Brett, James | Day 11

Census shows him as a bricklayer, employing 4 men & 2 boys. Received £35 from Mr Hughes the grocer in Sandwich and £10 from Mr Cloke. In his testimony, Frederick Cloke describes him as a Master Bricklayer and said he was paid £10 as he was ‘one of their prominent workers’.

One of those he paid was his older brother William Brett who was also called to testify.


Witness Type: Briber, Treater

Party: Conservative


Witness Testimony:

  • 13438.

    Is William Brett any relation of yours ? —-Yes, my brother. 

  • 13439.

    (Mr. Jeune.) When did you first hear that you were likely to be paid ?  — When the petition was on at Sandwich. That was the first time I heard of it. 

  • 13440.

    Did you send in any claim before that time ? — No. 

  • 13441.

    By “when the petition was on,” you mean after Mr. Cloke had given his evidence ?  — Yes. He gave it out in court that there was 10L. for Brett, and 10L. for Bushell, and I cannot mention the other two or three who were mentioned at the court. I forget about that ; but after that, I went and got 10L., which Mr. Cloke paid me. 

  • 13442.

    Before the petition was heard, and before Mr. Cloke gave his evidence, you had not heard anything about getting 10L. ? — No. 

  • 13443.

    You had not arranged with Mr. Cloke you were to have 10L. ? — No. 

  • 13444.

    You claimed it from him ?  — No. Mr. Hughes, the grocer, said he would make me a present if I assisted in the election, but he did not say what. 

  • 13445.

    When was that ?  — Before the election took place. 

  • 13446.

    He said that you should have something ? — Yes, he said that he would make me a present.