Axon, Henry David | Day 12

Money was given to him to distribute between his lugger crew. His share was £2. 10s. Away at sea he received a letter in the West of England asking them to come home and vote.


Witness Type: Briber

Party: Liberal


Witness Testimony:

  • 15362.

    (Mr. Jeune.) When were you summoned for ? — The 15th, I believe it was, but I only arrived home from sea last night. 

  • 15363.

    Where do you live ? — 1, Prospect Place. 

  • 15364.

    What is your occupation ? — A mariner. 

  • 15365.

    What did you get at the election ? — I received 29L 2s. 

  • 15366.

    Who from ? — Mr. Rose. 

  • 15367.

    Mr. E. T. Rose, was it ? — Yes. 

  • 15368.

    What for ? — Loss of time, and detention of me and my lugger and boat’s crew. 

  • 15369.

    Did Mr. Rose ask you to come to vote ? — No. 

  • 15370.

    How did you know you were to come ? — There was a letter down at the West of England, I happened to be at that place and saw it, specifying that there was an election, and we were to be home for it. 

  • 15371.

    What was your share of the 29L. 2s. ? — 2L. 10s. 

  • 15372.

    What did it cost you to come here ? — 9L. odd, travelling expenses alone. 

  • 15373.

    Not for yourself, the whole lot of you, I suppose ? — No, three of us. 

  • 15374.

    You mean it cost you 9L. to come here and get back again ?  — Yes. 

  • 15375.

    9L. was spent in travelling ? — Yes, travelling expenses alone. 

  • 15376.

    Where did you come from ? — Portsmouth. 

  • 15377.

    How much do you say you three received ? —  There was 20L. left ; that was divided into eight parts. 

  • 15378.

    And you went share and share in the eight parts ? — Yes. 

  • 15379.

    You got one share, and the other seven would each get so much ? — Yes. 

  • 15380.

    Who got the rest ? — The other people that was with us. 

  • 15381.

    Did they come with you ? — No; they receive the same part whatever we get. 

  • 15382.

    What are the names of the two men who came with you ? — Beecham and Coleman. 

  • 15383.

    William Beecham and George Coleman ? —  Yes.

  • 15384.

    Is Coleman here ? — I do not think he is. 

  • 15385.

    Did you have anything else ?  — Nothing else; that was for five days’ detention. 

  • 15386.

    Was any sum mentioned to you when you were told to come and vote ? — Not in the least. 

  • 15387.

    You were not told what you would get ? — No. 

  • 15388.

    Did you see the letter ? —  Yes.

  • 15389.

    What did it say ? — It simply specified that there was to be an election, and whether we should be home about the time it was coming off. 

  • 15390.

    Did it tell you you should have any particular sum or have your expenses ? — No, nothing about that.

  • 15391.

    Who fixed the sum you got ; how was it fixed ? — I do not know how it was fixed, I am sure.