The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-02 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 2, 1853.

BARNSfArLE BRIBERY COMMISSION.

Be RNISTAPLB, WIDNIIIIIAT NIORT.
At ten o'clock this morning the inquiry was re-
sumed, whoa

Mr. Baacrat,, town clerk, was called, and gave some
formal sMdenos.

Sir W. A. ins, r examined—l wart elected for the bo-
rough Ia 1652. I had been connected with the borough for
about fear months before, through the purchase of property
in the neighbourhood. I signed the contractof purchase in
January. The residence is called Belton-konse. I did not
then occupy it, nor do I now. When in the bothugh I
lodged at the Golden Lion. Until a few days ago the house
was occupied by Mrs. Whyte, the widow of the late owner-
I employed no one in Barnstaple in the negotiations. It
was mentioned that the property being in the borough of
Barnstaple would give me an opportunity of en-
tering parliament it DO Inclined, Ever since I
have been of age I have been on the lock-
out for a landed investment for my money, a faility of en-
tering parliament would of COWS, be an advantage. I
purchased with an intention to reside here, and intended at
ant to become a candidate for the borough, I received a
melanins to stand on the 14th or 15th February. I bad
previously seen Mr. Bremridge at his—the Parthenon—
(dub in London. He had written to invite me to meet him
there. The subject of our conversation was the representa-
tion of the borough. He told me he thought of retiring at
the next election, which would give me an opportunity of
standing. He mini-mad nothing about securing the seat
for me. I said I should be very glad to represent the bo-
rough, and asked him the probable expenses of my election.
He said they could not, in his opinion, under any circum-
stances, exceed 1,5001. I understood that would be the
cost to me. Nothing was then settled. He declined
giving any opinion as to my being returned. I made no
remark upon the sum named. I think this was in Decem-
ber, 1651. He said he could have nothing to say to me
unless I were virtually the purchaser of the property. I
did not see him again until I came down here after
the receipt of the requisition, which was forwarded to
me in ?aria. A note from Mr. Bremridge accompanied the
requisition, advising me to come to Barnstaple at once, if I
wished to stand, a• Lord Ebringtcn had lulled an address.
I accepted the requisition, which was signed by 200 or 300
persons. I think the requisition made no mention of Mr.
Bremridge's retirement, but my impression, if I had any on
the 'abject, was, that I should stand alone. I came down
to Barnstaple, and pat up at the Golden Lion, where I
found Mr. Brannidge and a great crowd of persons assem-
bled. Before any private interview with my electors, I ad-
the mob from the balcony.
The Chief Commissioner—But you did not call them
" the mob " then, you know. (Laughter.) You called
them electors.

Sir W. A. Fraser—No, I did not. I called them "gen-
tlemen." (Laughter.) But I hardly said twenty words;
merely that I was happy to come forward. I first knew
that Mr. Bremridge was going to stand with me in March,
when the arrangement was made between us at his club.
He said it was the wish of the party to have two con-
servatives, and that he was ready to come forward again.
He again expressed his opinion that the expenses of
my election woald be 1 6001., and I consented to
stand upon that understanding, but said I would
under no circumstances spend more than that.
This was the only arrangement which I made. I knew no
agent in the matter, but left everything to Mr. Bremridge.
He did not say my expenses would be 1,600/., but that they
would not exceed that sum. I paid 1,600!. I paid it to
Mr. Bremridge subsequent to the election. I should say
within a week afterwards. 1 paid the money by a cheque
on Ellyn. I had no bill of the expenses, and no amount of
I the expenditure of any money. I paid all my personal ex-
' penes myself, to the amount of 281. Besides these slams I
have paid money to no one for the election. My bro-
thers, Charles Crawford Fraser, and James Keith Fraser,
were with me at the election. I have given them no
money for eleetioa expenses. Since the election no demands
have been made on me for election expenses, but poor elec-
tors have written to say they voted for me, and asking for
money. Ido not intend to pay any more money for the
election. Mr. Bremridge told me the expenses had ex-
ceeded his estimate, but be did not say by hew much. I
am a member of the Carlton. To my knowledge, no one
connected with the Carlton had anything to do with the
election, nor any solicitor, or anybody connected with the
political party to which I belong. During the election no
individual made any application or request to me for money
or anything of the kind.
The comminviaen having complimented Sir William
upon the manner in which he had given his evidence, he
retired from the witness box.
Mr.lncledon Bancroft, secretary to Lord Ebrington's com-
mittee at the last election, produced a book containing the
minutes of the various committee meetings, and a list of
the districts into which the borough was divided for canvass-
ing purposes. Lord Ebrington opposed any expenditure
or treating, and witness believed that his lordship's wishes
in that respect were most rigidly complied with.
Mr. Win. Dribble, solicitor, acted as a member of Lord
Ebrington's committee, which he joined in February. Can-
vassed with his lordship. Offered his service, most wil-
lingly, without being applied to. Wee candidate for the
office of clerk to the magistrates, hat Mr. Clay was elected.
Lord Ebrington and Earl Fortescue took no part in that
election, and would have thought themselves insulted, in
witneer's opinion, if asked to do so. Witness was indiffer-
ent about the matter, considering his present office as good
and more respectable than the clerkship to the magistrates
Did not complain to Lord Ebrington that his party had M-
used him. Was not promised by Lord Ebringion the
clerkship to the lieutenancy, aa compensation for not being
elected to the other office. Was appointed by the deputy•
lieutenants, aid the appointment had nothing to do with
party sr polities. In fact, witness bad no idea of the office
till August. Went to London in consequence of a meeting
held at Mr. Fathom's, to bring Mr. Thomson Hankey '
down, but brought another gentleman down as far as
South Molton. Had not yet been paid the expenses of
his journe Sent in an account of them to the amount of I
y. 16!., and had last Monday been informed by Mr. Cl_a_y that
he had received the money to pay the amount. Was at
first evens to bringing forward a second candidate, and
acted afterwards in deference to the opinion of his friends.
Adjourned till Thursday.