Talk:Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814

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There seem to be some oddities about this. Telegrams had not been invented in 1814. There are considerable doubts about cochrane's guilt. Dabbler 23:33, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

I'm happy to entertain speculations about Lord Cochrane's guilt or innocence. Please cite sources, and attach to article. Docether 18:15, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

Telegrams were indeed in widespread use in 1814. At the time, a semaphore network of telegraphs was used to transmit telegrams, and was crucial for transmitting (among other things) military information. However, these were dependent on good weather to work -- on Feb 21, 1814, a heavy fog in Dover meant that the telegram requested by the "staff officer" could not be sent. Docether 18:30, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

I was aware of the Navy's long distance semaphore system but had never heard of the usage of the word "telegram" in connection with messages sent by that means, it sounded anachronistic. What does the OED say about early usage?

As for Cochrane's guilt or innocence, I suggest that you read the relevant chapters of all of the historical books referenced on Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, though I will agree that some of them base their assertions of his innocence on Cochrane's own claim of innocence in "The Autobiography of a Seaman". Dabbler 19:23, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

I've added a section "culpability of Lord Cochrane" which attempts to consolidate his attempts to establish his innocence in the matter (without passing judgement on whether he was, in fact, innocent). If you can find the reference for Cochrane and co. being "released from prison," I'll add that. I did find a reference for him -escaping- from prison (and then being rearrested in the House of Commons), but nothing about an early release ... the earliest clearing of his name seems to have been the 1832 pardon.

I'll change "via telegram" to "via semaphore telegraph," which will hopefully be more precise, if less succinct. Docether 19:36, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

I think you have done a good job of presenting both aspects. Dabbler 21:02, 27 February 2006 (UTC)