Testimonies - A Forest of Flags

Mackie, William Burvill | Day 7

£6 for canvassing, £42 for bribes, remainder used to keep away “All in the downs”

6634.
(Mr. Turner.) What are you ?— A pilot.
6635.
What money did you receive during the election ? — 6L., 4L., and 42L. from Mr. Olds.
6636.
What was the 6L. for ? — Canvassing.
6637.
And the 4L. ? — Personal use.
6638.
A present ? — No, personal use.
6639.
What does that mean, explain it more fully ? — When the petition was on they were looking for me to serve me to go to Sandwich, and they never found me, I went to sea.
6640.
(Mr. Jeune.) Are you the gentleman who it was said was, “all in the Downs” ? — Yes.
6641.
What was the 4L. for ? — Well, I used to keep away, and I spent more than that, it was eight or nine days.
6642.
(Mr. Turner.) Did you keep ashore here ? — No, not here, I kept out of their way. I went to various places.
6643.
You had 6L. 4L. and 40L. ? — 42L.
6644.
How many voters did you distribute that amongst ? — 14.
6645.
They had 3L. each ? — Yes.
6646.
When did you give it to them ? — Upon the morning of the election.
6647.
What for ? — For voting for Mr. Crompton Roberts.
6648.
Had they promised to vote for him ? — Yes, I went and selected them, and kept to them, and took a great many of them to vote.
6649.
You promised them 3L. if they voted ? — Yes.
6650.
And they did vote ? — Yes, they did vote.
6651.
Had you any other money ? — No.