\ \ 44 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE T. Courtenay, Esq. 27 March 1838. 7386. The question does not refer to that, but to bribery ?— I put it altogether ; you may call it all bribery ; it was for injuries supposed. 7387'. Mr. Lefroy.] With respect to this which you heard, and which you now state from hearsay; as the confidential agent of the candidates, can you answer whether it was known to the candidates, or any of their connexions, that any money was given, directly or indirectly ?— No ; I am quite sure that even when it was paying a man for the injury done to his property after he made the promise, I do not think the candidate' even knew of that; I do not think that either Mr. Fox or Mr. Anthony Lefroy did know even of that. 7388. Mr. O'Connell.] And certainly the other Mr. Lefroy did not know of it ?— Certainly not. 7389. Mr. Lefroy.] Did you ever receive directions from any one of the near connexions of the candidate, that he would rather lose the county than have any bribery on his side ?— I have very often heard you say so. 7390. Mr. O'Connell.-] Who was the officious individual that bribed, in spite of the wish of the candidates. Was it you ?— No. 7391. Mr. Lefroy.] Have you heard, upon grounds which induce you to believe the fact, that there was bribery also 011 the other side ?— Yes, I believe there was more bribery on the other side. 7392. Mr. O'Connell.] But you were the conducting agent of the one side, and the electioneering enemy of the other ?— Yes. 7393. Mr. Lefroy.] Does your belief of bribery, on the other side, arise from having investigated, bv evidence referred to you, particular cases, and instances of bribery on the other side ?— It does. 7394. Mr. O'Connell.] Did you ever investigate any of your own cases ?— Not in the same way that we investigated those of the opposite side, because we were going to make it part of the ground of our petition, and I had two or three very good cases of bribery for the last petition, if we had thought it worth while to go on with it. 7395. You might have offered those, notwithstanding the decision 01 the Com- mittee not to open the register?— We might; but as we were going for the seats, we did not press it. 7396. You preferred leaving the two Members in to having a void election for bribery?— We thought it as well, perhaps. 7397. Chairman.] In point of fact, if you had turned out the two present Mem- bers for bribery, and the registry remained the same, would you have had any more chance of carrying your friends at the next election than you had at the last?— No, we should not. 98. So that you had nothing to gain by unseating those gentlemen ?— No- to gain but another contest and fresh expense, for no use. 73* tiling O Mercurii, 28° die Martii, 1838. Mr. Curry. Mr. F. French. Mr. Milnes Gaskell. Mr. Lefroy. MEMBERS PRESENT. Mr. O'Connell. Lord G. Somerset. Mr. E. Tennent. LORD GRANVILLE SOMERSET, IN THE CHAIR. Mr. George Gardiner, called in; and Examined. Mr. G. Gardiner. 7399. Chairman.] WHAT is your profession ?— I have been the earliest part 28 March 1818 ° f my life bred aS a survey° r> and 1 superintend a school, and occasionally, J ' when I have leisure, I survey. 7400. Where is your place of residence ?— At Barry, in the county of Longford. 7401. Have you been long resident in the county of Longford ?— Since I was born. 7402. You