Part 160

Examined by Mr. Brougham.

Q. You are secretary to the Commander in Chief?

A. I am.

Q. Do you remember any application being made in the department with which you are connected, in behalf of Captain De Berenger?

A. I do.

Q. About what time was that?

A. It was in the latter end of December, or the beginning of January.

Q. Do you recollect by whom the application was made?

A. Sir Alexander Cochrane.

Q. What was the purport of it?

A. Sir Alexander came to me twice, I think, if not three times, to urge the appointment of Mr. De Berenger to go to America, for the purpose of applying his talents as a light infantry officer, to the service on which Sir Alexander Cochrane was about to embark.

Q. Were any difficulties started to this application?

A. Great difficulties.

Q. What objection was made to it?

A. I represented----

Lord Ellenborough. I do not know to what point this applies?

Mr. Brougham. Merely that it confirms the statement made by Lord Cochrane, and shows a connexion between the different parties, consistent with that statement.

Lord Ellenborough. It shows that he was acquainted with Sir Alexander Cochrane, and that he recommended him to the appointment; we are not trying the propriety or impropriety of the orders of Government?

Mr. Brougham.. No, my lord; but Lord Cochrane's statement refers to the difficulty itself.

Lord Ellenborough. But what the difficulties were is not at all material; it would be going into that with which we have nothing to do?

Mr. Gurney. I do not object to it.

Mr. Brougham. I will not enter into it, my lord. In consequence of those difficulties which were felt, the appointment did not take place?

A. It did not.

Q. But the appointment, in consequence of this application, came under the consideration of the Commander in Chief's office?

A. Certainly.

Q. Were those difficulties, without asking what they were, particularly personal to Captain De Berenger?

Lord Ellenborough. No; that we cannot ask.

Mr. Park. It goes to character?