The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-30 00:00:00

ST. ALBAN'S BRIBERY COMMISSION.
The inquiry was resumed yesterday morning at
half-past ten o'clock. The room was again crowded
with the townspeople, who seemed to listen to the
proceedings with great interest.
Mr. Brace wished to explain some matters which
he had stated yesterday. He then stated that he had
had lent Mr. Hills (Mr. Bell's partner) 2,0001. He
found, however, upon reference to his books, that the
sum was only 1,5001., but another 500/., he believed,
was advanced on Mr. Hills's behalf. This fact of
the other 5001. would be explained by Mr. Colt. He
(Mr. Brace) knew nothing about it himself. The sum
of-2,,0001., however, was repaid by Mr. Hills.
Mr. Colt also explained several points of his evi-
dence. His object in calling on Mr. Cappock, he
said, was to see if he would give his influence to Mr.
Bell. He understood Mr. Coppock was a sort of
agent of the Government, and he wanted to know if
his influence would prevent a contest. He had stated
yesterday that Mr. Brace had advanced Mr. Hills
2,000/. This was substantially correct, but he bad
since found that cheques for 3001. and 2001. did
not pass into Mr. Hills's hands, but through
his (Mr. Colt's) own hands into those of Mr.
Freeman, of Cheltenham. Some conversation
took place between him and Mr. Freeman with
respect to the St. Alban's election, :in the course of
which he believed he conveyed to Mr. Freeman the
wish that the cheques should be delivered to Mr.Cop-
pock. He had never been told what what was done
with those cheques, and had never had curiosity
enough to inquire. All the cheques were drawn in
Mr. Hills's favour. There was one for 1,000/. on the
London and Westminster Bank ; and one for 5001.,
another for 2001., and another for 300/. on the Bank
of England. The whole of that money was drawn
from his own private resources.
Mr. Hills wished to state that the sum borrowed
from Mr. Brace was 1,500/. and not 2,0001., as he had
stated on the previous day. He could not recollect
whether Mr. Brace sent to the bank for the money
or whether he handed it over to him at once. Al-
though he had only received 1,5001. from Mr. Brace,
be understood, either directly or indirectly, that
another 5001. was advanced. He was not aware
whether that 5001. was repaid. He could only ac-
count for 1,5001. The truth was, he had complicated
the affair as much as possible, so that if any inquiry
should afterwards be made, it should not be found
precisely where the money came from.
Mr. Brace stated, that he might have drawn the
cheque for 1,0001. which he gave to Mr. Hills while
Mr. Hills was sitting at the table, and sent to the
bank for notes, but he was not sure. The dates of
repayment were, 4001. on the 17th of December,
1850; 1001. on the 19th of December; 490/. on the
31st of December; 10/. on the 3d of January, 1851 ;
6931. on the 26th of February; 71. same date ; and
3001. on the
.sth of March. He could not state
whether he ever communicated to Mr. Hills the fact
of an advance of 3001. and 2001. through Mr. Colt
to Mr. Freeman, but thinks he must have done so.
He had come to no reckoning with Mr. Hills. He
was satisfied with finding himself repaid.
Mr. H. Edwards was then called. He was in-
formed that the Commissioners were ready to hear
from him any statement respecting the part he had
taken in the late election for St. Alban's. He re-
plied, that as he appeared there not as a volunteer
but upon the summons of the Commission, it would
be much more pleasant to him to answer questions
than to make a statement. After some hesitation, he
proceeded to give his evidence, partly in answer to
questions, and partly of his own accord. He
stated that he was not a voter in the
borough at present, and that he resided four miles
out of the borough. He was once a voter, but it was
ten years ago. He was now a farmer in the neigh-
bourhood, but was formerly manager of the St.
Alban's bank, and had taken a part in all the elec-
tions at St. Alban's for twenty-five years. He was
induced to take part in the late election by a letter
from Mr. Coppock, of Parliament-street, London,
dated the 16th of November last. He went up to
London on the following day, and saw Mr. Coppock,
who asked him whether he (witness) would act with
him on that occasion. Witness had not acted with
him at the two previous elections, but he consented to
do so on this. Mr. Coppock asked him what the ne-
cessary expense was likely to be. Witness told him
that 2,500/. might be required. Mr. Coppock said
he would communicate with the Hon. Mr. Craven
(the candidate whom he had then in view), and with
certain other persons, and that witness had better
call next day. Witness told him that a compact had
been entered into with the heads of the Conservative
party that there should be no contest. The sum which
he mentioned as the probable expense of the election
was of course contingent upon the circumstance as to
whether there would be opposition or not. There was
nothing said about expenses in the event of there
being no contest ; but it was distinctly
understood that he (witness) should not embark
in any contest foronntemsteyt
theoh
boroughte amountwit h
without bheaindgmperno.
o-
tviidneaedn it
d. He had always found money necessary in
ban's that night, and went up t
his experience of elections. He oreturnedtowng
atoaSin nextt.Al-
day. Hs saw Mr. Coppock again. Mr.
Coppock
had not received the answer which he had anticipated,
and he desired him to come at six o'clock to the Re-
form Club, where a meeting was to take place, and
an answer would then be given. He went to the Re-
form Club accordingly, and saw Mr. Coppock, who
told him that the lion. Mr. Craven did not find it
convenient to become a candidate. No other name
was then mentioned. Mr. Coppock and he talked
over the probability of getting another candidate,
Mr. Coppock remarking that there would be no diffi-
culty about it, and that he hoped to be able to name
another candidate in a few hours or days at furthest.
Witness impressed upon him that no time ought to
be lost. While he was with Mr. Coppock Mr.
Simpson came in, and had some conversation with the
committee apart, which witness did not hear, but it
ended in Mr. Coppock advising Mr. Simpson and
witness to go and see a certain gentleman, and ask
him to become a candidate. That gentleman was
Mr. Sergeant Shee. Mr. Simpson and witness
went, and found Mr. Shee at a dinner party at his
own chambers. ,They had about half-an-hour's con-
versation with him. They told him the necessary
expense, and Mr. Shea said that his only objection
was that the state of politics at that time might throw
some difficulty in his way, as he (Mr. Shee) was a
Roman Catholic. He said, however, t hat at a future
time he should be very happy to stand for the borough.
This was on the 19th of November. Mr. Simpson
and he returned together by train and a private fly to
St. Alban's. Next day he went back to London in
search of a candidate. He saw Mr. Simpson in the
evening, who told him that if Mr. Coppock was not
prepared with a candidate he (Mr. Simpson) knew of
a good man (be did not mention his name) who
was ready to spend 3,0001. if necessary, but that un-
fortunately that gentleman objected to co-operate
ato Inn,e k
intimatedwith him (Mr. Edwards), and he (Mr. Simpson)
feared that this objection would prevent him and wit-
H
ingbatcokgettho the
Simpson,er.Mpra.rtysi
ttinghaotwtehvee however,
atSt. Alban's,hia in
antdenctoinosnunitotthteome.o.oopenrahties
return White
pro-
mised
with witness. Mr. Simpson said that the person re-
ferred go
to wanted to have the management of the
money. Witness said that that was quite impossible.
He would not give up his position in the town unless
he was compelled. Mr. Simpson said that it might
be arranged in this way—that he (Mr. Simp-
son) should appropriate 1,500/., and he (wit-
ness) the other 1,500/. Witness said he would do
nothing of the kind. Mr. Simpson then said that if
witness would retire from the affair altogether he
would give him 300/., but witness would not consent
to that. That same day, while dining at the Blue
Boar, Mr. Durant came to him and introduced a gen-
tleman to him, who he said was highly respectable,
and whom he had known many years, but he did not
mention his name, and desired witness not to mention
his name. After introducing this unknown gentle-
man, Mr. Durant ran away and left them. The gen-
tleman asked him whether he was engaged with a
candidate. Witness told him that he was not. He
then asked him the different politics of the town, the
1
ocal ircumstances, and the probable expense of a
coutecstcd election. Witness told him that the pro-