Newport

The Morices of Werrington, as lords of the manor, appointed the two returning officers or vianders of Newport, which was represented exclusively by them and their relatives between 1715 and 1754. Their hold was unchallenged until just before 1748, when the Duke of Bedford purchased the Newport burgages of the Manatons of Kilworthy,HMC Fortescue, i. 132-3. who had a ‘considerable interest’ in the borough.Sir Nich. Morice to Humphry Morice, 22 Oct. 1721, Morice mss at Bank of England. When Humphry Morice succeeded to Werrington, Henry Pelham wrote to Newcastle on 21 May 1752:

The Duke of Bedford has attacked Morice in both his boroughs, but hitherto without success ... at present he is thoroughly with us ... His Grace sent him word, if he would promise to have nothing to do with me, he would withdraw all opposition and have his towns absolutely to himself. This Mr. Morice refuses.

In a further letter Pelham confirmed that Morice’s two boroughs, Newport and Launceston, were ‘absolutely his own’.Add. 32727, ff. 233, 242.