en thousand pounds? I do
think, that, of all the corruptions which he has not owned, but has not
denied, or of those which he does in effect own, and of which he brings
forward the evidence himself, the taking and claiming under color of an
entertainment is ten times the most nefarious.

I shall this day only further trouble your Lordships to observe that he
has never directly denied this transaction. I have tumbled over the
records, I have looked at every part, to see whether he denies it. He
did not deny it at the time, he did not deny it to the Court of
Directors: on the contrary, he did in effect acknowledge it, when,
without directly acknowledging it, he promised them a full and liberal
explanation of the whole transaction. He never did give that
explanation. Parliament took up the business; this matter was reported
at the end of the Eleventh Report; but though the House of Commons had
thus reported it, and made that public which before was upon the
Company's records, he took no notice of it. Then another occasion
arises: he comes before the House of Commons; he knows he is about to be
prosecuted for those very corruptions; he well knows these charges exist
against him; he makes his defence (if he will allow it to be his
defence); but, though thus driven, he did not there deny it, because he
knew, that, if he had denied it, it could be proved against him. I
desire your Lordships will look at that paper which we have given in
evidence, and see if you find a word of denial of it: there is much
discourse, much folly, much insolence, but not one word of denial. Then,
at last, it came before this tribunal against him. I desire to refer
your Lordships to that part of his defence to the article in which this
bribe is specifically charged: he does not deny it there; the only
thing which looks like a denial is one sweeping clause inserted, (in
order to put us upon the proof,) that all the charges are to be
conceived as denied; but a specific denial to this specific charge in no
stage of the business, from beginning to end, has he once made.

And therefore here I close that part of the charge which relates to the
business of Nundcomar. Your Lordships will see such a body of
presumptive proof and positive proof as never was given yet of any
secret corrupt act of bribery; and there I leave it with your Lordships'
justice. I beg pardon for having detained you so long; but your
Lordships will be so good as to observe that no bu