The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-19 00:00:00

FIFTH DAT.

[The feliewier appeared iu successive editions of The Sun
of yesterday : -
The trial of the information against the directors and
manager of the Royal British Bank for conspiring by
false pretences to defraud the shareholders and ors-
torners and the public, was this day resumed.' ,
Tho same counsel appeared as before.
Mr. Kennedy, on the part of 11r. Brown, asked his
lordship to strike off his notes the statement of Cameron
to Paldison, relative to Brown's falsehood in reference
to the freight of the Hornet. The statement was made
in Brown's absenee, and could not be received in evi-
dence against him.
Sir F. Thesiger said he wished his lordship to strike
out of his notes everything that was not strictly legal
that might have got there by accident, owing to the
cnnplicated nature of the case.
The evidence was accordingly expunged.
Sir F. Thesiger said that he had been in communica-
tion with the other side relative to the remunera-
tion to be given to the jary for their attendance on
this trial, and they were desirous his lordship at the.
close of the case should decide what the jury ought to,
receive.
Sir F. Kelly said be entirely concurred in the applica
tion of Sir F. Thesiger, and hoped his lordship would
undertake the duty.
Lord Campbell said he was glad some- arrangement
of this sort had been made, It was moat unjust to call
on gentlemen whose time was so valuable to them to
attend on a trial of this magnitude for the public benefit;
The law had made no such provision for a case of this
kind, and he would wiAijogly take upon himself the task
at the close of the case, which be hope,l world-sometimn
arrive,—(laughter)-6f stating what reinuneratiim- he
thought ought to be given to the jury. -
Mr. Anderson was recalled. He produced 10 bills of
Oliver's. In October, 1855, he-banded the bills to Mr.
Crawford to take to Liverpool. The bills amounted
to 23,0001. On Mr. Crawford's return, the tills were
missed ; witness was called before the board to explain
the loss ; afterwards the bills were found, and on the
18th December be went before a court meeting attended
by the Governor, Deputy-Governor, Mr. Stapleton, Mr.
I.M'Cloud, Mr. L. M. Valiant, and the general manager,
when the latter reported the bills bad been found and
how they were found ; be produced the bills and Oliver's
discount psss book at that time. •
By Sir F. Kelly—The bills became due between' the
7th November, 1854, and 24th April, 1855. Some pay-
ments were made on account in 1855 and 1856.
By Mr. James— Oliver was considered at one time
one of the largest shipowners in the kingdom ; he failed
for upwards of a million of money.
Mr. Crawford depoeed that be went to Liverpool with
the bills in October, 1855, and received a composition of
2s. 6d, in the pound at the Bankruptcy Court there on
21,0101. 19:z. 11d. On his return he gave the bills
stamped with the composition to Mr. Cameron, and he
told him at the same time that he calculated a further
dividend would be received of 2s. or 2s. 6d, in the
pound.
By Mr. James—Oliver's debt at the time of the

failure of the bank was 13,0001., having bean reduced

by payments ; another dividend of 2s. in the pound had
been paid by the estate since the stoppage of the Royal
British ••Bank. Ia a deed of transfer to creditors
Mr. Oliver's ships were valued at 688,750/.
By Mr. Seymour—Mr. Cameron led him to believe
that Mr. Welton, the governor, wait virtually respon.
te a certain extent, for Oliver's debt. He could
not say if it was to, the extent of 13,0001., the die-
counts wereralsrays obtained,through Mr. Walton, and
his account was opened by him.
Several deeds were put in relative to Oliver's
security, and evidence _ was taken -with reference to
_

the di;idends that bad been received under the estates
of persons involved in these transactions.
Mr. Pacldison recalled—Messrs. Owen, Esdaile, and
Richie were appointed in 1850 as the past due bi.l4
committee. In 1855 Messrs. Esdaile, M'Cloud, and
Valiant formed the committee.

Mr. Anderson was recalled, and, in answer to a ques-

tion from Sir F. Kelly, said Oliver's balance-sheel in
June, 1855, was 17,0001. It was reduced from that
time to the failure of the bank. It was the opinion of
Cameron that, under all circumstances, the amount
would be liquidated. After giving credit for all that
had been paid, the balance in November, 1355, was
14,6001 against Oliver.

Mr. PaTidison said he understood Mr. Walton was
virtually responsible for Oliver's debt, though his name
was not on the bills.

The prosecution then passed to Mr. John Macgragor's
account.

Mr. Atherton put in a letter from the late Mr. John
McGregor, dated 24th Feb., 1850, from Hyde Park. It
was addressed to Mr. Cameron, and stated that, as his
(Mr. Macgregor's) time was much occupied by his atten-
dance in Parliament, and the discharge of other duties,
he wished to guard against pecuniary inconvenience
during the session of Parliament. Messrs. Drummond
had hitherto assisted him, but he was now differently
situated, and could not go to them nor his brother-in-
law, without its looking suspicious with reference to
the Royal British Bank. He required 5001. or 6001 in
addition to his wife's income to carry him over to the
end of the session. He could offer no other security
except his promissory note and a policy for 1,000/. It
would be hard if a director of the bank were placed
in a worse position than their ordinary customers,
and he bad made the application by letter rather than
it should he considered by the court in his presence.
Mr. Paddison was called, and said on the folio wing day
a court was held, when the committee, comprising
Messrs. Esdaile, Gwynne, Owen, Hurst, and the general
tnanaeer, granted an advance of 1,0001. In 1851 a sum
of 2,000/. was advanced to Mr. J. Macgregor. That
gentleman gave the bank in security shares in a great
!lumber of companies, some Bank stock, and policies of
insurance. The securiti-s realised only 1,800/ ; 8001.
for the Bank stock, and 1,100/. policy: Amongst the
securities were shares and scrip in the Eastern Archi-
pelego Company, Irish Beet-root Sugar Company, Irish
Peat Company, Chartered Australian Land and
Gold Company, Royal Australian Bank and Gold
Importing . Company, and the Strand Bridge.
In Februry, 1854, Mr. Macgregor retired from the
directory. His debt due to the bank at the end of June,
1855, amounted to between 6,0001. and 7,0001. Mr.
Macgregor's securities were kept sealed up till after that
tune, when they were handed over by Mr. Cameron
to witness, who retained them till the failure of the
bank. The witness was examined at considerable length
relative to the court meetings, Bc^,, in reference to the
debt, and who were present at the time. Letters were
read from Mr. Macgregor to the bank, which showed
his straightened circumstances at the time.
By Mr. James—Mr. Macgregor was a man of good
repute at the time. He had been a secretary to the
Board of Trade at 2,0001. a-year, and was a member
of parliament. These circumstances gave a prestige
to Mr. Macgregor, who was supposed to be a highly
respectable, most honourable, and reasonably respon-
sible man. He (Mr. Paddison) -never entertained
any doubts as to his responsibility fir the advances
made to him by the bank. It was discovered after
Mr. Mullen,' death, that a(ivancea had been surrep-
ti;iou-ly obta;ned by Mr. Macgregor, by the former
initialling his bills for payment, without the knowledge
of the Directors. Mr. Esdaile frequently complained
of this, and was exceedingly angry about when it
was discoverei after Mr. Mullens' death. Advances
were thus made to the extent of several thousands in
the whole. Mr. Mullene had the entire confidence of
the bank ; he had been exonerated from any corn•
plicity in Mullens' conduct. A resolution was after.
wards agreed to by the directors to prevent the repe-
tition of similar conduct.

By Mr. Atherton—Towards the close of the career
of the bank it was discovered that Mr. Macgregor
was living partly by literary labour, and partly by
his connection with the company. His personal
liability was then spoken of as not being hopeful.
Mr. Anderson stated that Mr. Macgregor's account at
the end of June, 1855, amounted to 7,734/.11. 11d.,
December, 1855, to 7,918/. 10s. 103., and January,
1856, to 7,8621. 165., the increase arose from accumula-
tion of interest.
Toe Court next proceeded with the advances to Mr.
Cochrane.

Mr. H. I. Cameron said he was formerly clerk in the
bank. Mr. Esdaile, the governor, gave him directions
in 1550 that Mr. Cochrane might overdraw his account
to the extent of 5,5001., making, in the whole, 10,5001,
and he made an entry to that effect, in pencil, in the
"green ledger," on the page containing Mr. Cochrane's
account.

Mr. Crawford deposed that on 30th January, 1855,
Mr. Cochrane's account was 11,400/. 15'. ld., and on
24th December, 1855, it was 9,5031. 3s. sd.
Mr. Paddisen deposed that Mr. Cochrane was a
timber merchant, but he knew nothing of hi' means.
Mr. Anderson recalled—Mr. Cochrane had a large
account with the Royal British Bank. His were first-
ea,s bine. Sometimes they extended to 20,0001, and
were paid. Mr. C,..lchrane had a discount account at
the Bank of England.
The next case ent,rtd on was that of Mr. Rowland
Hill Blacker, tarmac), Ludgate-hill.
Mr. Paddicon said that on 10th April, 1855, Mr.
Blacker applied for an extended discount account of
4,0001., for which he gave the Guarantee Society
in security fur 12,0001. The application wai
granted, and in the August following he ad-
dressed another letter to the bank for a further
increase of 1,0001., making in all 5,000/. which was
granted. On Dec. 8, 1856, Mr. Cameron informed the
directors present at the court that, from an interview he
had had with Mrs. Blacker, her husband having gone off,
that there was reason to apprehbills end that his dishonoured
would not he paid, and that they were fictitious.
3,0001. or 4,0001. bills were then due. in the minute
book there was an entry In reference to this
of " Criminal proceedings " in Eedatle's hand.
writing, but it was afterwards struck out.