The Sun.
London, England, 1819-01-16 00:00:00

It is understood that Mr. Brougham will move
for the writ to supply the vacancy caused in the
representation of ‘Vestminster by the death of Sir
S. Romilly. Several Members, boib from the
Ministerial and Opposition benches, it is said,
will take that opportunity of expressing their high
respect for the character of that Lamented States-
man.—(lbid )

Lalorning Chronicle.]
Major-General Sir Edward Barnes, who was
Adjutant-General of the army under the Duke of
Wellington, is going out immediately on the Staff
of Ceylon, to succeed Major-General A. C. Jack-
son, who is coming home in consequence of ill
health. The accounts recently received from Cey-
lon are by no means favourable.

NVe understand that on Monday, the 25th inst.
a Message will be brought down to both Houses,
recommending a retrenchment in the King's
household at Wind3or.—(lbid.)

[New Times 1
Some doubt has been suggested as to the lapse
of 14 days, said to be necessary before any new
writ can be moved for, and the doubt is grounded
on a statement, that on the'3d of February, 1801,
the very day when the King's speech was deliver-
ed, no fewer than eight writs were moved tor.
This, however, is not at all conclusive; for the
Parliament which assembled in 1801 was only
partially a new one. There had been no dim-
; but on account of the Union 100 Irish
Members were introduced. The Session opened
on the 22d of January, 1801, and the King's
speech was so long delayed on account of the un-
favourable state of his Majesty's health.

Notwithstanding the great quantity of money
which the first payment of 10/. per cent. on the
Otnnium wottld naturally draw out of the market
the Funds remained very firm yesterday. Indeed
at one time some large bargains were done at
There was a fluctuation of a half per cent.
in the course of the day ; for at the beginning of
the morning they were 79k, hat they very soon
rallied, and left off at 7911, looking very well.—
The complaint of the scarcity of money was ra-
ther more prevalent at the close of the market
than previously; but it was not considered as
likely to be lasting.—(Thid )

FOR THE SUN.

4CT for the RELIEF of INSOLI'ENT DEBTORS.

ANALYSIS AND CONINIENTAILY.

Ma. EDITOR,—The public atten►ion having
been awakened to a consideration of the effects
resulting front this important Statute, it may be
permitted an individual, who is familiar with its
principle and practice, to offer illustrations which
are important to the community, especially as the
propriety of continuing the Act is likely to be
taken into consideration in the present Session of
Parliament.

My earliest attention to this subject was ex-
cited by the terms and limitation of the Insolvent
Act, which passed in July, 1806, for the benefit
of such as bad been committed previous to a spe-
cific day, and whereby no prisoner who was
charged in custody for more than 15001. could be
released. Thus, the operation of the Act only
reduced the number of confined Debtors, by dis-
charging a portion of those whose debts did not,
exceed 15001., and leaving in custody many other.
indebted to a larger amount, or more recently
committed to prison, who would willingly have
surrendered their estate and effects for the benefit
•f their creditors.

By subsequent temporary Acts, the sum was
enlarged to 20001., and a more extensive libera.
tion was effected. In July, 1812, an Act passed
which extended relief to Debtors who had been
confined five years, their debts not exceeding.
30001. ; and, for the relief of Debtors, beyond
that sum, without limitation, a discretionary
power was especially given to three Barristers for
the discharge of all Debtors who had been con-
fined previous to the sth of June in that year,
according to the decision of such Barristers on
the circumstances of the respective cases submit-
ted to them. In evidence of the necessity con-
templated by the Legitlatme fur granting relief
to Debt6rs without limitation as to sum, the fol-
lowing Pteamble introduces the clause of exten-

SIGH :-

" Whereas many honest hut unfortunate persons, whose
debts exceed 20001., although ►willing to surrender their ef-
fects for the benefit of their creditors, have been confined
many years, and, but for the interposition of the Legislature,
will be doomed to perpetual imprisonment."

On the 14th December, 1813, an Act passed
for-the. discharge of all Insolvent Debtors corn-
• milted before the 6th of November preceding,
without any limitation of sum whatever. This Act
originated %vitt' the late Lord ELLasßortotrcir,
and was a precursory measure in operation to that
which is now about to be treated of, and which
had passed a few months previous. The Preamble
of Lord ELLENBOROUGH'S Act is important,
viz. :

" Whereas it may promote the beneficial purposes of an
Act, passed in the 69d year of his Majesty's Reign, intituled
An Act for the relief of Insolvent Debtors in England,' and
thereby to render it unnecessary hereafter to make temporary
laws for the relief of Insolvent Debtors : to the intentthat the
number should be so reduced as to render more effectual the
provisions of the said Act."

This Preamble distinctly recognize? the pro-
priety of that which introduces the more perms•
neat Act, as follows:

" Whereas, notwithstanding the occasional Acts which
have from time to time passed fur the relief of Insolvent
Debtors, great number's of persons generally remain confined
for debt in different prisons in ; and it is therefore
expedient to make a permanent provision fur the relief of
Insolvent Debtors."

Thebe recitals distinctly shew the nature of the
mischief meant to be cured, and the latter Act
being clearly a remedial statute, it is important,
for public consideration, to elucidate the provi-

portance, that he refused to do so un►il he took
the opinion of the Court of Aldermen.
•In addition to the above narrative, a petition
front the Vvard of Wslbrook has been presented
to the Court of Aldermen, complaining that the
present members of that Ward are improperly re-
turned by the Lord Mayor, This question will
come on next Tuesday.

siting which have been framed to suppress tbt
mischief, and advance the remedy. cep
The principle of this measttre Ind previous'Y
m.
copied the attention of Parliament for three s"ccr-el
site Sessions, and having been nitimatelyadqoe
in a Committee of the House of Lords, wl'eregd
highest legal authorities devoted their talents ►
industry to the subject, it was concluded, tj'ft
1
mature deliberation, to establish a court,
31
the purpose of administering the la iv sysre
iit
cally, with the appointment of a fit person a 9
ttr
Majesty's Commissioner to preside in such COLi
called

THE COURT FOR RELIEF OF
INSOLVENT DEBTORS.

Different opinions had been entertained W°-
tiCgf
the highest legal characters of dist ingni.hed
ment and experience as to the hest truide
ministering the law. The late Chief Justice 5 e
gested the propriety of Delegates from the 51.1rin
riot Courts, to superintend he administranuil
&c. Another Noble Lord, in the highest les,
station, proposed a limited number of CoraiPluf
sioners, as in the nature of Commissionergop
Bankrupt. And another Noble Lord recounficluiil
ed, that in cases of imputed fraud, there (joi
be recourse to a trial by jury, and that tbedt
should be administered at tirrter Sessions. 0,
the formation of a Court being filially decide' 'of
as now constituted, it is not my province t°
ate
ii
bo
whether or not either of t he ot her modeswould
been preferable. The experience of five ,eats
the
will much contribute to a proper estimate
ends produced ; and a review of the stataleke,
be in the mean time desirable for public
The first enactment, which legalizes au 'Vibe
cation for relief by petition and sehed&e, Tree
presented to the Court after the end of
months from the time of the Debtors' ci'l:l't-hitt
meat, was framed in the contemplation °I alai
being a sufficient period of imprisonment for it
debt, and that a longer confiriemeot,
might be injurious to the Debtor, blcie
tendency to diminish the means properly 4P1),1 it
ble to the just demands of the creditors
hanet-her
may become a question of importance,
even a shorter period would not be troce just,
s 9
with the principles of liberty a"d I°sasi
stitution. If the Debtor is unable to 'll..
the debts for which he is confined, and 'ciao
ing to make a just surrender, there seen;s,oo.
need of detention to prepare for such a °71,0
sition, and it will be considered by mao:' 1
protracted imprisonment is not requisite oe0:10
!Itch a period as might be sufficient to re""e of
just account, and make a faithful surrender .bed
the estate and effects in the manlier prescrido
by the Act, proper notice being first given i°
several and respective Creditors such intea(be
surrender. But in no case should the Debi°. is
discharged from his liability till such surrender
made and fully verified. 4 ea
The Act provides, that every rrson
for debt, damage, costs, SUM or soma of rn""e''
or contempt for non payment of money, tri3Y
ply to the Court for relief, and upon order
tamed shall give 20 days' notice to the Well
creditors previous to the day of hearing.
The propriety of giving due notice. to the err
ditors of application for relief appears highly, fie;
qnisite for the purpose of enabling them
fully satisfied of the troth of the debtor's 51:".....4
we
tof tlie,tb‘ivlsohli.iisculainil.lbei he
pyiossourgiegqtelusi
eti
suggested,
endt:ltltleirb) verify
aetraa sit :tact .;;ejl
the expenee
advertisements in several Papers (as is n'ivviVt°
tised) might be diminished without plein";,,- 00
the creditors. If in the case of bankraPts'„eo
advertisement in the London Gazette has "-ect
found sufficient, a similar p 4,..
ractice might 51s° 111
the viers of the Legislature with reference t° )(e
solvent Debtors. And more especially it to
diurnal and provincial Prints would announce
the public the list of Insolvents, as they 41.0 w
customed to do the list of bankrupts.

[Tu be continued.)

THEATRICAL REGISTER'
Perbrmed East Night. p.
MEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LAN.--(2lSt time), Brutus:to
cius Junius, Mr. Kean : Tarquiaia, Mrs. W. West'
which, The Silver Arrow.

THEATRE Ito Y. L, COVENT-GA RDEN. The Soldier's
Wido
ter : Gurernor Heartall, Mr. W. Farrel); the
Cheerly, Miss O'Neill. After wbicho Harlequin Mil
hausen.

• TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Scpurnioß tb BIBLE, d• AI ST/too-tot
, 4.; oil . on ay— so,

and LITERARY REVIEW.

PRICE OF STOCKS

.---
.
TRIs imr AT r‘iF.t.vp. eii-ct.octr.
sank Stock , 2G9 2681 Ban': L. Ann..... 204 5-1604
3 per Cent. itrd
..... ...7siii India Bonds . .b6s. 876. ii"
3 per Cent. C0n5.....77j 78i, South Sea Stock Bis;
q
31 per Cent ......... ..... 871 Old Annuities
4 per Cents. ..... :.. : ... etlil Etch. Bills, 2d... 19s. 21s. l'r;
qi
4 per Cent. Navy Ann.. IO Cons. fur Account .. 79a;