James Laing, writer in Edinburgh, called in and sworn.

James Laing — I am assistant clerk in the Council Chamber. I know Mr. Brodie, the prisoner at the bar. I have seen him write, and I am a little acquainted with his handwriting. [Here the two letters were shown to the witness.] The writing of these letters is very like Mr. Brodie’s handwriting. I think they have been wrote by him. [Here the unsigned scrolls, Crown Exhibit 1 and Crown Exhibit 2,  were shown to the witness.] I think these are of Mr. Brodie’s handwriting too, though worse written. [State of affairs shown to the witness.] I think this also is written by Mr. Brodie.