nwhyte quotes an admirably candid letter sent by Anthony Henley MP to his Southamptom constituency in 1773. Apparently some of his voters had asked him to speak up for their interests in Parliament on the subject of excise duty.Gentlemen,
I received yours and am surprised at your insolence in troubling me about the excise. You know what I very well know, that I bought you.
And I know well what perhaps you think I don't know, that you are now selling yourselves to somebody else.
And I know what you don't know, that I am buying another borough.
May God's curse light on you all.
May your houses be as open and as common to all excise officers as your wives and daughters were to me when I stood for your scoundrel corporation.
