The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-07-25 00:00:00

•

'77774,7

.

NORWICH UNION FIRE''. AND 0111INUITY
OFFIC•I3.. •
A Meeting took place on Tbateday tentning, at
the George and Vu:ture Tavern, of private Gentle-
men, mauufacturers, and others, holding policies, or
otherwise concerned in the above establishment, to
take into consideration the spirit and manner of
some of its late proceedings in regard to those per-
sons who had claims upon it. About 50 Gentlemen
were present. Mr. Alderman Thorp was in the
Chair. Some curious facts were adduced on this oc-
casion, which, if their correctness may be depended
on, will direct a considerable degree of public odium
towards the conductors of the Norwich Union. Se-
veral persons present stated the treatment to which
they had been capered, and the difficulties they had
encountered before they were able to obtain satisfac-
tion of their demands. It was said to have been.
the practice, at least in London, to oppose every ob-
stacle to claimants, to offer sums far short of what
was really due, and on a day being fixed for final
payment, still to evade by every possible means
the final settlement, Individuals of great re-
spectability have. frequently bad their veracity
impeached by them without cause, have under-
gone cross-examinations-, and even ' been sub-
jected to the imputation of fraud and disbctliesty,'
without the smallest ground whatever..--The
London Agent is said to have told one of the Gentle.
men present, that the Company have a fund of
30,0041. for defrayiog the expence of litigations.—
Few of the Noblemen and Gentlemen whose train's
appeared in their policies and circular • letters, had
any concern in the Company, and in some instances
the sanction of their names had heed obtained in
surreptitious meow. As a proof of the importance
and necessity of engeiry into the concerns of this
Company, it was stated that they are liable, on po-
fides of insurance against fire, to the moist of
40,000,0001. ; and were responsible upon life an.-
nuities to the @sleet of 2,400,0001. yearly. A
series of Resoletiorts, expressing the sense enter-
tained by the Meeting of the midget of the Nor.
with Union, and its determination to' proceed,
—for the public benefit, to a strict investigation
of all the circumstances connected with it, were read

and passed enaeimously. A Committee was appoint.
ed, with power to add to its number, to conduct the
business. A Gentleman named Lovell, the Agent to
the Norwich Union for thetas,' of Birmiogham, was
present in the room doting the whole of the proceed.
logs, at the desire, as we understood, of the Direc.
tors of the Norwich Union. Mr. Lovell expressed
his conviction of their general wish to render justice
to the Public, but did not offer any contradiction of
the facts related to the Meeting.
The eases adduced to show the manner in which the
business of this !Insurance Company had been con-
ducted were oemeroos ; we give, as a specimen, that
of Stubbs, a linen.draper, in Fleet-market, related
by Mr. Rothwell, one of the creditors.
Stubbs was insured with the Norwich Union for
3,0001. and suffered a total loss by fire. On applica-
lion for the payment of the sum insured, on which bis
solvency depended, he experienced touch difficulty in
establishing his claims and iu coming to a proper
understanding with the Office. The affair was taken
lop by his creditors, ,who made enquiry at other le-
i mance Offices, when they learned that the obstacles
and delays of the Union Office were considered
unusual, and very different from the liberal spirit
generally acted upon ; they had en interview on the
subject with the Loudon Agent, who treated them
very cavalierly.

After some time an offer was made to Stubbs of
1,7001., little more than half his claim. This was of
course rejected. After a (driller delay the offer was
increased to 2,2001., but this was also refused. An
arbitration was then agreed on, and after infinite
trouble, caused chiefly by the London Agent, who
demanded in the first instance, that the arbitrator
should toot be a lawyer, andafterwards insisted on the
contrary, Stubbs obtained an award for something
more than 2,9001. A day was then flied on for the
payment, but on application the London agent was
not to be found, having, as it appeared, set out fur
Norwich. Stubbs was advised to follow him, and
did so, arriving at Norwich. soon after the London
Agent, whom he traced to the Mail, in which he had
taken a place to return to London, and they both
came back by the same vehicle, Stubbs being an out-
side and the Agent an inside passenger. Stubbs, it
appears, had a very intelligent legal friend, who
advised all his actions; and the arrest of the Agent
was recommended, which was effected with some
difficulty, and then, and not till then, the money
was paid. Stubbs was literally saved from bank-
ruptcy by the vigilance of his friends. Mr. ltothwell,
in concluding his account, observed that the
priuci-
pies on which the Norwich Union conducted its busi-
ness appeared to him highly reprehensible, and a
proper subject (or public notice.

„ ' .

4MERICA

~-

An article in the Natiosal Intelligencer states,
upon the authority of letters frees Georgie, that Ge-
'sere% Jackson took possession of Pensacola on the
21st of May. It appears he made certain requisi•
lions, which either were not or could not be com-
plied with, and in consequence be carried the fortress
by storm. If this account be correct, war is substan-
tially declared against Spain by the United States;
hut we still think it probable the latter would not
precipitately embark in such a contest, for she most
know, that it would be more injuries' to her-
self than her antagonist. The losses her mercantile
interest would sustain from such a war, not by
'!ipanierds, perhaps, bet by privateers sailing under
Spanish colours, woeld mate eves the eventual poiN
session of the Floridas a dear perches,. That the
acquisition of thew teritorke is a favourite polky
with the American Government, is known from facts,
and might be inferred from circumstances. ft would
make the southern portion of the United States coca.
pact, while the different Mallows sad harhoors slam,
the Melina Gulph would be of incalcelable advan-
tage in a maritime point of view. The latter cense-
deration, indeed, might suggest the propriety of Eng.
land watching the progress wl Mt Prespettlaatie
dell', vibe affair.

Tilt STATtSMAN.