The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-11 00:00:00

THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK.

The defence offered by Mr. Stapleton to the
charges brought against him as Director, and sub-
sequently as Deputy-Governor, rof ie Royal
British Bank, just amounts to this—that he was
not an active and conscious participator in that
series of abominable frauds and iniquities which
has brought ruin and desolation upon so many
families. Even if this were true—we say, even if
this were true—in what position does he stand be-
fore bis countrymen? Here is the case of a man
of mature years, a member of the bar, a member
of Parliament, who by his own free choice--for the
sake of adding to his income—takes upon himself
the responsibilities of the direction of a large com-
mercial concern, who allows fifty iniquities to peas
unchallenged under his immediate eye, and who,
When the crash has come and the ruin has fallen,
comes forward to claim a fool's pardon. That is
just the plea which Mr. Stapleton endeavours to
make out for himself. He was cajoled, deceived ;
he had much reason for complaint ; his colleagues
kept him in the dark ; he couldn't get at the ac-
count-books ; he couldn't judge of the value of the
securities. This went on for a time, and then we
have another phase of the defence. When he became
aware of the iniquities which were in course of per-
petration under his sanction and the sanction of his
colleagues, was it for Mr. Stapleton to give the
alarm No! The point of honour was to persevere
and be true to his companions. He remonstrated,
be made propositions which were rejected, but he
continued to hold his seat in the direction, and to
act even as deputy-governor. Enough was extracted
from Mr. Stapleton, although his examination was
conducted in a very merciful and tender spirit, to
show that for a long time after he knew the bank
was hopelessly insolvent he stood by and held his
peace, if he did nothing more. Ot course, when
somewhat pressed—and he was never very hardly
pressed—upon any inconvenient point, he had
ready the stereotyped answer, " With regard to
that my mind is a perfect blank." It is not
the first time in the forensic history of England
that . "Non mi ricordo" has been the motto of
a witness who feared the consequences to him-
self of a more direct reply. In all suoh cases,
however, the value of the excuse is to be
tested by the contrast between the extreme pre-
cision with which the witness remembers even the
most minute facts which can tell in his favour and
his utter oblivion of whatsoever may prejudice his
own interests. With regard to the latter class of
incidents Lethe has passed over his brain, or his
back was just turned when something peculiarly
strong was in course of concoction. He remembers
well, that his back was turned, or that he had just
stepped into the next room for a mouthful of lun-
cheon—he has not forgotten about the luncheon,—
and. so on throughout the usual catalogue of shifts
and prevarications. The case of Mr. Stapleton isu
very bad one in this respect—that be was well
aware that his name and position were used. as a
lure to attract other victims into the trap, and he
made no effort to undeceive either them or the
shareholders, not even by the feeble measure of
withdrawal. Bit by bit, even according to his own
confession, the whole series of rascalities which had
been concocted and carried out by 'his ecessors
and colleagues was !unfolded befor him, but he
still persevered—he still continue to lend what-