The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-11 00:00:00

LIMERICK ELECTION COMMITTEE.

The committee on this election has been sitting
these lust few days. At its re-assembling yesterday
morning

Mr. Slade, the counsel for the sitting member,
intimated that the gallant gentleman intended to
withdraw from the contest, as it was impossible to
dispute the agency of Mr. Doyle. Major Gavin,
however, hoped the committee would allow him to
deny, upon oath, his knowledge of the bribery.
Major Gavin, the sitting member, stated that
previous to the election he gave his agents strict
orders to do nothing that was contrary to law. He
declared that he would not continue to sit if a single
shilling had been illegally expended in the contest.
He refused to canvass any one who had previously
promised to support Mr. Ball. The evidence of
Captain Browne had taken him quite by surprise,
a', until he heard it, he had no idea that Cal,tain
Browne was in any wayconnected with his election.
The following was the evidence of " Captain
Browne :"

Mr. J. Browne, jun., examined by Mr. James,
Q. C. —I reside at O'Brien's Bridge, county Clare.
I was an officer in the 15th Foot, and afterwards
served in the Clare Militia. My fither has proper y
in the counties of Limerick and Clare. There ere 10
of his tenants freeholders of the city of Limerick. I
learned on one occasion from my wife that Mr.
Daniel Doyle had called. He left word with Mrs.
Browne for me to be sure that I went into Lime-
rick. I wrote back that I would not go into
Limerick for any attorney without knowing what
he 'wanted. In consequence of a letter I received
I want into Mr. Doyle : as I am a poor man—
(laughter)—he said ho would pay my expenses, and
give me 101., if I would use my influence with my
lather's tenants.

Mr. James—Did you accept that offer ?
Witness--Of cour,e I did. (Laughter.) I went
amongst the tenants the next day to rob Father
Hennessy's nest. (Laughter.) They had all ten
promised Mr. Hennessy to vote for Mr. Ball, and
it was to get them from him I was to be paid the
107. Doyle told me at the time he promised me
the 101. that they had all promised to vote for Mr.
83.11. I robbed -Father Hennessy's nest of eight
cut of the ten freeholde(s. lam heir to my
father. I told the voters I was to get 101. if they
vo•ed for Major Gavin. Doyle told me he would
pay the expenses of the voters and give them
something forthemselve3. I told them that to induce
them to vote for me. They said they would go
with me as the old gentleman, my father, did not
want them to vote in any particular way, ford as
I was to make 10/. by their voing for Major
Gavin. After the election I applied verbally and by
letter to Mr. Doyle for my money, which I
mately obtained, with 11. for expenses. Mr. Doyle
knows that while the governor is alive my incoino
j 5 small, and that 101. would be an obj-ct tom •
Crosi-examincd. by ' Mr. Slade —I don's ra7
whether it was :ight or wrong to take the 10/ , but
I must try and work my own interest. An eldest
son can always influence his father's voters. The
letter of the 16th was marked "private." Yi u are
paid for what you do, and so am 1 too. (Laughter.)
I took money and,would do so again.
the late John
respect to his alleged connexion with
i the
Sadleir ; but the Chairman intimated that,
a..
Mr. E. James wished to examine Mr. Ball withb
charge of intimidation had
was not necessary to allude fnuortthbeeretnogtohnaet into,alleg it