+Source.+--_The Lives of the Norths._ Vol. i., pp. 111-113. Bohn edition.
When it was made known that his lordship [_i.e._, Francis North, who
became Lord Keeper of the Great Seal] intended to stand for burgess, the
magistrates intimated that they would serve him with their interest; and
other encouragements he had: and before the writ came down he made the
town a visit, and regaled the body with a very handsome treat which cost
him above one hundred pounds; and they complimented him highly with
assurances of all their interests, which they doubted not would be
successful against any opposition, but they believed there would be
none. He was made free, and had the thanks of the body for his
favourable assistance in procuring them convoys, etc. So far was well:
and when the writ was sent to the Sheriff of Norfolk, his lordship's
engagements were such that he could not go down to the election himself
but sent a young gentleman, his brother, to ride for him (as they call
it), and Mr. Matthew Johnson, since clerk of the Parliament, for an
economist of which there was need enough. The rule they observed was to
take but one house and there to allow scope for all taps to run. Nor was
there need of more, for, as had been foretold, there was no opposition,
which was a disgust to the common people for they wanted a competition
to make the money fly; and they said Hobson's choice was no choice. But
all passed well, and the plenipos returned with their purchase, the
return of the election, back to London.
The Parliament met and at the very first the new members were attacked;
for one stood up and recommended it to their modesty to withdraw while
the state of their election was under debate; as they did and were soon
dismembered by the vote of the house; as is more fully related in the
Examen.[8] But thereupon the speaker's warrants went to the great seal
and new writs issued. This caused his lordship to dispatch his plenipos
once more on the like errand to his majesty's ancient borough of Lynn
Regis. At first all things seemed fair; but the night before the
election there was notice given that Sir Simon Taylor, a wealthy
merchant of wine in that town, stood and had produced a butt of sherry,
which butt of sherry was a potent adversary. All that night and next
morning were spent in making dispositions for conduct of the interest
and such matters as belong to a contested election. But the greatest
difficulty was to put off the numerous suitors for houses to draw drink,
of which every one made friends to insinuate in their favour as if the
whole interest of the town depended upon it. But these gentlemen
plenipos determined to take no other house but where they were, to let
the quill as well as the tap run freely, which made an account of above
three hundred pounds. After the election and poll closed, all the chiefs
on both sides met to view the poll-books; and Sir Simon Taylor, being on
his own knowledge of the people's names satisfied that the election was
against him, called for the indenture and signed it with the rest. This
was an act of generous integrity scarce ever heard of before or since,
and is what I have on all occasions mentioned for his just honour, and
it would be strange if I should leave it out here. And it is material
also, for, when his lordship came into the house, being a very good
advocate and generally well thought of, the party there styled of the
country thought his sitting in the house might be an accession to the
court interest of too much consequence to be let pass if it might be
hindered; and accordingly they expected a petition (as almost of course)
to come in against him, and an opportunity thereupon to try the
experiment of heaving him out of the house: for at that time who would
not prove a petition against a declared courtier? His lordship was
generally acquainted and passed well with the gentlemen of all sides.
But, in the house, none of the country party came near him or cared that
he should speak with them. So it passed till the fourteenth day; and
there was but fifteen days of liberty to petition. Then one of them
ventured to welcome him into the house but asked if his election was not
like to be questioned. "No," said he, "it cannot be for my adversary
signed the return for me." Within an hour or two after, at least twenty
more of the same interest came and saluted him as very well pleased with
his company; as much as to say, "Since thou art chose, who would not
have it so?"
[8] North's Examen: a reply to Kennett's History.