An Irish gentleman, who wished to purchase an estate in France, lodged
his money in the hand of a banker, who took it, as common on the
continent, without giving the gentleman a voucher; but lodged it in an
iron chest, and gave to the gentleman the key. When the contract for the
purchase was made, he called on his banker to receive his cash, when the
latter peremptorily denied his having received any such sum, or having
any money transaction whatever with the gentleman.----In this dilemma
the injured party was advised to apply to M. de Sartine, and he
accordingly did so, and told him his story. The minister sent for the
banker, and asked him, if he had not received such a sum? The banker
steadily denied it. “Very well (replied M. de Sartine), then sit down
and write a letter which I shall dictate to you, and you shall continue
in the room with me, until the answer arrives.” Paper was brought, and
Sartine dictated, and made him write a letter to his wife, to the
following effect:--“My dear wife, you must immediately send to me the
sum which Mons. ---- left in my hands, and which was deposited
originally in the iron chest, in the compting-house, but was removed you
know whither. You must send it instantly, or else I shall be sent to the
Bastile. I am already in the hands of justice.” The banker
stared----“Mon Dieu! (says he) must I send this letter to my
wife?”----“You must (says the minister): I dare say, if you are guilty
of the robbery, your wife, who is remarkable for her ingenuity, was
privy to it, and she will obey your commands: if you are innocent, she
cannot comprehend the order which you send, and will say so in her
answer. We will make the experiment, and if you resist, you shall go
immediately to the Bastile.”
The resolution was decisive. The letter was sent, and in less than an
hour the money was brought in the bags in which it was originally
sealed, and restored to the original owner. M. de Sartine discharged the
banker, telling him the matter should be kept a secret, provided he
acted with more faith and honesty for the future.
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_NEW-YORK._
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