188 MlNX J T E S OF E V I D E N C E T A K E N B E F O R E T HE Mr. S. Nicholls. 10792. But you doubt it now, do you ? - No, I do not; I am of the same opinion still; I thought it very likely. 22 May 1838. 10793. Then you consider that Mr. Fosberry's conduct upon the registry was corrupt ?— I will not say that the man meant to act corruptly. 10794. But that his conduct operated corruptly?—! think that his conduct acted injuriously to the popular interest. 10795. But without any design ?— I am inclined to think that it was from not well understanding what he was doing ; I do not think it was from corruption. 10796. If it arose from error, would not that error lead him to make dis- advantageous decisions as to one side as well as the other ?— I speak candidly ; I will do him the justice to say, that I think it was more from error than corruption. 10797. But all his wrong decisions were one way?— Yes. 10708. He never happened to err upon the other side?— Not that I am aware of. 10799. What relationship was there between Mr. Fosberry and Lord Long- ford ?— I cannot say ; I merely heard that they were relatives. 10800. Did you believe it?— I did. 10801. And you think that was one of the grounds of his appointment?— Yes, I consider having high interest that he got the appointment. Mr. James Ternan, called in ; and Examined. Mr. James Ternan. 10802. Chairman.] WHAT are you ?— At present I am living privately; I am — a land agent. 10803. Where ?— In Lanesborough, in the county of Longford. 10804. Have you been a land agent many years?— A good while; I have been an assistant to my father and brother, who were pretty extensive as land agents. 10805. Mr. Curry.] Did you at any time fill the office of sub- sheriff of the county of Longford ?— I did. 10806. In what year ?— In the years 1831, 1836, and 1837. 10807. Were you at any time an assistant in the clerk of the peace's office of the county of Longford ?— Yes, from 182/ to 1832, including 1832; my father was acting clerk of the peace for upwards of 35 years in that county. 10808. Mr. O'Connell. Who is clerk of the peace now?— A Mr. Crawford. 10809. Mr. Curry Were you in the clerk of the peace's office during the first registry under the Reform Act in the year 1832 ?— I was, to the close of the registry. 10810. Were you present in court during the time the registry was going on ? — During the entire time, with the exception of one or two days. 10811. Did you attend at Granard, Longford, and Ballymahon ?— Yes. 10812. Was it in Mr. Fosberry's court or in Mr. Dogherty's court?— I at- tended in Mr. Fosberry's court till Mr. Dogherty came, and then I went into Mr. Dogherty's court. 10813. About how many days were you in Mr. Fosberry's court?— I think about 25 or 30 days. 10814. Persons who came to be registered, were their claims in many instances opposed ?— In every instance. 10815. Was the opposition generally on the Liberal side, or on the Conser- vative side ?— The opposition was greater on the Conservative side, and it was better arranged; their agents were more numerous. 10816. Then you are understood to say, that persons coming up to be regis- tered on the part of the Liberals were more opposed than parties coming up to claim on the part of the Conservatives ?— Yes. 10817. The persons claiming to be registered attended in person ?— They did 111 many instances. In some instances they did not. 10818. Wherever they did attend in person were they themselves examined and cross- examined as to the nature and value of their interest ?— Always on the one side; the claimants that came up on the Liberal side were always examined. It did not always happen on the other side that they were examined. 10819. Were there any cases of witnesses examined to disprove the claims of those who came up to be registered upon the Liberal side ?-— In every case as well as I recollect. • 10820. Was