Star. — London, England, 1818-09-26 00:00:00

~ T 'rt#,ol"`k 17!tti , - . ri t i rf • . ----•••••Ilegirillifel ------.----;-. -.----- co the sentle 'tom t the ie . comparison, it observed, the Committee were let atitutios had all g ly ?To the only provoked but forced to make. This com Pat. Gentleman who had originate formed, and este. sou went into a very minute detail ; from which Is. bushed it, and to-whit:lt it Was indebted for all the* . appearbd the Norwich bad the superiority oville theexcellent features in its constitution, which gave k Equitebte in every respect I Well a vast superiority ever every other Insurande --- The Peals of the Society were nest totselsishipon 1 i institution.. And yet it was. this Gentleman (lire these were stated to have been in. March •lait, the Bignold) the Founder and Former of the Institution, sum of £366,0e7. 9s. 6d. from which, however, some who, in the same Report, *hich speaks in such high very small deductions were to' bee . ...inede for losses and flattering terms of the work of his hands, is since. This sum consisted, of various descriptions of spoken or with the reprehension Mr. Barry had allu property, such as mortgages, shares in Southwark- ded to ; who is actually recommended to retire from Bridge, and several kinds of stock, a small propor- the administration of the Society's affairs, as a step tion of the mortgages stood in the name of Thome indispensably necessary to its welfare and prosperity ! Bignold, sen. Esq. but with a clause of elute The He had brought the Institution to what it is—he has next head of the Report was, raised it above ell its competitors--and yet now it Agencies—Upon which it was observed, that many seems that what has prospered so well in his hands, agents had not given any security, and of malty can be trusted in them no longer. Mr. Barry hoped esthete the security given was very inadequate to the Gentlemen would pease, and reflect well before they trust confided ; and though the loss sustained froitt agreed to any sweeping resolution which would go these circumstances was comparatively very trifling; to stamp with .opprobrium the character of any indo and though in general the agents were a very respec• vidual, and more particularly of one to whom they table body of men, yet the evil was one which ought avowedly owed so much. What was it that the Re to be immediately remeeied. The Committee hied port imputed to Mr. Bignold ? What was the of-1 before stated, that some of the mortgage securiti fence with which it charges him, and for which he - *were in the name of Thomas Bignold, sen. Esq. deserves to be dismissed thus disgracefully from die they now suggested the propriety of having them management of the affairs of the Institution ? The' ' transferred to Trustees; and in this the Board of Di- only specific offence which it imputes to Mr. Bignold rectors had fully concurred. When Mr. Bignold is, that he bad not at all .times shewn that deference! was applied to upon the subject, he said that he should to the Board of Directors at Norwich, which they be ready to do any thing which the Directors had consider themselves entitled to. This was the who).' ,authority to command, if it were for the interest of. amount of the matter of fact Which the Report cono ethe Society—an answer which the Committee did not mined against Mr. Bignold. The Committee are ''think at all satisfactoiy. The Committee _felt it pleased to say, that after the most deliberate coasi their duty to state, that there were very great defects deretioa they are of opinion, that Mr. Bignold's im in the deeds of settlement, which should be corrected mediate retirement is necessary ; but except this as speedily 'as possible ; and with that view again charge of want of due deference to the Board of pressed the necessity of a Committee continuing to Directors, they do not state a single other ground of investigate, for the purpose of devising the necessary offence which had led them to come to that conclu remedies. The Report then went on to state, that sion. And how can it be known, from the general the Committee would have felt it'a very gratifying and vague way in which this want of deference is de task to be able to exonerate any Officer of this So- scribed, whether it has been of such a nature as to ciety from any charge against him, and particularly merit the signal punishment now proposed to be in- Mr. Bignold. sen. but they felt obliged to state, that flitted upon it, or indeed any punishment at all. the immediate retirement of that Gentleman from his Want of deference to the Board of Directors might, office of Secretary was indispensably necessary for the in a hundred supposable cases, have been theeesult future welfare of the Institution. In conclusion, the of the truest devotion to the interests of the general Report stated it to be the conviction of the Commit- body of Stillecribers. The Committee, in short, had tee, that the Society, by a careful management and furnished the Meeting with nothing beyond their own an alteration of the constitution, bid fair to raise it- unsupported opinion that Mr. Bignold ought to retire; self to that prosperity which its warmest supporters and the Meeting were now called upon to subscribe could wish. to and adopt that opinion, without having the least This Report, which was frequently interrupted by proof of culpability, on the part of Mr. Bignold, plaudits, was, at its conclusion, received with very before them, to shew that such opinion was founded long and general approbation. , either in justice to him or in a regard to the well- Mr. PATTCSON rose to move that the Report now being of the Institution. Mr. Barry humbly but an read be received, adopted, and ordered to be printed xiously solicited the Meeting to look to the matter in and distributed amongst the Subscribers. a - spirit of even-handed justice, and not thus rashly Mr. 'Alderman' THORP, on presenting himself to to pass sentence of dismissal and disgrace upon an the Meeting, was received with very general applause. old- and well-tried servant of the Institution, without He felt great satisfaction in hearing the very able any evidence being adduced against him, and with. Report of the Committee. He was the more happy out his beieg even. heard tn his own defence. . to express this satisfaction, as it had been insinuated —(Loud cries of a No, no, Ise has beta heard.") — that he and those who acted with him were hostile to Yes, continued Mr. Barry, without evidence, with the Institution.' He could assure the Meetin , that out his being heard. He was entitled to maintain so , they had entertained no hoeile feeling—(A use). for the Committee had not in their Report stated th j a The account of the funds now laid before cm must that any evidence was taken—that any defence from give the highest satisfaction to all of tam. ' The de- 'Mrellignold was called for—and it was fair to pre sire of inquiring into the state of the funds had been sums, that had either the one or the other been done, ascribed to the hostility of persons connected with the Committee would not have failed to record cir other Offices. He denied that the inquiry had any cumstances of so much importance to the validity of concern with any other Office. There were sixteen or their . proceedings. Had the Committee stated that seventeen instances of claims brought foretaste' against they had called - Mr. Bignold before them—that they - the Office.. They thought those chines- Quglrt to be had stand to him the matters of offence with which iuquired into, and be hoped that the Meeting could he was charged—that they had taken evidence as to not be of opinion that fair inquiry in any instance the truth of those charges, and had given Mr. Big oted mischief—(Great applauss).—.The claims made nold every opportunity of exculpating himself—thee were answered by the CrLimmitme, and their Report, would Mr. Barry, such was the estimation in Which in fact, had justified all that had been done by him he held the Gentlemen who composed the Commit and those.who bad acted with him. Their own Com- tee, have bowed to their judgment of the case, and mittee had recommended a revision of the deeds of been on the pretest occasion silent as the grave. But settlement, and an improvement of the mode of ma- it was not so : the Committee had not ventured to nagement. This was, in fact, to admit, that the state any such thing; and in the absence of el that statement made by them (Alderman Thorp's Com- was necessary to come to a just, fair, and honour :Mute) was correct.-(Applausei..-Their object had able decision on the conduct of Mr. Bignold, Mr. been to promote the interests of the Society. They Barry would' never, for one, consent to visit with dis were accordingly much gratified by the Report now mission and disgrace a Gentleman to whom, for read, which must be considered as the result of the' aught he had yet seen, the Institution ought rather to inquiry to which they had given rise. 'He felt much yield the tribute of their gratitude. If the Meeting pleasure, therefore, in seconding the motion just condemn Mr. Bignold this day, continued Mr. Barry, made---(Applause). they will do what hat always been abhorrent to the Mr. BARRY said, he had heard with much patience nature of Englishmen—they will condemn an indi and attention the voluminous Report which had just vidual without a hearing—(Cries of" He is hare, and been read, and lie would venture to affirm that the ours defied hirnself.")-4 , Yes, Gentlemen," said Mr. whole annals of insurance history could not produce Barry, a he is indeed here, but in the private cabi e parallel to the state of prosperity which that Repo rt ile net, in the Court of Judgment, if I may so call it, had chewed this Institution to have attained. where the Report which passed that sentence upon Gentlemen who had framed it deserved, the best him was concocted, he was never once admitted— thanks of their fellow members of the Institution, never once called upon in his defence. His accusers for the uncommon exertions which they had made alone were there, and on the accusation alone was for the general good. But while he paid this justly that judgment passed which poll are now called on merited tribute of praise to the Report as a whole, to confirm by your sanction. What the Committee and to she Gentlemen who framed it, and which he were bound in justice to have done, but neglected to did not with satisfaction merely, but with something do, could not be expected- to be done at such a public like a feeling of exultation, there were some things meeting as the one now assembled. Mr. Barry,how in that Report, to which, as he could not agree, he ever, understood that it was very far from being the , • must be under the necessity of dissenting from - the wish of Mr. Bignold to avoid meeting the strictest , , 'motion now made for its unqualified adoption by the Itivestigation into his conduct; thit, on the contrary, Meeting. It was his design to move an amendment he was anxiously desirous that the Mcsting would to the motion, and his grounds for doing so he would appoint, out of their number, a new Committee to now. brietly state, relying on that considerate 'attar inquire into all the charges which could be brought tion which lie had a rigeeto expect from them as against him, before which he might have an oppor reasonable hearers, and as Englishmen, of whom tunity of meeting his accusers face to face, and de• candour and honour were always the emendest cha- fending himself as well as he was able. Mr. Bignold racteristics. The amendment he had to propose re- asked no more than what was the right of every' gated tie an individual of whoni the Report spoke in Englishman—the tight of being heard before he was terms of teprehension ; and he trusted, that whatever condemned. Would the Meeting deny him this ? might be the reports which had gone abrOadrespett- Would the Meeting deny to the founder and bene ing that Gentleman—whatever might be the preju- factor of the Institution what they would not d eny to ' dices which they had occasioned in the minds of some she humblest being upon earth ?--Gentlemen would against him, the Gentlemen present would so far be so good as to reflect for a moment on the extent dismiss every thing like unjust preppssession from of the injury they would do this individual by ac their minds as to give the case of the individual in ceding to the motion before them—that by one hasty ; question thaf fair, open, and impartial consideration decisio n they wore going to blast for ever the chary.- which was due from them as just and honourable ter of a Gentleman who had devoted the best part of men, to a party whose dearest interests were involved a long life to.their service—who had, as had been in the issue. Mr. Barry agreed with the Report in acknowledged on all hands, been the source of an • all that appertained to the state of the finances, to immense good, not only to all the members of the ' the introduction of amendments in the Acts of Con• institution themselves, but to the nation at large—a stitUtion and Deeds of Settlement, and particularly which ouht, in common charity, to cove r a .to that branch of the Report which describes the P:r d g reater mu ltitude of sins than any with which prosperous and flourishing state to which the Institit-' Mellignold is tharged, or likely to be charged. It tion had attained;—and to whom, he would beg to was tree, . that in the same Report which passed chi: ask, was this height of success, a success unequalled' severe cells's* oft Mr. Bignold. some very high, and I,y that of any, r rival Institutiou, to be ascribed? he beliesitd-well-siititeli. eocceiolusis ft were bestowed to *hom else could it remogably be. ascribed, tiut on the conduct of see% cactiecteireith him in the ,for' 'rriycw;sh, tie deprive any fair tie; t e Establishmeht; but it v:ac a poet' cenafort to the •i'i years. Is it inesos ' l b is *, e le t t ' then, that the same &meanie:A which contained a sett- I jest demand en the Institution up ULU tence of disgrace upon himself should record the , This Institution, of which I tnine.,:sein•lhfr„...6'.rylb:es.; merits of children , to whom, if such disgrace were , honour of' being the founder , has nove r' t "r" justly incurred, it must be an inheritance of shame ; wards of twenty - one and reproach. Nor could there surely beany thing (fall the cases of insurance d ' ' si ' -....4. ' Of: grateful, kindness to the feelings of these sons in i and considering that . the whole kingd om , f rom any eulogiem which, like 'this, was accompanied : end to the other, has b ee n ransac k ed b y the • with a deadly blow at their father's reputation. Mr. i of the Institution for charges . against • n ew , Barry concluded with moving, as an amendment, cases they haie been ferreted out which hay — . " Th at t h e R eport , w i t h th e e xc e pti o n o f those passages leach a colourable pretext to the present outcry a , A e ' relate to Mr . Biguold, should be approved *l=4 adopted, am! But is there one of all these . cases in which iii what was my bou n den duty ? I believe , Vi t) !.'ir Stie u tion." not; and if so, you will ex cuse me fur tan; Mr. Ramose a member of the Committee, spoke in will he returning evil for good if you giv e nn vindication of their conduct The Committee had prove' to such a cen sure as t h at conta i ned it most deliberately come to the opinion, that it was for port bele= you. It will, considering all th e the interest of the Society that Mr. Bignold should the Instifttion has derived generally favor retire. There were many circumstances of Mr. Big- Lions , be a want of gratitude—(Hear, h a re neld's conduct which no provocation could induce and hisses.)-1 will say, co ns id er i ne t h e eve A tiesi"' hint to mention, but which amply justified the opinion doae to the Institution—it Wel by my te e,, of the Committee. They had signified to Mr. Bignold London, at the desire of the Di r e c t ors , the propriety of tetiring before the Report should be fits of the Institution were extended here, and given in, and he had hoped that, in consequence, they more than 10,000 additional insurers were as could this day apply the old observation to him—de the institution. I have had the m i s f oree - to inortuis nil nisi bontins—(laughter). They imputed my name bandied about the Unit e d KU:el len no misconduct to him—they attached no disgrace to all the opprobium which slander could heap p his character. His honesty and his eclat were not but in every instance in which I ha ve 'ta r , only unimpeached, but highly meritorious. His zeal trace that slander to its source, I ha ve f ele ; x Was not, however, tempered with prudence—(ap. , bottom of it individuals connected, m cre or be p/ause). That he acted according m the best of his reetly, with some one or other of th ose r i val , they would admit, but his judgment of the Panies who have suffered so much neon, t l y proper mode of acting was such as rendered hie r elishment of this Institution, and whom [w ee tirement indispe n sable to the prosperity of the Society delight more than to have it deprived of the —Orent applause).. of the individual to whom it owes its bei ng , o, -Mr. BIONOLD--." Sir, I need not say that it has and its prosperity. My zeal for this Institta.aa been with much pain I have heard certain parts of been the cause of their enmity, and it i s to e ft the Report now before you read, in which my con- that enmity a triumph that you are now cal duct as Secretary to this Institution is censured, my upon to give your approval to the sentenced, retirement recommended as a step essential to its demnation passed upon me in this Report. I' future prosperity, and this censure and recommenda- grown old, Gentlemen, in your service—a f ee tion are proposed to be sent forth to the world in, a more, and the question whether I can be am ' manner which would seem to convey that I had been of service to you will be at an end. B u t at ce ll. I trust I shall be able to convince you and the guilty of some great criminal act, which. justly ed for this visitation of wrath upon me. I think, at large, that lam still capable of doin g muc h, Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen, that you will allow still do very much for the hen-..E: cf the heti; that it is but fair that I should not be thus denoune. If it can be pro v ed that I am wanting in thejt ed without being heard in my own defence—that I meat necessary for the man; Bement of an Ingle should not be held forth in this degrading light to which, through a long series of threw one , t the world unless specific charges suificient to justify have conducted to an unexampled hei g h of it have been proved against rrie—and I trust that Pority—that I have not been so diligent, so you will not refuse me that fair opportunity of at- tive, or so assiduous in the discharge of me jus- duties as I oi'ght to have been, then most ready tempting my own vindication to which I am in tice entitled, but which lam now content to request willing should I be to accede to the meth, of you as a favour. Ido hope that', you wiil not wished to be forced upon me. A fair Enquire allow yourselves to be hurried into a censure of my I ask, and for this purpose Mr. Barry has conduct in my official capacity as your Secretary, you truly that it is my most anxious wish th. without making that strict and.scrupulous enquiry Committee might he formed out of yew into it which so grave a matter deservek—an enquiry before whom such enquiry might be made which, if fairly gone into, may perhaps end in show- should it appear to that Committee, or. a fall ing that in what has been deemed my fault I have candid investigation of my conduct, that, as ' said, 1 have been either disregardful of the . done no.more than my duty: It has been imputed to me as a most serious offence, that I did not pay of the Institution, or am incapaele of ere tiro respect to the demands and recmisitions of the duties of its Secretaryship, then by all mare . mark of displeasure you please fall upon me. Committee of Subscribers. met at the George and until the correctness of my eenduct is impeached Vulture Tavern, which some persons seem to think they deserved—but if the Meeting will take along some accusation clearly and fully proved visit with them" that it% many of the cases about which which has not been the cue this day, certainly,' tlemen, you will be doing at least a hasty and that Committee made so much noise, I was in' the knowledge that the parties bad been paid all their siderite thing to Ent such a sentence upon demands and given the most satisfactory acknow- contained in-the Report now recommended . ledgments for them ; and that others, as has been adoption. The fatigues of office, Gentlemen, car, proved to you by the Report itself which you have but little charms for a man advanced to my tie now before you, had no well-founded.claim on the. but having long filled the satiation of your S Institution, you will not perhaps be disk osed to think withott reproach, I cannot consent to retire that my conduct in•thit respect has Leen so repre- in a n.anner which would carry a reproach . hensible as it has been represented. It is at the same with it, which I am conscious of not deservie. time, not unknown to many of you, that feeling sea- had hoped too, Gentlemen, by a little longer sible that a prejudice had been raised in the public tinuance in office, to give you still farther mind, by the active exertions of some designing in- than you have yet had of my continued capabi dividuals to poison and inflame it, which it was of be of service both to the Institution and to the , essential consequence to the interests of the Institu- try at large, by bringing forward a plan nil, titer should be rerhoved, I did of my own accord have in progress for the better prevention of t select from the list of insurers and members in the dreadful Fires with which the liletropolis is so metropolis several of the most respectable and inde- quently visited, and which, if carried into pendent among them, to whom I addressed a letter reocild e l.am confident, tend most materially to requesting them to act as a Committee for the our- important object. A Gentleman of the Cc pose of making such enquiry into the state and ma- has been pleased to state to the Meeting, in s nagement of the Institution as might tend to refute tion of that part of their Repoat affecting me. in' the groundless charges brought againet it—and that is not of my zeal or integrity as Secretary that e it is these Gentlemen of my own voluntary notnina- complain — but that my zeal has been without don who have formed the Committee whose Report dence—that I have been guilty of errors in jedr is now under your consideration. I thought they lf, Gentlemen , it is mer el y errors of judgment were my friends—the friends of the Institution, but they have acted as enemies would not have donee— ing . , the judgment of rte Committee us that s are imputed to me, :night not, by a purity of • , !hey have condemned me unheard—l now appeal to yvour justice whether you will do the same—l crave Gentleinen, secms, in short, to be s: tha: I be itself an error? The whole amount of my . oily the advantage, the right of a fair trial. And with respect, Gentlemen, to this other Committee of too scrupulous in my enquiries to prevent your been too zealou . s in doing my duty t i the Ince. my awn nomination, I would bog to observe, that imposed upon by frauduleet and unjust claims although these Gentlemen may have, in consequence in a word, I have not allowed every body to el. of new circumstances which may have been brought 1 • IS under their consideration, recommended some Les; demand upon them. And after an, Gettlernoa.V their hands into your pockets who chow to make Claims to be settled which I had previoesly conceived ought to be resisted, it cannot reasonably be an ground of accusation against me .that with less in y extended to every corner of the United Kingd om, many are the cases which after the striitest eat , formation and with an apparently just cause of re aista,nce I acted ail I felt bound to do from a faithful accusers have been able to bring forward as' ,with circumstances whiCh it might be wished regard to the interests of the Institution. Gentle hien will be pleased to consider how the Secretary it is to be observed , departmeist is not more khan six or seven ; ar.ci it occurred ? The nurnber of cases falling within t I did not act alone, but wit of an Institution such as this is liable f rom hi s concurrence of three other Gentleme n of the official situation to be identified with e ver y thi ng blishment. The Institution, Gentlemcr. has I that is obnoxious or offensive, in inquiring into or enemies e and it is through me, as its fouvil.et opposing, no matter how necessarily or justly, the P claims for indemnity which may be brought against it; and how easily it night be for him to acquire po- Principal manager, that their shafts are .. agaiust it. But I trust, Gratlerr.ree that yea polarity at the expense of his integrity, by acceding, not, by agreriee ..0 this Report, dc any gnat' without inquiry, to every sort of demand w can be a triumph to your enemies. I lour be trumped up or insisted in. The risk of su c h op probrium I have run cheerfully, conside r i ng it as a ;ea, ruse after all I have done for the Inst ; mtica " To not treat me so illiberally, and, I cannot help s a t ungratefully—(Some dersour)—as to sea `s sort of drawback inseparable f rom t h e s i tuat i on of' from office on no better evidence than reereacces at di Secretary; but I hope, in return, that since the Secre- Mr. A LDIS, after observing that it vete:epees. tars , . cannot escape being vulgarly id en tifi e d w ith right of an. Englishman net to be colderir el many disagreeable things in the cou rs e o f hi s d u ty, heard, said, that neither the Coma:ince n er I Gentlemen will not be so unju s t as d e lib erate l y to Meeting had any power ontr the executive plea, identify these things with the personal character of Society (" Of , qlf! from all parts•cf gilt rw irl . the Secretary, when they have been done not as mat ters of choice, but as matters of imperiou s d u ty. Let my conduct be scrutinized to the utmo s t, b u t l e t it be heard, but in va=st. lie was at Gentleman continued upon t.'te tzble, su oblif vrena length yield, and to resume his seat. be scrutinized with a just discrimination; and if any thing is distinctly proved against me, let it, by Mr. Ht addressed the Chair from a an . corner of the room, and, after getting forwar d means, be sent over all the world ; but d o not l e t me table, he exhibited a copy be held fbith as principal and sole r e s p o n s ibl e actor , ' of the trust deed, 1 ceeded so far as to meatiea the Duke of Soy in mailers ia which I was only the osten s ible organ :' one eat the Nobie trictees. whets a general be e (,o knows, it is not iet.my nature, very fitii indeed, : 44 `PPITbati° 4 4 " 4 "d :11 ' 17- • lit was ze5'3.3.44 1 1 1 .., I .1 1 '; ,1 pl • , •1 1.. • •.1 1 i i o i 1 1 1 i 1 • It . . ; i ' • 1 1, , ... • c : 1 • • ~i , li I Ii it 1 '' ' i ' ' . • . t l . A ‘ . 1, 1 . ... :. i r. k . t ‘ • s '• N ‘, •.rai laielazt 6 . • eht '• O Y °ceas e U. tiny bmst the existed fur; 1"k isibie th at , c D e b lit a p c , um, from Del by the - ties t it, •soo v Ch have tartot Cr Y a;e:aillce:, of hich ICUs bt 04 done r oom • ve, e.e * tar Sayi Ig, ta: 14 1 L give 1 . 0 , 17 ; hied in the.i' ty all tk e 1:orn es e . Jo Ilaarl lass h e ;W. bg , teat tee Gam- b 1 here. and tie were a•Liel • 11 fortur.; to k a in king loco r heap upon ie h. tz a bl e , * c .1 C 3 ore a: Ose rira: , it iron, the er a , nothiog wolf. T of tee 4- e k. tl Inch tt::.aa t is to g,s e are now 0 lentence data `I lePart. Iha ::e•—.3 fee t be any t olg . But at pce * i tand the we' hog much, • 'the Institsi. 7 in the] .. rf nn Instil ' envy one ran height of 1 igen:, to e of my o• • most renly retirement • r Enqnir: is ry has stated wish that a • • yetu nu. :c mar. or. a fall - that, as bid, of the ince executing ll mcar.s let upon me. • r is impeached ived against • , certainly, G. tasty ant inc. upon me sr tended for yo• ;lemur, car. hi :o my timed ' • f your Ser-rsa to rein In reproach of .leserving. ittle longer I farther . ed capability red to the Co plan which •ention of t.. ,polis is so .• ied into eff aterially to the Comm* • ins. in cap ••• :ting me. tint retary :hate en withoot ars in •• judgatrat pa ! ity , of •••• . • in teat res. not of nor his: that Iba O the Inset... • 'vent yore • nut claims— . . y body to -. Chose to make Gait:et:lra, stries,est enc• sod Kingdom, ward as it.• e wished had kg within my • wen ; escl is' - te ri o ; ti e i scr of f b re,re c h t te ltigt dere:: ' , e t s.„ that rd . : al/ asior vs" es. I her s• tt.ratica yea ,nr.ot heip to . mereaccasarr.. t wdt the rm. : coldemrol nniir.te nor :clative put of f 1 e reez.) . smoggimg length Obliged • it from 3 " ng forward to au deed, aosi " ke of Somerset general teas 1T1L:114.4*