The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane Part 42

_A._ He was not out of my sight, he was standing near the door, and in the course of seven or ten minutes, as far as I can recollect, he came and joined me.

_Q._ Upon his joining you what pa.s.sed?

_A._ He told me he had known me a long time, and that he thought he had now an opportunity of making my fortune; that he knew from the knowledge I had of languages, particularly that of the French, I should have an opportunity of both benefiting others and myself.

_Q._ What answer did you make?

_A._ I asked him what the object was, and whether it was to travel abroad; he told me it was not to travel abroad, but it was probably to travel at home, and that almost immediately; that it was a scheme that he had in contemplation, employed by men of affluence and consequence, and that he thought no man more competent to that than myself.--On my asking him if there was any thing of moral turpitude in it, he said that there was none but that it was practised daily by men of the first consequence, it was nothing more nor less than biting the biters, or in other words, a Hoax upon the Stock Exchange. I asked him in what way I could attend to it, or in what way it was to be performed; he told me by going down to Dartford, Folkestone, or Dover, as I should receive instructions, and that, that evening, but that it was necessary to have for himself and me, two dresses appropriated to that of French Officers.

I here stopped him, and asked whether he really meant me to be employed in this transaction, to which he replied, certainly, and that I should be in the first place remunerated, and ultimately have a fortune made me. I replied with indignation, that I would as soon be concerned in a highway robbery, that I thought he had known me better than to have suggested to me a plan of the kind, and expressed myself rather beyond the usual tone of my voice, hurt at it, he endeavoured to hush me by saying people would overhear us, he endeavoured to hush me by the e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n _ish_ for that we should be overheard there.

_Lord Ellenborough._ Did he say you might probably be overheard there?

_A._ Yes, he did, and then he took me out of the Coffee-house and went up Cornhill where I left him, but recollecting this was only what was related to me, and that if ever it took place or did not, it was impossible that what I said could be any proof, I therefore considered that I had better----

_Mr. Alley._ Give us the facts if you please, and not the reasons?

_Mr. Bolland._ Do not trouble my friend with your reasons as he does not like them, but tell us what you did?

_A._ I returned and told him if he would go with me to another Coffee-house, I would introduce him to a person, who though I would not undertake the business might do it.

_Q._ What was your reason for doing that?

_A._ Only that I might have a witness.

_Mr. Alley._ I object to that reason being stated.

_Lord Ellenborough._ This is only introductory to what he is about to state. I presume no one can be more interested than I am in his narration being short?

_A._ I told him I would take him to a Coffee-house where a person was who might engage in this hoax.

_Lord Ellenborough._ I beg you will not call it by that name--such an offence as this.

_Mr. Bolland._ Did you take him to the Coffee-house?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ What Coffee-house?

_A._ The Jamaica--there was a young man there to whom I was about to introduce him, but he turned round suddenly and I did not.

_Q._ Did any thing more pa.s.s between M'Rae and you?

_A._ No, nothing more.

_Q._ Any thing about French terms?

_A._ I recollect myself--In consequence of M'Rae returning, he asked me whether I would not give him in writing the terms _Vive le Roi_--_Vive les Bourbons_;--which in the expectation of his attending to this young man, (this was in the Jamaica Coffee-house) I gave him.

_Q._ Did you give him any other?

_A._ None other to my knowledge.

_Q._ Was that the letter you received from M'Rae? (_shewing a letter to the witness._)

_A._ That is it.

_Q._ Is that M'Rae's writing?

_A._ It is.

(_The Letter was read as follows:_)

_February 14, 1814._

Mr. Vinn,

Please to meet me at the Carolina Coffee-house, Birchin-lane, about eleven to-morrow, upon very particular interesting business.

Yours, very respectfully, ALEXANDER M'RAE.

_Cross-examined by Mr. Alley._

_Q._ As I have not the pleasure of knowing you, what is your business?

_A._ I am an accountant.

_Q._ Have you been acquainted for any length of time with Mr. M'Rae?

_A._ I believe five years and a half, or nearly six years.

_Q._ Have you been concerned in any business in the Stock Exchange?

_A._ No.

_Q._ You were not in the habit of buying and selling as a Broker?

_A._ No.

_Q._ It was an odd thing that Mr. M'Rae should resort to you in such a base transaction, you being in the business of an Accountant?

_A._ I have been in business and have been unfortunate, and since have been an Accountant.

_Q._ Not to lose your character I take for granted?

_A._ I hope not.