Talk:Bossiney (UK Parliament constituency)

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[edit] More than one elector

Bossiney had more than one elector in 1784. The source for this claim is undoubtedly Oldfield’s “The Representative History of Great Britain and Ireland” (vol iii page 210) published in 1816. However, in a slighty later work of Oldfield's “A Key to the House of Commons” published in 1820 he no longer makes it. In 1819 he had acted as an election agent in Bossiney which had doubtlessly greatly improved his knowledge of the borough.

The actual number of electors in 1784 was almost certainly 10. This figure can be inferred from the contents of letter (quoted in “The History of Parliament 1754 - 1790” - page 46) penned by a local election agent in January 1784 and sent to Lady Bute, then one of the borough’s “patrons”: “The interest hath certainly been injured greatly by Mr Crewe’s bill.... the election, now being in fewer hands, each individual feels greater consequence. I will however venture to assure your Ladyship that your interest is not in the least danger....We have still seven to three, which I think is a pretty decent majority.”

I have viewed Bossiney's 1784 election return in in the Records Office in Kew It bears eleven signatures. One of the signaturs is that of the mayor (John Fuge) who may not have actually been an elector. Another signature is that of Arthur Wade who Oldfield claimed was the only elector.

Paul Buttle —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 217.155.193.205 (talk) 08:42, 11 May 2007 (UTC).

[edit] John Richmond Webb

the Wp biography of John Richmond Webb does not mention him serving as MP for Bossiney. Vernon White ^{. . . Talk} 15:28, 19 May 2008 (UTC)