The dissolution having ensued, I now wait upon you to ask your
suffrages, and should I be kindly favoured with a renewal of
your confidence, so as to be again enabled to discharge the
important duties which will devolve upon your representative in
Parliament, you may rest assured that I will endeavour to repay
the obligation by all the means in my power.
I am,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN BENBOW.
_Dudley, July 24th, 1847_
The political freedom of Dudley was now in the throes of life, or
death; and whilst our highly respected townsman, Mr. Badger, was
counting the cost, and rehearsing in his mind the past experience of
his friend Mr. Hawkes, late M.P. for Dudley, in Parliamentary matters,
the following "Curiosities of Dudley" appeared before the disturbed
Electors.