Pierce, Robert | Day 9

Received £4 for room and treating from Mr Coleman (Liberal) and his wife received £5 from Slaughter (Conservative) for a room. Neither room was used by the parties. Also received money for treating. Unclear as to on which side his allegiance lay.


Witness Type: Both Sides, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper, Treater

Party: Unknown / Did not vote


Witness Testimony:

  • 10563.

    (Mr. Holl.) You keep the “Cinque Porte” hotel, at Sandwich ? — Yes.

  • 10564.

    Was yours a house at which Mr. Coleman took a room, or what arrangement did he make with you ? — He hired a room.

  • 10565.

    Did you have any arrangement what he was to pay for it ? — Yes.

  • 10566.

    How much ? — 4L.

  • 10567.

    Were you to do anything for the 4L. ? were you to use your influence with your customers ? — No, that was for the room.

  • 10568.

    Were not you, besides that, to use your influence with the people who frequented your house ? — No, not for that money.

  • 10569.

    Were you to use your influence at all ? — That money was for the room.

  • 10570.

    But did not he also ask you to use your influence with the people who came to your house ? — Yes, certainly.

  • 10571.

    And you agreed to do that for the 4L. too, did not you ? — Yes.

  • 10572.

    You are a voter, I suppose ? –Yes, I am a voter.

  • 10573.

    And I suppose you voted ? — Y es.

  • 10574.

    You supplied refreshments, did you not, to different people ? — Yes.

  • 10575.

    To the amount of 13s. 6d. ? — Yes.

  • 10576.

    Whose order was that by ? — Mr. Coleman’s.

  • 10577.

    To people who used his name ? — Yes.

  • 10578.

    And that you were paid ? — Yes.

  • 10579.

    Since that have you supplied further refreshments to people by his order to the amount of 1L 12s. ? —Yes.

  • 10580.

    Have you received any other money besides the 13s. 6d. and 4L. ? — No, not from Mr. Coleman.

  • 10581.

    From anybody else ? — No, I have not.

  • 10582.

    Who has, your wife ? — Very likely ; for a room I think she has.

  • 10583.

    How much did she receive ? — I cannot tell you.

  • 10584.

    About ? — Well, the women are pretty close you know.

  • 10585.

    Tell us the fact at once to save time ; about how much do you think she received ? — We have had an old gentleman stopping with us all the summer.

  • 10586.

    Answer the question ; did she receive anything in connection with the election. If you do not tell us we shall be obliged to summon her, and we do not want to do that ? — All right, I will tell you directly.

  • 10587.

    How much has she received in connexion with the election ? — 5L.

  • 10588.

    Who from ? — I cannot think of the man’s name now.

  • 10589.

    Try and think ? — Slaughter.

  • 10590.

    What is his Christian name ? — I do not know.

  • 10591.

    What is he ? — A clerk, I think.

  • 10592.

    A clerk to a solicitor ? — Clerk to the brewer of High Street.