Yarmouth Notes Part 6

Oct. 23rd.-Charles J. Palmer, Esq., had been elected an Alderman in the place of Dr. Bateman, deceased.

It appears from the report of the proceedings at the Revision Court that the lower ferry was then let at 30 a year only.

Oct. 30th.-The "Blues" claimed a gain of 50 on the revision of the Freeman's list.

The fis.h.i.+ng was reported as going on "very badly."

Nov. 6th.-A public meeting had been held on the subject of the Port and Haven Bill, the Mayor in the chair, when Messrs. George Danby Palmer, Sh.e.l.ly, Brightwen, Ferrier, Barth, and Dowson took part in the proceedings.

Nov. 20th.-The Conservatives had held a meeting at Bammant's Green, Mr.

William Mabson in the chair, pledging themselves to support the Hon. W.

H. Beresford and W. M. Praed.

Nov. 27th.-Col. Anson had spoken from the Committee Room in Regent Street, when Messrs. George Steward and J. Sh.e.l.ly took part in the proceedings.

The "Political Union" required Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold to pledge themselves to support "Corporation Reform, Triennial Parliaments, Extension of the Suffrage, and Vote by Ballot."

Dec. 4th.-A meeting of voters in the Blue interest had been held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, when it was determined "to sink all minor differences" in order to secure the return of Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold.

Mr. N. B. Palmer addressed a crowded a.s.sembly from the Committee Rooms.

Dec. 11th.-Thomas Baring, Esq., had arrived as Mr. Praed's colleague, and both gentlemen had addressed the electors from the Newcastle Tavern, and a house on the South Quay, which they had engaged as a Committee Room.

Dec. 18th.-The contest was progressing, Col. Anson a.s.suring his supporters "that at that moment their canva.s.sing book stood better than he had ever known it to stand since he had known Yarmouth."

Dec. 23rd.-There had been a "violent scuffle" between the Reds and the Blues, during which "the son of a Baronet was pulled from his horse and beaten violently."

1835.

Jan. 8th, contains the following account of the election:-

"It is with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we announce that our late members, Messrs. Anson and Rumbold, are ousted from the representation. We said last week that nothing but the most gross and unblus.h.i.+ng bribery could possibly unseat these gentlemen, and these means have been had recourse to, to an unprecedented extent.

Messrs. Baring and Praed are returned, not by the free and independent voice of the people, but by a bought majority, bought by means most disgraceful both to giver and receiver, although we cannot help thinking that the larger portion of disgrace attaches to the former-for what can be more discreditable, what can be more contrary to the high honour which ought to distinguish the gentleman, than to take advantage of the poor freeman, and by (in this instance doubly accursed) gold to make him forfeit his solemn promises? Do our opponents ask for proofs of this? We have them in the infamous system of cooping (a system which we had hoped was confined to a neighbouring city, but which has been now imported into this till now uncorrupt borough), which has been with a bold unblus.h.i.+ng front carried on to a large extent in certain houses in the town. We have them in the number of freemen who were to be seen on both election days coming up to the Red booth with Blue colours in their hats, and in the madness of infuriating drink, flinging them in the face of and grossly abusing a highly respected and respectable fellow townsman of ours, while at the same time they recorded their votes for Messrs.

Baring and Praed. We have it in the fact that four sovereigns, with a promise of as much more, and 2 10s., with a like promise, were given to two poor freemen of the names of Boyce and Stevenson, to induce them to vote for the Reds, but who, with a truly n.o.ble spirit that cannot be too highly appreciated, brought the money into their hands to the Blue booth, and then polled for Messrs. Anson and Rumbold. But, unfortunately for the good cause, these glorious examples were not generally followed. The Red Leaders took good care for the most part of their deluded and purchased victims, by plying them with drink, keeping them in strong hold, &c., to allow them to return to the paths of rect.i.tude. We do think that the feelings of our late members are rather to be envied by those of the present, the former having lost with honour, the latter owing their election not to the feeling of the town (that we confidently say, without fear of contradiction, is with Messrs. Anson and Rumbold), but to the exercise of the most abominable and venal means to effectuate it. If anything like the sums which we have heard mentioned have been expended in this shameful warfare of gold against principle, our opponents may truly say with one of yore, 'another such victory will ruin us!' The most active measures are being had recourse to (and may they be successful) either by substantiating the individual instances of bribery, which we know have to a great extent taken place to oust the members from those seats which they so unjustly obtained by bad means, manifestly against the feeling and real wishes of the town to oust Messrs. Baring and Praed from the ill-earned honours so surrept.i.tiously procured for them, or at any rate to make the guilty individual perpetrators pay the penalty of such acts!"

"The nomination of the candidates took place at the Guildhall, on hustings erected outside. The Town Clerk (S. Tolver, Esq.) having read the precept, the Mayor, in a loud voice, requested a patient hearing for those who might address them. Mr. Alderman Barth, in a neat speech, proposed the Hon. Col Anson as a fit and proper person to represent the borough. B. Dowson, Esq., seconded the nomination.

Vice-Admiral Sir G. Parker, K.C.B., in a very manly and straightforward speech, proposed Mr. Rumbold, when Mr. Sh.e.l.ly presented himself as the seconder. A picked party of his opponents, evidently brought there for the purpose, attempted by every discordant noise to prevent his being heard; by dint of perseverance, however, and the powerful support of his numerous friends, Mr. S.

with even more than his usual eloquence, at considerable length supported the nomination. Messrs. R. Ferrier and A. Palmer proposed and seconded Mr. Baring, and Mr. J. Penrice proposed and Mr. J. Lacon seconded the nomination of Mr. Praed. The Hon. Col. Anson spoke at great length, and with all his wonted power, in the course of a really luminous speech, he expressed the surprise he had felt on finding Mr. A. Palmer (a gentleman who had before honoured him with his support) among the ranks of his opponents. Mr. P. explained by saying it was because Col. A. had allied himself to Radicals and destructives. The Hon. Col. said he was surprised at having such a reason a.s.signed. It was known to all that he had never succ.u.mbed to the Radicals. That deeply grateful as he was for their support, he had, and should again, unless convinced of their necessity, oppose their great measures of vote by ballot and triennial parliaments.

That he was so far independent appeared in this, that with the ballot he believed the present opposition would scarcely have occurred, or if it had it would have been but a very few hours ere it would have terminated in the triumph of himself and Mr. Rumbold. (Loud cheers.) The other candidates also addressed the a.s.sembled mult.i.tude. The poll commenced the following day, and from the activity with the Pink and Purples, or Reds, or Conservatives, for in the motley a.s.semblage of coalition of colours we scarcely know what exactly they call themselves, brought up their voters, it was feared that they would head the first day's poll. The event proved the correctness of the prediction, for at four o'clock it was found that the Tories had a majority of 192; although the Blues rallied next morning, that majority could not be altogether overcome. The final close of the poll left Messrs. Baring and Praed a majority of 88.

Anson 680 Rumbold 675 Baring 772 Praed 768

"Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold addressed an immense concourse of persons, by whom they were repeatedly and loudly cheered, from the King's Head windows. They were preceded by Mr. Alderman Barth, Col.

Anson's very deep emotion not enabling him immediately to come forward. When he did come forward he said no language which he could use could sufficiently express his sorrow at the dissolution of the connection so long subsisting between them; their present members would find their task a comparatively easy one; they would find that such attention had been paid to the town that the path would be plain before them, and that little indeed would remain to be done. (Loud cheers.) They had been defeated by means most flagitious. Let not the present members, however, be too certain of their seats, for if by any means these foul proceedings could be sifted to the bottom, measures would be taken to remove them from their ill-acquired honours. With him and Mr. Rumbold, he was happy to say, still remained the real voice of the people. (Cheers.) He was proud of this, and would in conclusion a.s.sure them that whether in or out of Parliament their interests would ever have a prominent place in his regards. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Rumbold spoke under the influence of great agitation, and in the course of a very luminous speech adverted to the disgraceful fact of having in his pocket a proof that, in a room in this town a bribe was offered in the presence and with the cognizance of a Magistrate. (Cries of 'Shame, shame.') He should carry into retirement with him the deepest sense of their uniform kindness, and a determination ever to forward the interests of any of his former const.i.tuents, who might apply to him, to the best of his ability. The chairing of to-day was hailed by numbers with demonstrations which must have been the very reverse to the members; indeed, we are sure that if the Blues had shown in full strength their exasperated feelings (and they did not do this alone in compliance with the advice of their leaders), there could have been no chairing. A dinner of our late members' friends is now about taking place at the Masonic Hall, very numerously attended. A subscription for the purchase of a piece of plate for them is commenced, and will include the smallest amount. This will confirm us in our conviction that the sense of the town is with the Blues."

Jan. 15th.-About 100 supporters of Messrs. Anson and Rumbold dined at the Masonic Hall, when both those gentlemen were present.

Jan. 22nd.-The polling for East Norfolk showed a majority of 149 in the town for Windham and Gurney. Mr. Hume, M.P., Mr. Windham, and Mr. Palmer had addressed the electors.

Feb. 12th contains the following account of a sailing match from Yarmouth to Venice:-

"The Lion, Punchard, having some time been considered the fastest s.h.i.+p out of this port, a brig was built, and launched in the middle of September, called the Vivid (Captain M. Butcher, jun.) and matched against the Lion, for Venice, which vessel sailed at 3 p.m. on the 2nd of December, and the Vivid sailed at 6 p.m. on the following day, being 27 hours difference in favour of the former vessel; since which period letters have been received from Venice from each Captain, stating that the Vivid pa.s.sed the Gut of Gibraltar on the 22nd of December and the Lion on the 29th. They also state that the Vivid arrived at Venice on the 17th ult, and the Lion on the 24th ult."

A meeting of the subscribers to the plate to be presented to the late M.P.'s (Messrs. Anson and Rumbold) had been held, when it appeared that 3,685 persons had contributed 370 0s. 8d.

March 2nd.-Mr. C. Aldred had given a lecture on the "Philosophy of Sleep."

There had been "a most tremendous hurricane," and it was stated that "the oldest seaman does not recollect so much damage occurring on this coast with an off-sh.o.r.e wind."

March 16th.-100 had been deposited by three gentlemen "as the issue of a voyage to be performed by the Vivid, Lion, and Rapid, from these Roads to the Naze of Norway and back."

March 26th.-The ladies of Yarmouth were about to present two very elegant silver mugs to Miss Anson and Miss Emily Anson, the daughters of the late M.P. for the borough.

April 16th.-Mr. W. Davie, Trinity Agent, had been appointed a Sub-Commissioner of Pilotage in the room of John Fisher, Esq., on the recommendation of John Danby Palmer, Esq., and W. J. Hurry, Esq., the other Commissioners.

Mr. F. Preston had launched a very fine vessel of 464 tons called the Mary Anne.

A Society for promoting the Purity of Election had been formed.

April 23rd.-The members (Messrs. Baring and Praed) attended a dinner to which they had been invited by their const.i.tuents, at the Town Hall. Sir E. K. Lacon, Bart., presided. John Penrice, Esq., sat at the head of the right hand table, and Ambrose Palmer, Esq., at the head of the left. Mr.

Paget was vice-president. Among the company were Lord Walpole, M.P., E.

Wodehouse, Esq., M.P., Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart., Sir Jacob Preston, Bart.,- Lawson, Esq., M.P., the Mayor of Yarmouth, John Danby Palmer, Esq., Captains Onslow, Gunthorpe, Manby, and Grint; M. Lacon, J. M.

Lacon, W. Fisher, I. Preston, J. Preston, R. Ferrier, J. G. Fisher, E.

Leathes, G. E. Francis, R. Cory, W. Yetts, F. Preston, and Chas. J.

Palmer, Esqs.; the Revs. T. Baker, C. Penrice, W. Lucas, - Green, and about 250 electors.

May 14th.-The smuggler "Nancy, of London," was brought in by the Badger, cutter, having on board 150 tubs of brandy, a few bags of tea, and some dry goods.

June 18th.-A meeting of Reformers had been held at the Star Hotel, when G. Danby Palmer, Esq., moved that a pet.i.tion should be presented in favour of the Corporation Reform Bill.

June 25th.-Another meeting on the same subject had been held at the Mechanics' Hall. Messrs. William Barth, R. Wall, Thomas Hammond, E.

Sewell, S. Cobb, and J. Sh.e.l.ly taking part in the proceedings.

July 2nd.-Mr. Praed had presented a pet.i.tion against the Corporation Reform Bill from the town.

July 30th.-The following notice appears of the death of J. Sh.e.l.ly, Esq.:-

"It is with feelings of more than ordinary regret that we this week announce the sudden death of John Sh.e.l.ly, Esq. This estimable gentleman had concluded his examination on Tuesday forenoon last before the Parliamentary Committee, and after being highly complimented by the n.o.ble Chairman (Lord F. Egerton) for his ability (feeling himself somewhat unwell), had retired to his inn, where he directed the waiter to call him in half-an-hour. The servant went upstairs at the time appointed, about two in the afternoon, and found Mr. S. sitting in a chair, nearly dead. We repeat that we feel more than ordinary regret at having this announcement to make. As a leader and representative (if we may so say) of a party his death will create a void that it will be long indeed ere it be filled. His was a master mind-once embarked in a subject (whatever might be its magnitude) it was sure to be treated powerfully and ably by Mr.

Sh.e.l.ly, the whole energies of whose mind were directed to its elucidation for the benefit of his fellow townsmen. There might, indeed, be those who excelled this really gifted man in some particular department, but for general knowledge, facility, power, ease, and even elegance of expression, our lamented friend, we should say, has not left his equal in this, his native town. That he was a warm partizan, no one can deny, but that he was directed in his every movement of a public nature by sincerity and conscience is equally clear to every one who had the happiness of knowing him. The great majority of the shops kept by those in the Liberal interest are shaded, to show the sense which is entertained of the irreparable nature of the public loss sustained. But it is not alone in public that the work of Mr. S. was known. As a father, husband, friend, and Christian, his conduct was alike exemplary. We will venture to say that, warm as was his political partizans.h.i.+p, he never made himself one personal enemy. Mr. Sh.e.l.ly has left an amiable wife and eleven children to deplore his loss."

August 8th.-The Regatta had been held, when the cup was won by Sir Jacob Preston's "Maria"; on this occasion Edmund Preston, Esq., entertained "about 200 of the fas.h.i.+onables of the town."

August 13th.-The pet.i.tion in favour of Corporation Reform had been signed by 2,500 persons.

August 20th.-The following notice appears:-