From 1715 Cornwall was represented by Tory country gentlemen, who were returned unopposed. There was a threat of a contest at a by-election in 1744, when Sir John St. Aubyn wrote from London to a leading Tory, James Buller:

At a meeting of several Lords and some commoners ... Lord Carteret’s son was proposed as a fit person to succeed our late worthy member, Sir William Carew. I was invited to the meeting, but I declined being there, as I thought it would not become me to be a party to a meeting of nomination, especially so remote from the county, and of consequence so little able to judge of the general sentiment of it. But, in truth, I resented it as an infringement of the privileges of the Commons that a meeting should be convened and presided over by Lords, who have assumed to themselves this new liberty of dictating a representative to the freeholders of our county, which hitherto has prided itself from being more free than any other from an influence of that kind. I think I may without immodesty interpose here, to alarm our friends to a proper guard upon this occasion, not venturing to name any gentleman, but hoping for the honour of our county that we are not so destitute of gentlemen of character and spirit, that no one gentleman can be found in the county to oppose this most extraordinary innovation.

Those present at this meeting included the Duke of Bolton, the Earl of Radnor, Lord Falmouth, Lord Hobart, Lord Edgcumbe, as well as Charles Trelawny and Richard Eliot. In the event Sir Coventry Carew, son of the late Member, was unopposed. In his election address, alluding to the attempt of ‘a minister casually related to a noble family, which once bore a great sway in the interest of your county [the Granvilles] ... to have his son your representative’, he declared:

For near thirty years past no ministry has been so daring as to attempt an influence of an opposition in your county representation; there you have shown and there only are left to show, the true genius of British freeholders.1

On his death in 1748, when there was a threat of another Whig opposition, Sir John Molesworth wrote to James Buller, 15 Apr. 1748:

At the meeting yesterday ... those gentlemen present could come to no other resolution, than that of applying to you as their dernier resort. ... All that were present would think themselves extremely happy (myself in particular) should you comply with their request, which, if you are so good as to do, a very strict attendance in the House by your friends will not be expected. ... Sir, had not I had the preservation of the interest which has so many years prevailed in this county (now in danger of being broke into) as likewise the peace of it much at heart, I should not have taken the liberty of troubling you as I have done, but as I think there is no other way of preserving either without you, you will I hope pardon the liberty I have taken.2

Buller agreed to stand and was returned unopposed.