To return to the election of 1830. During seven days the town was kept
at fever-heat, each day its intensity becoming heightened. Denison, in
his opening address on 'Change, on the 14th October, in appealing to the
constituency for support, avowed himself entitled to it, not only as
being Mr. Huskisson's friend--"the friend of your friend"--but an
enthusiastic admirer of his principles. Mr. Denison was son-in-law to
the Duke of Portland. Mr. Ewart was a townsman, and a barrister, and had
represented the town of Bletchingly (or Bl_ee_ching_ly_, as they call it
in Surrey), so that both candidates came well recommended. The writ was
moved for in the House of Commons on the 17th November, and received in
Liverpool on the Friday following. An army of canvassers was organised
on both sides, who plied their vocations in all directions. Mr.
Denison's friends mustered on Tuesday morning, 23rd November, in front of
Mr. Bolton's house in Duke-street, and moved in grand procession to the
Town Hall. Amongst them were Mr. Bolton, Mr. Gladstone, Sir J. Tobin,
Messrs. Wm. Brown, Ritson, Shand, and Garnett. Mr. Ewart's friends met
opposite to the Adelphi Hotel. The horses were taken from Mr. Ewart's
carriage, which was then drawn by the people. With Mr. Ewart were
Messrs. J. Brancker, Hugh Jones, W. Wallace Currie, W. Earle, jun., Hall
(barrister), Captain Colquitt, Rev. Wm. Shepherd, etc. The processions
were both got up in admirable style; splendid and costly banners and
flags of all descriptions were displayed, while ribbons, of which
Denison's were scarlet, and Ewart's blue, fluttered in the wind in all
directions. The following was the result of the polls. I give it to
show how remarkably close the contest was carried on, and how the tide of
favour ebbed and flowed: 1st day--Denison, 260; Ewart, 248. 2nd
day--Denison, 583; Ewart, 568. 3rd day--Denison, 930; Ewart, 918. 4th
day--Denison; 1320; Ewart, 1308. 5th day--Denison, 1700; Ewart, 1688.
6th day--Denison, 2020; Ewart, 2008. 7th day--Denison, 2186; Ewart,
2215. The number of freemen who voted was 4401.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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