When the Waterford election took place, the
Beresford party, then all-powerful, engaged all his cars to drive
the electors to the poll. The popular party, however, started a
candidate, and applied to Bianconi for help. But he could not
comply, for his cars were all engaged. The morning after his
refusal of the application, Bianconi was pelted with mud. One or
two of his cars and horses were heaved over the bridge.
Bianconi then wrote to Beresford's agent, stating that he could
no longer risk the lives of his drivers and his horses, and
desiring to be released from his engagement. The Beresford party
had no desire to endanger the lives of the car-drivers or their
horses, and they set Bianconi free. He then engaged with the
popular party, and enabled them to win the election. For this he
was paid the sum of a thousand pounds. This access of capital
was greatly helpful to him under the circumstances. He was able
to command the market, both for horses and fodder. He was also
placed in a position to extend the area of his car routes.
He now found time, amidst his numerous avocations, to get
married! He was forty years of age before this event occurred.
He married Eliza Hayes, some twenty years younger than himself,
the daughter of Patrick Hayes, of Dublin, and of Henrietta
Burton, an English-woman. The marriage was celebrated on the
14th of February, 1827; and the ceremony was performed by the
late Archbishop Murray.
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