The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-06 00:00:00

`ME SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 6, 1866..
• mYlUlmmmoi6.6

THE 23ERIFICK.UPON-TWEED BRIBERY COM-

The commissioners re-assembled this morning for the
purpose of inquiring into the circumstances connected with
the late Berwick-upon-Tweed election, in Committee-room
No. 10.
The first witness called was
Benjamin Disraeli, Esq., M.P. for Buckinghamshire,who
said—l was Chancellor of the Exchequer in Lord Derby's
Administration. I became Chancellor of the Exchequer in
1858 ; Mr. Ralph Earle became my private secretary. Be-
fore that time I knew Brodie in the latter end of 1857 or
1858. My first communication with him arose out of the
Weedon enquiry. His case was brought under the atten-
tion of the House of Commons, and it was thought his evi-
dence was of advantage, and as he had lost his situation in
consequence of giving evidence, it was considered
a bad precedent that dismissal was to follow the
giving evidence to the committee ; and it was thought that
a small Government situation might be given him with
advantage. This was the case prior to the change of
Government. I thought I could' mention his case in
the course of the debate, and I gave him a kind of half
promise that I would do so. I met him in the Park and
told him my opinion. He walked at my side down to the
house. Very shortly after that, most unexpectedly, a
change of Government took place, and I took office. I
then received a letter from Brodie reminding me of
say promise, and I wrote to my secretary to see and
ascertain what he wanted. I understood there was a small
office vacant, but I did not know what it was. The duty
devolved upon Mr. Earle, and he saw Mr. Brodie, and I
then learnt that the office referred to, sergeant-saddler at
the Tower, was vacant. My previous knowledge was thee
he was competent for the office, and I lost no time in re
commending him. He would have been successful, but
from circumstances, not affecting his moral character, it was
found impossible he could hold any office under the Queen.
This decision was first communicated to me, and I told
Mr. Earle to see him and tell him that there
were reasons not affecting his moral character
that would render it impossible for him to hold office. I
directed Mr. Earle to tell him as kindly as possible, and
also to tell him I had redeemed my promise. I next saw
Brodie, in 1858, in the street. I wish particularly to state
that it was in the street, as there has been so many state-.
ments about his visits to Downing-street and other places.
I afterwards learned that Brodie had received a private
situation about the exact value of the office I had sought
for him, and as I understood he had got a provision, I
thought he was provided for. This was in the spring
of the year, after receiving the information that
he could not obtain the Government situation, I
looked upon Brodie as a man with an infirmity which was
harmless. It was communicated to me that he had become
tisane; I did not come to that conclusion, as I know per-
sons who are over zealous. The usual greeting I received
from Brodie was, " There's the man who has been my
friend," and other extravagant expressions. I told him I
had had nothing to do with the obtaining of the private
situation. This sort of thing continued till April, 1859.
Brodie was continually in Downing-street, and it was
suggested that the police might interfere, but I instantly
directed that he should not be interfered with, as I thought
it would die out. I recollect seeing him in the lobby of the
House of Commons on the evening of the 14th of April. It
was about eight o'clock. On leaving the house I was
passing down the corridor which leads to the library.
As I was doing so a person addressed me. I did not
know him until he took his hat off. I recognised him,
and said, "Is that you, Brodie ?" He said, " I must
have a word with you, sir. It's of vital importance to Mr.
Earle." I am not in the habit of disregarding warning ;
and I then walked on, and he followed. The conversation
took place in the corridor, and not in any little room. The
corridor, it must be known to all familiar with the house,
is about the last place where a private conversation should
be held. I stopped for a moment, and he then said Mr.
Earle was going to Berwick, and he had a great many friends
there. I told him I knew nothing about the election, and he
then said he thought he bad better go to Mr. Rose. I
afterwards learned that he had been to Mr. Rose. He then
began to relate his miserable position. He asked me to
give him a letter of recommendation to Mr. Rose. I told
him I could not do that, but I would give him a note that
perhaps might get him a hearing. I then went into the room
in the corridor where I knew there were writing materials.
I went in, and while I was engaged in writing Brodie
pushed the door open and entered. I told him he could
not come in as it was private, and that the Sergeant-at-
Arms would take him into custody he remained. He
left, and I got up and gave him the memorandum. I
did not know what he wished to see Mr. Rose
about. He went on to relate something about his
miserable position. I stopped him when he was about to
tell me his business. He said it was hard an Englishman
could not get svhearing, and the letter I gave him I said
would no doubt get him an interview. The note was
given to him as I left the anti-chamber of the library. The
envelope put into my hand is that which contained the en-
closed I wrote for Brodie. It was to the following effect :
—" The bearer, Mr, Brodie, wishes to see Mr. Rose. I
know nothing about him.—" B. D." The next thing I
heard about Brodie was the receipt of a letter, that the peti-
tion against the return for Berwick would be withdrawn,
if I undertook not to indict Mr. Nicoll for bribery at Frome.
I knew nothing about the subject the letter referred to. I
never gave Brodie any letter that might not have
been published at Charing-cross. I always tried to stop him
when he attempted to speak to me. He told rte a great
many things while he used to walk by my side.. On oneocca-
sion he told me he had great influence in 7;(estminster, and
he could use it during an election. He al ways spoke in a very
excited and rapid manner. I think what I have stated to-
day gives the spirit of my conversation with Brodie. It is
difficult to say what he talked about, as he never ceased
talking. I used to think that a person who was constantly
lurking about the lobbies in the House of Commons was not
a person who had a situation of D,OO. When I sent him to
Mr. Rose I thought he was in want of employment. That
was the inference I drew. I thought Mr. Rose might give
him some sort of employment in connection with the general
election, as a messenger or paid canvasser. I think Mr.
Earle has made a little misapprehension in stating posi-
tively that I wished Brodie to be employed at the
general election. I only inferred that that was what he
sequirod. I might have seen Brodie a dozen times in the
street on occasions when he followed me. The time I have
mentioned is the only one he spoke to me in the House of
Commons. He called frequently at my residence, but I
never saw him by appointment—most certainly not. I
think I said to Brodie, " How do you do ? Well, Brodie,
what are you doing ?" I never touched his arm, or told
him to follow.
Chairman—You went into no room ?
Mr. Disraeli—No. There is no room, large or small, on
the left side of the lobby of the House of Commons.
Chairman—Did you tell bins he could befriend Mr. Earle
at Berwick ?
Mr. Disraeli—On the contrary, he told me he could be-
friend Mr. Earle.
Chairman--That was the subject of vital importance he
wished to communicate ?
Mr. Disraeli—That I don't know. When he attempted
to speak I stopped him.
Chairman—Did he say he would do what he could ?
Mr. Disraeli—l can't say he talked so much.
Chairman—Did you tell Brodie to go to Mr. Rose and tell
him to get money to go to either Berwick or Frome and get
votes, as you were anxious to put £5O into his pocket ?
Mr. Disraeli—lt is scarcely necessary for me, I should
think, to answer such a question. Most certainly not.
Chairman—Did you ever say you wished to give him a
turn ?

Mr. Disraeli—No.
Chairman—Did he ever tell you who would take bribes
at Berwick or Frome ?
Mr. Disraeli—No.
Chairman—Did you ever tell him Mr. Rose was right in
exercising caution in not giving him what he required ?
Mr. Disraeli—No ; never.
Chairman—Did you tell Brodie you had seen Mr. Rose
sad that he would give him what he required ?
Mr. Disraeli—No, certainly not. There's no foundation
for that statement.
Chairman—Did you tell Mr. Rose Mr. Brodie was in
your confidence ?
Mr. Disraeli—No—on the contrary, when I saw Mr.
Rose on the occasion referred to I told him who he was.
Chairman—Did you ever toll him that Brodie had been
of great se;.vice to the Government ?
Mr. Disraeli—No.
Chairman—You know Mr. Earle wished to enter Parlia-
ment ?
Mr. Disraeli—Yes, I knew that was his wish. I did not
wish to stand in the way of any young man rising, and I
gave him the best advice I was able. I said I was glad he
had the friendship of Captain Gordon, as he was a gentle-
man of great influence, and I wrote a letter to
that effect. I only received one letter from Mr.
Earle while he was at Berwick, and that was
requesting a long leave of absence. There was
a letter written relative to the Barracks, but it was not
sent to me. I cannot recollect whether I was asked to see
Gen. Peel on the subject. I cannot clearly recollect
whether I saw Gen. Peel in the Houie, or whether I wrote
to the War-office. I never wrote to Mr. Earle, but the
information he required was forwarded to him. I could not
write to Mr. Earle stating that the barracks would be re-
constructed. It was not in my department. It would be
in the 'War Department. I believe the information sent to
Mr. Earle was that a commission had been appointed
to inspect the barracks in the North, and
amongst them Berwick would, of course, be
inspected. Mr. Earle made a little flourish on the receipt
of that intelligence about his having obtained a Govern-
ment inquiry into the state of the barracks at Berwick, but
it was merely a venial offence, or exaggeration. Thelonly
thing that ever took place between General Peel and my-
self, with respect to the barracks, was merely to ascertain
what was going to be done.
Chairman—Did you take any steps to procure money
from Mr. Earle to prosecute this election.
Mr. Disraeli—No, certainly not.
Mr. Barstow—From what you saw of Mr. Brodie should
you think he was to be trusted with any secret business ?
Mr. Disraeli—He was about the last person to bo trusted
with anything requiring secrecy and tact.

Mr. Barstow—l need not ask you whether you entrusted
him with any money to distribute.
Mr. Disraeli—No, such an idea never entered my head.
Mr. Barstow—Not at Berwick-upon•-Tweed P
Mr. Disraeli—No, certainly not.
Mr. Barstow—What induced you to think Col. Gordon
was a peraon of influence at Berwick
Mr. Disraeli—Well, be had built a church there and he
told me he had expended large sums in charity, in the
formation of schools there, and from that I expected
he had great influence there.
Mr. Barstow—Did he ever tell you how he spent the
money ?
Mr. Disraeli—No, I never asked him.
Mr. Lushington—Do you recollect putting the note into
the envelope ?
Mr. Disraeli—To the best of my belief I gave it him with
the envelope unfastened.
General Peel—l was Secretary of War in Lord Derby's
Administration. I recollect Capt. Gordon bringing me a
requisition to restore the barracks at Berwick. It was
shortly after I came into offlee. I only recollect seeing
Cart. Gordon that once, when I told him the question of
making Berwick a military station rested with the Horse
Guards. I did not tell him the barracks were in a bad state,
and wholly unfit for occupation. I could not, as I knew no-
thing about them. I-cannot speak as to the letters recom-

mending particular barracks, as the War-office have recom-
mendations from nearly every town in which there are any
situate. The whole question of making military stations
rested with Ilse Horse Guards, not with me. I recollect
receiving a letter from Mr. Disraeli touching the subject
of the barracks, and I communicated with him. All
papers passing through the War-office become public
papers, and they can be seen. I never while
I was at the War-Office, heard that any communication
had been made to Mr. Earle informing him that Berwick
was to be made a military station. I know that an officer
had been sent to inspect the barracks in the north. No
letter was written on the subject except the one to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was to the effect that
the question of the barracks was onefor the Horse-Guard!.
With reference to Sergeant Brodie I stated that I did not
think he was qualified to hold any office in connection with
the War Department.

Mr. William Peel—l was secretary to my father. I have
no recollection of receiving a letter from Mr. Earle, in
1859, relative to the barracks at Berwick. I have no recol •
lection of writing an answer. A letter, addressed per-
sonally.to myself, I should look upon as a private commu-
nication. Official letters would not be directed to me. I
don't recollect writing a letter to Mr. Earle while he was
a candidate for Berwick. I have looked through my
papers and I cannot find any trace of such communication.
I don't recollect receiving any direction from my father to
write to Mr. Earle. Mr. Earle is a 'personal friend of
mine, and any letter I wrote to him Would be of a private
nature—not at all connected with public business.
Mr. Phillip Rose—l recollect seeing Alexander Brodie
in the beginning of 1859. He sent in his card, and said
he was anxious to be employed in connection with the
election at Frome. It was very soon after the dissolution
was announced. He said he had extensive knowledge
then of the persons who would take bribes, and that the
Conservatives would be returned. He said if he
was sent there, the tailor (Mr. Nicoll) could
not show his face, as he (Brodie) would tell
the electors that he overworked his servants—used
rotten cloth in his trade. He said all this with great volu-
bility. He said he had come to me on purpose to be re-
venged for dismissal from his service. I told him he had
come to the wrong place to gain his object, and he then
broke out into a violent fit of talking. He said he was an
intimate friend of Mr. Disraeli, and he should tell him how
the business was conducted. I saw he was excited,
and I afterwards thought he was mad, and I
tried to get him out of my room as quietly as possible. Hs
never told me he was Sergeant Brodie, of Weedon. A
morning or two afterwards I received a second card from
him. I refused to see him, but in crossing the apartments
I met him on the stairs, and he then said he wished to have
a private interview. I told him he could tell me what he
had to say before the clerks. He then clutched my arm,
and putting his face very close to me, said, " Only give me
£5 to go to Frome." I thought he was intoxicated.
It's a pure invention for Brodie to say I directed
him to come to me on a certain Monday. I
am certain he never said he had sent to Mr. Disraeli to
get £5O to go to Frome and get votes. I afterwards saw
Mr. Disraeli. He never—most certainly—told me Brodie
was in his confidence. I never told Brodie to come to me
daily until I could get him a situation. Mr. Disraeli never
told me he was in his confidence. He got neither instruc-
tions or money to go anywhere. He states in his examina-
tion that I saw him in Downing-street, but I am confident
I never did so.

At the conclusion of this witness's examination the com-
mittee adjourned.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was officially prorogued this afternoon until
the 3rd January.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

HEREFORD AUTUMN MEETTNG.—Mownxv.
The Aristocratic Handicap of 5 sovs each, 2 ft, with 30
added; gentlemen riders ; professionals, 61b extra. One
mile and a half.
Mr. F. Swindell's Simla, 3 yrs, lOst (Mr. Bevill) 1
Mr. S. Jacob's Waterford, 3 yrs, 9st 61b (inc. 61b extra)
(L. Snowden) 2
Mr. Barber's Prince of Orange, aged, lOst 81b
(Mr. Edwards) 3
The following also ran :—Remunerator, Birdbolt, Miss
Eleanor, Toddy, and Cast-off.

Betting-5 to 4 agst Prince of Orange, 6to 2 egst
Simla, 4 to 1 agst Waterford.
Simla lay in front throughout, a fine race home between
her and Waterford ended in the latter's defeat by a head;
a bad third. Only the five placed passed the post.
The Town Plate of 3 soya each, with 25 added ; the winner

THIR D EDITION,

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

HEREFORD RACES.—(This Day.)

EY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
NURSERY HANDICAP.

Tonio ...

Flirtation .. ..
2
Podarces

Seven ran.
ANNUAL STEPLECHASE.

Cosmopolite
Tumbler
.-••••
Kibworth Lass

Eleven ran.
UNION HUNT STEEPLECHASE.
Archbishop
Nell Gwynne

Five ran.
din' PLATE.

Pescatore....
Zingari
2
Wins ran.

ARRIVALS AT LIVERPOOL.
Weatherbound, Miss Dunstable, Tiara, Shylock, Topsy
Jenny Longlegs, Pactolus, Petra, Gibraltar, The Duke'
Cheery Chap, Killigrew, Yafa filly, Secret Treasure, Ranee,
'Wee Polly, Rara Avis, Heiress, Nutbush, Duplicity,
Ariadne, Trovatore, The Nun, First Lord, Ladylike, Parole,
Everlasting, Jealousy, and Bueephalus.