a proceeding of the nature of _scandalum magnatum_ to be
instituted. His brother judges, however, some of whom were members of
the Executive Council, and all of whom were subject to strong influences
from that quarter, ruled that the proceeding could not be maintained,
and it accordingly fell through. An attempt was also made, first to
intimidate, and afterwards to corrupt the Grand Jury. A letter was sent
to them from the office of the Lieutenant-Governor, requesting them to
state the grounds of their complaints more specifically. The recipients
responded by preparing and forwarding a stronger case than before. A
recantation was then drawn up by a skilful hand, and presented to each
individual member of the Jury, a reward being at the same time offered
as an inducement to sign it. The jurymen, however, were not prepared to
barter away their liberties in this manner, and the attempt wholly
failed. While the Executive were deliberating as to how they could most
effectually strike Judge Thorpe, a vacancy occurred in the
representation of one of the constituencies in the Home District. In
those times, as has already been seen, a judgeship was no
disqualification for political life, and a deputation waited on Mr.
Thorpe with a numerously signed address, requesting him to become their
representative. He replied that he would not become a partisan, but that
if he were returned to Parliament he would not hesitate to do his duty.
No sooner did it become known that "the Radical Judge," as he was
called, was a candidate for the Assembly than the leading spirits of the
Compact aroused themselves to defeat him. This was natural enough. That
they should employ against him every means which their ingenuity could
devise--among others, bribery, vilification and deliberate slander--that
also was natural, when the time and persons are considered. "Every
engine within the reach of authority," writes Mr. Jackson, "was used for
the purpose of defeating the wishes of the people on this occasion. All
interests were required to yield in favour of the candidate most likely
to succeed as against Mr. Thorpe. Any person in employment, in
expectation of, or entitled to land, was gratified, promised, or
threatened; magistrates were made and unmade, as best suited the
purposes of electioneering; grants were given; fees excused, or promised
to be paid by those high in authority. Even domestics were bribed with
places, land, and money, to vilify and accu