HC Deb 23 April 1866 vol 182 cc1871-2

House informed, that the Committee had determined,— That Edward Matthew Fenwick, esquire, was not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Lancaster. That Henry William Schneider, esquire, was not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Lancaster. That the last Election for the said Borough is a void Election. And the said Determinations were ordered to be entered in the Journals of this House. House further informed, That the Committee had agreed to the following Resolutions:—

  1. 1. That Edward Matthew Fenwick, esquire, and Henry William Schneider, esquire, were, by their Agents, guilty of bribery at the last Election for the said Borough.
  2. 2. That it was proved to the Committee that Thomas Baxter was bribed by the payment of fifteen pounds:—William Armistead of ten pounds:—John Western often pounds:—Richard Armistead of ten pounds:—Thomas Edmondson often pounds:—Henry Casson of twelve pounds:—Daniel Edmondson (the son of Jonas) of ten or twelve pounds:—John Edmondson of fifteen pounds:—Thomas Bennison often pounds:—and William Sharpies of ten pounds.
  3. 3. That there was no evidence to show that the said acts of bribery were committed with the knowledge or consent of the said Edward Matthew Fenwick, esquire, and Henry William Schneider, esquire.
  4. 4. That the Committee have reason to believe that corrupt practices extensively prevailed at the last Election.

Report to lie upon the Table.

Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee to be laid before this House.—(Mr. Howes.)