Cribben, Thomas | Day 15

Received £3 from Mr Grigg to come up by boat from Portland after receiving a telegram from the boat’s Owner Mr Spears.

Witness Type: Bribee

Witness Testimony:

  • 17700.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A boatman. 

  • 17701.

    Where do you live ? — No. 1, Dolphin Street. 

  • 17702.

    What did you receive for your vote ? — I received 3L. I came up from Portland, and I do not know whether it was for my vote or for my expenses ; that is all I received. 

  • 17703.

    From whom did you receive it ?— Mr. Grigg. 

  • 17704.

    Was it for your vote ? — I do not know whether it was for my vote or for my expenses. 

  • 17705.

    How long were you coming from Portland ? — Three days. I came on purpose for the election, and we waited till the wind came round, and stopped about a week. 

  • 17706.

    Did you receive anything else ? — No. 

  • 17707.

    What were vour expenses in coming ? — We turned up in the boat, but we had to pay the people who could not give a vote something out of it. 

  • 17708.

    (Mr. Holl.) How much did you get for yourself ? — For myself 3L. is all I had altogether. 

  • 17709.

    What did you lose ? — I could not say. 

  • 17710.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Who asked you to come ? — The owner of the boat I believe sent for us. I was close to Portland when the telegraph message came. 

  • 17711.

    Who did the telegram come from ? — From the owner of the boat, I think. 

  • 17712.

    Who is the owner of the boat ? — Mr. Spears. 

  • 17713.

    Did you see the telegram ? — They received the telegram at Portland, and two of us were at Weymouth when it came. 

  • 17714.

    Did you see the message ?  — No. 

  • 17715.

    Do you know what it said ?  — It ordered us home to come and vote. 

  • 17716.

    Did it say that if you came home you would get compensation ? — No. 

  • 17717.

    Did it say anything about that ? — No, I did not hear anything about it. 

  • 17718.

    Did you get the 3L. before you voted, or after ? — The same day as the election was we got it.

  • 17719.

    Before you voted ? — I do not know whether it was for voting, or for my expenses up, but all I had was 3L.

  • 17720.

    Were you paid before you gave your vote ?  —- Yes, I had it before I gave my vote.