The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-25 00:00:00

that in fact the whole proceeding did not take up more
than two minutes. Had any mention been made of a pro-
mise of the Charity, Mr. Visger and Mr. Saunders
being both Trustees, would naturally have had their atten-
tion drawn to it ; but they would declare that no such
thing could have taken place. His Learned Friend would
no doubt ask with what motive he brought these poor
beings from Bristol into that Court ? It was unnecessary to
do so, for the matter was so plain that he (Mr. C.) would
not answer the question. The question for them to try was,
whether the woman had been guilty of wilful and corrupt per-
jury; and after hearing his evidence he apprehended the Jury
would have not a shadow of a doubt resting on their minds.
He would not then detain them any longer. Should his
Learned Friend call any witnesses, it would be his duty to
address them again ; if not, his evidence would be so clear
that the Jury would have an easy, though a painful duty to
perform.
William Harper Gear, the clerk to the prosecutor's soli-
citor, produced an office copy of the return made from Bris-
tol at the late election.
Mr. James Gunn, a clerk in the Journal Office of the
House of Commons, produced a petition which was pre-
sented on the 21st November, 1837, against Mr. Berkeley's
return. It was the petition of Henry Bushe and others, elec-
tors of Bristol. It was sent before a Committee.
Mr. Gear produced an office and examined copy of the
Master's Report appointing trustees for the charities in
Bristol. It was confirmed by the Lord Chancellor. Amongst
the trustees were the names of Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Visgerr,
and Mr. Saunders.
Mr. Thomas Fenner was Committee Clerk in the Bristol
Election Committee. He was present at the time Mrs.
Virrier was examined, and he administered the oath to her.
There was a short-hand writer present ; his name was Snell.
The Committee did not adjourn on the conclusion of Mrs.
Virrier's examination. Other witnesses were examined on
the 20th.
Mr. THESIGER—It is no use pursuing this line of exa-
mination. I admit that I, exercising what I thought a
sound discretion, withdrew from the Committee. There
were eight to three against me on the Committee, and I
abandoned the petition.
The petition was then put in and read.
Mr. THESIGER submitted that there was a variance be-
tween the petition and the record.
The LEARNED JUDGE said it did not matter, as he had
power to amend.
Mr. Snell, the short-hand writer, was then put into the
box. Before he read his notes, he was cross-examined by
Mr. Thesiger. He said other witnesses than Mrs. Virrier
were examined as to the fact of the promise of the 61.
There was a long examination by the Committee, but he
had no notes to show him which Members put the ques-
tions. To the best of his recollection, the greater number
of them were put by Mr. Sergeant Ball, now the Attorney-
General for Ireland ; other Members put questions, but the
greater number were put by the Sergeant.
Mr. Snell then proceeded to read over his notes of the
evidence given by Mrs. Virrier before the Committee.
Mr. Fenner, examined by Mr. CHAMBERS—You are, I
believe, one of the Committee Clerks of the House of
Commons ?—I am.
Was the Committee sworn?—lt was.
When and where?
On the 15th of February in the House of Commons.
Mr. THESIGER—Is that all the evidence you bring for-
ward as to the appointment of the Committee ?
Mr. CHAMBERS—No ; we call Mr. William Lee.
Mr. CROWDER—I want to know what point you in-
tend to make upon that ?
Mr. THESIGER—No ; I shall not tell you what point I
intend to make ; I shall leave you to make out your own
case.

Mr. Wm. Lee was then called, and read the journals of
the 21st November, 1837, on which day the petition was
presented against Mr. Berkeley's return, and was ordered
to be taken into consideration on the sth December.
Lord DENMAN—That order was discharged, and
another day appointed, I suppose?
Mr. Lee—Yes.
Mr. CHAMFERS.—What was the day of the ballot, Mr.
Lee ?

Witness.—The 15th of February.
Did it take place ?
It did. There are two elections for that day—the Sligo
and the Bristol. The House was counted, and there being
upwards of 350 Members present, counsel were called in
in the Sligo petition ; aad they being ordered to withdraw,
the Bristol was then called on. The Clerk afterwards
brought in the reduced list, and the Members were sworn
in the House of Commons.
Mr. Chalmers, the Clerk of Election Committees in the
House of Commons, produced the reduced list. It
was his duty to attend what was called "the strike." He
did so when the Bristol Election Petition was balloted for.
The list now produced was the list so reduced. That list
be (witness) carried into the House ; it was laid upon the
table, and the Members were called up and sworn.
Mr. Berkeley sworn—Examined by Mr. CROWDER—
I believe, Mr. Berkeley, you are one of the Members for
the city of Bristol ?—I am.
When first did you become a candidate for the represen-
tation of the city of Bristol ?
I arrived the city, I think, on the morning of the sth
of July, and then I became in immediate communication
with the Liberal Association.
I believe you had not been in Bristol before that day ?
Not for many years.
You began your canvass, I believe, on that day or the
folloiving ?
I commenced it on the 6th.
You say you were put in communication with the Libe-
ral Associatiou. Did you commence your canvass with
acy other persons?
W.th various members of the Association and others.
Can you tell us the names of the gentlemen that accom-
panied you ?
There were Mr. Cunninghame, Mr. George E. Saun-
ders, Mr. H. Visger, Mr. Somerton, Mr. Rankin, and
there were others ; but I don't think I could name them.

At what time of the day did you begin your canvass ?
I shot tid think nearly eleven o'clock.
Did you In the course of the day get to the Adam and
Eve-passage ?
Yes, we did some time afterwards.
About what time ?
That I cannot exactly say ; but I know it was after lun-
cheon.

It's a large constituency ?
Yes, I believe nominally about 9,000.
When ;•ou arrived at the Adam and Eve-passage, do you
recollect hoc, you were walking ?
Yes, with Mr. H. Visger.
I perceive you are lame, and walk with a stick ?
Yes.
When walking through the passage, had you Mr. Vis-
ger's lea arm ?
I think I had ; Mr. Carlisle was also with me. Mr.
Cunninghame had quitted us previously, to go to his count-
ing-house.
When you came to the door of Virrier's house was it
open or shut?

Mrs. Virrier appeared to be at the entrance into the
Adam and Eve-passage, which goes from \Vine-street
through to another street.
You say you saw Mrs. Virrier at the door ?
Yes, the outer door of her house.
How was Mr. Carlisle standing, then, with respect to you
anal Mr. Visger ?
Mr. Carlisle spoke first ; I came up to the door with
Mr. Visger. Mr. Carlisle was there, and appeared to have
an acquaintance with the woman. We were all three close
together ; we formed a kind of circle.
Now state what you first heard pass between Mrs. Vir-
rier and any of your party.
Mr. Carlisle asked Mrs. Virrier whether Mr. Virrier was
at home ?to which she replied in the negative. He then
asked her for whom her husband intended to vote at the
ensuing election, and I think he said, pointing to me, this
is tie gentleman who is a candidate. Mrs. Virrier replied,
my husband intends to Note one and one, by which he will
avoid giving offence to both parties. I think I then said,
lam much obliged to you. Mr. Carlisle then said, Well,
if he does, he will act as a wise man.
Had you any cards with you ?
I canvassed with two species of cards ; a large sort,
with the colour of the party, pink, with my name on it in
large letters, and likewise my own personal cards, visiting
cards ; and in case a voter was not at home I generally
left my personal card, stating my address, and perhaps a
few of the other larger cards for the children to put on the
chimney-piece.
Do you recollect what was said next, either by yourself
or Mr. Carlisle, after he had said he would be a wise man if
lie did ?

Nothing, I believe. Took Mr. Carlisle's arm, and
hook hands with Mrs. Virrier.

When you shook hands with her, I ask you, upon your
oath, whether you said anything to her, and what ?
I said I was very much obliged to her—simply, the
compliment—and I said " Good day," perhaps.
Did you, upon your oath, put anything—a sovereign—
into that woman's hand ?

Upon my oath, decidedly not.
Had you a sovereign there
Certainly not.
Did you put anything into her hand ?
To the best of my recollection, certainly not. If I had,
it would have been my card. My recollection does not
serve me whether I put my card into her hand or not.
Did you say anything to her in a low voice—a whisper?
Certainly not.
Was what passed between Mr. Carlisle and Mrs. Virrier
udible ?

Very; Mr. Carlisle speaks particularly clear—very loudly.