Emmerson, Richard Joynes | Day 14

James Barber Edwards testified that he received £1300 from Charles Ross Foord of Rochester who had brought £1500 in gold sovereigns to Sandwich by train. Emmerson met him with James Barber Edwards and they split the money between them. £1300 went to Mr Edwards and £200 to Mr Emmerson. Mr Emerson received two further amounts of £210 and £350. The latter was paid by Messrs Lewis and Lewis.

Witness Type: Briber, Freeman, Treater

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 1 | Day 2

Witness Testimony:

  • 16733.

    You really cannot recollect how it was that you came to go to the train at a particular time to meet a man with money ? — No, I cannot. I did not know what amount the money was, or anything of the kind. 

  • 16734.

    How did you know what man to look out for at the station? Were you told ? — No, not at all, and did not in the slightest know. . 

  • 16735.

    Because it strikes one as a little vague ? — It would look so, but we know a stranger when he arrives at our station, and I saw this stranger arrive, and he looked at me, and I looked at him. 

  • 16736.

    Your looks met, and you understood one other ? — It must have been something of that sort. 

  • 16737.

    Then what did he say, do you remember ? — I think he said, “Mr Emmerson?” I said, “Yes. Have you come to see me?” And he said, “Yes.” That was all that passed; there was nothing more, and we went into the carriage immediately. 

  • 16738.

    It was accidental that Mr Edwards was at your office ? — Yes, quite; he came on professional business, and it was so uncertain whether anyone would arrive, that he had, I think, started or was about to start to return home. 

  • 16739.

    Did Mr Foord say he was bringing the money to you or to Mr Edwards ? — He did not state it at all. 

  • 16740.

    He simply said, “Here is the money,” ? — He said, “I have got some money,” that is all. 

  • 16741.

    Did he not say to whom he was to deliver it ? — No, not at all. 

  • 16742.

    It was gold, in a bag ? — Yes, not a common bag, but one of those travelling bags; a portmanteau in fact. 

  • 16743.

    A little hand portmanteau ? — Yes. 

  • 16744.

    He did not say to whom he was to deliver the money ? — Not at all. 

  • 16745.

    Did he say who had told him to deliver the money ? — No, I do not recollect that he did. I am under the impression that he said that he and other friends had provided this money. That is what I understood.