The Sun.
London, England, 1830-08-18 00:00:00

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

A Jury assembled on Monday, at the Gray's•-Inn
Coffee-house, for the purpose of inquiring into the
state of mind of John Brand, Esq. lately residing at
Sutton, in the county of Suffolk, but now in Par.
liament.street, Westminster. The Commissioners
were Mr. Phillimore, Mr. Whitmarsh, and Mr.
Blunt.

When 'Mr. Phillimore entered the room he in-
formed the Jury that he had received a letter- from
Mr. Brand, requesting permission to attend while
the witnesses were under exatnination, in order
that he might hear their testimony, and have the
opportunity of cross-examining them. Mr. Brand
also urged in the note, that he wai unprovided with
professional assistance, and therefore wished to have
time to consult attorney and counsel, and to have
the: advice of some medical gentlemen, whom he
should wish to have an interview with. The first
request, Mr. Phillimore said, could not be refused.
because Mr. Brand, being a party interested, had a
right to remain in .the room (luring the inquiry, and
to put such questions as he Might-think proper to
the witnesses. It would also be proper to give him
the opportunity of consulting his friends, and pro.
curing any assistance that he might deem proper.
He proposed, therefore, that Mr. Brand be imme-
diately sent for.
Dr. Sutherlend then left the room, and shortly
after returned with Mr. Brand, in the custody of
two keepers. He is a person of very mild and gen-
tlemanly appearance. He had on a fanlight jacket
tinder his coat, and a sort of cloth gloves covered
Ills hands. The jacket and gloves, however, did
"not prevent him having the free use of his body.—
He said that he wished to have the opportunity of
sending for professional assistance; and he wished
to ask if the Commissioners would allow him to de
fend himself, and to have a solicitor by his side.
Mr. PHILLIMORE said; that no objection would he
made to his procuring any assistance that he might
wish to have.

Mr.
Serjeant TADDY (who appeared in support
of the Commission) observed, theta caveat to the
Commission had been taken out by Mr. Young, an
attorney. -
Mr. Brand—Yes, Sir, I am aware of that; but
Mr. Young is Mrs. Brand's solicitor : she has occa-
sion for his advice, for it is said that she also is madl
It wa•stated that Mr. Young was out of town.—
Mr. Brand then said, 'that he had employed several
but.had been obliged to change them.
often, The last
.one visited him once when in
prison, but not. since. He had written to Mr.
Brougham, but that gentleman had informed him
he could not leave the northern circuit. He then
stated that he wished to write to the Hon. Mr. Law,
but was apprehensive that his letter would not be
delivered.

The Commissioners said they would take care
that the letter should be delivered, and every facility
should be afforded to Mr. Brand to make his defence.
Mr. PitmustquE recommended that the Jury
should then be sworn, and adjourn to a future day.
The Learned Gentleman explained to Mr. Brand
that the names of the Jury would be called over;
that he could object to any of them • that only 15
were in at tendance; and that if he pleased he might
desire the attendance of 23.

Me. Brand said it was not his wish to prolong the
proceedings; but as the matter was one of very
great importance to himself, he should wish the
opinion of 23 gentlemen:
Mr. WltiTsfAitsit then. inquired who had taken.
out the commission, and was, informed that it had
been obtained upon the application of Mr. Fitz-
Brand, the heir-at-law.

Mr. Brand (addressing the solicitor)--To save
trouble, I should wish that the next time you come
here you will bring proof that Mi. Fig.:Brand is the
heir-at-lawthut his parents were married, and
that he was born in wedlock.

Mr. Ptitt.mmonic—lt is not necessary that the
heir-at-laW, or any other near relative, should corn•
mence a proceeding of this description. Any per-
son may apply. for a commission of lunacy, and, if
there are grounds for it, it, will be granted.
The names of tbe Jury were then? called over,
and Mr. Brand objected to two of them, because he
said these names were similar to some of his rela-
tions. Other gentlemen were also sent for to roake
up the twenty-three. Mr. Brand then wrote a note
to Mr. Law, which was taken to his chambers, but
that gentleman being out of town, Mr. Brand for-
warded a letter to, Mr. Brundrett, solicitor, of the
Temple, who shortly arrived, and took instructions
frOm.Mr. Brand for his defence. The inquiry was
then adjourned to Thursday morning at ten o'clock.