The letters put in were read by Mr. Straight, the Clerk of the Arraigns. The first was without date, and signed “J. Parsons Cook,” Monday. The following is a copy of the letter:—
“My dear Sir,—I have been in a devil of a fix about the bill, but have at last settled it at the cost of an extra two guineas, for the —— discounter had issued a writ against me. I am very much disgusted at it.”
The letter was sent to me, but its envelope was destroyed. The next letter bore the date 25th June, 1855; it was also without address, but witness stated that it had been sent to him, and he had destroyed the envelope. The following is a copy of the letter:—
“Dear Jerry,—I should like to have the bill renewed for two months. Can it be done? Let me know by return. I have scratched Polestar for the Nottinghamshire and Wolverhampton Stakes. I shall be down on Friday or Saturday. Fred. tells me Arabis will win the Northumberland Stakes.”
The memorandum put in and read was signed J. P. Cook, and the following is a copy:—
“Polestar three years, Sirius two years; by way of mortgage to secure £200 advanced upon a bill of exchange for £200, dated 29th August, 1855, payable about three months after date.”
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General: I am the person who took Mr. Myatt to Stafford Gaol. I have known Palmer long and intimately, and have been employed a good deal as attorney for him and his family. I cannot recollect that he applied to me in December, 1854, to attest a proposal for insurance on the life of Walter Palmer for £13,000 in the Solicitors’ and General Assurance Office. I will not swear that I was not applied to on the subject. I do not recollect that an application was made to me to attest a proposal for £13,000 in the Prince of Wales on Walter Palmer’s life, in January, 1855. I know that Walter Palmer had been a bankrupt, but not that he was an uncertificated bankrupt. His bankruptcy took place at least six years ago. He had been in no business since that period to the time of his death. I knew that Walter had an allowance from his mother, and he had also money at various times from his brother William. In the years 1854 and 1855, I lived at Rugeley, sometimes at Palmer’s house, and sometimes at his mother’s. There was no improper intimacy between myself and Palmer’s mother. I slept at her house frequently, perhaps two or three times a week, having my own place of abode at Rugeley.
How long did this habit continue of sleeping two or three times a week at Mrs. Palmer’s house?—Several years.
Had you your own lodgings and chambers at Rugeley?—Yes.
Your own bedroom?—Yes.