The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-23 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Jinx 22.
IN THE MATTER OF RICHARD DUNN.
This insolvent, whose name has been frequently before
the public with that of Miss Burdett Coutts, applied to
be discharged from Whitecross-street Prison.
Mr. Cooke appeared on the part of Miss Burdett
Coutts, and the insolvent, who had prepared his sche-
dule, was his own advocate.
The case occupied the learned Comniissioder until past
seven o'clock. In the schedule the debts were 2211.
lls. 2d., of which 2131. 17s. 2d. were without-Conside-
ration, being law costs, leaving the bond fide debts only
71. 14s. 2d. On the other side the 6insolvent set forth
that he had 100,9801. debts owing to him, and of that
sum 100,0001. was stated "to be a good debt " from
Miss Angela Georgina Burdett Coutts, as the amount
of a. bill of• exchange drawn by. the insolvent (Ai'. the
bank of Coutts, by her authority, in writing, she
being one of the partners. The insolvent, who was
in. custody at the ..suit of Miss Burdett Coutts for the
costs of an action arising on an action ho brought on
the bill, attributed his insolvency to "Miss Burdett
Coutts's unabating and cruel persecution of me, by
Which she seeks to destroy my character, rob me of my
liberty and property, endangering even my life, prevent-
ing me from following any kind of occupation, 'and when
I attempt to vindicate my .character, and assert my legal
rights, she defeats me by ber influence and her money."
Farther on in the` proceedings it was stated that the ap-
plicant had petitioned the Bankruptcy Court in 1845, to
get released, from iMprisonment, : this only detaining
creditor being Miss Burdett Coutts to whom be did not
morally or legally owe anything, '
and he was discharged.
When the case was 'called on, the insolvent asked the
debt of-Miss Burdett COutts to be proved before he was
dtiposed.
Mr. Commissioner Law told him that there was a
judgment, and that gave a locus standi to oppose.
The Insolvent declared that the judgment had been
obtained by fraud.
Mr. Commissioner Law, decided that the judgment
was sufficient, and established the right to oppose.
Mr. Cooke (addressing the learned commissioner) said
he appeared to protest, on the part of 'Miss Burdett
Coutts, against the statements in the schedule, imputing
to that lady such heavy offences. Those statements
were most libellous, and were cast upon a lady who had
been the object and subject 'of the grossest persecution.
The insolvent had stated that Miss Burdett Coutts was
his detaining creditor when he petitioned the Court of
Bankruptcy, but such was not the fact. Miss Burdett
Coutts was obliged to take refUge in the house of a
friend to escape the persecution of the insolvent, when
Mr. Alexander, the owner, interfered, for which inter-
ference the insolvent brought in action, and being in
Prison for about 801., the costs Mr. Alexander had been
put to, he petitioned the Court of tankruptcy.
The Insolvent interrupted °Nike,' and demanded
to' know whether he intended to tkainine him, or to call
witnesses, or he would have no right to make the state-
ment.

Mr. Commissioner Law wished to know whether Miss
Burdett Coutts was a detaining creditor in 1845 ?
The insolvent said, virtually she was the detaining
creditor, .but that Mr. Alexander nominally detained
hint. The attorney, Mr. Humphreys, appeared for both.
The insolvent was examined by. Mr. Co6ke. He
stated that he had drawn a bill of exchange for 100,000/.
on Miss Coutts's bank by her authority, which he be-
lieved to be in her hand-writing, and which authority he
receive While lie was in the Queen's Prison. He had
both 16*.a,iithority and the bill in his possession, and
had not Wed them. be.ca2se he considered that being a
compthis.ation for a.ipqvczn:al injury, this court had no
jurisdiction over them..
Mr. Com Missioner Law told him that both ought to
have been filed with, his-'selredule ; they related to his
estate and effects.
The insolvent produced What he called the bill
Messrs.
Coutts,
N. x
change he had drawn. It was read, directe(llBt4o6
Gen-
Coutts, 59, Strand. "London, March ,
tlenien, pay to myself or order,
Atinine sputnllNoflo.o, 0007.
~
• "By authority of Miss Burdett 'Coutts.','
r'4 Commissioner Law .asked him for the authority
to dralwstich'a document.
The Insolvent handed another paper in, and it was
given to the officertbCourt (Mr. Lamb). It was a
copy of v verses ~and. they were read, couched in dog-
grel rhyme, the 'risible faculties of the hearers were ex-
cited. They were signed A. B. C.," as the initials of
the lady, and:authority was given, the insolvent persisted,
in the following "stanzas," as he termed them, to draw
the bill :—.
" Send to Coutt'S your bill, there's lots in the till,
I'll give the clerk- order to do it ; •
Then get your discharge, your dear body enlarge., •
And in Stratton-street do let me view it. •
" And, by-the-by, love, my affection to prove
For your long cruel incarceration,
Fill a good round sum in, as I have plenty of tin,
To make you a fair compensation. •
The Insolvent said he received the verses in an enve-
lope, and several other letters. He had seen Miss Bur-
dett °mitts write at Knaresborough, when he was taken
up, and he saw her write ;when.. she made an affidavit.
He was Committed for a month. After he received that
docutnent he wrote to Miss 'urdett Coutts, as he did
not think it prudent to draw on it, asking as it was her
intention to make him a compengation; to inform him
how much. He had received other verse.s.,,lvaiich he
would read. (He read theta in court ; they were in the
same doggrel strain). In the course of the examination
the insolvent alleged that the cause was improperly
entered in the list, and lie could net proceed to trial:
He alSo alleged that the costs were taxed when he.was
about to apply to the Court, and he was taken to prison
as he was going to the Court of Queen's Bench to
a motion.

Both Mr. Humphreys, senior, and Mr. llninphreys,
jun., solicitors for Miss Burdett Coutts, were examined.
They denied that anything but the ordinary practice had
been adopted in the conduct of the cause. •It transpired
that the first annoyance to Miss Burdett Coutts was in
1838. Afterwards articles of the peace were exhibited
against the insolvent: The insolvent took out a trade
debtor suiiunons 'on the bill for 100,0001., and made an
affidaVit on which he w:ls convicted-9f perjury, And Sen-
tenced to 18 Months' imprisonment. He came out in
Augll4, 1851, and in November, 1851, received the au-
thority, as he alleged, to diaw the bill, and for the costs
of that Action he was novAr in prison.
The Insolvent said he had been five years in prison.
He had been persecuted by Miss Burdett Coutts. He