Lewis la Coude: The Examination of Lewis la Coude bookkeeper to Charles Augustine Berth 25 July 1704

London Ss. The Examination of Lewis la Coude bookkeeper to Charles Augustine Berth Marchant in Mark layn Lond.^o taken upon Oath before The Record^er &c^t. this 25. ^th day of July 1704.

Who saith that about last may was 3. Years he this Examinant came into England, and about 7. months after that time he entered as Bookkeeper to M^r Berth, and some few months afterwards he this Examinant began to lodge and diet at his house, but never made any agreement for wages with the Said M^r Berth, and further saith that the said M^r Berth hath bought severall Quantities of Silver Ingotts of diverse persons, but cannot remember their names; But sayes that he this Examinant did Enter the same down into abook or books, as he the aforesaid M^r Berth gave directions to him from time to time, but cannot tell whether he this Examinant had a full and perfect Account of all the Silver Ingotts or peices of Eight, which the said M^r Berth did deale for, or that they were Enter'd by this Examinant and further saith that the Said M^r Berth did cause a Furnace to be erected in his Said house in Mark layn where he togeather with one - - - - Willmore did refine Silver, which he the Said Berth did cause to be drawn into Wyre (as this Examinant beleives) which he sold to Sundry persons, without giveing the particulars to this Examinant And further saith that about a week agoe the Said Furnace was demollished, but upon what Account this Examinant doth not know. And saith that the Latter end of last week M^r Atwell told this Examinant that there was a report, about Town that the Said M^r Berth had sold Severall Counterfeit peices of Eight (the said M^r Berck being present and Said there was nothing in it) This Examinant further saith that he never heard any thing of the Said report before that time, And further saith that the Said M^r Berth always kept his business very private from this Examinant and never acquainted his Examinant with any of his Affaires he could keep from him, And further saith, that he this Examinant did never know the Said M^r Berth before he saw him in England, But thath been told that the Said Berth was a great dealer in France in all sorts of Silver, And further saith, that he the Said M^r Berth did Sell Severall parcells of peices of Eight, Barrs and Ingots of Silver and other foreign Silver Coynes Sometimes to M^r Atwell, to M^r Caswell, and some others, And that the Said M^r Berth did keep above stares an accompting house private to himselfe, in which he usually kept his Silver, and his Coynes and usually kept the Key thereof himselfe, But he the Said M^r Berth being gone from home on Sunday last, Since when this Examinant hath not seen him, nor heard where he is, nor when he will return: But yesterday in the afternoon, he this Examinant finding the Key in the Door of the said Accompting house, went in but found nothing there as usuall; he then took the said Key into his own Custody, And further saith that he this Examinant had the aforesaid Book or Books of Accounts in His Custody on Satturday last, but doth not now know where they now are. this Examinant further saith that the Said M^r Berth, came into the Compting house below staires on Satturday last, and did take from thence the Great book of Accounts which book he this Examinant hath not Seen Since.                                         Lewis La Coude Exam̄ Capt. et jurat anno et die Suꝑ dict coram me S: Lovell Recorder