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ridiculous manner, which would lead me to believe that something was meant. He did not suggest any particular points on which I should give evidence; he was only two minutes speaking to me altogether.
Re-examined, I went from here to Canton in a lorcha belonging to Ma-chow Wong, in October or November 1856. About a week after I was evidence for a man named Leong Ahee, who was charged with piracy. Mr Anstey allowed me to be examined, and afterwards told the Court my evidence could not be taken. I was passenger on board this lorcha, belonging to Ma-chow Wong. I never sailed or served in any vessel which I knew to belong to Mr Caldwell.
Mr May who replaced it in the tin-box in which it was found. It was not handed to the Jury, but a piece of calico with some Chinese figures on it was. I gave Beaver an order to get all the papers which I had when arrested, but do not know whether he got possession of this paper. I believe he did. I was told so by a short sentence prisoner. I got this paper from Beaver himself. We were in two separate boats, and I sent on board his boat for some cigars, and at the bottom of the box which he sent me I found this paper. I could not say in whose handwriting it was, and that is all I know of it. I might have said in the Supreme Court that it was as likely to be in Mr Caldwell or Ma-chow Wong's handwriting as in any one else's, but I could not have said that it was in Mr Caldwell's handwriting, for I do not know Mr Caldwell's handwriting. The paper did not mention Mr Caldwell's name, nor do I recollect the name Samkwei; it was addressed to "Charles Peapa."
I have known Mr Grand-Pré for about the same time, I have never been intimate with either of them. I am better acquainted with Mr Grand-Pré, because when I came down from Shanghae I had a good deal to do with him at the Police Station. I know Mr Tarrant the Editor of the Friend of China. I do not recollect his warning me two or three years ago about Ma-chow Wong and the Eaglet, I may have had some conversation with him on that subject, but have forgotten it, it is so long since.
There was a paper of great consequence but concerning only my own affairs. I don't think that the paper produced in Court recommended Ma-chow Wong to the notice of the pirates for the purchase of provisions and other articles from him. The paper did not mention Ma-chow Wong as being Mr Caldwell's brother.
I knew the Eaglet which Mr Caldwell used to command. I was never in any way connected with her. I have only been on board once, when I went on board of her in Hongkong to see Mr Stone the Engineer. I have not sailed in her company, nor under her convoy. I have seen her several times outside, but I cannot say that she was engaged in any piratical expedition. I cannot say whether Ma-chow Wong was part owner of the Eaglet, or whether he was connected with her in any way.
Lyons was up in the Gaol one day, and asked me if I knew where the paper which I had read at the Supreme Court was. I told him I saw it put back in the box at the Supreme Court. I believe he asked me a few questions. He might have asked me who had written the paper, but I could not have told him that was written by Mr Caldwell, for I do not know, and cannot say that I have any reason for thinking that it was written by Mr Caldwell. I believe he said something to the effect that if he was brought up he would like to be able to produce this paper, to shew that Mr Caldwell was connected with that sort of people. I said that I had the paper at one time, that I did not know if I could produce it then, that I was in trouble myself, and did not wish to meddle with other people's business.
Cross-examined,—This other paper which I wished taken particular care of was in English. Mr Caldwell's name was not mentioned in it. I cannot say that Lyons made any suggestions to me regarding the evidence I was to give. He put a great many questions to me, and in a ridiculous manner...
[Read a condensed report of what Eli Boggs said on his defence at the Supreme Court, concerning Mr Caldwell's and Ma-chow Wong's connection with the pirates.]
This is always what I understood to be the case, but I could not swear positively to it. My knowledge on these points is derived from what I have heard spoken by the Chinese. If I mentioned the names of individuals who could give evidence on the subject, I don't think that you would be able to find them now. I remember going into Mr Scarth's office with a Chinaman. I wanted Mr Scarth to interest himself in the case of six men, who had been wrongfully taken up for piracy. Mr Scarth told me that the man I came with was one of the greatest rascals unhung, and that I would do well to avoid his company.
I saw the Eaglet outside several times myself. I understood from the pirates there, that she had been sent out by Mr Caldwell.
As far as Ma-chow Wong is concerned, I am pretty confident that he levied black-mail on the pirates. My conclusion that Mr Caldwell participated in this is drawn from what I have heard said. I have seen refreshments come on board, which the pirates said came from Mr Caldwell.
I understood from the pirates outside that they had to give Ma-chow Wong money to give Mr Caldwell, otherwise vessels would be sent out to take them. I know it to be the case that persons, whether pirates or not, who offended Ma-chow Wong, or failed to comply with his terms, were denounced to the Police and brought to trial and conviction.
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Wednesday, 2d June, 1858.
JOHN HAMILTON RANDALL,-Called and examined.
I know Mr Caldwell. I first knew him in 1851, and first had business relations with him in 1855 as Chief Officer of the Steamer Eaglet, which belonged to and was commanded by Mr Caldwell.
In the year 1855, I was sent down from Ningpo to Hongkong by Sir John Bowring, for the purpose of giving evidence relating to a fleet of pirates with whom I had been imprisoned for about four months and-a-half.
I was told His Excellency sent word up there, that he would give me a reasonable remuneration for my lost time and expenses if I would come down. I left my situation, and came down accordingly.
I remained on board the Eaglet as Chief Officer from July 1855 to September 1856. Mr Caldwell commanded her himself from July 1855, till about April 1856, in every trip she made.
The Eaglet was ostensibly employed in the Convoy Trade, and in carrying passengers and cargo. She was in the habit of convoying sometimes lorchas and sometimes other Chinese vessels.
My reasons for believing the paper to have been written by Mr Caldwell, were that Ma-chow Wong being in connection with Mr Caldwell, it follows as a natural conclusion, that Mr Caldwell might write that paper for him.
I have heard Beaver several times say, that the lorcha in which he was, belonged partly to Mr Caldwell, and partly to Ma-chow Wong.