§ SIR GEORGE GREYbrought up the Report of the Select Committee appointed to try and determine the matter of a petition presented by Sir Edward Colebrooke and certain electors of the borough of Taunton, complaining of an undue return at the last election. The Committee had determined—
That Arthur Mills, esquire, is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Taunton.That the last election for the said Borough, so far as regards the Return of Arthur Mills, esquire, is a void Election.That Arthur Mills, esquire, was, by his agents, guilty of bribery at the last Election, but that it was proved to the satisfaction of the Committee that such bribery was committed without the concurrence or privity of the said Arthur Mills, esquire.That Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke, Baronet, a Candidate at the last Election for the Borough of Taunton, was, by his agents, guilty of bribery and treating, but that it was not proved to the Committee that such bribery was committed with the knowledge or consent of Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke.
§ Report to lie on the table.