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

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, JULY 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 Commissioner 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
7/. 14s. 2d. On the other side the .insolvent 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 on 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 he brought on
the bill, attributed his insolvency to.-." Miss Burdett
Coutts's unahating 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 her influence and her money."
Further 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 he 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
opposed.
Mr. Commissioner Law told him that there was a
judgment, and that gave a locus stancli 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 an action, and being in
prison for about 801., the costs Mr. Alexander had been
put to, he petitioned the Court of Bankruptcy.
The Insolvent interrupted Mr. Cooke, and demanded
to know whether he intended to examine 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
him. The attorney, Mr. Humphreys, appeared for both.
The insolvent was examined by Mr. Cooke. He
stated that he had drawn a bill of exchange for 100,0001.
on Miss Coutts's bank by her authority, which he be-
lieved to be in her hand-writing, and which authority he
received while lie was in the Queen's Prison. He had
both the authority and the bill in his possession, and
had not filed them because he considered that being a
compensation for a personal injury, this court had no
jurisdiction over them.
have been his schedule ;
told
dhim
theyth r that
heated t
both
hougho his
estate
estate and effects.
produced
wwhasatrehade,ctledotothdeto4b6illfoofGsserxs..
Gen-
tlemen, pay to myself or order, the sum of 100,0001.
cChoaluahtgteas i,nh ses 90,l had
vSe tnrta n d drawn.
"London, March 4, 18 . e n
" RICHARD DUNN.
" By authority of Miss Burdett Coutts."
Mr. Commissioner Law asked him for the authority
to draw such a document.
The Insolvent handed another paper in, and it was
given to the officer of the
ci ceuoyl ut
i.yvretse
were
ef
rrte.
haedLamb).hearers
couched It
inw
wereads a
ex
xg:
grcooplyrohfymveers, es,
eanridsibasle
ftal
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 :
" SendTh 111 t
geten go
ve ooyntohtuter' s o oar
oku rh
ordera br
gi
el tyt
to
eudr
your
's lots in the till,
dearit; 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 Coutts write at Knaresburough, 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
document he wrote to Miss Burdett Coutts, as he did
not think it prudent to draw on it, asking as it was her
intention to make him a compensation, to inform him
how much. He had received other verses, which lie
would read. (He read them in court ; they were in the
same doggrel strain). In the course of the examination
the insovent alleged that the cause was improperly
entered in the list, and he could not 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 make

a motion. -
Both Mr. Humphreys, senior, and Mr. Humphreys,
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 is
1838. Afterwards articles of the peace were exhibited
against the insolvent. The insolvent took out a trade
debtor summons on the bill for 100,000/., and made an
affidavit on which he was convicted of perjury, and sen-
tenced to 18 months' imprisonment. He came out in
August, 1851, and in November, 1851, received the au-
thority, as he alleged, to draw the bill, and for the costs
of that action he was now in prison.
The Insolvent said he had been five years in prison.
lie had been persecuted by Miss Burdett Coutts. H.

The insolvent declined to name a witness he had in-
tended to call on the trial. She was now out of the
way. If he was allowed the opportunity he would call
Miss Burdett Coutts, and Mr. Marjoribanks, one of the
partners, on whom he waited and presented the bill.
After some further discussion, the case was adjourned
to Wednesday next.
The Insolvent asked Mr. Humphreys if he would
serve the summonses on the parties he had named.
Mr. Humphreys said he must adopt the usual course.
Mr. Commissioner Law said he must act as usual
when witnesses were required.
The Insolvent asked for the bill and the authority, to
put his initials to them.
His Honour refused to part with the documents.
The case, at past seven o'clock, was adjourned to
tit edn esti ay.