The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-13 00:00:00

Yesterday ninety of the electors were called, and put
upon their defence, to answer or to admit the crieninatory
charges brought against them by blesses. Edwards, I lagg,
Vass, Harris, and others. On Tuesday about one hundred
were similarly examined; and on the preceding Friday
sixty were heard. The general result, therefore, is that
out of the 483 persons who are on the register for the bo-
rough of St. Albans, mote than one-half have been ar-
raigned, and that ninety-nine out of a hundred have pleaded
guilty to direct, tangible, bribery and corruption. On tke
first occasional the commissioners resorting teethe unexpected
and most effective expedient of summoning the iudivioual
electors, and compelling each man to speak, on his oath, for
himself, there was very considerable difficulty in getting nt
the truth. The summons came upon the majority like a
thunderbolt; and though there were many who, saturated
with the St. Alban, morale, carelessly regarded their offence
as locally inoffensive, the re were others, "influential*" and
tradesmen, who were dismayed at an official exposure
which risked their social position in the town and neigh-
bourhood among their own class, and who, not having hail
the repose for philosophical reflection accidentally secured
to Mr. Edwards, could not, all at once, resolve to make a
" clean breast of it." The summoned on the first day, did
not very weil know how much or how little information the
commissioners would insist on : and while one class, the
poorer electors, seeking to shield their friends and patrons
supposing tint uric Moods and passe would approve el
swankspultessgeadtts assist ausgenionensPr,
"respectable" class, arching to shield themselves, weakly
way( d to fence with the court. and comprami•cd ,hy their cos-
tive reluctance to admit facts already stateel against them,
on credited testimony, both themselves and their neigh-
bours. Some even refused to answer the summons, and
were only to be found after an intimation had gone forth
that criminal proceedings might be taken against all incul-
pated voters who did not appear and confess, and so entitle
themselves to the protective certificate of the commissioners.
On Friday., very few of those placed in the witness-box
would deliver up their story seeder ten minutes per man.
There were five miuutee occupied in wresting the truth
!rem them, and another five minutes were engrossed in
untwisting the hazy explanations which they tendered in the
way of superfluous and repudiated excuse. At first, on
Friday nearly all haul received the money fur " vote and
service " not dimple for the vote ; and those who could not
plead any description of" service" ignored any recollection
that anything was said about the vote at the time when
they got the money. The first hour's experiment on the
credulity of the commissioners was, however, too disastrous
to Sr. Albans, that the character of the evidence soon im-
proved. It was soon seen that the commissioners had placed
full faith in the revelations of Messrs. Edwards and Blares,
and that no certificates would be granted in eases where
either of these gentlemen remained ft itly a ,ntradieted, or
where, without reference to any previous evidence,
there was a visible effort to withhold or colour any neces-
sary information. When witnesses find that they have no-
thing to gain by a falsehood, and that they have nothing to
lose by the truth, perjuries are scarce, nail as, in this in-
stance, the characters of the parties challenerl having been
dertroyeel already, a confirmatory explicitness in giving the
precise facts was resorted to et the solitary redeuaptiou left
open to them. On Tuesday there was an improvement; on
Friday and yesterday there was a positive eagerness in
submitting the damnatory and unreserved truth. In
attaining this desirable result much was due to
the tact of the food -humoured, though relent-
less commissioner', but it should also be stated
that there were a second set of judges to whose
opinions the uneasy occupants of the witness box paid im-
mense indirect deference. The court was each day crowded,
the majority of the audience being non-electors, greatly,
therefore, enjoying the fun ; and the murmurs, or theetv,
or hisses, or laughter (which the commiasiobers in vain at-
tempted to prevent) of these persons cons.ituted an imme-
diate verdict which, in due course, greatly influenced the
demeanour of the successive individuals celled upon. The
whole proceedings of the commissioners have been,
to the people of the locality, a succession of
most vitally interesting "scenes ; " and it would have
been impossible for the commissioners—gentlemen without
°thorn, doorkeepers, or guards, and even centending with
the St. Alban's mayor for a proper supply of stationery—to
have insisted rigidly on the imposing rules of ordinary
court..
There were very few cases of interest among those gone
into yesterday:. the fleet man called did not respond ; but
his wife was in court, to explain that be was absent un im-
portant business. tier husband was eme of those charged
by Edwards with having received 51. She had now to Say
that this was not true—she had received the money and her
husbauel had had nothing to do with it. She had
not told her husband anything about the matter;
and this circumstance accounted for the fact that he had
not voted for Bell, in whose behalf Edwards had paid the
:le, but for Mr. Carden. The money, liewever, was never
returned to Edwards. Another case, indicating the extent
of female influence, was that of a man returned in
Edwards's list, but who now assured the commissioners
that lie could not admit the bribe, since the money was paid
over to his mother, and he had remained ignorant about the
matter until after the close of the election. A third case.
of a similar nature, occupied some time. An old labouring
man—had he received any money at the last election ? Ni.
fled his wife for him ?—lie didn't know. the wife never told
him about such matters. Had he received any money at
the election of lgli ? No ; but his wife might have done
so. hid his wife give him any of what she got on that
occasion ?—He did not recollect ; but " my wife and me
used to go partners then."—Whit diet he mean by that ?
Why, we used to share alike then." Still, however, he
would not admit that he recollected ever having touched a
farthing ; and he adhered inflexibly to the general asser-
tion that, though candidates always gave his wife
money, his wife never talked about such natters
to him, and that therefore he never considered
himself as bribed. The wife was eventually sent for and
son appeared. She corroborated her husbaud's asser-
tions in the main point. She said that she always managed
his election affairs, always took the money, and never told
him of what she did until the election was over. But on a
severe cross-examination it came out that she invariably

.
undertook to promise for her husband; and it did appear
as a coincidence that what the wife promised, on the con-
dition of getting 51., the husband insatiably performed,
notwithstanding his unconsciousness of the condition. Ano-
ther man denied just us emphatically the alleged bribe.
The. money had been refused by him; but it was neverthe-
less left at his father's house, taken possession of by
his sisters, spent in dresses, and, in the end, he did vote in
favour of the candidate of whom the It. devoted to the
family reminded him. All this he admitted ; hut he would
not admit that he had received money for his vote. The
commissioners could not permute him ; and when he kft
the bit, sore with a reprimand from them, he exclaimed,
" I am tired on my vote, and don't want nought more kilo
wi it." To which Mr. Slade replied, " I have no doubt
your desires will be eventually gratified." The most unpo-
pular witness of the day was an individual who was " of no
prufessiou, living on his means—in fact, a gentleman." lie
had voted in 1847 for Mr. R. Thael. Ile haul not been
bribed—certainly not ; but he had worked for Mr.
Raphael as a canvasser, on the understanding
that Mr. Raphael was in the toil to give him
a " handsome present." When the election was over he
applied to Mr. Raphael. Mr. Raphael told h'in that the
" present" was in the hands of Mv. Edwards and Mr.
Blagg. But neither Mr. Edwards nor Mr. Blang acknow-
ledged to the trusteeship. lie then revolved to " get his
money anyhow," and he actually gave notice that be would
summon Mr. Raphael in the County Court for 20/.—a threat
which had its effect, and induced Mr. Raphael. legally ad-
vised by Mr. Mega, to compromise the matter fur 151.
This " gentleman" was asked why did he sue for the pre-
cise sum " Why ; because that was the highest sum
the County Court could deal with." Then he went for the
most he could get Exactly." One man was put up
who had voted for Mr. Wilke in 1847. Did he not receive
money for his vote 1—" No ; not from Mr. Wilks. lie did
from 31r. Renton.— Why slid he then not vote for Mr.
Renton ?—" Why, it was quite a mistake ; he took the
wrong name."
Another man had also taken money far Mr. Repton after
having signed a requisition calling upon Mr. Wilds. Well,
whom did he vote fin I—For neither; Mr. Blagg took
me away.
Mr. Blagg explained. The St. Albans' electors would
seldom forfeit their words; but occasionally they could lie
induced to take distant journies, and iu this particular case
that ruse had been considered advisable. In fact, said Mr.
Stagg, it was a narrow contest between Mr. Repton and
Mr. Wilks, and if Mr. Wilke had been well gcnenlled he
would have beaten Mr. Renton.
Several new lists of inculpated voters were handed in
in the COSMO of the day. Mr. Perry (whoso examination
has been trivets) submitted a list of those directly bribed by
him at Mr. Vasx's instigation in 1817; and 3lr. Edwards
made the narrative of 1847 complete by stating all the
names of persons " secured" by him for Mr. Raphael.
The court adjourned at four o'clock

DISTRICT COMMANDS AND STAFF APPOINTMENTS.
—ln addition to the vacancies already specified in the
Express as likely to be caused by the brevet, the following
commands and staff appointment are vacated.—DiArict
Command:—Western, held by Major. General (now Lieut.-
General) Hon. H. Murray. Staff Appointments :—Assietant
Quarter-Master-General, Mmeherttr, haft by Colonel (now
Major-General) Yorke. Board of General Officers :—Act-
ing committee recant, Major. General (now Lieut.-General)
D'Oyly and Major-Genera (now Lieut.-General) Duffy.
Taz DUKE or NEWCASTLE Was yesterday, by a
large 'sails ity, elected chairman of the board of guarthans
to the Worksop mica.

ENGLAND.
BEnroansit tRE.—Sir John Montagueßursroyne,of Sutton,
Bart. ; Sir George Rohr_ Osborn, of Chicksand Priory,
Bart. ; Fres. Pym, of the Hazellm, Esq.
HEMMED/E.—Sir Samuel Bowles, of Milton Hill; Head
Pottinger Best, of Donninston Castle, Esq. ; Jas. Joseph
Wheble, of Bulmershe Court, Esq.
Beczurnitsmsninz.--Charles Robert Scott Murray, of
Danestield, Esq. ; Thos. Alexander Boswell, of Crawley
Grange, Esq.; Thos. Fitzgerald, of Slialstone, Esq.
CAMBRIDGE AND HUNTING DONSIIIRES.—WiIIiam Parker
Hammond, of Painpisford, Esq. ; Sir William Booth, of
Clamlingay, Bart. ; Ed. Hicks, of Great Wilbraham, Esq.
CCM SERLAND.—George Henry Oliphant, of Bevadfield
House, Esq. ; Thos. Baring Atkinson, of Rampsbeck
Lodge, Esq. ' • George Saul, of Bruustait, Esq.
Cuzinttus.—Geo. Holland Aelr. ary of Moreton, Zit.
-Joint Eforteetou Leckie, of Carden, '; loihua Brook-
chew, of liarriton, near Bredlntry, Esq.
Dzazranittr. —Samuel Evans, of Harley Abbey, Esq.;
Sir Henry Saiheverel! Wilmot, of Chodd,.silen, Bart. • the
Right Hon. Henry Manners, Lord Waterpark, of Dove-
ridge.
DEVONSHIRE.— James Cornish, of Black-hall, Esq.;
Edmund Bastard Henn Glennys, of Whitleigh- hall, Esq. ;
Arthur Davie Bassett, of Wutermouth, Eq.
DOSALIEHIPE.—Henry John Reuben, Earl of Porter-
Houton, of Milton Abbas; Augustus Foster, of Warmwell,
Esq.; Sir John IrOylv, of Piinperne, Bart.
Dcansm.—Erederick Acklom Milbank, of Hart, Esq.;
John Bowes, of Streatham Castle, Esq. • Wentworth
Blacken Beamont, of New House and Bywell-hull, Esq.
Essex.—Sir Charles Cardiff,. Smith, of Mark's-hall,
Esq.; John Gordon Rebow, of Wirenhoc-park, Esq.;
Thomas White, of Weatherslteld, Esq.
GLOCCESTERSIInus.—Winchomb Henry Howard Hart-
ley, of Sodbury, Esq. ' • the lion. James Henry Legge,
Dutton, of Bibury-park ; Thos. Anthony Stoughton, of
Owlpen Lodge, Esq.
EURFORDSH IRE.—William Money Kyrie, of Horn-
house, Esq.; William Trevellyan Keville Davies, of Croft
Ciente, Em.; Richard Ilerefonl, of Sutton-court, Esq.
EISTPORDAIIIRE.—Sir Edward George Earle Lytton
Balwer Lytton, of Kneliworth•park, Bart. ; Wynn Ellis, of
Ponshourne-park, Esq ; Re Thomas Gage Saunders Se-
bright, of Beechwood-park, Bart.
Ku:cr.—Sir John William Lubbock, of High Elms
Down, Bart.; Francis Colville, of Synitile.house,Ospringe,
Erg.; Alexander Glendinning, of Ashgrurv, Esq.
Lrice.sreatsittne.—Edward Ilenshaw Cheney, of Gad-
dishy, Esq.; Sir Geo. Willoughby Beaumont, of Cole Orton,
Bart. ; Como Geo. Chas. Nevill, of Hot, Esq.
LINCOLNAHIRE.—Geo. Towline, of Why, Esq.; Joseph
Livese of Stourton, Esq. ; Anthony Willson, of South
Itaneehy, Esq.
Mom storricautag.—Charles Rodney Morgan, of Tredo•
gar-park, Esq.; William Hnnter Little, of Llanvair-grange,
Es ; Ii ary BM ay, of Nanty-Glo, E•q.
Ni (savour —Sir Charles Chad, of Thursford B mt. •

Frederick Wm. Irby, of Boyland-hall, Esq.; Daniel Our:
ney, of North Ituncton, Esq.
NORTH ?OF PTONSIIIRE.—Langham Christie, of Preston-
Deanery, Esq. ; the Right Hon. Anthony Henley, Lord
Henley, of Watford; George Hall, of Barton Seagrove, Esq.
NORTHUMPEOLAND.—Thos. Wood Custer, of Crasser
Tower, Esq. ; Walter Selby, of Biddleston, Esq.; Stamp
Brooksbank, of the Hermitage, Esq.
NOTTING II ANOMItte.-- theory Frederick Walker. of Blyth
Hall, Esq.; Thomas Sprattging Godfrey, of Balderton,
Esq.; Samuel Bagnall Wild, of Costock, F,aq.
OT FOILDNII I on.—John Henry Ashshurst, of Waterstock,
Esq. ; Henry Norris, of Swaleliffe Park, Esq.; Henry Phi-
lip Powys, of Hardwick, Esq.
lIVTLANo.—John Walker, of Wardlcy, Esq.; the Hon.
William Charles Evans Freke, of Bisbrook ; William Henry
Heatheote, of North Lutfenham, Esq.
Sititorstitaz.—ltobert Burton, of Lonaner Hall, Esq.;
John Michael Severne, of Wallop Hall, Esq.; Abraham
Darby, of Cualbrook Dale, Esq.
SONERSETSHIRE.—Montague Gore, of Borrow Court,
Esq.; Francis Henry Dickenson, of Kingweston, Esq.; Sir
Hugh Richard Hoare, of Brewhams, Rut
STAFFORDSHIILE.—Edward Buller, of Dilhorne
Esq.; Philip Barnes Broade, of Fenton M inor House, Esq.;
John Ayshford Wise, of Clayton Hall, Eiq.
COUNTY OF SOVT 11A M UToN.—FnMei, Jervoise Ellis Jer-
voise, of Herriard House. E.g.; George Montague Warren
Peaeocke, of Pilewell, near Lymington,.Esq.; John Shelley,
of Avington House, near Winchester, Esq.
Sc reot.K.—The Right lion. John, Lord Henniker, of
Thornham Hall; James Hamilton Lloyd Anatruther, of
Hintleshans Hall. Esq. ; Richard Norton Cartwright, of
Ixworth Abbey, Esq.
St mtge.—Oconee Robert Smith, of &laden, Croydon,
Esq.; Robert Wigram Crawford, of Mickleluun
Dorking, Esq. ;• Thomas Grissell, of Norbury Park, Esq.
Salo naps, of Brighton, Esq.; Francis
Barchard, of Ashcombe House, Esq.; J.Jan Day, of
Newick, Esq.
WA ILWICKSIIIHIL—Sir John Newiligate Ludford Chet-
'rode, of Ansley Hall, Bart. ; Sir William E Imund Cra-
dock Hartong, of Four Oaks Hall, Sutton Culdfield, Bort. ;
William Charles Alston, of Elmdon, Esq.
WEATMOKILtNI3.—Richard Burn, of Orton Hall, Esq.;
John Wakefield, of Sedgwick House, Kendal, E,q.; Walter
Char es Strickland, of Si:trait Hall, Kendal, Esq.
WILTIOILRE. —Joseph Everett, of Ileytesburv, Esq.;
John Grove, of Fero House, Esq.; John Bird fuller, of
Neston Park, Esq.
WOILCF..TERNITIKE.—Sir Edmund Hungerford
Lectt-
mere, of The Rhyd, Bart. ; Charles Noel. of Bell Hall,
Ext. ; Edward Bearcroß, of Mere Hall, Esq.
lonesome. —Sir John Ili ory Lowther, of Swil!inttnn,
Wakefield, Bart. ; Andrew Montague, of Melton Park,
Doncaster, Esq. ; Henry Willoughby, oellirdsall, Esq.
WALES.

ANOLESEY.—Evan Lliiii,;iMaes-y-Porth, Esq. ; Rice
Roberts, of Tal-y-Llyn, Lag. ; Richard William Prich-
ard, of Erianell, Esq.
BILF.CoNSIIIRE.—PauI Mildinay Pell, of Tymaw, Esq.
James Davies, of Broullys Castle, Esq. ; Henry 1 humas, of
Lls ynmadock, Esq.
CARNAHTONSIIIII,IS.—Sir Charles Edit Smith, of Pen-
ilyffryn, Knight, CIL ; Martin Williams, of Pemunser,
Esq.; Henry McKellar, of Siegunfaur, Esq.
AILMAILTIIENOSIIRE.—CharIes Itamlyn Williams. of
Derllys Court, Esq. : John Henry Philipps, of Dyffryn
Broirri, Esq.; The Hon. William Henry Yeherton, of
Whiaand Abbey.
CARDIGANSHIIO.—John Buttenhy Ilarford, of Peter-
well, Esq. • John Inglis Jones, of Derry Ormond, Esq.;
Lewis l'ugb, of Abetystwith, Esq.
DENRIONSIIIRE.—Franeis James Mahe!, of Acton
House, Wrexham, Esq. ; Peirce Wynne Yorke, of Drvff)n
Aled, Esq.; Richard Jones, of Bellan Plw2e, Iluation, F,sq.
FLlNTaillity,.—henry Potts, of Glan-r-afou, Esq. ;
Whitehall Dud, of Lanereh, Esq.; Arthur Trevor, Viscount
Dungannon, of Brynkinslt.
OLAMOISOANSHIRE.—Griffith Llewellyn, of Boylan Hall,
Esq.; Richard Hill Mires, of Guispeollweli, Esq. ; Thomas
Penrice, of Kilvrough, Ii
MONTOOKERYONIKE.—John Naylor, of Leighton-hall,
Esq.: Edward Salisbury Rose Trevor, of Trowscoed, Esq. ;
Walter Long, of Dulforwyn-hall, E.q.
MERIONIETHSIIIRE.—Georgeeassoa, of Blaendilall, Esq.;
Thomas Barrie Mostyn, of Chgir, Esq.; the lion. Spencer
Bulkeley Wynn, Lord Newborough, of Cumbonedd.
PEMEROILEAIiIIIE.—Thomas Lloyd, of G1a021.012, Peq.;
Henry Leach, of Corston, Esq.; William Garrick Bridges
Prothcroe, of Dolewillim, Esq.
ItAnxinuatiaz.—Sir Harlord James Jones Bridges, of
Boultibrook, Bart. ; Jonathan Field, of Esgairdrairillayn,
Esq. ; Beaker:ilk Minors Baskerville, of ape Court, kaiq.

- -
DIVISION OF ST. PANCRAS PARISH INTO ECCLESI-
ASTICAL DlSTRlCTS.—Yesterday the vestry of this parish
was for some time occupied in considering what would be
the probable operation of the bill recently passed for the
division of the parish, with respect to the amount of church-
rates to be levied on the inhabitants. Mr. Billett said in
was the general received opinion that such districts were to
be under the power of the church trustees, preventing
the vestry from enjoying even concurrent jurisdiction with
them. The bill was Introduced by Lord Ashley, one
morning in July last, at two o'clock, and it received
the royal assent on the following day. To the ho,,our
of thei• indefatigable and zealous member, Sir B. Hall, he
had denounced it as another of the many attempts of the
Bishop of London to get more church rates into his power.
The Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's had sent to the church
trustees, and had taken steps fur the said division, against
which the vestry had formally protested. lie had more
particularly to complain of the marginal references, the
wording of which were calculated to mislead the reader as
to the reel spirit and wording of the clauses of the act. In
one clause (21) the words, 'or persons exercising the power
of vestry in ecclesiastical matters" were introduced, but no
allusion to which is made in the marginal reference.
The church trustees were the persons alluded to, and they
sought to take the power out of the hands of the vestry.
It was ultimately resolved to direct the reNtry-clerk to pre-
pare and give proper notice for au application to parliament,
to explain and amend the acts regulating the building, en-
larging, and repairing of churches and chapels in the
pariah, awl for enlarging and explaining the powers of the
vestry in church matters.