The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane Part 107

_Q._ You are servant to Mr. De Berenger?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ How long have you been his servant?

_A._ About three years and a half.

_Q._ Do you write yourself?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ During the time you have been in his service, have you seen him write, and become acquainted with his hand-writing.

_A._ A great deal of it.

_Q._ Is he a gentleman who writes a good deal?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Are you well acquainted with the character of his hand-writing?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Have the goodness to look that over, and then I will ask you a question respecting it, and among other things look at the signature at the bottom, R. Du Bourg.--[_The letter sent to Admiral Foley was handed to the witness, and he examined it._]

_Mr. Park._ Having examined that paper, is that, in your judgment and belief, the hand-writing of your master, Mr. De Berenger?

_A._ I really believe it is not.

_Q._ The whole, or any part of it.

_A._ None of it.

_Q._ Have you any doubt of that?

_A._ I am positively sure it is not his hand-writing.

_Q._ According to the best of your judgment and belief?

_A._ According to the best of my judgment and belief.

_Q._ You have been his servant three years and a half?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ We understand he has lately lodged with a person of the name of Davidson, in a place called the Asylum Buildings.

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Were you with him till he went away in the month of February?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ That was on Sunday the 27th, was it not?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Do you remember, whether he was at home on the Sunday preceding that, that would be the 20th?

_A._ I perfectly remember it.

_Q._ Did he sleep at home on the Sat.u.r.day night?

_A._ He did.

_Q._ Did he go out at any time on Sunday morning?

_A._ He did.

_Q._ Do you remember at what time?

_A._ About nine o'clock.

_Q._ Did he come in again after that?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ And go out again?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ About what time was that.

_A._ It was near eleven when he came home, and he went out immediately afterwards; he was not above a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes before he returned again.

_Q._ Did he return again after that?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ How soon after?

_A._ About twenty minutes.

_Q._ Would that be after persons were gone to church that he returned?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ How long did he stay at home then?