THE CASE OF Sir WILLIAM PORTMAN, and JOHN SANDFORD, Esq BURGESSES for the Burrow of TAUNTON.  
THE said Burrough is but a part of one of the Parishes of Taunton, to which Three other Parishes lie contiguous, by Reason whereof the Inhabitants (being more numerous than the Potwallers (the Name by which the Electors are known) use to be the Occasion of Disturbances at the Poll: And therefore before, and at the Election, Sir William Portman, and Mr. Sandford took what care they could to prevent such Disturbances.  
On Friday the 11th, of January, the Mayor (having made a place for himself, and the Officers with Mr. Roe and Mr. Purchase for Sir William Portman, and Mr. Sandford: And Mr. Baker and Mr. Wey for Mr. Trenchard, etc. to take the Poll, and also a Bar to let in the Potwallers, and to keep out those who had no Voices) proceeded quietly for some time; at length, after some Disturbances begun, upon Mr. Trenchards desire the Mayor adjourned for an hour, and then returned and continued the Poll peaceably, polling on both sides, till almost night, and then adjourned till next morning, stayed two hours on the place, and by open Proclamations, called for Mr. Trenchards Friends to Vote, but none coming, shut up the Poll, and Proclaimed Sir William Portman and Mr. Sandford to be the Burgesses.  
As to the Complaint by the Petition concerning the Disturbance and Soldiers, the Truth is.  
That some Leading Men of Mr. Trenchard's party, that were dissatisfied with this Election, and their Abettors, having invited Mr. Trenchard to stand; and having not Votes enough to carry it for him, were the occasion of the Disturbances; in this manner.  
First within the Bar, by fight without Sticks, and then without the Bar, by provoking and railing Speeches, and by fight with Sticks, and threatening the Mayor and Gentlemen as they went home towards his House after the Adjournment, that if Mr. Trenchard was not chosen, they would have the blood of some of them. Which Disturbances they also repeated, after the Mayor's return to the Poll.  
Also by untrue Allegations of pretended dangers, they dissuaded Mr. Trenchard from returning to the Poll, or sending his Voters thither, both after the first Adjournment and the next Morning, when all was quiet.  
And by many other unfair practices; as before the Poll, by threatening to send in people to get it for Mr. Trenchard, if not by fair means by force: And since the Poll, by offering money to persuade people to come to London to be Witnesses against Sir William and Mr. Sandford, of things they never knew; and by threatening several poor people, to turn them out of work, only in case they Voted for Sir William Portman and Mr. Sandford, which since they have done accordingly.  
As to the pretence of any thing done by Soldiers, the Truth is; about twelve Inhabitants Potwallers of Taunton, who had taken up Arms for the Prince of Orange in Colonel Lutterells Regiment, having left their Wives and Families in Taunton, by leave from their Officers, came without their Arms, in peaceable manner to the Election, and gave their Votes for Sir William Portman and Mr. Sandford, as they had done, at other Elections.