Edwards, James Barber | Day 3

Received three sums amounting to £1820 – of £200 & £320, from Sir Julian Goldsmid and £1300 from Mr Foord. Was called to give evidence at the Petition Trial and asked to produce all bills delivered to him. Found guilty and sentenced to 6 months in prison.

Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity, Petition witness, Treater

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Petition Day 1 | Day 4 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 14

Witness Testimony:

  • 3118.

    (Mr. Holl.) You acted as agent for Sir Julian Goldsmid at Deal and Walmer ? — Yes.

  • 3119.

    When did you first have any communication with him ? — When Mr. Emmerson brought him down from London ; I think I never saw or heard of him before.

  • 3120.

    Was that the evening of Monday the 10th ? — It was the day he came to Deal.

  • 3121.

    Was it Monday the 10th he came ? —I cannot say ; it was the day he came to Deal.

  • 3122.

    You do not know which day it was ? — No.

  • 3123.

    Have you any memorandum or diary that you can refer to to see the day he came ? — No.

  • 3124.

    Whatever day it was that he came to Deal first, that was the day you saw him ? — Yes, I met him at Sandwich, in the train with Mr. Emmerson, who was there with him.

  • 3125.

    Had you gone over to Sandwich to meet him ? — I had been over to Sandwich so often to members, or candidates rather, that I cannot say ; I think he was expected, and I went over for the purpose.

  • 3126.

    Did you have any conversation with him there ? — Only coming along in the train.

  • 3127.

    Did you get into the train at Sandwich and come on to Deal ? — Yes.

  • 3128.

    Had you had any communication with him previously ? — No, none whatever.

  • 3129.

    What was the substance of your conversation with him on your way here ? — It was in reference to the coming election, and whether there was any chance of success.

  • 3130.

    Tell us what passed between you; give me shortly the substance of it ? — It is a very difficult matter now to recollect, because it is so many months ago ; there was nothing of any importance.

  • 3131.

    Did he ask you your opinion as to the chances of his success, and so forth ? — It is very likely he might have done, and I had a very good opinion of it.

  • 3132.

    Do you remember whether you said anything to him about that ? — I do not know whether I did at that time, but I have since because I thought there was a very good chance of success.

  • 3133.

    Did anything pass between you as regards money matters, or the amount that would be required to be spent in the borough ? — No, not at that time.

  • 3134.

    You had no communication with him by letter previously to this ? — No, none ; Mr. Emmerson I think

  • 3135.

    When he came to Deal did you have any further conversation with him on the subject ? — Yes, upon several occasions.

  • 3136.

    You were appointed as his agent ? — He considered me as his agent, I never had any appointment.

  • 3137.

    After that did you have any conversation with him with regard to the prospects of success, and the probable expense that would be required in the election ? — Not as regards amount.

  • 3138.

    Did anything pass between you as regards the amount that would be required to be spent to fight the borough ? — No, I do not think I ever spoke to him upon the subject I told him that money would be wanted, and that it was always usual to have the money down, but with him I said it was not of much consequence because we could trust him. I had always understood that there was a good lump sum deposited to answer expenses.

  • 3139.

    Did you tell him that ? — Yes, certainly, and he said it was contrary to all he had ever done before, he said he had never paid anything beforehand.

  • 3140.

    You told him it was usual to deposit a large sum to meet expenses ? — Yes, in this place.

  • 3141.

    And he said that it was contrary to what he had been expected to do, and that he had never done any- thing of the kind before ? — Yes, he said he had never paid anything until after the election.

  • 3142.

    Did he say whether he would or would not do it ? — No, he did not say that. First of all I had a cheque for 200L. I think.

  • 3143.

    Did anything more pass between you and him in regard to money matters at that time ? — No, nothing.

  • 3144.

    Was this upon the day of his arrival here ? — Oh dear no ! I cannot say the day.

  • 3145.

    When did you first have any conversation with him about money matters ? — I really cannot fix the day, it would be between the time he came and the Sunday, but I cannot fix the day.

  • 3146.

    You would have some conversation with him about the expenses of the election, and so forth, soon after his arrival ? — Yes, but I cannot say when.

  • 3147.

    It would be soon after his arrival ? — Very likely. I must have had some conversation when asking for the 200L.