New Ross

Before the Union the two leading interests in this close borough, the Tottenham and Leigh families who were intermarried, returned a Member each. From 1801 there was only one Member, so they maintained their agreement by nominating in turn and by practically restricting the electorate to the burgesses of the corporation.PRO 30/9/13, pt. 2, list of Irish cities and boroughs; Report on Mun. Corp. [I], H.C. 1835, xxviii. app. x, pt. 1, p. 562. Francis Leigh of Rosegarland returned members of his family. Charles Tottenham returned his son Charles and brother Ponsonby, in succession. In 1807 when he returned a brother of his son’s wife, and in 1818 when another kinsman came in, he gave the head of their family, the Marquess of Ely, a say in the nomination. The chief secretary believed and hoped in 1812 that Wigram would be returned again, having ‘an engagement for the seat for years and not for parliaments, which will expire in the year 1814’, but that did not transpire.Add. 40221, f. 37; 40280, ff. 35-37, 41, 72; 40298, f. 37.

The patrons were unchallenged and government, being supported by both, had no wish to interfere. They showed no interest in Lord Mountnorris’s bid in 1806 to secure the return of a friend of his for Ross in exchange for support for Ely’s interest in the county, and, before the ensuing election, repudiated a bid by Colclough, candidate for the county, to deprive the Tottenhams of the borough patronage. Chief Secretary Elliot reported:

Both the chancellor and myself thought it most advantageous for government that the interest of the borough of Ross should be considered as separate from that of the county. The Leigh and Tottenham interest there cannot be easily overturned, and we must make the best arrangement we can about it.NLS mss 12914, Grenville to Elliot, 10 Apr.; 12910, Elliot to Newport, 11 June 1806.