The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-05 00:00:00

SOUTH NMPTON.

The Committee wet at the usual hour, the Hon. J. S
Wortley in the Chair.

James Batters was called and examined by Mr. BAKEn
—Had been a voter for Southampton for many years..
Was not a voter at the. last election. Knows.a person of
the name of Redwards. Went to him at the last elec-
tion, to prepare a petition to the committee at the Dol-
phin for employment as a chairman or colourmen. He
gave the petition to Mr. Win. Forder ;he took it. He
met Mr. Forder afterwards. He toll witness he deli-
vered the petition to the Committee. Heard Redwards
say he should like to have 51 for his vote. He said he
would not vote for, less. Witness told what Redwards
said to Mr. John Mint. Hunt did not make any observa-
tion upon that. Saw Redwards after the election. Had
a conversation with him. Redwards told him he voted,
and possibly he should have the money. Some time
after that Redwards told him he got the 5/. Witness
did not get the situation he asked for.
. _

To th CRAlRMAN—Redwards did not tell him when
he got it. He dial not tell him he was promised the
money beforehand. Redwards promised him 2s. 6d. if
he gut tho money: lie gut the 2s. 6d:

Cross-examined by Dlr. Ilia ItN—Knew Redwards for
a long time. Does tint know how many days before the
election it was that he had the petition drawn up. Bed-
wards put his (witness's) name to the petition. He did
not hear anything said about Mr. Mackay. Witness was
always a Tory.
To Mr. SHIEL —Heard there was a good deal of money
spent on both sides. Heard that the Whigs gave 20/.
SHIEL—I am surprised, then, that there are any
Tories in Southampton.—(A laugh.)
Mr. Henry Buchan was next called and examined—
Resides in Southampton; Was formerly a Member of
the Town Council. Was, appointed auditor of the ac-
counts. Knows Mr. Abrahams. Saw him write his
name. Thinks he would be able to identify his hand-
writing. Did not see the memorandum-book before.
The signature of " A._ Abrahams" appears to be his
hand-writing. One of the letters is more vivid than the
other. Abrahams is a strong partisan. Saw a person
called Philips go into Mr. Abrahams' shop a few days,
or the day initlire the election. He (Philips)_ had pro-
mised to vote for the Liberal candidates. Thought it very
suspicious that he should go into Abrahams'. His shop is
nearly opposite the Star, the Liberal Committee-room.
Witness informed the Committee of what he bad seen.
They desired him to go and look after Philips, as, if he
did not, he would be gone to them. He then went into,
Abrahams' shop and asked for Philips. Mrs. Abra-
hams was in the shop. She informed: him that Philips
was inside, and would soon return. He did not return,
and in some time Mr. Abrahams came in, and appeared
somewhat confused when witness asked him about
Philips. Be (witness) then left. Philips voted for the
Tories(A laugh)—he always voted so betbre. He
(witness) was a Committee-man on the Whig side. He
always voted for the Whigs.
To Mr. SUlEL—Might be considered a partisan. Heard
that large sums of money were spent on both sides. Could
not say that there was so much paid per head. Believes
that it was so, but had no knowledge of the fact. There
were colourmen employed on the Whig side; they gene-
rally took care that they should be voters. Believes that
there were from 200 to 300 who received bribes ; there
might be more.

To the CrlAlßMAN—Admirai Gifford was the chair-
man of the Whig Committee. Is not aware that there
was a separate room fir carrying on the finance business.
Saw them managing the books in the general
room. Saw Mr. Andrew and Mr. Lancaster there.
Had heard there was bribery at former elec-
tions. Had heard that when Mr. hay stood, 10,0001.
were spew. Had always contended till the last election,
that if bribery was committed it was confined to the
Tory party, ; but from what be knew of the last election
he believed that bribery was -committed on all sides.
To Mr. SmEL—ln point of filet any voter might have
got 51, or 101., or 20/., if he wished for it.

To the COMMITTEE—There was treating at former
elections ; it was not so extensive as at the last election;
there was most extensive treating at the last election ;
it commenced with the canvass. The canvass was com-
menced several weeks bellir_4 the election. Believes every
beer-shop was opened as a committee-room ; the friends
of voters had refreshments there. Philips was not paid
by the Whigs during the time he had his house open.
He heard it said that Philips promised the Whigs ba-
plenty of money.—(A laugh.)
shal were coming forward for the new
cHaeuas
let
i het h
aheard
that
c a n d theyda
election. Heard that Mr. Hope was coming forward.
Does not know of any arrangements being made. Does not
know of any persons being canvassed yet. Is of opinion
that if measures are not taken by the Legislature the same
scenes will occur again which occurred at the last election.
Thinks • that if the colourmen and chairmen and mes-
sengers were suppressed it would tend to put an end
to bribery. Cannot say what would be an effectual
check to bribery. If treating were put down it would
lessen brioery in his opinion. There are Ward Associa-
tions on the Tory side. . They look after the election of
Members of Parliament and corporate officers. Believes
they carry on a system of treating fir thek pur-
poses. St. Mary's Ward was an active ward. The Whigs
have a protection association. It is for the protection
of voters from injury. They have no Ward Associations.
They are now about to get up Ward Associations, like
the Tories.• St. Mary's Ward has a population more
likely to be influenced by bribes than the others.
To Mr.'HEARN—The address of Mr. Mildmay to the.
electors appeared upon Lord Bruce's coming to the Elgin
peerage. Knows that there was a meeting of the Whig
Committee lately. Heard that there was a meeting of
the Tory Committee.
Mr. Henry Bray proved the handwriting of Mr.
Abrahams in the memorandum book.

Joseph Croucher proved that he saw John Bennett
Luce en last Friday week, the day the Committee first
sat. Luce observed to him that he was examined before
the late Committee, and wondered whether he would be
wanted for the present investigation, but if he was they
must send for him to France.

Robert Bridgen examined—Knows Mr. Mackay, an at-
torney, living in Southampton. He (Mackay) complained
to witness that attacks were made upon him with regard
to bribery at the last election. Witness observed, that
it could not be denied that bribery was committed at
the last election, to which he (Mackay) replied, that if he
was accused of having committed bribery at the last election
he would bribe ten times more at the next election, in spite
of Lord John Russell's Bill, or any other. He (witness)
believed that bribery was committed at every election,
since that of Hogg's. The bribery at the last election
was so open, that Donkin, one of the persons employed
to bribe, shook money in the face of a person
named Pierce. Mr. Charles Brown did the same
thing to a person named Leech. Brown took
a conspicuous part in the election. Heard many of the
innocent electors say that it would be advantageous to
the town that no other election should take place.
Mr. Cecil Martyrs, the late Member for Southampton,
was next called.

Mr. Marlyn desired to know from the Committee,
whether indemnity would be given tbr anything he miglit
disclose ?

The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee had not ex-
actly power to guarantee an indemnity ; but that they
would do every thing to afford it.
Mr. Martyn—Then I respectfully decline to answer
any questions.
The CHAFRMANdesfred to know on iyhat grounds ?
• .11r. Martyn—Because they may involve a breach of
colifidence.

The CHAIRMAN—The questions had better be put
first, and then you can decline to answer as you please.
To Mr. BAKER—Does not recollect the precise day he
went to Southampton ; on his arrival a Committee of his
supporters was formed ; does not know all their names ;
Captain Ward, Mr. Lefevre, one of the Mr. Hunts, Mr.
S. Moodie, were on the Committee. His agents were
Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Hunt. Mr. Maddison was his
banker. The banker's documents would inform the Com-
►nittee of the sums paid at the last election. Had no other
oocuments. All the money paid was through the banker.
BelieVes he was asked for money by • Mr. Stebbing.
When he gave a check it was for 406/. or 5001. He
drew upon Coutts and Co.. Mr. Maddison acted in the
capacity of his banker when he went to Southampton.
hiss got no document to show he paid any money before
tha election. Does not remember paying anythitm
after the election. The amount of money he paid
for the last election was Ilium hundred pounds.
That was the entire. It was all paid through
Maddison. Is not cognisant of any othor money being
paid. Received no account of tic disposal of that money.
Spent 2,500/. at the election of 1537. Was not aware of
any contribution towards the expenses of the last election.
It being announced that the Speaker was at prayers,
the further examination of Mr. Martyn was put off till
to-morrow.

Mr. Btr,han was recalled, and proved that Mr. Chas.
Brown came up to him at his (witness s) door, where
several others were standing. and asked him "it WC
(the Liberals) had any 'inputted yet." He (Brown) then
took out a numbur (if sovereigns (tie believes there were
30) from one of his p )cicets, and a bundle of Bank of
England notes from tie other, and said, " that is the way
we are doing it." Dies not think Brown could show so
much money except at an election time.
To Mr. HE I.RN— Does not think he was jeering when
ho pulled out the money. Mr. Clerk, a Quaker, was
present. He did not pull out the money for the purpose