The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane Part 79

No. 18, Great c.u.mberland-street, 14 March 1814.

As the report of the Stock Exchange Committee conveys an idea to the public, that they estimated delinquency by the enormous profits which accrued to Lord Cochrane, Mr. b.u.t.t, and myself, on the sale of Stock upon the 21st day of February, and as the public prints have estimated the gains, some at 100,000_l._ others at 75,000_l._ and none under 30,000_l._ I pledge myself to prove that the whole profits are as follow; viz.

Lord Cochrane .1,700.

Mr. b.u.t.t 1,300.

Mr. Cochrane Johnstone 3,500.

If the Committee had acted impartially, they would have published a statement of all the purchases and sales effected by every broker on that day, with the names of the parties, that the Public might have drawn their conclusions. To obviate this omission on the part of the Committee, I am preparing for the press a correct statement of all sums bought for the parties before-mentioned, together with the names of those from whom the Stock was procured, and to whom sold; whereby it will be seen, who were the purchasers at an early hour on the 21st day of February.

_A. Cochrane Johnstone._"

Charles Laurence, Esq.

Chairman of the Committee of the Stock Exchange.

_Mr. Gurney._ I apply that to the memorandum I before read, by which it appears that he states his own gains and Mr. b.u.t.t's to be .4,800.

subtracting Lord Cochrane's; the whole is .6,500.

_Edward Wharmby called again;_

_Examined by Mr. Gurney._

_Q._ On what day in February did you pay that check? [_shewing it to the witness._]

_A._ The 19th of February.

_Mr. Serjeant Best._ Is that entry in the book your own hand-writing?

_A._ It is.

_Mr. Gurney._ In what Bank notes did you pay it?

_A._ In one of two hundred pounds, No. 634.

_Q._ What other notes?

_A._ Two, of one hundred pounds each.

_Q._ What are the numbers?

_A._ 18,468 is one of them, and the other 16,601.

_Q._ Was there a .50.?

_A._ Yes, No. 7,375.

_Mr. Gurney._ It is not necessary to mention the other, because I do not trace it.

_Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Best._

_Q._ You do not know to whom you paid that?

_A._ No, I do not.

_Lord Ellenborough._ You paid it to the bearer of that check for .470, in discharge of that check?

_A._ Yes, I did.

_Mr. Thomas Parker sworn;_

_Examined by Mr. Gurney._

_Q._ You are a coal-merchant?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Does Lord Cochrane deal with you?

_A._ He did.

_Q._ Did you receive from him in payment a bank note of fifty pounds.

_A._ To the best of my recollection I did.

_Q._ On what day?

_A._ I do not exactly know the day; but some time in the beginning of March I think, or probably in the end of February.

_A Bank Clerk produced the .50. note No. 7,375._

_Q._ Did Lord Cochrane make that payment to you in that bank note?

_A._ Yes, I believe he did.

_Mr. Serjeant Best._ Is that your own memorandum?

_A._ Yes; I write on the back of the notes, and that is my hand-writing.

_Benjamin Lance called again;_

_Examined by Mr. Gurney._

_Q._ On the 24th of February, did you go to the Bank to exchange any bank notes for smaller notes?