By Lord Ellenborough.—You are not asked whether it was or was not: but what your belief was then, and what it is now?—I believed at that time, I must own, that it was his hand writing, and I still believe the same.
By Mr. Marryatt.—Did you not then believe it to be Mr. Church’s hand writing?—I did rather think it was.
Did you, or not, believe it was?—Is there any difference between thinking and believing?
That is a phrase we sometimes use in courts of justice.
I could not be positive; but I rather think it was his hand writing.
When you opened it, did you read it as a letter coming from him?—I was very much struck with the similarity, for it had very much the appearance of his hand writing; but, as no name was subscribed at the bottom, I could not be certain. It had the appearance of his hand writing.
Is it your belief now, that it was or was not, his hand writing?—It is exactly the same as it was then.
And it is now your belief that it was his hand writing?—I cannot say I firmly believe it, because it was not signed.
You are only asked whether you so acted as if it was his hand writing?—I did not communicate it to anybody but Mr. Patrick.
Did you communicate to Mr. Patrick that you had received a letter from Mr. Church?—I did.