HISTORY BOROUGHS GREAT BRITAIN. [CnttteD at Stationers fiatt.l JuJI publi/hedy Price One Shilling, A CORRECT TABLE OF THE PRESENT PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION OF GREAT BRITAIN. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE BOROUGHS. A Lift of the Members, Number of Voters, and Right of Election, in each City and Borough; Returning Officers ; when firft imprivi- leged to fend to Parliament; with the Names of the Patrons or Proprietors who influence the Return of the Members. PRINTED FOR B. CROSBY, NO. 4, STATIONER? COURT. ENTIRE AND COMPLETE HISTORY, POLITICAL AND PERSONAL, OF THE BOROUGHS OF GREAT BRITAIN; TOGETHER WITH THE C I NQU EPORTS. THE SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND IMPROVED. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I. LONDON: ^HINTED FOR. B. CKOSBY, VO. 4, STATIONER^ COURT, LUDCATE STREET. M. fcCC.XCIV. v, PREFACE. T, HE abufe of the reprefentatlon of the people in par- liament being fo great as to have imprefled all parties and profeflions, with a convi&ion of a reform being indifpenfable, fuggefted the idea of publishing this Hiflory of the Boroughs of Great Britain. The limi- ted right of eleclion in corporations ; the inconfiftency of the principles on which it is granted in different bo- roughs ; the abfurdity of reprefenting places, where the reprefented are not to be found ; the equivocal determinations refpeling voters, and the arbitrary nature of thus fecluc'ing all towns from a fhare in the Irgiflature, unlefs admitted by an exclufive charter, or aft of parliament ; are greivances that have been long feltj but never yet particularly afoertained. Thefe great abufes have come before the houfe of Commons and committees, in various fhapes of complaint, and in publifhed cafes, that have done their learned editors the greateft honour ; but they have nerer yet been fyftemati- cally i v PREFACE. cally collected. As the grievances occurred, and they were prefented to parliament for redrefs, they have been publifhed ; but as they are fcattered in the works of diffe- rent writers, the information of conftitutional abufc \vhichthey afford, is too divided for the mind to form a complete idea of its aggregate enormity. Although the cafes of Glanville, Douglas, Luders, and Frafer, are the bell of references for the learned profeflion, and for members of the ligiflature, in all circumftances relating to election conteft, yet, for the public in general, they are too abftract, copious, and unconnected. It was therefore our defign to collect the variety of thefe abufcs, in our reprefentation into as obvious, diftinct, and concife a view, as the great extent of the fubject would pollibly admit. Cafes upon material points are ftated, but as briefly as the importance of the matter would permit. Where the pleadings of counfel have illuftrated great points in corporation and tenure law, they are inferted as much in detail as the limits of the work would allow ; but, when they have appeared lefs material, they have rejected, not as being fuperfluous, but to afford room for matter more immediately neceflary. Having, as above, ftated in what manner we have availed ourfelves of the different cafes publifhed refpec- ting electing contefts, it maybe ncceflary to fay a fevr words on the means we have taken to render the Hiftory of the Boroughs as ufeful to the public in general, as it may have appeared defireable to particular individuals. AJ PREFACE. T As it was not intended to ferve political partie?, flatter corporations, or fupport corruption, but to inform the nation of the nature of the grievances fo necefTary to remove, the greateft pains have been taken, firft, toafcer- our rights, and then impartially to ftate their infringement?. As a work of reference, we have arranged, in diftinft heads, whatever relates to each borough refpedtively, as local information may be neceflary to fuch as may have an individual intereft or concern in any of the counties, cities, or boroughs. The firft eftablifhment, alternation, and conftitutionof evry town corporate, original repre- fentation, right of election, mode of corrupting voters, their number, returning officers, patrons, and political character, are given with every attention to correct erro- neous ftatements, and to afford an explicit, accurate, and and impartial view of borough-reprefentation. And to render the work as in terefling as poflible, the moft re- markable political cafes and occurenccs relative to the counties, cities, &c. are added to fuch as they concern. Crew's Hiftory of Boroughs being too voluminous for the public in general, and Willis's Notliia Pariiamen- tarla being too concife, erroneous, and deficient, to afford fatisfaclion for political enquiry, we have endeavoured to fupply the defects of -the latter, without being guilty of the prolixity of the former. To avoid the confufion arifing from the manner in which Willis has related different heads in one fhort paragraph, we have made diftind titles to each fubjeft of a borough, and which are didinguifhed by fmall capitals. By this means, whatever relates ^4 PREFACE* related to the refpe&ive fpccies of corporation and elec- tion information, may he feen, with the greateft facili- iy, under the heads of. 1. POLITICAL CHARACTER* 2. CORPORATION. 3- RiCHT OK ELECTION. 4. NUMBER OF VOTERS. 5- RETURNING OFFICERS. 6. PATRON. The firft head contains thofe circumftanccs of in- dependence or fubjecYion, which characterize every borough, from its being prefcriptive or corporate, free or dependent on arittocracy, or having its eledlive franchifes limited to a few, or extended to the com- munity. The fecond contains the date and conftitution of every charter, by which every corporate city and borough were verted with thefe exclufiue privileges. The municipal officers are particularifed, and any parliamentary decifion dated, that materially relates to the privileges or the ftabli(hment in any of the faid cities or boroughs. The P R E A C E, VJif The third contains all the refolutions, and the moft important cafes that have patted the houfe, or committees, relative to the right of voting. v Where no refolution has patted the houfe refpedting elective franchife, the right, as practifed and acknowledged, is inferted. la this part, we have had occafion to correct many errors that have efcaped many authors who have written on elections. The fourth contains the number of voters, afcertained moftly from perfonal experience, and fome from a fight of the refpective poll-books, We therefore hope, in this eflential part of election information, to receive that confidence it was our anxious efforts to deferve. The fifth contains the returning officer in each city and borough ; and as material influence has attached to the department of this office, in elections, the greatefl care has been taken to (late in whom the power is verted. The fixth contains the name of that perfon or perfons, who from feudal eftablifliment, perfonal acquaintance, minifterial connexion, or landed property in the vicinity, has that influence, which, from the obedience it com- jnands from obfequious voters, is termed elective patronage. CONTENTS. VOL. I. PJ ft Page INTRODUCTION. CHESHIRE. Chefter County . 46 BEDFORDSHIRE. Chefter City . : . 50 Bedford County i Bedford Town . '* CORNWALL. BERKSHIRE. Cornwall County . . 63 Berks County 10 Saltafti . ib. Abingdon 1 1 St. Michael, or Mitchell . 78 Reading ; 13 Helfton 83 Wallingford . 15 St. Ives . 86 New Windfor . 1 6 Tregony . 9* Truro ... . 94 Penryn . 96 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Buckingham County 19 Boffiney, alias Tintagel . ior Buckingham . . 25 Leftwithiel . 103 Aylefbury . . . . 27 St. Mawes . 105 Great Marlow . .' . 33 Camelford . . 1 06 Wendover 34 Callington . 108 Agmondefham . 38 Eaft Looe . . 109 High Wycomb 39 Weft Looe . 110 Launcefton . I 12 Newport . . "3 CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Grampound . . . 114 Cambridge County . 41 St. Germains . 116 Cambridge 43 Lifkard, or Leflcard . . 117 Cambridge Univerfity 45 Bojinin . 119 CONT E NTS. Page Page CUMBERLAND. Warehim . . ' . . 212 Cumberland County . . 120 Corfe Caftle . 21 J Carlifle ib. Poole . . 217 Cockermouth . . . 125 DURHAM. DERBYSHIRE. Durham County . *239 Derby County . . . 127 Durham City . *z 44 Derby . . . . 128 ESSEX. DEVONSHIRE. Eflex County . 233 Devon County . '33 Colchefler 234 Exeter 1 35 Maiden . 247 Tiverton .... '37 Harwich . . . . 250 Dartmouth H3 Afhburton .... 146 Oakhampton, or Okehamp- GLOUCESTERSHIRE . 252 ton .... 148 Gloucefter County . 253 ' Berealfton J54- Glouceftcr . 254 Plymouth .... 158 Cirenceiler .256 Totnefs '63 Tewkefbury . 258 Plympton .... 16; Taviftock 1 66 Barnftaple .... 168 HAMPSHIRE. Honiton . 171 Hants County . 259 Portfmouth . 260 Southampton . 265 DORSETSHIRE. Stockbridge . 269 Dorfet County . . 174 Chriftchurch . . 277 Dorchsfter .... '75 Lymington . 279 Lyme- Regis . 181 Yarmouth, Ifle of Wight . 281 Weymouth and Mdcotnbe- Newton, or New town . 284 Regis 189 Newport . . . 287 Bridport . ... 192 Winchefter . . 291 Shaftefbury . . . 196 Andover . . 293 CONTENTS. Page Page Whitchurch 296 Clitheroe : 346 Petersfield .... 297 Wigan . . . 347 Newton .... 348 HEREFORDSHIRE. Hereford County 303 LEICESTERSHIRE. Hereford . . . 34 Leicefter County 349 Leominfter 305 Leicefter Town 35 Weobley .... 308 LINCOLNSHIRE. HERTFORDSHIRE. Lincoln County . . : 35* Hertford County 3 11 Line )ln City . ib. Hertford Town . . . 3'2 Grantham 354 St. Albans . 3 1 4 Stamford . 35? Great Grimfby 358 Bofton . 359 HUNTINGDONSHIRE. Huntingdon County 316 Huntingdon 3'9 MIDDLESEX. Middlefex County 361 London . 380 KENT. Weaminfter 384 Kent County 3 2 ' Rochefter .... 326 Canterbury 327 MONMOUTHSHIRE. Maidftone . - . 328 Monmonth County . . 402 Queenbo rough . 33 Monmouth Town 403 LANCASHIRE. NORFOLK. Lancafter County 336 Norfolk County 404 Lancaster . . 338 Norwich . . 405 Prefton .... 34 Yarmouth .... 406 Liverpool 342 ThetforJ 408 CONTENTS. Caftle Rifing Lynn Page 409 , 411 NORTHUMBERLAND. Northumberland County . 415 Newcaftle-upon-Tyne .418 Morpeth . . '.421 Berwick-upon- Tweed . 4241 Page NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Northampton County . 426 Northampton Town . .427 Peterborough City . . 430 Brackley . '. .433 Higham-Ferrers . . 434 INTRO- INTRODUCTION. pREVIOUS to giving an hiftorical detail of the parliamentary abufes ariling from the corrupt flate of borough reprefentation, it is neceflary to eftablifh the free principle of our legiflation. Be- fore the fources and ftreams of oppreflion arc traced, our original right fhould be afcertained. It is impoflible to know the extent of an evil, but by comparing it with the bleffing it either injures or deftroys. Nor can the cure be effected without confidering the conftitution of the patient. Thus, in all political as well as phyiical grievances, we fhould recur to the original nature of the conftitu- tion, before we even fugged, and much lefs apply, the remedy. By too hafty a defire to reform, de- ftruction may cnfue. To allay, therefore, the heat of party, to prepare the public mind for deliberate inveftigation, and to prove that our liberties may be renovated without the deftruftion of the confli- tution or perfonal facrifice, is the immediate b purpofc 5 1-VTRODUCTION purpofe of our prefent enquiry into the firftcfta- blimment of our liberties, by a free, equal, and en- tire reprefentation of the people. Parliament is derived from Parlement, which is the name the Normans gave to our national aflemblies. The word irfelf being derived from parler, i. e. to fpeak, implies an affembly appro- priated for fpeaking, or debating. And as it was, and is fummoned by writs from the king, pro quibus, arduis & urgent i fas ncgotiis nos t ftat. & df- fenfionem reginojlri& ecdef. Anglic. concernent > upon- fome arduous and urgent bufirtefs concerning the king, ftate and defence of the kingdom and efta- blimed church, it is evident the intention of par- liament is to collect the fenfe of the people on what relates, not only to the king but to their own temporal and eternal welfare. Parliament, according 'to that great fecretary and privy counfellor, Sir Thomas Smith, ha* power to repeal old laws, and toeftablim new ; to regulate times prefent and future ; to decide on all matters of property ; to legitimate the fpurious ; to eftabliih public worfhip ; to determine the royal fucceflian ; to decide on all controvertiet without appeal, where there is no other law to judge ; to levy taxes ; to pardon offenders ; ta fupport the opprcflrd, and to punifh the oppref- for; INTRODUCTION'. 9 for; to difpenfe life and death; and, in a word, to perform whatever could be done by the ccmifia cenluriata or tribumlia> i. e. all the people of Rome. The above is their active power. Their confti- tuent power, according to the fame authority, con- (ifts in every Englishman, from the prince to the peafant, and of whatever ftate, dignity, or qua- lity, poflcfling the right of being prefent in par- liament either in perfon or by procuration or attorney ; and the confent of the parliament is understood to be every man's confent. By the privileges of parliament, we mean the free, uninfluenced, and uncontroulcd exercife of that power with which they are inverted by their conftituents. It is not meant here to efta- blifh that abufe of the lex et confuetudo parliament!, by which they have feen them arrogate privileges, neither granted by the people, or even fanctioned by the conflitution. For, certainly, Burgh is juft in obferving, that to protect, exclude and expel their own members ; to decide their own caufes ; profecute, arreft, imprifon, reprimand, or fine their employers at their arbitrary pleafure, is trampling on MagnaCharta and the Bill of Rights. The chief andmoft facred privileges of the com- mons is that which fecures them from the power of the crown. Keeping this privilege inviohCc b 2 prefervcs IS INTRODUCTION. preferves the independence of parliament, and, confequently, the freedom of the conftitution. And, as one effectual means of fecuring this pri- vHege, the commons, A. D. 1541, protected themfelves from arreft for debt by writ from the fpeaker, which was done before by a writ from the chancellor. Had they been at the mercy of cre- ditors, arrefting them might have been ufed as a frate-engine to prevent their attendance in parlia- ment, when their prefence was indifpenfibly necef- fary to guard the rights of their condiments. But although the power and privilege of our reprefen- tatives have been defcribed as almoft illimitable, yet they are as amenable to the laws, as any other fubject of the realm, in what relates to felo- ny, breach of the peace, or treafon. No aflump- tion of privilege can fhield them from the profecu- tion they may, in either of the above inftances, provoke. Inanfwer to fuch as aflert, that the commons of England were no part of the ancient Commune Concilium before the 49th of Henry the Third, and that it was the .c introduced by rebellion, it will be here endeavoured to prove, that tineMickle- gemotc, Wittena-gemotey Ccmmutii Concilium, Baronai- gum Augli rule tby kingdom of Britain. And as a farther evidence that the Britons had not only political, but municipal laws, Bcde fays, there ivere in Britain twenty-eight cities > formerly the moft diftingitifbed, befidcs innumem- lle c a files that were defended by ivalh t toivtrs> pCrts, and barred gates. THIS authority demonflrates, that they were not then an itinerant people, as fome have ima- gined, wandering in tribes without government, or fettled habitations. On the contrary, they are thus proved to have made fuch confidera- .blc progrefs in civilization, as to have formed a b 3 government, 12 INTRODUCTION. government, eftablifhed communities, and to have fortified themfelves by caftles, like every other country in whieh civil fociety has been eftablifh- ed ; for, whenever focial compacts raife an idea of property, caftles are generally built for its de- fence. The Saxon exercife of conftituting their witiena- gemotes and mickle-gemotes> which were fub verted by the feudal tenures, eftablifhed by the Normans, was only a continuance of the fafr-y-thm, or po- pular affemblies of the Britons, as improved by their intercourfe with the Romans ; their own cuftoms of forming laws by general councils being congenial with thofe they found in their newly acquired territory, they had only to change their name and not their nature. Thus was the Britifh appellation of their public meetings altered to that of the Saxon. The aflembly of the people them- felves, was called, as before obferved, the mick/f- gcmole, the council of the many. And the Aflembly of the reprefentatives, was called the Tvittena-gemote y the council of the prudent 1 The honourable epithet attached to the latter popular meeting, proves that prudence was the firft and moft effential qualification of a Saxon reprefenta- tive. DURING the Saxon heptarchy, we have fcveral inftanccs INTRODUCTION. jj tnftance recorded of thefc wittcna-ge motes be- ing held for the enacting of laws, regulating pub- lic concerns, and advifing on every matter rela- tive to the whole community. THE property of the land was certainly the unalienable right of that whole collective body of freemen which compofed the armies of our Saxon conquerors. Each foldier was not only a voluntary aflbciate, but a co-partner in the ha- zard of their lives, and confequently the reward in attending their victories. Although, under a general commander, they were equally free and independent with himfelf, and had as juft a claim to their portion of the conquered lands as their leader. For their wars were not under- taken, like thofe of modern date, at the caprice or ambition of one man, or rather monfter, who thus facrijfices for a whim, and fometimes even for the extemion of tyranny, millions of lives and treafure, before his fanguinary thirft is fated. Enured to toil, hardfhip, and' necefTity, war was their profeffion, which Simulated them to the conqueft of countries where nature, more boun- teous than in their own> invited their fettlcment ; thus all had one common danger and interefl. Engaged in the fame enterprize, they claimed and fiiarcd 14 .INTRODUCTION. fhared the fame emoluments as their generals, ex- cept the latter having a greater portion according to their refpcctive ranks. The general, afiifted by the princes and chief-officers, divided, therefore, the conquered land into as many portions as there were corps of different provinces among the victors. Thefe portions were fubdivided among the feveral families and individuals com- pofing each corps, according to their merit, dig- nity, and neceffity. Thus every tribe held his pofTeffion independent of the reft, except being fubjecl to the fame. civil government which they had brought with them from Germany. The larger divifions conftituted the pagi % and the lefler formed fo many trithings, hundreds and ty things, each under its own ealdorman, or proper officer, from the regiments being com- pofed of fuch proportionate diftincT: numbers as' tens, hundreds, and thoufands. For, in their military expeditions, the forces of every province always marched and fought by themfelves. And each tribe, or provincial force, is defcribed to have been regularly divided into diftincl corps of ten, a hundred, and a thoufand men. To this constitution of their armies, and the confc- quent fubdivifion of the lands they acquired by conqucfts, may be attributed the origin of dividing INTRODUCTION. 1$ dividing our {hires and counties into thofe di- viiions which feem to have been falfely attribu- ted to the regulation of Alfred. That it was a German inftitution, appears from the fame divi- fion of lands being made in other countries, where thofe northern warriors eflablifhed thern- felves. For ty things and hundreds were not only- known in Italy, but are recorded to have been there long before the days of Alfred. It being one of the chief objects of this work, to afcertain the rights we poiTeiTed by the firft eftablimment of our government, it is neceffary to prove that copyholders, who are fo numerous, and a refpeclable body in this country, have an equal claim to elective franchife with a freeholder. Thofe being reftorcd this right, would renovate an effential part of the conftitution, which has fallen a prey to arbirrary power, and infidious corruption. By admitting copyholders to vote for members of parliament, would extend the fpu rit of juftice and freedom to a large and deferv- ing part of the community. Having no friend to vindicate their rights, they have been left to wither on the wafte of oppreflion. But, like the vigorous products of nature, they have not only borne the bhft of the defert, but have even grown to a greater height than many that have c been l6 , INTRODUCTION. been matured in a more genial foil and climate. This body of people having, therefore, rifen to be pofleffors of confidcrable property, to vindi- cate their privileges, it is prefumed, will be no uninterefling endeavour; and to prove they have the claim of being reprefented, arguments will be drawn from law, rcafon, andjuftice. IK thefirft eftablifhmeni of our laws, the pof- fdTors of land were necefiarily the only freemen, from there being no other fpecies of property that could entitle the owner to a right of being confulted in what related to its protection. War and agriculture, as before obferved, were their only avocations, and therefore land conftituted the holder as the only perfon polTeffed of civil and political liberty. Commerce, not having then created the variety of other property it has fmce the chartering of boroughs, there were no other owners of poflfeflion to claim the privileges of freemen. But furely this could not juftly pre- clude all other perfons, but freeholders, from having their acquifitions protected by a mare in their legiflature? Had this been the principle of the government, no perfon would ever have been induced to leave the plough or the fword, by which they could only maintain their freedom. Knowing trade and arts would render them little better INTRODUCTION. J-7 better than bond-men, commerce and manufac- tures would never have been eftablifhed. Grant- ing charters, beftowing markets, and incorpora- ting towns for the encouragement of trade, would never have ftimulated the artizan to profecute his induftry, had he known his acquifitions, from not being freeholds, deprived him of a freeman's inheritance. But the principle of the Saxon government being liberty, founded onjufticeand true policy, all the inhabitants of boroughs, un- lefs bondmen or villeins, were admitted as Mem- bers of their tithing-courts, which were not on- ly judicial, but legiflative, as far as the welfare of the refpeclive decenaries required. The by- laws that were made in thefe courts, as well as in the hundreds, tythings, and county courts, prove they w'ere legiflative. The inhabitants, therefore, of thefe fmall diviiions, being their own/eprefen- tatives, prove that every houfe-holdcr, whether pofTefTing land or other property, exercifed the privileges of a freeman in the greateft extent. All tenants, or holders of landed property, have a conftitutional claim to the right of legif- lation. It is not intended to fupport the claims of charter againft the common rights of man, but to vindicate conftitutional privilege againft arbi- trary infringement. ACCORDING to what has been traced of our an- 4 cient iS INTRODUCTION. cicnt government, every perfon who was not ab- folutely a bondman, not only had, but exercifed, the franchife of a citizen. The whole kingdom being divided intotythings which were compofed often families, who were pledges to each other of their being qualified, as well for maring in the common privileges of thefe communities, as of their honefty and integrity, included every often- fible houfeholder as eligible to fhare in thelegif- lation and jurifdiction of his refpective fociety. And as thefe ty things were the original boroughs, every inhabitant, who was a member of thefe decenaries, was not the elector, but the reprefen- tative of himfclf and family in the tything court where bye or borough laws were made, for the welfare and protection of thefe fmall focieties. No charter was required to give them rights to the exclufion of others equally defer ving of a citizen's privileges with thcmfelves. To be free and honeft, were then the only claims that enti- tled them to franchife. And as thefe divifions were the ancient boroughs, the head of each tything was called, as before obferved, a borfholder or head of the borough. Thefe chiefs of the diftricT: were, even in the time of the Normans, the barons who w cin to the general aflembly of the ftate. Thus INTRODUCTION. 19 Thus every freeman, from every ty thing, had right to be prefent in this fovereign council. No charter or corporation reftraints fettered this common privilege ; neither the chance of birth, power of purchafe, flavery of feptenniel fervice, intereft of marriage, or favour of redemption, ac- quired the right. It was a general blefling dif- penfed to all that were pofTefTed of property and probity : nor was this right of voting controuled by qualification ; for it was not confined to the quantity or quality of the pofTefTion. Every freemen who had an intereft in the government, either with refpect to the fecurity of his perfon, or the prefervation of his property, claimed and enjoyed his (hare of the legiflature. Enfranchifecl copyholders had equally a right of legiflation with the freeholder, and every member of a tything or borough, without diftinction, claimed the fame privilege. FROM the many definitions that have been given of boroughs, arguments have been falfdy drawn to fupport the prefent fyftem of their ex- clufive reprefentation againft the conftitutional right of every other town, village, hamlet, and houfe in the kingdom. But that which has given the greateft fanclion to this partial abufe, or rather 2O. rather pcrverfion of the ancient government, i* the falfe explanation which Coke has given on Lyttleton's chapter of Burgage tenure. Coke, in his notes, fays, that fuch a town is called a borough, becaufe it fends burgefTes to parlia- ment. This has, therefore, induced the parti- zans of limited reprefentation to affert, on this learned gentleman's authority, that no town but what is called a borough, ought to fend mem- bers to parliament. The name itfelf, they fay, is an evidence of this exclufive right being confined to fuch boroughs ; for had other towns the fame right, they would have been called boroughs. Eager to feize the lead fupport to their abitrary fyftem, they adopt abfurdity for propriety, inconfiftency for reafon, and falfehood for truth. Had they not been fo premature in producing this authority, they would have feen that, inftead of towns being called boroughs, from fending burgefles to parliament, burgefles are fo called from being chofen to reprefent bo- roughs. But this lap/us plum* of Coke is after- ward compenfated by the evidence he gives of thefe towns being fo called from Borboe, the Saxon word for a pledge, and, from thefe pledges being reciprocally given by the members in each INTRODUCTION. 21 each tything, and fuch companies of ten families were called burghs, or boroughs. And as every tything, as we have before ftated, was free, the in- corporating of boroughs was the disfranchife- ment of other towns and diftricls. While thefe charters, thus, confined the original right of reprefentation to fuch boroughs as were more immediately in the favour or intereft of the king, or demefne lord, the reft were unjuftly pre- cluded. In this manner the houfeholders, far- mers, towns, and cities, dare not exercife theii ancient rights without privilege of charter. The rights of man depending on the caprice of arbi- tary power, thus lay at the mercy of fovereignin- tereft. From this partial chartering of boroughs, parliaments were formed that were entirely the tools of royalty. The liberty of being reprefented, was humbly received as a conceflfion of the king. Thus were the inherent liberties of the nation firft limited from perfonal legiflation to elective franchife, which was afterwards confined to the mercenary dependents of arbitrary power. The general rights of the nation being, in this man- ner, difpenfed only to the creatures of the crown, the original houfe of commons loft its indepen- dence in this wreck of prefcriptive legiflation. Thus 22 INTRODUCTION. Thus was the constitution firft contaminated with the difeafe of corruption. The dependence of the elector for his right, and the reprefentative for his reward on the government, fubjedted the vir- tue of both to the controul of the executive pow- er, and has at laft reduced the reprefentative fyftem to a mere fhadow and a name. HISTORY OF THE BOROUGHS OF GREAT BRITAIN. BEDFORDSHIRE. TT was not our original intention to have entered into any inquiry refpeclting the repre- fentation of counties : as their political integrity is fpotlefs, when Compared with the delinquency of boroughs. But as influence has extended itfelf over more than half the conftituent body of free- holders in thefe kingdoms ; and that influence being in general vefted in peers, and therefore the more dangerous, from being the moft authori- tative and unconstitutional, county reprefentation is thus a moft indifpenlible part of our duty to notice. VOL. I. B Another 2 BEDFORDSHIRE. Another infurmountable objection to the pr- fentfyftem of county reprefcntation, and which conftitutes it an ariftocratical eflablimment, is that of its being a partial reprefcntation of pro- perty,* and not an entire free reprefentation of perfons. This is not only repugnant to the firft principle of liberty, but to the very exiftence of the conftitution. In addition to what we have eftablifhed as conftitutional right in our fhort hiftorical view preceding thefe pages, we think it ncccfiary here to infert what the Rev. Mr. Burgh has, with fo much juftice and liberality, faid on this fubjedl. We are the more anxious to ftate his obfervations y as they are not only congenial to our own, but are a moft rcfpectabte confirmation of the refulr of our preceding enquiries. " Every one has what may be called property,, and unalienable property : every man has a life, a perfonal liberty, a character, a right to his earnings, a right to a religious profeflion and worlhip according to his conference, &c. ; and many merij. v/ho are in a fratcofdependance upon others, and who receive charity, have wives and children, in whom they have a right. Thus the poor are in danger of being injured by the go- vernment * Videf}>ra> on copyholders. BEDFORDSHIRE. 3 vernment in a variety of ways. But, according to the commonly received doctrine, that fervants, and thofe who receive alms, have no right to vote for members of parliament, an immenfe multitude of the people are utterly deprived of all power in determining who (hall be the pro- tectors of their lives, their perfonal liberty, their little property (which, though fingly confidered, is of fmall value, yet is upon the whole a very great object), and the chaftity of their wives and daughters. What is particularly hard upon the poor in this cafe is, that though they have no ihare in determining who fhall be the lawgivers of their country, they have a very heavy mare in railing the taxes which fupport government. The taxes on malt, on beer, leather, foap, candles, and other articles, which are paid chiefly by the poor, who are allowed no votes for members of parliament, amount to as much as a heavy land- tax. The landed intereft would complain grievouflyj if they had no power of electing repre- fentatives ; and it is an eflablifhed maxim in free dates, that whoever contributes to the expences of government, ought to be fatisfied concerning the application of the money contributed by them, confequently ought to have a fnare in electing thofe who have the power of applying B 2 their 4 BEDFORDSHIRE. their money. Nor has the receiving of alms been always held a fufficient reafon for refuting the privilege of voting, as appears by the follow- ing refolution of the houfe of commons " That " the freemen ofthc port of Sandwich, inhabiting " within the faid borough (although they receive " alms), have a right to vote in electing barons " to ferve in parliament." It is likewifc held to be law at this day, that a freeholder receiving alms does not thereby forfeit his elective franchifc, of which every other elector in this cafe is diverted. Thefe arguments appear to us incontrovertible. But, whatever difference of opinion may prevail, it will certainly be ad- mitted that every inhabitant houfeholder, at leaft, paying taxes, ought to have a mare in that repre- fentation by which the faid burthens are levied. As an efficient member of the community, he is certainly eligible to be concerned in forming thofe laws by which he, among the reft of his fellow- citizens, is governed. Having premifed thus much refpecting the reprefentation, we now proceed to obferve parti- cularly with regard to the county of Bedford,that the influence of its election is partly poffefied by the Duke of Bedford, who can always return one member for this county ; and Lord St. John, at prefent, BEDFORD. 5 prefent, fends the other. But the intereft of the latter is by no means permanent ,- for he carried his election only by a fingle vote in 1784. It is therefore now generally underflood, that Lord Ongley and Sir Gillies Payne, have each as good an intereft as the St. John family. Bedfordfhire contains ten market towns, and one hundred and fix teen parifhes, and fends four members to parliament. BEDFORD TOWN, THIS borough had, for near a century, been under the influence of the Bedford family. But in the year 1768, when Mr. Wilkes was in the zenith of his popularity, the corporation, whom the Duke of Bedford had offended, took an effectual method to deftroy the Bedford intereft in that town. For this purpofe, they made the late Sir Robert Bernard, Mr. Alderman Townf- hend, John Horn Tooke, efq. and feveral more independent gentlemen, traders, yeomen, &c. freemen. The firft of thefe they chofe recorder; and the borough feemed thus to have entirely emancipated irfelf from ariftocratical influence. A petition was prefented, by Mr. Whitbread and Mr. Howard, againft the election of Sir William Wake, bart. and Robert Sparrow, efq. <; in 6 BEDFORD. in 1774, in which the petitioners difputed the right of all fuch burgefles and freemen as were non-refidents, which they fupported on the laft determination of the houfe, on the I2th of April, 1690. The committee were of opinion that the words of the above refolution, " being houfeholders of Bedford," do not refer to the burgefles and free- men, but to the inhabitants only. The chairman likewife added, although not in the formal words of a refolution, that the committee were clearly of opinion, that the objection of occafionality would not be with free- men refident or iwn-rcfidtnt y made above a year before the election. By this determination, the independent freemen, made as above, were all declared legal electors of this borough. The above important queftion being thus de^ cided in favour of Wake and Sparrow (the fitting members), the petitioners proceeded toeftablifh certain voters who had been rcfufed on the charge of pauperifm ; and feveral decifions were made^ which, being contrary to former legal decifions, may be proper to be here ftated. The nTft queftion was, Whether pcrfons having received a chanty within a year before the election, were entitled to vote ? The committee determined, that BEDFORD. 7 that perfons receiving Sir William Harper's* cha- nty are not thereby difqualified. This point was in favour of the petitioners, Whitbread and Howard. A queftion next arofe, of a fimilar importance, refpeding inhabitants coming to refide within the feveral parifhes of the town of Bedford, with certificates from other parilhes, having a right to vote. Thefe were admitted, by agreement of counfel, not to come under the defcription of paupers, and were of courfe added to the poll of the petitioners. The counfel for the petitioners then endea- voured to fupport, and the counfel for the fitting members to oppofe, on the fame charge, Firft, Perfons having received a charity called Howe's Charity ; Secondly, Perfons having received a charity called Welborn's Charity ; Thirdly, The mafters and brethren of St. John's Hofpital ; Fourthly, Freemen who had received parifli relief within a year before the election ; Fifthly, * A native of Bedford, who was fome time lord mayor of London, in the reign of Elizabeth. He founded, a free* g BEDFORD. Fifthly, Freemen who had an inchoate right to their freedom, but were admitted contrary to, the accuftomed mode of admiflion, and within a year before the election. Upon the above queftions the committee de- termined that fuch as had received Howe's cha- rity were not thereby difqualified That fuch as had received Welborn's charity were thereby difqualified That the matters and brethren were not difqualified That fuch as had received alms, meaning thereby pa.rifh relief, within the twelve months previous to election, were difqua- lified That fuch freemen having an inchoate right, but admitted to their freedom within the latt twelve months, were difqualified. And laftly, That they would not reject any perfon's vote for receiving alms within the faid year pre- ceding the election. It was thought neceflary to ftate the above as a guide for future elections in this town. Upon the above decifions, Sir William Wake, one of the fitting members, and Samuel Whit- bread, one of the petitioners, were declared duly elected. Upon the death of Sir Robert Bernard, the, prefent Duke of Bedford was chofen recorder in his BEDFORD. 9 his room, and has fince prevailed upon the cor- poration to make an additional number of freemen in his intereft,to counterbalance the others, who, not having been made twelve calendar months previous to the laft election in 1790, could not influence the election of the prefent members (Colhoun and Whitbread jun.) But, upon every future election, it is thought the Bedford intereft muft as formerly prevail. The liberties of the corporation extend above nine miles in circuit round the town ; and a / member of Bedford, many years fince, bequeati^ ' ed to it a field or two in the fpot now called Theobald's- row, Red-Lion-ftreet, Eagle-ltreet, and its environs, near Red-Lion-fquare, London ; the leafes whereof expiring fome years fince, the eftate is become fo confiderable, that the corpo, ration obtained an aft of parliament to empower them to give portions to fervant-maids, for the encouragement of population, fees with poor children bound apprentices, and other charitable donations. CORPORATION Confiftsofa mayor, recorder, deputy-recorder, two bailiffs, thirteen common council, an uncertain number of aldermen, be- caufe all who have fcrved the office of mayor are after- 10 BERKSHIRE, afterwards reputed aldermen, but thefe mull not exceed the number twelve. The charter they now aft under was granted 1664 by Chatles II. RIGHT OF ELECTION Nominally vefted in the burgefTes, freemen, and inhabitants being houfeholders, and not receiving alms. NUMBEROF VOTERS Were, according to Wil- lis, about 1000, are now increafed to 1400.* RETURN INGOFFICERS The mayor and bailiffs, PATRON The Duke of Bedford. COUNTY OF BERKS, POLITICAL CHARACTER. THIS county, like Bedfordfhire, has half of its reprefentation fubject to ariftocracy. The in- tereft of Lord Craven has generally fufficient weight to influence the election of one reprefen- tative : * This number being too numerous to be influenced by that corruption which would rank it among rotten boroughs, the can- dour of hiftorjr obliges us to rank it among the many that arc made under the controul of ariftocracy. ABINGDON. jj tativc : the other depends on the attachments of a few of the leading men of property in the county to the miniftry or oppofition for the time being. Berkfhire contains 12 market towns and 140 parifhes, and fends 9 members to parliament. ABINGDON. POLITICAL CHARACTER This is one of the few boroughs over which ariftocratical influence or corruption has not yet been able to extend its controul, which is owing moft probably to the two following caufes: firft, the borough fending only one reprefentative, has only half the temp- tation for an opulent neighbour to enflave it ; the other caufe is, from the freedom of elective con- ftitution, which feems thus to defy all arbitrary encroachments. For, though it was chartered fo late as Philip and Mary, and its corporation and reprefentative power veftcd in the feledl body, yet, by the exertion of its inhabitants, they have not only obtained the conftitutional right of eleding the members by the inhabitants at large, but likewife of their mayor and magiftrates A which is the only fecurity of their independence, and \vhich a felf-elecled corporation would have long fince fubverted. ORIGINAL 12 ABINGDON. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This borough, as a town of great trade, fent once, (i i Ed\v. III.) upon a peremptory fummons, to the council, or national affembly; and received its charter, Nov. 24, I557> from Philip and Mary, who then imprivileged them to fend one burgefs to parlia- ment. CORPORATION Confifts of a mayor, two bai- liffs, nine aldermen, and fixtee.n afliftants. The mayor and bailiffs are the returning officers ; and the electors, according to national right and juf- tice, are the inhabitants paying fcot and lot, and not receiving alms or any charity. (Jan. 1 8, 1680, and Jan. 8, 1689.) RIGHT OF ELECTION In the inhabitants pay- ing fcot and lor, and not receiving aims, 1 8 Janu- ary ' NUMBER OF VOTERS 600. REMARKABLE RESOLUTION. March 3, 1698. The houfe refolved, That the proceedings of William Hucks, efq. (inpre- fuming to make ufe of the authority of the go- vernment to the borough of Abingdon, in or- der to be elected a burgefs for the faid bo- rough) is a fcandalous reflection upon the go- vernment, and tends to fubvert the freedom of elections of members to ferve in parliament. READING. JJ II. Ordered, That the faid William Hucks, efq. be taken into cuftody. Remark. Were the houfe always to decide in fimilar cafes fo agreeably to the conftitu- tion, the government would reform itfelf without the aid of the people. But the following pafiage, extracted from Burgh, (hews this patriotic refolution had not a very long influence : " Sir Simon Harcourt complains fadly of ill " ufage in his election for Abingdon, A.D. 170?, " reflecting feverely on the houfe, and the wicked '* arts ufed againft him ; infilling to the laft, that " he was the legal member,by a clear majority, by c < the moft fair eftimation." Deb. Com. iv. in.* READING. POLITICAL CHARACTER This borough, like Abingdon, has not yet been fubjected to the ar- bitrary influence of any opulent individual. Cor- ruption, indeed, has been faid to have had its influence on former occafions : but as it has not yet been reduced to a fyftem within the borough, or produced any convictions in the houfe of commons, or in the courts of juftice, it is far from Burgh, vol. L 294, 14 READING. from us to attribute to it any undeferved deliri- quency ; it being equally the intention of this work to praife public integrity, as well as to ex- pofe national injury. It may here be therefore obferved, that its prefent reprefentatives, Mr. Annefley and Mr. Neville, are gentlemen of in- dependent connexions, and whofe intereft in this borough entirely exifts in the good opinion of the electors. It muft however be here noticed, that al- though the borough is not immediately under the controul of any individual, yet the fame cannot be faid to have been always the praife of its reprefentatives ; for, in the penfion parliament Sir Francis Dolman, one of its members, ap- peared to have a penfion of 200!. and was aflifted by the court in the curious will, by which he obtained Quarles's eftate, valued at 1600!. He was then clerk of the council, worth 500!. per annum, and had a promife of being fecretary of ftate.* ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This town has fent to parliament ever fince 23 Ed w. I. CORPORATION According to the charter of Charles II. confifls of a mayor, recorder, twelve aldermen, and as many capital burgefTes. The manor Burgh, vol. I. 392* WALLlNGFORtr. j manor of the town was fettled by king James I. after the death of his queen, on prince Charles his fecond fon, afterwards Charles I. but it is now vetted in the corporation. NUMBER OF VOTERS Above 600. WALLINGFORD, THIS borough, after exhibiting itfelf to the higheft bidder for a number of years, is now bought up by Sir Francis Sykes, the nabob, who has poiTefTed himfelf of all the houfes which give the electors the right of fuffrage. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION This borough has fent, like Reading, members to parliament ever fince the 23 Edward I. It was called a city when William the Conqueror came here, after the de- feat of Harold, to receive the fubmiflion of Stigand, archbilhop of Canterbury, and other great men. CORPORATION Was chartered by James I, and confifts of a mayor, recorder, fix aldermen, and eighteen burgefTes or afiittants, who poiTefs the rents and profits of the manor, fairs, and mar- kets, by virtue of a leafe from the crown. The? mayor and fix aldermen are the juftices of the peace within the borough. 4 RIGHT i6 NEW WINDSOR* RIGHT OF ELECTION In the corporation inhabitants paying fcot and lot, and receiving n< alms (Dec. 15, 1709). RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PROPRIETOR Sir Francis Sykes, baronet NUMBER OF VOTERS 140. NEW WINDSOR* POLITICAL CHARACTER The intereft in this borough, which preponderated in the conteft be- tween Keppel and Powney in 1780, is not to be named here, or in any other place. All that part of the town which is in Buckinghamfhire is not within the limits of the borough. The corpora- tion is in the intereft of the Earl of Beaulieu, their high-fteward; but they forgot not, upon any occafion, that a very great perfonage does them the honour of refiding among them. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This town ha- ving been chartered as a borough A. 5 Edward I. began to return members to parliament in the ^oth year of the fame reign, and continued to fend until the I4th Edward III. when it in- termitted fending until the 25th Henry VI. Since this time it has regularly been reprefented. , COR- NEW WINDSOR. IJ CORPORATION According to the prefcnt char- ter granted anno i James II. 1685, confifts of a mayor, two bailiffs, twenty-eight burgefles', who are chofen out of the principal inhabitants, thirteen of whom are called fellows or benchers of the Guildhall : of thefe, ten from among them, befide the mayor and bailiffs, are chofen, and are ftyled aldermen. RIGHT OF ELECTION According to; theYol low- ing refolutions, it has been varioufly determined. Nov. 4, 1680. " Refolvtd, That, in the borough " of New Windfor, thofe inhabitants only " who pay fcot and lot have a right to vote in " the election of burgefles to ferve in par- * c liament for the faid borough." May 17, 1690. " Refolded, as the opinion of the " commit 'tee ', that the right of electing burgef- The Handing order made on the 1 6th of Jan. 1735, for reftraining counfel from pffering evidence touching the legality of votes contrary to the laft determination of the houfc of commons, was read ; and the laft determination of the houfe concerning the right of electing burgeflcs to ferve in parliament for the faid borough, made the 4th Nov. 1 68, which was then refolved to be in thofe inhabitants only who pay fcot and lot, was likewife read. By this it ap- pears, that the laft decision of April 5, 1697, was not entirely fatisfa&ory. NUMBER OF VOTERS 280. The mayor is the returning officer. The patron of this borough cannot with pro- priety be mentioned, left we might incur the rebuke of royalty, COUNTY C '9 3 COUNTY OF BUCKINGHAM. POLITICAL CHARACTER. J. HIS county is entirely under ariftocraticai influence. The Duke of Portland) and the Marquis of Buckingham, although of oppofite parties, have mutually fettled the prefent election without oppofition. The fon of the former nobleman, and the coufm of the latter, enjoy at prefent the reprefentation. Buckinghamfhire contains fifteen market towns, and eighty-five pari (lies, and fends fourteen mem- bcrs to parliament. FAMOUS CONTEST BETWEEN THE KING AND HIS PARLIAMENT. This county is rendered memorable in the political world, by a contefted election which happened A. D. 1604, in the reign of James I, The parties were Goodwin and Fortefcue. Good- \vin was declared, in the houfe of commons, duly ele&ed. The lords defired a conference. The commons being ftartled at this interpo- fition, the lords laid it upon the king. The commons, therefore, begged the king would be tender of their privileges. The king infilled C 2 upon 2O BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. upon their holding a conference with the judges, if they would not -with the lords. The com- mons rernon {bated. The king, agreeably to hia character, continued obdurate and obftinate; which caufed the commons, with much reluc- tance, to yield. Goodwin appeared willing to wave his pretenfions. His election was held void by the clerk of the crown, in confequence of his being an outlaw. The commons declined giving the lords any account of their proceed- ings, but propofed to fend mefTages to the king, who, in fact, had no more concern with it than the lords. The commons then declared the proceedings could not now be reverfed. They produced a precedent (27 Eliz.)of a bill brought down from the lords being rejected at the firfl reading. The lords alked why the determi- nation of the houfe could not be rererfed ? The commons confidered themfelves not obliged to anfwer the queftion ; which was the reafon of their refuting the conference ; though they declared themfelves ready to confer with the lords on any proper fubject, where their privilege was not concerned. The lords fent again to the houfe, that the king thought himfelf concerned that there fhould be a conference. The reafon of the king interefting himfelf in this election was, his BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 21 his thinking his direction, which he had a right to give in an authoritative manner, though un- doubtedly it was found advice, not to elect any outlaw, was defpifed by the houfe declaring Goodwin duly elected. The commons, attended by the fpeaker, waited on the king, and informed him that Goodwin's election was duly carried on, and confequently Fortefcue's was void ; that the outlawries againft Goodwin were only for debt : and that he had fat unqueftioned in feverat par- liaments fince the outlawry ; and that, befide, it was not ftrictly pleadable, becaufe of deficiencies in formality. They mentioned Smilb t I Eliz. Vaughan> 22 Eliz. 3 others, 35 Eliz. Killigrew,. who had 52 outlawries againft him ; and Har- court, who had 18 ; as being all admitted to pri- vilege. All thefe were in vain. He pretended, that, as the houfe derived its privilege from him, it ought not to be turned againft him : and he faid, that the court of chancery ought to judge of elections and returns, and quoted a precedent, 35 Hen. 6. when all the judges agreed, that outlawry is a caufe of expulfion from the houfe. He therefore infifted upon a conference between the commons and judges, and that the refult be reported by the houfe to his privy-council. The commons then propofed to make a law, that no out- 23 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. outlawed perfon hereafter fit in the houfe, and to confer with the judges, not to reverfe what they had done, but that they might profit by the judges' learning, and that they might fatisfy the Jung. It was faid there was no precedent of a member being deprived of privilege on account of outlawry ; that parliament had contradicted the opinions of the judges concerning outlaws, fmce the time of Hen. VI. And thefe reafons againft a conference they fent to the king. They infifted, that until 7 Hen. IV. the writs for elec^ tion were returned to parliament, and not to chancery ; and that the power of hearing and determining concerning elections, was always fup- pofed to be exclusively in the houfe. Of thefe particulars they referred to many precedents, and afTerted, that if the chancery were to judge con- cerning elections, the court would be foon matter of the commons ; and thus they apolo- gized for ftill refufing compliance with the royal pleafure " Not doubting," faid they, " though " we were but a part of a body, as to the making " of new laws, yet, for any matter of privileges " of our own houfe, that we are, and ever have ft been, a court of ourfclves, of fufficient power " to difcern and determine, without their lord-, " (hips, as their lordfhips have always ufed to 3 " do BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. ' 33 w do for theirs without us." The king ftill objected to the abfurdity of giving legiilative power to an outlaw. They anfwer, that, not- withftanding precedents for outlaws fitting in the houfe, they were determined, in compliance with his majefty's fenfe, to make a law to pre- vent it for the future; but that this law could not operate againft Goodwin, being ex poftfatto ; befides the want of formality in his outlawry, \vhich rendered it null and void ; and its being only upon mean procefs, and two general par- dons iffuing lince it pafled upon him, which, at any rate, would have cleared him. The com- mons meanly requefted the interceffion of the lords with the king, as having near accefs to his perfon ; and fent a committee of their houfe to them, with their apology to the king. The lords afked the committee, if they might read the paper ? The committee agreed. The lords alked, if they might amplify, explain, or debate, con- cerning any doubtful point. The committee anfwered, they had no warrant from the houfe for that. The paper was read ; and the fpeaker attended the king at eight in the morning, on whom they waited until ten. The fpeaker re- turned, and reported, that the king protefted he had the greatcft defire to fupport their privileges. That 24 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. That the king dcfircd and COMMANDED, as an ABSOLUTE prince, that there might be a con- ference between the commons and judges, in prefence of his council, not as umpires, but to report to him the ifilie of the conference. The houfe was amazed. It was therefore propofed by fome to petition the king to be prefent himfelf, and judge. A committee is appointed ; and the houfe ordered, that the faid committee mould only infift on the fupport and explication of the reafons already given, and not proceed to any other argument or anfwer. Sir Francis Bacon flat- tered the king's wifdonr. : Sir Francis flattered the king's wifdom fhamefully. It was obferved, that there had been no fuch conceflion made by the commons, to any king, fince the conqueft. It was difputcd, whether the houfe of commons could properly be called a court of record. The king however propofed, that neither Goodwin nor Fortefcue fhould fit in the houfe. It was accord- ingly refolved, that a new writ mould be iffued for Bucks. Gwdivin voluntarily refigned his cL in a letter to thefpeaker. The mean-fpi- rited commons fent even a committee to thank the king for thus depriving them of a member who they had before contended was duly elected. If fuch are the guardians of national right, on whom can the people depend for protection ? BUCKINGHAM. 2$ BUCKINGHAM. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This town, although it gives name to the county, is of the utmoft in- fignificance, and comes exactly under the defcrip- tion of a rotten borough. Though this town was of great opulence, and the county-town, where the aflizes were held, until, by the partiality of lord chief juflice Baldwin, who bought the manor in the reign of Henry VIII. the county- gaol, aflizes, and county bufinefs, were removed to Aylelbury. This town owes its declenfion chiefly to a dreadful fire which happened on the i^.th of May, 1724, when, out of 387 dwellings, no lefs than 138 were entirely confumed, with feveral of the out-houfes, manufactures, &c. of the remainder. The corporation confifts entirely of the friends and dependants of the Marquis of Buckingham, who has the fole and abfolute difpofal of the borough. The whole number is thirteen, eight of whom are placemen. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION. Buckingham is a very ancient borough. It was however fo in- confiderable, at the Roman conquefr, as, according to doomfday-book, to have paid only for one hide of 26 BUCKINGHAM. of land ; and had only 26 burgefies in the time of Edward the Confeflbr. This town is faid, by Willis, to have been the only borough in the county at the time of the conqueft. It never fent members to parliament before the laft of Henry VIII. according to the principle of giving this privilege to boroughs by charter. But it fent to the national aflembly or council, as a trading borough, fo early as 11 Edward III. "when only the chief towns of trade were fum- moned : no knights of the mire were convened to this council. In the 27th of the faid king it was fummoned, but made no return, and thus difcon- tinued to fend until the 36 of Henry VIII. as above-mentioned. CORPORATION. In the time of Edward III. it had a mayor and three bailiffs ; but being decayed in its trade and confequcnce, it had only one bailiff, and was by charter (i Mary) re-incorporated by the ftyle of a bailiff and 12 capital burgefies, who \vere by Charles II. changed into a mayor and aldermen. With refpecT: to the corporation, the houfe of commons refolved, April 27, 1714, That John Mufcott was not qualified, according to the act of parliament for the well-governing and regulat- ing corporations, to be a principal burgefs of the AYLESBURY, I? the borough of Buckingham, in the county Bucks. The like refolution paffed againft three more of the fame place. This is obferved as an inftance of parliament defcending to the difqualificationofmen as bur- geflTcs of a rotten borough. is borough > s ^er exhibiting xfelf the high- eft bicfew^for a numbelstfyears, is rt^w bought uW by Sir Francis Sykes, *e nabob, wjjo has pofl^ged himfelfoN^early all Ifl^houfes give tn\electors the RIGHT OP ELECTION Is in the bailiff and rs burgefTes only. Nov. 11, 1690. NUMBER OF VOTERS 13. PATRON Marquis of Buckingham. AYLESBURY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is riot, like Buckingham, under the controul of a fingle individual. At prefent the reprefentation is divided between the parties of oppolition and ad minift ration. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION. This town was made a borough by charter, A. i Mary, and then empowered to fend members to parliament, dated Jan. 14, 1553-*. In ag AYLESBURY. In the chapel of the Rolls ; in the bundle of returns of -parliament writs> in the i^th Elizabeth, is tbis remarkable return, which particularly claims a place in this hifiory of borougb-reprefentation. To all chriftian people, to whom this pre- " fent writing fhall come; I, dame Dtrothy " Packington, late wife of fir John Packington^. knt. lord and owner of the town of Aylefljyry* fend greeting : Know ye me, the faicrotby *' Packing! on t to hav* 1 chofen, nanjtd, and ap- " p-'Ti\\zt y according to the known laws and ufage of parliament, it is the fole right of the commons of England, in parliament aflembled, (except in cafes otherwife pro- vided for by act: of parliament) to examine and determine all matters relating to the right of election of their own members. Refohed That, according to the known law and ufage of parliament, neither the qua- lifications of any elector, nor the rights of any AYLSBURY. 31 any perfon eledcd, is cognizable or dcter- minable elfewhere than before the commons of England, in parliament affembled, except in fuch cafes as are fpecially provided for by ad of parliament. Refolded That the examining and determin- ing the qualifications or a right of any elector, or any perfon to ferve in parliament, in any court of law or elfewhere, than before the commons of England, in par- liament aflembled, (except in fuch cafes as are fpecially provided for by ad: of parlia- ment) will expofe all mayors, bailiffs, and other officers, who are obliged to take the poll, and make the return thereupon, to multiplicity of actions, vexatious fuits, and infupportable expences ; and will fubjed them to different and independent jurif- dictions, and inconfiftent determinations in the fame caufe without relief. Rtfohed That Matthew AJhby having, in con- tempt of the jurifdiction of this houfe, com- menced and profecuted an action at com- mon law againft William White and others, the conftables of Aylejbury t for not receiving his vote at an election of burgefles to ferve in parliament for the faid borough of Aylef- 32 AYLESBURY. lury> is guilty of a breach of the privilege of this houfe. Refolved-Thzt whoever fhall prefumeto com- mence or profecute any action, indictment, or information, which fhall bring the right of the electors or perfons elected to ferve in parliament^ to the determination of any other jurifdiftion than that of the houfe of commons '(except in fuch cafes fpecially provided for by act of parliament), fuch perfon or perfons, and all attorneys, foli- citors, counfellors, and ferjcants at law, fo- liciting, profecuting, or pleading in any fuch cafe, are guilty of a high breach of the privilege of this houfe. * On the fib of February, 1698, Refolved, That all perfons receiving alms. within the borough of Ayle[bury> purfuant to the will of Mr. Bedford, or any other perfons receiving any other charity, annually diftributed in the fame town, are, in refpect thereof, difabled to vote in the election of burgcfles to fcrve in parliament for the faid borough. This was altered from what the com- mittee reported, and agreed to by the houfe. * Mr. John Sargent, one of the freemen of Haftings, brought an action againft Millward, the mayor of that bo- rough, in the face of thefe reflations, and recovered 260 of him, by the verdift of a Suflex jury, forrefufing his vote at the general elcftion, in 1784. GREAT MARLOW. 33 RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in all the houfe- houlders not receiving alms, January 28, 1765. RETURNING OFFICERS The conftables who are appointed by the Lord of the Manor. NVMBIR or VOTERS 500. PATRON The higheft bidder. GREAT MARLOW. POLITICAL CHARACTER The borough of Great Mario w, being the joint property of Wil- liam Clayton, efq. and W. Lee Antonie, efq. is one of thofe many which can boaft of no privi- lege except that of voting at the will of a fupe- rior. Some may think to be thus exempted from the trouble of choofmg for themfelves, a confiderable advantage ; for by this method they are certainly fecure from the cenfure of a 'weak judgment, or an interefted choice : thofe who are deprived of their will can neither have their reafon condemned, nor their motives fcrutinized. It may be proper here to obferve, that William Clayton, efq. refigned his feat, at the laft election, to Thomas Williams, efq. a partner in the An- glefea copper-mines. The majority of the houfesand property join- ing the borough belonging to the above gentle- VOL. I. D men 3 WEN DOVER. men, no oppofition to them can ever be at- tempted with fuccefs. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This borough fent fourteen times to parliament before the 3d Edw. II. and then ceafed fending for 400 years, until it was reftored 2 1 James I. when it began again to fend members. RIGHT OF ELECTION Was refolved, Dec. 21, 1680, and Nov. 21, 1690, to be in thofe inhabi- tants only who pa)' fcot and lot. RETURNING OFFICERS The conftables. NUMBER OF VOTERS 216. PATRONS OF THE BOROUGH. William Clay- ton, and W. Lee Antonie, efqrs. W T ENDOVER. POLITICAL CHARACTER This borough is one of thofe where the elective franchifes of the inhabitants are transferable in the reprefentative market like any other goods and chattels that may be purchafed. It was the fole property of the late Earl Verney ; but, during his lordfhip's life, it was fold to its prefent pofleflbr, John. Barker Church, efq. ANECDOTE. A circumftance happened, du-| ring the pofleflion of the late owner, which is' too remarkable to omit. All the houfes being^ then then the property of the late Earl Verney, and the tenants in general living rent-free, on con- dition of giving their votes to fuch gentlemen as his lordfhip mould nominate, the electors were prevailed upon, in 1768, to accept a prefentgood in preference to the above privilege. A Mr. Atkins, a confiderable lace-manufac- turer in this place, had undertaken, by a coup-de- main t to carry the election againft his lordfhip's intereft, and conducted his meafures with fuch fecrecy, that no oppolition was expected until the day of election. At this moment, to the aftonifh- ment and confulion of Earl Verney, and his agents, Sir Robert Darling, a former fheriff of London, was propofed, and immediately returned by a confiderable majority. This difobedience to his lordfhip's wifhes was punifhed by the voters being inftantly ejected out of their houfes, and obliged to take refuge in huts and tents, where they remained for fix months, in all the penitence of forrow, until a promife of go >d behaviour in future, fo far foftened the r gour of this noble refentment, as to differ them all, with fome few exceptions, to repofTefs their former dwell gs. The inhabitants keeping this fevere treatment in remembrance, t( ok the firft opportunity to retaliate upon his lordfhip, by a repetition of their D 2 former 36 W E N D O V E R. former conduct in 1784 ; -when his lordmip, having every reafon to apprehend that he fliould lofe his feat for the county, offered himfelf and Mr. Jolliffe as their candidates. The electors, well knowing the deranged ftate of his lord- Ihip's private affairs would oblige him to fell, very (liortly, his property in the borough, took the opportunity of again putting up their fuf- frages to the higheft bidder. One individual engaged, that two candidates mould be chofen againft his lordfhip's intereft and influence, for .6000. This being fettled, a gentleman was employed to go down, where he was met, ac- cording to previous appointment, by the electors, at a mile from the town. The electors afked the ftranger where he come from ? He replied, " FROM THE MOON." They then afked, " WHAT NEWS FROM THE MOON?" He anfwered, thatJ he had brought from the moon . 6000 to be dif-. tributed among them, by the borough agent, and to whom the money was then delivered. The electors being thus fatisfied with the golden news from the moon, chofe the candidates, and received their reward. We have frequently heard of lunar influence j but we never remember to have met with fuclv prevailing arguments in favour of it as the above. No one can therefore be furprifed, that near IQQ WENDOVER. 37 100 pcrfons fhould be fo affected by this Cyn- thian impulfe, as to lofe all fenfe of obligation to their noble friend, except that of not giving him the trouble of guarding their political interefts any longer. The borough was fome time after purchafed by the prefent poflefTor, J. B. Church, efq. ngainft whom a feeble oppofition was made by two gentlemen in the intereft of the Marquis of Buckingham ; but as the moon had withdrawn her influence, the people were determined to prefer a Chriftian Church to an Apoftate Temple. ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This borough returned, 28 Edw. I. and r, 2 Edw. II. when it intermitted fending members, like Great Marlow and Agmondemam, during 400 years, until it was reftored by petition, 21 James I. RIGHT OF ELECTION -Nov. 21, 1702. " Re- " folved, That perfons coming by certificate to " live in the borough, have not thereby a right " to vote for the election of members to fervc " in parliament for the faid borough. The right " is, therefore, in the inhabitant houfekeepers " within the borough, not receiving alms." RETURNING OFFICERS The conftables, NUMBER OF VOTERS 130. PATRON OF THE BOROUGH J. B. Church, efq. POLITICAL f the Marquis prevailed ; the numbers upon the poll being, For Earl Wycomb, 34 Sir John Jervis, - 26 Mr. Dafhwood, - 22 ORIGINAL REPRESENTATION This borough nas returned to parliament ever fmce 2? Edw. I. CORPORATION It had a mayor tempore Hen. VI. and by charter of James I. has now a mayor, * A near defendant of Waller, the celebrated poet. 40 HIGHWYCOMB. mayor, recorder, two bailiffs, 12 aldermen, and a town-clerk. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the mayor, bai-1 liffs, and burgeflcs not receiving alms. RETURNING OFFICERS Are the mayor andl bailiffs. NUMBER OF VOTERS 48. , PATRON Marquis of Lanfdown. The three following refolutions are infertedJ to (hew to what mean artifices corruption andl influence will defcend, in order to obtain a ma-l jority in fuch venal boroughs. March 17, 1725. Refolded, nemine contradkenie\ That it appears to this houfe, that in an) entry of burgelfes made at the borough of Cheping Wycomb in the county of BucksJ dated the 2Oth of May, 1717, there has beefl an erasure lately made, and the name ofl Capt. Paget inferted without any legal au4 thority. 2. Refohed, nemine contradiccnte. That it apJ pears to this houfe, that, in an entry of burgeffes, made at the borough of Cheping Wycomb, dated the 26th of September, 1723, an crazure has lately been made, whereby the name of David S hi If ore, a burgefs of the faid borough, is erazed. 3. Rt. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 4! 3. Rfffilved t nemlne contradicente. That Sampfon frefly and John Widiner, who were admitted to vote at the late election of a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parliament for the faid borough of Cheping Wycoml, (having no pretence to be burgeffes of the faid borough, but under a charter of James II. which was never accepted or enrolled) have no right of voting in elections of burgefTes to ferve in parliament for the faid borough. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. 1 HE ariftocratic intereft prevailing in this county is that of the Duke of Rutland and Earl of Hardwick conjointly. Their relations or friends have fucceeded in every election fo long, as to intimidate every perfon who might be otherwife difpofed to offer themfelves as candi- dates againft this formidable influence. It muft be however obferved, that the Duke of Bedford, having great property in this county, has a con- fiderable intereft. But ftiould a conteft arife from this circumftance, inflead of refloring the independence 43 CAMBRIDGESHIRE. independence of the freeholders, it would only be a ftruggle for the pre-eminence of ariftocracy. Thus the freedom of choice inherent in the peo- ple muft be ever overwhelmed, while the exer- cife of elective franchife is transferred from per- fon to property. The laft election of any confequence was in 1780, between Lord Robert Manners, brother to the late Duke of Rutland, and Philip Yorke, efq. nephew to the late Earl of Hard wick, againft Sir Sampfon Gideon ; when the numbers polled were, Lord Robert Manners, 1741 Philip Yorke, efq. 1452 Sir Sampfon Gideon, 1058 Total of the poll 4251 In the above conteft, Sir Sampfon Gideon was fupported by the whole influence of the minif- ter of the day ; but the court engine was found too feeble to make the two pillars of ariftocratic alliance. Upon the death of Lord Robert Manners, Sir Henry Peyton was elected ; and, upon his de- ceafe, General Adeane was chofen : both of thefe members were elected upon the Rutland intereft. When Philip Yorke, efq. fucceeded to the title CAMBRIDG1. 43 title of Earl of Hardvvick in 1790, his brother, Charles Yorke, efq. fuccceded him in the repre- fentation of this county. The family depend upon their intereft for a permanent feat, with as much fecurity as they do upon their peerage for an he- reditary feat in the other houfe. CAMBRIDGE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of voting in this town has been limited, like the majority of the other towns and boroughs of Great Britain, to the corporation. The leading man in this corporation is John Mortlakc, efq. banker of the town. In the miniftry of the Duke of Portland, he was the friend of the Coalition j to fupport which, he caufed additional freemen to be made : among thefe was the Right Hon. Mr. Fox. But having fince feen the road to preferment much clearer through the medium of the Rutland in- tereft, he caufed a greater number of eledors to be made, of that compledlion, to give a fecond change to the political bias of this conftituent body. The minifter has fince feen the merit of Mortlake in fuch advantageous colours, as to promote him to the lucrative places of a commit- lioner of the tax-office and receiver-general of the poft-office. COR- 44 CAMBRIDGE. CORPORATION It was incorporated by Henry I. and is governed by a mayor, high ftew- ard, recorder, twelve aldermen, &c. The mayor at the entrance into his office, takes an oath to maintain the privileges and cuftoms of the uni- verfity, which, although the town is fo large as to contain 14 parifhes, is the chief glory of the place, and is faid to have been founded before the birth of Chrift. However, it was certainly a fchool of learning in 630, under Sebert, king of the Eaft Angles. The town of Cambridge is noticed in doomfday-book ; in which it is de- fcribcd to have been then divided into ten wards, containing 387 houfes. After the conqueror's death, Roger de Montgomery deli royed it with fire and fvvord, to be revenged on William Rufus : in this deftrudion, the univerfity was entirely abandoned. Henry I. however, beftowed upon it many privileges ; fuch as, exempting it from the power of the meriffs, and making it a corpora- tion, on paying annually 100 marks into the Ex- chequer, which was the fame fum as the fheriff paid before for the profits of the town : he alfo ordered, that the merchants in the guild in Cam- bridge mould be free from all toll, paffage, laf- tage, portage, and ftallage, in all the fairs in his dominions on this fide and beyond the feas. RIGHT CAMBRIDGE. 45 RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the mayor, bailiffs, and freemen not receiving alms. (Feb. 24, 1709.) NUMBER OF VOTERS 200. The majority of them are non-refidents and placemen. PATRON Duke of Rutland. The numbers polled at the lad conteft in 1780 were, Benj. Keene, efq. 96 J. War. Adeane, efq. 83 Chrif. Potter, efq. 18 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The elective influ- ence may be confidered as chiefly minifterial, from Mr. Pitt being now high-fteward and one of its members. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the doctors and mafters of arts. Nu MBER OF VOTERS Appears, from the flate of thelaft poll, to be nearly 1 200. The numbers were, Right Hon. William Pitt, 509 Earl of Eufton, 483 Laurence Dundas, Efq. 207 CHESHIRE. C 4 3 CHESHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. 1 HIS county was, in the time of the Romans, one of the five counties inhabited by the Cornavii. This diftinguifhed name remained probably until the Romans left the ifland ; for the Notitia Pro- vinciarum obferves, that forne troops of the Cor- navii made a fettlement under the latter emperors. The Romans being obliged to keep always ftrong garrifons in their provinces, left they mould re- volt, proves them to have been a very martial people. During the heptarchy, this county was included in the kingdom of Mercia, and was poflefled, abour 200 years, by the fucceflbrs of Creda, the founder of that kingdom, until the Danes invad- ed it under the reign of Burthred. Alfred the Great, driving the Danes from Mercia, A. D. 877, made it a province to his kingdom, of the Weft Saxons, and conftituted Ethelred, a de- fcendant of a Mercian king, governor of it. Ethelred dying, it was governed many years by his widow, Edelfleda, who is often mentioned in ancient dcfcriptions of this county. She was fifter of Edward the elder, being eldcft daughter to the CHESHIRE. 47 the great Alfred by his wife Ailfwitha. Being fubjected again to the Danes under Canute, it was committed to the care of Leofric, who was called carl of Chefhire: his fon Algar, and grandfon Edwin, were his fucceflbrs : but, during the go- vernment of the latter, it was, with the reft of the kingdom, fubjected to the Romans, by Wil- liam I. who gave it to Gerhord, a Flemifh noble- men, for contributing greatly to his victory over Harold. It was given afterwards by William to his nephew, Hugh Lupus, by this remarkable tenure, " To hold to him and his heirs as freely by the fword as the king held the crown of Eng- land." This grant comprehended thofe great privileges and immunities which it poflefled from being thus made a county palatine. Towards the declenfion of the Roman empire, Palatini were only the officers of the courts of princes ; but, in procefs of time, this title diftinguifhqd a fuperior order of men, who had the management of the ftate immediately under the king or emperor. Thus, fuch as exercifed this fovercignty of jurif- diction in any particular diftrict or province, were termed Csunts Palatine, and the place where the jurifdiction was exercifed, a Palatinate. By the above grant, Cheshire had all the privileges of a palatinate, although the earls wen: 4 5 CHESHIRE; were not veiled \vith the titles of counts pah- tine. It had a very high fovereign jurifdidion ; for Hugh Lupus, as well as feveral of his fuc- ceflbrs, convened parliaments, confiding of barons of their own creation, and of their own tenants, -who were not bound by the ads patted in the general parliament of the kingdom. This power, which was originally granted for very prudential reafons, namely, to enable the earl to repel the incurnons of the Welch, or to quell any fudeen infurredion of the Englifh in that diftrid or neighbourhood, became very formidable to the crown. This continued in full vigour, until it was retrenched, and the county made not only fubordinate, but dependant on the crown of England. Many of their ancient immunities are however ftill retained ; for all pleas of lands and tenements, and all contrads arifing within this county, are yet judicially heard and deter- mined within the fame; and if any determination in fuch matters be made out of the county, except in cafes of error, foreign plea, and foreign voucher, it is void. But felony and treafon are determined by itinerant judges in their circuit. This county is not entirely under the influence of the nobility : although the Earl of Stamford, Earl Grofvenor, and the Cholmondeley family, 3 poffefs CHESHIRE. 49 poflefs confiderable intereft, Mr. Crewe, the prefent member, is equal to either in popular refpectability. It is, at prefent, reprefented by a member of each party. Thus mutual agree- ment to mare the elective influence in moft of the counties feems to have arifen from former oppofitions having, in general, coft the parties from 20,000!. to 100,000!. Thefe enormous fums being expended for the purpofe of obtaining a feat in the houfe of commons, prove the great expectations even a knight of the fhire muft have from being chofen a reprefeoitative. If fuch fums are difburfed, is it poffible for any perfon to deny that county reprefentation is in- corruptible ? Admitting that all the money is ex- pended in merely treating the voters, yet giving, or caufing to be given, or even promifing a voter any meat, drink, or gift, before an election, fubje&s the candidate, if returned, to difqualifu cation.* * And becaufe all eleflions fhould be free from bribery, it is further enacted by the ftatute 7 Wil, chap. 4, that after the tette of the writ of iummons, ifTuirig out any writ for clefting a member, if any perfon by himfclf, or by any other in his behalf, or at his charge, (hall before his eledion give, or promife to give, the roter any meat, drink, or gift, &c. for his vote, fuch perfon fhall be difabled to ferve in parlia-. mcnt, and fliall be deemed no member. VOL. I E It jO CHESTER CITY. It is therefore evident that all members, whether the reprefentatives of counties, cities, or boroughs, as fpend any fums in treating the voters, fit in the houfe contrary to the ftatute law of the land. HOW thin would the con- gregation of St. Stephen be, on their annual call to minifterial devotion, were the political excommunication put in force that has been provided for by the ftatute here alluded to of 7 William I. According ro this act, the people might refufe to fubmit to all laws made, and taxes levied, by a parliament whofe members are, by treating of voters, moftly difqualified, In their defence they might produce the ftatute, which wpuld deem the greater part no members, from having thus violated the letter and princi- ple of laws formed for the deftruction of mi- nifterial influence and fecurity of national inde- pendence. CHESTER CITY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Although the num- ber of electors is above 1000, its reprefentation is entirely at the difpofal of Earl Grofvenor, whofe brother and fon are the prefent members, and whofe family have poflefled the feme influence, except in one or two inftances at the revolution, i ever CHESTERCITY. 1 ever fince the reign of Charles II. This influ- ence is created and preferved by fecuring the corporation, which appears to be not immaculate, for more than a century, and by obtaining a leafe from the crown of a number of tenements in this city. The members of the corporation, letting thefe from year to year only, as his lordfhip's agents, to electors, at low rents, operate fo far on their fears and neceflities as to controul their independence. To fecure their own houfes, they care not whom to fend to refide in the houfe of the nation. Thus, they never reflect that their indifference to the choice of their members, makes them eventually pay in taxes much more than they fave in their rents. They mould, there- fore, be reminded that this barter of privilege for a local tenement is only exchanging their na- tional fabric, the conflitution, for a contemptible hovel. Mr. Eddowes, of this city, with the virtue and firmnefsof a Fabius, having many years oppofed this torrent of corporation and ariftocratidal in- fluence, has at laft triumphed over that rod of defpotifm, the charter of Charles II. which was granted upon the violation of the great charter of Henry VII. E s AN- 5$ CHESTER CITY. ANTIQUITY. Chefter being one of the moft ancient and remarkable cities in the kingdom, it is neceflary to devote a few pages more to. it than we have allotted in general to the reft contained in thefe volumes. It is a city of great antiquity, and derives its name from Caflra t the latin name for a camp, Which the Roman legions frequently formed in the neighbourhood. Galba, particularly, encamp- ed here the 2Oth legion, that was called Viclrix. Thus many Roman antiquities found in. and near this city, prove it to have been of confider- able confequence, fo early as the refidence of that people in this ifland. From a coin of Geta that was found, having the infcription of COL. DJVANA LEG. 2o vicT. it appears Chefter was made a Roman colony by Geta, when he was left to take care of the fouthern parts of Britain, at the time his father, the emperor Severus, and his brother Caracalla, were advancing into Caledonia. Before the end of the feventh century Chefter was the feat of a bifhop, uhofe paftoral care extend- ed over a part of the Mercian dominions. In the days of Arthur, grammar, philofophy, and the learned languages, were taught here. Cadway and Cadwan, two Britifh kings, having defeated the Saxons, were crowned here ; and a parliament was CHESTER CITY. 53 was held in this city by the former. EthelwoIF had the ceremony of his coronation performed here. It is likewife faid that Henry IV. em- peror of Germany, who married Maud, grand- daughter of William the conqueror, and had im- prifoned his father, the pope, and the cardinals, withdrew himfelf from the world, and lived a hermit, unknown as to his real character, at Ghefter, ten years ; but death approaching, he difcovered himfelf: he lies buried here. When the great furvey was taken by William I. the earls, who had all the city except what be- longed to the bifhop, paid gelt or tribute for fifty hides of landj forty houfes, and feven mint- From the earlieft accounts of the contention ofChefter, it was a mercatory guild, or corpora- tion of merchants and artificers : and that it was the moft important among it* contemporaries, may be inferred from its being well known as the weftern emporium of commerce in the ifland ; and its two great annual fairs, granted by the firft earls, are an exifting evidence of its ancient com- mercial confequence* Its trade, in the time of Edward I. was foconliderable, that it paid a year- ly fee-farm rent to the crown of lool. ; but, the harbour being choaked with fand, the trade was ne- 54 CHESTERCITY. neceflarily transferred to Liverpool, as the neareft and moft convenient port. To this caufe may- be afcribed the prefent opulence and profperity of Liverpool. CORPORATION or guild, confifted of twenty- four companies: over each prefided an alder- man, who, according to the ancient cuftoms, was annually elcdted. There were two officers, called keepers of the guild, who admitted free- men, received cuftoms, rents, and fees, and who we may fuppofe, were the primitive leave-lookers. Thefe, with the fherifts, who derived their au- thority from the earl, and the murengers, pro- bably exifted before there was a mayor. It does not appear when the latter chief magiftrate was introduced into the corporation ; for a charter of Henry III. mentions him as then being, and not as then created. It is however evident, that all tht above offices exifted before the charter of Hen. VII. dated April 6, 1506 ; for this granted no new offices or privileges : it confirmed the ancient cuftoms of the place, and gave a facred and inviolable fandtion to the original right every citizen had to choofe all the principal officers of the corporation ; but the official power and authority was, by the efforts of intrigue and violence united, rendered ^perpetual in this city as CHESTER CITV. ^ as well as in every other in the kingdom. To this may be attributed the office of alderman, that was originally but annual j being now, in this and every other corporation, held for life. Ambition thus availed itfelf of the natural pre- judices, and the mod grateful affections of man- kind, to fubject them to their oppreflion, by feducing them to refign their independence. When an alderman had, by good behaviour, ex- cited the gratitude, and rivetted the attachment of his elective citizens, he was frequently retained in his office, when the fafety of municipal privi- lege mould have obliged him to refign. In this manner the beft of moral actions were the de- ftruction of the moft valuable privileges. Thofe who were thus allowed to continue in office longer than the time prefcribed by cuftom and conftitu^ tion, afliimed the temporary fufferance of their electors, as an undefeafible right for life. Know- ing they could have no chance of being chofen the chief magiftrate, while they were liable to be removed from their aldermanmip by annual election, they chofe rather to violate the right* of their fellow-citizens, than lofe an opportunity of gratifying their luft of power and vanity of eminence. This infringement of privilege arofc from the mayor not being chofen among thole who. $6 CHESTER CITY. who had been aldermen, as well as thofe who were; and this defect in the municipal policy may be affignedas the caufe of aldermen holding now their offices for life, who before held them only for a year. Great abufes foon arofe from this violation. In 1554, it appears that the mayor appointed the common-councilmen. In 1574, the confirmation which Elizabeth gave, in the fixth year of her reign, to the charter of Henry VII. was, by the immaculate corpora- tion, furrendered tor one that was more favour- able to the encroachments they had made on the privileges of their fellow-citizens. In 1604, James I. gave a confirmation of the charter: this feemed to have lefs fincerity than compliment. His Majefty attempting, the year following, to nominate a recorder, is an evidence of that royal interference in the affairs of corporations, which began in this reign, and was carried to fuch a dangerous excefs by fucceeding kings, as almoft to threaten an entire fubverlion of the few pri- vileges charters had reftored to the people. In 1662, Lord Brereton, Sir Peter Leicefter, Sir Richard Grofvcnor, and Sir Geoffery Shackerby, acting as commiflioners for regulating the cor- poration, endeavoured to remove fevcral alder- men and common-cpuncilmen, who appeared too much CHESTER CITY. Iff much attached to theinterefts of their fellow-citi- zens to be the avowed tools of government. To this origin may be traced thofe divifions andani- mofities which have frequently rifen to fuch an alarming height in this city, and which can fcarcely be faid yet to have fubfided. To fuch a degree was popular difcord carried, that, at a parliamentary election in 1672, the recorder, Mr. William Williams, and Colonel Warden, who had been gentlemen of the bed-chamber to the Duke of York, afterwards James II. being op- ponent candidates, eight men were killed in the crowd, at the foot of the flairs of the common- hall; and the poll was, in confequence, adjourn- ed to the Rood Eye. This is one of thofe many difmal and difgraceful cafualties that too fre- quently attend thofe times, when the people arc called together to exercife their elective privi- leges: at a period when the voters of this kingdom mould be fuffered to choofe their re- prefcntatives with that peace, order and decency, which ought to charadterife the conftitution of a parliament, difcords are fomented, and outrage abetted. The people are firft intoxicated, and afterwards bullied. The very inftant in which they are alfembled to prefer ve their lives, rights, and properties, privilege is banifhed, rapine en- couraged, 58 CHESTE-R-GITY. couraged, and murder committed. Thefe are the bleflings we have enjoyed ever lince a feat in parliament has been more advantageous to the reprefentative than the conftituent. To counte- nance fuch proceedings, encroachments were made on this and all other corporations. In this general abridgment of independence, the charter of Chefter was altered; for, in 1676, a new- charter was made, which, although it left the right of election, as prefcribed in thatof Hen. VII. unaltered, introduced feveral innovations with refpect to the election of all the corporate offices, fo as to render their poflerTors more immediately dependant on the fovereign. The oppofite parties being nearly equal in itrength and affluence, agreed for a time to di- vide the reprefentation. The great fubject of difpute between Charles II. and his parliament, was the excluding his bro- ther, the Duke of York, a profefied papift, from fucceeding to the crown. No fooner had the king called them together, for thepurpofe of ob- taining fupplies, than a bill of exclufion wai agitated, and made the fine qua non of every pe- cuniary grant ; and fuch were the apprehen- fions of the confequences of the duke's acceffton to the crown, that even that part of the nation who C H E S T E R C I T Y. $j who were zealoufly attached to the king's per- fon, and the more fenlible and moderate, fup- ported the meafure of exclufion. Every election confequently produced new advocates for it in the houfe of commons, in defiance of all the ftrenuous efforts of court-influence. As money could not be had without parliaments, nothing re- mained, but for the crown to attempt the acqui- fition of fuch a decided fway in the choice of members, as to render all oppofition too feeble to counteract its deiigns. It was therefore ima- gined, and not without reafon, that this might be effected by affumingthe power of nominating the officers of corporations : and as tins was only to be done by the demolition of charter, a plan was formed for this purpofe. of avowed tyranny. Some boroughs were terrified, and others cajoled into a furrender of their charters; and agarnft thofe .that were obftinate, informations, in the nature of n quo ivarranto, were filed. Thefe vio- lent proceedings foon evinced that the court were determined to eftablim their arbitrary defigns. With thefe views, there were not wanting, in Chefter, men who Were ready to adopt 'any mea- fure, however defpotic, provided they were per-" mitted to mare the unconftitutional authority. To this end, a voluntary furrender of their old charter 69 CHESTER CITY. charter was attempted ; but this mcafure, being too defpotic, proved abortive. It was therefore necefiary to have recourfe to compulfion. An in- formation was filed ; and the refult was, that judgment was given, that the liberties of Cbejier Jhould befeized into the king's bands, until the ccfurt Ihould further order; which was accordingly executed by a writ of feizure. A rule for final judgment being given the next term, and the cor- poration mowing no caufe againft it, a farther rule for entry of that judgment was made, which, however, from fome neglect, was omitted. The Tories availed themfelvesofthefecircumftances, to obtain a new charter, have their own mayor, and to fill the corporation entirely with their own creatures. Regardlefs of the reproaches and execrations of their fellow-citizens, whom they had thus defpoiled of thofe rights reftored to them by charter, they triumphed in the fmilcs and fun-mine of court-favour; and, as if ty- ranny had completely vanquimed the patriotifm of Chefter, a tablet was placed over the Pentice- door, with an infcription, importing " that the <* new charter was acceptable to all good men." So venal and dependant the corparation became afterwards, that, when James II. vifited this city the recorder, Leving, at the head of the cor- CHESTER CITY. 6f corporation thus addrefTed him : " The corpo- " ration is your Majefty's creature, and depends merely on the will of its creator ; and the folc " intimation of your Majefty's pleafure, mail ' ever have, with us, the force of a fundamental f law." When James made an alteration in mod of the charters in the kingdom, the like attempt wet made on the city of Chefler; but the independant citizens, conceiving that this offer was only made to fcduce them into a refignation of their religious liberty, unanimoufly refufed its acceptance, and defired to have their ancient charter of Hen. VI I. reftored. Thus, through the difmiflion of the corporation created by Charles's charter, and the non-acceptance of that of James, the city was deftitute nearly three months of magiftrates, and the election-day pafltd without any officers being chofen. The king, indeed, was at that time bu- fily employed in endeavouring to repair the wrong fteps which were effecting his ruin, by particu- larly replacing all the corporations on their for- mer footing: thegreateft care was taken, that no force might be wanting to reftore the ancient fran- chifes to Chefter. On the 1 8th of November, after the Prince of Orange had landed on the 4th t fche corporation re-aflumed its ancient privileges^ Is 62 CHESTER CITY".- In 1692, it was acknowledged by all, that the charter of restitution had, to every intent and purpofe, revived the ancient franchifes ; among j which, that of electing aldermen and common- : councilmen, by the citizens at large, was as j cxprefsly granted as any other ; and as it pre- j fented a probable remedy againft the encroach- j mcnts of ariftocratic power, it was refolved that it mould be adopted. In October, 1692, Colonel Whitely was chofen mayor ; and fo pure and patriotic was his con- duel:, that he was continued in the mayoralty- four years fucceflively. Being obliged to retire from the fatigue of his office, he convened, a few days before this event, the corporation, and prefented them a fet of regulations for their future choice of aldermen and common-council- men: thefe were fo excellent, that they were unanimoufly received, and deferved the appro- bation of every honeft and fenfible mind. This worthy citizen, being fucceeded by one of op- pofite principles, the freedom of the corporation was again fubverted, by cauling the elections of the city-officers to be made by a feleft body.. This was oppofed by the citizens at large, in a. petition figncd by Roger Whitely and ten others ; CHESTER CITY-, 6j which, however, after great ftruggles, proved -ineffectual. In 1698, the citizens were convened, and, by fome artful means, perfuaded to elect the whole body, and then to vote, that they fhould continue in ibeir offices according to ancient cujlom. Thus was entirely deftroyed the ancient privilege of annual elections in the corporation. A general election approaching in 1734, both parties began to mufter their forces. This proved to be one of the fevereft contefts which the city had ever experienced. Their paflions already inflamed, and confcious of the enor- mous weight of influence againft them, the Whigs were driven into excefies which would have been inexcufable on any other occa- fion. It was apprehended that the corporation, having the power of making freemen in their own hands, might procure as many votes as they wanted. Some of the aldermen, having met in the Pentice at a late hour, on the Tuefday preceding the -election, fufpicion arofc, that the whole night was to be employed in admitting to the freedom of the city as many of their party as they could conveniently introduce. A mob y. afTembled about the Pentice, where they 64 CHESTER CITY. they broke open the door, afTaulted and drove out the aldermen, and damaged confiderably the windows and furniture. Their adverfaries, feel- ing their inferiority in this kind of conteft, re- folved to call in foreign afliftance : the following day, therefore, a large body of colliers, and other countrymen, were brought from the neigh- bourhood of Wrexham, by the direction and under the influence of Mr. W. W. Wynne, The citizens, hearing of their approach, retired into the caftle, and there armed themfelves with old fwords, helmets, and breaft-pieces j and, thus formidably accoutered, fallied forth to meet their foes. A bloody encounter enfued in Bridge- ftreet ; and the Welchmen, after feveral of them were dangeroufly wounded, were foon routed and put to flight. It was now agreed, that hoftilities fhould ceafe, and fome plan fhould be fettled for conducting the election in a peaceable and regular manner. The poll continued from Friday to Monday ; and both parties fo exerted themfelves, as to bring votes from the moft diftant parts of the kingdom, and even from Ireland, in direct contradiction to the charter, which limits thefe elections to be made by com- mortnt citizens. The majority, as might be expected, CHESTERCITY. 65 expected, was in favour of the corporation mem- ber ; bur no fooner were the books clofed, and the mayor and his attendants retired from the huftings, than they were obliged to retreat into the Exchange coffee-houfe. They were, how- ever, not here fecure ; for the mob broke in, feized the fvvord and mace, and, chairing their favourite candidate, bore him before them to his houfe in triumph. As the corporation ftill exercifed the over- bearing influence, recourfe was had to the only remedy againft exorbitant power, which is that of recurring to its original and conftitutional fource the people. Informations were accord- ingly brought againft Johnfon the mayor, 10 aldermen, and 1 8 common-council, for ufurp- ing the privilege of electing aldermen, excluiive of the commonalty. After a conllderable con- teft, the Tories prevailed; and the Whigs, from difappointment and exhaufted finances, feemed to have been, for that time, entirely difpirited and difuniced. An attempt was made to rally them, in 1747, under aufpices which feemed to infure fuccefs. It appeared that, at thfc election of 1734, the right of non-sefident freemen to vote had been quef- VOL. I. F tioned 66 CHESTER CITY. tioncd ; and it was now rcfolved to try the ifTue. The miniftcr, to whom the Grofvenor family was inimical, encouraged baron Mainwaring to op- pofe adminiftration. They were probably in- duced to this from the hope that, if the queftion concerning non-refidents fhrwld be agitated, his fupport would not be wanting. The election was carried on with all the heat and violence of for- mer times ; and the Tory party, counting non- refidents, had the majority. A petition was prefented, and the enquiry com- menced, which clearly tended to eftablifh the right of election in refident freemen only. And now Sir Robert Grofvenor found himfelf in a very difagreeable dilemma : he confidered that his intereft in Weftminfter muft be devoted to the miniftei , or he would be obliged to refign one re- preferitation for his hereditary borough, to which he could by no means confent. But, as it was no novelty in his family to change principles, for the purpofe of preferving the fuperiority in Chefter, a compromife was made the evening before the final iflue of the petition : and, notwithstanding the refolutions of the preceding day, the counfel for the petitioners were inftructed to fay, " that " they would give the houfe no farther trouble." Thusi CHESTERCITY. 67 Thus was the baron made the victim of minifte- jial duplicity. We may therefore rejoice at the day that Mr. Grenville's act has placed the ifTue pf contefted elections in more impartial hands than thofe of an influenced majority of the houfe of commons. From the above and other fucceeding circum- Jtances, refpecting the conduct of the corporation and their opponents, it is evident that the former have always endeavoured to preferve their power by abridging and extinguifhing the liberties of the 1 people as much as they poffibly could, while the latter have always endeavoured to found their pride and distinction on the defence of the rights and privileges of their fellow-citizens. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION This' city being the capital of a county pala tine, did not fend members to the national parliament before they were granted the privilege by act 34 and 35 Hen- ry VIII. c. 15. RIGHT o FLTCTIO was determined, Feb. 2, 747, to be in the freemen. NUMBER OF VOTERS are loco. RETURNING OFFICERS the meriff. PATROX Earl Grofvenor. f a CORNWALL. [ 68 J CORNWALL. POLITICAL INFLUENCE. -I HIS county is not entirely under the in- fluence of the nobility. The Duke of Leeds, the Earl of Mount Edgecombe, Lord Vifcount Fal- mouth, Lord Camelford, and Lord Eliot, indeed, command a mod powerful interefl : but when oppofed by the Prince of Wales, as fovereign of the county, the Duke of Bedford, and the Duke of Northumberland, the independence of the county has had an opportunity of exerting itfelf. The firfl of thefe parties, however, prevailed at the laft election j but the majority was not very confiderable. NUMBER OF VOTERS in this county, are 2700. SALTASH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Parliamentary in- fluence has been an objecl of legal contention in this borough for near twenty years. The quef- tion has been, whether the right of eledion was in the corporation, confiding of twenty-eight members, or in the freeholders of ancient houfes or their fites, held by burgage-tenure, of which there are thirty-eight, and all the property of Mr. J. Buller,, S A L T A S H. 69 J. Buller, brother to the judge, and one of the Com mi {Boners of the Excife. This queftion has been four times contefted at different elections, and brought to iffue by com- mittees of the houfe of commons fince the paffing of the Grenville act. The determinations were, in the three firft, favourable to the corporation ; but the latter decided the right to be in the bur- gage-holders. This produced an occurence that muft convince more ftrongly than any hypotheti- cal argument can inform the mind, that the pre- fent fyftem of reprefentation muft remain incom* plete until its innumerable imperfections are forced to yield to a radical reform. The Right Hon. Charles Jenkinfon, and Charles Ambler, were returned by the corporation at the general election in 1785, and refolved, by a committee, on Monday, the 25th of April, 1785, to be duly elected. A vacancy happened in October, 1786, by Mr. Jenkinfon being created a peer, when the Earl of Mornington was returned by the corporation in his room j and Mr. Lemon pe- titioned againft the faid return, on the right of the burgage-holders. The committee appointed to try the merits of the petition met on the 25th of April, 1787, and, on the 6th of May following, reported JO S A L T A S H. reported to the houfe, that Mr. Lemon was duly ele&ed. Thus two members were fitting in the Houfe of Commons at the fame time for the fame borough, upon the right of a different defcription of electors, \vho had, each of them, been deemed ineligible in the fame Parliament. But what is ftill more remarkable, and derago- tory to all principles of conftitutional confiftency, is, that this error in the rep re fen tat ion for Saltafh fhould remain yet uncorrected. Indeed the right is ftill difputed, and is therefore to be afcer- tained. The committees have three feveral times feated the members chofen by the corpora- tion, and once determined in favour of the perfon vvho had the fuffrages of Mr. Bujler's thirty- eight burgage-tenures ; but neither of them are final. By.the amended Grenville act, the parties have yet the chance of two more petitions on this queftion of elective right, which may proba- bly be as oppofite in their decifions to each other as thofe which have been already determined. With regard to the influence over this bo- rough, the prefent members were returned by the burgage-tenures of Mr. Buller. They had the good fortune to preferve their feats without incurring the expence of a petition. Should the right S A T L A S H. 71 right be finally adjudged to be in thefe burgagc tenants, the property, and confequently influence of the borough, will be transferred entirely from the corporation to Mr. Buller; but, on the con- trary, fhould the corporation of Saltafh gain the victory, the influence will then belong to the treafury. This borough is involved in the fame dif- ficulties and obfcurities as mod of the other boroughs in the kingdom. Having deftroyed that fimple but general right of all tithings, which were originally boroughs, having a fhare in the legiflature, fucceeding charters have been made by fucceeding kings, accord- ing to their feparate views and interefts, fo as to have deftroyed even the tenor and principle of each other. Endeavouring to limit a privilege that, by nature and juRice, was and fhould be a common inheritance, has involved the municipal conftitution of our boroughs in ab- furd perplexities, as well as expofed them to arbitrary encroachments. It was firft chartered as a borough fo early as Henry IV. by its Lord Reginald Valletort, who was lord of the houfe of Trematon, within which Saltafh is fituated. A fecond charter was granted by Richard II. a third yl $ A L T A 5 H. third by Elizabeth, in which were recited the two former; and two others, which were granted by Edward IV. and Henry VIII. : in thefe were granted the town with all its members and appur- tenances, the ferry of the river, rents of aflize, tolls, &c. and to be yielded to her heirs and fucceflbrs, Dukes of Cornwall, for .18 per annum, as a fee-farm rent : " And that there " Ihould be in the fame borough two burgefTes " of the parliament ; and the mayor and free " burgeffes for the time being, as often as a par- " liament fhould be fummoned, mould have ct power and authority to choofe two difcrete and * f honeft men to be burgefTes of the parliament " for the fame borough." This charter of Eliza- beth was furrendered to Charles II. Jan. 1682-3, who, in confequence, granted another to them, dated Nov. 27, 1683, which entirely changed their conftitution. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. Although this town was chartered as a borough fo early as Henry IV. it did not. fend members to parlia- ment before Edward VI. CORPORATION. It was firft incorporated by Charles II. who granted the inhabitants the pri- vilege of being governed by a mayor, fix alder- men. S A L T A S H. 73 men, and thirty-three burgeffes, although the number is now indefinite. Thefe may choofe a recorder, and elect members of parliament. The manor of the borough is vefted in the corporation, who, upon the payment of . 8 annually, enjoy the tolls of the markets, fairs, &c. as above ob- ferved. A power was referved in the crown, as in all other charters, granted by this monarch, to difplace at pleafure any mayor, alderman, bur^ gefs, town-clerk, &c. This was the tenure by which the electors in thefe places held their fran- chife ; fo that, by this mode of incorporating moft of the boroughs in the kingdom, Charles poffeffed himfelf entirely of the elective influence. He was certain of having none but his friends chofen by thefe dependent boroughs, whofe in- habitants had no other fecurity for their tenures but obeying the dictates of his pleafure. It is, however, proper here to obferve, that this arbi- trary principle, which had fubjected the freedom of election in all fuch boroughs as were thus chartered by Charles II. to minifterial influence, was, in a trial refpedling Chefter, decided abou t four years fmce to be nugatory. As, therefore, this city has thus emancipated itfelf from the fet- ters of court authority, it may be obferved that every 74 S A L T A S H. every other borough, in the fame predicament, has the fame means of redrefs. On the 21 ft May, 1773, the members of the corporation, whofe whole number at that time was lefs than twenty, petitioned his prefent ma- jefty for a new charter : they ftated the diflblu- tionoftheold charter, and their incapacity to continue it. A new charter was accordingly granted 7th }une, 1774, in principle fimilar to that of Charles II. for it referved ihe fame power of difplacing corporators at pleafure. The mem- bers named in this charter were moil of them placemen in the dock-yard at Plymouth, or per- fons holding offices under government. Thus, by the creatures of corruption, the town of Sal- tafh was again rivetted to a fervile depen- dence on every adminiftration for the time being. Unlefs the corporation choofe members in fa- vour of government, they are liable to lofe their civil distinctions and national privileges. When fovereign authority difpenfes a corporation-right t>n the conditions of fervile dependence and obedience, to what fource of political integrity is a people to look for the reftoration of fufpended privilege? when every avenue of freedom is thus clofed by the bar of arbitrary dictation, 3 A L T A S H. .dictation, the people can have no hopes to fee their government lettered. They may be as loud in complaining as they have been patient in fuffering, without having their grie- vances heard, or their oppreflions even lamen- ted; for, while they have been remonftrating againft their lofs of privilege, the fetters of their bondage have been more clofely ri vetting. Surely if any infringement of the conftitution calls aloud for redrefs, it is that which corrupts and controuls the very fource of privilege. It is in vain to guard againft the venal practices of reprefentation, when every member is thus liable to be the crea- ture of a court, returned by the fervile depen- dents of every intriguing and ambitious miniftry. When boroughs are therefore chartered, and, by their own felicitations, on the condition of having the members of the corporation diverted of elective independence, all fecurity of free- dom is loft; and nothing can poflibly reftore the conftitutfon to its primitive integrity, but the unanimous facrifice of all perfonal intereft, whether of prefent poffeffion, or future expec- tancy. Reform muft riot be fought, for the pur- pofe of fupplanting one party, in order to feat another j for the fame principles of influence remaining, 76 9 A L T A S H. remaining, rotten boroughs will again be obliged, on forfeiture of their offices, to choofe venal re- prefentations, to fupport the fame attacks on a nation's right in one miniftry that have been re- probated as the practice of others. Minifters, whoever they may be, according to the prefent ftate of corrupt reprefentation, have, as we have already mentioned, no fecurity for their feats but the moft venal arts of influence. They dare not depend on the integrity of their meafures, left others, as ambitious as themfelves, fliould furprife them, ungarded by their broad fhield of influ- ence, and caft them headlong from their heights of power and preferment. It is therefore feen, that every minifter, whatever may be his pro- feflions when in oppofition, avails himfelfef all the patronage and variety of influence to fecure him- felf againft the attacks which he has before levied againft his predeceffors in office: for this pur- pofe are boroughs chartered on the principle of Saltafh; and thus is corrupt influence extended, not only in the petty jurifdi&ion of a town-hall or market-place, but even into every avenue, great or final), divine or human, where the paf- fions or fenfes of man are to be rendered fub- fervient to artful intrigue and fmiiter defign. The * A L T A S H. -77 The abufes therefore of reprefentation muft: be in general reformed, before the people can pof- fibly be free. No confutation can be reftored by one fet of men being in place, without it is the joint effort and inclination of the reft to aid them in the laudable defign : no perfons poffeffed of power can reftore this country to liberty, unlefs the principles of that power are firft purified from ambitious influence and venal corruption. While the fource of oppreflion re- mains, every perfon poflefTed of power muft be more than human to refift the temptation of exert- ing an arbitrary authority. Hiftory fcarcely affords an inftance of any fet of men, in the me- ridian of luxury, venality, and influence, facri- ficing their power to patriotifm. Even the revolution of France was the general aft of a nation; not the facrifice of a few in* dividuals. All ranks, degrees, and profeflions, united in the univerfal facrifice of defpotifm, on the fhrine of liberty: the foldier, lawyer, divine, ftatefman, and artizan, all conjoined in one unanimous effort to be free. Emancipation, was the univerfal fentiment which animated the breaft of the nation, and thus broke the bonds of flavery. It was a deed that required the whole ftrength 7 S" A L T A S If. flrength of a peoplet o perform ; and nothing fhort of the confolidated power of a nation could have effeaed the grand defign. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in the burgage-te- nures. NUMBER OF VOTERS 38. THE RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON OF THE BOROUGH Mr. Buller. ST. MICHAEL, OR MITCHELL. This borough is fo defpicable a town, that it: does not confift of above 30 thatched houfes and one inn. It ftands in the two parifhes of New- lyn and St. Enedore ; which lad is a valuable vicarage, in the gift of the bifhop of Exon. It is one of the oldeft boroughs by prefcription in the county. It is governed by a portreve, cho- fen annually, by a jury of the chief inhabitants, out of the fix principal tenants, who are called deputy lords of the manor, from poffeffing lands in the borough. Thefe fix lords are Sir Carew Vyvyan, Bart. Sir Francis Baflet, Mr. HughBof- cawen, Sir Thomas Carew, Mr. William Court- ney, and Mr. Gully. The manor belonged to the Arundels of Llanhern : one of the anceftors c of S T. X I C H A E L. 79 of this family procured for this place the privi- leges of a free borough, with a market and fair ; both of which are now difufed. In 30 Edw. I. this little town was called Modiihole, from which it may have derived its prefent name. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. It fent mem- bers to parliament 6 Edw. VI. in which return, it is called Burgus et Villa Mychel, Mitchel, or Modifhole. It is no where called St. Michael, until of a later date. PATRONAGE. This borough is now the joint property of Lord Vifcount Falmouth and Sir Francis Baflet, between whom a ftrong conteft for fuperiority arofe at the general election in. 1784. At this conteft, David Howel and Roger Wilbraham, efqrs. were candidates, on the in- tereft of Sir Francis Baffet ; and Chriftopher Hawkins, efq. and Mr. Bofcawen, on that of J^ord Falmonth. The numbers on the poll were : David Ho well, efq. 87 Roger Wilbraham, efq. 2 i Chriftopher Hawkins, efq. 21 Mr. Bofcawen, 15 A committee was however chofen,on the ijth f June following, to try the merits of tfiis double return^ 80- ST. MICHAEL. return, which was made in confequence of the equality of numbers polled for Mr. Wilbraham and Mr. Hawkins. The counfel for the Former ftrove very hard to invalidate the elcftion of the latter on the plea of bribery committed by Mr. Curgenven, fteward to lord Falmouth. It was ftated, that Mr. Curgenven refided with Mr. Hawkins, in the houfe of one of his lordfhip's agents, during the election ; and it was proved that they canvaffed the borough together, and that Curgenven afked the vote of one of the witnefies for Mr. Hawkins in his prefence, and jointly with him. The committee were however of an opinion, that the agency of Mr. Curgenven was" not fufficiently proved, to admit this evidence of bribery being a plea to invalidate the election of Mr. Hawkins. Being therefore relieved from this accufation, his counfel propofed to ftrike off four votes from the poll of Wilbra- ham, which had been admitted by the returning- officer, and to add one to that of Hawkins, which had, by the fame authority, been rejected. Upon the evidence adduced in fupport of this propofition, the committee decided, that Mr. Hawkins was duly elected. Since the above determination, Lord Falm6uth 4 and ST. M 1C H A EI> 8f and Sir Francis Baflet, whofe interefts are o mucn upon an equality, have avoided the caufe of fu- ture Cornells, by each contenting himfelf with fending one member. RIGHT OF ELECTION has been varioufly de- termined. In the firft cafe which appears upon the journals, the members were chofcn by burg- hers ; a name which does not, at prefent, exifl in the borough. To this report, it is alfo added, " the inhabitants condefcended;" which proves that the right being thus conceded by the inhabi- tants at large, in favour of the burghers, they originally poflefled the privilege as it was anciently enjoyed by the inhabitants of every borough in in the kingdom, before the right was exclufively granted to cities, towns, and boroughs, that were more immediately in the intereft of royalty. The next cafe, which was in 1660, the members were chofen by two elizors, Mho were them- felves chofen by the lord of the manor, and twenty-two of the freemen chofen by thefe two elizors. The right of election was then difputed be- tween them and the commonalty at large, which was decided by the houfe in favour of the for- mer. Thus was the right of reprefentation in- VOL. I. G this 82 3 T. MICHAEL. this borough transferred from the people to the lord of the manor. Another conteft did not arife for twenty-nine years afterwards. At this decifion the rights of the people feemed to have been fo little underftood, that neither the lord of the manor, nor the commonalty, appear to have aflerted the leaft claim to the privilege, Thedifputeat this conteft in 1689, was between the inhabitants paying fcotand lot, and the houfe- keepers at large. The determination of the houfe of commons refpecting this borough, varied con- fiderably, for on the lathof December 1689, they determined the right of election to be in the lords of the borough, and the houfekeepers not receiv- ing alms; but on March 20, 1700, it was deter- mined to be in the portreves, and lords of the manor capable of being portreves, and the inha- bitants of the faid borough, paying fcot and lot. CONSTITUTION of Mitchell, is that of a fupe- rior or^high lord, and five mefne or deputy lords, who hold of him ; the portreve, who prefides ir>. the borough, is one of the deputy lords, annually chofen to that office at the court-leet of the highi lord. Although the vfordsfrecmen and commonalty are ufed in the firft refolution, yet Mitchell i not, nor ver has been, a corporation. 5 PATRONS H t t S f O W. f PATRONS Lord Falmouth and Sir Francis Baffet. NUMBER or VOTERS 42. HELSTON. This Borough has been the object of expenfive litigation for fome years. The conteft here was between a corporation acting under a charter granted by Queen Elizabeth and confirmed by Charles the firft, and another corporation acting under another charter granted by his prefent majefty. The right of election was the great object oF contention. Each corporation aflerted their claim to it, the new one fupported by the late Lord Godolphin, and the remaining mem- bers of the old one under the fupport of the late Mr. York and the late Mr. Cuft, two gentlemen for whom they tendered their votes at the gene- ral election in 1774. This queftion was brought before a committee o f theHou fe of Commons in 1 775' The corporation acting under the new char- ter by Mr. Rogers, theirmayor, returned the Mar- quis of Carmarthen and F. G. Owen, efq. The corporation afting under the old charter by Mr. Johns, theirmayor, returned Philip Yorke, efq. and G 2 Francis H L 9 T O If . Francis Cuft, cfq. The committee, after a moft elaborate inveftigation,* determined in favour of the old charter, and that Mr. Yorke and Mr. Cuft were duly ele&ed. At the laft general eleftion in 1790, the fame conteft was renewed, when the Rev. John Paf- more, mztyor, under the new charter, made a return of Sir Gilbert Elliot and Sir Stephen Lulh- ington ; and Richard Penhall, who united in his ownfolitary perfon the whole corporation under the old charter, all the other members of that- body being dead, conceived himfelf invefted > under the laft determination of the houfe, witruhe' fole power of electing two members to repre- fent the people of England in Parliament, returned James Bland Burgefs, efq. the under Secretary of State, and Charles Abbot, efq. This double re- turn was brought to a hearing before a commit- tee immediately upon the meeting of the new Par- liament, who decided (contrary to the former com* mittec) in favour of the corporation adting under the new charier^ by which decifion Mr. Burgefs and Mr. Abbot loft their feats, and Mf. Penhalt the corporate right at leaft for theprefentParlia- See Douglas's Reports. S T. I V E J. 85 mcnt, of having two members to reprefent his individual perfon in the Britifh Houfe of Com- mons. The Duke of Leeds who fucceededto the eftate of the late Lord Godolphin, was the Patron of thencru corporation, by whom he had been returned to Parliament when Marquis of Camarthen in 1774, but conceiving by the decifion of the firft committee that the right was in Penhall only, and that the new corporation would never be able to eftablifh their right to the election of members for this Borough, his grace abandoned his old friends and paid his court to Mr. Perihall, who returned Mr. Burgefs, and Mr. Abbot under his Grace's patronage, but having this time been as unfuccefsful with the old charter as he was be- fore with the new one, it is faid that a reconcilia- tion has taken place with the latter, and that the members will in future be returned by them un- der this noble influence without any further op- pofition from Mr. Penhall. RIGHT OF ELECTION in the corporation. NUMBER OF VOTERS 36. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRON Duke of Leeds. G 3 ST. IVES. $6 S T. I V X S. ST. IVES. ANCIENT STATE. The manor anciently be-. longed to the Ferrers family, from whom it came by marriage by the Champernoons; and from them, in the fame manner, to Sir Robert Wil- loughby, Baron de Broke, whofe co-heirefles marrying Blunt, Lord Mountjoy, and Mr. Pow- lett, anceftor to the prefent Duke of Bolton, it came, on a divifion of the eftate, to the latter nobleman ANCIENT REPRESENTATION.-^!!^ borough firft fent members to parliament in the reign of Queen Mary. CORPORATION.- The town was incorporated by Charles I. and is governed by a mayor, recor- der, and twelve capital burgeffes, with twenty- four inferior burgeffes, and a town-clerk; of whom the mayor, while in his office, and a year after, as well as the recorder and fenior burgeffes, are always juftices of the peace. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in the inhabitants of the faid borough, paying fcot and lot. CASE OF BRIBERY. On the 2/th of April, 1775, a committee being met, two petitions were re;d, ftating that, during the time of canvaffing and at the election, the two ' fitting ST. I V E g; 87 fitting members, nnd Mr. Praed's father, by themfelves and their agents, gave and lent feveral large Turns of money to feveral of the electors, in order to corrupt and caufe them to vote for the faid two fitting members ; that they were guilty of other modes of bribery; that the returning officer had aled partially, by admitting voters who had no right, and rejecting others who had ; and that, by thefe and other undue means, the fitting members had been chofen and returned. The refolution of the houfe, refpecling the right of election, was then read, and the follow- ing numbers of the poll were produced by the town-clerk : For Praed 95 For Drummond 78 For Stephens, the petitioner 71 The evidence proved, that the fums of money advanced by Mr. Praed the father, to the voters, on their notes, payable with intereft at the bank of Truro, were only colourable loans j that the voters received the money on condition that they fhould vote for his fon and a friend ; and that they were caufed to underftand that, on this compliance, the payment of their notes would never be demanded; and that Mr. Praed, fen. was confidered as the agent for both his fon and G 4 Mr. 88 ST. I V E S. Mr. Drummond. The petition therefore con- cluded, that thefc latter gentlemen were incapable of luting for the faid borough. Evidence was likewife brought to prove, that fo many of the voters for the fitting members had been bribed, that the petitioners would be found to have evidently the majority of legal votes. It was likewife ftated, that Mr. Stephens ought to have had 40 more votes, of which he was unjuftly deprived, by this number of voters in his intereft not being rated, although they had rateable property. But to this evidence being given, the counfel for the fitting members objected j for they offered to prove that all the perfons rated for St. Ives, during the laft five years, were fo on the laft occafion of making the rate, except two, who had been ftruck off in confequence of their own application, ftating the narrovvnefs of their circumflances, and begging to be relieved from the land and window tax; that none of thefe 40 perfons, except two, had appealed againft the rate of January, 1774; and that, on their appeal, the rate was confirmed; (hat the determination in the cafe of Milborne Port, which had been quoted by Mr. Stephens's counfel, wa^ t j lat wnen a man j, as b een fa J a fi rated, and is poffeffedof rateable property, and has S T. I V S. gj has paid the rate, fuch perfon is within the de-. fcription of one paying fcot and lot, although the overfeers may have been illegally appointed. But it never had been pretended before, that men, circumftanced as thofe propofed to be added to the poll, could vote as fcot and lot men ; nor could it be imagined that the com- mittee would transform themfelves into the over- feers of the poor, and make a new rate for the borough of St. Ives. This power was vefted, and fo difcretionary, in the parifh officers, that even the Court of King's Bench would not at- tempt to controul it, unlefs on the plea of grofs mifconduft and partiality. COUNSEL FOR THE PETITIONERS, Anfwered, that it could be proved fome oF the perfons in queftion had applied to be rated, and had been refufed, and therefore they had acquiefced in this conduct of the overfeers. And as it could alfo be proved that the four juftices who appointed the overfeers were in the intereft of the Praeds, they did not appeal, from being convinced they would have obtained no redrefs. It was likewife ftated, that the fitting member himfelf was one of the four juftices; and that the appeal which had been brought by the two was cnly colourable from thefe perfons being the partifans gO S T. I V E S. partifans of Mr. Pracd, and the appeal being only made as an advantage to be taken on the prefent occafion. The committee, afking if it was meant to prove any mifconduft or criminal partiality in the over- feers, were anfwered in the negative. The chair- man then declared they were of opinion, " That perfons, though poflefled of rateable " property, if they have not been rated, and can- " not prove mifconduft in the overfeers in not *' rating them, are not entitled to vote." COUNSEL FOR THE SITTING MEMBERS, Brought witnelfes to prove, that the petitioner himfelf had endeavoured to gain his election by giving or promising money to the voters. In the courfe of the evidence one Wallis proved, that one Noell faid, in the prefence and hearing of Mr. Praed's father, that Mr. Praed knew that he (Noell) could not take the bribery- oath, which was not contradicted by Praed. This queftion was objected to. // was faid to be an eJlabli/Jicd ruk> that no evi- dence Jball be admitted ypcn aaLh of what a man faid U'hen he was not upon oath. To break this rule, would be attended with the worft conferences ; for ST. I V I. 9t for many men, who would not take a falfe oath, might be drawn to fay things that are falfe in converfation, in theprefence of a perfon placed on purpofe within hearing, in orde; to relate afterwards, upon oath, what the other had faid. This rule was admitted by the counfel for the petitioners ; but they, at the fame time, faid it did not apply to the evidence then offered ; for that the witnefs meant to prove a declaration of Noell, and a charge brought by him againfl Praed, and which was not contradicted by Praed, although declared in bis hearing : it had there- fore every appearance of truth. This kind of evidence was confequently taken in every court of juftice. The committee over-rul"d the objection. May 8, 1775, the committee, by their chair- man, informed the houfe that they had deter- mined, " That Mr. Drummond was duly elected; and " that the election of one of theburgeffes toferve " in parliament for the borough of St. Ives was " void." And accordingly a new writ was ordered. NUMBER or VOTERS were, according to Willis, 9^ T * G O N Y. Willis, 150; but they have fince decreafcd to 130. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON William Praed, Efq. TREGONY. POLITICAL CHARACTER This is an incon- Cdcrable village, without trade, commerce, or manufactory. The elective influence was fome time contefted between Lcrd Falmouth and Sir Francis Baflet, as were the boroughs of Mitchell and Truro ; but the parties having agreed to fend one member each for the former, Lord Falmouth, who was lord of great part of the foil in this borough, fold his property, and with it transferred his intereft to Sir Francis Baffet, conditionally that Sir Francis mould withdraw- bis oppofition, and transfer his intereft at Truro to his lordfhip. Matters being thus fatisfaftorily arranged, Sir Francis difpofed of the whole to Mr. Barwell, the nabob, who is now the fole proprietor of the borough. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION Although this town is now fo infignifkant, it was formerly of fome confequence ; for it made two returns to parliament fo early as 23 and 25 of Edward I, Form * R E G O N Y. 93 From this time Tregony was not represented until the firft year of Elizabeth, when it returned two members, and has continued to do fo ever fince. CORPORATION. In 30 Edward I, Henry de Pomeroy, then lord of the town, certified his right to a market, fair, and other privileges; which were allowed. In 19 James I. it was by charter incorporated. It is now governed by a. mayor, feven capital burgefles, and a recorder. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in ail the houfe- holders who boil the pot, or, in other words^ provide for themfelves, whether they live under the fame roof or not. (March, 1695.) The NUMBER OF VOTERS were fluctuating when Lord Falmouth and Sir Francis were in oppofition ; for then every poor wretch who be- longed to the parifh was fought, and caufed to boil a pot in the borough, in order to qualify them as voters. By this means 150 were brought to poll at the general election in 1784 ; but fince Mr. Harwell has poffefled the fole influence, and oppofition is at an end, the number diminiihed to 100, which are now decreafing by degrees. RETURNING OFFICERS are the mayor and portreve. PROPRIETOR Richard Barwell, Efq. TRURO. $4 T * U R O. TRURO. POIITTCAL CHARACTER The influence in this borough was, for fome years, warmly con- tefted between Lord Falmouth and Sir Francis BafTet : the latter gained the viftory by one vote, in 1780; and the former, by the fame majority, in 1784; but, in confequence of their agree- ment refpefting Tregony, Sir Francis difcon- tinued his oppofition in this borough ; and it is now underftood to be entirely at the devotion of his lordfhip. ANCIENT CONSEQUENCE AND REPRESENTA TION. Truro is one of the moft confiderabl towns in Cornwall. The quarter-feffions for th Eaftern divifion of the county being held here bring a refort of company. Its great antiquit appears from its being called Truergeu, i doomfday-book, and having had a fair am market fo long fmce as 30 Edward I. and, from that period, it has regularly fent members to parliament. CORPORATION. Truro was firft incorporatec in the reign of John, and afterwards by Eliza beth. It is now governed by a mayor, four alder- men, twenty capital burgefies, and a recorder The T R U R O. g The mayor has great privileges: he claims being alfo mayor of Falmouth, the port-dues of which belong to this corporation. On the elec- tion of a mayor, the town-mace muft, by cuftom, be delivered to the lord of the manor, until fixpence is paid for every houfe in the town, confiding of 400, as an acknowledgement. RIGHT OF ELECTION In 1660*, thisqueftion \vas ftated : " Whether the mayor, and four and " twenty, or all the freemen of this borough, have the right to elecl." The houfe decided in fa- vour of the feledl number. The difpute being revived in the year following, received the fame determinationt. In 1689 the fame difpute arofe, and was ftated in the journals J : the queftion was, " Whether the right of election was in the c< popultcc or feleft number." The houfe decided that the word populace meant the greater body of the freemen, in contradiftinftion to the felect number. Their decifion however was, like the others, in favour of the felect number. NUMBER OP VOTERS 25. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON or THE BOROUGH Lord Falmouth. PEN- I Journal, 69, f Ibid. 30. J 10 Vol. p. 141. 9 f B N R Y tf. PENRYN. This borough is a manor belonging to the Sefl of Exeter, of which it is held by the corporation, who pay the bifhop a quit-rent for the toll of the markets and fairs ; we prefume no very large fum, as the borough confifts but of one indiffe- rent ftreet, coinpofed of lefs than two hundred houfes. The property belongs to Sir Francis Baflet, the Duke of Leeds, the Earl of Mount Edgcombe, and Mr. Trefufis. The prefent members were elected under the influence of the two former, but we underfland that an agreement has taken place between Sir Francis Baflet, who owns the largeft property in this borough, and the Duke of Leeds, who has hitherto poflefled the patronage of the borough of Hellftone, not to oppofe each other in their refpective interefts; in confequence of which, Sir Francis Baflet may be in future confidered as the fole patron of this borough. The mode of eleclion here was fomewhat curious, and feems well adapted to fuit Mr. Burke in his next panegyric on the ftate of our reprefentation. The fteward of the lord of the manor fent his mandate to the mayor or por- trcve, to return two elizors, or chief men of the borough, FOWEY. 97 orough, who were to choofe twenty-two more, to make up a jury to try all offences, and cleft the members-, this is actually the conftitution of this borough, and though the houfeholders claim the right of election, we underftand it will be difputed if they prefume torefift the nomination of their Patron. CORPORATION It was not incorporated until 18 James I. who appointed it to be governed by one mayor, eight aldermen, twelve common- councitmen, a recorder, a fteward, and other infe- rior officers. It is now, however, governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and a town-clerk. RIGHT OF ELECTION At prefent aflumed by the mayor, portreve, aldermen, and inhabitants at large who pay fcot and lotj NUMBER OF VOTERS are about 140. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRONS Sir Francis^Baflet, and the Duke of Leeds. FOWEY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. It is one of the feudal tenures belonging to the Prince of Wales, as Duke of Cornwall. The influence is in the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, and Philip Rafh- leigh, efq. who are undetthe neceffity of uniting VOL. I. H their F O W E T. their intcrefts in order to carry their point. A very powerful and expenfive oppofition was made to their joint intereft at the Jaft general eleclion by Lord Shuldham and Sir Ralph Payne, who were fuppofed to have the goodwifhesof the Prince himfelf ; but, after feveal law-fuits on abftracl: points, it was finally determined, by acommittee of the houfe of commons, the laft feffion, in favour of lord Vmlletort, fon to the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, and Philip Rafh- leigh,efq. A number of furreptitious votes were polled at the laft ele&ion. The parties each fet up a returning officer, who admitted all the votes ten- dered in favour of their principals refpeftively ; but the committee reduced the number to 63, and reported fpecially to the houfe, under the authority of the amended Grenville aQ, on the 7th of March, 1791, " That the portreve of the borough of Fowey " is the returning officer for the faid borough ; " and that it is necefTary that fuch returning " officer fhouldbe chofen or prefented by aho- " mage-jury of princes tenants, duly admitted " on the court-rolls of the manor of the faid " borough; and that princes tenants admitted by 5 the FO W E Y. 99 K the fteward, or deputy fteward, at the court " holden n the faid manor, are duly admitted ; i79i- UNDUE INFLUENCE Thefollowing cafe came before the Court of King's Bench in Michael- mas term, 1791. The Minifter had a mind to compliment Mr. Garforth, a member of the late and prefent par- liament, and fteward and agent to the Earl of Lonfdale, with the place of collector of the cuftoms in the city of Carlifle. Mr. Garforth, on account of his fituation, was incapable of holding the office ; and the place was given in truftfor him to Mr. Fearon : Mr. Pearfon acted as deputy to Mr. Fearon, and performed the duties of COCKERMOULH. I 5 of the office for him. A difputc, which was fuc- ceeded by a law-fuit, happened between Mr. Garforth and Mr. Fearon ; and it was decided in the Common Pleas, " That holding places in ct truft was illegal." The defendant had paid over the profits of the place to Mr. Garforth : and this action was brought by the plaintiff to recover the amount of the profits from Mr. Pearfon, the acting officer, and receiver of the dues. Lord Kenyon faid, the conduct of the parties was fuch as not to entitle them to any indul- gence; and therefore would not grant the appli- cation. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON Duke of Norfolk. COCKERMOUTH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The elective in- fluence of this town is poffeffcd by the Earl of Lonfdale, who is proprietor of the town, and, of courfe, not to be offended in his dictation. The Earl of Egremont is lord of the manor and caftle of this town, by defcent from William de Mefchines, who firft poffefled the honour of Cockermouth by gift of his brother Ranulph, Earl 1*0 COKERMOU TH. Earl of Cumberland. From him it de Trended, for want f male ifiue, to Gilbert Pipard ; and from him, for the like caufe, to Richard Lucy, by whofe male iffue it became vetted, in the reign of Richard III. in the year 1384, in the family of the Percy's, Earls of Northumberland. It continued in this family until Jofceline, the laft carl, who left only a daughter, married to Charles Seymour, the laft Duke of Somerfet but three, from whom it defcended to the prefent Earl of Egremont. The Earl of Lonfdale, having pur- chafed a majority of the hoafes in this borough, at a moft enormous price, is careful that they are tenanted by fuch only as will obey his recom- mendation as implicitly as the fourteen hundred colliers he caufed to be made in one day freemen of Carlifle. ANCIENT RIPRESENTATION. This town has only enjoyed the privilege of reprefentation fince 1640, except one return that it made 23 Edw. I. CORPORATION. None. The town is, how- ever, governed by a bailiff, chofen annually by a jury of fixteen burgeffes, at the court of the lord of the manor. The town was anciently a ham- let to Brigham, a parifh about a mile diitant ; but it DERBYSHIRE. IS/ it has been a diftinQ; parifh ever fince the reign of Edward III. RIGHT OF ELECTION The members of par- liament are chofen by the inhabitants at large. NUMBER OF VOTERS 165. RETURNING OFFICER the bailiff. PROPRIETOR Earl of Lonfdale. DERBYSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. . JTxLTHOUGH Derbyfhire contains fix hun- dreds, eleven market-towns, one hundred and fix parimes, twenty-one thoufand one hundred and fifty houfes, and twenty-fix thoufand nine hundred inhabitants, it fends only two members to parliament for the county, and two for Derby. The ariftocratic influence prevailing in this county is that of the Duke of Devonfhire, whofe family contrived to fecure the election oi one of the knights of the mire for this laft century ; and, until the two laft parliaments, Loid Scandile fucceeded for the other. The county is now however confidered as being half independent. 3 DERBY. 128 DERBY. DERBY. POLITICAL CHARACTER The mayor, alder- men, brothers, and capital burgefles \vho form the common-council, are all in the intereft of the Duke of Devonmire, who, from their confe- quence, poflefs alfo great influence in the borough. They attach this intereft to the above nobleman by the exercife of that power which they affume of making honorary freemen, or, as they are moll ufually termed, in this and every other place, faggots ; thefe are made from among fuch per- fonsas have neither the claim of birth nor fervi- tude. By virtue of this power the aldermen can, at any time, create a number of freemen from among the Duke of Devonfhire's tenants and dependents, in various parts of the county. Such faggots will confequently out- number the legal freemen of the borough ; an thefe hono- rary freemen want no qualification but the fat of the aldermen, and to have been one whole year inverted with their nominal franchife, agreeably to the letter of the Durham aft; and they are qualified to come into the town on the day of election, and to eafe the refident freemen of all the inconveniences of a contcft, by choofing their DERBY. 129 / thfcir members for them. Derby, therefore, though a very large and opulent town, cannot maintain its independence, as it would, if the right of voting was in the inhabitant houfeholders, where it ought to be, or if it were relieved from the tyran y of a corporation, under which no town can be free, unlefs it is conftituted as that of London. In the cafe of Carlifle, making this defcription of freemen was deemed illegal : but in the cafe of Bedford and Derby, the reverfe has been determined. If, therefore, Mr. Grenville had introduced a claufe into his excellent bill, to afcertain the qualifications of voters; and to abo- ifli honarary freedoms, and luch furreptitious qualifications, he would have done more to have jrevented ex'penfive litigation, than the com- mittees will ever be able to accomplish ; for they are only competent to decide upon the evil when committed, without poffefling the lead power of preventing it in future. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This town has eturned from the firft fummons 23 Edward I. CORPORATION. Derby, which is a piace of ;reat antiquity, was a royal borough in the reign bf Edward the Confeffor, at which time there fvere 143 burgeffes; but when the Norman fur- VOL. I. K vey IjO DERBY. vcy was made, they \vere reduced to 100. It was afterwards incorporated by a charter from king Charles I. This borough furrendered all prior charters and grants, and all its liberties and privileges, into the hands of the crown. Upon this, a new charter was granted, on the fth of September, 34 Charles II. By this charter the corporate name is, " The mayor and burgeffes ] * l of the borough of Derby, in the county of " Derby." The corporation confifts of a mayor, a high-fteward, nine aldermen, a recorder, a town-clerk, fourteen brethren, fourteen common- council, and an indefinite number of freemen. The mayor is chofen every Michaelmas-day,, i from among the aldermen, by a majority of the aldermen and brethren. The aldermen hold their office for life, unlefs removed for ill-be- haviour or non-relidence. If by death, or any other removal, a vacancy happens, one of the; brethren is chofen to fill it by the majority of the mayor and remaining aldermen. The: brothers and capital burgefles are, in like man*, ner, chofen for life, but liable to removal, like the aldermen. A vacancy among the brother*] is fupplied from among the capital burgefies by the election of the. majority of the mayc aldei D E R B i. J3I aldermen, brothers, and remaining capital bur- gefles. The recorder is chofcn by the majority of the mayor, aldermen, common clerk, brethren, capital burgeflfes, and muft be vir probns t defcretus t tt in legibus Anglia cruditus. His office continues during the pleafure of the mayor, aldermen, brothers, and capital burgefles ; and the voice of the mayor is neceffary for his removal, as it is for the removal or disfranchifement of all other officers or members of the corporation. The common clerk, who is alfo, ex efficio, coroner, and clerk of the peace, is chofen by the majority, confiding of the aldermen, brothers, and capital burgeffes, the mayor or recorder being one, and continues in office during their pleafure. The aldermen, brethren, and capital burgefles, muft be conftantly refident in the borough. The mayor, aldermen, brethren, capital burgefles, recorder, and common clerk, all take an oath of office : the mayor (either on the day of eleftion, or, if abfent, within one month after the elec- tion) before his predeceflbr, or, in his abfence, before the recorder, or one of them, takes an oath the aldermen, brethren, and capital bur- gefles, and the recorder, all take their oaths be- fore the mayor for the time being ; and the K 2 common *3* DERBY. common clerk takes his oath before the mayor and recorder, or either of them, and as many of the aldermen, brethren, and capital burgefles, as choofe to be prefent. The recorder and common clerk cannot enter on their offices, until approved by the king. The mayor and recorder have power to appoint deputies; the mayor's deputy to be named from among the aldermen ; and the re- corder's deputy to be fkilful in the laws of Eng- land : thefe deputies mult likewife take an oath before the mayor. The aldermen, brethren, and capital burgefles, form the common council; and the majority of them, together with the mayor, have jpower to make bye-laws, impofe fines, &c. The mayor, the bijhop of Litcbfield and Coventry, his chancellor, the 'recorder and town clerk, the mayor of the year preceding, and the four fenior aldermen, are the local jufliccs of the peace, but removable at the king'spleajure. RIGHT OF ELECTION. The members are chofen by the corporation, freemen, and fworn burgefles, by charter 14 Charles I. NUMBER OF VOTERS 655. RETURNING OFFICER is the mayor. PATRONS Duke of Devonfliire, and T. W. Coke, cfq. DEVON- DEVONSHIRE. jjj DEVONSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. JL HE political fituation of this county is the direcl: oppolite of rotten boroughs. Like York- Ihire and Lincolnfhire, the extenfivenefs of its territory, the number of its inhabitants, and its weight of property, give it a capacity for the im- portance of a ftate equal to fome of the Ameri- can governments, rather than a poife in the representation with Old Sarum or Gatton. According to the ratio of its taxes, its propor- tion of reprefentatives in the legiflature of the kingdom would be twenty-one out of five hundred and fifty-eight. Yet we fee the united boroughs of Weymouth and Melcombe with a hundred electors, and which is only a fmall portion of the eftate of an individual, fend twice as many mem- bers as this extenfive county. The freedom of election is likewife as much deftroyed by its extended limits, population, and opulence, as it is in a rotten borough by the total want of thefe qualities. The expences attending I contefted election for fo large a dirtrift, effec- Jtually prevents an oppofition. The two moft K 3 opulent 134 DEVONSHIRE. opulent gentlemen in the county have therefore only to perform the ceremonies of an election, and they are invefted with the legiflative charac- ter as fecurely as if the right of election was in their own perfons. The grievance therefore is not leffened by going into oppofitc extremes. A perfect equality in diflricl: and population can alone form that fyftem of beauty and perfection, which an equal reprefentation would give to our admired conftitution. Devonfhire is divided into 33 hundreds, and contains one city and thirly-feven market-towns. It is feated in the province of Canterbury, and diocefe of Exeter. It fends twenty-fix members to parliament ; namely, two knights for the (hire, two citizens for Exeter, and two burgefies for each of the following towns : Afhburton, Barn- ftaple, Bearalfton, Dartmouth, Honiton, Oak- hampton, Plymouth, Plymton, Taviftock, Ti- verton, and Totnefs. In a penfion-lift that was publifhed in the reign of Charles II. is this whimfical character of one of the members for this county : Sir Ccpdfton Bamppdd, bart. much addicled td tippling, prefented to the king by his pretended wife, Betty Roberts, in Pall-Mali. 5 EXETER, EXETER. I3J EXETER. POLITICAL CHARACTER This city, which is a city and county of itfelf, is very ancient, and boafts of having had a mayor before even the city of London. Its extent is about a mile in compafs ; and it has fifteen parifhes. This is one of the few places in Great Britain which, in parliamentary language, is called an open city, from its not being under the influence of a nobleman, or any other individual. Were this the cafe in every city and borough, however imperfect the organization of their refpeclive conflitulions, our greateft complaint, that of bafe inequality, and individual influence, would be removed. Twelve hundred freemen are a num- ber that command a powerful claim to reprefen- tation; but, where the right is veiled in twenty- four, thirty-fix, or fifty-four corporators, as in moft boroughs, and even the populous cities of Bath, Winchefter, and Salifbury, it becomes a grievance of fuch a magnitude, as to be coun- tenanced and fupported only by the poffeffors of that defpotic influence, which entails flavery on a people. ANCIZNT REPRESENTATION Exeter fent K 4 members 1^ EXETER. members from the firft demand of them after the conqueft. CORPORATION. It is a county of itfelf, and is j governed-by a mayor, 24 aldermen, a recorder, a chamberlain, a town-clerk, a meriff, and four flevvards, and has a fword-bearer, four fergeants ; at mace, and four ftaff-bearers. The incorporate body of this city is divided into companies, and ] each company is governed by officers annually chofen from among them. Civil caufes are tried by the mayor or his officers, who have cognizance of all pleas, and hear all caufes between party and party, and determine them with the advice of the recorder, aldermen, and council of the city ; but 1 criminal caufes, and breaches of the peace, arc I determined by eight aldermen, who are juflices | of the peace. RIGHT OF ELECTION is underftood to be in I the magiftrates and freemen, there never having I been any determination of the houfe on that | queftion. NUMBER OF VOTERS may be afccrtainedfrom | the following poll of the late conteft, not -to ( exceed 1 200 t James Buller, efq. 1 106 John Baring, efq. 588 Sir C. W. Bampfyldc, bart. 550 RETURNING OFFICER thcfheriff. TIVER- TIVE R TON. IQy TIVERTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The elective intereft in this borough is entirely poflefTed by Lord Har- rowby, who nominates the members. The fol- lowing names of the whole conftituent body will beft explain the motives which govern their poli- tical attachments^ LIST. No. i. Benjamin Dickenfon, mayor. This gen- tleman's independence may be eftimated by the circumftance of his brother being a fuper- vifor of excife, and his brother-in-law being employed in the cuftoms. No. 2. John Davey. The prefent chartered ju- tice of the town. No. 3. David Gorton. Both of thefe worthy electors are employed in the fcrvice of the mayor in no very enviable fituation ; added to which, thejuflice lately procured a commiflion for his fon. No. 4. Henry Ofmond. No. 5. Henry Ofmond, jun. fon to the above and clerk to Sir ]ohn, and refident at Exeter. No. 6. William Wood An extra-officer in the ftamp-ofEce, and refident in London. No. 138 TIVERTOK. No. 7. Bevis Wood. -Town-clerk, receiver of the crown rents for Devon, Cornwal! t and Somcr- fet, an attorney at law in genteel practice. No. 8. Barnard Befley, now comptroller of the cuftoms at Exon> and refidmt there. No. 9. John Befley, his brother, a dyer in a re- fpedlable line. No. 10. William Befley, his fon, in partnership with his father. No. 11. Thomas Enchmarfh, ) IT i j T- u n f brothers. No. 12. Richard Enchmarfh, ) No. 13. Philip Parkhoufe. A good-natured ho- neft bookfeller, whofe principal trade is with the fcholars of the grammar-fchool, and among the neighbouring gentry, by whom he is de- fervedly held in efteem He is dijlributor of Jiamps. No. 14. William Martin. A plain country farmer, who rents a fmall tenement in the pa- rim, eats his mutton, and does as he is bid without grumbling. No. 15. A merry baker, two of whofe brothers are employed by government. No. 16. George Cruwys. TLc fapient veftry- clerk of the parifli. No. 17. William Horabin This man was born in TIVERTON. 139 in London ; but being by trade a hot-prefler, he was fent for by tbe late Oliver Peard, and made one of the corporation of the town. He refidcs at Exeter, and works for Sir John. No. 1 8. Rev. William Walker, coufm of Sir John, through whofe means he obtained a go- vernment-living near Bath, which he fcarcely ever vifits, except to receive the fruits of Chrijl's 'vineyard. No. 19. John Webber. In this good man's cafe there is fomething like a difplay of juftice; for it is commonly reported he is faddled upon the above learned and reverend Sir, for an annuity of 40!. per annum. No. 20. William Lewis. A Tiverton merchant, and a near relation to Sir John. No. 21. John Govett. No. 22. William Jenkins. Schoolmafter and maltfler. No. 23. John Owens. A reputable manufac- turer. No. 24. Henry Dunsford. Treafurer of turn- pikes. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This borough never fent members to parliament until the year ^615, when it was fo imprivileged by charter of James I4O TIVERTON. James I. who incorporated it by the name of ma- yor, twelve principal burgefles, and twelve affif- tants, who compofe the whole condiment body of this branch of the democracy of Great Britain. The reafon afligned by the above monarch for enfranchifmg this borough, in the preamble to the charter, is fomewhat curious, and what, in our opinion, would have juftified at leaft a fufpenfion, if not a removal of that privilege, fuppofing the borough to have poflefled it before. This pre^ amble begins with reciting, that Tiverton was an ancient town ; and that it had lately been burnt down, thirty-five thoufand pounds worth of property having been deftroyed. And the king, perhaps thinking it would never be built up again, deemed it a proper place to balance the influence of Dun- wich, which had been fwallowed by the fea, and Old Sarum, which had been totally deftroyed. After this, Tiverton became a large populous place, and carried on a confiderable trade. But, on the 5th of June 1731, another terrible fire happened here, which deftroyed 200 of the beft houfes in the place, and moft of the manufac- tures. The lofs waseftimated at .150,000: on which TIVERTO!*. j^ t which the parliament pafled an aft, the following year, for rebuilding the town, in which it was enjoined that the new-built houfes fhould be covered with tiles or lead, inftead of thatch ; that no trade, likely to occafion fires, fhould be exer- cifed in the public ftreets, nor any ftacks of corn or draw ereQed there ; that fire-engines fhould be provided, and the ftreets and paffages widened. In 1723, the mayor of the borough of Tiver- ton having abfented himfelf on the charter-day for electing his fucceffor, no new mayor could be chofen. The year following, the crown was applied to for a new charter; and the bufmefs was referred to Sir Philip Yorke and Sir Cle- ment Wearg, then attorney and folicitor general, for their opinion. In this report they ftated the cafe of Banbury; and, after obferving that the decifion there had not been contradicted by any fubfequent opinion of the court where it was made, nor of any fuperior court, they fay, " That " they apprehend it comes up to the cafe before " them, and is a clear authority in law, that the " corporation of Tiverton is at aa end." They therefore *4* T I V R T S NY therefore advifed the king to grant a new charter. To prevent the inconvenience attending the power which the prefiding officer of corporations had of diffolving them, by being abfent on the day appointed by their conftitution, for the election of magiftrates, it was afterwards enaftcd by the ftat. 1 1 Geo. I. c. 4. " That, for the future, the " corporation, in fuch cafes, fhall not be deemed " or taken to be diflblved." It is likewife pro- vided, that the perfons entitled to choofe the ma- giftrates, fhall proceed to make the election on the day immediately following the charter day, with- out the mayor or other prefiding officer; and that the perfon next in office mall hold the court, and be the prefiding officer for that purpofe. CORPORATION confifts of a mayor, twelve burgeffes, twelve inferior afftflants, a recorder, and a clerk of the peace. This charter of James I. empowered the mayor to be gaol- keeper, and ordered that the gaol-delivery mould be before him and the recorder. RIGHT OF ELECTION The choice of repre* fentatives is veftcd in the corporation only. NUMBER DARTMOUTH. 143 NUMBER OF VOTERS 24. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON Lord Harrowby. EQUALITY OF VOTES. December i, 1710. The return for this bo- rough being read, it appeared that T. B. R. M. and J. W. efqrs. had all an equal number of voices. Refohed>" That the late eleftion of burgefles " to ferve in this prefent parliament, for the " borough of Tiverton> is a void election." Ordered, " A new writ to iflue," &c. DARTMOUTH. POLITICAL CHARACTER This is another in- (lance, like Tiverton, in this county, of a large and populous town fuffering the mod invaluable privilege of man to be affumed and exercifed by a corporation, confiftingof forty freemen, or, as they ought with juftice and propriety to be ftyled, bondmen ! Thefe forty felecl; gentry, conftituted 1^4 DARTMOUTH. conftituted to legiflate for a community, are again circumrcribed, by the operation of Mr. Crewe's bill, to lefs than half of even that num- ber. The governor of Dartmouth, the collector, comptroller, and all the officers of the cuftom- houfe, are taken from this immaculate body ; and the remainder are moftly under the employ- ment of government, as gunners, and other officers, which Mr. Crewe's bill does not difqua- lify. This is one of thofe hopeful places termed government-boroughs, from the Treafury and Admiralty taking to themfelvcs the exercife of that influence which might, with more eafe, and equal propriety, be exercifed by the clerks at the defk, in either of thofe offices. One of the members recommended by government to this borough, is generally a neighbouring gentle- man ; the other is always a ftranger, who ap- pears to have no other intereft with the voters, than that of completely intoxicating them at an election. Since the death of the late Arthur Holdf- worth, efq. member for this town, Mr. Edward Baftard, of Sharpham, near this borough, brother to DARTMOUTH. 145 to the member for the county, has taken the lead of this corporation. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This borough fent only once to parliament, viz. 26 Edward I. before 24 Edward III. CORPORATION was granted by Edward III. It confifts of a mayor, recorder, two bailiffs, and twelve common-councilmen. They keep a court of feflions, and a water-bailiwick court. RIGHT OF ELECTION Nov. 21, 1689. I. The committee reported, that it appeared, the right of election for the borough of Dartmouth, alias Clifton Dartmouth Hardnefs, in Com. Devon, was in the freemen of the faid bo- rough. II. Refohed, ncminc conlradicente. " That twenty " five new freemen, made after the writ bore " tefte, were not duly nor legally made.- " Agreed to by this houfe." III. Ordered " That Mr. Whitrow, the late " mayor, be taken into cuftody, for his mif- " deameanours in making the faid freemen." NUMBER OF VOTERS 20. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON Edward Baftard, efq. VOL. I. L ASHBURTON, 14 ASHBURTOff. ASH BURTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER This being a bur- gage-tenure borough, was the joint property of the late'Earl of Orford and Sir Robert Palke; but, by the deceafe of the former, his fhare of it defcends to Mr. Trefulis. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. Afhburton lent members to parliament the 26th of Edward I. and again the 8th of Henry IV. fmce which time it never made any more returns before the 1510, of Charles I. anno 1640, when it was reftored with other boroughs. CORPORATION None. It is however governed by a portreve, annually chofen at the court of the lord of the manor. RIGHT OF ELECTION Brown Willis ob- ferves, that all the houfekeepers voted in this borough until the year 1 707, and that the number upon the poll were 196 : fo that its perfonal pro- perty in reprcfentation has not been of more than 85 years duration. The members are cho- fen in a place that is now ufcd as a fchool-houfe, and which was formerly a chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence. Feb. j\SHBURTON. 147 ttb. 06, i77> Rtfolved " That the right of " election of members to ferve in parlia- " men t for the borough o$Afhburton t in the " county of Devon, is in the freeholders " having lands or tenements holden of the " faid borough only." March 17, .1701, Refolvcd " That the free- " holders of the lands and tenements called " Ifal/Jiangcr and Holweil lands, lying within (t the borough of Afhburton, and fubjecl to " pay a borough-rent, have a right to vote " for members to ferve in parliament for the " faid borough of Ajhburton. NUMBER OF VOTERS. This is of very little confequence, from the majority of the freeholds, which gave a right of fuffragc, being the joint property of Mr. Trefufis and Sir Robert Palke ; and as the freeholds are only divided at their difcretion, for the purpoie of complying with the forms of an eleclioji, the number of voters is virtually only two, although they have been reckoned by Willis and other to be 200. RETURNING OFFICER the portreve. PROPRIETORS- Sir * obert Palke, bart. and Mr. Trefufis. La OAKHAMTON 148 OAKHAMTOTJ. OAKHAMPTON, or OKEHAMPTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The ftate of this borough is fmgular: its conftitution is partly feudal, and partly corporate. Previous to the acceptance of the charter, the portreve of the borough had always made the return ; but, from the date of the charter, 1623, the mayor has al- ways taken upon himfelf that office. A Mr. Hawkes, an ingenious attorney of this place, chofe to revive, in his own perfon, the office of por- treve at the laft general election, which had lain dormant for 167 years, and in that capacity to take the poll, and made a return to parliament of John William .Anderfon, efq. and John Townfon, efq. as being duly elefted to reprefcnt the borough. The portreve had formerly been chofen by the homage of a court-leet of the lord of the manor, at Michaelmas in every year; but the charter giving the corporation a power to make bye-laws, it was cautioufly and cunningly provided, by one of the firft ats of the corpora- tion, that the mayor for the time being mould be prefented to the homage, to be chofen portreve alfo for the year of his mayoralty. Thus were the OAKHAMPTOK. 149 the feudal and corporate offices united in one perfon. The junction of the offices took place in 1623, and has continued with but one excep- tion ever fince. Mr. Hawkes was duly chofen by the homage, at the Michaelmas court-leet of 1789, and appeared to have a very ftrong claim to exercife the powers of returning officer. The mayor alfo chofe to aft the fame part with Mr. Hawkes the portreve : he took a poll, admitted votes which Mr. Hawkes rejected, and rejected votes which Mr. Hawkes admitted, and con- cluded by returning Colonel St. Leger, and Ro- bert Ladbroke, efq. to parliament. By this laft return, the numbers were ftated to be, for Colonel St. Leger 168 Mr. Ladbroke - 167 Mr. Townfon 69 Mr. Anderfon 68 Although, by the return of Mr. Hawkes, Town- fon appeared to have 102, and Anderfon 101, and St. Leger and Ladbroke to be in a minority with both. A DOUBLE RETURN. This double return came to a hearing before a committee of the houfe of commons, on Friday L the 15O OAKMAMPTOtf. the 4th of February, 1791; when the queftion at iffue, between Thomas Bridgman Luxmore, the mayor, and John Hawkes, the portreve, as to the right of exercifing the powers of return- ing officer, came firft to be argued. The com- mittee, after hearing the evidence, determined, Firft " That the portreve is not the proper " returning officer for the borough of Oke- " hampton." Secondly " That the mayor is the proper re- " turning officer." By this diciiion, St. l.eger and Ladbroke be- came the fitting members, and Townfon and An- derfon became the petitioners. The counfel for the petitioners then proceeded J to give their clients a majority, by objecting to four votes which the mayor had admitted for the j fitting members, who were bad votes, and feventy j two others, who had freeholds conveyed to them j by the Duke of Bedford, Earl Spencer, and a Mr. ! Harris, for no equitable confideration, only a few J weeks before the election ; and the conveyances | were made toperfons collected from every quarter \ of the kingdom. It appeared in evidence that thirty-one of thofe grants were made by Earl Spen- cer, twenty-one by the Duke of Bedford and Mr. Palmer, OAKUANfPTON. 1^1 Palmer, and the remainder by other gentlemen in the intereft of the above noblemen. After hear- ing arguments of counfel pro and con. and feveral evidences, whofe examination lafted feveral days, the committee determined on each of the feventy- two votes fo munufactured ; and their opinion was, that every one of them was bad. The counfel for Townfend and Anderfon then proceeded to adduce evidence againft the othec voters, to whom they objected. Th'efc were four, viz. Robins, Lethbridge, Henley, and Ford. The firft was objected to on thefcore of infanity; but the counfel failing in their proof he was declared good. The fecond was objefted to as a diftribufor of (lamps, and of courfe difqualified by Mr. Crewe's bill ; but it appearing that he was appointed by the diftributor of ftamps for the county, and not by government, rie was adjudged good. The third was objected. to on the fame ground, he being employed in the collection of the excife; but it appearing that he had been difcharged by the board for more than five years, and that he was only employed occafionally by the collector of the diftrict, during the abfence or ficknefs of other excife officers, for which he received at the L 4 rate OAKHAMPTON. rate of .40 per annum, by the collector, to be afterwards allowed by the board at their difcretion, he was declared good.* The fourth was objected to, as not having been admitted to his freedom until after the election. He was entitled to his freedom, by birth ; but not arriving at Oakhampton until the Sunday before the election, which happened the next day, the mayor not being bound to hold a court on Sunday, and there not being time on the Monday morning, the vote was deemed good. Two other votes were added to the poll of the petitioners, * A fimilar dccifion took place in the court of King's Beach, laft Michaelmas term. Two aftions were brought by one Evans, a hair drefler, of Brighthclmftone : one againft Richard Stevens, the other againft John Ockenden, eledors ofSeaford, for the penalties of .100 each, under Mr. Crew's bill ; the faid Stevens and Ockenden having been employed within the laft year, pre- rious to the election at which they gave their votes, in the capacity of what is termed hop-affiftants, to collect and manage the receipt of the duty on hops, during that feafon in which hops are gather- ed. The caufes were tried at the laft fummer afllzes for the coun- ty of Suflex, when the jury found fpecial verdicls in each caufe, fubjeft to the decifion of the court of King's Bench, in which the aftions were brought. The court determined that they did not come under the defcription of revenue-officers, and, of ceurfe, judgment went for the defendants. OAKHAMPTON. 153 petitioners, and fome rejected, as was the for- tune of the fitting members : at length the com- mittee having finimed the evidence, there appeared a majority of two votes for St. Leger, and one for Ladbroke, who were thereupon declared to be duly elected. So little do the rights of election feem to have been underftood, until very lately, in this coun- try, that, at an election for this borough in 1660, the freeholders, who-firft aflertcd their right to vote, aflembled in a tumultuous manner to oppofc the mayor, and made a return of one member only t contrary to every idea of right ; for they muft have been entitled to the election of two members, or none. However, the houfe recognized their right the enfuing year, and they have continued to ex^ crcife it ever fmee. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This is an an- cient borough and barony ; and we find in doomf- day-book, that there were then four burgefles and a market. This town was again raifed to a bo- rough, according to the modern acceptation of the word, by James I. In 1648 it was again admitted to fend members to parliament, as it had formerly done in the reigns of Edward I. and II. 3 CORPORATION 154 B E R E A L S T O N.' CORPORATION confifts of eight principal burgeffes, from whom the mayor is annually chofen; and as many afliftants, from whom the principal burgefles are eledled. RIGHT OF ELECTION. Feb. 24, 1710, Resolved, " That the right of electing members to " ferve in parliament, for the borough of " Oakhampton, in the county of Devon, *' is in the freeholders, and freeman being '* made free according to the charter and " bye-laws of the faid borough." NUMBER OF VOTERS 182. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor, who has great influence at elections. PATRONS Duke of Bedford and Earl Speneer. BEREALSTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This being a bur- gage-tenure borough, and the property of the Earl of Beverly, to whom it was bequeathed by the will of his father, the late Duke of Northum- berland, its reprefentation depends upon the will of that nobleman. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. Although this town is an a ncient borough by prefcription, the 5 BEREAtSTON. j^ right of fending ^nember^ was not reftored to them until 27 Eliz. CORPORATION. None. It is however gover- ned by aportreve, chofen annually at the lord's court. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in thofe who have land in the borough, and pay three-pence ac- knowledgement to the lord. The whole number of houfcs, or rather cottages, for they are all of the meaneft and moft miferable defcription, do not exceed forty. I. 26 Mar. 1725. Refolved, nemine conlra- dicente, " That the right of election of bur- " gefles to ferve in parliament for the bo- " rough of Berealfton, in the county of De- von, is in the freehold tenants of the faid That Sir Richard Gipps do make c< fatisfac*lion to the members of this houfe, FLYMPTON. j$ *' as petitioned againft, for the cofts and ex- " pences they have been put unto, by rcafon " of fuch petition." NUMBER OF VOTERS 34. RETURNING OFFICER themayor. PATRONS Duke of Bolton, and Sir Francis Buller, Bart. PLYMTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This is a fmall town, confifting of about 200 ordinary houfes, forming two irregular ftreets, in the form of a Roman T. The chief influence being in the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, this borough may be faid to be under the ariftocratical controul which has fubverted that freedom of election, containing the eflentials of liberty. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This borough fent, like Barnftaple, members to parliament as early as 23 Edward I. CORPORATION. It was made a mayor-town by John. The corporation confifts of a mayor and eight aldermen, or principal burgefles, who are called common council, and an indefinite number of freemen. It was incorporated, according to M 3 Dr, 1 66 T A VI S TO C K. Dr. Brady, by Baldwin de Redvers, earl of De- vonfliii e, in the thirteenth year of Edward III. whofe charter was afterwards confirmed by Ed- ward III. Richard II. Henry V. and Henry VI. The fyftem of modelling the charters, exercifec in the arbitrary reigns of Charles II. and James II. was praclifed in this borough : but the char- ter of James II. was, at the Revolution, votec deftruclive of the conftitution and government and the freemen claiming under the former char ters, were re-admitted to their franchife. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in the mayor, bailiffs and freemen of the faid borough, and in th( fons of freemen, who, although they have a righ to demand their freedom, have been refufed th fame. NUMBER OF VOTERS 44. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. TAVISTOCK. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough was formerly the feat of Orgar, earl of Devonfhire, whofe fon, Ordulf, built an abbey here anno 961; the revenues of which were valued, 26 of tfenry TAVISTOCK. 167 Henry VIII. at . 902 53. 70!. per annum. At the diflblution of the abbeys, 1539, the thirty- firft of Henry VIII. that king, by letters patent, dated July 4, gave John LordRufTell, afterwards created earl of Bedford, the file of this monajlery, with the borough and town of Tavijlock t and bur- gage thereof, with the rectory and advowfon of the vicarage ; in which family it has ever fince con- tinued : and it is now poflefled by the prefent Duke of Bedford. , ANCIENT REPRESENTATION was cxercifedas early as 23 and 33 Edward I. and 19 Edward II. It then intermitted until 4 Edward III. from which time it has conftantly fent to parliament. CORPORATION none. For this borough was never incorporated, although it has fent members, to parliament ever fince 4 Edward III. RIGHT OF ELECTION. The right of election is vefted in the freeholders, who, at the laft poll taken, were one hundred and ten in number. Thofe freeholds however being the property of the Duke of Bedford, there cannot befaid to be more than one actual elector. Here is an inftance of a very large and popu- lous town, whofe reprefentatives are chofen, not by a hundred and fixty fej^f-elected corporators, M 4 likV l68 BARNSTAPLE. like Plymouth, or by twenty-four, which is the cafe at Tiverton, but by one hundred and ten freeholders, who hold thofe freeholds under the ; conveyance of an individual, for the purpofe of I making an election of two reprefentatives. NUMBER OF VOTERS no. RETURNING OFFICER the portreve, annually chofen at the lord's court by twenty-four free- holders, appointed by the fteward for that pur- pofe. PROPRIETOR Duke of Bedford. BARNSTAPLE. POLITICAL CHARACTER This borough pears, like Oakhampton, to have been partly feudal, and partly corporate, in its conftitution and there have been anciently many attempts of the inhabitants to obtain charters of the kings to exonerate them from the jurifdiciion of their lord. Befide the mayor, two aldermen, and twenty. two common-council, conftituted by the feveral charters, there are near two hundred and fiftj common burgeffes, who affume that right by pre- fcription ; which they tarry as far back as king Athelftone SARNSTAPLE. I(HJ Athelftone, "when the term burgefs implied the inhabitant of a tything or borough ; and the rights of which they ftill exercife, independent of either of the above charters. To thcfe partial remains of its original cha- racter the borough perhaps owes its prefent inde- pendence ; for it docs not, as we can underftand, acknowledge the influence of a patron. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION This, which was a borough before the conqueft, fent members on the firft fummons, 23 Edward I. CORPORATION. It appears to have been firfl incorporated by Henry I. and King John gave it a mayor and two bailiffs. Queen Mary added two aldermen and a common council of twenty- two; and James I. ratified and confirmed all thefe privileges in the eighth year of his reign. The manor of Barnftaple has defcended through a number of families, from the firft grant of it, by the Conqueror, to Judhael de Totnais, to the prefent time ; but, as nothing fufficiently re- markable to attract the notice of our readers oc- curs in the hiftory, we omit detailing the par- ticulars. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in the corporation, confifting of a mayor, two aldermen, and twenty- two BARNSTAPLE. two common council, and in the common bur- gefles. NUMBER OF VOTERS 450. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON none. An attempt was made, at the laft election, to introduce a member on the intereft of Mr. Rolle, the reprefentative for the county ; but it did not fucceed; the numbers upon the poll being, for John Cleveland, efq. 162 William Devaynes, efq. 160 Ri chard Wilfon, efq. 92 A petition was prefented to the houfe of com- mons, by Mr. Wilfon, againft the return of the other two ; and, upon the hearing, fome ftrong proofs of bribery were produced, and fupported by eleven witneffes : the committee, however, fo far from giving any degree of credit to them, voted the petition frivolous and vexatious. Mr. Wilfon complained heavily of the decifion in the public papers ; but we have fince heard no more of the conteft. HONITON. * O N I T O N. t*jt HONITON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This is a borough by prefcription. Having negle&ed its right from about the latter part of Edward the Firft's reign, it was not reftored to its legiflative pri- veleges until William Pole, efq. by his ftrenuous efforts, regained the right, 16 Charles 1. 1640. Sir George Yonge has an hereditary family intei-eft, in confequence of having confiderable property in the parifh and its neighbourhood. This intereft began ever fince the town was re^- ftored to its privileges in 1640, when his an- ceftor, Walter Yonge, efq. was elefted. The family have, almoft without intermiffion, fuo ceflively been returned for this borough. This natural affe&ion of the peeple, the confiftency of principles, and the general conduct of the Yonges t have confirmed : for the prefent Sir George Yonge has the intereft of about fix parts in feven of the voters in his favour. The other member is generally a ftranger, who is fought out by individuals, properly de- nominated borough-monger s y who pofles a perfect knowledge of the lower claffes, whom, by various arts, they retain in attachment to them. Pre- vious 7* H O N I T O N-. vious to a vacancy, thefe dealers in corruption endeavour to find a candidate fuited to their pur- pofe, as rich and unexceptionable as poffible, vho depofiting a certain fum of money, is certain of having every art and effort exerted in bis favour. Thus bribery commences and con- tinues in proportion to the activity of the agents pf a third candidate. BRIBING THE VOTERS. The mode purfued, is that of giving each voter from five to fifty guineas, according to the emergency of the contett; and their wives, meat, clothes, &c. and alfo by opening inns, for which purpofe a confiderable number are permitted to cxift. The number of votes influenced by thefe or other private confiderations, are nineteen out of twenty. The fum necefTary to purchafe a feat may vary from .2000 to .8000. JLord Courteney is lord of the manor, and cxercifes the right of appointing (by a directed *ury) the officers of portreve and bailiff annually. What intereft he has, is conferred on Sir George Yonge, bart. Thefe offices confer no dignity, fc O N I T ON. 17^ nor are attended with any confiderable emolu- ment. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION appears, as above, to have been as early as 28 Edward L It likewife fent to parliament 4 Edward II. it then intermitted fending until the right was re- ftored to the borough ; when Cockermouth, Oak- hampton, &c. were admitted to the fame revival of privilege, 1640. CORPORATION none; it being governed by a portreve, who is annually chofen as above, at the court of the lord of the manor. RIGHT OF ELECTION was in thofe paying foot and lot, and houfekeepers, pot-wallers, not receiving alms: the right of the latter was exer- cifed and conferred in confequence of a petition againft Walter Yonge, efq. 1701 ; but, upon a fpecial return of Sir William Drake, bart. Sir Walter Yonge, bart. and James Sheppard, efq. the portreve referred the matter to the houfe, where, after difcuffing both fides, a great ma- jority, Feb. 3, 1710, Refolved" That the right of " electing members to ferve in parliament " for the borough of Honiton, in the county 1 74 DORSETSHIRE " of Devon, is in the inhabitants of the faid " borough, paying fcot and lot only." But, fourteen years after, the right of voting was again allowed to the pot-wallers, by the fol- lowing determination : Dsc, 1 8, 1724, ReJolved That the right of " ele&ion of burgefTes to ferve in parlia- " ment for the borough of Honiton, in the " county of Devon, is in the inhabitants, " houfckeepers, within the faid borough, " called Pot-wal!ers t not receiving alms of ' the parifh." NUMBER OF VOTERS 350. The number of houfcs out of the borough are only twelve. RETURNING OFFICER the portreve. PATRON Sir George Yonge, bart. DORSETSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Lord Rivers is un- derftood to poflefs the firft ariftocratical intereft in this county. His lordfhip reprefented it Until he became a peer, in 1776: he was then fuc- ceeded by his fon the hon. George Pitt. This gentleman H O N I TO K. ' 175 gentleman declined, in 1790, to his relation Wil- liam Morton Pitt, efq. who is one of its prelent reprefentatives. The Earls of Ilchefter, Dorchef- ter, Shaftfbury, and Digby, and other noblemen and gentlemen, have conliderable intereft, as muft be the cafe in every county, but that of Lord Rivers preponderates ; and fuch as are in the court intereft are, ofcourfe, underftood to unite with him. Bribery, perjury, and the horrid train of evils that are fo common in the rotten boroughs, are precluded, by the extent of numbers, from intro- ducing themfelves into the conftituent body of a county ; but influence muft prevail, until the right is changed from property to perfons, or the fuf- fragesofthe freeholders be taken by ballot, and the opulent noblemen and gentlemen thus ren- dered incapable of diftinguifhing the dependent elector from him who exercifes this firft right of a freeman, agreeably to the dictates of his mind. DORCHESTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Almoft one half of the houfes and other ratable property in this town ij DORCHEST.ZR. town belongs to the Earl of Shaftesbury, who conveys them by freehold leafes to his friends and dependents for the purpofe of making votes at the ele&ion. One ofthefe truft-holders claimed andaftually exercifed, the right of voting fora piece of land lying near St. Peter's church, on which a little mop anciently flood, but which now makes part of the public road, and is covered with pavement ; many other fmall pieces of land, vhich are entirely wafte, and covered with rubbifh and weeds, have the right of fuffrage annexed to them, and are juftly confidered to be the moft valuable voting property which 'the Earl of Shaftesbury poffeffes at Dorchefter; becaufe they admit of no inhabitant to give his fuffrage for his perfonal effects, who might be able to balance the vote of the noble Earl's feoffee in truft. By means of this propeny, the Earl of Shaftefbury.ele&sone member, who is his repre- fentativein the Houfe of Commons, becaufe, as he is chofen by means of the Earl's property and by his direction, he cannot, by any forced conftruction whatever, be faid to be the reprefentative of the inhabitants of Dorchefter, or of any part of the people of England. As a very confiderable part of DORCHESTER. j which was formerly '* the parifh of .Froome Whhfield, is no " part of Dorchefter in the county of Dor- the Houfe of Commons. 3. Hon. Thomas Fane, brother of the Earl of Weftmoreland, and his other reprefentative in the Houfe of Commons. (Pro curia in verfique mores !) 4. John Fane, efq. of Wormley, in Oxford- fhire, a relation of the Earl of Weftmoreland. 5. Francis Fane, efq. of Ogdon, in Eflex, an- other relation, and brother of the preceding gen- tleman. 6. Edward Buckley Batfon, banker, in Lon- don, and father-in-law of Mr. Henry Fane. 7. Charles Blair, efq. a Weft Indian gentle- man, now refiding at Whatcombe, in Dorfetfhire, 35 miles from Lyme, who married the aunt of the jprefent Earl of Weftmoreland. 8. David Robert Mitchel, efq. of Dewlim, Dorfetftjireja relation of the wife of Mr. Henry Fane. 9. Sir William Lowther, of Cumberland, who married L Y M E-R E G I S. j8j married the fifter, or fome other relation, of the Earl of Weftmoreland. 10. John Code, of or near South Molton, Devon. 11. Robert Clarke, of Lyme-Regis, merchant, the only perfon in the corporation that can be confidered to be duly qualified, in all refpecls, to exercife the right of voting, in the choice of mem- bers of parliament for this borough. 12. John Warren, collector of the cuftoms, in the port of Lyme. 13. Jofeph Wallis, deputy comptroller of the port of Lyme. 14. William Peterfon, furveyor of the port of Lyme, alfo fupervifor and collector's. clerk. Thefe laft three perfons were appointed to their refpe&ive pofts by the Earl of Weftmoreland, and may be depended on in all election contefts; for if they mould prove refractory, they would immediately be deprived of their employments : But the chief reafon why thefe three perfons were admitted into the corporation, is becaufe there is a court of huftings held in the borough every Monday, where the prefence of three capital bur- geffes is neceflary, and none of the other mem- bers, except Mr. Clarke, could attend, on ac- N 4 count J4 ! Y M E-RE CIS, count of their diftance from the borough, where they are to aft as magiftrates. Every fecond year the mayor is non refident, and then one of thefe gentlemen is his deputy. The freemen are 4-2 in number, 1 1 only of which are inhabitants of Lyme, and of thofe 1 1, ', two are land waiters or tide waiters, and two others ferjeants at mace, under the direction of the mayor for the time being. The other 31 are difperfed from the Tweed to the Land's End, and particularly in London, where about one third of them refides ; fo that if a conteft was poflible, the candidate muft canvafs his votes in every port of England, and it will be fortunate for him if he is not obliged to crofs over to Ireland, to folicit the fuffrage of one of the freemen, who has very lately been elected bifhop of Cork. For the honour of religion, it is to be hoped, that the Reverend Prelate, as he has now a feat in the Irifh Houfe of Lords, will not interfere in the elections of Englim Commoners, efpecially when he confiders that his only claim to the freedom of Lyme, arofe from the circumftance of his being the Earl of Weftmoreland's tutor at the Univer- fity of Cambridge. RIGHT OF ELECTION. :In the reign of Queen Mary, L Y M E-R E G T S. 185 Mary, and in mod of the elections during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the returns to parlia- ment, were made by the mayor and burgeffes, with all the inhabitants and commonalty, which was the original conftitution of all the ancient boroughs in the kingdom. After this period, the inhabitants at large were deprived of their light, and the elections were made by the free- men and freeholders only ; but thefe two orders of men were required to be refidents. In the reign of Charles I. the freeholders alfo feem to have been excluded, and the reprefentatives feem to have been chofen by the corporation and free- men only. During the protectorate of Cromwell, the inhabitants at large were again reftored to their ancient right, but have never been admit- ted fince, fo that in the general reprefentation they have been confidered, to all intents and purpofes, as aliens and ftrangers, unworthy the privileges of Englifhmen. The conteft then commenced between the freemen and freeholders. During the arbitrary reigns of Charles the lid. and his brother James, the freemen, who being few in number, were more fubject to controul than their more numerous opponents, almoft invariably pre- yailed, as they had always the favour of the court: But 1 86 J. Y M ER E G I S, But in the glorious reign of our immortal deli- verer, king William, whofe name ought always to be dear to Englifhmen, the freeholders were again admitted in conjunction with the freemen, and continued to give their fuffrages during the whole of the reign of Queen Anne, and part of that of George the Ift. The time at length ar- rived, when they too were for ever excluded, as their brethren, the inhabitants at large, had been before; for in the year 1727, the election was made by the capital burgeffes and freemen only; but almoft the whole of thcfe were at the time in- habitants of the borough. Foreign freemen were afterwards introduced; and, as foon as the Fane family had eftablifhed a footing, they began to out-number the inhabitant freemen; and as the borough was more and more monopolized, they became, as we have obfcrved before, almoft the whole conftituent body of the corporation ; for if the inhabitants had been ftill admitted freemen, in confiderable numbers, they might not have been fo eafily commanded as the relations and depen- dents of the noble Earl, who at prefent directs who mall be the reprefentativesof what is falfcly called the Borough of Lymc-Regis y in as abfolute and uncontrouled a manner as the moil defpotic princQ L Y M E-R KG I S. l?y prince in Afia nominates the members of bis Divan ANCIENT REPRESENTATION was as early as 23 Edward I. CORPORATION. The laft charter was granted by William III. by whiJh it is governed by a mayor, who is a juftice of peace during his mayor- alty and the year following; and in the third year he is both juftice and coroner. Here alfo are a recorder, fifteen capital burgefles, two of whom are juftices, a town clerk, and other offi- cers. RIGHT OF ELECTION'. There having been a conteft, time immemorial, between the corpora- tion and the freeholders of the borough, for the right of election; on the 2ift of May, 1689, it was determined to be in the corporation and free- holders. On the 2Sth of February, 1727, it was refolved to be in the corporation. The fame queftion has been twice agitated before com- mittees of the houfe of commons, conftituted under the Grenville aft. In the firft of thefe, Lionel Darell, efq. and Henry Harford, efq. were petitioners; when, upon hearing, it was determined by a committee of the Houfe of Com- mons, that the right was in the corporation only ; and 188 L Y M E-R E G I S. and that the Hon. Henry Fane, and David Ro. bert Mitchell, efq. the fitting members, were duly elefted. The right of the freeholders was again contefted at a general election, 1784, and tried before a fecond committee, on the I5th of Fe- bruary, 1785, when Robert Wood, efq. and John Cator, efq. were petitioners,, and the Hon. Hen- ry Fane and the Hon. T. Fane were the fitting members. The claims of each party were the fame in both petitions ; each contending for the right of election in the freeholders of the borough as well as the corporators; fuperadding to both the qua- lification of refidents : but in both thefe cafes, as in the remarkable one of Poole, the commit- tees determined, that anufage of eighty years fu- perfeded the ancient right, which was proved to have been in the freeholders, the fame as was proved to be in the commonalty of Poole. The capital burgefles make a certain number of free- men, refident or non-refident, who elecl the mem- bers of parliament. NUMBER OF VOTERS 31. PATRON Earl of Weftmoreland. WEYMOUTH WE Y M OU T H, &C. 189 WEYMOUTH and MELCOMBE-REGIS. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Thefe boroughs were the property of the famous Bubb Doddington, who was afterwards created Lord Melcombe ; in whofe celebrated diary, the hiftory of thefe places form a complete account of the politics of the times, when Sir Robert Walpolc, Lord Wilming- ton, Mr. Henry Pelham, Duke of Newcaftle, Duke of Devonfhire, and the late Mr. Pitt, were minifters. Thefe boroughs then became the property of the late Mr. Tucker ; from whom they defcended to the late Gabriel Steward, efq. who is lately deceafed. Being in pofleflion of thefe boroughs, he had the lucrative office of pay- mafter of marines, which is worth 6oool. a year. This gentleman fold them to W. Pulteney, efq. the prefent pofleffor, for 63,000!. Of the freehold houfes which give the right of voting, a confiderable part are leafed for lives, or for long terms of years, under fmall referved rents. The reverlionary intereft is granted by the proprietor to truft-holders, for the purpofe of out-numbering the votes of thofe who have 2 freehold XV E Y M O U T H> &C. freehold property in poffeffion, in their own right. This is perhaps the only inftance amongft all the contradictory rights of election, where votes are received and admitted in right of freehold pro- perty, of which the party is not to come into actual poifeflion till after he expiration of five hundred or athoufand years. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. Melcombe fent members to parliament in the reign of Edward III. which was before Weymouth had the privi- lege ; and in the reign of Edward III. it was in fo flourifhing aftate, that it was appointed a ftaple by act of parliament; but, for its quarrels with Wey- mouth, its privileges, as a port, were in the reign of Henry VI. removed to Poole: they were how- ever reftored to them by aft of parliament, in the time of Elizabeth ; and in the next reign they were confirmed, on condition that Melcombe and Weymouth mould form but one corporation, and enjoy their privileges in common. UNITED CORPORATIONS confift of a mayor, a recorder, two bailiffs, feveral aldermen, the number of whom is uncertain ; yet they fend four members to parliament, as if they were diftincl corporations. In Melcombe there is a good mar- ket-place and town-hall, where the members of the W E Tf M O U T H, <&C. iCf the corporation, refiding in Weymouth, come to attend on public bufmefs. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There has been no re- folution of the houfe as to the exprefs right ; but, upon the trial of a contefted election in 1730, the counfel on both fides agreed to the following ftatement of the right being " in the mayor, " aldermen and capital burgefTes, inhabiting in " the borough, and in perfons feifed in freeholds " within the borough, and not receiving alms.*' NUMBER OF VOTERS The numbers have been as low as 200, and as high as 600 ; but as they are now the property of an individual, their di- vifion is entirely at his pleafure. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON William Pulteney, efq. In the pennon-lift that was publiflied in the reign of Charles II. is inferted the following paragraph : " Weymouth. Sir Winften Churchil, now one " of the clerks of the green-cloth, proffered his " own daughter to the Duke of York, and has "got in boon \io,ooo: has publiflied a print, " that the king may raife money without parlia^ " mem." BRIDPORT. 192 BRI DPORT. BRIDPORT. The corporation, and fome of the inhabitants, who poflefs the right of eleftion in this borough, are in a great degree independent, but even here, corruption has too frequently prevailed. For though about one half of the electors are com- pofed of men of refpefctability, whofe fuffrages have been never known to be influenced, yet the other part, compofed of the inferior houfe- keepers, always expect to receive a douceur at every election. The gentlemen who are retur- ned, are obliged to fpend fifteen hundred or two thoufand pounds each, in entertainments, and in giving fome teftimony of their gratitude to the needy electors. On fome occafions the gratuity has amounted to forty pounds, at others to only twenty to each voter. The memory of the late Mr. Sturt, who was patron of this borough, and member for the county, is held in high efteem amongfl the elec- tors, for though he did not fucceed at one elec- tion, in getting his friend returned, he was equally liberal in rewarding the poor voters, whofe fa- vors he had courted, as he had been upon more fortunate BRIDPORT. 193 fortunate occafions. Mr. Charles Sturt, his Ion, has (till a partial influence in the borough, and may by a little exertion recover the whole. In the reign of Edward the Confeflbr, this town confided of 120 houfes ; but 20 of thefe were ruinous in the reign of William the Conqueror. Leland fays it was, in his time, a very large town, and that its chief ftreet lay from eaft to weft, and was crofled by another handfome ftreet. Brid-. port was made a borough by Henry III. and by its charter was leafed to the inhabitants in fee- farm, for a fmall quit-rent in the exchequer, collected by the bailiffs of the town, and payable at Michaelmas. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This town fenn members 23 Edward I. CORPORATION. It was incorporated by Henry VIII. and afterwards by Elizabeth. By a charter of James I. two bailiffs were to be cho- fcn annually by the capital burgeffes, who were to be fifteen in number, including the two bailiffs ; and the corporation was impowered to choofe a recorder and town-clerk, who, with the bailiffs in office, and the two preceding bailiffs, were tobejuftices of the peace. By this charter, the corporation were allowed to build a prifon, to VOL. I. O have JO4 B ft I D P O K f. have a common feal, and to hold lands and tene- ments. The bailiffs were to have all fines, to have two ferjeants to carry maces before them, vith other ptivileges. RIGHT OF ELECTION. April 2, 1628. Re- Jolved " That the commonalty in general " of the borough of Bridport, in com. Dor- " fet, ought to have votes in the eleftion of " burgeffes lor parliament." Refolded " That it is a void election in re- v " fpect of thewant of warning to the com- " monalty" May 5, 1715. Rffohed " That it is in all the " inhabitants not receiving alms." May 7, 1715. On the further hearing th merits of the election for the borough of Brid port, in the county of Dorfet, Rcfolvcd " That the petitioner be admitte " to give evidence in relation to the par " tiality of the bailiff in the late eleclio " of members to ferve in parliament for th " borough of Bridport." Mr. Arthur Pain being called, The petitioner's council objected againft hi being examined, for that he had been charge- by the petitioner's evidence with having (as agen 4 fo BRIDPORT. I gg for Mr. Strangeways) diftributed money and corn to voters. And the queftion being put, that the counfel for the fitting member be admitted to examine Arthur Paine, touching William Pierce being of full age, at the time of the laft election for the borough of Bridport ; It was pafled in the negative. The counfel for the fitting member examined feveral witnefles, in relation to wheat given by the family of Strangeways, whether the fame was an ufual charity as they infifted, or bribery, as the petitioner's counfel infifted? And John Tucker being called, &c. And the queftion being put, that Tucker ha- ving been concerned in the diftributing of wheat to the inhabitants of Bridport, before Chriftmas laft, be admitted to be examined as a witnefs in this caufe ; It paffed in the negative. March 2, 1762. Refolded "that the words " commonalty in general, extend only to inha- " bitants paying fcot and lot. NUMBER OF VOTERS are about 160. RETURNING OFFICERS the bailiffs. PATRONS Charles Sturt, efq. one member. O 2 SHAFTES- SHAtTESB.URY. SHAFTESBURY. This borough confifts of about four hundred houfes, two hundred of which are the property of Hans Wintrop Mortimer, efq. fixty belong to- Mr. Bryant, Clerk of the papers at the King's Bench Prifon ; thirty to Paul Benfield, efq. and about one hundred are divided amongft indi- viduals in the town. This borough has dif-- played the fyftem of corruption in high colouring,, not that we believe it more guilty of bribery and illicit practices, than every other borough in the kingdom, but that it has been lefs cautious im carrying thofe meafures into execution. The hiftory of Punch, which we fhall report at large from the Journals of the Houfe of Com-- mons, and the fcenes of perjury and corruption, which it developes, are but innocent levities when fet in oppofition to the enormities which prevailed at the laft election. Mr. Mortimer, who owns more than half the borough, has, for the lafl twenty years, been con-- fidered as its Patron, and had of couife the common application from the Treafury for the pure ha fe SHAFTESB U R Y. 197 purchafe of the borough previous to the laft election, but not accepting the terms which were offered him, two minifterial candidates were fent do\vn to oppofe his intereft, and Mr. Whitaker, the late Recorder, who is an attorney in Shaftef- bury, and had hitherto acted as Mr. Mortimer's agent, was prevailed on to undertake the manage- ment of the oppofition to the intereft of his late employer. Mr. Mortimer united his intereft with Mr. Bryant, and oppofed this minifterial nomination; but when the election came on, he had the mor- tification of feeing moft of his tenants bad been pnjuaded by Mr. Whitaker to vote againft him. Attheclofe of the poll the numbers were, for Charles Buncombe, efq. 224 William Grant, efq. 224 H. W. Mortimer, efq. 67 William Bryant, efq. 67 Mr. Whitaker, in reward for the fervices he rendered government upon thi> occafion, was, very foon after the election, appointed Receiver- General of the Stamp-duties for the county of Dorfet, a place worth 600 per annum. CORPORATION confifts of a mavor 4 twelve aldermen, by charter of Elizabeth, and confirmed by James I. and Charles II. O RIGHT 198 SHAFTESBURY. RIGHT OF ELECTION. Feb. 19, 1695. Re~, folved " That the right of electing mem- " bers to ferve in parliament for the bo, " rough of Shaftefbury, is not only in the " mayor and burgefles of the faid bo^ ** rough." II. Refolved " That the right of electing *' members to ferve in parliament for the tr faid borough of Shaftefbury, is only irv unanimoufly^ That it will be highly *' expedient that the houie do proceed to ' take the fame into confideration as early as 204 SHAFTESBURY. "as poffible in the next fefiion of par* " liament." And it was ordered, " That it be an inftru&ion " to the gentlemen who are appointed to " prepare and bring in a bill to explain and c < amend an act made in the jothyearof " the reign of his prefent majefty, entitled, " An ad to enable the fpeaker of the houfe " of commons to iflue his warrants to make " out new writs for the choice of members < f to ferve in parliament, in the room of ncmine contradicenlc> " That it ^ap- " pears 2O6 SHAFTESBURY. an d infiabitants, had not enjoyed them " for many years part, to the great detriment of s ** the laid town, by which it was threatened with " ruin, and the good government of the fame was " almoft extinct. " That thereupon the burgffles and inhabitant* "of Pool e had petitioned the queen, that {he " would malve, reflore, and create the faid bur- ' gelfes and inhabitants into another body cor- " poratc and politic. " That flie therefore, &c. (hoping that, if the *' inhabitants of the town aforefaid, and their " fucccflbrs, fliould enjoy by her grant greater rt honours, liberties, and privileges, they will '* think thcmfelves bound, &c.) grants that the " faid town of Poole fhall be, for ever after, a VOL. I. Q f ree 226 POO L E. " free town of itfelf, and be incorporated ; to cc confift of one mayor, two bailiffs, burgeffes, " and commonalty (in the original communitas] ; : " gefTes to be chofen annually out of the difcreet " burgeffes (on a day fixed) fhall be keepers " (z. e. juflices) of the peace. " To the mayor, bailiffs, burgefTes, and cow- " mortally, view of frank-pledge, &c. To the the mayor, bail iffs, burgeffes, and cm- " monalty, and their fucceffors, that none of them, ft nor any inhabitant or refident within the town, ' &c. fhall be impannelled againft his will, on " any aflize, jury, or inquifition, &c. without the l town of Pool e. " That the inhabitants, burgefTes, and com- " monalty of the town of Poole, may have their " guild, and all their liberties, jurifdiclions, &c. **" by land and by fea, in the fame manner with " the mayor, bailiffs, and burgeffes of the to\v . " of Southampton, and all other liberties, 6cc. " which the mayor, bailiffs, burgejjes and inbabi- " latits, heretofore had or ufed to have. " That the faid mayor, bailiffs, burgeffes and c commonalty, fliall have the return of all writs *' within the town. " That the faid mayor, bailifrs, burgeffes, and to give in and fwear to the fchedule of their qualifications, he was free from the penalty of that act, from not having yet taken his feat. With refpedt to his being difqualified by his bankruptcy, this was fufficiently anfwered, from his having obtained a certificate that might fmce have enabled him to acquire fufficient property for qualification. The allegation, his counfel faidj ought to have been fuch as, if true, would have COLCHESTER* ^45 have convicted the fitting member of perjury in his affidavit ; for that alone would prove the incapacity. Suppoiing the fitting member to have difobeyed the ftanding -order, the point contended for would not be the confequence of this conftruc- tion ; for the counfel obferved, that the houfe of commons could not make a legal di/qualification-, this was only to be effected by the whole legifla-. ture. He contended, that the cafes adduced were not in point'; they were only jirft examples of practice refpecting the order they depended on, and no more. It was impoflible, he faid, to find a cafe fo applicable to the prefent, as to enable the committee to follow, without oppofition from Mr. Potter. After a fhort reply from the counfel for the petitioner, the committee Refolvedy That the petition prefented by Sir Robert Smith, Bart, docs contain an exprefs charge of want of qualification againft the fitting member. Refohed, That Chriftopher Potter, Efq. has not complied with the ftanding order of the houfe of the 21 ft November 1717, which re- " quires that the qualification exprefsly objected to in any petition relating to his election, mail, within 246 COLCHESTER. within 15 days after the petition is read, give to the clerk of the houfe of commons a paper, figned by himfelf, containing a rental or par- ticular of the lands, tenements, and heredita- ments, whereby he makes out his qualification." " Determined, That thelaft elect ion of members to ferve in parliament for the borough of Col- chefter, in the county of EfTex, is, fo far as re- lates to Chriftopher Potter, Efq. a void elec- tion." Thefe refolutions being communicated to the bar, the counfel for the petitioners refumed that part of their cafe by which they claimed the feat for their client ; and propofed to .{hew that he had a majority over Mr. Potter, by difqualify- ing ten of his votes, which would leave the numbers -for Mr. Potter 415, and for Sir Robert Smyth 416. After a few more obfer vat ions from the counfel for the fitting member, the committee, July 5, " Refohed, That the election of Chrift. Potter, Efq. for the borough of Colchefter, having been declared void, the counfel be rcftrainetf from entering into any examination relative to the difqualification of votes on the poll for the faid borough of Colchefter." COLCHESTER. 247 On the fame day the chairman reported to the houfe, " That the committee had determined, as before dated, that the election for members to ferve in parliament for the borough of Colchefter, in the county of EJTex, is, fo far as relates to Chriftopher Potter, Efq. a void election." A new writ was in confequence ordered to be ifTued MALDEN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The influence in this borough, if a pofitive one may be faid to exift, is between Jofeph Hoi den Strut, Efq. and Charles Callis Weftern, Efq. the prefent mem- bers. The houfe of commons having, with great juflice, determined, that honorary freemen, and freemen claiming their right by purchafe, have not a right to vote for members to ferve in par- liament for this place, effectually prevents the fabrication of votes for time-ferving purpofes, which has been practifed at Durham, Carlifle, Seaford, and other places. The number not ex- ceeding 200, is too fmall to place them beyond the grafp of venality and influence, as we have feen experienced by the conviction of the late Baniber Gafcoigne, Efq. for bribery, and cor- rupting the electors of this borough. 2 COR- 248 M A L D E N. CORPORATION. It is at prcfcnt governed by 2 bailiffs, 8 aldermen, a fte ward, recorder, and 1 8 capital burgefles. It is a liberty within itfelf, and has a convenient harbour. It was incorpo- rated i Philip and Mary, 1554. BOROUGH ENGLISH. There is a cuftom in this place, that, when a man dies inteftate, his lands and tenements de- fcend to his youngeft fon ; or, if he dies without iffiie, to his youngeft brother. This cuftom is termed Borough Engltfb y and is faid to have arifen from the lewdnefs and tyranny of the ancient feudal lords, who, when any of thofe who held under them married, claimed the firft night with the bride : as fome doubt, therefore, naturally arofe, whether the firft-born child was legitimate, this cuftorn was eftablifhed to exclude fuch child from the inheritance, and the youngeft was pre- ferred, as being the moft diftant from fufpicion. RIGHT OF ELECTION. May 20, 1715, Mr. Hampden (according to order) reported, &c. as follows : i . Refohed That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that the right of election of members to ferve in parliament for the borough of Mai- den, in the county of Elfcx, is in fuch frce- <; men- M A L D E N, 249 men as do not receive alms, and are entitled to freedom by birth, marriage, or fervitude. 2. Refilled That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that fuch perfons who derive their right to freedom from honorary freemen of the borough of Maiden, in the county of EfTex, have not a right to vote in the election of members to ferve in parliament for the faid borough. 3. Refolded That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that perfons claiming their freedom by purchafe, and exercifing trades within the borough of Maiden, in the county of Eflex, have not a right to vote in the election of members to ferve in parliament for the faid borough. .4. Refolded That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that John Corny ns, ferjeant at law, having, at the late election of members, to ferve in parliament for the borough of Maiden, in the county of EiTex, wilfully refufed to take the oath of qualification, as is directed by an act of parliament of the 9th of Anne, (entitled, " An Act for fecuring the freedom, " of Parliaments, by the further qualifying the " Members to fit in the Houfe of Commons,"} though duly required fo to do, and not having at any time before the meeting of this parlia- VOL. I. S ment M A L D E N. ment taken the faid oath, his eleftion is there- by void. The faid refolutions being feverally read a fecond time, and the queftion being feverally put upon the three firft of the faid refolutions, That the houfe do agree with the committee in the faid refolutions ; It palfed in the negative. The reft of the refolutions being feverally read a fecond time, were, upon the queftion feve- rally put thereupon, agreed unto by the houfe. NUMBER OF VOTERS 195. RETURNING OFFICERS The two bailiffs. PATRONS Mr. Strut and Mr. Weftern. PENSION. In the penfion-lift of Charles II. Sir Richard Wifeman, one of the members for Maiden, had loool. a year penfion, and was keeper of one of the treafurer's parliamentary tables. HARWICH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This was formerly a treafury borough, and numbered amongft the appendages to the influence of government. Butt the celebrated John Robinfon, efq. of parlia- mentary notoriety, managed with fo much dex- terity its political attachment, while he was in- the HARWICH. 251 the- employment of a late adminiftration, as to fecure to himfelf that patronage which he had before exercifed officially. The right of election being in thirty-two indi- viduals, moft of whom are, by themielves or their relations, in pofTeffion of thofe favours which the ex-fecretary had fo amply the power of diftribu- ting, nothing but an oppofition to a future admini- ftration can poffibly make the omnipotency of his influence : but as he poflefles the lucrative office of furveyor-general of the crown lands, and a penfion of loool. fer annum, we prefume, upon his well-known attachment to good things, that fuch an acl: of tergiverfation is not likely to happen. CORPORATION. This town was firft madeabo- rough, and incorporated, in the reign of Edw. II. by Thomas Brotherton, earl of Norfolk, and marfhal of England. It received a new charter in the time of James I. by the intereft of the learned and celebrated Edward Coke, the attor- ney-general, and afterwards recorder of this town for life. This charter, and all other immunities belonging to the town, were, through the media- tion of Sir Harbottle Grimftone, their recorder at that time, and mafter of the rolls, confirmed by Charles II. The corporation at prefent con- fifts of a mayor, chofen annually on St. Andrew's S 2 day, 25 2. H A R W 1 C H. day, out of eight aldermen. There is alfo a recorder and twenty-four capital burgeffes. The mayor has the power of keeping admiralty courts, which have a jurifdiclion over all naval affairs. RIGHT OF ELECTION. April 6, 1714, Refolved, That the right of election to ferve in parliament for the borough of Harwich, in the county of EfTex, is in the mayor, aldermen, and capital burgefles, or headboroughs of the faid borough^ redding within the faid borough. NUMBER OF VOTERS 32. RETURNING OFFICKR The mayor. PATRON John Robinfon, efq. PENSION. In the penfion-lift of Charles II. it appeared that Thomas King, efq. a member for Harwich, had a penfion of 50!. a fefiion, befides meat, drink, and now and then a fuit of clothes. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. JL HIS county is in the province of Canter- bury, and is a diocefe of itfelf. It is divided into 30 hundreds, and contains one city, and 25 market towns, in which are 280 parifhes, 26,700 houfes, and 162,568' inhabitants, who are GLOUCESTER. 253 are reprefented in parliament by eight members chofen as follows : Two knights of the mire for the county ; two citizens for the city of Glou- cefter; two burgefTes for the borough of Ciren- cefter; and two burgeflcs for the borough of Tewkfbury. GLOUCESTER COUNTY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The predominant influence in this county is that of the D uke of Beaufort, and the Earl of Berkeley. There was, indeed, a powerful contefl in 1776, upon Mr. Southwell being called to the houfe of peers, in which the numbers upon the poll were nearly equal ; but it was a contefl between the intereft of thefe two noblcm n for fuperjority : W." B. Chefter, efq. being fupported by the former, and the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley by the latter. Mr. Chefter obtained the majority upon the poll : a petition was prefented and tried againft his return, in which he eventually fuc- ceeded. This was the firft county petition tried under the Grenville act. The above noblemen are now coalefccd, and each has his friend in the reprefcntation. S 3 A MEMBER. 254 GLOUCESTER. A MEMBER CHOSEN WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. It is fo far unneceflary to be a candidate in order to be a member, that a perfon may be chofen and returned without either his knowledge or confent. This is proved by a circumftance which happened at an election for this county, as reported by Glanville. The committee and the houfe determined, April 9, 1624, that Sir Thomas Eftcourt, having a majority of votes on the poll, was duly elected and returned, although le had declared, at the election, that he defired not to be cbofen. GLOUCESTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This city is at pre- fent independent ; a remarkable inftance of which was given upon the death of Sir Charles Barrow, in 1789, when the citizens oppofed the intereft of the duke of Norfolk, and, after a poll of fifteen days, obtained a victory by a majority of one vote. The Duke of Norfolk is an alderman and re- corder of this corporation, and moft of the body corporate are in his grace's intereft. Lord Vifcount Sydney has an intereft in the city, arifmg from GLOUCESTER. $5$ from the property he inherits of the late George Selwyn, efq. CORPORATION. According to Sir Robert Atkins' Hiftory of Gloucefterfhire, this city was incorporated by Henry III. when he \vas crowned there. It was then governed by a mayor, alder- men, &c. But the inhabitants refigning their charter, in 1672, to Charles II. he granted them another in the 24th of his reign, by which the city and county is governed by a fteward, mayor, 12 aldermen, a recorder, two Iherifts, 26 com- mon council, a town clerk, a fword bearer, and four ferjeants at mace. For the better regulating the trade of the city, there are twelve companies, whofe matters attend, in their gowns, the mayor, on all public occafions : thefe are the mercers, in which are included the apothecaries, grocers, and chandlers ; the weavers, the tanners, the butchers, the bakers, the fmiths and hammer- men, among whom are the goldfmiths, iron- monger?, coopers, and joiners ; the fhoemakers, metal-men, taylors, barbers, and glovers. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the inhabitants and freemen. NUMBER OF VOTERS 3000. RETURNING OFFICERS The mcvifrs. PATRONS None. S 4 CIREiSL CIRENCESTER, THIS borough has I. en form any years at the difpofal o E*rl Bailn-nt, who has a feat in the .bcurhood, and poflefTes a confiderable pro- peity in the town and its vicinity. Kis lordlhip is alfo lord of the manor of this borough, and his fleward allumes the powers of returning officer, the charter having been forfeited fo long lince as the reign of Elizabeth, There have been many refolutions of the com- mittees of the houfe on the right of election for this borough, but none of them have received the fancHon of the houfe of commons; the RIGHT is confequently undefined. The only refolution upon the journals is, the general one of the ift of May, 1624, which neither excludes any part of the borough, nor any defcription of its inhabi- tants : but the ftew^ard of Earl Bathurft, who acls as returning officer, rejecls the votes of the Abbey, the Emery, and the Springate - lane, \vhich he juftifies under a refolution of a com- mittee of 1709, though that refolution was nega- tived by the houfe of commons. Mr. Crefwell made a fuccefsful oppofition to this intereft in 1768, and Mr. Prefton did the feme at the laft election in 1790, at the rifk of a pcti- CIRENCESTER. Itf a. petition, which coft fevcral thoufand pounds, to afcertain a right of election, where complU cated errors have rendered the talk impoffible. CORPORATION. This town being incorpo- rated, as above, by Henry IV. it was governed by a mayor, two conftables, and the commonalty, who were deemed part of the corporate body : but- this charter was cancelled in the reign of Elizabeth. RIGHT OF ELECTION. May 21, 1624. That where no cuftom nor charter for election, there the inhabitants houfeholders ought to make the election. Nov. 4, 1690." Refohed, by the committee, that the inhabitants of the borough of Cirencefter (in com. Gloucefter.) receiving a charitable dona- tion, commonly called bye-money , have not a right to vote in electing burgelTes to ferve* in par- liament. Refolded, That the inhabitants of the borough of Cirencefter being inmates, have no right to vote in electing burgeffes to ferve in parliament. Upon the queftion, the houfe did not agree upon the firft refolution, but agreed unto the fecond. Dec. 8, 1709. The queftion being put, that the inhabitants of the Abbey t the Emery > and the ' TEWKESBURY, S$ringate-lane (not receiving alms) have a right to vote in electing members to fcrve in parlia- ment for the borough of Cirencefter (com. Glou- cefter) ; Jt palTed in the negative. The ftate of the poll at the laft election was, For Lord Apfley - 293 Richard Matter, efq. 262 Robert Prefton, efq. 254 NUMBER OF VOTERS 600. RETURNING OFFICER The fteward. PATRON Earl of Bathurft. TEWKESBURY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is no under the immediate influence of any individual Its independence is evinced by the honour i derives from fo exemplary a reprefentative a Mr. James Martin, \vhofe integrity has mani- fefted that rigid virtue, which fo defervedly ennobled the Grecian and Roman character To the honour of the Britim fenate it fhoulc be recorded, that being offered a lhare in the very advantageous loan of 1783, to a very grea amount, he difplayed the true dignity of parlia- mentary independence, by communicating to the houfc HAMPSHIRE. 259- houfe the infult that he conceived to be offered to the legiflative affembly of the nation. ANCIENT REPRESENTATION. This town re- ceived firft its privileges from Edward II. which were confirmed by feveral of his fucceflbrs ; but it did not return to parliament before the 7th of James the Firft. CORPORATION. Tewkefbury being re-incor- porated by James I. it was then governed by 24 burgefTes, from whom are chofen annually two bailiffs, who are the ruling magiftrates, and have jurifdiclion within the borough, exclufive of the juftices of the peace for the county. RIGHT OF ELECTION. Is in the magiftrates and inhabitants paying fcot and lot. NUMBER OF VOTERS. Suppofed to be about 500. RETURNING OFFICERS. The bailiffs. HAMPSHIRE. X HIS county, exclufive of the Ifleof Wight, is divided into 39 hundreds, containing one city, 20 market towns, and 253 pariflies. It lies in the province of Canterbury, and the diocefe of Win- chefter. It fends 26 members to parliament, returned as follows : Two knights by the county, and 26O POR IS MOUTH, and two burgeffes by each of the following townsj Southampton, Portfmouth, Newport, Yarmouth, and Newton in the Ifle of Wight, Lymington or Liminton, Chrifkhurch, Andover, Whitchurch, Petersfield, and Stockbridge. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This county has, from its maritime fituation, many ports in it, where a great number of cuftom-houfe officers, and others, under the immediate controul of government, refide. The interefl arifing from this connexion, as well as from the dock-yard at Portfmouth, is fo great, as to fuperfede ariftocracy itfelf j and the administration for the time being have generally the 'nomination of its members, which may be eafily evinced by the laft return, when the numbers were, for Sir W. Heathcote, bart. 2013 William Chute, efq. - 1805 Lord J. RufTel - - 1290 J. C. Jervois, efq. - I2 ^ PORTSMOUTH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec- tion in this town being exclufive in the corpora- tion, confifting of a mayor, recorder, 1 2 aldermen, and an indefinite number of burgeffcs, like that of Plymouth, the fame influence prevailed here for a great number of years, and the admiralty PORTSMOUTH, a6l was always admitted to have the nomination of its members. This corporation, however, being chiefly compofed of men of independent fortunes, and inimical to the American war, and to the unconstitutional meafures of Lord North's admi- niftration, refufed to accept the minifterial nomi- nation of the late Peter Taylor, efq. the army commiflary,' upon the death of the late Sir Mat- thew Featherftonhaugh, in 1774, and invited Jofhua Iremonger, of Wherewell, in this county, a gentleman of great opulence and independence, to oppofe the government intereft. The patriotic party had not yet acquired a fufficient ftrength to overcome that influence which had ufually prevailed here, fo that Mr. Taylor carried his election by a majority of three votes. This oppofition to government irritated them to fuch a pitch, as to caufe them, the enfuing term, to move the court of King's Bench for in- formations in the nature of Quo IVarranto, againft the mayor, feveral of the aldermen, and 63 of the burgelTes. Thefc informations having been feverally obtained, and trials had thereon, judg- ment of oufter was iflucd againft the whole ftumber. Similar informations were then moved en behalf of the patriotic againft the minifte- rial i 262 PORTSMOUTH. rial party, and 29 of the latter were likewife oufted. Thefe judgments left the corporation without a mayor or recorder: only four aldermen remained in their offices, and a few of the burgefTes. Admi- niftration had now fo far fucceeded, as to have, a clear majority in this garbled corporation ; but, of the four remaining aldermen, Wm. Carter, fen. efq. Mr. White, Mr. Linzee, and Mr. Var- loe, the two former being in the independent intereft, and the two latter in that of government ; and as the power of making aldermen, and nomi- nating candidates for the office of mayor, is veiled by the bye-laws of the corporation in the court of aldermen, no election, could legally be made for either. The majority of burgefles who were in the intereft of government, however, afTembled, and aflumed to themfclves a power of chooling a mayor, and elected Mr. Monday, an officer of the cuiloms in this port, and one of the burgefles, into that office. This election being illegal, judgment of oufter was foon obtained againft him; but the burgeffes (till perfevered in the fame jnode of election j and as often as judgment of oufter was obtained againft one, they fet about electing another of their own party, and continued ;his practice for nearly nine years, at the expira- tion PORT S'M o u t H. 263 tion of which time, Linzee and Varloe, the two minifterial aldermen, died, and left the corporate power in the hands of their opponents. The Earl of Sandwich, who had been confidered the patron and fupporter of the minifterial party in this bo- rough, being about this time removed from the office of firft lord of the admiralty, they loft that fupport by which they were enabled for fo many- years to carry on their oppofition. The two remaining aldermen, Carter and White, having now the fole command of the corporation, and the election of mayor of necef- fity falling upon one of them, Mr. Carter was accordingly chofen on the Michaelmas day fol- lowing. The corporation having once more obtained a legal form, a court of aldermen was held, the vacancies were filled up, and a number of new burgefles elected, of fuch a character and inde- pendence, as placed them beyond the reach of improper influence. Sir John Carter, eldeft fort of the above-named alderman, has ever fince been confidered the leader and patron of this corpora- tion. The conftitutional objections which we have to make againft them are, that the majority of them are non-refidents ; and that by their conftitution they elect each other, without the Suffrages 264 PORTSMOUTH. fuffrages of the inhabitants, who are thereby not only fecluded from their natural right of their choice of magiflrates, but alfo from the more im- portant one, of delegating their reprefentatives to the legiflature, in whom is the difpofal of their liberty, life, and property. RIGHT OF ELECTION is in the mayor, aldermen, and burgefles of the faid borough only, 1695, 24th January. ANCIENT STATE AND REPRESENTATION. This town, which may, from having the only regular fortification in the kingdom, be termed the Key of England, was burnt by the French in the reign of Richard II. At firft, the town was fortified by a timber wall lined with earth ; but Edward IV. built two forts of free-Hone .at the entrance of the harbour, and Henry VII. made it a garrifon. This town fent members as early as Winchefter did, which was 23 Edw. I. CORPORATION. Fortfmouth was lad incorpo- rated by Charles I. It is governed by a mayor,, recorder, 1 2 aldermen, and an indefinite number of burgeiTes. RIGHT OF ELECTION. Jan. 24, 1695, Re- joiced, That the right of election of burgefTes to ferve in parliament for the borough of Portf- moth (in Com. Southampton) is in the mayor, aldermen, and burgefles of the faid borough only. Feb. PORTSMOUTH. 265 Feb. 3, 1710, Refolded, That Jofepb Wbitehorn^ efq. who was elected mayor of the borough of Portfmouth on the loth day of December, 1709, and had not duly qualified himfelf for that office according to law, by taking the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites of the church of England, within one year next before his election, was not legal mayor of the faid borough; Refolved, That the aldermen, elected during the faid pretended mayoralty of the faid Mr. Wbtteborn, are not legal aldermen, and the bur- gefles elected during his pretended mayoralty, have not a right to vote in elections of members to ferve in parliament for the faid borough of Portfmouth. NUMBER OF VOTERS 60. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor* PATRON Sir John Carter. SOUTHAMPTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This town, which is a county of itfelf, is remarkable for the refpec- tability of its corporation, which, like that of Poole, to which it is nearly fimilar in its confti- tution, is denominated the mayor, bailiffs, and burgeffcs, though it U cuftomary, as at Poole, to VOL. I. T compli- a66 s o u T H A M p T o w. compliment fuch of its members as have ferved the office of mayor, with the title of alderman. The late Hans Stanley, of famous memory, reprefented this town near thirty years, and was fo profufe in the diftribution of court favours, which it is well known were at his difpofal, as to bring it into the vortex of government boroughs. So unftable, however, is gratitude thus procuredj that they turned his nephew, the prefent Hans Sloane, efq. out of its reprefentation, a very few years after his death. The influence in this town is principally in the corporation, although the right of election is in the inhabitant houfeholders paying fcot and lot, and their number is near fix hundred. The cor- poration have the power of making non-refident, or honorary burgeiTes ; but they have not yet abufed it to any extent. CORPORATION. This is the county town, and was incorporated by Hen. II. ajid John. It was next made a county of itfclf, by Hen. VI. who thus rendered it independent of the Lord-lieu- tenant of the county. By its laft charter, granted by Charles I. the corporation confifts of a mayor, recorder, fheriff, and two bailiffs : all thofe who have ferved any of the foregoing offices, conititute the common-council, which consequently are unlimited \ SOU T HAMPTON. 267 unlimited j but the corporation have a power of choofing burgelTes, who, although not members of the common-council, are yet of the corporation, and have therefore votes. There are eleven juf- tices of the peace ; namely, the mayor for the time being, the bifhop of Winchefler, the recorder, the laft mayor, five aldermen, and two burgelTes. All who have pafled the chair are aldermen. The corporation have feveral officers, as, a town-clerk, four ferjeants at mace, a town-crier, &c. The mayor and bailiffs have a court for the recovery of fmall debts. All caufes are tried in the Guildhall, where the quarter feflions are alfo heU. The mayor is admiral of the liberties, from South- Sea Cattle, near Portfmouth, to Hurft Cattle, which is feated on a neck of land that runs fo far into the fea as to form the fhorteft paflage to the Ifle of Wight. It was here that Canute ridiculed his flattering courtiers, by fitting crowned, and in his royal robes, on the bank of the river, forbidding the tide to approach his foot-ftool ; but the fea, deaf to his commands, and regardlefs of his threats, continued its wonted courfe, and wetting his ma- jetty's feet and robes, he ftarted up, and upbraided thofe fycophants with the groflhefs of their flat- tery, in pretending that all nature obeyed him. T 2 "Let 2*68 SOUTHAMPTON, Let this convince you, and all the world," added he, " that the power of the greateft monarch is poor and weak, and that none is truly worthy of the title of king, but he, whofe will being an eternal law, the heavens, the earth, and the fe?. obey." , RIGHT OF ELECTION. Dec* 31, 1689, Rf-~ Jolved, That the right of eledion of burgefles to ferve in parliament for the town and county of * Southampton, is in the burgefles and inhabitants of the faid town. March 17, 1695, Refolved, That the outliving burgefles, as well as the burgefles inhabitants, and other inhabitants paying fcot and lot, have a right to vote for electing members to ferve in par- liament for the town, and county of the town, of Southampton. RETURNING OFFICERS, dpril 3, 1735, Re- Joined, That the mayor and bailiffs of the town* and county of the town of Southampton, are the returning, officers for the faid town and county. A SHERIFF RETURNED TO PARLIAMENT. The inhabitants of Southampton having pre- fented a petition againft the return of Mr. Fle- ming to ferve them in parliament, in confequencc of his being Sheriff of the county at the time of his SOUTHAMPTON. 269 his election, a committee was appointed to take i he faid petition into their confideration. The committee met on the loth of Feb. 1777, and, after hearing counfel and evidence, determined on the 1 2th Feb. that the fitting member (Mr. Fleming) was duly elected. The chief ground of their decifion was, that this town, being a county of itfelf, and that the mayor and bailiffs proceeded to the election by virtue of a writ from the crown, and not under the authority of a pre- cept from the meriff of Hampfhire, it did not incapacitate the fitting member. NUMBER OF VoTERS-^About 600. RETURNING OFFICERS The mayor and bai- liffs. STOCKBRIDGE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of election in this borough is in the inhabitants houfe-kecpers, paying fcot and lot. The frequent petitions which have been prefented to parliament on the fcore of bribery, fhew, either that this borough is more than ordinarily open to corruption, or that it is more (hamclefs in the exercife of it. The peti- tion of Mr. Barham and Mr. Porter, againft Major Scot and Mr. Caror, the fitting members, has lately brought a fyftem of bribery before the T 2,7O STOCKBRIDGE. houfe, more difgraceful than even thofe which have been related of Shafteibury, Hindon, Crick- lade, or Shoreham, and caufed a bill to be brought into parliament for the disfranchifement of the borough ; but, by the ufual management prac- tifed upon thefe occalions, it was difpofed of by a fide-wind motion. Mr. Barham is now pur- chafing up the houfes in the borough, and is likely to become fole proprietor of it. The bailiff, who is generally an inn-keeper, or one dependant upon an inn-keeper, is the returning officer at elections : for it is faid that the inn-keeper, in order to have an opportunity of receiving bribes upon thefe occalions, without being liable to the penalty, has frequently procured one of his own hofllers to be elected bailiff, and has himfelf car- ried the mace before him. . The ingenious Sir Richard Steele, who repre fented this borough in the reign of Queen Anne carried his election againft a powerful opposition, by the merry expedient of flicking a large apple full of guineas, and declaring it mould be the prize of that man whofe wife fhould firft be brought to-bed after that day nine months. This, we are told, procured him the intereft of the women, who are faid to commemorate Sir Rich- ard's bounty to this day, and once made a fire- nuous n ; STOCK BRIDGE. 27! nuous effort to procure a ftanding order of the corporation, that no man fhould ever be re- ceived as a candidate who did not offer him- felf on the fame terms. BRIBERY. November i5th, 1689. i. Upon fpecial report from the committee of privileges and elections. of grofs and notorious bribery at an election for the borough of Stockbridge, in com. South- ampton, Rejohed, That W. Montague, efq. is not duly elected a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parlia- ment for the faid borough of Stockbridge. 2. Refohed, That W. Strode, efq. is not duly elected a burgefs, &c. 3. Refohed, That the faid election is a void election. 4. Ordered, That Richard Hewes, the bailiff, P. Robinfon Gatehoufe, and S. Hall, be fent for into cuftody of the ferjeant at arms, for giving and taking bribes at the faid election. 5. Refohed, That W. Montague, efq. be difabled from being elected a burgefs to ferve in this prefett parliament for the faid borough of Stockbridge. T 4 6. That STOCKBRIDGE. 6. That a debate arifmg touching the dif-^ franchifing the faid borough for ever hereafter from fending burgeffes to parliament, and that inftead thereof two more knights of the fhire be chofen for the county of Southampton. Refohedi That the debate be adjourned till Monday morning next, at ten o'clock. November 27th, 1789. 7. A petition of R. Hewes, &c. inhabitants of Stockbridge, that they were very forry they had incurred the dif- pleafure of the houfe by difcouraging the giving money, and by other irregularities at the late election there, which they had not done, but that they were fo near rum by the late king's army continually quartering upon them, and praying the confideration of the houfe, and to be dif- carged from their confinements. The petitioners being called up, and feverely reproved by Mr. Speaker for their offences, were difcharged on paying their fees. 8. Refohed, That the faid election for the faid borough of Stockbridge is a corrupt and a void election. 9. Refolved, That the bill be brought in for difabling the faid borough of Stockbridge to fend burgeffes to ferve in parliament for the future. And JTOCKBRIDGE. 273 And the faid bill was brought in the fame feflion, and read a firft and fecond time, and com- mitted. 7th February, 1693. 10. A petition of the bailiffs and inhabitants of the faid borough of Stockbridge was prefented to the houfe and read, praying that the bill may be withdrawn, and that the ancient frame and conftitution of the faid borough, in fending members to parliament, may not be altered. Refolded, That the faid petition be rejected. Eodem die, 1 1 . Another petition of the bailiff and inhabitants of the town of Stockbridge, pray- ing to be heard by their counfel againft the faid bill, was alfo rejeded. 12. And the bill was afterwards engrofled, and read a third time ; but on the third reading the queftion being put that the bill do pafs, It pafled in the negative ; and afterwards, dpril lytb, 1694, A motion being made, and the queftion being put, that a warrant be novr directed to the clerk of the crown to make out a new writ for the electing a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parliament for the borough of Stock- bridge, in the county of Southampton, in the room of Richard Whitbread, efq. 'It pafled in the negative. 22 Fe- STOCKS RIDGE. 22 ebruariiy 1793. The Hon. Edward James Eliot reported from the committee appointed to try and determine the merits of the Stockbridge petition ; " That John Cator, efq. and John Scot, were jiot duly elected ; " That Jofeph Fofter Barham, efq. and George Porter, efq. were duly elected, and ought to have been returned ; " That William Newman was the proper re- turning officer at the laft election for the faid borough of Stockbridge ; " That it appears to this committee, That there was the moft notorious bribery and corruption at the laft election of members to ferve in this prefcnt parliament, &c. " That it is the opinion of this committee, That the faid bribery and corruption require the mqft Jerious confideration of parliament. " That the faid report be taken into further confideration on the 7th day of March next." After feveral adjournments, it was ordered, on the i 8th day of March following, " That leave be given to bring in a bill for preventing bribery and corruption in the election of members to ferve in parliament for the borough of Stockbridge. 20 Mart ii. STOCKBRIDGE. 275 20 Martii. Mr. E. J. Eliot prefented to the houfe a bill for the preventing bribery and corruption in the election of members to ferve in parliament for the borough of Stockbridge, &c. A motion being made, That leave be given to bring in a bill to incapacitate William Bern, John Horner, William Horner, James Cooper, William Eles, William Thomas, Thomas Hamer, John Hulbert, John Hulbert fenior, James Gor- nal, George Woodford, Thomas Major, John Abbot, Thomas Mabberley, William Beaumont, John Goddard, John Bern fenior, Jofeph Nicho- las, Benjamin Rogers, Charles Stanbridge, Tho- mas Cooper, John Elton fenior, William Elton, Richard Geary, John Ventham, William Briant, Edward Hayter, William Cooper, Charles Blun- den, John Woodley, Robert Gatehoufe, William Tonge, John Hulbert fenior, Charles Salter, Johri Pither, Job Darnford, John Bofcall, William Tibbie, Hugh Goddard, Edward Bartley, Hugh Cooper, John Saunders, John Edmonds, James Harris, Thomas Haincs, John Elton fenior, James Elton, Jofiah James, Jofeph Coles, John Arlett, William Haines, George Sainfbury, Edward Wigg, William Spencer, William Stacey, William Hal- bert, Samuel Cole, William Hayter, George Reekes, 276 STOCKBRIDGB. Reekes, Solomon Bedford, Thomas Miller, Jon* Bixey, and John Tultley,* electors of members toferve in parliament for the borough of Stock- bridge, from voting hereafter at elections of members to ferve in parliament. Petitions were prefented and heard againfl the above bill, which were productive of various adjournments; ci.l an adjournment beyond the feffion, as in the cafe of Hindon, Shaftefbury, &c. took place, and the bill was loft. Thefe worthy electors are therefore Hill at liberty to return two members to the houfe of commons every fucceeding parliament, to repre* fent feven millions of people in the Britilh fenate ! POLITICAL ANECDOTE. In a penfion-lift publifhed in the reign of Charles II. there appears the following extraor- dinary paragraph : Sir Robert Howard (member for Stockbridge) auditor of the receipts of the exchequer, .3000 fer annum. Many great places and boons he has had ; but his wh uphil, fpends all, and now refufes to marry him. 5' NUMBER, * In all, fixty-three, being a confiderable majority of the elc&ors of the borough. STOCfcBRIDGBfc 377 NUMBER OF VOTERS 102. CORPORATION None. RIGHT OP ELECTION Is in all the inhabitants paying fcot and lot. RETURNING OFFICER A titular bailiff. PATRON I. Fofter Barham, efq. CHRISTCHURCH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. There does not ap- pear upon the journals of the houfe of commons any refolution refpe&ing the right of election in this borough j but Brown Willis, and every other parliamentary writer, ftates it to be in the inhabi- tants houfeholders, paying fcot and lot. The corporation have, however, aflumed to themfelve* the exclufive right, for a number of years, without any oppofition from the inhabitants, and exercifc it at prefent with wonderful addrefs and manage- ment. Edward Hooper, efq. of Herne Court, near this borough, fenior commiflioner of the cuftoms, has for near fifty years had the controuling intereft of this corporation, the direction of which he has lately furrendered to Lord Malmefbury. But Mr. Rofe, of the trcafury, in imitation of his pre- deceiTor, John Robinfon, at Harwich, has, fince his purchafq of the eftate at Cufnells, in the New Foreft, CHRI STCHUR:CH* Foreft, conceived it convenient to realife a fimilar influence, and has accordingly directed the trea- fury artillery againft the electors of Chriftchurch A fiirrender was foon obtained, and a capitulation agreed on, by which Mr. Rofe is allowed the nomination of one of its members. Should any two gentlemen, however, think it proper to offer themfelvesat a future vacancy on the right of the inhabitants, and take the fenfe of a committee of the houfe of commons by petition, on the validity of their claim of fuffrage, there is the beft founded prefumption of fuccefs, as they have not contrary refolutions of former committees to combat, as in the cafes of Pomfret and Poole> but a clear and diftincl: right eftablifhed by pre- fcription, and oppofed only by an arbitrary mo- nopoly, fanctioned by a corrupt ufage of a fhort period. RIGHT ,OF ELECTION In the inhabitants houfeholders, paying fcot and lot ; but at prefent aflumed and exercifed by the corporation ex- clufively. CORPORATION confiftsofa mayor, a recorder, Aldermen, bailiffs, and a common-council. NUMBER OF VOTERS 24 RETURNING OFFICER The mayor, PATRONS Lord Malmefbury, and George Rofe, efq. MAYOR CHRISTCHURCH. 279 MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH. It was determined in the cafe of the mayor of Chriftchurch, in the King's Bench (Stra, 1090) that a bare fvvearing in, and acling, does not make a man an officer, de fafo> and thar^ unlefs there is fome form of election, he is a mere ufurper. LYMJNGTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The corporation in, this borough, confiding of the mayor and bur- gefTes, have the exclufive right of the election of members of parliament, and are all under the Influence of Sir Harry Burrard, bart. by whofe means the majority of them have obtained a number of thofe benevolences, which render them indeed obnoxious to Mr. Crew's bill ; but are, notwithstanding that, liberally diftri- buted by the treafury amongft the immaculate boroughs. COR FOR AT TON. This ancient borough is a corporation by prefcription, confifting of a titular mayor, aldermen, and burgeiTes, without limita- tion ; the mayor is annually chofen by- the bur- gefles within and without the borough, and fworn at the courc-l.eet of the Iprd of the manor. 1 RIGHT JLTMINGTON. RIGHT OF ELECTION. Oftober 29, 1691. Refolded, That the mayor and burgefles of Lymington only have a right to elect a burgefs to ferve in parliament for that iorough. Jan. 1 8, 1695. Refolded, That the right of elecling burgefles to ferve in parliament for the borough of Lymington is not in the mayor, bur- gefles, and commonalty of the faid borough, paying fcot and lot. Refolved, That the right of elecling members to ferve in parliament for the faid borough of Lymington, is only in the mayor and burgefles of Lymington, exclufive of the commonalty, paying fcot and lot. Jan. u, 1710. Refofoed, That the right of election of burgefles to ferve in parliament fo r the borough of Lymington, in the county of Southampton, is not in the mayor, burgefles, and inhabitants of the faid borough not re- ceiving alms. Refolved t That the right of eledtion of bur- gefles to ferve in parliament for the borough of Lymington, in the county of Southampton, is in the mayor and burgefles of the faid borough only. NUMBER LYMINGTON. 2gf NUMBER OF VOTERS 18. RSTURNING OFFICER The mayor. YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Contains about 50 houfes, cottages included. The right of election is in the capital and free burgefles. . The free bur- geflcs are chofen from the capital burgefles, and are unlimited by the conftitution of the borough ; but at prefent there are only nine. Mr. Holmes, and Mr. Jervois Clarke Jervois, have each their friends and dependants as bur? gefles ; and by mutual compact have agreed that each mall nominate one of the two members. The capital burgefles are equally divided between the two parties, as follows : S T o. i. Mr. Holmes. 2. His brother-in-law., 3. His own brother. 4 . .- His brother-in-law- . His fon-in-law. 6. The recorder of Newport. 7. Mr. Jervois. 8. .I. A clergyman who has good preferment by mea of Mr. Jervois's intereft. VOL. I. U 9 , 10 . 282 YARMOUTH. 9, 10. Mr. Jervois's friends live in London. Jl, 12. Live in or near Havant. FREE BURGESSES. No. i. A near relation of Mr. Holmes. 2. A gentleman of Wiltmirc. 3,4. Doubtful if living connected with No. 2. 5. Formerly a tenant to Lord Holmes. 6. Ditto, and now to Mr. Holmes. 7. Ditto. 8. A barber and flopfeller, the only rcfidenf. 9. Collector of the fait duties in Chefliirc, formerly in the Ifle of Wight. Thefe free burgefles are of old (landing, and will not be made capital. Formerly they were many (the number being unlimited) ; but in the year 175-6, after a difpute between Mr. Holmes and Mr. Jervois, and the Leigh family of North .Court, in the ifland (of which Mr. Jervois's lady was a part), a compromife took place, by which it was ftipulated, that a great number of free bur- gefles, then newly made, fhould be disfranchifed, which was accordingly done ; that each party fliould thenceforth name one member; and, to keep the interefts even, whenever a capital burgefs fliould die, the fide to which he belonged Ihould imme- YARMOUTH. 2 8j immediately nominate another perfon to be a free burgefs,and then make him capital, as the charter prefcribes. From this flate of facts, it is plain that the four members of Newport and Yarmouth are returned by only two perfons ; three by Mr. Holmes, with the minifter's alfiftance, and one by Mr. Jervois. The members for Newton are chofen at prefent by four perfons ; in all, fix members, by fix electors only : and this fmall body may be further dimi- nifhed by an union of interefts in the borough of Newton, between the Worfley family and Mr. Holmes ; in which cafe four men would return fix perfons to reprefent them in parliament. If this unadorned recital does not imprefs on the mind the fulleft conviction of the abfolute neceflity of fome reform in the reprefentation, it is furely fair to conclude, that the utmoft power of reafon and eloquence would be exerted in vain. CORPORATION confifts of a mayor and twelve burgefles, according to a charter granted in the 7th of James I. RIGHT OF ELECTION. April i\th> 1717, Re* Jolved, That the bye-law made the 2 1 ft of Sept. 1670, by the mayor and five chief burgeffes of Yarmouth in the Ifle of Wight, being the major part of the chief burgefles then exifting for U 2 electing 284 YARMOUTH. electing free burgefles by the mayor and five chief burgefles, WAS a good bye-law. 19 Jan. 1769, Refdved, That Thomas Grimes, cfq. being elected a chief burgefs during the pre- tended mayoralty of John Leigh, efq. whom the Houfe refolved was not legally elected a chief burgefs of the faid borough, was therefore inca- pable of being elected mayor of the faid borough, on the 2 1 ft of September, 1765. Refolved, That the Rev. Dr. Walker, and the Rev. Mr. John Oglander, being elected chief burgeffes during the pretended mayoralty of the faid Thomas Grimes, were not legal chief bur- gefles of the faid borough. Refofoed, That the election of the twenty-five free burgefTes, objected to by the counfel for the petitioners, elected during the prefent mayoralty of the faid Thomas Grimes, efq. at an aflembly, in which the faid Dr. Walker and Mr. Oglander attended, and voted as two of the five chief bur- geffes in the election of the faid twenty burgefles, was illegal and void. NUMBER OF VOTERS 21. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor, NEWTON, OR NEWTOWN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. It'is a decayed place, containing only about 10 cottages, and of courfe very N E W T O WN. 28$ very few inhabitants. The right of election is attached to 39 borough lands, or burgage tenures. One eledor only relides in the place ; the burgage tenures are in the following hands: the real owners convey them to their relations, friends, or dependants for life, but in confidence to vote as directed by them. The number has been in- creafed to 39 by fplitting j ; which are therefore conceived not to be good votes. Sir Richard Worfley (of theie, 2 are fpiit) *I2 Sir John Barrington 8 Mr. Holmes (of thefe i are fplit) 7 Sir William Oglander, as truftee for William the fon of Edward Meaux Worfley, efq. (3 fp^t) 3 Sir William Oglander 2 John Urry, efq. 2 The co-heirs of John Leigh, efq. i Maurice Biflet, efq. I The heir of Robert Pope Blachford, efq. i William Hill, efq. i William Harvey, a hufbandman i 39 U 3 From * Two of thefe were fold by Lord Edgecumbe to Sir Richardl Worfley in 1782 for 1000 guineas, though only two decayed tottages. 286 N E W TOWN. From whence we may fee that the number of actual voters is about 33. The revenue-officers bill has taken off one vote only. Sir Richard Worfleyand SirFitz-William Bar- rington are at prefent united ; and it is evident, that with the afliftance of Mr. Blanchford, who is fon-in-law to the latter, and any one other per^ fon, they have a decilive majority. CORPORATION. None. It has however a titular mayor, and 1 2 burgefles, chofen by the lord of the manor. RIGHT OF ELECTION. April 22, 1729, Re~ Jolved> That the right of ele&ion of burgefles to ferve in parliament for the borough of Newtown, jn the Ifle of Wight, in the county of South- ampton, is in the mayor and burgefles of the faid borough, having borough lands' within the faid borough. NUMBER OF VOTERS 39. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor, POLITICAL ANECDOTE. In thepenfion-lift of Charles II. this paragraph appeared " Sir John Holmes, Sir Robert's bro- her,and member for Newtown, a cowardly, baffled fea-captain, twice boxed, and once whipped with i* dog-whip, was chofen in the night without the NEWPORT. 287 the head officer of the town, and but one bur- gefs prefent ; yet voted this laft feflion, and will be re-eleded." NEWPORT. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough was formerly under the influence of the father of the prefent Duke of Bolton, at whofe deceafe the late Lord Holmes, of the kingdom of Ireland, took the lead of the corporation, and held it during his life. Upon the demife of that nobleman, the intercft defcended with his eftate to his nephew, the Rev. Leonard Troughear, who has iince taken the furname of Holmes, and is the prefent patron of the borough. This borough contains about 5cohoufes, and between 2 and 3000 inhabitants ; out of the mod difcreet and fubftantial of whom the charter diredls, that the corporation, confiding of 1 2 aldermen and 1 2 burgcfles, (hall be chofen in the following manner; viz. That when a vacancy happens in the court of aldermeri, one of the 12 burgeffes be elected to fucceed him; and that his place be filled by takfng a new burgefs from among the inhabitants. In this corporation, confiding of 24 members, the right of electing the members of parliament for the town is vefted. One who was an officer in the cuftoms was dis- U 4 franc hifed 283 NEW'PORT. franchifed by a late aft ; and 1 7 only, at moft, of the electors are refident. The following is a lift of the members of the corporal ion. ALDERMEN, 12. j f The mayor. 2. The recorder. A mafter in chancery, and commiflioner of taxes ; a place worth 500!. fer annum. 3. An apothecary in the town ; not on the beft terms with the mayor. 4. An attorney ; brother-in-law to the mayor, but not at prefent on his fide. 5. Brother to the mayor j a commiflioner of the lottery. 6. Has a gunner's pay in one of the caftles on the ifland. 7. A clergyman ; chaplain to the governor ; * finecure. 8. A mercer in Newport, 9. Has a gunner's pay. jo. The fame. 1 1 . Nephew to the mayor, j2. A brewer in the town. . BURGESSES, 12. 1. A land-furveyor in the Cuftoms at Cowes. 2. A captain in the navy ; married a niece of the recorder's. 3- A NEWPORT. 289 3. A relation of the mayor's ; captain in the South Hants militia. 4. A carpenter. 5. An inn-keeper in the town. 6. A taylor in ditto ; deputy-keeper under the mayor of the foreft of Parkhurft, in the ifland. 7. Late a fchool -matter in the town. 8. Has a gunner's pay. 9. Captain of the Ifle of Wight militia. 10. An apothecary. 11. Son to the alderman, No. 8. 12. Son-in-law to the mayor, and fie ward to the governor of the Ifle. The aldermen, No. i, 2, 5, & 1 1, and the bur- geffes, No. i. 2, 3, 4, & 12, do not at prefent live in Newport ; nor did they, but for a few months previous to their feveral elections, when, by taking houfes, and paying to the rates, they made them- felves inhabitants, fuch as the charter defcribes $ . viz. the moll difcreet and fubftantial, AN ANECDOTE Occurs in the hiftory of this borough, which dcfcrves to be recorded in characters of gold. On the death of the late Lord Holmes, a very powerful- attempt was made by Sir William Qglander, and fome other neighbouring gentle- men, 590 NEWPORT. men, to deprive his lordfhip's nephew and fuc- celTor, the prefent Rev. Mr. Trough car Holmes, of his influence over this corporation. The num- ber of that body was at that time twenty-three, there being one vacancy amongft the aldermen, occafioned by the recent death of Lord Holmes. Eleven of them continued firm to the intereft of the nephew, and the fame number was equally eager to transfer that intereft to Sir William Oglander and the Worfley family. A Mr. Tay- lor of this town, one of the burgefles, withheld his declaration ; and as his vote would decide the balance of future influence, it was imagined that lie only fufpended it for the purpofe of private advantage. Agreeably to that idea, he was eagerly fought by the agents of each party. The firft who applied is faid to have made him an offer of 2000!. Mr. Taylor had actually made up his mind to have voted with his party ; but the moment his integrity and independence were attacked, he reverfed his determination, and re* folved to give his fuffrage on the oppofite fide. That party, however, like their opponents, being ignorant of the favour dcfigncd them, and of the accident to which they owed it, aflailed him with a more advantageous offer. He informed them that he had but juft formed the refolution, in con- fequence NEWPORT. 291 fequence of a fimilar infult from their adverfaries, of giving them his fupport ; but fince he had difcovered that they were both aiming at power by the fame means, he was determined to vote for neither of them : and to put himfelf out of the power of further temptation, he refolved to refign his gown as a burgefs of the corporation ; which he accordingly did the next day. CORPORATION. By charter of the i3th of Charles II. Newport is governed by a mayor,- eleven aldermen, and twelve burgeffes. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the mayor, eleven aldermen, and twelve burgefles. NUMBER OF VOTERS 24. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRON The Rev. Leonard Troughear Holmes. WINCHESTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Although this city has above a thoufand houfes, its reprefentation does not extend beyond the corporation, whofe number is indefinite; but they feldom exceed four fcore, the majority of whom are non-refident. This ancient and opulent city may therefore be faid to be rcprefented by two members, chofen by fifty individuals collected from various parts of the country, whofe only connexion with the place 292 WINCHESTER. place is that of having obtained the name of freemen, from the fiat of the mayor and alder- men. The influence was formerly with the Duke of Bolton ; but for the laft twenty years it has been alTumed by the late Duke of Chandos, and Henry Penton, efq. letter-carrier to his Majefty. Since the death of the Duke of Chandos, his fhare of the influence has been directed by Mr. Gamon, brother of the Duchefs of Chandos, and Mr. Penton, the prefent recorder. CORPORATION. Here are, by Queen Eliza- beth's charter, a mayor, recorder, fix aldermen, two bailiffs, and twenty-four common council- men. RIGHT OF ELECTION. The members are cleded by the corporation. NUMBER OF VOTERS 60. RETURNING OFFICERS The bailiffs. PATRONS Henry Penton, efq. and Richard Gamon, efq. POLITICAL ANECDOTE. In a penfion-lift of Charles II. the following anecdote appears : " Sir Robert Holmes, member for Winchester, firft an Iri& livery boy, hen a 'high- WINCHESTER. 293 highwayman, now bafhaw of the Ifle of Wight, got in boons, and by rapine, ico,ooo/. The curfed beginner of the two Dutch wars." ANDOVER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The corporation of this town, like that of Chriftchurch, have afTumed the exclufive privilege of election, but with much better pretenfions than the latter, as they have the fanction of a refolution of the houfe of com- mons, of the i ft of April, 1689, and again con- firmed the 28th of January, 1702. The corpo- ration conliils of twelve capital burgefTes, from amongft whom a bailiff and two other magiftrates are annually chofen, and twelve afliftant burgeifes. They have alfo a high fleward, recorder, and town clerk. The inhabitants of this town, who are nume- rous, there being upwards of fix hundred houfes, have never fubmitted but 'with regret, and the ftrongeft oppolition, to the deprivation of their rights, which they had exercifed till 1689, and were then disfranchifed by one of thofe arbitrary refolutions of the houfe of commons, which brought their decifions into fuch general dif- repute, as to give life to the Grenville act, which is a fecurity to the country againfl future en- croachments 294 A N D O V E R. croachmcnts on the people's rights; but, alas-* it does not remove from the journals thofe nu- merous refolutions of disfranchiferoent, which affect not only this town, but the towns of Ban- bury, Beaumaris, Bewdley, and above a hundred more, together with the populous cities of Bath, :Salifbury, Winchefter, &c. &c. &c. Had the actf of the tenth, eleventh, and twenty-eighth of George III. better known by the name of the Grenville acts, repealed, or caufed to be expunged, all the refolutions of the houfe of commons, re- fpecting the right of election in cities, towns corporate, boroughs, cinque-ports, &c. and then left the queftion of right open to a committee of .the houfe of commons, conflituted as that act .directs, and fubject to an appeal, as is enacted in the laft-mentioned ftatute, this intolerable grievance might in time have been corrected, and the large and popular towns and cities, at leaft, have been reftored to their natural and conftitutional privileges. The political annihik-ion of cities and towns, fuch as Ely, Manchefler, Leeds, &c. which for- merly fent members to parliament, and the li- mitation of the right of franchife to the corpora- tions of others, has reduced the conftitution to a wreck, the rcprefeniation to a form, the fubflancc to A N D O V R. 3^5 to a fhadow; and it is now impoffible to reftore it to its effence, vigour, and purity, but by % radical, effectual, and univerfal reform. The patrons of this corporation, who have the nomination of their members, are the Earl of Portfmouth, their high fteward, and Jofhua Jremonger, of Wharewel, efq. CORPORATION. This town, it is faid, had its firft charter from King John, but was laft incor- porated by Queen Elizabeth, and is governed by a bailiff, a fteward, a recorder, two juftices, nine capital burgeffes, and -twelve ailiftant?, who an- nually choofe the bailiff, and the bailiff appoints two ferjeants at mace to attend him. RIGHT OF ELECTION In the bailiff and felect (lumber of burgeffes only, ift April, 1689. Jan. 28, 1702, Refohedy That the right of election of burgeffes to fcrve in parliament for the borough of Andover, in the county of Southamp^ ton, is in the bailiff, and feled: number of bur- geffes only. March 7, 1727, Refohed, That the approved men and burgeffes of the borough of Andover (in com. Southampton), who have petitioned this houfe, complaining of an undue election and return for the faid borough, and that their votes were 296 A N D O V E IU were refufed by the bailiff, be at liberty to with- draw the faid petition. NUMBER OF VOTERS 24. RETURNING OFFICER The bailiff. PATRONS Earl of Portfmouth, and Jofhua Iremonger, efq. BRIBERY. March 17, Refohed, That the electors of the borough of Andover (in com. Southampton), have endeavoured corruptly to fet to fale the election of a burgefs to ferve in this parliament for the faid borough. Refohedj That the lending of money, upon any fecurity, to a corporation which fend mem- bers to parliament, and remitting the intereft of the fame, with intent to influence the election of fuch corporation, is an unlawful and dangerous practice. WHITCHURCH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is the joint property of Lord Vifcount Sydney and Lord Vifcount Middleton, of the kingdom of Ireland ; the freeholds which give the right of voting, being conveyed by thofe noblemen to their re- fpedive friends, for the purpofe of performing the WHITCHURCH. freeholds are about feventy, but the actual num- ber of electors cannot be faid to be more than two. CORPORATION None. Here is, however, a titular mayor, annually chofen at a court -leet of the dean and chapter of Winchefler, who arc lords of the manor. RIGHT OF ELECTION.- Dec. 21, 1708, Re- Jolved, That the right of electing burgeffes to ferve in parliament for the borough of Whit- church, in the county of Southampton, is in the freeholders only of lands and tenements, in right of themfelves or their wives, not fplit fmce the act of the feventh and eighth years of the reign of King William. NUMBER OF VOTERS 70. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRONS Lord Sydney and Lord Vifcount Middleton. PETERSFIELD. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec- tion in this borough being in the freeholders of lands, or ancient dwelling-houfes or fhambles, built upon ancient foundations within the faid borough, being all the property of W. JollifFe, Vot.. 1. X efq. 298 r E T ERS F i L-DJ efq. the nomination of the members is folely irt himfelf. This gentleman's political character is too well known to need any animadveriion from us. CORPORATION. This town was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, and governed by a mayor and commonalty : yet it has given up all its privileges to the family of the Hamborrows, now defccnded to Mr.. Jolliffe, who is lord of the manor, and at whofe court the mayor is now annually chofen. RIGHT OF ELECTION. May 9*, 1727, Mr. Gibbon (according to order) reported from the ommittee : Refohed, That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that the right of election of burgeflbs to ferve in parliament for the borough of Peters- field, in the county of Southampton, is in the freeholders of lands, or ancient d \velli ng-houfcs or fhambles, or chvelling-houfes or Ihamblcs built upon ancient foundations, within the faid borough. Agreed to by the houfe. NUMBER OF VOTERS 1^4. RETURNING OFFICER The titular mayor, PATRON William Jolliffe, efq. CASE P E T E R S F I E L D. 299 CASE OF BRIBERY. On Thurfday the i6th of November, the com- mittee being met, the petition of Mr. Luttrell was read, the entry of which in the journals is, verbatim, as follows : Off. 31, 1775. A petition of the Hon. John Luttrel was read, fetting forth, that at the laft ejection of members to ferve in parliament, for the borough of Petersfield, Sir Abraham Hume, baronet, high fheriff for the county of Hereford, William Joiliffe, efq. and the petitioner, were candidates ; and that the fald Sir Abraham Hume and William Joiliffe, by themfelves and tfaeir agents, after the diffolution of the laft parliament, and the iflliing of the writ for the election, and previous to and during the poll, by themfelves and their agents, and by other ways and means, on the behalf and at the charge of the faid Sir Abraham Hume and William Joiliffe, did give, prefent, and allow to the electors of the faid borough, and to feveral perfons who had or claimed a right to vote in the election for the faid borough, money, meat, drink, reward, entertainments, and provision, in order to procure themfelves to be elected for the faid borough, in open defiance of the law i and that the faid Sir Abraham Hume X 2 and 3OO p and William Jolliffe, previous to, and during the poll, were guilty of bribery and corruption, and attempting to bribe and corrupt thofe who had a right to vote in the faid election, in order to procure themfelves to be returned as perfons duly elected j and that James Showell, pretending to be the mayor of the faid borough, acted partially and unfairly in the execution of his office, as a returning officer, during the faid poll, in rejecting good votes for the petitioner, and admitting bad ones for the faid Sir Abraham Hume and William Jolliffe, and in many other refpects ; and that, by the faid and other undue means, the faid Sir Abraham Hume and William Jolliffe obtained a majority of votes on the poll, and were returned accordingly to ferve in parlia- ment for the faid borough, in prejudice of the petitioner (who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned), and the legal electors of the faid borough, and in open defiance of the law and freedom of elections ; and therefore praying the houfe to take the premifes into con- fideration, and to grant him fuch relief there- in as mall, upon examination, appear to be juft. The counfel for the petitioner opened the cafe, by objecting to Sir Abraham Hume, that, being high PETERSPIELD, ^Ol high {heriff for the county of Hertford at the time of the election, he was ineligible ; and that notice thereof having been given to the returning officer and to the electors, the votes given to him were thrown away : To both the fitting members, That they had been guilty of corrupting the voters by gifts and promifes, after the vacancy and ifluing out of the writ, by which means the eledion of them was void by virtue of the ftatuc of King WiU liam*. After fome converfation, between the coun- fel of both parties on the above fubjecl:, the committee Refolved t That the counfel be not permitted to argue the point of the ineligibiiity of Sir Abraham Hume as high fheriffof the county of Hertford, the fame ineligibiiity not being an allegation in the petition. The counfel for the petitioner then called three or four witnefles to prove that gifts and promifes had been made by Mr. Jolliffe, in the prefence, and with the concurrence of the other fitting member. In their opening, they did not allege that they could on this ground bring the majority of votes againft cither of the fitting X 3 members 7 William III. c 4. 3O2 PETERSFIELD, members to be in favour of Mr. Luttrell ; the object, therefore, of the evidence, was to make the election void as to one or both. In the courfe of this evidence one John Newman was called, to prove a declaration made to him by one John Blackftone, a voter, about havin'g the promife of a houfe from Mr. JollifFe for his vote. On the part of the fitting members this evi- dence was objected to. It was faid, that although the declaration (not upon oath) of a perfon who cannot be obliged to be a witncfs on the fubjedc himfelf, is admiffible in evidence to affect fuch perfon, yet it is not admiflible as againfl a third party ; and that, as the counfcl for the petitioner had not faid that they meant to difqualify voters, but only to affect the fitting members perfonally by promifes, gifts, &c. which they had made, the evidence would not be admitted for that purpofe. It was anfwcred by the counfel for the peti- tioner, that they were not obliged to anticipate the intent and purpofe of the evidence they produced ; that what they now offered, was cer- tainly competent in an election caufe ; and that the committee, after they fliould hear it, would judge to what ufc it ought to be applied. The HEREFORDSHIRE. JOJ The committee, after deliberation, Refolded, That the evidence offered could not be admitted in fupport of any charge againft Sir Abraham Hume or Mr. Jolliffe. The counfcl for the petitioner then laid, they would afk the fame queftions with a view to dif- qualify Brackftone ; Which they were allowed to do. On Thurfday the i6th of .November, being the feme day on which the caufe was heard, the committee, by the chairman, informed the houfe (hat they had determined, That the two fitting members were duly elefted. HEREFORDSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. JL HE ariftocratic influence which prevails in this county, is that of the Earl of Oxford, who fends one of the members to parliament. James Wahvyn, efq. one of the members for the city of Hereford, in conjunction with Sir George Cornwall, bart. nobly attempted, in the year 1775, to get the better of that intereft ; but they were fuccefsful only in part : .Sir George Cornwall was elected by the independent inte- X 4 reft, HEREFORD. reft, and Mr. Harley by the intereft of the Earl of Oxford. This county contains eleven hundreds, in which are one city, and feven market towns, viz. the city of Hereford, Bromyard, Leominfter, Led- bury, Kington, Pembridge, Weobly, and Rofs. It is in the province of Canterbury and diocefe of Hereford, and includes 176 parifhes, 15,000 houfes, and 95,600 inhabitants. It fends eight members to parliament, two for the county, two for the city of Hereford, two for the borough of Leominfter, and two for that of Weobley. HEREFORD. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This city, like the county, is divided between ariftocracy and in- dependence. The Duke of Norfolk's intereft returns one member, and the independent part the other. The influence which the Duke has in this borough, arifes from his marriage with the heirefs of the Scudamore family, (by whom his Grace is put into the pofleflion of an eftate of ten thoufand pounds per awmm t and Holme Laccy, the ancient family-feat near this city) and from that popularity to which his eminent talents and affable manners fo juftly entitle him. CORPORATION LEO MIN CORPORATION Confifts of a mayor and twelve aldermen, a high fie ward, a deputy fteward, a recorder, and town clerk, with 31 common-councilmen, among whom are reckoned the mayor and five of the aldermen, by charter pf 17 James I. RIGHT OF ELECTION In the freemen. NUMBER OF VOTERS Above 1200. RETURNING OFFICER. The mayor. PATRON Duke of Norfolk, partially. LEOMINSTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough, du- ring the lifetime of Chafe Price, efq. of convivial memory, was entirely under his influence and management. He always contrived to get him- felf, and a colleague in the interefr of govern- ment, returned, from whom he procured not only a large douceur for himfelf, but alfo a few trifling gratuities from adminiftration, for thofe who were the molt zealous in his caufe. After his deccafe, Lord Batcman, who has been the adherent of every adminiftration, became the patron and manager of this borough, w^hich character he has now refigned to Mr. Alder- man Harley, when the Duke of Norfolk firft attempted the eftablifhment of an intereft ; and Richard LEO MINSTER. JRichard Beckford, efq. was introduced by hi$ Grace. The corporation magift rates, having the ap- pointment in themfelves of the overfeers, took care that that office mould be filled with their own creatures; and thofe men thus . appointed, refufed, as in the borough of Seaford, to rate any inhabitant who was adverfe to their own party. The perfons who had been thus treated, appealed to that tribunal which had been the primary caufe of an attempt to deprive them of their votes, 'and they of courfe could meet with no redrefs. They however derived, from this appeal the privilege of proving their rate- ability to a committee of the houfe of commons, who have, upon the petition of Mr. Beckford, admitted every perfon, fo omitted by the oyer- feers, to the full enjoyment of their political franchife. But unlefs there be a law, prohibit- ing the magi grates and overfeers from acting in this fcandalous and partial manner, or com- mittees of the houfe of commons will inflicl: ex- emplary punimments, the evil will not be done away, and thofe unfortunate men, whofe intcrefls or inclinations may induce them to clafli with thofe of the rnagiftrates, will Mill be left without any 1 T- O M I N S T E R, 307 any mode of redrefs, except tint of petitioning the houfe of commons. The numbers upon the poll at the lail eiec-, tion were, for John Hunter, efq. 303 John Sawyer, efq. 247 Richard Beckford, efq. 235 CORPORATION. This town was incorporated by Queen Mary, and is governed by a high ftew- ard, a bailiff, a recorder, and twelve capital bur- gefles, whochoofe a bailiffand a town clerk. RIGHT OF ELECTION. March 4, 1716. A pe- tition of divers of the inhabitants of the borough of Lcominfter, in the county of Hereford, was prefented to the houfe, and read, complaining of an undue electipn for the faid borough. And a motion being made, and the queflion being put, that the faid petition be referred to the commit- tee of privileges and elections, and that they do- examine the matter thereof, and report the fame, with their opinion thereupon to the houfe, It parTed in the negative. l^fohed, That the faid petition be rejected. Ap'il 6, 1717. A petition of the inhabitants and burgefTes of the borough of Leominfter, in the county of Hereford, who have a right of vo- ting for electing members to ferve in parliament for W BO B L E Y. for the faid borough, was prefented to the houfe, and read, complaining of an undue eleclion and return for the faid borough. Ordered^ That the faid petition be referred to the confideration of the committee of privileges and elections, and that they do examine the mat- ter thereof, and report the fame, with their opi- nion thereupon, to the houfe. April 1 6 , 1725. Refolvedi that the right of election is in the bailiffs, capital burgeffes, antf inhabitants, paying fcot and lot. NUMBER OF VOTERS About 500- RETURNING OFFICERS The bailiffs. PATRONS Duke of Norfolk, and Mr, Alder- man Harley. WEOBLEY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec-r tion in this borough being very fingular ; " in the inhabitants of the ancient vote-houfes of 2O.r. per annum value and upwards, refiding in the faid houfes forty days before the days of eledion, and paying fcot and lot; and alfo in the owners of fuch ancient vote-houfes, paying fcot and lot, who fliall be refident in fuch houfes at the time of eledion," hath given rife to very expenfive contefts. The Mar- quis of Bath, then Lord Weymouth, tnd the j parifh W BOB LEV. 309 parifh officers in his intereft, refufcd to rate any perfons who prefumed to oppofe his lord- (hip's nomination ; upon which the aggrieved perfons applied to the court of King's Bench, for a mandamus to oblige the parilh officers to put them in the poor rates j when the court came to the following very extraordinary decifion, 19 George II.* " The court refufed to grant a mandamus directing to infert particular perfons in the poor rate, upon affidavits of their fuffi- ciency, and being left out, to prevent their having votes for parliamentary men ; for that the remedy was by appeal : and this court never went fur- ther, than to oblige making the rate, without meddling with the queftion, who is to be put in or left out, of which the parifh officers are the proper judges, fubjedt to an appeal." The above nobleman has, however, to avoid all future ex- pences fmce that time, bought up all the ancient vote-houfes, fo that this borough is now en- tirely at his own difpofal. RIGHT OF ELECTION. March 3, 1736, Refohed t That the right of burgefTes for the borough of Weobley, in the county of Hereford, is in the Inhabitants of the ancient vote-houfes .of twenty Shillings per annum value, and upwards, refiding in See Burn's Juftte, 3IO \V E O B L E Y. in the faid houfes forty days before the day of election, and paying fcot and lot; and alfo in the owners of fuch ancient vote-houfes paying fcot and lot, who mall be refident in fuch houfes at the time of the election. 'June 1 8, 1715. The queftion being put, that Simon Gough and John Moore, having figned the indenture of return, by which Charles Corn- wall, efq. is returned a burgefs to ferve in this prefent parliament for the borough of Weobley, in the county of Hereford, the houfe will proceed on the petition of the faid Simon Gough and John Moor, complaining of an undue election of the faid Charles Cornwall, efq. It palTed in the negative. NUMBER OF VOTERS 45. RETUP.NING OFFICERS- The conflables. PATRON Marquis of Bath. In a penfion lift publiuied in the reign of Charles the Second, there .appears the following inftance of court corruption : Sir Thomas Williams, king's chemifl (and member for Weobly), has got 40,000!. by making provocatives, &c. &c. ! ! ! HERTFORD- HERTFORDSHIRE* $11 HERTFORDSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. 1 H I S county has the finguhr advantage of maintaining its independence, which it has neg- lected no opportunity of everting, when its own dignity, or the interefts of the country, demanded a difplay of it. A noble inftahce of attachment to the caufe of liberty, and to thofe who had the zeal and integrity to fupport it, occurs in their conduit to Mr. Caefar. This gentleman had uni- foimly oppofed the defpotic meafures of Sir Ro- bert Walpole, and,having deranged his private for- tune, was arrefted and imprifoned for debt in the King's Bench, immediately upon the diffolution of parliament. Theday of election, however, no fooner arrived, than the independent freeholders repaired ' to Hertford in bodies, and, at their own expence, propofed Mr. Caefar, and elected him by a great majority. An exprefs was inftantly difpatched to releafe him from his confinement ; and he was the next day reftored to his liberty, 1 and to the fervice and affections of his patriotic conftituents. An attempt was made, at thelaft election, to intro- duce Mr. Hale to the reprefentation of the county,' 3 under 3*2 HERTFORD under the patronage of the Marquis of Salifl bury and Lord Vifcount Grimftone, but with very little fuccefs ; the numbers upon the poll being, for William Plumer, efq. 1831 William Baker, efq. 1302 William Ha!e, efq. 1031 HERTFORD TOWN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec- tion in this borough differing with all others, it being in the inhabitants houfeholdcrs, the irce- men relident, and in tl\e freemen "fion-rejidcn^ (but the laft defcription muft not exceed the number three), it becomes necefiary to remark thefe lingu- larities, becaufe they point out an incurable de- fect in the prefent fyftem of parliamentary repre* fentation. What conftitutes a good vote in one borough, makes a bad one in another. In one place the freemen muft be relldent j in another, non-refidence gives the fame qualification. In one borough, a man obtains his freedom by marriage ; in a fecond, by birth ; in a third, by fcrvitude ; in a fourth, by purchafe ; in a fifth, by gift of the mayor or aldermen. Burgage- holds differ as widely in the nature of their te- nure j and even inhabitants arc defined as vari- ouflv HERTFORD TOWN. oufly. In one borough, paying fcot and lot, and being a refident houfekeeper, is an indifpen- fable qualification ; in another, paying fcot and lot without refidence, or being a houfekeeper, conftiiutes eligibility for voting ; in a third, re- fidence, without paying fcot and lot, or keeping' a houfe. In fhort, the whole reprefentative fyf- tem is fo intricate, inexplicable, contradictory, and ridiculous, that we believe it would puzzle the whole tribe of quibblers in Weftminfter-hall to render it more confufed and unintelligible. Baron Dimfdale poffeffes the principal inte- reft in this borough, and can fecure the election of one member ; the other is generally contefted between Mr. Baker, the member for the county, and Mr. John Calvert, the prefent member for this town, who have been alternately fuccefsful. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1701, Jan. 27. Is not in perfons fuch only as are inhabitants houfeholders, not receiving alms, and in fuch freemen who, at the time of their freedom granted to them, were inhabitants of the faid borough, or of the parifhes thereof. Is in all the freemen, and alfo in all the inha- bitants, being houfeholders, and not receiving alms. VOL. L Y 1705. 3*4 ST. A L B AN S. 1705, Dec. 5. Is in the inhabitants not re- ceiving alms, and in fuch freemen only as, at the time of their being made free, were inhabitants of the faid borough, or the parifhes thereof j the number of freemen living out of the borough not exceeding three perfons. The number of voters may be afcertained from the laft poll, 1790, viz. John Calverf, efq. 319 Baron Dimfdale* " 290 William Baker, efq. 223 NUMBER OF VOTERS 570. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. TATRON Baron Dimfdale. ST. ALLANS. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The influence in this borough is divided between Earl Spencer and Lord Grimftone, each of whom returns dne member to parliament. Thefe two noble- men have long contended for the fuperiority, but neither of them has as yet an intereft fufficient to obtain a majority over the other. CORPORATION, This town fent members to parliament as early as any borough in the king- dom. It is incorporated by charter, and go* verned by a mayor, high fteward, recorder, twelve ST. ALBANS. 315 twelve aldermen, a town clerk, and twenty-four atfiftants. This borough has a diftrid:, called a liberty, which has a jurifdiction both in civil and ecclefiaftical matters peculiar to itfelf, including the parifhes of Barnet, Sandridge, Redburne, Cudicot, Shepehele, Bufhy, Elftree, Langley Abbot, Sarret, Walden Abbots, Hoxton, Ridge, Norton, Rickmanfworth, and Watford. This liberty has a gaol, and a gaol delivery, at St. Albans, four times a year, on the Thurfday after the quarter fefficn at Hertford. St. Albans is divided into four wards, in each of which arc a conftable and two churchwardens. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1700, iO/>& March, Is in the mayor, aldermen, and freemen, and fuch houfeholders only as pay fcot and lot. 1705, 24/ Nov. In the mayor, aldermen, fuch freemen only as have right, by birth or fer- vice, or by redemption, to trade or inhabit in the faid borough, and houfeholders paying fcot and lot. 1714, 27/ dfril. In the mayor, aldermen, and freemen, and fuch houfeholders only as pay fcot and lot. Number of voters may be afccrcained from the iaft 011,1790. X 2 fot 2l6 HUNTINGDONSHIRE. For the Hon. Richard Bingham 263 John Cal vert, jun. efq. 209 : Thomas Clutterbuck, efq. 1 1 7 RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRONS Earl Spencer, and Lord Grim> ftonc. HUNTINGDONSHIRE, POLITICAL CHARACTER, JL H I S fmall county is as much under the inv fluence of two individuals as any borough in the kingdom ; the Duke of Manchefier and the Earl of Sandwich, united, always return the two mem- bers ; and fo powerful was this ariftocratic junc- tion, that even the oppolition of the kite Sir Robert Bernard, who was the particular friend of Mr. Wilkes, in his days of well-earned popu- larity and the caufe of liberty, was not crowned with that fuccefs. which it fo highly merited. Huntingdonfhire lies in the province of Can~ terbury, and dioccfe of Lincoln. It is divided into |bur hundreds, in which ar,e fix market towns, but no city, and feventy-nine parifhes, in .which are faid to be contained only about 8200 houfes, HUNTINGDONSHIRE. 317 houfes, and 49,320 inhabitants. It fends but four members to parliament ; two knights of the ihire for the county, and two for the town of Huntingdon. QUALIFICATION. Jav. 14, 17,39. ^ n a hearing for the county of Huntingdon, the counfel for the petitioner infifted that the fitting member (Mr. Clarke) was not qualified to be elected, according to the act made in the ninth year of the reign of Queen Anne, entitled, An Att for Je curing the free- dom of parliaments by the further qualifying the mem- bers to Jit in the houfe of commons. Then the counfel for the petitioner, in fupport of one of their objections, offered to prove (which the counfel for the" fitting member admitted), that the copyhold lands and tenements at Ham- merfmith, in the parifh of Fulham, in the coun- ty of Middlefex, which the fitting member, in the rental, or particular, by him delivered in to the clerk of the houfe (purfuant to the ftanding order of this houfe made for that purpofe), claims in fee, according to the cuftom of the manor of Fulham, under a mortgage furrender, and an admifTion thereto, and a releafe of the equity of redemption from this mortgage, were fubject to a fubfequent mortgage made by the faid mortga- Y 3 ger, 31 8 HUNTINGDONSHIRE. gcr, previous to the debt of the faid releafe of the equity of redemption. Then the counfel for the petitioner having ob- jected to the confideration given for the eftate which the fitting member, in the faid rental or particular, claims for his natural life by deed of feoffment, and livery and feizin thereon, given by John Clarke, of Huntingdon, gent, they offered to prove (which the counfel for the fitting member admitted), that the faid eftate was all the real eftate, except about three pounds per annum > which the faid John Clarke, the grantor, was fcized of at the time of the date of the faid' deed. Then the counfel for the petitioner having ob- jected to the annuity of 200!. which the fitting member, in the faid rental or particular, claims for life, by grant from Charles Bernard, efq. they offered to prove (which the counfel for the fitting member admitted), that the eftate charged with the faid annuity does not exceed the yearly value of 132!, Then the counfel for the petitioner having ob. jedled, that the fitting member, in the oath by him taken at the time of his election, purfuant to the direction, of the faid art of the 9th of Anne x did not particularly enumerate all the fevcral pari flies HUNTINGDON. parifhes out of which the fee-farm rents, men- tioned in the faid particular, are iffuingj The inftnimcnt of the faid oath, fubfcribed by the fitting member, was produced by the Iheriff, \vho took the fame, and read. And the firft, fecond, third, fourth,- and fifth feclions of the faid act, made in the 9th of Anne, were read. And the counfel for the fitting member were heard j and one of the counfel for the petitioner was heard in reply. And the counfel on both fides were directed to withdraw. Mr. Clarke was heard in his place, and then he withdrew. Refohed, That Charles Clarke, efq. is duly elected a knight of the mire, to ferve in this prefent parliament for the county of Hun- tingdon. HUNTINGDON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. There is no refo- lution of the houfe commons refpedling the right of voting in this borough ; but it is gene- rally underftood to be in Lhe freemen and inha- bitants houfeholders paying fcot and lot. The intereft of the Earl of Sandwith is fo powerful, HUNTINGDON as. always to return two members ; and this he effects, not by weight of property, for his Lordfhip has but one houfe in the whole town, but by his popularity, and the obligations which he was enabled to confer upon fomq of his principal friends during his connexion with Lord North's admmiftration. CORPORATION. John granted to this town, by charter, a coroner, a recorder, a town-clerk, and two bailiffs : but Charles I. made it a mayor- town, anno regni 6, 1 630. It has had, therefore, ever fince, a mayor, recorder, and twelve alder- men and burgelTes. The afllzes are always held here, and in this town is the county gaol. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the inhabitants and freemen. NUMBER OF VOTERS 200. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRON The Earl of Sandwich. KENT- POLITICAL CHARACTER. J H I S opulent and flourifliing county has the happinefs of maintaining its independence. The Duke of Dorfet pofTeffes the firft indivi- dual intereft, but the nobility and gentry are too numerous to fuffer it to gain an afcendancy. The dock-yards of Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham, and Sheernefs, aided by the ecclefiaftical influ- ence of the clergy of the two cathedrals of Rocheflcr and Canterbury, give the government a moft powerful controul in the election j and, united to that of the Duke of Dorfet, and the other connexions of the minifter, in this county, were fuccefsful in 1790 in bringing in Sir Edward Knatchbull ; but this was owing more to the want of a junction of interefts between Mr. Honeywood and the Hon. Mr. Marfham, the independent candidates, than to the weight of all this influence united. This county is chiefly indebted for the inde- pendence which it poflefTes, to that noble relick of Saxon inftitution, the Gavel-law, by which all the fons, in equal mares, are partakers of the father's fortune. A fimilar 322 K i if r; A fimilar law prevails in France, under the. new conftitution, but with this diftinction^ that the daughters as well as the fons are inheritors in an equal degree. The French have certainly, in this inftance, with great juftice and liberality, peculiar to themfelves, much improved upon thrs equitable fyftem of our Saxon progenitors. The fpecial cuftoms incident to Gavel-kind in Kent are : That the hufband, after his wife's death, en- joys a mokty of her inheritauce in gavel-kind by courtefy, whether he has children by her or not, until he marries again. The wife, after the death of her hufband, has, for her dower, a moiety of his lands in gavel--, kind, for fo long time as me mall continue un- married, and in chaftity. The tenant of gavel-kind lands is kept in ward one year longer than is permitted by the common law, that is, till he is fifteen years of age, at which time he is of fufficient age to alien his eftate by feoffment. Lands in gavel-kind, if the tenant commits felony, and fubmits to the judgment of the law, are not forfeited ; nor do they efcheat to the king, or other lord of whom they are holden ; nor ha* the king yearand day wafle of lands in gavel-kind, holdcn, KENT. 323 n of a common perfon, when the tenant is executed for felony. The tenant had a power of deviling lands by will, before the ftatute for that purpofe was made, in the 32*! year of King Hen. VIII. Lands in gavel-kind defcend to all the fons alike in equal portions ; and if there are no fons, then equally among the daughters : and as to the chatties, it was formerly part of the cuftom of this county to divide them, after the funeral and debts of the deceafed were difcharged, into three parts, if he left any lawful iffue behind him; of which three, one portion was to the dead foe the performance of legacies > another to his chil- dren for education, and a third to the wife for her fuppqrt and maintenance. Furthermore, if the tenant of gavel-kind lands withdraws from his lord his due rents and fervices, the cuftom of this gives the lord a fpeeial and folemn kind of ceffavit, called gavekt^ by which, unlefs the tenant redeems his lands by payment of the arrearages, and makes reafonable amends for withholding the fame, they become forfeited to the lord, and he enters into them and occupies them as his own demefnes. The tenants in gavel-kind in this county chum the privilege, that where * writ of right is broughc KEN 3V brought concerning gavel- kind lands, that the grand affize fhall not be chofen in the "ufiial man- ner by four knights, but by four tenants ingavel- kind, who mall not aflbciate to themfelves twelve knights, but that number of tenants .in gavel- Jcind ; and further, that trial by battle fhall not be allowed in fuch a writ for thefe lands. The numbers upon the poll were, for Sir Edward Knatchbull 4285 Filmer Honey wood, efq. 3101 Hon. Charles Marfham 2724 William the Conqueror having fought the battle at Haftings, in SufTex, was marching to- wards London, when he was met by a large body of the men of Kent, each carrying a bough or limb of a tree in his hand. This army, which had the appearance of a moving wood, boldly marched up to him, and demanded the prefer va- tion of their liberties, and informed William they were determined to die before they would be deprived of them, and fubmit to bondage ; but if he would grant them their equitable requeft, they would fubmit to his govern- ment. William, being fo much ftruck with the fpirit and juftice of their demand, wifely granted what they afked; and thus were they fuffered to retain thofe ancient cuftoms for which 3 this KENT. this county has ever fince been fo juftly diflin- guifhed. This county is divided into five lathes, which are fubdividcd into 14 bailiwicks, and thefe again into 68 hundreds. A lathe is a divifion peculiar to this county; and coniifts of two or more bailiwicks, as a bailiwick does of two or more hundreds. Kent contains 2 cities, 29 market towns, and 408 parifhes. It lies in the province of Canterbury, and partly in that diocefe, and partly in the diocefe of Rochef- ter. It fends 1 8 members to parliament ; two knights of the mire for the county, two mem- bers each for the cities of Canterbury and Ro- chefter, two for the borough of Maidftone ; two for that of Queeni?orough, and two for each of the four cinque-ports in this county, Dover, Sandwich, Hithe, and Romney. Many lands in this county are dill held by the ancient tenure of caftle-guard ; that is, upon condition that the tenant, in his turn, mould mount guard at the caftle ; but a compofition is taken for this fervice, which the tenants are obliged to pay ; for, upon the day appointed, a flag is hung out from that part of thecaflle which is Hill kept in repair, and fuch of the tenants a* do not then appear and pay their quit-rents, are liable 326 ROCHESTER. liable, at Rochefter, to have them doubled at every return of the Medway. ROCHESTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This city, owing to its being in the vicinity of Chatham, feels the influence of the admiralty, dock-yard, cuftbm- houfe, and revenue officers, too powerfully, to af- fert a claim to actual independence. The num- ber of electors not being, like Plymouth, li- mited to a felf-eledled corporation, prevents their reprcfentation from being entirely at the' difpo- fal of the admiralty ; but it has always been cuf- tomary to compliment that board with the re- commendation of one of them. The numbers on the poll at the laft general election were> for George Bed, efq. - 369 Sir R. Bickerton, - 322 * Marquis of Titchfield, 243 CORPORATION. -Rochefter was made a maydr- town i Edw. IV. Here are, by its incorporation 1619, a mayor, recorder, u aldermen, and li common-council* a town-clerk, 3 ferj earns at mace, and a water-bailiff. Once a year, or of- tener, the mayor and citizens of Rochefter hold what is called an admiralty-court, to appoint times CANTERBURY. 327 times when oyfters (hall be taken out of their lifhery, and fettle the quantity each drudger {hall take in a day. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is in the freemen* NUMBER OF VOTERS 630. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRONS Ordnance and Admiralty. CANTERBURY. POLITICAL CHARACTER This city is entirely independent in its eledlion of member* of parlia- ment, and is neither under the influence or con-* troul of any patron or leading man. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, a recorder, 12 aldermen, a Iheriff, 24 common-* council-men, a fword-bearer, and four ferjeants at mace. A court is held every Monday in the Guildhall, for civil and criminal caufes ; and every other Thurfday, for the government of the city. It is divided into fix wards. At the be- ginning of Hen. III. it was governed by bailiffs ; but in the 26th of Hen. VI. it was changed into the above mayoralty anno 1449, which may be feen in Sommer's hiftory of this city. RIGHT OF ELECTION Is vetted in the free- men. NUMBER 328 MAIDSTONr* NUMBER OF VOTERS TOGO. RETURNING OFFICER The merifE, MAIDSTONE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough was formerly at the difpofal of the Earl of Ailes- ford ; but it has emancipated itfelf from that in- fluence, and has fmce been divided in two par- ties, the one attempting to compliment the minif- ter with the nomination of its members, the other equally zealous in maintaining the independence of its conftitutional rights. Mr. Brenchly, a brewer of this town, and one of the partners in the Southwark bank, who is lately deceafed, was at the head of the former party ; and Mr. Taylor, an eminent paper-ma- nufacturer, and one of its prefent reprefentatives, takes the lead of the latter. The death of Mr. Brenchly has confiderably weakened the minifterial interefl ; and it is not improbable but, at another election, it may make off the trammels of government dictation en- tirely. The manor, which extends over the whole Hundred of Maidftone, belongs to Lord Romney, who has a feat near this borough. RIGHT MAIDSTONE. 329 RIGHT OF ELECTION. Is in the freemen not receiving alms or charity, 7 Feb. 1701. 8 Dec. 1702. NUMBER OF VOTERS 600. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. -*, CASE OF BRIBER*. Dec. 8, 1702. Rejohed, That the late election of burgefles for the faid borough of Maidflone, is a void eledliom Refolded, That no warrant do ifTue during this feffion of parliament, for the making out a new writ for the eledling burgefles for the faid bo- ough of Maidftone. Refolded, That Gervas Hely is guilty of in- direct and corrupt practices, in order to the pro- curing members to be clewed to fcrvc in parlia- ment for the faid borough of Maidftone. Ordered, That the faid Gervas Hely be, for his [aid offence, taken into cuftody. VEXATIOUS PETITION. Feb. 7, 1701. Re- [dived. That Tho. Colepepper, efq. who was one of the instruments in promoting and prefenting a fcandalous, infolent, and feditious petition, com- monly called the Kentifo fetition, to the houfe of VOL. I. commons, 330 QJUEEN BOROU G H. commons, hath been guilty of corrupt, fcanda- lous, and indirect practices, in endeavouring to procure himfelf to be elected a burgefs to fervc in this prefent parliament for the borough of Maidftone. There is another rejolution> That he is guilty of afperfmg the laft houfe of commons. Ordered, That the faid Tho. Colepepper, efq. be, for his faid offence, committed to Newgate. QUEENBOROUGH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough has been very juftly confidered for many years as a government borough ; for there has been no in- ftance, lince 1727, although there has been many contefted elections, of any member being re- turned in oppoiition to adminiftration. From 1727 to 1754, the elections were carried on by the united interefts of government and Capt. Evans, who relided in this place, and had the lead for many years in the corporation. From 1754, until the prefent time, the intcreft has been divi- ded between the boards of ordnance and admi- ralty ; each has conftantly carried a member ; and for the laft fixteen years, by the 'mere power of QJJEENBORO UG H. 33 I office, in oppofition to the corporation, and to the influence of the Evans's family. The fyftematic application of the patronage of the board of ordnance to the purpofes of ac- quiring an influence in this borough, has been attended with a progreflive increafe of their efta- blifhment on the Thames and Medway, and a very large addition to the expence of carrying on the fcrvice by veflels employed on thofe rivers. It ap- pears from official documents laid before thehoufe of commons, that it amounted in 1754 to 742!. Bat it now amounts (exclufive of the wear and tear of veflels, the property of government), to 2190!. 8s. 3d. How far the real exigencies of the public fervice may require and juftify fo conli- derable an augmentation, we cannot pretend to decide ; as thofe who are mod competent have fo widely differed in their opinions on the fubjecr.. On the conclufion of the lall war, Lord Town- fhend, the matter-general of the ordnance, ordered the eftablifhment (the expence of which was then 250!. per annum lefs than at prefent), to be re- duced. But it has lince, by his fucceflbr, the Duke of Richmond, being thought neceflary to be increafed. This town feems to have been one of thofe that were not fuffered to cxercife the firft right of Z 2 citizens 332 QJJ'E E N BORO UG H. citizens, that of fending reprefcntatives to par- liament, until royalty chofe to extend to them the privilege. And this effential franchife to the liberty of the fubjecl: was not allowed to the inha- bitants until the I2th of Eliz. CORPORATION. The burgefTes were firft in- corporated by Edw. III. who granted to them the privilege of choofmg, annually, a mayor and two bailiffs. The prefent corporation was efta- blifhed by a charter of Charles I. and confifts of a mayor, four jurats, and two bailiffs, a confta- ble, town-ferjeant, and a water-bailiff. It has likewife the cognizance of pleas* RIGHT OF ELECTION. The right of election has never been difputed in parliament. But in 1729, it was agreed to be in the mayor, jurats, bailiffs, and burgeffes. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRONS Ordnance and admiralty. NUMBER OF VOTERS Before Mr. Crewe's bill, there were 152; but 21 being difqualified by that bill, there are only 131. At prefent, out of 131 perfons entitled to vote for this borough, 23 hold places under the ordnance, and 1 1 under the admiralty, of whofe fituations and emo- luments we have here annexed a correct ac- count. There are alfo 7 officers in the navy, i in QJJ EEN BORO U G H. 333 i in the artillery, and 14 or 15 ordnance la- bourers on the gun-wharfs at 'Sheernefs and Purfieet. In time of \\ar the ordnance inte- reft is confiderably encreafed by the" employ- ment of Queenborough boats, and extra-craft for carrying (lores. Z 3 334 QJJ BEN BO ROUG H, LIST OF PLACES Under the Ordnance and Navy Bords y held by Freemen of QUEENBOROUGH, with their An- nual Salaries, and the Number of Freemen holding them refpeclively under the Ordnance. No. of Free- men. Names of Places. Ann. Salaries. Purveyor of Shipping - - - - Storekeeper at Shernefs 100 o And Barrack Matter, at y. per fay 54 12 o Clerk of the Survey at Woolwich lerk of the Checque at Sheernefs Icrk of the Survey at Chatham lerk in the Clerk of the Checque's office at Sheernefs Overfeer of Labourers at Sheer- nefs, at 3J. 6d. per day - - - - Sluice- Matters, at 2 s. per day each Wharf-man at the Tower, at 2s. per day - - - - Gunner at Sheernefs Matter of a Gun-hoy at i>c/. per ann. for himfelf, and to find three men when on fervice t, *. d. 170 oo. 154 12 O IOO O O 80 o o 130 o o 50 o o 63 14 o 72 16 o 36 8 o 21 O O 1 60 o o Carried over 938 100 QJUEENSBOROUCH. 335 No. of Free- men. Names of Placet. Ann* Salaries* i 2 I I I II Brought over Matter of a Sloop, at 27O/. -per ann. for himfelf and feven men Matters of Powder-Boats, at 168 /, per ann. each, for himfelf, and to find two men and a boy when on fervice ------ . Mates of Sloops, Powder-Boats or Gun- Hoys, at 48 /. per ann. each ------- - 938 irz 10 O 270 o o 672 o o 288 o o 2168 10 o UNDER THE NAVT. Vlafters of Tranfports, Lighters or Long-boats, at about 40 /. per ann. each - - - - - ^uarterman in Sheernefs Yard - Soatfwains - - >hip Carpenter - - - ~urfer --------- Junner --- 200 o o LAN- ( 33* ) LANCASTER COUNTY, POLITICAL CHARACTER. Jl HE eftates and connexions of the Earl of Derby, together with his lordfhip's perfonal influ- ence, always fecures the election of one of the re- prefentatives for this county. The choice of the other is independent. King Edward III. made it a county palatine, in favour of his fon John of Gaunt ; and it has ftill a court, which fits in the duchy chamber at Weftminfter, and takes cognizance of all caufes that any way concern the revenue belonging to that duchy ; the chief judge of which is the chan- cellor of the duchy, who is aflifted and attended by the attorney-general, the receiver-general, the auditor of the north and fouth parts of the duchy, the king's ferjeant and council, the fecretary, deputy clerk and regifter, an ufher, deputy ufher, and meffenger ; as alfo a court of chancery, ap- pointed to hear and determine all caufes, accor- ding to fome peculiar cuftoms ufed among thern- felves, which is held at Prefton. The chancellor is chief judge of this court alfo, and has proper officers under him, -fuch as a vice-chancellor, an LANCASTER. 337 an attorney-general, chief clerk, regifter and examiner, five attorneys and clerks, a protho- notary and his deputy, and clerks of the crown and peace. From the time that Lancafhire was made a county palatine, the town of Lancafter gave the title of duke to a branch of the royal family, till the union of the houfes of York and Lancafter, by the marriage of King Henry VII. of the Lan- cafter line, with Elizabeth, heirefs of the houfe of York. This county is divided into fix hundreds, has no city, and only twenty- feven market-towns. It lies in the province of York and diocefe of Chef- ter, and contains lixty-three pariihes, which are, in general, much larger th .and a town-clerk. RIGHT OF ELECTION. 1661, iStb December. All the inhabitants have voices in the election. 1768, 29/7.? November. Not to admit counfel to produce evidence, in order to fliew that the right of election for the faid borough was in all the inhabitants, according to the lad determina- tion of the houfe, or that the words, "all the in- " habitants," mentioned in the faid determina- tion of the houfe, mean only, fuch in-burgefles " of the laft guild, or thofe admitted fince by " copy of court-roll, as are inhabitants of the " place j" but all the inhabitants at large. NUMBER OF VOTERS 600. RETURNING OFFICERS The mayor and two bailiffs. PATRON The Earl of Derby. LIVER- 342 LIVERPOOL. LIVERPOOL. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This great com- mercial town is entirely free, both from arifto- cratical and minifterial influence. Previous to the reign of Charles II. the freemen at large exercifed the right of choofmg their own mayor, aldermen, and common-council, as in the city of London; but fince that time the body corporate have aflumed the power of filling up all vacancies, without their will and approbation. They have now, however, refumed their right, which had been fo arbitrarily and illegally withheld from them, and have, on St. Luke's day laft, chofen their own mayor. At the .laft general election, adminiftration and oppofition united their forces in the perfons of Lord Penrhyn and Mr. Bamber Gafcoigne ; but the independent freemen beheld this unnatural union with that deteftation which it deferved, and refolved inftantly to crufh this monftrous production at its birth. The gallant Colonel Tarleton was, in his abfmce, propofed by them as a proper perfon to fupport their own dignity and real confequence, and to withftand the formidable juu&ion j and the fuccefs which he LIVERPOOL. 343 he met with at the poll, (hewed him not unwor- thy of the diftinguifhed honour they intended- him : The numbers on the poll were, for Banaftre Tarleton, efq. 1257 Bambcr Gafcoigne 887 Lord Penrhyn 716 Henry Blundel, efq. the late mayor, who was elected to that office by the freemen at large, took pofTcffion of the town treafury, and thereby pre- vented the corporation from fupporting their aiTumed claims at the expence of the public chamber. The legal decifion of this queftion is of the firfl importance to every corporate city and town in the kingdom, as it will determine whether a large community is to be governed by a felf-electcd junto, or by a magiftracy, who are to derive their authority from the voice of the people. Within thefe fifty years, this town hath in- creafed fo prodigioufly in trade, that it is now faid to be the greateft fea-port in England, except London, it being thought to exceed even Brittol. The merchants here trade to all parts, except Turkey and the Eaft-Indies ; but their moft beneficial trade is to Guinea and the Weft- Indies, by which many have raifed great fortunes. The 344 LIVERPOOL. The increafe of its trade for near a century part cannot be better afcertained, than by a view of the great number of fhips belonging to the town, or which have been cleared out at the port, for any two years, at fome considerable diftance of time. In 1565, the trade of the place feems to have been carried on folely by their own fnips and boats, of which they had twelve, that in the whole amounted to no more than two hundred and twenty-three tons, and employed but feventy- five feamen. The Exchange, which coft 30,000 1. is ereded on the ipot where the town-houfe flood, at the top 6f Water-flreet, and is a grand edi- fice of white flone, built in the form of a fquare, round which are piazzas for the m: -chants to \valk in. Above ftairs are the ma) >r's offices, the leflions-hall, the council-chamber, and two elegant ball-rooms. The cuftom-houfe is a neat building of brick and ftone, lituated at the head of one of the docks. There are three large and commodious docks, fecured by iron gates, through which iliips fail on their coming to the town. In thefe docks they lie clofe to the fnore, and land their jgoods with the greateft facility ; and the gates being (hut, they arc fecured from winter ftorms. LIVER POOL. 345 ftorms. There is alfo a new playhoufe in Drury-lane, where players perform in the fum- mer feafon. This town, which contains four livings, was once in the parifh of Walton, but is now fe- parated from it by aft of parliament ; notwith- ftanding which, it pays to the rector forty {hil- lings per annum. Two of thefe livings are in the gift of the corporation,and the chaplains have each 120!. a year; the other two are a joint rectory, alfo in the gift of the corporation, with two rec- tors, who have each 150!. per annum, and offi- ciate at them alternately ; they have likewife furplice fees of the whole town ; fees are alfo paid to the minifters who do the duty of the other churches. An acl: was patted a few years ago, to enable the inhabitants to build two churches more, one of which was foon after begun near the Ladies Walks, a very plcafant place, which commands a fine view of the river and the Che- (hire more. , This town fent members 23 and 35 Edward I". but made no other return till the reign of Ed- word VI. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, annually chofen on St. Luke's day, a recorder, VOL. I. A a and 34^ CLITHEROE. and common-council of forty-one, including the mayor, recorder, and town clerk. Whoever has borne the office of mayor is afterwards ftyled an alderman. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1729, $th March. Was agreed by the counfel on both fides to be in the mayor, bailiffs, and freemen of the faid borough, not receiving alms. NUMBER OF VOTERS 1300. RETURNING OFFICER. The mayor and two bailiffs. CLITHEROE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. A refolution of the houfe of commons having veiled the right of election for this borough in a peculiar kind of burgage tenure, the real number of which is not more than forty-two, a conteft has fubfifled for many years between Thomas Lifter, efq. who is in the intereft of Oppofition, and Afheton Curzon, efq. who efpoufes that of Adminiftra- tion : the former was fuccefsful at the elections of 1780 and 1784; but the parties have fmce found it convenient to compromife their interefts, and each to fend one member. The electors of this borough have the name of burgeffcs, though it has no corporation. RIGHT w r G A ri. 347 RIGHT OF ELECTION- 1661, ^.th February, is in fuch freeholders only, as have eftates for life, or in fee. NUMBER OF VOTERS 42. RETURNING OFFICERS Two bailiffs. PROPRIETORS Thomes Lifter, efq. and Alheton Curzon, efq. WIGAN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The rector of this parifh is always lord of the manor. There is no determination of the houfe refpecting the right of election, but it is underflood to be pre- fcriptively in the free burgelTes. If has two charters, one given it by Queen Elizabeth, and the other by Charles II. which empowers it to choofe a mayor, recorder, twelve aldermen, and two bailiffs, and to appoint a fword and mace bearer. The influence at prefent is in the Duke of Portland, and Sir Henry Bridgeman. The mode of fecuring the electors is by lending each individual a limited fum of money upon bond, and not exacting payment, with any extreme fe~ verity, while they prcfcrve their political al- legiance. Infignificant as this borough may ap- pear (the number of voters not exceeding 200), A a 2 it 34$ * NEWTON. it coft the late George Byng, efq. 20,000!. in oppofing the intereft of the Earl of Lonfdale, \vhofe candidate, at that time, was Sir Fletcher Norton, afterwards Lord Grantley. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, recorder, twelve aldermen, two bailiffs, and a fword and mace bearer, by charter of 27 Eliz. and 1 8 Charles II. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There is no refolution of the houfe refpecting the right of election, but it is fuppofed to be in the free burgefles. NUMBER OF VOTERS About 200. RETURNING OFFICERS The mayor. PATRONS Duke of Pgrtland, and Sir Henry Bridgeman. NEWTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec- tion in this borough is in the fteward of the lord of the manor, the bailiff and burgeffes, who de- rive their privileges from prefcription. The Jord of the manor is Thomas Peter Legh, efq. of Lyme, in this county, who has the abfolute controul of thefe electors, as well as the appoint- ment of the returning officer, CORPORATION. LEICESTERSHIRE. CORPORATION. It is governed by a fteward, bailiffs, and burgefles. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There is no refolu- tion of the houfe refpeding the right of election, but it is fuppofed ro be in the free burgefles. NUMBER OF VOTERS About 36. RETURNING OFFICERS. Steward of the lord of the manor, and the bailiff. PROPRIETOR Thomas Peter Legh, efq. LEICESTERSHIRE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. Duke of Rutland, from his landed pro. perty, and perfonal connexions in this county, returns one of its members. His Grace at- tempted to bring in both; but in this he \vas defeated by the independent party, who at that election fucceeded in the choice of their own reprefentative. The Duke's intereft returned one of the members, and that of the independent party the other at the laft general election. A a 3 LEICES- (350 ) LEICESTER TOWN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This town, having derived 'Treat advantages from the fuccefs of its manufactures, and the right of election being in the freemen at large, and inhabitants paying fcot and lot, is therefore neither under the immediate influence of ariftocracy nor adminiftration. A violent conteft happened at the lift general elec- tion in 1790, in which Samuel Smith, efq. of Nottingham, an tf Nathaniel Brafley Halhead, efq. the prefent member for Lymington, were candi- dates on the court intereft, and Thomas Boothby Parkins, efq. eldeft fon of Sir Thomas Parkins, bart. and Lewis Montilieu, efq. on that of Oppo- fition. After a poll of feveral days a coalition took place between all the parties ; Mr. Halhead and Mf. Montilieu agreed to decline, that one of each party might be chofen without farther conteft. Such an attempt to intrude upon them two reprefentatives, in open violation of the free- dom of election, had nearly proved fatal to the town. The populace began to commit depre- dations ; and had it not been for the timely inter- ference of the military, their proceedings would ha.ve terminated in the definition of the place. In LEICESTER TOWN. 35* In the doomfday book this town is ftyled a city, and had the title of mayor given to its chief magiftrate 1248, 32 Henry III. Edward IV. in the 4th year of his reign 1464, appointed it a recorder. It had its charter from King John, and its frcmen are toll-free at all fairs and markets in England. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, recorder, fteward, bailiff, 24 aldermen, 48 com- mon-councilmen, a town clerk, and other of- ficers. RIGHT OF ELECTION, 1705, %th Feb. Such freemen as were made free at the charge of any of the candidates, had not a right to vote at the laft election of burgefTes to ferve in parliament for the borough of Leicefter. Agreed to be in the freemen not receiving alms, and in the inhabitants paying fcot and lot ; but perfons living in the borough of Leicefter, by certificate, not having gained a fettlement by- renting ten pounds per annum t or ferving in an annual office, are not entitled, by paying fcot and lot, to vote. NUMBER OF VOTERS on the poll at the lad election ; A a 4 35 2 LEICESTER TOWN. For Thomas B. Parkins, efq. 986 Samuel Smith, efq. 803 N. B. Halhead, efq. 551 RETURNING OFFICER The mayor* LINCOLN COUNTY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. IHIS county, ranking with Devonfliire, in point of extent, opulence and territory, is not to be influenced by any individual. The obfer- vations which we have made with refpecl to that, will, in all its points, be applicable to this. We fiiall therefore refer the reader to the political character which we have given of that county. LINCOLN CITY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The only influence which prevails in this city, and that not abfolute, is that of Lord Delaval, who has a feat in the neighbourhood, and his lordfhip's fon-in-law, John Fenton Cawthorne, efq. the prefent recor- der, and one of the reprefentatives. CORRUPTION. The anxiety of candidates to obtain the writs for elcclion, is fomctimes fo great, LINCOLN CITY. great, that large fums of money have been given for them, and the beft bidder has been generally the firft poflcflbr. A gentleman in office, of great character and integrity, and on whofe credit we have the firmeft reliance, informed us, that he was prefent when icoo guineas were given at the diflblution of the lad parliament, for the writ for this city. This infamous traffic is become fo notorious, that the interference of the legiflaturc has lately been demanded by fome independent gentlemen in the houfe of commons. We there- fore hope that an effectual flop will be put to it, and that this fpecies of commodity, fold by auction, will no more be heard of. In the reign of Ed ward the Confeflbr, this city is faid to have had one thoufand and feventy houfes ; and, in the time of the Normans, was one of the moft populous cities in England, and a mart for goods of every kind, which gave occa- fion to the following prophecy, as they call it. Lincoln was, London is, and York mall be, The faireft city of the three. This they fuppofe to have been fulfilled after the fire of London, in 1666. King Edward III. made it a ftaple for wool, leather, lead, and other commodities ; but af- terwards it fuffcred many calamities. It was once 354 GRANTHAM. once burnt ; once befieged by King Stephen, who was here defeated and taken prifoner, and once taken by Henry III. from his rebellious barons. This city had fummons, with London and York, to fend members to parliament 49 H. III. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, two iheriffs, a recorder, four chamberlains, a fword-bearer, a coroner, and forty-eight common-councilmen. This city is a county of itfelf, and has a vif- countialjurifdidlion twenty miles round; a pri- vilege enjoyed by no other city in England. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There is no refolu- tion of the houfe refpecting the right of election, but it is allowed to be in the freemen. NUMBER OF VOTERS About noo. RETURNING OFFICERS. The mayor and fhe- riffs. GRANTHAM. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This place is of the middling fize, neither coming under the defcrip- tion of a populous town, nor degenerating into a rotten borough. The influence over it is how- ever complete. The Duke of Rutland and Lord Brownlow, STAMFORD. 355 Brownlow, from their property in the town, the contiguity of their feats, and their perfonal intereft, have the entire command of its reprefentation. CORPORATION. It is governed by an ancient corporation, -confining of an alderman, recorder, twelve common burgeffes, a coroner, an efchea- tor, and Uvelve conltables to attend on the court. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1730, 1 1 Jan. Is in the freemen of the faid borough, not receiving alms of charity, NUMBER OF VOTERS 400. RETURNING OFFICER The alderman. PATRONS Duke of Rutland and Lord Brown- low. STAMFORD. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This town, although poffeffing chartered privileges, fuperior to any other place in the kingdom, the city of London only excepted, is not free from controul in the exer- cife of its political franchife. The Earl of Exe- ter, who poffefles the venerable and magnificent feat of his anceftors, at Burleigh near this town, is looked up to by the corporation and inha- bitants as their patron. We muft however cau- tion our readers not to confound the influence which prevails in counties, and popular cities t and 356 STAMFORD. and towns, with that which dictates in limited corporations and burgage tenures, which are all private property, and what are termed rotten boroughs, with only ten or twelve houfes in each. The influence of the firft defcription is only de- rived from extenfive property, eminent perfonal qualities, and from a good neighbourhood and hof- pitality. The latter is of the authoritative kind, and is maintained by corruption, perfecution and tyranny, and is carried to market as a falcable commodity, with as little fecrecy and caution as an eftate is carried to the hammer at a public auction. The inhabitants of this town have very extra- ordinary privileges, particularly a freedom from the jurifdiction of the IherifF of the county, and from being impannelled on juries out of the town : they are exempted from the government of all lord-lieutenants ; are entitled to have the returns of all writs, and claim the privilege of having the militia of the tcvvn commanded by their own officers : in fhort, the mayor being the king's lord-lieutenant, and immediately under his majefty's command, he is efteemed, within the liberties of the town, the fecond man in the king- dom. Here STAMFORD. 357 Here was fought the firft battle between the Britons and Saxons, in which the former were en- tirely routed, and left their enemies in the pof- feflion of the field. In the reign of King Stephen there flood a cattle in the middle of the town, the foundation plot of which is faid to be ftill vifible: and here the on torn of borough Englifli ftill fubfifts, by which the youngeft fon is his father's heir. In the reign of King Richard I. the inhabi- tants of this town, influenced by fuperflition, fell upon the many Jews who then lived there, and barbaroufly murdered them. This town having fent members 23, 26, 28, 2 33> an d 34 Edw. I. and 15 Edw. II. and to a council 1 1 Edw. III. made no other return till Edward IV's reign, who incorporated it anno regni i, 1461, under the government of an alderman, which was, by King Charles II. anno 1664, changed into a mayor. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, a recorder, twelve aldermen, a town clerk, twenty-four capital burgefles, and two ferj cants at mace. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1735, 8 Marcb t Is in the inhabitants paying fcot and lot, and not re- ceiving alms. 2 NUMBER 35 8 GREA T C RIM SB V. NUMBER. OF VOTERS About 500. RETURNING OFFICER. The mayor. PATRON The Earl of Exeter. GREAT GRIMSBY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is en- tirely under the controul of Charles Anderfon Pelham, efq. member for the county. A ftrong oppofition was made at the laft general election, in 1790, by the Hon. William Wefley Pole, bro- ther to the Earl of Mornington, one of the lords of the treafury, and Robert Wood, Efq. aided by the weight of government influence, which proved ineffectual. The candidates in Mr. Pel- ham's intereft were returned ; a petition was pre- fented by Mr. Pole and Mr. Wood, which ended in a void election ; but Mr. Pelham's friends were re-chofen. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, a high-fteward, a recorder, eleven aldermen, twelve common-councilmen, two coroners, two bailiffs, a town-clerk, and three ferjeants at mace. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There is no refolution of the houfe refpecting the right of election; but it BOSTON. 3*6 it is underflood to be in the freemen, being in- habitants. NUMBER OF VOTERS 75. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PATRON Charles Anderfon Pelham, efq. BOSTON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This place is re- markable for the many contradictory refolu- tions of the houfe of commons, refpecting the right of election. It was firft rcfolved to be in the commonalty, then in the mayor, aldermen, common- council, and freemen, and laftly in the freemen paying fcot and lot. It is entirely under the influence of the Duke of Ancafter, whofe in- tereft always brings in the members. A petition was prefented, after the laft election, by General Smith, complaining of the moft flagrant acts of corruption; but this petition was afterwards withdrawn, at the requeft of a gentleman of high rank, with whom the contefling parties had each the honour of an acquaintance. The electors of this place demand their fep- tennial flip end with as much confidence as if it was the rent of an eftate, and generally receive it with as much punctuality as if they had a fimilar claim. COR- 360 BOSTON. CORPORATION. This town is governed by a mayor, who is chief clerk of the market, and admiral of the coaft, a recorder, twelve alder- men, a town clerk, eighteen common-council- men, a judge, and marmal of the admiralty, a coroner, two ferjeants at mace, and other offi- cers. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1628, 8tb March. In the commonalty, and not in the mayor, alder- men, a-nd common council. 1711, 2O/ Marcb. Only in the mayor, al- dermen and common-council, and freemen of the faid borough, refident in it, and paying fcot and lot. 1719, id Marcb. Only in the mayor, alder- men, common-council, and freemen refident in the faid borough, paying fcot and lot ; fuch freemen claiming their freedom by birth or fer- vitude. NUMBER OF VOTERS About 200. RETURNING OFFICER The mayor. PA t RON-*-Duke of Ancafter. MIDDLE- MIDDLESEX. POLITICAL CHARACTER. 1 HIS county is remarkable for that true fph. rit of independence which the freeholders dif- played in their conteft with the houfe of com- mons, from the year 1768 to the year 1782. The important fubject which engaged their attention, is the greateft that mankind can be employed in ; and the firmnefs and refolution with which they fupported their own rights, and thofe of their fellow-citizens, will be handed down to pofterity with that enthufiaftic ap- plaufe their patriotic labours of fourteen years fo richly merit, and which, being finally crowned with fuccefs, holds up a leffon to future admini- ftrations, that, however venal and corrbpt their adherents may be, the fpirit of honeft perfeve- ranee will always prevail over minifterial influ- ence. At the general election in 1768, John Wilkcs, cfq. who was juft returned from hi$ exile, was unanimoufly nominated, at a numerous meeting of the freeholders of this county, held at the VOL, I. B b affcmblv J&2 MIDDLESEX. affembly-room, at Mile End, on the 2oth of March, to reprefent this county in parliament. On the 28th of the fame month the election came on at Brentford, when Sir William Beauchamp Proc- tor, bart. and George Cooke, efq. the late mem- bers, were candidates ; Mr. Wilkes was alfo put in nomination ; and at the clofe of the poll, the numbers were, for John Wilkes, efq. 1292 George Cooke, efq. 827 Sir W. B. Proclor, 807 Whereupon the fherifFs, Meilieurs Hallifax and Shakefpeare, declared Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Cooke to be duly elected. On the loth of May fol- lowing, the parliament met, when no bufmefs of confequence was done, except choofing their fpeaker, &c. until their prorogation. On the 8th of November, 1768, the parlia- ment met again ; and on the i4th of November following, a petition was prefented to the houfe from Mr. Wilkes, then a prifoner in the King's Bench. This petition, which furnimed an occa- lion for the memorable proceedings that fol- lowed, contained a recapitulation of all the pro- ceedings againft Mr. Wilkes, from the time of his firft apprehenfion, by a general warrant in April MIDDLESEX. 363 April 1763, to the time of his commitment to the King's Bench prifon, in 1768. The petition produced an order, for the proper officers to lay before the houfe a copy of the re- cords of the proceedings upon the feveral informa- tions in the court of King's Bench againfl Mr. Wilkes. After which, the journals andrefolu- tions of the houfe, upon that fubjedl, in the year 1763, being examined, a day was appointed for the hearing of the matter of the petition, and alfo of the proceedings in the court of King's Bench, of which notice was ordered to be given to Mr. Wilkes : a great number of perfons alfo, who were concerned as adtors or witnefles in thefe tranfadlions, among whom was Mr. Webb, late fecretary to the Trcafury, and againft whom a heavy charge was laid in the petition, were ordered to attend the houfe at the fame 'time. Some perfons of great weight in oppofition, from the beginning, recommended to the miniftry, thai this petition mould be patted by without notice, and very ftrongly pointed out the mifchievous confcquences which mud attend an enquiry in- to that fort of matter to the houfe at large, and particularly to the miniflcrs themfelves. Du- ring this interval, fome motions were made upon the fubject, the want of fuccefs in which, feemed B b 2 in. 364 M I D D L ES E X. indicative of the difpofition that prevailed withift doors, in regard to the popular prifoner, whofe prefent fituation excited the greateil attention without. Among thefe, it was moved to addrefs his majefty, that the auditor of the imprefs fhould lay before the houfe copies of all fuch accounts as had been pafTed, declared, or recei- ved, from Philip Carteret Webb, cfq. fmce Mid- fummer 3 1762, which was pafTed in the negative. In the mean time Mr. Webb petitioned for an opportunity to vindicate himfelf, at the bar of the houfe, from the charges that were made againft him ; which he was allowed to do, either by himfelf or his counfel, at the time of hearing the matter of the petition. Application having been made alfo by Mr. Wilkes for liberty to attend the houfe, in order to fupport the allega- tions of his petition, it was complied with, and liberty of coifnfcl allowed him for that purpofe. After thefe previous fteps had been taken, the time for hearing the matter of the petition, which had been originally fixed for the 2dof December,, was however put off to the rath of the fame month ; after which it was finally adjourned to the 27th of the following January j at which lime the miniftry feemed undetermined how to/ adt ; but a proceeding of Mr. Wilkes afforded a new MIDDLESEX. 36,5 a new opportunity or pretence to renew the pro- fecution againft him. On one hand, many in adminiftration and office were exceedingly averfe. to taking any ftep relative to this gentleman, as many inconveniences had formerly been expe- rienced from fuch a conduct, and more were ap- prehended from a revival of it. Neither did the oppofition feem willing to .prefs the minifter on that bufinefs ; the very motion by which Mr. Wilkes's petition had been introduced into that houfe, having prayed no more than that it mould lay on the table ; a method, ac- cording to the cuftom of that aflembly, of ci- villy paffing into oblivion fuch matters as they do not choofe to attend to, or formally to re- ject. It feems however that the party moft animated towards the profecution prevailed at length. Mr. Wilkes, having by fome means procured a copy of a letter from the Secretary of State, to certain magiftrates of Surry, refpecting their employing the military to aid the civil power, in quelling a riot in St. George's Fields, by which Mr. Allen, a young man of exemplary character, and refpectable conned ions, loft his life *j B b 3 The * A monument to commemorate this fatal cataftrophe is erefted in tUe church-yard of Si, Mary, Newington. i 366 MIDDLESEX. The Secretary of State acknowledged him- felf the .writer of the letter, and made a complaint in the houfe of lords, as a peer, of a breach of privilege ; and the publifhers of the news-papers having acknowledged that they received a copy of the letter from Mr. Wilkes, a complaint was made to the commons, of the conduct of their member, and a conference held upon the fubject by the two houfes ; and the matter being agi- rated, during the enquiry into the merits of Mr. Wilkes's petition, he with great boldnefs, before the houfe, confofled himfelf the author of the prefatory remarks, as well as of having fent the whole to the news printer. The matter of the petition having undergone a long examination, during which Mr. Wilkes, in the cuftody of the marmal of the King's Bench, attended the houfe, it was finally refolved, " That " the two orders made by Lord Mansfield, lord " chief juftice of the King's Bench, for the amend- " ment of the information exhibited in the faid " court againft Mr. Wilkes, were according to f< law and juftice, and the practice of the laid " court : that the complaint of Mr. Wilkes, in < c refpefl thereof, is frivolous j and that the af- ' perfions upon the faid chief juftice, for making 2 Mr. Home, M IDDLESEX. 369 Mr. Home, Samuel Vaughan, efq. Sir Fran- cis Blake Delaval, Eyre, efq. Jones, efq. and many other gentlemen of property and character, fpoke to the fame effect. Mr. Wilkes was re-elected at Brentford, on the 1 6th, member for the county, by the unani- mous voice of above two thoufand of the moil refpectable freeholders, who, notwithftanding it proved a very wet day, attended at their owa ex- pence, early in the morning, to fupport this re- election, left any candidate in the oppofite inte- reft, fhould have been, by a party, attempted to be furprifed upon the county at the huftings. Every thing was conducted with the moft ft rid and fingular good order. He was put up by James Townftiend, efq. member for Weft-Looe ; and when the re-election was declared, they all around teftified their joy by the moft loud and unanimous fhouts of applaufe. It may be truly faid, that this re-election did not coft Mr. Wilkes a fingle {hilling, fo unanimous and fo hearty were the people in his favour. The next day, the i7th of February, 1769, the return of the previous day having been made to the houfe, it was refolved, that Mr. Wilkes having been expelled this feflion, was, and is, incapable of being elected a member of the prefenc MIDDLESEX. prefetit parliament. This fecond election was declared void, and a new writ ordered to be iflued accordingly. On the 1 6th of March, a third election was held at Brentford, for an election of a knight of the {hire, when Charles Dingley made an offer to oppofe this popular candidate ; but being very roughly handled by the populace, he thought it moft prudent to decline ; upon which Mr. Wilkes was again re-elected without oppofition. It appears, that, at the above election, Mr. Dingley had not properly confidered how far his natural fortitude was equal to the arduous tafk of oppofing the predominant fpirit of a free people : if he had flood the poll only for one hour, it was the determination of minifhy, as they had declared in the circle of their private friends, to get him feated by a fpecial vote of the houfe, as they afterwards did in the cafe of Colonel Lut- trel. The reception, however, that he met with, and the countenance of the freeholders, had fuch an effect upon him, that he was glad to retire with his life, not having been able to find a man in the county that was hardy enough to put him in nomination. This election, as Well as the former, was declared void j and near ano- ther month was fuffered to elapfe, before the time was MIDDLES EX. 37! was fixed for a new one. It was now thought chat this mode of electing and declaring void, would have been carried on to the end of the feflion ; and that it would then have lain over to the next meeting, in which time the minds of men might have cooled, or fome impediment might have been found to change the nature of the difcuf- fion j and many thought, that in the prefent cir- cumftances, it would have been the moft prudent conduct that could have been purfued ; for though great debates arofe concerning the refo- lution of incapacitation, and the fubfequent ones of voiding the election, yet the public did not think themfelves fo much interefted in them, nor their rights in any degree fo materially affected, as by the fucceeding meafure. A different conduct was however adopted : a gentleman in a military character, and of con- Ilderable connexions, though of no fortune or in- tereft immediately in the county, was hardy enough to vacate his feat in parliament by the acceptance of a nominal place, and to encounter the whole weight of popular odium, by decla- ring himfelf a candidate for the county of Middle- fex ; a meafure at that time fuppofed to be at- tended with fo much danger, that policies were faid 372 MIDDLESEX. faid to have been opened upon his life at fomc of the infurance-offices in the city. This danger however proved to be only ima- ginary ; for though fome riots happened upon the road, the election was conducted with great order ; the fear of giving any handle to difpute its validity, having proved fuperior to every other conlideration with the freeholders. Though the whole weight of court interert was thrown into the fcale in this gentleman's favour, yet a majority of near four to one appeared againft him upon the election -, the numbers being, on thepolJ, For John Wilkes, efq. 1143 For Colonel Luttrel, only 299 Majority in favour of the 1 ^ caufe of Liberty, J Two days after this election, a refolution was carried in the houfe, by a majority of 221 to 139, that Colonel Luttrel ought to have been returned a knight of the fhire for the county of Middlefex ; and the deputy clerk of the crown was ordered to amend the return, by rafing out the name of Mr. Wilkes, and inferting that of Colonel Luttrel in its place. Fourteen days having been allowed for a petition againft this MIDDLESEX. 373 decifion, one was accordingly prefentcd, figned by feveral freeholders, which was again brought into very warm and ferious debate ; when, how- ever, upon a divifion, the former refolution was confirmed by a majority. As no public meafure, fince the acceffion of the prefent royal family, had incited fo general an alarm, or caufed fo univerfal a difcontent as the prefent, fo was no other ever oppofed with more firmnefs, or debated with greater ability ; nor has any other political fubject been fo ably difcufled without doors, or productive of fo many mafterly writings, Mr. Cooke, the other member for Middle- fex, died in October, 1768. On the 8th of No- vember following, the election came on at Brent- ford, for a knight of the mire in his room, when Sir William Beauchamp Proctor, the late member, who had been oufted by Mr. Wilkes, became a candidate in the minifterial intereft; and John Glynn, efq. ferjeant at law, was propofed by the friends of liberty. About two of the clock, Mr. Serjeant Glynn having polled a great majo- rity over his opponent, a defperate riot broke out on a fudden j the mob mounted the huttings, attempted to feize the poll-books, and entirely put a ftop to the ele&ion. Great numbers of free- 374 MIDDLESEX. freeholders were hurt in trying to get away, and the remainder of the day was a fcene of riot and confufion. The election was continued by va- rious adjournments, until the i 4 th of the fame month, when the poll was finally clofed ; the mimbers being, For Mr. Serjeant Glynn, 1542 For Sir W. B. Proftor, r 27 8 Majority for Mr. Serjeant Glynn, 264 . Whereupon that gentleman was declared duly t elected. The numbers polled at this election exceeded by forty-two the greateft number polled upon any preceding occafion. The riot on the 8th inftant, by the friends of Sir W. B. Prodor, having the label " Proftor " and liberty" in their hats, was productive of mod ferious confequences. Mr. George Clarke, a young gentleman, was murdered by one of thofe mifcreants, as he flood at the huftings, du- ring the time of polling. The body was taken to the White-Hart, Welbeck-ftreet, where the coroner's inqueft was taken, before Edward Um- freville, efq. one of the coroners of the county of Middlefex, and a very refpediable jury, when it appeared, from very clear and politive evi- dence MIDDLESEX. 37$ dence, that his deatb was occafioned by a bloiw given him by a ftick or bludgeon, by fome of the mob concerned in the riot, during the election on the 8th inftant. The jury, very prudently, defired to have the afliftance and opinion of a furgeon j when a very eminent one was fent for, who, after opening the head of the deceafed, and examining him in a very particular manner, gave his opinion, that the faid blow was the caufe of his death. The jury, without the lead hefi- tation, gave in their verdicl, " Wilful murder " againft fome perfon or perfons unknown." Laurence Balf, and Edward Macquirk, were afterwards apprehended for the above murder, and took their trial at the Old Bailey, on the 1 4th of January, 1769, when it appeared that the prifoners were hired, with others, previous to the day of election, for the purpofe of keeping the peace, and affifting the friends of Sir W. B. Proclor; that for fome time the poll went on with the greateft regularity, and with- out the Icaft interruption ; that all at once the prifoners, with others, began in a moft outrageous manner to ftrike and knotk down, indifcrimi- nately, all who came in their way ; and that the deceafed was one .of the unhappy perfons who was thus violently attacked. They were both, upon 376 MIDDLESEX. upon the cleared evidence, found guilty. The recorder then paffed fentence of death, and in his fpeech obferved, that the procurers, however dig- nified, as well as the procured, were not exempt, by the laws, frofn equal punifhment. The trial lafted fourteen hours, and was at- tended by the fulleft court ever known. Thefe men, as well as thofe concerned in the murder of Mr. Allen, afterwards received his majefty's free pardon. Although Colonel Luttrel continued to keep his feat, in confcquence of the unconftitutional decifion of the houfe of commons, until the clofe of that parliament in 1774, he was never acknowledged by the electors of Middlefex, or by the people at large, as one of their reprefenta- tives ; and whenever an order was made for a call f the houfe, the meriffs of Middlefex always fummoned John Wilkes, efq. and John Glynn, to attend their duty in parliament, as the legal reprefentatives of the county. At the enfuing general election in 1774, Mr. Wilkes, and Mr. Serjeant Glynn, were unani- moufly re-elected ; and the houfe of commons feeling themfelves fo unequal to the oppofing the fenfe of a whole nation, fuffered Mr. Wilkes to take his feat without any further oppofition. This MIDDLESEX. 377 This county unfortunately lofing Mr. Serjeant Glynn in the year 1779, wno ^ied m t ^ ie mont h of September, the minifter, aided by the late Duke of Northumberland, again attempted to obtrude a reprefentative upon the county j and 7 Colonel Tuffnell accordingly vacated his feat for Beverly, to become a candidate upon that in- tercft. The late George Byng, efq. who was at that time member for Wigan, in the county of Lancafter, was put in nomination by the patri- otic party; but the minifter refuting to give the Chiltern Hundreds to this gentleman, as he had done to Colonel Tuffnell, prevented his being in a capacity, at .that time, to accept of the honour intended him. The independent gentle- men of the county then prevailed upon Mr. Wood, of Littleton, to become their reprefen- tative for the remainder of that parliament, when Mr. Byng's incapacity would be removed by its diflblution. Upon Mr, Wood's coinciding with the wilhes of the freeholders, Colonel Tuffnell, being con- vinced that he had no chance of fucceeding, de- clined the conteft, and Mr. Wood was unani- moufly elected. , At the general election in 1780, Mr. Byng was unanimoufly elected, together with Mr. VOL. I. Cc Wilkes, 37* MIDDLESEX. Wilkes, who received that honour from his con- ftituents the fixth time. On the 3d of May, 1782, the motion which fiad been annually made for twelve years, for expunging from the journals of the houfe of commons the famous rcfolution of the lyth of February, 1769, for the expullion of Mr. Wilkes, after fo long a fuccefTion of defeats, now termi- nated, by a majority of 6 8 ; the numbers, on the divifion, being, ayes 115, noes 47. It was afterwards refolved unanimoufly, that the faid txpullion was illegal and unconstitutional. The coalition taking place the following year, was productive of exactly the fame confcquences between the reprefentatives of this county, as with the members for Weft minder. Mr. Main- waring was propoied as a candidate, in oppo- fition to Mr. Byng, and was elected by a con- fiderable majority, in conjunction with Mr. Wilkes, at the diflblution of the parliament which took place in 1784. At the laft general election, -in 1790, Mr. Wilkes declined the honour of fitting in parlia- ment, and was fucceeded by George Byng, efq. fori of the late member, and Mr, Mainwaring was rc-chofen. Middlcfex MIDDLESEX. 379 Middlefex is divided into fix hundreds, and two liberties j has nearly two hundred parifhes, cxclufive of thofe in London and Weflminfler : it is twenty-three miles long, about fourteen broad, and about a hundred and fifteen miles in circuit ; it has feven market towns, and contains two hundred and forty fquare miles, or two hundred and feventeen thoufand fix hundred acres. Though this is reckoned one of the fmalleft counties, in point of extent, in the kingdom, yet^ on account of London and Weftminfter, it pays eighty parts out of five hundred and thirteeen of the land-tax. It fends 1600 men to the national militia, exclufive of London and the Tower Ham*- lets. Its principal river is the Thames, which is navigable 138 miles inland, from London- bridge to Lechlade, at which place it is continued by a canal to the Stroud-water canal, and through it to the Severn, which was opened November 1 8, 1789, at the expence of .200,000. By means of this inland navigation, the internal trade of the country may be carried on in time of war without the interruption of our enemies. This county has been long famous for being the refidence of the king and his court, as'alfy of the nobility, courts of juftice, &c. Here C c i like wife j0 LONDON. like wife are fituate the houfes of lords and cam- mons, and feveral royal palaces, together with a great number of fuperb buildings, a defcrip- tion of which does not come within the limits of our plan. The two Iheriffs of the city of London are alfo the fheriffs of this county, annually chofen at Guildhall by the livery, and are afterwards prefented before the barons of the Exchequer for approbation. LONDON. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This city,whichison of the firft in magnitude, population, commerce, and opulence, in Europe, has no more weight in the legiflative reprefemation of the country, than the united boroughs of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, which are the property of an individual. Its members are not the reprefen- tatives of the inhabitant houfekeepers, refident and paying taxes within the city, but of a cor- porate franchife, derived under ancient charters, limited and confirmed by an acl: of parlia- ment ii George I. chap. 18, feel. i. to the liverymen of the faid city. In order to be pof- fefled of this elective right, a man muft have obtained LONDON. 3$f (Stained his freedom of one of the trading companies, and likewife of the city of London, either by birth, as the fon of a freeman born after his father became free ; by fervitude, as having ferved feven years apprenticcfliip to a freeman ; by gift of the corporation ; or by pur- chafe, and afterwards, by being admitted to the livery of one of the companies. This laft qua- lification was not always ncceffary, the right of election anciently having been in the freemen at large, which was the fubjc6t of many con- teds, until 1 1 George J, gave a peremptory right to the livery only. The prefent number is under 8000 ; but if the right were in the freemen at large, the electors would be nearly ten times that number; or if it were in the inhabitant houfe- keepers, agreeable to our ancient free confti- tution, the number would be 22,000. The civil government of this city is the firft and beft in this country, both with regard to the refpeclability of its officers, and their integrity in the adminiftration of juftice. The magiftrates, chofen by the freemen of each refpedtive ward, are popular in their organization, unfhackled by court influence, independent in their offices, and accountable to their fellow-citizens for the impartial difcharge of the duties of their func- C c 3 tion, 3&2 LONDON. tion } their future elevation to the offices pf iheriff, mayor, and member of parliament, de- pending on the exemplary difcharge of their municipal power. This city is governed by a lord mayor, re- corder, 26 aldermen, 2 fheriffs, and 236 com- mon-council. The lord mayor is chofen out of t'.ie 26^ aldermen by the livery, on Michael- mas day, who return two to the court of alder- men, out of whom the court makes choice of one to ferve that important office. The fheriffs are likewife chofen by the livery in common hall, and may either be felected from the court of aldermen, or from among the freemen at large. The aldermen and common-council arc chofen by the inhabitant houfekecpers, being freemen of the refpeclive wards of Alderfgate, Aldgate, BafTimaw, Billingfgate, Bifhopfgate, Bread Street, Bridge Without, or Southwark, IVidge Within, Broad Street, Candlewick, Caf- t'c Baynard, Cheap, Coleman Street, Cprdwai- ner, CornhiH, Cripplegate, Dowgate, Farring- don Without, Farringdon Within, Langborn, Lime Street, Portfoken, Queenhithe, Tower, Vintry, and Walbrook. The aldermen hold their offices for life; but the common council arc elected annually, on St. Thomas's day. The recorder LONDON. 383 recorder ig chofen by the court of aldermen, and holds his office for life. The other city officers of importance are, the chamberlain, common ferjeant, town clerk, comptroller, collector of the city dues, two judges of the (heriff's court, four city counfel, two fecondaries of the Comp- ter, a remembrancer, and folicitor. The lord mayor has four efquires of his houfe^ hold, a fword-bearer, a mace-bearer or crier, the water bailiff, and the common hunt ; fix gen- tlemen of ditto, two city marfhals, and fix mar- ihal's men. This city has had the honour of fending to parliament fome of the moft diftinguifhed pa- triots that have adorned the page of Britifh hif, tory : among whom may be named Sir John Bar* nard, Sir Stephen Theodore Janflen, and the late William Beckford, efq. But how does the poli- tical virtue of a great people degenerate, when a penfioner and a contractor can obtain a fuccef- fion to the reprefentative truft of fuch characters! In this metropolis minifterial and ariftocratical influence have no operation; artificial dignity is unknown ; and no fuperiority is acknowledged, but that which arifes from ability and merir, In the cxercife of the firfl privilege of a freeman, the delegation of legiflative power to the reprefen- C c 4 384 WESTMINSTER. tatives, they are neither a wed by the tyranny of con. trol, nor influenced by the incitement of corruption. This city had fummons fent to return mem- bers to parliament fo early as in the reign of 49 Henry III. and were, 6 Edward III. increafed to four, which it fent very often in this reign ; and has ever fince 43 Edward III. conftantly returned four members to parliament, CORPORATION Confifts of a lord mayor, re- corder, two meriffs, 26 aldermen, and 236 com- mon-councilmen. RIGHT OF ELECTION By act of parliament 1 1 Geo. II. in the livery only. NUMBER OF VOTERS 7000. RETURNING OFFICERS The meriffs. WESTMINSTER. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This city could never boaft of that virtue or independence which has dignified her eldeft Tifter the city of London. Her reprefentatives have generally been feleded from the eldeft fons of the nobility, who were higheft in court favour, or from placemen in the fuperior departments of office j and, though the right of election is popular and free, it is not at i all WESTMINSTER. 3% all furprifing, when we recoiled that this is the feat of royalty, the refidence of adminiftration, and that all the offices of government are held within its limits. As an evidence, however, that the people, wherever they have the exercife of that power which nature and a free conftitution gives, will exercife it in defiance of controul, the electors of Weftminfter, upon a vacancy which happened in 1769, by the prcfent Lord Sandys fucceeding to the peerage, feeling a juft refentment at the imconftitutional meafures adopted in refpect to the Middlefex election, and which were repro- bated by the whole kingdom, they returned the late Sir Robert Barnard to parliament, who had d i ft ingui flied himfelf in fupport of the rights of the freeholders of Middlefex, againft all the in- fluence and intrigue of the adminiflration of that day. At the following election, in 1774, Lord Vif- count Mahon, now Earl Stanhope, and Lord Vifcount Mountmotres, were candidates on the independent interefl of this city ; and Earl Percy, now Duke of Northumberland, in conjunction with the Earl of Lincoln, fon of the Duke of New- caftle, were fupported by the united interefl of the ariftocracy and adminiflration : the two latter fucccedcd 386 WESTMINSTER, fuccecded againft the former by a majority of nearly two to one. From this period, to the general election of 1780, the city of Weftminftcr was ranked, in the public opinion, with the moft obfequious bo- roughs, the Duke of Newcaftle and the Duke of Northumberland being confidered as its politi- cal rulers ; and fo completely did their afcendancy appear to be eftablifhed, that upon the acceflion of Earl Percy to the peerage, on the death of his mother, their nomination of Lord Peterfham, now Earl of Harrington, was fubmitted to with fcarccly the {hew of an oppofition, although Sir Watkin Lewes was propofed by feveral inde- pendent electors, who virtuoufly offered to defray the legal and necelTary expences of a polL At the general election, in 1780, the city of Weftminfter effectually burft the chains of arif- tocratical influence. The inhabitants having formed an affociation for the purpofe of effecting a parliamentary reform, correcting the expendi- ture of the public revenue, and putting an end to the ruinous American war; and that affo- ciation having appointed a committee, compofed of gentlemen of the f5rft ability, patriotifm and integrity; the emancipation of this popu- lous city wasfoon effected by their united exertions. WESTMINSTER. The miniftry, feeling the vigorous arm of af- fociated independence too powerful for the feeble refiftance of ariftocracy, contented them- felves with attempting to carry one member, in the perfon of Lord Lincoln, uniting with him the po- pularity of Sir GvOige (afterwards Lord) Rodney, who was propofed by the alibciation, in conjunc- tion with their ijluftrious chairman, the Right Honourable Charles James Fox. The event, however, demonftrated that this partial effort was only the expiring ftruggle of undue influence ; for, after a poll of one-and- fwenty days, Mr. Fox was elecled by a majority of fix hundred and twenty-fix votes, in conjunc- tion with Sir George Rodney, againft whom there was no oppofition. In 1782, Sir George Rodney vacated his feat by accepting a peerage, when Sir Cecil Wray, bart. was invited by the committee of the affect- ation to become a candidate, and was unani- moufly approved and elected by the conftituent body. The unpopular coalition which took place the cnfuing year, and which divided the people from : the parliament, the fupporters of liberty from the caufe itfelfj and the advocates of public men {rqra one another, created a divifion between the 3 88 WESTMINSTER. the great afTertor of this city's independence, and his virtuous colleague Sir Cecil Wray ; men whofe integrity was inviolable, \vhofe patriotifni was unfhaken, and in whom the genuine prin- ciples of freedom were congenial. The ariftocracy did not fail to improve this mifchievous opportunity; but in alliance with the new-fangled admimftration of the moment, who compofe the motley group of the prefent day, and uhofe heterogeneous combination exceeds by far the political deformity of the Coalition, took the advantage of popular refentment and difunion, to introduce Lord Hood to the reprefentation at the enfuing general election in 1 7 84. His lord- fhip, however, vacating his feat in 1788, on being appointed one of the lords of the admiralty, the independence of the city again manifefted itfelfin the rejection of a placeman, and in the choice of Lord John Townihend, by a majority equal to that which was obtained by Mr. Fox on his firlt election. This victory was, however, faid to be obtained at the expcnce of fifty thoufand pounds ; a tax fo enormous and fevere upon the freedom of election, as to obliterate even the name, unlefs the virtue and good fenfe of the nation mall teach WESTMINSTER. 389 teacK them to defpife the grofs arts that are prac- tifed upon the mod difgraceful of the human paffions, to intoxicate them into a fur render ot their birth-right for a mefs of pottage, or to make their own imbecility the inftrument of their degradation. We trull, however, the period is not very di- ftant, when a perfect fyflem of reprefentation mail be eftablifiied, when the whole nation (hall be exhibited at the fame hour employed in exerciiing the important right of electing their reprefematives, \\ithout the pombility of incur- ring expence j when each individual ihall de- pofit his fuffrage in the parifh where he refides, inftead of travelling, at the expence of a candidate, from London to Berwick, or from Yorkmire to Cornwall, as is at prefent the practice ; and when fuch regulations mail prevent the worft abufes ot" the beft inflitutions that can impart happincfs to a people. A difgraceful compromife has been the con- fequence of thefe unlimited expences, in which the dignity of the city, its independence, and right to a perfect reprefentation, are facrificed ; for whatever public meafure has the fanclion of one member, in the prefent divifion of party, muft be oppofed by the other; and the mofl populous 390 WESTMINSTER. populous city in the empire is of courfe de- prived of its voice in all the national con- cerns. Mr. Home Tooke made a formidable op- pofition to this unconstitutional coalition ; and we lament, with every friend to liberty, it was not a fuccefsful one. The decided and deter- mined deteftation of coalitions to deftroy the freedom of election, which was fhewn by the free- men of Liverpool, upon the late union of Lord Penrhyn and Mr. Bamber Gafcoigne, if once generally adopted, would effectually check this confpiracy of parties, and reftore the electors to the legal and constitutional exercife of their franchife. PETITIONS. A petition was prefented to the Tioufe of commons in the year 1774, by Lord Ma- hon, now Earl Stanhope, and Lord Mountmorres, again!*' the return of Earl Percy, now Duke of Northumberland, add the Earl of Lincoln ; in which it was ftated, That divers peers and lords of parliament publicly convafled, and otherwife unduly interfered in the election, contrary to feveral exprefs refolutions of the houfe ; and that they allowed to the electors, and feveral per- fons who had or claimed a right to vote, money, meat, drink, entertainment, or provifipn ; and that by WESTMINSTER. 193 by thofe and other undue means a majority was procured. A letter was proved to have been fent from the Earl of Exeter's Jleward in the country, to his lordfhip's porter in town, directing him to afk certain votes for the fitting members. It was alfo proved, that the Duke of Northum- berland bad called on feveral of the lower clafs of voters. The committee determined that the fitting members were duly elected. Another petition was prefented to the houf by Sir Cecil Wray, and certain electors in his intereft, againft the return of Mr. Fox in 1784 : but the merits of it were not finally entered into. A third petition was prefented by Lord Hood, againft the return of Lord John Townfhend in 1788, when, after an inveftigation of the right of elettion within the faid city, the petitioner gave Up his claim, and left his opponent in polTeilion of his feat. In determining the above queftion, the com- mittee refolved, that the inhabitants of the liberty of St. Martin's-le-Grand, which is in the centre of the city of London, had a right to vofe, and that the inhabitants of the liberty of the Savoy, 2. alias 39 2 WESTMINSTER. alias St. John the Baptift, which is in the centre of the city of Weflminfter, bad not a right to vote, in the election of members to ferve in parlia- ment fo the faid city. By this refolution, near three hundred electors were disfranchifed. An appeal againft this deci- Con was, however, made by certain electors within the year, as the act of the 28th of Geo. III. chap. 52, directs, which is ftill undetermined. CORRUPTION AND TREASURY INTERFERENCE. A complaint having been made to the houfc of commons by Mr. Thompfon, member for Evefham, and feconded by Mr. Lambton, mem- ber for Durham, againft George Rofe, efq. a member of that houfe, and fecretary to the trea- fury, for improper interference in the election of 1788, when there was a conteft between Lord John Townihcnd and Lord Hood, and a motion being made, that a committee be appointed to take the fame into confidcration, it patted in the negative, by a majority of nearly three to one ; the numbers for the queftion being 84, againft it A meeting of the electors of Weftminfter was convened, in confcquence of the above decifion, when the following refolutions were adopted : March WESTMINSTER. 393 March 20, 1792. WESTMINSTER MEETING, At a numerous and refpectable Meeting of the Independent Eledors of the City and Liberty of WESTMINSTER, held at the Cmc; and Anchor Tavern, this day, HARRY HOUSE, Efq. in the Chair, The following refolutions were unanimoufly agreed to : I. That it appears to this meeting that a mo- rion was made on Tuefday the ijth of March, 1792, in the houfe of commons, for" An enquiry < f into all abufes committed by perfons in office 1 79 I > before tiic Lord Chief Juftice of the ci .L of King's Bench, by a fpccial jury, -who, by giving a verdict for the whole demand of the plaintiff, did thereby declare "themfclves fatif- fied that Smith had performed election fervices againft Lord John lownihend, at the requeft of the fecretary of the treafury. That the faid action was defended by the folicitoio 10 the trea- fury. XL That-, in the cTirfe of the trial of this action, tat following m^reriul evidence was given upon oath by the folicitor for Lord Hood, viz. " That Mr. Rofe had, while the petition againft f th :ir youth having been ferit abroad to fight the oatdcs of the Romans, were obliged to call in the Saxons' to affift them againft the Scots and Picls ; but -v.hcn the Saxons had vanquiihed i1:ciri- -hty fettled' here themfelves, and divided the &uth part of the ifland into fcven NORTHVMBERLAND. 417 kingdoms, of which Northumberland was one of the chief. It was firft brought under the Saxon yoke- by Offa, the brother of Hengift, and his fon Jebufa. This county lying on the borders of Scotland, \vhofe inhabitants often made inroads into ic, partly for conqueft, and partly for pillage, it was at length found neccffary to conftitute particular governors to guard and defend the borders ; and t^efc were called Lords of the Eaft, Weft and Middle Marches, . At the lame time, every man who poifefTed great wealth, found himfelf obit- gcd to provide a caftle for his own fafety and de- fence. Northumberland is fituated in. the province of York, and diocefs of Durham, has four hundred and fixty parifhes, and is divided into fix wards, in which are twelve market towns, Alnwick, Beleford, Berwick, Ellefdon, Haltwefel, Hex- ham, Laermouth, Morpeth, Newcaftle, Roth- bury, Warkworth, and Woller. It fends eight members to parliament, that is, two knights of the fhire for the county, and two reprefenta- tives for each of the three following towns, New- caftle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, and Berwick-upon- Tweed. ( 4*8 ) NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The freedom of this town, tp which the right of election is annex- ed, is not partial, like Retford and other places, in its defcenf to the eldeft: fon, or, like Dur- ham, to the youngeft fons of freemen, but ex- tends to all the fons born after the father be- came free. The number is too extenfive to fubrnit to con- troul. The contefts for the reprefentation of this town have been numerous; but none of them have been attended with any circumftances pf novelty which would arreft the attention of the public. Its prefent reprefentation, like Weft- jninfter, Briftol, &c. is fettled by a coalition of parties. The anceftors of Mr. Brandling, one of the prefent members, have reprefented the place fo long nce as the reign of Edw. VI. and in fe- veral parliaments from that period to the prefent time. This town, which, from its fituation, is called NewcaftleMJpon-Tyne, tp diftinguifh it from. Newcaflle-under-Line, in Stafford (hi re, had its. name from a caftle built here by Robert, the eldeft fon of William the Conqueror, to defend ; and a revenue amounting to 36!. a year. Without the walls of the town was" likewife a priory, or hofpital, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, of a matter and brethren, founded by King Henry I. This hofpital is ilill in being, and confifts of a mafter, and three poor brethren, each of whom has 3!. 6s. a year. This town was made a county of itfelf, by Henry VIII. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, recorder, aldermen, and a meriff. RIGHT OF ELECTION. There is no refolution of the houfe of commons refpecting the right of election, but it is admitted to be in the corpo- ration and free burgelfes, refident and non^ jeiident, NUMBER OF VOTERS- 2500. RETURNING OFFICER the flieriff. MQRPETH. ( 4*1 .) MORPETH. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is under the. immediate and abfolute controul of the Earl of Carlifle. Several attempts have been made by the electors to furmount this influ- ence, but they have never been attended with fuccefs. At the general election in 1774, Francis Eyre, cfq. and Thomas Charles Bigge, efq. were candidates in oppofition to the Hon. William' 1 Byron, who was coufm, and Peter Delme, cfq, 1 who was brother-in-law, to the Earl of Carlifle, On the day of election, and after the clofe of the poll, thefe gentlemen, having the majority of votes, agreeable to the poll taken by the bailiffs, the populace, by threats and violence, compelled the returning officers to fign a return of Mr, Eyre, inftead of the Hon. William Byron, under a pretence that they had rejected many legal votes for Mr. Eyre, which would have given him a majority upon the poll. On the 6th of December following, Mr. Byron, and certain electors in his inter-eft, prefcnted two .petitions to the houfc of commons, complaining of the undue return^ of Mr. Eyre. A committee was chofcn 421 MORPETH. chofen to try the fame on the 24th of' January following, and, on the 27th of the fame month, reported to the houfe, " That the honourable William Byron, the ce petitioner, ought to have been returned a bur- gefs to ferve in this prefent parliament for the borough of Morpeth." At the fame time an order was made, That Francis Eyre, and the freemen and ff electors of the borough of Morpeth, in the county of Northumberland, be at liberty to " petition this houfe, to queftion the election of *' the Honourable William Byron, within fourteen " days next, if they think fit." And, on Wednefday the 8th of February, a petition of Mr. Eyre was prefented to the houfe, charging Mr. Byron and Mr. Delme directly with bribery, by themfelves and agents ; and that by the partiality of the returning officers, in re- jecting the petitioner's votes, and by other corrupt and illegal practices, an apparent majority was procured for the fitting members. A fimilar petition had previoufly been pre- pared by Mr. Bigge, and another by feveral aldermen and free burgeffcs of Morpeth, contain- ing the fame allegations. Thefr MORPBTH. 423 Thefe petitions were all ordered to be taken into coniideration on the 1 2th of July. The houfe being prorogued before that day, and the petitions not being renewed at the enfu- ing meeting of parliament, no examination of* their merits took place. ANCIENT STATE. This borough, which is feated upon a fmall river, called the Wentfbeck, is an ancient borough by prefcription. It has abridge over the Wentfbeck, which runs almoft through the centre of the town. Being a poft town, and having a great thoroughfare to the north, it has feveral good inns, and an elegant town-houfe, built by a late Earl of Carlifle. It never fent to parliament till the firfl of Queen Mary, 1553. CORPORATION. It is governed by two bai- liffs and fevcn aldermen. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1694, March ytb Is only in the bailiffs and free burgeflcs of the faid borough. NUMBER OF VOTERS 200. RETURNING OFFICERS the two bailiffs. PATRON Earl of Carlifle. BERWICK BERWICK UPON TWEED. THE influence prevailing in this town, is that ef the Earl of Lifburne and Lord Delaval ; each ofthofe noblemen having a fufficient weight of intereft, at prefent, to return one member* ANECDOTE. In the year 1768, Sir John HuiTey Delaval, and Robert Paris Taylor, cfq. were candidates to reprefent this town in parliament, and had been fortunate enough to fecure the major part of the relident freemen in their intereft, fome time previous to the election. The candidates, however, who were in oppofition, canvafled, and obtained the promife of the votes of a great number of the non-refident freemen, who then lived in London, and agreed with a mafter of a ihip, that he mould hire another veflcl, befides his own, and convey thefe men down to Berwick by water. Upon covenanting to do this, the com- modore of the convoy received two hundred pounds. Mr. Taylor, by whom we were favoured with this account, was then in town, and, by acci- dent BERWICK UPON TWEED. 4!$ dent, heard of the tranfaction ; upon which he immediately went in fearch of the admiral of this election cargo, whom he found. He foon per- ceived that this fon of Neptune might, for a va- luable confideration, be induced, not only to change his fide, but alfo his courfe ; and, for twice the fum which had been given him to land his troops at Berwick, he arrived fafe, and depo- > fited them on Norwegian territories. By this manoeuvre, Lord Delaval and Mr. Taylor took pofTeffion of their feats without farther ex- pence. Berwick, which is a town and county of it- felf, had a caftle, which is now in ruins ; but has ftill a wall round it, built by order of Queen Eli- zabeth ; and is farther ftrengthened by its fitua- tion, it being almoft encompafled by the river and the fea. This town was fummoned to return members to parliament in the reign of Henry VIII. CORPORATION. By a charter granted by King James I. in the year 1602, it is governed by a mayor, recorder, one alderman, and four bailiffs, all of them chofen annually out of the burgefles of the town. RIGHT OF ELECTION. 1695, March 9th In the freemen refident and non-nefident. VOL. I. F f NUMBER 426 BERWICK UPON TWEED. NUMBER OF VOTERS 600. RETURNING OFFCERS Mayor and four bai- liffs. PATRONS Earl of Lifburne and Lord Delaval. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE; POLITICAL CHARACTER. 1 H I S county prefents us with the moft vio- lent context, for ariftocratic pre-eminence, that has happened for many years in this country. It arofe between the late Earl of Halifax and the prefent Earl of Northampton, in oppofition to the late Earl Spencer. The effects of this ftruggle were of fueh a ten- dency to the parties embarked in it, as to caufe the eftates of the Earl of Halifax to be fold foon after his death for the benefit of his creditors ; the Earl of Northampton,, to live out of his native country ; and the fortune of Earl Spencer to be fo much hurt, as not yet to be entirely recovered. The final iflue of the bufinefs however, was, that each party, at that time, brought in one member ; and the enormous expences with which this paroxyfra for NORTHANfPTON TOWN. 427 for power was accompanied, have fince permitted the independent party to exercife their rights ia the election of their reprefentatives. This county is divided into twenty hundreds, containing the city of Peterborough, and eleven market towns, viz. Brackley, Daventry, High- ham-Ferrers, Kettering, Northampton, Oundle, Rockingham, Thrapfton, Towcefter, and Wel- lingborough. It lies in the province of Can- terbury, and diocefe of Peterborough, and has three hundred and thirty parifhes. It fends nine members to parliament ; viz. two knights of the (hire for the county, two citizens for Peterborough, two burgelfes for Northampton, two for Brackley, and one for Higham- Ferrers. NORTHAMPTON TOWN. POLITICAL CHARACTER. The right of elec- tion in this town being in the inhabitant houfe- holders, fuch of them as receive an annual dona- tion, diiiributed at Chriftmas, are, by a fpecial refolution of the houfe, difqualified from voting. This refolution is not only repugnant to the fpirit of what may be called the prefent com- mon law of the committees, but exprefsly con- trary to the decifion on the Bedford petition F f 2 42.8 NORTHAMPTON TOWN. in 1775 and 1792 ; when it was determined, that perfons receiving charity were not thereby dif- abled from voting, but that receiving alms was a difqualification. By this we are to underftand, that the word alms and charity are not fynony- mous. CONTRARY DETERMINATIONS. In the cafe of Aylefbury, 28/ January 1698-9, it was refolved, that all perfons receiving alms within the borough of Aylelbury, purfuant to the will of Mr. Beresford, or any other perfons receiving any other charity annually diftributedvtith- in the faid town, are, in refpecl thereof, difabled to vote in the election of burgelTes to ferve in paliament. Dec. 4, 1708. In the cafe of the borough of Reading, it was refolved, That fuch perfons as have, within two years lad, received Kendrick's charity ', or any other annual charity, have no right to vote in the election of burgefTes to ferve in parliament. In the Coventry cafe, February 24, 1701-2, it was refolved, that the freemen of Coventry, re- ceiving alms or charity t have no right to vote in the election of citizens to ferve in parliament. i In NORTHAMPTON TOWN. 429 In 1609, *he nou f e f commons refolved, That alms meant only parifh relief j and in the cafe of Sandwich, the $iji of Ottober the fame year, it was efpecially agreed to by the committee, that the freemen of the port of Sandwich inha- biting within the faid Port, although they re- ceive alms, have a right to vote. To reconcile thefe contradictory refolutions, no other remedy can be adopted but that of a plain and fimple parliamentary reform ! every queftion of elec- tion right being, under the prefent form of reprefentation, equally inexplicable, the removal of which will employ the committees of the houfe of commons to the end of time, wkhout any other confequence than that of involving it in greater complication and intricacy. The ne- cefllty of recurring to the plain and fimple con- ftitution of our Saxon anceftors becomes every day more evident, when every matter of a family, or, in the modern acceptation of the form, every inhabitant houfekeeper, throughout Great Britain, mail be admitted to the free exercife of his franchife. The queftions then refpeft- ing reiidence and non-refidence, freemen ob- taining their exclufive rights by private favour or purchafe, and the endlefs train of abufes and impofitions to which the houfe of commons and the 4JO PETERBOROUGH CITY. the public are at prefent liable, would be re- moved. The corporation of this town is in the in- tereft of the Earl of Northampton, who is their recorder, and has the influence of nominating one of zheir members. This town fent ab origine. CORPORATION. It was incorporated by char- ter of King James I. nnno 16 , and confifts of a mayor, 2 bailiffs, a recorder, and 48 commoil- councilmen, out of whom the mayor is chofen, who is ever after reputed an alderman. RIGHT OF ELECTION 1 665, April 26 In the inhabitant houfeholders, not receiving alms. NUMBER OF VOTERS 900, RETURNING OFFICER the Mayor. PATRON Earl of Northampton, partially. PETERBOROUGH CITY. THIS city has a peculiar jurifdiclion, inde- pendent of the county of Northampton, which extends over thirty-two towns and hamlets, in which the civil magistrates are appointed by royal commiflion, and are veiled with the fame power as the judges of aflize. The PETERBOROUGH CITY. 4JI The liberty of the Tower Hamlets in the county of Middlefex, is fimilar in every thing, but the power of its magiftrates, which does not exceed that of an ordinary juftice of the peace for a county in the latter ; while in the former it extends to the trial of capital offences, at their quarterly feflions, which are held in this city. The right of voting for members of parlia- ment does not, however, extend to the inha- bitants of thefe thirty-f-wo towns and hamlets : care has been taken by the houfe of commons, in their refolutions of the i3th of May, 1728, to confine that privilege to the inhabitants within the precincts of the Mi-nfter, and the other in- habitants of the city alone, being houfeholders, not receiving alms, and paying fcot and lot. The liberty of the Tower Hamlets, indeed, is altogether without reprefentation, though it em- braces the populous and opulent manufacturing diftrict of Spital-fields ; and extends from the borders of the city of London in Whitechapel, to Stafford in the county of EfTex ; yet, like this liberty, it has all the other local distinctions of a feparate county, and each has a lord-lieutenant and a militia different from thole of the counties of 432 PETERBOROUGH CItY. of Middlefex and Northampton, in which they are fi mated. Earl Fitzwilliam, the prefent lord-lieutenant of Peterborough Liberty, poflefles the parlia- mentary patronage of this city, \vhich he com- mands with as much eafe as that of his burgage- tcnures at Malton and his corporation at Hig- ham-Ferrers ; and the dean and chapter of the cathedral appoint the returning officer. There being neither mayor, recorder, nor cor- poration in this city, the fteward or bailiff of the chapter, officiates as fheriff at elections, and makes the return of its members. This city firft fent members to parliament anno 1 547, i Edward VI. RIGHT g* ELECTION 1701, 16 June. Agreed, that the right was hi the inhabitants paying fcot and lot. 1728, 9 April. The execution of the precept for electing citizens to ferve in parliament, and the making the return thereof, are in the bailiff of the faid city, appointed by the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of Peterbo- rough. 1728, 13 May. The right of electing citizens to ferve in parliament fer the city of Peterbo- rough, is in the inhabitants within the precincts of BRACKLEY. 433 of the minder, being houfeholders not receiving alms, and other the inhabitants of the faid city, paying fcot and lot. NUMBER OF VOTERS 500. RETURNING OFFICER the bailiff of the faid city, appointed by the dean and chapter. PATRON Earl Fitz\villiam. BRACKLEY. POLITICAL CHARACTER. This borough is under the fole influence and patronage of the Duke of Bridgewater. The number of voters being only thirty-three, and thofe being the pro- perty of his Grace, renders it totally fubfervient to ariftocratic grfatnefs. Brackley never fent to parliament till Ed- ward VI's reign. CORPORATION. It is governed by a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 26 burgeffes. RIGHT OF VOTING 1714, 20 April. Is in the perfons inhabiting ancient houfes, or in houfes built on ancient foundations, paying fcot and lot. NUMBER OF VOTERS 33. RETURNING OFFICER the Mayor. PATRON Duke of Bridgewater. G g HICHAM ( 434 > HIGHAM-FERRERS. POLITICAL STATE. This borough, \vhich fends but one member to parliament, is under the fole influence, and at the entire difpofal of Earl Firz- william j on which account a conteft for the re- prefentation never happens. This borough was incorporated anno 2 and 3 Philip and Mary, and then imprivileged to re- turn one burgefs to parliament. CORPORATION Confifts 9f a mayor, 7 alder- men, and 13 capital burgeffes. RIGHT OF ELECTION. 1702, 28 January. Is in the mayor, aldermen, burgeffes, and freemen, being houfeholders, and not receiving alms. NUMBER OF VOTERS 21. RETURNING OFFICER the mayor. PATRON Earl Fitzwilliam. END OF VOL. I. ERR AT A. Page 33, Vol. I. For Patron of the Borough of Aylefbury, read Marquis of Buckingham, who now influences the return of one member, and at the next general election will pro- bably command both. Page 34. For joint patrons of the Borough of Great Marlow, read Thomas Williams, Efq. and W. Lee Antonie, Efq. the former having purchafed the property of Mr. Clayton, which, at the time of writing this book, com- manded half of the patronage of that borough. Page 45. For Patron of the Town of Cambridge, read John Mortlake, Efq. injltadofih.?. Duke of Rutland. Page 1 08. Far Proprietor of the Borough of Callington, read Lord Clinton, Mr. Trefufis having fucceeded to that title. Page 114. After the account of Newport, add, Number of Voters, 60. Returning Officers Two Vianders, or Pro- viders of Meat, appointed by the Lord of the Manor. Pro- prietor, the Duke of Northumberland. Page 1 19. Omit all the five lines at the top of the page. Page 1 88. For Number of Voters at Lyme-Regis, read 40; thirty-one of which number are non-refidents. Page 195. 4ft er the account of Bridport, for Patrons, read Patron. Page 281. After the account of Lymington, add Patron of the Borough, Sir Harry Burrard, Bart. Page 284. At the conclujion rf the account of Yarmouth Hants, add Patrons of the Borough, Jervoife Clarke Jervoife, Efq. and the Reverend Leonard Troughear Holmes. Page 286 After Newtown, Hants, add Proprietors of the Borough, Sir Richard Worflcy, Sir John Barrington, and the Rev. Mr. Holmes. Page 305. After Alderman Harley, add, who influenced the election of members until the lail general election in 1790- Page 327. For Patron of Rochefter, read, Admiralty, one member. 3 -, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book i.s DUE on the last date sMinprd below. 24139 A 000006492 3 .