But even this brilliant array of securities failed at last in its effect, and it was left to the shrewdness and daring of a Scottish gentleman to encounter single-handed, this most unprincipled combination. Among those who had entered into transactions with the Glasgow branch was Mr. Peter Mackenzie, editor of the “Scottish Reformers’ Gazette,” whose attention became naturally drawn to a question which involved the happiness or misery of a great number of his countrymen; and as the opinion of Sir John Reid had been very mendaciously quoted in favour of the West Middlesex, Mr. Mackenzie addressed him to ascertain the truth of this assertion; in reply to which the Governor of the Bank stated, “I know nothing of the parties in question, and I consider it highly improper that any reference should be made to me on the subject.” This was decided enough; and as Mr. Mackenzie was doubtful whether the Independent and West Middlesex had not grown out of a similar company under another name, which had advertised the duke of Wellington as a patron, he wrote to his grace, receiving the straightforward reply, “that the duke did not doubt a gang of swindlers had advertised his name as patron, that the same or another gang had played a similar trick in Southwark, and that Mr. Mackenzie was authorised to state to the public that the duke had not sanctioned the publication of his name in that or any other similar association.” Although the company had so long a list of directors, Mr. Mackenzie observed that the policies were always signed by the same three individuals, that no designations or addresses were annexed to the names, and that there was an accumulation of functions in the respective office-bearers, quite unusual. He then determined, believing that the company was radically wrong, to discharge his duties at all risks. And most manfully did he perform that determination. In March, 1839, under the head of “EXPOSURE,”[24] he inserted an article in his “Reformers’ Gazette;” and it is hardly possible to exaggerate the sensation which the exposure produced in Glasgow. Men of all parties congratulated him on his fearless attack; the people who were assured in the West Middlesex ran wildly to the office, where they were told, “that the reasonableness and moderation with which they had done business had been the cause of great jealousy and offence, and had brought down on them a variety of assertions of the most false, calumnious, and slanderous character.” They threatened Mr. Mackenzie with the terror of the law; but on the 9th March that gentleman again attacked them, asking, “Will the mere statement of a parcel of swindlers in their own favour secure for them public confidence, when it has been directly and specially assailed?”