Sir John Potter employed this Daly to go to Holland in pursuit of Brodie. He got notice of him at Amsterdam, by means of two Jews who attend the passengers that arrive in the treck schoots. He described Brodie to them, and a black trunk he had with him; and they, for a few stivers, showed him the alehouse where he had taken up his quarters.
Daly said Brodie was lodged in the first floor: that the landlord of the house informed him that the gentleman he enquired for was above. On this information, Daly went up stairs, knocked once or twice at the door, but no person answering, he opened the door, and went into the room. After searching about some time, he found Brodie in a sort of cupboard, and he addressed him, “How do you do, Captain John Dixon alias William Brodie?—come along with me.” He then got him lodged in the Stadthouse. Daly came over to London, and got his reward.
APPENDIX XII.
The Journal of Mr. Groves, who was despatched from London to Amsterdam to take charge of Brodie.
On Tuesday, the 1st July, I left London, and arrived at Harwich at three o’clock the next morning.
Wednesday, waited on Mr Coxe, the agent for the packet, with Mr Fraser’s letter, and also on the Captain, who dined with me. At half-past four in the afternoon sailed out of the harbour, and lost sight of land at nine.
Thursday, got sight of Helvoetsluys at twelve next day,—dead calm four leagues from shore,—rowed into the harbour in the long boat, with Captain Hearne, and Carpmeal, (Sir S. Wright’s officer), with the mail, and a woman going as Lady’s maid to Sir James Harris’s Lady,—drove back by tide, and almost out to sea again,—landed on sand, walked to several farmhouses, leaving the mail and baggage on the sand, guarded, in quest of a waggon,—refused;—a boor, at last, went at an extravagant price; we had walked seven miles on hot sands, and parched with thirst; at eight o’clock waggon came with the mail, &c.—set out for the Brill, but, within two miles, waggon broke down, and obliged to procure boors to carry mail, &c. arrived at the Brill at half past nine;—Brooks, the messenger, came from Helvoetsluys to meet us, where he had been waiting,—had heard nothing of any person (Englishman) being in custody at Amsterdam, which much alarmed me, nor had Hutchinson, the collector of the passports,—more alarmed;—delivered Mr Fraser’s letter to Brooks;—at ten set off with Brooks for Maslinsluys, arrived there at half-past eleven, got to Delft at three-quarters past twelve;—arrived at the Hague at three in the morning in an open post waggon, with heavy rain, thunder and lightning.
Friday, waited on Sir James Harris at ten in the morning,—introduced to Brooks,—treated with great affability, and received a letter from Sir James, which he had already wrote, directed to Mr Rich, the consul, Sir James having first informed me that Brodie was safe in the Stadthouse,—consulted Sir James on the mode of obtaining him,—informed that, if the magistrates of Amsterdam required an official application to the States General, to come back immediately to him, and he would obviate all difficulties; but he did not think it would be necessary:—it was Sir James’s opinion the magistrates would give him up without, if not, was certain they would detain him till an answer to Sir James’s application to the States could be obtained;—set off for Amsterdam, and arrived there the same evening; waited on Mr Rich,—politely received; and we consulted on measures,—Mr Rich to wait on one of the magistrates that evening, and to send to me early next morning.—Waited on Mr Duncan, a Scots gentleman, and father-in-law to Mr Gerard, a minister at Amsterdam, with Mr Langlands’s letter;—Mr Duncan seemed willing to identify Brodie; but on being called out into another room by Mr Gerard and his wife, on his return, Mr D. said as far as his word of honour as a gentleman would go, and his belief, he would say he was the man; but, if an oath was required he would not,—Saw then a manifest reluctance in Mr D. and had no doubt his daughter and the parson would endeavour to persuade him to decline troubling himself in the matter; but judged he could not go back from what he had said to Mr Rich.
N.B. No mischief but a woman or a priest in it,—here both.
Saturday morning, received a message from Mr Rich,—most of the magistrates gone to their country-houses,—nothing could be done till Monday;—Mr Rich entertained no doubt, but said a magistrate had informed him, that a formal requisition must be made by him, in writing, to the magistrates;—he produced the copy of one, requiring the person of William Brodie to be delivered up; I corrected it, by inserting “otherwise John Dixon,” as the magistrates of Amsterdam knew of no William Brodie; Mr Rich agreed it was proper;—informed him of my suspicions respecting Mr Duncan, and the steps that would be taken by his family to make him, if possible, recant;—my fears further increased, as Mr Duncan lodged in the same tavern with me, I had frequent opportunities of conversation with him, and could plainly see a sorrow for what he had said, and a wish to retract.