Bushell, William Wilkins | Day 15
Given £12 for 4 voters. Also received £5 for the hire of a committee room which was the equivalent of just over 3 months rent. His premises was recorded as the Pier Tavern but this may have been a local name or misheard.
Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 17858.
(Mr. Holl.) What are you ? — A boatman.
- 17859.
Where do you live ? — 4a, Beach Street.
- 17860.
I think you received some money from Mr. Grigg to distribute ? — Yes.
- 17861.
How much ? — 12L. for four voters.
- 17862.
You gave 3L. to four voters ? — Yes.
- 17863.
Is that all you received ? — No, I received five guineas besides that.
- 17864.
For yourself ? — For canvassing, personal expenses, and night-watchman.
- 17865.
What personal expenses did you incur ? — Going round canvassing, and spending money here and there.
- 17866.
Treating people you mean ? — No, treating myself —it is what I spent upon myself. I did not treat anybody else.
- 17867.
You did not spend five guineas in refreshments ? — No, I say it is for expenses, going about canvassing, and night-watchman.
- 17868.
How many days did you canvass ? — The whole election.
- 17869.
How many people do you think you saw ? —10, 20, or 30, but I only got those four men that I paid money to.
- 17870.
How many nights did you watch ? — All one night. I received 5L before that for a COMMITTEE ROOM. My wife received that.
- 17871.
What house is yours ? — The “Pier Tavern.”
- 17872.
Was that used much ? — Once or twice, and they had a meeting one night.
- 17873.
What other use did they make of it ? —They had pens and ink on the table all the time of the election.
- 17874.
What is the rent of your house ? —19L. a year.
- 17875.
That is all that you had ? — Yes, that is all I had.