Henry Bush said, “Alderman Turner authorized me to give £6 to a voter, to vote for Lord Stormont and Sir James Scarlett, and said that was the most money they were then giving. I would not take the money as I said it was not enough.”
Mr. Alderman Turner declared on oath that the statement was false.
Mr. John Hayes said, “On the second day of the last general election, Mr. George Liddell gave me three sovereigns for my vote, but never told me in which interest I was to vote. Mr. Wortley, one of the common council, also gave me three sovereigns to vote in the interest of Stormont and Scarlett. I took the sovereigns but voted in the Whig interest, and carried the money to the committee and gave it to Mr. Beare and Mr. Springfield. It was returned to me in four months afterwards.”
Mr. Wortley denied the statement, but several persons were named who were present when Mr. Wortley paid the money.
Mr. Cozens was examined as to the evidence which had been given before the House of Commons’ committee by Mr. W. J. U. Browne, then sheriff, who when asked whether there was any committee for conducting the election of Lord Stormont and Sir James Scarlett, replied, “Certainly not;” and the manuscript was produced of a letter which appeared in the Mercury, in answer to one sent out by Mr. Robberds, in which Mr. Browne spoke of “the committee for conducting the election,” and signed himself as chairman.
Mr. J. Francis mentioned circumstances to prove that there was a committee, and produced a note.
Mr. William Cooper, deposed, “There was no formal committee. If anybody had asked him for a committee man, he could not have stated one. He should say the whole party formed the committee. He was active during the election, but he was not aware that he belonged to any committee.”
Commissioner Buckle:—“We have a letter in Mr. Browne’s own handwriting, in which he states that the committee was not dissolved, and he signs himself chairman.”
Mr. Cooper observed, “Mr. Browne has given his own explanation of that. I am not prepared to give any other interpretation to the circumstance. I have given my opinion and my belief as to the existence of the committee.”
Commissioner Long said, “I have no doubt, Mr. Cooper, you have spoken perfectly correct. At some elections there are committees, and at others it is thought better to avoid them.”