The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-19 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Beton Mr. Coesmissioser Goolburs.)
1N BE MARIA LADD.—BASIEsurrcT OT A MARI= WOMAN.

The bankrupt, described as of Wells-irtreet, Oxford-street,
formerly of Staagate, Lambeth, baker, applied for her re-
hue from cuatody.
Mr. Begley stated that the bankrupt was a married
woman. and as such could not properly be made a bank-
rupt. She bad catered into • contract as a femme sole,
but when sued, had set up her coverture, and bad sines
been made bankrupt on her own petition. He submitted
that it was not a case in which the court would interfere.

The Commissioner—But the act says I am to interfere.
I have no slternative after elle has been adjudicated bank.
rapt
Mr. Bagley contended that the petition ought to be dia.
mined. Her debts were those of her husband. She had
accepted bills, and when sued on them, bad made affidavit
before the judge that she was married in 1857 to Benjamin
Ladd, a baker, of Bermondsey, who was still living, and
that her marriage was still in force. though she was living
apart from her husband. On the other side there was an
a ffidat it that when she accepted the bill she represented
that she had been • widow for seventeen years.
Mr. E. Reed contended that the bankrupt was entitled to
her release. For several yearn she had carried on business as
a baker on her own account, in Nanette, Lambeth ; her
premises being required by the New Theatre Company, she
was offered 1,0007. compensation, but had only received 101)1.
owing to the bankruptcy of Mr. Boocicault. The opposing
creditor, knowing all those circumstances. ea advanced the
bankrupt 60/.. which she was unable to repay. The creditor
himself had held her responsible as a femme sole, and had
taken her in execution. He could not now object to her
hiring the benefit of the bankruptcy law.
The Commissioner—lt does not follow because a nu
takes a legal remedy by action, that he admit. the right al
the woman to the benefit of the bankruptcy
Mr. Reed—lf you clothe a woman with reepoisaibility,
von moat give her the means of discharging herself from
it ; otherwise she might remain is prison for ever. Hader
the old insolvency law, a wanes tradiag as a femme ale
was allowed to present her own petitioe. In the ease of
Mary Smith, of Bermondsey, a married woman, Mr. Cow
misaioner Faze held that she was entitled to her mime
node: the bankruptcy law.
The Commiseioner—Sbe is made responsible for the
debt because she has acted in her own wrong by indite( NI •
femme sole ; but do you mean to contend that, because she
has acted in her own wrong, she becomes entitled to the
benefit of the bankruptcy law
Mr. Reed—That is my contention.
The Commissioner—lt is quite • non esquitsm.
Mr. Reed—Then a woman in such a position would be
kept in prison for ever. la the as of Mrs. Warsaw,
whose husband was also bankrupt, an order of
was granted—proof that a married woman is entitled=
advantages of bankruptcy.
The Commiationer—That case proves nothing at all. It

has no reference to an application for release tram onstatty.
Mr. Reed—lf a married woman is held entitled to an
order of discharge, she is entitled to all the prel;miaary
advantages in bankruptcy
.
Mr. Bagley having replied, urging that the case was not
one for the favourable exercise of the court's discretion,
His Honour said he should require copies of the affidavits
made before Mr. Justice Byles so be put on the propped.
Mr.
Mr. Reed asked for time to answer those affidavits; and
the case was adjourned for that purpose.

The bankrupt ifaxi deputi:asTiitiT.Ut cOCOmissary-general,
hte of Alderahott. Debts, 5991. It was now proposed to
annul the bankruptcy, on an undertaking by the bank-
nipt to set aside 601. a year oat of his pay till the creditors
were paid 10a in the pound.
His Honour said be would make the order on the usual
certificate being gives by the official anilines.

The haulm apt was anoritto;,of Tooleyatraitt. At the
sitting for examination aad discharge on the 6th ant. the
bankrupt did not attend, and was adjourned sine die.
Mr. Butler now applied, as behalf of the baelaw* for
leave to surrender. His aoa-rittendastos had arisen. tram •
misapprehension as to the day.
His Honour granted the order.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.
(THIS DAY.)

(Before the Assistant Judge.)

The October adjourned quarter weerion; of the peace for
the county of Middlesex took place this morning, at the
Sessions House, Clarkeeweibgreen, before the Avidelant-
Judge.
The calendar contains the name. of 73 peisenunt for trial,
64 of whom are indicted for felony, 9 for misdemeanor.
The Assistant Judge briefly addressed the grand jury as to
the nature of their duties, and then dismissed them.