The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger, Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called Lord Cochrane, the Ho | Page 8

upon which this gentleman, rather
inconsiderately, produced from his pocket some one pound Bank of
England notes, with those notes he paid for his chaise, and he set off for
London in the post-chaise and four. When he arrived at Canterbury he
rewarded his post-boys very liberally; he gave each of them a Napoleon.
A Napoleon, I dare say you know, is worth eighteen or twenty shillings;
he ordered horses on to Sittingbourn; the same chaise brought him from
Canterbury to London, and he gave Napoleons to all his post-boys. It

was difficult to say which was first upon the road, this Colonel Du
Bourg or other expresses which had been sent off from Dover with this
happy news, for as soon as this news was announced all Dover was in
agitation. Post-horses were ordered out, and I believe some of the
expresses reached London half an hour before this person himself.
Gentlemen, it will be necessary that I should read to you the letter to
Admiral Foley, it is dated Dover, one o'clock A. M. February 21, 1814,
addressed to the Honorable J. Foley, Port-Admiral, Deal, &c. &c. &c.
signed R. Du Bourg, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aid de Camp to Lord
Cathcart. "SIR, I have the honor to acquaint you, that the L'Aigle from
Calais, Pierre Duquin, Master, has this moment landed me near Dover,
to proceed to the Capital with dispatches of the happiest nature. I have
pledged my honor that no harm shall come to the crew of L'Aigle; even
with a flag of truce they immediately stood for sea: should they be
taken, I have to intreat you immediately to liberate them, my anxiety
will not allow me to say more for your gratification, than that the Allies
obtained a final victory, that Bonaparte was overtaken by a party of
Sachen's Cossacks, who immediately slaid him, and divided his body
between them. General Platoff saved Paris from being reduced to ashes,
the Allied Sovereigns are there, and the white cockade is universal, an
immediate peace is certain; in the utmost haste, I entreat your
consideration, and have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient
humble Servant, R. Du Bourg."
A post boy was sent over with this letter to Admiral Foley; he delivered
it to the Admiral between three and four o'clock, I think, and nothing
but the haziness of the morning which obstructed the working of the
telegraph, prevented the news reaching the Admiralty, in which case
the conspiracy in question, which was effectual to a great degree,
would have been complete, and all the expectations of the conspirators
fully realized.
Gentlemen, when Colonel Du Bourg, alias Mr. De Berenger, arrived at
Rochester, he saw the landlord Mr. Wright, he conversed with him a
considerable time, and to him he repeated this news. He ordered horses
on for Dartford, and gave Napoleons to the post boys, and when he

arrived at Dartford, he there repeated his news to the landlord and the
waiter, partly in the hearing of the post boys. When he set off from
Dartford he desired the post boys to drive as fast as possible; they did
so for the first three miles; when they arrived at Bexley Heath, the road
being within sight of the telegraph, he spoke to the post boys, and told
them they need not drive so fast, that his business was not so pressing,
as the telegraphs could not work; they told him they were sure they
could not work, that they knew the telegraphs all along the road. In
coming up Shooter's Hill, the post boys alighted from their horses and
walked by the side of the chaise. They were naturally very desirous to
know distinctly what the news was, and one of them said, "Pray Sir,
what is the news?--Oh it is all over--Bonaparte is killed--the Cossacks
fought for a share of his body; he was literally torn to pieces by the
Cossacks,"--he said, "I landed last night within two miles of Dover, and
the French boat immediately put to sea; I went to the Ship at Dover. I
wrote a letter to Admiral Foley, in order that he might forward the news
by the telegraph; I was obliged to do that--it was my duty;" and then
still more to put them in good humour, he handed out to them some
wine, which he had brought from Dover.--He said to them, do not talk
of this news as you go along--as soon as you have parted with me you
may tell who you please; by and by he said, Pray where can I get a
hackney coach? the first stand, the boy told him, was at the Bricklayer's
Arms--"No, I will not take one there;" then the Marsh Gate--"Very well,
I will get one there". When they