31 Mar. 1804

Evidence

Forthcomingness

Ch. Investigatorial

§.7. Course

2. As to the mode of securing the delivery of the interrogative letter, and what is equally necessary, sufficient evidence of its having[?] made - as also of the letter of information in return.

1. By variety of marks - the letter press serving as a border to that part of the paper in which the manuscript part is entered[?] - together with an appropriate stamp on the outside, letters of this description are effectively distinguished /discriminated/ from all ordinary letters. 2 of each such letter the direction including the date is copied at the post office of the place /town/ from which it is sent to the abode of the witness addressed. In a /another/ correspondent column another entry is made mentioning the person by whom, together with the month, day and hour when delivered, and to whom delivered, or by what other means and in which other manner introduced into the house or other place of the witnesses residence at that time. Another copy, with a memorandum of the day when thus consigned to the post, is entered on /in/ a book kept for the purpose by an officer of the Court.

When the answer comes to be transmitted, the like entries are made at the post house to which it is delivered. The answer is directed to the proper /Judge or subordinate/ officer of the Court - by whose care the letter of interrogation was consigned to the post. The answer should be entered in the same paper in which the question is [...?]: for the satisfaction of the witness that he may know at all times the nature and extent of the obligation he has incurred, it ought not be [...?] to send to him two copies at once: one for him to return with his answer, the other for him to keep by him, with the transcript of his answer: - a transcript which it may be recommended to him to take.