The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-19 00:00:00

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

' at Nit Priam after Theat at Oluldhall.—(Balan
ford Mid Jostles Cookbaza awl a Spacial Jury.)

HUDSON S. 1113 P. ARAD; 5a5r.,114.c., AND OTHIRS.
ASSAULT AND PALS! IMPRISONMENT.
- • - - .
•

This was en action for en assault and false imprison.
meet nailed the defendants, four of whom are benches,
and Queen's Counsel, the sub-treasurer of the Temple,
end the bead porter. The defendants pleaded not
guilt , and, further, that the benchers were inns.
into • charge made against Mr. Digby Sep
smear, and Q.C. ; that the plaintiff was • odium,.
end fraudulently obtained pomession of • book, from the
contents of which he was being examined, and that they
used no more violence than was necessary in endeavouring
to regain possession of the book ; and as the plaintiff would
not give up the book, they gave him into custody.
From the position of the defendants, and the cirenm.
stances oat of which the salon arose, great interest was
manifested in the proceedings, especially by the members of
the bar, who assembled in large numbers during the progress
of the trial.
Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., Mr. Collier, Q.C., and Mr. H.
Lloyd were counsel for the plaintiff ; Mr. Serjeaut Shoe,
Mr. Serjeant Pigott, and Mr. Field were counsel for the de-
fendants.
Mr. M. Chambers having opened the case to the jury,
called the following evidence.
Mr. Edward Hudson-1 managed the common law
department some years since for Messrs. Maples. Sines
then I have had nothing to do with law. I have lived
seven years In Hereford-equare, Brampton. I promoted
the Railway Passenger Assurance Company and the Waller
Gold Mining Company. I was not originally • director of
the latter company or • member of the board. Mr.
Digby Seymour was chairman of the first board.
In cemeequeoce of the dissatisfaction of the share-
hoblem the first board retired. That was in April,
1863. I wan then elected • member of the board. I at.
tended almost constantly at the company's offices. In 1834
1 had • private letter book at that time. Finding it ne-
w/eery to write many letters at the office, I in.
strutted a clerk, now dead, to procure me some tisane
paper, for which I paid, which was made up in the teem
d• book with • paper cover. Its endorsed " Private
letter book." I kept it in my private drawer in the board-
room table. The drawer wee always locked, and I kept the
key. No one had access to the book without my permis-
' doe. The book was brought before the notice of the
board. There was an official letter book regularly bound and
lettered. In my book I bad certain letters copied by the
machine. There are copies of letters in it written by
others with my knowledge affecting me. Three pmn
port to have been written by Mr. Gowan, the secretary, and
forwarded to me in America, but I never received them.
Ftevions to my leaving for America, and being desirous of
being informed of what was occurring daily, the circum-
stances being peculiar, I requested him to write me each
mail fully, in the form of • diary, and to have them copied
into my private letter book. The secretary's letters
were never intended for coy other eye than mine.
He was my friend, and he wrote me more in that capacity
than as the secretary. The letters in the book were never
intended for the board, or to be made use of in any
.public
manner. I resigned the directorship in Oct., 1855, in con-
sequence of some differences I had with Mr. Digby Sey-
mour. In March, 1836, Mr. Seymour resigeed the
chairmanship of the board, and I shortly after
resumed my office as director. I finally ceased
to be • director in September, 1856, being dissatisfied
with the management of the company. From that time I
have taken no part in the management, but I still hold
1.200 share. I resigned under peculiar circumstances in
consequence of an unpleasantness at the board table, and I
left the room suddenly, leaving my papers behind me.
It did not occur to me thou to take away the contents of
my private drawer. I next saw it in July last year in the
parliament chamber of the Middle Temple. There are
persons mentioned in the book I should not like to bare
named. I have no objection to the matter being made
known. I went to India and returned in 1858. I first
heard of the inquiry before the touchers in March, 1861,
when I was dining with a friend at the Reform Club. I
beard a bencLer name it. Subsequently to that, in
June, I met Mr. Seymour on • steam-boat coming
from Chelsea. I bad not been in frequent com-
munication with Mr. Seymour in the interim. We spoke
on the subject of the inquiry, sod, in consequence of what
be said, I attended before the trenchers 211 • witness, on
Thursday, the 27th of June. I was examined about Mr.
Parker's case, of which I knew nothing. The parliament
chamber is an oblong room, with a long table in it. The
treasurer eat at one end of the table, and Mr. D.
Seymour and the short-hand writer at the other. I
eat at the right of the treasurer. The beechen
who generally conducted the inquiry sat about the middle
of the table. Mr. Rodwell, Mr. Barium*, and Mr. Green
conducted the examinations with others. There was •
candelabra on the table which cast • gloomy effect
over the chamber. Refreshmente were provided near
the door. (Laughter.) Os my third visit, the Bth
July, the \Valler business was examined into. Mr.
Ag Seymour commenced by examining me in chief,
Sad was subsequently areesemamioed by the benches.
In fact there was no regular examioation and crose-examits-
Moe. I was croes-exammed intermittently whilst the ex-
amination in chief wee proceeding. I have no complaint to
make of Mr. Coleridge, who croes-examined me. After Mr.
Seymour had finished my examination, Mr. Green and Mr.
Rodwell cross-examined me on matters not before the beach
on the inquiry, and I suppose to test my credit. At
times I considered the tone exceedingly offensive
to me, because the questions were not put to me as they had
been on the two former amnions. There was • manifest
change. The benchers remarked from time to time to
each other on my examination. On reference to one letter
that I explained, one said, " Why it's a breach of trust,
and another, "Is it not • fraudulent 000cealment?" As the
cross-examination proceeded, it became more offensive. I
objected to it on that ground, and then it became more
offensive still. In the course of the examination I dis-
covered the bencbers were examining me from a book. Im-
mediately before it was banded to me I had several rapid
questions addressed to in., suggesting untruth on my part.
They were addreesed chiefly by Mr. Rodwell, who wee
prompted by Mr. Green. They also talked audibly to
interrupt me. When the book was hauded to me, I was ex-
cited by what bad occurred. It was thrown over to me. and I
was 'eked if I peosisted In an answer I had given, and if the
letter referred to was not in my handwriting. I said it was. I
was told to read the last paragraph in the letter. I de.
alined. I would not read part without the whole. I read
the whole aloud. I was questioned rapidly. Before I could
give an answer to one question others were interpolated.
Looking at the letter, I was about asking Mr. Rod-
well where be got the book ? upou which he re-
plied, "Go on, and answer the questions." I did
so for a short time. I was asked the question whether •
particular report bad been received from the engineer of the
mine referred to in one of the letters and where it was. I
mid it had been received and was doubtless with the archives
of the company. On that, the beoeher on my right
believed to be Sir William Alexander) pointing to the book
said " This appears to be part of them. I replied," No, this
fisrommy me b privets
y
of the company." I then requested Mr. Rodwell to inform
solineteteroneborhoanhud has been betre custody of books
me bow be had become possessed of the book. He declined
to tell me. I then mid My examination closes here.
will answer no more questions until I have that reply.
• Mr. Rodwell and Mr. Green consulted together, and Or.
Green said .-" We think it right to intone you.
Mr. Hudson, that it has been banded to
us
by Hr. Brown, the solicitor to the company." My
esemisation then proceeded. There wasmuch coa-
-1 him thee in the chamber from • desire of some
of the beechen to adjourn, which took place at • quarter
to twelve o'clock at night. At the moment of adjournment
I was abruptly interrupted M Owing as explanation of a
paragraph in • letter in the beeL I was asked to attend the
next day. I mid I could, bat i had &dieser eagagement
kw that day, and I would attend before or after dinner.