The Whig interests in the borough at this time were managed by one of the MPs, Thomas Lockyer, nicknamed "Snowball" for the way in which he accumulated money, and the government spent £1000 on securing the election of John Talbot as the other member. It appears that Talbot was expected to produce £1000 of his own to purchase the seat, but whether this was in addition to the government's expenditure or merely to reimburse it is not clear.
At the time, the Whig party's interests in the local borough were handled by MP Thomas Lockyer, nicknamed "Snowball" because of his shrewd financial dealings. The government spent £1000 on securing John Talbot's election as the other member, although it appears that Talbot was expected to contribute an additional £1000 himself.