A flagrant instance of boroughmongering was exposed during a parliamentary investigation into a case of controverted election at Milborne Port, Somerset, where the right of voting was, amongst others, in the capital bailiffs and their two deputies. The petition proposed to disqualify eleven votes upon the score of “occasionality,” and to object to eleven who voted for the sitting members and were disabled by a corrupt bargain made between Mr. Medlycott, the senior member, and Loyd, an agent of Lord North’s. There were nine bailiwicks in the borough, with a bailiff appointed for each. Mr. Medlycott had long been in possession of four of these, and the remaining five belonged to the family of Walters. A remarkable example of downright trading appeared as the case developed. In February, 1770, Loyd arrived at Milborne Port as the friend of Lord North. A meeting was held at Yeovil between the agent and the patron, two or three others being present, at the house of one Daniel; where a contract was duly drawn up, signed, and witnessed, by which Medlycott agreed to sell the borough, and to throw out his old friend, the Hon. Temple Luttrell, who was one of the persons presenting the petition, which revealed the underground workings of administrative jobbery. The writing drawn up at Yeovil purported to be the “memorandum of an agreement to defray the expenses of procuring a seat in parliament for any friend of Lord North, whom his lordship or Loyd should recommend.” To this end Loyd agreed to deposit fifteen hundred pounds in Daniel’s hands, to be employed in purchasing the family interest of the Walters in the remaining five bailiwicks for the use and at the risk of Medlycott, who stipulated to pay Loyd five per cent. for the money so advanced, until such time as Lord North’s friend should be seated peaceably fourteen days in parliament--the time allowed for petitioning. The paper was put into Lord North’s hands, who returned it to Daniel, without committing himself to any observation. On the faith of this instrument-- “The Walters’ property in the voters was transferred; the five bailiffs were nominated, and consigned to Medlycott’s interest, thus purchased by Loyd. But the patron of the borough, on assuming the undivided influence therein, in the spirit of friendship wrote to his colleague Luttrell on the subject, acknowledged this foul transaction, and urged the wretched excuse _that his poverty, and not his will, consented_.”