Note 76 — CHAP. XXXI. VISIT TO THE ADMIRALTY COURT AT MALTA.
Reading edition
178As it may be useful to note the despotic practices of our foreign tribunals in those days, I will transcribe a portion of the Judge’s speech on this occasion, as correctly reported at the time. On my demanding to cross-examine the witnesses against me, Dr. Sewell said:—
“The present course was the one practised on these occasions. He would not allow any but a direct answer to the charge made, and if that contained no crime, he should himself be responsible.”
He then said that he must administer to Lord Cochrane certain interrogatories, and on Lord Cochrane persisting in demanding his accuser or accusers, in place of replying to the questions, the Judge peremptorily required answers.
In place of giving these, I denied the competence of the Court to take cognizance of a criminal charge, asserting that it was not a Court of Record; and that on a pretended accusation made by witnesses who could not be produced, I had been arrested, imprisoned in the common gaol, and publicly criminated, without being permitted to clear myself by being placed face to face with my accusers, &c. &c.