Winchelsea affords an unusual instance of a sitting MP wresting control of a 

pocket borough from its

"patrons", so as to be able to be sure of securing re-election on his own account. In the first half of
the 18th century, Winchelsea was a "treasury borough", that is one where the influence of the
government was so strong that ministers were able to consider themselves the patrons and were
sure of the power to choose both MPs. In 1754, however, one of the government candidates was an
Irishman named Arnold Nesbitt. Once elected, Nesbitt began to buy houses in Winchelsea so as to
secure influence over the freemen, and was so far successful that by the time of the next election it
was accepted that he had the absolute command of one of the seats; indeed, when he stood well
with the Treasury he was also allowed to nominate for the other. For the rest of his life he
successfully defended his control of Winchelsea from the free-spending of the Treasury's agents; on
one occasion, it appears that the town clerk was directing the government campaign and finding
himself needing more funds for the purpose than had been provided pawned the town's charters and
civic regalia.