The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-07 00:00:00

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, THURSDAY, FE3.5,

IRREGULAR PRACTICE—COMMITTAL TO NewcATE.
The COURT called up Simpson to show cause. and placed
Dixson, an Insolvent, whose business be had conducted,
in the witness-box. The witness then produced a paper,
containing memorandums of payments to Simpson of the
aggregate sum of W. 195., which Simpson did not drny
having received.
CHIEF COMMISAIONER.—WeII, Mr. Simpson, We adjonrned
this case for your convenience, in order that you may be
allowed time—what have you to say by way of explanation
or extenuation ?
Mr. Simpson said, he did not wish to take np the valu-
able time of the Court; he would, however, implore the
Court to look at every circumstance connected with the
offence with which be was charged. He hail received a
letter from Mr. Duncan, containing a promise that he
would come to the prison to attest the schedule, but not
coming. he (Simpson) was induced to act as he had done.
He begged the Court to take the following circumstances
into its consideration t—llo was a cripple, and subject to
a mental affliction, beyond which he had lately experienced
a domestic affliction by the loss of an aged utother, , hence
be hoped that the Cow t would moderate its punishment ;
he threw himself upon its humanity; and as lie did not
act wilfully in violation of its rules, he implored the Court
to temper judgment with merry.

JUDGMENT.
The Cuter COMMISSIuNER addressed the offender in the
tallowing terms:—" It is quite impossible for the Court
lo pass over your ease without its marked animadversion.
In consequence of frequent irregularities is former times
the Legislature thought proper to enact that nose but cer-
tified attorneys should be employed to act in this Court be-
tween the insolvent debtor and the public creditor, in
order that the Court might have a powerful controul over
them, as in other Courts. This wise regulation was made
in order that the insolvent should have his business
properly transacted, and that the creditor might be satis-
fied that a proper and honest account would be given of
the insolvent's affairs. I'ersuant to this regulation, the
Court had appointed a number of attorneys, whose charac-
ter and abilities they bad previously investigated; and al-
though attorneys so appointed by the Court were of t e es-
sity obliged to employ clerks, yet the Court had always
laid it down that they were responsible for their acts. You!
were well acquainted with the rules of the Court, and the
requirements of the act—you knew that an attorney of the
Court must attest the schedule, and you clandestinely re-
quested some one or other to do so, under a pretext you
knew not to be trae—you also knew that the Court re-
quired retainers to be signed by the insolvent, and you
procured them accordingly. Hence, it is quite clear that
you were well versed in the practice of the Court—not-
withstanding which you have thus attempted to contravene
its rules. Your conduct also shows that you have been
careless of the sacred obligations of an oath, having re-
peatedly sworn to matters you knew to he untrue, which
is an aggravation of your offence. As I said at first, I say
now, the Court would be guilty of a dereliction of its
duty, were it to allow your case to pass over without its
marked disapprobation. Taking, liolvever, the mitiga-
tory circumstances you* have laid before the Court into
consideration—viz. your personal and family afflictions,
the Court thinks that the ends of public justice will be met
by the judgment it is about to pass—which is, that you be
committed to the county gaol in which you now are
(namely to the gaol of Newgate), for one calendar month,
for contempt of this Court." The Learned Connnissioner
hoped the example made would deter others from similar
practices, and be a caution to the avorneys of the Court
to take care shat characters they employed.
The warrant of commitment having been made out,
the officers of the court conducted Mr. Simpson to
Newgate.

POLICE.
-..■.-

MA NSION-HOUiC.

Yesterday. George Plummer, a young men of about
28 years of age, underwent an examination on a suspicion
of fratricide. The prisoner is the son of Mr. Plummer,
a respectable stay-maker, residing near the Minories.
Another son of Mr. Plummer, Robert. set up in business
wore than seven years since. at St. Albans, anti married
there. His marriage proved unfortunate. and he sepa-
rated from his wife, who afterwards cohabited with other
m •n.
In November, 1817, Robert suddenly disappeared from
his business, in which he had been established and success-
ful. There appeared to have been no money taken, es if
to provide for a long journ. y. There was no disturbance
or arrangements in his affairs or goads; and his brother
William went down and succeeded him in his business
which he has carried on ever since. Not the slightest,
motive for his disappearance could be conceived by any one
connected with him. On the night before he was observed
at St. Albans, for the last time. He was said to have,seen
his wife with a man. On the next day be was seen to get
into a poet-chaise with a strange man at Redfern, and this
was the last trace of him.
The prisoner. for the last two years, according to the
statement of his father and mother, had pursued the most
extraordinary conduct. He had been in the habit of
coming at midnight and creating disturbances. On these
occasions he accused himself of a knowledge of the fate of
his brother. The mother stated, he had told her that lie
knew of his brother's death, which was a violent one, and
that be knew where his body lay. Mr. Plummer had been
driven almoit to distraction by those declarations, and by
the conduct of the prisoner, whom he found necessary to
give into custody on the last occasion that he came to make,
a disturbance, and he was charged with a breach of the;
peace. But the Lord 'Mayor thought the cue one whiebt
ought to undergo a thorough investigation.
William Plummer, who was seat for to St. Albans, said;
he was in that town seven years since, when his brother,
disappeared. Inquiry was made in vain. The witufisl
lapse to hoodoo eight months afterward', sod saw hi
brother, the prisoner, who cried most bitterly, and said