Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 17.pdf/746

 BRIBING A CHANCELLOR Let us read a little of the evidence. Thomas Bennet, who frankly stated that he had an income of two hundred and fifty pounds a year, or thereabouts, made a deal with a master for the purchase of his mas tership. He also testified that he would not have bought the place had it not been for the cash of the suitors. He applied to the Chancellor's patronage agent, Cottingham, and then — let him tell his own story. "I desired that he would acquaint my Lord Chancellor that I had agreed with Mr. Horrocks to succeed him in office; and de sired him to let me know my Lord Chan cellor's thoughts, whether he approved of me succeeding Mr. Horrocks. Soon after that, I believe the next day, or the day after, he met me, and told me he had acquainted my lord with the message I sent. He said, 'My lord expressed himself with a great deal of respect for my father, Mr. Serjeant Bennet, and that he was glad of this opportunity to do me a favor and kindness, and that he had no objection in the world to me.' That was the answer Mr. Cottingham re turned. He then mentioned that there was a present expected, and he did not doubt but I knew that. I answered, I had heard there was, and I was willing to do what was usual. I desired to know what would be expected. He said he would name no sum; and he had less reason to name a sum to me, because I had a brother a master, and I was well acquainted with Mr. God frey, who had recommended me, and I might apply to them, and they would tell me what was proper for me to offer. I told him I would consult them. Accord ingly, I did; and I returned to Mr. Cotting ham, and told him I had talked to them about it; and their opinion was .a thou sand pounds (I believe I said I would not stand for guineas) was sufficient for me to offer. Upon this, Mr. Cottingham shook his head, and said, ' That won't do, Mr. Rennet, you must be better advised-.' ' Why,' said I, ' won't that do? It is a noble present.' Says he, 'A great deal more has

713

been given.' Says I, 'I am sure my brother did not give so much, nor Mr. Godfrey; and those persons you advised me to consult with told me it was sufficient; and I desire you to acquaint my lord with the proposal.' Says he, 'I don't care to go with that pro posal; you may find somebody else to go.' Says I, 'I don't know whom to apply to.' Says he further, 'Sure, Mr. Bennet, you won't go to lower the price' (these were his very words; at least I am sure that was the meaning of them), 'I can assure you Mr. Kynaston gave fifteen hundred guineas.' I said that was three or four years ago, and since that time there have been several occasions of lowering the prices, the fall of stock hath lowered the value of money; and therefore thought, at this time of day, when stock and everything had fallen, one thousand guineas was more now than fifteen hundred pounds when Mr. Kynaston gave it. He still insisted that he did not care to go with that message. Says I, 'Only acquaint my lord with it, and if he insist upon more I will consider of it.' Says he, 'There is no haggling with my lord; if you refuse it, I don't know the consequence; he may resent it so far as not to admit you at all. and you may lose the office.' Then I began to consider, and was loath to lose the office, and told him I would give fifteen hundred pounds. He said Mr. Kynaston had given guineas. Then I asked whether it must be in gold. He said, 'In what you will, so it be guineas.' In a day or two after, he came and told me that my lord was pleased to accept of me; and he should admit me as soon as opportunity served, and he would give me notice. Accordingly, on the first of June he sent and desired me to come immediately, and to come alone. and to bring nobody with me, for my lord would swear me in that morning. Accord ingly I went; and the first question Mr. Cottingham asked was, 'If I had brought the money?' I told him, 'To be sure, I should not come without it.' He asked me what it was in. I told him in bank-bills,