the nature of the employment which Mr. the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, you Wright could furnish, and the price re- must bear in mind that every subsequent quired for it, and it appears that Mr. step was entirely known to the Chairman Wright stated that the nature of the em- and Deputy Chairman, and considered by ployment was that of a cadetship to India; them well; and that nothing was done in and if it was a cavalry cadetship it would the course of this transaction that was not be 900 guineas; and if in the infantry, immediately communicated to the confifrom £600 to £700 only. Dr. Back, dential adviser so employed by them. I however, having been informed in the will now go on to state to you what took course of the former negociation that no place from time to time down to the period price would be required, felt himself cer- when the detection was complete, and tainly indignant at hearing so large a sum shew you what share each party upon mentioned for the outfit, as it might be this record had in the transaction now called, of his son; and upon this commu- before the court. nication, which had been renewed in Oc- Gentlemen : after Dr. Back had received tober, he again abandoned all further ne- this information, he writes a letter to Mr. gociation, and went back again into the Wright, whom I have already named to country.

you as the person who had fixed the price It seems he remained there in quiet of this cadetship, in a manner renewing till the month of January 1827, the and opening the contract that had been end of that month; and then from some so abandoned, and he receives an answer circumstances in his own family he was to that letter upon the 27th of February desirous that his son should obtain this 1827: Mr. Wright presents his complisituation ; but a thought came across him ments to Col. Edwards,” that was the that there was something irregular and name under which the negociation was mysterious in this mode of acquiring his carried on on the part of Dr. Back; "and appointment, and he thought it right at begs to say, that the opportunity now exonce to direct a letter immediately and ists for opening the treaty alluded to in directly to the Chairman of the East. his note ; but that he is going out of town India Company, telling him all that had to-morrow for a week or ten days, and will taken place upon the former occasions, commission a friend of his to attend to any and asking him distinctly and openly whe- communication or appointment that Col. ther this was a proper mode by which the Edwards may think proper to make for patronage of the Company should be that purpose, being perfectly conversant obtained. The natural consequence of in those matters. Mr. W. begs to say, that letter was, that the Chairmi n and that he only came to town on Sunday, the Deputy Chairman, they being the which is the cause of Col. Edwards not persons to whom this letter had been having had an earlier reply, and shall feel communicated, thinking it right in a obliged by his addressing him in future to matter of this nature that strict secresy No. 63, Upper Norton-street, having should be observed, sent down a very con- quitted his house in Alsop's Buildings. fidential person in their immediate em- Mr. W. will feel obliged by an early reployment to Dr. Back.

ply, as the opportunity may not last long.' Without troubling you with a detail of And he dates this from 63, Upper Nortonwhat took place, it apppeared fit to the street, so that the effect of this letter is to Chairman and Deputy Chairman that, if identify himself with the person afterwards possible, this opportunity of detecting found in 63, Norton-street; in effect, what they were afraid was too common, handing over Dr. Back from any farther namely, the trade and traffic in the patron- communication with himself at this moage of the Company, by guilty persons ment to this person, whoever he might leaguing together, should be probed and turn out to be, who would be found upon sifted to the bottom, and the guilty brought the premises in Norton-street. Accordto punishment; they therefore requested, ingly, a short time after Dr. Back came to and made it quite an earnest request on town, I think upon the 5th of March af. their part, that Dr. Back himself, an ex- ter, he sent a note to the direction of Nortremely respectable man, should continue ton-street, No. 63, having addressed it to in the negociation, in order that he might, Mr. Wright, who, he supposes, would if possible, trace the different steps in it, either be there in person, or to whom it from those who it then appeared were might be forwarded. He receives no anmost distantly connected with the patron- swer to it, nor any letter from Mr. Wright, age itself, and see whether or no there but from a Mr. Gibbons, one of the other were any persons in tlie employment of defendants upon this record; the letter he the Company who were themselves parti- receives is this: “Mr. Gibbons, on the part cipators in the guilt; or, at all events, of Mr. Wright, will meet Col. Edwards bring to punishment those who thought to-morrow at one o'clock, at 32, Walproper thus to delude the public.

brook, having an appointment there at Now, after this communication from that hour ; and as Col. E. has desired his Asiatic Journ.VOL. 25. No. 148.

3 Z

letter to be addressed to the City, it pro- the baptism, and the certificate of the bably may be more convenient to him baptism of young Mr. Back, the son of than Norton-street." So that here is a Dr. Back; it was afterwards sent up to direct appointment formed between Mr. Little Hampton, and was sent by Dr. Gibbons, the representative of Mr. Wright, Back to Gibbons, covered with a letter and Col. Edwards, that is Dr. Back, who addressed to Gibbons. I do not know was come up to town for the purpose I that I need trouble you with such minute have already mentioned to you.

details, but it is acknowledged afterwards On that day, the 5th of March, or the by a letter from Gibbons, and nothing next day the 6th of March, a meeting further that is material takes place til takes place, Dr. Back goes into the City, the beginning of April. to No. 32, Walbrook, which is the cham- Gentlemen, about the 10th of April, bers of a respectable attorney, I believe, Gibbons writes a note to Colonel Edwho has nothing to do whatever with this wards, “Sir, I wrote to you yesterday, transaction- he there meets Gibbons, to which I beg leave to refer, and a that person with whom, till that moment, cording to what I then wrote, that you he was an entire stranger. Upon meet- would hear from me again, this day I have ing Mr. Gibbons at that place, the con- to request you, or the young gentleman, versation immediately assumes the form will meet me at 32, Walbrook, on Thursof a more direct treaty, for Gibbons, day next, at half-past eleven o'clock, and upon that occasion, points out the ne- be prepared to carry the cavalry appointcessity of having the money brought

ment into effect.' The meaning of forward directly; that he again specities carrying the cavalry appointment into the difference in the price of a cavalry effect was, producing on the part of Dr. and infantry cadetship, and he states that Back the stipulated sum of £500, which the mode in which these matters are was first to be laid down before the managed is by dividing a bank-note in remainder was advanced. On the 12th two parts, by leaving one-half with him- of April, Dr. Back comes and having self or some banker, and the party so

obtained a bank-note of the value of advancing to keep the other half, which £500 from one of the officers of the finds its way to the first half when the Company for this purpose it was cut in matter is completed. That is the state- half; one is delivered to Gibbons to be ment that Gibbons makes Dr. Back. kept by him until the appointment is Accordingly, Dr. Back being in com- completed, and the other is kept by Dr. munication with the East-India Com- Back, and upon that occasion Gibbons pany, for the purpose of following up the gives a regular receipt--that he has line which has been so pointed out by

* Received 12th April, 1827, of Dr. Gibbons, does, at a subsequent day, pro

Back, the half of a £500 Bank of Engcure from them a note for £500, for the Jand note, which I engage to return in purpose of being deposited in the mode case the appointment agreed upon does I have stated. But before they se- not take place.” parated on the 6th March, Gibbons pro- Now, so the matter stands, I think, duces to Dr. Back, and puts into his up to that day ; on that day a new person hands a printed form, which, I believe, is is introduced upon the stage, for upon called a cadet's form of certificate and that day a person of the name of Tyninterrogatories, in order that Dr. Back dale, (Joseph Tyndale), one other of the may procure it, to be properly filled up defendants, is introduced by Gibbons to in order that the intended cadet may

Dr. Back. To the very great surprise of obtain the situation. I shall have occa- Dr. Back, he found that Tyndale, alsion to make several comments upon this though only two days had passed since as I go on. I shall only now state, that the deposit of the half of the £500 note, on this day when the sum was fixed upon, that by some means or other that £500 this form of certificate was put into his note has got shifted into the hands of hands by Gibbons.

Tyndale, or at least that Tyndale proGentlemen, I think upon the 12th of duces an engagement that he has it in his that month the money was actually ad- hands, that he only retains the £500 until vanced—this printed paper having been he has performed his engagement with put into the hands of Dr. Back, and as Gibbons, thus getting one link further one part of this requires that there should on, as if he was the party to receive the be a certificate of the baptism of the money, he was to procure some other intended candidate for the office, which person, this Tyrdale, for instance, upon requires some time to fill up, if he has the present occasion, who was to receive been baptized in the country, or in some the money if he procured the appointreinote part of the kingdom, a considera- ment, or a part of it, or what agreement ble interval took place. Dr. Back went was made between them we know not, down to Little Hampton, and this paper and it was immaterial to inquire şı but I have in my hand was sent down to the agreement entered into with Gibbons "Exeter, to procure the proper entry of was by some means or other transferred

to

to Joseph Tyndale. This man, Tyndale, house ; and when he gets there, he finds seems to express some degree of disap- Capt. Anstice stating to him, that he has pointment that the whole matter has not had in his custody for some time the half been concluded, and promised very largely of that £500 note, and when the other is that a very little time should elapse till it applied to it, there will be no difficulty in is; at the same time, as he naturally sup- carrying the arrangement into effect, so posed that Dr. Back would begin to be a that this money forms the connecting link little impatient as his money had been between three of the persons I have menlodged, he endeavoured to put him off for tioned to you-between Mr. Gibbons, some time upon the impracticability of its Mr. Tyndale, and Capt. Anstice-and being then immediately concluded on ac- that Capt. Despard is the person who count of the existing state of things; cements and links together all three, bestating, that the ministry being unsettled, ing the medium of introduction of the one there was a great difficulty in getting this to the other. During this time Capt. cadetcy appointment. What part of the Despard is as full of his promises as the ministry he alluded to I know not, but I preceding persons; he states a little difbelieve that was as true as many other ficulty has arisen in consequence of the statements I shall have to refer to. I director he named not being in town, need not remind you, that that was exactly that that director, or another he named, the time that there was a change effecting are the persons from whom it is to be obin the administration of the country.

tained. I do not mention the names at So, gentlemen, the matter rests, con- present; if their names should appear they siderably to the apparent disappointment are in court, and they are ready upon their of Dr. Back, who was urging the com- oaths to deny having any share in its parpletion of this matter till the 25th, and ticipation-in short, it is only the means then it is stated that the matter will very by which these inferior persons, who soon be brought to a close, and another are gulling the public in endeavouring to person is introduced— Capt. Despard, ano- impose upon their betters in society, and ther of the defendants-he comes in, and obtaining an introduction to directors,-it states his great surprise that a matter of is only the mode by which they carry their this sort has been allowed to be under the base intentions into execution. conduct of Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Tyndale We then come down, gentlemen, to -he does not wonder that this disap- the 25th April, and that is the most impointment has taken place, but, he says, I portant part of the case, because upon will put you into way to get it com- the next day it is that for the first time pleted directly. I will introduce you to Capt. Prescott will be brought forward a partner of a great East-India House, to your notice. Gentlemen, I will now Mr. Anstice, who is one of the defend- trace out,- because it will be more conants. But before Capt. Despard makes venient to make the matter clear to you, his appearance, which I think was in the -after observing that upon the 25th of afternoon of the day, there has been an April the name of Capt. Prescott is application made to Dr. Back to furnish brought forward, I will go on and trace the remaining part of the money, which the remainder of the parties up to the was to be the payment for a cadetship. time when the detection takes place; but You recollect only £500 have been al- I will refer back to this 25th of April, to ready advanced ; it is stated that not a shew how far the evidence will implicate single step can be taken further in the pro- Capt. Prescott in a guilty knowledge, or gress of this matter, unless there is ano- means of knowledge, of this transaction. ther note of £300, treated in the same Gentlemen : upon the 27th of April, way, and cut in two, and deposited, one Dr. Back attends again according to aphalf with Mr. Gibbons, and the other pointment at Capt. Anstice's office, which kept : that is done on the 25th of April ; is at St. Helen's; he is informed that so that now you perceive that all the nothing as yet is accomplished; he begins money that was to be forthcoming on the to be extremely anxious, perhaps not so part of the purchaser has been parted anxious as if the money was his own; le with by him, and put into the hands of would probably then have urged with a Mr. Gibbons, who appears to be the greater degree of vigour the completion stakeholder. I have told you that Capt. of the contract, but he shewed suiticient Despard affected a high tone; he speaks to induce them to promise to put into with the same disrespect of Mr. Tyndale, exercise all their powers to get it comthat Mr. Tyndale had expressed towards pleted. He calls there two or three times Mr. Gibbons, and that now the money. in the course of the day, and nothing had been advanced, there could be no ex- takes place. At last Capt. Despard, who jouse for not carrying it into effect: I will is still appearing upon the stage at Capt.

take you to a person, and the matter shall Anstice's and is the conductor of Dr. jibe managed immediately, and be accord- Back, Capt. Despard states he had sent

ingly takes him to Great St. Helen's, to Regent Street tu have some intercourse 1 » where Gaps. Anstice, has, a counting. With the gentlenian who was to procure

:

came.

an answer.

the appointment: this is very much to to state to you what was going on with the surprise of Dr. Back, who had never respect to the appointment at the Eastbefore heard of any person in Regent India House, between the nominating Street; he asked, why do you introduce a and recommending directors. new person to us; I thought you told us On this day, the 30th of April, another that A, B, or C, at the head of affairs, of the parties, we had long since forgotten was the person to whom you looked : in the transaction, steps forward again. why do you now say a stranger is the Mr. Gibbons sends a note on this day, person from whom you are to obtain it ? “ Sir, I am quite in the dark," this is to He could get no answer to the question, Dr. Back," as to what is going on. 'I but on the following day Capt. Despard went to Mr. Anstice's at three o'clock, called again and said all was finished. He being told you were to be there at that said that at first, but he corrected him. time, but did not meet you, and after self and said, “all will be completed im- waiting half an hour was told you had mediately: there is no doubt that all been and gone. I was desirous of knowwill be immediately right." Still nothing ing what was likely to be done, as I am

The morning of Saturday, the keeping an infantry appointment open, 28th of April, was wasting away, Dr. and the party complains of my not giving Back calling from time to time ; put off

I shall expect to see you in for half an hour, and then calling again ; the morning, and will call here about nothing comes forward in the course of eleven." A pretty good intimation of the that morning ; unti? at last Capt. Anstice, necessity of making these inquiries, when being tired out, says we will go together Mr. Gibbons talks so quietly that he is to a gentleman at Waterloo Place, Re- keeping an infantry appointment open, gent Street, and we will see what is to and he desires to know what is to become happen there.” Accordingly Dr. Back, of it, as the owner was impatient. I accompanied by Capt. Anstice, goes to the think it was high time for the Company, office of a gentleman of the name of An- when they discovered any thing of this drews, in Regent Street, who is another sort, to probe it to the bottom, and see of the defendants upon the record. He who were the guilty parties. However, I does not see him when he gets there : only introduce this to shew that on this Mr. Andrews is absent, but had left word day Gibbons steps forward again, who he should be there at a certain time ; al- supposes that this has got into some though they wait long beyond that time, other train, and that he shall not receive Mr. Andrews does not make bis appear- the money he expeets. It is only one proof,

Then it is agreed that the very among others, that the parties cannot next morning Dr. Back shall call upon trust each other, and that they are introCapt. Anstice at his private house, and ducing link after link in order that you they shall go together to Mr. Andrews at may not be able to trace it out. his private house, and see what was going That brings us to the next day, Tuesday on as to this appointment—that will be the 1st of May, when a letter arrives from on Sunday; and accordingly on Sunday, Capt. Anstice addressed to Col. Edwards the 29th of April, Dr. Back and Capt. (a nom de guerre, while he was conducting Anstice called upon Mr. Andrews and this business), stating that he must either saw Mr. Andrews, and a conversation come by himself, or send his son by himtakes place. The precise purport of the self, to Mr. Andrews's office in Regent conversation will be explained to you by Street. Matters are now arriving very the witness when he coines. The effect closely to their ultimate termination, for of it was, that every thing would be com- on the very following day, Wednesday pleted on the following day. At the same the 2d, the whole of the scheme takes time a great caution is given to him not effeet, and the evidence we bring forward to say any thing upon the subject to any will be complete. Accordingly, the folbody; that it is extremely important that lowing day the son goes early by himself no one should know what was going on, to Mr. Andrews's house, and there he and that it was no fault of his that it was discovered a stranger be had never seen not completed, for his client was in great before, but who turned out to be Mr. want of money at that time, and it would Sutton, one other of the defendants upon be of great importance to him to receive the record. it. So that now I have introduced ano- What does young Mr. Back go there ther defendant to you, Mr. Andrews. for? He goes for the purpose of -filling Gentlemen, Monday was the 30th of up one part of this printed form which it April, and that Monday the 30th of April was necessary he should fill up himhad been fixed by Mr. Andrews and Capt. self, and which had been left unfillAnstice for the purpose of fully complet, ed up till that moment it is put into ing the transaction. Still there is some his hands, in the office of Mr. Andelay, and some fresh excuse why the drews, by Sutton, with a pencil-mark appointment does not come forward. You upon it denoting the manner in which it will hear the reason why, when I come is to be filed up; in fact, containing the

name of the director who had recom- nothing to do with you for the last six mended him to the preferment: so that months."

Gibbons says,

“ I come on there you have a new person in that stage belialf of myself and Mr. Wright, to get introduced you see at the last moment the difference between the sum we first Sutton; but at the most important stage, named and the sum you have got it for; because it is just preceding that time for as I told you it would cost 900 guiwhen the £300 and £500 notes are to be neas and you have got it for £800, there made complete, and when they would be is £145 to spare, and I mean to have the efficient in the hands of the bearer. odd £45 and give Wright the £100."

As soon as that is done, Dr. Back is That shews the connexion between all the told to repair to the East-India House, parties from the first to the last. and that Mr. Sutton and Capt. Anstice That, gentlemen, is pretty much the will be there as soon as he is. Accord- outline of the case against the first seven ingly on the 2d of May they both proceed of the defendants, and upon that evidence, from the west end of the town, first to the even if it had not been corroborated as it Monument coffee-house, where Dr. Back is now, beyond all dispute, by the acts of had appointed to be present, before all the the parties themselves pleading guilty to parties repaired to the India-House to the indictment, and one of them taking á pass this young man. They proceed to verdict by consent, there could be no the Monument coffee-house, and there doubt in the minds of gentlemen of your they find Dr. Back, and a conversation intelligence that they were all of them, takes place as to the remaining halves of and not part, guilty of the transaction. the two notes, the parties insisting--that But I come now to state the facts that is, Andrews and Sutton insisting—that relate to Mr. Prescott, and I begin by they would have both the halves of the stating that there is not the least charge notes delivered to them before they would against him, nor am I instructed to state, stir a step further; but Dr. Back, who that he was guilty of any actual participaseems to have some intelligence upon tion in the money given for this appointthis subject, saying, “ No, it is quite suf- ment. He is charged only with having ficient if I trust you with the half of the abused the situation he held by knowing, £300; I will not give you the half of the or at least having certain means of know£500 until the young man is actually ledge of, that which had taken place in the passed; we will all go together, and as course of this transaction by Sutton, and soon as he is passed the half of the other yet lending his aid to it by giving Sutton shall be put into your hands.” At last it the patronage so to be disposed of. is so agreed, a considerable discussion Now, what is the exact connexion behaving taken place. The half of that tween Sutton and Mr. Prescott I am not note having been delivered to Sutton, able to trace out; they are friends, and who is to apply for the other half to have long been intimate and acquainted. Capt. Anstice, they proceed together to That Sutton is a person who has served the India-House, and when they come Mr. Prescott very much in the course of there, the papers then being completed some elections that have taken place, and filled up, they are put into the hands that I believe I shall be able to prove, of a clerk, a Mr. Haldane, one of the and whether, by having this patronage in clerks in the Cadet office, it having been his power, Capt. Prescott thinks proper previously arranged and orders given, that actually to sell it and convert the money the moment the papers came in, they to his own use, or whether he thinks should be handed up to the Committee of proper to give it to a person from whom Directors. In consequence of that I he has received services and is indebted, need not state the young man was unable that that person may convert it into moto pass, and the whole thing is blown up. ney and apply it to his own purposes, does Sutton is found at an opposite house, very not make any material degree of distincmuchalarmed, to which Dr. Back goes tion between the parties accused : in either back. He finds Sutton alone, or Sutton case it is a gross perversion of the purand Andrews together, and stating he poses for which this public trust is reshould be a ruined man if this matter was posed in him, is rather a shade in the dediscovered, and then stating he was Sut- gree of guilt, than in the degree of fraud. ton and giving his direction, and I believe But I now proceed to state the eviit will appear at a subsequent period that dence that will affect Mr. Prescott. It he goes down to Dr. Back to make in. will appear that on Thursday the 26th quiries. On the same day I should state April, he made application to another that Gibbons is found just at the time the director, Col. Toone, a gentleman who parties enter the India-House watching in has been a director of the Company the office to see what was going on, for the last thirty years, to lend him, knowing that the passing of the young which is by no means an uncommon transman will take place that day, to take a action, an appointment for that year of a share in the plunder. Dr. Back asks, cadetsbip in the Madras cavalry." Col. “what do you do here ?? We have had Tcone said he was extremely welcome to