in ensuing elections we will exert ourselves to the utmost, that this your ancient borough may be truly represented by such as shall signalize themselves in their loyalty to your Majesty, in their affection for the Protestant succession, in their opposition to faction, and in their zeal for the Church of England as established by law.
1. W. A. Speck, Tory and Whig, 125.
2. Separate polls taken by officers appointed by the mayor.
4. Defoe, Tour ed. Cole, ii. 512; Journeys of Celia Fiennes ed. Morris, 340–1; Bedford Corp. Recs. 22, 67; Beds. Hist. Rec. Soc. xxvi. pp.ix–x; N. Beds. Bor. Council, Bedford bor. recs. B2/3, corp. act bk. 1688–1718, f. 7.
5. The Case of Thomas Christy . . .; CJ, x. 392.
6. Bedford bor. recs. B2/3, ff. 29, 34, 45, 69, 71; Beds. RO, Bedford mss, election acct. 1695; London Gazette, 26–30 Mar. 1702; Bodl. Rawl. lett. 108, f. 134; Add. 70335, memo. by Harley, 7 Feb. 1704–5.
7. Bedford bor. recs. B2/3, ff. 83, 88, 98–99, 111–13, 117; Add. 29599, f. 119; 70200, David Kennedy to Thomas Harley*, 18 Aug. 1713; 70261, Sir Thomas Trevor to [?Ld. Oxford], 19 Aug. 1713; Post Boy, 1–4 Dec. 1711, 29 Aug.-1 Sept. 1713; London Gazette, 10–12 July 1712, 30 May-2 June 1713; VCH Beds. iii. 45; Wilts. RO, Ailesbury mss 1300/1437, Rolt to Ld. Bruce, 27 Aug. 1714; Christ Church, Oxf. Wake mss 5, f. 81; HMC 15th Rep. VII, 217.