Part 137

I am happy to say, that there seems now a reasonable prospect of discovering the authors of the late hoax, and I cannot evince my anxious wish to promote such discovery, more than by assuring you that I am ready to contribute liberally towards the above sum of 10,000l. and I rest assured, that you will eagerly avail yourselves of this opportunity, to effect the proposed discovery (an object you profess to have so much at heart) by concurring with me in such contribution.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, (Signed) A. Cochrane Johnstone."

"April 12th.

"Sir,

"I authorize the bearer of this note, to state to you that I am prepared to lay before the Public, the names of the persons who planned and carried into effect the late hoax, practised at the Stock Exchange the 21st of February, provided you accede to the terms which my friend will lay before you.

I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, A. M'Rae."

To the honourable, Cochrane Johnstone.

"No. 18, Great Cumberland-street, 18th April 1814.

"Sir,

"I have to request, that you will be so good as to inform me what are the intentions of the Stock Exchange, on the subject of the letter which I addressed to you relative to the proposal of Mr. M'Rae.

Lord Cochrane, Mr. Butt, and myself, are willing to subscribe 1,000l. each, in aid of the 10,000l. required by Mr. M'Rae; the bearer waits your answer, which, to prevent any mistake, I hope you will find time to commit to writing.

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, A. Cochrane Johnstone."

To Mr. Charles Laurence, Chairman of the Committee of the Stock Exchange.

Q. Look at the address of that letter [shewing a letter to the witness] is that address Mr. Cochrane Johnstone's hand-writing?

A. I believe it to be so.

"To the Committee of the Stock Exchange.

No. 18, Great Cumberland-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. Butt, and myself, on the sale of Stock upon the 21st day of February, and as the public prints have estimated the gains, some at 100,000l. others at 75,000l. and none under 30,000l. I pledge myself to prove that the whole profits are as follow; viz.

Lord Cochrane L.1,700. Mr. Butt 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. Butt's to be L.4,800. subtracting Lord Cochrane's; the whole is L.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?