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253.: wakefield to ricardo1 - David Ricardo, The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818 [1816]

Edition used:

The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, ed. Piero Sraffa with the Collaboration of M.H. Dobb (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2005). Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818.

Part of: The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, 11 vols (Sraffa ed.)

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


253.

wakefield to ricardo1

Dear Sir

Mr. Daniel Moore of Lincolns Inn—whom I believe you know—yesterday evening sent a gentleman Mr. Marnell to offer a seat in the ensuing parliament. Mr. Marnell states the Borough to be 260 miles from London to have 76 voters —who are discontented with their present patron and have deputed a confidential person to London to find one2 — the terms asked are £3000 for each seat not to be paid until the day after the party is beyond the power of petition—except £100 from each candidate to defray the expences of a dinner and some charges which have already been incurred. Mr. Marnell has engaged one seat and is to be with me at 11 OClock to day— Mr. Mill tells me that you are going to Hertford to day, but I hope there will be time for us to meet first as Mr. Marnell states the agent to be in town and seeking to close with the first person who is willing.

I am the moment after writing this going to Mr. Moore to learn the degree of confidence which may be placed in Mr. Marnell—should that be such as I expect from Mr. Moore having sent him to me—I then think it will be worth the risk of the £100 and minute enquiry.

I am Most faithfully yours

Edward Wakefield

David Ricardo Esq.

[1 ]MS in R.P.

[2 ]Mallet describes a change which was gradually taking place in the constitution of Parliament. In corrupt boroughs, the ‘independent interest’, that is the voters, coalesced against the Patron, and sold their votes to the best bidder. ‘The independent interest is the interest opposed in these places to the interest of the Patron; but the word independent is not by any means descriptive of it, for generally speaking it is the interest of Money opposed to the interest of Landed property and aristocratical influence.’ (MS Diary, entry 27 Oct. 1819.)