French, Herbert | Day 13
£3 for his vote from Mr East plus 30s for his 9 year old son from Mr Slaughter – doesn’t specify which one but the boy was employed as a messenger, so presume it was Thomas Arthur, the Solicitor’s clerk. Slaughter’s testimony makes reference to employing 40 – 50 messengers who were sent round each morning to ensure the bills posted were still in place.
Witness Type: Bribee
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 15521.
(Mr. Holl.) What are you ? — A shipwright.
- 15522.
Where do you live ? — In Fisher Street, Sandwich,
- 15523.
Did you get 3L. from Mr. East for your vote ? — Yes.
- 15524.
Anything else ? — My son received 30s. from Mr. Slaughter as a messenger.
- 15525.
What did he do ? — Ran about with notes for all I know.
- 15526.
How old is your son ? — Nine years.
- 15527.
How much is that a day ? — I think he was on about ten days.
- 15528.
That is 3s. 6d. a day for a child nine years old — he never earned that before, did he, or since, has he ? —No.
- 15529.
You knew it was given to him as an inducement for your vote ? — Well, I suppose it was, but I was not asked about that.