When you opened it, did you read it as a letter coming from him?—I was
very much struck with the similarity, for it had very much the appearance
of his hand writing; but, as no name was subscribed at the bottom, I
could not be certain. It had the appearance of his hand writing.
Is it your belief now, that it was or was not, his hand writing?—It is
exactly the same as it was then.
And it is now your belief that it was his hand writing?—I cannot say I
firmly believe it, because it was not signed.
You are only asked whether you so acted as if it was his hand writing?—I
did not communicate it to anybody but Mr. Patrick.
Did you communicate to Mr. Patrick that you had received a letter from
Mr. Church?—I did.
_Cross-examined by the_ COMMON SERJEANT.
The search which you made for this letter was not until last
Thursday?—Exactly so.
For any thing you know, might it not be in your house now?—I have no
reason to believe that it is, for I did not leave a drawer or place
unsearched.
Lord ELLENBOROUGH.—As far as evidence can go of the loss of an original
letter, to let in the copy, we have it in this case; for I asked her
whether she made diligent search after the original, and she says, she
has made diligent search.
Mr. Patrick _examined again by_ Mr. MARRYATT.
Were you acquainted in October last with the hand-writing of Mr.
Church?—Yes.
You told us you made this copy from the letter you had from Mrs. Hunter.
Was the letter from which you made this copy, and which you returned to
Mrs. Hunter, in your belief, the hand-writing of Mr. Church?—It was.
Mr. MARRYATT.—Now, my Lord, I propose reading this copy of the letter in
question.