§ On the Motion of the Marquis of Salisbury, the examination of witnesses on this Bill was resumed.
§ [George Paltryman deposed, that forty guineas was the regular price of two votes at the elections of East Retford.
§ Thomas Appleby gave testimony to a similar effect. In the year 1812, he received ten guineas for his vote; in 1818, two packets were transmitted to him, containing twenty guineas each, and subsequent to the election of 1820, two packets, with similar contents were left at his house, as he understood, in consideration of his vote.
§ Samuel Buckstone stated, that he was promised ten guineas in 1812, on condition that he would vote for Mr. Osbaldeston. At two several times he received twenty guineas for his vote upon subsequent Occasions.]
§ In reference to some questions which were put by Lord Durham to the last witness,
Lord Ellenboroughobserved, that it was contrary to the usage of the House for any noble Lord to interrogate a witness while sitting. He thought that a deviation from the customary practice induced a conventional tone and manner which tended to tender an examination so conducted inaudible in a remote part of the House.
§ Lord Durhamstated, in reply, that he believed it was competent for him to cross- 226 examine a witness in whatever posture he pleased. If not, he was willing to acquiesce in the custom of the House; but with respect to "tone and manner," the noble Lord who corrected him was certainly the last person whom he should be disposed to set up as a pattern for imitation.
The Lord Chancellordecided, that it was not irregular to put incidental questions, while sitting, although, in a formal examination, it was usual for noble Lords to stand.
§ [William Hodson, the next witness, gave evidence to a similar effect, stating, that he had received forty guineas at each of the elections in 1818 and 1820.]
§ Further consideration of the question postponed till to-morrow.