The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-18 00:00:00

COURT OF CIIANCERY.Tuts Day.)

TUG PORTS:4OI;TR CAUSE.—JUDOMENT.
This being the day appointed for hearing the applica-
tion for a prosisioral committee over Lord Portsmouth,
the (burl was more Olin osoally 'crowded.
Mr. HART, in rising to bring the subject forward,
stated that the petition was from Walter Skirrow,
and prayed that ttse custody and care of the person of
Lord Portsmouth might be entrusted to John Drape.-
Coombe, E'q. or some other pet inn, anti) the rrnianent
Commission was appointed, awl that the pectiorer be
at liberty to pay over certain sums of money oat of the
funds in his hands for the support, comfort and
nonce of his Lordship. The Learned Counsel repeated
the grant to the 'Coble Earl, the marriages, etc. L-.
which have already nppeared before our readers, awl
went on to state that Mr. Coombe, who had had, Can
the care of his Lordship for a very considerattig
time, was willing to act, bnt had expressed a
wisp that the sanction of this Court should be obtained
for his so doing, without which he declined continuing
in his office. He (Mr. C.) *as also willing to go into
the country with his Lordship, which was highly me--
sary to his peace of mind; and, when the humanity,
kindness, and attention of Mr. Coombe were considered,
it would 'clearly appear, that he %vat the most fit and pro:
per person to have the care of his Lordship. Mr. Skit-
row, was the chief Auditor and Steward of Lord Ports-
mouth's atm., and as such, had at the present time con-
pitlerable foods in his hands. He had paid various slims
for the maintenance of his Lordship.; and he now prayed
also, that he might be allowed to pay such monies as
might be reasonably wanted, for the comfort of his Lard.

ship.
Messrs. Rougnct and bocerroarn were with Mr.
Hart.
The Attorney General, could not help expressing hi:
surprise at the present application. It might be said as
en excuse for it that delay would take place in the Mus-
ter's Office, but how that could he he was at,. a loss to
devise. How was it, he ask"ed, that Mr. Skirrow, of all
other persons, applied on the part of- this unfortunate
Nobleman? Mr. Skirrow was accountable to the Trus-
tees. Hed he made any application to Mr. Newton Fel-
lowes, on whose part no objection would have been
made to the application of any part,--or the
whole of the money for the comfort and support of Lord
Portsmouth? With'respect to Mr. Coombe, he should
speak of him with the highest reaped, but was It !avant
to be said that any undue interference bad hatch place
with respect to him, since the verdict of the jnry had
been returned. He opposed the present petition on the
ground that it was wholly unne yto make the
application.
The LORD CHANCELLOR.—What is the exact state of
the ease in the Master's-Office?
The ATTORNEY UENERAL.—PrOpOsaIe have been ta-
ken in and the first warrant issued, my Lord.
Tilt, LORD CHANCELLOR.—There are some of the I.rs-
poials here I shall certainly not sanction.
The ATToRNIT GENERAL intimated that one was, that
Mr. Henry Arthur Fellowes, who was the next Tenant in
Tail, should be the Committee of the Estate.
Mr. WETHERELL, and Mr. PEPTa followed on the
same side.
Mr. HART replied.—Why? be asked, did not iris
learned friends on the other side name some person. All
that the Petition prayed au that Mr. Coombe or some
other person might have the care of It is Lordship's per-
son. All that he Mr. Hart would ask of his Lordship,
was whether Mr. Coombe who would not continue tw
act unless authorised by the Court, and armed with some
authori,y, should or should not be removed. - -
The LORD CMANCaLLOR in the course of hicrentarks
expressed surprise that application had not been made to
the tireat Seal before it had taken places and vshleh• he
could Only ascribe to the tender feelingi of the reletivaw
of the unfortunate Nobleman. it seemed to his' Lord-
ship that when
-the verdict was returned, he • coal 4 of
himself have interfered with respect to the case or:hits
Lordship, and lie should now lay aside the .tiatstion
whether or not delay would take place in
office of the Master ; and thinking as he did - that
Mr. Coombe ought to be continued in the care AA Ms
Lordship, he should order that Lord Portsmouth be re;
moved by Mr. Coombe to Horstbouroe ; that the greatest
care should be taken of his person; and if there was any
disturhsnee made, or likely to be made, application
should be made to the Court. He did not mean to say
that any disturbance would take place, and he would
therefore conclude with observing, that he should not
now decide on the subject of expellees or costs, but re-
serve that point until the regular Commission was, ap-
pointed. He, however, would now intimate to Mr.
Skirrow, that if he advanced any reasonable sums fbr toe
support and combat of Lord Portsmouth., he should not
matter.
Mr. HART said it was not meant to be inferred-that
any disturbance would be attempted.
The LORD CHANCELLOR.—I do not mean to 'Will that
there will ; but I cannot forget what formerly took plaCe.