The Enquirer

SINGULAR ANECDOTE.

From the London Sun of the 7th August.

We have been assured from very respectable authority of the authenticity of the following relation, which we insert, both on account of the singularity of the circumstance itself, & because it adds another proof to the many already before the world of the comprehensive mind of our late illustrious statesman—"a mind which" as has been beautifully and energetically said, "like the proboscis of an elephant, could either pick up a pin from the floor, or tear up trees by the roots."

At that period of the French revolution when republican emissaries from the continent were busily engaged in this country in endeavoring by the only means in their power (persuasion and bribery) to disseminate those principles of anarchy and horror which have rendered France an eternal beacon to civilized society—precisely at that time when so many of our countrymen were seduced by a vain phantom from the honest attachment to their king and constitution by which they had hitherto been distinguished, and to which they have long since returned—a certain foreigner entered one of the most considerable banking houses in the metropolis, and taking from his pocket book, a large sum of money amounting to between twelve and fourteen thousand pounds, expressed a desire to open an account with the house alluded to. On being asked by the clerk, to whom he addressed himself, what name he should place in the books—he requested that the sum should be entered under the letter A and that all drafts subscribed by that letter should be duly honoured. In a few days he called with a similar sum, which, by his directions, was entered under the letter B. The clerk, surprised at these proceedings, communicated them to the principal partner in the firm, Mr. D. by whom he was ordered, should the stranger again make his appearance, to acquaint him, that he might have an opportunity of observing him. Accordingly, in less than a week, the foreigner depositing a large sum under the letter C. Mr. D. took the advantage of this third visit particularly to notice the features of the man, and soon after another call enabled him firmly to imprint them on his mind. Having consulted with some friends on the steps which it would be prudent to take, it was deemed advisable by them that Mr. D. should wait on the premier, as they had little doubt that it was intended to apply the money to vile and political purposes. The next morning Mr. D. went to Downing street ; but was informed that Mr. Pitt had not risen. It is well known that that great man used to avail himself of the quiet of his bed to revolve in his mind the important Schemes of policy which he was ever intent on forming for the benefit of his country; and that at those moments his servants had orders on no account to disturb him.—

Mr. D. waited patiently above two hours before the minister's bell rang. On being told of his visitor, Mr. Pitt instantly sent a message, requesting to see him in his chamber, where he received him in his morning gown, for which he apologized by expressing the unwillingness that he felt to allow a gentleman of such respectability to remain a single unnecessary instant in attendance on him. Mr. D. then proceeded to unfold the business on which he came. At the conclusion of his narrative Mr. Pitt opened a small bureau, and taking from thence several miniature pictures, laid them before Mr. D. who, strongly impressed with the resemblance which one of them bore to the object of his suspicion, suddenly pointed to it, and exclaimed—"that is the man!" Mr. Pitt, smiling, thanked Mr. D. for his information, expressing a wish that all his brother bankers had been equally communicative; but at the same time he assured him that the proceedings of the individual, whose portrait he had selected, were well known to his majesty's government, who were closely watching his movements and those of his colleagues. He requested Mr. D. to return, take no notice of the transaction, and pay any drafts that might be presented in consequence. This Mr. D. accordingly did; the money was gradually withdrawn, and in a few months this fellow and his coadjutors, from the development of whose intrigues, during an apparent blindness to them, government at that critical period had derived much important intelligence, were sent out of the kingdom under the Alien act.