The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-04-14 00:00:00

LAN' mrELLIGENCE.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH, OVILDNALL. APRIL 13.

SHORT r SeCARTIIT.

This was an action to recover from the defendant,
who is a solicitor, a sous of 3•201. paid by him on account
of the phintiff, for the reversion of a snm of PIM in
the Fi% e repents. Stock, but which Has lost to the
plaintiff through the alleged negligence of the defendant.

The case fur the plaintiff was conducted by Mr. TIN-
DALL, and that fur the defendant by 31r. SCARLIETT.
The following is a succinct statement of the damn-
stanses of the case :

Mr. Short was induced to treat for the puchase of a
reversion of the above-mentioned funded stock, on the
death of an old woman named .Shand, living as a servant
with a fatnily in the Minuries. It was alleged to him
that this sum was bequeathed to her by the will of a re-
lative, registered in Doctors' Commons, and vesting the
money in trustees for her use ; and the sum agreed on
for the purchase was 320/., this woman at the time being
considerably above 70 years of age. The plaintiff di-
rected the defendant, his solicitor, to prepare the roper
deed, and to inquire respecting the will at Doctors Com-
mons, and the Stock in the Bank. He sent Ws clerk to
make the inquiry, who satisfied himself as to the will
and its contents at the Cummins ; hut on inquiry at the
Bank, lie was informed by a clerk that it was not usual
to allow strangers to examine the Stock books without
authority fr the Bank Directors. He reported this
answer to his employer, and no further inquiry was
made. 'flie deed being ready, the plaintiff handed the
defendant :he purchase-money to complete the bargain,
with strict injunctions to ace that all was quite alKat, be-
fore he parted with the niattey. It was paid! and the
deed etecnte3. The dal woman still Tleia!
transaction occurred in lSl2; six years etaii-01 without
further inquiry. when it was discovered, on exatuirtation
that there never was any such stock as that mentioned
star in the names stated, and that the will in the
Commons ismst have been either a trick to found a
gross fraud, or made by some testator who had no such
property.
_ _

The Learned Judge was of opinion, under all the cir-
cumstances, Ow the defendant was answerable to the
plaintiff for the stun thus disposed of, without the vigi-
lance it was his duty to exert.

The Jury found fur theplaintitf—Damages 320/. Costs
40s.

ZION COFFINS.

This subject, which has so often occupied the atten-
tion of this Court in a variety of shapes, came forward
again this day, in form of an action of damages, for as•
sault and false imprisonment, brought by

BRIDORMEN, THR PATENTOR, r. ■CRRARP, ONE OF THE

CHURCHWARDENS 01 T. ANDREW, HOLBORN.

It will he recollected that this contest originated in
the endeavour of Mr. Bridgman, a Lib is an undertaker,
to procure the sepulture of the deceased wife of Mr.
Gilbert, a ,tole-merchant of the said parish, in an iron
coffin, at the parish burial-ground in Gray's Inn-lane,
on the 10th of March, 1619. But the fees demanded
were BM which the husband of the deceased refined to
pay, as too exorbitant, and the Innly remained unburied
until the following 10th of June, when, without any
previot notice, Mr. Bridgman brought it in funeral
array to the parish church-yard of St. Andrew, in Hol-
born. The I'lergyman was that day occupied with his
parish children at St. Paul's; and the sexton refused to
receive the body. Mr. Widgeons:l insisted on the right
of sepulture; warm disinters arose; the churchwardens:
were sent for, and at near right o'clock Mr. Burrard ar-
rived. He would listen to no representation or remon-
strance from Bridgman, hut charged Min with raisin
disturbance and exciting riot, and threatened if be di
not itistantly quit the el.itreh-yard, lie would order his
beadles to take him into custody and carry him le the
Compeer; Mr. Bridgman refused to quit; and filir:liters:
rand ordered the beadles to seize hint and take him to
the l otnpter in Oiltspur-street, which they did with
much violence. He was confined there for the night,
and until twelve next day, when lie was brought before
Alderman Domville, at the Justice Room, Guildhall •
who, on hearing the charge made against him, dismitset
it as groundless. A man, named Vrewen, one of the
beadles, was then induced to swear an assault against
him ; upon which the Alderman felt it his duty to hold
him in sureties to abide his trial at the nest City Ses-
sion, where he was tried and acquitted; and for those
ass cults and false imprisonment he now brought this
action, laying his damages at 51.101.

Mr. St'tleLETT, Kith Mr. CHITTY, managed the care
for thr pl ' 'tf; Mr. Usautar, with Mr. LATTLIIKALC,
fur the defendant.

Above twenty witne(ses were examined on both sides.
The CHM' JUSTICE, in summing np for the Jury, told
them the point here for their consideration was, whether
the plaintiff had committed any breach of the peace, or
dune any thing to excite riot or disturbance. If they
should lie of opinion that be had, then their verdict
:mid he for the defendant. But if not, then the de-
fendant bail greatly exceeded his authority, am) must
be reitonsible fur the consequence; and their verdict
'mold be for the plaintiff. In considering the damages,
they would exerci•e a calm anal dispassionate delibera-
tion, and give what they thought reasonable.
The Jury found fur the plaintiff—Dam ages 100/.
rums 40s.

'flee trial lasted till half•past fire o'clock.