The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-22 00:00:00

IN RE Inch—THl .4130:41IS TOR DIRT TOR FITTT TZARS.

At the visitation of this prison by Mr. Registrar Hashit
yestenlaj, Captain Hudson. the governor, having reported
that Mr. William Miller, the aged prisoner, who has boeu
incarcerated fur nearly ball a century fur a debt which he
maintains he never contracted, was too ill to attend before
the court, the Registrar proceeded to hear the case.
Mr. Miller, on being asked to take the usual oath, said—l
Object to be swore, as my examination has been lakes be-
fore. 1 cannot agree to these proceedings at all.
The Registrar—l warn you that your refusal will be
punished by a menth's imprisonment in the common poL
Most ut the other primates who have been before me ben
declined at brat to be examined, but they all eventually
submitted with the exception of one, who will be, Goose-
gently, mut elsewhere.
The prisoner, after some hesitation, then took the oath,
and mid 1 was brought to this prison iu July, 1854, with
the into-dition of going before a judge. I was not able to
go, however, as I lost the affidavits which Lad been pal-
pated- I attribute my difficulties to being unlawfully
arrested by Joseph Cull in the year 1814 for a sum of
which I can prove by documents HI my promotion •
never was due to him. My property consists of a life
interest 111 houses aituated near Christchurch, Hampshire,
my nutter place. I applied for my discharge before Lord
Chief Justice Wilde, and should have obtained my liberty
but th.tt my documents were intercepted through the mis-
moduet of the sherdi. 1 have receivel no num since my
imprisonment.
The Registrar-1 presume you have no means of paying
the usual haukruptcy fees?
Mr. Miller—l will not to made a bankrupt.
The Registrar—Mr. Miller, I require your signature to
Ibis exannuation.

Mr. Miller—nir, Ido sot wish to be disrespectfal„ but I
would rather be shot they sign it. I owe no man a farthing,
and I am determined out to be made a bankrupt.
The litgidrar—Your coutuaircy will cause your being
gent to the common poi, but it will pot prevent your
bankruptcy. There is a clause in the new act which says
that'where a prisoner is contumacious, heshall be committed
togaol, and be adjudicated a bankrupt.
Mr. Miller—l have read the act, but find that the cement
of the party is neomeary before he can be made a bankrupt.
I will go before a judgeaud get liberated in that way.
Capteiio Hudson—]tr. Miller, iu refusing to a4u you are
only injuring yourself. You have often expressed a wish to
be released, and now the toeing are offered you of
gettiug out of prison. Your bankruptcy is inevitable, and
by signiug this document you will avoid touch trouble. A
provision has been nirdo for your maintenance when you
are discharged, and 1 uuderstaud some money has been
subscribed fur your lament ; but nose of it will be placed
at your disposal until you leave this plane.
Mr. .7,1 JlLT—Before a fortnight has elapsed I shall have
obtained a discharge through a judge's order, but I hove
resolved never to be a bankrupt.
The Registrar—You cannot avoid bankruptcy now. You
will be brought up before the Bankruptcy Court, where
your contumacy will be dealt with by the Commissioner. II
you age, you will get your liberty forthwith, and you can
then procure better air, and many comforts from which you
are at present debarred.
Mr. Miller, who seemed greatly agitated, persisted in his
refusal, and the Registrar withdrew.