Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/397

 Chap. VIII] DEPOSITIONS TAKEN. 8G3

procuring a new chartei','' He said " that he wished he might answer that at some a.d. loos. other time, being not well, not having slept two or three nights, and being much indisposed as to his healtli ; that he was unwilling to take too much upon him- self, but thought he did great service to the Company in solicitation and other services." On the following day, having desired to be called in, he deposed, " tiiat having had a treaty with Mr. Bates, whom he thought able to do service in passing the charter, and to have acquaintance with several persons of honour," he gave him two notes, the one for 3000 and the other for 2500 guineas, i)ay- able to Mr. Bates or bearer. The latter note was paid after the charter for restoring the East India Company passed ; the other after the charter for regu- lation passed. These notes were from Sir Thomas Cooke, who, he believed, " did know how they were to be disposed of" In fact, Mr. Bates had introduced Sir Basil several times to the Duke of Leeds, the lord-president, "who made some scruples in point of law."

Mr. Bates deponed " that Sir Basil Firebrace did ajiply himself to him to use Mr. Bates. his interest for obtaining a charter to the East India Company:" that "he did use his interest with the lord-president, who said he would do what service he could : that he received 5000 guineas, told the lord- president of the fact, and urged the same upon his lordship's acceptance, but he refused it." He admitted, however, that "in regard he could not tell money very well himself," he "did ask leave of my lord that his servant might tell the money." His lordship gave leave, and accordingly his lordship's servant, M. Robert, "did receive the money." At first Bates alleged that M. Robert paid over the money to him, but on a sub- sequent examination he admitted that he had it not, and that it had remained with Robert till within the last few days, when Robert had brought it to him for the purpose of being given back to Sir Basil Firebrace. His reason for thus paying back the guineas wa.s " the noise that it made, and that people might think he did not deserve them." More light was thrown on this disclosm^e by Sir Basil, who, when again examined, stated " that the East India Company's charter being forfeited. Sir Thomas Cooke was apprehensive " that it stuck with the Duke of Leeds," and told him that " some way must be found out to the duke." Sir Basil thereupon applied to Mr. Bates, who, after a good deal of higgling, agreed to accept of 5000 guineas for his friend, and 500 guineas to himself Sir Thomas Cooke sanctioned the asfreement, remarking that if "it was insisted on it must be done." The agreement was that " if the duke did act in favour of the Company, he shoidd liave 2000 and 3000 guineas, and Bates 500 guineas for liimself " Sir Basil added, "that from the time the notes were given, they.had free access to the lord-president, and found him easy and willing to give them his avssistance."

Mr. Tyssen deponed that " Sir Thomas Cooke and Sir Josiah Child gave him Mr. Tjsaca. a note under their hamis for i.'50,000, which was intended to be presented to his majesty if his majesty would paas an act of parliament as they should desire,