Coleman, Benjamin Longden | Day 2

Farmer & Market Gardener Employing 22 Men 13 Boys (240 Acres)

Applied to Mr Emmerson to manage election. Received two sums of £40 and £50. The first was to engage Public Houses.


Witness Type: Briber, Treater

Party: Liberal


Witness Testimony:

  • 1330.

    What Lock was that ? — He is a retired gentleman, I believe ; he has retired from business.

  • 1331.

    Do you know his Christian name ? — I do not know his Christian name.

  • 1332.

    Did you hear of any persons on the other side who had received money ? — No, only hearsay.

  • 1333.

    Did you hear the names of any one ? — No, nothing positive ; nothing definite.

  • 1334.

    Who were you told had received money on the other side ? — Only those who voted that way, I suppose.

  • 1335.

    Did you have any specific names mentioned to you ; any particular names ? — No ; I do not remember any.

  • 1336.

    Thomas Wanstall; what is he ? — A steamboat man ; I think he is employed on board.

  • 1337.

    Has he a house at Sandwich ? — Yes, in Fisher Street, I think.

  • 1338.

    Is he a freeman or a householder ? — A householder.

  • 1339.

    What arrangement did you make with him ? — I saw his wife, he was not at home ; she communicated with him somehow; he was at Salt Pans, where the steamboats generally lay.

  • 1340.

    What arrangement did you make with his wife ? — None ; only she sent for him, and he came to see me, but I forget whether it was before or after the polling.

  • 1341.

    What arrangement did you make with her ? — There was nothing said, only, “If you want him he is down there, and he will come if you send for him.” He made the arrangement.

  • 1342.

    With you ? — Yes.

  • 1343.

    What was the arrangement ? — He said he must have 5L.

  • 1344.

    He said he must have 5L. if he voted for you ? — Yes.

  • 1345.

    Was that before he voted ? — I cannot be certain about that ; it was either just before or after ; it was on the day.

  • 1346.

    On the day of the polling ? — Yes.

  • 1347.

    Do you remember whether you made any arrangement with him or his wife, that you would give him something if he came before he polled ? — Not with his wife, and I did not see him ; I could not find him, and I had not seen him before.

  • 1348.

    Was the arrangement made before or after the polling ; you do not know ? — I will not be certain as to that.

  • 1349.

    Now, John Castle; what is he ? — I think a pilot.

  • 1350.

    When did you arrange with him ? — The morning.

  • 1351.

    The morning of the polling day ;— Yes.

  • 1352.

    Tell us what took place ? — He told me if I gave him 4L. he would vote our way.

  • 1353.

    When did you pay him ? — The next day, I think.

  • 1354.

    After he voted ? — Yes.

  • 1355.

    Robert Ferrier, what is he ? — A farm labourer.

  • 1356.

    When did you arrange with him ? — The morning.

  • 1357.

    What did you tell him ? — He asked me what I would give him. I gave him a sovereign ; nothing more than that.

  • 1358.

    (Mr. Turner.) That was before he voted ? — I think it was, because I gave him instructions how to vote.

  • 1359.

    (Mr. Holl.) You told him you would give him a sovereign if he voted for you ? — Yes.