Testimonies

Edwards, James Barber | Day 3

Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity, Petition witness, Treater

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 4 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 14 | Petition Day 1

Witness Testimony:

• 3178.

  Do you remember from whom he said he had got it; who had sent it ? — Friends of Sir Julian’s, I think he said ; I think he was one of them, but who he was I did not know, nor do I know now, except that I have been informed it was a Mr. Foord.

• 3179.

  He said that friends of Sir Julian’s had sent the money for the election, but he did not tell you who they were ? — No ; no names were mentioned, nor was his own name mentioned.

• 3180.

  He did not mention his name at that time ? — No, not to me, nor did I ask.

• 3181.

  You have since heard that it was a Mr. Foord ? — Yes, of Rochester or Chatham.

• 3182.

  Who did you hear it from ? — I think it was Mr. Lewis.

• 3183.

  Mr. George Lewis ? —Yes ; it might have been from Mr. Emmerson, but I think it was Mr. Lewis.

• 3184.

  Did anything take place between you and Mr. Emmerson and Mr. Foord beyond that ? — No, I left.

• 3185.

  How long did he remain with you ? — I should think not five minutes ; I left.

• 3186.

  Did he leave before you left ? — No, I left to have some luncheon and to order a fly, and I returned and took the money away.

• 3187.

  When you returned he was gone ? —Yes, I think he was.

• 3188.

  I only said he was gone because you said he remained only five minutes ? — I only remained about five minutes there ; I left

• 3189.

  Do you remember whether he was gone when you came back or not ? — I think he was, but I would not be certain.

• 3190.

  Did you ever have any further conversation with him whatever in reference to this money ? — No, none whatever ; the money was made up in the parcel, and I took it to the fly, and took it off.

• 3191.

  Was it made up in one parcel ? — The money was in bags.

• 3192.

  Was the whole of the 1,500L. in one bag or parcel ? — Several bags.

• 3193.

  How did you and Mr. Emmerson divide it ? — I do not know whether I did or did not for certain, but I think I said to Mr. Emmerson, “ What amount do you want,” and he said, “ 200L.,” and he took 200L., and of course I took the rest.

• 3194.

  He said he wanted 200L. ? — He said he would take 200L.

• 3195.

  And you took the rest ? —Yes.

• 3196.

  Did you know how much the rest consisted of when you took it away ? — Only that Mr. Foord told me the bags contained so-and-so, and wanted me to count them, but that I refused to do ; I had no wish to do that, and I trusted to his honesty.

• 3197.

  You returned back to Deal ? — Yes.

• 3198.

  Did anything further take place between you and Mr. Emmerson, or anybody, in regard to this money ? — No, nothing. I do not think I mentioned it to anybody after that, except it might be to Sir Julian. I might have said that I had received some money on his account for the election, or, at least, I suppose on his account.

• 3199.

  Did you ? — Yes, I think I must have said that, I had no reason for not telling him.

• 3200.

  Do you remember whether you did tell him, or not ? — Yes, I think so, certainly.

• 3201.

  That you had received the money ? — Yes, the 1,300L.

• 3202.

  When and where do you think you told him ? — I suppose it would be about the same day, or the next day.

• 3203.

  Did you see him upon your return back to Deal ? ‘I did not see him upon that day. I saw him the next morning.

• 3204.

  Do you remember whether you did tell him or not ? — Yes, I think I did, certainly. I had no reason for keeping it from him.

• 3205.

  Can you remember what you told him ? — Nothing, except that I had received 1,300L. at Sandwich.

• 3206.

  Do you remember where you told him ? — I suppose it would be at our central COMMITTEE ROOM at the “Star and Garter.”

• 3207.

  You say you suppose ? — Because I generally saw him there, and very seldom saw him at any other place.