erstanding might have
discovered some better reason than that of silent contempt;" that is,
what he complains of to Lord Cochrane in his second letter, "to account
for the delay of a few hours in answering a note; the more particularly
as your note of the 6th led me to conclude, that the information offered
to me, was meant as a mark of civility and attention, and was not on a
subject in which you felt any personal interest." A more prudent letter
than that, I defy any man in Lord Cochrane's situation to write. A
guilty man catches at any twig, but Lord Cochrane does not answer this
gentleman at first, and when pressed by a second letter, he tells him
the reason; it is unsafe you and I should meet, I cannot trust you, I
am surrounded by scoundrels who are attempting to charge upon me a crime
of which I know I am innocent.

Gentlemen, having stated to you in what light this letter shews Lord
Cochrane, I beg to read you the last letter of this man, who has offered
his evidence to-day; and I will then ask you, whether upon the testimony
of such a man as this, you will convict one of the most suspicious
characters that ever was produced in a court of justice; whether you
would in any cause, of ever so trifling importance, give the least
consideration to it. "I ask your lordship's pardon of my letter of
yesterday, and which was written under the supposition of being treated
with silent contempt;" so that this gentlemen put the true construction
upon it, certainly. "To convince you of the high respect I have for your
lordship, I have the honour to enclose to you a statement of what I know
relative to the 21st February, and I also now declare solemnly, that no
power or consideration shall ever induce me to come forward as an
evidence against you, and that all I know on the subject shall be buried
for ever in oblivion. Thus much I hope will convince you I am more your
friend than an enemy, as my testimony, corroborated by the two officers,
would be of great import, not (believe me) that I myself doubt in
anywise your lordship's affidavit; but De Berenger's conversation with
me, would, to your enemies be positive proof. As for my part, I now
consider all that man told me to be diabolically false;" and yet he has
to-day come forward to tell you the truth, and the whole truth; he has
told you what De Berenger said, and has not stated the qualification,
that he did not believe one word of it. "If my conduct meets your
approbation,