THe Election began the Twelfth day of January, 1688/9. and upon the View it did appear the Sitting Members, had much the greater Number; but in regard a Poll was demanded, the Bailiff immediately complyed with it: and was proſecuted, perſuant to the Articles hereunto annexed.

The Petition is in the Name of the Inhabitants of Southwark, who do pay Scot and Lot, and have the only right to Elect, &c. It does allow that the Bailiffs has the right of Inſpection and Ordering the Election; But complains that the Bailiff ſuffered perſons to Poll who had no right, and hindring the Petitioners to diſcover them.

By removing the Poll from a convenient place, and continued it Three days at St. Georges near the Kings Bench and Marſhalſea Priſons.

That thoſe which came to Poll for the perſons Nominated by the Petitioners were forcibly kept out, Beaten and Wounded. And returned Sir Peter Rich and John Arnold Eſq when as (ſay the Petitioners) Anthony Bowyer and Edward Smith Eſquires were duly Elected by the Major part, who had right to Elect, &c.

I anſwer to this diſingenious Petition, The Sitting Members, doubt not to make it appear, That all the matters therein contained, are falſe and untruly ſuggeſted. For they will prove

That at all times whenſoever a Poll was taken, the Burgeſſes were choſen by the Inhabitants, Houſekeepers of this Burrough, who did not receive Alms of the reſpective Pariſhes.

That in Five ſucceeding Elections theſe very Petitioners did give their Votes, as the Ancient Ʋſage of this Burrough, according to the Articles Signed by the Candidates.

That divers of theſe Petitioners in former Elections did Poll for Sir Richard How and Sir Peter Rich, according to the Uſage now practiced, as being the Cuſtom of the Burrough.

That all perſons who had right to Poll, had free acceſs in his Turn to the Poll-Table, where all neceſſary Queſtions were put by the Bailiff or his Deputy; That is to ſay, The perſons Abode, his Trade, and what ſort of Habitation he had, Before he declared for whom he gave his Poll.

That to avoid all Conteſts and Diſturbance, in ſo great an Election; This Article was aſſented and agreed unto. That any Candidate might make his Queries upon any perſon, he ſuſpected to be a falſe Poller, and every night ſucceſſively, before the Books were cloſed; Copies of the ſame were either given or ſent to the Candidates on each ſide, to enquire after ſuch ſuſpected Pollers, to the end, they might be detected, and diſallowed before the Cloſe of the Poll.

That in all former Elections where a Poll was demanded and taken, the Bailiff for Accommodation of the Inhabitants who are diſtant from each other, did take the Poll in the ſame places, they now were taken at.

That no Force was uſed by the Sitting Members or their Agents, the Conſtables who uſually attended the Poll, being generally inclined to favour the Petitioners ſide. Did uſe indirect means to feed the Poll with their party, thereby diſencouraging ſeveral that would have given their Poll for Arnold and Rich to decline it.

That neither the Petitioners or the Candidates ever complained of any irregular or undue practice of the Bailiff, during the taking of this Poll (which held ſix days) until the Books were caſt up, and the diſproportion appeared ſo great.

For John Arnold Eſq Polled—2130 For Anthony Bowyer Eſq—1360 For Sir Peter Rich—1677 For Edward Smith Eſq—1526 So Mr.Arnold had more Votes than Mr. Bowyer—770 More than Mr. Smith—604 Sir. Peter Rich had more than Mr. Bowyer—317 More than Mr. Smith—151

And whereas the Petition is ſaid to be in behalf of themſelves and others that have right to Elect. The Siting Members believe they ſhall be able to prove, that ſome of the Petitioners went from Houſe to Houſe to get Hands, and collect Monies to carry on this Petition; but were refuſed by ſome perſons that Polled for Smith and Bower, declaring to this effect. They were ſatisfied with the fairneſs of the Poll.