> Appendix ' ( A.) Mr. Edward Parker. ( l July.) 108 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE You have stated what the pleadings were in that suit, do you know when it ceased?— No, I do not; it was only just the general idea that was then afloat about it. Do you know when it began?— Indeed I do not recollect the precise time; it was sometime in 1816 or 1817, I think. You recollect when Mr. Tuthill ceased to be politically connected with the city of Limerick, ceased to be contending for the representation ?— Either in 1817 or 1818. Can you inform the Committee whether many of your refusals to comply with the statute in furnishing lists of freemen, or allowing the inspection of books, have not taken place subsequent to the time of those proceedings with Mr. Tuthill?— I am not sure that I did not furnish the lists of the freemen, the refusals were as to the inspection of books. There was no connection between the Chancery suit and your refusal to comply with the statute ?— I really do not know. How do vou know Lord Gort, the chamberlain, was so advised by counsel?— I re- collect that " he was advised by counsel, and so was I, in another point of view, that the Act of Parliament under which the demand was made, did not apply at all; it was the thirty- sixth of the late king. How were you acquainted with the chamberlain being advised by counsel on that subject?— He told me so. Did the chamberlain tell you ?— He did. Have you any other means of knowing that he was so advised by counsel, except his own statement to that effect?— No. Did you ever see an opinion given by counsel to that effect?— No, not in from counsel to that effect ?— I obtained writing. Did you yourself obtain any opinion a verbal opinion from counsel. Who was the counsel?— Mr. D'Esterre; it is the seventy- third section of the thirty- fifth of the late king, and it says, that any mayor, bailiff, town- clerk, or other officer, having a right to return members to Parliament, shall, on the requisition of any can- didate, agent or freeman, allow the inspection of corporate books, on payment of one shilling each entry; and it was held, the power of returning a member for the city of Limerick, is vested in the freemen and freeholders. Was that Mr. D'Esterre the late recorder of Limerick?— Yes. Was he recorder at the time he advised you?— Yes. Did you not, in point of fact, frequently admit the legality of the demand, that you were bound to furnish the lists of freemen, and allow the inspection of the books; but stated, that you, acting as the trustee of others, were obliged to decline? —•• Oh ! certainly ; but that was the only Act of Parliament, under which authority, I recollect the inspection of the books demanded from me. Can you give the Committee any information regarding the orders for payment to the widows belonging to the almshouses ?— They are generally issued on the day upon which they purport to become due, Can you give the Committee any information whether those orders, so issued, are paid?— I believe they are paid up to the 25th ultimo; I believe so, because I left the orders with a view that they should be paid. Have you had any complaints made to you by the widows in those almshouses, that they did not receive payment for the orders which you gave for them ?— Not lately. At what time?— I do not recollect what time; I believe I have heard them say there has been a delay in the payments, but I do not recollect at what precise time. In point of fact, complaints have been made to you by the widows in those alms- houses, that the corporation orders have not been paid ?— It was rather a remon- strance complaining of the delay. Have you known that occur more than once?— I do not know; I believe once or twice; I am sure I heard it once, either once or twice. A paper handed to the witness.— Will you look over that; is that correct?— Indeed I believe it to be correct. That was a demand made upon the 11th of March on you?— Indeed I be- lieve so. A demand made on you in the words of the thirty- fifth of George the Third?— On the statute I allude to. " Mr. Parker refused to permit the inspection of books, or to give any answer, but said, what was right would be done; he was pressed for a direct answer, but refused to