The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane - Part 75
Library

Part 75

_Mr. Gurney._ Very likely not.

_Cross-examined by Mr. Richardson._

_Q._ Did you carry this box of papers before the Grand Jury?

_A._ Yes I did, the writing desk.

_Q._ By whose orders was that done?

_A._ By orders of the Secretary of State, of Mr. Beckett; I was subpoenaed to bring it before the Grand Jury, and I carried the subpoena to take directions from Mr. Beckett the Under Secretary of State.

_Q._ You received Mr. Beckett's orders to do it?

_A._ With the subpoena I told Mr. Beckett I had received an order to take it before the Grand Jury, and I did so.

_Mr. Park._ There are no subpoenas for the Grand Jury.

_Mr. Gurney._ There are indeed, Crown Office subpoenas.

_Mr. Richardson._ By whose order were the seals put on at Edinburgh taken off?

_A._ By order of Mr. Beckett.

_Q._ That was before you went before the Grand Jury?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Has the box remained in your possession ever since you took it at Edinburgh?

_A._ Yes, ever since when I went a journey to Holland; in my absence Mr.

Tahourdin wished to see it, and Mr. Musgrave opened it for him.

_Q._ Except the time you took a journey to Holland it has been in your possession?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Had the seals been opened before that time, before you went to Holland?

_A._ They had.

_Q._ In whose possession was it during the time of your absence?

_A._ Mr. Musgrave's, and he delivered it up to me again.

_Q._ Who is Mr. Musgrave?

_A._ One of the clerks in the Office.

_Q._ How long were you absent?

_A._ A week or ten days.

_Q._ Has it been in your possession ever since your return?

_A._ Yes, it has.

_Q._ Were you present all the time it was before the Grand Jury?

_A._ I was; I left it on the Grand Jury table when I went out, but I locked it, and I had the key.

_Q._ With all its contents locked up in it?

_A._ Yes.

_Q._ Were you present when Mr. Wakefield of the Stock Exchange, and Mr.

Lavie called, I think on the very day that Mr. De Berenger arrived in London?

_A._ I was.

_Q._ Was that at your house?

_A._ No it was not.

_Q._ Where was it?

_A._ At the Parliament Street Coffee House.

_Q._ That was the place you carried him to first?

_A._ No, first to the Secretary of State's Office, and afterwards to the Parliament Street Coffee House.

_Q._ The day of your arrival those Gentlemen came there?

_A._ They were there.

_Q._ Mr. Wakefield and some other Gentleman?

_A._ Mr. Wakefield and another Gentleman.

_Q._ Who was the other Gentleman?

_A._ I do not exactly recollect.

_Q._ Was it not stated to him by those Gentlemen that they did not wish to press him if he would furnish information against Lord Cochrane, Mr.

Cochrane Johnstone, and Mr. b.u.t.t?

_A._ I do not recollect hearing those names mentioned.