10384. But beyond the purchase of the vessel and the shipment of the goods, the other arrangements and the subsequent transactions were entirely between Jennings and Martinez & Co.?--Most assuredly; except with the order of Martinez, I do not know how we could have done any thing with him in any way. 10385. Captain _Fitzroy_.] Though the process of hypothecating a vessel may be usual between British merchants, is it usual to cover a transaction of Spanish slave trade with the British flag, by means of such an arrangement as that described to have taken place in the case of the Augusta?--In order to answer that question, it seems to me that it is fair that I should ask where is the transaction of covering, and where is the slave trade transaction? I know positively of my own knowledge, that there is no such thing at all connected with the Augusta. If I had an opportunity, I could make my affidavit of that. 10386. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] Do you mean that you know that the Augusta was not engaged in any slaving transactions during the voyage upon which she left Liverpool?--Most assuredly not; in fact my testimony is hardly required of that, because every thing proves that. When she was detained, it was never said that she was upon a slaving operation at all. Before she left this port, after she was bought, she was completely rendered useless for that purpose. 10387. _Chairman._] The charge is, that she was engaged in carrying goods to a person engaged in the slave trade; not that she was engaged in the slave trade herself?--I most certainly say that I do not know whether the person is so engaged or not. 10388. Captain _Fitzroy_.] Is it usual to cover a transaction of Spanish trade with the English flag?--I am not aware that a Spanish merchant is prohibited chartering an English vessel. 10389. But is it lawful to employ the British flag to cover a vessel that is not owned by a British subject?--I say that that vessel is owned by a British subject. 10390. Sir _T. D. Acland_.] By whom?--By Captain Jennings. 10391. Was not the money with which she was purchased, the money of Pedro Martinez?--It seems to me that English captains and English subjects are not prohibited from borrowing money from Spaniards; she was bought with money lent by Pedro Martinez to Captain Jennings for the purpose. 10392. Do you mean that the money was a loan to Captain Jennings, at the time he paid it for the vessel?--It was a loan to Captain Jennings. 10393. Do you mean that the ship was then Captain Jennings’s property?--It was. 10394. Was it in his power to sell that ship at any port he pleased?--There was a mortgage upon the vessel.