Part 177

Lord Ellenborough. Why did you compare the two then?

A. I wished to be circumspect; but if my life rested upon it, I should say, this is not his hand-writing, according to my belief and judgment.

Mr. Park. What has been, for the number of years you have known this person, his general character?

A. I have always considered him a man of strict honour and integrity.

Q. We have heard he has been in difficulties?

A. He has been.

Q. And he is a debtor of yours?

A. Yes, he is a very large one.

Q. To what amount have you trusted him?

A. To the extent, I believe, of about L.4,000, and upwards, besides my professional claim.

Lord Ellenborough. In money.

A. Yes, in money.

Mr. Gurney. I only want to ask Mr. Wood as to this road book. I believe it has been identified before.

Lord Ellenborough. That was put in yesterday.

Mr. Jones. I had it yesterday in my hands; it was put in by Mr. Wood.

Mr. Gurney. I wish to shew Mr. Tahourdin the hand-writing in that book.

Lord Ellenborough. The hand-writing in that road book certainly was as extremely like the Dover letter as ever I saw any thing in my life. [The road book was handed to Mr. Tahourdin.]

Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney.

A. Have the goodness to look at that pencil-writing in that road book; do you believe it to be Mr. De Berenger's hand-writing.

Lord Ellenborough. Now be upon your guard.

Mr. Gurney. Look at both pages.

A. Some of it appears to be more like his hand-writing than the other part.

Q. Do not you believe it all to be his hand-writing?

A. No, I do not indeed.

Q. How much of it do you believe to be his hand-writing.

Lord Ellenborough. State the parts where you think the likeness ends, and where you think somebody else has taken up the pencil and written a part of it.

A. That looks more like his hand-writing [pointing it out] but it is not the general writing of Mr. De Berenger.

Mr. Gurney. How much of it do you believe to be his writing?