The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-03 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, bioNDAY, JAI 2.

John Strickland, who was examined on. the oth ult. was brought
up for re-hearing.
The insolvent, who has been for several years Sergeant Major in
the ii'est Middlesex Militia, and a jeweller at Uxbridge. was op.
pored by Mr. Heath for two creditors named Cooke and King.
It appeared that the insolvent had recently purchased a
quantity of jewellery and other articles from the opposing cre-
ditors, soon after which he had made over his busiuess to his son,
who is now carrying on the business.
The insolvent was examined at great length as to the transfer of
his business (which was rather extensive) to his son, and the result
of a long investigation was, that the opposing creditors were
ordered to proceed to Uxbridge immediately, and take an inven-
tory of all the stock and furniture on the Insolvent's premises, and
to report the result to the Court at a future day. This morning
the inquiry was resumed, and several witnesses examined.
Mr. King. one of the opposing creditors, stated, that on the day
the insolvent was before the Court he went to Uxbridge with Mr.
Cook, and employed a person to value the furniture and stock In
the shop now occupied by the insolvent's son, part of which con-
sisted of articles lately sold to the insolvent.
Wm. East proved that he let the house in High-street, Ux.
bridge, to the insolvent ; but admitted, in his cross-examination,
that he gave the receipt in the name of his son.
Wm. Stickland, the son, stated that he had recently received
2001. as a marriage portion, which enabled him to take his father's
business and stock, all of which he regularly paid for. The wit.
new swore positively that all the stock belonged to himself, but the
furniture was his father's. . .

Mr. HLATH contended that u his clients had given the credit to
the shop of the insolvent. and aa the goods were found in the son's
possession soon after the purchase, he (Mr. Heath) would put it to
the son whether he ought not to psy the amount of the goods to the
opposing creditots, otherwise he should pray the judgment of the
Court. .

After a eonsultstion between the parties, the young man acceded
to the proposition.
The CHIEF COMMISSIONER said that the parties had acted
with discretion, for if no arrangement had taken place, it would
have been the duty of the Court to have remanded the insolvent.
He was then ordered to be discharged.
JUDGMENT UPON SIR JOHN MILES WINN!NGTON.
This petitioner, who has been frequently before the Court, end
the last time on Thursday, the 211th ult., was brought up for final
adjudication.
Mr. PoLLoce wished to make an observation to the Court be-
fore it proceeded to deliver its judgment. Ile applied on be-
half of Mr. Bamford, one of the creditors, who opposed the
insolvent on Thursday, as that person thought the Court la-
boured under a wrong impression, viz., that lie had interfered to
prevent the insolvent from filing a proper schedule. Whereas Mr.
Bamford was not aware of any such instrument being in existence
until It was tiled, and a notice was served upon him.
The Cult? COMMISSIONER said, that the impression on the
mind of the Court was, that the applicant had not shown any
thing by his opposition to militate against the insolvent's liberty.
The Cotter ComMISSIONER then took an extended view of the
insolvent's case, and remarked on the following points of evidence
The insolvent had been opposed by two creditors beyond the person
to whom the Court had alluded, and both of them had established
• case against him. It appeared that in 1818 the insolvent sold
a reversionary annuity to his mother for 200 and odd pounds, being
all the property he was at time in possession of, as far as the Court
was aware. About this period he went to Mr. Gaas, a jeweller, in
Oxford-street, and represented that he was an attorney—that he
was a man of fortune—that he was entitled to considerable 'ever.
sionary property at the death of his mother, and that be kept cash
at Hammarsley's bank, all of which representations were not true,
except the last, and the money lodged at the bank appeared to be
that which he had just received from his mother. By these repre-
sentations, part of them having the semblance of truth, the com-
plainant (Mr. Gass) was induced to give credit to the insolvent to
the amount of 231. 13a. for articles. which could only be required
by persons of high respectability, and very unbecoming his
actual situation in life. Out of the sum so credited, 661., the
amount of a bill given in part payment, was dishonoured, and
remained so to this day—it was quite clear, therefore, that the in.
solvent had fraudulentl contracted a debt with this creditor.
Another person had also opposed the discharge, :—a Mr.
Sargerson, of Pall-mall, who, by similar representations, and
by the dashing appearance assumed by the insolvent, had
been induced to give him credit for wine and spirits to
I die amount of 301., for which bills were given, which, when
due, met with a similar fate with that held by Mr. Gass.
Without adverting to any other circumstances connected with
the cue, the Court were fully convinced that by means of frau-
dulent statements, the insolvent had contracted debts improperly
with both these creditors. The judgment of the Court was, that
he be remanded at the suits of both, or either of his opposing
. ?editors, for a period not exceeding eight calendar months, and
that he be confined within the walls of the prison.
Robert Woolley, late of Down-street, Piccadilly, was opposed
by Mr. Pot.nocit for Mr. Finder; and Mr. Chilman and Mr.
Down appeared.
The principal ground of opposition on the part of the two for.
mer was, that the insolvent had set up a frivolous defence to
actions brought by them, whereby they had incurred vexatious
expenses.

The proceedings in the causes were put in, by which it appeared '
that the Insolvent had carried his defence far enough to bring him-
self within the operation of the penal clause of the Act.
Mr. Down stated that he is a woollen-draper. Several months
ago the insolvent came to him and requested credit, which he con-
sented to give him, after having made inquiries. The insolvent
represented that his reason for wanting credit was because he bad
lately laid out 5001. in new furniture, which was all his own, as
was also the lease of his house, which was worth 300/. Front these
statements, and learning: on Inquiry, that he had lived several years
in the same place, he was induced to give him credit to the amount
of 571., which was never paid.
Alr. Down called one of his clerks to prove these and other

The insolvent denied, however, most flatly, that he had seer
used them, and observed, that he was recommended to Mr. Down
by a Mr, Fagg, to whose shop the former succeeded. His furni-
ture, pictures, plate, &c. were assigned to his creditors three yerms
ago, but the assignees sold them to Mr. Blore„ the builder, who is
his father-in-law. That gentleman let them remain in his posses.
sion until he (insolvent) went to prison. The lease of his premises
might be worth 3001. but it was in the hands of Mr. Robinson, of
Half-moon-street, who had a lien upon it for 2001. and upwards.
Mr. Hearn addressed the Court for the insolvent.

The (Attar COMMISSIONER said, that all the creditors had
made out a case against the insolvent. With respect to Mr. Down,
who had used every caution in his power, he had been defrauded
out of his property by false representations, and he was therefore
entitled to the protection of the Court ; the judgment of which was
that the insolvent should be remanded at the suits of Mr. Fiander
and Mr. Chilman, for four calendar mouths, within the walls of
the prison, and at the expiration of that term, he be further Im-
prisoned for • period of eight calendar months (a year In the whole)
at the snit of Mr. Down, for fraudulently contracting debts, and
putting his creditor, to vexatious expenses, by setting up a frivolous
defence to actions.

SINGUL•R CIRCUKSTANCE.—A few days ago we re-
ceived information, on which we can depend (but we are
sorry in the mean time that it is so imperfect), of a sin-
gular circumstance, of which the following are the leading
bits :—A young woman, a native of Greenwich, who bad
married a German Baron, and resided some time in a town
In France, died and left two chiliken—the father likewise
died, eud the children were left in a destitute state; they
bed been placed at a boarding-school before their parents'
death, but the teacher, as no one appeared to claim them,
or offered to• defray the charges of their education, turned
them out, and, but fur the humanity of an English mer-
chant, they must have begged. The gentleman took them
lbw", and after they had remained a short time with him,
.sPorasn appeared, and having obtained an interview of one
his clerks or servants, offered him four thousand francs
to murder, or otherwise put out of the way, the two chil-
ltlMi but informant cannot at present say whether any
NOM was assigned, but it was supposed he was the chil-
dren's uncle. The person to whom the offer was made
gave immediate information ; the transaction became the
subject of investigation before a French Court, but, by a
palpable corruption of the ends of justice, was frustrated,
and the person* wu discharged. The gentleman who had
taken the children under his care, fearful of future conse-
quences, judged it most prudent to send them to England.
A person passed through Dover, a few days ago, on his way
to Greenwich, with the two children, in search of their
mother's relatives.—Cirspree Porto Lierdid.