities of fupplying, carried with it fuch conviction
as to be already well underftood; and the moti-
on
156 SHOREHAM.
on for an inquiry was carried through without a
divifion.
The allegations made by the returning officer
having been as fully proved, in the courfe of this
inquiry, as the nature of the cafe would admit,
r,nd entirely to the fatisfaclion of the houfe, a bill
v/as at length brought in, to incapacitate 81 free-
men of Shorcham, by name, from voting at
•ele6tions of members to ferve in parliament, and
for the preventing bribery and corruption in that
borough ; and at the Tame time an addrefs was
ordered, for the attorney-general to profecute
the five members of the Chriftian Club who com-
pofed the committee which tranfa£led the bar-
gain, as to the fale of the borough at the laft
election.
The different tranfa&ions, however, confc-
qucnt of this fubjecl, ran through the whole fef-
fion ; and it was not till the laft day of it that
the bill received the royal alfent. The members
of the club were heard by counfel againft it.
Many doubts' alfo arofe as to the mode ofpunifh-
ment. It was propofed to disfranchife the bo-
rough ; this, however, was thought too dangerous
a precedent: others thought that the culprits
ihould be left to the puniflinient of the law ; but,
though there was a clear conviclion of their guilt,
it
SHOREHAM.
it uas a matter of fuch a nature, as made the efla-
blifhments of legal evidence very difficult; and
if they efcaped vithout fome firnal mar!-, of re-
probation, it v/ould be an encouragement to the
mor. barefaced corruption, when the v.'hole king-
dom far/ that it could be done -with impunity.
The 11 tli Geo. III. cap. 55, recites, in the pre-
amble, that, " V7hereas a tricked and corrupt
fociety, calling itfelf the Chriftian Society, hath,
for feveral year^, fubfifted in the borough of I^ev/
Shoreham, in the county of Suflex, and confided
of a great majority of perfons having a right to
vote at elections of members to fervc in parlia-
ment for the faid borough ; and vhereas it ap-
pears, that the chief end of the inftitution of the
faid fociety, V.T., for the purpofe of felling, from
time to time, the feat or fc.it.- in parliament for
the faid born-. '•-•'- : and v.'hercas John Burnett,
Charles Hannington, Thorn:- Ilafelgrove, Ralph
Moor, Thorn? s Parfonj-, ThoM-.«.s Snook, junior,
Thomas liannirgton, John Hannington, John
Robinfon, William Cheefman, George Browne,
John Parfons John Curl, Frederick Dean, V.ril-
liam Dean, Samuel Tuppen, John Sawyers, Tho-
mas Crowter, Thomas Pockncy, Jofcph Dedman,
John Dean, John \Vhiting, V.'illiam Stevens,
John Bawcomb, Robert Parker, John Hogsflefh,
John
John Pur-fc, John Dean, Thomas Jennings, jonrl'
Snook, junior, Richard Tilftone, William Turner,
Walter Sawyers, Charles Mitchell, John Jarmand,
John Wood, Friend Daniel, William Gratwickj
Nathaniel Hillrhan, Thomas Roberts, John Am-
man, William Cooter. Thomas Froft, Michael
Smith, Richard Carver, Michael Durrant, Eme-
ry Churcher, Walter Broad, Richard Stoneham,
James Bennett, Clement Freeman, William Jupp,
Thomas Crowter, John Barnard, James Mitchell,
James Millar, other wife Miller, William Newn^
ham, Jeffery Carver, Randall Button, James
Carver, John Martin, John Dedman, fenior,
William Jennings, William Hards, Thomas Gear,
William Rufbridge, Henry Robinfon, and Henry
Hannington, were members of the faid fociety:
in order therefore, to prevent fuch unlawful prac-
tices for the future, and that the faid borough
from henceforth be duly reprefented in parlia-
ment, be it enafted, that the faid parties fhall be,
and by virtue of this aft ai ••% from henceforth,
incapacitated, and difabled from giving any vote
at any election for choofing a member or mem-
bers to fcrve in parliament. It is alfo enacted,
That from henceforth it mail and may be lawful
to and for every freeholder, being above the age
of one-and-twenty years, who (hall have, within
the
SHOREIIAM.
the raj^'of Bramber, in the faid county of Suf-
fex, a/reehold of the clear yearly value of forty
{hillings, to give his vote at every election of a
burgefs or burgefles to ferve in parliament for
the faid borough of New Shoreham.
" And it is further enacted, That the right of
election of a member or members to ferve in par-
liament for the faid borough of New Shoreham
•fhall be, and is hereby declared to be, in fuch
freeholders as aforefaid, and in the perfons who,
by the cuftom and ufage of the faid borough,
'have, or mail hereafter have, a right to vote at
fuch eleBion ; thofe whofe names are mentioned
herein, and incapacitated and difabled by this act,
only excepted : and the conflable, or other pro-
per officer for the time being, to whom the re-
turn of fuch writ or precept does belong, is here-
by required to return the perfon or perfons, to
ferve in parliament for the faid borough, who
(hall have the major number of vot^s of fuch
freeholders and other perfons having a right to
vote at fuch election (except fuch perfons as are
herein before excepted) ; any law or ufage to the
contrary notwithftanding."
The right of election being now extended by
the above act to about twelve hundred freehol-
ders of the rape of Bramber, the arts of corrup-
tion
BRAMBER*
tion have been defeated; the borough has fince
been reprefented by independent country gentle-
men, and every election has been conducted with
confiitutional decorum. The practical experi-
ment that has been tried here, and at Cricklade,
of the advantages which would attend a parlia-
mentary reform, or even a fimilar disfranchife-
ment of the corrupt and decayed boroughs, is a
complete refutation of every objection that has
been urged againft that important meafure.
BRIGHT OF ELECTION 11 GeO. III. C. 3, } 6.
(To be publicly read before they proceed to elettion)
Is in fuch freeholders, and in the perfons who,,
by the cuftom and ufage of the faid borough, had
a right to vote at fuch election (fixty-nine peM
fons in this aft particularly named, freeholders
of the faid borough, always and only excepted).
RETURN IXG OFFICERS — The conftables.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 1200.
BRAMBER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, which
confifts of fix-and-thirty miferable thatched cot-
tages, is compofed of two interfe&ions of a ftreet,
the upper and middle parts of which conftitute
the borough of Steyning. The Duke of Norfolk
is lord of the manor in both places j and the con-
ftables,
BRAMBER; l£l
(tables, who are the returning officers in each
borough, are chofen at his courts-leet ; but the
fix-and-thirty cottages, which are burgage-holds,
and give the right of voting to the tenants, are
one half of them the property of the duke of
Rutlanjd, and the other of Sir Henry Gough Cal-
thorpe, Bart, who, fince the year 1786, have each
agreed to fend one member*
In 1786 there was«a conteft between the two
proprietors of this borough ; when a tenant of
one of thcfc miferable cottages had the fortitude
and integrity to refift the offer of a thoufand
pounds to influence his apoftafy ; and we are
happy to have it in our power to add, that this
fad is authenticated by unimpeachable authority.
From the year 1298 to 1472 this borough was
joined with Steyning in the writs for electing
burgeifes to fcrve in parliament ; fince which
time they have elected as different boroughs.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1703, 18 Jan. 10 Mar.
1715, i June. Is in the perfons inhabiting
houfes built on ancient foundations, paying fcot
and lot.
RETURNING OFFICER — The conftable.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 36.
PROPRIETORS — Duke of Rutland, and Sir
Henry Gough Calthorpe, Bart.
VOL. II. M STEYNING.
( 162 )
STEYNING.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, toge-
ther with that of Bramber, confifts of one ftreet,
not more than two thirds as large as Grub-ftreet
in London ; but constituting two boroughs, with a
right of fending four members to parliament! !!
They formerly elecled in conjunction, and inter-
mitted till 31 Henry VI. One part of Bramber
is in the centre of the borough of Steyning, and
a part of Steyning interfecls Bramber in like
manner. Inveloped in the dark cloud of legal
quibble and intricacy, they prefent us, like all
the rotten boroughs, with a finifhed pifturc of
political deformity; irregular in their diftricls,
unintelligible in their conftitutions, indefinite in
their rights, corrupt in the excrcife of their func-
tions, contradictory in their refpc&ive organiza-
tions, and adverfe to the ancient cftablifhed prin-
ciples of the conftitution, and the rights of men.
The right of election has been the fubjcft of
litigation in this place for near a century, and
has lately received a final dccifion from a com-
mittee conftituted under the authority of 28 Geo.
III. to determine the fame, upon an appeal from
a contrary determination the preceding year.
In 1701 the right was determined to be in the
inhabitants
StEYNING* 163
inhabitants paying fcot and lot, and not receiv-
ing alms ;
In 1710, to be in the conftables and houfehol-
ders (inhabitants) paying fcot and lot •
In 1791, to be in the inhabitants of ancient
houfes, and houfes built on the fcites of ancient
foundations, within the borough of Steyning,
being houfeholders, paying fcot and lot, and not
receiving alms.
In 1792, the f cleft committee appointed to try
and determine the merits of the petition of James
Martin Lloyd, Efq. and others, refolved,
That no perfon has a right to vote at an
election for members to ferve in parliament for
the borough of Steyning, in refpecl of any houfes
•within the borough of Bramber, the tything of
Bidlington, or the manors of Charlton or King's
Barns.
The faid feleft committee, at the fame time,
alfo determined,
That the right of election of members to ferve
in parliament for the borough of Steyning, in the
county of Suffcx, is in the conftable and houfe-
holders, inhabitants within the faid borough,
paying fcot and lot, and not receiving alms.
The houfes built on ancient foundations are all
the property of Sir John Honey wood; the reft
M 2 belong
164 STfEYNIXG.
belong to the duke of Norfolk : and as thofe of
a general defcription are more numerous, the
refolution of 1792, repealing that of 1791,
changes the patron, and gives that influence to
the duke of Norfolk, which the former gave to
Sir John Honeywood.
The refolution of 1791 oufted Henry Howard,
Efq. the prefent member for Arundel, who had
a majority of the houfeholders paying fcot and
lot, and declared John Curtis, Efq. who had
only the votes ofthofe perfons who inhabited;
houfcs built on ancient foundations, duly elected. •
The refolution of 1792 eftablifhed the right j
of the houfeholders, and confcquently repealed j
the refolution of the former year.
Thefe contradictory refolutions have been
productive of the fame parliamentary incon-'
iiftency which di&inguifhed the borough ofj
Saltafh in the laft parliament. Mr. Ambler ob-i
tained his feat for that place by the decifion ofj
a committee in 1785, againft the petition ofj
lord Strathaven, and the lame Mr. Curtis, who
has now fucceeded at Steyning, on the right of!
the corporation to cleft the members for that
borough. In 1787, Mr. Lemon, the petitioner^
by the determination of a fecond committee,
appointed to try the fame queftion, fucceeded
Oft
STEYNING. 165
on the votes of the burgage-holders, and oufted
the earl of Mornington, the fitting member, who
had been elefted by the corporation.
" Thus two members were fitting in the
<c houfe of commons, at the fame time, and for
(l the fame borough, upon the right of different
(f defcriptions of electors, who had each of
<c them been deemed ineligible in the fame par-
" liament."
This is exactly the cafe with the reprefenta-
tives of this borough. The inhabitants of
houfes built on ancient foundations, and the
inhabitants in general, have each been declared
to have the right of election ; and a member,
chofen by each defcription of voters, has been,
feated~and oufted in the prefent parliament.
This place firft fent to parliament 4 Edv. II.
and after intermitted fending (as Braraber had
done before) till 31 Hen. VI.
RETURNING OFFICER — The conftable.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 100.
PROPRIETORS — Duke of Norfolk, and Sir
John Honey wood.
M 3 EAST
i66.
EAST GRINSTEAD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of voting
formerly was allowed to be, by a refolution of I
the houfe of commons, in the inhabitants as well
as burgage-holders ; but by a fubfequent one it j
is confined to the latter defcription of perfons
•only. The burgage-holds here are in number I
thirty-fix; twenty-nine of which are the pro-
perty of the duke of Dorfet ; and the remain-
ing ^feven belong to perfons refiding in the]
place. This minority is fo inconfiderable, that
no oppofition can be made to the duke's inte-
reft. If indeed the laft refolution of the houfe
of commons was refcinded, and the right of
election left where it was, previous to that de-
termination, an attempt to make off the ariflo-
cratic yoke might then be as fuccefsful as it
\vould be commendable; but it would be, inl
the prefent ftate of things, both ridiculous and j
impolitic to attempt it.
The county aflizes are generally held here.
John Sackville, earl of Dorfet, in the reign of-j
king James I. built an hofpital here, and en-
dowed it with 330!. a year, for the fupport of
thirty-one poor perfons of this town.
The
ARUNDEL. 167
The nrft return of this borough is anno i Ed-
ward II.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1679, April 7. Being
an ancient borough by prefcription, the in-
habitants,-as well as the burgage-holders of
the faid borough, have a right to vote in
elections.
1695, Feb. 9. Is not in the burgage-holders
and inhabitants of the faid borough:
Is in the burgage-holders only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 36.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff, chofen at
the duke of Dorfet's court-leet.
PROPRIETOR — Duke of Dorfct.
ARUNDEL.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough was
under the influence of Sir George Colebrooke,
in the days of his affluence; fince which time
its reprefentatjon has been an obje£t of conteft,
till 1784, when an agreement took place be-
tween the electors and the duke of Norfolk,
whofe ancient and venerable cattle is near the
town, that each party fhould name one of its
members. The corporation are in the imcrcfl
of the duke, who has likewife built a magnifi-
M 4 cent
l6 ARUNDEL.
cent inn, and has a confiderable property in this
borough and its neighbourhood.
In 1780, a petition being preferited to the
houfe of commons by the Hon. Percy Charles
Wyndham, complaining of the undue election
and return of Sir Patrick Crauford, Knt. and
Thomas Fitzherbert, Efq. a committee was ap-
pointed on the 6th of March, 1781, to try the
merits of the fame; when it appeared in evi-
dence, that a fociety exifted in this borough,
under the name of the Malt-houfe Club, fimilar,
in its inftitution and practices, to the Chriftian
Club at Shoreham ; and that the perfons who
compofed this club had actually received thirty
guineas a man for giving their voles at the pre-
ceding election. The evidence did not extend
to the incapacitation of froth the members.
Mr. Fitzherbert was included in the allegations
of the petition, but not in the decifion of the
committee, who reported to the houfe, on the
i2th of March, 1781,
That Thomas Fitzherbert, Efq. was duly
eleBed.
That Sir Patrick Crauford, Knt. vas not du
;
That the Hon. Percy Charles Wyndham, the
petitioner, was not duly elcfred.
A nciv
ARUNDEL. 169
A new writ was accordingly iffued, when
Peter William Baker, Efq. was unanimoufly
chofen to fupply the vacancy.
The prefent members are, Henry /Howard,
Efq. a relation to the duke of Norfolk, and Sir
George Thomas, Bart, of Dale- Park, near this
borough.
CORPORATION — It is governed, under a char-
ter of queen Elizabeth, by a mayor, and twelve
burgefles. The mayor is annually chofen, and
is judge at a court-leet of the lord of the manor,
held every three weeks. He has the authority
of a juftice of the peace, though he feldom exe-
cutes the office; he appoints collectors of the
package and ftallage, ale-conners, and flefh-
tafters ; no writ can be executed within the
borough without his permiflion.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1693, Feb. 22. Is
only in the inhabitants of the faid borough
paying fcot and lot.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About 190.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — The duke of Norfolk, partially.
WARWICK
WARWICK COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
A HIS county, from the opulence and extent
of its manufactories, is independent, in a great
degree, of ariftocratic controul ; but it has
been the laft in the kingdom to emancipate itfelf
from high-church bigotry, and that fpirit of per-
fecution, which, in proportion to the increafe of
learning and fcience, is now becoming exploded
in every part of Europe.
The late difgraceful riots in this county, and
thofe of Junei 780, is a humiliating proof, to the
people of this country, that they do not take the
lead in the extinction of prejudice, or in the ad-
vancement of literature, the infeparable compa-
nions of each other's progrefs.
The town of Birmingham, from its extent and
population, has fufficient -weight to return one of I
the county reprefcntatives, which the people of j
that place never fail to avail thcmfelvcs of, not- j
withftanding the indifference that is affected to ^
be fhewn by fome leading individuals, to thel
advantages they would derive from a pcrfccl *f
representation.
Warwick-
WARWICK TOWNr. iyt
Warwickfhire is divided into five hundreds,
containing one city, and thirteen market-towns,
viz. the city of Coventry, Atherfton, Aulcefter,
Birmingham, Bitford, Colefhill, Henley, Kine-
ton, Nuneaton, Rugby, Southam, Stratford, Sut-
ton-Cofield, and Warwick. It lies in the pro-
vince of Canterbury, partly in the diocefe of
Litchfield and Coventry, and partly in that of
Worcefter ; and has one hundred and fifty-eight
parifhes. It fends fix members to parliament,
namely, two knights of the mire for the county,
two citizens for the city of Coventry, and two
burgefles for the town of Warwick.
WARWICK TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER— The right of elec-
tion in this borough, according to the firft re-
folution of the houfe of commons, was in the
commonalty, which in the cafes of Colchcfter,
Bofton, Bridport, and this place, has been ex-
plained to be houfekeepers paying fcot and lot;
though, in the cafe of Pool, the Tame word was
defined to be the felecl burgefTes only. There
have been frequent ftrugglcs here for fuperi-
ority between the earl of Warwick, of Warwick-
caftle, adjoining to this town, and the inde-
pendent party. In 1780, and in 1784, the Hon.
C. F.
3.J2 WARWICK TOWN.
C. F. Greville, and Robert Ladbroke, Efq. were
returned to reprefent this town in parliament,
in oppofition to his lordfliip's intereft. At the
laft general election, however, in 1790, thofe
gentlemen conceived that the earl of Warwick's
influence had increafed to a great degree; in
confequence of which they were induced to
decline an oppofition to it, which would have
been attended with the certainty of much ex-
pence, and the uncertainty of being finally fuc-
cesful. Lord Arden, and Henry Gage, Efq.
now lord vifcount Gage, both in the earl's
intereft, were returned without a conteft. Upon
Mr. Gage's fucceeding to his uncle's title, the
Hon. Mr. Villiers was propofed by his lord-
ihip's friends; and Mr. Knight, by the inde-
pendent party. Mr. Villiers obtained a ma-
jority on the poll, over Mr. Knight, of nearly
two to one. The latter gentleman petitioned
parliament, in which he complained of the un-
due influence. which had been ufed againft him
at the time of election, &c. but upon a trial
before a committee the former eftablifhed his*"
feat.
CORPORATION — This is a very ancient cor-
poration, being made a mayor town by Ouecn
Mary, in the year 1554, and rc-incorporatcd by
Kins
COVENTRY. 173
King Charles II. under whofe charter it is at
prefent governed by a mayor, a recorder, twelve
aldermen or brethren, and twenty-four bur-
gefles or common-councilmen.
The county aflizes and general quarter-feflions
are held in this town.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1628, 3 May. Is in
the commonalty of the faid town.
1722, 31 Jan. Is in fuch perfons only as pay
to church and poor of the faid borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 391.*
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— The earl of Warwick.
COVENTRY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — A fingular cafe oc-
curred at the election for this city in 1780,
Mr. Roe Yeo and Mr. Holroyd were candidates
in the intereft of adminiftration; and Sir Thomas
Halifax and Thomas Rogers, Efq. were fup-
ported by the corporation of Coventry, in op-
pofition to thofe gentlemen. On the gth day
of September the election commenced, and the
poll was opened and conducted in a peaceable
and orderly manner for about the fpace of half
an hour, when upwards of five hundred perfons,
who
174 COVENTRY.
•who were not freemen or inhabitants of this city,
tumultuoufly affembled together at the place
of election, with a blue flag carried before
them, and having blue and white cockades in
their hats, the badges by which the party of
Roe Yeo and Holroyd were diftinguifhed, and
there beat and ill treated all the electors who
came to vote for Halifax and Rogers, and fo
impeded and obftructed the voters, that the
iheriffs adjourned the poll to the Monday fol-
lowing, b^ing the eleventh of the faid month of
September, and continued the fame, by divers
adjournments, from day to day, to the i8th of
the faid month, in order that the election might
be made ; but the poll was impeded, from time
to time, by like tumults and afTaults ; and
though the magiftrates had appointed two hun-
dred and thirty additional conftables to pre-
ferve the pqace, and to open a free acccfs for
the voters on both fides to come and poll, yet
no more than eighty-three, out of two thoufand
could give their votes : for which reafon the
fheriffs could not caufe to be .elected two
citizens, according to the form and effect of
the writ.
The fheriffs having certified the above to the
houfe of commons, on the fixth day of No-
vember
COVENTRY. iy£
vember following, they were ordered to attend
the houfe on the 23d of the fame month.
A petition of Sir Thomas Halifax, and Thomas
Rogers, Efq. of fimilar import, was prefented to
the houfe on the 2Oth of the fame month;
•which was ordered to be taken iijto confidcra-
tion on the fame day that the merifFs were to
attend ; as was another petition of certain
electors in the intereft of Sir Thomas Halifax
and Mr. Rogers.
A petition of Edward Roe Yeo, Efq. and
John Baker Holroyd, Efq. was alfo prefented on
the fame day, ftating, that the merifFs, who are
chofcn by the mayor and aldermen, and were
the declared friends and partifans of their op-
ponents, Sir Thomas Halifax, and Thomas
Rogers, Efq. had fhewn the mod flagrant par-
tiality to thofe gentlemen, by conftrucling the
poll-booth in fuch a manner as to allow a
commodious accefs, through the mayor's par-
lour, to the voters in the intereft of Halifax and
Rogers, while the agents and friends of the pe-
titioner were obliged to afcend by a ladder;
and enumerating a variety of other charges, to
jfliew the grofs partiality and illegal conduft of
the fhcriffs.
This petition was alfo ordered to be taken
into
*7(3 COVENTRY.
into confideration'with all the former. A ricv/
writ having been ifftied on the 2ift Nov. fol-
lowing, petitions were again prefented from Mr.
Roe Yeo, and Mr. Holroyd, complaining, that
in the interval of time between the general
ele&ion and the 2gth day of November, when a
fecond election was had in purfuance of the
above writ, a great number of freemen were
illegally admitted to the freedom of the faid city,
who had no right to fuch freedom, and without
paying the ufual fees on admiflion, on condition
of their undertaking to vote, at the faid election
for Sir Thomas Halifax, and Thomas Roger
Efq. and that a great number of perfons dul
intitled to be admitted to the freedom of th
faid city, demanded in the ufual manner to b
fo admitted, being ready to produce the evi
dence of their titles, and to pay the ufual fee
but were refufed to be admitted, bccaufe the
were believed to be in the intereft of the pe
titioners ; and that, at the faid laft election, afte
the poll had lafted near three weeks, almoft al
the legal freemen having then voted, and whe
it was known that there would be a large ma
jority of votes in favour of the petitioners,
great number of perfons were, on Monday the
i8th, and Wednefday the 2Oth of December
latt
COVENTRY. iyy
1aft, in a fraudulent and clandeftine manner, ad-
mitted to the freedom of the faid city, although
the faid perfons had no title to fuch freedom,
and were known, by the members of the cor-
poration, who compofed the council-chambers
at which they were admitted, to have no title ;
and without paying the accuftomed fees, or
any fees, on condition of their voting for the
laid Sir Thomas Halifax, and Thomas Rogers,
Efq.
The above petition alfo contained the ufual
allegations, of the returning officers admitting
thefe freemen to poll who were not duly qua-
lified, and rejecting others who were fo quali-
fied; and of the faid candidates, Sir Thomas
Halifax, and Thomas Rogers, Efq. having, by
themfelves, or agents, been guilty of bri-
bery, &c.
A fimilar petition was prefented from feveral
of the freemen in the intereft of Mr. Roe Yeo
and Mr. Holroyd, which were both ordered to
be taken into confideration on Thurfday the
i5th day of February, 1781.
Oh the 31 ft of January, 1781, Thomas Noxon
and Thomas Butler, late fheriffs of Coventry,
were brought to the bar of the houfe of com-
VOL. II. N mons,
1^8 COVENTRY,
fnons, and had leave to be heard by eounfel irt
their juftification.
A petition of Edward Roe Yeo, Efq. and
John Baker Holroyd (now lord Sheffield, of the
kingdom of Ireland), and alfo of feveral free-
men of the city of Coventry, on behalf of them-
felves and others, complaining of the conduct
of the faid fhenrFs, being read to the faid
Thomas Noxon and Thomas Butler, leave was
given them to be heard by eounfel againft the
charges in the faid petition, and the eounfel for
the petitioners ordered to proceed in fupport of
the allegations of their petition.
Orders were made for fixty-nine witncfTes to
attend in fupport of the charges againft the
meriffs ; and the matter had a fu-ll inveftigation,
after various adjournments, on the i5th of
March, 1781 ; when the order of the day being
read for the attendance of Mr. Thomas Noxon
and Mr. Thomas Butler, late meriffs of the city
of Coventry, and for taking into further con-
fidcratiori the feveral petitions prefented to this
houfe upon the 2Oth day of November laft, re-
lating to the return made by the faid fheriffs at
the laft general election ;
The faid fheriffs, and the eounfel for lord
Sheffield and Mr. Roc Yco, and for the feveral
frcemea
COVENTRY.
freemen ot the city of Coventry, who have pe-
titioned this houfe, complaining of the conduct
elf the faid fheriffs, were called in ;
And the fheriffs acquainted the houfe, That
the coiinfel they had applied to had not time to
prepare himfclf to undertake their defence.
Then one of the counfel for lord Sheffield
and Mr. Roe Yeo, and for the feveral freemen
of the city of Coventry, who have petitioned this
houfe, complaining of the conduct of the faid
fheriffs, fummed up their evidence :
And the fheriffs being afked by Mr. Speaker^
what they had to fay in juftification of their not
having made any return of members to ferve in
parliament, at the lafl general election; and in
anfwer to the matters charged againft them in
the petitions of lord Sheffield and Mr. Roe
Yeo, and of the feveral freemen of the city of
Coventry, who have petitioned this houfe, com-
plaining of their conduct t
The faid fheriffs were heard; and, having de-
fired that their under-fheriff, who attended as
their agent, might examine the witneffes who
hud been ordered to attend this houfe on their
behalf;
The faid agent was called in; and, at the
bar, examined the feveral witneffes who were
N 2 attending,
3 8.0 COVENTRY.
attending, in j unification of the conduct of die
Ihcriffs.
And the faid agent having fubmittcd to the
houfe, That the faid flieriffs had ftill feveral other
witneffes, but that they were now at Coventry,
and that they therefore defired further time, in
order to have an opportunity to fummon the faid
\vitneffes ;
The faid fheriffs and their agent, and the faid
counfel, were direBed to withdraw.
And a motion being made, and the queftion
being put, " That the further attendance of the
" faid meriffs, and the further confideration of
" the feveral petitions relative to the return made
•tf by them for the city of Coventry, at the laft
•" general election, be adjourned till this day
" fe'nnight;"
It paffed in the negative.
Then the faid fhcriffs- and their agent, and the
faid counfel, were again called in ;
And the fheriffs having acquainted the houfe,
that they had not any other witneffes to produce,
The faid fhcriffs and their agent, and the faid
counfel, were again directed to withdraw.
Rcfohcd, " That it appears to this houfe, that
" at the laft general cleBion of citizens to
" ferve in parliament for the city of Covcn-
" try,
COVENTRY. l8l
** try, Thomas Noxon and Thomas Butler,
" the fheriffs, \vho were the returning offi-
" cers at the faid election,wcre not prevent-
" ed, by riots or otherwifc, from making a
" return of members to ferve in parliament
" for the faid city :"
Refolved, nem. con. " That the faid Thomas
" Noxon andj^homas Butler, late fheriffs of
" the faid city of Coventry, not having made
" any return of members to ferve in parlia-
" ment, at the late general ele6iion, for the
" faid city, are thereby guilty of a high vio-
" lation of the law, and a grofs breach of
" the privileges of this houfe."
A motion was made, and the queftion being
propofed, " That the faid Thomas Noxon and
" Thomas Butler be, for their faid offence, com-
*' mitted to his majefty's gaol of Newgate, and
<c that Mr. Speaker do iffue his warrants accord^
An amendment was propofed to be made to
the queilion, by leaving out the words, " his
" majefty's gaol of Newgate," and inferting the
words, " the cuftody of the ferjeant at arms at-
ft tending this houfe," inftead thereof.
And the queftion being put, that the words,
N 3 " hi?
l82 COV£NTJIY.
*' his majefly's gaol of Newgate," {land part of
the queftion ;
It was refolved in the affirmative.
Then the main queftion being put;
()rderedy " That the faid Thomas Noxon and
" Thomas Butler be, for their faid offence,
" committed to his majefty's gaol of New-
" gate ; and that Mr. Speaker do iffue his
" warrants accordingly."
On the 26th day of March the faid fheriffs
prefented a petition to the houfe, fetting forth,
that they had been found guilty of a high viola-
pon of the law> and a grofs breach of the privi-
leges of the houfe, for not having made any re-
turn of members to ferve in parliament at the laft
general election for the city of Coventry ; and
thaf they were thoroughly fenfible of the great
offence they had been guilty of, and humbly
begged pardon of the houfe for the fame.
They were accordingly ordered to be brought
up to the bar, the next day, when they were re-
primanded by the fpeaker, and difcharged.
A committee was appointed, on the i5th of
February, to try the, merits of the petition of
Mr. Roe Yeo and lord Sheffield, againlt the re-
furn of Sir Thomas Halifax, and Thomas Rogers,
COVENTRY. 183
Efq. who reported, on the 2yth of the faid month,
that the petitioners were duly elefted.
Mr. Elwes, the chairman of the committee, al-
fo reported, " That it appeared, that much parti-
*' ality and fraud was ufed in the'admiflion of
" perfons to the freedom of the city of Coventry,
" during the laft election in that c*ity. The com-
" mittee are of opinion, that it would be'expe-
" dient, in order to prevent the like fraudulent
" practice for the future, that a bill mould be
" brought in for tlfat purpofe."
A bill was accordingly brought in, on the 12th
of March, -for better regulating elections of citi-
zens to fit in parliament for the city of Coven-
try ; which was parTed into a law on the i4th of
May, and received the royal affent on the 5th of
July following.
This city is not under immediate influence,
and might be perfectly independent in the choke
of its members, if the prefect deftrqclive mode
of treating was abolifhed.
It is worthy of remark, that the cafe of Hindon
affords us the only inftance, in theprefent reign,
of a profecution being ordered by the houfe of
commons againft any candidate for bribery ; and
that the Coventry cafe is the only one which oc-
curs, in the fame period of time, of a returning
N officer
184 COVENTRY.
officer being punifhed for partiality. In both
cafes the parties were in oppofition to govern-
ment.
This city, which was made a mayor-town by
Edward III. and a county of itfelf by Henry
VI. having returned to the four firft parliaments
of Edward I. intermitted lending members,
except 8 Edward II. and 20, 25, Edward III.
till 31 Henry VI.
CORPORATION — By charter of James I. it is
governed by a mayor, recorder, two fheriffs, ten.;
aldermen, thirty-one fuperior, and twenty-five
inferior common-counciimen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1701, February 24.
The freemen of Coventry receiving alms or
charity, have no right to vote.
1708, March i. Is in fuch perfons who have
ferved apprenticefhips for feven years within the
city, to one and the fame trade, not receiving
alms or conftant charities.
Perfons receiving Sir Thomas White's gift,
are thereby difabled from giving their votes.
It pafled in the negative.
1708, March 3. Perfons receiving Mr.
Wheatlcy's gift not difabled.
1711, March 13. The members of the Ful-
lers company have a right to vote, being free-
men,
COVENTRY. 185
men, and not receiving alms or weekly charity ;
i and all fuch freemen as do not receive alms,
and have ferved feven years apprenticefliip in
the city or fuburbs, who do not receive alms or
weekly charity.
1722, November 20. In fuch freemen as
have ferved feven years apprenticefhip to one
and the fame trade, in the fame city or the fu-
burbs thereof, and do not receive alms or
weekly charity j fuch freemen being duly fworn-
and enrolled.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 2400.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The iheriffs.
WESTMORELAND.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS final 1 county is as much under the
command of an individual, as the moil rotten
borough in the kingdom. The great eftatcs
which the earl of Lonfdale poffefies, are fuffiu
cient to procure a padive obedience to dictato-
rial authority of his lordfhip. The mo(l fpiritcd
efforts of the few independent freeholders, in
fupport of their rights, would here be inefficient ;
nor
1$6 WESTMORELAND.
nor can any oppofition to the above nobleman's
nomination of members to reprefent it in par-
liament, be productive even of a probability of
fuccefs.
This county confifls of two divifions; the
barony of Weftmoreland, fometimes called the
Bottom, and the barony of Kendal. The
barony of Weftmoreland, which includes the
north part of the county, is an open, champaign
country, twenty miles long and fourteen .broad,
confiding of arable and pafture land. The
barony of Kendal, which is fo called from the
town of that name, comprehends the fouth part
of that county, and is very mountainous : it has,
however, fruitful vallies ; and even many of the
mountains yield pafture for fhccp and cattle,
while others are not only barren, but fecm
formed of rocks, thrown together by the- hand
of difcord, and frightful dcferts, laid wafte by
the piercing ftorms of the north.
' With refpeft to the civil and ecclefiaflical
divifions, each of them are divided into two
wards, and each ward into conilablcwicks, the
number of which does not appear. It is re-
markable, that it was never divided, cither into
hundreds, wapcntakes, or rapes, like other coun-
fies; the reafon of which is fuppofed to be,
becaufe
APPLEBY. 187
becaufe the inhabitants paid no fubfidies, they
having been thought fufficiently charged, in
being obliged to defend that part of the king-
dom againfl the Scots. It is feated in the pro-
vince of York: that part which is called the
barony of Weftmoreland, is comprehended in
the diocefe of Carlifle ; and the other part, cal-
led the barony of Kendal, in the diocefe of
Cheftcr; both baronies containing thirty-two
large parifhes. It has no city, and only contains
eight market-towns, viz. Amblefide, Appleby,
Brough, Burton, Kendal, Kirkby-Lonfdale, Kirk-
by-Steven, and Orton. It fends only four
members to parliament, two knights of the (hire
for the county, and two burgeffes for the
borough of Appleby.
APPLEBY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of voting
in this borough, although there is no fpecial refo-
lution of the houfe of commons concerning it,
is admitted to be in burgage-tenure. Thefe
burgage-holds a/e now the property of the earl
pf Lonfdale and the earl of Thanet. Hog-flies
have been deemed freeholds here, and pur-
chafed by the Thanet and Lonfdale families,
3t a price exceeding all belief. The^ conten-
tion
l88 APPLEBY.
tion between thefe two families has given the
borough its only confequence ; but they have
now agreed, that each mall fend one member.
The electors of this place, therefore, fit down
quietly, to be reprefented by a hog or a horfe,
as its noble proprietors mail think mod proper.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
recorder, twelve aldermen, two bailiffs, and fix-
teen capital burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the burgage-
holders.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Nominally, in about
one hundred burgage-tenures, which are now
the property of two individuals.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PROPRIETORS — The earl of Thanet and the
earl of Lonfdale.
WILTSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
i HIS county poffeifes all that fpirit of inde~
pendence for which the neighbouring county of*
Somcrfet is fo remarkably eminent. The free-
holders and yeomen arc as independent in their
minds as in their fortunes; and a combination
of
WILTSHIRE. l8gi
of thofe, who call themfelves the great men of
the county, to deprive them of their conftitu-
tional privileges of electing their own reprefen-
tatives, will only tend to expofe the inability
and arbitrary principles of the one party, and
the manly exertions and ability of the other,
when exercifed in fupporting their rights. About
twenty years ago, Mr. Herbert, now earl of Car-
narvon, was propofed as one of the candidates
to reprefcnt this county in parliament; in which
he was fupported by the whole ariftocracy in
it. The independent freeholders could not help
feeling an honourable refentment at fuch an
arbitrary meafure, the intention of which was
to render their fuffrages of no effeft ; they
therefore immediately oppofed to that candidate
Ambrofe Goddard, Efq. one of their own body;
and, after a poll of feveral days, victory was
declared for them in his favour.
This county, which confifts of two parts,
north and fouth, is divided into twenty-nine
hundreds, containing three hundred and four
parifhcs, the city of Salifbury, and twenty-three
market-towns. It fends thirty-four members to
parliament, viz. two knights of the mire, two
citizens for Salifbury, and two burgefies for
each of the following places; Chippcnham,
Calne,
Calne, Cricklade, Devizes, Heytefbury,
Downton, Great Bedwin, Marlborough, Malmef-
bury, Luggerfhal, Weftbury, Wilton, Wottori
Baffet, and Old Sarum.
»
SALISBURY; .
POLITICAL CHARACTER — It is equal in popu-
lation to Winchefter; but, like that city, Bath,
Portfmouth, Plymouth, Andover, Poole, Tiver-
tdn, Banbury, and many other large towns, has
no mare in electing the democratic branch of
the legislature, but what is exercifed by its cor-
poration, confiding of a mayor, twenty-three
aldermen, and thirty common-council. This
exclufion from conftitutional rights, places the
inhabitants of thefe towns, in common with all
the unreprefented part of the kingdom, in a
fituation not to be envied by the fubjccls of any
other nation. If freedom confifls in electing
our own legiflators, and in delegating to them
the authority by which we are to be governed",
thofe perfons who are not allowed the cxercifc'
of this privilege, tafte as little of the fweets of
liberty, as where the will of mankind is fiibje6l
to an abfolute monarch, or an unlimitted arif-
tocracy.
The carl of Radnor, who is recorder of this
city,
\VILTOtf. tgi
city, has the principal intereft with the corpora-
tion, who ufually eleft one of his lordfhip's rela-
tions for their reprefentative.
CORPORATION — It was firft incorporated by
King Henry III. and afterwards by Queen
Anne, and confifts of a mayor, recorder, twenty-
three aldermen, and thirty common-council-
men.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1689, April i. Is in
the mayor and corporation.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 54.
PATRON— Earl of Radnor, partially.
WILTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, on
account of its vicinity to the feat of the earl of
Pembroke, is entirely under his lordfhip's in-
fluence. The right of election is in the corpo- '
ration, confiding of a mayor, recorder, five
aldermen, three capital burgeffes, and eleven
common-councilmen. Thefe are all in the
intereft of his lordfhip ; an oppofition to which
would be attended only with expence; fo that
"his nomination of the members to reprefent it in
parliament is final and commanding.
The county courts arc ufually held here, and
the knights of the mire chofen.
CORPORATION
igt DOWN TON.
CORPORATION — By charter of Henry VIII,
it confifts of a mayor, recorder, five aldermen,
three capital burgefFes, and eleven common-
councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, November 28.
The election of any perfon to be a burgefs of
Wilton, who has not taken the facrament of the
Lord's-fupper, according to the rites of the
church of England, within one year before fuch
election, is a void election.
1710, March 17. Agreed to be in the mayor
and burgelFes, \vho are to do all corporate a6ls,,
and receive the facrament.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — 24.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— Earl of Pembroke.
DOWNTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-
tion in this borough is in the burgage-holders.
The tenures, which give this privilege, are al
the property of the families of the earl of Rad-
nor, or of Robert Shaftoe, Efq. between whom
an oppofition has fubfifted for many years.
This conteit has caufed a petition to parlia-.
ment at every election fincc the pafling of the
Grenville act.
The
The firft was tried in 1775, in which Sir
Philip Hales, and John Cooper, Efq. were peti-
tioners on the Shaftoe intereft, againft Thomas
Buncombe, Efq. and Thomas Dummer, £fq..
fitting members on the Radnor intereft ; in whicli
the Shafto£ intereft was fuccefsful.
The fecond was tried in February 1780, on
the petition of Robert Shaftoe, Efq. on his own
intereft, againft the Hon. Bartholomew Bouverie,
on that of his brother the earl of Radnor; in
which Mr. Shaftoe was fuccefsful.
The third was tried in March 1781, in which
John Saunders, Efq. and Alexander Hume, Efq.
were petitioners, and Robert Shaftoe, Efq. and
the Hon. Henry Seymour Conway, Efq. were
fitting members ; when the Shaftoe intereft was
again fuccesful.
The fourth was tried in June and July 1784,
when there was a double return ; Mr. Shaftoe,
and the Hon. H. S. Conway, upon the Shaftoe
intereft ; and the Hon. Edward Bouverie, and
the prefent Sir William Scott, on the Radnor
intereft ; when Mr. Shaftoe was declared duly
elefcled, and the election void with refpccl to a
fecond member.
The fifth petition was in confequence of the
above vacancy, when a double return again
. II. O took
1^4 DCWNTOtf.
took place : the Hon. E. Bouverie, in the Rad-
nor intereft, and the Hon. H. S. Conway, in the
Shaftoe intereft ; when the Shaftoe party was
again fuccefsful.
The fixth petition was at the laft general
election, in 1790, which was tried the enfuing
year, when Mr. Shaftoe and his colleague peti-
tioned againft the return of the Hon. Bartho-
lomew Bouverie, and Sir William Scott, who
had been returned on the Radnor intereft ;
when that intereft, for the fecond time, became
fuccefsful.
The number of legal votes in this borough do
not appear to be above twenty. Sir Philip
Hales, and Mr. Cooper, in 1775, were declared
duly elected with eleven, and ten votes ; but they
are fometimes fplit into four times that num-
ber.
The right is admitted to be in perfons having
a freehold intereft in burgage-tenements, holdcn
by a certain rent, fealty, and fuit of court of
the Bifhop of Winchefter, who is lord of the bo-
rough, and paying reliefs on defcent, and fines
on alienation.
The points atiffueupon thefe feveral petitions
were, fplitting and occafionality ; and whether
the returning officer was the deputy of the
bifhop
DOWNTOM; 195
bifhof) of Winchefter's bailiff, or the deputy of
the fteward of the leflee of the manor ; the faid
manor and borough having been leafed out for
lives from the reign of Elizabeth;
The late Anthony Buncombe, lord Fevcr-
fham, was proprietor of the greater part of the
burgages in Downto'n ; to fa:ne of which he was
entitled under a fctdement of Sir Charles Bun-
combe, the reft he had purchafed. Upon his
death in 1763 with male iffue, the fettled eftate
defcended to the late Mr. Buncombe ; the re-
mainder of his eftates in Bownton, he by will
direcled to be fold for the benefit of his two
daughters, giving the refufal of them to the
Buncombe family, in order to prevent difputes.
The prefent earl of Radnor married one of the
daughters, and Mr. Bowater the other. Mr.
Buncombe alfo left a daughter, married to Mr.
Shaftoc, to whom he bequeathed his Bownton
eftate. The trufts of lord Feverfham's will not
having been carried into execution, the manner
in which his truftees exerted the influence of
his property, occafioned a new fcheme of elec-
tion in Bownton, after the diffolution of the
parliament in 1780; for, in the former elections,
the oppofition to Mr. Buncombe's family had
not been maintained by the eftate of lord
O 2 Fevcrlham,
ig6 DOWN TON'.
Feverfham, or by any other family intereft, but
by the legal objections before-mentioned; but,
in the elections of 1784 and 1790, Mr. Shaftoe,
having the ftrength of Mr. Buncombe's pro-
perty, was oppofed by that of lord Feverfham's,
which his truftees employed for that purpofe.
The Bifhop of Winchester's bailiff deputy, and
Sir Philip Hales, the leflee of the manor,
fteward's deputy, each taking upon them to aft
as returning officer.
The former admitted upon his poll.
For Shaftoe, 50
Conway, 49
Bouveric, — 38
Scott, 37
The latter, upon his poll, made the numbers,
For Bouvcrie, — 44
Scott, 43
Shaftoe, 2
Conway, — i
The committee determined, that the deputy
ileward of the leflee, was the legal returning
officer.
To follow this intricate inveftigation of the
right of twenty thatched cottages to return two
members to parliament, would be a wafte of om
time, and our readers' patience ; nor would
the
HIND ON. . 197
the volumes, to which we have limited our work,
admit a report of all the fix cafes. Should
not a reform of this fyftem of reprefentation
render this reporting bufinefs premature, we
fhall foon fee the cafes of boroughs without
houfes, and reprcfentatives without conftituents,
exceed the voluminous bulk of the ftatutes at
large.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1775> Feb. 4. Was
confidered, by the counfel on both fides, in their
arguments, to be in perfons having a freehold
intereft in burgage tenements, holdcn by a
certain rent, fealty, and fuit of court, of the
Bifhop of Wincheftcr, who is lord of the bo-
rough, and paying reliefs on defcent, and fines
©n alienation.
i Dougl. El. 235. There is no determination
on the right of eleftion.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About twenty; fome-
times fplit into eighty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The deputy fteward
of the lefiee of the manor.
PROPRIETOR — Earl of Radnor.
HINDON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election.
in this borough is in the bailiff and inhabitants
O 3 Pa>'inS
198 HINDON.
paying fcot and lot; the number of which is
two hundred and ten. Shaftefbury, Arundel,
Stockbridge, and this place, have exhibited the
moft flagrant afts of bribery and corruption, be-
fore committees of the houfe of commons, near-
ly fimilar in their circumftances, and equally in-
jurious in their confequences, to thofe which we
have reported of Shoreham and Cricklade ;
though the two laft are the only places to which
an effectual remedy has been applied, by carry-
ing the right of fufFrage to fuch an extent of dif-
trift, as fhall increafe the number of voters to a
limit that the purfe of an individual cannot
feduce.
The cafe of Hindon is the only one in the pre-
font reign, in which the houfe of commons have
directed a profecution againft the fitting mem-
bers, or petitioners; and in this inflance it ap-
pears to have been attended with fingular hard-
fhip, as the promifesmade to the eleftors, on be-
half of the fitting members, were, by an impru-
dent and unpardonable officioufnefs of their
agents, without either the authority or knowledge
of their principals ; and the petitioners upon
their trial were acquitted.
The petition was heard before a committee of
the houfe of commons, in the month of February,
HINDON. igg
1 775. The fitting members were Thomas Brand
Hollis, Efq. and General Smith ; the petitioners,
Richard Beckford, Efq. and James Calthorpe,
Efq. Reciprocal charges of bribery were made
by each party, and fubftantially proved againll
the agents of both j whereupon the committee
determined,
That Richard Smith, Efq. is not duly elected
a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parliament for
the borough of Hindon, in the county of Wilts ;
That Thomas Brand Hollis, Efq. is not duly
elected a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parlia-
ment for the faid borough of Hindon ;
That James Calthorpe, Efq. one of the petiti-
oners, is not duly elefted a burgefs to ferve in
this prefent parliament for the faid borough of
Hindon ;
That Richard Beckford, Efq. one of the peti-
tioners, is .not duly elefted a burgefs to ferve in
this prefent parliament for the faid borough of
Hindon ;
That the laft election of members to ferve in
this prefent parliament for the faid borough,
was a void election.
At the fame time Mr. Dundas acquainted the
houfe, that in the courfe of the examination into
the merits of the petition of James Calthorpe,
o 4 Efq.
2OO HINDON.
Efq. and Richard Beckford, Efq. it having ap-
peared to the committee, that the moft flagrant
and notorious afts of bribery and corruption had
been praclifed ; and that a very confiderable ma-
jority of the electors of the borough of Hindon
had been bribed and corrupted in a very;grofs
and extraordinary manner; and that feveral
others of the faid electors had been concerned as
agents for that purpofe ; the committee, defirous
that the houfe might adopt fuch meafures as may
difcourage, and if poflible put an end to a prac-
tice fo fubverfive of the freedom of elections, had
direcled him to lay before the houfe the whole
of the evidence given before the faid committee,
with their opinions thereupon. And he read the
report in his place, and afterwards delivered it in
at the table, where the fame was read ; and the
refolutions of the committee are as follow :
Refolved, " That it appears to this committee,
" That Richard Smith, Efq. by his agents,
" has been guilty of notorious bribery, in
" endeavouring to procure himfelf to be
" elecied and returned a burgefs to ferve in
" this prefent parliament for the borough of
" Hindon, in the county of Wilts."
The like refolution refpecling Mr. Hollis.
Rcfolved, " That it appears to this committee,
" That
IIINDON. 2O1
" That James Calthorpe, Efq. by his agents,
" has been guilty of notorious bribery, in
" endeavouring to procure himfelf to be
" elefted and returned a burgefs, to fervc in
" this prefent parliament for the laid bo-
" rough of Hindon."
Refolved, ct That it appears to this committee,
" That Richard Beckford, Efq. has, by his
". agent, endeavoured, by promife of money,
" to procure himfelf to be elefted and re-
" turned a burgefs, to ferve in this prefent
" parliament, for the faid borough of Hin-
" don."
Refolved, " That it appears to this committee,
" That the Reverend John Nairn, of Hin-
" don; Fafham Nairn, Efq. late of Berry's-
" ftreet, St. James's ; Francis Ward, of
" Sherborne-lane, London ; Stevens, a but-
" cher, at Salifbury, commonly called Job-
" ber Stevens, &c. &c. (in all, thirteen,
" fpecified by name) have afted as agents,
" and have been acceffary to, and concern-
" ed in, notorious a61s of bribery and cor-
" ruption, that have been prafiiicd at the
" laft elcclion for the faid borough of Hin-
" don."
Refohed, " That it is the opinion of this com-
" mittcc,
CO't HI N DO NT.
" mittee, that the houfe be moved for leave
" to bring in a bill, to disfranchife the faid
" borough of Hindon, in the county of
« Wilts."
The confideration of this report was adjourn-
ed till the 23d of February; and in the mean
time, an order was made, that the fpcaker mould
not iflue his warrant for a new writ, till the houfe
proceeded to fuch confideration.
On that day, it was Ordered, " That leave be
" given to bring in a bill, to incapacitate,
" from voting at elections of members of
" parliament, one hundred and ninety per-
" fons by name (including feveral of thofe
" mentioned in the fifth refolution of the
ft committee), out of two hundred and ten
f( who had polled at the election ; and for
" the preventing bribery and corruption in
" the election of members to ferve in par.
" liament for Hindon."
Mr. Dundas, Mr. Byng, Mr. Elwes, and the
other members of the committee, were ordered
to prepare and bring in this bill ; and in the
mean time, it was Refolved, " That the fpeaker
" mould not ififue his warrant to make out a new
n writ for a month longer."
On the 8th 'of March Mr. Dundas prefented
the
HINDOO. ( 2O3
the bill, which was read, and ordered to be read
a fecond time on the 2pth of that month. It
was of courfe alfo ordered to be printed ; and a
printed copy of the bill, with the order for the
fecond reading, was ordered to be ferved on all
the perfons named in it; and it was Refolvcdt
" That leaving them at their refpeclive abodes
" fhould be good fervice."
The day following (the 29th of March) the
order of the day being read, and the queftion be-
ing propofed, for reading the bill a fecond time,
the mefienger, who had been chargetl with the
fervice of the copies of it on the parties, was cal-
led to prove fuch fervice ; and Thomas Spencer,
one of the perfons named in the bill, was, at his
own defire, heard on behalf of himfelf, againft the
bill : then, in confcquence of a motion for that
purpofe, the entry on the journals of the houfe,
of the 22d of March, 17*22-23, and the 4th of
April, 1 723, of the proceedings of the houfe up-
on the bill for inflifting certain pains and penal-
ties upon Francis, LordBifhop of Rochefter, was
read; after whichj the bill was read a fecond
time; and it was
Refolved, " That it mould be confidered in a
* committee of the whole houfe, on the 5th of
f April, and that the petitioners againft it mould
« be
'2O4 HINDON.
<c be heard before that committee, by themfclves
" or their counfel."
" That it be an inftruction to the faid commit-
K tee of the whole houfe, that they have power
" to receive a claufe, or claufes, for inflicting a
" fuitablepunifhment on the faid Richard Smith,
" Efq. for his faid offence."
" It paffed in the negative."
And the fecond refolution being read, and a
fimilar queftion put, refpecting Mr. Hollis, that
likewife paffed in the negative ; which being
done, the houfe refolved itfelf into a committee
of the whole houfe, on the bill.
In this committee, it being propofcd to call cer-
tain perfons named in the bill, and incapacitated
by it, to prove the allegations it contained (for
it had been debated and fettled in the houfe, in
fome former ftage of the bufinefs, that the evi-
dence before the felect committee, and reported
by them, could not be admitted upon this occa-
fion), it was objected, that they, being parties,
and like defendants in an indictment, could not,
without overturning the known rules of law and
jufticc, be received as witncffes in this cafe.
This objection produced a debate; and though
it was treated as of no weight, by fome gentle-
men of the long robe, it was ftrcnuoufly fupport-
ed
HINDON. 2O5
cd by others, and proved fatal to the bill ; for
all the perfons who were capable of proving the
fafts, and who had proved them before the (cleft
committee, were themfelves offenders, and named
in the bill.
When the Speaker refumed the chair, on a
motion of Mr. Dundas, leave was given to bring
in a new bill, fimilar to the former, but leaving
out the names of certain perfons, who were in-
tended to be made ufe of as witnefles ; and Mr.
Solicitor-general, Sir George Hay, Mr. Gren-
ville, and Lord George Germaine, together with
the members of the feleft committee, were or-
dered to prepare and bring it in.
On Wednefday, the 12th of April, Mr. Dun-
das prefented this new bill ; which being re-
ceived, and read the firft time, the houfe was
i moved, that the four firft refolutions of the fe-
left committee mould be read; and this being
accordingly done, the 2Oth day of April was ap-
pointed for the fecond reading. A fimilar or-
der to what had been made on the former occa*
lion, was now made, relative to the ferving of
the parties with copies ; and orders were made,
feverally, that Francis Mead, Thomas Spencer,
John Becket, (baker), John Becket, fon of Wil-
liam, John Baldwin, William Crabb, Thomas-
Pen ry,
HINDOO.
Penry, Thomas Richardfon, and Thomas
perfons named in the former, but omitted in
this biH, mould attend the houfe, at the time'
appointed for the fecond reading.
The order of the day being now read, the bill
was ordered to be read a fecond time, and the
eounfel againft it (Mr. Pepys, for the petitioners
incapacitated by the bill ; Mr. Bearcroft for the
other petitioners, electors of Hindon ; and Mr,
Macdonald, for the Rev. Mr. Nairn) being called
in, the bill was read a fecond time, and the peti-
tion of Thomas Howell and others was read, and
eounfel heard.
The bill was then committed to a committee!
of the whole houfe for the enfuing day ; and the
feveral petitions were referred to that committee,
and the witn-effes ordered to attend.
OnThurfday the 2yth of April, the petition of
Thomas Howell and others, praying to be admit-
ted witnefles, was referred to the committee of
the whole houfe : and Mr. Elwes, chairman of
that committee, reporting, that Thomas Howell,
on being examined in relation to the non-atten-
dance of Thomas Spencer and John Beckct, two-
of the witneffes who had been fummoned, had,
grofsly prevaricated, he was ordered to be com-,
milled to Newgate; and afterwards, Mr. Elwes-
reporting,,
HINDOO. 207
reporting, that William Lucas, being examined
before the committee, had grofsly prevaricated,
and given falfe evidence, he was ordered to be
committed to the Gate-Houfe«
A fimilar report, and the like order, were
made, concerning Henry Chant; and Mr. Elwes
reporting, that Spencer and Becket had attended
the day before, in purfuance of the order of the
houfe, but had purpofely kept out of the way, to
avoid being ferved with the order for their atten-
dance this day, they were ordered to be fent for
in ctiftody of the ferjeant at arms ; and an order
being made for the houfe to refolve itfelf again,
on the Tuefday following, into a committee of
the whole houfe, for the future confideration of
the bill, the orders for the attendance of the wit-
nefles were renewed.
On Monday the ift of May, Thomas Howell
was ordered to be removed from Newgate to the
Gate-Houfe, having petitioned the houfe for that
purpofe.
On Tuefday the 2d of May, the ferjeant at
arms being called upon to give an account of
what had been done, in relation to the taking
Thomas Spencer and John Becket ; the meffen-
gers who were fent in fearch of them, informed
the houfe, that very Uriel inquiry had been made
after
2O8 HIXDOX.
after them, but that they were not as yet taken :
upon which the committee of the whole houfe,
for the confideration of the bill, was put off till
the Monday following; the orders for the wit-
neffes were renewed ; and it being fufpeftcd,
from the teftimony given by the perfons who
had been committed, that Mr. Smith and Mr.
Famam Nairn had been concerned in fecreting
Spencer and Becket, they were ordered to attend
on the Monday.
On Monday the 8th of May, petitions were
prefented from Howell and Lucas, acknowledg-
ing their prevarications, which they faid were
unintentional ; but alledging they had declared
all they knew concerning Spencer and Bccket,
and defiring, on account of their poverty, and
their having families to maintain, that they might
be admitted to afk pardon at the bar of the
houfe, and be difcharged without the payment
of fees.
Thefe petitions were ordered to lie on the
table.
The like information as on the Tuefday pre-
ceding, was given by the mcfTengcrs who had
been fent in fearch of them, concerning Spencer
ajid Becket.
Mr. Smith and Captain Famam Nairn were
then
HINDOO 2O9
then examined, in relation to the non-attendance
of Spencer and Becket ; after which, the order of
the day, for the committee of the whole houfe on
this bufmefs being read, it was
Refolvcd> " That it appeared to the houfe, that,
from the abfence of Spencer and Becket, two
material witneffes in fupport of the bill, it
would not be expedient to proceed in it in this
feffion of parliament."
It was then feverally refolved, that the houfe
would take the report of the felecl: committee
who were appointed to try the petition of James
Calthofpe and Richard Beckford, Efqrs. into fur-
ther confideration as early as poffiblc the next
feffion ; that until then no warrant for a new
writ mould be ordered; and that an humble ad-
drcfs mould be prefented to the king, to iflue a
proclamation for apprehending Spencer and
Becket, with thepromife of a reward, fo that they
might be delivered into the cuftody of the fer-
jeant at arms during this feffion of parliament ;
and this addrefs was ordered to be prefented by
fuch members of the houfe as were members of
the privy-council.
Then, upon motion for that purpofe, the £rft
refolution of the feleft committee, as agreed to
by the houfe on the 23d of February, was read;
VOL. II. P and
2lO II IX DON'.
and then, upon a motion for that purpofe, the fol-
lowing entry in the votes of the houfe, of the 5th
of December laft, was read :
Refolved, " That if it fli all appear that any per-
" fon hath procured himfelf to be elecled or
" returned a member of this houfe, or en-
" deavoured fo to be, by bribery, or any
" other corrupt practices, this houfe will
" proceed with the utmoft feverity againft
" fuch perfon."
And an order made,
" That the attorney-general do forthwith pro-
" fecute Richard Smith, Efq. for the faid of-
« jencc."
The fecond refolution was read in like manner,
and the like order made, that the attorney-gene-
ral mould profecute Mr. Hollis.
The third refolution being alfo read, a motion-
made, and the queftion propofed, that the attor-
ney-general fliould profecute James Calthorpe,
Efq. the previous queftion was put, and refolved
in the affirmative; and then the like order -was
made for the profecution of Mr. Calthorpe.
Laftly, the fourth refolution being read, it was
ordered that the attorney-general mould likewife
forthwith profecute Mr. Beckford.
•The addrefs for apprehending of Spencer and
Beckct
HIS' DON; 811
Becket was prefented to the king, and the pro-
clamation iflued; but on Thurfday the nth of
May, they fiirrendered themfelves; and, it be-
ing feverally refolved by the houfe, " That they
" had purpofely abfconded, in order to avoid
u being ferved with an order for their atten-
" dance, as witnefles, on a committee of the
" houfe," they were ordered to be committed to
Newgate.
On the 8th of May, 1775, the houfe refolved
to take the whole matter into their moft ferious
confideration, as early as poflible in the next fef-
fion of parliament, and that, in the mean time, no
warrant mould be ordered for a new writ.
On the 31 ft of January, 1776, an order was
made, that leave mould be given to bring in a
bill for the fame purpofes with the two which
had been brought in during the former fefiion.
Monday the 5th of February, the bill was
brought in, and the fecond reading was fixed for
the igth.
Various petitions were prefented by interefled
parties againft the bill, who were heard by coun-
fel ; and, after innumerable debates and adjourn-
ments, the houfe came to the following refolu-
tion,
Refolved, " That this houfe will, upon this day
P 2 " three
412 KINDOX.
" three months, refolve itfelf into a corrr-
" mittee of the whole houfe, to confidcr
" further of the bill to incapacitate certain
" pcrfons therein mentioned, from voting
" at ele8ior>s of members to ferve in parlia-
" ment for the borough of Hindon, in the
" county of Wilts."
The reader will perceive, that by this refolu-
tion the bill was virtually thrown out; it was
known that the feffion would be at an end, long
before the day appointed for taking it again into
confideration ; and all bills depending at the end
of a feffion fall, of courfe, to the ground. If the
houfe had intended to take up the affair in the
fueceeding fettles, they would have come to a
like refolution with that of the 8th of May, 1775 ;
but in truth there was no fuch defign.
Mr. Douglas obferves, that there would be
great difficulty in fixing on the new clafs of voters,
bccaufe the influence of different gentlemen of
property in the neighbourhood of the place would
have been more or lefs incrcafed, or diminifhcd,
according as the freeholders of one, two, or more
hundreds fliould have been admitted to a partici-
pation of the right of eleftion. There was fome
danger, therefore, that a law, which in its origin)
•was intended to be a public benefit, and to amend:
the
ce
5
H IN DON'. 21J
the conftitution, might, in the end, turn out a
mere job, and become fubfervient to the parti-
cular intereft of certain individuals; in mort,
many who had at firft promoted and fupported
the bill, began in the courfe of the feflion to alter
their opinion with regard to it ; or loft at leaft
much of the zeal which they had formerly fhewn
for its fuccefs. On the different occafions when
it was to be taken into confideration, there was
often other bufinefs more urgent, and more ge-
nerally interefting, to be difcuffed ; and by the
time that was finifhed, and the order of the day
for the houfe to refolve itfelf into a committee on
the Hindon bill called for, the greater number
of members, already worn out by long attendance,
were glad to leave the houfe: advantage was
taken of this by fome gentlemen, who, from the
beginning, made no fcruple of avowing their rc-
folution of employing every means and every
Stratagem which the forms of procedure in the
houfe of commons mould furnifli, or authorife, in
order to defeat the bill. Forty members are ne-
ceffary to constitute a houfe; and if it appear
hat there is not that number prefent, an imme-
iate adjournment muft take place. Whenever
thofe gentlemen imagined the number prefcnt
vas under forty, they moved that the houfe
P g ShoulcJ
214 HINDON,
fhould be counted; and in this manner the pro*
ceedings were, atfeveral times, fuddenly flopped ;
viz. on Thurfday the jth of March, on Wednef-
day the 2yth of that month, andxm Tuefday the
7th of May. Another art was praftifed, with
equal, or even greater fuccefs : every poffible ob-
jeftion to the admiflibility of evidence was either
raifed by fome member of the houfe, or taken by
the counfel, who attended at the bar on the part
of the perfons who had petitioned againft the bill ;
almoft every fuch objection produced an argu-
ment, a debate, a queftion, and a divifion. Thus
the progrefs of the bufmefs was clogged and re-
tarded fo very effectually, as to make even thofe
who continued the moft anxious promoters of it,
defpair of ever bringing it to a conclufion ; info-
much, that at length, by a fort of tacit agreement
of all parties, the whole was dropped on the 8th
of May 1776, and a new writ ordered to be iffued
for the elecling of two burgefles to ferve in par-
liament for the borough of Hindon ; by which
means the fate of Shoreham and Cricklade was
avoided.
This borough is under the influence of Sir
Henry Gough Calthorpe, Bart, and William Beck-
ford, of Fonthill, Efq. The intcreft of the former
is preferved by the property he pofTeffes in the
borough,
HEYTESBURY. 215
borough, and that of the latter by his refidcnce in
the neighbourhood; but we have not yet learned
that it is become more immaculate, notwithftand-
ing the ordeal it has pafled.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1701, April 3. Is in
the bailiff, burgeffes, and fuch inhabitants only as
pay fcot and lot.
1701, May 13. Is in the inhabitants of the
faid borough not receiving alms.
Agreed to by the houfe.
1728, April 12. Is in the inhabitants of houfes
within the faid borough, being houfekeepers and
parifhioners, not receiving alms.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Two hundred and ten.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRONS — William Beckford, Efq. and Sir
Henry Gough Calthorpc, Bart.
HEYTESBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This place, as well
as Weftbury, which arc both but fmail villages,
have a right to fend members to parliament ;
while Warminfter, which is one of the largeft
towns in the county, has no fuch privilege ; but,-*- I
from their contiguity to it, being four miles dif-
fam, it derives only the unpleafant reflection, that
J* 4 advantages
2l6 WESTBURY.
advantages of fuch a fuperior tendency fliould be
affixed to fo much infignificance.
The right of election here is in the burgage-
holds, which are about fifty in number, and are
the property of the duke of Marl borough, and
W. P. Afhe A' Court, Efq. each of whom returns
a member. This town was entirely burned down
in the year 1766; fince which time it has been
rebuilt to its former extent.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders.
NUMBER of VOTERS — Fifty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETORS — Duke of Maryborough, and
P. W. A. A'Court, Efq.
WESTBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough is of a particular nature, being in
every tenant of any burgage tenement in fee, for
lives, or ninety-nine years, determinable on lives,
or by copy of court-roll, paying a burgage-rent
of four-pence or two-pence yearly, being refident
within the faid borough, and not receiving alms.
There are three kinds of burgage-holds ; viz.
freehold, copyhold, and leafehold. In fome
places the proprietor of the burgage-hold only
has a right to vote; in others, it is the tenant or
occupier
WESTBURY. 817
occupier of fuch a tenure ; fo that the fame per-
plexities and doubts which arife, as to the right
of voting, in fcot and lot or corporation boroughs,
happen alfo in places of this defcription.
Thefe burgage tenures, which arc twenty-four in
numbcr,compofe a long Jlone wall •, which, like the
fheep at Old Sarum, and the pofts at Midhurft, af-
fords the only appearance of a conftituent body
that a ftranger can difcover; the inhabitants of
the village of Weftbury having no more concern
in the election of its reprefentatives than thofe of
Conftantinople.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
and twelve burgefles.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, Dec. i. The te-
nants of burgage-houfes, by leafe, for years ab-
folute, have a right to vote.
1715, June i. Is in every tenant of any bur-
gage-tenement in fee, for lives, of ninety-nine
years, determinable on lives, or by copy of court-
roll, paying a burgage-rcnt of four-pence or two-
pence yearly, being refident within the faid bo-
rough, and not receiving alms.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twenty-four.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PROPRIETOR — Earl of Abingdon.
CALNE.
( 218 )
CALNE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough 4ias
had the honour of giving feats in parliament to
John Dunning, Efq. the late lord Afhburton, and
to colonel Barre. The right of election is in
twenty-four ancient burgefles, who annually eleft,
out of their own body, two guild ftewards to be
the returning officers at elections of their mem-
bers of parliament.
The influence, which formerly prevailed here,
was that of Richard Bull, Efq. and Mr. Ducket ;
but the marquis of Lanfdown, from his popula-
rity, and occafional refidence at Bow Wood Park,
in this neighbourhood, has had, for more than
twenty years, the fole command and ztbfolute
controul over it.
CORPORATION — Confifls of twenty-four capi-
tal burgefles ; out of which two conftablcs are
annually chofen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1710, Dec. 22. Is in
the inhabitants of the borough, having a right of
common, and being fworn at Ogbourn-court.
1723, Feb. 25. Is in the ancient burgefles of
the faid borough only.
That the right of returning burgcfles is in the
guild ftewards,
NUMBER
DEVIZES. 219
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twenty-four.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The guild flewards.
PATRON — Marquis of Lanfdown.
DEVIZES.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough is exclufively in the corporation,
confifting of a mayor, aldermen, and common
council. The influence which prevails here is
that of James Sutton, Efq. of New Park, in this
county, brother-in-law to the fpeaker of the
houfe of commons, who was once member for this
borough.
This town, which is of a very confiderable
magnitude, labours under the fame difadvantagc
with Salifbury and Marlborough, refpecting the
right of voting being limited to the body corpo-
rate, and not extending to the people at large.
The fame exclufion exifting likewife in the ci-
ties of Bath and Winchefter, the town and county
of Poole, and in the large towns of Portfmouth,
Plymouth, Andover, Tiverton, Banbury, Wy-
combe, Dartmouth, Scarborough, Thetford, St.
Edmund's Bury, Newport in the Ifle of Wight,
Bewdley, and Harwich, our obfqrvations on thofe
refpeclive places will apply to the chartered
monopoly of this borough.
CORPORATION
tfO CHIPPENHAM.
CORPORATION— By charter of King Charles I.
it confifts of a mayor, recorder, ten magiftrates,
and twenty-four common-councilmen, who have
liberty of making what burgcfies they pleafe, all
of whom have votes in election of members to
parliament.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1688, Mar. 21. Is in
the mayor and feleft number of burgcfies only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Thirty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — James Sutton, Efq.
CHIPPENHAM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The corporation of
this borough confifts of a bailiff and eleven bur-
geffes, who in the year 1624, on the gth of April,
contended, that the exclufive privilege of voting
for members of parliament was vcfted in them ;
but the houfe of commons then Refolded, " That
«' the burgefles and freemen, more than twelve,
v have voices in the eleftion."
In the year 1741, on trie 2 8th of January, they
fct up a fimilar claim, when the following pro-
pofuion was put to the houfe ; That the words
" burgefies and freemen," mean only fuch bur-
geffes and freemen as are inhabitant houfeholdcrs
of the ancient houfes, called free or burgage- •
CHIPPENHAM.
hollfes, within the faid borough; which pafled
in the negative. This right is, therefore, ftill
unconfirmed, though exercifed by thefe burgeffes
and freemen who inhabit ancient houfes.
The number of thefe houfes is One hundred
and twenty-five, from amongft Whom the twelve
burgeffes are chofen, who cleft a bailiff.
Corruption was firft introduced into this bo-
rough in the adminiftration of Walpole, when the
court made a violent oppofition to Sir Edward
Bay nton and Sir Edmund Thomas, who were of the
Leicefter Houfe faclion, and which was after-
wards a fubjecl of ferious inveftigation in the
houfe of commons. Ten pounds was then the
price of a vote in this borough, but fo little has
the progrefs of venality been checked fince that
period, that ten, and twenty times that fum is
given at the prefent day.
The patronage is equally divided between Sir
Edward Baynton, Bart. Sir Samuel Fludyer, Bart,
and Henry Dawkins, Efq. An union of interefh
between two of thefe gentlemen, renders void,
and effectually excludes, theinfluence of the third.
A coalition at prefent exifls between Sir Samuel
Fludyer and Mr. Dawkins.
CORPORATION — By charter of Queen Mary it
is governed by a bailiff and twelve burgeffes.
RIGHT
122 MALMESBURY.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1624, April 9. The
'burgeffes and freemen, more than twelve, have
voices in the election.
1741, Jan. 28. " That the words " burgeffes
and freemen" mean only fuch burgeffes and free-
men as are inhabitants, houfeholders of the an-
cient houfes called free or burgage houfes within
the faid borough."
It paffed in the negative.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — One hundred and twen-
ty-five.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRONS — Sir Samuel Fludyer, Bart, and
Henry Dawkins, Efq.
MALMESBURY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough, is, by the refolution of the 13th
of December, iyo2,veftedin thirteen individuals,
an alderman, and twelve burgeffes, who are all
the dependants of Dr. Wilkins, a phyfician of this
town. This gentleman holds the lucrative place
of receiver-general for the county ; from which
circumftance it may be inferred, that the repre-
fentatives for this place are feldom inimical to
adminiftration. Mr. Paul Benfield, one of the
gentlemen returned at the lad general eleftion,
becoming
CRICKLADE. 223
becoming a profelytc to oppofition, fhortly after
his acceffion to that fituation, did not fail to re-
ceive a hint from the grateful doclor, that the va-
cation of his feat became an indifpenfible eti-
quette; in confequence of which the Chiltern
Hundreds were given, and Sir James Sanderfon
fucceeded to the reprefentation of this immacu-
late body of conftituents.
CORPORATION — By charter of King William
III. it is governed by an alderman and twelve ca-
pital burgefTes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, Dec. 13. Agreed
to be in the alderman and twelve capital bur-
gefles.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Thirteen.
RETURNING OFFICER — The alderman.
PATRON — Dr. Wilkins.
CRICKLADE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough has
rendered itfelf remarkable by its venality, and the
number of its petitions on undue elections. The
firft. of thefe was in confequence of a double re-
turn of John Dewar, Efq. and Samuel Peach,
Efq. in 1774, which election was declared void
in February 1775. The fecond fucceeded in
confequence of the election of Mr. Peach to fup-
ply
284 CRICKLAfcEi
ply this vacancy ; which, in the month of Febru-*
aty 1776, was determined againft the fitting mem-
ber, and in favour of John Dewar, Efq. The
third was the petition of Samuel Petrie, Efq.
againft the return of Paul Benfield, Efq. and John
Macpherfon, Efq. at the general election in 1 780 ;
which complained, that at the late election of
members to ferve in parliament for the borough
of Cricklade, in the county of Witto, Paul Ben-
field, Efq. John Macpherfon, Efq. and the peti-
tioner, were candidates ; and that, previous to,
and during and after the poll, the faid Paul Ben-
field and John Macpherfon, by themfclvcs and
their agents, were guilty of many grofs and noto-
rious acts of bribery and corruption, whereby
many of the voters were influenced to give their
votes for the faid Paul Benfield and John Mac-
pherfon ; and did, by themfclves or their agents,
entertain and allow to the faid electors, who had
a right to vote in the faid election, money, meat,
drink, entertainment or provifion ; and by fuch
unlawful means, and by threats and promifes,
and divers other corrupt and unwarrantable prac-
tices and proceedings, of the faid Paul Benfield
and John Macpherfon, their agents and abettors,
they have procured themfelves to be unduly re-
turned to ferve in parliament for the faid borough,
to
CRICKLADii 225
to the manifeft injury of the petitioner, and in
violation of the rights and privileges of the faid
borough, and of the commons of England ; and
that the returning officer, during the courfe of
the faid election, admitted many perfons to poll
for the faid Paul Benfield and John Macpherfon,
tvho were not duly qualified, and rejected the le-
gal votes of other perfons who tendered them
in favour of the petitioner; and that the peti-
tioner conceives he had a great majority of the
legal and uncorrupted votes at the faid eleclion,
and was duly elefted, and ought to have been re-
turned; and therefore, praying the houfe to take
the premifes into confideration, and to grant un-
to the petitioner fuch relief as to the houfe fliall
feem meet.
A committee was appointed on the 4th of Ja-
nuary 1782, to try the merits of this petition,
•when a fcene of bribery and corruption prefented
itfelf, equal to what we have reported, either o.f
Shoreham, Shaftcfbury, Hindon, or Arundel ; but
to enter into a detail of the evidence, would ex-
ceed the limits of all the reft put together.
The committee reported to the houfe, on the
lil of February following, by Sir Harbord Har-
bord, their chairman,
That Paul Benfield, Efq. is duly eleaed.
VOL. II. Q That
ta6 CRICKLADE.
That John Macphcrfon, Efq. is not duly ele&ed.
That Samuel Petrie, Efq. is not duly clcttcd a
burgefs to fcrvc in parliament for the borough of
Crickladc.
Sir Harbord Harbord alfo reported, " That it
" appears to this committee, that there was the
" mod notorious bribery and corruption at the
" laft election of burgefles to fervein parliament
" for the borough of Cricklade, in the county of
" Wilts."
" That it is the opinion of this committee, that
** the faid bribery and corruption require the moft
91 fcrious confidcration of parliament."
It was ordered, that the faid report be taken
into confidcration upon the i8th of February in-
ftant ; and,
That the minutes of the proceedings taken be-
fore the faid felecl committee be laid before the
houfe.
It was at the fame time ordered, that no new
writ for elecling a burgefs for the borough of
Crickladc mould iflue, until the houfe fhall have
proceeded to take the faid report into confidcra-
tion.
On the i8th of February the houfe refolvcd to
;igree with the committee in the above rcfolu-
tions, and ordered a bill to be brought in, to pre-
vent
CRICKLADE. 22^
Vent bribery and corruption in the elections of
members to ferve in parliament for the faid bo-
rough of Cricklade.
Three petitions were prefcnted againft the faid
bill, by certain electors of Cricklade, on the 5th
of March following ; which were ordered to lie
on the table, and the petitioners allowed to be
heard by counfel againft the bill upon the fecond
leading.
On the ^th the petitioners were heard by
counfel, and the bill was ordered to be com-
mitted.
After going through the feveral ftagcs, the bill
parted, and received the royal afTent on the lyth
of May following. In the preamble it recites, that,
" There was the moft notorious bribery and
" corruption at the laft election of burgefies to
" fcrve in parliament for the borough of Crick-
" lade, in the county of Wilts ; and that fuch
" bribery and corruption is likely to continue and
" bepra&ifedin the faid borough in future, unlefs
u fome means arc taken to prevent the fame. In
" order therefore to prevent fuch unlawful prac-
w tices for the future, and that the faid borough
n may from henceforth be duly reprefented in
ft parliament ; be it enacted by the king's moft
** excellent majefty, by and with the advice and
228 CRICKLADE.
" confent of ihe lords fpiritual and temporal, ancJ
" commons, in this prefent parliament affembled,
" and by the authority of the fame, that from
" henceforth it fhall and may be lawful to and for
" every freeholder, being over the age of twenty-
" one years, who fhall have, within the hundreds
" or divifions of Highworth, Crickiade, Staple,
" Kingfbridge, and Malmfbury, or one or more
" of them, in the county of Wilts, a freehold of
" the clear yearly value of forty millings, to give
" his vote at every election of a burgefs or bur-
" geffes to ferve in parliament for the faid bo-
** rough of Crickiade.
" II. And it is further cna£tedby the autho-
" rity aforefaid, That the right of election of a
" member or members to ferve in parliament for
" the faid borough of Crickiade, mall be, and i*
" hereby declared to be, in fuch freeholders as
" aforefaid, and in the pcrfons who, by the cuf-
" torn and ufage of the faid borough, have, or
" fliall hereafter have, a right to vote at fuch
" election ; and the proper officer for the time
" being, to whom the return of every writ or pro-
M cefs docs belong, is hereby required to return
" the perfon or pcrfons to ferve in parliament
" for the faid borough who fhall have the major
" number of votes of fuch freeholders and other
" pcrfons
CRICKLADE. 22g
" perfons having a right to vote at fuch election ;
f< any law or ufage to the contrary notwithftand-
« ing.
" II L It likewife provides, That fuch free-
*' holders only fhall be entitled to vote as fhall be
" duly qualified to vote at elections for knights
" of the (hire for the faid county of Wilts, ac-
*' cording to the laws now in being for regulat-
" ing county elections."
Mr. Petrie would clearly have eftablifhed his
right to a feat in parliament, upon the merits of
the above petition, but for the admiflibility of
evidence which was afterwards proved to have
been perjured. His country is certainly confi-
derably indebted to him for expofing fuch a fyf-
tem of venality ; and the electors of Cricklade
owe him their gratitude for reftoring them to the
Situation of freemen.
A number of aftions were afterwards brought,
upon the aft of 2 Geo. II. chap. 24, agiiinft the
principals and agents, concerned in bribing and
corrupting the electors in order to recover the
penalties of five hundred pounds for each offence j
when Mr. Petrie was fortunate enough to reco-r
ver upon moft of them.
The election next after pafTing this aft, hap-
pened in June 1782, when the Hon. George
O 3 Richard
«3O CRICKLADE.
Richard St John, and Samuel Petrie, Efq. were
candidates, to fupply the place of Mr. Macpherfon.
The conteft at the poll was only between Mr. St.
John and Mr. Petrie, the other candidates having
prcvioufly declined. The election was decided,
by a great majority, in Mr. St. John's favour:
but Mr. Petrie petitioned againft him. This pe-
tition, which was not tried during the feflion in.
which it was prefented, was renewed in the fet-
fion following, but foon after withdrawn.
At the general election, in 1784, Charles Weft-
ley Coxe, Efq. and Robert Adamfon, Efq. were
candidates in the Oppofition, or, what was then,
called, the Coalition intereft, and were oppofed
by John Walter Heneage, Efq. and Robert Nicho-
las, Efq. who were on the fide of Adminiftration,
The poll, according to the return of the bailiff,
was as follows :
Mr. Coxe — — — 442
Mr. Adamfqn — — 435
Mr. Heneage — — 373
Mr. Nicholas — — 358
A petition was prcfcntcd by Mr. Heneage and
Mr. Nicholas, againft this return ; which came
to be heard before a committee on the i4th of
February, 1785 ; when it appeared, that a num-
ber of fictitious voters had been made under the
right
.CRICKLADE. 231
fight of the borough of Cricklade, where the in-
habitants poflefling houfes, who arc freeholders,
copyholders, or leafcholders, for any term not
lefs than three years, or for any fuch term, or
greater term, determinabe on life or lives, fuch
freeholder y copyholder^ or leafeholdert having been in
the occupation of the hovfe, for which he may claim
to vote, forty days preceding the election.
One hundred and thirty-fix of thefe votes were
objected to, for \i^v\n^ fraudulent leafes, or none
at all ; fome, as not having been refident/br/y
days ; and others, as inmates, or having fplit tene-
ments. Forty votes were objected to as parifli
poor ; bcfidcs twenty of the hundred voters who
were alfo obje&cd to for different rcafons. It
appeared in evidence, that moft of thefe votes
had hco.v\ faggoted, and that the .rcturning-officcr
had been guilty of grofs partiality in favour of
the fitting members. On the 4th of April the
committee reported to the houfe, " That the pc-
" titioncrs were duly elected, and ought to have
" been returned."
The chairman at the fame time reported," That
" the conduct of the rctunung-officer, in taking
" the poll, and making the return, at the laft
" election qf members to fcrvc in parliament for
w the borough of Cricklade, was partial and illc-
O 4
23* CRICKI.ADE.
" gal ; whereby a colourable majority was ob^«
" tained on the poll for Mr. Coxe and Mr,
" Adamfon."
This report, which was taken into confidera-
tion by the houfe, after long and tedious debates,
and repeated adjournments, the whole feflion
was fpent without coining to any conclufion up-
on the fubjeft.
In 1790 Mr. Nicholas was made a commiffi-
oner of excife, and Thomas Eaftcourt, Efq. was
chofen in his room.
At the laft general election Mr. Petrie again
offered himfelf a candidate, in oppofition to thQ
old members ; when the numbers were, for
Air. Eaftcourt — — 246
Mr. Heneagc — — 194
Mr. Petrie — — — in
The two former gentlemen being returned, in
confequence of their majority, Mr. Petrie again
became a petitioner j which was decided in fa-
vour of the fitting members.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1684, April i. Is in the
freeholders and copyholders of the borough-
hcmfcs, and leafeholders, for any term not under
years only.
1685, June 10. Agreed, by the counfel on both
fides,
CRICKLADE, 233
fides, to be in the freeholders, copyholders, and
leafeholders for three years.
1689, April i. Agreed, by the counfel on both
fides, that the right of election is in the freehol-
ders and copyholders of borough-houfes, and
leafeholders for any term not under three years.
1776, Feb. 8. Is in the inhabitants poffefling
houfes within the laid borough, who are freehol-
ders, copyholders, or leafeholdcrs, for any term
not lefs than three years, or for any fuch term,
or greater term, determinable on life or lives ;
fuch freeholder, copyholder, or leafeholder, hav-
ing been in the occupation of the houfe for
which he may claim to vote, four days preceding
any eleftion.
That the hqufes which were in the occupation
of Thomas BoundjThomasKilmafter, fen. Richard
Liddel, William Mabfon, John Pounds, and
Robert Strange, at the laft election, arc within
the boundary of the faid borough.
1782. By aft of parliament it is further vefted
in the freeholders of the five hundreds or divifions
of Highwortb, Cricklade, Staple, Kingfbridge,
jind Malmfbury.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twelve hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
GREAT
GREAT BEDWIN,
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
nere is in the freeholders and inhabitants of an-
cient burgage mefluages, in number about eighty,
and returned by the portreve, called mayor, who
is chofen at the lord's court, and appoints a bai-
liff to a6l under him.
The earl of Aylelbury is the lord of the manor ;
in confequcnce of which he has the appointment
of the returning-officer. His lordfliip alfo pof-
fefles the major part of the property ; fo that his
nomination of the reprefentatives can neither be
oppofed nor contradicted, with any profpcft of
fuccefs.
RIGHT OF ELECTION* — 1729, March 29. In
the freeholders and inhabitants of ancient bur-
gage-meduages.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About eighty,
RETURNING OFFICER — The portreve, who is
called a mayor, and is chofen at the lord's court,
and appoints. a bailiff* under him.
PROPRIETOR — Earl of Ayleftyu.ry,
UJGGERSHALL.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This place, which in
its dimensions is only a fmall village, has a right,
Q?
LUGGERSIIALL. 235
of a very complicated kind, to fend members to
parliament," being in fuch perfons who have any
" eftate of inheritance, or freehold or leafehold,
" determinable upon life or lives, within the
ff borough, not confined to entire ancient houfes,
" or the fites of ancient houfes within the laid
" borough.'*
The majority of thefe eftates were formerly the
property of George Auguftus Selwyn, Efq. of
facetious memory ; at whofc dcmifc they defccnded
to the prefent lord vifcount Sydney: the mino-
rity of them are the property of Mr. Everett, a
banker in London. — This divifion of local fuf-
frage has been the caufc of litigation between the
parties, and produced a petition to the houfe of
commons, againft the return of the two members
in the intcrcft of lord Sydney; which being
heard in 1791, was determined in their favour.
Mr. Selwyn, one of the fitting members, dying
in the interim, a new writ was accordingly iflued;
\vhen, at the enfuing election, another conteft
arofc, Samuel Smith, Efq. being propofed a can-
didate in the intereft of lord Sydney, and Mr.
Alderman Newnham in that of Mr. Everett ;
! when Mr. Smith was returned, and a petition, of a
limilar tendency with the laft:,wasprefented to the
jhoufc of commons; which was, on a compromife
of
OLD SARUM,
of the parties, afterwards withdrawn. The matter in
queftiorij between the contending parties, depends
upon the legality of fplitting thofe eftates to which
the right of voting is annexed : the number of
votes, in Browne Willis's time, were feventy ; but
they are now divided into one hundred and forty-
nine, and are held by the tenants and friends of
the two proprietors, who refide in different parts
of Wiltfhire and Hampfhire, but who are kind
enough to come here, at the time of election, to
perform the ceremonial part of delegating a re-
prefentative for this borough to the legiflativc af-
fembly of the Britifh nation.
RIGHT or ELECTION — 1689, Feb. 11. Is in
fuch perfons as have an eftate of inheritance, or
freehold or leafehold, determinable upon life,
within the faid borough.
1705, Jan. 17. Is in the freeholders or leafe-
holders of the faid borough, determinable upon
life or lives.
NUMBER or VOTERS — About feventy.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — Lord vifcount Sydney.
OLD SARUM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough was
quite detayed, and reduced to only one houfe,
itt
OLD SARUM. 237
in the time of Browne Willis, occafioned by the
tranflation of the old city to the new one, which
is about a mile lower on the river, of which there
is now only a fmall veftige remaining. The mem-
bers are chofen by a bailiff and fix burgelfes,
who are appointed by lord Camelford, the lord
of the borough, and entrufted by him with bur-
gage fcites.
This borough, with the ajjiftancc of Midhurft,
fends four members to parliament, although there
is not a finglehoufe (landing, noraperfon living,
within the limits of either, to be reprefented.
The boroughs of Gatton and Caftle Rifing have
each two koufes only> and they have each two rc~
prefentativfs.
Thus is the legiflative part of our conftitution
made, of fome members who reprefent neither
houfcs norperfons, of others, who are the repre-
fentatives only of fingle individuals, and of
many wh'ofe conftituents do not exceed ten in
number.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1688, Nov. 14. Is in
the freeholders, being burgage-holders of the
faid borough.
. NUMBER OF VOTERS — Nominally SEVEN, but
^aftually only ONE.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — Lord Camelford. .
f 238 )
WOOTON BASSET.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This fmall borough
was ftrongly conteftcd in the year 1784, between
the intercfls of the earl of Clarendon, and lord
vifcount Bolingbroke.
George Tierncy, Efq. was a candidate in the?
intercft of the former; and the prefent lord
North, and the Hon. H. S. Conway, in that of
the latter. Thefc two laft gentlemen had a ma-
jority on the poll, and were accordingly returned ;
but a petition was prcfented by George Tierney,
Efq. which was heard in the month of April,
1-785, when the committee decided in favour of
the fitting members.
Since the above contcft, thcfc noblemen have?
Agreed, to avoid future litigation andexpcnce, to
permit each other to return one member.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
two aldermen, and twelve capital burgefles.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the inhabitants-
paying fcot and lot.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About one hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRONS — Earl of Clarendon and lord vit*
cpunt Bolingbroke.
MARLBOROUGH,
239
MARLBOROUGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — In this town,
from the number of its inhabitants, and the trade
it carries on, may hold a rank equal to fome of
the firft in the county, the right of voting for
members of parliament is in the corporation only,
confiding of a mayor and two bailiffs, chofen out
of twenty capital burgefles. Here, like as at Gat-
ton, two men, who are a majority of the electors,
returning two reprefentatives : now, according
to the principles of the conftitution of this coun-.
try, and the common acceptation of the word rc-
prefentative, thcfc perfons, who are thus elected,
arc bound, not only to liften to the inftrutlions
of their conftituents, but alfo to obey them ; fup-
pofc, therefore, this poffible cafe ; that a fubjccl
mould be debated in parliament, in which the
intercfts of this country were deeply concerned,
but where, at the fame time, the good of the whole
might be injurious to, and militate againfl, that
< ofthofe two individuals; would not the members
I be, upon every account, bound to give their voices
Jin the fenate agreeably to the will ofthofe who
fent them thither, without confuhing the benefit
of thofe with whofe welfare they are not fo imme-
diately concerned? yet what muft be the (late of
that
44O IVORCESTERSIIIRE*
that country, "fvhere this principle, which is the
foundation of reprcfcntativc government's forced
to be denied by the reprefentatives themfelves,
in order to avoid the abfurdity of a£ting under
the inftruclions of fuch a fictitious body of confti-
tuents ?
CORPORATION — It confifts of a mayor and two
bailiffs, chofen out of twenty capital burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECT^N— -ijij, 13 May. Is in the
mayor and burgeffes of the faid borough only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — THREE.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Earl of Aylefbury.
WORCESTERSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county is not under the immediate in-
fluence of either ariftocracy or adminiftration.
The earl of Coventry, lord Foley, and lord So-
mers, have rcfidcnces and considerable cftates
here; but an inion of their interclts could not,
in oppofition to the inclinations of the indepen-
dent freeholders, procure a return of the mcm-
';> reprcfent it in parliament. If the above^
noblemen mould make fuch an attempt, we doubt:
not
WORCESTERSHIRE. 041
not but that their expectations would be fruf-
trated, and their defigns rendered abortive, by
the vigorous exertions of the people.
The political hiftory pf this county has been
rendered remarkable for the unconftitutional in-
terference of the bifliop of this dioceie, at the
general eleclion in 1702, in the firft year of the
reign of Queen Anne.
A complaint was made to the houfe, on the 2d
of November following, that the lord bifhop of
Worcefter, and Lloyd his fon,had been guilty of a
breach of privilege at the laft eleclion for that
county. The fame was ordered to be taken into
confideration on the i8th of the fame month;
\vhen the houfe, according to the order of the
day, proceeded to take into confideration the
complaint of Sir John Pakington, the 2d inft.
againft the lord bifhop of Worcefter, and Mr.
Lloyd, his fon, relating to the rights and pri-
vileges of the houfe of commons : and Sir John
Pakington, in his place, acquainted the houfe,
that he had reduced the matter of the faid com-
plaint into feveral heads; which he read in his
place, and is as follows : viz.
" ift. That, foon after the parliament rofe, the
bifhop of Worcefter took upon him to fend to me
to dcfift from ftanding to be eleBed knight for
VOL. II. R that
242 WORCESTERSHIRE'.
that county, and to threaten me, that if I did not
defift, he fhould think himfclf obliged to fpeak
againft me to his clergy.
" 2dly, He lent fome letters himfelf, and his
fecretary fent others, to feveral of his clergy,
with directions to make what intereft they could
againft me in their feveral parifhes ; and where
they courd not prevail with fuch who voted fmgly
for me in the laft election, to give a vote for one
or both the other candidates, they mould dcfire
them to ftay at home ; and, in order to this, hi*
lordfliip fcnt them copies of the poll of their rc-
fpeftivc parifhes.
" sdly, He afpcrfedme to his clergy, branding
me and my anceftors with feveral vices ; and, af
his confirmation and vifitations, folicited his
clergy to vote againft me, reprcfcnting me as
very unfit to ferve in parliament, and threatening
them with his difpleafure, if they did not vote
againft me.
" 4thly, He afperfed me and my anceftors to
feveral of the laity, who were his tenants, and
threatened them, that, if they would not vote
againft me, they fhould never renew any cftate
under him ; and that he would let fuch marks
upon them, that his fucceffors fhould not fuffe*
ihcm nor their children to renew any more.
WORCESTERSHIRE. 343
Cf 5thly, Mr. Lloyd, the bifhop's Ton, afperfcd
me, and gave fcandalous characters of me tofeveral
freeholders, whom he folicited to vote againft me,
and told them I voted for bringing in a French go-
vernment,
" 6thly, The bifliop's fecretary afperfedme to
feveral freeholders in the like manner; reprefent-
ing me as unfit to fit in the houfe, threatening
them with the bifliop's difpleafure, and faid they
might as well vote for the Prince of Wales, as for
me."
After which, the witnefles to the refpeclivs
heads were called in, and examined at the bar
thereunto ; and then they feverally withdrew.
Refolded, nemine contradicentc, " That Sir John
" Pakington has, by evidence, fully made
" out the charge which he exhibited againft
" the lord bifhop of Worcefter."
.Refolvcd, jumine coniradicenie, " That Sir John.
" Pakington hath fully made out the charge
" againft Mr. Lloyd, the faid lord bifhop's
" fon."
Refolved, " That.it appears to this houfe, that
" the proceedings of William lord bifhop
" of Worcefter, his fon, and his agents, in
" order to the hindering the election of a
0 member for the county of Worcefter,have
R 2 " been
^4-i WORCESTER-SHIRK.
** been malicious, unchrmian, and arbitrary^
" in high violation of the liberties and p-rr-
*r vileges of the commons of England."
Refolved, " That an humble addrefs be prc-
" fented to her majefty, that (lie will be gra-
" cioufly pleafed to remove William lord
tc bifhop of Worcefter from being almoner
" to her majefty."
Refolved, " That the faid refolution and addrefs
" be prefented to her majefty by fuch mem-
" bers of this houfe as are of her majefty*s
M moft honourable privy-council."
Ordered, M That the further confideration of the
" matter relating to the lord bifhop of
" Worcefter, be adjourned till this day
" fc'nnight."
Ordered," That Mr. Attorney-General do pro-
" fecute Mr. Lloyd, the lord bifliop of Wor-
" cefter's fon, for his faid offences, after his
n privilege, as a member of the lower houfc
44 of convocation, is out.'*
The lords took the alarm at thefe proceedings
of the commons againft a member of their houfe,
and endeavoured to fcreen him from their refent-
ment. An addrefs from the lords to the queen
was agreed to, in which they ftatcd, " That it was
" the undoubted right of every lord of parliament,
WORCESTERSHIRE 245
** and of every fubjeft of England, to have an op-
" portunity of making his defence before he fuf-
" fers any fort of punifhmcnt, and therefore
" humbly defired her majefty that me would be
" pleafed not to remove the lord bifhop of Wor-
" cefter from the place of lord almoner, nor to
" fliew any mark of her difpleafure towards him,
" till he be found guilty of Come crime by due
" oourfe of law," This addrefs being prefented
to the queen, me returned for anfwer, " That me
" agreed that every peer and lord of parliament,
" and indeed every other perfon, ought to have
" an opportunity of being heard to any matters
" objeftcd againft him before he be puniihcd ;
" that flic had not yet received any complaint
" againft the bifhop of Worcefter; but fhe looked
" upon it as her undoubted right to continue or
" difplace any fervant attending upon her own
" perfon, when fhe mould think proper." The
lords upon this anfwer, refolved the fame day, una-
nimoufly, " That no lord of their houfc ought to
" fuffer any fort of punifhmcnt by any proceed-
ft ings of the houfc of commons, othcrwife than
" according to the known and ancient rules and
" methods of parliament."
Mr. Comptroller reported to the houfc of com-
jnons that their rcfolutions, and addrefs to her
R 3 majefty,
V
246 WORCESTERSHIRE.
majefty, for the removing William lord bifhop
of Worcefter from being lord almoner to her ma-
jefty, had been prefented to her majefty, and that
her majefty had been pleafed to give this moft
gracious anfwer :
" I am very forry that there is occafion for
" this addrefs againft the bifhop of Worcejler. I
" mail order and direct, that he fhall no longer
" continue to fupply the place of almoner; but
" I will put another in his room, to perform that
" office."
Refolved, " That the moft humble thanks of
" this houfe be returned to her majefty, for
*c her majefty's moft gracious anfwer to their
" addrefs relating to William lord bifhop of
" Worcejler."
Ordered, " That Mr. Comptroller of her ma-
" jefty's houfehold do return the faid moft
" humble thanks of this houfe to her ma-
" jefty."
March 25, Ordered, " That the evidence given
" in at the bar of this houfe, upon the charge
" of Sir John Pakington againft William
" lord bifhop of Worcefter, and Mr. Lloyd,
" hisfon, be printed, together with the pro-
" ceedings of the houfe thereupon."
Ordered, ** That the week's books, in rplati<
:
WORCESTER. 247
" to the faid evidence, be examined, and that
" Mr. Speaker do take care of the printing
" the faid evidence and proceedings."
Ordered^ " That the further confideration of
c< the matter relating to the lord bifhop
" of Worcefter be adjourned till this day
" fe'nnight."
On the 23d, 1703, the folicitor-general re-
ported to the houfe the proceedings which had
been made again:! Mr. Lloyd, the lord bifhop of
Worcester's fon.
This county is divided into feven hundreds,
containing the city of Worcefter and ten market-
towns, viz. Bewdley, Bromfgrove, Droitwich,.
Dudley, Evefliam, Kidderminfler, Parfhorc, Ship-
ton-upon-Stour, Stourbridge, Tenbury, and Up-
ton. It is in the province of Canterbury, and
diocefe of Worcefter; contains one hundred a,nd
fifty-two pariflics, and fends nine members to
parliament ; two knights of the mire, two mem-
bers for the city of Worcefter, two for the bo-
rough of Droitwich, two for Evefham, and one
for Bewdley.
WORCESTER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — We enter with re-
luctance upon the painful talk of introducing the
R 4 political
248 WORCESTER.
political character of a populous and opulent
city, under theftigma of venality and corruption.
To the honour of the majority of its electors,
however, and to that perfevering fpirit which
they manifefted through three expenfive contefts,
and the trial of as many petitions, it affords us
the fatisfaclion of demonftrating, that practices
fubverfive of national liberty cannot be ufed in
popular elections without dete&ion, nor efcape
under the ordeal of juftice rwithout punifh-
ment.
Upon the death of Henry Crabb Boulton, Efq.
in 1773, who was one of the reprefentatives for
this city, Sir Watkin Lewes was invited, by a
committee of the independent electors, deputed
by them for that purpofe, to become a candidate
to fupply the vacancy. Thomas Bates Rons, Efq.
was oppofed to him by the intereft of the miniftry,
the corporation, and the earl of Coventry, who
is recorder of this city, and has a feat in the
neighbourhood. Mr. Rous was returned by the
meriff, after a poll of feveral days ; and on the
2Oth of January, 1774, a petition was prefcnted
to the houfe of commons by Sir Watkin Lewes,
fitting forth, " That, at the late election of a
member to r-jprcfent the city of Worcefler in
parliament, in the room of the late Henry Crabb
Boulton,
WORCESTER. 249
Boulton, Efq. deceafcd, the petitioner, and Thomas
Bates, Rous, Efq. were candidates ; and that the
faid Thomas Bates Rous, by himfelf and agents,
after the faid vacancy happened, and previous to
and during the poll, was guilty of bribing and
corrupting, and attempting to bribe and corrupt,
thofe who had a right to vote in the faid election,
in order to procure himfelf to be elected to ferve
in parliament for the faid city ; and that many
of the aldermen of the faid city acled as agents
for the faid Thomas Bates Rous, and alfo did
bribe, and attempt to bribe, with money and
otherwife, a great many freemen of the faid city,
to induce them to give their votes for the faid
Thomas Bates Rous, at the faid eleciion ; and
that William Math ews, Efq. fheriff and returning
officer of the faid city, acted partially and unfairly,
before and during the poll, in rejecting good votes
for the petitioner, and admitting perfons not
qualified to vote for the faid Thomas Bates Rous,
and in many other refpecls was guilty of partiality
in the execution of his office; and that, by thefc
and other illegal means, the faid Thomas Bates
Rous procured a majority of votes upon the poll,
and was returned to ferve in parliament for the
faid city, in prejudice to the petitioner, and in
open defiance of the law, and the freedom of
elections."
WORCESTER,.
On the 2d of February following, a committee
was appointed to try the merits of this petition,
who, on the 8th of the fame month, reported to
the houfe,
" That Thomas Bates Rons, Efq. the fitting
rt member, is not duly elefted." And alfo,
" That Sir Watkin Lewes, Knt. is not duly
" elecied to ferve in this prefent parliament for
" the city of Worcefter."
A new writ was therefore ordered to be iffucd
for a new election.
At this fecond election colonel Lechmcrc was
tet up by the minifterial party, in oppofition to
Sir- Watkin Lewes, and was returned by a fmall
'majority ; but as the parliament at that time was
nearly expiring, and the diffolution aknoft daily
expected, the citizens of Worcefter deferred con-
tefting their caufe any further, till the general
election.
When the diffolution took pfacc, in September-
following, Mr. Rons was again a candidate, on
the old intereft, in conjunction with Mr. Walfh,
the late member; and Sir Watkin Lewes, and
Edward Bearcroft, the counfel, were oppofed to.
them by the independent intereft of the city of
Worcefter. At the clofc of the poll the numbers
were,
for
WORCESTER. ft^i
For Mr. Rons, — — — 981
Mr. Walfh, — — 893
Sir Walk in Lewes, — 736
Mr. Bearcroft, — — 312
Upon which the two former were returned.
On the 31 ft of O&ober following, Sir Watkin
Lewes prcfented a fecond petition to the houfe,
fetting forth, " That, at the late election of mem-
bers to reprefent the city of Worccltcr in parlia-
ment, John Walfh, and Thomas Bates Rous,
Efqrs. and the petitioner, were candidates ; and
that, previous to and during the late election, the
faid Mr. Walfh and Mr. Rons did, by themfelves
and their agents, bribe and corrupt, and attempt
to bribe and corrupt, thofe who had a right to
vote at the faid election, in order to procure
themfelves to be elected to fcrvc in parliament
for the faid city ; and that previous to and at the
faid election, William Mathcws, Efq. mayor of
the faid city, and feveral aldermen and jufticcs of
the faid city, with many of the common-council,
afted as agents for the faid ]ohn Walfh and
Thomas Bates Rous, and threatened, and publicly
canvaffed and foli cited great numbers of the free-
men of the faid city to vote for Mr. Walfh and
Mr. Rous ; and promifed that they mould be let
down as conflables, and have a certain reward for
their
2»52 WORCESTER.
their votes ; and alfo did bribe, and attempt to
bribe, with money, and otherwife corrupt, a great
many freemen of the faid city, to induce them to
vote for the faid John Walfli and Thomas Bates
Rous, or one of them, at the faid eleclion ; and
were guilty of divers other corrupt and illegal
practices, in order to procure a majority for the
faid Mr. Walfli and Mr. Rous ; and that, by
•means thereof, and other undue influence, the
laid mayor, aldermen, and common-council, as
agents for the faid Mr. Walfli and Mr. Rous,
procured many freemen to vote in their intcreft
for the faid Mr. Walfli and Mr. Rous, who would
otherwife have voted for the petitioner ; and that
the faid mayor, feveral of the aldermen and juf-
tices of the faid city, and their town-clerk, for
feveral days before and during the election, met
together, nominated, appointed, and fworc in,
many freemen, and, as the petitioner believes, to
the number of three hundred and upwards, to be
conftables, under a promife from fuch perfons
that they would vote for Mr. Walfh and Mr,
Rons ; for which they fhould have certain re-
wards in money ; which was afterwards paid to
them out of the money and funds of the corpo-
ration of the faid city, or by the faid Mr. Walfh
«md Mr. Rous ; by which means the faid mayor
and
and aldermen did corruptly obtain a majority of
votes for Mr. Rons and Mr. Walfh upon the
poll ; and that a peer of this realm, and a lord of
parliament, did, by himfelf and his agents, in-
terfere in the faid election, by canvaffing and
ibliciting votes on behalf of the faid John Walfh,
and ufmg threats to intimidate the freemen from
giving their votes to the petitioner, in violation
of the privileges of the houfe, the freedom of
eleBion, and a high infringement of the rights
of the Commons of Great Britain ; and that
John Williams, gentleman, fheriffand returning-
officer of the faid city, a£ted partially and un-
fairly, before and during the election, in reject-
ing good votes for the petitioner, and admitting
perfons, not qualified, to vote for the faid John
Walfh and Thomas Bates Rous, and in many
other refpefts was guilty of partiality in the exe-
cution of his office ; and that, by thefe and other
illegal means, the faid John Walfh and Thomas
Bates Rous, procured a majority upon the poll,
and were returned to ferve in parliament for the
faid city, in prejudice of the petitioner, who had
a majority of legal votes, and ought to have
been returned; and therefore praying the houfe
to take the premifes into confideration, and to
grant him fuch relief therein as fhall, upon exa-
jmnation, appear to be juft."
254 WORCESTER
The objeQs of the petitioner were,
ift, To prove that bribery had been commit-*
ted by the fitting members, or their agents ; and
thereby to make the elc6lion void, as to them.
2dly, To difqiialify fuch a number of the
voters for the fitting members, and to add fuch
a number to the poll of the petitioner, as to leave
a majority in his favour, and entitle him to be
declared duly elefted.
3dly, To induce the committee to make a fpe-
cial report to the houfe of the various matters
particularly alledgcd in the petition againfl the
fitting members, the corporation, the returning-
officer, the peer whofe influence was complained
of, and the corrupted voters.
On the firft head, witneffes were produced,
who fwore to pofitive a£ls of bribery, and pro-
mi fes, by Mr. Walfh himfelf, and by his agents.
There was no attempt to charge Mr. Rons di-
reftly; but it was contended, that Mr. Wai Hi,
and his agents, were to be confidered as agent*
for Mr. Rous, who, therefore, muft be affected
by what they had done.
On the fccond head there were the following
objections to different claffes of voters for the
fitting members.
ifl, To a great number, that their votes had
been procured by money or promifcs. This was
the
WORCESTER. 2££
the main point of the cafe; being fufficient, if
proved to the fall extent, to have given the pe-
titioner a majority over both the fitting mem-
bers.
By a charter of James I. the city of Worcefter,
which was, before that time, and continues to be,
a county of itfelf, is incorporated by the name of
the mayor, aldermen, and citizens of the city of
Worcefter. There is a common-council, com-,
pofed of two bodies, one of twenty-four, the
other of forty-eight, making together feventy-
i\vo common-councilmen. The number of citU
zens is indefinite ; the mayor and fix aldermen
are chofen annually out of the twenty-four by
the fcventy-two. Thefe fix aldermen, and the
mayor, are, by their offices, juftices of the peace
for the city.
The day before the ele&ion began, the com-
mon-council, the greateft part of whom were in
the intereft of the fitting members, made the fol-
lowing refolution and order:
nth Ocl. 1774, Refolved, " That it be recom-
" mended to the mayor and juftices to ap-
" point fuch a number of conftablcs as they
" mall think proper, to preferve the peace
" during the ele&ion of members to reprc-
w fent this city in parliament."
Ordered,
9.$ WORCESTER*
Ordered, " That the cxpences attending, fuch
" appointment be defrayed by this corpora-
" tion."
Accordingly, about three hundred were fworrt
in ; and they received one (hilling and fixpence a
day from the chamberlain, out of the money of
the corporation, for a week : all the conftables,
except about ten or twelve, were freemen, and
voted for the fitting members. At former elec-
tions it had been ufual to appoint a certain num-
ber of fpecial conftables to keep the peace; but
they were not fo numerous as at this election ; and
they were paid, in equal proportions, by the can-
didates> and not by the corporation. There were
feveral of the perfons appointed, on this prefcnt
occafion, lame, or fo infirm as to be incapable of
doing the duty of the office ; infomuch that, a riot
having happened during the courfe of the poll,
it was thought neceffary to fwcar in about ten
or twelve able-bodied watermen. Thefe wa-
termen were the only conftables who were not
freemen.
From the circumftances juft ftated, it was con-
tended, that the appointment of fo many freemen
to be conftables was only colourable; that being
all voters, and having voted for the fitting mem-
bers, the money paid to them muft be confidered
as
WORCESTER. 357
is bribes given them by the corporation, who
were agents of Walfh and Rous ; that all the votes
of the conftables therefore ought to be ftruck off
the poll.
Befides this, there were witneflfes who faid, that
two agents of Walfh, in their prcfence, had of-
fered, on the 3<Dth of September, to a company
of about twenty-five freemen, to make them con-
ftables if they would vote for Walfh and Rous ;
and faid they mould have a guinea from each can-
didate ; and that many of them accepted on that
condition. One of the witncfles faid, he afked
whether he might not be half a conftable, if he
polled for Walfh ; and that he was told he could
not be a conflable, unlefs he would vote for
Walfh ; feveral pcrfons fwore to declarations of
voters who were made conftables ; that they had
received money from or on the behalf of Walfh;
and that they were promifed more.
There was a confiderable number of out-
voters, refident in London, Birmingham, Kidder-
minfter, and other places, whofe expences were
defrayed by the fitting members. It was alfo
fworn, that they were promifed money for their
trouble by the agents. Many declared that they
had voted, in expectation of a reward ; fome that
VOL. II. S they
WORCESTER.
they had received the money after they had
polled.
• On Thurfday the i8th of April, the committee,
by their chairman, informed the houfe, that they
had determined,
That the two fitting members were duly
clcclcd.
No vacancy for this city happened afterward
till the general eleclion of 1780, when Mr. Rous
was again a candidate, on the intereft of the cor-
poration, in conjunction with the Hon. William
"Ward, now lord vifcount Dudley, and again1
oppofed by Sir Watkin Lewes, on the independent
intereft. Mr. Rous and Mr. Ward were fuccefs-
ful ; and on the 2Oth of November following, a
third petition was prefented to the houfe, from the
freemen of Worcefter, complaining, " That, at
the lad election ©f members to fcrvc in parlia-
ment for the city of Worcefter, the Right Hon.
Sir Watkin Lewes, Knt. now lord-mayor of the
*ity of London, the Hon. William Ward, and
Thomas Bates Rous, Efq. were candidates ; and
that feveral of the aldermen, juftices, and others,,
of the faid city, hawked about, and offered the
rcprefentation of the faid city for fale, at the laft
general ele£tion> for a fum of 4000!. or other
large
WORCESTER.
large fum of money ; and did treat with feveral
perfonsfor thatpurpofe; and that, in confequence
of bribery and corruption, and by undue and op-
preflive influence, committed and praclifed by the
faid William Ward, or feveral of the aldermen,
juftices, and others, of the faid city, as agents for
the faid William Ward, a majority of votes was
procured upon the poll, contrary to the general
fenfe and wifhes of the freemen, who would
otherwife have ele&ed the faid Sir Watkin
Lewes, if it had not been for illegal means made
ufe of in favour of the faid Mr. Ward, as afore-
faid."
This petition was tried by a committee ap-
pointed the 6th of February, 1781, who, on the
15th of the faid month, reported to the houfe,
« That the Hon. William Ward was duly
« eleded.
The limits of our work will not fuffer us to go
at large into the evidence on thefe feveral peti-
tions ; nor would it prove more than what appears
almoft through every cafe which comes before the
houfe of commons ; — that corruption prevails; —
and that the influence of magiftrates and corpo-
rations is generally exerted to deftroy the freedom
of eleclions; — that freemen and burgeffes are ad-
mitted, or refufcd their admifljon, by corpora-
S a tions,
26O "' WORCESTER.'
tions, with little or no regard to claims legally
and juftly founded, but merely to fuit the pur-
pofcs of whatever party the leading men in each
city or borough may find it their intereft to
efpoufe ; and even the poor-rates in fcot and lot
boroughs are corrupted into engines of defpotifm.
The taxing a number of pcrfons who have no
right, and omitting another defcription, who pof-
fefs or occupy rateable houfes, has been the
means of giving a colourable majority in many
elections.
As a teftimony of the public approbation, the
city of London unanimoufly voted their thanks
to Sir Watkin Lewes, by their corporation, for the
manly defence he had made in fupport of the
freedom of election ; and the ladies of Worcefter
prefented lady Lewes with a complete fet of
Worcefter-manufaftured porcelain, emblazoned
v, ith the arms of Sir Watkin Lewes and thofe of
the city of Worcefter j with a filvcr table, engraved
\vith appofite devices, and fmifhcd with cxquifite
tafte and magnificence.
At the general election, in 1784, the Hon.
William Ward, and Samuel Smith, Efq. of Alder-
manbury, were chofen without oppofition. Upon
Mr. Ward's fucceedingtothcpcerage,Mr.Wigley
was elected in his room. A conteil arofe at the
laR
DROITWICH. 26l
laft general ele&ion, the two late members being
oppofed to Mr. Lechmere, the barrifter ; \vhen
the numbers at the final clofe of the poll were, for
Edmund Wigley, Efq. — 959
Edmund Lechmere, Efq. — 892
Samuel Smith, Efq. — — 692
This city, which is a county of itfelf, was an-
ciently governed by two bailiffs, two aldermen,
and a common-council, and fent members to par-
liament ab origine.
CORPORATION — By charter of James I. it con-
fifts of a mayor, recorder, fhcriffs, fix aldermen,
twenty-four common-councilmen, and forty-
eight affiftants.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1693, Feb. 7. Is in the
freemen not receiving alms.
1747, Feb. 11. Is in the citizens of the faid
city not receiving alms, and admitted to their free*
dom by birth, or by fervitude, or by redemption, in
order to trade within the faid city.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Seventeen hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The fherifF,
DROITWICH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-
tion in this borough is in two bailiffs, a recorder,
S 3 and
£62 EVESHAM.
and eleven burgefles, who are filled the corpora-
tion of the falt-fprings of Droitwich.
This place is under the influence of lord Foley
and Sir Edward Winnington, Bart, the latter of
•whom derives it from the family of Salway, of
Stanford, in this county, and is now one of its
members ; the other is the Hon. Andrew Foley,
fecond brother to the late lord Foley.
Sir Herbert Pakington has alfo an intereft in
this borough, but not fufficiently ftrong to oppofe
the prefent members.
CORPORATION — This place, which was origi-
nally incorporated by King John, and afterwards
by charter of infpeximus of James I. confifts of
two bailiffs, a recorder, and eleven burgefles.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1690, Nov. 11. Is in
the burgefles of the corporation of the falt-
fprings of Droitwich.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Fourteen.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiffs.
PROPRIETORS — Lord Foley and Sir Edward
Winnington.
EVESHAM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough, which
was incorporated by a charter granted by King
James I. is only under partial influence. The
corporation
EVESHAM. 263
corporation have been always much attached to
the family of the Rufhouts, of Northwick, in this
neighbourhood, whofe intereft has been confi-
dered as the prevailing one, and fufficient to pro-
cure a feat in parliament for one of that family.
The other feat is open.
At the laft election, in 1790, there were three
candidates; viz. Sir John Rufhout, in his own
intereft ; Thomas Thompfon, Efq, in that of Op-
pofition ; Mr. Sullivan, in that of Adminiftration ;
when the numbers, on the clofe of the poll, were,
For Sir John Rufhout, Bart. — 418
Thomas Thompfon, Efq. — 407
Mr. Sullivan — - — 374
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
feven aldermen, and twelve capital burgeffes.
The mayor and four of the aldermen are juf-
tices of the peace, and of oyer, terminer, and gaol
delivery, for all offences committed within the
jurifdiclion of the borough, high treafon ex-
cepted.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1669, Sept. 22. Is in
the common burgefles.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About eight hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— Sir John Rufhout, partially.
S 4 BEWDLEY.
f 264 )
BEWDLEY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough is confined to the corporation
only ; confifting of a bailiff, recorder, and twelve
burgeffes ; which right, if it may be fo diftin-
guifhed, it received by a charter from King
James I. It returns to parliament, in common
\vith Abingdon, Monmouth, Higham Ferrers, and
Eanbury, but one member. The influence which
prevails here, is that of Lord Wcflcote, whofe
fon, the Hon. George Fulke Ly ttleton, is the pre-
fent reprefentative.
CORPORATION — By charter of James I. it con-
Jifts of a bailiff, recorder, and twelve capital bur-
geffes. The bailiff is a juftice of the peace, and
of the quorum for the year he officiates, as alfo
for the fuccecding year.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1662, April 28. In
the bailiffs and burgeffes appointed by the char-
ter of 3 Jac. I. exclufive of all others.
1679, May 27, All the inhabitants of the
borough of Bcwdley have not a right to vote.
1710, Dec. 19. The charter of 1708 is void.
1691, Jan. 24. The five perfons elected bur-
geffes had no right to vote.
NUMBER
YORKSHIRE.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Fourteen.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATRON-— Lord Weftcote.
YORKSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county is the firft in the kingdom, in
territory, population, and opulence ; the number
of freeholders being upwards of fixteen thou-
fand ; and its (hare in the reprefentation, agree-
able to the ratio of its taxes, would be forty-fix
out of five hundred and fifty-eight, which at
prefent conftitute the reprefentative body of the
nation : yet the boroughs of Midhurfl and Old
Sarum, neither of which have a houfe remaining
in it, and thofe of Gatton and Caftle Rifing,
where there are no more conftituents than mem-
bers, fingly pofTefs an equal mare in the demo-
cratic branch of the legiflature, with this exten-
five and populous county.
If this will not convince the moft prejudiced
minds of the neceflity of a reform, neither argu-
ment
±66 YORKSHIRE.
\
ment nor eloquence can be ufed to any pur-
pofe.
This county has the honour to give a feat in
parliament to William Wilberforce, Efq. whofe
extenfive abilities, fo laudably exercifed in the
Caufe of humanity, have rendered his name fa-
cred in the prefent times, and will tranfmit it to
pofterity, to be preferred by it as a pledge of a
peculiar excellence. The abolition of the flavc-
trade was an object in which his benevolent mind
was continually employed; nor did he forget
that the negroes were men, although of a colour
different from himfelf, and therefore entitled to
the natural freedom and privileges of man. His
labours will now be amply rewarded by the
bleflings which they have procured to this un-
fortunate and hitherto ill-fated people.
This county, which confilh of three ridings,
fubdivided into twenty-fix wapentakes, is fituated
in the province and diocefe of York, Richmond
cxcepted, which belongs to the diocefe of Chefler,
and contains one city, fifty-four market-towns,
and five hundred and fixty-three parifhes. It
fends thirty members to parliament, two knights
of the (hire for the county, two citizens for
York, and two burgefles for each of the follow-
ing
YORK CITY. 267
ing places ; viz. Aldborough, Beverley, Bo-
roughbridge, Heydon, Kingfton upon Hull,
Knarefborough, Malton, Northallerton, Ponte-
fracl:, Richmond, Rippon, Scarborough and
Thirfke.
YORK CITY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This city is indepen-
dent in the exercife of its conftitutional rights.
Were there the fame number of eleclors in every
other city, and in the refpeftive boroughs, we
fliould not have the baneful effefts of influence
and corruption to complain of. An equaliza-
tion of the country into diftrifts, would fupply
at leaft five thoufand houfekeepers to eleft. the
reprefentatives of each place ; and why a mode
fo fimple and practicable cannot be inftantly
adopted, we muft confefs we have not fagacity
to divine?
CORPORATION — This was made a mayor-town
by Richard I. but Richard II. changed the title
into a lord-mayor, and appointed two fheriffs;
befides which, there are a recorder, twelve alder-
men, twenty-four afliftants, and feventy-two com-
mon-councilman. -
RIGHT OF ELECTION— In the corporation, to-
gether with the freemen of the city ; which free-
dom
«68 HULL.
dom is acquired, by patrimony, fervitude, pur-
chafe, or gift of the corporation.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — In the contefted election
in 1758, which was a very expenfive and fmartly-
difputed one, and probably, therefore, very
thoroughly canvafled, the number of voters was
2233. In the election of 1774, there appeared
to be for Mr, Turner, 82-8 ; for Lord John Ca-
vendifh, 807 ; and for Mr, Hawke, 647. Moft
of the laft being finglc votes, it may be fairly
concluded, that upwards of 1450 voters appeared
at that election. But as Mr. Hawke gave up
the poll long before it would have been con-
cluded, great numbers of perfons who were en-
titled to vote were not called upon ; befidcs
•which, it was not thought neceffary to bring in
all the voters who lived at a di fiance : from
which it may be prefumed, that the number of
voters are not lefs now than in 1758; but, by
thofe mod competent to the knowledge of the
fact, they are fuppofed to be at leaft a thoufand 1
more.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The ihcriffc.
HULL.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — About nine hundred
of the electors are refident, fifty of whom were
difqualified
HULL.
disqualified by Mr. Crewe's bill. The town
contains nearly three thoufand houfes. For up-
wards of thirty years the candidates have paid
the poorer order of voters two guineas for each*
vote. The number who took money was com-
monly two-thirds of the voters. So eftablimed
is this fpecies of corruption, that the voters re-
gard it as a fort of birth-right. Very few of the
yoters are independent of the higher ranks of
people in the town. The candidates have each
their friends amongft the higher ranks, who can-
vas the town, and apply with great emphafis to
their refpeclive dependents ; fo that feveral
tradefmen are at a lofs how to conduct them-
felves with fafety : they are between Scylla and
Charybdis; and fome have been known to put
the number of their employers on the fide of the
two candidates, and hand about the lift as'their
unification. Other tradefmen, having more
han one voter in their families, fplit their votes,
or the fake of peace, and the prefervation of
heir friends in trade.
JScfides the above two guineas being paid for
:ach vote, the out-voters have been paid one
guinea for expences, if rcfidcnt twenty miles or
indcr from Hull, and two guineas for above
wenty miles, and under fifty : above fifty, as
could
HULL.
could be agreed. This is to be undcrftood, if
the voter gave a {ingle vote for one candidate:
if one vote for each candidate, then half a
guinea; and one guinea from each. So foon as
the candidates declare their intentions of offer-
ing themfelves, and the canvas is begun, the
needy voters offer themfelves as- affiftants, or
runners, as they are called ; and if one candi-
date refufes to accept their generous fervices
(for which they are paid five {hillings per day),
they threaten to go to his antagonift; fo that;
three hundred and upwards of thefe Swifs
troops have been known to be engaged to do
nothing, at five {hillings per day each, fevcral
days before the poll was taken. Meffcngers
fent to canvas the non-refidcnt or out-voters,
promife of places, coach-hire, horfe-hire, chaife-|
hire, treats, &c. add to the enormity of the
crimes above ftated. Another matter worthy
of notice is, that Hull, being a town and county
of itfelf, the freeholders and inhabitants in it, •;
and in its diftrift (which comprehends a quad-''
rant of about five or fix miles radius), have had
no opportunity of voting at any election for the
county of York, or for the corporation itfelf,
unlefs privileged as burgcfles.
The fifty revenue-officers are burgcflcs of
Hull;
HULL. jyi
Hull ; and the government candidates have
ufually had about one hundred and twenty
votes, by the connexions of the cuftoms and
excife, and from expectants.
Many of the voters are not houfeholders, and
many of the mariners have no fixed refidence in
Hull, or elfewhere. It appears, that every elec-
tion exceeds the preceding one in corruption.
CORPORATION — By charter of Henry VI. it
confifts of a mayor, fheriff, recorder, and twelve
Idermen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgefles, which
s derived, either from being born the fon of a
urgefs, from having ferved feven years appren-
cefhip to a burgefs, from purchafe, or from do-
ation for public fervices.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — From the copy of the
ft poll, taken in September 1780, eleven hun-
rcd and eighty burgeffes voted, of which
orty-two were cuftom-houfe, and three were
xcife-officers, who are now disfranchifed.
As the former parliament had been fuddenly
ifiblved, and writs for the new parliament im-
nediately iflued, and as the election came on in
he autumn, when many feamen in the mer-
hants fervice were not returned from their
oyages, and in time of war too, when many
were
KNARESBOROUGH.
were abroad in the fervice of government, it may
be computed that there are fourteen hundred
burgeffes of this town.
RETURNING OFFICER— The fheriff.
KNARESBOROUGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough has
returned members to parliament ever fmce the
firft year of Queen Mary's reign. The right of
eleftion was then vefted in eighty-four o
eighty-eight burgage-houfes, the owners of whic
were entitled to vote. The elections continue
free till about the year 1719, when two gentle
men, driving againft each other in canvafling
firft began the practice of purchafing the bur
gagc-houfes : by thcfc means a majority of th
votes was always in the pofleflion of fome par
titular family. The duke of Devonfhirc
now, and the family has for a long time been
in poffeflion of all the burgage-houfes, exccp
four. When an eleclion comes on, a number
of men are lent from a diftant part of the coun-
try, and a certain burgage-houfe conveyed to
each of them, for the day : they are then told
who they are to vote for, and the " cry gnes
" round." Some man is chaired as proxy t.jr
the abfcnt member. The ftewajd of the houfe
KNARESBOROUGk. 27$
is the returning-officcr. There are no rcfident
electors: the men who are fent to vote are the
Duke's tenants: they come, if there is occafion,
from his eftates in the Eaft Riding: but gene-
rally they are thofe about Bottonbridge, near
Skipton, twenty miles from Knarefborough, on
the other fide of the wild mountainous foreft.
The number of houfes in Knarefborough is
about five hundred. If the burgage-tenures
•were taken away, it is fuppofed there would be
found three hundred or four hundred men, who
pay all manner of alfeflments; and thefe are
chiefly manufacturers, farmers, and fhopkeepers.
No diminution of votes has taken place in con-
fequence of the aft refpecting revenue officers.
The principal land owners are Sir Thomas
Slingfby, Mr. Roundhill, the heirs of the late
Mr. Rhodes of Rippon, and Sir John Coghill,
befides a great many tradefmcn, who have fmall
eftates in the borough. The circumftance of
the members never appearing at the elections,
but having fome old pauper chaired by way of
proxy, which is faid to be the conftant practice,
is really infulting. It cannot be faid, however,
that there is bribery and corruption, as the
elections are managed almoft without any vifible
-cxpence whatever.
VOL. II. T RIGHT
*74 SCARBOROUGH.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1690, 1691, May 17,
In the burgage-holders.
, NUMBER OF VOTERS — About one hundred;
two thirds of which are in the pofleflion of the
duke of Devonfhirc, and the remainder in- Sir
Thomas Turner Slingfby.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PATRON — Duke of Dcvonfhire.
SCARBOROUGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — Theright of eleftioir,
in this town, is in forty-four individuals ; a cor-
poration confifling of two bailiffs, who are the re-
turning-officers, and forty-two burgefies. Thr
patron of one feat was the late duke of Rutland,
vhofe influence is managed, during the minority
of the prefent duke, by his uncle the duke of
Beaufort, who likewife holds the recorderfhip of
the corporation, until his nephew comes of age ;
aod lord Mulgrave commands the other.
By Mr. Crcwe's bill, ten of the common-coun-
filmen are incapacitated to vote for reprefen-
t2iivcs ; but as thofe incapacitated to vote may
happen lobe feniors of the body, they may, con-
iequontly, have a voice in the election of new
common-councilmen, and therefore be inftru-
to corruption, by bringing fuch into their
body
RiPPON. 275
body as may be dependent upon them. It has,
therefore, not ftruck at the evil, in this or any
other corporation, which it was meant to re-
medy.
Scarborough, which is a large country-town,
may be ranked with Andover, Banbury, Tiverton,
and Dartmouth, whofe rights are likewife mono*,
polized by chartered corporations.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1736, April 2i. Is in
the common houfe, or common-council of the
faid borough, confifting of two bailiffs, two co-
roners, four chamberlainsj and thirty-fix bur-
geffes only.
Agreed to by the houfe.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Forty-four.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
PATRONS — The duke of Rutland and lord
Mulgrave.
RIPPOM.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of elec-
tion for this borough is veiled in burgage-te-
nures ; the greateft part of which belong to the
Aiflabie family. The prefent representative of
whom is William Laurence, Efq. of Kerby
Fletcham, in this county.
T 3 CORPORATION
RICHMOND.
CORPORATION — By charter granted in 1604, i*
is governed by a mayor, recorder, twelve alder-
men, and twenty-four afliftants.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — One hundred and forty-
fix ; of which a great majority are in the family
of the Aiflabie's.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PROPRIETOR — Mr. Aiflabie.
RICHMOND.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The influence which
prevails here is that of Sir Thomas Dundas, and
Mr. York ; but the former of thefe gentlemen
holds a complete majority of votes, the latter pof-
fefling only thirty borough-houfes. Some of the
aldermen, and independent freeholders, alfohave
votes which they may give according to their
inclinations; but thefe are an inconfiderable
number.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
twelve aldermen, and twenty-four common-coun-
cilmen.
RIGHT or ELECTiON-^-i727, March 9. Is in
fuch perfons as are owners of ancient burgages
in the faid borough, having a right of pafture in
a common field, called Whitecliffe Pafture.
NUMBSR
t
HEYDON. 277
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Two hundred and fe-
venty, of which Sir Thomas Dundas pofleffes a
complete majority.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PROPRIETOR — Sir Thomas Dundas.
HEYDON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — In this borough every
burgefs, with the exception of a few indeed,
thinks it incumbent on him to lay the candidates
under as fevere a contribution as poflible. Rib-
band-bills will amount to lool. The candidates*
agents will lend the burgefles money, which is ne-
ver returned. The families of feveral burgefles
have almoft lived by their exactions, and yet
their idlenefs has ruined them. Voters have
been known to afk lool. and 8ol. has been bid
for a fingle vote. The nominal price of a vote
is 20!. that is, 20!. is expected by each voter, in
cafe there is no oppofition. Where fuch enor-
mities prevail, inferior vices will neceflarily
flourifh.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
two bailiffs, and nine aldermen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the burgefles of the
faid borough, whofe privileges are gained either
by defcent, by ferving feven years to a freeman
T 3 refiding
$78 ALDBOROUGH.
refiding only in the borough, or by an honorary
gift, at the difcretion of the chief officers for the
time being ; which latter power is feldom exer-
cifed, on account of the jealoufy and oppofition
of the common burgeffes.
NUMB EH OF VOTERS — Was, in 1775, about one
hundred and feventy-five ; deducting from which
about thirty revenue officers, who are now dif-
franchifed, the number will hardly exceed one
hundred and forty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — The higheft bidder.
ALDBOROUGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This parifh, which
does not contain one hundred and forty houfes,
fends four members to parliament, under the names
of the boroughs of Aldborough and Borough-
bridge. They do not, like Steyning and Bram-
ber, in SufTex, confift of one paltry ftreet, or, like
Wcymouth and Melcombe, in Dorfetfhire, unite
in choofing four members, but are feparate and
diftinct boroughs, without arms or corporations,
and almofl deflitute of every thing clfe but repre-
fentatives. A bailiff, appointed at the court-leetof
the lord of the manor, is the returning-officer,
*vnd the right of eleclion is in fixty-four houfc,
keepers
BOROUGIIBRIDCE. 279
keepers, paying fcot and lot ; thefc h'oufes are all
the property of the duke of Newcaftle, and An-
drew Wilkinfon, Efq. but as the latter has only a
minority, the election intereft is wholly in the
duke of Newcaftle.
This village never fent members to parliament
till the laft year of Philip and Mary, 1558.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1679, 15 May. In all
the inhabitants paying fcot and lot only.
1690, 17 May. Is not only in thefeleft num-
ber of burgefies, holding by burgage-tenure in
the faid borough, but in all the inhabitants paying
fcot and lot.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Nominally fixty-four.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — The duke of Newcaftle*
BOROUGHBRIDGE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of ele&iou
here is not, like that of the other part of the pa-
rim, in the inhabitants paying fcot and lot, but in
burgage-holds. Thefe tenures, like the houfes
in Aldborough, are the property of the duke of
Newcaftle, and Andrew Wilkinfon, Efq. but the
former poffefling the majority of them, has con-
fequently the difpofal of its reprefentation.
The returning-officer here, as at Aldborough,
T 4 is
MALTOK.
is a titular bailiff, appointed at the court-lcet of
the lord of the manor.
This borough never fent to parliament till
1553, being the firft year of Queen Mary's
reign.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders.
NUMBER OF VOTERS ~ Nominally feventy-
four.
RETU-RNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — The duke of Newcaflle.
MALTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town has no
corporation. The returning^officer is a titular
bailiff, appointed at the court-leet of earl Fitz-
william, lord of the manor. There is no refolu-
tion refpecling the right of election, but it is ex-
ercifed by the burgage-holders, in number about
a hundred ; thefe are moftly the property of carl
Fitzwilliam, who has the fole difpofal of its poli-
tical favours.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders,
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About forty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — Earl Fitzwilliam.
THIRSK.
THIRSK.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town is divided
into two parts, the old and new town. The new
town has a market, is well built, full of inhabU
tants, and improving. The burgage-t enure, in.
which the right of election is vefted, is in old
Thirfk, now much depopulated: the owners of
fifty of the burgage houfes have, however, the
privilege of electing two members, forty-nine of
which really belong to Sir Thomas Frankland,
though they are occafionally conveyed to feve-
ral of his friends and dependants for the purpofe
of voting only, as he receives the rents and pro-
fits.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holder*
pf the village of Old Thirfk.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Fifty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The lord's bailiff.
PROPRIETOR — Sir Thomas Frankland.
BEYERLEY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — About two hundred
of thefe voters are under what is called the bar-
intercft, and generally abide by the interefl of Mr.
Anderfon Pelham. The ill effects of c'anvafling
are growing confpicuous. It has been faid, that
fome
BEVERLEY.
fome of the burgefles take half a guinea or a gui-
nea of the candidates. In the year 1774 and
1780, three or four hundred of the burgefies
were exceedingly eager for an oppofition,
without attending to the political opinions of theJ
candidates, which feqms to indicate fomething
very vague and unfubftantial in their ideas of
freedom. They were afraid, it feems, that if the ,
bar-intereft, or Mr. Pelham's, was not oppofed,
the loaves and fifties, if not the liqour they fwam
in, might efcape from their pofleffion.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
twelve governors, or fuperior burgeffes, and thir-
teen inferior ones.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the freemen of the
town, who acquire this right by birth, fervitude, or '•
purchafe. Firft a freeman's fon, if born within
the liberties of the town of Beverley, but not
otherwife, is intitled to his freedom, when of the
age of twenty-one years, adly, An apprentice,
for feven years, to a freeman refiding within the i
liberties of the town of Beverley, but not other-
wife, upon the expiration of that term, is admitted
to his freedom, on paying a fine of forty-eight
fhillings. 3dly, Several pcrfons are admitted to
their freedom by purchafe j and there is a {landing
order, that a (Jay-labourer mall not be made free • •
IQF
NORTHALLERTON. 283
for a lefs Turn than thirty guineas ; and that every
other perfon fhall pay proportionally, according
to his circumftances, trade, or occupation, at the
idifcretion of the body corporate ; and a candU
date to reprefent the borough, if not already free,
imay purchale his freedom for fifty pounds, or
guineas.
The body corporate have refufed to admit to
|his freedom a capital tradefman in that town, al-
ithough he offered them fifty pounds for the pur-
lehafe of it ; neither would they fix any other
fum.
NUMBER OF VOTERS^ — About one thoufand.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — C. A Pelham Efq. partially
NORTHALLERTON.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of voting
is annexed to the fcite of the greater part of the
houfes adjoining to, and fronting the ftrcet ; few
or none of the back tenements are confidered as
part of the burgage-tenures, or confequentiy en-
titled to votes. Some of thofe tenures now fub-,
fift in the form of ftables, or cow-houfes, in which,
the appearance of one or more chimnies is ufual-
ly preferved, as a memorial of their right ; others
arc
484 NORTIIALLERTOK.
are let out to poor perfons, at a fmall annual
rent, on the condition of their keeping them in
repair ; and many are totally ruinous and unin-
habited. The vote is in fome inftances feparat-
ed from the houfe, by the practice of granting a
leafe of the latter for the term of nine hundred
and ninety-nine years, fubject to an annual pep-
per-corn rent ; in either cafe, of the vote being
referved or fold with the houfe, it is confidered
as one hundred pounds in the purchafe. We
are informed, that the right of voting in the bo-
rough has been invariably annexed to the ancient
and eftablifhedburgage-tenures, and never, as in
fome others, enlarged to the houfeholders in
general. A majority of thefe houfes are known
to be the property of Henry Pierfe, Efq. brother-
in-law to lord Monfon, and Edward Lafcelles,
Efq. firft coufm to lord Harewood, the prefent ,
members, or their families. The number adver-
tifcd to be fold fome time ago, as the property
of one gentleman, was thought to be fifteen.
The remainder is divided fingly, or in fmall
mares, among various proprietors. Previous to
an election, in cafe an oppofition is expected, the
alignments, we are informed, of the feveral te-^
nures, arc prepared for fuch perfons as the re*
fpeclivc
POMFRET. 285
fpcBive proprietors can confide in ; but they are
not executed unlefs called for, nor even then
ufually entrufted to the cuftody of the voters.
Sir Charles Turner has ten or twelve burgage-
houfes ; Mr. Metcalf and family, five; Mr.
Meek, three or four ; and the Rev. Mr. Peacock,
about the lame number.
It is an ancient borough, without a corpora-
tion, governed by a bailiff", deputed and autho-
rifed by the bifhop of Durham, for the time be-
ing, by patent for life.
The bifhop is lord of the manor; and his bai-
liff, or deputy, prefides at the election of mem-
bers of parliament.
This borough, having fent 26 Edw. I. inter-
mitted, and made no other return till called upon,
as Malton was, to fend members, by order of the
houfe of commons, anno 1640.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgage-holders.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About two hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bifhop of Dur-
ham's bailiff.
PROPRIETORS — Henry Pierfe,Efq. andEdward
Lafcelles, Efq.
POMFRET.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this borough has been contefted upon every
£86 rOMFRET.
vacancy that has happened fmce the pafling of
the Grenville acl. The queftion has been, whe^.
ther that right was in the inhabitants houfe-
holdcrs, refiants here, or in burgage-tcnures, the
number of which is about three hundred and
twenty; one hundred and ninety belonging to
lord vifcount Galway ; to Sir Rowland Wynn,
Bart, ninety; to Mr. Walfh, forty-two; and
about one hundred to individuals.
The firft inveftigation of thefe claims, was on
the petition of the Right Hon. Charles James Fox,
and James Hare, Efq. \vho were candidates on
the fuffrages of the inhabitants, in the general
eleclion of 1774, againft Sir John Goodricke,
Bart, and Charles Mellifh, Efq. who were re-
turned on the votes of the burgagc-holders. The
committee, which was appointed on the 28th of
February, 1775, determined, on the 3d of March
following, that the right was in the burgage-
holders ; and that the fitting members were duly
elecled.
The fecorid contcft was in 1782, when John
Smyth, Efq. petitioned, on the votes of the inha-
bitants, againft Nathaniel Smith, Efq. who had
been returned by the burgagc-holders. This
committee determined, on the nth of April,
1783, contrary to the former one, that the right
•was in the inhabitants.
The
POM FRET. 2&7
The fame point was again corvtefled at the ge-
neral ele&ion, in 1784, when the Hon. William
Cockayne, and John Walfh, Efq. were petiti-
oners, on the right of the burgage-holders, and
John Smyth, Efq. and William Souther on, Efq.
were fitting members, on the election of the in-
habitants ; when it was determined, on the nth
of June following, to be in the inhabitants, and
that the fitting members were duly elected.
At the laft general election, in 1790, this point
was again contefted ; when John Anftruther, Efq.
and Charles Mellifh, Efq. were petitioners, on
the claim of the burgage-holders; and John
Smyth, Efq. and William Southeron, Efq. were
fitting members, on the oppofite intereft ; when
the committee determined, for the third time,
that the right was in the inhabitants. An appeal
from this decifion has been made to the houfe
of commons, where it now remains for a final
decifion.
In cafe the next committee mould determine,
with the three laft, that the right is in the inha-
bitants, this borough will be independent of con-
troul, unlefs an honourable attachment to John
Smyth, Efq. and Mr. Southeron, who have vin-
dicated the right of the people through fo many
expenfive litigations, can come under that deno-
inination.
CORPORATION
t>OMFRET.
CORPORATION— ^-Confifts of a mayor, recorder,
and twelve aldermen, who are all in the commif-
fion of the peace.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1624, May 28. There
being no charter prefcription for choice, the
election is to be made by the inhabitants (houfe-
holders) refiants there.
1700, Jan. 17. Agreed, " That the right of
" election is in fuch perfons as have an inhe-
" ritance, or freehold of burgage-tenure,
" within the faid borough."
1715, March 22. Agreed, " That Pontefraft
" was a borough by prefcription; and that
" the right of eleclion is in perfons having
" a freehold of burgage-tenure, paying a
" burgage-rent."
1770, Feb. 6. Is in perfons having, within
the faid borough, a freehold of burgage-tenure,
paying a burgage-rent.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About three hundred
and thirty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
HISTORY*
HISTORY
CINQUE PORTS.
INTRODUCTION.
X HE name of Cinque Ports is derived from
Ouinque Portuus, five havens oppofite to France,
thus called by way of eminence, on account of
their fuperior importance. Our kings have
thought them worthy a peculiar regard; and in
order to fecure them againft invafions, have
granted them a particular form of government.
They are under a keeper, who has the title of
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (an officer
firft appointed by William the Conqueror), who
has the authority of an admiral among them, and
iffues out writs in his own name.
The privileges anciently annexed to thefe ports
kpd their dependants, were,
I. An exemption from all taxes and tolls.
VQL. II. U II. A
CINQUE PORTS,
II. A power to oblige all that lived in their
jurifdiftion to plead in their courts, and to pu-
nifti offenders in their own bounds; as alfo mur-
derers, and fugitives from juftice.
III. A power to punifli foreigners, as well as
natives, for theft ; to have a pillory, and tumbrel
or cucking-ftool*,
IV. A pc(v/er to raife mounds or banks in any
man's land againft breaches of the fea.
V. To appropriate to their own ufe all loft
goods, and wandering cattle, if not claimed within
a year and a day.
VI. To have commons, and to be at liberty to
cut down the trees growing upon them.
VII. To convert to their own ufe fuch goods
as they found floating on the fca; thofe thrown
out of fhips in a ftorm ; and thofc driven afhore
•when no wreck or fhip was to be fecn.
VIII. To be a guild or fraternity, and to be
allowed the franchifes of court-leet and court-"
baron.
* A machine formerly ufed for the punifhment of fcolds and
brawling women ; as alfo for brewers and bakers, who tranf-
grefled the laws, and were, in fuch chair or ftool, to be immerged
in fome muddy or (linking pond. What pity fuch a machine
ftiould be out of ufe in thefedays, when fo many worthy wights
daily afpire to the honour !
IX. A
CINQUE PORTS, 20,1
IX. A power to aflemb'le and keep a portmote,
or parliament for the Cinque- Ports ; to punim
all infringers of their privileges; make bye-laws,
and hear all appeals from the inferior courts.
X. Their barons to have the privilege of fup-.
porting the canopy over the king's head at his
coronation.
In return for thefe privileges, the Cinque-Ports
were required to fit out fifty-feven mips, each
manned with twenty-one men and a boy, with
•which they were to attend the king's fervice, for
fifteen days, at their own expence ; but if the
ftate of affairs required their afliftance any longer,
they were to be paid by the crown.
It is certain that the Cinque-Ports were, at a
very remote period, endowed, by royal grant,
with divers very valuable privileges and immu-
nities, as a compenfation and remuneration for
the (hipping which they engaged to fupply the
fovereign with, whenever he fhould require it of
them, and for other public fervices, which they
were bound to the performance of.
As the exa£l time at which they were enfran-
chifed has never been, with any certainty, dif-
covered, they are held to enjoy all their efar-
lieft liberties and privileges, as time out of mind,
U 2 by
CINQUE PORTS.
by prescription. Thefe were confirmed to the in-
habitants of the Cinque Ports, and their members,
by Magna Charta, wherein they are ftyled the ba-
rons of the Cinque Ports; and again, by a general
charter of Edward I. which, by infpeximus, re-
ceived confirmation, and fometimes additions,
from molt of the kings and queens of this realm,
till the time of Charles II. whofe general charter
is the laft.
As the term baron occurs continually through-
out all the charters of the Ports, it may not be
improper to inform our readers, that it is of the
fame import as burgefs or freeman. From the
mode in which it is ufed, there is great reafort
to think, that every inhabitant of the Ports, con--
tributing to the common expences, and other
fervices, was a baron, that is, a freeman. Irii
fomc of the oldeft boroughs in the kingdom,,
•wherein the lands were holden in ancient dc->
mefnc, every inhabitant, who paid a rent to the;
crown, was intitled to the elective franchife;;
by analogy it mould feem probable, that the:
fame rights formerly prevailed in the Ports, as
to thofe inhabitants who were aflefled to the:
exigencies of the public. There are many other
,eircumftanccs which give great ftrength to thiti
fuppofuion,,
CINQUE PORTS.
fuppofition, -which will be hereafter touched
upon.
The reprelentatives of the Ports in parliament
are, to this day, ftyled barons, becaufe they were
formerly, as they ftill ought to be, chofen frorn,
amongft the inhabitants at large.
U 3 HASTINGS.
f 294 )
HASTINGS.
-DEFORE the paffing of Mr. Crewe's bill, the
appointment of the reprefentative in parliament
for this town was wholly in the Treafury ; the
number of voters was ufually about twenty, the
\vhole of whom had places under, or were other-
wife provided for, by government. The manage-
ment and conducl of this faithful, and well-dif-
ciplined corps of treafury auxiliaries, was, for a
long feries of years, vefted in Mr. Collier, who,
in this fituation, acquired a very princely fortune,
•whereby he was enabled to provide for five co-
heireffes, his daughters, in a very handfomc man-
ner. Upon his death, Mr. Edward Milward,
(who had married a Mifs Collier) fucceeded to
this poft of agent to the treafury, and, by way of
compenfation for the proper difcharge of his
election duties, was appointed to the very lucra-
tive office of furvcyor general of the riding officers ;
from which poft, about feven years ago, he was re-
moved by the board of cuftoms, notwithflanding
the whole- intereft and influence of the treafury
was exerted to prevent his being difplaced.
That this oppofition between two fuch great
powers may not appear ftrange to our readers,
"we
HASTINGS.
we think it necelfary to inform them, that at this
time the board of cuftoms (owing to a change in
adminiftration) were inoppofition to the lords of
the treafury ; moft of the commiffioriers, having
been appointed under former adminiftrations,
felt no very great affeclion for the prefent. Mr.
Henry Pelham, and Mr. Papillon, however, hav-
ing fince been prevailed on to retire, the treafury
have now regained the favourable opinion of that
office.
This lofs was, however, made up to Milward,
by the appointment of his fon to the office of de-
puty comptroller of excife, who, on coming of
age, was made a jurat ; but it was judged expe-
dient to unite alfo, inhisperfon/in addition, the
more lucrative office of town clerk ; accordingly,
Mr. Thatcher, the old town clerk, was turned
out of his place, to make room for this young
gentleman. A trial in the court of King's Bench,
between thefe two competitors for office, was
the confequence; when it was determined*, that
a jurat of the corporation of Haftings might be
elefted town clerk ; but that the two offiqes are
incompatible,andthat the acceptance of the latter,
though an inferior office, will vacate the former.
* Firft Term Reports, Durnford and Eaft.
U 4 —He
HASTINGS
•—He has fince refigned the office of town clefk,
on getting his more valuable place in, the excife,
and is now again a jurat ; thefe two places, it is
prefumed, not being incompatible.
It would be very difficult to pronounce whe-
ther, at this time, the treafury, or Mr. Milward's
intereft in this borough, be the fuperior; in-
deed, this point is not likely to be brought to a
very fpeedy determination, as this gentleman in-
variably fides witji the minifter for the time being,
\vhofe appointees he returns to parliament upon
very moderate terms and conditions, without
making any inquiry as to their capacity, or fitnefs
for that fituation. In faft, the only indifpenfible
requifite is, an ability and difpofition to fay yea
and nay, according to the mandate of the mi-
nifler.
At prefent, the whole patronage of govern-
ment, in this place, is in the hands of Mr. Mil-
ward, who difpofes of the various places as he
imagines will be moil conducive to the common
intereft of himfelf and the treafury. Since Mr,
Crewe's bill, it has been neceflary to keep up a
certain number of freemen (juft enough to go
through the farce, and to perform the various
ceremonies, of an election) who do nqt often-
fibly hold any place or poll under government.
Thefe,
HASTINGS.
Thefe, however, do not go unprovided for ; they
are, as of courfe, quartered on fuch of their bro-
ther freemen as are in pofleffion of the more lu-
crative fituations ; others, rather than lofe their
franchifcs by the operation of that bill, have given
up their places to their fons, and other near re-
lations; by which meafure the freeman preferves
his vote, and the treafury its influence.
Whatever perfonal intereft Mr. Milward may
have at this place, apart from and independent
o£ the treafury, is obtained and preferved by
lending fmall fums of money, on bond, to the
more indigent freemen ; which obligations are
never meant to be enforced, fo long as they are,
as electors, in a ftate of paflive obedience and
non-refiftance ; but if, at any time, they mould
venture to give the fmalleft indication of an in-
clination to an independence of opinion and fen-
timent, a payment of their debts is required, and
a prifon the certain confequence of the fmalleft
delay.
In a contefted election, between colonel Beau-
mont and Mr. Grey, in 1689, the number of vo-
ters polled, was 67 ; in 1698, between Mr. Auften
and Mr. Gott, 70. In 1690, a petition of Robert
Munns, Efq. was delivered to thehoufe of com-
?nons, fhewing, that the petitioner was duly
cleaed
HASTINGS.
ele&ed one of the barons of this port, and ought
to have been returned; but John Beaumont,
Efq. governor of Dover Caftle, who pretended
to have a power over the feveral Cinque Ports,
wrote feveral mandatory letters to the mayors,
and returning-officers of the Cinque Ports, re-
quiring them not to engage their votes for any
particular perfon, for that his majefty would re-
commend to them fuch perfons as he fhould
think convenient for them to choofe ; and, by
feveral menaces and threats, procured a majority
of the electors to vote for him to ferve in parlia-
ment for the Port of Haftings, and prevailed on
the mayor to return him, though not legally
elected, to the prejudice of the petitioner; which
-petition was referred to a committee to report
upon, &c.
We make no comment on the above, but leave
the reader to form his judgment of the purity of
this borough from a naked ftatement of fafts ;
and we will venture to aflert, fince the time of
this petition, that it is no way amended — but this
by way of fainple. From the evidence, on the
trial of the mandamus brought by H. Moore,
againft the mayor and jurats of this town, it ap-
pears, that the right of the eleclive franchife in
this place, according to its true conftitution, and
according
HASTINGS.
according to the cuftumal then produced, is as
follows :
In 1736, a writ of mandamus was brought by
Henry Moore, to require the mayor, jurats, and
commonalty of the town and Port of Haftings,
to admit him into the place and office of one of
the freemen of that town; and the writ fets
forth, that he is the eldeft fon of a freeman, born
within the town ; after the admiflion and fwear-
ing of his father into the place and office of one
of the freemen of the faid town and Port ; and
that he has a right, in refpeft thereof, and alfo
upon paying a reafonable fine, to be admitted
into the place and office of one of the freemen
of the faid town and Port.
The above was the matter at ifTue for the
jury.
Lord Hardwicke, who was then the lord chief
juftice of the court of king's bench, in fumming
up the evidence, faid to. the jury :
" The point infifted on by the plaintiff's
counfel, and the firft thing produced to be con-
fidered by you is a book, in which is an ancient
entry of the cuftumal of the Five Ports and their
members ; the time whereof the memory of man
is not to the contrary.
" The evidence relied on for the plaintiff is
this,
HASTINGS." ,
tins, " concerning the making of freemen, &c.
** as ftated."
*' After reading thefe entries, the cOunfel for
the defendants objected, that this was not a par-
ticular cuftumal of Haftings, and therefore not
fo conclufive. But Haftings, in the mandamus,
is faid to be one of the Five Ports. " They
w have given evidence of three different fpecies
v of perfons admitted under this right."
" The firft is, -where perfons were admitted
as eldeft fons of freemen, born within the bo-
rough, and after the fwearing and admiflion of
the father.
" The next is, where admiflion has been of
eldeft fons, born within the borough; but it does
not appear, whether before or after the admif-
fion of the father. And,
" The third fpecies of perfons, who were ad-
mitted as the fons of freemen in general ; but
they have not fhewn that they were born in the
town, or after the father's freedom.
" For the defendants, the gentlemen on the
other fide infift, there is no right at all to free-
doms in this borough; but that all admiflions
depend upon the will and pleafure of the mayor
and jurats; that they may admit or refufc, a
ftranger or a fon, juft as they pleafe. And they
infift,
HASTINGS. 3^1
infift, that if there be fuch a right, that it is re-
ftrained by thefe two qualifications, of being
born in the town, and after the fwearing and
admiflion of the father.
" And another qualification infifted on by the
defendants is, that he fhould be refiant within
the borough.
" Gentlemen, the matter of law which will
arife, if you are of opinion that there is fuch a,
cuftom, will be whether the fine be a reafonable
fine, as the plaintiff has laid it, or whether this
is a certain fine of 6s. 8d. ?
" The firft evidence that has been produced
for the defendants, is an old book, in which
there are entries of an old cuftumal, and a bye-
law, dated the i2th of April, 15 Elizabeth, by
which it is decreed, " That if any freeman, now,
" or at any time hereafter, an inhabitant of thi$
" town, mall depart or dwell out of the town,
" by the fpace of a year and a day, he or they, fo
" dwelling out of the town, mail lofe his or their
" freedom for ever.*' I own I do not know fo
extraordinary a cuftom any where, for a man to
have a right to be admitted a freeman who was
not refident, and yet the corporation could dif-
franchife a man for non-refidence.
"But
gO2 HASTINGS.
" But this bye-law will not be of much weight
one way or the other. It only fhews the aft of
the corporation, to disfranchife any perfon that
goes out of the borough.
" They have alfo produced, for the defen-
dants, another book, in which, they fay, is con-
tained the ufage of Haftings, time out of mind,
and they have read out of it an entry, in old
French ; the purport of which is, " That if a
" foreigner refides in Haftings a year and a day,
" he may come before the bailiff and jurats,
" and be admitted to the freedom, upon taking
" an oath." The witnefs who read this, fwore,
that there was no other evidence in the book,
relating to the making of freemen.
" They read this to fliew, that there is no
right of freedom at all in this borough, if a
ftranger, who has lived in the town a year and a
day, may come before the bailiff and jurats, and
they may admit him, upon taking an oath.
" The next evidence the defendants have
produced, is from entries of admiflion of the
fons of freemen, without mentioning that they
were either eldeft or youngeft fons; and they
only flicw, that the faft is, that other fons, as
well as eldeft fons, have been admitted for a
fine of 6s. 8d.
"It
CASTINGS. 303
«c It will be proper, therefore, for you, gentle-
men, to conlider,
" Firft, If you believe, on the evidence, that
there is no right in the fon of any freeman to
demand his freedom of the mayor and jurats,
but that all depends on their pleafure ; but, if
you believe, that there is a right in the fon of a
freeman, and that the mayor and jurats cannot
deny him his freedom, then you will confider,
\vhether the two qualifications, of being born in
the borough, after the freedom of the father, are
neceffary or no?
" If you believe they are not necefTary, but
that, whether he be born in or out of the bo-
rough, or before or after he was made free,
makes no difference ;, in that cafe you muft find
for the defendants.
" But if you believe a right in the fons of
freemen, and that being born in the borough,
and after the father's freedom, are eflential,
then you will confider the matter of refiance.
" And, if you believe refiance not neceffary,
then you muft find a verdicl for the plaintiff.
" But, on the other hand, if you believe being
born in. the borough, and after the father's
freedom, are not neceffary; or, if neceffary,
that it is equally neceffary that the perfons
fhould
HASTINGS.
fhould be refiant, then you muft find a verdict
for the defendants."
Verdicl for the plaintiff.
Foreman. " We find that the eldeft fon of a
freeman, born within the borough after his
father's freedom, has a right."
Lord Hardwicke. " What do you find as to
the commorancy?"
Foreman. " My lord, we find refidence not
tieceflary ; and that the eldeft fon, born within
the borough after his father's freedom, has a
right, upon paying a cuftomary fine?"
Lord Hardwicke. " What do you find the
fine?"
Foreman. " We find the fine to be 6s. 8d.
and that is reafonablc."
Lord Hardwicke. " That point of the reafon-
able fine muft be faved for the opinion of the
court, and let the pojlea ftay."
We mould here obfcrve, that Moore was
completely fuccefsful upon this occafion. It is
true, that he claimed his freedom merely as an
eldeft fon ; but the fame evidence by which he
availed himfelf, went the full length of eftablifh-
ing the right of every other fon of a freeman to
bis freedom.
The verdift, given by the jury upon this oc-
cafioa
HASTINGS. 305
cafion, came under the review of the court of
king's-bench, as appears from Strange's Re-
ports, 1070, which, after folemn argument, was
confirmed by the unanimous determination and
fanftion of the judges.
We wifh, in a very particular manner, to
draw the attention of the reader to this very im-
portant trial, as it not only clearly and fatisfac-
torily demonftrates what was originally, and
what ought ftill to be, the conftitution of Haf-
tings, but throws great light upon the true con-
ftitution of the reft of the Cinque Ports, notwith-
ftanding the ufurpations and corruptions which,
in thefe latter days, prevail more or lefs, in all
of them.
In the courfe of the Seaford contefts, it be-
came important for fome of the parties to
infpe£t this cuftumal ; and a rule was accord-
ingly obtained from the court of king's-bench
for that purpofe; but lo! it was miffing, and not
to be found! Through fear that fome future
claimant of a freedom fhould attempt to accom-
plifh and perfect what Moore left undone, it was
thought expedient to commit this highly impor-
tant and venerable record to the flames. But,
notwithftanding this deftru&ion of it by fire, we
VOL. II. X .congratulate
306 HASTINGS.
congratulate the public, that the moft material
and confequental part of it has been preferved
in the State Trials, by reafon of the mandamus
brought by Moore. Of which cuftumal Jeake
makes mention, page 35 and 123.
By the laft determination of the houfe of
commons, which took place in the year 1698, it
appears, that the right of election of members of
parliament for the Port of Haftings, is in the
mayor, jurats, and freemen, refident, and not
receiving alms. But here arifes a very impor-
tant queftion, which is, who arc entitled to be
freemen ? Mr. Milward contends, that only the
firft born fon of a freemen, and fuch as are an-
nually nominated by the mayor; we have very
little fcruple to fay, that if this queftion mould
ever be fairly brought before an impartial
committee of the houfe of commons, we have
no doubt but that the determination would be,
that the right of freedom is according to the
cuftumal above fet out.
Government have at this place a cuftom-
houfe ; a Qullom-houfe boat, under pretence of
watching the fmugglers, the crew of which are
all landmen, but taken from amongft the free-
men ; an Ordnance fort, of no utility whatever ;
and
HASTINGS. 307
and an eftablifhment of twelve riding officers ;
befides the ufual retainers of the excife and of
the poft office.
A complaint was exhibited to the commif-
fioners of the cuftoms againft the patrons of this
borough, by the town-clerk, in 1787, for quar-
tering freemen, at five, ten, and twenty pounds
a year each, upon the revenue officers of this
port ; in which complaint were fpecifically men-
tioned the names of Bevins, Hide, Meadow,
Bourne, and others, who had paid fuch fums.
A copy of this memorial is now in our hands,
which we will take good care of, as it may
hereafter, in common with fimilar proofs in
our pofieflion, be a fubjeft. of more ferious en^
quiry.
We muft not omit to add, that it was in con-
fequence of this complaint, that the elder Mr.
Milward was deprived of his place of furveyor-
gencral of the riding officers by the board gf
cuftoms.
X 2 A Lift
( 308 )
A Lift of the Whole Body of EMors of
taken the twenty-fifth day of April, 1792; many
of whom have fmall places in the Cuftoms, Excifet
and Ordnance , -which it is unnecejfary tofpccify.
MAYOR.
Mr. Edward Milward,
DEPUTY MAYOR.
Mr. Edward Milward, Junior, Controller of Ex-
cife, £. 1425 per annum, refides in London.
JURATS.
J Rev. William Hicks Coppard.
Thomas Evitt, colle&or of the cuftoms.
John Stevens, officer of ditto.
John Thatcher, a fuperannuated officer,
John Crouch, ditto.
Thomas Crouch.
Lovell Crouch.
John Goldfworthy Shorter.
Walter Crouch.
WilHam Polhill.
FREEMEN.
+ John Sargent
HASTINGS. 309
Hottdurable General James Murray, Mil-
Ward's brother-in-law and friend.
Robert Meadow, fen. a fuperannuated boat-
officer.
William Lintdtt. ,
J Henry Sargent.
Thomas Morfee, relation of Milward.
John Thatcher.
J Rev* William Coppard.
William Scrivens, tenant of Milward.
Alexander Godfrey, a prifoner in the king's
bench, at the fuit of Milward.
John Weatherman.
Robert Thatcher, a riding-officer of the cuf-
toms.
Jofeph Edwards*
Robert Meadow, Jiin.
Edward Evitt, purfer of the Leopard man of
war*
John Williams*
John Hide.
Spencer Kent*
Jofeph Diplock.
Richard Ball.
Thomas Mannington.
Nathaniel Crouch, a. bomb-bailiff.
Richaid Edwards, fen.
X 3 Thomas
§1O HASTINGS.
Thomas Hide.
Thomas Godley.
Robert Ball.
J Stephen Penight.
Charles Stevens Crouch.
Benjamin Boflbm.
Richard Edwards, jun.
John Williams, jun.
Thofe with this mark t, are in oppofition to Milward ; bat
the numerous family of the Crouch's are all his immediate de-
pendants.
CORPORATION — By charter of queen Eliza-
beth, it confifts of a mayor, recorder, and twelve
jurats. The corporation is exempted from toll,
and has the power of holding courts of judica-
ture in capital cafes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1698, 3Oth January.
Is in the mayor, jurats, and freemen, rcfidenfc
and not receiving alms only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twelve.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— The Treafury,
DOVER.
t 311 )
DOVER.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town is properly
called the capital of the Cinque Ports, and ftands
in nearly the fame fituation, with refpecl to the
others, as the chief town of a county does with
thofe of lefs note ; the lord warden's court being
held here, and the cattle being ufed as the prifon
of all the Ports.
The right of freedom is the fame here as de-
fcribed in the cuftumal of Haftings, with the ad-
dition of its extending to the hufbands of free-
men's daughters, as well as to the fons of freemen ;
freeholders are alfo entitled to the elective fran-
chife in this place ; which privilege is at this day
retained here only ; at the other ports it has long
fince, by corrupt contrivances and practices,
been ftifled. The number of voters being up-
wards of twelve hundred, they cannot all be pro-
vided for out of finecure places, and revenue
officers, as in moft of the other Ports; neverthe-
lefs, government obtains fuch a degree of influ-
ence from the cuftom-houfe, packet-boats, mili-
tary and naval appointments, &c. as always to
nominate one of the members; the other is
ufually a gentleman in oppofnion.
X Mr,
g!2 LOVER.
Mr. Trevanion, who was firft introduced ta
the electors of this town by the celebrated Charles
Churchill, in the days of Mr. Wilkes's' popula-
rity, has continued in his fituation as member
for this port, in oppofition to all the influence of
fucceeding adminiilrations (with only one excep-
tion, which was in the year 1784), till theprefent
time.
This town was formerly of infinitely more im-
portance than at prefent, the caftle having been
confidered as the key to the kingdom. In its
profperity it had twenty-one wards, each of which
furnifhed afhip for the ferviceof the nation, and
maintained it forty days, at the expence of the
inhabitants. It had likewife feven churches,
though there are now only two remaining. It is
ftill, however, a large town, and not like the de-
cayed villages of Winchelfea and Seaford, a
burlefque upon the exercife of legiflative and
judicial powers.
CORPORATION — It is governed by a mayor,
twelve jurats, and thirty-fix common council-
men.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1623, 24 March. Is in
the freemen, and free burgeffes, inhabitants of
Dover. Every fon of a freeman, and every per-
fon marrying a freeman's daughter, is entitled to
his
SANDWICH.
his freedom, as is every freeholder within tho
jurifdiction of the corporation ; befides all thofe
who are made free by redemption, gift, or pur-
chafe. We muft here obferve, that this is tha
only one of the Ports that has preferved any
traces of its true conftitution. We are, how-
ever, of opinion, that by a fpirited exertion, the
rights of the inhabitants might ftill be recovered
in many of the Ports.
1770, 12 March. That the wow-inhabitant
freemen, as well as the inhabitant freemen, and
free burgefles of the town and port of Dover,
have a voice in the election.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — According to the poll
at the laft general election, appears to be about
twelve hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — The admiralty, of one feat; inde-
pendent as to the other. Mr. Peter Fector has
the beft intereft of any individual in this place,
always fiding with government.
SANDWICH.
POLITIC AL CHARACTER— This is theonlyCinqufc
Port, except Dover, which has the lead claim to
independence, and that arifes from the extenfive
number
314 SANDWICH.
number of its electors. Sandwich, which has tot
many years been ranked as an admiralty borough,
from the influence of innumerable places, and
the douceurs which the voters hold under the4
patronage of that board, has been generally re-
prefented by two members of their nomination •
but, at the laft election, Sir Horace Mann, who
refides in the neighbourhood, having the largeft
Kentifh eftate of any man hi the county, and is
fo much refpe&ed for his hdfpitality and convi-
vial talents, that no other perfon would have flood
the fmalleft chance of fuccefs in oppofition to
government, became a candidate on his own in-
tereft, in oppofition to lord Parker, comptroller of
the houfehold, (who was fupported by govern-
ment, in conjunction with Mr. Stephens, fecre-
tary to the admiralty) was fuccefsful, as will ap-
pear by the clofe of the poll ; the numbers be-
ing, for
Philip Stephens, Efq. — 474
Sir Horace Mann — 311
Lord Parker — — 290
Thus the independent intcrefl fucceeded, for
the firft time, in the eleclion of one of their mem-
bers. The other is ftill confidered as being at
the difpofal of the admiralty.
The mayor and jurats of this port, like the
corporations
SANDWICH
corporations of moft cities and boroughs, hav?
not negle&ed to ufe their utraoft endeavours to
obtain a monopoly of the right of election, to the
cxclufion of the freemen*.
At the eleclion in 1620, the third parliament
of James I. lord Cobham, warden of the Cinque
Ports, mads an order, which he got confirmed by
the lords of the privy council, that the mayor and
jurats only, mould make the elections of member?
of parliament. The freemen, or commons, were
therefore debarred from giving their voices, with
threats of imprifonment. Sir Robert Hattonwas
returned by the mayor and jurats. The com-
mons, who intended to choofe Mr. Borrowes,
were intimidated by the magiftrates. The houfe
of commons, however, held the ele&ion void, and
ordered a new writ, for the freemen at large to
make the eleclion.
It likewife appears, that the corporation of this
port have not been exempt from the charge of
corruption, any more than their neighbours; as
on the 25th of November, 1695, a petition of
John Th urban, ferjeant at law, was prefented to
the houfe, fetting forth, that he was duly elecled
a baron to ferve in parliament for this port ; but
* In Glanville's Reports, cafe 7th, there is much curious in-
formation as to this.
that
SANDWICH.
that Edward Brent, and John Taylor, Efqrs. had
prevailed with the mayor to return them, though
they were not duly chofen.
Upon the examination of evidence, the follow-*
ing matter came out before a committee :
Ralph Goodchild faid, a great while before
the writ came down, and he believes a month be-
fore the election, at the defire of fome of Mr.
Taylor's friends, he went to Mr. Taylor's houfe,
with an account of what men they thought would
engage for him; and that Mr. Taylor faid to him,
and, as he believes, Mr. Paramour, Mr. Mandy,
and Mr. Gregg, were by, that he had heard fome
people got places of profit by being parliament-
men ; and that, if the town chofe him, and he
got any, he would give half to the corporation^ and
aol. a year to the poor, and give the corpora-
tion a treat on the day he was chofen, yearly ;
that Mr. Taylor bid him fpeak of it, and he did,
accordingly, make ufe of it, to perfuade feveral
to vote for Mr. Taylor ; that he voted fo, and
defigned to do fo before the faid promife j and
faid, he believed he faw bills of charges of 300!.
on Mr. Taylor's account, and that Mr. Cricket
•was Mr. Taylor's agent.
Twifden faid, that Mr. Taylor, the day before
the election, declared, Mandy being prefent, if he
SANDWICH, 317
got a place of loool. or 500!. a year, as he hoped he
Jhould> or whatever it was, he would give one half to
the town; and Mr. Cricket faid, he would give
his bond, that Mr. Taylor fliould expend 40!. or
50!. yearly, upon the town, and give 20 1. yearly
to the poor; and Turner, fitting by, faid, he
would drink the petitioner's health, but durft not
vote for him, for if he did, they would never em-
ploy hirn again,
John Chapman faid, Cricket declared, that Mr.
Taylor had promifed, and he (Cricket) would
give his bond as before teftified; and that, on
account of his voting for Mr. Brent, Cricket had
received forty millings of Rickfcy, which he paid
in part of 7!. owing from him to the ferjeant,
but owned Cricket was bound with him for it ;
but it did not appear Mr. Brent had employed
Cricket.
Cricket and Moor faid, the mayor went to fe-
veral to vote for Mr. Brent ; and Moor owned,
that he himfelf had fpoke to feveral to vote for
the ferjeant.
Clark, Jenkinfon, and Stone, faid, that a letter
was read, as from Sir Cloudefly Shovel, by which
^hey pretended, that all the feamen who would not
vote for Mr. Brent fhould be prefled. Rickfey
and
gl8 SANDWICH.
and others were prefent, and fomc fcamcn were
feared out of the town by it.
Rickfey produced a letter which, being read,
he faid was only a recommendation of Mr. Brent,
without any threatening or promifes.
John Vatchelor faid, Broderly,who voted, and
made intereft for Mr, Brent, offered him two
half crowns to vote for Mr. Brent, and Rickfey
and Fifher were by, and was threatened to be
ruined, becaufe he would not vote againft the
fcrjeant.
N. Vatchelor, his brother, faid, he had heard
his brother John declare, that Brodcrly had of-
fered him no money.
Hutton faid, he had a debt of 3!. odd money
owing to him from Curfer; but he dying, it be-
came dubious ; and that he was offered to have
it paid if he would vote for Mr. Taylor.
There is at this place a harbour with a large
revenue, a mere job ; a cuftom-houfc ; cuftom-
houfe cutter ; two cuftom-houfe boats ; a fort ;
two caftle, in the neighbourhood, officered by
freemen ; and ten riding officers. Any owner of
a veffel or hoy, being a freeman, may have his
fhip taken into the fervicc of the admiralty, up-
on application; at this time fcven veflcls arc fo
engaged.
Cos.-
SANDWICH.
CORPORATION — By a charter, dated in the year
1685, it confifts of a mayor, recorder, twelve
jurats, and twenty-four common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1690, 3ift Oft. — The
freemen of the port of Sandwich, inhabiting
within the faid port, although they receive alms,
have a right to vote.
Not agreed to by the houfe.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About four hundred
&nd eighty.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Admiralty.
Mr. Stephens, the fecretary to the admiralty,
has been returned for this port ever fmce he has
been in place, now upwards of thirty years. The
inhabitants are bound to this gentleman by every
tie of gratitude, as there is fcarcely a fingle fa-
mily, fome part of which has not been provided
for by him, in the admiralty, navy, or marines.
Since the laft election, the people of this town
have feverely felt the inconvenience of having
prefumed to reject Mr. Stcphens's friend, lord
Parker. Some have been alfo difplaced, and no
new places have been granted, but upon a pro-
mife of implicit obedience.
HYTIIE.
HYTHE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The bailiff of tMs
port was appointed by the archbifhop of Canter-
bury, till the 31 ft year of Henry VIII. when the
archbifhop exchanged the manor of Saltwood, to-
gether with the bailiwick of Hythe, with the king,
for eflates elfewhere. After which a bailiff was
appointed annually by the crown, till the reign
of Elizabeth, who in the iyth year of her reign,
granted it a particular charter of incorporation,
by the name of mayor, jurats, and commonalty,
under which they flill continue to be governed.
The corporation, out of whom are chofen two
chamberlains and a town-clerk, with the afliftance
of ninety freemen, making in the whole one hun-
dred and twenty-fix, elecl the two members ; out
of which number, only twenty-two are refidents ;
the remaining hundred and four being difperfcd
Dyer different parts of the country.
The charters of this corporation, as well as
thofe of the other Cinque Ports, were, in 1685,
by the arbitrary command of Charles II. furren-
dcred up to colonel Strode, then governor of
Dover caftle,and were never afterwards returned;
but they are fuppofed to be in poffeflion of go-
Tcrnment at this nioment.
The
HYTHE. 321
The influence of this place is not fo eafily ma-
naged as the infignificant corporations of Rye,
Winchelfca, Haftings, Seaford, or Romney. One
hundred and twenty-fix electors, five-fixths of
whom are not immediately under the controul or
perfecution of a treafury agent, cannot be train-
ed to the word of command fo eafy as a dozen
cuftom-houfe officers, or penfioners, upon the
emoluments of the finecures. By one artifice or
other, however, government always contrive to
have both members conftantly in its intereft.
The corporation of Hythe are under the ab-
folute direction of Mr. Robert Tournay*, an at-
torney, who is every other year chofen mayor ;
and, in fpite of legal incapacity, unites with the
office of chief magiftrate, that of town clerk ;
thereby confolidating the mailer and fervant in
the fame perfonal agency ; but, as pluralities of
livings, as well as places, are fanftioncd by the
example of church and (late, we mtift not fuppofe,
that the emoluments arifing from the minifterial
duties of one office, can influence the judicial
deportment of the other.
The intereft amongft the electors, is nearly
equally divided between government and Mr.
* The joint agent of the treafury and Mr. Evelyn.
VOL. II. Y Evelyn,
£22 HYTHE.
Evelyn, one of the prefent members* Mr* Al-
derman Sawbridge has indeed attempted the ef*.
tablifhment of an independent intereft; but, while
the reprefentation remains in its prefent debili-
tated form, fuch exertions, though they might
fucceed on a fingle occafion, can neither give
permanency nor fecurity to the freedom of
eleftiom
CORPORATION — By charter of incorporation,
granted by Queen Elizabeth, it confifts of a
mayor, twelve jurats, and twenty-four common-
councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1710, 2yth Jan. — Is in
the mayor, jurats, common-councilmen, and free-
men*
Agreed to by the houfe,
NUMBER OF VOTERS — One hundred and twen-
ty-fix, about half of whom are non-refidents.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — The treafury partially.
Mr. William Deedes and Sir Charles Farnaby
Radcliffe, who have both confiderable intereft
here, are entirely at the devotion of the mi-
nifter.
NEW
( 323 )
NEW ROMNEY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This place enjoys the
fame exclufive privileges with the other ports ;
in addition to which, it had a charter of incorpo-
ration from Edward III. by the dyle of the ba-
rons of the Port of New Romncy ; afterwards by
that of jurats and commonalty; and laftly, by
Queen Elizabeth, in the fifth year of her reign,
by the ftyle of the mayor, jurats, and common-
alty ; at which time, by letters patent, me ratified
all the privileges they had enjoyed in the reign
of Edward the Confeflbr, or at any other time.
By the forms of this charter, the corporation is
governed at this time; but the charter was feized,
by order of King Charles II. in 1685, by colonel
Strode, and has never been returned fince.
The corporation mould confift, according to
that charter, of a mayor, twelve jurats, twenty-fix
common-councilmen, and an indefinite number
of freemen; but, as the patron of this, as well as
thofe of the other Cinque Ports and boroughs,
finds a convenience in not fupply ing the vacancies
as corporators fall off, nineteen are deemed fuffi-
cicnt to exercife the fame conftitutional powers
Y 3 iii
in this borough, which is depofrtcd with three
only at Winchelfea, and with fix individuals at
Rye.
Sir Edward Dcering has, by a very fimple
tnethod, poffefled himfclf of an influence in this
port, not eafily to be rendered infecure. His
property in the neighbourhood is tenanted out,
without kafe> at very cafy rents, to the electors ;
who, feeling that gratitude, which never fails tc*
infpire thofe immediately interefted in the pre-
fent pofleflion of a good thing, could not be fo
ungenerous as to oppofe the inclination of a par-
five landlord, in fo trifling a concern as that of
the election of a member of parliament.
The two great meetings of all the Cinque Ports
are ftill held here; the members belonging to
which are, Old Romney, Bromehill, Orlafton, and
Dungenefs.
CORPORATION — By charter of Queen Eliza-
beth, before mentioned, it ought to be governed
by a mayor, twelve jurats, and twenty-fix com-
mon-councilmen*.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Is in the mayor, jurats,
and commonalty.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Nineteen.
* See the Appendix to icth vol. State Trials, in which are
two trials containing much light on this corporation.
RETURN-
NEW ROMNEY. 325
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor; who is
alternately Mr. Coates, Mr. Walter, or Mr. Cobb,
Sir Edward's agents.
PATRON — Sir Edward D-eering.
Sir Edward Deering having been engaged in
the fafhionable purfuks of the prefent day, has
found it expedient to accommodate Sir Elijah
Impey, and Mr. Sullivan, both gentlemen of In-
dian celebrity, with their prefent feats.
The number of places in the poffeflion of Sir
Edward's friends, and their relations, renders the
return of treafury candidates an indifpcnfible
duty.
The following is a correct lift of the freemen
of New Romney :
Benjamin Cobb, mayor; he holds no land of
Sir Edward Deering, at prefent ; but is a capital
grazier, and will have the firfl farm that is va-,
cant.
W. Witwick ; he holds about 300 acres, at a
low rent.
Rev. T. Cobb, of Hardnefs, aged 90 ; non-re-
fident.
Bartholomew Tookey, of Savington; he has
100 acres at an inconfiderable rent: non-
refident.
Y 3 Qdiarne
326 NEW ROMNEY.
Odiarne Coatcs, William Coates, his fon ;
jointly hold a large quantity of land, at about
200 1. a year fhort of its real value.
Jacob Walter ; 200 acres, low rent.
Edward Tookey ; maintained by Sir Edward,
but holds no land.
The above are jurats and freemen — the fol-
lowing are freemen only:
John Walker; he holds 150 acres of Sir Ed-
ward.
Abraham Walter; a riding officer, through
the intereft of Sir Edward.
Thomas Knight, Efq. of Godmorlham ; non-
refidcnt.
Robert Wightwich ; maintained by Sir Ed-
ward, in low circumflances.
Edward Deering, Efq. Cholmondely Deering,
Efq. fons of Sir Edward; non-refidcnu
Rev. W. W. Fowle; he has the livings of
Burmarfh and Snargate, and the free fchool, a
finccure falary 6ol. a year; all given him by
Sir Edward.
Charles Rolfe; ufes 50 acres of Sir Edward's
land ; his fon is a riding officer by the intereft of
Sir Edward.
. John Buckhurft, John Walter, furgeon; 50
acres each.
Edward
RYE. 327
Edward Ruflel ; 200 acres of Sir Edward.
William Fowle, jun. town-clerk, and clerk to
Romney and Walland Marfh; fo made by Sir
Edward.
rRYE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This is one of thofe
places, ufually, though fomewhat improperly,
called a Cinque Port. It was with the neigh-
bouring town of Winchelfea, annexed as a mem-
ber of the Cinque Ports generally, (but not of
Haftings in particular, as is commonly but er-
roneoufly fuppofed) before the time of Henry
III ; in a charter of which king, thefe two
places arc denominated nobiliora membra Quinquc
Portuum. — They have enjoyed, from all antiquity,
the peculiar appellation of the two ancient towns,
and are poffefTed, in every refpeft, of equal
franchifes, immunities, and privileges, with the
original Cinque Ports.
Rye was burnt by the French in the time of
Richard II. and again in the 26th of Henry VI.
in one of which fires it is fuppofed, that the o!4
records and charters of this town perifhed, as
none older than the 271!! of this king, except
fpme fragments, are at this day to be found,
Y 4 Before
328 RYE.
Before Mr. Crewe's bill, this place was, in the
ftrifteft fenfe of the appellation, a treafury bo-
rough, all the freemen, with fcarcely an exception,
being pofTefTed of places in fome revenue depart-
ment. Since this bill has paffed, it has become
abfolutely neceffary to make a fmall addition to
the ufual number of freemen, in order that there
may be fome people duly qualified to go through
the formal part of t\\c farce of an election to rc-
' turn members to parliament : all which new-
made freemen, who are not oftenfibly holders of
a place, are quartered upon, and, in a certain de-
gree, divide the profits with, thofe who are in
poffcffion of the more lucrative pofts.
At this place there is a cuftom-houfc, with a
very large eftablifhment ; a cuftom-houfc boat,
as it is -called, whofe crew confifts wholly of
landfmen, and who are of courfe all freemen ;
and fcvcn riding qfficers in the fervice of the
cuftoms; a cutter is likewife Rationed here,
under pretence of cruifing againft the fmugglcrs,
but in truth, by way of giving additional influence
to the treafury ; and here we muft not omit to
remark, that this veffel is actually employed and
paid by the treafury, and is immediately under
its controul, though it is ufually called a cuftom-
houfc
RYE. 329
houfe cutter ; there is but one other vcffel in
the kingdom thus peculiarly circmnftanced.
This cutter, which is named the Stag, is com-
manded by captain William Haddock, who alone
has freemen quartered on him to the amount of
350!. a year. However, it is clear that this place
will bear this incumbrance, as he is rapidly
making a very large fortune. This gentleman,
being very active and diligent in his profeflional
purfuits, as a revenue officer, the emolument
accruing to this veflel, by means of its captures
from the fmugglers, and of its pay from the trea-
fury, being very large, ferves as an inexhauflible
fund for the quartering thofe freemen upon, who
either have no places, and who do not think the
ordinary profits of them fufficiently ample.
This town, being fituated at a confiderable
diftance from the fea, could not have any parti-
cular occafion for fortifications ; however, it has
been thought expedient, of late years, to erecl a
couple of forts, which have, of courfe, their pro-
per officers, gunners, and afliftants; here arifcs
another opportunity for government influence.
In addition to the above, Rye has the ufual excife
and pod office eftablimments, which take place
in other towns.
We muft not here omit to make mention of
the
33° *YE-
the new harbour of Rye; for the making of
which, an a6l was patted about fifty years fince.
The only real objeft of which ftatute, was the
giving additional force to treafury patronage and
influence. After much labour and expence, the
new harbour was wholly abandoned in the year
1788; notwithftanding which circumflance, the
enormous tax of two-pence per ton, on all vef-
fcls of this kingdom, as often as they pafs the
flreights of Dover, is ftill continued. The mode
in which the produce of this vaft burthen on the
commerce of the nation is now applied, is well
worth the inveftigation of parliament : certain it
is, that all the officers, artifans, and workmen
(moft of whom are freemen), flill continue to
enjoy their penfions and falaries, though their
places are now become, in the ftriclcft fcnfe of
the word, finecures.
The conduct and management of this enormous
mafsof influence, is vetted in Mr. Thomas Lamb,
who has been, for a long time paft, agent, and
firft officer of the treafury in this borough ; to
which pott he fucceeded about forty years ago,
on the death of his father ; and, as he has con-
ftantly fidedwith the firft lord of the treafury for
the time being, he has been continued in quiet
and undifturbed pofieflion of it ever fince. }n-
deed.
RYE. 331
deed, upon the firfl pafling of Mr. Crewe's bill,
he, for a fliort time, made an attempt at fetting
up a private intereft of his own, independent of
the treafury ; in confequence of which he a£lu-
ally returned— Dickenfon, Efq. to parliament
(a gentleman in the intereft of lord North) with
the government candidate. However, he was
quickly given to underftand, that the treafury
were determined to have both the members of its
own nomination, and that lofs of places, &c.
would be the immediate and certain confequence
of difobedience. In a very fhort time after, he
returned to his duty and allegiance, having pre-
vioufly ftipulated, that in future he would return
treafury nominees only ; but, that they mould
make him fome fmall douceur or compliment;
far fhort, however, of the market price of a feat,
the bulk of which is appropriated to the com-
mander in chief* ; the portion fet apart for the
fubalterns and under-ftrappers of the corpora-
tion being but trifling and inconfiderable.
* This was never done till Mr. Crewe's bill had fomcwliat
leflened the treafury intereft ; that the candidates before merely
paid the expcnces of the eleftion, which were about 1 50!. The
prefent members are, Mr. Long, fecretary of the treafury, and
Mr. Jenkinfon, fon of a former fecretary of the treafury.
ANCIENT
33*
ANCIENT REPRESENTATION — In confequence
,of the Daughter \vhich took place at the battle
of Evefham, in the time of Henry III. this
place, for that time, returned four members to
parliament, as did the reft of the Cinque Ports.
It is probable that the Cinque Ports were rcpre-
fented in the national council before that pe-
riod. Ever fince 42 Edward III. this place
has constantly returned two members to parlia-
ment without any intermiflion.
CORPORATION — Ought to confift of a mayor
and twelve jurats ; at prefent there are only a
mayor and four jurats. The office of mayor is
conflantly rilled up by the Lambs, father and fon.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1702, 9 Dec. Is only
in the mayor, jurats, and freemen, inhabiting in
the port of Rye, and paying fcot and lot.
1710, 17 Feb. Thomas Hills, W. W. T. B.
and J. Y. having been propofed to be made
free, and rejc6led at a court of aflembly, and
afterwards made free in the fame mayoralty, are
not legal freemen of the port of Rye.
It is not neccflary that the freemen of the
Port of Rye mould qualify themfelves accord-
ing to the corporation act before they be
allowed to vote in the aflcmbly court of the
faid port.
It
RYE. 333
It appears from the old cuftumal of Rye, ftill
in exiftence, that the right of voting formerly-
belonged, lof courfe, to every perfon poflcfled
of a freehold -within the corporation, and to
every fon of a freeman ; there was, befides, a
third way of obtaining the freedom of this town,
viz. by redemption. But, by the contrivance
and manoeuvres of the agents of the treafury,
this conftitution has of late years been wholly
changed. By a determination of the houfe of
commons, in 1702, (which is the laft we find
upon the fubjeft), it appears, that the right of
election for barons to ferve in parliament for
this port, is in the mayor, jurats, and freemen,
inhabiting in the faid port, and paying fcot and
lot. But here a great and important queftion
fuggefts itfelf : Who are the people that are en-
titled to their freedom? As to this point there
has been no determination. — If this fhould ever
be put fairly in iflue, the probable refult would
be, that the right is, at this day, as fct forth in
the old cuftumal, notwithftanding the ufurpa-
tion and innovations of modern days. At this
time, the practice is, to admit freemen upon the
following grounds only ; viz. eldeft fons of
freemen, at the age of twenty-one, are allowed
to have a right ; the mayor has a right to
name
334 RYE.
name one on coming into office ; the others
are to be propofed by him, in the aflembly,
and approved by the majority of freemen pre-
fent. From the account given by Carew, of
fome contcfted eleciion at this place, it ap-
pears, that the number of freemen was, till
very lately, about 50 ; but at prefent it is found
expedient to keep the number much lower, in
order that the claimants to a portion of the
good things produced by an eleciion, may be as
few as decency will admit. Should the elded
fon of a freeman have the prefumption to de-
mand his birth-right of the corporation, if he be
a poor man, it is refufed him ; if he chance to
be in a fuperior fituation, he is perfuaded, if
poflible, to be made the mayor's freeman the
year.enfuing; the object of which manoeuvre is,
to erafe, if poflible, all traces of a right to free-
dom by birth. If the fon of a freeman, chance
at any time, either before or after his father's
admiflion, to have a brother born before him,
and by whofe death he becomes the cldeft, his
right is (ridiculoufly enough) utterly denied;
becaufe, forfooth, he is not the firft born fon,
which the wifeacres of this corporation infift is
the meaning of the eldeft fon.
It is very unufual to make more than the
mayor's
RYE- -335
^mayor's annual freeman in the courfc of a year,
\vho is, invariably, a perfon advanced in years,
an old batchelor, or a man not likely to have
progeny; by which means, the future claims of
an eldeft fon, who perchance might not be fo
well difpofed to fubmit to the doctrines of paf-
five obedience as the father,' are effectually
guarded againft.
Poverty is another effential qualification to
the office of baron of this port. A perfon in an
independent fituation of life, might, by poflibi-
lity, obje6l to fome things which are expected at
the hands of a freeman ; but the danger of
being turned out of place, or of being called
upon to pay the money due from him on bond,
compel an indigent man to the moft implicit
obedience.
It is a very common cuftom in this, as well as
the other ports, to lend fmall fums upon bond,
which are never put in force, unlefs fymptoms
of difobedience appear in the obligor ; in which
cafe, the penalty of the obligation is rigoroufly
demanded; when, if the debt be not immedi-
ately difcharged, imprifonment is the certain
confequence.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — SIX; all made free
fmce
336 RYU.
fince Mr. Crewe's bill ; the reft of the jurats
and freemen arc all difqualified by that bill.
The prefent ftate of the electors of Rye, is as
follows : viz.
JURATS.
Mr. Thomas Lamb, a tally-cutter in the ex-
chequer, a place of 40x3!. a year, and curfitor of
Hampfhire.
Mr. Thomas Phjllipps Lamb, his fon, curfitor
of Kent, and late a king's waiter of the cuftoms
at this place, which he has given to his fon,
Thomas Davis Lamb, a minor.
Mr. James Lamb, colleftor of the cuftoms.
Mr. Nathaniel Pro&er, brother of the above,
farms the eftate of the corporation, at a very
low rent.
Mr. William Proffer, a fuperannuated riding
officer.
FREEMEN.
John Swaine,
John Pilchcr,
Thomas Cook, j> Riding Officers.
lames Small,
John Chriftmas, J
Richard Butler, comptroller of cuftoms,
Samuel Millar, poft-maft«r, &c<
Thomas
RYE- 337
Thomas Allen, mate of the cuftom-houfe
cutter.
Wm. Millar, jun. 1
T. Allene,
Officers and crew ot
T. Proffiter,jun. r .,
J> cuftom-houie boat,
James Barrey,
but all landmen.
Thomas Bourne,
Richard Thiman, J
John Hogben, furveyor of cuftoms, and
guager.
John Haddock, captain of the Stag Cuftom-
houfe (loop.
Mr. C. Lambe, a fuperannuated captain of a
cuftom-houfe cutter.
Richard Pollard, chamberlain, &c. to the cor-
poration.
Lewis Maryn, a place in the ftamp office.
Tohn Giles, "1
J . Lately made freemen; as yet
James Elliot, they havc no oftenf,ble
John Kennett, j> places, but are all quarter-
John Buckhurft, ed on !°™.of the afore-
J mentioned placemen.
Richard Jarrott, J
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — The treafury.
We think it proper here to obferve, that what
we have faid concerning the minifterial agent in
this borough, relates folely to his conduft in
VOL. II. Z that
\VIKCHELSEA.
that capacity; being convinced, from gocxf
authority, that in private life, this gentleman's
department, has been at all times truly refpeft-
able and honourable, and wholly different from
that which Usually refults from being hackneyed
in the ways and tricks of corruption. As a
magistrate, both of the town, and of the two
counties of Kent and SufTex, his conduft has
always been clear, even of the fufpicion of im-
propriety. Both the freemen and the inhabi-
tants (which is not a little remarkable) are con-
tented and fatisfied with the mild fway of their
Borough monarch.
WINCHELSEA *.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — Were we to fct
forth at length, all the inftances of corruption,
venality, and profligacy, that have come to our
knowledge in having traced the election hiftory
of this borough, it would much exceed the
.(pace we can allot to the account of any indivi-
* If the reader wiflies to enter more particularly into the
particular rottennefs of this borough, we refer him to Glan-
ville's Eleftion Reports, Carew and Burrow's Reports, vol. II.
and Term Reports, vcl. I.
dual
\VINCHELSEA.
dual place, in this work. Some of the moft
remarkable, however, we mail point out, and
recite as much at length as our room will ad-
mit of. In the year 1623, Paul Wymond, the
mayor, having been convi&ed of threatening and
terrifying fome of the voters, and of unlawfully
excluding others from giving their votes, and of
other corrupt and indifcreet practices, was placed
on his knees at the bar of the houfe of commons,
as a delinquent, and was there feverely repri-
manded, and fentenced to be committed to pri-
fon under the cuftody of the ferjeant at arms,
for a certain time, and afterwards, to make fub-
miffion on his knees, at the bar of the houfe of
commons, and again at Winchelfea, in court,
before the jurats and freemen.
In the year 1702, Mr. Edwards, the mayor,
for the fame improper conduct as his prede-
ceflbr, Paul Wymond, was taken into cuftody;
was reprimanded by the fpeaker in the fame
difgraceful manner ; and, in confequence of a
refolution of the houfe of commons, was turned
out of all his places in the cuftoms, notwith-
flanding every effort was^made by the treafury
betich, whofe tool and creature he was, to pro-
tect him from the vengeance of the legiflature.
In the year 1702, two petitions were prefenu
Za cd
WIN CHE:
cd againft undue return.1;, on the ground of bri-»
bery. In 171 i, it appeared in evidence, to a com-
mittee of the houfe of commons, that Sir Francis
Dafhwood had paid 30!. to each of thofe who
voted for him, befides giving a douceur to all the
wives and daughters of freemen.
Winchclfea may be confidercdas having been
wholly a treafury borough, till the year 1754,
when the late Arnold Nefbitt, Efq. an Irifli gen-
tleman, and till then entirely unknown in this
place, was returned by the then minifter, the duke
of Ncwcaftle. Mr. Nefbitt began immediately
to make purchafes to a confiderable amount of
cflates within the town, and in the neighbourhood,
with a view of fecuring to himfclf thereby a con-
troul over the borough in future. In this pro-
jeft he fucceeded fo far, as to cftablim fivlly the
co-mm-and over enc of the feats, and, occafionally,
when he chanced to be well with the treafury,
over both.
About the year 1762, Mr. Nefbitt, being at
.that time in oppofition, a violent attack was made
•by government on this borough, under the aufpi-
n.-s c>f the late earl of Egremont, who had a large
.cftate in the neighbourhood, in order to bring it
back to its former allegiance to the treafury.—
-This coined gave birth to the famous Winchclfea
caufcs>
WINCHELSEA. 34!
caufes, fet Forth at length in the fecond volume
of Burrow's Reports. The Nefbitt intereft was,
upon the whole, fuccefsful upon this occafion.
The treafury have fince made fome other rude
attacks on the Nefbitt intereft, in which they
have at times fo far fucceeded, as to return one
member.
In the courfe of thefe confiiBs, which were of
long continuance, and of courfe very expenfive,
the death of the earl of Egremont took place, and,
in confequence, a temporary deficiency of cafh ;
Mr. Wardroper, the treafury agent, who was then
in the office of town-clerk, having occafion for
larger fums of money to carry on the battle, than
it was convenient for government to fupply him
with, actually pawned the charters, cuftumal, and
all the records of the corporation, with a Mr.
Wilfon, an underftrapper to the minifler ; at 3.
convenient feafon, the pledge was redeemed by
the treafury, where it was, till very lately, in fafc
keeping.
Since the late transfer of the borough, it is pro-
bable that the purchafers, who are entirely at the
devotion of the miniftry, may have pofiefled
thcmfclves of the inftrumcnt and documents
above-mentioned, as they, eventually, may be of
great confequence ; though, upon the whole, if
Z 3 this
343 WINCHELSEA,
this be the cafe, it is highly probable, that the fato
of the cuftumal of Haftings, (annihilation by fire)
will await the charters and records of Winchelfea.
We pledge ourfelves for the authenticity of this
anecdote.
The late Arnold Nefbitt having died indebted
to the crown, to nearly the amount of 100,000 1.
and otherwife much embarrafled in his circum-.
fiances (to which his expences, at this place, not
a little contributed, as he had the character of
being a liberal pay-matter to his virtuous confti-
tuents,) a decree for the fale of all his property
was made by the court of chancery, for the bene-
fit of his creditors. Mr. J. Nefbitt, the prefent
member for Gatton, (cqnfcious that his confer
quence in this place wholly depended on the eftatc,
which the world had hitherto fuppofed to have
defcended to him from his uncle, free from any
incumbrance whatever) a very fhort time before
the promulgation of this fatal decree in chancery,
entered into a treaty with the earl of Darlington,
and with Mr. Barwell, the nabob, and owner of
Tregony, for the fale of this borough. At firft,
a much larger price was required of them than
they were willing to give. After many difficul-
ties about the mode of payment and transfer, as.
with Mr. Nefbitt time was prefling, a bargain was
tyruck.
•WINCHELSEA'.
ftruck, and the price agreed 'far 15,000!. which,
confidering the prefent market price, may, upon
the whole, be confidered as a cheap purchafc,
efpecially as immediate pofleffion was given.
Taking 5,000!. to be the market price at the laft
general eleclion, the fee of the future good-will
of the borough ftands the purchafcrs in but
2,500!. a-picce.
Where the right of voting in a borough de-
pends upon property, as in a fcot and lot, or bur-
gage-hold borough, it is eafy to conceive that
the feats in parliament may be merchantable
commodities; but, as the elective franchife in this
place is not connected with property, but depends
upon freedom, it is probable, that in the fale
above alluded to, the voters themfelves, like fo
many beafts in a pen at Smithfield, were bartered
in the transfer.
But what is not a little curious ; it is certain
that the bargain was made, and terms fully fettled
and agreed upon between the parties, without
the confent, knowledge, or privity of any one of
the voters. They, however, concluded, that their
cuftomary fee of lool. per man, would be paid
to the electors, by either their prefent or former
owners ; in truth, this point had not been pro-
perly adjufled between them, and the freemen of
Z 4 Winchclfca-
£44 WINCHELSEA,
Wjnchelfea were referred from one party to the
other, for upwards of two years, without being
fatisfied in their demands ; at length they began
to mew fome ferious figns of difcontent, and
even of revolt; infomuch, that their prefent
owners thought it prudent to comply with their
requefts/ and let them have the long delayed
douceur, which they received at Eafter 1792.
At the time of the fale of the borough of
Winchelfea, the ftate of the corporation was as
follows :
JURATS.
Mr. Thomas Marton, commander in chief.
Richard Lamb, his nephew ; a riding officer.
Mr. Stace, a riding officer, and has a farm of
Jate Nefbitt'Sj, now Harwell's.
FREEMEN.
Benjamin Tree, mace-bearer and chamberlain
to the corporation.
Charles Stephens, furveyor of cuftoms.
Thomas Marton, jun. fan to the commander,
Richard Butler, comptroller of culloms ; he,
having been in oppofition to Mr. Ncfbitt, did not
conftitute a part of the fale.
Since the fale, the following additions have
been made to the corporation :
JURATS,
WINCHELSEA. 345
JURATS.
Captain Coffin, brother-in-law to Barwell.
~ Scholey.
Lord Bernard (fon of lord Darlington) and
Mr. Barwell, the members.
Mr. Douce, partner with Mr. Lloyd, the attor-
ney, who managed the fale.
* Paddy, an American refugee, living at
Windfor.
Perry Coffin, brother to Mrs. Barwell.
A fhort time previous to the fale, Mr. Nef-
bitt made a leafe of all his property in this town,
confifting of about 50 houfes and tenements, to,
the prefent members ; which, as it was without
the confent of the mortgagees, and other claimants
on the eftate, cannot be pf any validity. As it is
neceflary that every voter mould berated, to get
poffeffion of thefe houfes, either by leafe or pur-
chafe, was of great confequence. At the fale be-
fore the mailer in chancery, this town lot was
knocked down to Mr. Coffin, as agent to Barwell,
for 1200!. a Mr. Hull opened the biddings for
the benefit of creditors, who was the beft bid-
der at 3,000 1. Mr. Barwell finding that the
fate of his borough, very much more than he
imagined, depended on fecuring this lot, made
application
346 WINCHELSEA.
application to the chancellor for a third fale,
which requeft (ftrange to relate) was complied
with ; but had not this nabob been in the treafury
intereft, it is more than probable it would have
teen refufed.
The third fale has fince taken place, when the
agent of lord Darlington and Mr. Barwell was
the beft bidder, at the price of 5,200!. We mould
obferve that this borough has been in a conftant
{late of fermentation for upwards of thirty years.
i — At this time, from the want of confidence, and
the diftruft which exifts between the patrons and
the old agents under Mr. Nefbitt,we will venture
to predift, that great revolutions are at hand.
Mr. Marton and his friends have difcovered, that
though they are ftill nominally the agents, there
is an interior cabinet of non-freemen, who have
the direction and management of all tranfaclions
of fuperior importance.
CORPORATION — When complete, confifts of a
mayor and twelve jurats ; this body feldom, in
faft, exceed four or five.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1711, n Feb. The
freemen of the port of Winchelfea are not
obliged to qualify themfelves, by receiving the
{acrament, according to the corporation a£l.
According to the old cuftumal, and the true
conftitiuion
WINCHELSEA. 347
conftitution of the place, every fon of a freeman,
and every freeholder, were entitled to their free-
dom; but, according to the modern conftitution,
the relations and nominees of Mr. Barwell. As
lord Darlington, at Eafter 1792, fuffered Barwell
to appoint hi« own dependants, it is fuppofed,
that he has difpofed of his fhare in the borough
to the nabob.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — THREE.
Mr. Marton is allowed two hundred pounds
a year for the management of the borough, and
for keeping the voters in good order, who re-
ceive one hundred pounds a man at each elec-
tion.
It is fuppofed, that the only good voters in
this place are the elder Marton and Tree ; as
young Marton lives in London, and the reft are
placemen.
The newly-made junto are only fiftitioufly
rated; do not refide, and, on account of divers
informalities in their appointment to their free-
doms, it is prefumed they might be disfranchifed
•with great eafe.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
The fee of the mayor at an election is 200!.
PATRONS — Mr. Barwell and the earl of Darl-
ington ; both in the intereft of the treafury;
Wherefore
SEAFORD.
wherefore the patronage of government is in their
hands as to this borough.
SEAFORD.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The influence of
this borough, or port, has been cxercifed for
near two centuries by the family of the late
Sir William Thomas, of Weft Dean, near this
place, whofe title became extincl for want of
male heirs ; but his eftate, together with the
patronage of the borough, defcended to the late
Mr. Harifon, of Sutton-place, and from him to
the prefent Lancelot Harifon, Efq.
This gentleman, at the age of fourteen, was put
into poffeflion of the lucrative fmecure of comp-
troller of cloth and petty cuftoms in the port of
London, which produces him a net falary of 200 1.
per annum ; to this place was afterwards added
thatoffuperviforof the riding officers, worth 150!.
per annum, and captain of the cuftom-houfe
boat, with an income of 120!. per annum more;
all thofe places Mr, Harifon was allow to hold a$
finecures. Not having ever been at fca, an ad-
ditional 6ol. per annum was allowed for a de-
puty captain, or chief-mate of the boat; and as
the only duty of the riding officers, in this dif-
Xrid, was to fupport the intercil of the patron at
an
SEAFORD. 34X)
in ele&ion, the fupervifing of them did not re-
quire any great vigilance.
From the year 1747 to the prefent time, the
right of eleclionhas been the fubjecl of continual
litigation. In 1670 the houfe determined it to
be in the populacy, and in 1761 the word popu-
lacy was explained- to mean inhabitants houfe-
keepers paying fcot and lot. The ufe made of this
explanation, wastoratefuch of the houfe- keepers
only as were revenue officers or dependants
on the will of the patron j the number of ratable
houfes within the borough was one hundred and
thirty-two, though not more than twenty-four had
ever been known to be taxed, previous to Mr.
Flood's fuccefsful oppofition in 1786; out of
this number feventeen were revenue officers, when
Mr. Crewe's difqualifying bill was pafTed in
1782.
The firft petition which is deferving of the at-
tention of our readers, was occafioncd by the in-
terference of the late duke of Newcaflle, at the
election in 1747, when the late Right Hon. Wil-
liam Pitt, afterwards earl of Chatham, and Wil-
liam Hay, Efq. were candidates on the minifterial
intercft of that day, and the earl of Middlefex,
uncle to theprcfcnt duke of Dorfct, and the Hon.
W. H. Gage, afterwards lord vifcount Gage, op-
pofed
35°
pofed them on the oppoiition, or what was thcrt
termed the prince of Wales's intereft. Thepe-»
tition fet forth, that at the laft election of barons
to ferve in this prefent parliament for the town
and port of Seaford, in the county of Suffex, the
petitioners, together with the Right Hon. Wil-
liam Pitt, Efq. and William Hay, Efq. were can-
didates. That on the day before the faid election,
a noble peer of this realm did invite to, and en-
tertain at his houfe moft of the voters of the faid
town and port; and in the town, where they were
affembled, fpake to them one by one, and did fo-
licit and influence them, with refpeft to giving
their votes at the faid election; by means whereof
feveral perfons who had promifed to vote, and
would have voted for the faid petitioners, were
prevailed upon by the faid noble peer to vote for
the faid Mr. Pitt and Mr. Hay. Which proceed-
ing the petitioners conceive is an high infringe-
ment of the liberties and privileges of the com-
mons of Great Britain. That on the day of elec-
tion, in order to awe and influence the voters in
favour of the fitting members, and deter them
from voting for the petitioners, the faid noble
peer came into the court, accompanied by other
peers of this realm; and being featcd near to the
returning officer, did continue there until the poll
was
SEA FORD. 3£f
was clofecf; notwithftanding the prefence of him,
and the faid other peers, was objected to by one
of the petitioners, and the returning officer ap-
plied to by him not to take the poll while the
peers remained prefent in the court. In all
which the faid petitioners thought themfelves
fully juftified, as they apprehended their prefence
obftrufted the freedom of the election, and from
the feveral declared refolutions of the houfe of
commons, was a violation of the rights and pri-
vileges of the commons of Great Britain ; and
that by thefe, and other illegal practices, the peti-
tioners loft a great number of votes, which would
otherwife have been given for the petitioners :
and therefore praying the houfe to take the pre-
mifes into conlideration, and to grant the peti-
tioners fuch relief as to the houfe fhall feem meet.
The houfe moved, That the refolu-tion of the
*6th day of this inftant November, *That it is an
high infringement of the liberties and privileges
of the commons of Great Britain, for any lord of
parliament, or lord lieutenant of any county,
to concern themfelves in election of members to
ferve for the commons in parliament, might be
readv And the fame was read accordingly, A
motion was made, and the queftion being put,
That the matter of the faid petition be heard at
the
35- CtAFORtt.
the bar of this houfe: upon which a debate arafe^
In this debate, Mr. Pitt, one of the fitting mem-
bers, treated the petition with great contempt,
and turned it into a mere jeft.
On this occafion, Mr. Potter (fon of the afch-
bifhop) fpoke as follows : " Mr. Speaker, I rife up
to do myfelf juftice: for as I look upon the
matter contained in this petition to be of the
utmoft importance to the honour of the houfe,
and even to the exiftence of parliament; and as,
to my very great amazement, I fee this queftion
treated with the greateft contempt and ridicule
by an honourable gentleman, whdfe weight may
perhaps pcrfuade a majority to be of his opinion,
I think I owe it to myfelf to declare my fenti-
ments on this great occafion by fomething more
than the vote which I mall give. I hope, Sir,
things are not yet come to fuch a pafs, as to
make it neceffary for any man to go about to
prove that the conflitution is deftroyed, when-
ever the houfe mail lofe its independency. After
all the noble firuggles made in the houfe by
great patriots, after all the laws pafled by the
legiflature to preferve that independency, I
fhould hope, that out of decency, as well as out
of regard to truth, I may be allowed to argue
upon that as upon an indubitable maxim. The
reprefen-
.SEAFORD*
feprefentatives of the people, when they are cho-
fen to that office, have been faid to be indepen-
dent, even on their conftituents ; how neceflary
then, Sir, is it for this hoiife to take care that
there be no other improper or corrupt depen-
dency ? But, Sir, if the minifters are to be allowed
to nominate to the burghs the perfons who fhall
be their reprefentatives, how are we to expecl an
independent parliament? That minifters may
endeavour to fubvert this independency, that
they may think it even neceffary, to their own
fecurity, to corrupt parliament, we have too
much reafon to know. But, Sir, whatever pains
former minifters may have taken for this purpofe,
what undue methods foever they may have ufed
to gain for them-felves a corrupt majority in this
houfe, I believe hiftory is not able to produce an
inftance, equal to the prefent, of a wife and great
flatefman taking upon himfelf the honourable
employment of being an agent at a burgh. It
was not enough to fignify his commands by his
underlings ; it was not enough to folicit votes in
his own perfon. The voters, it fecms, could not
be trufted out of his prefence, and therefore they
Were to be attended even to the poll. But, Sir,
this great humility and condefcenfion in a mini-
fter, would, in former times, have been qonftrued
VOL. II. A a amoft
354 SEAFORO:
a moft notorious invafion of the rights of th<r
people, and of the privileges of this houfe. And,
Sir, what will the people fay to us ? Or what wiH
they think of our independency, if we are not as
jealous of their rights, and as tenacious of our
own privileges as any of our pfedeceflbrs have
been? What will they think, Sir, if after feeing
one parliament diflblved in a new unprecedented,
I had almoft laid an unconftitutional manner,
they mail be told, that the miniiters have been
nominating their rcprcfcntatives in the next, even
without the ceremony of a conge d' elire ? But,
Sir, Hill farther ; What will they think, if they
{hall be told that this proceeding of the minifler
has been laid before the houfe of commons, and
that the houfe of commons will -not, or dare not
c-cnfurc him ? There have been times, when no
man was thought too great to, be accountable to
this houfe for his conduct; and I could give an
inftanee, even in my own memory, of a great and
able ftatefman, whole long admin iftratioti \vas an
honour and benefit to his country, and whole
conduct this houfe thought fit to enquire into by
the mod feverc fcrutiny. — When I firft heard the
petition read at your table, I could hardly believe
it poilible that the allegations it contained were
founded upon truth. I expected to have heard
the
SEAFORO. 355
the friends of the noble perfon who is the object
of it, boldly denying the charge, and calling
loudly upon the accufers to juftify it; I was
determined not to believe it, unlefs fupportcd by
the ftrongeft proof. But, Sir, how great was my
amazement when I heard an honourable gentle-
man, [W.Pitt, Efq.] who was privy to the whole
tranfaclion, not only admitting every fact alledged
to be true, but openly avowing and attempting
to juftify them? In what light they may appear
to him, Sir, he can beft tell you ; but to me it
fecms moft manifcft, that as the conduct com-
plained of was the greateft injury that could be
done to our privileges, the attempt to juftify it is
the greateft infult upon our underftanding. In
\vhat other light, Sir, can it appear to us, than as
the laft and utmoft effort of one who was deter-
mined, at any rate, to procure a majority in this
houfe of perfons attached to himfclf, his own
creatures, the tools of his power? I wifli to God,
Sir, nothing may happen to-day to give the peo-
ple room to fufpeclthat he has been toofuccefs-
ful. What more could he have done ? Or what
greater infult is it pofiible for him to offer, unlefs
he fhould come, even within the walls of this
houfe, to direct our determinations ? After
what he has done— I fhould not wonder, Sir, if
A a 2 he
SEAFORD.
he did come and take that chair, and tell you,
as we were told formerly, that your mace was a
bauble, and that you mould keep it only while
you pleafe him. Your mace, Sir, is a bauble,
and fo is every other enfign of authority, unlefs
you can preferve your independency. A depen-
dance upon the crown, Sir, would in the end
prove fatal to our liberties ; but a depcndancc
upon the minifter, as it is infinitely more difho-
nourable, is infinitely more dangerous. One
might fuppofe, Sir, fome fecurity to a people
from the honour of a crowned head, and from
the folid compacts that are made between the
people and their fovereign. I know of no com-
paQs that are or can be made between a minif-
ter and the people. I can fuppofe too, Sir, that
in fome future time a minifter may arife profli-
gate enough to carry his views fo high, as to at-
tempt to make both king and people fubfervicnt
to his own ambition. I can imagine fuch a one,
Sir, taking advantage of fome general calamity,
or time of general confufion, by a corrupt parlia-
mentary influence, opprefling even the king upon
his throne, and making the crowned head a pri-
foner in his clofct. I can imagine him, Sir, fo
blown up with folly and fclf-conceit,,as to be-
come a competitor even with thole who mall be
of
SEAFORD. 3/57
of royal blood, for pofts of dignity or titles of ho-
nour; and he may, Sir, (it is hardly poffible in-
deed) but he may even proftitute the name of
the crown to fupport his pretenfions. This, Sij,
I fay, is a picture which I can draw in my own
mind of the miferable fituatipn of this country if
ever the parliament mould become dependant on
a minifter. But as this can never happen but in
fome time of general infatuation, or general cor-
ruption, the wifdom and virtue of the prefent
age fcarce fecure us from feeing it otherwife
than in imagination : but, Sir, whatever I fee, or
whatever I feel, God forbid that by an a£t or vote
of mine, I mould make the way eafy for fuch
miferies to overwhelm any future generation.
The honourable gentleman was pleafcd to fay
that this was a new cafe, and that there was no
precedent upon our journals to guide our pro-
ceedings : but let it be remembered, that this can,
never be the cafe again, fince the vote of to-
day will remain upon our books an eternal pre-
cedent to pofterity, and a law to this houfe for
the future. For God's fake, then, Sir, let us con-
fider a little what, fort of a law we are going to
make; let us remember, that if the prefent tranf-
aclion pafles uncenfured, and is declared free
from guilt, \ye may hereafter fee every peer of
A a 3 parliament,
358 SEAFORD.
parliament, every fecretary and other officer of
flatc, every chancellor of the exchequer, with
his treafury bags under his arm, attending and
Soliciting elections ; and when they fhall he
called upon in this houfe to juftify their pro-
ceedings, they fhall tell you, they have done
nothing but what they had a right to do, and
that fuch was the opinion of this wife, this inde-
pendent, this freely elected parliament. Sir, I
am not one of thole perfons, who will ever be
for extending the privileges of this houlc to any
ridiculous or romantic degree: if I could but
perfuade myfelf that there was the leaft room to
doubt upon this occafion, I fliould, think that
humanity obliged me to put the mildeil con-
ftruftion. But really, "Sir, I think the infult of-
fered to the houfe is of fo flagrant a nature, I
think the precedent mufl prove fo dangerous to
the honour and independency of parliament, I
think the confequences muil be fo definitive to
the conftitution, as to dcferve and demand the
fevcrcft animadvcrfion. The honourable gen-
tleman was pleafcd to afk, What is the objeft of
the petition? Sir, I will tell him what the objeci
is ; it is the fecurily, the freedom of parliaments,
and protecting the privileges of the commons oi
Great Britain. Surely, Sir, from this houfe the
commons
SEAFORD.
commons of Great Britain have a right to expc6l
juftice. Their moft valuable privileges have been
trampled upon and infulted, and they come now
by this petition to demand juftice: Juftice, Sir,
they will receive, and I hope now. But of one
thing I am fure, that, iboner or later, they will
have it.
The houfe determined, by a majority of 247
againft a minority of 69, not to receive the pe-
tition.
The next contcft of importance was in 1761,
when Sir James Peachy, Bart, and lord vifcount
Gage (the latter having changed his party fincc
the laft eleclion), were fupported by the duke of
Newcaftle,and the mini ftcrial intcreft, and George
Medley, Efq. and William Evelyn, Efq. oppofed
them. At this eleclion the diftinclion of populacy
and tax-paycrsy which has fincc been the fubjecl
of fo much cxpcnce and litigation, firft took
place.
Under the denomination of" populacy," every
man who had a legal parochial fettlcmcnt, and
rcfided within theparifh, claimed, as in pot-wal-
loping boroughs, the right of voting; and having
cxcrcifcd it upon all former occafions, they were
deemed the legal conftituent body.
A majority of the " populacy" were in the in-
A a 4 tcreft
360 SEAFORD,
tereft of Medley and Evelyn, and precluded every
chance of fuccefs from their opponents on their
fuffrages. The fubterfuge of fetting up a dif-
tin6l right was, therefore, reforted to by the mi-
nifterial candidates, as the only method by which
they might, with the affiftance of the houfe of
commons, ground any hopes of fucceeding.
The returning officer, Mr. Chambers, father of
the immaculate character who filled that Ration at
the laft general election, being in the minifterial
intereft, and the tax-payers, by a rate, fabricated
for the purpofe, devoted to the fame party, every
ele&or, whofe name was not upon the rate, was
rejected when he tendered his vote. A majority
being obtained by thefe means for Peachy and
Gage, they were returned to parliament, and Mr.
Medley and Mr. Evelyn were left to feek their
redrefs by petitioning the houfe.
Upon the hearing of this petition, the houfe
of commons, who were precluded by the 2d of
George II. from altering the right of election,
contented themfelves with explaining it away, by
refolving, that by the word " populacy" in the laft
refolution of the houfe of commons, was meant
inhabitant houfe-keepers, paying fcot and lot,
and that Sir James Peachy and lord vifcount
Gage were duly elefled.
From
SEAFORD. 361
From this period, until the year 1 786, the prac-
tice of taxing only the revenue officers, and four
or five other individuals, who were fure to obey
the word of command, prevailed, to the exclufion
of all the other inhabitants. Petitions againft
this arbitrary exclufion were prefented in 1774
by Meflrs. Sayre and Chetwoode, and in 1780
by Mr. Molefworth, but were not attended with
fuccefs. The committees of the houfe of com-
mons not choofing to admit the rateability of men,
who the Seaford magiftrates in their juftice had
deemed ineligible.
In 1784, the Right Honourable Thomas Pel-
ham, whofe father, lord Pelham, owns the tythes
and about half the landed property in the neigh-
bourhood of the borough, attempted to revive
the political intereft of the family, which had
been neglecled ever fince the death of the late
duke of Newcaftle ; and the Honourable L. T.
Watfon became a candidate under Mr. Pelham's
patronage. A Mr. Alves, who then rcfided in
Harley-ftreet, had fucceeded in compelling the
overfeers of the parifh to add feven of the non-
rated inhabitants to the poor-rate, became a can-
didate upon their fuffrages ; and, by good ma-
nagement, brought over eight out of the remaining
feventcen elcftors, to his intereft. With this
majority
majority he muft have fueceeded, even againfl
the united interefts of the oppofitional andmini-
fterial parties ; but as the talent of managing was
not confined to Mr. Alves, and the attachment of
this defcription of eleftors being neither to the
perfon nor principles of their candidates, the
means were foon reforted to of detaching one
half of Mr, Alves's confederated" club from his
intereft, and uniting them with dicjlaunch friends
Of government. A junclion then became ne-
cefiary between the remaining fupporters of Mr.
Alves's caufe, and the intereft of Mr. Pelham ;
but the bewitching allurements of trcafury temp-
tation was continually availing this little party,
and, by the day of election, reduced them to
nearly one half of their original number.
Mr. Alderman Curtis was at this time the can-
didate on the miniftcrial intcrcft, and had obtained
the promifes of a majority of thefe virtuous
cleftors, the whole number being at this time only
twenty-four; and, in endeavouring to prevent
any prejudice which his education in the prcf-
byterian principles might create in the minds of
his orthodox conftituents, embraced the oppor-
tunity, which a faint's day prcfcnted, of attend-
ing cpifcopal worfliip ; but as Satan is never fo
alert in his mifchicvous propcufnics, as when an
opportunity
SEAFORD. 363
opportunity prefcnts itfclf of refitting the pur-
pofcs of the righteous, he fo managed it, as to
improve this unlucky moment, of confounding
all the parliamentary fchemes of the convivial
alderman ; for, before he had finifhed his devo-
tions, a new candidate was introduced, under the
recommendation of the celebrated John Robin-
fon, who had formerly reprefented this borough,
when every elector in Mr. Curtis's intercft re-
ceived abfolution from his firft engagement, and
embraced the more powerful interefl of a greater
favourite.
Several other candidates "appeared at this elec-
tion with miniflerial recommendation ; but lord
Neville, and Sir Peter Parker, having the confi-
dence of thofe in the fecret, we forbear to men-
tion the names of gentlemen, whofe chagrin muft
have been fevcrely irritated, at finding them-
fclves the dupes of minifterial intrigue and du-
plicity.
At the election, which came on in March, 1784,
the numbers on the poll were,
For the minifterial candidates,
Lord Neville, — 12
Sir Peter Parker, — 12
For the oppofition candidates,
Hon. L. T. Watfon, — 11
Thomas Alvcs, Efq. — 1 1
One
364 SEA FORD.
One elector did not vote, who, it has fmce been
difcovered, was in the minifterial intereft ; but
having a majority without him, he was kept back,
that he might not avow his principles to the op-
pofite party, into whofe meetings he had always
been admitted as a friend.
An informality was obferved in this election,
which being of importance to future contefts, we
muft not omit to mention. The yth and 8th of
William III. ch. 25. enacls, that the returning
officer, after the receipt of the precept from the
fheriff, or the proper officer authoriied to ifTue the
fame, mall proceed to the election within eight days
after receipt of the precept, giving four days no-
tice thereof*.
The bailiff of Seaford proceeded to the elec-
tion on the fourth day after proclamation, and it
being confidered that the letter of the a£t was not
complied with, only three days having intervened
fmce the proclamation, a petition of t\vo of the
eleQors who voted for Mr. Watfon was prcfentcd
to the houfe> complaining of this irregularity;
which being heard before a committee, in the
month of March, 1 785, It was determined that the
faid election -was void.
* This ad does not include county elections. The time for
making proclamation, holding county courts for election, &c. i*
regulated by the 2501 of George III. ch. 24. f. 4,
Lord:
SEAFORD. 365
Lord Neville, who had been returned with Sir
Peter Parker, had alfo been elected for the county
of Monmouth. This circumftance made a va-
cancy for the borough of Seaford certain, before
the event of the above petition was known; to
fiipply which, no lefs than fix and, twenty candi-
dates offered themfelves, between the time of the
election, in March 1784, and the hearing of the
petition, in March 1785. The number of elec-
tors being, at that time, only twenty -four, it could
not fupply a fingle vote to each of thefe gentle-
men, if they had perfevered in the conteft to the
end of the poll.
One of thefe candidates was the late Right
Honourable Henry Flood, who was introduced
to the borough by the author of this work, not
with a view of obtaining his feat by the fuffrages
of the twenty-four exifting voters, who were to a
man engaged in the intereft of Mr. Pelham, or
that of adminiftration, though it appeared that a
decided majority of them was to be obtained,
on what they called honourable terms, but on the
right of twice that number of inhabitant houfe-
keepers, whofe names had been omitted in the
poor-rate for near thirty years, on purpofe to
preclude them from the exercife of their fran-
chifes.
Amongfl
366 SKAFORD.
Amongft thefe perfons, whom the overfeers of
the poor had placed in the legal defcription of
paupers, by charitably difburthening them of their
taxes, were the vicar of the parifh, and fourteen
county freeholders, befidcs others, who could af-
ford, and actually had, at the time, lent money to
fome of the parifh officers, and even to one of
the magiftrates who allowed the rates.
Thefe non-rated inhabitants commenced their
claim to redrefs, by appealing to the quartcr-
feffions of the borough, on the ground of beinq
excluded to anfwer election purpofes. Upon
hearing this appeal, it appeared not to have been
lodged at the feffions next enfuing the making
of the rate, as the law dircfts ; and the magif-
trates availed themfclves of that pretence to dif-
mifs it.
The overfeers took care to prevent a fecond
appeal on this complaint, by maintaining the poor
themfelves> and making no rate, till the election,
which was fufpended for a year by the petition
then before the houfc of commons, was difpof-
cd of.
Sir Godfrey Webftcr had declared himfclf a
candidate on the intcrcft of Mr. Pelham, for the
vacancy occafioncd by lord Xcvillc making his
cle&ion for Monmoathfhire; and lord Mount-
mo r res,
SEAFORD. 367
morres, inoppofition,had been recommended by
the treafury.
The petition being heard, and the election de-
clared void, in March 1785, there became two
vacancies; in cotrfequence of which, Sir God-
frey Webfter united his intereft with Mr. Alves,
as the Honourable Mr. Watfon had done at the
former election ; Sir Peter Parker, and lord
Mountmorres, appeared under the treafury in-
fluence, and Sir Laurence Parfons, Bart, the
prefent member for King's County in Ireland,
became a candidate on the fuffrages of the non-
rated houfe-keepers, in conjunction with Mr.
Flood.
The day preceding the election, a third trea-
fury candidate appeared, in the perfon of Sir
John Hcnderfon, and exhibited fnnilar official
recommendations to thofe already produced by
Sir Peter Parker and lord Mountmorres. The
government voters, who had all engaged to fup-
port the two laft, were at firfl a little flaggcred
how to act under thefc contradictory orders;
but receiving inftru&ions from a proper per-
lon, they difmiffed lord Mountmorres with as lit-
tle ceremony as they had, upon a former occa-
fion, done Mr. Alderman Curtis, under fimilar
drauiiftances. His lordfhip, however, did not
acquiefce
368 5EAFOR6.
acquiefce in this treatment with quite fo much
indifference and condefcenfion ; a very ferious
meeting had nearly taken place between him and
Sir John Henderfon, and which was only pre-
vented by the intervention of friends, who fug-
gefted the propriety of an interview with a pcr-
fon high in office, that they might know to whom
the blame was imputable.
This meeting actually took place in a few days
after, which we fmce underflood terminated fo
little to the fatisfaclion of the noble vifcount, that
he took the firft opportunity, in a dignified place
in a neighbouring kingdom, to make fome ftrong
comments in his fpeech, on the impropriety of a
minifter's not paying the moft fcrupulous at-
tention to the obfervanee of his word. We do
not recollecl that he pledged himfelf " as a man,
" and as a minifter;" but it appears, that his
lordfhip confidered the obligation as equally
binding.
On the day of eleclion, fevcn candidates ap- i
peared on the huftings, (if the miferablc place in
which the public bufinefs of the borough is tranf-
acled may be underftood by that name) but lord
Mountmorrcs, finding himfelf deferted by every
voter who had promifed him, and by the men who
had received him with cordiality, and announced
him
SEAFORD. 369
him to the eleftors as the government candidate,
in a fpeech of manly indignation, declined any
further connection with this confiftent body of
electors.
At the clofe of the poll, the numbers were,
For the Right Hon. Henry Flood — 28
Sir Laurence Parfons, — 24
Sir Godfrey Webfter — 19
Thomas Alves, Efq. — 18
Sir Peter Parker — — 16
Sir John Henderfon — 14
The returning officer however, thought proper
to reje6l every vote for Flood and Parfons; eight
of Sir Godfrey Webfter's ; feven of Mr. Alves's;
two of Sir Peter Parker's ; and then made a re-
turn of the treafury candidates.
At this election the celebrated Mr. Harben
made his firft appearance in this borough, in a
political characler, having taken a lodging-houfe
for forty days, to qualify himfelf for an occa-
fional voter. Mr, Harifon, who, for the lafl
thirty years had been confidered as the govern-
ment agent and patron, was ftill looked up to as
preferving that fituation.
Four petitions were prefented to parliament
againft the return of Sir Peter Parker and Sir
John Henderfon ; one, by Meffrs. Flood and
VOL. II, B b Parfons;
370 SEAFORD.
Parfons ; a fecond, by certain ele&ors in their
intereft ; a third, by Meflrs. Webfler and Alvcs ,-
and a fourth, by other electors who had voted for
thefe gentlemen.
Thefe petitions were tried by a committee of
the houfe of commons, in February 1786, when,
after a full inveftigation of the claims of thofc
who voted for Flood and Parfons, the committee
determined not to admit evidence to invalidate
the refolution of 1761, by which the word popu-
lacy was explained to mean inhabitant houfe-
keepers, paying fcot and lot. The counfel then
endeavoured to prove, that thefe perfons were
rateable houfekeepers, within the meaning of the
laft refolution of 1761 ; but their appeal to the
Seaford fefiions not having been made within the
time directed by law, the committee alfo refolved
not to admit evidence to prove that faft.
The petition of thefe gentlemen being thus
difpofed of, the committee proceeded upon that
of Sir Godfrey Webfler and Mr. Alves, who ob-
jecled to three of the votes for the fitting mem-
bers, amongft whom was Mr. Harben, who voted
for a lodging-houfe, upon a pretended refidence
of forty days. The whole three being deemed
bad, the numbers for both parties became equal.
Some ilrong evidence of bribery, was opened,
wnkaj
SEAFORD. 37!
vhich, for reafons the author is unacquainted
with, was not proceeded upon. The committee,
therefore, upon the equality of numbers, declared
this fecond election void.
Mr. Alves by this time had received a com-
plete furfeit of the Seaford conteft; and the
voters in the intereft of Mr. Flood, having had a
fecond opportunity of appealing to the Seaford
feffions againft the poor-rate, a new one being
made the inftant thelaft election was concluded;
the overfeers, not expecting that the petitions
againft it would occaiion a fecond void election,
the non-rated inhabitants were now in a fitua-
tibn to prove their rateability before a committee
of the houfe of commons ; when nineteen of that
defcription being in a ftate of opulence, much,
fuperior to the majority of the tax payers, Mr.
Flood's fuccefs was placed beyond the poffibility
of doubt.
Mr. Alves having declined any pretenfions to
future fupport, all his little party, except one,
IN z*t prevailed on to join the treafury junto; but
a junction having been formed between Mr.
Pelham's intereft and that of Mr. Flood, they
became a majority of juft two to one againft all
ithe forces the treafury could mutter,
Bba At
SEAFORD*
At the third eleftion, the numbers on the poll
•were,
For the Right Hon. Henry Flood, 32
Sir Godfrey Webfter, Bart. 32
Sir Peter Parker, Bart. 16
Sir John Henderfon, Bart. 16
The returning officer again ftruck off all fuch
•Votes as did not appear on the poor-rate, though
that rate had been rejected by the committee as
a corrupt one; and admitting the whole fixtecn
votes for Parker and Henderfon, and only half
that number for Flood and Webfter, made his re-
turn to parliament accordingly.
Thefe proceedings were too flagrant to meet
the eye of a committee of the houfe of commons;
for, however defperate the imbecility and igno-
rance of a routed party of borough-mongers
might make them, the characters of Sir Peter
Parker and Sir John Henderfon were not to be
{ported with, to gratify the chagrin of fuch peo-
ple. A petition of Mr. Flood and Sir Godfrey
Webfter was prefented to- the houfe, and, when
the day of hearing arrived, the counfel for the
fitting members informed the committee, that
their clients, being fenfible that the petitioners had
a majority of legal wtcs> they would give them no fur-
tl
SEAFORD. 373
ther troutte. The committee reported to the
lioufe the fame day, March 13, 1786, " That the
Right Hon. Henry Flood and Sir Godfrey Web-
fter, Bart, were duly eleded, and ought to. have
been returned."
Thus was the caufe of independence, in this
little borough, triumphant over the mod unpre-
cedented oppreffion, and in oppofition to the
influence of the treafury, to a family junto of
borough magiftrates, or jurats, and to the united
exertion of feventeen fmecure placemen, pen-
fioned on purpofe to fupport the caufe of ty-
ranny.
The fyftem of politics in this place now took
an entire change ; the whole of Mr. Flood's
friends, together with the other inhabitants who
had taken no part in the eleclion, were put upon
the poor rates, and Mr. Harifon, who had for
thirty years enjoyed the confidence of govern-
ment, and been the acknowledged patron of the
borough, from the ill fuccefs that attended his
late management, or from a determination to in-
troduce a manager of lefs fcruple into the dam-
ing concerns of the party, was treated with cool-
nefs by the treafury ; but as he ftill retained the
abfolute command of the corporation, which cbn-
fifted of a bailiff, three jurats, and feventeen frec-
B b 3 men,
"374 SEAFORD.
men, matters were not yet quite ripe for openly
infulting and difmifling him.
Mr. Harben, the prefent hero of thefe politi-
cal myrmidons, had therefore time to inveigle
himfelf into the confidence of Mr. Harifon, and
by an offer, apparently liberal, of undertaking to
be at the expence of re-inflating Mr. Harifon's
influence, upon being permitted to mare with
hirn in the advantages attached to it, he obtained
the purchafe of feveral acres of land within the
borough, from Mr. Harifon's eflate, on which
he foon creeled a ftately houfej and, having once
got an eftablifliment within the limits of its pri-
vileges, his next advance was upon the corpora-
tion.
This body confifted moflly of revenue officers,
v?hofe places were all finecures, and were origi-
nally created here, as in the other Cinque Ports,
for the eftablifhment of a government intcrelt.
Each individual owed his place to the recom-
mendation of Mr, Harifon ; and it was at firft ap-
prehended, that the moral tie of gratitude might
make fuch an imprcflion on the minds of fome of
them, as to create a difficulty in the attempt, of
not only detaching them from the intereft of their
benefaclor, but in inducing them, at the fame
time, to fupport that of his avowed opponent;
for,
SEAPORD. 375
for, whenever the experiment was made, the
mafk of friendfhip mufl be taken off.
Treafury mandates were however obtained,
and the freemen were founded one by one.
On the Michaelmas day following the late elec-
tion defeat, this mafter-piece of political craft
was to be played off.
It commenced with electing a creature of
Harifon's, but who was now privately in the in-
tereft of Harben, into the office of bailiff, and
then the cloven foot appeared in Mr. Harben's
being propofed to be elected a freeman. Mr.
Harifon, who was prefent, fired with indigna-
tion at the plot which was unfolding itfelf, in-
treated the freemen, as they valued their own
intcrejl *, and if they felt a fpark of attachment
to him for the places they held, or the patron-
age he had ever afforded them, not to fuffer this
attempt tofucceed againfthis political cxiftence,
and their fecurity. The freemen, however,
heard this harangue with ftoic apathy, and,
when the queftion was put, to a man voted
againft their benefactor ! ! !
We have been particular in our relation of
* The only appeal to their feelings which feemed to make
any impreffion,
B b 4 thefc
376 SEAFORD,
thefe circumftances of political perfidy, in order
to difplay the pernicious confequences, which
the prefent fyftem of borough reprefentation
muft have upon the morals of the parties inte-
refted; not doubting but it will be an argument
of much weight with the eftablifhed clergy,
whofe zeal in the caufe of virtue and good go-
vernment will exert itfelf with redoubled vigour,
to obtain that reform in the reprefentation of
the people, which is fo immediately connected
with the caufe of religion and morality.
Mr. Harben having now erefted a country
feat in the borough, and obtained a political one
in the corporation, felt his importance fufficient-
ly eftablifhed to commence open hoftilities with
Harifon. The firft aft of his reign, for he now
became the avowed and oftenfible agent of go-
vernment, was to procure Mr. Harifon's difmif-
fion from the finecure places of fupervifor of
the riding officers, and captain of the cuftom-
houfe boat, worth together 270!. per annum;
the firft of which he difpofed of to Thomas
Chambers, the late returning officer, and the
other he kept open for the moft hungry of the
.oppofite party to bite at. Mr. Harifon's other
finccurej of comptroller of cloth and petty cuf-
toms
SEAFORD,
toms in the port of London; being a patent
place for life, was out of the reach gf Mr. Har-
ben's grafp.
Mr. Harben was not all this while negligent
of his own intereft, having procured the excife
of the caftern part of the county to be paid into
his hands, in its paffage to the treafury, (an ob-
jecl of no little importance to a country banker),
and obtained the place of receiver general of
the ftamp duties for Suffex, worth 6ool. per an-
num, for his eldeft fon ; his next care was to
procure the office of warehoufe-keeper of the
ftamp office in London, with a falary of 200!.
fer annum, for his fecond fon, which he is allow-
ed to hold as a finecure, and to continue his refi-
dence at Lewes. Mrs. Harben has alfo a
finecure of 400!. per annum in her majefty's
houfehold.
From this period to the prefent, this infignifi-
cant little place has exhibited the moft difgufting
fcene of profligacy, in all its (hades of defor-
mity. Mr. Harifon had the merit of managing
the government influence, in its political con-
cerns, without perfecution ; but from this
moment fcarce a feffions, affize, or term paffed,
without indictments for affaults, informations
againft pretended riots, in which the profecutors
were
378 GEAFORD.
were always fure to have been the aggreflbrs,
indiftments for perjury, robbery, and every
Crime which malicious ingenuity could give a
colourable pretence of inftigating. The ex-
pence and ruin brought on individuals by thefe
means is inconceivable, independent of the dif-
grace and mifery that the moft innocent mult
fuffer from the infamy of fuch proceedings.
In oppofition to the treafury influence, and
to thefe meafures of iniquity, Mr. James Hur-
dis, a gentleman of independent fortune, incor-
ruptible integrity, and poffeffing a mind preg-
nant with the moft amiable qualities, at his own
private expence, not only oppofed the torrent
of corruption, which, like a whirlwind, was
fwallowing every thing in its vortex, but, with a
benevolence correfponding with his fuperior
virtues, became the advocate of the opprefled,
and in the language of the inimitable Gray,
" The little tyrant of his fields withflood."
To this village Hampden, the author, with
grateful pride, acknowledges his obligations ; to
bis humanity whole families owe their exiftence;
to his liberality the impoverished viclim of
tyranny owes his refcue from the jaws of a pri-
fon; but in his praife the higheft panegyrick
would
8EAFORD. 379
%ould exhauft itfelf in vain, for he has a fenfibi-
lity which is its own reward.
With Mr. Hurdis, every gentleman of the
borough, except the three penfioned jurats, had
the honour to aft, who vainly imagined that
it was poffible to preferve fuch a handful of
voters from the influence of venality; fcarce a
week however paffed without fome one being
detached from amongft the inferior part *of their
intereft. The mode of corrupting thefe people
was, by advancing each individual a fum of mo-
ney (not lefs than fifty pounds) upon bond; of
whom, while they continued obfequious to
their dictator, neither principal nor intereft was
demanded ; but the moment one of thofe unfor-
tunate men prefurned to exercife a will of his
own, the bond was exacted with unexampled
rigour. Another engine of undue influence is,
the number of cuftom-houfe and finecure places
in the gift of the patron of this borough.
Our readers will naturally be led to imagine,
from the number of tide-waiters, boatmen, &c,
who refide here, that there mud be a harbour
commodious for fhipping ; that the imports and
exports muft be great, and the revenues arifing
from them to government proportionable there-
to; but fo far is this frpm being the real fitiia,
tion
SEAFORD.
tion of the place, that the only bufinefs done
here, throughout the whole year, is the difcharg-
ing one folitary cargo of coals. Newhaven,
which is a confiderable port, where much bufi-
nefs is done, with a third part of the number of
officers, is only four miles diftant from hence ; a
convincing proof that thefe vermin are fuffered
to feed on the earnings of the laborious part
of the public, only becaufe their influence may
have fome weight at the election of the treafury
members. The patronage of the cuftom-houfe
at Newhaven, on account of its vicinity, is ad-
ded as an appendage to the treafury agent of
this place.
The revenue offices of Rotten Dean, Eaft
Dean, and the cuftom-houfe of Eaft Bourne, are
alfo fupplied with placemen from amongft the
electors of this borough.
Mr. Harben being ftill unable, with all his
influence, to afcertain a ftrength that would
conftitute a majority of the electors, had re-
courfe to a new expedient, which was not only
contrary to the charter of the borough, but to its
cuftom, practice, and conftitution ; this was, to
create nineteen non-rcfidcnt freemen, which Mr.
Harben and his advifers were weak enough to
believe would inveft them \\ith the rights of
elecT.ion.
SEAFORD. 38.1
cleftion, A meeting of the corporation was
accordingly convened, at an ale-houfe in the
borough, when the following perfons were ad-
mitted to their freedom :
1. Hon. Charles Lenox, nephew to the duke
of Richmond.
2. Robert Steele, Efq. brother to the fecre-
tary of the treafury.
3. Walker Goldfmith, brother to one of the
jurats.
4. Henry Chambers, ditto.
5. Nathaniel Pain, ditto,
6. Henry Plaifted, brother-in-law to Harben.
7. Harry Plaifted, coufm to Harben.
8. James Harben, brother to ditto.
9. Robert Rofam.
10. Rev. William Gwynne, of Lewes.
n. Rev. Arthur Iredel, a relation of ferjeant
Kempc, has obtained two government livings.
12. William Green, a magiftrate at Lewes,
and crier of the court of King's Bench.
13. Charles Gilbert.
14. Philip Mighill.
15. John Coggan.
16. James Brooke, brother-in-law to one of
the jurats.
17. Gabriel
SEAFORD.
17. Gabriel Burrowes, father to the overfeer.
18. Richard Talmage, an itinerant carpenter.
19. Richard Thatcher, brother-in-law to the
town clerk.
Soon after which were added the following j
20. Right Hon. William Pitt ! ! !
21. Duke of Richmond ! ! !
22. John Young, a jack-afs driven
23. William Chambers, brother to two of the
jurats.
The jurats in the above lift were non-refi-
dents, and fele&ed from different parts of the
kingdom.
The refident freemen and jurats, forming a lift
equally curious, it may not be amifs to add them
•in this place.
JURATS.
John Sargent, Efq. bailiff, clerk of the
Ordnance, worth 2000!. per annum, flept one
night in the borough to conftitute a legal rtfi*
dence. Lives at Lavingdon Park, near Pet-
worth.
2. John Aldridge, Efq. ftorekccper of the
Ordnance, worth 2000!. per annum, refides a;
Horfham.
3. NathanicJ
SEAFORD, 383
3. Nathaniel Tredcroft, Efq. deputy paymaf-
ter of the army under Mr. Steele. Refides in
London.
4. Robert Steele, Efq. brother to the paymaf-
ler of the army. Refides at Chichefter.
5. Thomas Chambers, fupervifor of the riding
officers, 150!. per annum.
6. William Chambers, brother to the former,
a patent waiter in the cuftoms of the port of
London, 150!. per annum, refides at Bletching-
don, and carries on the bufmefs of a farmer.
7. Thomas Harben, who refides at Lewes, has
the public taxes paid into his bank, and his two
eldeft fons have places worth 8ool. per annum,
and his wife a place of 400!. a year, in the
houfhold.
8. Duke of Richmond, mafter general of the
Ordnance, &c. &c. &c. who was never within
the borough but once.
9. Lancelot Harifon, refiding at Brighthelm-
ftone, comptroller of cloth and petty cuftoms in
the port of London, 200!. per annum.
10. Robert Stone, a tenant of Iqrd Pelham.
FREEMEN.
11. Sir James Peachey, mafter of the robes to
the king.
12. Chatfield
SEAFORDi
12. Chatfield Turner, town clerk, who reticles
at Lewes, and is faid to be a rider, at lool. per
annum, upon a revenue' officer.
13. Thomas H. Harben, fon of the jurat, and
collector of ftamp-duties, 6ool. per annum.
14. Jofeph Stevens, mate of the revenue boat,
6ol. per annum, but a landfman.
15. Charles Wood, a fupcrannuatcd revenue-
officer, who has refigned his pay to be maintain-
ed by the parifh.
16. Henry Bean, a riding officer, 6ol. per
annum.
17. William Baker, ditto, and brother-in-law
to Thomas Chambers.
18. Thomas Wood, a boat-man, 30!. pctf
annum.
•<p
19. John Wood, fen. nicknamed Roper, a
boat-man, 30!. per annum, and bully fo the-
corporation.
20. John Hood, a fchoolmaftcr, and an honed
man.
21. Thomas Hughes, a fupcrannuatcd boaU
man.
22. Samuel Sage, fen. a broken tide-waitef4
and bcggar-whippcr to the magiftratcs.
23. Thomas Holman, an induOrious labourer.
24. Robert
SEAFORD. 385
24. Robert Spearman Bates, a well known
Eaft-India captain, refident at Lymington.
25. Thomas Simmons, a bricklayer, and a
boatman, 30!. per annum.
26. William Simmons, father to the former.
27. John Simmons.
28. William Wood, fon to John Wood, a
bum-bailiff, nicknamed Tippler.
29. William Harmer, jun. cow-boy.
30. Henry Putland, a drunken diforderly
fellow.
31. John Wood, jun. brother to Tippler.
32. Thomas Verral.
33. John Gorringe, the perfon reprimanded
by the committee of the houfe of commons for
prevarication.
34. Arthur Hughes f8n to Thomas Hughes.
35. Jofeph Stevens, jun. fon to the man,
No. 14.
36. William Hide, nicknamed Turpin, aflif-
tant to Thomas Chambers, 30!. per annum.
37. Mr. Serjeant Kempe, recorder of this
borough.
The intereft of Mr. Harben, with the afliftance
of fo many non-refident freemen, not being yet
deemed fecure, another expedient was reforted
to. Twenty-fix perfons, moft of whom were in
VOL. II. C c the
386 SEAFORD.
the employment of Mr. Harben, as diggers of
chalk, at eight (hillings per week each, were
brought into the borough on the eve of Chrift-
mas-day, 1789; when, anew poor rate being
made the fame evening, every one of them were
taxed for fuch houfes as were occupied by
widows, cuftom-houfe officers who could not
vote, or freemen whom they prefumed had a
right of fuffrages by virtue of their freedom;
and one was rated for the poor-houfe of the
parifh.
Thefe twenty-fix chalk diggers, together with
the twenty-four non-refident freemen, making
together fifty furreptitious votes, amounted to
more than half of the whole number of legal
electors in the borough; and if a returning offi-
cer could be found to admit perfons of fuch
defcriptions to poll, little doubt could be novr
entertained of the treafury party fucceeding at
the enfuing election, as far at leaft as obtaining
the return.
The diflblution of parliament happened to
take place feventeen days before \hcfix months re-
Jidcnce, required by the ftatute of 26 George III.
chap. 100, was completed; in confcquence of
which the treafury junto found themfclves in-
volved in what appeared to be an infurmount-
able
SZAFORD.
able dilemma. The craft and contrivance of their
managers, however, hit upon a fcheme for extri-
cating them. The returning officer was not
compelled, by law, to proceed to election till the
eighth day after proclamation, which happening
to be Saturday, an adjournment took place till
Monday; which manoeuvre carried them over to
the tenth day, when it was agreed to difpofe of
the remaining feven in the following manner.
The candidates to infift on the fix oaths re-
quired by ftatute *, being adminiftered to each
voter, which would take up half an hour in
repeating by each individual.
The candidates and the counfel to object to
every voter, objectionable or not, and to make a
fpeech of half an hour each on his ineligibility ;
which mode would occupy one hour and a half
more upon each vote feparately.
Under thefe obftacles, it was deemed impofli-
ble to poll more than four votes each day, till
the feven days were expired ; at which time the
fix-and-twenty chalk diggers might be brought
forward, and polled, as having completed their
fix months refidence.
This plan was actually put in practice, and
* i . Oath of allegiance. 2. Oath of fupremacy. 3. F>f-
chration of tell. 4. Oath of abjuration. 5 . Oath of refidence.
6. Bribery oath.
C c 2 this
SZAFORD.
this ridiculous and reproachful farce was abfo-
lutely played off for the whole feven days.
The fccne exhibited, candidates fpeaking
againft time, counfel pleading againft law, clergy-
men abjuring popery, and the immaculate elec-
tors of Seaford purging themfelves of bribery
and corruption.
The feven days being at laft got over by this
management, the fix-and-twenty chalk diggers
were brought forward on the eighth day, and
every one of them admitted to poll, and were
received as good votes by the returning officer.
Fourteen of the voters in Mr. Pelham's inter-
eft were rejected; nine houfekeepers, who had
lived feveral years in the borough, but whofe
political fentiments not corrcfpondrng with thofe
of the parifh officers, had not been afleflcd to
the poor-rate, though they had frequently ap-
pealed to the Seaford feffions to be admitted to
pay their taxes ; four for not having their names
marked in the poor-book, as having paid the laft
rate, one of whom was a gentleman poflcfling at
leaft a thoufand pounds per annum property, and
who had been a houfekeeper fix-and-twenty
years in the place ; and one for having moved out
of an old refidencc into a new one, fince ike making of
the poor rate.
The poll, thus favoured on one fide, and fcru-
tinizcd
.6KAFORD.
tinized on the other, appeared to contain the
following numbers :
For the minifterial candidates,
John Sargent, Efq. 92
R. P. Joddrell, Efq. 91
For the oppofition candidates,
Sir Godfrey Webfter 48
John Tarleton, Efq. 48
A petition was prefented to parliament by
Sir Godfrey Webfter and Mr. Tarleton, imme-
diately on its meeting, complaining of the above
return, and the partiality of the returning officer,
&c. which did not come to shearing till March
1792; when the twenty-four non-relident free-
men, and the twenty-fix chalk diggers, were de-
clared bad votes, and ordered to be ftruck from
off the poll, without fubjecling the petitioners
to the trouble of examining a fingle witncfs.
The poll of Sargent and Joddrell was now
reduced to forty-two i\i\<\ forty -one ; and the peti-
tioners proceeded to add nine to their own poll,
who were houfekecpcrs within the borough, and
though not affeffed to the poor-rate, had paid the
church and king's taxes, and had appealed againft
all the poor rates which had been made for feve-
ral years, in confequence of their names having
been omitted. It appeared, however, that theiv
C c 3 laft
39® SEAFORD.'
lafl appeal, either by mijlake or negleft, had not
been entered on the record of the fetfions, the
committee refufed to hear evidence to prove
their rateability.
The counfel for the petitioners next attempted
to eflablifh the four votes who had beenrejefted
for not paying to the lafl rate preceding the
election to which they had been affeffed. The
committee, however, contrary to general expec-
tation, refufed to allow them.
The laft attempt of the petitioners was, to
eftablifh the vote of the man who had been rejecl-t
ed by the returning officer, for having changed
his dwelling-houfe between the time of making
the rate and the election. In this they fuc-
ceeded.
The fitting members now opened their cafe,
and objected to nineteen votes of the petitioners,
upon grounds which appeared fo very frivolous,
that had complete evidence been brought up to
eilablim their validity, the author is perfuaded^
that not one of them could have been deemed
ineligible ; however, upon fumming up the evi-
dence, the committee determined againft feven
of them, which put one of the fitting members
upon an equality with one of the petitioners, and
loft Sir Godfrey Webfter his feat.
One
SEAFORD. 391
One of the eleftors having polled f6r Sargent
and Tarleton, and a fecond for Webfter only, the
latter was one of the voters difallowed by the
committee, which 'gave the majority of one to
Sargent anc| Tarleton.
The committee, therefore, reported to the
houfe, on the igth March, 1792,
" That John Sargent, Efq. one of the fitting
members, and John Tarleton, Efq. one of the
petitioners, were duly elecled."
The committee, at the fame time, reported
fpecially,
" That the right of eleclion for the port and
borough of Seaford, in the county of Suffex, is
in the inhabitants houfekeepers of the faid
town and port, paying fcot and lot, and in them
By this laft refolution, the corporation, con-
fiding of a bailiff, jurats, and freemen, which Mr.
Harben, with fo much difficulty and expence
had attached to his intereft, are intirely fliut out
from all election rights within the borough of
Seaford, and the privilege is veiled where the
conftitution originally placed it — in the inhabi-
tants houfekeepers, paying fcot and lot.
The Right Hon. Thomas Pelham, who may
flow be confidered as the patron of this borough,
C c 4 both
392 SEAFORD.
both from the influence of property, and the
perfonal affections of the people, might, at any
period, have fupplanted that of Mr. Harben, had
he condefcended to have recourfe to the fame
means.
The corporation, to the author's own know-
ledge, made an offer of their fervices to Mr.
P-elham, which that gentleman never honoured
with an anfwer.
Mr. Harben, fince he has fuperfeded Mr.
Harifon in the confidence of the treafury, has
had the recommendation to places in the gift of
government, to the amount of near three thou-
fand pounds per annum. Amongft the perfons
moft favoured are, his own fons, and Weft, Martin,
and Burrowcs, the overfeers, who were the fra-
mers of the poor rates, which have been the
fubjeft. of fo much litigation, expence, and op-
preflion.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Refolved, that the bai-
liff, jurats, and freemen, have not only voices in
elections, but that the election is in the populacy.
loth Feb. 1670.
That by the word populacy is meant, inhabi-
tants houfekecpers, paying fcot and lot. Dec.
15, 1761.
To rcfufe the admiffion of evidence, in order
to
SEAFORD. 393
to fhew, that in the above determinations of the
houfe, the words " bailiff, jurats, and freemen,'*
mean " fuch bailiff, jurats, and freemen only as
are refident within the faid town and port." 10
Dec. 1761.
That the right of eleftion is in the inhabitants
houfekeepers of the faid town and port, paying
fcot and lot, and in them only. 10, March,
1792.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Eighty-three.
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff; who ought
to be chofen by the tenants and inhabitants, refi-
dent and abiding, on Michaelmas-day in every
year.
PATRON — Difputed between the Right Hon.
Thomas Pclham and the duke of Richmond.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a bailiff, twelve
jurats, (which are generally half or two-thirds
kept vacant) and an indefinite number of free-
men.
HISTORY
HISTO R Y
WELCH BOROUGHS.
INTRODUCTION.
JDY an aft of parliament, made 27 Henry VIII.
the twelve counties, and as many towns in Wales,
were unprivileged to fend members to parliament.
The boroughs of Beaumaris, Radnor and Mont-
gomery, can alone be faid to be under abfolute con-
troul. The influence which prevails in the other
tcnviis, is not the produce of corruption, but arifes
from the popularity and hofpitality of men of
confidcrable property, whofe refidences are con-
tiguous to them, and who are ready to ferve them
with that affiftance and advice, which the exigen-
cies of their fituation may require. An inftance
of bribery is very uncommon among them, nor
are their morals debauched by frequent invita-
tions to election treats, which are the parents of
drunkennefsj
AVELCH BOROUGHS.
drunkennefs, idlenefs and diflipation, and in their
confequences more generally pernicious to fo~
ciety than any evil which exifls in it. Unac-
cuftomed to depend upon the precarious fubfift-
ence which they may derive from a fale of their
votes, they are continually exercifed by being
xifeful to the community, by the laborious em-
ployments in which they are engaged. Unlike
the inhabitants of the rotten boroughs, who enjoy
at one time the extreme of luxury, and at another
are reduced to the moft abject poverty, they di-
vide amongft their families the hard, but well-
earned fruits of their labour and their in^uftry.
ANGLESEA.
( 397 ) ,
ANGLESEA.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
A HE reprefentation of this county was warmly
conteftedin 1784, between Mr. Bayley, fupported
by the intereft of his brother the earl of Uxbridge,
and Mr. Meyrick by that of lord vifcount Bulke-
ley ; the former of whom was then fuccefsful. But
thefe two noblemen have agreed fince that time not
to oppofe each other, either in this county or Car-
narvon; fo that the influence of the earl of Ux-
bridge returns the member for Anglefea without
oppofition, and lord vifcount Bulkeley, unmo-
lefted, procures the return of a reprefentative of
his recommendation for Carnarvonfhire.
PATRON — Earl of Uxbridge.
This ifland fends two members to parliament,
viz. one for the county, the other for Beau-
maris.
BEAUMARIS.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town is the only-
place in Wales where the right of election is
confined to the corporation only, which confifts
of twenty-four members; thirteen perfons, which
form
398 BEAUMARIS.
form a majority of thefe twenty-four, return the
member for this county-town. This body cor-
porate is under the fole influence and direction
of lord vifcount Bulkeley.
CORPORATION — By charter of incorporation of
4 Elizabeth, it confifts of a mayor, recorder, two
bailiffs, and twenty-one burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1709, 18 Feb. 1729,
3 Mar. In the mayor, bailiffs, and capital bur-
geffes of Beaumaris only.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Twenty-four.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— Lord vifcount Bulkeley.
BRECON COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J[ HE principal intereft in this county is in Sir
Charles Morgan of Tredegar. The immenfe
property of this gentleman, and the anceflors of
his lady, the heirefs of the Morgan family,
is diftinguifhable in the political hiflory of
of Monmoiithfhire, ever fince it firfl fent repre-
fentatives to parliament ; but it commenced in
this county about the time of Charles I.
PATRON — Sir Charles Morgan, Bart.
BRECON
( 399 )
BRECON TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The right of election
in this town is not confined, as at Beaumaris, to a
feleft corporation, confifting of twenty-four in-
dividuals, but extends to the burgefTes at large of
the town of Brecon, who are upwards of three
hundred in number. The fame intereft which
directs the political bias of the county, prevails
.alfo in this town.
CORPORATION — Confifts of two bailiffs, twelve
aldermen, and fifteen common-councilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the corporation and
free burgefles.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Near three hundred.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
PATRON — Sir Charles Morgan, Bart.
CARDIGAN COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
A HE influence which prevails in this county
is that of the earl of Lifburne and John Camp-
bell, Efq. of Stackpole Court, in Pembrokefhirc.
The earl of Lifburne has the leading intereft,
and
4o6 CARDIGAN;
and has for many years been returned without
oppofition.
PATRON— Earl of Lifburne.
CARDIGAN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The member of par-
liament for this place is elected by the burgefTes
at large of this town, in conjunction with thofe
of the outlying boroughs of Aberyftwith, Lam-
peter, and Adpar, amounting in the whole to
twelve hundred voters The principal interef!
in thofe feveral boroughs is that of Thomas
Johnes, Efq. of Croft Caftle, in the county of
Hereford, John Adams, Efq. Edward Loveden
Loveden, Efq. of Bufcot, in the county of
Berks, and Thomas Powel, Efq. of Ndntcis.
CORPORATION — By charter of 25 Elizabeth,
it confifts of a mayor, two bailiffs, and twelve
aldermen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 173O> 7 May. Is in th
burgeffes at large of the boroughs of Cardigan,
Aberyftwith, Lampeter, and Atpar, only.
NUMBER OF VOTER s-*— Upwards of twelve hun-
dred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRONS— Thomas Johnes, Efq. &c. &c. &c.
401
CAERMARTHEN COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J. HIS county is principally under the intereft
of lord Dinevor. The intereft which George
Rice, Efq. acquired during his life-time, induc-
ed the Freeholders of the county to ele6l his
Ton, the Honourable George Talbot Rice, now
lord Dinevor, at the laft general election, in
preference to their late member, Sir William
Manfel.
PATRON— Lord Dinevor.
CAERMARTHEN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town, which is
under the influence of John George Phillips,
Efq. of Cumgwilly, is remarkable for the illegal
and unconftitutional interference of a right re-
verend bifhop, in the election of its reprefenta-
live ; but as there was no formal complaint
brought againft him in the houfe of commons,
lie efcaped thofe confequences which befel the
bifhop of Worceiter in the reign of queen Ann,
for an attempt to prejudice the freeholders of
that county againft Sir John Packington, who
VOL. II. D 4 was
402
was at that time a candidate to reprefent it lit
parliament. Mr. Phillips, the prefent member,
had, by the vote which he gave in favour of
the repeal of the Tefl Aft, fo much incenfed his
lordfhip, as to induce him to write circular let-
ters to the clergy, who had votes for the
election of members of parliament, ftating the
imminent danger the church would be reduced
to by the repeal of this aft, and requefting that
they would ftrcnuoufly exert themfelves in op-
poling fuch candidates as were friendly to this
mcafirre. Sir William Manfcl, who was the
member for the county, and voted againft the
repeal, thought proper to decline a contcft at the
laft general eleQion with fo powerful an advcr-
fary as the Honourable George Talbot Rice, of
Dinevor; but he entertained hopes of fuccefs
with a greater degjce of probability in tlve
borough, when affifted with the abilities and
advice of his fpiritual guide and director.
However, neither the threats nor intreaties of
this great pillar of the church, were finally pro-
ductive of any good confequcnces, as Sir W.
Manfcl declined the poll, and Mr. Phillips was-
chofen without oppofitioiK
Tkr.
CAERMARTHEft. 403
The following is a Copy of the Letter •written ly the,
BiJJiop upon that occajion.
Abtr.guilly, duguft 24, 1785'.
Sir William Manfel has declared himfelf a
candidate to reprefent the borough of Caermar-
then in the next parliament} I cannot refrain from
declaring that he has my heartieft good wifhes. —
Mr. Phillipsi the prefent member, has received
the thanks of the Diifenters, for the part he took
in a late attempt to overthrow our excellent
ecclefiaftical conftitution, by the repeal of the
Corporation and Teft Acls ; which, I will venture
to pronounce, are as wife and falutary laws as
any in our code. By this it is eafy to guefs
what part he is likely to take in any future at-
tempt for that purpofe. — I truft I fhall not have
the mortification to find a fingle clergyman in
my diocefe, who will be fo falfe to his own cha-
racter and fame, and to his duty to the eftab-
lifhed church, as to give his vote to a man who
has ventured to difcover fuch principles.
I am, Rev. Sir,
Your affeclionate brother and fervaht,
SAMUEL ST. DAVIDS.
D d 2 CORPORATION
CAERMARTHEN.
CORPORATION' — It is governed by a mayor,
recorder, two fheriffs, and twenty common-
councilmen, out of which the mayor is chofen,
•who is ever after reputed an alderman. By
charter of James I. it alfo confifts of a fword-
bearer.
RIGHT or ELECTION — 1727, 7 March. Is in
the burgcfTes of the faid borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Near five hundred.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The fheriffs.
PATRON— J. G. Phillips, Efq.
CAERNARVON COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J. HE leading intcrcft in this county is, like
fhat of Anglefea, between the earl of Uxbriclge
and lord vifcount Bulkeley; bin thefe noble-
men having agreed not to oppofe each other
in their rcfpc&ive comities, the influence of
Anglefea rs left to lord Uxbridge, and the con-
troirl of this county to lord Bulkeley.
PATRON — Lord Bulkeley.
CAERNARVON*
( 405 )
CAERNARVON TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This borough fends
one member to parliament, in conjunction with
the burgeffes of Criccieth, Pwllely, Nevin, and
Conway. The earl of Uxbridge has at prefent
the leading intereft, but it is by no means fecure,
like that of Beaumaris or Montgomery.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, who is
by patent created conftable of the caflle, one
alderman, two bailiffs, a town-clerk, and two
ferjeants at mace.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — In the burgefles of
Caernarvon, Criccieth, Pwllely, Nevin, and
Conway.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About feven hundred.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The mayor and bai-
liffs.
PATRON— Earl of Uxbridge.
DENBIGH COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HE moft prevailing intereft in this county is
that of Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Bart, whofe
chief feat is at Ruabon, near Wrexham. Mr,
D d 3 Middleton,
406 DENBIQH TOWN.
Middleton, of Chirke Caftle, whofe anccftors
have reprefented it, at various times, fince it
firft fent members to parliament, which was in
the 2 jth year of the reign of Henry VIII. has
the fecpnd influence; but as the moft perfcft
cordiality prevails between thefe families, the
firft takes the lead in the county, and the other
in the town, without giving caufe for oppofitioq
jn either.
PATRON — Sir Watkin Williams Wynne.
DENBIGH TOWN,
POLITICAL CHARACTER — The member for
this town is chofen by the burgefles of Denbigh,
and its two contributory boroughs, Leon and
Ruthen. The influence of which is entirely in
Richard Middletpn, Efq. of Chirke Caflle, whofe
anceftors have repreferited it, in various parlia-
ments, from the 33d of Henry VIII. to the pre-
fcnt time.
About the time of Henry III. Adam Saluf-
bury founcjed and endowed an abbey of black
monks, of the Bcnedi&ine order; the prcfcnt
proprietor of the ruins of which is Sir Lynch
Salufbury Cotton.
CORPORATION — By charter of incorporation
gf j£ Charles II. if. confifts of a mayor, two al-
dermen,
DENBIGH TOWN. 407
dermen, a recorder, two bailiffs, twenty-three
burgeffes, a town-clerk, and two ferjeants at
mace.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1743, 7 Feb. Is in the
burgefles, inhabitants of the boroughs of Den-
bigh, Ruthyn, and Holt, refpeclively.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About five hundred.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
PATRON — R. Middleton, Efq.
FLINT COUNTY,
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HIS county is independent in the exercife of
its political franchifes. The principal individual
intereft here is that of Sir Roger Moftyn, Bart,
its prefent reprefentative ; but it is by no means
fufficient to dictate to the freeholders the perfon
that fhall reprefent them in parliament.
FLINT TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town, and its
contributory boroughs, Caerwis, Overton, Rhyd*.
dlan, and Caergoerley, has a greater number of
votes in the election of its reprefentative than
any other in the county. The chief intereft
D d 4 which
408 FLINT TOWN'.
which prevails here is Sir Watkin Williams
Zj Wynne's, whofe relation, Major Williams, of
^ Penbedw, is the prefent member.
CORPORATION — Confifts of a mayor, who is,
by patent, conftable of the cattle, and two
bailiffs.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1728, 2i May. Is in
the inhabitants of the borough of Flint, Rbyd-
dlan, Overton, Caerwis, Caergoerley, paying
fcot and lot.
The inhabitants of Knolton and Overton,
foreign, paying fcot and lot in the parifh of
Overton, have a right to vote for the town of
Flint.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About one thoufand.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON— Sir Watkin Williams Wynne.
GLAMORGANSHIRE.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J_ HIS county has recently given us an example
of its being independent of, and uninfluenced
j)y, ariftocratical controul.
The duke of Beaufort, earl of Plymouth, er.rl
of Bute, and lord Vernon, men of different par-
tics
CARDIFF, 4O9
ties and fentiments in politics, united their feveral
interefts, and nominated the Honourable T.
Windfor, brother to the earl of Plymouth, for
their candidate to reprefent it in parliament. The
independent freeholders vigoroufly oppofed this
formidable combination, which had for its obje£l
the dictation of a reprefentative ; and their ex-
ertions, previous to the election, were fo effec-
tual in favour of Thomas Wyndham, Efq. of
Dunraven Caftle, their own candidate, that cap-
tain Windfor, although aflifted by fo powerful
an union, did not think it convenient to (land the
poll, and left his adverfary quietly to enjoy that
honour, which the patriotifm of his friends had
Co juftly beftowed on him.
CARDIFF.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town, in con-
junction with Cowbridgc, Swanfea, Lougher,
Aberavon, Kenfigg,-Neath, and Llantriffent, fends
one member to parliament. The intereft of the
earl of Bate prevails principally in Cardiff and
Cowbridge ; that of the duke of Beaufort, in
Swanfea and Lougher ; that of Thomas Manfell
Talbot, Efq. of Margam, in Aberavon and Ken-
figg ; and that of Sir Robert Mackworth, in
Kcaih. Lord yi (count Mountftuart fon to the
ear*
CARDIFF.
carl of Bute fucceeded to the reprefentation of
thefe boroughs, upon the death of the late Sir
Herbert Mackworth ; which is a plain indica-
tion of the agreement of the above gentlemen,
that it mall be confined to one or other of their
o\vn families.
CORPORATION — The corporation is very an-
cient, and confifls of a mayor, who, as chief ma-
giftrate, is conftable of the caftle, twelve alder-
men, two bailiffs, who are annually chofen from
among the aldermen, and twelve common coun-
cilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — Not only in the bur-
gefles of this place, but in the burgeffes of Abe-
rav on, Cow bridge, Kenfigg, Llantriflent, Lpugher,
Neath and Swanfea.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About one thoufand,
PATRON— r-Earl of Bute.
MERIONETHSHIRE,
POLITICAL CHARACTER,
OlR Watkin Williams Wynne has the firft in-
tereft in this county ; but it is not decifive in
the ele&ion of its reprcfcntative, as was demon-
ftrated
MERIONETHSHIRE. 4lJ
ftrated at the lafl vacancy, occafioncd by the
death of their old and rcfpeclable member, Mr.
Vaughan, of Corfygedol, when a gentleman of
pppofite attachments to thofe of the Wynne
family was chofen.
There being no borough in this county adjudg-
ed prpper to be made choice of to nominate a
burgefs, when the principality was firft imprivi-
leged to fend members by a£t of parliament,
which was 27 Hen. VIII. proves that fome
regard was had at that time to the equality of
reprefentation, and that care was taken not to
conftitute a reprefentative body without confti-
tuents, as is too often the cafe in the prefent
times. It was therefore enabled, that Haver-
fordweft, a large town in Pembrokefliire, mould
cleft a member to make up the deficiency.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY,
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
JL HE earl of Powis has been confidered as
poficfiing the firft intereft in this county. Mr.
Owen, the prefent member, fucceeded upon it
<jn his firft election; but Sir Watkin Williams
Wynne, having now united his influence with
that
412 MONTGOMERY TOWN.
that of Mr. Owen, we underfland that gentleman
can now fecure his feat, in oppofition to lord
Powis.
MONTGOMERY TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town, like all
«he others in Wales which were imprivileged to
fend members to parliament, had its contributory
boroughs, who participated in the invaluable
right of election, until the year 1728, when one
of thofe refolutions of the houfe, which has fwept
away the conflituents of moft of the Englifh
loroughs, extending the disfranchifing arm of
•authority to thofe of Llanidlos, Llanviliing, and
Welchpool, which are now ftripped of their an-
^cient privileges, and the right declared to be in
the burgeffes of Montgomery only. The number
of electors are now not more than eighty ; con-
fequently the independence of its parliamentary
character is at an end, and the borough, like that
of Beaumaris, is entirely at the difpofal of a
patron, the whole borough being the private
property of lord Powis.
CORPORATION — Confifls of two bailiffs, and
twelve burgeffes or common-councilmcn.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1728, 16 Apr. Is in
the burgeffes of the laid fliirc-iown only.
Formerly
MONTGOMERY TOWN.
Formerly the boroughs of Llanidlos, Llanvil-
ling, and Welchpool, joined in the ele&ion ; but
thefe outlying boroughs are now excluded by
the refolution of 1728.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Eighty.
RETURNING OFFICERS — The bailiffs.
PATRON — The earl of Powis.
PEMBROKE COUNTY.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
J_ HE freeholders of this county have, upon
many occafions, (hewn a fpirit of independence.
If any influence can be faid to exift here, it is
that of the Owen family, of Orielton, in this
county ; but this partiality arifes, not fo much
from the extent of their property, as from their
invariable attachment to the caufe of liberty.
In 1780, lord Milford and lord Kenfington
united their intereft; the former of whom then,
became a candidate for the reprefentation of the
county. The independent party viewed this
union with a jealous eye, and conceived it formed
for the purpofe of depriving them virtually of
their rights as eleclors; they therefore exerted
themfelves with redoubled vigour, in, fupport of
their
414 PEMBROKE TOWN.,
their favourite candidate Sir Hugh Owen,
Was finally fticcefsful by a great majority.
PEMBROKE TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — -This town has for
fome years been under the influence of the
Owen family. The burgefles of this place, in
conjunction with thofe of Wifton and Tenby^
cleft the member. There is no fpecial refolu-
tion of the Hotife of Commons, resetting the
right of the burgefles of Tenby, but with refpcft
to thofe of Wifton it has been refolved, That
the mayor and burgefles of the ancient borough
of Wifton, in the county of Pembroke, have a.
right to vote in the election for the borough of
Pembroke.
CORPORATION— It is governed by a
two bailiffs, and burgefles.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1711, 1712, 23 Feb.
That the mayor and burgefles of the ancient
borough of Wifton, in the county of Pembroke,
have a right to vote in the election for the bo--
rough of Pembroke.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Five hundred.
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor,
PATRO.V— H. Barlow, Efq.
HAVER-
( 415 >
HAVERFORDWEST.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This place, which
was made a county of itfelf, firft by charter of
Edward IV. afterwards by Henry VIII. and
laftly by James I. is under the influence of lord
Milford, of Pifton Caftle. A compromife has
fome time ago taken place between this noble-
man and lord Kenfington, when it was agreed
between them, that the latter mould, upon his
fupporting invariably the intereft of the former
in the county of Pembroke, be quietly put into
the pofTeffion of a feat for this town.
CORPORATION' — Confifls of a mayor, fheriff,
two bailiffs, and twenty-four common coun-
cilmen.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1714, 4 July. The
proceeding of the mayor and common-council,
of the town of Haverfordweft, in making bur-
gefles without the confent of the commonalty,
was illegal, and contrary to the rights of the faid
town ; and that the burgefles fo pretended to
be made, have not thereby acquired any right of
voting in any future elections.
Agreed to be in the freeholders, burgeiTes,
and inhabitants, paying fcot and lot, and not
receiving alms.
NUMBER
. IIAVERFORDWESt.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — About five hundred*
RETURNING OFFICER — The mayor.
PATRON — Lord Milfbrd.
RADNOR COUNTY*
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
1 HE intereft of this county centers entirely in
the earl of Oxford. No political occurrence
has happened to extend our obfervations beyond
that circumftance.
PATRON — Earl of Oxford.
RADNOR TOWN.
POLITICAL CHARACTER — This town has been"
fubjeft to various contefts on the right of elec-
tion. The qucftion at ilfue has been, whether the
word Burgeffes meant fuch as were refident with-
in the boroughs of New Radnor, Ryadcr, Knigh-
ton, Knucklas, and Revcnlicc, only, or whether it
extended to thofe who did not rcfidc within the
faid boroughs. Three petitions have Ijccn pre-
fentcd to the houfe fince the palling of the
Grenville Acl, which have all originated in this
difpute. The firft was, that of Edward Lewes,
Efq. on the 6th of December, 1774, againft the
election
RADNOR TOWN.
eleftion of John Lewes, Efq. who had been re-
turned by the refident burgeffes, which was de-
termined on the 2yth of January, 1775, in favour
of the petitioner. The fecond was in confe-
quence of a double return of both thefe gentle-
men, at the enfuing general ele6lion in 1780;
which, on the 31(1 of January 1781, was likewife
determined in favour of the non-refident bur-
gefles ; and the third, arofe out of a contefl
at the laft general election in 1790, when the
earl of Oxford, who is patron of this borough,
thought proper to withdraw his countenance
from Mr. Edward Lewes, the late member,
and to fupport his relation, David Murray,
Efq. Mr. Lewes, who had before experi-
enced the influence of his lordfhip's patronage,
and had twice fuccceded by petition, on the
claim of the non-refident burgefles, now became
a candidate on that of the refident ones ; when
the numbers upon the poll were,
For David Murray, Efq. - - 609
Edward Lewes, Efq. - - 313
Mr. Murray was accordingly returned, and Mr.
Lewes became a petitioner upon the fame claim
of right which he had formerly oppofed, and
againft whicU he had twice fucceeded by peti-
VOL. II. E e tion.
RADNOR TOW**.
lion. This petition was determined in favour
of the fitting member.
CO-RPORATION — Confifts of a bailiff and twen-
ty-five burgeffes.
RIGHT OF ELECTION — 1690, 12 Nov. Is in
the burgeffes of Radnor, Ryader, Knighton,
Knucklas, and Kevenliel only.
1769, 7 March. The fevcral perfons, though
they had no other claim to- be burgeffes of the
boroughs of Ryader and Knucklas, than by vir-
tue only of a prcfentment made in the pretended
court leet, holden under the authority of certain
letters patent, which appear not to have been
enrolled within the time exprefsly required by
the faid letters patent, in order to the validity
thereof, ought not to have been admitted as
legal voters at the lafl election.
NUMBER. OF VOTERS — About one thoufancL
RETURNING OFFICER — The bailiff.
PATROX — Earl of Oxford,
HISTORY
HISTORY
OF THE
COUNTIES AND ROYAL BURGHS
OF
SCOTLAND.
INTRODUCTION.
1 HE reprefentation of the kingdom of Scot-
land, which according to the eftimate of Sir
John Sinclair, contains one million {even hun-
dred thoufand inhabitants, is confined to the
tenants of the crown in the feveral counties, to a
corporation of thirty three individuals in the city
of Edinburgh, and to fixty-five delegates from
the fame number of felf-elefted corporations of
the royal burghs of Scotland.
The whole number of electors, in fome of the
mires, does not exceed J?IY, and the whole con-
ftituent body of thirty-three counties, is no
more than one tj^oufand three bunded and fixty-
eight, a number greatly inferior to that of the
E e 2 freeholders
42O INTRODUCTION TO
freeholders in the fmalleft county of England ;
•while the number of reprefentatives is only one
more than is furnifhed from th$ rotten boroughs
of Cornwall.
We fhall forbear to make any comment,
•where the external evidence of defective repre-
fentation is fo glaring as to fet at defiance all
-fophiftry, and imprefs conviction on the unpre-
judiced part of mankind. Where the repre-
fented part of the community does not amount
to a hundred in a hundred thoufand, and where
property, held in tenure from the crown, and
corporate bodies deriving exclufive privileges
from accident and intrigue, can alone exercife
the rights of freemen.
To give the reader a comprchcnfive view oi
•what is called the rcprefentative fyftem of Scot-
laud, we have extracled the report of the com-
mittee of the Friends of the People, affociated
for the purpofe of obtaining A REFORM OF
PARLIAMENT; where, to ufe their own
words, " an unembellifhed detail of fafts muft
be refuted before it can be fhaken," and cannot
fail to convince where intereft or prejudice ha*
not warped the mind.
Report
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 421
Report of the Committee of the Friends of the
People, officiated for the Purpofe of obtaining a
Reform of Parliament, appointed to examine into
the State of the Reprefentation of Scotland.
Before your committee proceeds to the confi-
deration of the important objects to which they
conceive you chiefly intended to direct their
attention, it may not be improper to mention a
fort of reprefentation which is peculiar to North
Britain ; which has an irrefiftible tendency to
give to the crown an undue influence in the
houfe of lords, and which, by a more filent but
not lefs effectual operation, contributes equally
to the fame end in the other houfe of par-
liament.
At the union of the two kingdoms, in the begin-
ning of this century, the peers of Scotland furren-
dered their hereditary right to feats in parliament ;
and were limited to an elective reprefentation by
fixteen of their number. It is not the intention
of your committee to enter at large into thehiftory
of their elections; it is fufficient to ftate, that,
it is univerfally known, that ever fince the union,
they have been confiderably influenced by the
minifters of the crown; which fpecies of pa-
E e 3 tronage
422 INTRODUCTION TO
tronage has given them an undue preponderance
in the popular branch of the legiflature, by
means which will be afterwards explained.
Your committee having thus flightly touched
on the ftate of the Scottifh peerage, and only as
it has a reference to their immediate obje6l;
they will now endeavour to fulfil their duty, by
prefenting to the fociety a true and impartial
account of the reprefentation of the people of
Scotland in the houfe of commons.
They will firfl eftablifh, as they think incon-
trovertibly,
1. That the conflitution of the Scottifh parlia-
ment was originally popular and free.
2. That many laws, which have been enafted for
the regulation of elections, bear evident marks
of the combined efforts of the crown, and the
ariftocracy, to narrow the rights of election.
3. That each of thefe laws deprived the people of
fome right formerly enjoyed and cxercifed.
4. That by various fictions of law, contrary to
the fpirit of the Britifh conflitution, the right
of eleclion of members to ferve in par-
liament has been transferred from thofe to
whom it juftly and naturally belonged, to
others who had no right whatfoever.
5. That
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 423
5. That thefe grievances have been long and
feverely felt by the people ; that they have
been often complained of; and that various
ilatutes for their remedy have been vainly
enacted and fuccefsfully eluded.
6. That the fyftem of reprefentation in Scotland
is now fo confined and defective, that it has
become a mere mockery upon the name
£>r idea.
Although the counties, cities, and burghs,
labour under the fame conftitutional grievance,
and fuffer equally from the gradual deteriora-
tion of their ancient condition, it will be necef-
fary to confider their hiftory feparately, on
account of the different modes in which their
rights have been circumfcribed, ufurped, or
deftroyed.
COUNTIES,
By the conftitution of Scotland, the parlia~
ment being the King's Court Baron, or Cuira
Regis, he could fummon all his immediate
tenants to attend him there. In thefe remote
times, fervice in parliament was not confidered
as a profitable privilege, but as a burdenfome
duty ; and, in the beginning of the fifteenth
E e 4 century
424 INTRODUCTION TO
century, the fyftcm of reprefentation was intro-
duced for the eafe and benefit of the vaffals or
tenants. Yet, until near the end of the fixteenth
century, every freeholder or tenant of the crown
was entitled to vote at elections, however fmall
his property might be, which fufficicntly proves
the ancient popularity and freedom of the
institution.
In the reign of James the fixth of Scotland,
and firft of England, (a monarch who was not
diftinguimed by too great an attachment to the
liberty of mankind) the right of voting was firft
reftricled to freeholders poffeffing lands of forty
millings of what was called " Old Extent;" that
is, of lands which were fo rated in the cefs
or county books about the end of the thirteenth
or beginning of the fourteenth century. Your
committee wifh you to obferve, that this was a
great and fatal blow to popular election ; for
though forty (hillings was made, as in England,
the nominal ftandard of a vote, yet, by carrying
it back to a rate or valuation made three hun-
dred years before, the value of money having
confiderably fallen, the extent of the qualifica-
tion required was very much raifcd. — And this
circumftance points out the efficient caufe of
the enormous difference which fubfifls between
England
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 42/J
England and Scotland with regard to the free-
dom and popularity of election in the counties.
In England the qualification has been allowed
to keep pace with the decreafing value of money,
and has therefore been extended to greater
numbers of electors. In Scotland, by the li-
mitations to the rates and valuations of very
remote periods, the right of voting has been
confined to the pofieffors of very confiderable
eftates, and the number of electors has been
very much diminifhed.
Had the Scottifh kings and nobles flopped at
this point, the evil might have been endured:
but they proceeded vigoroufly in their career of
encroachment. In the reign of Charles the
fecond it was enacted, that where the right of
voting on an old forty millings land could not
be proved, which had become difficult, then, to
be enabled to vote, it mould be neceffary to be
infeft in, or feized of an eftate, valued in the
fame reign at 400!. Scots annual rent. It is
proper here to mention, that at this day, by the
neareft average which can be made over the
whole kingdom, the rent of thofe lands, which
are valued at forty millings " Old Extent," is
from 70!. to 130!. fterling; and the rent of
the lands valued in the reign of Charles the
fecond
426 INTR-ODUCTION TO
£eeond at 400!. Scots, is now about 400!. fter-,
ling, fo that this king more than tripled the
qualification required of the greateft part of the
kingdom, by fubftituting lands, worth 400!. in-
ftead of thofe worth 100 or 130!.
Even this infringement was not thought
enough ; under George the fecond the mode of
proving the exiftence of thofe old forty milling
votes, were rendered more difficult, by details
with which your committee •will not trouble
you ; they will only flate, that by thefe regula-
tions many of thofe votes have difappeared, and
that very few of them now remain.
Hitherto your committee have confined
themfelves to the ftatement of thofe evils which
arife from the magnitude of the qualifications
required in electors, and their confcquent pau-
city : tftey have yet fuppofcd that this precious
right is exercifed only by the real proprietors of
the foilj under certain grievous and improper
limitations; but they are now to defcribc mif-
chiefs of another nature, which have been fuf-
icred to grow up, which have been fondly
foflerecj in the-bofom of kingly and ariftocratic
power ; and which have totally perverted and
completely .overturned the real reprefcntation of
the counties.
Ky
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 427
By the ad of Charles II. 1681, the foundation
^ras laid for the intolerable abufes which now
cxift, and which certainly were never contempla-
ted or forefeen by that parliament. It was then
ena&ed, that the right of voting fhould be in
perfons publickly infeft in property or fuperiority
of lands of forty fhillings old extent, or £.400
Scots valued rent; thus making the diftinclion,
and drawing the line, between property andjupe-
riority. It is neceflary to explain this term of
fuperiority , becaufe from an abufe of it, the prin-
cipal grievances in the elections for knights of
the mire in Scotland have arifen.
The feudal law fuppofes the king to be the
fole proprietor of all the lands in the kingdom :
from him his vaflals hold by charter; in like
manner his vaflals may grant lands to be held
from them by charter : thefe fub-vaflals may
repeat the fame operation ad infinitum ; but the
original or immediate vaflal of the king has the
fole right of voting or being elected to fcrve in
parliament. From this fyftem the following
confequences have flowed :
I. Proprietors of eftates, of whatsoever value,
who hold from a fubjeft, are not entitled to vote
or to be elefted. It is computed, that in feveral
counties nearly one half of the lands are held in
this
428 INTRODUCTION' TO
this manner from fubjefts fuperior : over the
whole kingdom it is believed that one fifth of the
lands are fo held ; therefore the proprietors of
one fifth of the landed -property, as far as that
property operates, are deprived of any voice in
the choofing their reprefentatives.
II. In this clafs of landholders, fo excluded
from this invaluable franchife, are men of eftates,
worth from £. 500 to £. 2000 per annum ; but
what is more to be lamented, it comprehends the
befl and moft virtuous parts of the community,
namely, the middling and fmaller gentry, and the
induftrious yeomen and farmers who have inhe-
rited or acquired fome landed property.
III. Many perfons without the fmalleft intereft
in the land poflefs the right of voting and of
being elefted.
IV. It is a principle in the conftitution, that
no man {hall have more than one vote in the
fame county in his own perfon ; and it is another,
principle, that no peer of the realm mall have
any vote at all in the election of members to
ferve in the houfe of commons.
By an ingenious device of the lawyers, thcfe
two fundamental principles have been eluded :
When a perfon of great property wifhcs to mul-
tiply his votes, he i'urrenders his charter to the
crown;
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C.
crown ; he appoints a number of confidential
friends, to whom the crown parcels out his
cftate, in lots of £. 400 Scots valued rent : then
he takes charters from thefe friends for the real
property ; thus leaving them apparently the im-
mediate tenants of the crown, and confequently
all entitled to vote or to be elected. This ope-
ration is equally open to peers and great com*
moners, who have availed theinfelves of it
accordingly ; the peers thus acquiring an influ-
ence, from which they are excluded by the fpirit
and forms of the conftitution; and the great
commoners extending and multiplying a right in
an undue and fraudulent manner — thereby de-
preciating or extinguishing the franchiles of the
fmaller proprietors, with great and manifcfl pre-
judice to the general liberty of the country.
This legal fraud began in this century, and has
been chiefly pra£lifed during the prefent reign ;
it therefore derives no {belter or fanciion from
cuftom, which the folly of men allows to cover a
multitude of glaring abufes. Your committee
will not dwell on the various modes by which it
has been performed: they will briefly ftate, that
the common methods have been by life-rent,
charters, charters on wadfet or mortgage, and
charters in fee.
The
INTRODUCTION TO
The legiflature has not been blind to thefe
mifchievous innovations ; nor has it been inac-
tive in endeavouring to refift and prevent them.
It has admitted, that thefe delufive furrenders of
charters, and confequent creations of nominal
and fictitious votes, are fraudulent in faft and
principle; and it has been decreed, that where-
ever they can be detected, they fhall be illegal
and void. Several laws have been paffed for the
prevention of fuch proceedings, and for the
detection of fiich crimes. Oaths have been
cnatled to be taken by freeholders claiming to
poll at elections, couched in the ftrongeft terms,
and providing as many guards as the zeal and
Tvifdom of the legiflature could invent; but all
thefe precautions have been conftantly defeated
by the ingenuity of the learned profeffion, who
have always fucceedcd in finding falvos for weak
confcienccs. Gentlemen of the faireft charac-
ters, nay clergymen, have been induced by
fubtile explanations, and the nicefl verbal fub-
terfuges, to take thefe oaths, contrary to the
evident intendmcnt of the legiflature, contrary
to the received meaning and ufage of our lan-
guage, and in defiance of the general fcnfe of
their country.
Your committee refer you to the aQs, 12
Anne,
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 4£l
Anne, cap. 6. and 7; Geo. II. cap. 18, not only
for the terms of the oaths, but for the purpofe and
meaning of the laws.
The court of feflion in Scotland have been
remarkably unfortunate in their endeavours to
give efFe6t to thefe laws. Being compofed of
fifteen judges, and the fentences being decided
by the majority actually prefent, it has necefla-
rily happened, that from the diverfity of opinions
naturally incident to mankind, the decifions of
the court have frequently varied, according to
the abfence or attendance of the fevcral lords ;
and the fame points at iffue have often undergone
very different and oppofite determinations. Nor
has the fituation of the fubjeft been much
bettered by the appeal to the houfe of peers;
for very contrary fyftems concerning thefe elec-
tion laws have been maintained and carried into
effeft by the higheft authorities in that final
judicature. What was law one day, and under
the direction of one judge, was not law another
day, and under another judge: and thus, from
the double uncertainty of the manner in which
the majorities on the Scottifh bench might de-
cide, and of the varying opinions of the high
legal characters in England, men have had no
fecurity, and have been doomed to fuffer incertum
INTRODUCTION TO
jus, fumma injuria. It may not be wrong to
ftate, that not lefs than fix hundred law-fuits
have taken place within thefe twenty years on
this fubje& of county elections ; which, with the
the attendant legal operations, have coft above a
million of pounds ftcrling.
The parliamentary reprefentation of the coun-
ties in Scotland has therefore, according to the
expreflion of a noble lord high in the law,
" completely flid from its bafis." Much undue
influence has been acquired by the crown, the
nobility, and the great proprietors ; the laws
have been eluded and perverted; the number
of electors has been greatly diminifhed; and the
conftitutional rights of the fubjeft have been
invaded, ufurped, or annihilated.
By table No. I. which is annexed, it will be
feen, that, in two of the counties, there are only
three real voters in each ; in feven, not more
than ten : in all of them refpeclively very few.
The total number of real voters in the whole is
1,390. Total of falfe, nominal, and fictitious
voters 1,201: and thirty-three counties return
only thirty members, fix having only the right
offending a member to every fecond parliament.
CITIES
SCOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 433
CITIES AND BURGHS.
By the ancient and original conftitution of the
cities and burghs, the magiftrates and town
councils were chofen by the refident burgeffes and
proprietors of houfes and lands : this, however,
was a ftate of freedom too incompatible with
the proud and narrow views of the kings and
nobility, who conftantly in hoftility with each
other, agreed in nothing but in degrading and
opprefling the people. By an acl pafled in 1469,
the town councils were inverted with the power
of electing their fucceflbrs ; and, in 1474, it was
ordained that four perfons of the old mould be
annually chofen into the new town councils.
By thefe laws, as far as they were effectual, the
burgefles and inhabitants at large were disfran-
chifed ; they had no longer any controul over
their magiftrates ; and the corporations became
felf-elefted juntos, totally feparated in interefts
from their former conflituents and fellow citi-
zens.
Every city or burgh had certain eftates in
land, houfes, fifheries, port duties, and other
valuable forts of property ; the revenue arifing
from which was by their original charters and
VOL. II, F f confutations
434. INTRODUCTION TO
conftitutions deftined to be applied for ttie
benefit of their communities ; but as foon as the
raagiftrates and councils acquired the power of
electing themfelves in perpetuity, they adminif-
tered, embezzled, and dilapidated thefe eftates
at their pleafure.
This fubjecl. is now before parliament ; and a
great body of evidence has been compiled,
which will foon be publiihed, and which will
throw very great light on the antient ftate of the
Scottifh burghs. Your Committee, however,
have thought proper to mention it as one great
branch of the encroachment on former rights.
It is abfolutely nccefiary to ftate, that thefe
unjuft a6ts of 1469 and 1474 have been fo de-
tefted by the people, and fo much refifted in
practice, that they have never been completely
executed in any one place : in many of the ^
burghs the burgeffes continued for a long period
to cleft their own magiftrates, and fevcral char-
ters have been granted as low down as the end
of the laft century, conferring rhe right of elec-
tion on the burgefles. Thefe ads, then, on
which the prefent fyftfin is founded, have not
the fanclion derived film the fubmiflion, con-
fent, or reverence of ihc people : and their
repeat
SdOTCH BOROUGHS, &C. 435
repeal would not be an innovation, but a refto-
ration of antient rights and privileges.
If the cities and burghs had fuffered in their
common property only, by thefe tyrannical laws,
they would have been comparatively fortunate ;
but as their reprefentatives in parliament were
to be chofen by the magiftrates and councils,
when they loft the right of elccling them, they
loft all mare in the choice of their legiflators ;
and, in this unhappy fituation, they find them-
felves at this day.
At the union, Edinburgh, being the capital,
alone retained its right of fending one member
to parliament : all the other towns were thrown
into diftricls of fours and fives, each diflrift
being allowed to fend one member. — This in-
duced a regulation, which ftill more fenfibly
wounded the freedom of eleclion. By it, every
burgh now elects a delegate; thefe delegates
tnect by rotation at each of the towns to eleft
the reprefentative. The place, where they meet
is called the prefiding burgh for that eleftion,
and its delegate has a cafling vote in cafe of an
equality of voices. The burghs have no con-
troul on their delegates ; they mull truft entirely
to honour for the return of the perfon by whom
F f a they
436 INTRODUCTION TO
they wifh to be reprefented : and there have
been inftances where the delegates have cor-
niptly betrayed their truft, and have afted con-
trary to the defire and expectation of their
conftituents.
Another evil, deeply felt by the great com-
mercial towns, is their being clafTed with infig-
nificant and obfcure burghs : among many
inftances of this it will be fufficient to mention
Glafgow, which is known to be one of the mod
opulent trading cities of Great Britain. Its
number of inhabitants exceeds 60,000 ; its dele-
gate is chofen by thirty-two perfons, who are
fdf-clccted; and this delegate has only one
voice of four in the choice of a member of par-
liament, in common with the delegates of three
little towns, the inhabitants of which are not
more than 2000.
By table No. II. it appears that of the fifteen
members for the cities and burghs, one for
Edinburgh is chofen by thirty-three perfons ;
the other fourteen by 65 delegates, who are
elefted by 1220 periods.
Tike inhabitants of Scotland are fuppofed to
be near two millions ; their reprefentatives are
chofen by 2613. Scotland fends forty-fire
members,
SCOTCH BOROUGHS,. &C. 437
members; a {ingle county in England, namely,
Cornwall, fends forty-four.
Your committee will now conclude: they
have endeavoured to be as brief as poffible, and
to confine themfelves ftriftly to the moft material
fa&s. Volumes might have been written on the
matter which prefented itfelf to their obferva-
tion : but they hope with deference to the judg-
ment of the fociety, that they have more truly
executed the tafk which they undertook, by
f omprefling than by expanding the fubjeft.
Ff3 TABLE,
TABLE, &c. of Number of Eleaors in the Coun,
ties, &c.
No I.
i Aberdeen -
t — x
Real.
82
B.
— ^
96
1790.
Real and Valued rent of each
Nominal. Slure of &
158 2^c,66q 8 ii
2 Argyll - -
23
2 I
43
14.9,1:9?
1-^
o
3 Avr
4Bamff - -
86
19
119
103
220
108
191.60;
79.200
O
0
7
0
5 Berwick ...
66
87
150
7
3
6 Dumbarton
15
51
65
3''j2"
is-
0
7 Dumfries
34
II
49
237,041
3
4
8 Edinburgh, or Mid Lothian
83
10
96
191.0^4
3
9
9 Fife
jo Forfar, or Angus
»53
32
24
188
362,184
7
t <
5
7
1 1 Haddington, or Eaft Lothian
61
13
76
16^,878
-
: 3
12 Invernefs
20
83
103
73-'^
0
13 Kinkardine
46
6
55
74,9- ;
i
O
14 Kirkcudbright
80
72
114,571
• 1
3
1 5 Lanerk
55
69
148
about i6c,ooo
0
0
16 Lmlithgow, or Weft Lothian
29
18
64
74,931
19
2
37 Moray, or Elgin
23
53
77
65,603
0
5
»3 Orkney
18
2 I
-40
9
i
19 Peebles - - -
32
5
37
5',937
13
10
20 Perth
128
19
'45
about 33«;,oco
0
0
2 1 Renfrew
32
128
68,076
'5
2.
22 Rois - - - .
46
33
72
75,040
10
3
23 Roxburgh
24 Selkirk
5*
27
49
13
81
40
3"?, 594
14
6
6
25 StirHng"
46
30
59
108,518
8
9
26 Sutherland
8
23
35
26,193
9
9
*7 VVigton
29
34
53
65,338
7
i
The following fix Shires e-
ledt a Member alternately :
At the laftcie&ionthe Shires
of Caithnefs, Kinrofs, and
Cromarty, returned a Mem-
ber to Parliament. At the
next election the Shires of
Jiute, Clackmannan, and
r^.iiin, will return a Mem-
\ ?r to Parliament ; that is,
Caithnefs alternately \vith.
Huu, Clackmannan "with
Kinrofs, and Nairn with
Cromarty. At the lail elec-
tion in 1790,
'28 Caithnefs
29 Cromarty
30 Kinrofs
10
3
9
6
»7
22
6
23
37,2-,6
12,897
20,1 92
2
2
1 i
<*
i
To return next election.
J39P
1201
2588
3)S,5)y,7
•n
: i
8
31 Bute
32 Clackmannan
3
5
9
I I
M
16
26,482
13
i :
8
' ':
33 Nairp ' .
6
14
20
15,162
10
I I
1404 1235 2636 3,872,526 7
'ABLE of the Number of Ele&ors in the Royal Burghs,
No. II.
Number of Town- Number of Dc-
Number of Town- N
umber of De.
raxtt ^inra. h
eacli one Delegate. dill"
clnnle the
each otic Delegate.
eg*(etiBcacn
HiKrict who
chooie the
Member of
Memticr of
Pailijfiuci.t.
I. Edinburgh, City 33
IX.Stirfing - ai^
Pa.hau.euU
II.DinwalT - J5"\
Inverkcithing i c, J
Dornock - 15 1
Wick - - 12 }• 5
Kirkwall - 23 I
Dumfermline 26 j>
Culrofs - 19 1
Qu^ee'nsferry - 2 1 J
5
Tain - - nS
X. Rutherglcn >• ig-v
III.Fortrofe - - lO
Invernefs - 21 I
Nairn - 19 j
Glafgow - 32 1
Renfrew - 21 f
Dumbarton - 15 J
4
Forres - 17 J
IV.Elkin - - i7^
BamJ - - 17 1
Cullen - - 26 > 5
Kiatore - 9 j
XI. Jedburgh - 25^
Dunbar - 20 j
North Berwick 12 >
Lander - 17 j
Haddington - zc,J
5
Inveraric - <)•'
XII. Peebles - i7-j
V.Aberdeen - ig-v
Montrofe - 21 I
Brechin 13 > 5
Aberbrothock 19 j
Inverbervie it,J
Linlithgow - 27 1
Selkirk - 33 f
Lanerk - 17 J
XIII. Dumfries - 25-%
Kirkcudbright 17 1
P
VI. Perth - - 26^
Dundee - 29 J
St. Andrews 29 V 5
Cupar - 3' 1
Forfar - 1 9 J
Annan - - 21 f
Lochmabcn- 'SI
Sanquthar - 17-^
XlV.Whithorn 19 1
New Galloway 20 I
5
VILCrail - - zi-|
Stranracr - io f
p
Kilrenny - 13 1
Anftruther,W. i 5 [• 5
Anftruther, E. 19 1
Pittcnweem 24^
VIII. Kinghorn - 22-1
Dyfart '•• - 24 I
Wilton - - iS-*
XV.IrWinc - 17^
Rothfay - 19 J
Inverary - 13 >
Cambelltown 17 j
Ayr - - I7J
f
Kirkaldy - 21 J
•
"•"•••
Burntifland 22 J
122O
65
In Edinburgh 33 perfons cleft one Member of Parliament. In each of the
ether 14 diftr>fts, the refpe&ive Town Councils nominate one Delegate each,
and by the majority of/thofe Delegates in each diftrid, the Member of Parlia-
ment is elefted.
Thus in Edinburgh - - 33 perfons cleft - i Member.
In the other Diitrifts, 1220 choofc - ' 6^ perfons who cleft 14 Members.
So that ultimately in the Burghs 9 S perfons cleft - 15 Members.
STATE
OF THE SEVERAL
COUNTIES OF SCOTLAND,
INCLUDING
REAL AND NOMINAL VOTES,
AT THE J.AST GENERAL EJECTION, IN
ABERDEENSHIRE.
the roll being made up, at a meeting
which was held at Aberdeen the 21 ft of July,
1790, for the election of a member to ferve this
county in parliament, the number of freeholders,
in whom the right of election is vefted, appear-
ed to be one hundred and fifty-eight ; when
James Fergufon, Efq. of Pitfour, was unanU
moufly elected.
PATRON — Duke of Gordon.
ARGYLESHIRE,
J\T the meeting held at Inverary the igth of
July, 1790, for the purpofe of electing a member
to reprefent this county in parliament, the num-
ber of voters, as appeared by the roll, was forty-
three 3
SCOTCH COUNTIES. 441
three ; when lord Frederick Campbell was una-
nimoufly elecled.
PATRON — Duke of Argyle.
AYRSHIRE.
A-
fcT a meeting of freeholders, held at Ayr the
a 9th of July, 1790, for the election of a member
to ferve this county in parliament, the number
t)f electors appeared to be two hundred and
twenty; when Sir Adam Ferguflbn, of Kilker-
ron, Bart, was unanimoufly elecled.
PATRON — Earl of Eglintoun.
BAMFFSHIRE.
XxT a meeting of freeholders, which was held
at Bamff the ad of July, 1790, for the election
of a member to rcprefent this county in parlia-
ment, the number of voters on the roll then
made up was one hundred and eight j when Sir
James Grant, of Grant, Bart, was unanimoufly
PATRONS — Duke of Gordon and earl of Fife.
BERWICKSHIRE.
making up the roll at a meeting of free-
holders, held at Greenlaw the ift of July, 1790,
for
442 SCOTCH COUNTIES.
for the purpofe of electing a member to repre-»
fent this county in parliament, the number of
voters appeared to be one hundred and fifty ;
when Patrick Home, Efq. of Wedderburn, was
unanimoufly elefted.
PATRON — Duke of Buocleugh.
SHIRE OF' CAITHNESS.
V_yN the roll being made up, at the meeting of
freeholders, held at Wick the ift of July, 1790,
for the purpofe of elecling a member to repre-
fent this fhire in parliament, the number of
voters found in the whole county was but twen-
ty-two; when Sir John Sinclair, Bart, was
unanimoufly elected.
PATRON — Sir John Sinclair.
SHIRE OF CROMARTY,
JLN this county, according to the meeting of
freeholders, held at Cromarty the 8th of July,
1790, there are but fix voters.
As this numerous body of voters have the
exclufive privilege of elecling the reprefentatives
for the county, their names may not be unac-
ceptable to our readers.
William Pultency, Efq. of Solway Bank.
Dancan
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
Duncan Davidfon, Efq. of Tullock.
Alexander Rofs Grey, Efq. of Cromarty.
David Urquhart, Efq. of Braelangwall.
Robert Bruce ^Encas Macleod, Efq. of Cad,,
boll.
Alexander Brodie, Efq. of Brodie.
At the' lafl general elt&ion two out of thefc
fix electors were candidates for its reprefenta-.
tion ; viz. Alexander Brodie, Efq. of Brodie,
and Duncan Davidfon, Efq. of Tullock.
The following freeholders voted for Mr. Da-«
vidfon.
William Pulteney, Prefes.
Duncan Davidfon, for himfelf.
Alexander Rofs Grey.
The following voted for Mr. Brodie.
David Urquhart.
Robert Bruce ./Eneas Macleod.
Alexander Brodie, for. himfelf.
The numbers being thus rendered equal, the
Prefes, William Pulteney, Efq. (according to
the laws of election in Scotland) gave the
cafting vote to Mr. Davidfon, who was of
courfe declared duly elected.
PATRON — Mr. Pulteney.
DUMBARTON-
444 SCOTCH COUNTIES.
DUMBARTONSHIRE.
V^/N the roll being made up, at the meeting of
freeholders, held at Dumbarton the 2ift of July,
1790, for the election of a member to ferve this
fliire in parliament, the number appeared to be
Cxty-five; when Sir Archibald Edmonftone, of
Duntreath, Bart, was unanimoufly elecled.
PATRONS — Hon. Keith Elphinfton, and lord
Frederick Campbell.
DUMFRIESSHIRE.
ljN~ making up the roll, at a meeting of free-
holders held at Dumfries the 24th of July,
1790, the number was forty-nine. A conteft
then took place for the reprefentation of this
county in parliament, between Sir Robert Law-
rie, and John Johnftone, Efq. of Alva ; when
the numbers were, for Sir Robert Lawrie,
twenty-two, John Johnftone, Efq. thirteen ;
whereupon Sir Robert Lawrie was returned as
duly elected.
PATRON — Duke of Oueenfberry.
SHIRE OF EDINBURGH.
vjN making up the roll, at a meeting of the
freeholders, held at Edinburgh 25th June, 1790,
the
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
the^ number of electors appeared to be ninety-
fix ; when Robert Dundas, Efq. of Arnifton,
was unanimoufly elected their reprefentative in
parliament.
PATRON — Right Hon. Henjy Dundas.
FIFESHIRE.
vJN the roll being made up, at the meeting of
freeholders held at Cupar the zzd of July,
1790, for the purpofe of electing a member to
reprefcnt this mire in parliament, the number of
voters was one hundred and eighty-eight; when
William Wemyis, Efq. of Wemyfs, was unani-
moufly elected.
PATROX — Earl of Fife.
FORFARSHIRE.
ON the roll made up, at the meeting of free-
holders, held at Forfar the 2d of July, 1790, for
the purpofe of electing a member to reprcfent
this (hire in parliament, the number appeared to
be ninety-two; when David Scott, Efq. of Dun-
ninauld, was unanimoufly elected.
PATRON — Duke of Athol.
HADDINCS-
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
HADDINGTO\TSHIRE.
the roll made up, at a meeting of free-
holders, held at Haddington, the 28th of June,
i79O, for the purpofe of elefting a reprefenta-
tive to ferve this county in parliament, the?
number was feventy-fix ; when John Hamilton,
Efq. of Pencaitland, was unanimoufly elected.
PATRON — Earl of Haddington.
INVERNESSSHIRE.
./XT a meeting of freeholders, held at Inver-
tiefs the 2 yth of July, 1790, for the purpofe of
dealing a reprefentative in parliament for this
county, the number of voters, as appeared by
the roll then made up, was one hundred and
three; when Lieutenant-colonel Norman Ma-
cleod, of Macleod, was unanimoufly elected.
PATRON — Duke of Gordon.
KINCARDINESHIRE.
.A.T a meeting of freeholders held at Stone-
haven the i4th of July, 1790, for the purpofe of
electing a reprefentative in parliament for this
county, the number of voters, as appeared by
the roll then made up, was fifty-five; when
Robert
SCOTCH COUNTIES. 447
Robert Barclay, Efq. of Urie, was unanimoufly
cleaecl.
KINROSSSHIRE.
x\.T a meeting of] freeholders, held at Kinrofs
on the 6th of July, 1790, for the purpofe of
electing a reprefcntative to ferve this county in
parliament, the number of voters appeared to be
twenty-three ; when George Graham, Efq. of
Kinrofs, was unanimoufly elected.
PATRONS — Earl of Leven, and Sir William
Erfkine.
STEWARTRY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT.
AT the meeting of freeholders, held at Kirk-
cudbright the i4th of July, 1790, for the pur-
pofe of electing a reprefentative. to ferve this
place in parliament, the number was, as appears
by the roll made up, one hundred and fifty-five ;
when Major-general Alexander Stewart was
tjnanimoufly elected.
' PATRONS — Earl of Galloway, and James Mur«
ray, Efq. of Broughton.
LANERKSHIRE.
C/N the roll made up, at a meeting of free-
holders, held at Lanerk the ±4th of July, 1790*
for
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
for the purpofe of electing their reprefentativc
in parliament, the number of voters was one
hundred and forty-eight; when Sir James
Steuart Denham, of Coltnefs, Bart, was unani-
moufly elected.
PATRON — Duke of Hamilton.
LINLITHGOWSHIRE.
AT the laft general election, Sir William
Auguftus Cunninghame, of Livingflone, and the
Honourable John Hope, oppofed each other as
candidates for the reprefentation of that county
in parliament. The number of freeholders is
fixty-two; of which number thirty-four voted
for the Honourable John Hope, and twenty for
Sir William Auguftus Cunninghame ; where-
upon the Honourable John Hope was returned
as duly elected.
P.\TROK-«-Earl of Hopeton.
SHIRE OF MORAY, alias ELGltf.
C_yN the roll made up, at the meeting of free-
holders, held at Elgin the 5th of July, 1790, for
the purpofe of electing a rcprefehtative to fervc
this county in parliament, the number of voterl
was fcvemy-fcvcn ; when Lewis Alexander
Grant,
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
Grant, Efq. of Grant, the younger, was unani-
moufly elefted.
PATRON— Earl of Elgin.
SHIRE OF ORKNEY.
AT the laft general election, a conteft took
place for the reprefentation of this county, be-
tween John Balfour, Efq. Fiar of Warfater, and
Colonel Thomas Dundas, of Fingafk. The
number of freeholders, as appears by the roll
made up at the meeting held at Kirkwall, on the
a8th of July, 1790, was forty; nineteen of
whom voted for Mr. Balfour, and thirteen for
Mr. Dundas ; whereupon Mr. Balfour was re-
turned as duly elcfted.
PATRON — Difputed between Sir Thomas Dun-
das, and the earl of Galloway.
PEEBLESSHIRE.
ON the roll made up, at the meeting of free-
holders, held at Peebles the 5th of July, 1790,
the number of voters was thirty-feven ; when
Lieutenant William Montgomery was unani-
moufly elected.
PATRON— Earl of Eglintoune.
G g PERTHSHIRE.
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
PERTHSHIRE.
AT the laft general election for the reprefenta-
tive of this county, there was a conteft between
Major General James Murray, of Strowan, and
John Drtimmond, Efq. of Megginch ; on which
occafion the number of freeholders, as appears
by the roll made up at their meeting, held at
Perth the 171!* of July, 1790, was one hundred
and forty-five ; fixty-feven of whom voted foi
General Murray, and thirty-nine for Mr. Drum-
mond ; whereupon the General was returned as
duly elefted.
PATRON — Dukfe of Athol.
RENFREWSHIRE.
X\.T the laft general election for this county,
there was a conteft for its rcprefentation, be-
tween John Shaw Stewart, Efq. of Greenock, and
Alexander Cunninghame, Efq. of Craigends.
The number of freeholders, as appears by the
roll, made up at the meeting held at Renfrew
the 24th of July, 1790, was one hundred and
twenty-eight ; twenty-two of whom voted for
Mr. Stewart, and twenty-one for Mr. Cunning-
Hame ; whereupon Mr. Stewart was declared
and returned as duly cleftcd.
PATRON — Duke of Hamilton.
ROSS-
SCOTCH COUNTIES.
ROSSSHIRE.
CJN the making up of the roll, at the meeting
of freeholders, held at Tain the i6th of July,
1790, for the purpofe of ele6ling a reprefenta-
tive to ferve this fhire in parliament, the number
of voters was feventy-two; when William
Adam, Efq. the younger, of Blair, was unani-
moufly elefted.
ROXBURGHSHIRE.
A.T the laft general eleftion there was a conteft
for the reprefentation of this county, between
Sir George Douglas, of Springwood Park, and
John Rutherford, Efq. of Edgarftoun. The
number of freeholders, as appears by the roll
made up at their meeting, which was held at
Jedburgh the 24th of July, 1790, was eighty-
one ; thirty of whom voted for Sir George
Douglas, and twenty-five for Mr. Rutherford;
whereupon Sir George was declared duly clefted.
PATRONS — Duke of Oueenfberry, and duke
of Roxburgh.
SELKIRK-
SCOTCH COUNTIES,
SELKIRKSHIRE.
JL HE number of freeholders for this county,
as appears by the roll which was made up at
their meeting held at Selkirk the 2d of July,
1790, for the purpofe of elefting a member to
ferve them in parliament, was forty; when Mark
Pringle, Efq. of Fairnilie, was unanitnoufly
sleded.
STIRLINGSHIRE.
.A/T the laft general election there was a con-
teft for the reprefentation of this county be-
tween Sir Alexander Campbell, of Ardkinlafs,
Bart, and Sir Thomas Dundas, of Kerfe, Bart.
The number of freeholders, as appeared by the
roll then made up, at the meeting which was
held at Stirling the 6th of July, 1790, was fifty-
nine; twenty-eight of whom voted for Sir
Thomas Dundas, and twenty-two for Sir Alex-
ander Campbell ; whereupon Sir Thomas was
returned as duly elected.
PATRON — Sir Thomas Dundas.
SHIRE OF SUTHERLAND.
AjT the laft general election, there was a con-
teft for the reprefentation of this county, be-
bctwccn
SCOTCH COUNTIES. 453
tween General James Grant, of Ballindallqck,
Robert Bruce tineas Macleod, Efq. of Cadboll,
and Robert Home Gordon, Efq. of Embo.
The number of freeholders, as appears by the
roll made up at their meeting, which was held at
Dornock the 14th of July, 1790, was thirty-five;
nine of whom voted for General Grant, five for
Mr. Macleod, and three for Mr. Gordon ;
whereupon tjie General was returned as duly
PATRONS — Countefs of Sutherland, and earl
of Wemyfs,
WIGTONSHIRE,
vyN the roll being made up, at the meeting of
freeholders, held at Wigton the i6th of July,
1790, the number appeared to be fifty-three;
when Andrew M'Dowal, Efq. of Culgroat, was
unanimoufly elected.
PATRON — Earl of Galloway.
SHIRE OF BUTE.
-A.T the making up of the roll of freeholders,
at a meeting held at Rothfay the ?2d of April,
1784, Tince which time the freeholders have had
no meeting (not fending a reprefentative to this
G g 3 prefent
454 SCOTCH COUNTIES.
prefent parliament) the number of eleftors ap-
peared to be twelve.
J*ATRON — Earl of Bute.
CLACKMANNANSHIRE.
a meeting of the freeholders of this
county, held at Clackmannan the 29th of No-
vember, 1788, fmce which time they have had
no meeting (not fending a member to this pre-
fent parliament) the number of voters, as ap-
peared by the roll then made up, was fixteen.
NAIRNSHIRE.
J\T a meeting of the freeholders of this
county, held at Nairn in Michaelmas, 1789,
fmce which no meeting has been held, this mire
not returning a member to this parliament, the
number of voters, as appeared on the roll then
made up, was twenty.
STATE
STATE
OF T«E SEVERAL
BOROUGHS OF SCOTLAND,
I N C L U O I iTO
REAL AND NOMINAL I'OTES,
AT THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, IN 1790.
EDINBURGH.
POLITICAL CHARACTER.
i HE mode of proceeding at the election of
the member of parliament for this city is ex-
tremely fimple, the right of election being in the
whole magiftrates and council, ordinary and ex-
traordinary, united. The clerk (although per-
haps he lies under no ftrici neccftity by fhitute
to do fo) ufually takes the oath againft bribery,
and to make a faithful return.
The whole is fettled in a general, but rather
inaccurate way, by an aft. of the 6th of Queen
Ann, c. 6. 5. " The Sheriff of the fliire of
Edinburgh mail, on the receipt of the writ,
dirccled to him, forthwith dirc6l his precept to
the Lord Provoft of Edinburgh, to caufe a bur-
G g 4 gcfs
SCOTCH BOROUGHS.
gefs to be elecled for that city; and on the
receipt of fuch precept, the city of Edinburgh
fhall eleft their member; and their common
clerk fhall certify his name to the fheriff of
Edinburgh, who fhall annex it to his writ, and
return it.
The council by whom the member is clefted
confifts of
A provoft
Four bailies
Dean of guild
Treasurer
Old provoft
Four old bailies
Old dean of guild
Old treafurer
Three merchant counfellors
Two trades counfellors
Six ordinary council deacons
Eight extraordinary council deacons.
Thefe voters are all under the influence of
Mr. Dundas, their prefent reprefentativc. The
enormous patronage yhich this gentleman is
necefTarily in pofleflion of, from the various and
lucrative places which he holds under govern-
ment, infures to him the certainty of fucccfs for
the reprefentation of the city, unattended both
with
SCOTCH BOROUGHS. 457
with the trouble of canvafling, and the expence
of an oppofition to his intereft.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — Thirty-three.
PATRON — Right Hon. Henry Dundas.
DISTRICT I.
This diftrict, of which Dingwall was the pre-
Tiding borough, comprifes alfo Dornoch, Wick,
Kirkwall, and Tain.
At the laft general election, Sir Charles Rofs,
of Balnagown, Bart, was unanimoufly elected to
reprefent them in parliament.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
PATRON — Sir Thomas Dundas.
DISTRICT II.
This diftrifl;, of which Fortrofe was the pre-
fiding borough, comprifes alfo Invernefs, Nairn,
and Forres.
At the laft general election Sir Heftor Monro
was unanimoufly elected to reprefent them in
parliament.
NUMBER OF VOTERS— -FOUR.
DISTRICT
SCOTCH BOROUGHS.
DISTRICT III.
This diftrift, of which Elgin was the prefiding
borough, comprifes alfo Bamff, Cullcn, Kintore,
and Inverary.
At the lafl general election, Alexander Bro-
die, Efq. was unanimoufly elected to reprefent
them in parliament.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
PATRON — Mr. Brodie.
DISTRICT IV.
This diftrift, of which Aberdeen was the pre-
fiding borough, comprehends alfo Montrofe, Brc-
chin, Aberbrothock, and Inverbervie.
At the laft general election there was an op-
pofition for the reprefentation of thefe boroughs
in parliament between Alexander Callender,
Efq. of Crichton, and Sir David Carnegie, of
Southefk. The delegates of Aberdeen, Mon-
trofe, and Inverbervie, voted for Mr. Callender,
and thofe of Brechin and Aberbrothock for Sir
David; when Mr. Callender was elected, and
duly returned.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
DISTRICT
SCOTCH BOROUGHS. 459
DISTRICT V.
This diftri6l, of which Perth was the prefiding
borough, comprifes alfo Dundee, St. Andrew's,
Cupar, and Forfar,,
At the lad general election for thefe boroughs,
a conteft took place between Captain George
Murray, of Pitkeathly, and Captain Colin Camp-
bell, of Carwhin. The commiflioners for Dun-
dee, St. Andrew's, Cupar, and Forfar, voted for
Mr. Murray, and that for Perth for Captain
Campbell ; when Captain Murray was returned
as duly elected.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE..
PATRON — Duke of Athol.
DISTRICT VI.
This diftria, of which Craill was the prefid-
ing borough, comprehends alfo Kilrunny, An-
ilruther Wefter, Anftruther Eafter, and Pit-
tenween.
At the laft general election there was a con-
teft for the reprefentation of thefe boroughs in
parliament, between Sir John Anftruther and
Thomas Erlkiue, Efq. late Britifh Conful at Gou
tenburgh.
SCOTCH BOROUGHS.
tenburgh. The delegates for Anftruther Wefter,
Anftruther Eafter, and Pittenween, voted for
Sir John, and thofe for Craill and Kilrunny for
Mr, Erfkine; whereupon Sir John Anftruther
was returned as duly elected.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
PATRON— -Sir John Anftruther.
DISTRICT VII.
This diftrift, of which Kinghorn was the pre-
fiding borough, comprifes alfo Dyfart, Kirkal-
die, and Burntifland.
At the laft general eleclion there was an op-
pofition for their reprefentation in parliament,
between the Honourable Charles Hope and
John Crawfurd, Efq. of Auchi names. The de-
legates for Kinghorn and Kirkaldie voted for
Mr. Hope, and thofe for Dyfart and Burntifland
for Mr. Crawfurd ; when Mr. Hope was elccled
by the caftingvote of the delegate for Kinghorn,
the returning borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FOUR.
. PATRON — Earl of Hopcton.
DISTRICT
SCOTCH BOROUGHS. 461
DISTRICT yiii.
This diftrift, of which Stirling was the pre-
Tiding borough, comprifes alfo Inverkeithing,
Dunferline, Culrofs, and Oueensferry.
At the laft general election, Sir Archibald
Campbell was elefted without oppofition.
NUMBER -OF VOTERS — FOUR.
DISTRICT IX.
This diftrift, of which Rutherglen was the
prefiding borough, comprehends alfo Glafgow,
Renfrew, and Dumbarton.
At the laft general election, Mr. M'Dowal
was unanimoufly elefted.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FOUR.
DISTRICT X.
This diftrici, of which Jedburgh was the pre-
fiding borough, comprifes alfo Dunbar, North
Berwick, Lauder, and Haddington.
At the laft general election there was .a con-
tcft for their reprefentation between the Honour-
able Thomas Maitland and Colonel Fullarton.
The
4^2 SCOTCH BOROtlGHi.
The delegates for Jedburgh and Haddington
voted for Mr. Fullarton, and thofe for Dunbar,
North Berwick and Lauder for Mr. Maitland ;
whereupon the latter gentleman was returned.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
PATRON — Earl of Lauderdale.
DISTRICT XI.
This diftria, of which Peebles was the return-
ing borough, comprifes alfo Linlithgow, Selkirk,
and Lanerk.
At the laft general eleftion, William Grieve,
Efq. was unanimoufly ele6led.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FOUR.
DISTRICT XII.
This diftri6t, of which Dumfries was the pre-
fiding borough, comprehends alfo Kirkcudbright,
Annan, Lochmaben, and Sanquhar.
At the laft general election there was a con-
teft for their reprefentation in parliament be-
tween Captain Millar, jun. of Dalfwinton, and
Sir James Johnftone. The delegates for Annan
and Lochmaben voted for Sir James, and thofe
for Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and Sanquhar, for
Captain
SCOTCH BOROUGHS. 463
Captain Millar ; whereupon Captain Millar was
returned.
NUMBER OF VOTERS. — FIVE.
PATRON — Duke of Queenfberry.
DISTRICT XIII.
This diftrict, of which Whithorn was the pre-
fiding borough, comprifes alfo New Galloway,
Stranraer, and Wigton.
At the laft general election there was an oppo-
fition for their reprefentation between Lord
Daer and Colonel Balfour. The delegates for
New Galloway and Stranraer voted for Lord
Daer, and thofe for Whithorn and Wigton for
the latter ; when Colonel Balfour was declared
to be duly elected, Whithorn being the return-
ing borough.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FOUR.
PATRON — Earl of Galloway.
DISTRICT XIV.
This diftrift, of which Irvine was the return-
ing borough, comprehends alfo Rothfay, Inve-
rary, Campbellton, and Ayr.
At
464 SCOTCH BOROUGHS.
At the laft general eleftion, the Honourable
Colonel Charles Stuart was unanimoufly ele&ed.
NUMBER OF VOTERS — FIVE.
PATRON — Earl of Bute.
A TABLE
TABLE
OF THE
COUNTIES, CITIES, AND BOROUGHS,
GREAT BRITAIN;
Shewing the Period at which each City and Borough firft
fent Members to Parliament ; the Names of thofe Places
which have loft that invaluable Privilege; the Time that
each of the exifting Boroughs have been deprived of their
exclufive Rights ; and the different Reigns in which they
have been reftored.
N. B. The Names printed in Italic are the obfolete Boroughs.
Counties, Cities, arid
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoued.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
BEDFORDSHIRE.
Dunftable - - - -
4 Edw. II.
n Edw. III.
Bedford - - - -
23 Edw. I.
BERKSHIRE.
Newtury - - - -
30 Edw. I.
nEdw.IIL
Windfor - - - -
Reading - - - -
Wallingford - • -
Abingdon - - -
Ditto
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
1 1 Edw. III.
1 4 Edw. III.
1 2 Edw. III.
7 Edw. IV.
4&5W.&M.
Hh
466
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
\Vhen di (con-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Buckingham - - -
1 1 Ed w. III.
I 2 Edw. II I.
36 II. VIII.
Wyeomb - - - -
28 Edw. I.
1 7 Edw. IV.
33 H. VIII.
Aylelbury - - -
Agmondefham - -
I Mary
28 Edw. I.
2 Edw. II.
21 James I,
Wendover - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Marlow - - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
r/,,
71 Frlw T
27 FrUv TTT
Z^ i-*uW» 1.
2 j Hid W • 1 JL JL .
Wijbeacb - - - -
Cambric! geUniverfity
I James I.
23 Edw. I.
1 7 Edw. IV.
33 H. VIII.
CHESHIRE.
i Edw. VI.
Chefter - - - -
Ditto
COR NWALL.
Pohrun - - - -
ii Edw. III.
I 2 Edw. III.
Launcefion - - -
23 Edw. I.
Leikard - - - -
Ditto
17 Edw. IV.
i Edw. VI.
Leihvithiel - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Truro - - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Bodmin - - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Helfton ....
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Saltafh ....
6 Edw. VI.
Camelford - r -
Ditto
\Vdllooe - - - -
Ditto .
Gnmpound - - -
Kaftlooe ....
Di-.to
14 Edw. III.
1 4 Edw. III.
13 EKz.
Penryn ....
I Mary
Tregoney - - -
Eoflmey ....
23 Edw. I.
6 Edw. VI.
35 Edw. I.
i Eliz.
St. Ives - - - -
4&^P.&M.
Fowcy - - - -
1 4 Edw. III.
1 4 Edw. III.
13 Eliz.
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When nril
fummoned.
When difcon
tinned.
When re-
ftored.
St. Germains
5 Eliz.
St. Michael - - -
6 Ed w. VI
Newport - - - -
Ditto
St. Maw's - -
5 Eliz.
Callington - - -
27 Eliz.
CUMBERLAND.
Egremont - - - -
23 Edw. I.
24 Edw. I.
Carlifle - - - -
Ditto
1 7 Edw. IV.
33 H. Vill.
Cockermouth - -
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
i6Cha. I.
DERBYSHIRE.
Derby ....
Ditto
1 7 Edw. IV.
33 H. VIII.
DEVONSHIRE.
Rradnejbam -
6 Edw. II.
7 Edw. II.
Crediton -
35 Edw. I.
36 Edw. I.
ExtKottth - - - -
1 4 Edw. III.
1 5 Edw. III.
'J remington -
6 Ed w.I II.
7 Edw. III.
IQ J£d\vs J
MoJbtiry -
34 Ed w.I.
35 Edw. I.
Scuth Moulton
30 Edw. I.
3 1 Edw. I.
Teignmoitth -
4 Edw. III.
icEdw.HI.
ftrringte* -
2 3 Ed w.I.
45'Ed.v.UI.
Exeter - -
Ditto
i7Kdw.IV.
i Edw. IV.
Totnefs - - - -
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Plymouth - - - -
26 Edw. I.
7 Edw. II.
o Hen. VI.
Oakhampton - - - \
Barnftaple - - -
Plympton - - -
Honiton - - - -
28 Edw. I.
23 Edw. 1.
Ditto
28 Edw. I.
Ditto
7 Edw iy.
Ditto
4 Edw. II.
6 Cha. I.
i Edw.N I.
Ditto
6 Cha. I.
Tavillock - - -
23 Edw. I.
7 Edw. IV.
i Edw. VI.
Afliburton - - -
26 Edw. I.
8 Hen. IV.
6 Cha. I.
DartFncuth - - -
BerealUon - - -
Ditto
27 Eliz.
7 Edw. IV.
i Edw. VI.
Tivcrton - - - -
1 8 James I.
Hli z
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
DORSETSHIRE.
Elandford . . , .
Winter*
Sberboru ....
Milton
JBere Regis
Porle . . : . .
23Edw. I.
1 1 Edvv. III.
1 4 Ed w. III.
22 Edw. III.
I 2 Edw. III.
42 Edw. III.
3 1 Hen. VI.
Dorch^fter . .
Lyme Regis .
Wey mouth
Melcomb Regis
Bridport . .
Shaftfbury .
\Vareham . .
Corfe Caiile .
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
12 Edw. II.
33 Edw. I.
21 Edw. III.
23 Edw. I.
30 Edw. I.
i4Eliz.
1 7 Edw. IV.
Ditto
i Edw. VI.
Ditto
DURHAM COUNTT.
31 Cha.II.
City of Durham . .
Ditto
ESSEX.
Cbelmsford . . .
n Edw. III.
I 2 Edw. III.
Maiden ....
Harwich ....
Colchefter : . .
2 Edw. III.
i7Edw.III.
23 Edw. I.
18 Edw. III.
1 2 James I,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
' Gloucefter . . .
Cirencefter ...
Tewkcfbury . .
Ditto
13 Eliz.
7 James I.
HAMPSHIRE.
Alresford «...
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
35 Edw. I.
4 Edw. II.
Bafingjlokt . . .
Ditto
Ditto
469
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re.
ftored.
Fareham . . .
34 Edw. I.
36 Edw. I.
Odiham , . .
28 Edw. I.
Ditto
O*verton . .
23 Edw. I,
2 Edw. II.
Winchefter . .
Ditto
Southampton . .
Ditto
Portfmouth . .
Ditto
Yarmouth . . .
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
ay Eliz,
Newport . . .
23 Edw. I.
24 Edw. I.
23 Eliz.
New Town . .
27 EJiz.
Peters field . .
35 Edw. I.
36 Edw. I.
i Edw. VI.
Stockbridge
i Eliz.
Chriftchurch . .
13 Eliz.
Lymington .
Whitchurch . .
27 Eliz.
Ditto
Andover . . .
23 Edw. I,
2 Edw. II.
27 Eliz.
HEREFORDSHIRE,
33 Edw. I.
31 Edw I
Ledbury • • • •
23 Edw. I.
JT •*'juvr» *•
Ditto
Rtf,
33 Edw. I.
Ditto
Hereford ....
23 Edw. I.
Leominfter •
Ditto
Weobly ....
Ditto
i Edw. II.
i j Char. I.
HERTFORDSHIRE.
Berkham/iead . . .
1 1 Edw. III.
1 5 Edw. III.
Storteford ....
4 Edw. II.
Ditto
St. Albans . : .
35 Edw. I.
6 Edw. III.
r Edw. VI.
Hertford ....
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
21 James I.
HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
Huntingdon . . •
23 Edw. I.
( 470 )
Cpunties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
KENT.
Greenwich . . .
Tunbridge ....
4&?P.&M.
23 Edw. I.
6 P. &. M.
24 Edw. I.
Canterbury . . .
Rochefter ....
Maidftone . . .
Queenborough . .
Ditto
Ditto
.Edw. VI.
13 Eliz.
Q^Mary
2 Eliz.
LANCASHIRE;
Manchefter
Commomv.
Lancafter ....
New town ....
Wigan ....
Clitheroe ....
Liverpool ....
Prcfton ....
23 Edw. I.
i Eliz.
23 Edw. I.
i Eliz.
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
5 Edw. III.
36 Edw. I.
35 Edw. I.
2 Edw. II.
I Edw. VI.
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
LEICESTERSHIRE.
Melton Mmvlray »
1 1 Edw. III.
1 2 Edw. III.
. Leicefter ....
23 Edw. I.
LINCOLNSHIRE.
Sp aiding . . ,
Waynfleet ....
1 1 Edw. III.
Ditto
I2Edw.IU.
Ditto
Lincoln ....
49 Hen. III.
1 1 Edw. III.
27 Edw. III.
i Edw. YL
Grimfby ....
Stamford ....
Grantham
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
2 Edw. IV.
ii Edw. III.
Ditto
Ml DDLESEX.
London ....
Weftminfter . . .
49 Hen. III.
i Edw. VI.
.
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
MONMOUTHSHIRE.
Monmouth . . .
Hen. VIII.
NORFOLK COUNTY.
Norwich ....
Lynn Regis .
Yarmouth . . .
Thetford ....
Caftle Rifing . . .
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
Ditto
i Edw. VI.
5 P. & M.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
-
Peterborough .
Northampton
Brackley ....
Higham Ferrers . .
i Edw. VI.
23 Edw. I.
i Edw. VI.
2&3P.&M.
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Bamberg ....
Corbrigg ....
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
Ditto
Newcaftle
Morpeth ....
Berwick ....
i Q. Mary
Hen. VIII.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.
Nottingham
Eaft Retford . . .
Newark ....
9 Edw. II.
29Cha.II,
10 Edw. II.
isEliz.
OXFORDSHIRE.
Eurford ....
Chipping Norton .
Doddington . .
Witnty ....
34 Edw. I.
28 Edw. I.
30 Edw. I.
33 Edw. 1.
35 Edw. I.
34 Edw. I.
Ditto
5 Edw. III.
( 472 )
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fuminoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
Oxford Univerfity .
Citv
James I.
23 Edw. I.
Wooditock . . .
Banbury ....
30 Edw! L
t Mary
34 Edw. I.
I C^Marr
RUTLANDSHIRE.
SALOP COUNTY.
Shrewfbufy .
Bridgnorth
Ludlow . .
Wenlock . .
Bifhop's Caftle
zjEdw. I.
Ditto
12 Edw. IV.
Ditto
15 Eliz.
SOMERSETSHIRE.
Oxbridge ....
Chard
23 Edw. I.
28 Edw. I.
1 7 Edw. III.
3 Edw. III.
Dunfltr ....
Glajlontwy . . .
Langpart ....
Montacute ....
Stoke Carry . . .
Watchet ....
Were
34 Edw. IK.
12 Edw. I II.
33 Edw. I.
Ditto
34.Edw.IIL
30 Edw. I.
34 Edw. I.
23 Edw. I.
35 Edw. III.
13 Edw. III.
36 Edw. I.
34 Edw. I.
35 Edw. III.
3! Edw. I.
36 Edw. I.
Bath
Wells .....
Taur.ton ....
Bridge water . . .
Minehead ....
Ilchefter ....
Milborne Port : .
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
i Eliz.
13 Edw. I.
26 Edw. I.
i2Edw.III.
1 3 Edw. IV.
35 Edw. I.
1 2 Edw. IV
igjac. I.
l5Cha. 1.
STAFFORDSHIRE.
Litchfield ....
33 Edw. I.
27 Edw. III.
Edw. VI.
( 473 )
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
furnmoned.
When difcon-
.tinued.
When re-
ftored.
Stafford ....
23 Edw. I.
Newcallle ....
27F.dvv.IIL
(
Tamworth
5 Eliz.
SUFFOLK COUNJTT.
Ipfwich ....
Dunwich ....
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
Orford ....
Ditto
i Edw. IL
Men. VII.
Aldborough .
Sudbury . . ,
13 Eliz.
i Eliz.
Eye . . .
13 Eliz.
St. Edmondlbury
4 Jac. I.
SURRY COUNTY.
Farnham ....
4 Edw. II.
38 Hen. VL
Kingston upon Thames
Ditto
47 Ed*. III.
South wark
Bletchingley . .
23 Edw. I.
Rygate ...
Guildford . . .
Ditto
Ditto
Gatton . . .
29 Hen. VI.
Haflemere .
27 Eli/.
SUSSEX COUNTY.
Chichefter ....
23 Edw. I.
Horfham . ; . .
Ditto
Medhurit ....
4 Edw. II.
Lewes ' .
23 Edw. I.
New Shorcham .
Ditto
Bramber ....
Ditto
Edw. II.
31 Hen.VL
Steyning ....
Eaft GrinHead . .
4 Edw. II.
i Edw. II.
Ditto
Ditto
Arundel ....
23 Edw. I.
VOL. U.
Ii
( 474 )
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fximmoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
WARWICKSHIRE.
Coventry ....
23 Edw. I.
28 Edw. I.
8 Edw. II.
25 Edw. III.
31 Hen. VI.
Warwick ." . . .
Dirts
WESTMORELAND.
Appleby ....
Ditto
WILTSHIRE.
Bradford ....
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
Mere ...
Ditto
I Edw. II.
Highworth . . .
26 Edw. I.
27 Edw. IV.
Salirtsury ....
23 Edw. I.
Wilton ....
Ditto
Downton ....
Ditto
3 8 Edw. III.
1 Hen. V.
2 Hen. V.
20 Hen. VI.
Hindon ....
27 Edw. VI.
Heytefbury . . .
Ditto
Weftbury ....
Ditto
Calne
23 Edw. I.
I Edw. II.
3 4 Edw. II.
36Edw.III.
2 Rich. II.
Devizes ....
Ditto
20 Edw. II.
4 Edw. III.
Chippenham . . .
Ditto
2 Edw. II.
Ditto
2 Rich. 11.
1 2 Hen. VI.
Malmefbury . . .
Cricklade ....
Ditto
Ditto
i Edw. II.
20 Edw. II.
2 1 Edw. II.
Edw. III.
Rich. II.
I Hen. IV.
9 Hen. V.
Hen. VI.
Great Bed win . .
Ditto
8 Edw. 11.
36 Edw. III.
37 Edw. III.
7 Rich. II.
10 Rich. II.
i Hen. IV.
2 Hen. IV.
o Hen. V.
JLugger&all . . .
23 Edw. I.
4 Edw. II.
i Edw. III.
4Edw.III.
9 Rich. II.
10 Rich. II.
o Hen. V.
Old Sarum . . .
Ditto
24 Edw. 1.
34 Edw. III.
Wotton Ballet . .
2 5 Hen. VI.
Marlborou^h . . .
23 Edw. I.
( 475
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fummoned.
When difcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
WORCESTERSHIRE.
Bromtgro-'ue . .
23 Edw. I.
24 Edw. I.
Dudley
Ditto
I^itto
](.idderminjler ...
Ditto
Ditto
Perfoore ....
Ditto
Ditto
Worcefter ....
Ditto
Droitwich ....
Ditto
5 Edw. II.
Ph. & M.
Eveflham ....
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
i Jac. I.
Bewdley ....
Tac. I.
YORKSHIRE,
Doncafter ....
23 Edw. I.
24 Edw. I.
jfervale ....
Ditto
Ditto
Pickering ....
Ditto
Ditto
Ravenfer ....
33 Edw. I.
1 2 Edw. III.
Tykhull ....
23 Edw. I.
24 Edw. I.
Halifax ....
Commonw.
Whit by . . -. . .
Ditto
Leeds
Ditto
York ......
Ditto
Hull
33 Edw I.
34. Edw. I.
1 2 Edw. IT.
Knarefborough
•Scarborough . .
Rippon ....
33 ^uw' *•
i Mary
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
JT* *-<vl" • •*•
24 Edw. I.
i Edw. II.
2 Edw. II.
Edw. VI.
Heydon ....
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
i Edw. VI.
Boroughbridge . .
Aldborotigh . . .
Malton ....
i Mary
5 Ph. &M.
23 Edw. I.
27 Edw. I.
Cha. II.
Thirfk
Ditto
24 Edw. I.
i Edw. VI.
Beverley ....
Ditto
i Edw. II.
c Eliz.
Northallerton . .
26 Edw. I.
27 Edw. I.
Cha. II.
Pontefraft ....
23 Edw. I.
Ditto
igjac.l.
Richmond . . .
27 Eliz.
( 476 )
Counties, Cities, and
Boroughs.
When firft
fnmmoned.
Whendifcon-
tinued.
When re-
ftored.
CINQUE PORTS.
Haft ings . . . ,
43 Edw. III.
Dover
Ditto
Sandwich ....
Ditto
30 Edw. I.
Hythe
Ditto
i6Edw.lL
New Romney . .
Ditto
19 Edw. 11.
Rye
Ditto
1 8 Rich. II.
Winchclfea . . .
Ditto
20 Rich. II.
Seaford ....
26 Ed\v. I.
27 Edw. I.
i Hen. IV.
31 Edw. I.
i6Car. I.
1 7 Edw. II.
20 Edw. II.
19 Rich. II.
21 Rich. II.
2 Hen. IV.
Calais, in France .
27 H. VIII.
3 P. & M.
WALES.
Twelve Counties . 1
Twelve Boroughs J
z7 H. VJII.
SCOTLAND.
Thirty Counties . 1
Fifteen Boroughs . /
6 Anne
By the above Table it appears, that SEVENTY-ONE Boroughs,
exclufive of Calais in France, which formerly fent members to par-
liament:, are now disfranchifed ; and that boroughs have been cre-
ated and annihilated^, from the reign of Edw. I. to that of Char. II.
at the whim of each fucceHive monarch. We may here be allowed
to ?;fk the enemies of reform, whether the conftitution would re-
ceive a greater injury from the disfranchifemem of Old Sarum,
Gattori, Caitle Rifine, or MidhuHr, than it has at prefent fuflained
from th« difqualification of Leeds or Manchefter ? It furely becomes
necefiary to abolifh the exiting rotten boroughs ; or, according to
the argument of our opponents, to make the conftitution complete,
by reftoring the fcventy-one which have been difcontinued.
CORRECT
CORRECT TABLE
PARLIAMENTARY PATRONAGE.
PATRONAGE OF PEERS.
Kames of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Duke of Norfolk . .
Carlifle . . .
Arundel
Leominfter .
s
Hereford . .
Duke of Richmond
i Seaford . . .
Suflex . . .
\
Chichefter . .
} 3
Duke of Grafton . .
Thetford . .
Bury . . .
2
Duke of Beaufort . .
Monmouthftiire
Gloucefterfhirc
3
Monmouth .
Duke of Bolton . .
Totnefs . . .
i
Duke of Leeds . .
HeWon . . .
1
Penryn . . .
} 3
Duke of Bedford . .
2 Taviftock . .
Bedfordfliire .
Bedford . .
!6
Duke of Devonfhire .
2 Knarelborough
Oakhampton .
Derbyfhire . .
Derby . . .
4
Duke of Marlborough
2 Woodflock . .
I Heytcfbury
Oxfordfhire
Oxford . . .
b
Duke of Rutland . .
i Bramber . .
Gramham .
Scarborough .
Newark . . .
•
Leicelterlhire .
Duke of Ancafter . .
—
Bolton . . .
2
Duke of Portland . .
—
Nottingham (h.
1
Buckinghamlh.
I A
Cumberland .
\ 4
Wigan . . .
1
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Duke of Manchefter .
i HuntingdonSh.
,
DukeofDorfet . .
2 Eaft Grinftead
—
2
Duke of Bridgewater .
Duke of Newcastle .
i Brackley . .
2 Aldborough
i Newark
2
2 Boroughbiidge
i EaftRetford .
J
Duke of Northum- /
2 Launcefton .
i Northumberl.
1
berland . . .\
2 Newport, Corn.
—
J 5
Marquis of Backing- f
ham . . . . L
2 Buckingham .
2 St. Mawes .
i Buckinghamih.
i Aylefbury . .
} 6
Marquis of Lanfdown
Marquis of Stafford .
2,Calne . . .
2 Wycomb . .
i Staffordshire .
, 4
i Litchfield . .
f 4
2 Newcaftle,Staff.
Marquis Townfhend .
i Tarmvorth . .
i
Marquis of Bath . .
2 Weobley
i Bath . . .
3
Marquis Cormvallis .
2 Eye . . . .
—
2
Marquis of Hertford .
z Orford . . .
—
2.
Earl of Derby , . .
—
i Lancafhire . .
I 2
i Prefton , . .
5
Earl of Pembroke . .
z Wilton . . .
2
Earl of Exeter . . .
2 Stamford .
2
Earl of Northampton .
Earl of Weftmoreland
2 Lyme Regis .
i Northampton .
1
2
EarlofThar.et . .
i Appleby . .
—
I
Earl of Sandwich . .
—
i Huntingdonfti.
1
2 Huntingdon .
J J
Earl of Carlifle . .
2 Morpeth . .
—
2
Earl of Shaftefbury .
i Dorcheller . .
—
I
Earl of Berkeley .
—
i Gloucestershire
1
Earl of Abingdon . .
2 Wellbury . .
—
2
Earl Poulet . . .
—
2 Bridgewater .
2
Earl of Oxford . .
i Herefordshire .
T
i Radnorshire .
I 3
i Radnor . . .
J
Earl of Orford . .
i Cattle Rifmg .
—
Eail of Porifmouth
—
i Andover . .
i
Earl of Warwick . .
—
2 Warwick . .
a
Earl Htzwilliam .
2 Malton . . .
2 Peterborough .
\ ,
j Higham Ferrers
—
I *
Earl of Powis . . .
—
i MontgomerySh.
i 2
i Montgomery .
/
Earl of Egremont . .
2 Midhurit . .
•M
Z
( 479 )
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Earl of Guildford . .
i Banbury
I
Earl of Hard wicke
i Ryegate
Cambridgefhire
2
Earl of Darlington
i Winchclfea .
DurhamCounty
2
Earl of Radnor . .
2 Down ton . .
Salifbury . .
3
Earl Spencer . . .
—
Oakhampton .
I 2
St. Alban's
I
Earl Bathurft . . • .
I Cirenceller .
i
Earl of Aylefbury . .
2 Great Bedwin .
—
\ >
2 Marlborough .
—
J 4
Earl of Clarendon
i Wotton Bafiet .
i
Earl of Uxbridge . .
i Milborne Port
i Anglefea .
T ,
i Carnarvon . .
/ 3
Earl of Lonfdale . .
2 Haflemere .
t Cumberland
1
2 Cockermouth .
2 Weftmoreland .
I 8
i Appleby » .
J
Earl Grofvenor . .
—
2 Chefter . . .
Earl Camden . . .
i Bath . . .
i
Earl of Mount Edg- J
cumbe . . . 1
2 Plimpton
2 Leftwithel . .
i Bofiiney
i Fowey . . .
Earl of Beverley . .'
2 Berealfton . .
2
Earl of Dorcheiter
—
i Dorchefler . .
I
Vifcount Bolingbroke
Vifcount Falmouth .
r St. Michael's .
i Wotton Bafiet .
2 Truro . .
I
3
Vifcount Sydney . .
i Whitchurch
—
i Luggerfhall .
—
J *
Lord Petre . .
__
Thetford
t
Lord Crav«n .
Berk (hire
Lord Onflow .
Guildford
i
LordWalpjle .
—
Lynn .
Lord Pelham .
Suflex .
1
Lewes .
I 2
Lord Bute . .
i Boffiney . .
Cardiff .
J
z
Lord Brownlow
—
Grantham
i
Lord Rivers .
—
Dorfetfliire
i
Lord Harrowby
Tiverton . .
2
Lord Foley
Droitwich , .
__.
2
Lord Dynevor .
—
i Carmarthenfh.
I
Lord Grantley
—
i Guildford . .
I
Lord Camel ford
Old Sarum . .
'
Z
Lord Eliot . . .
Liflceard . .
Grampound
2 St. Germain's .
-
6
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Lord Bulkeley . ' . .
Lord De'avaf . . .
Lord Malmefbury
Lord Grimftone . .
Lord Somers .
I Beaumaris .
i Chriftchurch .
i Ryegate . .
i Carnarvonfhire
i Berwick . .
i St. Alban's
2
I
I
Vifcountefs Irvine
2 Horfham . .
—
2
Total number of Members returned by Peers . .
'95
PATRONAGE OF COMMONERS.
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Tot.-.l
W.Drake, Efq. . .
2 Agmondefham
2
P. C.Crefpigny.Efq.
Jofhua Iremonger, Efq.
Sir Robert Pafke . .
2 Aldboro', Suff .
i Afhburton . .
2 Sudbury
i Andover . .
4
1
Earl of Lifburne . .
i Berwick . .
1
C. A. Pelham, Efq. .
2 Grimfby . .
i Beverley . .
3
Lord Weikote . .
i Kcwdley . .
—
i
Lord Clive ....
2 Bifhop's Caitle
i Ludlour . .
3
Sir Robert Clayton .
2 B loth ing ley
—
2
George Hunt, Kfq.
—
i Bodmyn
I
SirH.G. Calthorpe .
i Brambec
i Hindon
2
Sir Charles Morgan .
— .
i Moniuouthiliire
}
i Breconfhir^
r 3
i Brecon .
J .
The. Wh'itmore, Efq.
—
i Br'd^enorth
i
Charles Sturt, Efq.
—
i Bridport
i
— — Trefufis, Efq.
2 Callington . .
—
\ t
i Aihburton .
—
/ 3
John Mortlake, Kfq. .
2 Cambriilgc
bir Jonathan Phillips .
2 Camel ford .
—
2
B. Howard, Efq. . .
i C.iitk Riling .
—
I
Sir S. B. Fludycr . .
—
i Chippcnliam
I
James Dawkins, Efq.
—
i Chippcnham .
I
George Rofe, Efq.
i Chriflchurch .
—
I
481
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Thomas Lifter, Efq. .
i Clitheroe . .
I
P. A. Curzon, Efq. .
i Clitheroe . .
!
John Bond, Efq. . .
i CorfeCaftle .
I
Henry Bankes, Efq. .
i CorfeCaftle .
—
I
Edmund Baftard, Efq.
—
2 Dartmouth .
2
T. W. Coke, Efq. .
_
i Derby . . .
1
James Sutton, Efq,
2 Devizes
2
Sir Jofhua Vannfcck .
i Dunwich . .
—
I
Miles Barne, Efq. .
i Dunwich .
I
J. Buller, Efq. . .
2 Eaft Looe . .
}
2 Weft Looe . .
\ 6
2 Saltafti . . .
—
j
Sir Francis Buller . .
___
i Totnefs ; .
Sir Charles Davers
' —
i Bury . . .
Sir John Rufhout . .
—
i Eveftiam
Philip Raftilcigh, Efq.
Robert Ladbroke, Efq.
i Gatton . . .
i Fowey . . .
Wm. Currie, Efq. .
i Gatton . . .
__
John RoUinfon, Efq. .
2 Harwich . ,
Edw. Milward, Efq. .
2 Haftings . .
—
LordMilford . . .
.
i Haverford Weft
Baron Dimfdale . .
i Hertford . .
Beilhy Thompfon, Efq.
—
i Hey don .
P. W. A. A' Court, Efq.
i Heytefbury . .
—
Wm. Beckford, Efq. .
i Hindon
Sir Geo. Yonge . .
i Honiton . .
—
Sir C. F. RadclifFe .
—
i Hythe . . .
Wm. Evelyn, Efq. .
—
i Hythe . . .
R.Troward, Efq. . .
2 Ilchefter . .
—
Wm. Prsd, Efq. . .
2 St. Ives . . .
—
Alderman Harley .
__
i Leominfter . .
Tho. Anfon, Efq.
—
i Litchfield . .
Everit, Efq.
i Luggerfliall
—
Sir Harry Burrard .
2 Lymington
—
I. H. Strutt, Efq. . .
i Maldon
—
C. C. Weftern,Efq. .
i Maiden
—
Wilkins, Efq. .
Tho. Williams, Efq. .
W. Lee Antonie, Efq.
2 Malmfbury .
i Marlow .
i Marlow
—
Sir Francis Baflet . .
-
i St. Michael's .
\
i Peary n . . .
I
W.C.Meddlvcott.Efq.
i Milborne Port .
—
I. F. Luttrell, Efq. .
2 Minehead . .
—
Rev. L. T. Holmes .
2 Newport, Hants
—
\
i Yarmouth.Hant
—
/
VOL. II.
Kk
Xames of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
J. C. C. Jervois, Efq.
i YarmouthjHant
I
T. P. Leigh, Efq. .
2 Newton, Lanca.
—
2
Sir John Barington
i Newton, Hants.
—
Sir R. Worfley . .
i Newton, Hants.
—
Henry Peirfe, Efq. .
t Northallerton .
—
Edw. Lafcelles, Efq. .
i Northallerton .
—
Hugh Barlow, Efq. .
—
i Pembroke . .
Wm. Jolliffe, Efq. .
2Petersfield . .
—
B. Lifter, Efq. . .
'
i Poole . . .
J. Jeffrey, Efq. . .
i Poole . . .
Sir John Carter :
2 Portfmouth
2
Sir Tho. Dundas .
2 Richmond « .
—
2
Sir Edw. Deering
2 Romney
—
2
Tho. Lamb, Efq. . .
2 Rye . . . .
—
2
P. Stephens, Efq. . .
_-
z Sandwich .
2
Lord Mulgrave . .
i Scarboro' . .
—
I
Rt.Hon, T. Pelham .
i Seaford . .
—
1
Paul Benfield, Efq. .
,
2 Shaftefbury
2
Sir John Honeywood
T. F. Barham, Efq. .
2 Steyning
2 Stockbridge .
—
2
2
Robert Peele, Efq. .
i Tamworth . .
—
I
Sir B. Hamet . . .
— _
2 Taunton . .
2
Sir T. Frankland . .
2 Old Thirflce .
2
Richard Barwell, Efq.
2 Tregoney . .
—
"1
i Winchelfea .
—
J
Sir F. Sykes . . .
2 Wallingford .
2
John Calcraft, Efq. .
2 Wareham .
—
2
Clem. Tudway, Efq. .
—
I Wells . . .
I
Wm. Pulteney, Efq. .
2 Wey mouth
i Shrewfbury
"1
2 MelcombeReg.
—
J ->
T. B. Church, Efq. » .
Cecil Forefter, Efq. .
2 Wendover . .
i Wenlock . .
z
2
I
Sir H. Bridgeman
i Wenlock . .
—
"!• a
i Wigan . . .
—
J '
Vifcount Middleton .
i Whitchurch
—
Richard Gamon, Kfq.
—
Winchefter
i
Henry Penton, Efq. .
—
Winchefter
i
Sir W.W.Wynne .
—
Denbighfhire .
Flint . . .
2
R. Middleton, Efq. .
—
Denbigh . .
i
Mrs. Allanfon . . .
2 Ripon . ; .
—
2
Total number of Members returned by
Commoners . .
'55
( 483 )
PATRONAGE OF THE TREASURY.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
2 Queenborough
i Dover . .
2
I
r Rochefter . .
I
2 Plymouth . .
2
2Windfor . .
2
Total number of Members returned by the Treafury
Total fent by Peers, Commoners, and the Treafury
SCOTLAND.
PATRONAGE OF PEERS.
358
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Total
Duke of Hamilton
Lanerk C. . .
\
Renfrew C. .
) *
Duke of Bucclcugh .
Duke of Gordon . .
—
Berwickshire .
Aberdeen . .
I
Bamff C. . .
3
Invernefs C. .
Duke of Queenlbury .
—
Dumfries C. .
Roxburgh C. .
3
Dumfries B.
Duke of Argyle . .
Duke of Athol . .
—
Argyle C. . .
ForfarC. . .
Perth C. . .
3
Perth B. . .
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influences.
Tota
Countefs of Sutherland
i Sutherland C. .
I
Earl of Eglintoune
—
i AyrC. . . .
1
i Peebles C. . .
|
Earl of Galloway . .
—
i Kirkndbright .
i Orkney
i Wigtoun
i Whitehorn B. .
i
Earl of Hadington
Earl of Lauderdale .
—
i Hadington C. .
i Jedburgh B. .
Earl of Elgin . . .
—
i Elgin C. .
Earl of Leven , . .
—
i Kinrofs C. . .
Earl of Dundonald .
—
i Sterling B.
Earl of Bute . . .
_-
i Bute C. . .
\ !
i Irvine B.
;
Earl of Hopeton . .
_
i Linlithgow C.
i
i Kinghorn B.
J '
Earl of Fife . . .
— -
i Fife C. . .
i
Total patrona
1C
PATRONAGE OF COMMONERS.
Names of Patrons.
Nominations.
Influence.
Total
Sir John Sinclair . .
i CaithnefsC. .
I
William Pulteney,Efq.
Lord F. Campbell .
—
i Cromarty C. .
i Dumbarton C. .
I
Rt. Hon. H. Dundas .
Sir Thomas Dundas .
~
i Edinburgh C. .
i Edinburgh City
i Stirling C.
}*
I 2
Alexander Brodie, Efq.
_
i Dingwall B. .
i Elgin B. . .
J 2
1
Sir John Anftruther .
—
i Craill B. . .
__ I
Total patronage of Commoners
9
N. B. All the Members for Scotland arc fent to Parliament under
the influence of Individuals, though the Author has not been able to
procure the names of all the Patrons ; which makes the total number,
fent under the influence of Proprietors of Boroughs and Patrons, to be
430.
-
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