A significant proportion of the people of Cumberland were imbued with Jacobite principles, thus favouring the Lowthers.
The controversial poll lasted nineteen days and on its termination, the Sheriff having rejected many of the electors, returned Curwen and Lowther.
Had Lawson rejected all of the invalid votes, he would have acted correctly and Curwen and Lowther would have been duly elected.
It was also agreed that all future polls would be contested by one nominated member from each party only, a compromise, respected for 63 years.
A motion moved by the Whigs in the House of Commons, later withdrawn, sought his committal to Newgate.