The world owes Locke’s famous book to his suggestion, and it will be remembered that the great author of that classical work made the dedication to Mr. Clarke, who represented Taunton in no less than seven Parliaments. 1714 brought a violent contest to the borough, followed by a petition. The mayor returned Sir Francis Warre, Bart. (637) and Henry Portman (635) as duly elected; and the other candidates, William Pynsent (381) and James Smith (381), as unsuccessful. The friends of the latter petitioned against the mayor’s return and much local heart burning and a long hearing in Parliament ensued. The Chief Magistrate seems to have permitted a very large number of unqualified persons to vote for the candidates favoured by himself and refused to allow qualified burgesses to exercise their suffrage on behalf of the defeated gentlemen. … (continues with discussion of the petition) … The mayor’s return was properly reversed by Parliament, and Messrs. Smith and Pynsent declared duly elected … …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
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