Pearson, Henry | Day 5

Given money to give it to certain people with the intention of keeping them on shore displaying flags on their boats, and likewise for voting.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 5050.

    (Mr Holl) I think you received some money from Mr. Rose, did you not ? — Yes.

  • 5051.

    How much ? — 27L. 15s.

  • 5052.

    Had you any instructions or directions from him what to do with it ? — Yes.

  • 5053.

    What was it ? — I have the list of names he gave me in my pocket.

  • 5054.

    You were to give it to certain people ? — I gave it to certain people with the intention of keeping them on shore displaying FLAGS on their boats, and likewise for voting.

  • 5055.

    Had you any instructions or directions from him with regard to arranging with these people before you paid them. Did you tell him that you had arranged with any of the parties for them to remain on shore to vote ? — Certainly, to keep them on shore.

  • 5056.

    Have you got the list ? — Yes (handing same).

  • 5057.

    Did you arrange with these people, that you would give them 3L. apiece ? — For their detention on shore instead of going to their habitual work.

  • 5058.

    On condition that they would remain on shore and vote for your side ? — Just so.

  • 5059.

    Did you arrange to give them 3L apiece ? — Yes.

  • 5060.

    You did that with Mr. Rose’s knowledge ? — Yes.

  • 5061.

    It was before the election that you made the arrangement ? — Yes, I told them to keep together, and I would pay them for their trouble after the election was over.

  • 5062.

    After the election you received from Mr. Rose this 27L. 15s. ? — Just so.

  • 5063.

    To pay these people ? — To pay these people.

  • 5064.

    Did you pay them ? — Yes.

  • 5065.

    These are the names of the different people to whom you paid the money, I see there are nine altogether ? — There is my own name at the bottom.

  • 5066.

    You paid eight men 3L. a-piece, and you kept 3L. 15s. for yourself ? — For my personal expenses, what it cost me.

  • 5067.

    I will not ask you how you voted, but you did  vote ? — I did vote.

  • 5068.

    (Mr. Turner.) And they voted ? — I believe so.

  • 5069.

    (Mr. Holl.) After the election was over, when you paid them this 3L. did they ask you for it ? — They asked me eight or ten days after I think.

  • 5070.

    Did they tell you they had voted for you ? — Just so.

  • 5071.

    I see here is John Cushney. You have given his address as York Street, Walmer Road. You have put the address in each case ? — To each one.

  • 5072.

    They are all boatmen I suppose ? — All boatmen but one.

  • 5073.

    What is he ? — You will find his name at the bottom, Mr. Hambrook. You will see what that is for.

  • 5074.

    All the others are boatmen ? — All the others are boatmen.

  • 5075.

    Besides this 27L. 15s. which you received, did you receive any other money at all in connexion with the election ? — Not that I am aware of.

  • 5076.

    Either to distribute or for doing anything ? — No, only a part of that which you see mentioned about a lugger that was to come home.

  • 5077.

    (Mr. Turner.) Were you in that ? — No, I was not in it.

  • 5078.

    (Mr. Holl.) Did you arrange for 25L. to be paid to the men going up and down in the lugger ? — It was arranged by Mr. Edwards.

  • 5079.

    What was the arrangement which was made ? — It was arranged to bring the people home, and to pay them according to what they would earn.