The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-08 00:00:00

BURSTS' AND ROIIINSeN'S'COMMISSION

The accord Meeting under the Commission of Bankrupt issued
against Thomas Hurst, John Hurst, and Joseph Ogle Robinson,
booksellers, of Waterloo.place, Pall-mall, took place on Saturday,
before the Commissioners, Messrs. Montague, Meggison,
am at the Court, Basinghall.street.
Mr. HOPKINSON, a solicitor, wlro has co-operated with the
solicitor to the Commission, addressed Mr. Meggicon, one of the
Commissioners on the Bench, relative to the publication of the
names and amounts of the debts which were proved at the first
Meeting, in a newspaper of Sunday, and also in the [motion
journals of Monday last. He requested, as there were gentlemen
present connected with the Press, that the Commissioners would
interpose their authority, and prevent an further publication of
the names of the sufferers by the failure oft Hurst, Robinson, and
Co., because such publication was an exposure of their private
affairs, and would tend in some instances greatly to injure the credit
of the parties.
Mr. MEGOISON replied that it was an open Court. and he could
not take upon himself to interfere with newspaper reports.
Mr. RICHARDSON, the solicitor under the Commission, said
that some of the Creditors had complained to him that their names,
and the amount of their debts, had been published in all the papers;
and he hoped Mr. Montague would exprtse his opinion upon the
impropriety of such publication, as it might prevent a continuance
of the evil.

Mr. MONTAGUE said that newspapers published on their own
responsibility, and he would not pretend to give an opinion as to
the evil or good likely to arise from such reports ; all he could say
was, that he had no authority to interfere on the subject.
Mr. John Hurst was called and sworn, and examined by Mr.
MONTAGUE—I am a partner in the firm of Hurst, Robinson, and
Co., booksellers. In January last Mr. Thomas Hurst joined the
house. The firm did not take a new name;; it continued as before,
Hurst, Robinson, and (o.
Mr. AIONTAGUE—Vas there any notice given to the creditors
when the new firm commenced ?
Mr. Hurst—l believe not.
Mr. MornAotrit—Was no notice given in the London Ca-
rafe 9
Mr. Hurst—l believe there wasnot.

Mr. Roatstsow, a solicitor, in Charter House•square, tendered
proofs of a claim on Thomas Hurst's estate to the amount of 7,7C11.
It appeared that Mr. Thomas Hurst had given a security, to the
amount of 10,0001., to Mr. Abud, of .I,one...street, Cletkenwell,
for the payment of debts contracted by John Hurst and Thomas 0.
Robinson, in cue they failed to pay.
Mr. Abud proved the non.payment of the bills to the amount
of 7,763/., and, alter some unimportant conversation, the claim was
admitted.

Mr. Abud, for himself and partners, proved on the debt of 10001.
and upwards, on the joint estate.
A GENTLEMAN, who is a considerable creditor, said, he held
a number of bills of the firm, paid to him before last January ' • but
he contended that he was entitled to prove under the new firm,
which estate, he understood, would be the most profitable to the
creditors. He had a letter from one of the bankrupts in February
last, admitting that the new firm considered themselves responsible
for his claim. . . . .

Mr. MONTAGUE advised the gentleman to defer proving his
debt till a future meeting; it was for him to make his election upon
which estate he would prove, but it might be important to his in-
terest that he should ::.certain, before he proved, which estate
would pay him most.
Mr. liticirasinsors said, he thought the new firm was not liable
for this gentleman's claim.
Mr. Mew:mow said, that the gentleman had applied to the
new firm, and they had assented to his preposition.
Mr. bloterminE asked what the terms of the new partnership
were ?
Mr. RICHARDSON replied, that the antecedent debts were to
be paid by the partners of the old firm, and all antecedent claims
received.
Mr. RoniNsorr, the solicitor, said, by the deed it appeared
that Mr. John Hurst took share of the whole stock in trade;
but, as far as that went, the deed was a nullity, because this stock
had never been in his lawful possession, front the period of exe-
cuting the deed till the bankruptcy, it being in the hands of book.
sellers all over the United Kingdom. The following debts were
proved :—Mr. Green, of Itryanstone.square, 3,6311!. (the balance of
6.0001. lent) ; Mr. Abud, 7,7631. and LOW.; Mr. Saunders, 1,681/, ;
Mr. J. L. Barnard, 3381. ; Mr. Prescott. 3761.: Mr. Perkins, 801. ;
Mr. Norman, HIV.; Mr. Alex. Simpson, 1,5161.; Mr. T. Davi-
son, 5391. ; and other debts of inconsiderable amount.
The Solicitor to the Commission said, that he had effected
an arrangement amongst the creditors, and there could be no
opposition in the choice of assignees. He had been at great
labour to effect this important object, by which much litigation
and many thousands of pounds of the creditors' money would
be saved ; and he hoped the Commissioners would remunerate him
I for his trouble.
Mr. Al °tyranny said, thatllf the creditors' money had been
saved by his exertions, he deserved to be paid; and the question
should be fairly considered.
The following were the assignees appointed :—Edward Sally,
Esq., of Curzon-street, May-fair ;W. Honorific, Esq., of Lin.
coin's Inn; George Newton Speathfield, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn;
Thomas Cadet!, bookseller, Strand; Andrew Spottiswode, New_
street, Gough-square, Fleet-street, printer; and John Dickenson,
Old Bailey, stationer.
A meeting of the assignees was appointed to take place, at
Messrs. Longman and Co.'s, on Saturday afternoon.
The Back of England has a claim of 60,0001. on this estate,
having advanced money to Pole, Thornton. and Co. on bills and
other securities, amongst which were 60,000/. of 5' emirs. Hurst and
, Co.'s paper ; it is, however, supposed that the Bank will not prove
under this Commission, but will wait till it is ascertained how Pdle
and Co.'s estate turns our.