The Sun.
London, England, 1827-09-25 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.
(THIS DAY.)

CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE SOCIETY.

The Reverend Robert Taylor, whose case came
before the Court visterday, and which will be found
in another column, was brought up 'twain this day.
A preliminary objection was made to the petitioner's
swearing on the Holy Scriptures, he being an.avowed
Deist ; and on that objection the case stood over.
Upon the -insolvent being brought up this day,
the book was put into his hand; and the oath ,
ad-
ministered to him in the usual form. It was taken
by Mr. T. without any manifestation of reluctance.
Mr. Commissioner LAW then observed that since
yesterday he had give' the questioe, which was
mooted, his best consideration, and the result was,
that he thought the petitioner might be sworn in
the usual manner, notwithstanding his peculiar
opiniens and avowed disbelief of the doctrines of the
Christian Church. In this opinion he was strength-
ened by looking into the books, in which he found
it had been laid down in some cases of scrupulous
conscience, that a Deist might be sworn on the-New
Testament, provided he acknowledged his legal
responsibilities.
Mr. POLLOCK did not wish to press his objection,
as he.was sure that the Court had come advisedly to
the-decision, that the petitioner might be sworn.—
As Counsel for the opposing creditors, however,
lie had considered, it his duty to start the objection.
The-petitioner's case was then entered upon, Mr.
HALcomn appearing in his behalf, and Mr. Pomocx
for the opposing creditors. The debt on which the
insolvent was arrested, was a bill for 700/. passed to
a person named May, with whom the insolvent was
about to commence a school. near Bristol ' ' but as he
had been deprived, he said unjustly, of theadvantages
he might have derived from.the speculation, he. did
not consider himself bound to pay the bill, and had
taken defence to an action brought against hint to
recover its amount.
The insolvent underwent a long examination by
Mr. POLLOCK, and stated that he had no expecta-
tion of any property, reversionary or otherwise ;
never received the acceptance now produced from a
person named Edmund May ; believes the ac-
ceptance now produced to be a forgery. The peti-
tioner was here handed a bill, which he stated he
had passed to Mr. May in 1820 ; had various
transactions with May, with whom he was about to
commence partnership in a large school; petitioner
was in possession of the school for some time ; be-
lieves in " good faith," and estimates it as highly
as any man ; does not consider in good faith that he
owes any person a shilling; considers his oath was
taken in good faith ; petitioner knows Mr. Florence
the solicitor of Finsbury-square; does not owe him any
Money; Mr. Florence defended an action against
petitioner, and petitioner paid 61. for the costs in-
curred in the action. Does not consider that he
owes Mr. Florence any thing for his services, which
were given through friendship. Has never received
any bill from Florence, but has frequently met him
in the streets, and he never hinted to witness that
he considered him his debtor.
Mr. Commissioner LAW said it was quite clear
that Mr. Florence was a creditor, and as such, notice
ought to be served on him, and his name inserted in
the insolvent's schedule. •

Insolvent examined Mr. HALCOMB—Has made
every, inquiry to find out where Mr. Florence re-
slues, but was unsuccessful. Believes he is now in
embarrassed circumstances, but has often met him
In the streets.
Mr. Watson, a clerk to the detaining creditors
Produced a copy of a bill of costs amounting to 46/:
the
expence to which the parties had been put in
the action which the insolvent had defended. _
The insolvent, in his examination, stated that he
~c°nßidered the bill had been fraudulently obtained
'ln him. This was the reason which induced him
to defend the action on his honour.
M. PoLtAwx said it was not .on honour bnt on
°ath, that testimony was given in a Court, Of law.
Mr. Taylor.--Not always on honour, I believe.
In another part of the examination, Mr? Taylor
,8 proceeding to reflect on the conduct of some
0
his creditors whom he characterised'as swindlers,
Ivh
en he was interrupted by the Court, and informed
that he must confine himself to answering the ques-
ilo;! put by the Counsel.
The examination having concluded, Mr. POLLOCK
submitted that the evidence went to prove that the
''solvent had taken a vexatious defence to the action
br
°Hight by his detaining creditors, and was not there-
fore
entitled to the relief which the Act provided.
The Court overruled the objection, and the peti-
t.
'oner's case was directed to stand over to obtain the
consent of Mr. Florence.