The Sun.
London, England, 1836-01-07 00:00:00

MICHEL V. DE TASTET.

This was a motion for payment into Court of a sum of
55,0001. and a fraction. The transactions which are the
subject of the suit occurred several years ago between the
plaintiff, Antoine Michel, an eminent banker at Paris, and
the late Fermin de Tastet, a Spanish merchant, naturalized
in England, respecting the mode of procuring payment of
certain claims which the former had on the Spanish Govern-
roent. The case involves very serious suspicions of fraud
on the part of persons well known in the Money Market.
It has already occupied the Court two days, and will be re-
sumed to-morrow (this day).

INSOLVENT COURT-WEDNESDAY

John Mullis applied on his petition to be discharged.
The insolvent was opposed by Mr. COOKE, for Mr. Rob-
son, a marble-merchant, of Abingdon-street, Westminster.
He was supported by Mr. WOODEOFFE.
The insolvent had been a stonemason, and his wife had
kept a coffee-shop in the neighbourhood of Middlesex Hos-
pital. The object of the opposition was to inquire into pro-
perty. The insolvent, in accounting for a sum of money
which he had in his pocket to take up a bill, said that he
had got drunk and was robbed. On. the morning, at four
o'clock, following the day he had left his house to take up
the bill, he found himself walking in the road, alone, near
the Elephant and Castle ; be searched his pocket and found
that he had been robbed of all his money except 151. Being
ashamed to return to his partner and wife, he stopped a
whole day at a public-house, and afterwards went to Ken-
sington and booked himself for Plymouth, for the purpose
of borrowing a hundred pounds of his friends to make up
the deficiency.

Mr. Cooxs addressed the Court for the opposing credi-
tor, and Mr. WOODROFFE having replied,
The COURT said nothing could justify drunkenness.
They believed the story of the robbery, but did not consider
the insolvent entitled to his discharge ; therefore sentenced
him to six months' imprisonment, under the discretionary
clause.

Arthur Vernon Barnes, late a purser in the navy, was
opposed by Mr. IsTicHoLLs on the part of Mr. Walker, a
solicitor. He was undefended. The insolvent's debts were
somewhat considerable. He was questioned relative to a
marriage settlement, under which he expected he should
have an interest. On the marriage of his father, the sum of
10,0001. was settled on the children of the marriage, the
appointment to be in the hands of the survivor. He had
been unable to obtain a copy of the settlement.
Mr. NICHOLLS hoped the Court would require the in-
solvent to file a copy of the settlement.
The insolvent said every day's detention in prison would
materially injure him, as he was anxious to proceed to
Australia. He had, it seemed, been appointed Secretary
to the Commission to Western Australia.

The COURT, under the circumstances, discharged the in-
solvent. He applied to be discharged instanter, as his situa-
tion was in jeopardy. It was granted.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.

William Summers, aged 28, a respectable-looking young
man, was indicted for stealing, in March last, the sum of
3,7251., the monies of Messrs. Ashley and Co., bankers, of
Regent-street.
On the indictment being read, the prisoner pleaded
Guilty.

Mr. Justice COLERIDGE—Are you aware that by plead-
ing Guilty it makes no difference as to the punishment ?
You had therefore better withdraw that plea, and take your
trial. The prisoner said he was Guilty.
The plea was accordingly recorded.

James Bryant, aged,l6, was indicted for stealing a till,
containing 19s. 1O d. in money, and a small weighing ma-
chine of the value of 35., the property of Richard Biddle.
The Jury found the prisoner Guilty.
'The police constable who apprehended the prisoner, in-
formed the Court that he was tried last sessions for a rob-
bery, when be was acquitted.
Mr. Cope, the Governor of Newgrate, stated to the Court
that the prisoner had been in custody.
Eli:. Jones, aged 19, and Mary Hall, aged 22, were
indicted for stealing a collar and padlock, of .the value of
2s. 6d., the property of Mr. Mathias.
The prisoners were in the habit of stealing cats and kill-
ing them, for the sake of the skins. When they were ap-
prehended on Thursday evening last, some dead cats were
found in their possession as well as the articles mentioned in
the indictment.

The prisoners in their defence said they had picked the
cats up.

The Jury found the prisoners Guilty.
Mr. Baron GURNEY—Prisoners, I can inform you that
neither of you will follow such brutal practices again in this
country.

THE FORGERIES ON THE AUSTRIAN BANK.—The AT-
TORNEY-GENERAL applied to the Court to postpone the
trial of Robert Balls and Thomas Harris., who were re-
manded from last sessions for feloniously making and en-
graving a promissory note, with intent to defraud his Ma-
jesty the Emperor of Austria.
Mr. Baron GURNEY had consulted with his Learned
Brother, Mr. Justice Littledale, yesterday, and they were
of opinion that the trial ought to go on.
The prisoners were then placed at the bar, and pleaded
not guilty.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said as the Court refused his
application he should not offer any evidence.
The prisoners were then, under the direction of the
Learned JUDGE, Acquitted.
The prisoners were then sent back to Newgate. •

SURREY SESSIONS..-..WEDNESDAY.

James Baker, a grey-headed man, upwards of sixty-six
years of age, and Thomas Button, were indicted for stealing
three pigs, the property of John Santer, a farmer, residing
at Reigate, in Sussex.

Witnesses having been examined, brought home the
charge of stealing the pigs to the two prisoners, and a ver-
dict of Guilty was returned against both. Baker was sen-
tenced to seven Years' transportation, and the other pri-
soner to twelve months' imprisonment and hard labour in
Brixton Gaol.

After the trial of some unimportant cases, the Court
adjourned.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MARYLEBONE.

Robert Jacques, a journeyman carpenter, was brought up
oa a warrant before Messrs. RAwurisoN and H.osKiNs,
charged with the following assaults :—William Burge, a
man living at No. 9, Harcourt-street, New-road, about
three o'clock on the afternoon of Monday, the 28th ult.,
went with some dinner to a neighbour of h►s, named Ste-
vens, who had that morning been put in possession at the
house of Mr. John Crabb, No. 45, Cochrane-terrace, Port-
land-town, for poor rates, and while there, the defendant,
who was a lodger in the house, came down stairs, and, ask-
ing him what business he had there, told him to go out. He
did so, when the defendant followed him, and struck him a
violent blow in the face, after which he (defendant) re-
turned to the house, and in a few minutes 'Stevens was
pushed into the street.
Mr. Masters had distrained upon Mr. Crabb for poor-
rates to the amount of Si. He put Stevens in possession,
and since the day the defendant turned him out had been
unable to regain possession. •
Mr. RAWLINSON told the defendant be was in a very
awkward situation. He should call upon him to find good
bail, and give twenty-four hours' notice thereof, to answer
the charge at the Sessions ; but he would advise him in the
meantime to make peace with the parish ; for, if the case
Was tried, he would no doubt be severely punished.
Ho was then removed to the lock-up.