Richmond

Sir Thomas Dundas, 2nd Bt., created Baron Dundas in 1794, whose father had purchased the majority of the burgages in 1762, controlled both seats at Richmond throughout the period. Normally they went to members of his large family; occasionally they were filled by impecunious Whigs. Beauclerk, according to one report, purchased his seat in 1796 for £5,000 and in 1798 sold it to Shakespeare for £2,000. The only whisper of opposition to Dundas was heard in March 1805 when he was asked by the Whigs to provide a seat for Henry Grattan, but informed his son:

I am afraid that my attempting to elect a new Member for Richmond at this particular moment will be attended with danger. You know the discontent which the late Enclosure Act has created in many people in Richmond, and Macfarlane the attorney who leads the discontented party has endeavoured to convince them that Whitcliff pasture being divided and enclosed has done away the right of the owners of ancient burgages to vote ... I am not at all afraid of this, were I prepared to meet an election, but unfortunately I have no burgage conveyances made out, since the two last additional stamps were laid on, and it is quite impossible to get them done soon, for the descriptions are long, and must be very particular. Under these circumstances, the independent burgage holders might carry an election against me, and although they are in general friends of mine, they certainly would have reason to complain of me, if they found that I was not prepared to meet Macfarlane and his party, if they attempt to set up any other right of election. Pray state these particulars to Lord Fitzwilliam and to Mr Fox, and I presume they will be of opinion that it is not advisable to get into a contest, by attempting to elect Mr Grattan, and Macfarlane will do anything to get a job for himself.

1 Paget Pprs. 138; Fitzwilliam mss, box 66, Ld. to L. Dundas, 9 Mar. 1805.