The Lauder Raid of 1831

Scotland’s Most Daring Political Abduction

Feb 15, 2025

In the annals of Scottish political history, few events rival the sheer audacity of the Lauder Raid of 1831. At a time when parliamentary representation was controlled by a small elite, and elections were often determined by backroom deals rather than public votes, a desperate act of political maneuvering took place in the quiet town of Lauder. This was not just an election; it was a battle between the old guard of the aristocracy and the rising force of reformers. And at the heart of it all was one kidnapped bailie whose abduction determined the outcome of a crucial parliamentary seat.

The Political Context: A Nation on the Brink of Change

The 1831 election was unlike any before it. Britain was on the cusp of major democratic reform, and Scotland was no exception. The country was still operating under an archaic electoral system in which small groups of wealthy men controlled parliamentary seats, and entire burghs (towns with special trading privileges) were often little more than political fiefdoms for aristocrats. The Reform Act of 1832 loomed on the horizon, threatening to shake up the status quo by broadening the electorate and eliminating "rotten burghs"—towns with minuscule populations that still had parliamentary representation.

One of the key battlegrounds was the Haddington District of Burghs, a coalition of five royal burghs: Haddington, Jedburgh, Dunbar, North Berwick, and Lauder. These burghs collectively elected one member to the House of Commons, and their choice was made through a system where each burgh appointed a delegate who then cast a vote in the final selection. Since there were five burghs, controlling just three votes was enough to determine the outcome.

The stakes were high. The Whigs, led locally by Robert Steuart of Alderston, were fighting for reform. The Tories, backed by the powerful Earl of Lauderdale, sought to maintain their influence. With Haddington and Jedburgh backing Steuart, and Dunbar and North Berwick siding with the Tory incumbent, Sir Adolphus John Dalrymple, it all came down to the delegate from Lauder.

The Plan: A Bold Scheme to Secure Victory

The delegate election in Lauder was scheduled for May 4, 1831. The Whigs, fearing they would lose by one vote, devised a desperate and unlawful plan: to abduct the key Lauder delegate, Bailie Simpson, and prevent him from casting his vote. If Simpson couldn’t vote, the Whigs could install their own man and win the majority.

On the eve of the election, hundreds of Whig supporters from Haddington and Jedburgh traveled to Lauder, many on foot across the Lammermuir Hills and others in carts and carriages. Under the command of “General Badger,” a local Whig organizer, they established a base at Carfrae Mill Inn, where they were supplied with food and drink before marching into Lauder, ready for action.

The Raid: Political Chaos in the Streets of Lauder

As Bailie Simpson walked toward the Council Chambers, he was flanked by Lord Maitland and Sir Anthony Maitland, key figures of the Tory faction, along with their retainers—gamekeepers, farm stewards, and grooms—who acted as bodyguards. But as they neared the council building, the Whig mob sprang into action.

A violent scuffle erupted in the streets. The Whigs, armed with sticks, overpowered Maitland and his men. Lord Maitland himself was knocked to the ground, his hat crushed, and his clothes torn in the chaos. The confusion provided the perfect opportunity for the Whigs to seize Bailie Simpson, who was swiftly bundled into a waiting Haddington post-chaise and whisked away before the Tories could react.

One loyal Tory supporter mounted his horse and galloped after the fleeing carriage, managing to cut the traces near Blainslie, but by then, it was too late. Simpson was gone, and with him, the Tory hopes of victory.

With Simpson missing, the Whigs used their majority in the Lauder Council to install a reform-friendly delegate, who then cast the deciding vote for Robert Steuart. The Whigs had won—but at what cost?

The Aftermath: Triumph and Retribution

The impact of the Lauder Raid was immediate and dramatic. That night, Haddington erupted in celebration. Tar barrels were set alight, fireworks illuminated the skies, and a great feast was held to honor the successful coup. Robert Steuart took his seat in Parliament, where he voted in favor of the Reform Bill—a vote that turned out to be crucial, as the bill passed by just one vote.

However, the victory was short-lived. The Tory faction, led by Lord Lauderdale, was furious and demanded justice. The Crown authorities launched an investigation, leading to multiple arrests.

James Brown, the post-chaise driver, was tried and sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment.
S. McLauchlan and W. Badger, key Whig agitators, were also brought to trial but acquitted due to lack of proof.
In Haddington, three men were convicted for breaking into a jail and freeing political prisoners during a riot that followed the arrests.

The election result itself was overturned after a petition was lodged in the House of Commons, and Sir Adolphus John Dalrymple was reinstated as MP for the burghs. In the end, the Lauder Raid had achieved its immediate goal but failed to secure a long-term victory.

Legacy: The Last Hurrah of the Old Electoral System

The Lauder Raid of 1831 stands as a testament to the chaotic and often violent nature of pre-reform Scottish politics. It was one of the last great episodes of election corruption before the Reform Act of 1832 changed the game forever, abolishing the rotten burgh system and expanding the franchise.

Ironically, many of the radical reformers who orchestrated the raid later became staunch Conservatives, illustrating how political allegiances could shift over time. Robert Steuart, the man at the center of the controversy, went on to serve as Britain’s Consul-General in Colombia, where he died at the young age of 37.

To this day, the story of the Lauder Raid remains one of the most audacious acts of election interference in Scottish history—a reminder of a time when politics was quite literally a battle for power in the streets.