Were there any papers or documents you received or delivered in respect of the vessel?—I received no documents; she was sold by public auction.
Did you give any?—No, I only gave an order to the ship-keeper to deliver her up.
Have you got that letter?—No, it was not a business transaction, it was merely for a friend.
Had you the bill of lading, or any thing?—No.
Cross-examined by Mr. Kelly.
Who originally sold her?—She was advertised to be sold by auction, at the Exchange Rooms, by Mr. Robinson.
Do you know who he was?—An auctioneer at Portsmouth.
Mr. Serjeant Bompas. To whom did you pay the money for your purchase?—The money was originally paid by a cheque from the party by whom she was purchased, who attended the sale himself to bid for her; that cheque by some accident was not presented at the place where it ought to be; it came back to me and I paid it myself.
Mr. Justice Maule. You paid the auctioneer?—I paid the bankers myself finding there was a mistake, and it was immediately repaid to me.
That cheque was given to somebody?—To the auctioneer; not that cheque of mine, but the cheque of the party who purchased her.