The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-04 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.

On Saturday John Reid was opposed by Mr. Cooke
on the part of a person named %Vinson, and supported
by Mr. Woodrooffe.
There were some curious features in this case. The
insolvent, a Scotehman, had been a journeyman baker,
and afterward became a manufacturer of " paper bags,"
for bakers and others. He issued cards as a general
printer, and his description in the schedule was not in
accordance with the card he had printed. Tue op-
posing creditor was a printer, and had been in partner-
ship with the insolvent, wham he sued for a sum which
the insolvent declared he did not owe. A verdict was
obtained, and the insolvent had been three months in
prison ; he owed besides but a few pounds. A long
investigation took place respecting some money received
by the insolvent alter the death of his mother, and
some money which was placed in a savings bank.
The principal witness called was a printer named
Seaman, who had worked with the insolvent. He de-
clared that the insolvent had told him he would never
pay the claim, and meant to take the " benefit." H 2
told witness that it was an easy matter to pass throw: i
the Insolvent Debtor's Court, and that he came too far
north not to be able to throw dust in your eyes.
Mr. Cooke—What did he say ? Witness—He said
he came too far north not to be able to throw dust in
the eyes of the Commissioners, whom he called "old
Uc ffers."—( Loud laughter.)
Mr. Cooke said it was a vulgar phrase. Mr. Cooke
relinquished his complaint as for a vexatious defence,
and confined his inquiries respecting property.
The insolvent, in his evidence, contradicted the evi-
dence given by Sea Man, whom he had assisted.
The Court eventually held that the description was
bad, and remanded the insolvent to amend the seine,
and to re-advitise it. He was sent to prison for
about another month.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HO USE.

On Saturday Patrick Maxwell Stewart Wallace,
Michael Shaw Stewart Wallace, and James Slat, who
have been charged with extensive frauds upon Insu-
rance Companies, and with having been parties to the
destruction of the ship Dryad, for the purpose of effect-
ing those frauds, were brought up for further examina-
tion. Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Boykin, and Mr. Laurie, ap-
peared for the Insurance Companies, to which Mr. Phil-
lips and Mr. Farquhar attended as solicitors. Mr.
Charles Phillips attended for the prisoners, to whom
Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Hobler, jun., acted as soli-
citors. Sir PETER LAURIE presided. The crowds in
the Justice-room and the Hall were quite overwhelming.
Mr. CLARKSON stated that the presence of the two
ladies who are under recognizances to appear had been
dispensed with on the present occasion. They had made
such a statement since their appearance before the
Lord Mayor as made it unnecessary for them to appear.
What that statement was he would not say, but the
prosecutors believed it to be true, and that their brothers
had induced them to lend themselves to a certain extent
to the transactions in which they were accused of having
been engaged. The prosecutors were therefore willing
that their recognizances should be enlarged until the
final examination, which under existing circumstances
could not take place, in all probability, until the com-
mencement of the February Session, in consequence of
the absence of an indispensable witness.
Sir PETER LAURIE—Then let it be understood that
the ladies are to come up on the day of final examination.
Mr. Clarkson said it was due to one of the gentle-
men ( Mr. Humphreys) who were engaged on the other
side, to state that the moment that gentleman found
that the ladies wished to make a steement with refer-
ence to the charge against the other prisoners, he, with
the feeling which always marked his conduct, considered
that it would be inconsistent with his situation to ap-
pear for them, and immediately declined to act in their
behalf, as he was engaged to defend their brothers.
With respect to the prisoner Stott, he had to state that.
the prosecutors were disposed to permit that prisoner to
be discharged, upon procuring sufficient bail. The se-
curities required would be Stott himself to the amount of
1,0001., and two sureties to the amount of 5001. each,
to appear when called upon.
Mr. C. Phillips—He is able to find bail to that or
any amount ; but is it not excessive, and why demand
such heavy bail ?
Sir P. LAURIE—I consider two sureties in 300/. each
quite sufficient.

Mr. Hobler, sen., said that the hail was ready, and
the prisoner Stott was immediately ordered from the bar.
Mr. Clarkson then said that the statements which
had been made to the Counsel for the prosecution, dis-
closed matters of the greatest importance against the
two prisoners, but, from the circumstances, he was not
able to prove the facts alleged against them on that
day. It was required that they should show the loss
of the vessel. Tuey had found that there was a person
on board her Majesty's ship Rodney, up the Mediter-
iancan, who had been in the Dryad at the time she was
destroyed. They bad also found that a boy who had
been on board the Dryad at the same time, was traced
to Manchester. That boy's father was communicated
with on the subject, and the boy would probably be
forthcoming. The Admiralty upon being applied to
with regard to the seaman promptly consented to send
for him, and upon his arrival the case would be perfect.
Mr. C. Phillips suggested the propriety of showing
grounds by evidence for such a long remand as was
applied for.

•
Mr. Clarkson—Certainly. We aro in a condition at
this moment to prove every thing but the loss of the
Dryad. We can prove the receipt of the whole of the
money of which the Insurance dices were plundered,
and the appropriation of it.
Sir PPTER LAURIE said that he had received a com-
munication from an Insurance office at Liverpool upon
the subject of a loss sustained by the sinking of another
vessel.

Mr. Clarksoo--Is that the Lucy ?
Sir PETER LAURIE—No. Mr. Farquhar, the soli-
citor to the Neptune Insurance CompanY
Mr. G. Phillips submitted that any allusion to cases
not immediately before the Magistrate was calculated to
excite a prejudice against his clients. has the letter.
Mr. Clarkson said it was by no means his intention to
strengthen the impressions against the
prisoners by re-
levenci, to the other transaction.
Sir PETER Lauate..._.l shall be satisfied if you
prove that the man and boy who are able to give evi-
dence of the loss of the ship are expected.
Mr. Bodkin said that satisfactory evidence to that
effect should be given.
Mr. Phillips (solicitor to the General Maritime In-
surance Company) then deposed that be bad commu-
nicated with the Board of Admiralty on the subject of
the seaman on board the Rodney, who was stated to
have witnessed the loss of tho Dryad. He had me-
morialized their Lordships, praying that the seaman
referred to should be brought to England
from the
Mediterranean, to give evidence as to the loss of the
Dryal! ; and the answer of their Lordships was their
Dahl expense was incurred the Company
consent, with the understanding that if any extraordi-
ffi it.
Mr, C. Phillips observed, that the statement just made
was but a flourish of trumpets. should de-