The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-01 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.
Application having been made to the Lord Mayor for a war-
rant to compel Mr. Thomas Bevan, a member of the Society of
Friends, to pay 151. iis. 9d. for tithes, Brand, the marshalman,
was sent for, accompanied by the collector and broker, to put
the warrant into execution, and the goods of the defendant
were sciz-d on his premises, and Monday next was appointed
for the sale.
Saturday the Lord Mayor received the following communi-
cation from Mr. B. :
" Queen-street, Cheapaide, 30:h of 12th, 1837.
" Respected Friend,-_I am a member of the Society of
Friends, and have within the last few days suffered a distraint
for a claim of 151. Bs. 9d. for tithes, for nine and a quarter
years, the warrant for which was signed by thee. I need
scarcely assure thee that Friends, considering the impost of
of tithes anti Christian, passively resist their payment, and
have done so from their origin as a people to the present time.
Now what I complain of is, that household furniture which I
cannot replace under 451., should have been taken to satisfy
the claim of 151. 83. 9d., and that by warrant contrary to law.
May I request thy attention to the case ?
" I am, respectfully,
T
" The articles taken are as follows BEVAN. clete of
dining-tahles, good mahogany sofa, cheffonier, omtwo p
goodset arm
chairs, one chair, mahogany book-stand, brass fender and fire
irons, a Turkey rug, new drugget."
The LORD MAYOR, addressing the Marshalman, asked how
it happened that so large a quantity of furniture was seized to
pay so small an amount.
Brank said that the collector had brought in a broker who
had made the selection, and that he (Brand) could not, of
course, interfere.
The LORD MAYOR asked whether the defendant would take
back the goods after they were sold at the price at which they
might be disposed of.
Mr. Hobler replied in the negative. The defendant would
not under any circumstances pay the tithe, either directly or
itdircctly.
Brand, in order the goods should not go off at a sa-
crifice, should attend on Monday and buy them in for the
defendant.
Mr. Hobler—The defendant will not redeem them if you
do. There should be some arrangement to meet this matter.
Goods seized for tithes are generally sold at a ruinous sacrifice.
The LORD MAYOR then inquired of the broker why he had
seized so large a quantity of goods to cover so small an
amount ? The broker said that no more property should be
sold than would discharge the Rector's demand. These would
not fetch 181., and then there were expences to be paid.
The LORD Mavoe---What is the course of your proceeding ?
Broker—We put a value upon the property, and offer it to the
defendant first.
The LORD MAYOR—But he would not take it, on account of
religious scruples, and you knew that ? Broker—Certainly ;
we Offer it to the partner then, and afterwards we offer it to
ti.e public.
The Loan MAYOR—And you frequently appropriate it to
yourselves ? Broker—No, we never do. I made the seizure
on the first day in order to save expense.
The Loan MAYOR—But all this furniture must not go at a
sacrifice; the collector must attend on Monde!, on which day
it appears the sale is to take place.
The broker said he would attend with the collector on Mon-
day, but ho trusted the matter would be settled.