THE HERTFORD ELECTION.
THE Committee on the Hertford Election petition have been employed for the
last fortnight in examining witnesses, adduced to prove, that intimidation and bribery were shamelessly employed to return the Marquis of Salisbury's two nominees, Lords Ingestrie and Mahon, and to defeat the Independent, Mr. Duncornbe. This evidence is curious ; and, unless means are taken to prevent the recurrence of such practices as are detailed in it, may prove instructive to the uninitiated agents of noble boroughmongers.
It appears that, directly or indirectly, about the time-of the-election, Messrs.
Nicholson and Longmore received through several banking-houses in-London upwards of 7,000/. on account of the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Mahon, and Lord Ina.estrie. These gentlemen were the ostensible agents of "the two Lords" Siring the election. For some inexplicable reaion, Mr. Nicholson had occasion to pay a person named Dank, between March 1832 and March 1833, no less than 1,7501.; to another person named Twaddle, 347/. ' - and to others named Cheshire, 437/. What might be Nicholson's motive for bestowing so much ready cash upon the above individuals, it would of course he difficult to divine, although it was about the time of the Hertford election that the pay- ments were made ; but that these worthy men must have had occasion for money at that time, in order to enable them to serve their country to advantage, would appear from the fact of their having given gowns, shoes, bats, smock- frocks, drink, and money, to various persons who obliged "the two Lords."
Lord Mahon appears to have been no contemptible proficient in the art of canvassing ; as the following evidence of Mr. Thomas Russell Davies, a book- binder at Hertford, will prove.
Went to Nicholson's and saw Lord Mahon and Nicholson, who told him he had seen Twaddle, and bad a conversation about his vote. Witness said, if he voted for Lord Mahon he should expect a handsome present. Lord Mahon asked him what Le wanted! Witnas told his Lordship he had received considerable injury from the bullies and gipiles, add that he would not vote unless he had 101. Lord Mahon said he should hare the 101. Nicholson said that he would draw his pen across an account of 31.15s. which witness owed him, and that he (Nicholson) thought that mould be some- thing handsome. The cancelling of the debt was to be in addition-to the 10/. Witness thought himself that that was handsome. Witness told his Lordship it would save a great deal of trouble if he had the money then. His Lordship replied it could not be legally done then, but that he should have it so soon as he had polled.
After all, Mr. Davies's conscience pricked, him, and he voted for Duncombe and Spalding-.
George Beck, a labourer, and tenant of Lord Salisbury, gave evidence to the following effect. As it is highly creditable to Lord Ingestne, we extract it-- Lord 1ngeStrie asked him to vote for him. He replied "Yes." His Lordship then asked him to vote for Lord Mahon also. He replied that he could not rromise; that he did not know Lord Mahon. Lord Ingestrie said that it was he had Me longest purse Witness did then promise to vote for Lord Mahon. Lord Mahon was not more than' three or four yards from Lord Ingestrie, Lora Mahon thanked and shook hands with witness.
There is a vast deal of evidence to prove that Dack, Twaddle, Nicholson, and Longmore, used money or threats to procine votes. Gypsies and bullies were hired by the score to intimidate the voters of Duneombe a party. They were littered down like cattle in the stable and cellar of a publichouse called Rat's Castle,-where almost every " friend " of the Marquis of Salisbury seems to have got drunk, for nothing, at least once a day during the election. That the Marquis himself did not scruple to interfere openly in the contest, would appear from the following evidence.
Henry Fisher said, he recollected the Marquis of Salisbury going to Mr. Nicholson's, on a Friday in November. His Lordship was on horseback. Ile came on the Bayford road; that was the Hatfield way. In the course of an hour afterwards, there was a crowd opposite Mr. Nicholson's house ; the band was also in front playing. Lord Se- lisbnry came out on horseback, having, at that time, the colours of Lords Ingestrie and Mahon tied to the horse's head. Witness remarked to a friend, " yon ever see any thing like that ; the Marquis of Salisbury with the two candidates' colours?"
Another witness, Thomas Cousins, said-
A person came to him and sent him to the Red Cow, to escort Lord Salisbury out of the town. There were a great many bullies assembled, wearing the colours of the two Lords. The Cheshire-s directed the party to go in procession from the Red Cow to Mr. N ieholson's -the band playing. On the party reaching Mr. Nicholson's, Lord Salis- bury came out into the street. The crowd gave him three cheers. The procession then paraded the town. Twaddle and several others were at the head. Lord Salisbury pre- ceded the band. There was a flag of Lord ingestrie's colours in:the procession.
Bribery, drunkenness, perjury, and intimidation, seem to have flourished during the election. The Committee appointed to inquire into all this rascality, act like independent and faithful Representatives of the People, who will spare no pains to sift the whole proceedings to the bottom.
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