The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-29 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, MAlicH

William Crossley was opposed by Mr. Coosa on behalf
of Mr. John Ingrain, under the following distressing cir-
cumstances, and the case wise proved against the insolvent '
without a single question having been put to hint by counsel
on either side.
The investigation occupied a considerable length of time ; '
but the following are the succinct partieslars.
The opposing creditor lived at No. 2, Disko-street,
Ahlgate, and is a woollen-draper. In September last,
the insolvent kept the Bell and Crown public-house,
Kingeland-road. About that time, witness being about
to take a wino-vaults, went to consult the insolvent,
whom he had long known. The insolvent said, that the
lionise in question would not suit him, but as he (in-
solvent) did not like the publio business, he would
let him his house, if they could come to terms. Wit-
ness believed that the insolvent said, that the lease
and good-will would be about 9150/., and the fixtures,
&c. were to be taken at a valuation. He said, that Messrs.
Hoare and Co. had advanced 8001. on the lease. After
having gone to Messrs. Hoare and Co., who agreed to let
7501. remain on the lease, witness then paid 25/. as a de-
posit, an the understanding was, that he was to go in on
the 2tith of September. Several adjournments took place
from time to time, during which the insolvent drew money
from him on account of the good-will, ; and on one oc-
casion, when he requested more money, witness gave him
his watch and seals for 51., for which he gave a memoran-
dum that they were to be redeemed for that sum. About
the let of November, he pressed witness again for 301.,
saying he wanted to go into the cheese-market, which wit-
-1.1171 refused, hut ultimately consented to give money for
a bill for that amount. While the bill was being
drawn, Mr. Moray, the broker, came in and witnessed
that the money was paid. As soon as tha insolvent got
hold of the money, he stepped out at a side-door and ran
off, because he knew Mr. gtorey. Almost immediately
after this advance, he discovered that he had been defrauded
of money and goods to the amount of near 1401. The wit-
ness (with tears in his eyes) declared, that in order to
raise part of the money, he had actually sold the bad from
under his children. He had paid the insolvent's bill away,
and being unable to take it up, he (witness) was under a
threat of arrest. Although he considered the insolvent,
whom he had known many years, to be his friend, he
would tot have advanced the money, but upou'the faith of
being admitted into the public house.
Mr. Commiesioner Iltaiits, in passing judgment, ob-
served, that the case had been heard at great length by
every person in the Court, therefore he need make but few
' remarks. A case of grosser fraud could not he imagined,
and the Court could not sever the last 301. from the prior
transactions, and it was quite demonstrative to his mind,
that, from the beginning, the insolvent hail no bona file
intention of fulfilling his engagements, but that, on the
contrary, he practised and premeditated fraud against a per-
son whose interests he was hound to protect. Under all
the eircurnitanees of the ease, the judgment of the Court
was, that the ins Trent he confined within the walls I,f the
prison for the term of eight eall4idar mouths, at the suit of
his detaining and opposing creditor.