The ancient seaport and borough of Poole had a long and close connexion with the Newfoundland and later the American trade. Its representation was controlled by the corporation through the right of creating freemen, resident and non-resident. The corporation itself was dominated by a merchant oligarchy, who usually returned local landowners and merchants, all from 1715 government supporters. There was also a government interest represented in 1752 by 15 officials.1 There were no contests, any differences in the corporation as to the choice of Members being settled before the election. Thus, the mayor wrote to a friend in December 1740:

I am so unfortunate to be mayor this year, when unexpected misunderstandings occasion the most unhappy opposition .... The great favours that I’ve at all times received from our present Members of Parliament [Trenchard and Wyndham] has long since engaged me in their interest, not having the least suspicion that ’twas possible for such an opposition to fall upon us. Mr. Trenchard is my relation and to whom I owe almost my little all. I therefore hope [I] shall not ... incur any sort of displeasure upon my promise ... that no extraordinary steps shall be taken, which is in my power to prevent.2

In the end ‘the mayor and corporation came express to Mr. Trenchard to say they could not choose him, if he supported Mr. Wyndham who was brought in by Government’.3 As a result Trenchard and Wyndham, two country gentlemen, were replaced in 1741 by Gulston and Missing, both merchants. Missing fell out with Gulston shortly before the next general election,4 at which he was replaced by Trenchard.