The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-30 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, SEPT. 99.

James Flinn was opposed by Mr. POV.LOCI. on behalf of John
Wells, a Hour factor, residing at Dorking, in Surrey.
The insolvent, on his examination, stated that some time since ho
was discharged from the Court as an insolvent debtor. Subsequent
to that period he purchdied a quantity of flour from a person of the
name of Kent, who was the accredited agent of Mr. Wells, Kent
being well aware of the (*Act of insolvents having formerly takes
the benefit of the Act, sod that at the time of the transaction, he
was a prisoner within the rules of the Bench.
This assenion was contradicted by Edmund Kent ; but on being
cross-examined he admitted, after some hesitation, that he had
often been In the company of the insolvent, in the prison of the
King's Bench.
The insolvent was discharged.
John Goulding, late of Curtain-road, Shoreditch, a silk-manu-
facturer, was opposed by 31 r. Loci: on behalf of Gibson
and another creditor. _ _ _

The insolvent, in reply to the questions of Mr. Po LLOCK, said
that the last fire which occurred on his premises was in May, 1823.
He then received from the Insurance Company 1320!., hut none of
his present debts were at that time contracted. lie purchased after
that tire about 601. worth of furniture. On the 20th of June last
his house was robbed. lie then lost 241. worth of silk belonging to
Mr. lirownwell, 191. worth belonging to Messrs. Waitliman, and
301. worth belonging to himself, and also a French gold watch ;
these articles were in his warehouse; he also lost some money,
and several silver table and tea spoons, and a large quantity of
linen and wearing apparel. He supposed that the thief must I
hate entered at the back valour window, which was fastened
by an old fashioned shutter, with a bar inside. A pane of glass
had been taken out, and by this means the catch was unfastened ;
there were two silk baskets ander the window which prevented the
bar from making a noise in falling. lie found the bar in this state
the next morning. lie had a fire in his house before the one al-
hided to. The first fire took place in 1816, and he then received
7001. from the Insurance Company. The thief might hare easily
gone front the back parlour to the front—from whence some of
his property was stolen ; but at the bottom of the stairs was a
door, which was forced open. lie slept on the first floor, and the
warehouse was on the second floor, over the room in which his
two sons slept ; his room adjoined it. It appeared that the thief
had escaped over the back wall. He had a dog which had been
kept at night in ,his yard, for upwards of a twelvemounth, but on
the night preceding the robbery, he had lost the dog in Shoreditch,
and had not found it since. About twenty days after the robbery,
he had a meeting of his creditors, when he made them an offer of
4s. in the pound, which they refused. Ile had then machinery for
which he paid 1371. but a short time before. lie had also furni-
tore, the lease of a field, and the lease of his house. On the 3d of
August, he sold his machinery, and on the 9th of the same month,
he was arrested. lie got 481. for his machinery, from Mr. Man-
nick. He also sold part of his furniture on the 3d August, and
another part had been sold on the 23d June, before the meeting
of his creditors. In the month of June, also he sold the lease of
his tisld to a Mr. Smith, of Dock Head, a builder, at a premium
of 101. lie also sold his house and the fixtures. Ile had no
pension from the East India Company, but he expected some
prise money. lie sold his stove and counter for 81. to Mr. Alan-
nick.

Mr. Potiocu—Did you not apply, by letter, for that sum of
M. within the last fortnight, since you have been in prison ?
Insolvent—l might have done so. My memory is bad. I hive
been very ill. The things were sold to be paid for. I think I
have.

Mr. POLLOCK—Have you any doubt, Sir?
Insolvent—l think I have. I can't recollect. Perhaps, I might
have done so,

Mr. Pot.L,ocx—Did you not write a letter of a similar kind to
Mr. Brownwell, demanding Al.
Insolvent—No. Nothing is due from him.
An account book was then produced, some of the leaves of which
were torn out ; and another which the insolvent admitted was
written at one time by his son, and copied, because the old book
was not tit to lay before gentlemen. It was written on the 25th of
June, subsequent to the robbery. Ile had an organ pledged for
he pledged it in July before the robbery.
Mr. Put.r.ocx—lVlty, I thought the robbery took place in
Juke.

Insolvent—Oh 1. I mean in May. Of all the property that
existed at the time of the meeting of creditors there is nothing at
all left, and there are ro debts owing to me.
Mr. Daniel Hodgson, a machine-maker, of Gun-street, Spital-
fields, stated, that he supplied the insolvent with machinery in
May last, for which he was charged a fair price ; and he should
suppose they were worth two-thirds of their original cost when sold.
A month after the robbery he went to Mr. Golding's house, and it
was shown to him. Mrs. Golding pointed out the way in which
the thief got in, but said nothing about the badsets.
Thomas Garton, an officer of Worship-street, stated that on the
day of the robbery, Sunday, the 20th June, be was sent for by Mr.
Golding, and he went to the house soon after. Mr. Golding
pointed out to him the way itt which the thief had entered ; the
bar was under the window, and one basket was there ; he did not
know that the bar was upon it. lie examined the back premises,
and it appeared to him that any one might have easily entered the
house. The doer at the iJottom of the stair 3 might have boas
opened by a skeleton key, which was co:nmonly used by burglars.
There were marks upon the door of force having been used. lie
got a description of the thing. stolen, and some bills describing
them were printed.
Mr. Brown well stated that he received a letter about a fortnight
since from the Insolvent, demanding payment for 61. 44. It bad
not been paid, as it was kept to pay the taxes of the house.
Mr. Mannick stated that &letter to the same effect had been re-
ceived by him frog the insolvent within the last ten days.
Air. l'or.coex having addressed the Court on behalf of the op.
posing creditor), and lie. HEAT'', on the part of the insolvent,
Mr. Commissioner liaanis said, that as far as concerned the
robbery he should do injustice tt the insolvent if he did not believe
that it hod taken place, but as to what extent was another ques-
tion. list wish regard to the property he had made away with
after the meeting of creditors, lie should direct him to prodace to-
morrow vouchers to show how it had bees disposed of.
The Court did cot adjourn till half-past five (idea.

POLICE.

GUILDHALL.

A genterl looking young man, named Ccortre Moore, a resident
of Clifton, near Bristol, was brought before 31r. Alderman Iley.
gate, yesterday, charged with felony. ills wife Caroline, a very
elegant young female, had been discharged from the bar scarcely an
hour before under the following circumstances :
Mr. George Smith, of the firm of Smith and Co. mercers, Bris-
tol, mated, that the husband of the lady had lived with them as
shopman until about a fortnight ago, when, in consequence of some
suspicions of his honesty, he was dismissed, and a day or two after.
wards a shop which he had opened in the mercery line at Clifton
was searched, and a quantity of lace and other articles, their pro.
perty, was discovered. It was also discovered that the female pri-
soner had offered to dispose of a piece of lace which cost them
3s. fa a yard at 2s. a yard to a lady at the same place,
which lace had been given up into his possession, and he
could swear to as having formed part of his stock. The
female prisoner and her husband had fled, however, previous
to this investigation taking place, and lie had made a fruitless tour
of upwards of tioo miles in pursuit of them. having abandoned
all idea of further inquiry after them, lie came up to London
yesterday, and on his way to Mr. Harvey's, the linen draper on
budgate.hill, he casually met with the female, near to 3lr. ll.'s
doer, wearing a gown which he had no doubt whatever was corn.
posed of silk which had been stolen from his shop. lie accordingly
gave her into custody, and row begged die 31agistrate to send her
down in custody to Bristol, or remand her for a week, to give him
the opportunity of searching for her husband, whom lie :inspects to
be in London, although she declared he was upon the Continent.
After some sonsultation with his legal adviser, Mr. Iteresford,
the Worthy Alderman declined acceding to either of Mr. Smith's
requests, observing, that if a felony had been committed, which
his evidence seemed too vague to establish, still, if site was the wife
of the thief, and had merely been found in possession of :he stolen
property, her overture would be a good plea ; and, if she was not
his wife, of which Mr. Smith entertained much doubt, she micht
be presumed to have received the materials for the gown as a pre-
sent, and be should therefore dice barge her.
'l' his result equally astonished and disappointed Mr. Smith. It
turned cut, however, to be the very beat decision that could have
occurred for his interests. She had stated she resided in Rich-
mond-square, and as no such place was known in the metropolis,
the probability is, that if she had been detained the husband would
have surmised her apprehension, and again taken to flight; but
upon her being discharged, she vanished front the neighbour-
hood of the °thee in a tonne :It, and went directly to the doini-
cik of her husband, at a Mr. Agg's, book-binder in Shoemaker_
row, 111Rekfriars, followed by Mr. Smith, at a cautious distance.
Mr. S. immediately obtained the assistance of Potter, the beadle of
Illackfriars, and the male prisoner and his wife were surprised
conversing together in a small room, in which they had been
lodging for the past week, and in which a box, containing a
number of rolls of lace and lace caps was founnd. 31r. Smith esti-
mates the deficiency in his stock to exceed a thuuband pounds in
value.

The prisoner was merely brought to this office pro forma, and,
without undergoing any examination, was taken away in custody,
to be cnnwryed to Bristol by Mr. Smith, he himself happening to
be one of the sworn constables of that ell, for the present year;

QUEEN-SQUARE.
Yesterday, Mr. William anglers, a grocer, in Milbank-street,
Westminster, was brought up on a warrant, by Joseph Cooper, the
officer, charged with creating a riot and disturbance about the dwel-
ling-house of Thomas Porraft, 51. of the lioure t.r Lor,ls, in
Smith-square, and with grusely insulting Mrs. Parrott and her
daughter.

liappearcd in evidence that, for some time past, till very lately.
the family of Mr. Parratt hail tkalt with the ilclemlant for grocery,
&c. hut on account of some persuasions against the family, they
diaconticaed to deal with him, which lied given rise to the offence
now complained of. t bt Wednesday Pet, between three and four
o'clock, a tremendous knack canto to the door, which was opened
by Dills Rliza Parratt, the servants being from home. when in
rushed the dercodant, who exclaimed, in a loud tone, " I am come
to tell your, Papa he it a cheat and a scamp." Miss P. was
very much alarmed, and endeavoured to remonstrate with hint, but
he was so outrageous that there was no pacifying him. He swore
vehemently that he would not leave the house till he saw Mr.Par-
ratt. Ile then took his sent in the hall near the street door, where
he sat for some time, indulging himself, net In the most agreeable
language to the female ear, and preventing any person going out
to cause an alarm. Mrs. Permit and bee daughter took refuge iu

--
the parlour, where they were kept in a stato of the ells.,
alarm, from the extraordinary behaviour of the defendant, ah.,act.,,,,
like a madman. After he had sat in the hall as long as he plea,;l
he rushed into the parlour, and took his seat immediately aag,.:
the window, and swore he would not leave till the scamp (nitoot.,-,
Mr. Permit), came home and approaching AIMS P. who is a re.;;
lady about 17 years of age, his conduct was such that he so tertcj
her that she went into hysterics. He went on to state, that he did nn
cars a for the Magistrates, that he could get bail for
E,
amount, and that he would give 1.0.:, (.!iss P.) al. to give has
1;,
custody of a constable. He rel.:mined in the house for Nadi..
hour and a half, and his violent conduct caused a mob to c,,t!..,
about the house, many of whom opened the parlour wirdol.l;;
ascertain what was the matter. The defendant told the asemb;.l
multitude that Mr. Parrett was a scamp, and that lie would tx;,o4
him to the Ministers in the lobby of the House of Lords, and a: ta,
Custom-house, to which he also belonged, and that he 0 u:.;1 k:cjk.
him wherever he met with him. At length lie thought mope, to
leave the house, and he was now brought forward to answer for },a
violent conduct.
Mrs. Parrett and her daughter, Miss Eliza Parrett, were swornto the above facts, and the defendant was called upon to answer tit;
charge.
Ile said that on the day in question he had been from born, 0s
some business, and on his return he was told that he had bun tut
for to Mr. Parrett's, and by the daughter. He went there to ev.
plain some misunderstanding respecting him and the servants, Est
declared that he had not caused the disturbance that had bat.
stated. He admitted forcing himself into the parlour, but date)
having Insulted Miss Parrett.
The Magistrate asked him if he made it a practice to fe,ce No,.
self into a gentleman's parlour who favoured him with his tern,
and to take a seat without being invited ?
The defendant answered in the negative, and said he had Dem
drinking rather freely on that day.
Miss Parrett denied having gone to the defendant's heals to re.
quest him to call. She went there to desire lie would desist from
prevailing on the servants to leave their employment, or if oc did
not proceedings would be taken against him.
The Magistrates said, enough had been proved again': him, and
lie should therefore call upon him to And bail, himself in lqi ,q
two sureties in !SOL each, to answer the complaint at the Stisions.
Mr. Hughes put In the required sureties, and he was thsclart;sl

M A RLIIOROUG H-STHE E T.
Thomas Rich, the young gentleman who flourished his 0114,
pies at this of so magnificently on Wednesday mortnnie,
again brought up on a charge of being drunk. About tislt-pue
ten last night this hopeful youth dropped down in liwalhr.tnee.
dead drunk, and called " Watch ;" the watchman tame RI, at v..
summons, and having gathered hint up front his ample bed,
him to the watchhouse. On hie arrival there he 'bowl the ettule
tribe of watchmen most outrageously, calling them a set of d—_
rascals, and piteously deploring that such was our degenerate sr,
that a man cannot go to a public-house for a pot of btu. bet Ls Ls
in imminent peril of being clutched in their rough embrace.
" What say you to this ?" said Mr. ROE, the sitting 3lnittrate.
" Nothing at all," replied the prisoner-Ain a tone of subdued
penitence, that strangely contrasted with his former dilly depart.
ment)--" Nothing at all; but that I had drank two glasses of ale
upon an empty stomach, which completely ' stole away my tenics'
and overthrew the throne of reason. lam exceedingly sorry f.;r
this accident, and wish to make the fullest apology."
He was ordered to be discharged on paying five shillings f,t
being drunk.
Samuel fund, a broker, and John Jenkins, a gentleman's ser-
vant, were charged by Mr. Lloyd, Old Bond-street, with luti:re
about his premises under suspicious circumstances.
The prisoners were examined separately, and Russel old s most
prevaricating story.
It turned out, on the evideace of one of the beadles of Seta
Giles's, that this man had long been known as a very bad character.
He and his father at one time had kept a moat notorious house la
the Seven Dish, the resort of thieves and vagabonds of every es.
scription. lie had also been tried for a felony at the Old Buhr,
and is point of fact had been out of gaol only a short tire.
The other prisoner, Jenkins, also had been tried for an ssese:t,
and had net been in employment for some time.
They were committed for three months' imprisonment.