The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane Part 26

_Q._ Tell us what you told him?

_A._ In the first place, I made my obedience to the gentleman in the chaise, hoping that he had brought us some good news.

_Q._ You said so?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ What did the gentleman say?

_A._ He said he had, and that it was all over; that the Allies had actually entered Paris; that Bonaparte was dead, destroyed by the Cossacks, and literally torn in pieces, and that we might expect a speedy peace.

_Q._ Did he tell you any thing more?

_A._ No; during the conversation I saw him give James Overy two gold pieces, which afterwards proved to be French pieces, I had them in my hand.

_Q._ Do you know the name of them?

_A._ I cannot say that I do; there was ten francs or something on them.

_Q._ Did you see enough of the person with whom you conversed in the chaise to think that you should know him again?

_A._ I am positive I should.

_Q._ Look round and see whether you see him here?

_The Witness looked round._

_A._ I cannot see him; he is not round here; I cannot say that I am positive.

_Q._ You do not see him?

_A._ No I cannot say that I do.

_Q._ Look from here to the end of the row?

_A._ No I cannot say that I am positive.

_Q._ Do you know the boys who drove the Baron away?

_A._ Yes, s.h.i.+lling and ----.

_Mr. Gurney._ Before s.h.i.+lling comes in, and when what I say is not heard by him, I must say that the person to be identified should hold his head so as to be seen.

_Mr. Park._ And so he did. I desired Mr. De Berenger to hold his head gently up, and he did it immediately.

_Lord Ellenborough._ The questions might go much nearer; the witnesses might be asked if that be the person: it is done always at the Old Bailey in cases of life and death, where the prisoner stands in a conspicuous situation--it is less strong in that case; but to be sure when it is proved in the way it has been, it can be of very little consequence.

_Thomas s.h.i.+lling sworn._

_Examined by Mr. Adolphus._

_Q._ You are a chaise-driver at Dartford?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Do you remember on a particular day taking up a gentleman who came in a chaise and four to Dartford?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ What day was that?

_A._ I do not rightly know the day, but I believe it was on the 21st of February.

_Q._ What day of the week?

_A._ On a Monday.

_Q._ Had you a pair of horses?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Upon your ride to London, did the gentleman say any thing to you?

_A._ Yes, he discoursed with me a good deal.

_Q._ Who first spoke to him in your hearing?

_A._ The first man that spoke to him in my hearing that I took any notice of, was the waiter.

_Q._ The waiter at your inn at Dartford?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ What was the sign of your house?

_A._ The Granby at Dartford.

_Q._ What pa.s.sed between him and the waiter?

_A._ The waiter asked him whether he had brought any good news; the gentleman said, yes, it was all over; Bonaparte was dead; he said he was torn in a thousand pieces; and the Cossacks fought for a share of him all the same as if they had been fighting for sharing out gold, and the Allies were in Paris; then we were ordered to go on.

_Q._ How far had you gone before this gentleman spoke to you?

_A._ To Bexley Heath, about two miles and a half.

_Q._ Had he before that said any thing to you about driving?