The Sun.
London, England, 1830-03-08 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY).

VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT.
STAMFORD V. STEVRNS.

Mr. Peers was instructed to move that the rule for die.
solving the injunction in thir case might be made absolute.,
Mr. KNIOIAT opposed the application. The plaintiff
was a gentleman possessing land in the neighbourhood of
Brighton, which contained a great quantity of brick earth.
The defendant was a brick-maker, living in the same
neighbourhood. The plaintiff being desirous of converting
the earth into bricks, entered into partnership with a per-
son of the name of Foule, the lodger and clerk of
the defendant, who represented himself well acquainted
with the trade. This partnership went on for some time,
when Feule represented his utter inability to manage the
trade, and advised the plaintiff to avail himself of the va-
luable assistance of the defendant—and in December,
1829, an agreement was entered into between the parties,
by which it was agreed that Stevens should act as agent,
at a salary of 2001. a year. The bill alleged that this
arrangement was entered into on the part of Foule
and Stevens for the purpose of playing into one another's
hands. Stevens advanced money to the partnership, and
sold them bricks, as it was alleged, to the amount of 8,0001.
and upwards. A bill was given by Foule and Stamford,
signed by them both for the sum of 4,500/. Foule also
gave Stevens two bills for 2,047/. and 1,510/. in the name
of the partnership, but signed only by, himself. Stamford
disputed the payment of the two last bills, on account of
having no knowledge of them. In consequence of this
the defendant brought an action, the proceedings in which
had been restrained by an injunction, which was ordered .
to be dissolved Nisi.

Mr. Parts, on the part of the defendant contended
that he was entitled to the dissolution of the injunction
absolutely, as the notes were given for a bona fide debt.
Mr. GIRDLESTONI, jun. considered that the statement
of the defendants could have no credit whatever given to
them, they representing their utter inability to state what
sums had been advanced or expended in the partnership.
The VICE-CHANCELLOR entertained no doubt whatever
on the point. He was clearly of opinion the injunction
ought to be dissolved. It had been decided in a case 150
years old, that where a person was employed u agent to
receive money, and swore that he had paid it over to his
principal, he was not bound to account.—lnjunction dis-
solved.

MEETING OF THE LICENSED VIC-
TUALLERS.-(THIS DAY.)

A meeting of the above body was held thia day at the
`..ondon Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The meeting was
very numerously attended. ,
CHARLES BLEADEN, Esq. in the Chair.

The CHAIRMAN said that he was quite aware of the
inconvenience of naming this day for holding a meeting;
but the urgent necessity of their early assembling together
was a sufficient excuse. If, however, on account of its
being licensing day for a populous district of the metro-
polis, which would prevent 600 or 700 of their number
from attending—if it was the wish of the meeting, they
would postpone it for a short time.
The majority of the meeting desired to proceed with
the business without delay.
Mr. BLEADEN then proceeded to say, that he was not
in the habit of addressing public meetings; but as it was
not necessary, on the present occasion, to appeal to their
feelings, he had consented to take the Chair. When they
last assembled together, it was a source of congratulation
to the trade, that Mr. Estcourt's Bill had, in all probabi-
lity, so settled the law respecting public-houses, that
there would he no further occasion for alarm. They then
thought the property of themselves and families was pro-
tected.—(Hear, hear.) However, these anticipations
were not well founded, for be felt exceedingly alarmed
that something was about to be done that must prove
ruinous to their interests.—(Hear, hear.)—He did not
wish to indulge in gloomy anticipations. He felt anxious,
if possible, to repose with confidence in the measures of his
Majesty's Government, and he was slow to attribute to
them a measure that must prove the ruia of an industrious
class of tradesmen. But he would not conceal his fears.
He was indeed very apprehensive that the intention of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, in moving for a Select Com-
mittee, was to throw the trade in beer open.—(Haw)!
Surely then it was necessary for them to assemble toge^
titer, and address the Legislature by an humble, respect-
ful, though firm manner, and set forth in strong language
the injurious effects that must ensue from the adoption of
such a measure.—(Cheers.)—lt did not require any ar-
gument to show that there was not here a sufficient com-
petition in the trade. If the Magistrates thought other-
wise, they had only to grant a greater number of licenses,
and there would he plenty of people fonnd to take them.
When the Chancellor of the Exchequer sanctioned the
sale of intermediate beer, he said it was for the
purpose of enabling the poor man to get a good a whole-
some beverage at a cheap rate for his family. This at
that time appeared generally to be thought likely to have
such an effect, and the liceneced:victuallers as a body did not
offer any opposition—(Hear)—whether it had or had not
been attended with advantage, it was unnecessary then to
enquire into. Could it however be believed that the Go-
vernment of the country were determined to sacrifice the
interests of a numerous and respectable class of men, by
allowing every individual to retail beer ; he for one, was un-
willing to believe it, at the same time he had his apprehensions,
and it was better to be prep fired with a petition, and adopt
other measures to protect that property tl ey had enjoyed from
their infancy.—(Hear, hear. )—Could, be would again
ask—could the Government of the country adopt a measure
that must prove ruinous to fifty or sixty thousand indi-
viduals, and which would, perhaps, reduce many in their
old days to the greatest misery and distress, if not entirely
deprive them of their bread.—(Hear, hear.)—Whatever
clamour there might have been raised about public-houses,
he never could believe the Legislature would press a mea-
sure that must involve them in a general ruin. They
had embarked their property in a trade that was protected
by the law, and who could have engaged in it with con-
fidence, if it had been supposed that that protection
was to be taken away.—(Hear.)—lt was also thought
that Mr. Estcourt's Bill had finally set the matter at rest,
and acting on such a supposition since the passing of
that Act, muck larger sums had been given for houses.
The protection they therefore enjoyed ought not to be
taken away. It was unnecessary for him to enlarge on,
the danger to which they were exposed, every one must be
aware of hie situation. It affected every individual in
the trade, no matter what description of house he occu-
pied. It attacked indiscriminately the interests of every
licensed victualler in every part of the country. If ever
there was an occasion to petition the Legislature, that oc-
casion now presented itself, and he called upon the meet-
ing with one common voice to come forward, and in strong
language, lay their grievances before Parliament. He
eertainly did not wish to use any harsh language or
encourage any unnecessary suspicions. But the time had
come when they ought to demand of the Legislature a
protection of their property.—(Cheers.)—A Committee
bad been appointed ; they had nominated Mr. Alderman
Browa and his partner, Mr. Martin, to conduct
their interests before the House of Commons. The
Chairman then read the resolutions and a petition founded
on them, which stated the great injury that must result
from throwing open the trade in beer, and their conviction
that such a measure would not increase the consumption
of that article, as that could only be done by a reduction
of a duty.

Mr. Alderman BROWN having read the petition,
Mr. SMITH moved that it be adopted by the meeting.
Mr. LARRY, in seconding the motion, begged of every
Licensed Victualler to come forward and stand up in
support of that protection which they had enjoyed since
the reign of Edward VI. He hoped every individual
would sign it before I, eying the room, and likewise con-
tribute towards de'raying the expences.
Mr. STEPHENS strongly urged the necessity of adopting
the petition.

The Cuatamal4 then put the question, that the petition
be adopted by the meeting, which was carried unanimously
amidst loud acclamations. _ _

•
Mr. VOUSLEY moved, that Messrs. Brown and Martin
be appointed solicitors, to watch the progress of the Coin*
mittee, and protect the rights of the Licensed Victuallers.
This Resolution was also carried unanimously.
Mr. Alderman BROWN returned thanks, and assured
the meeting that no exertion of his should be spared. Ho
firmly believed that when the case came to he properly
represented to his 'Majesty's Ministers, they would
not persevere in a measure calculated to ruin so numerous
a body. He believed Ministers had taken it up at the
suggestion of some interested party.
Mr. LARRY said, as the expenses had been and must be
very considerable, it would perhaps he as well to name
some sum as the amount of an individual subscription.
A great number of voices called out, "A guinea each,"
which suns was ultimately agreed to.
It was then resolved that tie resolutions and petition
he advertised in The Sun, Times, Herald, Morning Ad-
vertiser, Globe, and British Traveller I\ ewspapers.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, who briefly
returned thanks, and the Meeting adjourned.