Star.
London, England, 1831-05-07 00:00:00

DANK OF RNGLAND.

This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a merchant in Paris,
agsir.st the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, to tecover
the value of a note tor 5001. The Bank refused payment on the ground
that the note bad been stolen before it got into the plaintiffs possession.
On the trial it was proved that the plaintiff had used all due caution
before he exchanged the note, and the Jury, under Lord Tenterden's
direction, found the following special verdict, subject to the decision
of the Court above :—We find that the note tot 54011. was stolen from a
person named Hawkins, but there was no negligence on the part of the
plaintiff in exchanging it. Verdict for the plaintiff, subject to the opi.
nion of the Court. . .

Mr. PLAT r was heard this morning in support of the verdict,
and cited a great many authorities to show that if proper caution
MAI wad in tAking a note, the party could not be deprived of re-
covering it, in case it should have been dishonestly obtained in the first
instance. _ _ _

Mr. Fot.xxvv, on the other side, contended that as Bank of Eng-
land notes were not a legal circulation in France, the parties who ex-
changed them took all the liabilities of the former owner.
The Coyle said the doctrine laid down by Mr. Follett would
lead to the greatest inconvenience in mercantire transactions, and
they were of opinion, as the plaintiff had used proper caution and
diligence at the time he exchanged the note, he had a ;right to re-
cover, and the verdict for the plaintiff must be confirmed.—Verdict
for the plaintiff.

PHILLIPS V. HDLAM.
This was a question of some importance to Underwriters. It was
an action on a Policy of Insurance on a vessel from het port in England
to Sierra Leone. The Captain, on his atrival off Sierra Leone, made
a signal for a pilot, and, as no boat came off, ventured to run in with-
out one. Being ignorant of the harbour, he ran on the rocks, and lost
the ship. At the trial, it was left to the Jury whether the Captain was
bound to keep the ship at sea all night, and wait until the next day for
a pilot ? If under that obligation, the verdict ought to be for the
Underwriters ; if, on the other hand, he was at liberty to exercise his
discretion, the verdict should be for the assured. The Jury found for
the Plaintiff. _ _

A rule having been obtained for a new trial, the question was argued,
and the Court held that the verdict could not be disturbed.—Rule
discharged.
WESTMINSTER SESSIONS.—Fatomr.

Two lads, named Smith;nT./ohrisms, were indicted for stealing a
handkerchief.
The evidence was very clear against the prisoners, but prior to the
Case going to the Jury, the prisoners' blends were cAled, aid tour
respectable looking persons presented themselves : the three first, on
getting into the witness box, gave the prisoners a moat excellent cha-
racter. The fourth said that one of the boys bad been in his employ,
and was a very honest and industrious lad.
The CHAIILMAN.—Wbat I did yon never hear that he bad been tried
here before ? _ _ _

_ .
Witness.— Why, not positively.
Cumxwaw. What do you mean by not positively ? Did you
e .ter hear that he had been in trouble before ?
Wunebb (reluctantly)—Why, yes, I have heard of it.
CHAIRMAN—Then how dare you come here and give him such a
character, when you know that they have both been here before, and
are quite incorrigible: go down, Sir.
The Jury immediately found the prisoners Guilty.
The Clialastas said, it was quite hurtful to his feelings to see pet•-
ple come in the manner they did, and give characters to men who sere
not worthy of them. Ills only doubt now was, such was the bad c.. 4.
ratter of the prisoners, whether he should send them out of the et.uutry
for life, tu for a limited period. The Court ultimately sentenced them
to be transperusl for seven years.
Tile priwmea both exclaimed" Thank you, sir."
INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COUKT, MAY 6.

Initiates 1:;;Iherell liar,ley, late of Brewer:street, Somerstown,
grocer, was unposed by lilt. Nrcuot s, on behalf of a ttasdeider named
Lance. Mr. COOKE suppoited tie inswivent.
It appeared that the insolveut had contracted a considerable debt
with the opi.osing creditor, as also sub Messrs. Sewell, the wholes/ale
groc.n. To the latter gentlemen he made an assignment of 3001. to
which he would be entitled on the death of his mother, under his
grandfather's W.ll, but it had n.,t been executed time months before
the insolvent went to prison. lie had also mortgaged the lease of his
remises, but his wife,. continued in possession.
Mr. Nienoxs said the assignment to. Messrs. Sewell was Invalid,
consequently that money would be divided amougst the creditors.—
The Learned Counsel prayed possession of the house for he. Lance,
the assignee.
The COURT wlvised notice to be given to the executors under the
will, from which the 300 L were derivable, and which would come to
the creditors generally, but it did not think the assignee entitled to the
possession of the premises.—The insolvent was discharged.

A wag the other day being asked bya gentleman how came
it that SATAN was likened to a pawnbroker ? answered,
"it was because he claimed the unredeemed."
A clerk of Drummonds', bankers, Charing-cross, has de-
camped, with cash, bills, &c. to the amount of upwards of
2,0001. The Police are in active search of the delinquent,
and from the information they have received, they have no
doubt of an early capture. Two hundred pounds are
offered for his apprehension.